5 Super Simple Marketing Ideas

So you’ve written the worlds greatest novel, only nobody knows you exist, what do you do next? I’m not even going to get into how to go about getting published, or hooking that fabulous agent you’ve been eyeballing, but we will discuss some interesting ways to grab the attention of some potential readers. Small things you do in your marketing campaign can make a huge difference. And just as I really do believe there is no such thing as bad press, a similar analogy for novels is there is no such thing as to much marketing. With so many excellent authors out there you really do need to stand out, even before you get that novel published, a developed fan base is a good thing. Here are five simple ways, free I might add, to do so...

1. A website. Yes you can go and pay for that nifty domain name that will forever be personalized with that perfect name, well, at least as long as you pay for it; but its really not needed at first. There are a number of free ones out there, just do a quick Google search if you don’t believe me, I guarantee you’ll get about a million results. Not to mention a lot of times your ISP will provide a free website as does the mega-company Google. It doesn’t have to be pretty at first, but some basic knowledge of you and your current work is a must. All the pretty fluff can come later. And there are quite a few generators, tutorials, and template makers out there to help add said fluff if your not very html savvy. Again, Google is your friend. An example of a simple yet effective author website... http://www.sandratuttle.com/

2. A blog. You have to keep in mind that in today's age, there is no privacy. If you want to be the next big thing, you better get used to it. The best you can hope to do is throw out some info to satisfy people on the inner you. Now I’m not saying we need to hear all about what color underwear you chose for the day, but a short note on the horrors you experienced at the grocery store, or the old creepy guy that winked at the street corner are not only amusing but they hook people. They are delving into your life as an escape from theirs, provide entertainment. An excellent example of this is Daisy Dexter Dobb’s blog here... http://daisydexterdobbs.blogspot.com/ (And sorry for fronting you out here Daisy.) Strictly speaking from a marketing standpoint, the woman is a genius. She’s quirky, intelligent and just generally likable, but most importantly she is a born entertainer. You can’t read a single blog without a snicker or two or sympathizing with her.
Not only does blogging provide ways to entertain though, but it also gives the reader a chance to see how you write. Just imagine, if you can hook them with a small blog, shorter than the smallest short story, how much they will love your book!
Make sure and link to your blog from your new nifty website and vice verse, give people an easy route to get back and forth. A good general rule is that if people have to digg for something they aren’t going to bother, do it for them. Remember, you need them, they don’t necessarily need you.
The last thing I will say about blogging, since this example has taken so much space, is to make sure you comment. Comment everywhere. Although I will point out, don’t spam. Nothing is more annoying than reading their favorite blog only to see that someone has come in and posted a comment self promoting themselves and listing link after link. There isn’t a need for that. Find similar authors or just blogs you personally enjoy. Read them and provide an intelligent response accordingly. Don’t flaunt yourself. If people enjoy your comment or it makes them curious, they will click to see your profile, which will of course have a link to your blog or website that you have provided. It also makes the author of the blog you commented on appreciative, and perhaps you’ll even establish a relationship, of some form, with them over time.
Blogger seems to be the most popular www.blogger.com with Wordpress http://wordpress.com/ and Live Journal http://www.livejournal.com/ following closely behind, although there are others out there.

3. Tweet little birdy, tweet. http://twitter.com/ The worlds newest obsession. Or mundane blogging in short form, as I like to call it. Let people know what your doing, share a link to that highly amusing picture or website you just found. Its all another form of entertainment. Plus people really seem to care what goes on in someone’s life. They want to share in those moments of happiness or annoyance with you. There are also several authors out there already tweeting, your bound to find a few of your favorites if you look. And whose to say that it won’t be beneficial to you as a writer as well? Maybe you’ll read another authors tweet and realize what a fabulous idea it is. Tips here and there are always helpful, especially when your just starting out. An example of an author on twitter... http://twitter.com/RichelleMead
And again make sure you provide links to your twitter account on your blog and website.

