How to Maximize the Power of Cause and Effect in Your Stories

Ever had days when life feels like a broken-down Rube Goldberg machine? Cobbled together from bits of cast-off junk, limping along, and missing the connections that bring a satisfying result? If you have, you share something with the bulk of humanity. Most of us feel that way at some point.

A person’s life consists of an enormous jumbled mass of cause and effect events, on a scale so huge that connections are rarely obvious or traceable. By contrast, a character’s story is a relevant subset of such events in which the causal relationships are evident. Sometimes overt, and sometimes subtle, but always present if you want to create a story that resonates with readers.

What’s It All About?

At heart, we all seek for meaning, striving to make sense of the events in our lives. Readers gravitate toward stories that fulfill that need.

So, if your story comes across more like a malfunctioning Goldberg machine than a well-oiled mechanism with all parts in order, read on to find out how the power of cause and effect can help.

Building Your Skill Set

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” The same can be said for writers. Making cause and effect a vital part of your writer’s skill set will go a long way toward ensuring every scene has impact, contributing to the outcome of the story overall.

In fiction, the causes often stem from the background of the characters, while the effects are found in the plot developments that arise from those background causes. As a writer, you should be aware of these relationships in your story as a whole, in the continuity of your scenes, and in the line by line actions.

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Stories are built on cause and effect. Causes often stem from characters’ backgrounds. Their effects are the plot developments that result.

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Think in Terms of Stimulus and Response

In his book Scene and Structure, Jack M. Bickham writes, “Stimulus and response are cause and effect made more specific and immediate.” He gives these guidelines for using this technique to improve clarity and credibility in your writing:

• Stimulus must be external. That is, action or dialogue, something that could be witnessed if the transaction were on a stage.
• Response must also be external in the same way.
• For every stimulus, you must show a response.
• For every desired response, you must provide a stimulus.
• Response usually must follow stimulus at once.
• When response to stimulus is not logical on the surface, you must ordinarily explain it.

If you neglect following through with these guidelines, two bad things stand to happen. Your reader will be confused, and a confused reader is a frustrated reader with little motivation for sticking with your story. And you lose credibility. A reader who can’t believe in your story will stop reading.

4 Ways to Mess It Up

Bickham goes on to discuss common ways writers mess up the stimulus-response transaction:

1. Stimulus without response

You can show a stimulus and then show no external response (or perhaps one that doesn’t fit or make sense).

Here’s an example. Let’s say your character, Mike, opens the courthouse door for Jennifer. With Mike’s action of holding the door, you’ve set up a stimulus. The reader will expect a response from Jennifer. She may thank him, tell him to drop dead, or simply pass through, but if you don’t close the stimulus-response cycle, it will niggle at the reader on some level, weakening your story.

Granted, this is a simplistic example, but I hope it carried the point. Details are included in a story on a need-to-know basis. If it’s important to call attention to Mike holding the door for Jennifer, it’s equally important to include her response.

You might think the reader would assume an action on Jennifer’s part, but Bickham states that a high percentage of readers do not connect those dots. Be on the safe side and close the loop. Remember, we’re speaking of things that happen largely on a subconscious level. The reader won’t know what’s bugging them, only that something is.

2. Response without stimulus

You can show a character response when no credible stimulus for it has been shown.

As writers, we know and see a lot more than the reader, and sometimes we forget to clue the reader in. I once read a story from a beginning writer that described a spectator at a baseball game leaping up and running from the stands. That was the response, but there was no stimulus shown.

When I asked about it, the writer explained the man had stepped in an anthill. The problem? The reader has to know about the anthill in order to make sense of the response. It seems obvious, but this type of mistake is fairly common.

3. Too much time between stimulus and response

You can put so much story time between stimulus and response that the logical relationship between the two events is no longer evident.

Stimulus: When Sarah stepped onto the trail, a large black snake slithered across her boot.

Response: Three hours later, she screamed.

If your scene doesn’t follow a well-timed chain of cause and effect, it creates a gap for readers to get lost in.

4. Response, then stimulus?

You can get it backward.

Example: Scott jumped after a clap of thunder shook the ground.

Better: A clap of thunder shook the ground, making Scott jump.

Getting It Right

Don’t despair! Bickham showed us how writers often fall short in this area, but he also gives guidelines for finding and fixing problems in the flow of your cause and effect.

Every stimulus needs a response

Make sure every stimulus you set up gets a response; that every cause you put into play spawns a corresponding effect. And put it in the right order. If you have to explain why something just happened, you’re telling the story backwards.

