*New Release* I WROTE A BOOK. NOW WHAT?

 I'm thrilled to announce my newest book, I WROTE A BOOK. NOW WHAT? just released. It has already made the Top 100 Bestseller's List on Amazon in the Authorship category, and I'm beyond excited with early, stellar reviews. For years, I've talked about writing this book, but I'm glad I waited because I learn something new seemingly every week! If you're a new or aspiring author, this nonfiction book about writing, publishing, and marketing will guide you through the process. And it's funny. You'll find what--or who--made me break out in hives when I pitched my debut novel.

Once Upon A Time . . . Help!

Are you in a panic after penning your debut novel, nonfiction book, memoir, or children’s book? Are you at a loss as to how to get published? Is deciding between a traditional publisher or going the indie route terrifying? Do you wonder how to attract agents, editors, or find readers?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, I WROTE A BOOK. NOW WHAT? will become your new, dog-eared best friend. Written with humor and much-needed encouragement from an award-winning, multi-published author and former marketer, this action-packed comprehensive guide is for beginning writers. As Carter discusses her potholed journey, she cheers you on while you navigate the ever-changing world of publishing by sharing her wacky, real-life writing experiences. Part craft book. Part author journey. Part marketing.

• Writing Advice
• Inspiration
• Website Tips
• Building Publishing Credits
• Query Letters
• Grammar & Punctuation
• Finding Agents, Editors, & Readers
• A Marketing 101 Primer 

 Written in a conversational tone, the author of fourteen books shares her tumultuous, hive-inducing journey, as well as insider tips she has learned along the way. As a novelist, cookbook author, and children’s book writer, Beth Carter reinvented herself at mid-life and waved goodbye to the corporate world after working in marketing for nearly twenty years. 

Grab some coffee, put your feet up, and start reading this invaluable writerly resource, which provides baby steps to becoming published. What are you waiting for, storyteller? You’ve got this.

 Universal buy link: https://mybook.to/IWroteABookNowWhat

As most of you know, I normally write novels and children's books and even wrote a cookbook during the pandemic. I guess this crazy year brought out the nonfiction in me. I hope you'll check out my new book which is: Part Craft Book. Part Author Journey. Part Marketing.

 

Writers & Olympians

The Olympics games are in London right now. Have you caught the fever? Before I get into my comparison between writers and Olympians, let me explain my love for the Olympics. I am a true patriot. I love competition. And I admire athletes.

I've witnessed firsthand the sacrifices and very real blood, sweat and tears of athletes. As the mother of a professional dancer (and, believe me, dancers are athletes!) I watched my daughter give up school functions and outings with friends for YEARS to take dance classes six days a week. She had talent. She had determination. She had passion--just like the Olympic athletes who have given up so much to achieve their goals.

While watching the games, it occurred to me that writers and Olympians have more than a few things in common. Quite a few, actually, such as:

• Ambition
• Determination
• Passion
• Discipline
• Drive
• Motivation
• Teamwork
• Rejection
• Resilience
• Patience
• Talent
• Rewards

So, is writing an Olympic sport? Well, no, although writers who compete in the National Novel Writing Month challenge where they attempt to write a 50,000-word novel in November (or our own JANO challenge in January), might disagree. After drafting a novel in just one month, those writers surely deserve a gold medal.

What's Your Excuse?

Excuses. We all have them. In fact, they run rampant for not finishing our novels, but today, I was inspired by a very successful author and hope you are, too. Keep reading.

Gazillion-selling, world-famous author Nicholas Sparks was interviewed by Anderson Cooper. I was amazed by his story. He is married with two children and previously worked in pharmaceuticals. He decided to "try" writing fiction "one more time" after seeing the finale of the TV show Cheers. Since he had a family and a mortgage to pay, he wanted to be realistic so he kept his day job.

Nicholas said he continued to work full time and wrote from 9 p.m. until midnight 3-4 nights per week. That's it. And he managed to complete THE NOTEBOOK during that timeframe in just six months! Unbelievable, right? The Notebook is one of my all-time favorite books and movies. If you haven't read the book nor seen the movie, do so immediately. You won't be sorry. I promise. But have a hanky nearby.

Other books by Nicholas Sparks include Message In A Bottle, Dear John, A Walk To Remember and in movies and bookstores now: The Lucky One. Nearly all of his books have been made into wonderful movies starring big-time celebrities. Sigh. Swoon. Dreams do come true.

Inspired? Me, too. No more excuses. Let's write now!

Inspiration

Inspiration. When and where do you get yours? Whether you write novels, poems, short stories, memoirs, children's books or any other genre, where do you get most of your ideas? Many of my stories and characters are completely fiction--created in my head, and for some reason, I most often find inspiration in the shower. Don't ask me why but I have for years. When I worked in corporate America, an idea would come to me in the shower, and I'd have to quickly get out, dry off, and scribble down ideas for my next television script, branding campaign or billboard--all on slightly damp paper. Many nights, I get ideas as I start to doze off. This habit drives my husband batty. He awakens when I get out of bed, and he says he can hear my pen scratching away. I'll get back in bed and he'll ask, "What did you write now? Why don't you just wait until tomorrow." Um. I can't. It'll be gone by tomorrow. Of course, many of us get ideas from the Internet, newspapers, and television--and from our childhood memories. That's why they say, "Write what you know." A fun way to come up with new ideas for a story is to overhear tidbits of conversations in coffee shops, restaurants, at the hair salon or car wash. This type of people watching (and listening) also works well for character sketches. How about you? When and where do you get your inspiration?

Finding Inspiration Through Planting

Recently, I planted 25 pots of flowers. Overkill, I know but that's me. I bought my favorites--vincas, geraniums, petunias, and impatiens. I selected colorful shades of purple, red, yellow, pink and orange and gathered my tools--a bench, gloves, a little gardening hoe, rake, sunscreen and a bottle of water.

I buckled my knee pads (highly recommended) and piped several CD's outside -- Michael McDonald, Blake Shelton, Lionel Richie, Christina Aguilera, Andrea Bocelli and Rod Stewart. Yes, I have diverse taste in music but that's not the point here.

As I started digging in the dirt, I regretted that I had to do this chore instead of writing. I knew it would take at least one full day to plant 25 pots of flowers and my mind wondered to how much writing I could do if I'd put fingers to keyboard for that many hours.

Soon, though, I delighted in the cheerful pots brightening the veranda. Our two Labs "helped" and I observed how they preferred to drink out of a fountain rather than their dog bowl. I watched the birds swoop overhead and butterflies swirl around the flowers. I coulld smell the luscious lilac bushes wafting through the air, even though they were far away.

As I planted each variety, I noticed how some of the leaves were shiny and smooth while others were velvety and rough. I again encountered the killer hummingbird that taunted me last summer. The territorial little brat attacked me three times last year. Once, he buzzed smack into the middle of my back, scaring me half to death. The little bully. After many sweaty hours, I realized that planting actually helped my writing. It made me think more descriptively and awakened all my senses.

Planting also gave me ideas and hobbies for my characters. Our characters have to do things. They might as well have a pretty yard. It also provided humor (and angst) such as the hummingbird and our silly dogs. So, let the watering (and writing) begin. What have you done lately that inspired your writing?