4. While we’re tweeting, how about tweeting as some of your characters? Or blogging as one? It doesn’t necessarily have to be you and your daily life that draws people in, let your characters speak for themselves! And while it may be harder to interact as a character and not give away anything in your book, it can be done. Just think about what your character would do or say in any given situation, it gets easier as people tweet or comment back. A couple examples of characters tweeting... http://twitter.com/VidarTheShield or http://twitter.com/TeddyTheServant

5. And last, but certainly not least, take advantage of the social networks. The two biggest, of course, are Myspace http://www.myspace.com/ and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ and if you haven’t heard of them, you are probably living under a rock somewhere. Same concept goes for them as with the other suggestions. Great places to find friends, fans and other authors to connect with, and does a great job of getting your name out there.

There you have it, five super easy and free ways to get yourself out there and noticed. Most of you probably already know these, but if not, I hope I was of some help. Since this blog turned out a lot longer than I anticipated it being, I think we’ll call it done.

Until next time peeps, Doom On!
CoD

The video today goes out in honor of Sandra Tuttle, who is now officially 29. Swing by and wish her a happy, Happy if you get time. But until then, enjoy this vid of Sandra’s man meat of choice...

Blogging, as we know it.

Blogging about blogging...seems cheap doesn't it? However that's totally what I'm going to do.

I've come to the realization that the crazy posting that I do makes it really hard for you guys to know when a new blog is up. So I've decided I will now be posting all new blogs every Friday. In reality it will probably be extremely late Thursday night or in the wee early hours on Friday, but the latter would be your best bet to check back in.

I also managed to totally guilt trip Sandra into picking a day as well, and she picked Thursdays. So make sure and swing by and see whats going on in the dark and twisted mind of an Urban Fantasy writer.

And with that tiny little update, I'm going to officially classify this as my first Friday post. I'll be back next week with a more in depth look on something writing related. (How's that for vague. lol)

Until next time peeps, Doom On!
CoD

And totally not related a horrible parody of the song "Low" done Octo-Mom style.

The horrors of the hyphen-ate

Several authors out there sing the praises of hyphens, whether to provide visual stimulation or simply to sit in a space that a comma just won’t do. However, I say that enough is enough. I am sick unto death of seeing overly used hyphens. Did you ever think that perhaps if a comma doesn’t work, and a colon won’t cut it, that maybe you could make another sentence? I’m not even going to go into how difficult correctly using hyphens is, I fully understand the fact, which is why I run away from them when given the chance. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I have issues with grammar, I relish in the fact even. I just wish more people did the same. Do not sit there in all your high and mighty ways stringing together words with your sideways l’s and assume you know everything. The truth is, most of the time you are improperly using them anyway.

The point of the hyphen is to avoid ambiguity for the reader, or to create an idea of two or more things together. For example, The Queen will meet with small-businessmen. If the hyphen were not present we might derive that the Queen is meeting with very tiny people in business suits, but as it is we can see the business’s are small, not the men. The same can also be said for hyphens in compound modifiers if it proceeds a noun. You can use it to combine all the words with the exceptions of the adverb “very” and any that end in “ly.” A bluish-green dress, and A full-time job, are both examples. However if it is after a noun, there is no need for the hyphen. She works full time, or, The dress, a bluish green, was floor length.

“Ex” and “self” are nearly always hyphenated. Ex-wife and Self-esteem are a couple of examples, but most of the time other prefixes do not need hyphens. Any dictionary will recognize coexist as easily as co-exist and the meanings stay the same as well. So my point being, why mess with it? Are you that lacking in your writing skills that you need that one extra character toward your word count? I’m not trying to say that hyphens aren’t required, as I’ve already pointed out there are instances when it is grammatically proper to use them, and several more uses that I didn’t list, I’m just urging you to not do so unless it is needed.

Here is an excellent short list of hyphen do’s and don’ts for those of you interested. http://www.nyu.edu/classes/copyXediting/Hyphens.html

For now that is all my doom sayers. I shall stop this hyphen rant and assume our regularly scheduled program. Maybe next time we'll go into my opinions of the dreaded "dash." lol

CoD

Writers Block and how to cope.

* Main Entry: writer's block
* Function: noun
* Date: 1950

: a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece
(From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/writer%27s%20block)

We all suffer from it, from time to time, the unthinkable, the unexpected and annoying...writers block. Either we’ve finally worked our way up to that one perfect scene that is all important to the chapter, we’ve managed to get past the scene and are now stuck how to go on, or somewhere in between. It can happen for no reason and come from nowhere. But how do we cope with an ever present block when that fast approaching deadline is right around the corner? Well today we’re gonna list some effective ways to go about it. And hopefully save that “next great thing” your working on.

1. Most importantly, Its all in you’re mind. To go all Matrix on you, “There is no spoon.” Sounds simple and yet I’m sure plenty of people will want to argue the point. But the reality is, your mind is creating a road block for you in one form or another. The ultimate and best way to defeat it is to realize it doesn’t exist. Don’t give your mind the power or satisfaction in overwhelming you, find the underlining cause behind the block. Are you stressed at work? Worried about something? Kids driving you batty? While its not all important at this moment that you fix the cause, it is important that you realize there is one. Sometimes just acknowledging the fact and sitting it to the side (so to speak) is enough to get those creative juices going.

2. Find some quiet time. Again, a simple thing, but not something a lot of us actually have. Give your self some down time, not worrying about that big deadline, even if only for a few hours. Relax, sit back and let your mind wander. If you start to dwell on some of those things that are crowding your mind and creating the block, calmly acknowledge the fact and sweep them aside to think of something else. It doesn’t even have to be related to whatever you are working on. Remember a favorite spot as a child. If you loved to go fishing with your dad in the lazy summer months, visualize the experience. Recall everything you can about that particular memory. What were you wearing? Did you catch any fish? Did you smell the coppery bitterness of the stream or your dad’s favorite aftershave? Was the wind blowing slightly or did you need to dip your feet in the pond to cool off? It might seem a pointless exercise but not only are you increasing your powers of memory recall and helping your visualizing techniques but your brain will release certain chemicals when calling upon strong memories, be they good memories or not. Use it to your advantage to give yourself a break.

3. Try writing something else. Do you blog? Tweet on Twitter? Maybe just pop open a blank page and start writing the first thing that comes to you, no matter if it makes sense or pertains to your story or not. Sometimes just writing anything helps give your brain a kick start again.

4. If your having trouble with one scene in particular, whether something bad is happening to your favorite character or you just can’t get their motivations sorted out, try writing the scene from a different characters perspective. Even if it you can’t use it in your novel/short story, or whatever, sometimes it will help you “see” the scene a little clearer in your mind. And who knows, you may just accidentally stumble upon other character motivations or a cool line or two that way.

5. Remember that you don’t have to write in order. If your facing a particularly difficult sex scene and just can’t get yourself in the mood, skip ahead to the imminent betrayal, or whatever comes after, and come back when your more in the right state of mind. Its your writing, write it however you feel comfortable, no one is saying you have to conform to their rules, and if they are, I highly suggest you don’t listen. Some of the greatest authors out there have some very unusual writing habits. Vladimir Nabokov. The author of such great novels as Lolita, Pale Fire and Ada did all his writing standing up, and all on index cards. To each their own. Do what is easiest for you.

6. Carry around a small notebook or journal around with you, everywhere. You can get relatively cheap little memo pads at most stores for less than a dollar and they come in very handy should you have a passing thought while at the grocery store, or the neighbors Bar-B-Q and can’t get away to your selected work space.

7. If you just can’t seem to get into the feel of the story, go back a chapter or two and read it. Sounds simple right? But sometimes just switching off the “author” mode and going to “reader” mode for awhile helps get you settled into the flow of the story. And who knows, you may just find something you want to add to or edit out during this process.

8. Go read something else. It doesn’t have to be in the same genre as what your novel, although it seriously helps, but it’s a great way to get new ideas and to get in the mood for what you need to get out on paper. Ex: Having trouble with that sex scene? Go pick up some nice erotica books, or perhaps a good romance if erotica is to steamy for you. Same goes for any other scene, got a psycho killer? Find a similar thriller or horror book to while away an hour or two on.

9. Got a beta reader, close friend or significant other that knows you like to write and shares the same tastes? Have them read to where you are, then have a brainstorming party. Maybe they will suffice as a muse and lightning will strike. Perhaps they will have a whole new perspective you never even thought of. A lot of successful writers lean heavily on spouses or writing groups for ideas, it never hurts to ask for help. (Although a note, I will caution you on this one. Not everyone is going to like your work, or think you’re the next great thing. That doesn’t mean your writing is horrible, it may just mean its not their cup of tea. Pay attention to what they have to say, but don’t take it to heart. Everyone likes something different, them not liking your work, doesn’t necessarily reflect on you.)

