# Do you want a group that focuses on a specific genre? (e.g. romance, mysteries, children’s books?)
# How big will the group be? (A social group can be large, but a critique group usually works better if there are not too many people in it, so everyone gets a chance to comment/read work/request feedback.)
# How often will meetings be held? (Monthly? Two-Weekly? Weekly?)
# On what day and at which time will the group meet? (Morning, afternoon or evening? Weekday or weekend?)
# Who 'owns' the group? (The person who established it? Is it a loosely-knit group with no one leader? Who makes the decisions about the future of the group or the way that it is run?)
# Is the group open to new members? (Is there a process on admitting or voting in new members? Does a place open up if someone leaves? What if someone wants to come back after an absence?)
# Must group members have reached a certain level of competence before being admitted, or are beginners welcome? (Groups comprised solely of beginners often find it difficult to get quality feedback to help writers grow.)
# Will refreshments be served? (if so, how will this be organized? Roster? Host provides? Restaurant? Snacks or full meal?)
# Will refreshments be served at the beginning or end of the meeting?
# Who will run the meetings? (Is there a different organizer for each meeting, or will one person be elected each year?)
# Is there going to be a group newsletter? (If so, who will collate it? Who will contribute? Who will send it?)
# Do you plan to have a regular meeting format, or will the structure of the following meeting be planned each time the group meets?
# Will the group have one main critique session, or will the meeting be divided up into different sessions? (e.g. technique, plotting, promotion.)
# Will there be a set topic for each meeting or will any member be encouraged to discuss any topic?
# How will critiquing of work be organized? (Will work be sent to group members to read and make notes before the meeting, or will work be read aloud? Note that the quality of the critique is often better if people have time to read it away from the group first.)
# Will comments/critiques be emailed or passed on to the writer?
# Does the group want to plan yearly or twice-yearly retreats or workshops for members?
# Will the meeting allow time for social interaction? (Most groups do this naturally - the hardest part is to ensure that regular, quality critiquing occurs!)
Checklist 16 – Critique Feedback Checklist
The type of feedback exchanged between critique partners will be different for various aspects of technique. (See earlier checklists for plot, dialogue, characters, scenes etc.) This more general checklist will give members of a critique group some idea of what to look for in a scene of fiction or a short story.
# Is there a sense of connection with the reader? (Does the reader immediately become engrossed in the action? Do we engage with the main character?)
# Does the opening arouse curiosity or interest?
# Is the setting (place and time) clear and believable?
# Do the characters come to life? (If not, what does the reader see as a potential problem?)
# Does the story move along at a good pace? (If there are any slow sections, where are they and why do they seem slow?)
# Is the general tone and style appropriate for the genre? (e.g. chick-lit, humor, mystery/thriller)
# Are the characters appropriate for the genre? (If not, why not?)
# Does the dialogue sound realistic and move at a good pace? (If not, why not? How could it be improved?)
# Are speech tags, actions, direct speech, thoughts, emotions and body language balanced in a scene of dialogue? (If not, is any one of these used too much?)
# How is the mood established? Does the setting contribute to this?
# Is description filtered into the story through the viewpoint character, or is it unnecessary/too flowery/dull?
# Is it clear from the beginning whose viewpoint we are in?
# Does the writer show, rather than tell (most of the time)?
# Is there plenty of emotional depth? (That is, can the reader identify emotionally with what the characters are going through?)
# Are there any obvious errors with background, setting, history, etc. (any areas that may need more research)
# If this is a self-contained scene, does the scene have an inciting incident? Does the viewpoint character have a goal?
# Does tension build throughout the scene/story?
# Does the reader care about what happens to the character(s)? (This is subjective. If the reader can't identify enough with the characters to care what happens to them, he/she should try to identify why not. For example, is the problem they face too insignificant?)
# Is there something at stake for the main character? Does the author raise the stakes as the story continues?
# Does the reader want to keep turning pages to find out what happens next?
# If this is a short story or the final scenes, are all loose ends tied up satisfactorily?
# Is the ending satisfying? (Is it clichéd? Does it fizzle out? Does it leave the reader wanting more, or feeling short-changed?)
Section 6 – Social Networking & Websites
Many writers are reluctant to embrace social networking, seeing it as a waste of precious writing time. It’s true that spending time on Facebook and Twitter, or creating blog posts, can eat into your day. If you are already a successful author, with plenty of devoted fans who will buy anything you write, then by all means ignore it.
The rest of us have had to come to terms with the fact that social networking (blogging; posting on Facebook and Twitter; participating in forums) can do more than anything else to expand our ‘reach’ as writers and win new readers. This, in turn, impacts on our sales and therefore our income.
