Ask the Author: K. Lamb
Answered Questions (18)
K. Lamb
After publishing my third book, a young reader noticed that one of the character names was spelled differently in one location of the book. I had to have the whole book re-published.
K. Lamb
Thank you for your question, Raul.
Illustrations and cover art are extremely important, especially since I write early chapter books. These are books for children that are just starting out on the adventure of reading by themselves. This can be a difficult, and exciting, transition for a child when first stepping out of picture books.
Illustrations help a child envision the story when they first begin to read on their own. Therefore, an early chapter book needs illustrations that depict key scenes in the book. A good relationship between author and illustrator is paramount to the success of a book, in my humble opinion.
Finding an illustrator you work well with and that sees your vision isn't always as easy as it sounds. There are many wonderful artists, but it is a matter of pairing yourself to the person that sees the story through your eyes. This is the responsibility of the author to be able to properly explain the setting and the illustrator grasping that concept.
Pair the right illustrator and author together--- and that is where the magic begins!
Illustrations and cover art are extremely important, especially since I write early chapter books. These are books for children that are just starting out on the adventure of reading by themselves. This can be a difficult, and exciting, transition for a child when first stepping out of picture books.
Illustrations help a child envision the story when they first begin to read on their own. Therefore, an early chapter book needs illustrations that depict key scenes in the book. A good relationship between author and illustrator is paramount to the success of a book, in my humble opinion.
Finding an illustrator you work well with and that sees your vision isn't always as easy as it sounds. There are many wonderful artists, but it is a matter of pairing yourself to the person that sees the story through your eyes. This is the responsibility of the author to be able to properly explain the setting and the illustrator grasping that concept.
Pair the right illustrator and author together--- and that is where the magic begins!
K. Lamb
To clarify, when you say "Amazon" I am assuming you are referring to Kindle Direct Publishing and CreateSpace, which I believe are subsidiaries of Amazon. I am only aware of their terms since I do not use Smashwords; however, my advice would be the same. My advice is also the same for all three questions you posed, therefore, I shall only respond to this one.
I think in any circumstance it is important for the individual to do their own due diligence. Before moving forward they have to be comfortable in their decision. If not, then it would not be the right platform for them. Since there is no bargaining room with Amazon (or I'm assuming Smashwords) it would be a "take it or leave it" situation. You either want to proceed or you decline and go a different route. That is a decision that can only be determined by each individual based on their needs.
As I am not an attorney, I do not feel it would be appropriate for me to discuss the legalities of their policies in either a private or public forum. If someone does have a question in regards to their verbiage, I would thoroughly recommend that they consult an attorney before entering into any arrangement so they are fully aware of what they are committing to prior to proceeding.
Once again, thank you for your questions!
Wishing you all the best,
K. Lamb
I think in any circumstance it is important for the individual to do their own due diligence. Before moving forward they have to be comfortable in their decision. If not, then it would not be the right platform for them. Since there is no bargaining room with Amazon (or I'm assuming Smashwords) it would be a "take it or leave it" situation. You either want to proceed or you decline and go a different route. That is a decision that can only be determined by each individual based on their needs.
As I am not an attorney, I do not feel it would be appropriate for me to discuss the legalities of their policies in either a private or public forum. If someone does have a question in regards to their verbiage, I would thoroughly recommend that they consult an attorney before entering into any arrangement so they are fully aware of what they are committing to prior to proceeding.
Once again, thank you for your questions!
Wishing you all the best,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
Another good question! I don't find either of them necessarily difficult, but definitely aggravating and tedious at times! I'll address both the traditional book and an ebook separately.
When you are formatting a traditional book you have to pay particular attention to white space and widow/orphan issues. White space occurs when justifying text. If it is too extensive, you actually need to rewrite passages to minimize this and make the page more aesthetically pleasing. You also need to watch the last line and first line of each page for widow and orphan lines. If you are adding full page illustrations, you need to make sure they coincide with the appropriate text as closely as possible.
Now if you are doing an ebook it is much simpler, except if you are adding in illustrations they can sometimes be a bit tricky. Once you have formatted an ebook you need to cross check on different readers to see how well they preview on each. (i.e. Kindle, iPad, smartphone, computer, etc.)
