Writers in the Storm

by James R. Preston

In Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, Gene Wilder in the title role finds a book called How I Did It by Victor Frankenstein. Needless to say, he’s pretty excited. 

As writers, we are about books. Let’s step back and talk about some of them.

There are stories. And there are stories about stories, sort of "stories once removed."  This is a collection of the latter. My hope is to encourage you to read other writers’ struggles so you can say, “Why it’s not so bad that my novel is taking a long time to write." 

This is of necessity a personal collection since I am not crazy enough to begin a literature search on “Introductions to books,” and I felt it was important to avoid spoilers, which eliminated many modern novels. Also, we are absolutely buried in text, swamped with posts and comments on posts and comments on comments, all about a particular story. 

Campfire Chat

No, this post is sort of like a bunch of writers sitting around a campfire and one of them turns to his neighbor and says, “Hey, Irv, how did you come to write The Prize, and Irving Wallace says . . . “

I pulled these references out of my own collection because they illustrate important principles about our art and craft, sure, but mostly because they’re fun. You can sit with Barbara Tuchman when Barbra (yes, that Barbra) comes calling. We’ll do that and we’ll walk through cotton fields at midnight with Thomas Harris as the dogs sing to the full moon. 

And this is homework. If I do this right you will go out looking for certain books, because that’s what we’re here for, isn’t it? Books. Hold that thought. 

Singing dogs, movie stars, what more could you ask for?

Finally, for one more story about a story, I’ll tell the one about how I sold my first novel and sold my first novel . . . and sold my first novel. More on that later too. 

Persistence Pays Off

Irving Wallace, The Writing of One Novel. 

Wallace started work on The Prize in 1946 and finished it in 1962. He tells the story in a book called The Writing Of One Novel. This is an excellent “story once removed,” full of information as valid today as it was when it was written.  “No one writes as well as he would like to; he only writes as well as he can.” Thanks, Irving. If I ever get a tattoo, that’s what it will say. Wallace also provides step-by step procedures — Notes, Outline, Scene and so on, and illustrates them with his own notes. 

He was devoted, he stuck to it, just like... 

Barbara Tuchman, The Guns of August. 

Look for an edition with the Forward by the historian Robert K. Massie. He talks about how Tuchman worked, “four or five hours at a stretch,” writing longhand, then typing, and how when Jane Fonda and Barbra Streisand wanted her to write a script she told her daughter to tell them that "no, she was working."

The result of this effort was a history of the first month of World War 1 that is as readable today as it was when first published. 

Massie includes a swipe at reviewers and I feel compelled to include it here. When The Guns of August came out Tuchman was described as “a fifty-year-old housewife, mother of three, and the spouse of a prominent New York physician.” Right. Like in between picking the kids up from soccer practice and cooking dinner she dashed off one of the truly great works of modern history, and won a Pulitzer. As if she hadn’t written Bible and Sword and The Zimmerman Telegram before Guns of August. 

As Massie points out, "she has a gift for making the people come alive."

And when your characters come to life sometimes they won’t go away. 

He Made Me Do It

Ursula K. LeGuin, The Wind’s Twelve Quarters. Short stories. 

LeGuin was a fantastic science fiction writer in the 60’s - 80’s and in one of her stories she encountered a minor character named Rocannon who would not go away until she told his story. She’s part of this list because in the Introduction to The Wind’s Twelve Quarters, she talks about how he simply would not leave her alone.

If you read about writers and their craft you will encounter this over and over again — one of your fictional creations jumps off the page, grabs you by the throat and says, “Tell my story! I want to be heard!” The LeGuin collection is kind of a bonus in that not only is there an Introduction, there’s also a short introduction to each of the stories. It’s well worth a look if you want to hear a talented writer talking about her work. 

He Might Be Watching Me

Thomas Harris, Red Dragon. 

Speaking of characters that demand attention . . . In Forward to a Fatal Interview, Thomas Harris describes how he wrote Red Dragon, mostly at night, in a small house in the middle of cotton fields. He often walked at night, accompanied by a pack of stray dogs that had attached themselves to him, and who would sing to a full moon. If you’ve guessed who Harris thought might be watching him, why, yes, it’s that gourmet cook Hannibal Lecter. Harris’ essay is a great read and illustrates the writing process, but I don’t recommend it for late at night. 

Girls Don’t Do That

Robert A. Heinlein, Red Planet.

