When it comes to writing fiction, interesting characters are essential to a book that will keep readers engaged. Here are some tips for writing interesting characters that apply across all genres and story types.

1.) Direct vs Indirect

There are several approaches to developing interesting characters. One to keep in mind is the concept of direct vs. indirect characterization. If you have heard of “show vs. tell” before, this will be familiar.

Direct characterization is that which is told to the reader in a black-and-white manner.

Example: “The child was well-behaved as he sat in the waiting room with his mother.”

Here, the reader is told that the character of the child is acting well-behaved. It can be inferred that this means he is being quiet, respectful, or non-disruptive. The reader didn’t learn this information by observing the characters’ actions; it was told to them outright. 

Indirect characterization, on the other hand, is conveyed through other means, such as dialogue or small moments over time that the reader will have to think about to pick up on. A helpful acronym for how to achieve indirect characterization is STEAL.

2.) STEAL

The mnemonic device STEAL refers to how to accomplish indirect characterization. 

• Speech
• Thoughts
• Effect on others
• Actions
• Looks

Let’s go through each of these and see what they mean.

Speech refers to how a character talks. You can develop character through dialogue – how they speak to others and what they say.

Thoughts refers to what a character is thinking internally. You may have heard of the idea of a “internal monologue” before – a character talking to themselves. We all have a monologue in our heads and talk to ourselves. You can, as an author, show what a character is thinking through the narration. Conveying your character’s inner thoughts will make the reader feel like they know them, and they will want to know what happens to them. It will establish their character and make them more interesting.

Effect on others is how other characters react to and/or interpret the character. How does Character A, for example, react to what Character B is saying? How do they interpret Character B? This can be accomplished via dialogue – aka the characters speaking to each other. Other ways to show a character’s effect on others is through describing their body language when the character speaks or is around them, or their thoughts about the character.

Actions is what the character does. Actions can tell a lot about the character without it having to be explained. 

Looks is how the character physically appears at any given moment. For example, if they are described as smiling and sitting lazily in a chair, one can assume the character is relaxed or aloof. If they have a put-together, straightedge appearance, the reader can assume they are a Type A kind of person. Looks can also refer to facial expressions, such as reacting to their environment or what another character is saying. 

Overall, using the STEAL method will help you write interesting, well-developed characters. If you are big on taking notes about your writing, you can create a chart with each category and take notes for each character. 

3.)Flat vs round characters

Author EM Forster once said that one can think of characters as being “flat characters” or “round characters.” It is important to have both in a story. Flat characters are one-dimensional without many features. They exist in the background.

Round characters are three-dimensional characters, well-developed, with discernible features. Not all characters can be round, but  not every character should be flat. 

Most likely, your main character will be round, while background characters will be more flat. One can accomplish well-rounded characters through the STEAL method as explained above.

4.)Motivation

In order for characters to be interesting, the reader will have to be invested in their story. One way to accomplish this is to always be thinking about their motivations. Your main characters – and even those in the background – must act with purpose. Why are they doing what they are doing? You do not need to answer that question outright, and should answer it over time through the story. Keep your characters’ motivations in mind as you write your story or fiction novel. 

5.)Build on tropes

There are many character tropes out there – types of characters or molds for characters – that have been seen across time. You do not have to avoid using tropes; instead, you can build on them. Character tropes can be used for inspiration and then fleshed out more, or even subverted. Character tropes such as the Wise Elder, Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and Dumb Jock, for example, can be used as starting points for your characters. 

We hope these tips and methods will be helpful in crafting your characters for your novel!

Have a novel full of interesting characters that you would like to publish? Contact us!

The post How To Write Interesting Characters: 5 Tips to Make Readers Invested! appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Every good story has an established setting. Your novel has to exist somewhere – your characters can’t just float in space (and even that would be a setting!) Having a specific setting not only makes your story easier to understand, but can aid in the plot and characterization. 

These tips will focus on general fiction. For tips on worldbuilding in fantasy fiction, check out our blog post on fantasy writing.

Specificity

Choose a specific town or region for your novel to exist in. It can be a fictional town in an otherwise real place in the world, or the story can take place somewhere that exists completely in our world. Using the real world allows you to take existing qualities that may be relevant to your story (ex. a coal mining town having a hard-working populace.) Making up a city or town from scratch will allow you to tailor it to your story’s needs and give it the characteristics that make sense for your story. Give your town a specific name and geographic location. 

