Build A Body of Work

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Have you had golden moments of conversation which stick with you and your writing life for years? These may happen late at night during a writer’s conference or maybe in the car with someone on the way to a conference? During my decades in this business, I’ve had amazing opportunities and had numerous special conversations. 

Years ago, I was on the faculty of an East Coast writer’s conference and had several hours in a van to meet and get acquainted with a literary agent. It was early in my writing career, and he asked me, “What are you doing to build a body of work?” I’d never heard the term “body of work.” As we talked, I understood this agent was probing me for a long-term game plan in the writing world. At that time, I didn’t have a long-term plan and had written for a few magazines and published a couple of books. 

As writers, I find most of us are focused on publishing (or promoting) a single book or writing for a magazine. We are not thinking about building a body of work. This agent and I discussed our mutual friend, Jerry B. Jenkins who has written a variety of types of books but also published in print magazines. To build a body of work, it is important to intentionally be diverse. For example, I’ve written adult books but also children’s books. I’ve written for adult print magazines, but I also wrote a cover story for Clubhouse, a children’s magazine with Focus on the Family.

Early in my writing life, I began writing profiles of different bestselling authors. Some of my close writer friends questioned me about why I was doing this type of writing. I ignored the questions and continued writing these types of articles. I’ve interviewed over 150 bestselling authors and learned much more from each interview than I could possibly include in a 1200-to-1500-word article. I’m one of the few journalists who has interviewed Chuck Swindoll. Chuck told me, “There are no heroes in the Body of Christ. We are all like a bunch of guys in the back of a pick-up truck trying to get our stuff together.” Each one of these interviews brought great opportunity and helped me build my body of work. On another occasion, I was on the back lot of Disney Animation interviewing Glen Keane when he was drawing Beast in the film, Beauty and the Beast. 

For you to build a body of work, you will have to learn some key skills like how to write a query letter and how to write a book proposal.  When you learn the skill of writing these specialized tools, you can use them many times to pitch the editor, get an assignment then complete the writing on their deadline. When you are building a body of work as you are published more frequently, your reputation among the editors will increase which opens more doors and opportunities for your writing. 

The process of building a body of work doesn’t happen overnight but it is something every writer can do with their writing. What steps are you going to take to build a body of work?

Tweetable: 

Are you building a body of work? This prolific writer and editor encourages authors to take a long view in their writing life. Learn the details here. (ClickToTweet)

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in California. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. Get Terry’s recent book, 10 Publishing Myths for only $10, free shipping and bonuses worth over $200. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Authors: Why You Should Register Copyrights

 

Contributed by Margot Conner

Many writers are comfortable with the idea that copyrights are assigned to you as soon as you put your name to it. That is all fine as long as no one decides you are some little-known author, and they can copy your words into their own story. There are well-documented cases of this.

Unfortunately, you don’t own the legal right to use, possess, and give away the material you wrote unless it is registered with the copyright office. If you want undisputed ownership, in case of plagiarism, and the right to seek legal action in a court of law, you need to register a copyright with the Library of Congress.

This guarantees the return of your intellectual property if stolen. Or, in the case of its destruction, payment for it. It also gives you the possibility to prove you were the one who wrote it if someone else claims they are the author.

But here is the kicker… if an imposter goes to the U.S. Copyright Office before the true author and registers the work in their name, the true author will have to sue to invalidate the imposter's copyright. This is nearly impossible to win and would be very costly.

The "ownership" myth was destroyed in U.S. Supreme Court when the Fourth Estate Public Benefit Corporation went up against WallStreet dot com in 2019. The outcome: an author cannot sue for copyright infringement unless their work has first been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Unless the work is registered you can't even sue to make someone take down the material they have plagiarized.

It doesn’t matter if you can prove you wrote something. Infringement on your rights is allowed. This court case effectively did away with the "copyright when you write it" concept that most authors believe in. If you cannot stop someone from plagiarizing your intellectual property the unregistered copyright means nothing.

Under section 506, criminal copyright infringement must demonstrate a valid copyright was infringed upon willfully and for the purposes of commercial or private financial gain.

