Lesson 30

Writing Class 101 by Rick Kurtis
Lesson 30
Get your ducks in a row.
Welcome back. How much fun have you had? Send me a line and let me know. I have enjoyed every minute. Today, let’s recap, and get our ducks in a row, quack-quack.
Form an idea. Something that you are really passionate about. Learn everything you can in order to make your own decisions. Read or

1. skim over other books that are already published and in the libraries or stores to see what worked for them. To be in those places, they did something right. Make a general outline for your story to give you a guide and to keep you on track.
2. Write a great book. Make sure the first page is dynamic. Make the first sentence intriguing to draw them in. Give your character a flaw, and keep a conflict push and pull throughout the book. A constant struggle. If you get stuck, try different scenarios and keep learning by searching on the Internet. Ask Google all the questions you want. You might be surprised on what pops up. Watch your clichés, phrases, and trouble words. Go back periodically to check for grammar and mistakes. Make sure that the sentence flows. Do not use copyrighted material, or licensed logos.
3. You made it to the end. Read and reread. Rewrite and read again. Title your chapters if you want or haven’t. Enlarge, maybe even the font size, and read again.
4. Self-edit. Print out your book and read it out loud. Study every line, word, punctuation, and sentence structure. Use a red pen for corrections to make it easier to find. Read one paragraph at a time starting from the end of the book. Make sure every sentence flows smoothly, and it is understandable. Have a friend read it to you out loud and listen for any mistakes. Have them look, and mark mistakes. Have them give you criticism on the plot, or trouble spots that they don’t understand. Again, rewrite and correct. Check all your rewrites and save.
5. Get your book copyrighted. Fill out the form for copyright. Save your book as a document or PDF, and send them a copy through email when prompted. Within a day or two, you will receive confirmation that it is registered and you are the sole owner of that story.
6. Hire an editor. Find one that you can trust, or that you have a rapport with. While the editor is working, think about a perfect cover, the perfect title, the color scheme and design layout. Hire someone to make your cover, or make your own. Make sure that the pictures are public domain, or purchase them online. Along with this, start advertising. Let people know your book is completed and in editing. Hype it up. Set a release date even. Give them little snippets about the book to increase their curiosity.
7. Make your cover. Follow a few online YouTube videos that can guide you through the process. Post and share for suggestions and approval. Also buy your ISBN, unless one is provided through other sources. Remember to get at least four ISBNs. Make sure you leave room on the back cover for the barcode and ISBN. Also come up with prices for at least the paperback, and the e-book. Check other books out that are in your same genre and size. Use them for comparison.
8. Edit is complete. Change all the edit suggestions that you agree with. The ones that you might not agree with, you might want to rewrite a few sentences in order to keep the editors correction and also get your point across. Double check each page making sure you caught them all. Sometimes there might just be a comma, or a little red check for an apostrophe that has been added, or one letter changed in a misspelled word.
9. Now it is time to publish. If you want help, write the perfect query letter. Send them to agents, publishing houses along with the manuscript if requested, or three chapters and a synopsis. Sit back and wait for 3 to 6 months for their response. If using a vanity publisher and you are willing to part with a few thousand dollars, they will take anything, and you will know within days. Send them the first payment, and they will begin. If you decide self-publish, format your manuscript by following the Amazon outline, (five by eight book size for cover) for a printed book, and the format for an e-book. Smashwords is also an easy format if you decide to go with them. Both have YouTube videos to help and explain.
10. While your book is being processed, make an audiobook, or hire someone. Check the Internet and compare prices, quality, and time. Some might split the profit from the sale with no upfront cost. Record and submit with your price, and ISBN.
11. Time to place ads and market everywhere for free, and if possible, buy ad space. Set up a website if you haven’t done so already. Tell everyone on all your page connections. Ask them to check out your site, your ads and politely ask for feedback. Try to get everyone involved and excited about your book. Get out and solicit businesses, libraries, Internet shops to sell your book, or to do a book signing. Let everyone know where they can find your book. Make sure your website is connected to Amazon.
12. Now that you are a rising star, make a YouTube video. Get on the radio if possible. Go on Jimmy Fallon, or Oprah, and rise to fame. Get coverage on your local news, if possible, or a local morning talk-show. Do everything you can to promote yourself and your book. Be humble, but yet boastful at the same time. Show passion about your book.
13. Write more books, your fans are waiting. Give some books out to charity events to be auctioned off. Stand on the corner, and maybe you will be seen by the news. Do book signings, and handout trinkets that display your website and book cover. Keep promoting and tell everyone your progress and good news.
14. Sign a movie deal after sending out your book as a screenplay. Sit with the actors on the Jimmy Kimmel show for your five minutes of fame, and plug your other books, future books, and your website. Hey, it could happen. I wish you all the best of luck in the world, and

 
Happy Writing from rickkurtisbooks.com