Setting and Plot Working Together

Along with choosing a specific setting, think about what the setting means for the plot of your story. A lot of plot tropes have to do with setting and plot being reliant on each other. For example, many stories begin with a character moving to a new place for a fresh start. The new place then introduces a conflict or an event that sets the story in motion (e.g. Bella moves to Forks, Washington in Twilight for a change of scenery sets off the events of the novel, and the town of Forks becomes integral to the plot.)

Even if the character doesn’t start the story in a setting unfamiliar to them, something else could happen in the setting that relates to the plot: a beloved business closes, a new landmark pops up one day, etc. As you sketch out your plot, think about how the setting relates to it. 

Senses

Describe your setting using the five senses. What does your character hear when they walk outside? What do they smell? Setting entails everything in the environment, not just geography. What do other people look like when they walk along the street? Are things old or new? Thinking about questions like these and answering them – when appropriate – will help you establish a sense of place for your reader using the senses. As the old adage goes, show, don’t tell. 

Time

In addition to what the world in your story looks and feels like, time is also part of the overall setting. What time period is your story set in? The present, the distant past? Making sense of time will help ground your story and help the other parts work together. It is easier to sketch out the town your novel takes place in if you have a general time period for it to be set in – for example, a novel taking place in a coal mining city in the late 19th century would be a lot different than a coal mining city in 2022.

These are certainly not all that needs to be considered with regards to setting in your novel, but they are here to get you started! Have fun as you embark on your writing journey.

For extra help, consider our writing coach program.

If your novel is already written and waiting to be published, contact us!

The post How to Establish Setting and Build Your Fictional World appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

With our Book Promotion Website Package, you’ll receive a professionally designed, 3-page website that features your book, a profile of you as the author, and information on your motivation for writing your book. We’ll create your site, register a domain in your name, and pay your hosting fees for one year. When your site is complete, we’ll show you how to easily update the content on the site whenever you’d like. 

If Dorrance’s Book Promotion Website Package is not right for you, there are many other options. GoDaddy.com, Squarespace.com, Wix.com, and WordPress.com are examples of services where you can build a website. Wix and WordPress both have free options. Free blog services like Google’s Blogger are also an option. There are a lot of companies out there that can help you, so feel free to find the one that best suits your needs. 

The budget you have for a website will determine what you end up with. Purchasing a custom domain name will always cost a small fee (ex. yourname.com) but there are a range of services where you can build a website or blog. The cost can range from free to very expensive. 

What content should you include on your website?

Some information to include on your website:

• Publisher information.
• Contact information for yourself. (to the degree you are comfortable with.)
• Media Information: press release, cover image, etc.
• Where-to-Buy links: Make sure you link to your book on our website, not just to the home page.
• Social media accounts
• ISBN: This is the 13-digit number on the back of your book. It should start with 978. ISBN is an important number for booksellers and librarians.
• Book Title, and Author Name: This is important to have in the text of your web page because the text is what search engines are looking for.

What else should you include on your website?

Whether you are using a free, simple blog service or have started a more in-depth custom website, here are some ideas for content to include in an author website: 

• News about you: Whenever you are in the news, post a link to the video, article, radio interview, etc. And don’t forget to share that information with us as well!
• Key points about your work: Regularly post tidbits about your book, including major points of interest or plot points.  Post reader responses that might make others more inclined to read it as well. Think of unique things to say about your work.
• Photos and Videos: Make sure you post your photos of book events, signings, award ceremonies you attend, and conferences and workshops at which you are the speaker. A good picture is worth a thousand words!
• News related to your topic: Link to legitimate news articles related to your book subject or genre. 
• A guest blogger or review another author’s book.
• Share a video of you reading a sample of your book.
• Share what you are doing on a professional level. Are you working on another book? Did you just meet your favorite author? Look for reasons to keep people tuned in to what you are saying.
• Do a Q&A or poll.  If one person has asked a question, then there are probably five people thinking the same question.
• Consider posting your playlist. Several well-known authors do this and have attracted fans who may be listening to the same type of music as them!

Contact us about building your website!

Need your book published? Let us know!

The post How to Build the Perfect Website For Authors appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

We spoke to Katherine about bringing this special book to life.

What made you want to write and publish this book?