10. To wrap this all up, I’m going to leave you with a quote for #10.
“"My block was due to two overlapping factors: laziness and lack of discipline. If you really want to write, then shut yourself in a room, close the door, and WRITE. If you don't want to write, do something else. It's as simple as that."
Mary Garden, the author of The Serpent Rising and Coming Together

Hopefully these easy and relatively simple ideas will help you out at one point or another. And if you have any more ideas to overcome writers block, I would love to hear them.

Until next time peeps,
Doom On!
CoD

Sandra Vs CoD

The Victims	Sandra Tuttle	Cheerleader Of Doom
1. How old are you?	28	21...for the 9th time.
2. How tall are you?	5'4	5'11
3. How long have you been reading Urban Fantasy or similar books?	Strictly Urban Fantasy for 6 years, Fantasy and SciFi for about 20 years	I've always had a love for things that go bump in the night, so in one form or another, all my life.
4. Do you have a favorite author in this genre?	I have a love/hate relationship with LKH	What a hard question, there are so many but if I had to narrow it down I'd say Charlaine Harris. Her world is just more complete to me, and I love the viable reasoning behind why vamps are now out and about.
5. What is your favorite supernatural class in a book? ex: vampire, werewolf, etc.	Werewolves all the way! (or were-animals in general)	Vamps, by far. Although I do enjoy a bad were every now and then.
6. Any specific favorite supes?	I'm sure my own are closest in my heart but I do like Jacob from the Twilight series.	Many. Eric Northman, from Sookie-verse, and Damian from Anita's world...Its a pretty safe bet if you make a vamp a viking I'll go head over heels. Although I do like Requim as well, even with all his whining.
7. Do you prefer blondes or brunettes on your supes?	Blondes	Give me the dark brooding type, so brunettes all the way!
8. If you could, what fictional character would you want to have sex with?	Valentine Michael Smith from Stranger in a Strangeland.	Hmm, I guess it would be Jean Claude then...for all his Machiavellian ways he's one sexy vamp.
9. What is your favorite word?	Highfalutin	Horror...its just fun to say.
10. What is your least favorite word?	Anything that has ie or ei in it. I invariably have to retype them.	Now...I absolutely loathe being told I will do something, and if you add now to it, its guarenteed to raise my hackles.
11. If you could have written one book in history, what book would that be?	The Stand. I had dreams very similar to the story as a child. It really resonated with me.	Lord of the Flies...one of my favorite books of all time.
12. If you could have three (living) authors over for a beverage of your choice, whom would you choose?	At this point in time I'd have to say no one. I don't feel secure enough in my writing yet. I'd either be a fangirl or I could be susceptible to taking on their traits as a writer, and I need to find my own style and stick with it. However, should I get to that place I'd have over Ray Bradbury, JK Rowling and Susan Elizabeth Phillips.	Charlaine Harris (man I'm tootin this ladies horn, but she seems nice,) Kim Harrison (she seems like a cool lady,) and probably Chuck Palahniuk (he's an awesome author and seems crazy as hell.)
13. If you could live in any fictional world what would it be?	Possibly the Stand--and while it isn't pretty, sexy or even fun, the idea of humanity starting over appeals to me.	Another hard one, but it would probably be Charlaine Harris's world.
14. What was the last book you read?	Currently reading City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare.	I'm currently reading Keri Arthur's Deadly Desire. (The 7th book in the Riley Jenson Guardian Series.)
15. How did you meet each other?	I received an email from the CoD--who called herself something else back then. I'd just started writing and created a website that included the first two chapters of my UF book as well as a romance. Ha! She read the excerpts liked them and emailed me to let me know. I was amazed and jumping up and down. My first fan mail!	I was surfing the internet and happened to stumble upon a link for Sandra's website, where she had a couple chapters posted. Why I did it I don't know, but I sent her an email asking where she was published through. (And believe me I've never done anything like that before.) And the rest, as they say, is history.
16. What was your initial impression?	I think we were a little careful with one another at first--trying to be polite and feeling one another out, but I know I was practically pee pee dancing in my seat in excitement because it seemed like we had so much in common and there was finally someone in the world I could relate to on every level.	My initial impression was amusement, if you could have seen her response, believe me you would have been amused as well. But after than it was more like a long lost sister.
