When I first saw the new “Beauty Sketches” Dove commercial for women I was moved. Here was a national brand putting together a campaign to show women how truly beautiful they are, in an ingenious way. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch the spot; a forensic artist draws women as they describe themselves, and then as others do. The more beautiful drawing is not from their own description.
After seeing another commercial this week, I began to wonder if Dove is helping women to see ourselves more beautifully, or are they chastising us? The ad that made me reconsider my position was for a men’s face lotion, by none other than the same brand, Dove. It’s the “Men+Care” spot.
Instead of showing men crying and grieving over self-critical views of their own appearance, this one shows how Dove can help men as they get out there and engage in everything fun, playful, silly, natural, joyful and even awkward in life. While Dove’s women’s commercial shames them into seeing their own beauty, Dove celebrates men and their experiences, even the bad ones that result in the occasional face-slap. (They also did this man+care spot for the superbowl.)
So I’m sorry Dove, but in your view what makes a woman a woman, is how she sees herself on the outside. While what makes a man a man is all the life experiences he has (so he should protect his skin with a little face lotion). The shame is on you, Dove. It seems to me your branding for women is just a little too skin deep.
A little photo sampler of shots Ted has taken of me. What I don’t see is my skin, what I see is a life–a life of fun, silliness, friendships, family, love, and experiences–with makeup or none. Take that Dove.
Bonjour Self-Publishing
Where can you learn about self-publishing? How about the library?
Friends of the Richmond Public Library have invited me to host their May author event to chat about all things self-publishing.
Friday, May 3 ~ 7:00 p.m.
Main Library ~ 101 East Franklin Street
Davenport Special Collections Room
When I first launched Bonjour 40, the blog, I had not intended to write a book based on it. However, once the publishing notion came along, I thought perhaps I would use this book, my first, as an experiment. By navigating self-publishing for both the e-book and print versions, I’ve learned a few things. I wish I had someone over a year ago who knew what I know now.
You can. We’ll chat about:
• Tips for blogging
• Going from blog to book
• E-book versus print
• Amazon, online retailers, and bookstores
• Self versus traditional publishing
• Self-promotion for self-publishers
I hope you’ll join us. Reward? Self-publishing know-how from a been-there, done-that author. Plus, two attendees receive a free signed copy of the book, and one of my Paris photographs.
Editing: A Horse By Any Other Name
I love working with a freelance editor for three reasons. First, a good editor not only points out where things need to improve but where I’ve done things well. I can learn to be a better writer from my own writing. Second, she sees the forest where I’ve seen trees. Reviewing it with her uncluttered eyes, she helps me focus on the central vein of my story that I should follow, and from which I have sometimes strayed. Third, she helps to highlight where my details are not furthering the story, but tripping up the reader, and taking them from that central path.
When nearly 300 pages of my manuscript returned from this latest round of editing, there were many good comments and naturally some areas that need some refinement. One of the issues was about the name of my protagonist’s horse. The name was Llamrei. “A name like this is tough to read,” she had noted. My editor was stumbling over it and it was dragging down the narrative. When she and I spoke on the phone, I admitted that many times I even typed it wrong. The name of the horse, agreeably had to change.
So I looked for historic horse names that were more easily pronounced. I found and chose “Bayard,” which means reddish-brown. Simple enough, but I also looked up the history of the name. The story of this horse goes all the way back to a twelfth century French legend, part of which according to Wikipedia includes:
“Bayard is ceded to Charlemagne who, as punishment for the horse’s exploits, has a large stone tied to Bayard’s neck and the horse pushed into the river; Bayard however smashes the stone with his hooves and escapes to live forever more in the woods.”
Here’s the strange thing… Many times in my writing to this point, the character and his horse are required to cross waterways, and each time I wrote about how the horse became frantic to the point that it needed to be blindfolded. No reason. Just wanted him to be that way. But now, it’s as if the horse’s new name explains why he is always afraid to cross rivers in my story… But I created this horse’s characteristic before I found the name. Before I read about the legend… Odd, right?