OK, filing for a copyright can get expensive. But it is less costly than losing what you wrote or fighting a court battle that is maybe impossible to win without having that legal copyright.

I found a few ways to save money. If your writing a series, and you have the ability to wait until you complete all the books, then there is one cost to copyright them as a group, all at once. Otherwise, it will cost you $65 each time. 

You can register for a copyright at the Library of Congress: https://www.copyright.gov/registration/

This is my best advice: You will have lower fees for copyright if you belong to either the writer’s or authors' guild. They will also help authors in many other ways. I believe that the fee is between $10 and $25 to copyright through the Guilds.

Authors Guild: $135 a year, or $12 a month to be a member

•    Legal services
•    Free access to seminars, workshops and events
•    Resources list
•    Media insurance
•    Many others, including web services

The Emerging Writer level membership gives you a lot of bang for your buck and it takes much less to qualify. This membership level is only $9 (but no legal advice).

Eligibility
•    Traditionally published authors and illustrators with at least 1 published book in the U.S.
•    Self-published authors who have made at least $5,000 in the past 18 months from their writing
•    Freelance writers who have published 3+ pieces or made $5,000 in the past 18 months

Writers Guild: (expensive)

The Writers Guild is a labor union for film, radio, and television writers, composed of The Writers Guild of America East and The Writers Guild of America West. Both sites have much more in-depth information available, including eligibility requirements and dues.

Examples of Why You Should Register for Copyright of Your Work

Just to bring home the need for copyrights, take the following examples to heart.

Many famous authors who have the money to pay a good legal team get away with theft. Or the Publishers do. And some who plagiarize still go on to be successful, because their misdeeds are simply forgotten.

These examples were copied from several places. Source credits are in brackets.

Dan Brown: “The Da Vinci Code”
In 2006, Brown was accused of plagiarism by Richard Leigh and Michael Baigent. Then in 2007 author Jack Dunn sued Brown. The author went on to sue Brown for plagiarism two more times.
(Source: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/dan-brown-faces-possible-new-plagiarism-lawsuit-over-the-da-vinci-code-2017-10-18)

Alex Haley: “Roots: The Saga of An American Family”
Alex Haley won the Pulitzer Prize in 1977 for his book. In 1978 Harold Courlander accused Haley of plagiarizing content from his book, “The African.” Haley ended up agreeing that he did use passages from Courlander’s book. The case was settled out of court.
(Source: https://medium.com/@hajiibrown/alex-haleys-roots-edf0be7bd0ac)

J.K. Rowling: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”
Rowling was accused of plagiarizing parts of Adrian Jacob’s book, “The Adventures of Willy the Wizard.” The case was dismissed.
Then, “US author Nancy Stouffer alleged Rowling had taken material from her book The Legend of Rah and the Muggles, but without success.”
(Source: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/jan/07/harry-potter-plagiarism-case-us-court)

Johnny Cash: “Folsom Prison Blues”
"Cash had lifted the melody from and much of the lyrics from a 1953 song “Crescent City Blues” by Gordon Jenkins." The case was settled for $75,000.
(Source: https://www.bcbe.org/cms/l“On February 19, 1981, ib/AL01901374/Centricity/Domain/739/Johnny%20Cash.pdf )

George Harrison: “My Sweet Lord”
In 1971, Harrison was sued for “subconsciously plagiarizing’: The Chiffons‘ 1963 hit single ‘He’s So Fine.’
After a court battle, “Harrison was found guilty and had to pay $1,599,987 of the earnings from ‘My Sweet Lord’ to Bright Tunes.”
(Source: https://performingsongwriter.com/george-harrison-my-sweet-lord/)

SUMMING IT UP

Of course, there are other cases where someone becomes very successful and false claims are made to gain a big undeserved sum in a bogus court case. But even the unjustly accused will lose if they must spend their time to prove they are the rightful owner.