If you are the type of person that has a lot of patience, it really is a simple enough procedure. If you are easily frustrated, you may want to pay someone to do this process for you.
When you are formatting a traditional book you have to pay particular attention to white space and widow/orphan issues. White space occurs when justifying text. If it is too extensive, you actually need to rewrite passages to minimize this and make the page more aesthetically pleasing. You also need to watch the last line and first line of each page for widow and orphan lines. If you are adding full page illustrations, you need to make sure they coincide with the appropriate text as closely as possible.
Now if you are doing an ebook it is much simpler, except if you are adding in illustrations they can sometimes be a bit tricky. Once you have formatted an ebook you need to cross check on different readers to see how well they preview on each. (i.e. Kindle, iPad, smartphone, computer, etc.)
If you are the type of person that has a lot of patience, it really is a simple enough procedure. If you are easily frustrated, you may want to pay someone to do this process for you.
K. Lamb
I don't have an "average time consumed" on the editing of my books. It truly can vary depending on the amount of time I have to devote to working on any given project. One of the biggest benefits of being an indie author is that the only deadline you have to meet are the ones you impose upon yourself.
I can tell you that my first children's book took about a year from beginning to end as I was doing a lot of research. My second book came out 5 months after my first. My third book will probably average about the same, 5-6 months. A lot of this is also dependent upon how fast my illustrator is able to turn around my job requests.
I can tell you that I do spend an exorbitant amount of time on the editing process. I will admit I am not a grammar queen so I want to ensure that it is done to the best of my ability. I do not think it is fair to an editor/proofreader to turn over a problematic manuscript. I believe an author should make their best effort to clean it up prior to submitting it for review. (Although, this is probably due to the fact that my daughter is my editor/proofreader and I see what she has to go through when she receives a poorly submitted manuscript from someone.)
I hope this information helps. Thanks for all of your thoughtful questions, Raul!
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
I can tell you that my first children's book took about a year from beginning to end as I was doing a lot of research. My second book came out 5 months after my first. My third book will probably average about the same, 5-6 months. A lot of this is also dependent upon how fast my illustrator is able to turn around my job requests.
I can tell you that I do spend an exorbitant amount of time on the editing process. I will admit I am not a grammar queen so I want to ensure that it is done to the best of my ability. I do not think it is fair to an editor/proofreader to turn over a problematic manuscript. I believe an author should make their best effort to clean it up prior to submitting it for review. (Although, this is probably due to the fact that my daughter is my editor/proofreader and I see what she has to go through when she receives a poorly submitted manuscript from someone.)
I hope this information helps. Thanks for all of your thoughtful questions, Raul!
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
My level of knowledge is limited to the two books I have formatted to date. I think it is important for any prospective author to research this topic before trying to format a book, even if they contract this out to someone else. There is a wealth of information available on the internet and on Amazon.
If you are a publishing a book then I'm going to assume you are also an avid reader. Go to your library and start looking at the books you own. How do they look compared to the one you formatted? Here is one rookie mistake: Did you indent the first line in a new chapter? You did? Oops--that shouldn't be indented! What about widow-orphan lines? Do you know what those little buggers are? If not, it is time to do some more research! I read an excellent article back when I was researching, I wish I could remember where, about some of the most common mistakes made by new authors. I'll have to go through some of my research articles to see if I can locate it. It pinpointed out how to easily tell the difference between a professionally formatted book and one done by an inexperienced amateur.
Then there is also the consideration of the font you will use. Again, there was a great article I read chock-full of information about fonts, their sizes, what types for different genres, book sizes, etc. All of this is invaluable information to know prior to beginning the formatting process.
Now all of this is based on formatting a print version of your book. Formatting an ebook is a whole other process. As I said before, I was responsible for formatting both of my books. I did them both in print and on the Kindle platform. Did I make errors? I'm sure I did! Will I get better as I move forward? I certainly hope so as I continue to learn and gain experience. The most important thing is start off putting your best foot forward. After all, you don't want to be the one that someone can easily pinpoint as an inexperienced amateur.
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
If you are a publishing a book then I'm going to assume you are also an avid reader. Go to your library and start looking at the books you own. How do they look compared to the one you formatted? Here is one rookie mistake: Did you indent the first line in a new chapter? You did? Oops--that shouldn't be indented! What about widow-orphan lines? Do you know what those little buggers are? If not, it is time to do some more research! I read an excellent article back when I was researching, I wish I could remember where, about some of the most common mistakes made by new authors. I'll have to go through some of my research articles to see if I can locate it. It pinpointed out how to easily tell the difference between a professionally formatted book and one done by an inexperienced amateur.
Then there is also the consideration of the font you will use. Again, there was a great article I read chock-full of information about fonts, their sizes, what types for different genres, book sizes, etc. All of this is invaluable information to know prior to beginning the formatting process.
Now all of this is based on formatting a print version of your book. Formatting an ebook is a whole other process. As I said before, I was responsible for formatting both of my books. I did them both in print and on the Kindle platform. Did I make errors? I'm sure I did! Will I get better as I move forward? I certainly hope so as I continue to learn and gain experience. The most important thing is start off putting your best foot forward. After all, you don't want to be the one that someone can easily pinpoint as an inexperienced amateur.
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
Honestly, I think the most difficult issue I have is finding the time to write. As an indie author, it is up to me to handle all aspects of my books since I am not hiring out any of the work except for my illustrations. To further compound this problem, I work. Therefore it is imperative to balance my time wisely--well--at least attempt to balance it. Like all aspects in life, things never quite seem to go according to plan. There are always interruptions, tasks to be completed, social media to be maintained, etc. You get the idea.
Finding time to write was a lot easier before I ever released a book for publication. After my first book came out I had a whole new set of tasks that I had to do on a regular basis, which limited my available writing time. I hear similar tales from my author friends. I think one mistake aspiring indie writers often forget about is the time commitment. There are many nights that I do not get to bed until well into the night and even then my head is racing with the thoughts of the things I still need to get accomplished. Luckily, before I ever released a book I spent a year researching and learning all I could so I was prepared for this scenario. Yet, what I have learned isn't even equivalent to a scratch in the surface of it all. To add to that, I have not even begun to market my books. I will be doing a new segment on my blog series, An Inside Look at the Working Indie Author, on Making Connections vs. Marketing that relates to this topic. Right now, I am merely in the stage of making myself known.
I wish it were so easy as to write a book, publish it to the world, and watch the sales roll in. The simple truth: It is not that easy! I encourage all new writers who have a story to tell to pursue their dreams, but hold on to their realistic expectations.
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
Finding time to write was a lot easier before I ever released a book for publication. After my first book came out I had a whole new set of tasks that I had to do on a regular basis, which limited my available writing time. I hear similar tales from my author friends. I think one mistake aspiring indie writers often forget about is the time commitment. There are many nights that I do not get to bed until well into the night and even then my head is racing with the thoughts of the things I still need to get accomplished. Luckily, before I ever released a book I spent a year researching and learning all I could so I was prepared for this scenario. Yet, what I have learned isn't even equivalent to a scratch in the surface of it all. To add to that, I have not even begun to market my books. I will be doing a new segment on my blog series, An Inside Look at the Working Indie Author, on Making Connections vs. Marketing that relates to this topic. Right now, I am merely in the stage of making myself known.
I wish it were so easy as to write a book, publish it to the world, and watch the sales roll in. The simple truth: It is not that easy! I encourage all new writers who have a story to tell to pursue their dreams, but hold on to their realistic expectations.
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
Everyone has their own way of going through the editing process. For me, I obsess over it.
I will go through the story maybe once or twice on the screen to change any major points that I see. After that I start printing out the manuscript—let me just apologizes now for my lack of being green when it comes to editing. There is just something about being able to edit on paper versus a computer screen that brings errors more in to focus.
With a red pen I will go through the manuscript and mark any changes. Afterwards, I will go make the necessary changes in the computer. Next, think of it as washing your hair: Wash, Rinse & Repeat! This cycle will continue until I can completely go through the story and find no errors and no content I want to change. I will then read the story aloud and see how it sounds to my ear. Does anything sound clunky? Does it not flow properly? Oops---better change it now! I will then repeat this process. When I am finally satisfied, I will send the manuscript off to my editor/proofreader.