Read over what you’ve written. Do the results of each scene set the stage for the next? Examine your work on a line by line level. Have you closed the loop on every stimulus-response cycle? Do the actions affect what comes next?

Remember Chekhov’s gun—if in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following act, it should be fired.

Every response needs a stimulus

Make sure every response is preceded by an appropriate stimulus; that every effect has a precipitating cause.

Readers demand more in return for the time and effort they put into a story than convenient conclusions of the Scooby Doo variety. You owe your readers properly set up payoffs, and this requires threading the cause into your story in a believable way, before you bring about the effect. Get this right, and your readers will sail through your story with great satisfaction.

What’s in It for You?

It may seem like a lot of effort, but like anything else, it gets easier with practice. Bickham provided a superb reason for honing this skill: “Once you get good at this as a writer, you can make almost anything happen in your story; all you have to do is figure out what is to cause it.”

Beyond that, you make your reader happy, and a happy reader will look for more of your work.

Have you ever read a story that confused you or didn’t pay off in a satisfying way? Have you struggled with getting the cause and effect story elements right in your own stories? Tell us about it in the comments section.

PRACTICE

Identify the cause and effect relationships in a piece of writing you’re working on. Take fifteen minutes to review and make sure you’ve closed the loops, providing a stimulus for every response, and following up every cause with its payoff effect.

If you don’t have a current piece going, create a character and think of some cause and effect relationships that could drive their story. Write them down.

When you’re finished, post your practice in the comments section. And if you post, please leave feedback for your fellow writers!

The post How to Maximize the Power of Cause and Effect in Your Stories appeared first on The Write Practice.

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2018 MOST WANTED MALLET PUTTER

An unforgettable day out in Roi Et, a colourful city in north east Thailand

‘Stand still and this policeman will arrange the sash.’ Possibly one of strangest instructions I have ever been given, but somehow in keeping with the surreal experience of taking part in Bun Pha Wet Fair. It’s one of Thailand’s lesser-known and very colourful festivals and happens every year in Roi Et in the north east of Thailand. I was dressed in beautiful green Thai skirt and had been given a colourful swatch of material, which I was having difficulty draping in the appropriate style. A helpful policeman carefully arranged it over one shoulder, tweaked it slightly and gave me the thumbs up. This area is renowned for its textiles and our outfits were made with traditional NE Thailand design. The woman who was organising our outfits nodded approvingly and moved on the next hapless foreigner. 12 of us from all over Europe had been invited to join in the ‘Parade of Upakhut’; a novel experience for us all.

Bun Pha Wet Fair celebrates the fourth reincarnation of the Lord Buddha before he was born as Prince Siddhartha. People from all over Roi Et Province and beyond, come together for this festival, usually held in the fourth lunar month. It’s a sort of Asian cross between Mardi Gras and an English carnival. Dancers parade along the street, bands play music, floats illustrate the story of Buddha and the Festival Queen waves graciously to the cheering crowds.

Very few foreigners were in the audience and we were certainly the only one in the procession. It felt quite surreal to be dressed up Thai’style and be a part of something so local. Everyone was incredibly friends, smiling and wanting to have their photos taken with us, whilst we were taking photos of them.

After about an hour we were ready to set off. We’d been put near the front of the parade, behind a group of delightful Thai dancers, all dressed in pink and purple, who had taught us the rudiments of Thai dancing. Ladies ‘of a certain age’, they were both gracious and giggly, clearly proud to be taking part in such an important event. They gracefully twirled their arms and fingers in the most beautiful manner, whilst we awkwardly tried to copy them, failing hilariously, much to the crowd’s delight.

As we entered Bueng Palarnchai Lake Park an announcement was made, welcoming to group of European visitors to their festival. A big cheer went up, cameras clicked and everyone waved to us. I waved back somewhat self-consciously, feeling quite overwhelmed by the welcome and enjoying every minute. When the procession had finished we spent some time looking at the floats, chatting to our guides and taking more photos. The lovely dancers posed for a photo and gave a group namaste, hands pressed together in elegant farewell.

Lunch was at a seafood restaurant. On the way in we passed vats of fish, prawns and crabs swimming vainly around waiting to be hooked out for our delectation. Families, couples and groups of friends sat in indivdual open-air ‘pavilions’ eating platters of freshly-cooked food. We were seated at a long trestle table in the VIP Lounge (ie indoors with air-con) and served a splendid banquet of local dishes, spicy, flavourful, presented with insouciant efficiency.

