tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post1134637754948850419..comments2024-02-29T16:50:46.462-05:00Comments on Write What Inspires You! ~ Donna M. McDine: Guest Author, Christina Katz - Get Known Before the Book DealDonna McDinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-81212024098540317342009-07-15T20:56:26.486-04:002009-07-15T20:56:26.486-04:00Couple more comments slid in. Thanks, Bev and Step...Couple more comments slid in. Thanks, Bev and Stephen. And Donna makes another great point. Platform is all about "suit up and show up" whether that is online or in person or (more typically) both!<br /><br />Thanks again for hosting! Happy platform building!Christina Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877586168135936638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-68349243939153281642009-07-15T12:06:18.467-04:002009-07-15T12:06:18.467-04:00Christina:
Thanks again for being such a terrific...Christina:<br /><br />Thanks again for being such a terrific guest. Your communication between the readers was wonderful. <br /><br />Hint...Hint...for those checking-in late. This is another way of building your platform. When you are a guest author (such as Christina was) it is imperative you check-in and answer any questions, comment, and thank those who have visited. It truly goes a long way. <br /><br />I've hosted Christina several times since meeting her in-person several years ago and taking one of her online classes and each time she makes an appearance the interaction makes it a successful visit.<br /><br />Best wishes and keep writing,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-71368067300682209332009-07-15T10:38:41.890-04:002009-07-15T10:38:41.890-04:00Great articel and comments by all. I was just blog...Great articel and comments by all. I was just blog surfing today and stumbled across this one. Glad I did. I'll have to sit down this week and develop a platform for myself. Thanks again.<br /><br />Stephen Tremp<br />www.stephentremp.blogspot.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-43099878174276941102009-07-14T22:55:32.472-04:002009-07-14T22:55:32.472-04:00I'm late, but this is a great post. Thank you,...I'm late, but this is a great post. Thank you, Christina and Donna. <br /><br />Bev<br /><br />http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.comBeverly Stowe McClurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176195451841801819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-76248390762365179172009-07-14T22:48:39.632-04:002009-07-14T22:48:39.632-04:00So, hey, Donna, thank you so much for having me. T...So, hey, Donna, thank you so much for having me. This has been a blast! I got a lot out of it and I hope others did too. I hope to connect with everyone who commented again soon.Christina Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877586168135936638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-47703963083095182522009-07-14T22:45:58.530-04:002009-07-14T22:45:58.530-04:00Thanks for your support, Terri! You asked...can a ...Thanks for your support, Terri! You asked...can a writer be successful writing in two different areas?<br /><br />The answer is yes, but I don't advise that you work on both simultaneously. Or if you do, I suggest that you prioritize one of the projects.<br /><br />The reason is that you will make more sense to people when you try to get one idea across at a time. <br /><br />So, I'd ask, which project should be the one you choose to establish yourself? And can you keep the other on the back burner or come back to it later?<br /><br />I'm not sure that most writers are aware of just how much time and energy goes into the preparation, creation, and marketing of just one book...years! So, I'd put a couple of years behind one project as a way of getting your feet wet. <br /><br />In my experience, my students who can focus on one topic or direction make much faster and more significant progress than those who jump around a lot. Just an observation that I hope is helpful.Christina Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877586168135936638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-6881044820992074272009-07-14T22:40:52.018-04:002009-07-14T22:40:52.018-04:00Thanks, Nicole and Ana. Patricia asked: I'm go...Thanks, Nicole and Ana. Patricia asked: I'm going to ask the question that no one else has asked, can you please provide a succinct definition of what an "author platform" is, for fledgling authors, like me?<br /><br />So, here's mine: <br /><br />A platform communicates your expertise to others. It includes your Web presence, any public speaking you do, the classes you teach, the media contacts you’ve established, the articles you’ve published, and any other means you currently have for making your name and your future books known to a viable readership.<br /><br />I find it helpful to define a platform as a promise writers make to not only create something to sell (like a book), but also to promote it to the specific readers who will want to purchase it. This takes both time and effort, not to mention considerable focus.