Yep, this year is moving right along. Christmas decorations are out with fall and Halloween stuff. We don't even have time to enjoy one holiday without the others being shoved down our throats. Alas, that's the goal of marketing ... get it out there in their face!
UGH.
Don't get me started LOL! Instead, please allow me to introduce to you a brand new-to-me author, Holly Bargo, brought to us by Personalized Marketing Inc.
Take it away, Holly.....
‘I’m a writer’ is just the beginning
By Holly Bargo
Just like medical professionals specialize, so do writers. The older I get and the longer I write as a professional, the more specialized I become. Whether such specialization arises from preference or experience or a mixture of both, anyone might speculate. However, I have discovered that my background and abilities do not suit some writing niches, such as technical writing or medical writing. Although occasionally funny, I have no predilection for comedy writing. Likewise, children's literature exceeds the scope of my skill as does that new breed of short story presented as a series of text messages.
(I suppose it would help if I texted, but I don't.)
While it's important to know what you can do and do well, it's also important to know what you don't do well and/or have no real inclination to master. I edit for a California fiction writer who, over the course of our association, has solidified his niche in writing westerns. He tried suspense. Although the stories adequately entertained, they did not have the enthusiasm of his westerns.
Knowing what you do well does not preclude learning to do something else well, too. Learning to master a new specialization, a new niche, a new genre takes time and effort: as Ringo Starr’s song goes, "It Don't Come Easy."
Writing well involves more than merely knowing how to string words together to form coherent sentences and express thoughts clearly. A complicated, layered skill, writing explores intellect as well as the senses. Sensory description, especially in fiction, immerses the reader within the story. Good writing informs, educates, entertains--although not necessarily all at once. Good writing grabs and holds the interest of the target audience of readers, regardless of the genre or platform. The hook may be Moby Dick's "Call me Ishmael" or a currently explosive topic. It may stimulate thought or give comfort, instruct or guide. It offers sufficient detail to ground the reader, but not so much as to overwhelm and distract.
A writer who has mastered his or her craft not only understands the conventions governing writing, but also understands how to break them to best effect. That writer knows how and why the rule was broken--a depth of understanding that many writers fail to achieve. Refer back to the song title hyperlinked above. Grammatically correct, it would be "It Doesn't Come Easily" and it would lose its punch.
Written content surrounds us, which means someone wrote it. The more effective the writing, the more it engages or persuades or convinces.
I'm a writer, but I don't only write books. I write newsletter articles, website content, B2B and B2C blogs, brochures, proposals, short stories, and more. My skills cover a broad range of topics, forms, and markets, but certainly not everything. I have yet to meet a writer who could write anything and everything and do it equally well.
Even William Shakespeare specialized.
Every word counts.
****
So true, Holly, thanks for sharing!
Holly enjoys hearing from readers and other authors and may be contacted via the Hen House Publishing website: www.henhousepublishing.com.
When she's not working on other people's documents or reading, Holly finds time to transfer the voices in her head to paper ... er ... computer. If she doesn't, there's a definite possibility her mind will explode.
And for those who might wonder from where the pseudonym of Holly Bargo came, it's quite simple really. Horses. Namely an elegant and temperamental Appaloosa mare who has long since crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is fondly remembered for guarding toddler children and crushing a brand new pager.
By Holly Bargo
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SLP5JGT
Rachel's brother uses her as collateral to settle a debt with an outlaw motorcycle gang. She flees to a local bar and pleads with a darkly handsome stranger to help her. His help results in homicide. When eagle shifter Diego's vacation is interrupted by the innocent young woman he recognizes as his mate, he flees with her across national borders because she's his and he's not letting her go.
Having essentially swapped one captor for another, Rachel knows the dashing, sexy Spaniard is keeping secrets from her. He showers her with kindness and generosity in exchange for her obedience. Diego's control over her and his secrets elicit her distrust and resentment.
When freedom beckons, Rachel answers its call; however, freedom brings hardship and indignity. Will she return to the controlling alpha male who stirs her blood or cling stubbornly to her freedom?
Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT
6 comments:
Hi Holly,
Awesome blog! It's always great to hear how others feel about their craft and the thoughts that go behind it.
It is my pleasure to not only get to work with Holly but to also get to help share the word about her fabulous books and amazing talent. Thank you for having her here today on your blog.
Dee
#PMInc
Thank you for having me on your blog today. I appreciate the privilege and hope that my words find a receptive audience.
Interesting and (in the current social climate) daring premise for a story! Wishing you much success!
Don't ever start texting! I wish I never got a cell phone. Ugh. I enjoyed your post. And the book sounds VERY steamy and yummy!
Holly,
I agree that seasoned writers naturally limit their area of interest. But for younger writers I think it's a good idea to try a variety of genres, fiction and nonfiction to see what they prefer.
Thank you for the kind comments.
To Alina K. Field: I hope you will take a chance on the story and read it.
To Kara O'Neal: I don't plan to make texting a regular habit. My first smartphone was a total disaster of an experience. After a month, I went back to the old flip phone. I replaced that in June with an iPhone 6, primarily for GPS and processing credit card transactions at author events. Otherwise, I seldom use it. Give the book a chance and let me know what you think.
To Jacqueline Seewald: Yes, it's important for younger or newer writers to try different types of writing as well as different genres to determine their preferences. By the time they embark upon careers as writers, they ought to have a sense of direction informed by their education or by their reading preferences.
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