Welcome to the Art of Writing newsletter!

This experience is designed to help you become a more self aware writer so you can find the success that you want with your writing journey.

Expect articles on the craft of writing, techniques, stories, and much more.

Included in this edition:

1. "Writer, stick to your genre" (Article)

2. "The Prophet and the Cube" (Short Story)

3. How we turn Writing Brands into Earning Enterprirses w/ Releasing Your Inner Dragon (CWN Podcast)

Writer, stick to your genre

In the age of attention and social media you probably have many competing interests. Whether that's reading, writing, tv, food, adventures, or any other number of activities available to you. There are many things to do and the internet gives you the capability to swap hobbies daily. Need to take a break from writing? Sure go check out home care videos and articles. Getting kinda bored of reading contemporary fiction? Go google the classics and be encompassed by different styles.

With so many competing interests how is it even possible for us to stick to a lane as a writer?

It might be easy to write that epic love story you've been dying to finish, but then the next project you're feeling more of a mystery story then the next one maybe fantasy sounds fun, because you've been reading some great fantasy stuff. This doesn't even involve switching writing formats from novels to graphic novels to scripts to anything in between.

The majority of successful authors generally stick to their lane (I'm sure you can come up with some exception authors who are not the case, but those are the few not the many).

*Why follow a strategy that works for 1% of authors as compared to 75% of authors?*

Think of some well known authors...

Stephen King is known for Horror.

Brandon Sanderson is known for Fantasy.

Nora Roberts is known for Romance.

Of course, they hit points in their careers where they were able to branch out, hire help and produce more volume, but they had to reach that point first.

If you are writing for yourself and the enjoyment of the craft, then go ahead and publish a Sci-fi followed by a Young Adult, and then whatever else suits your interest.

If you are writing to build a readership then pick your genre and stick to it!

Think about it like this: when you read a great book, the character journey was incredible, the moments were memorable, and the ending was satisfying.

BUT

When you finish the last page some questions might be:

1. What is the next book of the series (if it's not a stand alone)?
2. What other books does this Author have that will give me a similar reading experience?

You picked up that book for a reason, because you wanted a certain type of reading experience. You are going to want more books from that author for the same reason. They could surprise you and you might hit a point with your favorite authors where you'll read whatever they come out with. Those authors have to build trust with you first that they can deliver a similar reading experience before you want to take the chance to try out their other styles.

SO

If you are writing a fantasy book series stick to fantasy.

If you are writing a romance book stick to romance.

If you are writing a thriller book-

you get the point.

Here's the secret. If you finished a book or series and you want a change of pace, don't change genres, change the subgenre. That way you can stick to the core genre and play around with elements of another genre that interests you.

*My only caution is not to stray too far from the core genre elements that attracted readers to your initial story.*

Once you've established a core readership based on whatever strategies and metrics that you've determined for success then venture out to other genres.

OR

If you're going to write in different genres (sometimes formats depending on the readership/audience) be prepared to recognize that each new genre might require you to build a new readership.

Also keep in mind... you probably picked your genre for a reason or maybe the first book was practice to start on the real journey 😜

The Prophet and the Cube

(Short story)

This short story resulted from a live 20-minute free write exercise I did with the WriteNow community. While I’ve only done some minor editing with it, I wanted to leave the piece as is since I was proud of crafting a fully realized scene. Enjoy!

The omniscient glowing blue cube greeted him with the tone of an artificial construct. The blue light which emanated from the cube was enchanting, mesmerizing, and peculiarly alluring to boot.

The old prophet rolled his neck and checked that the staff of knowledge was still firmly positioned on his back. He knew the tool was important, which is why he kept it on his belonging at all times, but he no longer could recall why it was.

Somewhere deep within his soul, there lay a burning question that had to be asked. There was an answer which he needed to know. The fate of all life hung in the balance, but as he approached the artificial construct, the question was lost to him.

“Would you like some cake?” the Artificial construct directed at him with an air of welcoming.

“What a peculiar question, my little blue friend. Why are you a baker?” the Old Prophet inquired.

“While I am not considered a baker amongst my kinda, I do have knowledge of over 1000000000000000000000000000000 kinds of recipes and can create a dish most to your liking.”

The Prophet watched the artificial construct wearily, realizing for the first time it wasn’t actually talking with him in the conventional sense. He, the Prophet, spoke while the answers were directly communicated into his mind as if it were being uploaded to his brain like a navi-comp.

“My intelligence extends far beyond your basic Navi-Comp,” the Artificial Construct responded.

The Old Prophet missed a step, realizing he hadn’t actually spoken any words. He turned to face the strange curiosity and brought a hand to rest under his chin thoughtful as he began to ask, “You can read-“ he stopped himself and continued thinking…my mind?

‘The mind is no different than the tongue, is it not?’

“On second thought,” he paused. ‘I’ll have some cake.’

The Old Prophet felt a cold hard material in his outstretched hand resting behind his back. He swung his arm around smelling the sweet aroma of cake. Upon seeing it he instantly began salivating. ‘Flour and sugar vanished from our world over 100 years ago, how-‘

‘A Magician never reveals a secret, quoted an earthling from the 21st century.’

The Old Prophet lifted the plate with the most delectable looking piece of cake he had ever before witnessed. The frosting had multitudes of color while the breading could only be described as lush. He moved a finger to grab a piece of the cake, but an eating utensil appeared in his outstretched hand. ‘thank you.’

’Consumption of organic product separates the savage, quoted 31st century magician.’

The Old Prophet used the utensil to cut away a thin nimble slice of the desert, scooped it up and raised it to his mouth. Already he was salivating beyond measure as the slice of cake approached his teeth.

Half way between his lips, he paused. Why was he eating cake when the fate of the world was at stake? He instead brought the slice of cake to sniff it, smelling for any hidden substances.

‘I assure you, our cake is vegan, gluten, dairy free, organic, cholesterol free, heart free, bi-pardinate, gluctate, mi-lacteral, and disease free.’

The Old Prophet nodded, it all seemed about right. He bit chomped down on the most magnificent desert known to the history of man kind as his senses took him into a world of pure delight. He closed his eyes in pure ecstasy enjoying the sensations that delighted every part of him. He felt like he was floating in the clouds and nothing of any consequence mattered.

Suddenly he remembered his mission and the entire history of humanity. Those types of deserts had been outlawed because…

He tried to open his eyes, but found himself unable to do so, drifting amongst the clouds…

The Artificial Construct gave off a blue light as it analyzed the Old Prophet’s body on the ground. It lit up with the pure knowledge that it had finally calculated the true path to achieving victory.

Once more it zapped out of existence as it left behind a piece of parchment that floated in the air and landed precisely on the Old Prophet’s decaying corpse.

The Parchment read:

Let them eat cake.

Create, Write Now! Podcast #13

How we turn Writing Brands into Earning Enterprirses

with Releasing Your Inner Dragon

​

"Whatever your theme, make sure it's on purpose and by design!"

Do you want to know how to build a successful writing brand that earns revenue? As writers today, we need to wear many hats, from marketing experts to networking masters. Join Kauffman as he sits down with published authors Maxwell Alexander Drake and Marie Mullany from Releasing Your Inner Dragon.

Check it out!

Thank you for embarking on the Art of Writing.

If you have any feedback, want to be involved, or would like to showcase your story in future editions, reply to this email.

That's all I got for you.

Until next time stay creative, writer...

- Kauffman