Did I know about Bayard somehow? Was he a part of me? Did I know the legend? Past life? This has happened more than once that details woven into my story somehow connect with history before I have fully learned the history.
It makes me wonder, is my historical fiction story not fiction at all? Could it be true…? {Twilight Zone music here.}
Guest Post: Kelly Watts
My American Revolution manuscript has returned from my editor and I’ll be giving it some attention in the coming weeks. While my blog posts may be a little less frequent, I hope you’ll find them filled with more compelling information. This week, author Kelly Watts helps me out with a great guest post.
Kelly Watts moved to Australia a little over a year ago and just recently published her first book, “Sailing to Jessica,” the true story of her four-year sailing adventure with her husband that took them nearly around the world…that is until they met their daughter on a remote Pacific Island. Kelly…
A Book Trailer: Worth the Effort?
“Where does that fit in your project plan?” my husband demanded when I announced that I wanted to make a book trailer. Paul is a project manager by profession and I had begged him to help me plan my work because I was overwhelmed. Just as the composition of a book includes many elements, so does a book marketing plan. I needed to create a website; put together my social media, as well as format and upload print- and electronic- versions of my book. Before Christmas. That gave me two months. Make a book trailer too? No wonder Paul thought I was mental! But I had just seen my first book trailer, and it was COOL.
I had to have one.
What material could I use for my book trailer? While I had taken tons of photos on our sailing trip, I only had a handful of videos. Friends suggested holding up placards in front of the video camera, or having someone interview Paul and I. Ultimately I used variations on both ideas. I studied the movie trailer templates in Apple’s iMovie as a guide. I purchased a single-purpose license for the music online. I whittled down my 289-page book into 50 compelling words and created my trailer. I tried not to spoil the story while setting the reader’s expectations–a tough balance for a book that includes two very different reading genres, sailing and adoption.
Was it worth the effort? You decide. On December 16th, I posted my Sailing to Jessica YouTube trailer on my personal Facebook profile to my 200 friends and so did Paul. It was subsequently mentioned on two other blogs. As of February 14th, the video has had 835 views and brought 1137 visits–935 unique visitors–to my website. I am new to this marketing game, but that seems pretty worthwhile to me…
. . . . . . . .
Today is also the last day of Kelly’s Goodreads Book Giveaway. Enter to win a free copy of Sailing to Jessica and drift away with an inspiring story.
Prior to writing her book, Kelly has produced and/or written articles for magazines such as Blue Water Sailing and Better Homes and Gardens. She also had a weekly food column in a couple of Midwest newspapers for several years. This is the first book trailer she has made. “After writing and editing words on a computer screen for so many years, it was fun to combine photos, videos and music to create a visual story,” she said. Her trailer will be a key component in her upcoming marketing efforts.
Sharing Writing on Facebook
Social media promotion is a big part of what authors are required to handle on our own, and growing a fan base takes more than just time. More importantly, it takes a willingness to chat with readers in the right way, especially on Facebook.
Insights in writing
There has been the belief that introverted writers sit with a drink in hand at 10 a.m. being tortured by plot twists. Sharing honest behind-the-scenes details about my sober process, has helped readers see how I really write. A fellow writer, Steena Holmes, recently asked Facebook fans to help define traits of a new character. Her readers felt like writers for a while, connecting them to her story. Brilliant.
“Reach” is better than “like”
The world sees how many “like” my author Facebook page, but Facebook shows me how many people are talking about my posts with others. That number is my “reach.” So while I only show about 170 “likes,” my reach during the height of a recent promotion was closer to 550.
Inspiration and perspiration
There is a balance between waxing on about the research and the work, and providing an escape and inspiration. Posts with quotes or comments on the writing and book world get just as much interaction as longer opinion posts.