When it comes back with THEIR red marks and love notes, I start implementing those changes. It is important to listen to your editor. However, I don’t always take every bit of advice. Sometimes there may be a scene that I am adamant about not changing and I’ll leave it. After all, it is YOUR story. Your editor is responsible for giving you their best advice. You are responsible for the end result. You choose what is appropriate and what is not.
After those changes are made, I begin the process all over! It is amazing how an editor’s comments may make you look differently upon certain aspects of your book. I will re-work and re-write sometimes just because time has passed and a new idea has struck. When I can no longer find any additional changes I want to make I will send it back to my editor for one final review prior to publication.
What a lot of new writers do not understand is that the editing process is much more difficult than the writing process. Are you on target for your age group? Are you keeping the same POV throughout? Are you in the same tense? All things you will start to pickup on during the editing process. Your editing skills will also improve as you become more used to the process.
One of the biggest mistakes you can do when publishing a book is releasing it before it is properly edited. It isn’t likely you’ll catch 100% of the errors in a book, even after an editor has gone through it, however, one of the biggest frustrations to a reader is finding a novel that has errors and inconsistencies littered throughout it.
Remember, it is your reputation on the line. How do you want to be perceived by the world?
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
I will go through the story maybe once or twice on the screen to change any major points that I see. After that I start printing out the manuscript—let me just apologizes now for my lack of being green when it comes to editing. There is just something about being able to edit on paper versus a computer screen that brings errors more in to focus.
With a red pen I will go through the manuscript and mark any changes. Afterwards, I will go make the necessary changes in the computer. Next, think of it as washing your hair: Wash, Rinse & Repeat! This cycle will continue until I can completely go through the story and find no errors and no content I want to change. I will then read the story aloud and see how it sounds to my ear. Does anything sound clunky? Does it not flow properly? Oops---better change it now! I will then repeat this process. When I am finally satisfied, I will send the manuscript off to my editor/proofreader.
When it comes back with THEIR red marks and love notes, I start implementing those changes. It is important to listen to your editor. However, I don’t always take every bit of advice. Sometimes there may be a scene that I am adamant about not changing and I’ll leave it. After all, it is YOUR story. Your editor is responsible for giving you their best advice. You are responsible for the end result. You choose what is appropriate and what is not.
After those changes are made, I begin the process all over! It is amazing how an editor’s comments may make you look differently upon certain aspects of your book. I will re-work and re-write sometimes just because time has passed and a new idea has struck. When I can no longer find any additional changes I want to make I will send it back to my editor for one final review prior to publication.
What a lot of new writers do not understand is that the editing process is much more difficult than the writing process. Are you on target for your age group? Are you keeping the same POV throughout? Are you in the same tense? All things you will start to pickup on during the editing process. Your editing skills will also improve as you become more used to the process.
One of the biggest mistakes you can do when publishing a book is releasing it before it is properly edited. It isn’t likely you’ll catch 100% of the errors in a book, even after an editor has gone through it, however, one of the biggest frustrations to a reader is finding a novel that has errors and inconsistencies littered throughout it.
Remember, it is your reputation on the line. How do you want to be perceived by the world?
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
Thanks for another great question, GomeeGirl!
If someone were writing a book for the very first time, I would recommend the point of view they are most comfortable using.
For those that are not familiar with different POVs, let’s keep this simple. Without going into the different types of third person POVs, the third person narrative is the author telling the story using the pronouns he, she and they.
I have always used the third person POV because that has best fit my audience, which is children. They easily understand the storytelling mode of a narrator. It is easy for them to envision.
For the first time I will be utilizing the first person POV for my newest young adult novel, Max Donovan. I want this book to be poignant. I want YOU to feel the pain and anguish the main character is going through. This can best be told by utilizing the first person.
To answer your question, ultimately I believe it really depends on the story you are writing, the audience you are addressing, and how you want your readers to relate to your main character. Do you want your reader to have a safety net or to feel every emotion on the journey? Only you, the writer, can decide.
I hope this answered your question. If not, please feel free to give me a follow up question and I will try and clarify further.
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
If someone were writing a book for the very first time, I would recommend the point of view they are most comfortable using.
For those that are not familiar with different POVs, let’s keep this simple. Without going into the different types of third person POVs, the third person narrative is the author telling the story using the pronouns he, she and they.
