The Visual Media Library

This week I am going to continue to talk about the importance of visual social media. 

I could spout off statistics that prove how important it is for you to use visuals in your media posts, but I'm not. I'm just going to say statistics prove visuals are CRITICAL to draw attention to your posts.  If you don't believe me, please feel free to do the research. 

If you do believe me, then it is time for you to start a visual media library of your own.  One you can go to when you're writing a new blog post, etc. and upload a picture to it so that your post sparkles with Read Me, Read Me, Read Me vibes.

This is a picture I designed using CANVA.  I paid $2.00 and own a one time use license of the image. The 'One Time' aspect of Canva's One Time Use License means you can use the image in one design, not that the resulting design can only be used in one place.

Purchasing your pictures from sites like this is an option. But you can also take your own pictures. 

However you decide to populate your library, you need a visual library. In your library, decide how you are going to organize your photos. Come up with a system that will allow you to find pictures according to what you are looking for. 

For Example, I may file the above picture in a folder called Social Media Images. And this one

in a folder called, Sideway Pictures that make me smile. 

What are some folder names you will use to label your photos in your social medial visual album?

Social Media for Authors

Today's post will be a continuation of the importance of using visuals in your social media posts.  

https://www.canva.com/design/DAAvod43q5s/OEfRDGh6tM8Glc08bLGg6g/draft/view

SOCIAL MEDIA

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR AUTHORS

Some of you may have noticed I haven't blogged in a very long time. This isn't a result of procrastination but more a result of consternation. What to blog about? What will my niche be? 

It's taken me a while, but I've finally decided to blog about social media for authors. Tweet this.

Why social media?  

I’ve spent the last nine months immersing myself in podcasts, blogs, workshops, etc. that educate on the area of social media, and I have become enthralled with the topic.  I want to blog about what I’ve learned (and am still learning) in the hopes that other authors can benefit from my research.  

With that being said, today’s post is going to start a series of posts that take a look at Visual Social Marketing. The use of images and videos to promote one's content. 

This post is talking about the difference between embedding an image and uploading an image.  You need to know this. 

#467231455 / gettyimages.com

This is an image that I embedded into my blog.  Embedding is different from uploading.  When you embed an image, your site is not hosting the image. It is still being hosted by the site you snagged it from. This is a good thing when it comes to legal issues regarding using another's photos.  My understanding is that as long as I'm not using the photo to sell a product, then I can embed it and not be sued for stealing someone's photo.  Notice how at the bottom of the photo, it shows you the site it came from and gives the artist credit.  I didn't manually add all of this, the credentials magically happened when I embedded the image. Whoot!

How does one embed an image. 

I got this image from:  http://www.gettyimages.com/Creative/Frontdoor/embed 
And, below, I've pasted their verbiage for my right to embedded this picture on my site, so that you can read it. In no way do I pretend to be an expert on the legal side of embedding pictures. 

Embedded Viewer

Where enabled, you may embed Getty Images Content on a website, blog or social media platform using the embedded viewer (the “Embedded Viewer”). Not all Getty Images Content will be available for embedded use, and availability may change without notice. Getty Images reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove Getty Images Content from the Embedded Viewer. Upon request, you agree to take prompt action to stop using the Embedded Viewer and/or Getty Images Content. You may only use embedded Getty Images Content for editorial purposes (meaning relating to events that are newsworthy or of public interest). Embedded Getty Images Content may not be used: (a) for any commercial purpose (for example, in advertising, promotions or merchandising) or to suggest endorsement or sponsorship; (b) in violation of any stated restriction; (c) in a defamatory, pornographic or otherwise unlawful manner; or (d) outside of the context of the Embedded Viewer. Getty Images (or third parties acting on its behalf) may collect data related to use of the Embedded Viewer and embedded Getty Images Content, and reserves the right to place advertisements in the Embedded Viewer or otherwise monetize its use without any compensation to you.

That being read - They have an icon on some of their photos (not all) that you can click on and it gives you the embed code.  You copy the embed code. Then you go to your blog post and where you have a button that says HTML,  that's where you will paste your embed code.  

Don't freak out.

When I first clicked on the HTML button, a box full of code came up. I quickly closed the box thinking I was about to erase my entire blog or something.  Then I reread the instructions for how to embed, took a deep break, clicked on the HTML button, and took another look at the box.  I realized that at the bottom of all the scary code, I could hit return and have a free line to paste my code.  I did this.

Then I went to the preview page of my blog post and - ta da - my photo was there.  

