Writing Roots

S17E5 – What Price Should I Set for My Book?

Pricing is not always easy when considering the value of a produce, especially of a book. You may believe it’s worth much more because it’s yours. Not everyone agrees, however, and the cost of something is almost always decided by the customer. Authors need to consider, honestly and truthfully, what their book is worth to the reader in order to set the price.
In this episode, Ley and Leigh discuss different methods for determining the cost and profit balances, along with those common for major self-publishing outlets.
First aired December 17, 2020.
The post S17E5 – What Price Should I Set for My Book? appeared first on Writing Roots.

S17E4 – How Do I Determine the Genre of a Book?

The specifics of a genre can be difficult to determine at times. You may know your book is fantasy, but what kind of fantasy? What kind of Young Adult novel did you just write? Knowing the subgenre can make sure you reach the right kind of audience. The ones that will like and enjoy your book.
First aired December 14, 2020.
The post S17E4 – How Do I Determine the Genre of a Book? appeared first on Writing Roots.

S17E3 – To Cliffhang or Not to Cliffhang?

One question we encounter a lot is about how to keep a reader interested in a story. What devices can be used to make the reader turn the page, or say “just one more chapter” over and over? One that many authors turn to is the cliffhanger. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as saying “to be continued.”
While there are times that a cliffhanger is the perfect device, it can also create more frustration for the reader than curiosity. It comes down to when and how they’re used. Listen to this episode for an explanation of different kinds of cliffhangers and where they can be used best.
First aired December 10, 2020.
The post S17E3 – To Cliffhang or Not to Cliffhang? appeared first on Writing Roots.

S17E2 – What Makes a Book Impactful and Unforgettable?

All authors want to make some kind of impact on their readers through their words. Even books written for pure entertainment need to have some kind of influence, even if it’s just for a few laughs. Accomplishing that task, however, is no easy feat.
The question we wish to answer is how to make a book have that kind of lingering impact on a reader. While no genre is the same – and no book, for that matter – there are elements that can be used across any writing. It starts with connection. Listen to the episode for more on how to create that link between your readers and your book that will leave an impression with them that lasts beyond the final words of the book.
First aired December 6, 2020.
The post S17E2 – What Makes a Book Impactful and Unforgettable? appeared first on Writing Roots.

S17E1 – How Descriptive Should I Get With Appearances?

The whole purpose of Writing Roots is to help authors achieve their goals. To help them write and to be published, if that is their wish. Along the way, though, writers often find stumbling blocks and no good resource to turn to for answers. That’s why in December, we want to answer your questions. We see and hear the same questions time and time again. This month, we are giving you the answers.
December’s first question is about appearances. There’s a balance for describing characters and scenes that can be difficult to achieve. You want to give the readers enough to have a clear image in their minds without overwhelming them with unnecessary and boring details. This episode breaks down when and how to describe characters and scene in not only the first book, but in the sequels.
First aired December 3, 2020.
The post S17E1 – How Descriptive Should I Get With Appearances? appeared first on Writing Roots.

S16E9 – Sharing the Spotlight: Including Victories for Secondary Characters

There are some things that can help any author simply write, no matter the genre. We’re sharing with you this month tricks of the writing trade. Especially during November, which is National Novel Writing Month, writers everywhere need all the help they can get to hit that 50,000 word count goal. That includes things like how to write right, filling the middle bits of a book, and making sure to also highlight supporting characters.
It’s time for the end. Protagonists bask in the glory of hard-earned victories, but even with that satisfaction, the ends of books can fall flat. One solution is to give the other characters victories of their own. Many readers find their favorite characters are not the main ones who are the focus of the story, but the supporting cast there to bolster the protagonist and add a little joviality. Listen to this episode to learn how and why those in the supporting cast deserve a moment in the spotlight at the end.
First aired November 30, 2020.
The post S16E9 – Sharing the Spotlight: Including Victories for Secondary Characters appeared first on Writing Roots.

S16 Bonus – Punctuation and Paragraphing

There are subtle things in writing that change the flow of the sentences and paragraphs. Punctuation marks do more than denote a stop or pause. They create a flow for the reader much like musical annotations dictate the rises and falls of a symphony piece. There’s also more to their uses in fiction that what is initially taught in grade school. Along with punctuation, how paragraphs are formatted and split can lead the reader to continuing beyond the breaks, pulling them along with little teases for what’s still to come.
Learning these aspects of writing, though, can be difficult. It’s not as easy because no computer program can fill in the gaps for when to use certain punctuation or when to make a new paragraph. This bonus episode breaks down the uses for different punctuation – and when not to use them – and discusses how to use paragraphing to pull the reader further in the story.
First aired November 28, 2020.
The post S16 Bonus – Punctuation and Paragraphing appeared first on Writing Roots.

S15E8 – Pet the Dog: Moments to Humanize Characters

There are some things that can help any author simply write, no matter the genre. We’re sharing with you this month tricks of the writing trade. Especially during November, which is National Novel Writing Month, writers everywhere need all the help they can get to hit that 50,000 word count goal. That includes things like how to write right, filling the middle bits of a book, and making sure to also highlight supporting characters.
Some characters need to be seen as hard and immovable. For readers to sympathize with a character, however, there needs to be a different side. They need to have a moment we like to call “pet the dog.” It’s that moment where the character shows they really do have emotions and empathy for something else. But there are other uses for these moments as well. Hosts Ley and Leigh discuss how to use this writing tool, and some of their favorite uses in popular fiction.
First aired November 16, 2020.
The post S15E8 – Pet the Dog: Moments to Humanize Characters appeared first on Writing Roots.

S16E7 – Yes, But…

There are some things that can help any author simply write, no matter the genre. We’re sharing with you this month tricks of the writing trade. Especially during November, which is National Novel Writing Month, writers everywhere need all the help they can get to hit that 50,000 word count goal. That includes things like how to write right, filling the middle bits of a book, and making sure to also highlight supporting characters.
There are a few tricks authors can use to move the story along in the slog of the middle of the book. On top of having subplots that can develop, there is a device called “yes, but…” that can give the readers satisfaction while still providing obstacles. Going along with the last episode, this device creates caveats to the hero’s successes in the middle. They accomplish something, but something else has gone wrong as a result. Ley and Leigh break down how to use this device in this latest episode.
Hope your NaNo is going well! Don’t forget to enter our giveaway (details here).
The post S16E7 – Yes, But… appeared first on Writing Roots.

S16E6 – Throw in an Obstacle

There are some things that can help any author simply write, no matter the genre. We’re sharing with you this month tricks of the writing trade. Especially during November, which is National Novel Writing Month, writers everywhere need all the help they can get to hit that 50,000 word count goal. That includes things like how to write right, filling the middle bits of a book, and making sure to also highlight supporting characters.
There’s only about a week and half left in NaNoWriMo, which means writers around the world are in the middle of their stories. This can be the most difficult part to write because things need to happen, but what? We can’t just skip to the end and call it good. But what exactly needs to go in the middle? The answer is simple in saying, but not in execution. Obstacles. Protagonists need to have challenges along the way to their final goal. In this episode, Ley and Leigh discuss ways to throw obstacles at your characters to make them struggle and pull your readers into the story.
First aired November 19, 2020.
The post S16E6 – Throw in an Obstacle appeared first on Writing Roots.