I have always used the third person POV because that has best fit my audience, which is children. They easily understand the storytelling mode of a narrator. It is easy for them to envision.
For the first time I will be utilizing the first person POV for my newest young adult novel, Max Donovan. I want this book to be poignant. I want YOU to feel the pain and anguish the main character is going through. This can best be told by utilizing the first person.
To answer your question, ultimately I believe it really depends on the story you are writing, the audience you are addressing, and how you want your readers to relate to your main character. Do you want your reader to have a safety net or to feel every emotion on the journey? Only you, the writer, can decide.
I hope this answered your question. If not, please feel free to give me a follow up question and I will try and clarify further.
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
Hmm, I'm not quite sure I want to answer that question at the risk of making myself appear old. In all seriousness, I've been writing since I was quite young. I've always enjoyed making up little stories and writing poetry. I was lucky enough to have someone encourage my imagination.
There have been times in my life off and on that I have stopped. Life gets busy raising a family and working. Priorities take precedence. Somehow I always find my way back to it. I think when something provides us joy we will always gravitate toward it, writing is no exception.
Children have a way of growing up and leaving the nest. Suddenly you find more and more time on your hands that you didn't have before. Once again, I found myself writing. It filled my hours and brought me comfort. I hadn't thought about publishing in a long time, not until my husband and daughter challenged me. They wanted to know if not now, when? It was the right moment and the perfect opportunity. I spent about a year just researching, reading, and learning the endless plethora of information. It boggled my mind--it still does--at what I have to learn. However, I didn't want to someday look back at life with regrets.
So, to answer your question, it has been a life-long quest! One I have enjoyed immensely. I'm not exactly sure where it is heading, but I'm looking forward to the adventure! No one knows what tomorrow will bring, after all, what is life without a little mystery?
Wishing you all the best,
K. Lamb
There have been times in my life off and on that I have stopped. Life gets busy raising a family and working. Priorities take precedence. Somehow I always find my way back to it. I think when something provides us joy we will always gravitate toward it, writing is no exception.
Children have a way of growing up and leaving the nest. Suddenly you find more and more time on your hands that you didn't have before. Once again, I found myself writing. It filled my hours and brought me comfort. I hadn't thought about publishing in a long time, not until my husband and daughter challenged me. They wanted to know if not now, when? It was the right moment and the perfect opportunity. I spent about a year just researching, reading, and learning the endless plethora of information. It boggled my mind--it still does--at what I have to learn. However, I didn't want to someday look back at life with regrets.
So, to answer your question, it has been a life-long quest! One I have enjoyed immensely. I'm not exactly sure where it is heading, but I'm looking forward to the adventure! No one knows what tomorrow will bring, after all, what is life without a little mystery?
Wishing you all the best,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
As a "working" author--and by that I mean working in a profession other than the industry--my time is limited. I don't know that I actually have any specific routine.
My main focus is making sure that I stay focused and engaged in some aspect that is going to propel me further each day. Not every day is conducive to sitting down and working on my novels. On the days that I don't have the time to devote to that, I make sure that I answer questions such as yours, I might write a blog, I will do social media maintenance, and I will reach out and connect with fellow authors and readers. If becoming an author is something you are truly committed to becoming, you need to throw yourself into it on a daily basis in some form or fashion.
With the endless sea of writers out to promote their books, which I thoroughly support, you cannot sit back and rest on your laurels. It is up to each of us as authors to decide what kind of splash we are going to make. Will we be a ripple in a small pond or a crashing wave in the ocean? Each of us has our own end game and what we want to accomplish. Regardless of which path we choose, we all need to continue in a forward motion to keep from getting lost in the tide.
You may enjoy reading my new blog series, An Inside Look at a Working Indie Author. You can view it here: http://www.authorklamb.blogspot.com
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
My main focus is making sure that I stay focused and engaged in some aspect that is going to propel me further each day. Not every day is conducive to sitting down and working on my novels. On the days that I don't have the time to devote to that, I make sure that I answer questions such as yours, I might write a blog, I will do social media maintenance, and I will reach out and connect with fellow authors and readers. If becoming an author is something you are truly committed to becoming, you need to throw yourself into it on a daily basis in some form or fashion.