Artemis John Korkidis after the loss of his beloved wife, Sophie, chose in his later years to write stories about his life and his experiences as a gift to his daughters and his grandchildren.

Written originally in Greek he asked his daughter, Dr. Katherine E.A, Korkidis, a writer, to do a translation of his writings so that all his grandchildren and their grandchildren could read it someday.

Katherine translated and combined two of her father’s four manuscripts, as well as added new content to create The AJK Anthology.

How long did it take to write the book?

It took Artemis 6 months to write his first two manuscripts. It took Katherine four months to completely translate and add content to her dad’s writings.

What was the most difficult part of putting this book together?

The most difficult part was securing the original photos in a higher resolution of the first executions during the German occupation.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

My favorite story to translate and for my father to write was part 4: The Battle of Crete. He had written this story when we were very young children. Having lived through this difficult time for his homeland he wanted us to one day understand the bravery of people that fought for freedom. When I found this story amongst his manuscripts I had to add it to the Anthology. It was written from the memories of a young man.

Besides writing this book, what are your other interests?

My father was a philosopher and an intellectual, a loving husband and father. He loved to learn and read, particularly politics, and was always there to help all who knew him.

He loved to write, paint, spent time with his family, and inspire others. He was an avid painter and had created over 500 paintings of nature. He loved the natural world, the sea in particular. His first love was the sea. I am proud to be his daughter and give an audience to his many works. His legacy to all of us was his love of others, his thirst for education, and most of all his love for our natural world.

Katherine E. A. Korkidis is a PhD physicist and loves writing, teaching, and astrophysics. I am a classical pianist and love to sing and lector.

I love the natural world as did my father, particularly the sea. It serves as an inspiration for my writings. I am a writer of short fictional stories of various genres from science fiction to mystery and have also published my first novel four months ago called Josette, my second novel, Daniel, is being currently printed, and I am writing the third novel, Josette and Daniel, of this trilogy.

I have also written my own Anthology of my short stories to be published soon. I also like to write blogs for My Author’s Corner on My website is https://katherinekorkidisauthor.com/ and posts on my author’s FB page ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079099482023). I have written websites and do freelance work as a graphics designer.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

With my father now gone it was not a celebration but rather a realization of a promise delivered. I was proud of his works and my only regret was that I did not finish his book before his death.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

My father was a gentle man with much intelligence and understanding.

My favorite actor is Tom Hanks, particularly of his performance in “News of the World”.

In addition he loves the Greek Islands and with his wife who is of Greek descent, Rita Wilson, he is immersed in Greek Culture and history.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

From the first step working with my sales consultant, updates from [company president] David Zeolla to inform me on the next step, and the experience of working with an excellent production and promotion team. The entire process was easy and very professional. I would have to say I enjoyed the editing process the most.

Five favorite books of all time?

My dad loved the philosophical works of Plato, Socrates and the tragedies of Sophocles and Euripides and of course the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer.

I love the works of Dickens, particularly A Tale of Two Cities, The Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, and David Copperfield.

My favorite five works are Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, The Dubliners by James Joyce, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. I have many other classical writers of British and Russian literature that I admire and enjoy reading.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to preserve a family members’ writing through a book like The AJK Anthology?

Keep all photos and writings such as journals from members of your family, both young and old. Preserve them if you can. Take the time to piece together all in a written work. 

I would highly recommend to piece together through writings and photos into a timeline and record of your family’s history. Giving the gift of a family history is priceless for future generations.

Thank you, Dr. Korkidis!

You can purchase The AJK Anthology at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Have a family history book you would like to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Artemios Korkidis and Dr. Katherine Korkidis appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

In Spain, the tiny village of Urueña boasts a strong industry of bookstores. Located in the rural Spanish countryside, Urueña has a population of 100 people – and 11 stores that sell books, with 9 dedicated bookstores. That is over 1 bookstore for every ten people!

According to a piece by the New York Times last month, this village has an aging rural population and not much industry to speak of. Turning into a book lover’s mecca didn’t happen on accident. It was a concerted effort by the town in order to bring visitors and a sense of pride to Urueña.

There are several rural book hubs across Europe, according to this report, such as notably Montmorillon in France and Hay-on-Wye in Wales. The village of Urueña invested about 3 million Euro from the government to restore old buildings and convert them into bookstores. They also created a conference center with the funds, making the town even more attractive for outside tourists. 

