How to Write a New Book for New Authors..Pt.3

In part 2 it was pointed out that having a great ending in mind might be a great place to start when writing your new novel. That way, you can drive your readers to a big finish from the first page of your new book. Another idea to discuss is how to keep the readers attention. We have all read (at least I hope so) a book we just couldn’t put down. We couldn’t seem to read fast enough. Time went by and we were in the book not just reading it.

How do authors do it? And, more importantly, is it possible to enthrall a reader on the first try of your new book. Of course, it is. It’s like surfing or snowboarding. You need to know the trick to staying up. It seems everything has a trick and writing a new novel is no different. Remember this: Anything unusual, surprising or incongruent keeps peoples attention. You need “Oh my God” where the reader puts their hand over their mouth (why people do this I don’t know, but they do) and gasps for air. These little writing gems (tricks) are golden. These keep the reader wanting more and therefore needing to read on. You can do it, too. You just need to get in that mindset.

It reminds me of Larry the Cable Guy and other comics. They do this with almost every joke. “My big ol’ girlfriend is a runway model,” Larry would announce. Pause. “You know, out there at the airport.” Laughter. It’s misdirection. You expected a high class fashion show in your mind but “runway” was used in a different context and you were surprised. In a funny way, yes. But, still it worked and you need to figure out how to do this type of misdirection in your writing. This is one trick at least.

Another thing readers like is the unusual. They like unusual situations, cool abilities (McGiver stuff) and unusual confrontations. If your new novel can incorporate some unusual ideas and character development then this will keep the reader involved. Your new book needs to be interesting. Even biographies are written to be interesting. Think about making your characters interesting, too. If your characters are boring your new novel might be a little sleepy, too. It isn’t hard to develop interesting characters. Good writers can do it in a screenplay. If you haven’t read a screenplay, you should. They are a good way to see a long book like The Da Vinci Code broken down to a few lines. You can find screenplays to look at online with no problem.

So, it boils down to writing a good new book needs good misdirection and the unusual. If you write about boring people that are as predictable as the rising sun, your new book may not be as big a hit as you would like. Here’s another tip. Grab one of your favorite books and read it again. Look for misdirection and the unusual and see how the author did it. You may not have even noticed what was going on. Good writers are doing that. Gosh, even listen to Larry the Cable Guy or other comics. You will see what I mean. Good luck and don’t ever get discouraged. Be persistent. Persistent people always beat the most talented or most educated. Kick some booty.

How to Write a New Book for New Authors..Part 2

Now that we have established that we need to take new novel writing business seriously, let’s start talking about how to begin the process. The beginning of any novel is always the idea. Drrrr. You say. I know. It seems so obvious but it isn’t for many people. There is the trap of falling in love with just one idea. You will need more.

                                                      

The book PRESS RELEASE works with many ideas. The first is obvious by the definition and the setting is in a public relations firm. But, it works on other levels, too. So, there was a lot of thought that went into the main idea. Sometimes, a writer will begin by thinking of the ending and then it is easier to get started at the beginning. If your book is going to be suspenseful, this is a great way to start. Get the trick and unexpected ending all worked out and then you can figure out how to lead up to it.

If you are writing a mystery thriller, for example, you will need plot twists and clues with foreshadowing. Figuring all this out in your head without knowing where you are going would be a very difficult task. It might be a great idea to know exactly how the book is going to turn out so you can start giving clues from the very beginning.

I have noticed most movies, and screenplays, do this very thing. Usually, there are very definite clues within the first five minutes of a movie that will give you great insight as to how the movie is going to go. Or, there are false clues which lead you to believe the movie going to go a certain way but then it switches at the end. Either way, it is a good way to write a book this way, too. Give the reader some clues at the very beginning and drive them into thinking what you want them, too. But, you can’t drive them to a destination if you don’t know where you’re going.

If you are having trouble trying to develop and ending, then think about your main idea and what would be a big surprise to the reader at the end. Better yet, if you can think of numerous surprises throughout your new book that would be even better. Readers want to be entertained. That’s why they are reading fiction. Although non-fiction can be entertaining too, there is often much less left up to the imagination. Try to think of your idea and what would be a jaw-dropper at the end. If you can do this, then it will be much easier to write the first chapter because you will know how to foreshadow the ending. It will be subtle and many readers won’t even notice you did it. But subconsciously, they will remember.

So, to get started writing your novel, figure out a surprise ending. It may seem donkey backwards, but it really works and it will be more fun to drive the reader instead of drag ‘em.

How to Write a Book Series

During the writing of my first book PRESS RELEASE, I learned a great deal about the process. I took me quite a while because I didn't know some of the basic concepts of actually writing a book--like, you actually have to sit down and write. I learned that writing a book is not the hard part. The hard part is actually sitting down to write. Wow. That was an eye opener. Sounds blatantly obvious but it wasn't for me.

