Out Now! November Issue BookIsh Plaza eZine

Another month, another opportunity to get acquainted with Caribbean literature. There’s lots of literary activities in the month of November, like events that combine poetry and classical music.
An interview with author Irma Grovell, who published her first novel Glanzende schoenen [Shining Shoes]
And get ready, because Yakanuko is on the way! The debut of presenter, artist Curt Fortin will surprise us all, but mainly the younger ones. A nice gift for your kid for the December Season Celebration.
Curaçao poetry abound in our New Arrivals, like the poetry book by novelist Boeli van Leeuwen is amazing. Closing item are the new books BookIsh Plaza will receive like the bilingual De roep van de shoco [The Cry of the Owl].

Read it all @ BOOKISH PLAZA eZINE nr.35 NOVEMBER 2014

 

How to Avoid Writersblock

5 Ways To Find New Story Ideas

One of the questions authors are asked most often is how they get their ideas. Unfortunately, there isn’t a secret idea speakeasy where you can buy them in bulk (or if there is, no one has ever given me the password). There are, however, some steps you can take to generate new ideas when you’re feeling blocked. Here are five ways to find writing inspiration:

1. Go for a Walk
2. Practice FreeWriting
3. Read Something
4. Disconnect
5. Observe & Record

For an elaboration on the five ways to find inspiration, read further @ Huffington Post.

Writing Memoirs

9 Tips for Dealing with the Emotions When Writing a Memoir

Writing a memoir is much like going through your trunk of family treasures and keepsakes. At times the memories may be fuzzy, just like the ink on the pages of that 70-year-old journal your great-grandmother kept. Sometimes the memories may be painful, much like the ring your father gave you before he passed away. And sometimes the memories may be glorious, like the wedding dress you have stored safely, in hopes that your daughter may one day wear the family heirloom.

Due to the emotions that emerge in memoir writing, it is often necessary that the writer understand how to navigate and conquer the writing process, in spite of the added element of being taken for a ride on an emotional roller coaster each time one sits down to write. There are strategies writers can use to help ease the pain, slow the emotional twists and turns, and take the raw emotions and coat them with a little extra love and understanding, so as not to startle our readers.

Read further @ Huffington Post

Challenges at Writing Bad Characters?

How To Be Good At Writing Bad Characters

Are you ready for the most despicable, evil, heartless character you’ve ever met? Wonderful! You’re ready to write your story’s antagonist.

Once you’ve decided on your perfect protagonist—someone everyone will love and root for; someone inherently noble and willing to risk everything to save the day — you need to address the flip side of the coin. Unless your story also has a wickedly good antagonist, it’s destined to be a yawn-fest.

Every great hero needs an equally great villain. If your main character easily accomplishes his or her goals without even a hint of conflict or interference looming on the next pages, the story is not going to engage your reader. Introducing a worthy adversary adds tension to the plot.

Read further @ Huffington Post

The Benefits of Reading Infographic

Surf to Bookish Plaza for Caribbean reads.

Out Now! October Issue BookIsh Plaza eZine

In this issue a review of Vahni Capildeo’s poetry book Utter, intuitive poetry that bellows with unbridled angst. Furthermore new arrivals, soon for sale books.

Read BOOKISH PLAZA eZINE nr.34 OCTOBER 2014

 

Social Media for Book Promotion

How to Use Social Media Effectively to Promote Your Book

While the actual act of writing may come naturally, the steps involved in marketing and self-promotion can be tricky areas for potential authors. As part of Mediabistro’s Journalism Advice series, we spoke to three publishing veterans, who revealed how building a writing platform can help prepare you for life in the spotlight.

Along with sharpening your public speaking skills and getting feedback from trusted peers, using social media effectively is key to gaining insight from would-be readers. But remember not to stress about your lack of Twitter followers:

[Regina Brooks, lead agent and president of Serendipity Literacy Agency,] says that the focus should be on communing with existing and potential readers. “You can buy Twitter and Facebook followers. They have algorithms out there. Now, are those people reading your blog? Are they replying to your tweets? Are they really engaged with you and the topic? Probably not,” she warned. In short, concentrate on quality, not quantity. High numbers may initially impress — and kind of make you feel like the popular kid in the cafeteria — but publishers and agents prefer the development of an actual audience to the smoke and mirrors of a manufactured one.

Read further @ GalleyCat