This happened to Taylor Swift recently. The case was thrown out of court. That is the other side of the coin. The lawsuit can be costly and stall a project. Being on either side is a waste of your time and money, so try to avoid all that stress by protecting yourself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Margot Conor has been writing for as long as she can remember, but it wasn't until the COVID lock-down that she had enough time to dedicate to the craft and bring something to completion. Having finished her first novel, she went through the grueling two-year process of editing. Now she has jumped into the author's world with both feet. She's preparing to debut her first novel, which means learning how to promote it. The last year has been spent attending many writing retreats, seminars, and writers' events. She also listened to presentations specifically on the topic of publishing and book marketing. She will be sharing what she learns with the reader.
You can learn more about Margot and her writing at her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/margotconor/
@MargotConor (Facebook)

Journaling Goals

There are plenty of benefits to journaling from self-care and emotional wellbeing to problem solving and productivity. It's one of my favorite tools!

Last month on GoalChatLive, I discussed journaling with Jen Jones Donatelli, Creative Groove; Lynda Monk, director of the International Association for Journal Writing; and cartoonist Chari Pere. The panel shared their early journaling experiences, as well as thoughts on the value of a regular practice, options for journaling, and so much more.

Journaling Benefits

• Lynda: Journaling helps you to know – and craft – who you truly are. It’s one thing to think our thoughts, it’s another to write them down. Plus, knowing yourself improves you relationships with others 
• Jen: It gives you a reason to carve out time for yourself every day 
• Chari: You get to say things to yourself that you wouldn’t necessarily say out loud 
• Jen: Journaling also helps you track synchronicity 
• Lynda: Manifestation happens when you think about what you want, write it down, and speak it

Journaling Goals

• Chari: Pick one thing to write about: gratitude, a good deed, etc. Then, put a doodle next to it. The doodle should add to what you are writing 
• Jen: Find ways to make your journaling routine really juicy: find your ideal spot, snack, or practice to make the entire experience enticing 
• Lynda: Join a journaling community

Watch Our Conversation:

Final Thoughts

• Jen: Give yourself some grace around your journaling practice 
• Chari: Start by writing in 15 minutes sessions 
• Lynda: Write about your thoughts and feelings, not just what you see and experience

How, when and what you journal about is up to you. Your journal. Your choice. Commit to setting journaling goals and enjoy the benefits that come from it!

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For more inspiration and motivation, follow @TheDEBMethod on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin! 

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What are your tips for creating courses? Please share in the comments. 

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Debra Eckerling is the award-winning author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and founder of the D*E*B METHOD, which is her system for goal-setting simplified. A goal-strategist, corporate consultant, and project catalyst, Debra offers personal and professional planning, event strategy, and team building for individuals, businesses, and teams. She is also the author of Write On Blogging and Purple Pencil Adventures; founder of Write On Online; host of  #GoalChatLive aka The DEB Show podcast and Taste Buds with Deb. She speaks on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.

What Authors Need to Know to Avoid Vital Front Matter Booboos

 

To WritersontheMove Blog Subscribers and Visitors:

2023 has been a celebratory year for the release of the third edition of The Frugal Editor, the winningest book in my #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers, and I don’t want to let the year pass without sharing part of what my publisher says is approximately 50% new material in this edition.

He also says, “We really overachieved on this book. There's nothing within a mile of it in terms of scope and depth.” One of the reasons for such praise is the inclusion of information on front matter that is as likely to assure a great first impression for a book as a great cover and one that books on editing or publishing rarely cover. So today’s blog post (see below) is what you need to know regardless of the publishing process you have chosen for your book.

The new Frugal Editor also covers the magical properties of back matter including increased readership and book sales but it’s way too long for a blog post. Find the frugal e-copy of the book at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/!)

An Excerpt from the Third Edition of The Frugal Editor

What Authors Need to Know to Avoid Vital Front Matter Booboos

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning
 HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers

Because I am a book marketer and an English Lit major, I love front matter where I often find unexpected information, but when I am reading for entertainment, I hardly notice it. Readers tend to pay little attention to front matter unless we have a reason to do so but industry gatekeepers are pickier. That includes the professional reviewers both authors and publishers want to impress.

