Lou Paduano | Urban Fantasy Novels | Sci-Fi Crime Series

Finding Your Voice as an Author

By

We all know what a Stephen King book sounds like. As readers, we know what to expect when we crack open a Dan Brown tale or even a yarn by Brad Meltzer. Each has a certain voice, a specific tone set from years of practice.

Finding your voice as an author is a journey much like producing a book. It is something I’ve been thinking about quite a bit lately as I dip into new endeavors and new genres.

Rules and regulations

There is something to this, for sure. Rules are important when learning the ins and outs of a genre. Reaching a target audience requires a bit of tweaking one’s voice in order to better suit that audience.

Everyone starts out that way. But dipping more to your strengths, even the discovering of those strengths, is part of finding your own voice.

Who you want to be as an author

This has been weighing on me. When I look back, how do I want to be remembered as an author? Entertaining? Sure. Poignant? Probably not so much.

It goes back to the writing. Theme and tone, each plays a part in determining our voice – that which is projected out to the reader in the form of a final book, polished series, whatever you’re writing.

Greystone, for me, is about opening closed doors. It’s about finding light in the shadows.

What I’ve come to realize is how much some notions carry through even to a completely different series. DSA has been taking over my mind the last few months and will be owning my life for the next three or four months as I close out the opening season of tales.

That theme of discovery returns here. The concept of control over our lives – something Henry Erikson introduced to Portents in The Medusa Coin – is very prominent. Is this a matter of not being creative enough to come up with something new or is this where voice is the most prominent? In the type of message being conveyed to the reader?

The conversation is fascinating to me.

What about in the writing itself?

That is, of course, a major proponent of an author’s voice. Sarcasm, flowing descriptions, snippy dialogue. Again, each plays a role in determining a piece of what you’re trying to impress upon the reader.

But it is in the sum of all parts that the voice comes together. More than the finished product, this journey is incredible and I’m loving each connection I find when I put down my pen to start editing.

The notions inherent in my thoughts, the concepts that creep up in the background are more than similarities, they are important nuances to how I view the world. Something I wasn’t cognizant of previously.

Like Greystone, I am also trying to open new doors. To discover more about myself through my writing. To push and pull each scene for more, to say more, to be more in each sentence.

All with the hope of discovering more about who I am, who I want to be, and that voice I want to share with you.

Thanks for reading.

Writing Update – October 25, 2018

By

I am consistently surprised when my writing update blogs sneak up on me in the schedule. It’s crazy how quickly the months have flown by since starting this blog. I’m taking it as a good thing since I’m still here and there are still things to chat about with you!

Writing Update

This week I’m plugging away on Book 4 of the DSA’s inaugural season. It’s called Those Still Among Us and involves a vengeful spirit, murder and one of my favorite characters I’ve ever written and one you’ll be reading tons about in the coming years.

The DSA has been a consistent challenge for me. One that pesters the hell out of me, while also opening new opportunities in the storytelling. There are new techniques to learn. There is the connective tissue between the installments to play with. I think when all is said and done this is going to be an incredible journey on both sides of the page. I hope you’ll agree.

Book 4 brings a new dynamic to the mix; that of the SPIN-OFF series. That favorite character I mentioned earlier? Yeah, he’s getting his own series. It’s called Spectral Advocate and deals with our understanding of the relationship between the living and the dead.

I know the story already, been thinking about it more and more all week while delving into the DSA’s introduction of the character.

Speaking of new projects…

Another challenge with a long-term project like the DSA – one that will be occupying my writing schedule for years to come – is getting side-tracked. This month has brought not one but two very firm novels to mind. I refuse to allow myself to outline them any further than the sporadic note or ten, but damn, am I excited to get to them.

When will that be?

I wish I had an answer to that question. For now, the only thing I can do is keep plugging away on this draft and make it the best I can. Then move on to book 5 and 6 next month. After that?

So many options to think about. It’s going to be fun.