As it turns out, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to book tourism: 

Spain has one of Europe’s biggest book-publishing markets, feeding a network of about 3,000 independent bookstores — and double that number if stationery shops and other places that sell books are counted. But about 40 percent of bookstores have less than €90,000 in annual revenue, which amounts to operating “a subsistence business,” according to Álvaro Manso, spokesman for CEGAL, an association that represents Spain’s independent bookstores.

The economics of the small town leave something to be considered. Despite the bookselling industry, no younger people are moving to Urueña. The vast majority of the 100 people who live there are retirees, living off their pensions. Food and other supplies must be delivered from larger towns. Rural populations continuing to decline is a trend in Spain. 

The residents remain hopeful and proud of being a tourist destination. Around 19,000 tourists visited Urueña in 2021, despite the covid-19 pandemic. Local officials think the number was probably higher, due to those who only stayed for the day and didn’t check in with the local offices. 

The Times article featured several residents.

Isaac García has a bookstore in Urueña that specializes in publications about film. He and his partner had previously lived in Hay-on-Wye, the book haven in Wales. The couple jumped at the opportunity to have their own bookstore in the heartland of Spain.

“We felt that we could combine a great business with a dream countryside lifestyle, but this time in our home country,” García said. “Hay of course has had much more time to mature and establish itself as a literary hub, but I think we’re getting there in Urueña, bit by bit.”

Likewise, longtime resident Joaquín Díaz, is a Spanish folk singer and ethnographer. Díaz, now 74, moved to Urueña from Valladolid in the 1980s and lives in a historic building where he has gathered a vast collection of instruments, books and recordings. His home was turned into a museum by the provincial authorities three decades ago.

When he first arrived in the village, there were more specialty stores, including a thriving crafts sector. Now that industry is gone, replaced by the bookstores. There is not much nostalgia for it, though, as the bookstores have allowed the village to have new life. 

“Overall, life is much easier now in the Spanish countryside than 50 years ago, and nobody could ever imagine that books could ever get sold and help save this village when I arrived here,” Díaz said.

Maybe we will see a Dorrance title in one of these bookstores someday.

Read the Times article for more details!

The post This Spanish Village Has More Bookstores Than Students! appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Develop Your World
What sets fantasy apart from other genres is its immersive worlds. Take some time to think about and plan your far away fantastical setting of your book or books, either before or after you know the details of your plot. Having the mechanisms of your setting planned out will help you write the novel more smoothly. It will help you convey your world to your readers in a way that draws them in.

This not only means the physical landscape of the world, but the politics and culture of it as well. Every society has a culture with a set of rules and norms – even mythical ones. It is even more important to flesh these out ahead of time for a fantasy story than for one that takes place in our contemporary world, for both yourself and your audience. You may think you have your fantasy world entirely in your own head, but planning out the world can help you avoid continuity errors – elements of the plot that contradict a previously explained element. Use notes or a graphic organizer to sketch out your fantasy world, as well as the rules and norms for your fantasy society. There are many resources online to help you in this task.

Character and Narration
A similar amount of care and devotion should be used to develop your characters and their voices. Decide if your story will be told through first-person narration, third person limited, or third person omniscient narration.

First person narration will be told through a character with the use of “I” and an intimate knowledge of their inner mind, thoughts, and feelings. In third person limited, a reader has intimate knowledge of a main character and follows them. The degree to which they are known is up to you, the author. In third person omniscient narration, an outside observer knows about and follows many characters.

Deciding on what route to take with narration will affect the structure and flow of the story. Ask yourself: Is your story better told through one singular character, or many characters whose lives interweave?

Know Your Audience
Fantasy is an interesting genre in that it is quite popular with children, teens, and adults alike. It is unlikely, however, that your story will appeal to all audiences. It is important to decide who your audience will be – or, what the “rating” of your novel will be. A novel for teens should not have the same levels of violence and mature subject matter as one for adults. A fantasy book for children will be much shorter than one for middle grade students. Use discretion and decide early on who your target audience will be. Additionally, there are a number of subgenres within fantasy that might be worth considering – it’s not all wizards and dragons. Steampunk, magical realism, and urban fantasy are examples of other popular fantasy subgenres. Find your niche early on.

