Book Focus Groups: ROW80 Update

Have you ever participated in a focus group?

You know the kind I'm talking about. One of those "try this yogurt and tell me what you really think" groups where they pay you to try several yogurts and give your honest opinion.

Or, have you heard about the test groups that get blamed for movies getting a new ending? (By the way, how do you get in one of those? There's a group I'd be interested in.)

I've decided it would be interesting to have a blind focus group for my book's rough draft. People who don't know me, or any other books I've written. I know, what about beta readers? Yep, I want them as well. But, I also think a group of "blind" readers (chosen of course based on my target audience for age and genre) would be beneficial. Especially with a list of questions...

1) Who is your favorite character and why?
2) Which character do you not like and why?
3) What do you think of the ending?
4) At what page did you feel the story grabbed you?
5) Was there a "lull" at any point in the book?
6) What was the most memorable section of story?

I wonder why we don't hear of this kind of group, especially in the big publishing houses. A book that comes out with a "test audience recommendation." Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be thrilled about rewriting an ending or a character, but if enough people had the same feedback, it would be worth it.

Thoughts?

*****

My A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

Writing: Slow and steady wins the race, right? I'm keeping with my time commitment, but it's not producing as many words as I would like. I'm sticking to it, and I hope the structure will encourage the words to flow.

Editing: Just like with reading, I find it hardest to get started on a new story. There's so much to learn about a new book, you really know little to nothing about characters, story, setting, etc. I find it hard to get my head into it at first. But, I finished up one project last week and finished a first edit on another... one I'm so excited to see come out!

Reading: I'm currently reading Anne Lamott's Blue Shoe. I was excited to read another Lamott after reading and enjoying her craft book, Bird by Bird. I'm finding the slow start a bit rough, but I trust Lamott enough to keep going. I wonder, though, if I had no relationship with this author, would I continue? Hmmm. If I was reading it in a blind test group...

Social Media: Did better the last few days, but I'm still trying to claw my way out of a very deep hole. Part of my problem, I feel the need to comment so people know I was there, but that takes a lot more effort than simply reading a post.

Blogging: So far, I'm keeping with the BlogHer daily challenge. 9 days and counting.

I hope all my ROW80 buds are doing well!

Free as a Bird: ROW80 Check In

Okay, a bit of creativity run amuck with that title, but today I wanted to share a link to 21 free eBooks AND talk about Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.

First the link to 21 free eBooks, free TODAY ONLY (Sunday, 4/15) and sponsored by the Melissa Foster spearheaded World Literary Cafe. Please check them out here. (You have to be a member to view the free eBooks, but it's fast and easy to register.)

Now on to inspiration... so many of you recommended Bird by Bird to me. Thank you!

While Stephen King inspired me to read King (since I never had before On Writing), Anne Lamott inspired me to read anything and everything. A complete review of Bird by Bird can be found here, but here's an excerpt:

Every page looked like this



My oldest daughter owes Anne Lamott big time! Thanks to her Operating Instructions: A Journal of my Son’s First Year, I survived my first year as a mother. Another new mom recommended the book to me. I clearly had been living under a rock, because I never heard of Lamott prior to this.

Fast forward ten years (and yes, I’m still surviving motherhood. I even added two more daughters to the mix). Many fellow writers were touting Lamott’s craft book, Bird by Bird. I knew I had to read it. If she could make me laugh and give me strength during the most sleep-exhausted and difficult (although insanely rewarding) early parenting years, I had no doubt she could inspire my writing.

Again, she did not disappoint.

Similar to Stephen King’s On Writing, I felt like I was sitting in the room with the author while she told me stories and offered advice. Her candor lulled me in like a comforting lullaby.

Not one to sugarcoat things, something I find quite endearing, Lamott emphasizes the idea that publication is not the end-all be-all for writers. It, like most things we romanticize, is not all it’s cracked up to be. Writing because you love it should be enough.

My favorite part: shitty first drafts. I knew I had them, but to know an author I respect has them, too... priceless. Since I bang out words with cramped hands, only to go back and find it needs quite a bit of work, it felt good to know I wasn't the only one. I feel the same about running. I look at all the other runners, and they seem to be gliding on air while I'm pounding the pavement. Literally, I feel like the pavement is moving underneath me.

I have to remind myself, as Lamott reminded me, that those runners have been running for years and in the beginning they were shitty, too. Same with writing. Very few of us, if any, write an inspired masterpiece in one sitting.

Does it help you to know other authors bang out shitty first drafts, too?

On to my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update:

Writing: I spent a minimum of two hours a day writing, but mostly on A to Z and review posts. Still, the juices were flowing. I need to polish a chapter on the Depression Cookies follow up today and write the next one.

Editing: I'm two-thirds of the way done with a huge project. I would have finished last night, but my vision started blurring. I figured it's never good to edit at 1am when you keep shaking your head to clear the fog. Know what I mean?

Blogging: Still loving A to Z. Since Wednesday, I talked about Kick it of Kiss it and Mauling Malapropism, plus Mom guest posted about Letting Loose. Plus, I posted my Bird by Bird review on Mom in Love with Fiction.

Social Media: I'm doing much better and catching up. Is it me, or are there fewer people this Round of ROW80?

