Conflict casts a shadow on truth telling, giving rise to versions of the truth over time .
Plantation Shadows unravels the truth through competing perspectives or on point revelations captured for posterity to convince the reader on a particular point of view.
The crafting of characters influences how the reader receives fictional truths. The proven trustworthy character holds the stronger sway in truth. Often, the social standing of a character influences following the ‘esteemed’ character, which might, unfortunately, lead the reader down the rabbit hole to a multiplicity of mistruths.
Who should the reader trust, the doctor, gardener, or domestic staff? Truth is not devoid of emotional strains, and memory creates versions of the truth depending on who demands it, narrates it, and receives it.
Plantation Shadows unearths the inner and outer conflict spanning three generations in a family drowning in secrets. The women living in a patriarchal community on the canefields of Natal, South Africa, take the forefront in narrating the truths that unfold one perspective at a time. The only male perspective has no blood ties to the conflicted family he serves. Edgar is the all-knowing eyes and ears between the two plantation houses, embroiled in secrets withheld in the living years. What ancestral truths will the grave yield?
There was internal strife that I was privy to, but I kept my head down and my ears open… Part Three, Edgar, ‘Plantation Shadows’
In unraveling the truth in a land buckling under colonial domination and rising resistance, is the twisted patriarchal mindset genuflecting to colonial expectations by preventing women from being heard. It is not until the fourth generation breaks the cycle of control, by assuming the courage and conviction to address and accept the long-held secret of an imploding family, hope rises.
Creating fictional women as untainted characters in a controlled society is to deny their right to break with convention in choosing the path they desire. Plantation Shadows is a closely held sisterhood of hidden truths among grandmothers, mothers and daughters.
Truth is a double-edged sword—it names and shames but creates understanding and gradual acceptance. Are generations of secrecy ever allowed to rest in peace?
Read Plantation Shadows, to feel and understand the secret hearts of the aging Milly and her dead mother.
Secrets diminish with death – Part 3, Edgar, ‘Plantation Shadows’
Whether we accept it, remain neutral, or deny it, it’s already present.
When it comes to creativity, how do you balance AI and the human touch?
Ernest Hemingway said, There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at the typewriter and bleed. If this is so, why is AI necessary when the writing process is humanely natural?
For centuries, storytelling has been a cultural tradition in every corner of the world. Who is the best at sharing their personal experiences through storytelling?
Is it possible for AI to display raw emotions?
Some argue that it’s authentic, while others contend that it’s programmed and thus not genuine.
The subjectivity of creativity begs the question: can it be programmed?
The dilemma is that some humans conceal truths and wear masks to create a fake identity. The theme of appearance vs reality in Shakespeare’s plays exposes how easily humans can be deceived.Will AI be yet another mask for machine-generated creativity? Who receives credit for the positive reception of AI-generated work? Another door to truth and ethics is unlocked.
Be curious and informed before leaping.
Artists create. They can express themselves through art in a multitude of ways — painting, writing, music, fashion, architecture, machinery, transportation, and beyond.
Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Leonardo da Vinci, Picasso, Mozart, and other masters of their crafts possessed scintillating minds and remarkable imaginations before AI.
How does AI affect the human brain and heart when it takes over our inherent rights to uniqueness, growth, and creativity? When AI ‘generates’ creativity, do artists’ voices and works lose their uniqueness that only the human touch can produce?
The books and authors that writers admire inspire them. Their mentors, past and present, guide them in honing their skills and style to create unique storylines. Imagination and voice make up a writer’s unique human fingerprint. It captures the reader’s attention. Have we reached a technological level where AI can imitate a writer’s style and imagination?
Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will. – George Bernard Shaw
AI is a part of our daily lives, but we often overlook it. Bots have butted into our lives before we had a name for them. Just whisper ‘Ok Google,’ or ‘Alexa’ and they are ready to provide us with the answers we seek. Does this make the human mind lazy if we don’t physically do the research?
The uniqueness of a writer’s voice lies in the manner in which they tell the story. AI can mimic the tone and intonation of the human voice, but can it replicate the character and personality of the human soul to articulate life experiences?
Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought. – Albert Einstein.
As an artist, you live your passion, share your talents and skills, and develop with every piece of art created.
The ways and reasons for entering this brave new world of creativity are widely debated.
The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt — Sylvia Plath
Be curious and cautious to guide your choices in a rapidly evolving creative sphere.
When you begin writing a story that has whispered for a period, and then hauls you in—you have no idea how far you will go, or how many stories you will create in your lifetime. The process must be trusted and aided by dedicating time and space to allow the story to emerge.
Anything and everything is possible when you trust the calling first, then the process.
You may begin with a plan, an outline, and flesh out characters, but soon the story magically grows with you the writer, as the vessel, guided by a force you cannot quite describe. Some call it a ‘voice’ others call it a compulsion, or their divine muse that lays out the game plan drawn from the seed of imagination. The writer as a scribe leaves each writing session either exhilarated or surprised that a character has chosen to embolden their voice.
Once this arises, all thinking dwells on the place and society you are creating. The heart’s longing cannot be denied. The brain might test resilience, and negative emotions might slip in, depending on who is invited into your inner circle. Those external voices of doom and gloom, which might be your own if you allow it, kill inspiration. Shut them all out—regardless of who they are or what they have to say. It is YOUR story. Own it. Let the editors and ARC readers speak later in the publication process. Writing your raw story is your lone venture.
The heart’s longing cannot be denied.
You are never truly alone. Your main character will step up to lead you by the hand, and your secondary characters will vie for your attention, urging you to consider their point of view.
When many voices clamber for recognition, step back and surrender to a higher consciousness. Meditate for guidance on the next step. Clarity allows the selection of a voice that will be meaningful for readers now and years down the track. Once the writer’s imagination and emotions blend with skilful writing, a great story is born.
The process is magical once you have plunged into the waters of creativity!
As Ray Bradbury said in, Zen in the Art of Writing, ‘…but one thing always remains the same: the fever, the ardour, the delight. Because I wanted to, I did.’
Allow the process to unfold, and above all, trust it. One idea at a time, one story at a time builds your body of work.
Happy writing, happy publishing, and happy reading.
Please share your thoughts in the comment box below to help a fellow aspiring writer.
Why does crime fascinate the reader or the viewer? From a gripping novel to a suspenseful film, both mediums are loaded with intrigue, blood, gore, missing persons, and dead bodies, and they certainly hold our attention for more.
