Q&A with Lela Davidson discussion

Go!

Can I be on the cover of your next book?

Doh! Sure you can, if your shoes earn you a spot ;)
Submissions begin sometime in 2014.

Sweet. Stiletto shopping now.

What kind of system do you use to keep track of and keep up with your different projects? And related to that, do you find it difficult to switch between the different "voices" you use in different writing projects?

To what extent do you disguise people, if at all? In other words, how do you keep from pissing off your friends and family when including them in a book and not get sued?

How come so many funny things happen to you in your life? OR do you take the things that happen and make them funny. :)

Marsha wrote: "To what extent do you disguise people, if at all? In other words, how do you keep from pissing off your friends and family when including them in a book and not get sued?"

Hi Melissa,
That is a good question. I have not disguised people in anything I've written so far, and I do not think I've written anything particularly pissy-offy. However, people will be offended-- by what I write and what I omit. I accept that and make my choices as I go. As far as getting sued, that has never occurred to me. I might have to look into this when I start tackling topics deeper than a diaper blowout. My primary concern right now is respecting my children's privacy, now that they are teenagers. I'm not saying I won't tell my own stories that feature them, but I am careful about what I write publicly about them. And, unlike my husband, they get a say on what goes out into the world. Which brings up a good question: Can spouses sue?

Thank you so much for your question! I hope I answered it.

Margo wrote: "How come so many funny things happen to you in your life? OR do you take the things that happen and make them funny. :)"

Margo,
Another good one! Yes, a lot of funny things happen to me, and I think they happen to everyone. It's all a matter of perspective. We can choose to see life through laughter-colored glasses (I'm awesome with metaphors, yes?) or not. Most things are funny if we let them be so.

We are all telling stories all the time. I simply prefer the ones that make people laugh.

Angie wrote: "What kind of system do you use to keep track of and keep up with your different projects? And related to that, do you find it difficult to switch between the different "voices" you use in different..."

Angie,
All these good questions! Hmmmm..... Okay, first of all, SPREADSHEETS! I am a freak for a good Excel file. I used to do financial modeling, which is a lot less glamorous than it sounds ;) and the analytical skills I learned have served my creative pursuits well. Also, I tend to make a lot of lists and write things down over and over, which is not very efficient makes sense for me. I'm a writer so I process things by writing them down.

As for the voices, I write conversationally so I think the switching is an natural result of the style or format of writing I'm working on. I use a different speaking voice when telling a funny story to my girlfriends than when I'm explaining how to find good keywords for a website to another author. Therefore, my writing voice in a humorous essay will be difference than in a how-to article. Under it all is the unique Me, I like to think.

Thank you so much for asking!

Hi Lela, You Know I have always been a big fan of your writing but have you got any tips that will help me with writing my book? I keep writing and get too around 300 pages then scrap it thinking that it is not good enough.....jimmythejock

Did you self-publish or do you have a publisher? How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

Do you schedule in writing time? How do you make writing a priority?

Hi Jimmy!
Thanks for the question. One thing I know about you as a writer is you have discipline, and you are prolific. These are two very important things for writing a long project. Three hundred pages is a lot, and "good enough" is relative. Especially with publishing in such flux, you have to think deeply about why you want to write this book, and what it will do for you and for your audience.

My tip is to just keep writing, every day that you can. You can't help but get better, even to your own super-critical internal judge.

Thanks Lela much appreciated.....jimmy

Carol wrote: "Did you self-publish or do you have a publisher? How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?"

Hi Carol,
Thanks for asking. I self-published with the help of a small press publisher, Wyatt-MacKenzie, who provided a lot more personalized service than I would have received with one of the large DIY companies.

Thanks!

Carol wrote: "Do you schedule in writing time? How do you make writing a priority?"

Carol,
Thanks for asking. And yes, I schedule writing time. Freelance writing provides a lot of my income, so my challenge these days is to make time for writing that does not have the immediate payoff that the write-for-hire jobs provide. I set aside time to write just for fun, too.

Thank you so much for asking. I really appreciate it.

Hi Lela! Best wishes for a great success with your new book! Can you share any insights on what types of marketing have been most effective for you?

Peyton wrote: "Hi Lela! Best wishes for a great success with your new book! Can you share any insights on what types of marketing have been most effective for you?"

Hi Peyton!

Thank you so much. The new book is doing well.

Marketing is a continuous and, despite my reliance on social media to connect with my audience, I would describe my marketing as rather old fashioned. People buy my books on word of mouth. Sometimes that mouth is a Facebook post or a tweet, but it's still just one person telling another that it's worth a read. As authors, if we want to sell the books, we have to keep talking about the books.

I do a lot of freelance writing in print and online and I try to get my books mentioned in all my bios, and I take advantage of every chance I get at any media coverage.

Finally, Amazon has been very helpful in terms of getting exposure to readers beyond my personal circles of influence.

I hope that helps!
Lela

Thanks, Lela!

Do you cringe at any of your early freelance writing? Have you ever regretted publishing something, either on your blog or professionally?

Christine wrote: "Do you cringe at any of your early freelance writing? Have you ever regretted publishing something, either on your blog or professionally?"

Christine,
But of course! I cringe at stuff I wrote yesterday. But that is the nature of writing, isn't it? As for regret, no, I can't say I regret anything I've published. Give me time ;)

Thanks for asking!