17. Do you see yourselves being friends 5 years down the road? 10, 20?	I see us hanging out in hell (okay maybe purgatory) for eternity. We'll point out hot guys, who could be a werewolf and take turns dissing girls for bad fashion and telling the other one to be nice, but snickering as well.	I see poor Sandra being stuck with me for eternity. And if the situation were to ever arise that she didn't want me around anymore...well I'm afraid I'm not above stalking. lol
18. If you could take one trait from the other what would it be?	I wish I could be as supportive as she is. My first reaction is to be critical but she is always so supportive and patient with me it's insane.	Her ease at being around people and interacting with them. Sandra is much more the social creature than I am.
19. If you had to change one thing about the other what would it be?	I'll try not to give a cheap answer. I wish she lived closer and had better taste in shoes, but seriously...I wish that she would brainstorm for her stories and that she'd write more. She has a tendency to think that nothing is original and can't bring herself to write anything due to that. I want to shake her until it goes away. :)	I would have to say some of her more Virgo traits. While she strives for an unatainable perfection she tends to hinder herself more than help.
20. If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?	I wish I could fully open myself up to the world.	I am the worlds worst procrastinator. I have good intentions but my attention flitters around worse than a butterfly in Busch Gardens.
21. What do you do when you get nervous?	My stomach gets upset and sometimes it leads to gas, but normally just a green face. LOL	I start saying assanine things that really are of no relevance. And once I realize I'm doing it I clam up and usually look like I have an attitude. lol
22. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?	Hard question--there are so many! I think I'd want to try everywhere for a year! Can I say Europe? Ha, I'd probably start in Ireland.	It would have to be somewhere like the Netherlands. Although if I was there already why on earth I would leave a year later I have no idea.
23. What album(s) is in heavy rotation on your stereo/ipod lately?	Portishead Live at Roseland NYC is always in rotation but Regina Spektor Begin to Hope has been playing a lot.	A whole album? That would have to be The Gay Blades album Ghosts. I play the hell out of that thing.
24. What are you too old to have and/or do but you still have/do it anyway?	Oh shit, lots of things probably. I look longingly at the juniors section of clothes and at Hot Topic. I occasionally order a happy meal, but not for the toy. I still have a piece of my baby blanket. I see these emo chicks with adorable hair and I wish I had it--this one I may succumb to!	Probably mess with my hair in wild fashions. My friends and family never know what color its going to be or what length. (I'm just now letting it grow out from a mohawk to give you an example.)
25. If you were a crayon, what color are you and why?	Probably a dark purple with a bit of blue in it. Purple can be girly, but it can also be dark and gloomy.	I'd be one of those funky mixed color ones, because you never know what I'm going to do or say and it will always be what I want, not what someone else wants.

Oz, great and terrible

What up my peeps! Today is a rather blah day, if ya know what I mean. I'm even gonna try my hardest not to mention, you know who. Don't want to drown you guys in her excellence...or her inner demons all the time ya know. So I'm just gonna chat a bit here and there about nothing too spectacular.

Eventually the blog is gonna get a make over. Yay! And I won't even need Ty Pennington to do it. Although I'll happily let him, and his crooked little goatee, come and help me plan it out. *wiggles eyebrows* Now nobody freak out, we're keeping it along the same lines. News (generally speaking and about she who shall not be named,) reviews (we've got some awesome ones in the works so stay tuned,) and like this post, whatever else we choose. And yeah that probably means more ramblings from yours truly.

If anyone has any questions, comments or suggestions feel free to drop me an email or a comment, whichever you prefer. Not guaranteeing I will follow through on your suggestion, but I will definitely take it into consideration. Also, by anyone I mean the general populace, not uber picky authors...ok well one author in particular. lol

Make sure and check back often and if your a tweety bird, swing by and look me up on twitter. I'm always looking to add new vict...er....people to the doom squad.

Until next time, Doom on!
CoD