Tag and share
Give credit. If I mention another writer, a post, or a quote, it’s important to tag the photo or properly share the post to give credit of its origin. Writers supporting writers will get us all more readers.
What Facebook tips for writers do you have?
Digging up Research on Sailing
Those who have followed my Facebook posts lately, know I’ve been up to my shins (sans rickets) researching sailing during the American Revolution. I have planned a sea-faring battle scene for my new book about the Declaration of Independence, and I frankly know less about sailing than stowaway rats.
So, I hit Wikipedia and I freaked out at complicated diagrams of boat parts. I read books and ordered one by Alexander Kent (which Ted stole it for himself). A friend even suggested looking at video games like “East India” where you engage in battles.
I also unearthed a New York Times story from 2011, which described the unusual surprise of finding an 18th century sailing vessel below Ground Zero in Manhattan as they dug it out to begin construction. The article provided much needed details from the real deal. I gleaned the ship’s size, what it carried, and David W. Dunlap who wrote the article was kind enough to use ship terminology simplified for the average Times reader.
Research also helped me name one of my fictional ships. My British ship will be loosely based on the Swedish replica of the Götheborg, and this existing replica allowed me to find details that are more realistic. However, my ship needed to be British, and I had trouble finding a direct translation of “Götheborg.” Finally, I did a little Google map search and settled on calling it HMS Montagu. The Swedish embassy in London is on Montagu Street.
Guest Post: Steena Holmes
My guest writer today is Steena Holmes, author of Finding Emma and the soon to be released Emma’s Secret. (She also lives in my hometown of Calgary.) Steena has long been a self-published author, and thanks to having her book featured by Amazon, has recently found herself with a traditional publishing deal, and a full-time writing life. She’s come by to chat about what’s changed–for better and worse. Welcome, Steena…
I’m sitting here with a mug full of homemade mocha (ok, it’s my second mug) and thinking about how my life has changed in the past 6-12 months. When I started my writing journey as an indie author, I never imagined that I would be in the spot I am today so soon.
How has my life changed since I now have a traditional contract? The first answer would be I no longer have time. This surprised me more than I could ever imagine. I’ve always been one who enjoys the PR aspect that comes with writing–I love interacting with readers, being on social media and and going through Pinterest. My normal schedule is:
8–11am, social media/PR/fun stuff
1–4pm, writing
7–10pm, writing, fun stuff, family things
I was (am happy) with the balance…except when it comes to deadlines. I’m realizing my life as an indie author is no more. Yes, I’m still self publishing… but that schedule now has to work around my traditional schedule. And I’m planning my year around my traditional deadlines. For instance, I have two big trips planned. One in April when I travel London Book Fair as a speak and then attempt to follow Karen’s footsteps in Paris (although I only have 3 days, not 40), and then in July for a conference. Those two months are officially deemed my ‘off months’. My goal is to relax, slow down and read. Pure bliss!
But you know what? I’m happy with the change. How could I not? I have a wonderful life and a dream opportunity sitting at my doorstep. Along with a stash of mini chocolate bars and flavored cocoa mix!
You can read more about her process and her books (she’s written a few erotica books, too) by following Steena on her oh-so-sweet blog, on Facebook and on Twitter @steenaholmes.
Korbella Bonjour 40 Winner
A big warm hug and thank you to all of you who joined in and helped spread the word. We had so many fabulous new readers join in on our Korbella/Bonjour 40 giveaway.
Congratulations to Kathy Perdue! She’ll receive the gorgeous Korbella’s Charmes de Paris necklace with a retail value of $525, and an autographed copy of Bonjour 40, the special photography edition. (She was randomly selected using the Rafflecopter giveaway app., but I love knowing that a woman who devotes her time and her career to helping SPCA animals has a little good karma returned.)
We had many fabulous comments on the question of what the Eiffel Tower represents for you. Below are the favorites:
• History’s sense of its own beauty.
• Paris!
• Love of life. (I ran my first marathon and got engaged in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower)
• The best week of my life, spent with my best friend in Paris.
