Public Speaking? Me? by Sandra Ardoin

I’d known since my first book released that I needed to prepare something for an occasion of public speaking. At the least, I needed to prepare some possible topics. Well, since no one beat down my door with invitations, I kept putting it off.

Until…

I got the call in mid-July. It came from a woman who had asked me years ago to speak to her small church group of about eight other ladies, which I did. That was before I began writing novels. It was my first time to formally speaking to a gathering of strangers about my writing experiences for denominational publications. I shook like dog on its way to the vet, but I guess it went well enough. However, it was my last time to stand in front of others and talk.

Until…

She was looking for an August speaker for a different group. Of course, I said yes to a wonderful opportunity for this shy introvert to hone those skills that authors need.

Then…

She told me I’d be expected to speak about my writing career for forty-five minutes. Forty-five minutes? How was I to fill forty-five minutes? Honestly, it’s not as hard as one might think. And if I can stand behind a microphone and rattle on in a somewhat coherent manner, believe me, anyone can, but it takes organization and time.

Here’s how I did it:

• I brainstormed three different themes and included quotes from others that served as examples of those themes. Once my opening was set (a few minutes for an invitation thank you and a little personal information about myself), I could use it for any topic. I included a bit of humor in that opening, hoping that when my audience laughed, it would help relax me. It worked. 

• After choosing my approach, I wrote my talk out word-for-word, typing it in a 16-point font that could be easily read. Then I practiced—alone and out loud—timing it as I went. I tweaked it and practiced again. You know that forty-five minutes? In the end, I had to whittle it down! I sent it to my tablet and practiced until I could speak without stumbling or constantly looking at my script.

• I intended to use that tablet while speaking, but needed a backup—just in case. My talk turned out to be twenty-four pages long, and I didn’t want to fumble with that much paper. Once I was certain I knew what I would say, I typed up a 4-page outline of my points (again, in 16-point font) and printed it. 

• One of the surprises I received that day was being interrupted for questions. That was okay. It allowed me to ad lib a little and put me more at ease—like a conversation. So, depending on where you speak, be prepared for such surprises. 

• As I spoke, I could pick out those who were interested in what I had to say and a couple who were just “there.” Even so, I was careful to spread my eye contact across the room. 

All in all, it went well, and I drove home without crying. Of course, it helps to have an audience willing to put the speaker at ease.

AND …

I have a speech all ready to go for the next time someone asks me to talk about my writing!

What tips do you have for surviving a public speaking event?

~~~~~~

Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. She’s the author of the heartwarming novella, The Yuletide Angel, and the award-winning novel, A Reluctant Melody. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out. 

Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com. Subscribe to receive updates and specials. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and BookBub.

How Do You Name Your Rose? by Sandra Ardoin

Has your attention been snagged by a book based solely on its title? Have you skimmed past books with titles you found blasé?

“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

For Shakespeare’s Juliet that might make sense. But for a book title? Not so much. We don’t want to write sweet-smelling books and give them stinky titles.

Hardworking writers wrestle story ideas to the ground to find the one best deserving of our writing time and efforts. We get to know our characters—their goals, motivations, strengths and weaknesses. We write and rewrite and rewrite some more. Shouldn’t we put that same work into giving our books titles a reader can’t skim past?

So how do you go about catching the eye of the person with the power to say “yea” or “nay” to your submission or published book? Here are a few things to think about as you ponder ideas:

Dig deep and find something special. Maybe your setting or a character’s interest/hobby provides immediate interest to like-minded people. Work it into the title. (How many “cat” books have you seen?) Maybe you want to highlight the tone/emotion of the book. Give it something emotionally evocative. Maybe your title is a metaphor. I was asked in this interview why I chose A Reluctant Melody for the title of my latest release. Frankly, it seemed a natural match for the musically-inclined heroine’s feeling about reuniting with the hero years after he abandoned her.

Make it bold. You’ve studied the rules about passive writing and know you must grab the reader with specific nouns and active verbs. Do the same with your title.

Don’t shortchange your story. I’ve had titles elude me even after the book is written. In the latter case, it can be tempting to give up and slap any old title on a manuscript so we can get it off to an agent or publisher. After all, they’ll change it anyway, right? Maybe. Maybe not. Don’t rush the process and use the first title idea that comes to you. Take the time to brainstorm various possibilities and let them percolate for while. Find the one that will make an editor say, “Perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing!”

Avoid “A” and “The.” I’m speaking from personal experience. I titled my books A Reluctant Melody and The Yuletide Angel. If I were to do it again, I would take those words off. Readers do. The books still come up in a search, but I always feel inclined to say, “It’s A…” or “It’s The…”

Go for unique. You’ve come up with some ideas. Now, do an online search for other books by the same names. While you don’t want something so unique a reader can’t remember it, don’t make them scroll through a page of same-titled books on Amazon, looking for the one written by you. This goes along with the next point.

Be careful. Another reason to do an online search is to protect yourself from titling your book the same as something you have no desire to be associated with. Don’t shock your sweet-romance, Christian readers by sending them to a book page for an erotica title or a page for a song/album you find offensive. Don’t let another product tarnish your reputation in a reader’s eyes.

Of course, this is not a complete list of suggestions. I know you have more. So share your ideas for coming up with that perfect book title.

 