NaNoWriMo Prep – Part 2

By

There is a lot to be said about NaNoWriMo. It can be a great motivator to finally kick your story into gear and craft it into the book you’ve been dreaming of for years. There is plenty of fun to be had, plenty of connections to be made, but the choice has to come from you and doing what is best for you and your novel.

Making connections

I absolutely love the writing community inspired by NaNoWriMo. The forums are brimming with excitement over word counts and achievements made over the course of the month. There are threads pertaining to different genres to help with prep work needing to be done.

There are also write-outs scheduled during the month. Local chapters with writers in your area are always planning a get-together in the hopes that inspiration will come from a group setting instead of pining away in the darkness of your office all the time. Or your really, really, really cold basement.

Lots of engagement to get the creative juices flowing.

You can spend hours chatting with other authors, some of which are probably right in your neck of the woods.

Or you can get your book written.

NaNoWriMo Your Way

I know, sour grapes much? That’s always been my issue with forums in general. I could spend all day connecting with like-minded folks and absolutely have a blast chatting them up about their book. But at the end of the day I still have pages to get done.

Last year I tried to use the forums. There were great people posting every day for hours on end about their journey. Great inspirational tales to motivate your own writing. There were write-outs and meetings, all kinds of engagement to help writers hit their goals.

I did a little bit of posting. I wanted to hit up the write-outs and meet some local writers but the timing never worked out. There were goals to hit, a house to maintain, and kids that missed me already. For me, working on the book came first and community fell to the wayside.

And that’s my point in this. There are many opportunities with NaNoWriMo, and one of the main reasons I’m doing it again this year. Connecting with people, even on a small scale with a word or ten of encouragement or advice about a plot twist can go a long way to making your own journey easier to handle.

Writing is a slog so why not take advantage of the tools at your disposal. But on the other end? Don’t let them slow you down or impede your progress. Use them or don’t but make sure either choice serves the book your crafting over everything else.

That is the goal. 50,000 words. 30 days.

You can do it. But do it your way.

NaNoWriMo Prep – Part 1

By

It’s coming. NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, kicks off November 1st. Are you prepared to get some writing done?

This year I’ve set a steep goal. I’ve been working like a maniac to prep the final three books in the DSA’s opening season. The scripts are done. The stories are locked in my brain.

Now is the time to put together some drafts.

NaNoWriMo Prep Time!

Here are some areas I’m focused on this month to get ready for the type-fest that will be November:

Plot Breakdown –

From major turning points to intimate character moments, I like to go into the drafting stage with these pretty much set from page one. Even if it is just a sentence – Man walks down the street and is mugged. – You have the start of some connective tissue for your novel. I had one that said “Characters learn about the outpost.” No idea what that could mean but as I looked at the pieces surrounding it I was able to pull on them for more information, more substance to strengthen the need for this chapter. Can’t find that need? Ditch the moment and see what happens.

Character Arcs –

With The Medusa Coin, I knew Loren and Soriya. Ruiz and Pratchett. All the players involved. With that background knowledge it was easier to fill in the gaps and see their progression. This time? The DSA has its own challenges with structure. Each book requires a smaller arc while also feeding into the larger story as a whole. Each piece of the puzzle has to be laid out, not only for my two main leads but for the entire cast as well. Everyone plays a part and they have to click on multiple levels at all time.

Will it be 100% locked and loaded by November 1st? No way. But having as much noted and planned ahead of time saves on the editing frustrations to come.

World Building Details –

More questions. Expanding on character arcs, now look at the world of your novel-to-be. If it’s Earth, good on you. You have a basis to jump from. Thinking about sci-fi, galaxy hopping craziness? Know your world. What are the rules? What are the sides? Who is friendly, who is not? Why? What history is there? What type of currency is used? Understand as much as you can about the world your characters find themselves in and it will make your draft pop better right from the start.

No idea where to start for your NaNoWriMo Prep?