With the endless sea of writers out to promote their books, which I thoroughly support, you cannot sit back and rest on your laurels. It is up to each of us as authors to decide what kind of splash we are going to make. Will we be a ripple in a small pond or a crashing wave in the ocean? Each of us has our own end game and what we want to accomplish. Regardless of which path we choose, we all need to continue in a forward motion to keep from getting lost in the tide.
You may enjoy reading my new blog series, An Inside Look at a Working Indie Author. You can view it here: http://www.authorklamb.blogspot.com
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
Good question! I think we all have our favorite genres and writing styles. For me, I like to focus on children's stories and young adult.
I enjoy writing for children because it is very rewarding. I have a strong belief in promoting children's literacy. A child needs this educational basic foundation for a strong, fulfilling life as an adult. I truly believe that early readers make better students, which in turn, helps them attain their life-long goals.
To be honest, writing for children is not my strong suit. I do find it a difficult format to write in. Many may think it is easier, however I do not. I am constantly having to make sure I rein myself in and write at a specific grade level. Regardless, it is a task I take on lovingly and willingly because I do have such a strong belief that children need books, especially early chapter books, that will capture their hearts and imagination while challenging them at the same time! Children have a far greater capacity to learn than we sometimes give them credit for. Why not allow them that opportunity?
My favorite genre to write, from a selfish standpoint, is young adult. I get lost in my own writing as I tap on the keys. I do not have to worry as much about what may or may not be appropriate for a young child. It can be a bit edgier, have more bite. There is a very personal satisfaction writing for this genre that fulfills the creative side within me.
Thank you for asking what my interests are in writing. It was a thoughtful question!
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
I enjoy writing for children because it is very rewarding. I have a strong belief in promoting children's literacy. A child needs this educational basic foundation for a strong, fulfilling life as an adult. I truly believe that early readers make better students, which in turn, helps them attain their life-long goals.
To be honest, writing for children is not my strong suit. I do find it a difficult format to write in. Many may think it is easier, however I do not. I am constantly having to make sure I rein myself in and write at a specific grade level. Regardless, it is a task I take on lovingly and willingly because I do have such a strong belief that children need books, especially early chapter books, that will capture their hearts and imagination while challenging them at the same time! Children have a far greater capacity to learn than we sometimes give them credit for. Why not allow them that opportunity?
My favorite genre to write, from a selfish standpoint, is young adult. I get lost in my own writing as I tap on the keys. I do not have to worry as much about what may or may not be appropriate for a young child. It can be a bit edgier, have more bite. There is a very personal satisfaction writing for this genre that fulfills the creative side within me.
Thank you for asking what my interests are in writing. It was a thoughtful question!
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
I think many things played a part in inspiring me to write. A key player is having a love of literature. I believe that eventually blossoms into one's own development and desire to write. I can thank my grandmother for this gift. She truly opened up new worlds to me by always having books available to me in all my favorite genres. Children do not need to be pushed to read as long as you make a wide variety of books available to them. They will gravitate toward them if you allow them that opportunity and rein in some of the other outside influences, i.e. t.v., computers, gaming systems.
There was also this moment that dates all the way back to elementary school. We were having a parent night and one of our class projects was to write a story that we turned into books. We made hard covers for them covered in fabric and used labels for the titles. I was so excited by the project that I asked the teacher if I could make two books. I can't remember my teacher's name, or even the grade, but what I won't forget was her leaning down to me and saying, "You're going to be a writer someday." It is amazing how a few simple words of encouragement can stick with a child.
Finally, I think there is something that is just inherent in an author that makes them want to write. A thought or plot just pops into their mind and you have to put pen to paper or tap it out on a keyboard.
I want to encourage everyone to write. You don't have to become an author if that is not your calling, but writing can be beneficial to everyone even if it is a daily journal. There is just something so comforting about putting your ideas down on paper and seeing it as a tangible element you can physically hold on to.
Thank you for your question, Raul! I look forward to answering your remaining ones.
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
There was also this moment that dates all the way back to elementary school. We were having a parent night and one of our class projects was to write a story that we turned into books. We made hard covers for them covered in fabric and used labels for the titles. I was so excited by the project that I asked the teacher if I could make two books. I can't remember my teacher's name, or even the grade, but what I won't forget was her leaning down to me and saying, "You're going to be a writer someday." It is amazing how a few simple words of encouragement can stick with a child.