Pushing boundaries is the adventurous inclination invited by human fascination, as is vying for the person we want to set free from crime.
Crime writing, like reading crime novels and viewing crime films, is an emotional investment for the adrenaline rush we crave. Words on a page must do the creative hard work that diegetic or non-diegetic music elicits to keep us on edge, before, during and after the crime has been committed.
Descriptive language, sharp, short sentences, sensory imagery and specific punctuation, create and elevate the mood that befits a crucial scene in a novel. The intrigue must be deep enough for the reader to push on, chapter after chapter, well into the night, or wee hours.
Crime fiction often draws inspiration from actual crime, which allows for greater reader appeal. Research is vital to achieving a realistic, entertaining selling point.
Attending a criminal court hearing is a valuable catalyst for storylines to kick off. Make a friend in your local police station and shadow the police person to walk in their shoes for a few days. What better way to get inside the aftermath of the crime?
Visit a prison, and if allowed, ask to interview a prisoner. Getting inside the minds of criminals fuels the creative urge for the realistic crafting of your MC.
Research profiles of victims of crime and seek a psychologist or psychiatrist to gain a greater depth of understanding of why the victim might have been targeted.
Visiting crime sites long after the investigation and conviction enrich the landscapes in a crime fiction story.
Live research is valuable for the unique imaginative triggers they invite. Equally, reading crime novels of note is vital to the crime writer.
Crime documentaries are accessible anytime if physically going to a prison or crime site is not an option.
Don’t go too far. Grab the daily newspaper, and a new crime of the day or week holds our attention as we seek more on the investigation.
Unending thirst for crime novels and films continues to expand, weaving through different genres and is an inroad to writing for aspiring creatives.
As creatives, news about a debut author from the land of one’s birth is received with great joy. The creative landscape is a connected, supportive space that celebrates newcomers to the publishing fold.
Meet Mel Goven, South African debut author of the crime novel, Unfinished, launched in July, 2022 on Amazon. Please join me in welcoming Mel Goven to the blog this month.
Get to know South African Author : Mel Goven
1.Biography : Mel Goven
Mel Goven
I hail from Johannesburg and have quite a demanding day job as a teacher in a primary school.
Unfinished is my first novel although I have written many short stories which have gained a place in short story competitions in local magazines and writing groups.
My short story, Scorned, a crime mystery, was placed 3rd in Woman and Home, in 2014. Love Knots, another short story, was shortlisted in the annual short story competition run by The Writer’s Group. One of my favourite short stories, Lucky, featured on a few writing blogs and had quite a successful run in 2016. All these stories can be read on my blog site.
I have also published newspaper feature articles and opinion pieces during my stint as editor for the local newspapers: The Randburg Sun,Fourways Review and the Northcliff Melville Times.
My features were around education challenges in South Africa. Some of which were: Preparing for Future Career Opportunities, Effective use of Technology in the Classroom, Private versus Public Schools.
Having always been drawn to the romance genre, I imagined I would write romance novels, which I haven’t completely taken off the table yet. However, I found my voice in thrilling crime mysteries.
I have two more novels in the pipeline and have realised that with each new world I create, I am finding myself as a writer. I don’t like conforming to a specific trope and while I admire the writing styles of my favourite authors, I don’t think I am in the same league and so choose to write my way.
I have been blessed with four incredible children of whom I am super proud. In formally starting my writing career at this stage in my life, I hope to inspire them that dreams come true at any age, no matter what challenges and obstacles arise.
2.When did your passion for writing emerge?
I love reading. I believe you must be an avid reader to be a good writer. When I was a child, I would beg my parents to take me to the library.
I visited many libraries in the area I grew up in: from the little mobile libraries that would go around the community on Tuesdays and Thursdays; to the community libraries that were finally built when the demand increased, and then to the Durban City Hall library when I was old enough to travel to the city on my own.
I started writing after I read Anne of Green Gables. I felt such a deep connection to the main character, Anne. Although she was a lifetime removed from my world in terms of the era, race, and circumstances, she felt what I felt; messed up like I did; was the odd duckling — just like me.Anyway, the community library did not have the sequel to Anne of Green Gables and so I decided to continue the story in my imagination. Eventually, I wrote it at the back of a Maths book (I did not like Maths very much). That was how I began writing.
Every time I finished reading a book, and if I felt that I wanted more from it, I would continue the story to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion.
3. What inspired you to write your debut novel, Unfinished?
In 2012, I became fascinated by a story I heard from a patient in a doctor’s surgery. The patient had undergone a heart transplant a few months before and she had been excited to meet the family of her donor.
I found myself researching it and was surprised to find that some heart recipients experienced major personality changes which are sometimes connected to their donor. The idea of the heart, which we consider the seat and symbol of emotion, sparked a story and this epic drama unfolded.
Unfinished is set in Hout Bay, Cape Town, because the first human heart transplant occurred successfully at the nearby Groote Schuur Hospital. But, it is more than just a story about a heart transplant. It revivifies an unsolved murder committed almost 40-years before the story begins; those affected by that crime and how their lives have interwoven until a heart transplant finally exposes the truth. I wanted my characters to come to life on the page, and each one needed to have a voice, so I opted to write in each main character’s POV.
4. Who are your favourite authors?
I have so many. I have great respect for the classics, so Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, Emily Bronte, L.M. Alcott, Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and of course, L.M. Montgomery.
Contemporary authors: I would say, Khaled Hosseini, Kazuo Ishiguro and Eleanor Catton. But there are so many others. I have never restricted my reading to specific genres. I read all, except perhaps horror. Although I did spend a few sleepless nights reading Stephen King’s, The Dream Catcher.
I suppose I could say I have favourite books rather than authors. At present I am enjoying Barbara Kingsolver’s, The Lacuna. And, A Madness of Sunshine, by New Zealand author, Nalini Singh, and The Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah.
Oh, dear! There are so many more books I still have on my to-be-read list. My guilty pleasure is that I also enjoy a Harlequin romance novel now and again.
5. What advice would you offer to aspiring writers?
Write about what you experience. Write that story you wished could have had a different ending. Write about your dreams. Whatever takes seed in your imagination, write about it.
Grab your copy of Unfinished at these Amazon Book Links
I extend my gratitude to Mel Goven for sharing her author journey and wonderful advice to aspiring authors. Unfinished has certainly grabbed my attention!
A full-time writer lives and breathes, creating fresh stories, poetry, and essays. Nothing is ever too much for the creative.
