Blogging, Writing, and Publishing

     “Hmm?” Steve answered groggily. He wore a stupid smile. It’s not over. I need you to take the controls so I can prop the plane. Those guys drained the battery.”      “Ok, fly to get more batteries,” Steve said in his delirium.      “No! no! no!” John yelled. “I have to hand prop the plane. Listen; just hold your feet on the brakes.”      John climbed out and turned the propeller a couple of times and prepared for a starting kick. Then he saw a commotion in the jungle. Some of the natives were holding up the ponchos where he and Steve had been. So far they hadn’t seen him.      “Please, God, let this start,” John prayed before throwing the propeller downward.      It went around sputtering but not catching. The alerted natives looked and moved slowly toward the plane, taking cover as they advanced.      “Great, an audience.”      A hastily fired...

I've shared with you many possibilities for free online marketing and brand awareness opportunities with niche and specialized industries. Success is possible after you develop a platform and your audience trusts you. Well, what about fiction? Same formula applies, develop a platform and your audience will trust you. Though the formula applies, you may find yourself starting over if your fiction does not involve your core specialized market audience. For example, my core niche audience is security professionals. They are interested in my "how-to" books, articles and blogs. However, as a whole, they are not interested in a novel about missionaries in Indonesia. I could get luck writing a thriller novel featuring a main character performing in the niche industry, but I can generally expect to start all over with a new platform. So, how does one create a buzz, gather an audience and sell their fiction? Here are 4 ideas. 1.  Start a blog featuring snippets of your book....

The days seemed to melt into each other as John learned the intricacies of his new plane. He enjoyed the privilege of flying the only yellow airplane in the nation; the main reason he named her Buttercup. Even people deep in the forest who had no affiliation with missionaries felt a sense of ownership when they saw the plane fly over. “I’ve come to know the sound of your plane,” Marta said. “That’s what the Johnsons said at my last stop. It’s really nice to be wanted.” John beamed. “Are you so sure it’s you everyone wants to see?” Marta teased. “All right, so everyone wants to know what I have in my cargo bin. I feel like Santa Claus year round.” “I guess it’s good to see you too. I need to use my English now and again so I don’t forget,” said Marta. “That’s so nice of you to say so.” John enjoyed the game they often played with each other. The lines around her eyes when she smiled told him of the joy he had brought to her. It was such an easy smile, and he didn’t have to try hard to g...

     In her hut, Marta lay staring at the grass roof; it had been a fitful sleep. Bouts of fitful tossing were triggered by images of John. She wasn’t sure if he would fit in, or remain on Irian Jaya, but she hoped he would stay. She couldn’t believe her feelings for this man, and passed them off as curiosity. After all, he was fresh and full of conversation. But she had met men and women who came to visit as evangelical missionaries, preaching for a short time before moving on. Pilots, doctors and other medical persons came, as well as the Peace Corps and United Nations workers. None had the allure that John already had over her. He seemed to own some part of her, and she wasn’t ready to give it over. She had to get him out of her mind....her heart. No, she couldn’t admit he had her heart. She finally rolled from her bed for the short trek to the stream where she washed. On the way, she saw John and the old man. She saw him smile and trot toward her. He looked like he ha...

  CHAPTER 10      High in the mist-filled mountain tops two figures danced excitedly around their chubby friend. Another tall and lanky character observed it from under the wide brim of his bush hat. He allowed himself a rare smile. The boys have earned some excitement.      “Bart found the ore. Finally, he did something besides trying to kill us with his food,” Charles said excitedly, much to Bart’s dismay.      “My food gave you the strength to carry on. Didn’t it, Angus?” Bart said, looking hopefully to the boss.      “Kissing up to him won’t get you much,” said Roger. “But finding this gold will.” He grabbed the short and stout Bart in a headlock and rubbed his dirty hair heartily, excited that the months of mining had finally been rewarded.      Bart smiled in his goofy manner, enjoying the much needed praise.      Roger and Charles let out a roar of pleasure as they tossed the baseball-...