Still want to take part but haven’t even thought of what type of story to tell? No problem.

Check out these amazing writing prompt resources:

  1. Creative Writing Prompts by Writers Digest
  2. 365 Creative Writing Prompts by thinkwritten
  3. Writing Prompt Exercises by Poets & Writers

And be sure to check out NaNoWriMo.org for amazing tips and resources as well.

Hope to see you there!

Box Set Deal!!

By

The incredible box set deal begins today!!

The Greystone Saga Volume One is FREE this week!

That’s right. The Greystone Saga Volume One is free this week on Amazon! Containing Signs of Portents and Tales from Portents, this collection features over 500 pages of murder, monsters and mayhem. Follow the adventures of Soriya Greystone and Greg Loren as they tackle the growing threats in the streets of Portents.

In Signs of Portents, Loren is pulled into one last case before his departure from the city that took his wife from him. To find a brutal killer from the past he must turn to Soriya Greystone and the power she carries to learn the secret behind this mysterious threat.

And in Tales from Portents, follow the adventures of Soriya and Loren prior to the events of Signs. Six short stories full of death and resurrection. Witness the first meeting of Ruiz and the man called Mentor. Learn the secrets between Standish and Loren’s falling out.

All this and more is FREE starting today and ending this Friday, October 19th!

Grab your copy now!

The Greystone Saga Volume Two is only $0.99!!

WHAT? The first two books of the series are free and the second two can be yours for less than a dollar?

It’s true!

The Greystone Saga Volume Two contains books 3 and 4 in the series, The Medusa Coin and Pathways in the Dark. The shadows are closing in on Soriya Greystone and Greg Loren as secrets come to light that threaten to tear apart their friendship.

In The Medusa Coin, Henry Erikson has discovered the secret to immortality. All it takes is a sacrifice, one he is more than willing to pay. Soriya and Loren must face Death himself in order to learn the truth behind the Medusa coin before the entire city falls prey to one man’s whims.

Then in Pathways in the Dark, follow the characters of the series through a terrifying set of six short stories. Each player faces a crossroads, the choice before them setting them down a dark road — one they may not be able to turn away from.

Witness the hidden past of Samantha Myers. Learn the lengths Ruiz is willing to go to protect his loved ones. Watch as the partnership between Soriya and Loren is put to the ultimate test. Will they stand together or will they shatter from the pressure of their secrets?

Two full-length installments in the epic Greystone series for less than a dollar! Sale ends October 19th!

Order your digital copy today!

Indie Author Day This Saturday

By

This Saturday, celebrate the third annual Indie Author Day at the Buffalo Central Library! The event runs from 11 am to 2 pm and offers you a chance to talk books with dozens of local authors!

Indie Author Day

This is a fantastic way to learn more about the publishing process from seasoned pros working in the field. Need some advice about a story you’re dying to tell? Who better to ask than those who have pondered those very same questions.

It’s a blast to be able to spread the word about other authors and their work. So much love goes into creating fresh material for you to consume and this is a great way to give some love back to the writing community.

From children’s books to adult noir, there is a genre for you at the Indie Author Day event at the Central Library!

Greystone Special

For those looking to purchase Greystone paperbacks at the event, you’re in luck! I will have the entire series with me at a discounted rate.

Instead of the usual $13.99 online you can snag them for $10.00!

The entire 5 book collection is the best deal of all at only $35.00!! Plus: my lovely signature on each one as a free bonus!

How can you pass that up?

Special thanks…

A big shout out to the Buffalo-Erie County Library System for hosting this event. It is a huge undertaking to put this together and they make it seem easy somehow. It’s an absolute pleasure to promote them and my fellow writers.

If you want to see more events like this be sure to reach out to your local library today!

Disclaimer: Links throughout this site may be affiliate links. All commission earned through these links go to Eleven Ten Publishing to produce more books for your reading pleasure.

You can view our privacy policy here.

Recent Posts