When starting out as a writer, passion draws one to all things writing, from social media, literary associations, events both live and online and a plethora of books on how to write and publish. FOMO consumes the early years, but on the flip side, it can erode creative time.
Over time, whittle down to those activities that create the time and space for the creative process together with growing an author brand and business. There is much to gain from trying different groups and associations to test what fits your values and the type of writer you hope to be.
Be unique, select memberships wisely
Don’t strive to be someone else. Readers appreciate authenticity.
While exploring the creative cyber space, books, groups, and associations, you realise, over time, what adds value to your work.
It is vital to look for integrity when seeking to find where you belong as an artist in what can be an overwhelming space if trying to fit in with more than you can humanly manage.
Passion and FOMO drive the need to be a part of all and more
Give priority to the innate reason for choosing a creative life. This will guide your understanding of where to invest your time and growth. Running your own creative business is a mammoth task before investment in virtual assistants.
In the initial stages of a creative life, creatives might manage a day job and fit in a creative life after hours, besides managing rest and domesticity.
To ensure you give adequate creative time to your work, divvy up time to at least two associations that echo your values. An authentic organisation such as ALLi guarantees professional development, keeps you informed of current writing and publishing trends. Podcasts and FB live monthly advice sharing, and a Self-PubCon offer advice not to be missed. A directory of vetted services available to ALLi members is where you will find cover designers, editors, and many other services you require as a creative in publishing.
Depending on where you live in the world, you might hook up with a local association and join a Facebook Group or two for the quality of the experience. It is easy to slip down the rabbit-hole chasing after what appears bigger and better. Over time, this will steal valuable time from your ultimate purpose: to write and write more.
Sharing across author platforms is a great way to promote your work to different readers while helping promote the work of writers you enjoy and admire to your supporters. This garners support from grateful creatives who return the respect by promoting your work.
The creative space is generous and supportive. Find your authentic niche and belong to grow your creative works.
Please share the platforms you enjoy in the comment box below to help fellow aspiring writers make discerning creative choices.
There are two answers to this question (In my book, anyway).
Experience matters in writing to represent an authentic voice, if the story/plot pertains to a particular generation/profession/life situation etc – authenticity will draw the reader into the story. A sense of place if core to the tale, and references a real place rather than a fictional setting, the experience of having visited a place, such as a town, beach, farm, a particular building etc, will add lustre to the place described. This makes the reader feel they inhabit the fictional setting.
If life experience, in the numerical sense, is absent, the young aspiring writer will achieve as much as his or her experienced counterparts if the novice writer reads widely and writes extensively. It is universally understood that to write well, one must read widely and often. What one reads is important to add believability to a time, place, or character beyond the true-life experience of the young writer.
Both actual life experience and vicarious life experience hold value in the depth and authenticity in the stories writers create. The experience gained during and through the composing process enhances light, shade, depth, and adds colour to the prose.
Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life. ~ Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.
Seasoned and aspiring generations of writers have much to gain from each other. Writing groups offer a wealth of opportunity to sharpen the ability to write through the voice of any age or place, or past life experience. Wisdom is not age/number bound, neither is the capacity to learn a new way to meet the market of readers ready to devour new releases that offer meaningful connections.
The value of experience is not in seeing much, but in seeing wisely. William Osler.
Research, like reading, broadens the ‘life experience’ of a writer. Interviewing people who are of the generation, time, and place before that of the writer is valuable for crafting a character, place and society that is alive on the page.
Mind, manners, and morals of a time before one’s own is accessible, not only via digital means, although the digital connection helps the researching writer find a genuine contact who might willingly be interviewed. To honour the sharing of memories of a time past is often rewarded by a mention in the author’s acknowledgement of sources consulted. Writers take great delight in doing this.
Similarly, when writing crime or detective fiction, visiting police stations, attending court cases, interviewing police officers, or shadowing an officer/detective on the beat is a hands-on way to gaining their work lifeexperience.
The writer’s map has many points of entry… it comes down to individual choice ~Mala Naidoo
On another note, the broader necessary experience as a writer, the how, why, and the business of being a writer are accessible through Facebook groups, writing organisations, attending webinars, and signing up for a masterclass, as is reading a recommended book on how to write and manage a writing business. From a range of noteworthy groups, books, or organisations, the aspiring/new writer embraces and shapes what is needed to craft a unique voice/work of art.
Experience can’t be taught. Anonymous.
Please like, share and comment to help a fellow creative.
You work full time but have a raging desire to write that book buried deep inside you.
If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.’ ~ Toni Morrison
How can I make it happen?
Time and space are necessary, negotiation with your after work, home tribe is mandatory — your loved ones under the same roof need to know the rules of the ring-fence around your creative time. Tell them, the adults and children alike, that this is your scared time after dinner, and family time. It will be a stretch on your energy levels, it will erode your sleep time… but if you seriously want to, not hope to achieve your hidden dream, then lost sleep is a small sacrifice.
The space is as sacred as the time and needs a physical barrier around it to avoid little ones from tottering in to play.
Say you choose nine-thirty to eleven thirty each night, stick to it unless there is something serious that requires your attention. A no-phones-space or noise cancelling headset is all the additional equipment you need to lock in the time and space for your burst of creativity each day.
Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences ~ Sylvia Plath
Quality, rather than quantity, counts during this spiritual time to achieve what you have set out to do. Adherence to this time space includes weekends. Be prepared for a dent in your social life. Exceptions are granted for extra special occasions—birthdays, wedding anniversaries, graduation night, etc. These are outside the prohibited norm, and you might have a special occasion not included here. Limit these to those dearest to you. Dwindling social circles are inevitable if your social tribe doesn’t appreciate what you’re doing.
That’s all it takes, but regularity, commitment and determination are the way forward to having your book in hand. And what an exhilarating moment that is!
A word after a word after a word is power ~ Margaret Atwood
As progress happens, negotiate a reduced day job working hours with your manager as you create more time and space for your creativity to flourish.
The writer also needs time and space to read, read, read, all the poetry, craft books, and novels one can fit into a busy day to enhance the craft of writing. Shorten an office lunch break, stroll outdoors and add to the daily scribblings.
And there’s connecting with creative peers for inspiration. It could be a master class or a writer’s association. This tribe is essential to avoid total isolation and to validate your passion.
Soon you will spend more time in your creative space and limited time on your day job.
Go tell that story you have harboured for so long. The world is waiting!
You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write! ~ Saul Bellow
Happy writing as you create the time and space for holy writing hours!
Please add your thoughts, and inspiration in the comment box below.
