Ask the Author: Nancy Christie
Answered Questions (5)
Nancy Christie
Congratulations on having 3 books out and the sales you've achieved. As for the marketing, what online presence do you already have? A website, blog, social media? You need to have something so people who are looking for those book topics have somewhere to go to find out more.
As for an email list, before you start assembling one, decide what you are going to do with it once you have it: send out a newsletter or info about your book or any appearances you'll be making? Or do you want a media list for press releases? Or a bookstore list to send sell sheets and other book-related information?
Depending on whom your target is, you'll use different strategies to create a list. And once you do, use a service like MailChimp to send it out to avid your email being marked as spam.
I hope I gave you some useful information.
As for an email list, before you start assembling one, decide what you are going to do with it once you have it: send out a newsletter or info about your book or any appearances you'll be making? Or do you want a media list for press releases? Or a bookstore list to send sell sheets and other book-related information?
Depending on whom your target is, you'll use different strategies to create a list. And once you do, use a service like MailChimp to send it out to avid your email being marked as spam.
I hope I gave you some useful information.
Nancy Christie
First, read as much as you can--good writing (to learn how to improve) and bad writing (to learn what to avoid).
Write regularly (daily is ideal) to keep your writing "muscle" strong and limber.
Join a writing group and share your work to get feedback.
If you truly want to write--never never never give up!
Write regularly (daily is ideal) to keep your writing "muscle" strong and limber.
Join a writing group and share your work to get feedback.
If you truly want to write--never never never give up!
Nancy Christie
Right now I am working on stories for my next fiction collection, Peripheral Visions and Other Stories. As part of the writing/research process, I'll be heading to St. Augustine in April, and doing a few booksignings along the way!
This is a rather unusual situation, since none of my other short stories relied so heavily on background details that I had to visit the locales. But the title story absolutely required not only specifics about St. Augustine, but also about the journey down there.
So I am essentially retracing my character's path, without the extra passengers she acquires!
Check out this page for a brief excerpt: http://www.nancychristie.com/books/up...
This is a rather unusual situation, since none of my other short stories relied so heavily on background details that I had to visit the locales. But the title story absolutely required not only specifics about St. Augustine, but also about the journey down there.
So I am essentially retracing my character's path, without the extra passengers she acquires!
Check out this page for a brief excerpt: http://www.nancychristie.com/books/up...
Nancy Christie
When I am well and truly stuck, meaning I don't know where to go from where I started or I can't even get started, then I know it's time to walk away. Not forever, just long enough to clear my mind.
I usually do something physical—go for a run, mow the lawn, paint the basement walls (my current favorite)—which releases the tension and frustration.
Then, something usually starts percolating in my mind and before I know it, the writer's block has been broken down into little writer's bits and pieces!
I usually do something physical—go for a run, mow the lawn, paint the basement walls (my current favorite)—which releases the tension and frustration.
Then, something usually starts percolating in my mind and before I know it, the writer's block has been broken down into little writer's bits and pieces!
Nancy Christie
Inspiration comes from so many places—conversations overheard, interactions witnessed, dreams and fears experienced—that it's more a case of choosing which tantalizing tease to pursue. One thing I do know, however, is that I need to show up—be ready to write at a consistent time—to keep the ideas flowing.
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