As well as the more familiar Pad Thai noodles and hot n sour Tom Yung Goong soup, we had bowls of seafood including squid and mussels, freshly-caught prawns and whole fish dressed with chillis, lemon grass, spring onions and coriander. Vegetables in light-as-air batter were paired with sweet chilli sauce. Thai food is my absolute favourite cuisine in the world and this trip was a culinary treat every single meal.

We stayed at The Rice Hotel in Roi Et, a mid-range, comfortable hotel, similar to Premier Travel Inns in the UK. This region is only just opening up to international tourism and currently there is not so much choice, but that is sure to change as more people discover its attractions. It’s one of the biggest rice-growing areas of Thailand; the previous day we had visited Mekin Organic Farm, where we had a go at planting rice. It’s back-breaking work. That evening we were picked up by brightly-decorated ‘Sky Labs’ (like a big tuk-tuk) and whisked off for a night-time tour of the city.

First stop was Wat Burapapiram, home to the TALLEST STANDING Buddha in Thailand. and one of the tallest statues in the world. From top to toe it’s 59m 20cm and including the base is 67m 85cm high. One of the head monks gave us a blessing and posed for photos. There’s a little cave nearby with a reclining Buddha and some rather strange figures dotted around amongst the trees, representing scenes from the life of Buddha.

From here we whizzed round town, lights a-glitter and crowded with people come in from the surrounding area to enjoy the festival. I caught a glimpse of a young elephant being led past the market. Our guide told us there aren’t many elephants in this part of Thailand and it’s illegal to bring them in to the towns. Its owner was probably doing it to make some money from photos, though how such a large beast could avoid being seen by the police is a mystery.

We stopped off in a side street near the river to admire some street art. As in many places around the world, Thailand now recognises the value of quality street art and permits certain areas to be used for display. From here it was a short tootle back to Bueng Palarnchai Lake Park to rejoin the Bun Pha Wet Fair. There was a Light and Sound performance of the reincarnation of Buddha, hosted by a couple of local celebrities, reminiscent of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts. We watched dancers in gorgeous traditional costumes acting out the story, accompanied by Thai music and a solemn voice-over. A little difficult to follow but very lovely to look at.

Our day ended with another enormous Thai banquet at the appropriately named Enjoy Restaurant. We were asked what was the special about the day. Larissa, the youngest member of our group, summed it up, “Taking part in the procession was amazing and we were made so welcome by everyone.”

The friendliness, generosity of spirit and warm smiles from all the people we met, combined with some unusual sights and great food are what makes north east Thailand a very special place to visit.

Watch Video: Bun Pha Wet Fair at Roi Et

I visited north east Thailand courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Many thanks to our hosts and guides for their courtesy, patience and extensive knowledge of this lesser-known area. All views and photos are my own.

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The Secret Cartel Behind Every Great Writer

Have you ever felt that if you’re going to make it as a writer, it’s all up to you? That it’s all on your shoulders to prove yourself and your talent?

Perhaps you believe you have to hide yourself in some attic in Paris and write until you come out with a masterpiece, a book so good you can get discovered by some New York publisher who will make all your writing and publishing dreams come true?

Or maybe you believe that you will have to do all the work of publishing, all the printing, promotion, and marketing, all on your own.

Almost every writer I talk to, especially struggling writers, tells me, yes, they do feel like they’re in it all alone. And this one belief is limiting the careers of so many writers (perhaps yours).

My Secret

This is my story, too.

I used to believe that to be successful I had to live in some shack in Mexico and just write. When I thought of the stereotypical writer, I pictured a silent, brooding genius who keeps to him or herself. A recluse who rarely ventures into the outside world except to “research” the lives of the subjects of his stories, an entire profession of Emily Dickinsons, pale and contemplative.

But the truth is that when I finally “made it,” when I finally became a full-time writer, got my first book published, and had 80,000 people read my writing in a single year, it didn’t look like that at all.

In fact, I could never have done it on my own.

I have never written about this, but for a long time, I was a struggling writer with a bad blog only five people were reading. Fortunately for me, one of those people (besides my mom) was another writer, an author of two books.

I had started our as a reader of his blog first. After a few years of emailing, we became friends. He eventually mentored me. Later he hired me for my first full time writing job and helped me find a writing coach, a former classmate who turned out to be a NY Times bestselling writer. He also introduced me to another writer he was mentoring, who edited my first book. That writer eventually became a Wall Street Journal Bestselling author.

