Writers come in all shapes, sizes and styles, but one thing we have in common is the desire to create. Starting with a blank page, a vague idea, a rustle in the dark, the writer constructs a world of wonder from the palette of the mind. It can be daunting. Demons of self-doubt rear their ugly heads. Which step to take, which way to go on an uncertain path?
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Writing is the time to let go and explore. The first draft comes together and we delight, or topples because we pushed the limits of construction. Sometimes creators don't know how far to go until they've gone too far.
How do you write your first draft? At one time I roughed it out with half-paragraphs and point form and did several drafts. Now it works better to start at the beginning and write straight through. Then on to the editing!
Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords
Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries
Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Books
Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle
I love editing. After navigating the insecure paths of the draft, editing lets me take that baby and model all the blather into a cohesive storyline with exciting characters on awesome adventures. I'm on Smashwords, a great site for indie authors, with plenty of how-tos and useful info for authors even if you publish elsewhere.
For self-publishers and indie writers it's one of the best resource-rich sites out there. And, they have the most amazing support team ever, who have many times saved my sanity. That's real talent.
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Editing takes a couple of days for each edit, and 3-5 edits altogether depending on length and amount of author confusion. Writers need to find the process best for them. As a night person I'm most prolific working at night; and independent. I do it all myself except the proofreading. Other writers work best in the morning, or with lots of feedback from an editor. It varies.
The cover image is important as it's the first impression of your book to the reader. Some are happier with a graphic designer; others do it themselves. It should reflect the style, mood and content of the book.
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A light title on a darker background shows up well because white, light colors and warm tones (yellow, orange, gold) move visually forward in the composition, and black, darker colors and cool tones (blue, teal, violet) move back.
Artists like Paul Cézanne (below) and Claude Monet used this technique a lot to bring depth and interest to their work. Color also defines mood. Pastel colors are light and airy, while deep greens and blues can be mysterious or scary. Doing comedy? According to comic icon Mel Brooks, yellow is a "funny" color.
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Free public domain images are readily available for commercial use. A simple search pulls up plenty. Any graphics program lets you add text and style the image, lighten, darken, contrast. Top of the line graphics program isn't needed. There's one built in to Windows, others free online and I still haven't found anything better for my covers than PaintShop Pro 7. Like, old.
Watch out for pictures from Wikipedia. Some aren't public domain. The info will be below the picture when you click/tap it. Good luck & have fun!
Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords
Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries
Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Books
Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle