Tag: featured

What’s stopping you?

Have you had a great idea for a book? A story that sang to your soul and made you excited. Did you then fail to translate that idea to paper, left instead to decay in the recesses of your mind— or maybe on a scribbled notepad/word doc left to be forgotten.

Bummer.

But you’re not alone! Unfortunately this happens a lot, denying eager readers the amazing material they wanted.

I’m putting together a series of tools and advise that I found helpful while writing The Kingdom.

First off— word count goal!

What are your word count goals? Is it daily? Weekly? Even monthly?

Do you have one at all?

You should and here’s why-

Creating a story requires disciplined writing week in and week out. The ability to stay steady and consistent is what separates those who have completed a story and those who have not.

It’s easy to come up with a story idea— maybe even a vague story outline, but having the patience to sit and transform an idea into a book requires work.

Word count goals are an excellent way to keep yourself motivated and moving. It can be sooo hard to continually pick up and start a story over and over again, and frankly the writing will probably suffer for it.

Individual goals for how much to write will, of course, differ from person to person based off of time constraints, writing goal, etc. but I encourage you to create one that pushes you to write and continue to make progressive project.

When I wrote my first epic fantasy series- The Kingdom— my work and home life allowed me to shoot for a 5k week minimum which worked out well. As I work on my newest book and juggle time marketing my author website and previous books my current goal is scaled back to 3-5k a week. This may be small to some, but for me it keeps the story moving in the time available.

Try it out and keep it reasonable!

Author Cameron Kielb

Indie Author Struggles

Any new indie author can relate to the struggle of starting out. If you’re like me, you started writing not to get into the publishing/marketing business, but to create a story for others to read.

The problem though, is even gaining that readership. Though we first and foremost write for ourselves, it’s disheartening when it feels like we’re talking to an empty room.

The solutions vary and can be quite time consuming depending on what you read. I personally felt like I had to choose between writing or publishing/marketing tasks with what time I had available to “work” on my author work.

One commonality, though, is to have a strong platform (website) to serve as the hub of access for you and sales. I made the mistake of trying to cold sell my fantasy books straight through social media sources which really just turned into a colossal waste of money. Instead, create a well made platform that showcases your work and talent. Then you’re attention turns to invoking people to check out your site. It’s much easier to click on ‘view my website’ then ‘buy now’. No one wants to feel like they’re being hustled.

People that feel inclined to check out your site will make better audience participants because they obviously have an interest for what you’re offering.

With that said, I’ve been seriously vamping up my website and will continue to improve on it as I move forward with my works. Between this and focusing on growing my list— I feel I’m laying down a more solid foundation for my future as an author.

In the meantime I’m continuing to work on my rough draft of an upcoming book- title yet to be revealed, now that The Kingdom Series is completes. (Check it out!)

‘Til next time,

Author Cameron Kielb

Back on the train

Author Cameron Kielb

— It’s rather disorienting when you finish off a story (not to mention a full series) and proceed to the next. All that work; the descriptions, personas, background information, everything! The details of The Kingdom remain in my head. They didn’t just disappear when I typed, ‘The End’. Voice is a big one— I find the voice of my previous characters trying to come out in my new work. But Arthur (the character I’m working on) is not Mox.

I think acknowledgment of this from an author’s mind is necessary to help move on. True and practiced mindfulness has a way of catching a lot more than we realize. In addition, creating and falling back on outlines and character maps also becomes a great asset. I’ll post a separate blog about my experience with outlining, character mapping, and planning in general, but bottom line— it is important!

Now it’s time to get back on the train. I’ve created my outline and hard as it is to leave the last station behind, the best part is in front of me back- writing. Word count goals are back in action. Let’s see where the tracks take us this time! 😀

Author Cameron Kielb

The Kingdom Unity is out now!

Book 3

Book three- the epic ending to The Kingdom is out now! For more information, click here.

It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions leading up to Unity’s release. It’s my third fantasy book published and I feel like my excitement continues to grow! As I continue to work on my craft, it brings me great joy to reflect on the progress that I’ve made. It can be easy to let doubt creep in when looking at your work but I think it’s important to focus on the hard work you’ve accomplished and be proud.

Don’t get hung up with past mistakes and instead focus on the lessons learned. Continue to do that over and over again and the results will speak for themselves. Book 3 is written better then book 1, just as book 30 (I’ll get there!) will be better then 3.

Enjoy the process. Write what you like and it’s all good. I enjoy writing fantasy and science fiction but if tomorrow I want to write a crime thriller— I will.

Happy Friday!

Author Cameron Kielb

Btw- Click here to see my website!

Mobtality

Author Cameron Kielb

A flash post

“Do it! Smash the glass!”
I look at the window display, three ‘cool’ dummy models with aloha shirts and rad sunglasses all waving hello. The words ‘Aloha mate!’ Are inscribed on a sign above. Aside from the ridiculously dumb set up, I have no reason to harm these idiotic beach goers. I blink and look around at my so called friends. They’re swarmed around me, like frenzied bees, yelling— spittle spewing from their mouths, as they coax me on.
”Destroy the damn thing!”
”Shatter the glass like they shattered our dreams!” Someone yells.

Oh yeah. Those arrogant bigwigs who probably buy ridiculous aloha clothes and actually go to Hawaii took away my freedom. What about my rights? That’s right, this will show them! I feel the rage swell inside my belly, growing, growing, bursting forth. I can’t contain it! I’m a wild dog off his chain. Hoo!
This will show them…
I raise the eight pound sledge hammer gripped in my white knuckled hands and swing with all my might.

Thanks for reading! I have recently reconverted my website from an alternate host back to webpress! Check it out. Author Cameron Kielb.

This was a flash I had posted previously on the old site. With all the chaos going around, it just felt relevant. These are hard times, but we must keep a level head.

Cameron Kielb

I write action packed fantasy and science fiction works. Check it out!