The truth is, that if I hadn’t met him, if I hadn’t asked for his help, I wouldn’t be writing to you right now.

There were many times that I wanted to quit as I built a career as a writer, as I did all of those dirty jobs, as I practiced the craft, and as I was generous but felt like no one was paying attention.

But I didn’t quit. I believed in myself. And more importantly, I had other people who believed in me. My mom. My writing mentors. Eventually my readers.

And what I learned through that process wasn’t how to be a genius author, it was that no one can do this on their own. Everyone needs a team, everyone needs what I call a “cartel.”

What Is a Story Cartel?

A cartel sounds like a sinister thing, but the term just means this: an agreement amongst competitors.

You see, you and I could look at each other like competitors. We’re both competing for the same, limited attention spans. We are both trying to get readers interested in our writing, trying to build a platform, and trying to sell our books.

We could look at the writing business like a zero sum game. If you win, that means I lose. If I win, that means you lose. I want to win, of course, so it’s in my best interest to make sure you lose.

Writers act like this all the time, competing with each other for attention, resources, and praise. And honestly it’s one of the biggest reason writers fail, because the truth is that’s not a very good way to build a career as a writer.

A much better way is instead of acting like competitors, we could choose to act like allies. By helping each other, you and I can multiply our efforts. I give you access to my audience, you give me access to yours, and all of a sudden we’ve doubled our efforts.

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Writing isn’t a zero-sum game. Multiply your audience by helping other writers.

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This Is How Almost Every Great Writer Built His or Her Writing Career

As I’ve learned from the great writers of history, I’ve found that all of them had cartels.

From Ernest Hemingway to Virginia Woolf, J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Shelley, nearly every famous writer had a group of writers who supported them and helped them build their career.

Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at one writer whose Cartel changed everything for him, Ernest Hemingway.

The Secret Behind Ernest Hemingway’s Success

Ernest Hemingway was far from a self-made man.

Early in his career as a reporter, Hemingway made friends with a novelist named Sherwood Anderson. Anderson took an interest in Hemingway, eventually helping him get his first novel published. It was Anderson who convinced Hemingway to visit Paris and participate in the artists’ enclave popularized by the film Midnight in Paris.

In Paris, Hemingway met F. Scott Fitzgerald, who had just published The Great Gatsby. Hemingway had been writing short stories, but after reading The Great Gatsby, he realized that his next work had to be a novel.

Hemingway was also befriended by well-known writers in Paris, including James Joyce, Ezra Pound, and Gertrude Stein, writers who, as he said, “could help a young writer up the rungs of a career.” It was Gertrude Stein who first named their Cartel of expatriate artists “The Lost Generation,” a term Hemingway made popular in The Sun Also Rises, his first novel and the work that would make him internationally famous.

Great Artists Have Cartels

We think of great writers as silent, brooding geniuses, but the truth is they all had relationships like Hemingway had with F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein. These relationships inspired them and helped them get their first works published. Far from the exception, Hemingway’s story is the rule. Great artists are made by Cartels.

The good news is that today, building a Cartel is easier than it ever has been.

You just need to know how.

Get Over Yourself

As I’ve studied the lives of great writers, I’ve noticed a surprising pattern. They don’t act like great writers.

• Great writers don’t act superior.
• Great writers may be shy, but they aren’t aloof.
• Great writers help other writers.
• Great writers ask for help when they need it.

However, I see so many new writers doing all of these. They criticize other writers. They don’t read books by their peers. They may not ask for help, but they certainly don’t offer it either. In other words, they act like narcissistic brats, and it’s ruining their writing careers.

Hemingway did the opposite. In his memoir, A Moveable Feast, about living as a young writer in Paris, he talks about how he actively sought out the advice of other writers he knew. He read all their books. He offered to edit and compile Gertrude Stein’s novel and basically single-handedly got it published (it would become The Making of Americans). He was generous, not selfish. He was vulnerable, not stuck up.

Isn’t it time you started helping your fellow writers? Isn’t it time you asked for their help in return? That’s what it takes to start a Cartel.

It’s Your Choice

Seeking out your Cartel isn’t safe.

It’s much safer to write on your blog that no one reads. It’s much easier to send your writing out to literary agents and publishers, and then criticize them when they reject you.