The Conflict
Of course, it wouldn’t be a fantasy book without the plot – the central conflict that drives the story. Every story has to have an action that kicks off the plot and sets things into motion. From there, a character will have a mission or a goal. When you zoom out, you will see your main character or characters having conflicts with other beings, ideas, the nature of their world, or even themselves. Conflict will make readers care about the story and ultimately lead to the overarching message of the story. That message is entirely up to you. Ask yourself: what do you want to say with your book? What lesson do you want to teach?

Think About – But Don’t Necessarily Avoid – Cliches

As you take stock of your characters and your plot, you may find that you use cliches of the fantasy genre. The wise wizard, a prophecy that must be fulfilled, or a main character that is “the chosen one” are all examples of fantasy genre cliches. While some may say to avoid these devices, a more interesting approach is to use a cliche but to make it your own. Put a slightly different spin on these cliches, and they will no longer be cliches. Readers will take pleasure in something that is familiar to them, yet something new at the same time. For example, maybe the wise old wizard that mentors your main character isn’t really that wise after all.

Take your time to think about all of these aspects, and have fun as you embark on your fantasy writing journey.

For extra help, consider our writing coach program.

If your fantasy novel is already written and waiting to be published, contact us!

The post Things to Think About Before You Write Your Fantasy Book appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Know Why You’re Writing

It is important to have a clear vision of why you are writing your nonfiction book. With a clear vision and purpose, your writing can be well organized. Otherwise, you run the risk of simply ranting about your topic. Ask yourself: Why is my topic important enough to write a book about? What do I want my readers to take away from the book? What is the ultimate message I want to send? If you don’t have quick answers to these questions, take some time to think about them.

Make An Outline

The best way to stay organized when writing your book is to make a detailed outline. Make headings for each chapter and use subheadings when appropriate. Under each heading and subheading, jot down the main points you want to make in that section. An outline is a guide – it doesn’t have to be set in stone. You can always make changes later if you find something that flows better as you are writing.

Research 

Even if you are an expert in your topic, it is a good idea to have research to back up your claims. Look for books, articles, and other sources at your local library and online to verify that your facts are correct. Include your sources in your book via a reference page at the end. If you have previously published books or studies that you have conducted that you are using, cite them as well and be sure to talk about how they make you credible. This will help you boost your credibility as an author while also qualifying you as an expert in your specific area of interest. 

Be Personal

While any nonfiction book is about a real-world topic, you can still show your personality. Write in a tone of voice that feels natural to you. Use words and phrases that you would use, not what necessarily sounds the “smartest.” Having a unique voice will make you more endearing and appealing to readers. Additionally, don’t be afraid to include personal anecdotes about your connection to your topic. These personal touches usually come in the introduction, as you work to establish why you are writing your book.

Flow

In addition to being personal, it is important to keep the flow of the narrative in mind while writing nonfiction. This relates to the question of why you are writing in the first place. Avoid diversions into other topics that are not relevant to your overall take-home message. Reader attention spans are finite, so it is important to keep a reader’s attention. Taking a sharp turn into other directions may confuse readers. For example, if you are writing a book about military aircraft, you might not need to include a rant about how passenger airplanes operate today.

Look to the Future 

As you near the end of your book, it is often helpful to look towards the future in regards to your topic. How is your topic relevant going forward? Remember the question of why you are writing the book in the first place. The end of the book is the place for you to drill down on why all the ideas, facts, and theories of your book are important.

We hope these do’s and don’ts are helpful in your writing journey.

Ready to go farther with your writing? Consider joining our Writing Coach program!

Finished with your nonfiction book? Contact us!

The post Neat Tips for Nonfiction Writing appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

What is your name and where are you from?

Bill Humbert – I grew up in Hyattsville, MD. For the past 12.5 years, we have lived in Park City, UT.

Describe your book in 10 words or less:

Step by Step Guide to Find A New Career

What made you want to write Expect Success! The Science of the Over 50 Career Search?

From March 15, 2020 to December 31, 2020, during the height of Covid-19, I coached 32 Professionals in their searches for a new position. Only 4 of those Professionals were less than 50 years old. At the beginning of our coaching, they all were concerned that no company would hire them because of their age. I coached them all to new positions – eleven of them received increases in compensation and 4 of those received 30% or more increases. One gentleman was 66 years old. I coached him into another CFO position.

What was your favorite part of the book to write and why?