~~~~~~ 

Sandra Ardoin writes inspirational historical romance. She’s the author of The Yuletide Angel and A Reluctant Melody. A wife and mom, she’s also a reader, football fan, NASCAR watcher, garden planter, country music listener, antique store prowler. Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Join her email community to receive occasional updates and a free short story.

Networking Isn't a Dirty Word by Sandra Ardoin

Networking. You know. It’s what we do to form mutually-beneficial relationships.

When put that way, it sounds pretty cold-blooded, doesn’t it? It shouldn’t be, not when it’s accomplished with people with whom we have something in common. And if it’s a guilt-inducer for you, you’re probably going about it all wrong.

For this (in-person) introvert, I have to say I LOVE to network online. I’ve met so many great people—writers, readers, other Christians—through my social media activities and writing organizations. They live near me, they live in other parts of the country, they even live in other countries. I make new friends, commiserate with and encourage peers (and vice-versa), and support the writing of others while they support mine. Win-win-win!

If you’ve been writing during these first years of the twenty-first century, you know it can no longer be a tunnel-vision activity—sitting at a desk pounding out manuscript after manuscript and focusing solely on our own work. (I did that for years.) We should and must mingle with like-minded people. Thankfully, the internet has helped those of us who find it hard to string to two words together at a party, yet can virtually chat with anyone.

As my daughter has looked for a job in her career field, I’ve stressed networking, yet she shies away from it because she worries it smacks of stalking or taking advantage of people. Not if you keep these “BG”s in mind.

• Be Genuine – Connect with people you sincerely want to know better and let them see you as a person as well as a writer. You may receive the added bonus of striking up in-person friendships with those who live close by. **I’m waving to my NC/SC pals!** 

• Be Generous – How many times have you heard, “It’s not about you”? Well, those words should never be truer than when you’re making connections with other people. Use your talent to help others develop craft. If you hear of a publisher or agent who you think might be interested in someone’s work, share the news. When you expect to receive more than you’re willing to give, it becomes about you. 

• Be Grateful - After years of writing in the closet (so to speak), I never pass up a chance to get the word out that I’m a writer with books on the market, and I’m so grateful to those who help me do so. 

• Be a Grower – It’s hard to admit (and you may find it hard to believe), but I don’t know everything. Bad news: neither do you. Iron sharpens iron, y’all. 

I know I’m preaching to the choir, but here’s the bottom line: “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” (Luke 6:31 NAS)

Networking is relationship, and if you don’t form genuine, generous, and grateful relationships, you won’t grow—as a person or as a writer.

So what is your favorite part about networking with other writers?

~~~~~~

Sandra Ardoin writes inspirational historical romance. She’s the author of The Yuletide Angel and A Reluctant Melody. A wife and mom, she’s also a reader, football fan, NASCAR watcher, garden planter, country music listener, antique store prowler. Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Join her email community to receive occasional updates and a free short story.

New Year, New List by Sandra Ardoin

Have you ever walked into your office, sat down, placed your hands on the keyboard, and stared at the blank screen wondering what to do first?

One of the stories my husband loves to tell is about the time I sent our toddler to her room at the end of the day to put her toys away. When he checked on her a few minutes later, he found her standing in the middle of the mess staring at it. She was overwhelmed and had no idea where to start. Daddy to the rescue. (Okay, so I didn’t get the Parent of the Year award.)

Writers are responsible for much more than “bleeding” on the page. At times, we can feel like my daughter—overwhelmed by all the tasks in front of us—both business and personal. The list seems endless, which brings us to the point of this post—lists.

I love lists. They’re my lifeline to sanity.

There are days when things spin so fast in my mind the focus disappears and I forget half of what needs to be done. Here are a few simple reasons why that to-do list is a must for writers or anyone else juggling their way through life. 

They ...

• Keep important jobs from slipping through the cracks. How many times have you ended your day on a groan because you forgot to do something important? Maybe it was a phone call to make or an email to send—a little, but significant task. Writing it down means it won’t be forgotten. (Put off, maybe, but not forgotten.)

• Relieve stress. When I know there are things I need to do, but also know I’m forgetting something, my blood pressure rises. 

• Battle procrastination. A written need nags at us louder than an unwritten one.

• Allow for organization. Once the list is written, prioritize what needs to be done. Sometimes, I’ll number each item in the order I want to work on them. 

• Create a sense of accomplishment. Be realistic. Not everything can be finished in one day, so it might remain on your list for some time. But for those that can be finished, find a red pen. Each time a task is completed, mark through it, then take a deep breath and smile. It’s good for your health. (If you really want to celebrate, take a bite of dark chocolate—one bite per item accomplished.)

• Help with word count goals. Writers generally keep a daily word count goal. Write down that goal at the beginning of the day. Seeing a realistic number in print can make it more attainable.

Paper notepads are my friends. Trees? Let’s just say they cower in fear.

Besides notepads, I’ll write my list on a white board. Maybe you have a high-tech way to keep organized. Use whatever works for you. The important thing is to see what you’re dealing with at the beginning of the day and see how far you’ve come at the end of it. 

Happy New Year!

Are you a list maker? How do you go about it?

~~~~~

Sandra Ardoin writes inspirational historical romance. She’s the author of The Yuletide Angel and A Reluctant Melody. 

A wife and mom, she’s also a reader, football fan, NASCAR watcher, garden planter, country music listener, antique store prowler. 

Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Join her email community to receive occasional updates and a free short story.