Branding 101: What is Your Brand? by Patty Smith Hall

Over the next few months, I’ll be focusing on discovering and building your author brand. It’s one of the items I had listed on my New Year’s resolutions and an important one as I transition from historical romance to historical fiction. Before I get started, I want to give a shoutout to Brandy, Kristie, Hope and Christina from the North Georgia ACFW for their fantastic workshop on branding which is the basis of this article.

So, let’s get started.

The Entrepreneur/Small Business Encyclopedia defines branding as the marketing practice of creating a name, symbol or design that identifies you and differentiates a product from other products. An effective brand gives you a major edge in an increasingly competitive market.

Coke has their red and white cans, Nike has its swoosh, and just hearing Stephen King’s name makes you shake in your boots. That’s what a good brand does for you—it makes you stand out among your competition. But how can a writer do this, especially when there are fewer opportunities to make that personal connection with a reader?

We start by asking a question: who are you? Because your brand IS you. Let that sink in. It’s not your books or your short stories, or your magazine articles that make up your brand. It’s you, pure and simple, so you have to figure out who you are and what you offer to your readers that nobody else can.

Before we get too far into this, a piece of advice. Be you, the real you, not some fake replica. No one likes to discover someone they ‘thought they knew’ hasn’t been honest with them. Be truthful with yourself and your readers. In fact, telling them when you mess up makes them like you more. Why? Because they can identify with you! A few weeks ago, I put a video on Facebook about baking my first ham only to discover ¾ of it was fat! Not my brightest moment, but the responses I got were amazing, everything from reader’s own cooking disasters to encouragement. Trust your readers with the real you! They’ll appreciate you, warts and all if you always keep it honest.

So, who are you?

It’s a tough question, but one you need to answer if you want to develop a brand that sells books. I had a rough time with this, not because I don’t know who I am but the view I have of myself might not be what others think of me. Rather than rely on myself, I went to those I trusted the most. How would they describe me as a whole? Because they’ll see me as a reader would, and its readers I’m trying to attract.

Here are some of their answers:

1) Sweet, Kind; Faithful
2) Bible-thumping Feminist (my favorite!)
3) History nerd
4) Strong and independent; knows your own mind.
5) A bunny in a world full of wolves.
6) A steel magnolia

How can this list help me come up with a brand? Let’s narrow it down to three attributes. Because I write historical fiction, I feel it’s important that my readers know I’m a history buff who loves stories about the forgotten women in history. Also important is that people see me as strong and independent as it gives them a hint to the kind of characters I write.

The last characteristic is one I struggled with. Do I use my brand to tell the readers I write Christian Fiction? Even though the book I’m working on now has a spiritual thread, it would work in a secular market. Yet, many will hear that Christian fiction label and push it to the side. While I don’t want to misguide anyone, I also want to share my Christian worldview without being too preachy. I’m still praying on this one.

For now, my brand—what I want a reader to think of when they see my name is: A history nerd who loves writing stories about the strong, forgotten women who shaped history.

That’s me in a nutshell. So, tell me—who are you?

Next month: I have a brand—What do I do now?

An effective brand gives you a major edge in an increasingly competitive market. via @pattywrites #SeriouslyWrite #writingtips

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A multi-published author with Love Inspired Historical and Barbour, Patty lives in North Georgia with her husband of 35 years, Danny; two gorgeous daughters, her son-in-love and a grandboy who has her wrapped around his tiny finger. When she’s not writing on her back porch, she’s spending time with her family or working in her garden.

Right- or Left-Brained? Steps to Improve Creativity By Marie Wells Coutu

If you want to be a writer, you must be right-brained, right?

Not necessarily.

Researchers have found that “both sides of the brain are intimately involved in creativity and change,” according to the article “Jazz Up Your Brain” by Sandee LaMotee (from CNN.com and reprinted in Reader’s Digest, February 2019).

In fact, the writer says, no one has a dominant side of the brain.

The good news for you and me from this research, prompted by a study of jazz musicians, is that we can learn to be creative or to increase our creative abilities.

Facing a blank screen? Stuck for an idea for your next scene—or your next story? Think you’ve been fooling yourself by trying to become a published writer?

Don’t despair. You can improve your creativity.

Researcher Charles Limb found that the creative brain state of musicians and artists (and, of course, writers) “is similar to that of athletes ‘in the zone.’” To achieve that level of creativity, you must imitate athletes: practice, practice, practice, until instinct takes over.

Essentially, that’s what happens when you “fast draft.” You turn off the self-conscious and self-editing part of your brain and let the words flow. The more you do this—followed by revising, of course, which helps you learn what not to do--the faster and more creatively you can write. And eventually, the less editing will be needed.

