Writing Takes Time, And Is Time Well Spent

Writing takes time. If you haven’t figured this out, that’s okay, you will soon enough. How to make the most of your time depends on your experiences in writing. For me, I have learned to balance my personal life with my desire to write, and although writing is extremely personal for me it’s important I learned not to become so absorbed in my desire to write that I forget about the important things which matter, like family, friends, and work.

I usually make time for writing on my days off from work. I’m an early riser (6:00 AM) and enjoy the quiet in our office or dining room to whip out three to five pages. This takes anywhere from two to three hours (Yes, that long for so little), but that’s how it works when you write a book. Doesn’t happen overnight, but I do this consistently I can have anywhere from 260 to 300 pages in a year (a book!). This time-frame is practical when you consider the amount of research required for your book subject.

My latest work was completed on Thanksgiving morning (before the family arrived) and I shelved it for three months before returning to it for a first-time edit. This helped me look at my book with a fresh set of eyes. I also allowed someone to read my book and review it for feedback, a helpful thing. I knew I had hit home when the reader told me he found himself searching google.com to look up some of the things I wrote about for more information. This means he paid attention and was intrigued.

I’ve been asked time and again how I find time to write. Well, like anything in life one must make the time. It’s no different than making time to go to the grocery store, exercising, going out on a date-night, and doing what needs to be done around the house. Pick a day where you can realistically spend two to three hours writing and in no time you’ll have yourself a book.

So to my fellow writers I say, I look forward to hearing about and reading your next book!

David Lucero, author

www.LuceroBooks.com

http://www.twitter.com/DavidLucero

https://www.facebook.com/WhosMindingTheStore?ref=hl

All Must Do What We Enjoy

Don’t hate me because I like writing most of the time. Sometimes I actually get lucky and come up with something good. Sure, I enjoy a ballgame here and then, a barbecue, going out for dinner. But when you see me holed up at the library, a bookstore, or at my dining room table or office punching away at the keyboard of my laptop it isn't necessary to think I'm wasting my time or being a bore. Writing is what I love. It is my passion. It's when I get to be my true self and helps define who I am, what I have become. We all do something for ourselves. Some cook, some go for a walk, some go for a hike alone. I write. And if you take a moment and read what I write, I'm sure you'll agree I come up with something good from time to time.

David Lucero, author

www.LuceroBooks.com

http://www.twitter.com/DavidLucero

https://www.facebook.com/WhosMindingTheStore?ref=hl

What is a Plot?

The basic definition of a plot is a casual sequence of events that make up a story. This does not mean the events need to be in order. In fact, many stories prove successful back-tracking as I have done in my book(s). The most important part of the plot is what drives the story, and how the events connect throughout the chapters, eventually coming to a conclusion which leaves readers satisfied. I've been asked by readers how I come up with stories and make them into a book. The answer is, I make sure my events throughout the story connect with the main plot of the book so that readers understand the resolution at its end. For me this is the most important part of writing, making sure characters and scenes throughout the story connect, sometimes in a large way, sometimes in a small way, but they must connect in order for readers to make sense of the story. This can be easily achieved if the book is 400-plus pages long, however, many readers prefer books 300 pages or less. This is where connecting scenes in a story can be challenging. 300 pages is not long and the writer must be concise, convincing, and the story entertaining. Not an easy task when you consider over a million books are published each year, leaving readers a multitude of topics to choose from. But then, if it weren't challenging, where would the fun in writing be?

If you want to write a book, I suggest outlining your book in 25 words or less. Call it a blurb. This will tell the reader what it's about. Then create character names. Write descriptions of them in your notes, and how they will connect with the main character(s). You should know how the beginning of your book will start, and what you want up to the middle, but be prepared for major changes as you write your story. Nothing ever goes as planned, and you will find yourself making changes as the pages flow. I like to have an ending in mind and written in notes, too, but this almost always changes, especially as you develop your characters and plot in words. Depending on the plot, you may not be able to keep your book under 300 pages, but that's okay too. Certain stories need to be longer due to the plot. This was the case with my second book, 'Who's Minding the Store?' My first book, 'The Sandman' was a modest 309 pages, but this was due in large part to it being an action-thriller. Those type of stories are relatively easy to keep short and entertaining. This is due in part to readers' ability to easily piece together the plot as they read chapter to chapter. In my second book I had characters the reader needed to know more about. This meant diving into characteristics commonly shared by you and me, and this resulted in a much longer book. It's also testament when it comes to writing a book, always expect the unexpected. Nothing ever goes as planned, and you'll find yourself adding characters and scenes and coming up with new endings you never dreamed of creating. But this only makes writing all the more fun. But don't forget the importance of keeping your story confined to a certain number of pages. The last thing you want is a book the size of an encyclopedia. Readers will only move on to the book on the next shelf if you're not careful.

Keep on reading!

