Writing, publishing, marketing and reading are J.Q.’s favorite topics to blog about. Her first e-book, Sunshine Boulevard, was released by Muse It Up Publishing in 2011. You can imagine how many things have changed in the world of writing and reading since then. She has a second mystery/romance, Coda to Murder, also from MuseItUp Publishing.
J.Q. self-published a fun short story, The Good Neighbors, and an e-book, Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women, for middle grade girls. She tries and keep up with this amazing industry and all the good books available and believes the best solution is for authors to share with each other.
J.Q. Rose has been writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years. Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. Spending winters in Florida with her husband allows her the opportunity to enjoy the life of a snowbird. Summer finds her camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her grandchildren.
The Writer’s Voice
by J.Q. Rose
Being an author in this age of exploding technology is both a gift and a curse. It is a gift because there are so many ways to get stories into the hands of readers. And it is a curse because there are so many books being published every day that an author’s story can get lost in this vast ocean of books. So, how does an author get noticed?
There are only so many plots one can write. Critic Christopher Booker maintains in his book, “Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories” that there are “only seven basic plots in the whole world and every story is a variation of these.” The seven he cites are: 1. Overcoming the Monster, 2. Rags to Riches, 3. The Quest, 4. Voyage and Return, 5. Rebirth, 6. Comedy and 7. Tragedy. Read the entire article by MICHIKO KAKUTANI in the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/15/books/15book.html?_r=0
Now as an author, this theory worries me. How does one stand out in an ocean of stories if there are only seven basic plots to write? Haven’t they all been done? What’s left for me?
I conquered the tribulation over the amount of stories published every day and the number of basic plots available simply by realizing I am unique. Each author is distinctive and will tell the same story in his/her own way.
Finding my writer’s voice is the only way to grab onto the lifesaver to rescue my books from drowning in that roiling ocean. Quirky characters, a location I know well, humor, and surprises for readers are the elements that make up my stories.
I remember Lea Schizas’ email to me when she offered a contract with MuseItUp Publishing for my first published mystery, Sunshine Boulevard. She said, “We love your voice.”
Sunshine Boulevard
Mysterious deaths upset the Florida retirement community interfering with their seasonal activities and turning up more than dead bodies.
Who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard? Follow Jim and Gloria Hart, snowbirds who annually migrate to Florida for warm sunshine, fun, and games in snow-free winters. However this season, Jim Hart, a volunteer First Responder in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge, is drawn into the investigation of the mysterious deaths. Even in the midst of the unfortunate demise of the residents on Sunshine Boulevard, the Harts try to enjoy the winter with friends. They don’t realize that their friends are getting together for their own kinds of affairs with each other. The neighbors are in a dither over the deaths, but perhaps more intrigued by the gossip about the affairs and why the naked lady was found lying in the geranium bed.
THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND PUBLICATIONS BY J. Q. ROSE
Available on Amazon
Available on Barnes & Nobel
MuseItUp has also included Sunshine Boulevard in a book bundle of mysteries with authors Heather Fraser Brainerd, David Fraser, Sara-Jayne Townsend, and Conda Douglas. The bundle, Sirens on Death Starke Blvd, is an early Black Friday special available November 28 for $1.99. But readers can pre-order now! Price will go up on December 2. Here is a ink to the bundle: Sirens on Death Starke Blvd, Mystery Bundle
Hi Margaret, Thanks so much for hosting me today. I’m excited to be here at the author/artist blog. Looking forward to meeting readers and glad to answer any questions…or almost any…questions about my writing process, publishing, and marketing.
Glad to have you J.Q. I’m sure it’s going to be a great read for our visitors. Thank you for your great blog post.
Good to be here. Thanks.
Loved your post, JQ. You’ve absolutely hit the nail on the head when you say it’s a great time for writers to get published – and a difficult time to get noticed! And I know just what Lea meant when she said you have a great voice. The bundle of mysteries looks superb. Love the cover. Best of luck with release!
Hi Helena. Yes, J.Q. got it right about what’s going on in the publishing world. And she gave some very interesting links to read more about the subject, too. Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment.
Thanks, Helena. I’ve been doing a lot of studying over the summer on book marketing. Nobody has the real answer to how to get your book noticed. So we try everything, I guess! Thanks for stopping in.
I am a J.Q. Rose fan! When writing a review for J.Q.’s, Coda to Murder, I said, “This is one of the few times that I have read a novel where I feel I learned a great deal about the author.” J.Q.’s blogs are a testament to seeing what a kind, spiritual person she is. ( J.Q., how do you like being talked about in the third person? Lol!)
Sunshine Boulevard sounds like a fun read with a great setting. Best wishes to you, J.Q. Enjoy your winter in Florida.
Happy Thanksgiving, Margaret and J.Q.
Susan
Hi Susan. What a great response to J.Q.’s blog post. She is indeed a special person. Interesting how we know people we have never met personally and authorship is one of those interesting ways of revealing information. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Oh, Margaret, thank you. Yes, I cherish friendships we’ve made because of being in this crazy writing business. It’s even more fun hosting/guestng on each other’s blogs because we get to work together and know each other better behind the scenes.
JQ, it’s great to have you on my blog. Yes, it’s fun to host and be a guest!!
Hi Susan, thanks for those kind words. No, I don’t mind being talked about in third person with such lovely sentiments. Enjoying my stay in FL especially this week with those giant snowfalls up north! Although I must add we had a frost here last night. Had to cover the garden a couple of nights already and it’s only Oct.!!
You have a blessed Thanksgiving too!
Janet, I enjoyed learning more about you. You’re a very interesting lady with a great writing voice. I’ve read Coda and have just purchased the mystery bundle.
I envy your ability to keep up with blogging. I’m sorely lacking with my own.
Hi Leona, Margaret may have 3 responses to you from me. I wrote 2 on my tablet. I just haven’t go the “hang” of it yet. Not sure if they went through from there. So I popped in on my trusty laptop to tell you how much I appreciate you stopping in. I love blogging and meeting so many wonderful folks…like you. Thanks.
Hey, Margaret and JQ. Great post. I’ll FB and Tweet. Though I just posted I was getting off social media for a couple of hours to write. Ha! So difficult to do.
Hi Marsha. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Great that you will FB and Tweet JQ’s post. Hope you get back to your writing.
Hi Marsha, thanks for tweeting and FBing (is that a word??) Thanks for coming over and spending time with us.
Just got the word that Margaret’s daughter has a new baby – a lovely little girl named Dalia – we all join in love and thanks and prayers for this healthy and joyous event with the Mendel Family! Thelma Straw in Manhattan
Thelma what a wonderful comment!! Yes, we are thrilled to have this new little girl in our family. She fits into my arms like an angel!!
Hi Leona! I really like to write my blog posts and get the graphics put together with the copy. Just like Conda said on my blog today– market with social media you like. I’m glad blogging isn t a chore. Maybe I just like to hear myself talk! Thanks for stopping in.
Hi Thelma, yes, I knew this baby was coming because Margaret wanted me to know in case she didn’t get in here to comment. I am thrilled for her and the family with this doll baby. It was fun getting updates all day Thursday==you never know what goes on behind the scenes of these blog posts. Thank you for letting everyone know about this blessed event.