I hope you give this a try in your next blog post.

So before you read this post, did you know about embedding an image vs. uploading an image?

 

11 more Christmas Gift Ideas for Writers

Christmas Gift Ideas for Writers

#12 -23

See #1-11 at http://carabristol.com/ 

12.  Craft book. Writers love to have books at hand that give them ideas for different ways to show instead of tell.  

I have the Nook version but would love the print version for ease of flipping through.

13.  Cozy socks

Writers who feel cozy are inspired to write - or sleep - but hopefully write.

14.  Noise cancelling headphones

There are times when writers need to completely tune their families out. Their options, nag the family to not talk, go get a hotel room, or put on some earphones that shut out the rest of the world.

15.  Very seldom does a writer finish that fresh cup of coffee before it grows cold.  Our muse takes us away from the warm brew for hours at a time.  The fix - a mug warmer. 

16.  A splurge gift - A month of meals. Give the writer in your life a month of prepared meals.  You can prepare them, freeze them and bring them to her/him, or you can buy a membership to a meal program like social suppers. https://www.socialsuppers.com/

17. Another splurge gift - A fancy smancy coffee brewer that makes one cup at a time. Babies have blankies and binkies that soothe them, writers have a warm mug of jave or cocoa or tea that soothe them. Give them the ability to whip up their soother with ease. 

  

18.  Writer's software.

Scrivner is a writer's tool that organizes the writing process and inspires creative play in a story line. 

19.  An on-line class.

Give the writer in your life a gift card and a note that says sign up for that writer's craft class you've been dying to take. 

20.  A book on tape.  

As Cara mentions on her blog, writer's need to get up and move around. Give them a book on tape, and they can listen to the book while they take a walk.  

21.  A wrist saver.  

  Typing is hard on the wrist of writers - help them maintain healthy wrists with a wrist saver.

22.  Wall art.

Glance through the walls on a writer's Pinterest page. They will have a page on writing.  Choose something from their writer's page and have it turned into a framed picture for their office. They'll love the thought you put into the gift.

If you enjoyed these ideas, please remember to visit Cara Bristol's page for gift ideas number 1-11. BUT first, if you're a writer, what is the best writer-related gift you ever received? If you're not a writer, did you see an idea here you're thinking about buying for a writer friend? 

PitchWars 2013 - Mentee Bio

Mentee Bio for PitchWars 2013

Lisa Wells

I like to think I'm the mentee who caught the snowball in her glove.
Probably...I'm the one with the snowball in the face.

It’s PITCH WARS 2013, and I am sending around a query and five sample pages to four would-be mentors in hope of enticing one of them to choose me as their creative-writing sculpting project.                                    Sculpt-me baby.

Here are 3 outrageously great reasons why you should choose me.

1.  I spend my days working with middle school students. I can handle anything you  throw my way and still jump with joy at the end of the day.

2.  My knowledge of the writing craft is planted in fertile ground and ready to bloom under your administrations. Maybe not straight up, but bloom it will. 

 3.  I have the best collection of crazy sunglasses, and I'm willing to share them with my mentor.

If you like my pitch - I'd love to hear from you. Imagine the geeky kid in the back of the classroom with their hand in the air, waving it frantically, on the verge of falling out of their chair...that's me. 

Carly Phillips Chose Me

Official Blog Stop. Official Blog Stop.  

About a month ago, I filled out a questionnaire enticing Carly Phillips to choose my blog as one of her official tour stops for her new Dare Family Series. I often do impromptu things such as this - all the while thinking there's no way I will get chosen. The last time I did one of these, you'll-never-get-chosen-deeds, was when I sent Brad Pitt's brother an email with a business proposition that included him asking Angelina Jolie to review my book. He did reply to my business proposition with a polite no.

So imagine my thrill, when I filled out the questionnaire for the honor of hosting a blog stop for CARLY PHILLIPS, and she said YES. Virtual cartwheels were done.

Dare to Love - Blurb

In her newest sexy and emotional contemporary romance series, New York Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips introduces you to the Dare family…siblings shaped by a father’s secrets and betrayal.

Since finding out his father had another family on the side, Ian Dare swore to be the upstanding, responsible man his cheating parent had never been. But after one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor, with her feminine curves and beguiling eyes and Ian is entranced. He will do anything to possess her ... but does that include extending an olive branch to the half-brother who is a constant reminder of pain he’d rather forget?