Indie writers, particularly, know that they have to become part of the huge global social network in order to be ‘visible’ to readers.
The following four checklists cover the steps you need to take when setting up a website or blog, becoming part of the Facebook and Twitter community, or expanding your writer’s network.
Checklist 17 – Setting up a Website or Blog
There are many ways of achieving your goal of establishing a writer’s website or blog. You can go it alone, or hire someone to do the job for you. You can use WordPress to set up a very serviceable website that can also host your blog – it is one of the easiest ways a writer can secure an online presence.
The following checklist will not show you how to create a website. It is just intended to get you thinking about what you want to achieve, and how you will go about getting it.
# What 'look' do you want your website to have? (A fun place to visit? Information about your books and author talks? Pages from which schools can download worksheets to go with your books?)
# What do you want to have on your website or blog? (Do you want to use WordPress and have a combination of static pages and a blog? Do you want just a few pages that showcase you and your books, which you will rarely have to update? Do you want to make regular blog posts to attract readers and involve them in discussions?)
# Make a list of pages you want on your site.
# Make a list of post categories you want on your blog. (Browse other writers' blogs to see how they organize their posts.)
# How will you create your website/blog? (Do you want to do it yourself? Outsource the job to someone?)
If you want to do it yourself...
# What platform will you use? (e.g. WordPress? Blogger? Website creation software? An online site provided by your web host? You might like to browse the Internet for options before you decide.)
# If you are using WordPress, will you host it on the WordPress site, or host it yourself? (using a web host such as Hostgator, for example)
# If you are going to host it yourself, which theme will you use? (Man
y web hosts will have cPanel, which allows you to install a WordPress blog in a couple of clicks. WordPress will come with a default theme. You can use this, or search for another one you like better. Just do a search for 'WordPress themes'.) Weaver II is free, and a nice theme with plenty of options for customization.
# Do you want to upload a personalized header graphic for your site? If so, how will you create this?
# Do you need to outsource header graphics or buy software to help you create it?
# Do you need help with anything else? (Have an IT-savvy family member or friend handy if you struggle with technological issues.)
If you want to outsource it...
# Create a list of providers who can give you what you want. (Ask other writers or do an Internet search, using terms like 'Website creation' or 'who can set up a blog?' Make sure you compare prices.
# Establish a realistic budget for your website or blog and don't go over it. (Remember that you can quickly and easily create a free blog via either Blogger or WordPress.)
# If the person who sets up your blog doesn't do header graphics, find someone who can do this as well.
General Maintenance
# Plan and write the content of the pages you want on your website.
# Plan and write the first few blog posts.
# Establish a regular routine for adding posts to your blog or content to your website.
Checklist 18 – Your Facebook Page
Note that Facebook Terms and Conditions may change at any time. Always check that you have the most recent advice by checking out their 'help' and FAQ pages.
# Visit other Facebook pages to see what other authors post on their pages. Make a list of Facebook author pages that you like, so you can use them as a model.
# Ensure that you have a personal Facebook account first. If you haven't done this yet, use this link: http://www.facebook.com/help/sign-up You need to set up a personal account before you can set up a Facebook Page as an author or a business.
# If you don't want to use your personal Facebook page, put only minimal information on it. Then go into the Settings and choose 'me only' to see the page. Read Facebook help page so you understand how to make the most of your privacy settings.
# To set up a Facebook business page (just known as a Facebook Page): go to your private account and log in.
# Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'new page'.
# Choose the category that best suits your purpose. This could be Artist, Band or Public Figure" and you can then choose 'Author' from the drop-down box. If you wish to promote your books or a series, you could choose product/service). As an author, you are establishing a 'brand' so people recognize you - and that brand can be your name. So 'brand or product' would be fine.
# When the 'brand or product' box opens up, click on the 'down' arrow and choose an appropriate category. "Product/Service" is the one usually chosen.
# Add your picture. You can navigate to a suitable picture on your computer. If you don't want your face to be on your page, you can use any picture or piece of clip art related to your business.
# Edit your information section. What do you want to tell people about your product or service? Write a concise paragraph here.
# Invite your friends... if you want to. (If you have just created a FaceBook personal account, you won't have any friends listed yet. You can, if you wish, send out an email notifying your friends and inviting them to visit your page and 'like' it. Make sure you include the URL so they know where to go!)
# Write your first post (also known as 'adding content to your wall'.) Do this in the 'status' box. Make sure you hit 'enter' so the post shows up. Make it interesting and invite responses from people. You could also add links to your book or books.
# Make a list of interesting content or links to other sites that you could add to your FaceBook page. When people find it (or are told about it) they will click the 'like' button, and that will, in turn, help other people to find the page - and to learn about your books.
