Along with cleaning out the physical clutter, it’s time to clean out the mental clutter. I admit, I have plenty of clutter to get rid of- thoughts that bog down and doom some of my best intentions. I bet many writers can relate to my resolutions…

Here are the top 5 bits of mental lint that I plan to sweep away for 2009:

1) Lint: Famous writer Jo Author writes 500 page outlines and sketches scenes worthy of hanging in the Louvre. I am unable to stick to the 2 page outlines I make and, yes, those sort-of circleish blobs on my drawings are in fact heads. Resolution: When I have this thought, I will take a deep breath and accept that my fiction writing is ORGANIC (no- I’m not a panster!). I will ignore the laughter of friends and family who know that I obsessively make lists for everything else I do in life.

2) Lint: The only way to move one’s publishing career forward is to attend every available writer’s conference and workshop. Resolution: I will slowly move my hand away from the mouse. I will not click on the “Yes, I’d love to attend!” button. I will not raid my retirement fund to go to Maui.

3) Lint: The only way to get an agent is to send your pitch to every person who says they’ve met an editor. Resolution: I will not mass mail every listing in Writer’s Market. Wait- does anyone know Millie’s agent? (I have a dog in my book. That would be targeted wouldn’t it?)

4) Lint: The only way to get better is to keep writing (and writing and writing). Resolution: OK, I buy the practice makes perfect but when I find myself typing more underscores (for word goes here) than words, it’s definitely time to go to sleep.

5) Lint: The entire publishing industry is doomed. No one is buying any books. Resolution: Recognize that journalists write stories that sell (sound familiar?) Conflict sells. Step back from the cliff and look around. People will buy entertainment. The only other option is reading the news and look where that got us. Go back to point one- write entertaining conflict that makes people turn pages (or hit page down button) and it will sell.

Wishing everyone a successful New Year for 2009!

‘Tis the night before Christmas,

the match girl is singing

jingle bells, jingle bells,

in the silent night, holy night.

The cattle are lowing.

The poor baby wakes.

Bethlehem,

o’ little town,

hark, hark,

tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy.

God rest ye,

ye merry gentleman.

Let nothing you dismay.

And to all a good night!

One of the biggest benefits for me of being a writer is that I’m always learning. To focus on learning more about investigation and police procedures, I’ve joined the Kiss of Death Chapter of Romance Writers of America. You’ll see that I’ve added this group to my “blogs of interest” listed on the right hand side.

Somehow, I keep writing about key characters who are detectives. Maybe I like detectives because I feel they make great characters who like to place themselves in the middle of the action and who don’t back down when challenged. Did I also mention that it’s acceptable for them to be nosey? That’s fun too. Or, maybe it’s because I love reading about detectives.

At any rate, it’s critical to get the details as authentic as possible.

Another bonus is meeting new writers and hearing their stories. So, this is my writer’s life tidbit for the day…

Happy Holidays to All!

Imagine sipping hot cider, swirling around a frozen lake on skates and mingling with ladies in stunning gowns. When I arrived at Brenda Novak’s Christmas Party on Second Life last night snowflakes drifted down around me. I hopped into a bumper car made of ice and took a spin past giant snowmen tossing snowballs. I hopped out of the car and walked into a sleek glass room to check out posters of Brenda’s book covers.

From a lady in a to-die for ball gown, I learned that Second Life is a happening place for publishers and authors. Authors can even set up booths for their books. At least one publisher has a store. The murmur of nearby conversations drifted around me.

I teleported to another room to find a merry-go-round with ice horses. I took a spin around, thinking how beautiful the flying manes of blue ice were. I turned my head to watch a lady with elegant angel’s wings and rotating attire wander by.

I feasted my eyes on the exquisite decor of the party rooms- the trees with twinkling lights, the crisply wrapped gifts. Every detail of the party seemed to go off like clock work and Brenda’s assistants made it so easy for newbies to join in. I managed to figure out how to get my ice skates on. I didn’t fall on my face even once due to all the helpful signs and IM suggestions!

I gazed intently at the raffle announcement board and clutched my ticket anxiously but alas, I didn’t win anything in the raffle. Then again, I never do!

With a final look around at the sleighs and swirling gowns, I had to leave the winter wonderland. The time was growing late and I was worn out by attending both a live and a virtual Christmas party all in one night. So, I snuggled down in my bed with visions of literary glitter in my head, content that the industry will shine through the gloom.

Hats off to Brenda for a lovely evening!

Over the past few months I’ve been pondering innovative marketing strategies in publishing. Why? Basically just because I love publishing and would love to see the industry jolted out it’s doldrums.

In September the UK Harper Collin’s announced a website “Authonomy” that functions like a pre-publication Amazon web site. Writers post 10,000 word chunks of their books and visitors review and rate the copy. The highest rated copy is then read by Harper Collin’s editors. Any one in any country can post their work.

I have no idea if Authonomy is proving profitable for Harper Collin’s. It’s still in beta testing. What do I think of it? I’m of two minds on the idea. On the one hand, anything that stimulates interest in writing or reading gets an A plus! But does this site really get a writer out of the slush pile as the site implies? I’m not sure about that. It seems to me the slush pile is simply moved online and gains enthusiastic, free (though untrained) reviewers. The theory is that these reviewers are the same people who might buy the book if sold so in effect, they receive an early preview and the author receives helpful comments.

The bottom line is I think Authonomy is a great marketing tool. But it is likely of dubious utility for career-oriented writers who have to essentially publish copyrighted material for free and hope they receive useful feedback.

A second innovative marketing tool in Europe is the new Faber Academy where published authors teach new authors. This is also a great marketing tool for the publishing company. It gives them publicity and makes money. Writers attending the workshops will receive the benefit of learning from well-known authors. If only they offered a class in the United States!

In my next post I’ll explore why European publishing is pushing the envelope on innovative marketing.