Salary negotiation is painful for most people. I am RecruiterGuy.com with over 40 years of recruiting experience. I know what candidates should say – and what they Should Not say! My book is written in Steps to find a new Career – The Step called “Strong Salary Negotiation” was my favorite step because it is so painful for most people – and I make it easier.

What is one thing you have learned in your career that might surprise people?

Over 40 years of Professional Recruiting experience, I have read over 400,000 resumes. Most people are shocked when they learn that in my first pass I only average 6 seconds reading their resume – and I was timed in 1993 by Andrea, my assistant. Hopefully, my time has improved since then!

Outside of your career (and writing this book), what are your other interests?

I enjoy spending time with Linda, my wife of 48 years and our daughters and their families. I love hiking in the mountains and sharing my favorite spots with families, friends, and Deer Valley Resort guests. When I get moments alone, I enjoy reading books.

What are some of your favorite books?

Professional – “Topgrading: How Leading Companies Win By Hiring, Coaching, and Keeping The Best People by Bradford D. Smart, Ph.D.

“The Four Commitments Of A Winning Team” by Mark Eaton

“What To Do When It’s Your Turn (and it’s always your turn)” by Seth Godin

Personal – I devoured the Robert B. Parker Series in the 1990s. I enjoy the mystery series by David Baldacci, the Tom Clancy series, and books that describe historical events.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

When I received notice that I would receive my Author copy last Monday, I contacted Park City TV to set my 127th television interview as the Reveal for my book last Wednesday – My 127th #TVInterview is the Reveal for “Expect Success! The Science Of The Over 50 Career Search” – YouTube

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Working with professionals, like you, in Promotions!

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to write their own book?

This is my 3rd published book. Follow these three steps –

1. Find a Topic that you are passionate about
2. Outline your message and then begin to write
3. Listen to your brain when it gives you a great addition to your book – for me, that is generally 2 or 3 AM. The code between my wife and me is, “The Words just have to get out!”

Then either find a publisher like Dorrance Publishing, or find a great Editor, Cover Designer, and Page Designer.

Finally, promote your book, Promote Your Book, PROMOTE YOUR BOOK!

Thank you, Bill!

You can purchase Expect Success! The Science of the Over 50 Career Search at the Dorrance Publishing bookstore.

Are you a seasoned professional and want to write a book about your experiences? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Bill Humbert appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Name: Stephen Rubino

Hometown: Washington, DC

Book Title: Act of Faith

Genre: Historical Fiction

Dorrance Publishing (DP): Describe your book in 10 words or less.

Stephen Rubino (SR): A behind the curtain look at the global abuse scandal.

DP: What made you want to write your book?

SR: The arc of all of the personalities that were involved in the scandal has never been put in one place for a dramatic presentation that are rooted in actual events. They needed to be. Unfortunately the toxicity of the sexual abuse cycle is permanent. Recovery from this is more akin to managing the randomness of the reoccurring memories as opposed to recovery as is generally understood. 

DP: How long did it take you to write your book?

SR: 4.5 years.

DP: What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

SR: I keep writing and visualize the dialog(the actual people  of the next scene. It usually works and gets things going again. I am also a big proponent of relaxing the conscious part of the brain and just before bedtime lay down with a belief that the writing problem will get worked through in the subconscious enough so to get a solution the next day. This has worked for me for over 40 years. May not work for anyone else but that is what I do.

DP: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

SR: Chapter 8 Running Into the Darkness. Elizabeth is impulsive and for the first time she agrees to try and unpack her abuse memories with her first love who she has not seen in thirty years. Her first love happens to be a Catholic priest. Humor, awkwardness, despair, anger, resilience, determination and fear all come together in one chapter.

DP: If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why?

-One friend or family member:

SR: My Uncle Joe who was a master stone carver. Would want to know more of the story of his immigration from Italy and his training as a stone carver. I should have asked more questions when I had him in my life. 

-One fictional character:

SR: Jack Ryan from Tom Clancy novels.

-One famous person (living or dead):

SR: Coretta Scott King. From 2010-2013 I was CEO of the King Estate and managed the world wide rights of MLK’s intellectual property. After the assassination she raised four children that had experienced significant trauma. That is an amazing feat in my opinion. Would love to talk to her about that.

DP: Besides writing, what are your other interests?

SR: We make maple syrup in Vermont and I enjoy woodlot stewardship (400 acres) immensely.

DP: Do you keep a journal?

SR: Yes.