Front matter mistakes or intentional deviation from the norm are not as readily forgiven as those in back matter. The easy way to make sure yours is in the realm of industry standards is to request Gorham Printing’s beautifully organized, free Guidebook: Adventures in Publishing, Explore Book Printing. Though I include a long list of both front and back matter elements later in this chapter, Gorham gives you a basic (safe!) order for frontmatter fundamentals for paper books:

1.     Title Page

2.     Copyright Page (lefthand page)

3.     Dedication

4.     Contents (begins on the righthand page)

5.     List of Figures or Tables. In this book, “The Frugal Editor’s Extras” list in the front matter is a cousin to these lists in an effort to make finding information easier for readers much like table or figure lists do. Use it as an example of a way to deviate with your own idea for “extras”in your book.

6.     Foreword 

7.     Preface

8.     Acknowledgements

9.     Introduction

Note: Gorham’s list doesn’t mention a prologue. I like them when they come just before the first chapter in books of fiction, meaning nothing—absolutely nothing but a chapter title—should intervene!

Gorham’s book is a great tutorial that includes their printing costs for books from hardcover to spiral books (often used for the likes of cookbooks). You’ll find a couple more front matter considerations below.

No matter how you plan to publish, you may think of a good reason to deviate from what appears to be acceptable among publishers. If your research inspires an idea for front or back matter that might benefit readers or help to sell more books, you might negotiate with a traditional publisher to accommodate your idea rather than stick to their company-wide style guidelines. I remember a fine publisher had included a short paragraph highlighting their use of a font style that was especially appropriate for the topic of that specific book on one of its front matter pages. 

If you are self-publishing, know what rules you are breaking. Ask yourself if doing so would be welcomed by your readers and if it might attract the ire of a publishing industry professional. Ask yourself if the pluses outweigh the negatives or if you would feel comfortable saving your creative idea for a time when you are so experienced and established that your idea is likely to be accepted and emulated regardless of how brazen it is.

Of course, you can always choose a few books from your library or browse newly released books from publishers you admire at your favorite bookstore, too. Be sure to look at some of the best known books in the same genre as yours. This little exercise might convince you that your title can accommodate a little daring-do!

Here are some other less frequently used front matter components I promised you including the use of two title pages. What, you never noticed a second title page? They can be handy for keeping a nice, open layout with all the sections that should be on the left page where they belong. They are called the title page and the half-title page. Old-timers call title pages other than the first bastard title pages. In those pre politically-correct days, they were abbreviated versions of the title page that could be torn out before the book was bound. One defense for the keeping the practice is that authors can sign and personalize one page and the book still has one left untouched. Another is that an additional title page can separate the book’s text from long and complex frontmatter. The setup of a book’s frontmatter might be part of your publisher’s style guidelines and be nonnegotiable. If the frontmatter is quite long, there may even be a third title page just before the body of the book begins.

Note: An excellent example of a book that departs from frontmatter standards in ways that benefit both book and reader is Behind the Bears Ears: Exploring the Cultural and Natural Histories of a Sacred Landscape by R. E. Burillo (Torrey House Press, 2020). It includes a map of Bears Ears National Monument (US), an anthropologic timeline, and probably breaks some norms for the length of its introduction. This 407-page book also uses back matter effectively.

 

10.  Warning: Don’t neglect your acknowledgements page. There are ways it can be used effectively for both pre-promotion and general marketing. It is spelled Acknowledgements. With a d, please. Even very good editors can overlook a misspelling of this word, at least in part because they don’t bother to peruse front and back matter. “Foreword” is often misspelled, too. Don’t leave the e out! Your spellchecker may not catch it!

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Howard-Johnson started what she considers her “real writing” career when most are thinking of retiring. She brings her experience as publicist, journalist, marketer, editor, retailer, and the author of those books published almost every way possible including traditionally, to the advice she gives in her HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers and the many classes she taught for nearly a decade as instructor for UCLA Extension’s world-renown Writers’ Program. She blogs at https://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com and https://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com.

Your Children's Story and the Message

 By Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer

I get a lot of clients who want to tell children something through a book.

These people want to send a message in hopes of teaching the reader something … something the author thinks is important.

People who want to write children’s stories usually want to teach and enlighten children, whether it's about bullying, being yourself, being kind, or something else.

This is a noble endeavor - the problem, though, is children don’t want to be told what they should or shouldn’t do. They want a story that they can get involved in, one they want to turn the pages to find out what happens next, and one they can connect with the main character.