Independent and always in control, Riley Taylor makes no apologies for choosing men carefully. Relationships have never been a priority, and she believes herself hardened to domineering men - until she meets charismatic Ian Dare. He manages to turn a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses. Their affair heats up and they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither ever imagined. But Riley’s family includes a man Ian would rather live without ...

As part of being on the blog tour, I received an arc of Dare to Love so I could read it ahead of time. Let's just say Phillips knows how to write steamy love scenes. We're talking shed-ten-pounds-in-a-sauna steamy. Steam aside, the characters are entertaining, and the story line kept me guessing as to how she was going to manage a happy ever after for them.  

I give Dare to Love 5 stars, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. 

I was able to ask Carly any question I wanted. The question I chose was a no brainer. I teach a series writing class, and so I'm always asking successful authors how they keep track of their series information. Here is her response:

I have the worst memory (Even eye color is hard for me to remember), so with the Serendipity series, I hired someone to help me keep track. I call it a series “Bible”.  It’s in word format.  For this new series, I had someone new do the work and it’s in Excel.  But I have also taken the information they’ve given me and made a whole series bible in Scrivener – complete with character photos (actors/actresses who look like my characters_. I love using it.  I haven’t put that together yet for Dare to Love but I plan to!

When I teach the series class, Scrivener is always a popular choice for the student's to use for their series bibles. 

Now to the huge give away that is held during the blog tour. 

Please leave a comment below on my blog letting Carly know you were here and then enter the contest here. 

First Place:

iPad Mini 16g - $299
Customized CP iPad Mini Case

Signed copies of:
Dare to Love
Serendipity
Destiny
Karma
Perfect Fit
Perfect Fling
Perfect Together - no I don't have it yet
Cross My Heart
Sealed with a Kiss
Seduce Me

Carly Phillips Canvas Tote Bag
Dare to Love Mug
Carly Phillips T-shirt


2nd place:
Carly Phillips Canvas Tote Bag
Dare to Love Mug

Signed Copies:
Dare to Love
Perfect Partners
Solitary Man
The Right Choice
Midnight Angel


3rd place:
Carly Phillips Canvas Tote Bag

Signed copies:
Dare to Love
Lucky Charm
Lucky Streak
Lucky Break
Brazen

4th place:

Signed copies:
Dare to Love
The  Bachelor
The Playboy
The Heartbreaker


5th place:

Signed copies:
Dare to Love
Kiss Me If You Can
Love Me If You Dare

Top 20 Inspirational Quotes from Best Selling Authors

I am in the midst of participating in Savvy Authors Entangled Smack-down. The challenge - write 50,000 words in the month of November.  Each day, we're to share motivational quotes with our fellow participants. 

Through my research for quotes, I stumbled across this Writer's Digest blog published on November 29, 2011, titled: The 90 Top Secrets of Best Selling Authors.  

As I read the quotes, I realized I was reading the short ones and skimming the long ones. Thus, if I'm ever asked to give a quote about writing, I'll keep my quote short so others will read what I have to say.
 Here are my top 20 taken from Writer's Digest's Top 90. 

INSPIRATION & IDEAS

• “Every idea is my last. I feel sure of it. So, I try to do the best with each as it comes and that’s where my responsibility ends. But I just don’t wait for ideas. I look for them. Constantly. And if I don’t use the ideas that I find, they’re going to quit showing up.”

—Peg Bracken

• “My advice is not to wait to be struck by an idea. If you’re a writer, you sit down and damn well decide to have an idea. That’s the way to get an idea.”

—Andy Rooney

• “As writers we live life twice, like a cow that eats its food once and then regurgitates it to chew and digest it again. We have a second chance at biting into our experience and examining it. … This is our life and it’s not going to last forever. There isn’t time to talk about someday writing that short story or poem or novel. Slow down now, touch what is around you, and out of care and compassion for each moment and detail, put pen to paper and begin to write.”

—Natalie Goldberg

GETTING STARTED

• “Two questions form the foundation of all novels: ‘What if?’ and ‘What next?’ (A third question, ‘What now?’, is one the author asks himself every 10 minutes or so; but it’s more a cry than a question.) Every novel begins with the speculative question, What if ‘X’ happened? That’s how you start.”

—Tom Clancy

• “An outline is crucial. It saves so much time. When you write suspense, you have to know where you’re going because you have to drop little hints along the way. With the outline, I always know where the story is going. So before I ever write, I prepare an outline of 40 or 50 pages.”

—John Grisham

• “Don’t quit. It’s very easy to quit during the first 10 years. Nobody cares whether you write or not, and it’s very hard to write when nobody cares one way or the other. You can’t get fired if you don’t write, and most of the time you don’t get rewarded if you do. But don’t quit.”