It is with great joy today that I travel on the blog from Sydney to Washington to feature the inspirational Keshni Washington who I met through an introduction from a respected and trusted mutual acquaintance. I have had the privilege of attending a virtual screening of ‘Immigrant Story Telling Night’ with Keshni Washington and speakers on the night who shared their honest, authentic, lived experiences as immigrants.
Regardless of where we reside in the world, the connection is palpable.
Author – Keshni Washington
My ten questions introduce Keshni’s life and work in Washington DC as a writer and compassionate person, living, working, and contributing to DC society with a strong connection to her South African roots.
1.What is your most vivid memory of South Africa?
I miss those perfect hot dry Joburg summer evenings, the smoke of a braai (bbq) with friends and the clear skies and stars. Along with this memory, I also miss the taste of Koo baked beans and South African mayo potato salad.
2. Did you move to Washington for work?
Yes, I was recruited from South Africa to work for an international non-profit that is based in Washington DC. I had never been to the USA before coming through for the interviews. I worked there for 8 years but have been trying my hand at being an entrepreneur for the past year.
3. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I can remember composing the opening to my first book when I was 11 on the walk to and from school in Chatsworth, Durban. But I was soon discouraged and advised to do something more financially rewarding that would secure my future – I grew up in an apartheid segregated neighborhood and so being able to support yourself and others financially was a natural priority. I put away the dream until decades later in life. Coming back to it about 5 years ago, reaffirmed the feeling inside me, that this is what I was meant to do, and I know I will be telling stories for the rest of my life. I have been learning and honing my skills and now have two draft novels.
4. Tell us about your ‘Signal Fire Series’ podcast and what motivated you to do it.
I wanted to fuel my own fires of inspiration by talking to some of the people that inspire me about their journeys and glean some of their wisdom. I realized quickly that these conversations could do the same for others out there, whatever their passion. Since I have deep roots in South Africa, I decided to host conversations with both Americans and people from my first home. It has been an expansive experience, in which I have found a new admiration for every single person’s journey, whether they pursue their passion in their spare time or full time. It’s my offering, and I hope the person who needs it will find their connection and inspiration.
5. Please share your recent publishing success and writing motivation.
Published in Yellow Arrow Literary Journal
I have recently had short pieces/essays published in American literary journals: Yellow Arrow Literary Journal, Mer Vox Quarterly and Pen-in-Hand Literary Journal. I have also been fortunate to attend two writing workshop intensives – VONA (Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation) with author Daniel Jose Older and Tin House Writing Workshop with author Alaya Dawn Johnson.
Keshni Washington’s favorite writing spaces where a cup of South African Rooibos tea is served at the Jamaican Tea Shop in DC.
Sunday street-side cafe
Espresso and mini cake
Writing at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
Jamaican Tea Shop in DC
6. What genre do you enjoying reading the most?
This is hard to narrow down as I read just about everything. When I was young, I was obsessed with science fiction. When I got older, I gravitated to literary fiction and poetry. Over the past year, I have been reading a lot of YA as my latest novel is a YA novel, which has been a ton of fun.
7. Tell us about Tin House, and the experience you have gained/are gaining.
Tin House is an American publisher of award-winning books of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry; home to a renowned workshop and seminar series; and partner of a critically acclaimed podcast, Tin House champions writing that is artful, dynamic, and original.
The writing workshop consists of a series of small classes of no more than eight writers per class, so spots are limited. I got to work with the amazing Alaya Dawn Johnson. As part of the selection process, I submitted the first three chapters of my book, and these chapters were critiqued during the workshop by both my classmates and my workshop leader. All my classmates were critiqued this way. It was an invaluable opportunity for feedback and discussion. I had one-on-one meetings with Alaya and a literary agent who gave me feedback on my query letter. There were many amazing craft lectures by the faculty, generative exercises, and discussions about the publishing industry. We had the opportunity to do a reading from our work and mingled with other amazing writers attending and teaching at the workshop. It was an intense but invaluable experience.
8. When did KAMA DC start and what is your role at KAMA DC?
I first found Kama DC when I signed up to participate in their Immigrant Story-Telling Night. (where immigrants share a five-minute story from their experience on the theme of the night.) I have since stayed with Kama DC as a volunteer – part of the Storytelling team. Kama DC is a nonprofit in the DC area, run by volunteers, whose mission is to build community through immigrant-led experiences, providing a platform for immigrants to teach classes, share stories and their skills and passions to foster awareness, understanding and community. I also inaugurated and now run the @immigrantsOftheDMV Instagram feed, which is similar to Humans of New York in that we invite immigrants on the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area to do a takeover – hold the handle and share a bit about their story, home country, and experiences in the USA. It is a wonderful group of people and I am immensely proud to be a part of this mission.
9. What has been most inspirational about your semester of Creative Writing at GW?
During this semester we get to learn from published author Cutter Wood. It is focused on creative non-fiction aka essays, and how to write our true stories. As my self-study has been focused on fiction and novel writing for many years it’s wonderful to develop this different writer muscle. It is a small class of 13 people. We write a new piece every week, so I have to dig around in my memories and experiences and create something on a schedule. And the best part is sharing in class and getting to grow through the experiences and creations of the wonderful writers in my class.
10. If there is one piece of advice that you would share with young aspiring writers, what would it be?
To just start. Just write. Whether you think it’s imperfect or feel you are not ready. Just write. Put your fingers to the keyboard, or your pen to paper today, start journaling today. You are not too young nor too old. Just write. You will get better by doing, I guarantee this. But you must start, the world needs your stories.
With gratitude and best wishes to the inspirational Keshni Washington for sharing her creative journey, life and work in Washington DC.
As creatives, we are flexible in what we do if we are steering the vessel.
A sense of place and time is important to the creative, but in the unpredictability of current times, adapting to everything that comes our way is daunting.
Patience is the ultimate virtue in a creative life. Nothing happens overnight, now more than ever, with all that blew in with 2020.
It is the slow burn that needs a tender mind, hand and heart
Amidst waiting for the right time, there is the desire for the energy of the muse to enlighten the artist on how much, when, and what will be written/created. This wait is underpinned by the bend and twist of the tide of change that tests adaptability.
Shifting an established creative routine generates a splurge of musings when the noise and demands of new daily expectations receive attention.
A daily meeting with oneself in morning reflections on what is and is not working facilitates the coming to terms with how to create a new routine.
Reflection is the art of patience that sharpens the creative pen.
The writing muse happily visits if the mind is willing.
