So you want to break into fiction? How can you do it?
Many say, "write a lot."
Or "begin with a series."
Or even, "look into the easier markets: romance..."
Build your platform first
Blog every day.
And on and on.
Overwhelming? Yep. It takes time to write anything, but a book? While taking care of a family and working a day job?
Why not start with short stories?
It's a good, traditional starting point to break into fiction writing. It can stretch your creature juices, build up a readership, and help you fine-tune your writing for longer projects. You might just bring in some added income too.
Here’s some reasons to write short:
1. Easier to be discovered
Because the more you write, the easier it is for people to discover you. On Amazon, you'll have a far greater chance of being discovered, more people will begin to read your work, review and spread the word that you're a great author. Have you seen the "Customers who bought this also bought" phrase on Amazon? The more work you have out there, the greater opportunity to be read. Once readers are acquainted with your work, the more apt they are to pick up your next piece of work and recommend you to their friends.
2. You also have a better price option to choose.
For someone who doesn't know you or your work, it will be easier to pick up a short story for $.99 than a longer book selling at $12.99. It's easier to take a chance. Even fans will feel happy to pick up a short piece of work. Once you have the short stories under your belt, you can then move on to novellas and price them accordingly.
3. Short Stories can give new readers a glimpse of your work before commitment.
New readers to your work may find it easier to put in the short time reading your work...at least until you've "hooked" them. Once they enjoy your writing, they can move on to your longer books, and hopefully, have a devoted fan for life.
4. Gimmicks, Etc.
Giving away copies of short stories has several benefits: less time to write and less expensive for you. Not only that, but you can use them on your blog to draw new readers or newsletter readers, and if you wish, use them as kindle giveaways.
5. Writing Short Stories can help improve your writing.
You learn to write "tight." You can experiment with writing points of view you normally don't write with. Or you can tackle different genres or time periods. Even if it's not to your own satisfaction, have fun, maybe even get feed back from readers...there's all sorts of possibilities.
6. This is one of my favorites: Write about secondary characters from a longer work of fiction you're writing. This is an exciting way to include more information from a longer work. It expands the readers' view of the characters and give them an entirely different view from a new direction. Not only that, but it helps you expand your view and consciousness into your longer work. What connections your readers will gain...and even you!
7. And, finally, writing short stories is a huge opportunity to combine them into an anthology or a series which means you have yet another new way to sell, and at a novel-price point. It also gives you another product for your list of works, and a way for readers to connect with you.
Happy Writing Day!
*****
Sabotaged Christmas
Perrin only wanted to be left alone to write. He didn't need a cute, curly-haired carpenter to disturb his concentration.
Toni wanted to save her business from destruction, but Perrin seemed the one person to whom she could point a finger.
But there was more than snowflakes in the air. Trouble was abounding all around Appleton. And romance and sabotage is not a good mix.
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