Author: Jenn J McLeod

Australia's nomadic novelist living on the road a purple and white caravan called Myrtle the Turtle. Come home to the country: House for all Seasons (#5 top selling novel in 2013), Simmering Season (2014), Season of Shadow and Light (2015), The Other Side of the Season (2016), A Place to Remember (2018), House of Wishes (2019)
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Platform or Soapbox?

I read an article online recently about ‘writing platforms’.
It was saying it’s almost impossible to sell a first novel these days unless the author has a platform.
Okay, I thought, I’m pretty good on a soapbox. Will that do?

Of course, that’s not quite what they meant.

They were talking about having something that makes you qualified to write a book – a fascinating job, an interetsing hobby, a passion for something. In my case those three things equal writing.

I can see how it might help (eg Kathy Reichs), but is it essential? Does having specific expertise put you ahead of the thousands of other writers out there? Are we no good without it.(I think if I had a platform right now I’d hit Kathy Reichs over the head with it – Sorry Kathy, I love you, but jeez you’ve made it tough!) What I mean is, we can’t all be forensic anthropologists (I don’t even know how to spell it!)

Why is it no longer enough to simply have an imagination and an abliity to tell a good – I mean great – story?

So…does having a platform really make a difference?

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BIG hook BIG fish

Yesterday I gave in to the nagging and we went fishing – together.

Now I’m sure I am not the first person to say this, but the connection between fishing and writing is there (especially if you are bored brainless and with no nibbles. (Nibbles for me, I mean. I was starving all day.)

As I stood there hoping the fish were as hungry as me, all I thought about was writing. Like:

1. I need a REALLY BIG HOOK if I want to reel ’em in.

2. The bait needs to be of high quality – something FRESH is best.

3. Make sure your rig is right (ie the hook has to be in the right place, the sinker and the float and the swivel all have their purpose and place and if you don’t take the time to ensure they’re all tied in together properly, things are likely to fall a part.

4. Backstory is like burley – ya gotta sprinkle it – don’t just dump it, don’t hit ’em all at once in case you overwhelm them and they lose interest in the good bits to come. (Notice I now talk like a fisher-woman!!!)

5. Learn all the how to’s before casting – It’s not just a matter of chucking a line in any old how. There’s skill required. Ask an old timer for advice; they are always willing to give it.

6. Hone your skills and do your research – know what it is you want to catch, where they are biting and what bait they like.

7. Be patient and keep trying – it might just be the wrong tide, a bad wind, a slow current – but keep trying.

8.If you get a nibble be careful not to over react or you might frighten them away.

So there you have it. Here’s to big hooks and big fish.