A number of readers posted questions today on various aspects of promoting our fiction. I’ll try to respond to a fair number of these here, in no particular order:
1) Colleen asked:
Valerie’s question is excellent. Thanks for answering. But I have another one . . I write adventure stories of a missionary kid in different parts of South America and eventually, the world. My one-liner for my present novel: “A twelve-year-old boy risks his friendship–and his life–to unmask crime and superstition in the mysterious Archipelagos.” Any ideas for a super article when you write for kids?
Randy sez: The key word here is “South America”. I bet there are a ton of kids every year who have to write a report about South America. You should do a little research here to find out exactly what parts of South America get searched on most often. (See my e-book on SuperArticles for how you do this research.) Then write some informative and kid-friendly articles on those areas. You might even include a short story set in South America.
2) Lynda wrote:
I’ve been pondering. My novels will deal with creationism. I am a former chemist and homeschool mom,so I thought I could come from that angle. Problem: its already been done and by people far better than I in both education and creation science. Any ideas?
Randy sez: Creationism is big among home-schoolers. Since you are a chemist and a home-school mom, you have an inside track here. How about creating a unit-study for home-schoolers on some aspect of Creationism? A unit-study should be targeted to a particular grade-level, so you could do one for each grade you’re interested in. You could sell them on your web site and generate some cash while you promote your novels!
3) Valerie asked:
I am still stuck. What kind of Super Article can a fantasy writer make? The closest I can think of is writing about the extensive research I did into the year 3000 BC. I have based the setting on a blend of many cultures and technologies during this time. Of course, I will maybe use at most 10%, if that.
Do I convert my story idea into a gaming format or module? Do I make an interactive map? (Not exactly sure how to do that but have seen a couple).
Randy sez: Yes, fantasy is harder to write a SuperArticle about. I’ve been meaning to address this question, because it’s come up several times. The advantage you fantasy writers have is that fantasy is big, especially among kids and adults in their 20s. I think it’s going to see a lot of growth in coming years.
One idea I had a few days ago was that one of you fantasy writers could create an article on dragons. Where did those myths of dragons come from? How have dragons played a role in myths and stories through the ages? What is the closest living species to a dragon? What sort of dragon art is out there? Any or all of these could form the basis for a web page on dragons. Google “dragons” to see what’s available. What do you see missing? Can you fill that gap?
But there are other aspects of fantasy you could tie into. For example, all those “creative anachronism” societies. What appeals to those people? How can you serve them? The definition of an entrepreneur is “someone who finds a need and fills it.”
4) Pam wrote:
For example: I have an autistic daughter. She has seizures. That makes it just about impossible for us to go to church while on vacation or visting my parents. Most churches do not have a special needs nursery and are not equipped to handle kids who can’t sit in church, Sunday school or the regular nursery. This should not be. Of all the places in the world, the church is one place where I should be able to take my daughter. I can write an article about this. I even have a name: No Place For Anna.
Will that boost my writing? I don’t know. But like Randy sez, if the writing is good, it will get noticed.
Randy sez: I wish, I wish, I wish when my book DOUBLE VISION came out that I had got in touch with some of the national organizations for autistic people. Because I’m sure they’d have loved the book and helped to promote it. (The leading man in the story, Dillon, has Asperger’s Syndrome.) I’ve heard from a few moms who wrote me to say that they have a son with Asperger’s and he’s just like Dillon. They felt that the book was good for their sons because it showed an autistic man in a positive light.
But I didn’t do that. I wish I had. So Pam, yes, write that article. Then promote it. There’s no telling how far an article like that would take you. If you have autistic characters in your fiction, that would definitely help you promote your novels.
Bottom line: Anything you care strongly about is a prime candidate for a SuperArticle. If you care about it, the odds are good someone else will care about it. Maybe a lot of people will.
For Joleena: I am also a former homeschooling mom and we always had a cat lounging across the desk. HA!
Thanks, Randy, for your help. I’ve been putting off an article for YEARS. It’s a whole different way of writing, and I keep telling myself I’m not an article writer. But I can see it’s something very important for even a novelist.
I do find that almost every story I come up with has a character who is either mentally or physically disabled. I never set out to cast a character that way, but they continue to worm their way into the storyline. 🙂
Hello, Pam, any one home in there? Sheesh. I really need to pay attention!
I think, as a fantasy writer meself, that one of the best examples of super-articles and resources out there comes from Holly Lisle, so if you are looking for ideas, or a springboard for your own article inspiration, check out her site at…where else?
www.hollylisle.com
Tons to browse, with info for readers and writers, plus workshops, etc.
To Lynda – I’m a parochial school teacher and plan to do some Creation-oriented books some day (I’m swamped with other stuff right now.) There is no such thing as too much Creationism material. Please write more novels like that and promote them like crazy. I’d buy them for my school. If you have a website, make sure you post articles for teachers looking for more Creation material. When I posted a small article on Creation, I got several hits and a couple of inquisitive e-mails (I don’t have anything to sell.) Be ready for the naysayers, though. I’ve been slammed several times. Ignore it. Delete and ban those people and focus on the God-given message.