Finally, I think there is something that is just inherent in an author that makes them want to write. A thought or plot just pops into their mind and you have to put pen to paper or tap it out on a keyboard.
I want to encourage everyone to write. You don't have to become an author if that is not your calling, but writing can be beneficial to everyone even if it is a daily journal. There is just something so comforting about putting your ideas down on paper and seeing it as a tangible element you can physically hold on to.
Thank you for your question, Raul! I look forward to answering your remaining ones.
Wishing you a little mystery & adventure,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
I am currently working on two different books. I am working on my third book for the Dani P. Mystery children's series and a young adult novel.
The idea for Dani and the Rocking Horse Ranch came from several places within me. I am blessed with memories of my childhood adventures with my pony, Maple. My parents also have a ranch and it was a way of doing a tribute to them. Finally, my young niece is absolutely wild about horses and is currently taking riding lessons. This book was meant to be written for all those reasons! My niece's excitement is well worth it alone. She and her sister love Dani's mysteries and mischief!
My novel, Max Donovan, was originally supposed to be a "grown-up" young adult version of Dani. However, after much internal debate I decided this was not a good idea for many reasons. Mainly, I was afraid that this novel would end up in the hands of children. Since it is a grisly tale of murder, that would have been highly inappropriate. Therefore, I went back to my storyboard and made some changes while trying to keep the main plot points the same to hold on to the integrity of how I meant the book to be written.
The idea for Dani and the Rocking Horse Ranch came from several places within me. I am blessed with memories of my childhood adventures with my pony, Maple. My parents also have a ranch and it was a way of doing a tribute to them. Finally, my young niece is absolutely wild about horses and is currently taking riding lessons. This book was meant to be written for all those reasons! My niece's excitement is well worth it alone. She and her sister love Dani's mysteries and mischief!
My novel, Max Donovan, was originally supposed to be a "grown-up" young adult version of Dani. However, after much internal debate I decided this was not a good idea for many reasons. Mainly, I was afraid that this novel would end up in the hands of children. Since it is a grisly tale of murder, that would have been highly inappropriate. Therefore, I went back to my storyboard and made some changes while trying to keep the main plot points the same to hold on to the integrity of how I meant the book to be written.
K. Lamb
The best part about being an Indie Author is not having to write query letters and having your stomach tied up in knots while you anxiously await a response. To be honest, I have only written one query letter and that was over 15+ years ago. I did receive a very nice letter of encouragement in response, however my children's book (another mystery) was not what they were looking for at the time. I should have done my homework, but I was young.
If I were to write one now, I would try to research the publishing house I was submitting it to so that I could be assured what I am sending off even falls into the parameters of what they are interested in.
Next, I would treat it the same as I would a job interview cover letter: professional, concise, and informative. You probably have about a 30 second opportunity to gain the attention of the person reviewing your letter for them to make a yay or nay decision. The publishing business is just like any other business and time is money!
I do not have an agent. I am a newly published author as of December 2013, although I have been writing for years. Since I intend to remain an Indie author, an agent isn't necessary. I wish I could be more helpful to you in that area.
Everyone must decide for themselves what they want out of their writing career. As a "working" Indie author, I have limited time to devote to my craft each day. I find joy in writing and do not want to be tied to deadlines or stressing over awaiting submission results. I want to be in charge of my own destiny and how it unfolds. I am in no rush and I am happy to be patient and let it build slowly. As I have said a hundred times, "I'd rather be the tortoise that makes it to the finish line than the hare that never gets there."
I'd like to invite you to follow my blog at http://www.authorklamb.blogspot.com where I am writing a blog series entitled, An Inside Look at the Working Indie Author.
Thank you for your incredibly thoughtful questions! I enjoyed answering them immensely and look forward to connecting more with you in the future!
Wishing you a little mystery and adventure,
K. Lamb
If I were to write one now, I would try to research the publishing house I was submitting it to so that I could be assured what I am sending off even falls into the parameters of what they are interested in.