This early Heinlein juvie (a YA in today’s terminology) was nearly edited to death. Among other things, Alice Dalgliesh, the editor, said girls don’t shoot guns. Oh, yeah? My mother, born the same year as Heinlein, learned to shoot first with a shotgun and later with a deer rifle. ‘nuff said. Also, Willis, The Martian pet, sleeps in the same bed as his “owner” and that’s not cool either. Heinlein gave in, accepted the changes, but years later a new publisher brought out an “unexpurgated” edition.

If you want more information look for an essay called “Red Planet, Blue Pencil.”

Podkayne of Mars - Girls don’t do that redux.

Podkayne wants to be a spaceship pilot <fill in the resistance>. But this book and its Introductions — there’s more than one — make this list because they are unique. In this case, the publisher changed the end. Yep. Years pass, new publisher. Restore Heinlein’s original end? Maybe. How about a vote! Readers contributing their thoughts and indeed the end . . . Well, I promised no spoilers. I also promise that reading this “Story once removed” is well worth it. 

How I Did It

Ok, the hour is late, the campfire is down to glowing embers and we all need to slide into those sleeping bags because of course we will get up in the morning and write. But I promised so here it is, one more story. 

I broke into selling fiction with a science fiction story called, “Law of the Instrument” that I sold to Analog Science Fiction. I started a non-sf thriller called Leave A Good-Looking Corpse, and about that time I went to a writers convention in San Diego, where I saw a flyer for a contest that was part of a convention in Seattle. Send in the first chapter and an outline, win a prize! Well, my father had recently relocated to Olympia, Washington and if I went to the convention I could visit him. I didn’t have a book, but I had enough so I entered. 

And promptly forgot about it. Until I got a letter saying that I was a Finalist. Yow! Frantic rush for plane reservations, hotel reservations, talking to my Dad, and so on. 

I won. And an editor said, “Tell me about the next book in the series.” She wanted it. If I could keep it up she wanted the whole series.

Twists and Turns

A few months later my agent called to say the editor had left the company, but she had passed my book on to another editor. In short order, I was back on the street. 

My agent said not to worry because a friend of hers was an editor at an even better publisher and she wanted to see the book. That editor liked it! She liked the series! Then she left the company. I was back on the street. 

Then my father was diagnosed with bone cancer. The book is dedicated to him.

I was out of time. A traditional publisher would take a year or more to get the book to market and I didn’t have a publisher yet. So I self-published and my dad got to hold the book and read the Dedication. 

Then I was picked up by a West Coast publisher and the rest, as they say, is history. 

“If you cannot read all your books . . . fondle them—peer into them, let them fall open where they will, read from the first sentence that arrests the eye, set them back on the shelves with your own hands, arrange them on your own plan so that you at least know where they are. Let them be your friends; let them, at any rate, be your acquaintances.”

— Sir Winston Churchill 

A Great Book that didn’t make the cut. 

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. Look for a new edition with all three volumes presented — correctly — as one novel. This one was eliminated from this Writers in the Storm essay because the lengthy introduction is more about the history of the book than writing.

Now it’s your turn. Tell us a story about a story down in the comments. I really want to hear from you; we don’t get to “talk” very often.

About James

James R. Preston is the author of the multiple-award-winning Surf City Mysteries. The sixth, called Remains To Be Seen will be launched at Men of Mystery in November. Kirkus Reviews called the Huntington Beach background in Remains "sparkling." His most recent works are Crashpad and Buzzkill, two historical novellas set in the 1960’s at Cal State Long Beach. Kirkus Reviews called Buzzkill “A historical thriller enriched by characters who sparkle and refuse to be forgotten.” His books are collected as part of the California Detective Fiction collection at the University of California Berkeley. 

Find out more about James at his website.

Top image from Depositphotos by artursz

By J. Alexander Greenwood

An author's website is more than just a digital business card. It is a platform to establish your brand, connect with your audience, and showcase your literary prowess. And what's one of the most effective ways to do all these things? Regularly updated, engaging blog content.

Stop groaning. It works, and it is an opportunity, not a chore!

There are several compelling reasons why your author website should feature an active blog. Here are just a few, accompanied by examples of the kind of content that can help to supercharge your site:

1. Build and Engage with Your Audience:

Your blog can be a vibrant forum for interacting with your readers. Regularly posting allows you to create a community around your work, where readers can comment, discuss, and engage. This sense of community encourages loyalty and creates a platform where readers feel heard and valued.