Patience takes hard work; it sits on the back of perseverance — one without the other is a no go.
To cultivate the art of patience, look at reactions/behaviours to situations outside of creativity, learn from it and readjust the behaviour. While patience is a virtue, it is also a personal inner medic, keeping creative work in check by allowing the body and mind to process situations without elevating stress levels.
Finding what calms and settles the creative is the best way to grow in being patient rather than becoming a patient.
The writing world is competitive enough without adding layers of undue stress — the art of writing is profoundly therapeutic.
After writing a scene or chapter, the sense of exhilaration that follows such achievement is remarkable. Journal these moments to refresh a reflective morning that needs a reminder about why we do what we do.
To be a writer, requires barrel-loads of patience in how to nurture a story from seed to flower, chip back words and scenes, polish to refine the story and then publish.
Patience, perseverance, and adaptability are the keys to creating more stories and poems as is refining before a book/product hits retail shelves.
Step back, let time and place do the work, relax overthinking and communication to create valuable space to refine the manuscript. This aspect of the creative zone has the potential for success, abundant success if that is the desire.
Be gentle and patient with yourself, persevere with your creative goals and adapt to the ever-changing demands of a writing and publishing life.
Go well in all your endeavours.
Share, like and commenton what works for you as a creative sailing through the winds of change.
Routine is necessary to accomplish a finished product. The creative benefits from a routine that maximises goals and intentions.
Rote, however, harms creative growth when curiosity is denied in favour of robotic daily ‘doing’ that limits the capacity and capabilities of the mind. Rote erodes enjoyment, takes the fun out of creativity if allowed to fester in mindlessness.
Once we relinquish the act of questioning, debating, and learning alternative ways, the creative quest goes down the rabbit-hole
Open to what others are doing successfully in their creative pursuits. Debate with the self, first, to test how to improve our creative patterns and when we observe or flex to alternative methods, before embracing them, then we are on the route to extending the creative mind.
What we read is as significant as what we write. As a fiction writer, it is essential for me to move beyond restricting myself to only reading fiction.
Get out of the box – mind the bog
It is imperative that we read judiciously selected, respected successful forerunners of the craft of fiction—past and present—for inspiration on the ways in which we can flex the mind. Engaging with the information gathered is the actual flexing—then question what does not sit well. Argue why this is so, look for alternatives to the arguments that have surfaced. Never ignore your internal unrest without asking why and how. Why am I unsettled by this? How should I address why I feel this way? We learn to flex and extend our skills from observing first and then listening to what is around us. The inner well is deep, but testing the waters from the ocean of talent available deepens and brightens the path ahead.
The choice to extend ourselves is within our grasp to refresh or radicalise how we create. Flex to invite minor changes, analyse what is working for you, and incrementally extend to achieve more.
Like muscles that face a new physical challenge which is overcome by gradual flexing and extending, achieved through the art/act of trying—not rote, but being open to challenging the self, so too, the creative mind grows.
Photo Credit: My Life Through a Lens (Unsplash)
Creative and Critical
As creatives, we ought to be critical thinking beings—not cynical but critical. Herein is the source for debate to generate fresh waves of thinking and doing.
Watching a documentary, for example, on an unfamiliar topic that holds some interest is beneficial for starting the mindset extension with exposure to new knowledge. This opens inner and external debates that arise from the observation phase to grow the knowledge base and experience on the subject/topic.
Extend listening skills to enhance creative growth without visual distractions by listening to podcasts that present new knowledge to stimulate thinking without the bias of the visual effect. The brain rain received generates novel ways of thinking or questioning how we can reinvent old patterns.
Never stop asking why, how or what can I gain from this?
As fiction writers, we should seek to understand the values that differ from our own to invite creative ideas to emerge from this openness to what lies outside of our inner workings.
I ground my novels in, in our angst and joy we are one under the sky of humanity.’ Inclusivity is my pre-wired emotional mindset because I have lived my formative years under South Africa’s apartheid regime’s divisive rule.
Suggested Reading
Try reading all or extracts from the following non-fiction books to open new vistas of understanding, or to deepen your understanding of human relations, justice, and politics, if this is of interest.
Essays – George Orwell
The Source of Self-Regard– Toni Morrison
The End of Imagination – Arundhati Roy
Caste – The lies that Divide Us – Isabel Wilkinson
Pick up, or do something different—something you have never read or done before and observe, reflect and note by writing what it stirs within. Get past the initial discomfort then decide if you want to extend what you do and how you do it.
When we flex the mind in a new direction, there’s discomfort at first, when extended, it fuels passion and ignites creativity
How do you flex and extend the mind in your creative pursuits?
Diverse voices exist in literature but are under-represented by trade publishers.
All hail the dawn of self-publishing!
The tragedy of George Floyd’s death in the United States has sparked a resurgence for the recognition of black writers. Read the rumble in the UK here on what the newly found Black Writer’s Guild has initiated.
It is shocking to note that black writers are offered a lower advance to that of their white contemporaries, and editors ask for white or racist characters to be added to books.
As an author of colour, in Australia, I faced the dilemma of whether I should create a neutral non-black pen name to get publishing recognition. But my writing mission is, In our angst and joy, we are ONE under the sky of humanity, which does not support using a pen name and so authenticity prevailed.
My apartheid past in South Africa had stolen the right to feel comfortable in my skin or to dare to speak out against racism. Hence my debut novel Across Time and Space and the sequel Vindication Across Time, present the bald face of racism as a universal disease through my eyes. My third novel, Souls of Her Daughters exposes injustice on multiple levels.
Fear makes one believe that a name that hints at race would be bypassed by publishers and readers. Listen to the words of author Michael La Ronn who articulates the issues black writer’s face in writing and publishing. Note what he says about gaslighting
Racism – Inequality – Injustice – Prejudice – by any name must be caught and called in the books we read, movies we watch and conversations we have
The Zulu word Ubuntu refers to the human spirit as it should be:
I am because we are
humanity towards others
the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity
In writing multicultural stories as I do – the spirit of Ubuntu prevails.
What will you be reading and watching in the renaissance of Black Lives Matter in literature?
I recommend watching the movie In My Country on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Africa and Rabbit-Proof Fence on Australia’s Stolen Generation.
From the Uncle Tom’s Cabin and beyond, voices have raised the alarm but sadly the call to end racism fell on deaf ears. Now it must be made history, an unforgotten one to remind us that prejudice is heinous and should be obliterated from the stage of life. Diverse voices that are in the main ignored, share why the human condition needs a radical shake-up.