Next, I would treat it the same as I would a job interview cover letter: professional, concise, and informative. You probably have about a 30 second opportunity to gain the attention of the person reviewing your letter for them to make a yay or nay decision. The publishing business is just like any other business and time is money!
I do not have an agent. I am a newly published author as of December 2013, although I have been writing for years. Since I intend to remain an Indie author, an agent isn't necessary. I wish I could be more helpful to you in that area.
Everyone must decide for themselves what they want out of their writing career. As a "working" Indie author, I have limited time to devote to my craft each day. I find joy in writing and do not want to be tied to deadlines or stressing over awaiting submission results. I want to be in charge of my own destiny and how it unfolds. I am in no rush and I am happy to be patient and let it build slowly. As I have said a hundred times, "I'd rather be the tortoise that makes it to the finish line than the hare that never gets there."
I'd like to invite you to follow my blog at http://www.authorklamb.blogspot.com where I am writing a blog series entitled, An Inside Look at the Working Indie Author.
Thank you for your incredibly thoughtful questions! I enjoyed answering them immensely and look forward to connecting more with you in the future!
Wishing you a little mystery and adventure,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
Thank you for your thoughtful question, Gomee Girl!
My process varies to be truthful. When I come up with an idea it really depends on how I came up with it. What I mean by that, is sometimes I'll come up with an idea for the beginning of a story---or the end---and sometimes even both at one time. It will just "pop" into my head. Then it is a matter of connecting point A to point Z. This was the case for my upcoming young adult novel, Max Donovan. I immediately knew how the story would start and end.
Other times I may just come up with an idea for a story, and then I will go into my storyboard mode where I outline the entire story. Although, I do believe it is important for authors to allow themselves to deviate from an outline should your story demand it as it is being written.
Then there are those times that I just like to sit down in front of a keyboard and start tapping away. This kind of writing can be indulgent, because I have no idea where it is going but I am enjoying the journey. It feels good and I love watching as the story unfolds.
Again, thanks for taking the time to post a question. It has been a joy answering it!
Wishing you all the best,
K. Lamb
My process varies to be truthful. When I come up with an idea it really depends on how I came up with it. What I mean by that, is sometimes I'll come up with an idea for the beginning of a story---or the end---and sometimes even both at one time. It will just "pop" into my head. Then it is a matter of connecting point A to point Z. This was the case for my upcoming young adult novel, Max Donovan. I immediately knew how the story would start and end.
Other times I may just come up with an idea for a story, and then I will go into my storyboard mode where I outline the entire story. Although, I do believe it is important for authors to allow themselves to deviate from an outline should your story demand it as it is being written.
Then there are those times that I just like to sit down in front of a keyboard and start tapping away. This kind of writing can be indulgent, because I have no idea where it is going but I am enjoying the journey. It feels good and I love watching as the story unfolds.
Again, thanks for taking the time to post a question. It has been a joy answering it!
Wishing you all the best,
K. Lamb
K. Lamb
It may sound cliche, but be true to yourself. If it is a dream of yours to write, then make it a goal. Don't let naysayers put roadblocks in your way. There will be obstacles along the way, but have the determination to see it through the end because it is something you are passionate about and you want to get your message into the hands of readers. Be a part of a community that believes in propelling you forward rather than holding you back.
Wishing every aspiring writer out there the very best of luck. The world can always use more books. Now, it is up to you to write it!
Wishing every aspiring writer out there the very best of luck. The world can always use more books. Now, it is up to you to write it!
K. Lamb
I am currently working on writing my third book in the Dani P. Mystery series for children. It is entitled, Dani and the Rocking Horse Ranch. It was originally supposed to be book #5; however, my niece recently started riding horses. When she found out I was planning to write a book about this subject, she was so excited, I had to move it up to book #3. This book also holds a special place in my heart because I rode horses as a child and it has been a walk down memory lane as I look back on my own adventures.
I am also working on my #YA novel, Max Donovan. It is a murder mystery and I'm really excited about the prospect of its release! This will be the first YA novel I have published, although I most frequently write for this genre.
I am also working on my #YA novel, Max Donovan. It is a murder mystery and I'm really excited about the prospect of its release! This will be the first YA novel I have published, although I most frequently write for this genre.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Jan 14, 2018 01:31PM