The ‘icing on the cake’ is what the reader takes away from the book, the takeaway value.

So as an author, how do you get your message across without hitting kids over the head?

To start, the story should be about something kids will want to read about. And it should not overtly be about the message.

I recently read a client’s manuscript that flooded the story with the author’s message. Nothing was subtle.

So how do you tone down your message to weave it seamlessly and subtly into your story?

One way, if you’re writing a story because of a message you have, is to think of a scenario where your message could play out.

Your message or moral takeaway may be about doing the right thing, even if tempted.

Suppose the story is about Sammy, a kid who’s basically honest.

Sammy and his friends find a bag of money on a shelf in the garage of an elderly neighbor they’re cleaning the garage for.

It’s a lot of money, and Josh wants to split the money between himself, Sammy, and another friend.

After thinking about it for a minute, Sammy tells Josh to put the money back.

A few seconds later, the elderly neighbor walks into the garage.

Sammy was tempted. He probably thought all sorts of things before finally realizing it was wrong.

Nowhere in the story should it say, ‘Crime doesn’t pay.’ 

Let the reader come up with their own conclusions.

If the story is written right, the reader will get the takeaway value without realizing they are … without the author hitting them over the head with it.

A story that takes the protagonist on a journey should result in him growing in some way.

Using Sammy above as an example, maybe he wasn’t sure what to do under those circumstances. Maybe he thought about being dishonest in the past. Maybe he struggled with his honesty in little things.

He chose the right path and learned something about himself. He was an honest kid.

Again, your young reader wants a good story. They want to go on a journey – messaging should not be a part of that journey.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, ghostwriter, editor, rewriter, and coach. If you need help with your story, click HERE.

Karen also offers authors:

FICTION WRITING FOR CHILDREN COURSE
A guided self-study course and mentoring program.

HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S FICTION BOOK
A DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.

WRITERS ON THE MOVE PRESS
Self-publishing help for children’s authors.

How a QR Code Can Help Book Sales

I have learned to leave the price off of
bar codes that I purchase for my books
(Watch for January's post: Purchased vs Free Bar Codes)

By Linda Wilson   @LinWilsonauthor

A QR Code (quick-response code) is a type of barcode on steroids. A better definition comes from Wikipedia, which defines the QR Code as a two-dimensional matrix barcode. The QR code system was invented in 1994 by a team of researchers at the Denso Wave automotive products company in Japan, headed by Masahiro Hara. The purpose for the invention was to keep track of automobile parts by replacing individual bar codes with a single label containing a  QR Code that provided a greater amount of data. (Wikipedia: QR Code)

Barcode vs QR code

Also according to Wikipedia, a barcode is a machine-readable optical image that contains specific information about the labelled item. A QR code offers much more: dedicated data for a locator, an identifier, and a web-tracker.

How a QR code works

Mainly, smartphones are used to scan QR Codes. However, there are other ways, such as purchasing software like QR Code Studio and using your webcam to scan QR codes. If you don’t own a smartphone, you can find more information by searching “QR Code scanner online free.” Websites are available that can read QR Codes and provide free links. 

Back to smartphones. Android and iPhones make scanning QR Codes easy. Newer smartphones are equipped with built-in QR Code scanning in the camera app. Simply point the camera at the QR Code and a link pops up, which directs you to the embedded content.

Older smartphones and basic-feature phones might not have the built-in QR Code scanning capability. If this is true for you, you will need to use a third-party app to scan QR Codes. Screenshots of QR Codes work as well, as long as the shot is clear. The QR Code will contain all necessary information.

QR Codes and You

You can direct customers to your webpage, your social media, and your website, for example, by loading your information onto your own QR Code. I’m in the early stages of studying the information I need to create my own QR Code—for free. Here is a short list of websites I found in my search:

https://www.canva.com/qr-code/generator 

https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/qr-code-generator# 

https://www.qrcreator.com 

https://www.flowcode.com/free-qr-code-generator

QR Codes are everywhere. For example, you’ve been to restaurants where you can view the menu by scanning the establishment’s QR Code. But I didn’t think of using a QR Code for my own book sales until I met a YA author who uses her QR Code very effectively.