So, I decided to write some articles on what I learned about writing my first book in the hopes that it may help some others see what is staring them in the face. Writing is a fun process--at least for me. Anyone who plans on writing a book better have a similar attitude. Another grain of obviousness.

Here it is. The first installment.

How to Write Your First Book for New Authors    Part 1

Writing a new book is a dream for many people. It sounds so romantic to think of oneself as a new author having in their hands a published work of art. Today, it is not that difficult to get published because you can do it yourself. You can write new book, edit it yourself, format it yourself, create the finished art for the cover and get a copy in your hands in a couple of day. Createspace.com can really do this for just a few bucks for a proof. So, getting a new book for a new author is literally no big deal today.

The problem, therefore, is not getting the book published, but rather writing the new book in the first place. If you have never written a new book and you want to become a new author, then getting started can be a huge obstacle. We have all heard the stories of novelists sitting at a desk in the dark with a single light bulb dangling from a wire over a cigarette smoke hidden Royal typewriter plucking out the words “It was a dark and stormy night.” Well, this may have happened at some time, but the reality is that writing a new novel or any type of new book requires work and dedication. If you think it will be easy to write a new novel then you may be surprised at how much work it really takes.
When I first started my new novel I thought it would have been done in about 60 days and I would be off making money. Oh, my word. I was so wrong. It actually took years to write. It wasn’t because I didn’t have the ideas or the ability—it was motivation and discipline. I was treating my new book like it was some sort of game and not giving it the serious attention it needed to get ‘r done. I was kidding myself. Finally, I got my stuff together and decided this is stupid. I can do this. I had about 25% of the new novel done and did the next 75% in 45 days.
How? Well, I got serious. So, the first thing I would advise all new authors trying to write a new novel or new book is to get serious. You probably go to a job everyday to make money so you can eat and get air conditioning (I’m in Vegas). You get up, get ready and get to work on time. You have to do it or you won’t last long. You need to figure out some way to treat your writing the same way.
You need to find a time to get ready and go to work writing your new novel. I remember reading something about Steven King one time and he said he tried to write ten pages a day. Sounds easy, huh? If you did that you would have a 300 page book in about a month. The point is you need to get serious. This is the first step in getting it done. Take it from someone who went down the wrong road to writing a new novel, you can to so get serious and do it.

Getting the Right Guitar Sound

I spent some time today trying to get right guitar sound again. I moved the amp into the loft so I could hear the monitors more clearly in my "studio" :). Didn't do as much good as I had hoped so I did some work with the Digitech PR150 amp modeler and sending the sound direct to the deck. Better luck there. With technology today it is much easier sometimes to go direct. Yes, you do lose some of the power sound from the live amp crunch. But, there is so much tweaking you can do with the modeler settings that the time saved can be significant.

Anyway, it got me to thinking about placing the guitar in the correct frequency range when I track. Using the equalizer correctly is really important here. A big mistake a lot of home recording engineers like me make is to not separate the individual frequency ranges of the instruments. That makes for a really muddy and unprofessional sound.

When you listen to really well engineered recordings, you can pick out every instrument and what they are playing. It sounds great, huh? Anyway, here is a really basic chart I use to get the process in the right direction from the beginning. Click on the chart to see a bigger one so you can read the freq ranges.

Playing and recording is fun. And, playing the engineer role is too. I will need someone soon to listen to what I am doing in rough to see if it sucks, but for now it is fun.

This is where you all come in. I want to place clips online and get feedback, too. My fans are my greatest (hopefully friendly) critics and I want to know what you think. Stay tuned for some Sped up Tunes.


Oh, and don't forget my book. It's cheap and a fast and funny read. You will get something out of it for sure.

Click on the book to see what it's all about. Thanks much Speedsters.

Tracking the Guitar Today

Made a valiant effort at getting the guitar and mics all set up today. But---I just couldn't get the sound I was looking for. I had my amp modeler going to my Randall tube amp but just couldn't get it right. I am looking for a very specific gritty rock sound for the "A" part of the song. "A" part?

I have written this song using a different formula than, say, The Beatles did when they wrote their hit after hit back in the 60s. Back then, there were extreme time constraints for AM top 40 radio and songs had to fit into the puzzle. Many Beatles songs back then were written to a formula. "A" was a verse, "B" was a chorus and "C" was a bridge. So, A A B A B C A and out was not uncommon.

This song, "Can't Be Trusted" uses the formula A A B A A B C and out. Not dramatically different but non the less different. So, the "A" part needs a certain guitar sound and so do the other two parts.

I love the old band 10cc. If you haven't heard them--do. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Their ability to switch around in a single song is fantastic. I, in my own little way, am going to try to emulate their style a bit in this song.

Anyway, more tomorrow on the progress and keep speedin' up.