Reading: Just finished another book last night, so I need to write two reviews.

Exercise: Rocking it. Doing better about sugar, too. Actually, I'm doing a sugar sweep tomorrow and getting rid of all temptations. Not just for me, but for my 10-year-old who just got diagnosed with high cholesterol. It's familial, but I'm not taking any chances or putting her on meds. Wish me luck!

Wishing you all a great writing week! Please check out the other ROW80 bloggers here.

Family & Writing Time: ROW80 Check In

Happy Easter! I've enjoyed several days of family time, and I'm ready to focus on writing and other projects. (I shouldn't get too amped up, though, since my girls are home tomorrow.)

This past week was spring break, and we were in Arizona with my mom and dad until late Thursday night.

Bachs and Mom & Dad in Sedona, Arizona

My 11-year-old (12 next month!) daughter read my book, Depression Cookies, over break. She also read Melissa Luznicky Garrett's The Spirit Keeper. She asked if she could review both, to be like her Mom. I was touched and had such a great time helping her with her review of The Spirit Keeper here. Next up is my book. She's already told me she liked it, so I'm not too nervous.

I hope everyone was surrounded by loved ones this Easter!

My ROW80 Update

Writing: I'm shocked. I thought I'd have nothing to report with kids, vacations, holiday preparations, etc, but I did manage two hours of writing Friday and Saturday. I'm almost at two hours today as well. Some of that was blog writing, but I also worked on my WIP. *fist pump*

Editing: Back to editing tomorrow. I was on an editing vacation, although I did work on a piece that was "in production" and couldn't wait. Tomorrow I'm back to the nonfiction book I've come to love. Should be the final edit. I can't wait to see it in book form!

Blogging: Blogging from A to Z has been a fun challenge. It's my first time. In the last few days I've written my Eulogy, talked about Fantasy & Flights of Fancy, and highlighted Grammar. Tomorrow I'm tackling the Harrowing Headaches of Writing. Fun!

Social Media: SCORE! I was under two hours a day. Flip Side: I'm SO far behind on visiting ROW80 and A to Z blogs. I'll be catching up this week, gradually.

Reading: I'm reading Sara Gruen's Ape House for my book club, and I'm about 50 pages from finishing. A great read so far. I also finished Lamott's Bird by Bird.

Exercise: Lots of walking and even squeezed in a five mile run yesterday! I'm going to leave it at that (notice I didn't mention food. Come on, it was Easter!).

For more information on ROW80, please visit A Round of Words in 80 Days.

What's On Your Nightstand: Campaign Fun!

Jessica Therrien, a fellow campaigner, started a fun campaign game: What's On Your Nightstand? I seem to always be chasing my tail lately, so I'm late responding. Better late than never, right?

The following books are next to my bed:

1. 11/22/63, Stephen King

2. The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

3. Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott

4. Elephant Milk, Diane Sherry Case
2011 Next Generation Indie Award Winner - Chick Lit
(Depression Cookies was a Finalist in this category, and I was curious to read the winner.)

And, since my Kindle and IPad are next to my bed, I thought I'd list three eBooks on there that I'm excited to read.

1. Oppression, Jessica Therrien -- I'm participating in the launch party on February 28. On March 8, I'll post my interview with Jessica and my review. *squeal*

2. Listening In and Other Stories, Shauna Kelley -- I loved her first novel, Max and Menna.

3. Red, Kait Nolan -- from A Round of Words in 80 Days' fearless leader.

And many, many more. Now I just need to start going to bed earlier so I can have more reading time!

What books are next to your bed (or wherever you pile books)?

New Mom Advice and Instructions: Tub-Full Tuesday

People who are willing to pass on knowledge to help others fill my tub. I've often posted about the generosity of the writing community, but there's another wonderful group who live to give... mothers. I've yet to meet a mom who wasn't terrified to leave the hospital with her first baby. I know I personally questioned the sanity of the nurse who signed my exit papers. What did I know about this little person?

My gut sent me running to my mom. She was unbelievable, so patient with all my questions. But she didn't live close by. I learn by watching, and I needed to surround myself with other women figuring it out. I needed new mom advice and camaraderie.

One of my first Mommy-friends suggested a book I adore to this day, Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions: A Journal of my Son's First Year. She didn't hold back any of her fears. I was so tired with a newborn, but devoured this book in one evening. I laughed and appreciated the author's raw honesty about tackling the unknown beast of motherhood. Truly some of the best new mom advice I've ever received. At the core, we have to believe in ourselves and embrace our struggles and thoughts. The biggest defeat a mom can have is trying too hard to be perfect, it's simply unattainable.

When I was querying my fellow moms about whether to have a third kid or not, a handful were truly honest. I so appreciated it, and I spread the love. I tell other moms all the time that they will inevitably love and cherish a new life, but they should consider the effort of different personalities, needs, wants and energies. It's a commitment, and one not to be taken lightly.

A huge thank you to all my mom friends who constantly fill my tub and help me be a better mother and woman.

Today, my mom and I are featured on WoMom.net, a wonderful site for mothers. I love their slogan... real moms. real life. Please take a moment to checkout their site and our interview.

What is the best real advice a mother ever gave you?