Best Content Example: Discussion Prompts

Post about themes or characters in your books and invite readers to share their interpretations or feelings. An open-ended question about a plot twist in your latest book can spur lively discussion and build a deeper connection with your readers. I recently did a post on my blog where I shared my “casting call” for actors to play my series’ characters if it were a TV show or movie. People loved it! I got tons of responses when I shared the post on social media, and it resulted in my highest amount of traffic on my author site all year.

2. Showcase Your Expertise and Range:

As an author, your blog is a space to demonstrate your writing skills, share your knowledge, and explore a wider range of topics. This can attract a broader audience and pique the interest of readers who may not have been initially drawn to your primary genre or subject matter.

Best Content Example: Themed Articles or Series

You might write a series on the historical research you conducted for your historical fiction novel or create articles discussing different writing techniques and styles. This content can appeal to other writers, history buffs, or readers interested in your writing process.

3. Improve Your Website’s SEO:

An active blog with regular new content can significantly improve your website's SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Fresh content signals to search engines that your website is active, which can help improve its rankings.

Best Content Example: Keyword-Rich, Relevant Posts

Create blog posts around topics relevant to your books that also incorporate common search keywords. If you've written a dystopian novel, you could blog about "The Top Ten Dystopian Novels of the 21st Century" or "The Evolution of Dystopian Literature".

4. Promote Your Work:

Your blog provides a perfect platform to promote new releases, share excerpts from your upcoming work, or announce events like book signings or speaking engagements. It's an easy way to keep your audience updated and excited about your work.

Best Content Example: Sneak Peeks and Behind-the-Scenes

Offering sneak peeks of upcoming books or behind-the-scenes glimpses into your writing process can create anticipation and maintain reader interest. Revealing the cover of your next book or sharing a character's backstory that doesn't make it into the actual book can be intriguing for your fans.

5. Expand Your Network:

A blog can also open opportunities to connect with other authors, industry professionals, and potential collaborators. Guest posts (like this one!), interviews, and collaborations can bring in new audiences and provide fresh content for your readers.

Have a podcast? Many podcast aggregators have embed features, so you can post an audio interview or YouTube video right on your blog.

Best Content Example: Author Interviews and Guest Posts

Hosting an interview with another author in your genre or allowing guest posts from other industry professionals can provide unique perspectives while expanding your network and audience.

Remember, maintaining an active blog on your author website is a powerful opportunity to enhance your brand, engage and grow your audience, and improve the discoverability of your work. Happy blogging!

About Alex

J. Alexander Greenwood is an award-winning writer, public relations consultant, podcaster, speaker, and former journalist and broadcasting executive. He is best known as the author of the John Pilate Mysteries and host/producer of the Mysterious Goings On podcast and the PR After Hours podcast. Alex is also the author of the Amazon Top-Selling eBook/audiobook, The Podcast Option. You can read his blog at JAlexanderGreenwood.com.

Image Credits

Top photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán on pexels.com

By Kris Maze

Quick quiz. Can you tell me the difference between a foreword and a preface? Or the purpose of an Epilogue versus a Conclusion? Maybe you can with a few internet searches to clarify the fine details, or maybe you are a literary expert, but the essential parts of a book are more than necessary texts when publishing. They can help authors better engage their readers too.

This is the first installment on the anatomy of a book, which will cover many of the confusing book elements, when to use them, and where they are located. We will examine the purpose and placement of these parts but will also find meaningful ways to use them to reach your readers. If you’ve recently finished writing your first draft, or have multiple best sellers under your writerly belt, this series can improve your connection to readers if you reflect on how these parts can best support your novel.

Author Notes and Afterword

An author can make a personal statement to their readers in a few ways when constructing a book. It is an optional part of a book, but it can deepen the reader’s experience as they get a window into the author’s world and mind. Think of it as a letter to your reader, in your voice, and adding your behind-the-scenes insights.

Writers can add their letter to the beginning or end of the main part of their novels. When included at the beginning, it is called a preface. When used at the end of a novel, the author’s note is called an afterword. There is no major difference between the two, except their placement.

The author can choose between the two types of author notes but wouldn’t use both because it would be redundant. Depending on the content of their book, some authors want to explain more after the conclusion of their story, to wrap up major questions readers might have. Other books may benefit from setting up the reader’s expectations or explain why they wrote the book before the readers engage with the story. We will go over what things to address in the afterword and you can decide whether an afterword or preface would be better in your novel.

Key Aspects Covered in an Afterword

The purpose of an afterword is to share the writer’s world with the reader and give them information about various aspects that would not be directly covered in the book's content. Common topics covered in this part of the book will depend on the type of story written, the underlying wow factor of these topics in the book's formation, and the author’s intent. It is up to the author to write about what they believe would be an additional treat to the reader, so choose wisely.

Common topics include:

• the author’s background and why they are qualified to write this specific story
• the sources used to form the book and their connection to story or the real world
• the writing process used to create the book
• the challenges and success moments the writer had writing the book
• the elements of the story itself that may need clarification or further explanation
• the intended audience and why the book was written with them as an inspiration

The afterword should have just enough background details to satisfy the readers’ questions about who wrote this book. Think of it as a cherry on top of a perfectly balanced banana split sundae with all the works. It should complement the story, and highlight key points, or underlying themes the author wanted to make clear.

Whatever content the author uses in an afterword, it should be short, as in a page or two. Short and sweet will keep the reader from wandering off. By picking only a few of the topics above that connect deeply to your ideal reader’s interests, and avoiding less juicy tidbits, this book part can truly tighten up a novel’s impact on a reader.

Writing About the Story

Writing about the story itself can add depth to the reader’s understanding of your work. Here are various ways to connect your readers to your story. See if any of these would work in your book.

• Summarize the key points of themes to drive a main point home
• Try a different format and share it with your readers. Maybe create a poem, news clip, or diary journal entry that speaks of the story and its characters.
• Reference other works and point out parallels and intended nuances between your work and others
• Explain any poetic leave-takings describing elements of your story that could be debatable. Show facts versus fiction, and when you relied on temporary-suspension-of-belief in order to carry the momentum of your story.
• Identify and explain omissions, abridgments, simplifications, and inventions in your book.
• Provide background on why your settings, timeframes, character flaws, and the like were chosen and perhaps share how omitting them would change the story you wrote.
• Describe events occurring before or after the main content of your story to add context for the reader.
• Talk to your readers about controversial themes or occurrences of sensitive material in your book.
• Discuss the remaining questions or intentional mysteries in your work.
• Open a conversation on the broader impact of stories like yours.

Writing Process

The way a writer writes fascinates many readers. Let them into your creative journey and tell them the personal struggles and victories you had along the way.

• Pull back the curtain on your writing process and describe the logistics of where and when you are the most inspired to write your books.
• Share how long it took to write your book. A decade, or all-at-once-from-a-dream, the time it took you to write your book could be an interesting fact to a reader.
• Give readers a visual on a unique part of your writing process. Do you write the first chapter with a quill pen? Do you have a closet full of thumb drives from individual projects? Mood boards that cover all the walls of your living room? Show the readers an unusual aspect of your writing routine.
• Tell readers about your challenges and disappointing moments. This can make the reader have empathy for you and your characters. It builds up their feelings towards the book and their own reader’s journey. These are the connections that keep readers coming back for more.
• Give readers a laugh. Do you have a funny story or a mishap to share? Tell them in a blooper-reel style and let them know writers are human too.
• Share something you learned while writing your book. Tell them about research you did or places you traveled to for background on characters, setting, and story. Take them along on your adventure and give them insight into your writerly curiosity.
• Get deep and share a reflection you had while writing. Our stories may be made up, but they conjure up real revelations about important issues and personal understanding. Opening up to readers on topics shared in the book can add value to the content of your book.

Author Background

When talking about who you are as a writer in your afterword, you want to make it different from your author bio. This is the place to dive a little deeper into what makes you exceptionally qualified to write the piece you did. See if these ideas would be useful for your own afterword.

• Add your background information that specifically connects to your story.
• Tell your own powerful story that led to a striking aspect of your book, or of an experience that taught you about the tragedy or joy that one of your characters goes through.
• Explain how your life experience has informed your story and why it gave you insights others might not have. What training, travel, or life lessons helped you write this novel? This is a great place to share it with the readers of your book.
• Do you have credentials that make you an expert and are there unique reasons to share that with your readers? Tell them why you took that path and how it makes you a better writer.
• How did events in history impact how you could tell this story? If you had first person engagement, perhaps this is a key to your authority to tell this story. For example, let’s say your father was in the Twin Towers on 9/11, learning from his perspective, or the family aftermath if he didn’t make it, would make an impactful story.
• Do you have connections with someone affected by your book topic? A close friend, daughter, or parent who has a similar story? Here is a good place to add this inspiration to your book.
• Is the tale closely related to a personal hurdle or a setback you overcame? Let your readers see how your own story influenced what you wrote. Share details about how your life was similar, but also how the story was dramatized.

Sources for the Book

Sometimes how a writer gets information to write a book is as interesting as the story itself. Tell the readers about where you got your sources, how you obtained specific pivotal information in your story, or why your sources were especially impactful for your tale.

• Why did you use these sources instead of others?
• Were there challenges that happened when trying to use these sources?
• Were there interviews that changed the way you thought about your theme or topic?
• Who was available or not available to share insights for your story?
• What funny or ironic stories can you share about your sources?
• Where could readers find out more about your topic or theme?
• Could your readers reach out to or support the organizations or individuals that you used as sources?
• How could readers access your sources or more if they find themselves in a difficult place? (It is common to add the suicide hotline to stories that reference suicide or self-harm, for example. *988 is the fairly new phone line to reach a counselor in the time of need)
• List references and organizations that you found helpful. This gives your readers a point and a place to verify your ideas.

Intended Audience

Since the afterword is basically a letter to your readers, this is a good place to address their needs. Acknowledge your audience by pointing out reasons they would likely choose your story to read. Take time to address questions you think they would have. Thank them for their patronage, following, and support.

• How would your audience like to be thanked? Think of style and voice and give them a personalized piece of your writing.
• Talk about why you wrote the piece with them, the audience, in mind.
• Express known concerns of your collective readers about pivotal or controversial aspects of your story. Does killing off your quirky side-character cause a stir? Explain why you did it, or hint at a prequel story that highlights the life of that reader's favorite.
• Give readers a heads up if you are trying something new. Did you play with a new genre or POV? Talk about why you made those changes, and why you thought your readers might appreciate your new additions.
• Make a gentle call-to-action and prompt readers to give feedback or reviews at your preferred source.
• Post a question to your readers to have them think deeper about your theme or topic.
• Grow this audience by leading them to your community connection place. For example, if you regularly hang out on #AuthorTok, Facebook, Instagram, or Threads, share that place for readers to interact with you on that topic (just be prepared to show up regularly, in order to chat with your fans.)

Final Thoughts

Writing an afterword is an optional opportunity to engage with your readership. Keep these suggestions in mind as you reach out to your readers with this part of the book.

1. Connect, connect, connect. Readers more than ever want added value to the books they purchase. They want to have a special connection with the author. A wise author would share personal aspects of their writing lives with their readers and build their fanbase in the process.
2. Be authentic. Be yourself and share your real self with your readers. Lift the veil on what makes you write.
3. Identify and address the concerns, insights, and bent of your ideal audience. Give them something to think about critically. Give them a promise, if you want, to continue providing thought-provoking stories.
4. Build a relationship with your readers.  Stories flood the book market today in nearly every genre, so how can an author stand out in the sea of pages? By finding your own school of reader-fish.

Build an audience by adding personal touches to your marketing and author presence. Let the audience see who you are, offer opportunities to connect with you, and show them you are worthy of their readership.

Being an author is all about reaching readers and to better engage them in your books. Don’t overlook the small-but-mighty afterword when putting together your next project. With the right touches tailored to your specific audience, an afterword can be a bonus that solidifies how a reader feels about your story.

This is one tool that authors can use to build a more engaging book. Look for future posts from me on anatomy of a book and how to use them for more reader engagement. Until then, keep on reading and growing with our posts at WITS.

Have you used an afterword in your projects? What advice do you have for authors from your experience?

About Kris

Kris Maze is an author, writing coach, and teacher. She has worked in education for many years and writes for various publications, including Practical Advice for Teachers of Heritage Learners of Spanish and the award-winning blog Writers in the Stormwhere she is also a host. You can find her horror stories and young adult writing on her website. Keep up with future projects and events by subscribing to her newsletter.

Want to work with Kris?  Find her office hours and book coaching service here.

A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, playing violin and piano, and spending time outdoors.

And occasionally, she cruises on bike trails.

Want to try one of Kris’s science fiction stories? THIS WEEK ONLY! Her novella, Blue Foot, is available FREE at her website.  Please leave a review in exchange to let her know what you think of it.

Wrongly accused and exiled, Ernestina Après faces the destruction of her family and life beneath the Dome. The Silver-Waters blessings are not in her favor, despite her warnings to the Counsel that the stream and its resources are running out. Caring for a stowaway, she may find solace and a silver-lining in her dire circumstances.