<br /><br />Basically, your platform is everything you do with your expertise. A platform-strong writer is a writer with influence. Once you establish a platform, it can work for you 24/7, reaching readers even as you sleep. Of course, this kind of reach takes time. If many others already recognize your expertise on a given topic or for a specific audience or both, then you likely have an active platform.<br /><br />That ought to get you started. :)Christina Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877586168135936638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-8491836755076784892009-07-14T22:37:33.217-04:002009-07-14T22:37:33.217-04:00Hi everyone, Sorry to be scarce. I'm just back...Hi everyone, Sorry to be scarce. I'm just back in from a very long hair appt. (apparently the older you get, the longer it takes). <br /><br />To answer Cheryl, who asked: Is it detrimental to a project to begin promoting it too early?<br /><br />Quite the opposite is true. Seth Godin talks about beginning a project three years before it becomes a book. I worked on my platform for six years before I got a book deal. I don't think there is any such thing as starting "too" early unless there is a reason for secrecy (a nonfiction idea that is SO new, you don't want anyone to steal it, cuz someone will) or you are building suspense (but if nobody knows who you are how are you going to build suspense?).<br /><br />So, I'd say in the vast majority of the cases, it's never too early to start building your platform. An awful lot of that work is going to be "in the trenches" too and not necessarily extremely public. Great concepts and strong platform don't get tossed up overnight. So get started and then...take your time.Christina Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877586168135936638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-21708668204925135072009-07-14T22:16:24.788-04:002009-07-14T22:16:24.788-04:00Great information. I just purchased the book and h...Great information. I just purchased the book and hope it will help me to be more clear about where I want to go with my nonfiction ideas and also the direction I want to take with my stories for children. <br />My question is this, can a writer be successful writing in two different areas. I have a passion for helping families in dealing with grief, terminal illnesses in their children, and special needs kids, but I also want to write realistic and fun fiction for kids. Can I have two platforms? <br /><br />My gut says yes, but success will depend on how it is handled but I value other advice and direction. <br /><br />Donna, you are such a great source of inspiration and information. Thanks. <br /><br />Warmly,<br />Terri<br />http://heartfeltwords4kids.blogspot.comT. Forehandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03961022948394386206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-92109246945778158022009-07-14T19:40:48.387-04:002009-07-14T19:40:48.387-04:00Hi Christina, Thanks so much for sharing your exp...Hi Christina, Thanks so much for sharing your experitise with us. I'm going to ask the question that no one else has asked, can you please provide a succinct definition of what an "author platform" is, for fledgling authors, like me? I plan to pick up "Get Known" soon. I am currently working on the last third of a teen novel so the timing of this interview couldn't be better. It sounds as if your book will be a tremendous help to me. I look forward to receiving your reply.<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Patricia Shirra<br /><br />Children's & Young Adult Author<br /><br />http://patriciashirra.blogspot.com/<br /><br />https://home.comcast.net/~patriciashirra/psmainpage.htmPatricia Shirrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14038282329978077493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-12152175900618263542009-07-14T17:20:54.772-04:002009-07-14T17:20:54.772-04:00This is so strange! I love synchronicity. I stum...This is so strange! I love synchronicity. I stumbled upon this book yesterday, and now after reading your blog, I am definitely purchasing my copy today! Thank you for your feature of this author and book, and I know without a doubt that the information will be beneficial to me.Anna C. Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271598466699263194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-37283513759908816252009-07-14T14:53:37.213-04:002009-07-14T14:53:37.213-04:00I am very happy to have read this interview. Very...I am very happy to have read this interview. Very informative indeed. I am a newly published author, I will surely go out and buy this book. Thank you so much for taking the time to publish this book. A great big thanks goes to Donna too! Mil merci, mil gracias.