Stephenie
www.faith-filled.com
Thanks Randy for giving us Fantasy writers some tips. I was really confused, but I now have several ideas running through my head. I’ll have to do a bit more research to see where I can “fill in a gap” but at least now I have something to go on.
Thanks Randy for giving us Fantasy writers some tips. I was really confused, but I now have several ideas running through my head. I’ll have to do a bit more research to see where I can “fill in a gap” but at least now I have something to go on.
What great counsel, Randy. Thank you. I am going to track down your e-book and get crackin’! I didn’t make this clear, but I live in Chile, and have had the privilege to be in the Archipelagos, Amazon jungle of Brazil, Iguazú Falls (where they made the movie, “The Mission”) and the Inca ruins in Macchu Picchu, so perhaps in some respects that would make the task a bit easier. Now, I just need to find which locations have had more hits on the Internet….thank you so much, again.
Yep, you definitely got my brain a percolatin’!
Yes Pam, there is obviously something to the stereotype.
Actually, to many different stereotypes.
Certain professions are more so than others.
For instance, my son who is just finishing his Science degree, is a typical engineering type.
As a little boy, he actually slept with one of his Christmas presents–a small hammer. And later, it wasn’t enough to transform his Transformers, he had to literally take them apart.
Homeschooling was highly successful for all my kids.
My son had ranked second in the province on his National Star Certification Exam with cadets and won a paid trip to Germany as well as the Presidential Range Mountains and other camps as well.
One of my daughters went to a space camp in St. Jean Quebec as well as other camps and has just won a writing award and a $2500 dollar scholarship. She’s on the President’s Roll at college and is just a really happy camper who creates a whole new meaning to the idea of a book-worm.
My other daughter is such a socialite (banishing the idea of homeschooling being bad for social skills). She has so many friends and she’s on the go so much it’s unbelievable–a bouncing boppy teen who helps others with their schoolwork.
Regarding the expertise for these super articles:
I think Randy is correct when he says that you can become an expert with the right angle.
A lot of good information is often buried in thick texts.
A good writer can extract some of this and make it useful for others.
I loved Randy’s brainy deductions regarding the Jesus tomb. I wish I could be such a whiz!
Blessings,
Joleena
Stephenie—Thank you for the advice and encouragement.
Joleena—Congrats on your success! Mine both went to university on academic scholarships and graduated magna cum laude. Homeschool works.
The kid who won the Scripps spelling bee was homeschooled, but you had to dig waaayy down in the articles to find that out. What isn’t the media trying to let us know?
MLE
I’ve been reading your blog off and on since it started up, but this is the first time I’ve commented. Just wanted to start by saying thanks for being so helpful 🙂
I had actually been thinking about creating an article on dragons. One of the book ideas I’ve got composting involves a world where there are seven dragons that are the physical embodiment of the seven deadly sins. Article or no, I think it would be good for me to study.
Another idea I’ve got is to do an article on the seven deadly sins and seven heavenly virtues.
I suppose in the way of brainstorming for ideas for articles, I was thinking of doing one on Elves myself. Too many people have preconceived ideas and misconceptions that it would be nice to clear up…not to mention a bit of free marketing on the side.
I am a fantasy author, and don’t get me wrong, I am good for my age. I’m only 17, and finishing up my final draft of edits on my manuscript.
I’m not sure if you should do the article now John, in response to that. If you haven’t begun your planning or writing on your novel and don’t plan to tease readers by putting part of it online, etc, etc. people might get bored in anticipation.
Well done, Joleena!
I really enjoyed the challenge too, and know much more about Forensic Art than I did before – and I think a novel about a forensic artist sounds intriguing. Great hook, Carrie!
As a suggestion to the YA writers – don’t forget your super article/s might also be aimed at parents. As a mum of four kids, I buy their books (not them!) – and I’m extremely fussy about what I give them to read. But once I’m sold on a children’s author (or a specific publisher) I’ll buy everything I can find by them.
Rachel
(another homeschool mum who finds creationism slipping into her stories …)
Thanks Randy and all of you for fryin’ my brain with ideas. I do have a questions for you homeschool moms (if, Randy, I may be so bold as to ask this on your forum). If I were to work on how-to do portrait/ drawing/watercolor for children, would you want it in book format or DVD? or both? Would you want it for you to show/tell, or for your kids to use? How do you find out about your materials?
Blessings,
Carrie
Carrie,
Either book or DVD would work, depending on the teacher’s teaching style and the children’s learning styles. I found out about my materials through the CHEA convention, catalogues, and word of mouth. And now, there is far more material advertised on-line than when I was teaching my kids.
Sheesh, Randy. You’re really good at this!
Right now I’m writing a 3-book series with professional baseball players in it. It’s just what they do. The series is really women’s fiction meets suspense. Any ideas for a super article for that? I can’t come up with anything.
Thanks!