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It’s less scary to write in isolation, because what if they read your work and realize you’re not a great writer after all?

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Creating a Cartel is dangerous, vulnerable work. It’s also the fastest way to succeed as a writer. If you want to accomplish your writing dreams, maybe it’s time to stop playing it safe.

Are You Ready to Find Your Cartel?

We have a new program at The Write Practice. It’s called the Story Cartel Course. It’s actually the first time we’ve launched it in a few years, and it’s being completely reworked.

The course is about the timeless way to thrive as author. This is about getting back to the foundation of what publishing, what the writing process is all about.

In the eight-week course, you’ll learn the proven process to connect with readers and influencers and live out your calling as a writer.

If you’re ready to find your Cartel, this is the best way to get started. You can learn more about the Story Cartel Course here.

How about you? Have you found your Cartel? Let us know in the comments.

PRACTICE

Finding your Cartel starts through sharing your writing and giving feedback to other writers. Do you have a blog post, short story, or article you’d like to get feedback on? Share the link to your post or a (short!) section of your short story or novel in the comments section (750 words or less, please).

Then, read the work of the other writers who shared and give your feedback. Try to mention two things you liked and one thing you didn’t like about their piece.

Afterward, smile. You’re one step closer to finding your Cartel.

The post The Secret Cartel Behind Every Great Writer appeared first on The Write Practice.

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(4) Testers Wanted: Ben Hogan Equalizer Wedges

The Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company is most definitely making the most of the first four months of 2018. So far this year we've seen Hogan sign two PGA Tour players to endorsement contracts, launch two new sets of irons and a new line of wedges.

It sure looks as though the company's next shot has been as pure as a wedge shot struck by the Hawk himself.

And speaking of wedges...

TESTERS WANTED:

It was just over a month ago that Hogan announced the new Equalizer wedges. Forged from 1025 carbon steel, the Equalizers feature enhanced V-Sole technology for better turf interaction, a progressively center of mass as the lofts get higher for optimal launch, and aggressive face milling for controllable spin.

The Equalizers have created quite a buzz on social media and in the MyGolfSpy Community Forum since their release. Do they deserve all that buzz? And are they worthy successors to Hogan's original Equalizers? We want you to help us find out.

We're looking for four avid golfers from to test, review, and keep a 3-wedge set of the new Hogan Equalizers.

HOW TO APPLY:

As you know, MyGolfSpy takes its product testing very seriously. All of our reader reviews are published in our Community Forum (click here to check them out). We expect a lot from our reviewers – writing a thorough, detailed and honest review is a full two-month commitment, requiring extensive range and on-course work as well as participation in the Forum itself to answer questions and discuss product performance with other golfers.

That means to be a potential reviewer you must be a registered member of the MyGolfSpy Community Forum, where you’ll find thousands of like-minded golfers from all over the world anxious to talk about golf equipment.

Win a custom all-black version of the 2018 Most Wanted Blade Putter.

EVNRoll ER3

Enter MyGolfSpy’s Giveaway!

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To apply to test, review and keep a 3-wedge set of Hogan Equalizer wedges, here's what you have to do:

- First, if you haven't already, please sign up for the MyGolfSpy Community Forum (click here to register).

- Second, apply ONLY in the Official Hogan Equalizer Wedge Review Application thread in the MyGolfSpy Community Forum (click here).

We'll be announcing the testers in the MyGolfSpy Community Forum next, so make sure to check back to see if you've been chosen. Good luck!

This review opportunity is open to avid golfers in both the US and Canada.

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Cobra Releases F8 Volition America Drivers in Support of Folds of Honor Foundation

Cobra has introduced KING F8 and F8+ Volition America drivers. These special edition versions of Cobra’s latest model are available in two patriotic-themed colorways; Blue Camo and Desert Sand.

As you’d expect, the new versions come complete with every bit of Cobra driver technology, including F8’s signature CNC milled face, 360 Aero Technology, MyFly8, and Cobra Connect technology. For more details on that stuff, check out our original F8 story.

The new colorways are the result of an ongoing partnership between COBRA PUMA Golf and Volition America, and a portion of the proceeds go to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Volition America is an organization built on a crusade to promote love of country, inspire people’s decisions and celebrate the power of choice. The Volition Golf Collection supports the Folds of Honor Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members.