Feel the angst, walk a mile in the shoes of the racially downtrodden – only then will you know the corrosive impact of racism.
The wound of prejudice cuts deep to the soul leaving indelible scars.
But you pick your head up, as you do, to face another day no longer silent especially to subtle bias…
In the wake of the change in 2020 and beyond, walk a mile through these suggestions to know and feel that in our diversity the common factor is that we are emotional beings with the capacity to rectify prejudice by the stories we tell and read.
Here are ten suggestions where diverse voices rip out your heart to sensitise your soul.
Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela
. My Place -Sally Morgan
Talking to My Country – Stan Grant
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
The Underground Railroad – Colson Whitehead
Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates
Cry the Beloved Country – Alan Paton
The Power of One – Bryce Courtney
The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison
Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence – Derald Wing Sue
May you write and read stories that share histories to sensitise our souls to dismantle racial bias.
Every corner of the world has been hit by Covid19 — life for millions has come to a grinding halt. Businesses have shut down left, right and centre. Bookstores have closed their doors. Libraries are no longer a sanctuary as silent voices are in lockdown.
The question tossed around is: do we go ahead with the launch of a new book?
My heart says yes but my mind says, should I? Then a voice whispers an answer: yes, launch it online, reach people who need to move out of the mental space of the current crisis we all face. We need the sanctity of books. Bookshops continue to take orders online if a digital book is not a preference.
In the face of a global crisis, publishing is vital now more than ever before — it says we are here, later it will speak confirming that we were here, and this is what we did. It is akin to writing historical fiction. The Great Books of the world brought us knowledge of people, cultures, events, aspirations, challenges and celebrations from eras long before our current existence. Without those scribes, the artists of the past, we would be as ignorant of the world as the occupants in Plato’s cave.
Literature is the light into now, the glow of the past and spotlight into our dreams of the future.
Books imprint memory
Writers have the acute ability to sense mood and observe human behaviour down to minuscule details. So, why wait? It is time to pick up the pen of prose or poetry. Each will speak of this time and of our dreams and visions. Leave the messages that say we are indeed one.
In our angst and joy, we are ONE under the sky of humanity
Forthcoming Title This April
To ignite compassion, we must walk in the shoes of angst, or suffering, to extend love and care to others because we know it—we feel it. Stories elicit compassion and bring meaning more particularly as we sit in self-isolation to protect our loved ones and communities.
Writing and publishing must go on, as must, soft digital launches of news titles and relaunching of backlists. Lower prices, offer free titles, reach the masses by bringing meaning to the lives of those living in fear of what the next news bulletin or press conference will announce. Our uncertainty unites us in our desire for a renewed tomorrow. We inhabit the same house under a global sky.
Now we speak with the same human voice in our sans streets, sans parks, sans beaches… but we should never be reduced to fearing each other.
Keep literature flowing for generations to come—it is within our control, thanks to the digital platforms that serve us.
Keep Writing, Keep Reading.
Stay Safe.
This time will pass. Keeping hope alive through poetry and stories.
As the year draws to a close in the blink of the year bowing out, it is a time to reflect on where we are, where we’ve come from and of course where we’re heading to.
Gratitude
My gratitude for a writing life is the blessing of the creative gift to tell the stories of forgotten or unheard voices and the passion to sustain this. I am indebted to the people I’ve met along the way who support my creativity by reading my books and inspiring and supporting my desire to write more.
ALLi guides my ethical author status by providing up-to-the-minute publishing and marketing advice through podcasts, publications, members’ forums and Orna Ross’ weekly, Maker, Manager, and Marketer accountability for creatives.
The vibrant How to Write for Success FB group supports seasoned and novice writers in a nurturing, inspirational forum and is a space to create and showcase some of my pieces while supporting writers on their creations in a constructive, non-judgmental forum.
Joanna Francis Penn’s Travel and Books Podcast and Mark Dawson’s SPS Podcasts are informative, entertaining and inspirational.
Writers no longer work in isolation. Seclusion is necessary for the creative process and networking creates visibility
Publishing
The third novel in theSouls Of Her Daughters Collection was completed, titled What Change May Come and a collection of short stories, Life’s Seasonswas published this year. It has been a year of many things on all of life’s fronts with life experience extending understanding and the capacity to live my passion.
Souls Collection (Trilogy)
2020 – Onwards and Upwards
Currently, a new novel series/trilogy is in the making with the first draft complete and chilling for a month before several rounds of editing and reworking to be born into the world in the first quarter of next year.
Poetry is a calling that intensifies as evident in the post, Poetry Educates Prose. It was a joy to have my poem, ‘Listen,’ published in the December edition of the literary journal SIPAY. Coleridge, Wordsworth, Byron, Keats, Yeats and Orna Ross are poets I enjoy reading.
Additionally, supporting rising poets brings joy to my creative space.
What more…
Lots more writing and possibly looking at non-fiction and poetry publications while teaching, learning and growing.
A writing life, like reading, is the breath and pulse of life.
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As the year closes this chapter, I look forward with a glad and grateful heart.
Happy Reading, Happy Writing and Publishing this holiday season.
Season’s Greetings, may 2020 bring you the very best in peace, joy, good health, enhanced creative productivity, and abundant success in all your endeavours.
What are you grateful for as 2019 draws to a close?
Author professionalism is not negotiable in a world where access to all we say, do and create is out in the world with a click.
It costs nothing to be supportive of aspiring authors and accept that there are oceans of experienced, seasoned authors out there who act as mentors and are deserving of respect and acknowledgement. Blog about the work others do put yourself out there to be blogged about and while you find your way to being noticed as a writer, notice others in a personable, professional manner.
The publishing landscape is rich and diverse with an ever-growing space for all. Collaboration is vital as learning is never exhausted. As a teacher, this lesson was all too clear with constant syllabus changes or when students challenged an idea and a new wave of thought was born. Like classrooms without borders, learning is a two-way process, and so too is the writing, and publishing world.
Pride and ego waste creative energy—aiming towards excellence is a humble, hardworking process. No one person is gifted in the craft without commitment and extensive effort in being worthy to be viewed as a mentor/master of the craft.
Being proficient is ensuring great covers clothe your labour of creative love, and that they appeal to the genre and audiences’ interest. Having your work edited is an important step in the writing process to rise to professional standards in the industry. (although creativity is not an industry for me—a labour of love for sure!) Publishing services come with a price tag if it’s quality that matters. With quality, the stamp of professionalism is assured.
