\ #23 in "Letters from Winnie" Series /

In no particular order – the 23rd piece reflecting correspondence-advice to potential authors/writing-related clients over the years.

(I have reproduced no clients' emails to?me?– and have removed all identifying factors from my own letters to them; also, some letters are composites.)

2017 Letter from Winnie

"Hi_________________

"Thank you so much for letting me read a sample of your book.

You obviously have a passion and commitment to do this book, and I'd love the opp to help you with it. I see myself as a writer who can be very immersed in what you're doing – and yet a kind of impartial outsider/editor.

And, as I also read a lot of books – including family sagas! – I can respond as both a reader, and an expert who can?help you 'place and envision' your book in that particular arena of war-time family/generational – while helping you create a unique story based on your family history.

I like some of your writing – here and there, it’s quite strong and beautiful, quite moving, in places – with fascinating detail and lots of potential.

And I love the idea of an inter-generational/multi-generational story – which could lend itself to a series of books – or could be contained in one wonderful one (if we work together, we can begin by?exploring those possibilities/options in further discussion).

In other places, I would change?the kind of??‘newspaper/encyclopedia commentary’ approach you seem to have here and there, and the blocks of info presented – e.g., the ___________ – weaving that kind of educational stuff more into the storyline.

I would also be the watchful eye on what I call 'future writing' e.g.,?"it would be their last vacation...this luxury would disappear, would be stolen from so many in the not distant future..."?also indicating what water temperature and sun "would be" like, etc.

This kind of thing can be a bit tricky, indicating there is going to be an upheaval etc., but I feel we could handle it more subtly.

Other sections would benefit from more ‘show,' not tell – i.e., leaving it for the reader to discover or conclude something, based on details of?the storyline, characters?and plot.

Another thing to watch out for is writing, even briefly, from so many characters' minds, eyes and viewpoints.?In general, using one single viewpoint obviously?is the simplest way to go – but of course that?can be limiting and sometimes ineffective.

A historical/family saga does seem to need more viewpoints.

Of course,?creating a multiple-viewpoint novel (and moving in and out of so many minds) can be a huge challenge – and here I would (again, as a great reader!)?look at?some published/successful family-saga stories and approaches to be guided by. And again, if your?story is to be multi-generational, it might end up being several books.

Further discussion could help us decide this – or it might become 'known' only after we've been working on the book for some time.

But also, here's a long Q-and-A about this very subject I found online; hope it helps you: https://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/family-saga-set-in-the-21st-century.html

A few other notes:

It can be very effective to begin a chapter with an anecdote, experience, conversation – great ways to pull the reader into the story.

Change blocks of description, such as when describing physical appearance of people, and recent history, etc....work some of it into dialogue, but also use creative ways of getting info across and interwoven with story.

Overall, the method you described of working together (regular in-person meetings, writing/rewriting, back-and-forth), etc. sounds do-able. I assume we would be working anywhere from several months to a year.

But as we don't yet know how large and long this project will be, we could look at working fee-wise?on an hourly basis – or some weekly or monthly retainer.?

Certainly I can give you client references, and can indicate a letter of agreement I would suggest we use and fill in together. (I do always ask for a deposit – and depending on the job and client, it could be anywhere from one-third of the total project amount to the first of many smaller installments, or some other agreed-upon amount.)

Price also would depend on whether you wish my help to be a totally confidential matter – or whether I would be permitted to acknowledge and?show the finished book to potential clients of my own, as a great project I worked on, and part of my portfolio (and that may help with exposure, and book sales for you!)

In your working with me, let me assure you that I can help you in many ways – such as?advising you on publishing-related options, including traditional publishers (and creating a strong ‘package’ to try to get their interest.

(And keep in mind that if you do self-publish, you could be spending up to several thousand $$ on that).

I would also look at similar/competitive books out there – always good to know where you fit in the ‘arena’ – and to define how your book is different, unique, better. You will be doing lots of promo to help sell the book, so it’s good to begin thinking of that beforehand!

And even if you ended up working with another writer, I could help you now and then with second opinions, comparisons to existing books, info and guidance on various publishing options, also unique, creative, targeted ways to market and promote your book...etc.

I will?admit I don’t have much experience working on multi-generational novels like yours – though have a good understanding of a lot of published ones, why they are so popular, etc. And I can give you much more info on, and links to books I have helped clients with.

I can also give you lots of info on other book-related work that must remain confidential (I can describe the general process without giving secret details away!)

BTW, I must just mention my good?colleague ___________– also a ghostwriter (as well as book author,?English major, teacher and former actor) – he has more experience in doing family/wartime books for clients (and his own family history has a lot to do with ________ and WWII) –?and he is more familiar with handling those storylines, story arcs, character development, etc.?

I'm thinking the ideal 'person' to help you might be a combination of _______ and myself –he for much of the actual story work, and myself for the overall consulting, publishing guidance, promo stuff – as well as some story work! (_______ also has some familiarity with 'self-publishing' companies, and with posting his own novels and short stories for reader feedback.)?

Working with this kind of combo – _______and myself –?would be a unique way of working – and it might work really well, drawing on two different but often related sets of skill and strength! In any case, I would recommend him as a great story?writer and editor to help you overall – and certainly a trustworthy one to work with you in person.

You may think it a bit odd that I'm actually endorsing someone else – as well as myself – in this email – but in the end, it's what works best for you and your story and situation. And in fact I often recommend and include another colleague or two in my preliminary communication with clients.

"Well, there's lots more I could say, _________– but I'll close for now. I'm sure you're also in discussions with other terrific writers – and I wish you all the best with whatever decision you make! Happy to talk further with you..."

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