Well, almost anything.
The folks behind the Writers Supporting Writers blog (Berthold, Chuck, Lucinda, Mark, Richard, and Audrey) want your questions. About writing, publishing, inspiration, being indie, querying, rejections, sales, marketing, writing rules, etc. etc. The whole gamut of topics related to the world of writing.
We are eager to offer our personal views on any writing-related subject you may be wondering about. Why did we start writing? What did we do to get our works published? How do we promote our writing? I’m sure you can think of many other questions.
We will answer your questions over the next few months, in the form of blog posts and/or video chats.
Ask away! Comments are open!
Featured image from Pexels
Writers Supporting Writers 
If you’re all open to a slightly silly question, I have something for you.
Which fictional monster or creature would you want to see in person if it really existed? Which fictional creature would you not want to meet under any circumstances? Are there any writing rules about these creatures that could be tweaked enough to convince you to change your minds? (For example, maybe you’d be willing to meet a sparkling vampire or a slowly shambling zombie but not their more dangerous counterparts? Or maybe not?)
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That’s a great question, Lydia! I think the group will have fun answering that one.
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I’m thinking of trying to self-pub a book. How do you get something on Kindle? I feel like I may be borderline crazy, because it seems like it should be an obvious process given how people say “it’s easy.” I’m finding it very “not easy.”
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It’s a multipart process. You have to create a document that can be turned into a Kindle ebook or print book. I personally have found that to have its challenges. Then there’s actually selling the book. The WSW gang collectively and individually can offer a variety of experiences with doing that stuff. Thanks for your question!
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Here’s a quick guide to get you, and everyone else interested in publishing their book started: https://writerssupportingwriters.com/2022/01/03/a-brief-guide-to-publishing-your-book/
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Where does the MSW gang come down on the “rules” of marketing books? (I thought I’d start out with an open-ended–and loaded–question.)
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Well, you probably know we don’t really follow rules. And (speaking for myself) aren’t really marketing experts. One thing about being indie is you can make your own definition of success and devise a marketing approach that serves it. (Which is a clever way of saying I’ve found a way of living with my modest book sales). This is certainly a perennial topic I’m sure we’ll return to in the next few months.
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Thank you, Audrey. I’ve always been more of a relationships person than a numbers person, so modest sales for me, too.
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I have a very specific question. How do you do custom image scene separators in a Kindle ebook. How big, what format, and do you just insert it as an image where typically a # would go?
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I haven’t done scene separators, but in my last ebook, a collection of short stories, I added small images right at the end of each story. I found suitable free images on Pixabay and popped them into the Word document. It wasn’t too hard, as I recall.
Your question (and some stuff I’m dealing with now) suggests that formatting documents for ebook or print could be a great WSW topic.
Thanks, Priscilla!
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• What’s your thoughts on writers writing only what they feel compelled to write, ignoring the market or even the concepts of demand? In other words, how much do you think writers should pay attention to their niche, if they even have one?
• Create a “known universe” (including an inviolate canon) or create a series — preference?
• Mundane world vs improbable world vs impossible world? Where do your stories take place? What do you think sells better or is more appealing as a burgeoning author? (i.e. The Notebook vs Hunger Games vs Harry Potter).
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That is a meaty question! The first part can be quickly answered with “It depends on your reasons for writing in the first place,” but I think I’ll refer this to my WSW colleagues. The answers could turn into a future chat.
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When world building in a fantasy or sci fi novel how much detail do you really need to have? For example – Is it necessary to describe all the architecture or does a quick sketch word sketch work better? The same question can be applied to clothing.
I’m finding that if I break off a scene to go into a detailed description of housing/transportation/clothing etc. the story bogs down and becomes rather boring. I prefer to just give hints in the midst of the main action but then I worry the reader will want more information.
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It’s best to give a few crucial details that readers can fit together themselves. Lengthy descriptions of things that aren’t necessary to a scene would be distracting.
I’ve noticed that critique partners tend to say that more information is needed, but I think that’s what happens when someone reads a piece in “critique mode” rather than “reading for fun” mode.
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I have a few thoughts on your question which you can find here:
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What advice, insights or words of encouragement would WSW give to writers who despite best efforts in all areas are finding their work is not being noticed?
I appreciate this is a tough question with many answers because of the vast amount of work now available through e-books and obtaining recognition is monumental struggle. I would therefore add a subsidiary question is completion enough and the rest is down to a smidge of luck?
Best wishes to one and all for their projects and endeavours.
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Well, one of the things we do at WSW is commiserate with one another. 🙂
Completion of works is absolutely necessary, of course, but there doesn’t seem to be a formula for attracting attention. I do think a certain amount of luck is involved. Sometimes the work must be its own reward, though.
But then, I’m not really an optimist. Perhaps one of my WSW colleagues will provide another view.
And many thanks for reblogging the post!
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I’m going to write a post addressing your question specifically soon. But in the meantime, here is a post I wrote addressing similar issues last year: https://writerssupportingwriters.com/2020/12/07/pep-talks-ii/
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We’ve talked about this topic a number of times. It comes down to what your objective is. If it’s to gain legions of fans and many readers, that’s a huge challenge, particularly in a marketplace that is overflowing with books these days. It’s very difficult to get noticed and all of us have that issue. Berthold has a great way of looking at it though — write, put your stories out there, and appreciate the readers you have and the connections you make through that. He’s right — through writing, I’ve made some wonderful connections to other writers and readers. And these days, if I write for anybody, it is for them. With the hope that my audience will continue to grow, even if ever so slowly.
I’ve tried multiple marketing ideas. Very few of them work. See above about the marketplace overflowing. It’s really difficult to do … as you say, it may just be down to luck. But, if you enjoy writing and creating, keep doing it. Keep putting your work out there and keep finding ways to connect to your readers. One thing is certain, if you stop, then you won’t find the success you’re looking for.
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