I observed my fellow children’s author while sharing a table with her at a recent book sale. She mentioned her QR Code to everyone who stopped at our table. She had created a “sell sheet” on half of an 8 ½ x 11 paper, that had her logo, book titles and blurbs, and her contact information. In the bottom right-hand corner she directed customers to scan her QR Code so they could reach her newsletter directly, and encouraged them to sign up. Voila! She told me that was one way she’d been building her base of contacts. I was thoroughly impressed and thought it was a smart and clever way to be in touch with interested readers.

I hope you find the introduction to QR Codes in this post helpful. If you use a QR Code for selling your books, please leave a comment so our readers can benefit from your experience.

Sources:

Google "QR Codes How to Use to Scan My Website": You will find information and videos on YouTube to help in all areas of using QR Codes

Wikipedia: "QR Codes"

Lobo Lucy visited out book sale 
on Veteran's Day this year.
I wore my husband's Navy
cap to honor his service
and the service of
all our brave soldiers.

Linda Wilson is the author of the Abi Wunder Mystery series and other books for children. Her two new releases are Waddles the Duck: Hey, Wait for Me! (2022) and Cradle in the Wild: A Book for Nature Lovers Everywhere (2023). You’ll find Linda on her Amazon author page, on her website at LindaWilsonAuthor.com, and on Facebook.

Click the links for free coloring pages and a puppet show starring Thistletoe Q. Packrat. While you’re there, get all the latest news by signing up for Linda’s newsletter.  Connect                                with  Linda: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

In the Spotlight: An Interview with Author and Standup Comedienne Angela Verges

 by Suzanne Lieurance

Author and Standup Comedienne Angela Verges

Even though Angela Verges works a full time day job, she stays focused on her comedy, both as a writer and a performer.

Learn some of her secrets of success in this recent interview. 

Suzanne Lieurance: Tell us about your background and how you got started as a writer.

Angela Verges: My writing started in 5^th grade when I received a journal as a gift from my mom. It was a green, fake leather-bound, pocket-sized journal with a tiny key. I actually still have the diary. I pulled it out recently and browsed through it. It was fun to look back at my handwriting and seeing the things that were happening at the time. One entry said, “It’s the Fourth of July, we’re at my great grandmother’s house getting ready to watch the fireworks.”

SL: What kinds of things do you write these days?

AV: Blog posts, humorous essays, speeches to present at my Toastmaster’s club, and jokes for my stand-up comedy.

SL: How did your book menopause come about? Tell us about the book.

AV: My book Menopause Ain’t No Joke is what I call a non-traditional devotional and journal. It is a collection of my personal essays on parenting, weight gain, dental visits, and other life experiences sprinkled with humor. At the end of each essay is a scripture and space for the reader to write their reflections.

The book was birthed after my participation in a pageant for women 50 and older. We were required to perform a talent. I labored over what I could do as a talent. Then it hit me – why not try comedy? We only had to perform for two minutes. However, I had no idea what I would perform.

I’ve always loved humor and comedy. The focus of the pageant was women of a certain age. I thought about what I was going through and how I was surviving and sometimes thriving using humor. That’s when my comedy bit was born. I ended the performance saying – menopause ain’t no joke.

Over the next few months following the pageant, I began compiling my blog posts to create the book.

SL: You are also a standup comedienne. How did you get started doing this?

Angela with Other Comics at the Detroit House of Comedy

AV: A few weeks after the pageant, a friend told me about a talent show fundraiser that her church was hosting and she suggested that I sign up, and I did. The requirement was four minutes for our talent display. I added to the two minutes I performed for the pageant, and I was on my way. 

I make this sound easy peasy but let me expound. I keep a humor journal where I write down things I find funny. It could be a funny sign posted somewhere, a remark someone makes, or something that happens to me. During dental appointments I seem to come up with new material.

During one visit the dentist asked me, “Has anything changed since your last visit?”

“Yes, menopause,” I said.

“Oh, that can cause changes in your gums, and your teeth can shift.”

“Give it to me straight Doc, how much time do I have left…with this set of teeth?”

I didn’t actually say that to my dentist, but I did chuckle inside my head.

SL: How do you find material for your stand-up routines? Can you describe your process for turning real life events into stand-up material?