• Romance, History, Possibility
• Best trip ever!
• Parisian beauty
• Dreams
• It’s a uniquely recognizable symbol of Paris-can’t wait to see in person!
• The answer to a lifelong dream. I have wanted to visit Paris and the Champs Elysee since I was a child and began to learn the language. That desire is still with me.
• Paris! La Vie en Rose…
• Adventure, whimsy, dreams, confidence, self-expression, art, culture
• Icon, style, dreams, height, viewpoint, aspiration
• Heaven
• Our visit to Paris in 1994 with two of our very best friends!
Overwhelmingly, the most common response was “Romance!” I feel the same way, my dear readers and new friends. Sigh… oh how I do. Happy Valentine’s Day. May you all one day find romance in Paris as I did.
Constructing the Eiffel Tower
In honor of the last day of my Eiffel Tower necklace give away, I pay homage to this fabulous landmark, originally constructed for the 1889 Exposition in Paris. Despite the fact that all of its metal could be melted down to fit a 125-meter-square base less than 2.5 inches high, it took two years to build.
I’m especially thrilled that someone had the smarts, and we had the technology, to photograph the construction process. All these images come from Wikimedia Commons and are in the Public Domain. Click on an image to enlarge and scroll through the gallery. Enjoy!
A few more Eiffel facts:
~ Thomas Edison visited it in 1889.
~ Radio transmitters were fitted in WWI to jam German communications.
~ There used to be a pâtisserie on the second level.
~ Gustave Eiffel entertained in an apartment on the third level.
~ 72 names are engraved on the tower–all French notable people.
~ It’s painted every seven years with up to 60 tonnes of paint.
~ When it opened, the lifts weren’t operable.
~ It took visitors and hour by stairs to ascend the tower.
~ The original spiral stairs were removed in the 1980s.
Korbella is helping me give away an Eiffel Tower necklace made from that spiral staircase to one lucky reader. Korbella’s Charmes de Paris necklace has a retail value of $525. This sterling silver necklace is hand-finished, with a heart-shaped Swarovski CZ drop, a charm in the shape of Paris’ famous landmark. Enter before midnight tonight, February 8th.
Bonjour 40 Korbella Giveaway
Imagine it. You could wear an actual piece of the Eiffel Tower! Korbella is my First Friday artist–a darling company that has lovingly crafted pieces of old Eiffel Tower stairway into gorgeous silver and vermeil charms.
BONJOUR 40 KORBELLA GIVEAWAY
Beginning today and running through February 8th, next Friday, Korbella is helping me give away a necklace to one lucky reader. Korbella’s Charmes de Paris necklace has a retail value of $525. This sterling silver necklace is hand-finished, with a heart-shaped Swarovski CZ drop, a charm in the shape of Paris’ famous landmark, and an actual piece from the original Eiffel Tower! And you can wear it while reading a free, signed copy of Bonjour 40.
How Korbella Created The Pieces
The line of stunning jewelry came into being after its founder, Paul Michael Bedell, and his wife, Janel, and their nine-year-old daughter, Samantha, traveled to Paris in 2011 and were inspired. Soon after, Paul acquired a section of the original spiral staircase that had been removed back in the 1980s, when it was cut into twenty-four elements, auctioned off, and scattered across the globe. Then, they went on to design the collection. (See below for pictures of Paul on the stairs, and the Eiffel Tower pieces.)
As the company says, Korbella’s Eiffel Tower Forever collection “draws inspiration from the strong architectural cues of the Tower… a nod to the Tower’s Art Nouveau roots—and its world-renowned latticework.” And part of the design is a rustic artifact from the spiral staircase.
I’m thrilled to bring you a chance to wear your own little piece of Paris, with love to all my readers. Enter to win here and have a sweet and charming Valentine’s Day!
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Winner(s) will be contacted by email 72 hours after the giveaway ends. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send us an email!
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