While I’m a big fan of the Blue Camo, ironically enough, my good friend Jeff who’s getting ready to retire from the Navy will likely find the Desert Sand Edition more suitable to his bland palate. The dude is passionate about khaki. Can we get some special edition pants for Jeff, perhaps something with some color? I digress…

The Cobra F8 Volition America drivers come stock with upgraded Fujikura ATMOS Tour Spec shafts (ATMOS Blue in the F8, Black in the F8+). The shafts feature custom graphics Fujikura created to help support Folds of Honor, and I’ve been assured that the shafts are 100% real deal ATMOS TS.

Retail price for the Cobra F8 and 8+ Volition America Drivers is $499. Both models will be available online and at retail beginning April 27, 2018.

For more information, visit CobraGolf.com.

To see more photos, visit the F8 Volition America Gratuitous Photo Thread in the MyGolfSpy Forum.

Win a custom all-black version of the 2018 Most Wanted Blade Putter.

EVNRoll ER3

Enter MyGolfSpy’s Giveaway!

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Contest – Win a Custom Evnroll ER3 Tour Putter

To celebrate finishing on top of the 2018 MyGolfSpy Most Wanted Blade test, Evnroll is giving away an all-black ER3 WingBlade Tour.  And by all black, we mean black head, black shaft, black grip and a black head cover. Like we said, all black, and very sexy.

About the ER3

The ER3 gets its DNA from last year’s Most Wanted winner the ER2.  By pushing the heel-toe weight farther out and back, the ER3 is a more stable version of the ER2.

The lucky winner will get the Tour treatment, which includes a personal call with Guerin Rife to get the winner’s detailed specs so the ER3 WingBlade Tour can be dialed-in to perfection.

How To Enter

To enter, visit Evnroll.com and then use the comment section below to let us know which Evnroll model is your favorite.

If you haven't done so already, you must also subscribe to the MyGolfSpy Newsletter.

One lucky winner will be selected and notified after May 11th, 2018.

This contest is open to MyGolfSpy readers worldwide, but as always, void where prohibited.

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How to Win the Readers’ Choice Award (5 Strategic Things One Winner Did)

This guest post is by Kimberly Dawn Rempel. Kimberly helps authors expand their reach and attract and impact more people with their powerful messages. For insights and direction on how to market your writing, join her Facebook group, Marketing-Savvy Authorpreneurs, or grab her free resource, 14 Ways to Leverage Your Book for More Sales NOW. Kimberly won the Readers’ Choice Award in our Spring Writing Contest. Congratulations, Kimberly!

“I published a book, didn’t tell a soul about it, and it became a best seller!!”

Said no writer ever.

But we wish it were true, don’t we?

We want to hole up and write epic tales and thought-provoking prose, not hock books door to door and shout from the rooftops about how awesome we are. Can’t we just write? Well … write, but also be discovered and then catapulted to great heights by someone else.

We’d like readers to find us that way, please. We don’t want to navigate those scary waters of how to market a book.

How I Used to Market My Writing (Or Not)

Ten years ago, an author friend of mine had published her first novel and was so proud of it. She seemed to be able to weave it into every conversation she had — with family, friends, even the Walmart cashier she didn’t know from Adam. She would talk excitedly about it, and people would buy her books. It was incredible to watch.

Meanwhile, I had published a book at the same time. I was also proud of it, but incredibly uncomfortable talking about it. So, unless someone asked, I didn’t mention my book. And I certainly didn’t offer it for sale. It felt too pushy.

So I literally put it in a box in my closet and secretly wondered why my friends didn’t love me enough to ask about and buy my new book. (Pro tip: That’s not how to market a book.)

My friend, on the other hand, instinctively knew that to sell books one has to (are you ready for this?) … sell books. And she’s been steadily making people very happy with her stories ever since.

Fast forward a decade and I’ve learned a lot. Now, as a published nonfiction writer for over twelve years, an editor, and an online marketer, I’ve learned some stuff that has helped me and others sell books.

This understanding of how to market a book even helped me win the Readers’ Choice Award in the Spring Writing Contest for my story The Maze!

5 Winning Strategies for How to Market Your Writing

Here’s the thing: I may be an experienced writer, but I’m a new fiction writer. My story that won the Reader’s Choice Award was only my second-ever short fiction story. But it didn’t win just because it was a good story. There were lots of good stories, any of which could have won.

I also didn’t win by accident.

Winning the Readers’ Choice Award isn’t about writing something epic and then hoping to be discovered.

There were five strategic things I did to improve my chances, and I want to give you a backstage pass to them.