At least, that’s what other authors have said.

In my own experience, I have found simply being aware of “weasel words” I tend to use has reduced my use of them in my first drafts. In other words, “instinct”—or training—takes over with practice, and my first drafts have gotten better.

So, besides practice, how can you improve your creativity, whether you think you’re right-brained or left-brained? Here are a few more ideas:

✏️Turn off your inhibitions. Don’t run naked into the street, but do try writing without stopping to edit.

✏️Look for ways to improvise in your daily life, says LaMotee. Break out of your routines and try something new or unexpected.

✏️Spend a few minutes every day in meditation or prayer. This helps to calm your mind and frees you to create.

✏️Utilize all your senses. Listen to music that suits the mood of your story, post pictures of your setting or characters where you can see them, use scents that fit your scene (pine for a Christmas story, lilac if your scene takes place in the spring), eat something your characters would be eating, hold an object your character might touch.

✏️Alternate brain activity with rest. Limb says, “The creative brain is a generally more activated brain than a noncreative one,” but too much activity can be overwhelming. Sometimes you need to unplug for a little while before continuing your work.

✏️Try a different medium, such as a musical instrument, painting, or photography. You may see the bigger picture and process your story in your subconscious while you create something totally unrelated.

Strengthening your creative muscles has another benefit. The research shows that an active brain helps to “ward off forgetfulness, absent-mindedness, and even dementia,” according to LaMotee.

So quit worrying about which type of brain you have. Exercise your whole brain and develop your creative instincts to become a better writer.

Your turn: What foods, objects, or music can you use to help you think creatively about your current work-in-progress?

If you want to be a writer, you must be #right-brained, right? Not necessarily. Ways to Develop Your #Creativity. #writingtips #amwriting @MWCoutu @MaryAFelkins

Marie Wells Coutu finds beauty in surprising places, like old houses, gnarly trees, and forgotten treasures. When she’s not writing about finding restoration and healing through God-designed journeys, she enjoys taking broken things and making them useful.

The Secret Heart, her newest release, was named a finalist in both the 2018 National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Awards and the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Awards sponsored by Florida Writers Association. Her debut novel, For Such a Moment, won the Books of Hope Contest. Thirsting for More, the second book in the series was a finalist in the Selah Awards Contest and a semi-finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Awards. An unpublished historical novel set near Golden Pond has been a finalist in five contests.

She grew up in Kentucky, has lived in Kansas, Connecticut, Minnesota, Iowa and South Carolina. With her handyman husband of four decades, she now divides her time between Florida and the Midwest.

You can find more about Marie and her novels on her Facebook author page, her website, or follow her on Twitter or on Amazon.com.

My Passion for Writing Taught My Family Good Grammar by Peter Leavell

Boise is a biking paradise with 30 miles of paved trail along a tumbling mountain river, a tributary that gives the Idaho capital its christened name, City of Trees. I love jogging the path and listening to the birds and rushing water. Sometimes, I see deer and bald eagles within a few blocks of high rises and a football field with blue grass. People wave as they pass each other. I suppose the Greenbelt is one reason Boise is the fastest growing city in the nation. It’s amazing.

Yesterday, while I jogged along the river, a mom biked toward me, a trailer with child inside pulled behind. The joy on the mother’s face was as bright as the afternoon sun reflecting off the river.

It warmed my heart, seeing mother and child out for the afternoon. She slowed as she neared the zoo, the giraffe leaning over the palisade to say hello to people on the path.

Like the mother and child, as writers, we take those we love with us on our journey.

The mother’s ride was across smooth asphalt, but the trailer’s right wheel extended over the path onto the gravel shoulder.

We can’t always see how our journey is affecting the ones we love.

The trailer careened wildly side to side and up and down. Through the wire mesh, I saw the child flail helplessly.

Sometimes we think the journey of our writing career is hard on our families.

As the mother and child passed, I saw the baby was laughing and screaming with delight.

Even though we might feel guilty over the bumps and hurdles and time constraints of our writing career on our families, many times the journey teaches them:

—dream big, and dream together.
—daily discipline as a family, and as a family forgets to cook dinner, they dash about together making eggs and toast.
—the journey of a faraway goal is special, and obtainable.
—perseverance/work ethic can really put a crimp in their TV binge watching.
—how to handle emotional trauma.
—how not to handle emotional trauma.
—how to communicate with others, through writing.
—how to avoid strangers, through writing.
—how to keep a special writer’s mug safe by not washing it every day.
—grammar.
—don’t listen to the naysayers, for they know not what they speak of.
—experiences can be used for good or for bad: to make yourself a victim or to use in a blog.