—Andre Dubus

STYLE & CRAFT

• “What a writer has to do is write what hasn’t been written before or beat dead men at what they have done.”

—Ernest Hemingway

• “You should really stay true to your own style. When I first started writing, everybody said to me, ‘Your style just isn’t right because you don’t use the really flowery language that romances have.’ My romances—compared to what’s out there—are very strange, very odd, very different. And I think that’s one of the reasons they’re selling.”

—Jude Deveraux

PURPOSE

• “You need that pride in yourself, as well as a sense, when you are sitting on Page 297 of a book, that the book is going to be read, that somebody is going to care. You can’t ever be sure about that, but you need the sense that it’s important, that it’s not typing; it’s writing.”

—Roger Kahn

• “I’ve always had complete confidence in myself. When I was nothing, I had complete confidence. There were 10 guys in my writing class at Williams College who could write better than I. They didn’t have what I have, which is guts. I was dedicated to writing, and nothing could stop me.”

—John Toland

CHARACTERS

• “A genuine creation should have character as well as be one; should have central heating, so to say, as well as exterior lighting.”

—James Hilton

• “When you are dealing with the blackest side of the human soul, you have to have someone who has performed heroically to balance that out. You have to have a hero.”

—Ann Rule

PLOT & STRUCTURE

• “There is no finer form of fiction than the mystery. It has structure, a story line and a sense of place and pace. It is the one genre where the reader and the writer are pitted against each other. Readers don’t want to guess the ending, but they don’t want to be so baffled that it annoys them. … The research you do is crucial. In mystery fiction, you have to tell the truth. You can’t fool the reader and expect to get away with it.”

—Sue Grafton

• “I make a very tight outline of everything I write before I write it. … By writing an outline you really are writing in a way, because you’re creating the structure of what you’re going to do. Once I really know what I’m going to write, I don’t find the actual writing takes all that long.”

—Tom Wolfe

• “Transitions are critically important. I want the reader to turn the page without thinking she’s turning the page. It must flow seamlessly.”

—Janet Evanovich

RITUALS & METHODS

• “Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.”

—Larry L. King

• “I’ll tell you a thing that will shock you. It will certainly shock the readers of Writer’s Digest. What I often do nowadays when I have to, say, describe a room, is to take a page of a dictionary, any page at all, and see if with the words suggested by that one page in the dictionary I can build up a room, build up a scene. … I even did it in a novel I wrote called MF. There’s a description of a hotel vestibule whose properties are derived from Page 167 in R.J. Wilkinson’s Malay-English Dictionary. Nobody has noticed. … As most things in life are arbitrary anyway, you’re not doing anything naughty, you’re really normally doing what nature does, you’re just making an entity out of the elements. I do recommend it to young writers.”

—Anthony Burgess

REVISION & EDITING

• “I’m a tremendous rewriter; I never think anything is good enough. I’m always rephrasing jokes, changing lines, and then I hate everything. The Girl Most Likely To was rewritten seven times, and the first time I saw it I literally went out and threw up! How’s that for liking yourself?”

—Joan Rivers

PUBLISHING

• “I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.” 

—Harper Lee

• “The most important thing is you can’t write what you wouldn’t read for pleasure. It’s a mistake to analyze the market thinking you can write whatever is hot. You can’t say you’re going to write romance when you don’t even like it. You need to write what you would read if you expect anybody else to read it.
• And you have to be driven. You have to have the three D’s: drive, discipline and desire. If you’re missing any one of those three, you can have all the talent in the world, but it’s going to be really hard to get anything done.”

—Nora Roberts

• “If you can teach people something, you’ve won half the battle. They want to keep on reading.”

—Dick Francis

READERS

• “The critics can make fun of Barbara Cartland. I was quite amused by the critic who once called me ‘an animated meringue.’ But they can’t get away from the fact that I know what women want—and that’s to be flung across a man’s saddle, or into the long grass by a loving husband.”

—Barbara Cartland

• “You better make them care about what you think. It had better be quirky or perverse or thoughtful enough so that you hit some chord in them. Otherwise it doesn’t work. I mean we’ve all read pieces where we thought, ‘Oh, who gives a damn.’ ”

—Nora Ephron

TELL ME YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE.  OR - GIVE ME AN ORIGINAL QUOTE  TO SHARE.

If you'd like to read the original post: WD 90 Top Secrets of Best Selling Authors