You might wonder why I wouldn’t just keep the secret to myself. I’ll tell you. It’s because I’m passionate about helping authors with marketing online. It’s what I do!

My hope is that these tips will do much more than help you win the award for yourself — these tips will help expand your reach online, help you impact readers with your writing, and boost your bottom line, too.

Here are the five things I did — and that you can do — to improve the chance of winning:

1. Write Something Excellent

Job number one in this or any writing endeavor is writing a top notch story. If your story isn’t a serious contender for the win, park on this step until it is. Otherwise your story isn’t ready for the steps that follow.

The first time I entered the contest, I thought my story was mediocre but had potential. Not bad for a newbie, I thought.

Then I read some of the other entrants’ drafts, and knew I didn’t stand a chance. Mine pretty much sucked.

And that was okay. I was totally new to fiction and had come to practice and learn anyway. (I wrote a piece here about why writers should embrace the process of writing crap.)

Knowing it wasn’t a contender, I sure didn’t ask a single person to vote for my story. I don’t even think I mentioned I was participating. I just quietly practiced, hoping one day I would be better at writing fiction.

For this year’s contest, I had the makings of a great story that fit squarely in the guidelines. I’d grown in skill. I’d grown in the ability to ask for input and then change my story accordingly. And, this time, I was determined to make even better use of the workshopping process to make the story better.

Three or four drafts later, and after reading many of the other stories, I felt like mine could compete with the very best. Not win the grand prize, maybe, but then again, it had a chance.

I was proud of what I had created and was certain others would enjoy it too.

I was ready to tell people about it.

2. Create a Cover Image for Your Story

It’s tempting to just copy and paste the link to your story and start sharing to social media. But there are two problems with that.

First, the contest has a single image that’s used for the overall contest. That means it won’t have any correlation to your story at all. A picture of a spring landscape won’t tell your readers a thing about your character’s attempt to hide a body before dinner guests arrive.

So people won’t click. Which means they won’t read.

Secondly, the contest has a single image that’s used for the overall contest, which also means that every writer who copies and pastes the link is going to have the same exact photo showing up.

You worked so hard on your story, now it’s time to put effort into getting people to read it.

They’ll click if the image (and accompanying text) is compelling. We’ll get to the text part in a minute.

Here is the image I used for my story:

How to Create Your Cover Image (It’s easy and FREE!)

I use a free online software called Canva.com to create many things, including the cover image for my short story. They have a selection of free public domain photos to use, or you can use images from Pexels.com or Unsplash.com. (Just remember, when using images, to use ones with the proper permissions.)

3. Share Strategically on Social Media

An awesome image isn’t enough. People need a reason to go to the work of clicking and reading and voting. It’s got to be more than just, “Here’s my story! Please read it!” Instead, ask yourself, “What’s in it for them?” and, “Would I click on this if someone else posted it?”

Here are some examples of the image (and accompanying text) I created to garner those desirable clicks:

The first time I ever spoke about it publicly my story was still being workshopped. Already it was getting killer reviews. So I used them to announce what I was doing and create anticipation.

Days later I added a cover image and did a few strategic things in the text.

• First, I enticed them with a clear, concise promise — a short thrilling break from reality.
• Also, as a marketer, I know that, while emojis may seem silly, they get increased attention, so I included two.
• Then I leveraged the social proof (existing awesome feedback) to draw them in even more. Because we all want to do things other people say are awesome, right?
• Then I included links. Don’t forget the links! Make it as easy as possible for them to do what you’re asking.
• Then I showed my deep gratitude, demonstrating how meaningful it was to me that they would do such a thing.

Your post doesn’t need to include all these elements, but it should include at least some.

I posted daily, varying the time of day and even the text occasionally. Here’s one variation, for example, which includes most of the elements listed above.

I can hear your objections. “Kim! You posted daily? Didn’t that come across as pushy?? I don’t want to be like that.” I hear you. I don’t want that either.

Here’s the thing you might not know about Facebook. Only three percent of your audience is likely to see your posts anyway. That’s it. And then, time of day plays a huge factor too — a different three percent might see your posts in the morning than in the evening.

To make it worse, the average life span of a FB post is ninety minutes. After that, it disappears in the abyss of the newsfeed, falling deeper and deeper into obscurity.

People want to see your post, but you have to help them see it. That happens with daily posting and at different times.

If you’re still feeling wary about oversharing, there’s one more thing to remember — it’s for five days. If one percent of people are mildly annoyed by seeing a duplicate post of yours (and you can easily tweak them so they’re not identical), they’ll overlook it if it’s just for five days.