# Create a schedule to post regularly to your Facebook page. Your followers will gradually increase.
Checklist 19– Getting Started with Twitter
Twitter sometimes seems strange to those who haven't become involved with it, but it is one of the most powerful social networks around. If you learn how to use Twitter and attract lots of followers, it can have a very positive effect on book sales.
# Search for and download a guide to starting out with Twitter. There are plenty of them around, and you need to understand what you are doing before you jump in. Charlene Kingston has created an excellent guide called Twitter for Beginners. You can download it here: http://socialmediadiyworkshop.com/products/
# Set up a Twitter account at http://twitter.com
# Your profile: Use your real name if you want friends and other writers to be able to find you. (Your Twitter username can be different.)
# Add your location (this is optional, to let people know where you are in the world)
# Add your weblink (this can be to your blog or website. If you have neither, you can build a Twitter landing page.)
# Fill in your bio. (This has to be SHORT, like all Twitter messages. You have only 160 characters, so make them count!)
# Choose an appropriate UserName. This should represent your book(s), your series, your business or your brand. Keep this short, too. No spaces or punctuation.
# Upload an avatar (picture) so people associate it with you. You can use anything you like, but mostly people prefer to look at a face.
# To find people to follow: do a search on Twitter for authors you like, or book bloggers, etc. Look for people with a large following, and click 'follow' to get their tweets.
# Also browse around in the lists of people that are following your favorite authors. Some of them will have large groups of followers. You might like to follow them, too.
# Investigate programs like Hootsuite to help you easily manage your Tweets and Facebook pages.
# Look for opportunities to tweet about an interesting web site, a useful blog post, or offer advice to other writers (pointing back to a page on your blog, perhaps.)
# Gradually build a relationship with other people on Twitter. You will see your list of followers growing. Your friends on Twitter will help to promote your books (and buy your books!)
# Don't follow EVERYONE back. You'll have too many tweets to handle. Be selective.
Checklist 20 – Your Writer’s Network
Work constantly on your writer's network. You can make valuable contacts that will help you in many ways - by buying your books, and helping you to promote them.
# Work out a list of what KIND of people you want to add to your network. (Authors, potential critique partners, book bloggers, industry professionals like editors and agents, POD publishers etc.)
# Work out where you can FIND these people. (Forums, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, GoodReads, Writers' Centers, etc.)
# Spend time on these forums/blogs or on Twitter and Facebook. (Create a Twitter account and Facebook page if you need to.) Start commenting, offering help, and generally responding to people.
# Draw up a program for gradually expanding your network by developing the contacts you have initiated. Aim to become friends with them via blog comments, forum posts, Tweets and Facebook comments, then IF there is a genuine relationship developing, become email friends.
# Buy books by authors you like (to support them, to give feedback and/or reviews, and to be able to discuss the books in forums.)
# Establish a budget for conferences and workshops if this is part of your plan. Choose functions where you can expand both your knowledge AND your network.
# Aim for variety in your friends/contacts. (E.g. authors you like, potential critique partners or writers in the same genre, editors with a good knowledge of the industry, book store owners, etc.)
# Create a contacts list/book (on your computer or in a notebook). Keep up-to-date inf
ormation about email addresses, Twitter accounts, Facebook pages and blog/website addresses. Record the date of any contact made (be brief - e.g. "Tweet" or "Facebook comment" or "Blog response". Don't just contact people when you want something - a genuine relationship goes both ways.
# Decide whether you need face-to-face contact with writers on a regular basis. If you do, join a nearby group or start your own.
# Join GoodReads. Here you can interact with authors, keep an eye on what people are reading, promote your own books and have your own page.
# Join LinkedIn. (Same as above for GoodReads. Another good networking site.)
# Join professional groups connected with your genre (e.g. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers, Mystery Writers.)
Section 7 – Getting Published
The face of publishing has changed dramatically in the past few years. Once, writers had to go through the process of researching publishers, acquainting themselves with each individual publisher’s requirements, sending a query letter and perhaps a partial, waiting to hear whether they’d been successful – and then going through the whole process again if they were not.
Now it’s different. Writers can choose to self-publish, and it’s finally accepted that it’s not only ‘okay’ to take matters into their own hands – it’s often the smart choice.
The following three checklists cover researching publishers in general, writing a query and synopsis, and publishing on Amazon Kindle.
There are other options such as CreateSpace and Smashwords, but all have excellent ‘help’ pages to walk you through the process of formatting and uploading your work. Use the Kindle checklist as a model for creating your own checklist for other publishers.
If you do this, then each time you upload a book, you’ll be sure to complete every step.
The Busy Writer's Book of Checklists Page 4