What have you noticed your obsession with writing teaches others?

What my passion for writing teaches my family. @peterleavell #writerslife #seriouslywrite

'My passion for writing taught my family good grammar' and other life lessons for a writer. @peterleavell #writerslife #seriouslywrite

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history and currently enrolled in the University's English Lit Graduate program, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. A novelist, blogger, teacher, ghostwriter, jogger, biker, husband and father, Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com.

Tell Fear to Go Fly by Robin Jones Gunn

Robin Jones Gunn

You don’t become a respected author with an impressive track record without working hard and taking risks. I admire Robin Jones Gunn, and I’m thrilled to have her as a guest today. Soak in her encouraging—and important—message. ~ Dawn

Tell Fear to Go Fly

I’ve been thinking about this verse in I John 4:18. “Perfect love casts out fear.”

Here’s what I’ve learned as a writer over the many decades. Fear and love cannot fill the same space. Love must drive out all fear. Fear must go away. Fear and love do not co-exist.

Yet so many beginning writers tell me they’re afraid. Afraid of rejection, afraid of failure. Some are even afraid of success. They started out with hope and joy but fear came knocking and they opened the door. Now they sit in a small, dark place where fear is making all the decisions for them.

Dear Beautiful Writer, tell that dark-winged enemy to go fly. Ask God to drive out all fear and fill your heart and your thoughts with His love. Then go back to work and write your little heart out.

When I was writing “Becoming Us” I saw the main character, Emily, as a thirty-something woman who was timid by nature but had fallen into a place of fear as a result of the losses in her life. She’d been married long enough to discover that everything didn’t go the way she dreamed it would. In order to be free to take the next step, Emily had to trust God’s perfect love for her. She had to make peace with the losses and cast out all the fear in her life before she could move forward.

Writers travel a similar path.

Don’t keep looking over your shoulder. Be at peace and write out of strength. When you write without fear of what others will say, without fear of whether you’ll finish or who will buy your work, then your words will be created out of love. Love for the art of word-crafting. Love for the Author and Finisher of your faith. Love for your readers. Love for the gift that’s been given to you. Love for the privilege of being able to communicate truth.

Don’t believe any of the lies that fear has been telling you. Write out of love, not out of fear and your words will echo in the same deep place inside your readers. Your words will be set free and so will you.

_______

When you #write without fear of what others will say, without #fear of whether you’ll finish or who will buy your work, then your words will be created out of #love. via @RobinGunn on #seriouslywrite

Don’t believe any of the lies that fear has been telling you. Write out of #love, not out of #fear and your words will echo in the same deep place inside your readers. Words of wisdom for the Christian #writer from @RobinGunn on #seriouslywrite

Becoming Us

Becoming Us

Emily bravely puts aside her fears and attends a party where she meets Christy, Sierra, Jennalyn and Tess. An unexpected moment links Emily to this small group that call themselves the “Daughters of Eve,” and the five women become unlikely best friends. 

Regular gatherings follow, and as the women share their stories, they find their lives weaving together in beautiful ways. It’s a season of raising children, figuring out relationships and dreaming together about what’s next. Emily needs a fresh start, but even with the encouragement of her new friends will it be possible to be free of the painful past that brought her to California?

Robin Jones Gunn is the bestselling, Christy Award winning author of nearly 100 books with over 5.5 million copies sold worldwide.

Best known for her Christy Miller novels for teens and the Christy Award winning Glenbrooke and Sisterchicks® series, Robin’s non-fiction titles include Praying for Your Future Husband, co-authored with Tricia Goyer and Spoken For, co-authored with Alyssa Bethke. Her newest novel, Becoming Us releases May 7, 2019 from WaterBrook/Multnomah, a division of Penguin Random House Publishing.

Hallmark Channel created three movies from Robin’s Father Christmas novellas staring Erin Krakow, Niall Matter and Wendie Malick. All three movies broke the record for the network by being the season’s highest rated and most watched original movies.

Robin’s love for storytelling and training writers has taken her around the world. She has served on the Board of Media Associates International and has been a keynote speaker in Africa, Brazil, Europe and Australia as well as Canada and throughout the US.

Many readers who grew up with Robin’s books have written to tell her how the memorable characters in her stories have mentored and influenced them over the years. Robin and her husband have two grown and married children and live in Hawaii.

Connect and learn more about Robin here:

https://christymiller.com/meet-the-author

http://ChristyMillerShop.com

www.RobinGunn.com