<br /> <br />Respectfully,<br />Nicole Weaver<br />Children's Author<br />http://www.authorsden.com/nicoleweaverDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-16934982589454929382009-07-14T14:36:40.407-04:002009-07-14T14:36:40.407-04:00Excellent interview. This sounds like a book that...Excellent interview. This sounds like a book that I and many of my clients need. Working in book promotion, I deal with these issues on a regular basis.<br /><br />I feel grateful that my mentor discussed the importance of creating a platform before landing a book deal. It encouraged me to start a website and figure out my niche. I take any opportunity I can to promote myself and my work, including my first Christian children's book, which will be out late next year.<br /><br />Christina, I have a question for you. Is it detrimental to a project to begin promoting it too early? As I mentioned, my first book won't be out until late next year, but I've already discussed it in interviews I've had recently and posted about it on my website. Should I refrain from talking about it until after the first of the year?<br /><br />Thanks for this excellent interview and the answer to my question.<br /><br />Best of luck!<br /><br />CherylCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470069911115912344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-46684100874956719332009-07-14T14:13:01.985-04:002009-07-14T14:13:01.985-04:00Christina:
It's been a delight having you tod...Christina:<br /><br />It's been a delight having you today and I look forward to further visitors. Thank you for your consistent check-ins and words of support and encouragement.<br /><br />TO ALL: Apparently some visitors are having technical problem with blogger and leaving comments on my blog. If you too are experiencing this, kindly please forward me your comment and/or question and I'd be happy to post it accordingly and of course I will place your name and link within.<br /><br />Regards,<br />DonnaDonna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-36092558476269560002009-07-14T14:06:41.805-04:002009-07-14T14:06:41.805-04:00Donna points out two of my favorite keys to platfo...Donna points out two of my favorite keys to platform development: stretching so you can grow and get better known, and creating platform growth that is win-win-win for everyone involved. Great job, Donna. You've been very consistent in your efforts over the years and we can all see how it's paying off for you. :)Christina Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877586168135936638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-33701149336253146412009-07-14T13:15:58.986-04:002009-07-14T13:15:58.986-04:00To me a platform can be fun because by reaching be...To me a platform can be fun because by reaching beyond the scope or comfort zone of those you already know you are developing contacts you normally would not do. And by doing so it opens up the door to new experiences and relationships. <br /><br />The content of my newsletter, Write What Inspires You includes interviews with those in the children's publishing industry and I have learned a tremendous amount of important tips and information through them. And because of these interviews I've developed a larger network of professionals where we consistently trade off ideas. IMHO, it's been a win-win situation that continues to grow.<br /><br />Looking forward to hearing more.Donna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-31851232889274370072009-07-14T13:05:13.096-04:002009-07-14T13:05:13.096-04:00Thanks, everyone, for the comments and support so ...Thanks, everyone, for the comments and support so far. And did I mention that platform development is fun? Can anyone share how developing a platform has been fun?Christina Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877586168135936638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-46231657472662783712009-07-14T11:43:23.325-04:002009-07-14T11:43:23.325-04:00Yes. Yes. And YES. This is so right on and somethi...Yes. Yes. And YES. This is so right on and something I learned in the tried-but-not-so-true way--by doing everything wrong.<br /><br />Thanks for the book, Christina. Thanks for the interview, Donna.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-73254138404357877472009-07-14T07:52:48.025-04:002009-07-14T07:52:48.025-04:00Yes, a must-have book for every writer, as most au...Yes, a must-have book for every writer, as most authors don't even think about a platform until after the fact.<br /><br />And Christina is from my home state of Oregon!<br /><br />L. Diane Wolfe<br />www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com<br />www.spunkonastick.net <br />www.thecircleoffriends.netL. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363676184114538880.post-33701578905930517982009-07-14T07:33:10.399-04:002009-07-14T07:33:10.399-04:00Great interview Donna, thanks for sharing!Great interview Donna, thanks for sharing!Kim Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13933746166088034102noreply@blogger.com