Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story blog by J.Q. Rose.
It's the monthly meeting of the Insecure Writers Support Group(IWSG) blog hop
It's the monthly meeting of the Insecure Writers Support Group(IWSG) blog hop
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Internet Writers Support Group Blog Hop
First Wednesday of every month.
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What is IWSG? Founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!" You're invited to become a member of this supportive group.
The group blogs the first Wednesday of every month. The list of bloggers is always available so you can hop around to the author blogs filled with humor, advice, and thought-provoking topics on writing and publishing. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page. I hope you'll take some time to visit the diverse list of bloggers.
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| IWSG Question for the Month |
I'd like to say I celebrate with a big party with balloons and cake and music and dancing and... But I don't. I usually share the good news with my writing buddies and that's about it. I didn't even have a launch "party" for my first book. I think my hubby and I went out for dinner and I don't mean at McDonald's. A delightful dinner was probably the extent of it. Do you celebrate?
Insecure About My Author Platform by J.Q. Rose
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| Catnapping on a platform Courtesy of pixabay.com |
I'm insecure about "building my brand." I have fiction and non-fiction books published, so I can't say I'm just a mystery author or I'm known as a non-fiction writer. It's confusing to a reader and very confusing to me as to how to let readers know who I am.
I'm writing a memoir now and wondering if I can use my pen name, J.Q. Rose, or use my real name as the author because it is such a personal story. But, if I use Janet Glaser, I'll have to start building another platform for that name. Well-known authors write fiction as well as non-fiction like Stephen King's On Writing. However, I am definitely not in that tier of authors.
Do you write stories and/or articles in more than one genre? Can I describe myself, my platform, my brand, as multi-genre? What advice can you give me? I'd appreciate any suggestions you can offer.
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| The 5 W's of a Story |
Promotion Opportunity--You're invited to participate in my new series with guest authors who write in diverse genres. The series, offered in March and throughout the spring and summer, discusses the Five W's of a Story. Who, what, where, when and why. (I left out How because that may be a spoiler.) Choose one of your books (it doesn't have to be a new release) to tell readers--
- Who the characters are.
- What the conflict is
- Where the story takes place
- When the story takes place
- Why you wrote this story or why the characters are in the situation, etc.
These are some examples to use, but you're free to figure out how you'd like to fill in the Five W's. We are writers. I know there will be a lot of creative answers.
If you are interested in getting the word out about your book, then leave a comment below or contact me at jqrose at gmail dot com.
I look forward to hosting you on this blog, Focused on Story!
Historical author Rosemary Morris kicks off the event, March 14. Come and join us!
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12 comments:
I don't do much either. This week I am insecure about everything including life. Happy IWSG Day.
Hi Juneta, I have days like that too. You need to escape awhile. Go eat ice cream and donuts!
Nosey recommends sticking to J.Q. Rose. Miss Mae tried using M.M. for the Gumdrop books, but trying to have two author identities is difficult. Maybe the "mystery" with Miss Mae is WHY does she even write the Gumdrop books? Heh heh.
Hi I.B.--Miss Mae....Thanks for the advice. It takes so much time to promote books, at least I have a site for JQ and a blog established. Do not want to do that all over for my real name. Thank you for your advice. I was afraid IB was really going to stick to me after he eats that sticky candy!
I love reading that others don't celebrate much. I thought I was being weird by writing that in my blog. But the encouragement and support from those same writers is better than a party (almost). I write in 3 different genres: science fiction romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mystery. When figuring out my "brand" I thought about the elements that were the same in each. They all have adventure and a romance (not so much in the mystery but still a romance). So, I hit upon Adventure and Romance...in this world and beyond. Sometimes, I shorten it to Adventure and Romance.
Diane, Ive been surprised reading that most bloggers don't really have big celebration too. In fact, I was rather embarrassed to admit I don't really "celebrate" that much. Glad to know I'm not being deprived. LOL Yes, you do write many genres. Good solution to the problem of branding for you. Thanks.
I love the cat napping. That looks like an ideal way to celebrate to me! And anything other than MCDS is a great way to celebrate.
I don't really celebrate. It feels good, then I move on to the next thing I'm working on. Sometimes I have a nap. LOL.
don't really have a writer platform. Or if do, I don't purposefully promote it. I write cozy mysteries, so my blog and website are geared toward that. Sorry, I'm not much help ;)
I don't have a writer platform and I don't have a book to promote although three unfinished ones line my guilty and insecure heart. But good luck with this.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for visiting.
Hi Gwen, I'd say your platform is a cozy mystery writer. So when your introduce yourself you can say you are a cozy mystery writer and they understand what you are all about. Love cozies!!
Hi Kalpanaa, Time to get rid of that guilt. Finish those books. You can start developing your platform even if you don't have a book out yet. Start gathering an audience for them. Best wishes!
I write multi-genre as Sandra Cox. On hindsight I wish I would have done my YAs under a pen name, but at least this way I remember who I am. Ha!
Good luck on your memoir. I'm hearing about more and more folks writing them. One of the blogsters is writing one and I bet she would love to compare notes.
Hi Sandra. LOL--good plan. But just think you'd have double the trouble to build a platform for another author name. Thanks for the good luck wishes on the memoir. I need all the luck I can get. Send me the name of the blogster writing her memoir. Yes, I'd love to compare notes too!!
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