AV: Very often the material finds me. Let me explain through an interaction with my son. We were at a family gathering and my son and I took selfies. He looked at the phone and said,” I look kinda nice today.”

“You, look like me,” I said.

“So, I look like a 58-year-old menopausal woman?!”

“I’m 57, and I have a better mustache than you.”

I later used that scenario as an opening for one of my comedy sets. Whenever everyday things happen, I write them down. I don’t always know when or how I will use the scenarios. I create a heading for each joke or story when I record them. For instance, the episode that occurred at the dental office, I titled Dental Visit. The next dental episode I called Dental Too. It’s all a part of my strategy for organizing the jokes and it helps me to remember them.

Another humorous episode happened when I was practicing yoga at home using an app. 

The Yogi said, “Put one hand on your belly, and breathe.” 

No one was home but, me and I said out loud, “I can’t hold my belly, it’s heavy, that’s why I’m here.” 

I giggled to myself, stopped my yoga session momentarily and wrote down what I had just experienced. And that is my process for turning real life events into stand-up material. There is also a bit of exaggeration. 

SL: What do you enjoy most about being a writer and comedienne?

 AV: Writing allows me to express myself in fun and creative ways. I feel an energy when I’m writing or performing. I love that I can write anywhere.

When performing I enjoy hearing laughter from the audience. I also appreciate when people come up to me after the show and say, “that was so relatable.”

SL: What is your biggest challenge as a writer and/or comedienne?

AV: I have to remember to find balance and focus. Sometimes I will have several projects going on at one time. I may be taking a comedy class, writing an article for an essay contest, and working on freelance writing. It has been a great benefit having coaching sessions with you Suzanne. I remember your advice when I take on a new project, and ask myself, is this in line with my goals?

For me the positive aspect of having more than one project going is that I can shift gears when I get stuck in one area.

As a comedienne one challenge for me sometimes is getting out to open mics to practice my craft. I still work full-time, so I have to consider the time and location of where I go. If it’s during the week, it has to be within a certain radius of home because I have to get my rest. Some comedians go out several times during the week and multiple times in one night. Comedians do this because the best way to get better is with a live audience, it’s instant feedback. So, when I do have the opportunity to perform at an open mic, I show up with energy and give my best performance. 

SL: You often present workshops for writers. Tell us the workshops you offer.

AV: Thanks for asking about my workshops. The workshops I offer are:

Hungry For Humor? Feed Your Muse

Humor Happy Hour – Tips for Using Humor in the Workplace

Write Now! And How?

 

The workshops are an hour and fifteen minutes and designed for the beginner or intermediate writer seeking to dedicate more time to their writing but need a little push or a fresh start. In the workshops I share tips, resources, writing prompts, and a short, timed writing period.

 

SL: What is your best tip for writers?

AV: Be consistent, keep showing up for yourself, invest in yourself. Is that more than one tip? Schedule your writing time on a calendar, treat it as if you’re going on a date, stick to the commitment. Determine how much time you will write and make your commitment attainable and realistic. If you know you only have 30 minutes to write, don’t say you’re going to write for two hours. It can leave you feeling disappointed and beating up on yourself. Set yourself up for success, not failure. Set a reachable goal, and if you exceed that, pat yourself on the back. Better yet, throw your fist in the air and shout, “I did it.” 

When I say invest in yourself, I’m suggesting that you attend writer’s workshops, connect with other writers who are doing what you want to do, and are successful at it. Investing in yourself also means focusing on your health and well-being. Rest when you need to, treat yourself to a home spa day – give yourself a facial, a foot bath, listen to soothing music. Do something that brings you joy.

SL: Where can people learn more about you and your book, upcoming performances, and workshops, etc.?

I post upcoming events on my social media:

Instagram – https://instagram.com/writermama223

Facebook  - https://www.facebook/angela.verges

Website – www.angelaverges.net

Readers can also sign up for my newsletter – Hott Flash News for doses of humor, wellness tips, and periodic giveaways.

Suzanne Lieurance

For more author interviews and tips for writers, visit writebythesea.com.

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          Suzanne Lieurance is an award-winning author & writing coach.