Oh, and don't forget to buy my book PRESS RELEASE. Click the link and get into it. Thanks
QFPMZSFNDUQH

The PRESS RELEASE CD in the Recording Studio

Hey there Speedsters!
Now that the book is released and selling well, it's time to finish the companion CD with clues and meanings that complement the book. Today was fun-filled with tracking for the song Can't Be Trusted. Since I am doing everything myself from writing the songs, playing all the instruments, doing all the vocals blah blah blah, I am using an old trick of recording a backing track. This is a track where basically the whole song is played on guitar or keyboard or whatever with a drum tick track to keep it all in time. Then, I can go back an record and equalize every single track to do the pigeon hole mixing.

I use an AKAI DPS12 for the recording. It is a 12 track discreet deck with many virtual tracks and even though it's a few years old it still works great. And it's usually not the gear that makes a crappy recording, it's the engineer and artist. So, I have no one to blame but me.

I am working on getting the guitar sound just right which is really a challenge without having the soundproofed acoustics of a real studio. Sounds bounces like a big dog and it has to be really controlled. I do some direct recording, too, but nothing beats the sound of a tube amp screaming and a really good mic picking up every nuance. Tomorrow I am going to try to get the sound down. It will probably take most of the day. Then, I have to record. A lot of foot punching in is expected.

I will be using my trusty G&L ASAT Classic. My Dad got this at the factory years ago and was kind enough to let me use it. It has that great Telecaster sound and the action is down and easy. 

I will keep y'all posted and hope to post some rough sound clips soon so you can critique and help me through the process.

Keep Speedin'!

PRESS RELEASE--The novel Novel--Is Launched

PRESS RELEASE--The novel Novel from Johnny Applespeed Launched Today


The new mystery thriller PRESS RELEASE is now available in a myriad of formats from paperback to Kindle. This book is a project Johnny has been working on for some time. It is more than a book. It is a combination of CD and book. Not only is the book a great and funny read, but there is a companion CD in the works which will complement the book and give more information, character development and clues. The book uses anagrams, symbolism, Biblical references, famous quotes from literature, movies, TV and more to create a multi-faceted reading experience. The CD uses the book's chapter titles as song titles so the reader can learn more about each chapter and help develop a better understanding of the book's ending. The ending will surprise you. 

Here is a brief synopsis of the book.

Dynamic Information Development is a fast-paced public relations firm in Houston. Susan Seidel is an account executive with engaging issues. Back stabbing associates take credit for her work and her boyfriend treats her like a bag of old dirt. She needs to find a way to happiness but her life keeps pushing her down.

The annual team building event is this Saturday at the local skydiving center and she decides to go solo to prove her steely mettle. A fear of heights has her guts in knots and life changing decisions need to be made spot on. 

Her life could be hanging from the parachute lines.

Something dire is going to happen.

You can find out more on the website at johnnyapplespeed.com.

Please check out the book and get Up to Speed so when the CD is released soon you will be on the front end of the action.

Keep an eye on this blog, too, because there will be consistent updates on the recording of the CD, song clips, and a chance for you to comment and help the project develop.

Thanks for your time and see you soon. 

My 1966 Epiphone Wilshire

My first electric guitar was an Epiphone Wilshire with baby humbucking pickups. I used to race motocross and my Dad, bless him, bought me a brand new racer and forced the dealer to include a guitar with the neck broken. (He dealt in a lot of things :) The broken neck guitar was the Wilshire and my Dad was going to fix it. He could build anything with precision acute attention to detail.

We got the guitar home and in a week I had a great guitar to play with a solid neck. Like a dweeb, I refinished it a few years ago to make it white. I have a lot white instruments and wanted to make it match. I did an okay job refinishing it but lately I want it back to the beautiful natural wood of yore. Garsh, it was beautiful. And, it will be again.

I have been working hard on it and have it down to the wood and ready to lacquer.I will post a pic soon to show the progress on the restoration of my baby. Stay tuned.

BTW. Epiphone has reissued the Wishire for sale and low and behold you can get it in white. Take care Speedlings and talk to you soon.

Hey There Speedlings

The book PRESS RELEASE is finished and the CD is coming along. It won't be long before the set will be ready for release so keep near this blog for updates and news. This unique product offering will be specially priced at first so we can get the buzz really going around the apple tree.

Just to recap a bit, the book and CD work together to provide entertainment in a two-fold juxtaposition.The CD contains clues about the book and the book gives insight to the songs. This complement is sure to bring some raised taste buds.

The music is eclectic and full of studio engineering surprises just like the book is full of anagrams and symbolism. The apple doesn't fall from the tree here as the humor and story telling is bar room funny and Get's 'er done.

Keep checking back to the blog to make sure you're out of the fog. When the time comes, be sure to take a bite 'o apple pie. America is where it all happens so stay rough and ready.