Tips on Self-Publishing, Self-Confidence, and Pacing a Thriller

by Joylene Butler, @cluculzwriter

Today, we have a collection of helpful tips for writers from thriller writer Joylene Butler: 

3 tips for successful self-publishing

1. Write a compelling story, then rely on professional editing

It’s not enough to be a great writer. If you don’t write a story about captivating events or appealing characters, you’ve lost your reader within the first few pages. Even best-selling authors need a professional editor. A good editor can distance themselves from the story. They’ll find those typos and errors that your eyes keep missing.

2. Know your stuff

Understand every nuance of the English language, from dangling modifiers, compound sentences, comma placement, narrative voice, and tense. Allow your reader to escape their world by entering yours through the images you’ve created, not the words on the page.

3. Read what the experts say

You need to understand the mechanics of self-publishing. What steps do you take? Which apps are best? How do you market your book if you’re outside the United States? How do you distribute your hardcopies? And more importantly, keep up-to-date on your research. In this age of digital wizardry, what’s good on Friday can often be obsolete by Monday morning.

3 tips for maintaining self-confidence during your writing journey

1. If you’re a published writer in any form, go back and read those articles, short stories or novels out loud – as if for the first time. Marvel at how enjoyable they are to read, how proud you feel. Say to yourself, “I wrote this. Wow.”
2. If you receive a bad review, acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their opinions. Writers cannot please all readers. Diversity is a privilege. Better yet, if it’s a one or a two-star review, DON’T READ IT. Your value as a writer is not determined by someone else.
3. You are passionate about writing for a reason. The desire to write is inherent to your being. Why else would you be so compelled to write? By writing, you’re fulfilling your life’s dream.

Tips for pacing a thriller

I can give you the best advice on pacing a thriller in two words: Alexandra Sokoloff.

Sokoloff, the acclaimed author, screenwriter, and story structure teacher takes movie-watching to a whole new level. By breaking down movies like Groundhog Day, The Great Gatsby, and Chinatown, to name a few, Sokoloff teaches us the fundamentals of the three-act eight sequences structure. If you want to challenge yourself and write the best possible novel you can, read Stealing Hollywood, and watch your writing transform into something exceptional.

I discovered Alexandra Sokoloff in the early millennium, and my writing improved ten-fold.

Thanks, Joylene, for a post full of great tips for writers. 

KISS OF THE ASSASSIN
by Joylene Nowell Butler

◊ Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc (March 23,
2022)
◊ Paperback: 424 pages
◊ ASIN: B09P7T1ZRS
◊Language‏: English
* File size: ‎ 1138 KB
* Text-to-Speech: ‎ Enabled
* Screen Reader: ‎ Supported

Marina Antonovna, a Soviet spy, and Mateo Arcusa, an
American homicide lieutenant first meet in Cambodia during the Vietnam War as
enemies. Fearful that the most powerful man in the Soviet Union, KGB Chairman
Vladimir Kurenkov, has ordered her death, Marina risks everything to defect to
the United States.

She promises Mateo that her days as an assassin are
over. Vladimir is determined to do whatever it takes to bring her back and, by
threatening Mateo’s life, forces Marina to break her promise.

Meet
the Author: Joylene Nowell Butler

Joylene Butler lives with her husband in the tiny village of Cluculz
Lake in central B.C… She is the author of three suspense novels and a
contributor to one anthology.

For more on Joylene and
her writing, visit her website
and blog,
as well as connect with her on Goodreads,
Facebook,
Twitter,
and Amazon.

Photo credit: flossyflotsam on VisualHunt.com