Archives for August 2010

One of the best ways to promote a novel and to promote yourself as an author is to attend writing conventions. I don’t mean watching a bunch of horror movies, filking until the wee hours and drinking yourself into a stupor, I mean a writer’s Con. In two weeks, I will be attending Killer Con 2010 in Las Vegas. It is an excellent opportunity to pitch novels to publishers and agents, mingle with other writers and attend panel discussions presented by people who have been there. It is easy to pick up tidbits of information, make new friends, and get free samples of someone’s work to read.

Pick the right cons. You can’t attend them all. This is my second Killer Con. Afterall, it’s in Vegas! Any World Horror Convention or Horror Writer’s Association Convention is worth attending. So is the SFFWA Con. I try to attend 2-3 per year. For me, local ones are Copper Con in Phoenix and Tus Con in Tucson. Locals cons grant you the opportunity to meet with local writers and form ties that can be beneficial in the future. They are inexpensive and usually involve little travel time. Southern Arizona is blessed with great writers who have helped me in my career. The Northeast is even better (NY,NJ, Penn).

As a published writer, cons are an excellent way of selling your books to people in your genre. Writers read.

Look on the internet to find local cons or try the HWA website. Ralan is another source. Try a con soon. You’ll be glad you did.

I’m working on a new novel tentatively titled Blood Lust using the first person point of view. I’ve used it a few times in short stories, but this is my first attempt at longer fiction.I discovered a few things about first person.

 1. It is easy to express your character’s emotions and turmoil. His thoughts are transparent through exposition and dialogue.

2. It is difficult to decribe an action scene in First person. It can be done, but you have to consider how your character is seeing it.

3. While writing in First person, it is easy for the writer to become emeshed in the character’s emotional ups and downs. This can be a good thing if the writer is careful not to let his/her emotions drive the character.

I hope this exercise in First person suceeds. I like the story and the character and First person seems to be the logical POV with a few side trips to Third person for other characters.

If you have any experience at First person or any tips, please feel free to contact me. I would appreciate the advice.