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Tina Cattane

Episode 148: Self Publishing Tips: Blurb vs. Synopsis


Dear Christian Indie,

Last week on the podcast, I found myself tripping over the pronunciation of the word, “synopsis.” Not only is it a difficult word to pronounce, it is a terrible thing to try to write. In fact, to try to condense a novel-length piece of work into a handful of words is impossible for some, causing them to reach out and hire someone to do the job for them.

To further confuse and possibly stymie the Indie Author, there is also a blurb to be written, which is an entirely different thing altogether and serves an entirely different purpose. Whereas a synopsis is designed to give a reader a fairly clear picture of what to expect from reading your book, the blurb is meant to be a “sample” of what you have to offer, in an attempt to convince the potential reader to take a chance on what you have created.

This week on the podcast we are going to dig deeper into what the blurb and synopsis are and how they are used, as well as tips and tools for writing them that will ensure you feel as equipped as anyone to market your book with success!

See you there, 

Jamie 

Writing Sprints Inspiration: Tina

If you missed last week’s episode, you missed a great one. You can watch the replay here.
As always, the ladies of the podcast created some great pieces of writing from this sprint prompt. This week, they had to use these five words: rest, brink, tray, progress, yearn. We really enjoyed Tina’s take on the prompt, and we think you will as well! Enjoy, and make sure you reach out to her to let her know you want her to finish this story!
“I think you’ve made good progress,” said Nurse Sheila. “The fact that you no longer yearn for a tray of cheesecake bites every night after dinner means you’re on the brink of full recovery, the rest will fall into place with time.” 

“So does that mean I can go home?” Tracy asked, her hands palms together in prayer position. 

“Not quite yet,” Nurse Sheila replied. “First we need to test whether you can cope in a real world situation.” She gestured for Tracy to follow, then led her down the long sterile hallway to the double steel doors at the end. She held her name badge up to the electronic pad on the wall and the doors clicked, then slowly opened. 

Once they were on the other side, Nurse Sheila pulled the doors firmly closed until they clicked again. Another long sterile hallway, another set of doors, only this time the hallway was carpeted and the walls were papered in gray and mauve pinstripes. Each brown wooden door had a shiny gold number plaque attached to the upper half. Nurse Sheila led Tracy to door number 14 and opened it with what looked like a hotel key card. 

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Episode 139: Essential Writing Tips: Outline your Novel Using Story Beats

Dear Christian Indies,

Of late, we’ve been focusing quite a bit on the “after” bit of the writing process – a natural fit for us as three of the four of us have quite recently published. Now that we are all in the crafting phase of writing, the ladies and I are eager to get back to basics and begin delivering some essential writing tips to you, our awesome audience!

First up is plotting – we know it takes its various forms, but for our purposes, we’re talking “beats.” That’s right, I said, “beats” – just like you would hear in music. Folks who write to beats understand that, as with music, storytelling follows certain patterns that are universally considered pleasant to the human ear. Learning about plotting is a key component to understanding what makes a story “tick,” and by hitting all the “beats,” you can be sure your plot will be a true masterpiece.

As we have an expert on the subject as a co-host, we are going to explore the notion of plotting using “beats” and “beat sheets” on this week’s episode! That’s right, Rhonda Hagerman is one half of the awesome team that is the writer DD Bouman, who brought us the amazing, “Plot Your Novel: With This Workbook.” 

So, whether you’re a plotter already, or a pantser challenging us to “just try and convince me to plot my novel,” you are sure to love this episode, full of the information and shenanigans you’ve come to expect from the Christian Indie Writers!

See you there,

Jamie

Episode 125: Superfans: 4 Steps to Creating Devoted Readers

Dear Christian Indies,

If you’ve been watching or listening to us for any amount of time, you’ve likely heard us throw around the term, “SuperFan,” and might have wondered if you’ve heard us right, or if you’d accidentally stumbled across the Superheroes and Legends Radio Hour! Well, you have been hearing us correctly; we’ve been just absolutely gushing about the amazing support and encouragement we’ve received from our amazing SuperFANs! 

[Read more…] about Episode 125: Superfans: 4 Steps to Creating Devoted Readers

Episode 121: Clifton Strengths for Writing Groups with Becca Syme

Hey Christian Indies,


We’re excited; we have a HUGE first on the podcast this week – our first guest!
That’s right, Becca Syme from The Better, Faster Academy will be joining to talk about our individual strengths, as measured by the Clifton Strengthsfinder Assessment. She’ll be taking a peek at each of the podcast hosts’ “top five” results, and giving us her perspective as to how our individual strengths can enhance the ministry of our podcast.

[Read more…] about Episode 121: Clifton Strengths for Writing Groups with Becca Syme

Episode 102: Pinterest for Writers

Confession time, Christian Indies,

I almost quit writing twice last year.

Twice, it was the encouragement of a fellow writer that pulled me through.

It wasn’t expected – these were not people I regularly corresponded with – they were out of the blue messages of, “I believe in you.”

That was all it took to propel me forward.

I’ve tried to express my thanks to those folks who took time to reach out to edify and encourage me, but somehow I don’t think they will ever understand the deep gratitude I have for that one act of kindness, that moment when they were a beacon of hope in my otherwise dark career world.

Wouldn’t it be great to be that light for someone else?

Tune in this week for ideas of how you can be an encourager.

See you there,

Jamie

Episode 101: Social Media Etiquette for Writers

Hey, Christian Indies,

When I was around ten years old, I joined a youth softball league. I’ll never forget the nervous anxiety I had – I was new to the sport, and enthusiastic, but very unskilled. I was nervous about whether I would field the ball well, or hit well, or, most importantly, fit in with a bunch of girls I perceived to be nothing at all like me.

Of course, I was sent to play right field. I noticed my Dad, watching from behind the home team bench, just as I’d expected – my parents were always at all of my extra activities.
Practice started. The coach was serving pop flys. The first fly went to left field. The next went to center. I took the ready stance – my turn was coming.

From somewhere near third base, a voice floated over to me.

“Hey, kid,” my Dad’s tenor pierced the air with the tang of sauerkraut through saliva. “Your fly’s down!”

You can only imagine the humiliated horror I felt as I quickly remedied my wardrobe malfunction.  

My ensuing tearful breakdown is the stuff of Nichols family lore. my poor father was confused by my reaction. He’d only trying to give me information he thought I would find helpful after all. As he tells it, “guys would have no problem calling something out like that.”

Of course, I was thankful my Dad had let me know about my embarrassing condition, though I would have appreciated a lighter touch. That’s what we have for you this week, dear reader, a gentle touch to let you know there might be a bit of internet spinach in your teeth, or a piece of bathroom tissue stuck to your shoe, in a virtual sense.

Tune in to find out how you can keep from being the online equivalent of a kid with her fly down.


Until then,

Jamie

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