#30Seconds Live: Writing & Publishing a Fiction Novel With "Pink Slips" Author Beth Aldrich! by Donna John

The gripping and emotional suspense thriller, "Pink Slips," made its debut this month on bookstore shelves nationwide. We were thrilled to have our very own 30Seconds contributor, Beth Aldrich, who just happens to be the author of this delightful book, with us this week for our #30Seconds Twitter chat and our livestream! Beth shared the best way for new writers to begin crafting a fiction novel, tips for publishing your book, how to spread the word and so much more. Read on for her insights, and watch the video to see her in action!

Q. What’s the best way for a new writer to begin crafting a fiction novel?

• Write, write, write and in between read “how to” books on writing. 
• Decide which character or narrator will tell the story. 
• Remember to stay in proper tense (present, past) throughout. That’s one mistake writers make.
• Always keep a notepad with you. When an idea hits you, write it down. 
• Keep track of dreams and curious thoughts or characters that enter your mind. 
• Write every day, consistently, on a schedule. Make it a part of who you are. 
• Have second and third ideas in your mind in case you hit a block.

Write every day, even if only for 15 minutes. Like a muscle, exercise your writing mind and typing fingers. #30Seconds #PinkSlipsNovel pic.twitter.com/Pug86HQUR8

— BETH (@BethAld16) June 22, 2017

Q. How can someone publish a book? 

Publishing can be through an agent/publisher deal or Indie self-publishing. Here are the pros and cons to both.

• Plenty of online resources to guide you.
• Indie publishing is easy: ebooks: Kindle KDP, Smashwords, Draft2Digital 
• Print: Ingram Spark and CreateSpace, etc.
• Self-publising MUST – get great editors (four different processes – all important).
• For developmental, copy, proofing, edit, format and cover designer with an agent/publisher, plan on writing pitches and time to wait for deals and book to hit shelves – average took two years.
• Self-publishing – You pick timeline.

We all have stories in our head! Get them out! #30seconds #pinkslipsnovel pic.twitter.com/n5tSTeRjF3

— BETH (@BethAld16) June 22, 2017

Q: What’s the best way to get the word out about a self-published book?

Well before the book comes out, send a clean manuscript to reviewers and influential people for promo leverage. Make a list of book bloggers to review and do giveaways for when your book comes out. Ask for Amazon and Goodreads reviews – author’s gold. Contact local bookstores an book clubs to set up placement and appearances. Be generous an give books to get them out there – reviews are gold. Actively participate on social media –genuinely interact. Find online book tweet company’s that help get the word out – tons of impressions.

Even this one can help ;) #30seconds #pinkslipsnovel pic.twitter.com/a5TrxdprEt

— BETH (@BethAld16) June 22, 2017

Q: What are some of your favorite fiction books?

I love the sweet cozies of Debbie Macomber. My favorite is "Angels at the Table." Inspiration for my holiday book coming out in the fall. For years, I read tons of Dean Koontz suspense thriller books. I love Watchers, the dog-inspired Barney in “Pink Slips.” Any books from James Patterson. I took an online writing class with him. He’s charming, gifted and inspiring. I love “Pink Slips.” It’s full of twists and suspense. The perfect summer travel and beach read. A must-read.

I'm reading Spin by Catherine Mckenzie. Love it! #30seconds

— Lori Leal (@LoriLeal1) June 22, 2017

Q. What was the easiest or most fun part of writing your book?

The easiest part was, I had full control of the story, where it would go, characters experience, etc. So many moving parts, but very exciting. The fun part about writing “Pink Slips” was that I was able to know my characters, intimately. I've spent more time with them, than my family lately. The exciting part was being able to see immense growth Betsy Ryan experienced through the course of the novel. Watching her fight for her life was exciting. It was intense to imagine and then write some of the more suspenseful parts of the novel. I would get butterflies while writing, feeling Betsy's fear.

That we do! I think Im going to get back into my writing #30seconds

— Andrea Hinckley (@andrea_hinckley) June 22, 2017

Q: What was the most difficult part of writing your book?

The most difficult part about writing “Pink Slips” was saying goodbye to the characters. I didn't want the story to end. They're a part of my life now. One difficult part about writing the book was the many edits to the manuscript I'm a creative person, not technical. I had a story to tell, regardless of a few misplaced commas. Challenging to make major developmental edit and then change other elements of the story to match. Meticulous! It was tricky separating Betsy Ryan from myself. Oftentimes, I would slip into her head and write as if it were me. I then jumped out and gave the words back to Bets.

A1-observe people, take notes, jot down ideas, use pictures to fill in the gaps, craft story lines...write what you know. #30seconds

— Kim Kusiciel (@barefoot79) June 22, 2017

Be sure to follow @BethAld16, like her on Facebook, visit BethAldrich.com and PinkSlips.com and check out her 30Seconds page.