David Lucero, author

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The Professional Writer

I have been asked if I wish my books were a best-seller, or made into a movie. It's a silly question because every writer has grandiose fantasies of readers flocking to bookstores for a copy of their books, and then for a movie producer to say, "I want to make your book into a movie!" It may sound childish, but then we all have a little child's play aching for release. To have such fantasies are not necessarily the sign of an amateur writer.

I have learned through the course of years of writing that success comes through hard work and dedication to your writing. And there are many levels of success. To finish a manuscript. That is a success. To have it published. That is a success. To have readers purchase a copy of your book. That is a success. For readers to write reviews of your story. That is a success.

The professional writer does not always achieve best-seller status, and their books may never be made into a movie. The professional writer is satisfied with the work they created and the success which follows in whatever shape or form.

David Lucero, a proud and professional writer.

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The Editor Is Always Right

Stephen King wrote, To write is Human, to Edit is Divine.

As I begin editing my third manuscript I find the editing part not only fun, but highly necessary. Every writer has a vision how their book will be understood by readers, and yet our vision is often far from the mark. I hear editors say, “It’s necessary for writers to step back and let us do our work in order for the book to be ready for publication. Without proper editing things like book flow, punctuation, repetition, in-depth descriptions of characters and story line will be missed.”

I could not agree more. I am as proud of my work as any writer is, but without editors our books would not be half as enjoyable as readers deserve them to be. I take my hat off to those men and women who make our books that much better. Here’s to another good year of books to write and read.

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Keep on reading!

My Blurb For My Sequel to THE SANDMAN

I have yet to begin the manuscript for the sequel to my first published novel, THE SANDMAN, but I write down ideas as they come. Thus far I think this will be the caption header to grab the readers' attention.

'In 2009 the CIA's top saboteur, code name: SANDMAN, accomplished an impossible mission. Today he is about to accomplish another....Only this time he is not under orders.

I have yet to come up with the blurb for the current novel I finished. I'm still working on the editing before sending it to an editor for the real-deal, so to speak. It is set in 1953 Africa during the golden age of safaris. A white hunter faces a mystical beast summoned by a medicine man who seeks vengeance for those who doubt his magic.

THE SANDMAN is available in hard and soft cover, and eKindle.

Who's Minding the Store? is available in paperback and Kindle.

I'd appreciate your reviews on amazon.com. Authors love to hear feedback from readers.

David

Follow me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WhosMindingTheStore?ref=hl

and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/DavidLucero

www.LuceroBooks.com

My New Year Resolution

Seems like everyone has a New Year’s resolution, and that’s not a bad thing. New challenges are exciting. They encourage us to make improvements with ourselves in the way we live and treat others.

As I approach the age of 50 (Yes, it still hasn’t quite sunk in) I find myself more focused and appreciative for what I have than at any other time in my life. You might ask why, and my answer is, as I approach the age of 50 I have done what many do. Which is, I look back at where I’ve been and what I’ve done, what I’m doing and what I’m going to do, along with where I’m going to go. I realize now more than ever, anything is possible.

Last year my wife and I went on the trip of a lifetime. You could say it was the highpoint of many wonderful trips we’ve shared with family and friends. I released my second book. The store I ran closed, but I was selected to run the new store replacing it in a different location. My wife is one year closer to retiring, and that means I can come home to dinner on the table each night (Oh, did I forget to mention my wife loves to cook?). My brother is doing well and my son is, too (I’m very proud of him). My father continues to travel in his retirement, leaving me to wonder if any of us will be so lucky, and I seem to have more spare time than ever on my day off. I suppose being organized is paying off.

My New Year’s resolution has been a bit tricky. It’s not that I have everything I want, because no one ever does. But I want my spare time to be occupied with something meaningful, something I can look back on with pride. So, here it goes…

1. Learn a second language. I’ve been studying Spanish because it is helpful at work and having a lot of fun, too. My wife and son are fluent, so I have plenty of help, and I found a terrific website called www.SpanishDict.com. It’s free and full of great lessons. Asegurese de probar. Te divertiras!
2. Pick up skiing again with our friends. Last year was the first year in eight years we passed up our annual trip, but for a good reason. We traveled to Europe!
3. Visit the pyramids in Mexico City. We’re going with the same group of friends we traveled with to Europe. Everyone should make time to travel. It’s an eye-opening experience.
4. Be successful at work. After all, we all have bills to pay.
5. Get my next book published. I finished the manuscript Thanksgiving Day, so late in 2014 I should be able to get my book released if all goes well.
6. Be a better husband to my wife. After all, she’ll be retiring soon and we’ll be sharing more time together than ever. Twenty-three years of marriage have taught me one must be a good listener to be a good husband, but I still have a lot of work to do, as I’m sure my wife will say (I had to beat her to that one).

That’s it for now, but I’m sure I’ll have more challenges throughout the year. How about you? Want to share your challenges with us? Please feel free to add comments.

THE SANDMAN, a novel of suspense

Who’s Minding the Store?, a novel which raises the question, ‘Who says the customer is always right?’