Never compromise your values…
Professionalism as an author like any walk of life is also about expressing thanks and appreciation without the ‘I’m the artist’ big-headed attitude. Collectively a professional outlook makes success a possibility. Professionalism can be challenged when confronted by unethical practices in the publishing ecosystem but as always it’s best to walk away, let it be, there are plenty more avenues out there to pursue, that might well be a better fit for you. Like any job, if the fit is not good, move on to greener pastures, or create your own. As a writer, you steer the vessel on the path you choose to take.
Authors are among some of the most exploited people if unaware of the pitfalls. The way to armour yourself is to sign up for authentic associations, register for webinars and Facebook live sessions, attend conferences, network, to educate yourself in knowing that the allure of being published comes with ethical responsibility. Read, research and find your way with the confidence that you are proficient and professional.
Writing is a solitary process but being an author is a collaborative role. Aspiring writers, you are not alone. Pick who you follow, to wisely ensure you are protecting your craft and practice.
Time and technology have propelled us through 2018 at the speed of light. While the end is nigh, it’s nostalgic as memorable, or a year quickly fading and forgotten.
A nostalgic or forgotten year? What’s your choice?
It has been an incredible year on the writing and publishing front with changes appearing at every corner. While embracing change is the way forward, it has been challenging keeping pace with the rapidity of change in the publishing landscape.
Keeping informed and grounded is paramount to keep creative energy buoyant and abundant. Associations with professional writing bodies, tuning in to the wise and wonderful is essential.
the year certainly sped by in a haze of complete joy and heady energy.
The Rain, A Collection of Short Stories, an unplanned visitation that appeared between resting a novel draft before editing, took hold with an unstoppable fire, in the middle of the Australian winter, warming my heart and heating my hands, for a July 2018 publication.
The joy of writing is soulful, delightful and inspiring and brings to mind the memory of the amazing Aretha Franklin’s timeless, universal words breaking the wall to being voiceless, to find the necessary space through writing/music/painting that is unshackled by difference when it ignites, consumes, connects, offers hope, and entertains – surely that is the meaning of life!
It has been a year of connecting with writers near and far, the lovely Queensland author, Rhonda Forrest in the post, Australian Voices, and reading her novel, The Shack By the Bay, that invites the reader into the stunning North Queensland setting. Meeting online, award-winning, inspirational, Trinidadian author, Brenda Mohammed, author of How To Write For Success, a non-fiction book, and the famed fictional Zeeka Chronicles, and many more.
Valuable inspiration is drawn from ALLi’s Director and Founder, Orna Ross, poet and author, on the creative process and the creative business mindset, essential for authors/artists. Joanna Penn’s The Creative Penn podcast provides up to date inspiration and information on publishing trends, and Mark Dawson’s SPF podcasts and courses are valuable resources for all writers. Online inspiration is abundantly available from well-informed, forerunners who selflessly share their experience in supporting aspiring and new authors.
Receiving readers’ comments on what they enjoyed or how they connected to your books is the sheer joy of knowing it has moved someone. It’s the validation needed to go on. Equally, it’s accepting that one learns something new every day, to improve, to become the best at what we do.
Looking back is undoubtedly encouraging the way forward to 2019, to reach out, share, connect and create.
Moving ahead, onwards and upwards is what matters the most, by networking in a shared global, writing community.
May the new year usher in abundant creative energy and books galore!
Happy NEW YEAR!
Happy writing, Happy reading.
Share your thoughts in the message box below to start a New Year conversation on your writing and reading aims for 2019.
Starting out as a writer is daunting. The joy comes from creating ideas, one word at a time from sentence to paragraph, page, chapter, and finally a book is born after months, or years of hard work… your heart on a page, your passion in words.
Where to from here?
Being published is not the final destination. The hard work is about to begin.You are a closed book if you stay in the shadows, expecting to have books fly off the shelves, or have a noble algorithm shoot your visibility through the internet roof.
On Marketing
Marketing your books brings writer visibility. How you do this depends on where, and to whom you offer invitations into your world of books.
Paying for advertising as a new writer can incur huge financial costs, without the certainty of sales. However, if you are prepared to stretch the budget then Facebook Ads, AMS Ads, Bookbub ads, etc might be the first point of reach to get the word out there to reader world. My listing of three ways to do this is not all you have available, there are a host of other services that you can turn to. Just check out their credentials first before you break the bank.
More Ways To Visibility
Another way to gain visibility is to join reputable writers’ organisations, writers’ groups, either genre focused or an advice network. Posts on Facebook, with a book cover and book description generates interest and brings attention to your space. Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest spread your reach. These social media sites won’t put you out-of-pocket, as you build an audience. Author organisations require a yearly fee for membership, but it’s worth the spend with the writing advice, publishing updates, free publications, and support that comes with the membership package. Notably, ALLi offers an ethical service with an experienced body of advisors and authors who are successful entrepreneurs, managing multiple facets of the author creative and business world.
Networking is a surefire way to gain visibility.
Creating an author network on-line or in your local area is effective in growing awareness around your writing life. Having an author Facebook page brings like-minded people into your fold. Promote each other’s books, and avail yourself to speak at book clubs, local libraries, schools etc. to present the face, passion, and expertise behind your words. Readers enjoy the connection with the author they are reading, or might begin reading, after hearing you speak at an event, no matter the size nor place. If you don’t enjoy public speaking or need assistance getting this off the ground, there are many online coaches to turn to, such as AmondaRose Igor (Speaking Success Strategist) on Facebook.
Other ways might include teaming up with a local weekend event, a market, where you can share a table with a writer/s, or get your own table to sell and promote your author brand and books. Have a business card or a flyer at the ready to hand out. Provide buy one get one half-price strategies. Offer special rates to educational institutions, and bulk-buying to independent booksellers to get yourself out there, to be noticed. Sometimes a small output of funds aids gaining recognition/visibility, and soon pays for itself.
Whether traditionally or independently published, creating author visibility and promoting sales is solely the writers’ responsibility, unless you are lucky enough to have someone volunteer to do it all for you.
Here are a few recommended podcasts to guide your marketing choices.
Reach out and you will be noticed.
Go grab your space in the world of books, stand up and be counted, find your niche, invite your readers in.
Please leave a comment in the box below on your ideas on how to reach readers.
The adage ‘never judge a book by its cover,’ is a questionable one, in the world of publishing.
Writers and publishers agree that a professional cover is the first point of reader attraction. The successive triggers that consolidate interest are, genre, blurb, knowledge of the author’s body of work etc.
When is a cover visualised?
Most often the inspiration for a cover emerges during the writing process, or at the end of the first draft (this is pretty much my experience).
Some writers have a vision for a cover from the conception stage when the story idea strikes, and they stick with it. Others might see the initial perception for a cover morph over time, in consultation with the designer, or an epiphany might trigger a new wave of creative thought.
Creating a book cover should be a collaborative effort with the professional expertise of a cover designer
What decides the choice and layout of images on a cover?
Plot, character, and setting have a huge part to play.
A metaphor that hits the nail on the head is effective in creating curiosity to lead the reader in. It’s subtle and insightful.
My debut novel, Across Time and Space, captures the evocative landscapes of London and Florence, with the protagonist in the foreground, her assailant centre-ground and the landscapes she traverses, in the background. While this is the main plot, the sub-plot, is not represented, to avoid cluttering the cover. There is a definitive reading path, depth in the placement of images from the foreground all way to the villa in Viareggio, seen in the background. The colour choice represents the Tuscan setting.
With the sequel, Vindication Across Time, the theme had to be maintained. The crime in the first book, Across Time and Space is played out in Book Two, in Florence, with the justice department, and media issues that arise. This cover has a Florentine backdrop, with the Ponte Vecchio in the background, and representation of the courthouse, in centreground. The face of the protagonist, Meryl, in the top left corner, is at the centre of the drama that unfolds. The male figure in the bottom, right quadrant, is mysterious, leaving the reader guessing who he is, (if you read Across Time and Space, you would have a pick of male characters to speculate upon) and what role he might play in Meryl’s world. Colours play their part in creating meaning, the word, ‘vindication,’ in red symbolises the significant unveiling of truth in this novel, the losses incurred in pursuit of truth. The dark suit of the male protagonist implies, he might be sinister or harbouring a hidden secret. The top half maintains the Tuscan setting, while the bottom half is enclosed by a dark building – the seat of justice, where truth, lies, and deception are acted out.
Will justice be served?
There is a visual shift, to reflect a new story, a different saga. This cover is a metaphoric representation of characters and events. Green for renewal; fragility and beauty are emblematic through the butterfly image. Dark and light through the colours of the wings, imply situations encountered, and the personalities of a mother’s daughters, two wings, with different colours on one butterfly.
What will the rain bring?
The Rain – A Collection of Short Stories reflects the metaphor of rain in its physical, emotional and psychological ramifications on the lives of characters. Dark tones, with the glimmer of light with the female protagonist foregrounded, suggest the mood that pervades the stories. The image in the bottom right-hand quadrant is that of a hut in the title story.
Flick through any online retail bookstore, and a plethora of covers compete for attention. A cover catches the eye – title, author, blurb are the next attraction and selection.
Covers tell a story, a summary through images.
Well-thought-out covers guide readers’ personal perceptions, speculations, and curiosity, asking, ‘what story does this book tell, will it entertain and ‘move’ me?’
Seek the expertise of a cover designer and discuss the vision you have for your cover.
What’s your book cover choice? Share your ideas in the comment box below.
Sign up today for a free e-Book.
Often writers feel alone while tapping out the stories that come tumbling out of imaginative worlds with a benevolent muse guiding the next brainwave.
Writing starts out feeling like a lonely affair and the actual writing will always be a lone love affair with your writing tools – however, the number of support communities available to writers is phenomenal. Facebook groups with experienced authors and authorpreneurs abound.
You can choose to actively engage in these forums or lurk a while until you find the courage to ask a question or respond to someone’s question. There are local groups such as Writers Around Australia created by Lisa Braun and Tina Bonett who generously share posts and ideas. The New South Wales Writers’ Centre to keep up to date with advice and events. The Professional Association I find immeasurably beneficial is ALLibased in the UK, established by Orna Ross with a team of talented and experienced authors, with a worldwide membership.
The Platform for Building Authors and Authorpreneur Mastermind by the Winsome Media Group, established by Juliet Dillion Clark is inspirational and provides valuable advice on how to grow your author platform to get noticed to drive sales.
An excellent inspirational forum to enhance your speaking skills (as authors we are inclined to be introverts) and seek speaking opportunities to add another stream of income to your job as a writer, is Big Impact and Income Speakers under the helm of Amondarose Igoe. Here you will find inspiration and support to build confidence and grow your author business – both Winsome Media Group and Big Impact and Income Speakers are US based.
The SPF community established by author Mark Dawson is a great sharing and advice UK forum with worldwide membership. Women Writers Women’s Books is a supportive, informative network of authors created by Barbara Bos. BooksGoSocial Author’s Group run by four dedicated administrators offers advice to authors through sharing ideas and is great for marketing your books.
Ebook and POD
Following a range of podcasts and signing up for webinars allows authors to connect with developments in a rapidly changing publishing landscape.
I religiously follow The Creative Penn, ALLi and SPFPodcasts and select topics from a range of presenters on other forums as the need arises – quite often I might add! Smart Author podcasts with Mark Coker from Smashwords publishing platform offers solid advice for authors starting out. So you want to be a writer (Australia) with Valerie Khoo and Allison Tait covers a range of topics from local to global writing and publishing trends.
Digital publishing platforms that are providing excellent services to authors are Draft2Digital with a range of great features for new and established authors. Kobo offers distribution to Canada and the Netherlands. KDP is a prominent publishing platform from the dawn of eBook publishing. (2007) – the choice is vast, you eventually find your comfort zone and work with your chosen publishing platforms. Reedsy, UK based, provides a range of vetted services as does ALLi from editors, to cover designers and Reedsy provides an advanced formatting book service. For an Australian based formatting/cover design service go to WorkingType.
For POD, IngramSpark and CreateSpace/KDP provide excellent platforms to get your print book out into the world.
There are many more services and professional author bodies available, after trying them you eventually settle on your ‘favourites’ because you can’t possibly follow all. Being selective ensures you are not doubling up and eating into your writing time, the most crucial aspect of your writing career.
There’s an oasis of supportive networks out there, reach out and you’ll be amazed at the wealth of advice you will receive.
I hope you find the platforms I respect and trust beneficial for you on your writing journey.
Happy Writing!
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Why does crime fascinate the reader or the viewer? From a gripping novel to a suspenseful film, both mediums are loaded with intrigue, blood, gore, missing persons, and dead bodies, and they certainly hold our attention for more. 
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