4. Private Message People

Facebook posting isn’t enough. Even with varied content and times, and amazing images, I knew my friends — even my closest, most supportive friends — wouldn’t necessarily see it. They might have no clue I was doing this or needing their vote.

I decided to do the brave thing and just ask them. One on one. Like a human.

I’d read about such advice, heard about it, seen people do it even (reaching out to me to add their music to my playlist for example), but had never been brave enough to try it. What if they’d be annoyed by my asking? What if it would ruin our relationship, and they’d pretend not to see me at church the next week?

Screw it. I’ve got to try.

So I went through my contacts and, one by one, messaged those with whom I had a rapport of some kind. If we’d spoken in the last year, they were on my radar.

I crafted three template messages for three different kinds of relationships, so I wasn’t having to write the whole thing from scratch every time. I pasted a template into a message, then tweaked it to be more personal — included their name, perhaps a reference to a recent conversation, just to make it real.

Then, with trembling finger and bated breath, I clicked send.

(A note as you’re doing this — do not spam people. These messages were sent to people I had already had a connection with.)

Here’s what surprised me. People were excited for me. They thanked me for telling them about it. Even self-labeled “non-readers” or people who “don’t read fiction” made the effort to click, to read, and to vote.

It was incredible! I was blown away by the support, and so thankful I didn’t back down in fear.

5. Send Reminders

On the last day voting was open, I posted a reminder to social media, using the same elements of an effective post as I’d used before. I also sent private message reminders to those I’d messaged earlier and who had either not read it, had not responded, or had said they’d “read it later.” Because you and I both know later is a time that never comes.

I was still nervous about coming across as a giant pain in the neck, but I remembered something: there have been many times I intended to do something — even attend a friend’s event — and forgot. Those times I got a reminder, I was grateful, not annoyed. I trusted that’s how this would be received, and kept plodding forward.

The result of all this effort (and it WAS effort) was my first-time win of the Readers’ Choice Award. I was pumped — not just because of the award. I was pleased because my experiment had worked and I knew it would work for others too; for you.

What I Learned From the Readers’ Choice Award

Now at the end of the Readers’ Choice Award, I’ve drawn two major takeaways:

1. Workshopping is critical

Excellent writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when we get excellent feedback on how we can improve our writing.

The fact that this contest offers a workshopping element blows me away. That alone is worth every shiny nickel.

For me, this process has been about learning more than anything — it’s why I entered at all. I may have experimented with the marketing bit and learned from that, but it’s the workshopping where the learning about writing happens. I highly recommend taking full advantage of it!

2. People are more willing to help than you think

Speaking of workshopping, I was blown away with the generosity of my fellow writers. They gave so much of themselves — their time and input — it moved me. I’m serious. There are a whole lot of selfish groups a person can be a part of, and I’ve seen a bunch. This was certainly not one of them.

To the writers of Spring 2018 contest — thank you! You seriously rock.

As a member of several private Facebook groups, I was also blown away by the massive support from my friends there. Others were even initiating promoting my story to the group! It was incredible.

As you reach out to people, develop relationships, and make those connections, I think you’ll discover as I have — people are more willing to help than you think.

The Secret to Marketing Your Writing

The thing we writers need to remember is readers. Writing is only half the job. The other half is getting those hard-won words into the hands of readers.

Here’s what I know about readers: they don’t know about your awesome writing or why on earth they should read it if you never tell them. Like it or not, it’s our job as writers to tell them.

Which of these elements of how to market a book do you feel you most need to work on? Share in the comments!

PRACTICE

Talking to others about your work is scary. It’s also necessary. (You didn’t work this hard just to hide it in a drawer, did you?) Reaching out to others also takes practice. All of this does!

Your homework today is to grow in courage and practice sharing your work on social media in a creative and intriguing way.

First, select an excellent published piece of your work that you’re proud of. (Perhaps your contest entry or a blog post.)

Then, take fifteen minutes to prepare it to share:

1. Create your own cover image for that piece at Canva.com.

2. Then, craft a compelling social media post to go with your image.

3. Share it with your audience. You can do it!

When you’re done, come back and tell us in the comments how it went and what surprised you about it. And be sure to comment on your fellow writers’ experiences and encourage them, as well!

The post How to Win the Readers’ Choice Award (5 Strategic Things One Winner Did) appeared first on The Write Practice.

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