DP: How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

SR: Did not celebrate, too early in the process.

DP: If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

SR: Jennifer Lawrence as Elizabeth, Colin Firth as Tom Atkinson, Ray Abruzzo as Anthony Courso.

DP: What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

SR: The marketing. Both the cover and manuscript had been previously developed and professionally edited for content, substance and style prior to submission.

DP: Five favorite books of all time?

SR: No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin

T-Rex and the Crater of Doom Walter Alvarez

The Last Lion by William Manchester

Hunt for Red October Tom Clancy

Titan by Ron Chernow

DP: One sentence of advice for other writers:

SR: If you think you can’t, you won’t; if you think you can you will. I do not own that sentiment. It has appeared in dozens of places and differing formats, but is what I lived by and taught my children.

Thank you, Stephen!

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Do you write first thing in the morning, before work? After work? Only on the weekends? What if you don’t have an office at home, do you go to a coffeeshop? What if the coffeeshop is too noisy? How do you keep yourself motivated? All of these practical matters are real things to be considered when writing your book. At Dorrance, we support writers at every stage of the writing process, and increasing your productivity is no exception. Here are some logistical, practical tips to help you as you write your book.

Set up a schedule

Finding and honoring the time to write is perhaps the greatest obstacle to writing. If you’re new to the practice of writing a longer work, start simple. Think about your schedule and find a time of day that works for you to write. For example, if you are finished with work and dinner, take time to rest, and have free time in the evening at 7:00 pm, set 7 o’clock as your writing time. Set aside forty minutes to an hour to do nothing else but write every day. If you find yourself with writer’s block, use the time to make character notes or go over your outline. That way you are still being productive on your work at the same time every day.

If committing to write every day is too much for you due to prior commitments, pick a couple of days a week. Once you’ve worked out a writing time that works for you, mark your writing time in your calendar or planner. If calendars and planners don’t work for you, write it on a sticky note and put it in a place you will see it!

Have a designated area to write in

Having a designated space to write in also helps switch your brain to writing mode. This could be a space in your home, or a place outside the home such as a local coffeeshop. Be honest with yourself about what your ideal writing environment should look and sound like. For example, if the local coffeeshop is too noisy for you, don’t suffer through it because it’s close to home. Maybe try a space in your house or apartment or at a local library. Whatever your space is, make sure it is a space you go to write or work on your manuscript only. Leave the space when your writing time is over. This will not only help increase your focus and productivity, but it will also help your brain switch to writing mode for next time.

While these tricks regarding time and place are meant to be helpful, they are also not meant to stifle anyone’s creativity. Inspiration can strike at any time of the day. If you feel motivated to write outside of your normal time or in an unconventional space, always do so! Maybe in your bed at 3 am is your writing place and time – it’s about finding what works for you.

Consider comfort

In addition to having a designated space and time, comfort must be considered when writing. Writing is a stationary activity and as a result can be hard on the body. Use a comfortable, ergonomic seat when you can. Perhaps invest in a standing desk. It is important to assume a posture that works for you and your body, whether you use a computer or handwrite your draft.

Set Clear Goals

Set goals for yourself on a day to day, week to week, or month to month basis. While the big end goal is to finish your manuscript, it is helpful to set smaller goals for yourself along the way. You can set goals related to reaching a certain word count – for example, to write 5,000 words in a week. Other goals can be smaller, such as writing without looking at your phone during your set writing time. Setting goals will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to continue with your writing journey so you can reach the ultimate goal of finishing your manuscript. Reward yourself for reaching the goals if you can with rewards you like.

Practice positive self-talk

Even with all these considerations, it is entirely possible that you fall off your schedule or don’t reach your goal for productivity right away. When this happens, it is important not to talk down to yourself. You are still a writer, and your story still deserves to be told. Simply try altering something in your routine, such as your writing time or place. Reach out to trusted friends to confide in about your struggles. Seek out forums and groups for writers online for support from writers who have gone through similar things. It is highly likely that there are others out there who are feeling similarly as you.

At the end of the day, writing a book is hard work and it can often be hard to maintain productivity. We hope the above tips are helpful for you and lead to a productive writing journey. If you would like extra help with maintaining productivity, consider Dorrance Publishing’s Writing Coach services. Our writing coaches are professional personal trainers for writers who will help you meet your writing goals.

And when you are finished and ready to publish, contact our team!

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