Good day fellow Scriveners, friends, and any rodent-like creatures with bushy tails, who might be reading my blog,
I’m breaking the rules. Two posts in one day. But I felt disconnected. I promoted two books this week on Wednesday and Friday, but you never heard from me. Not really.
A big part of the reason I started blogging was to help promote my fellow friends and I don’t think I’ll stop. I might just be more selective? Not sure about that. What do you feel about the promotion? Has there been too many in general on the blogosphere?
Possibly. But if it’s a book I might like, then I’m glad. I’m really looking forward to reading Ali Cross’s book, BECOME. And that is fully because of the blog tour and reading the sample chapter. Loved the writing. Loved the cover design.
What do you think? Can there be too much promotion?
On a different note, my house is under somewhat of an emergency. One I don’t like being in. Squirrels have invaded our basement. I’ve seen the shine of the green army helmets on their heads. I’ve seen them in a huddle outside, laughing at me as they make their evil plans. I know they plan to jump on my head if they catch me trying to grab some frozen green beans so my kids get their daily allotment of veggies, because I don’t believe in lying to our pediatrician.
But I might have to start lying soon.
And I’ll close on a third random note by saying there is a right and a wrong to end a book, as in cliffhangers. Some work extremely well. Some are just attempts to keep interest into the next book.
What marks the difference in a great cliffhanger for you? And did you know that squirrels in New England love camo pants?
Ah Laura–I hope your crazy squirrel invasion stops soon!
I think promo is a good thing if it’s genuine. People helping other people spread the word about books they are passionate about is always a positive thing.
Angela@ The Bookshelf Muse
First and foremost, I had no idea squirrels in New England were that organized. Good to know. 😀
Secondly, I can’t think of a specific cliffhanger that I hated (or that really stood out to me, for that matter), but I agree that they tend to either work really well or not at all.
Yikes! It sounds like you need an Army helmet to protect your head. I’ve worn them before. They’re not that fun. Talk about bad hair day.
I’m excited to read Ali’s book, too.
Aloha Laura,
I follow your blog, and while I enjoy your book reviews, it’s also fun to read about you and your life (and pending squirrel invasion:)
Good luck, and be careful of a possible backlash 🙂 … squirrels are now beloved creatures in St. Louis!
I love squirrels, although I suspect if I was invaded by an army of them I might feel differently 🙂
I dislike promotions less than I dislike cliffhanger endings in novels. Which is to say, I think promotions in the blogosphere are something we’ll have to live with: authors have to do so much of their own publicity these days, whether or not they’re going the traditional or self pub route. So I mostly applaud their grit. It’s so hard to put yourself out there.
But I really can’t stand a certain kind of cliffhanger ending, particularly if the novel was not all that great, and I’m at least wishing for a satisfying conclusion. Teasers, I don’t mind a bit. I certainly plan to read the sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone, for instance. Or to Wolf Hall. Or the entire George Martin opus. All of which left a few questions hanging.
I actually like squirrels, cliffhangers and promo stuff… But I have to agree there are good and bad of all!
Laura, I have no doubt the squirrels are further planning their invasion. They want to be warm for the winter, just like us! Last winter we had squirrels in the flue and a mouse in the basement…oh the tails to tell!
Cliffhangers, yes, the certainly work or they don’t. I’m okay with them when they have a sequel. When there’s no sequel to be had, I leave reading feeling empty and unsatisfied. Like the cycle of the seasons and a conversation, every story needs to end.
Promoting is also something I enjoy. It’s a way to say thank to one another and often saying thank you is something that can shows up as missing. Goodness knows, I don’t really don’t anything all by myself–my inspiration only comes through the encouragement of many of my friends, other bloggers, writers’ groups, classmates, and family.
Thanks everyone. I agree with Mark. I like a combination of promo/writing stuff and personal stuff too!
In a book, I like the storyline to be finished. The main character should’ve reached her goal; and then bam, some new surprise or twist is introduced as a cliffhanger. I don’t like when the big questions aren’t answered or explained and the climax kinda happens but not really b/c they want you to keep reading. In that case, I hardly ever do! I thought Daughter of Smoke and Bone did a great job. Variant, a book I recently read did a fantastic job with the cliffhanger even thought it drove me nuts – in a good way!
Squirrels are evil. Once had one invade my office in a new building.
As far as promotion, I really don’t think there can be too much. Unless it’s the author hammering on it over and over with no other content. Coming from a nice balance of friends and blogosphere (and author) creates buzz. IMHO.
Cliffhangers. Good question. No good answer. I guess it depends on the book. 🙂
You’re too funny Laura. I hope the squirrel situation gets rectified soon. Got keep getting those peas into the kids.
A cliffhanger to me has to still summ up the story, but give a new twist that starts the tale of the next one. I hate it when they just leave us totally hanging.
It’s funny that your talking about cliff hangers. I just decided to add one in my revisions. I’m happy to know I’m following your rule. All the main questions have been answered, goal has been achieved, but a new twist has been introduced. 🙂
As for the squirrels, I’d hire someone in pest control. They can find where those suckers are coming in and help you close it up, to keep you and your veggies safe. 🙂 GOOD LUCK!
Remember the year President Bush sent out those $500 checks (tax returns, or some such)? All but $75 of ours went to rid our attic of squirrels. Apparently a mama had babies up there, all of which made some spooky scratching noises. The man that came to capture (and release) them LOVED his job. He went up with a peanut butter-filled trap and called out for the “sweethearts” that lived up in that 120+ furnace.
If that’s not a calling, I don’t know what is.
Funny post, Laura.
I swear the squirrels have gone crazy around here lately. They jump on my house from the neighbor’s tree and chase each other around on my roof. They run around for like five minutes! It drives the dogs nuts to hear them! My hubby saw one jump back to the tree and miss. He fell (two stories) down to the ground, but got up and ran again. Good luck with your battle!
Ack! I hope the squirrel invasion has abated. Those bushy-tailed demons should know you’ll outsmart them. 🙂
Generally, I don’t like cliffhangers. I feel that they are a cheap way to end the book and force people to pick up the next book. The rule of a book standing by itself is there for a reason. All major pieces should be tied up and if there is something minor that feels cliffhanger-like, that is entirely different IMO.
And I always knew about the New England squirrels. Remind me to tell you about the time they stalked me through Harvard Yard the next time I see you.
Is this a bad time to mention that I’ve named one of our yard squirrels Chester, and my family loves him? Of course, we don’t want him to move indoors…
I agree with Angela. What she said. 🙂
I hope you have a great week!
I like your blog just the way it is. As for those squirrels, good luck!! They do end up in the darndest places–
I think you’re right: there’s a right way and a wrong way for a good cliffhanger! The best cliffhanger is satisfying but leaves you itching for more. But a bad one is when you’re like “what happened? huh?”
And good luck with the squirrel battle!
We suffered from squirrels in Fl so much that my husband bought a cage and started trapping and relocating them!
I don’t care for a lot of promotion of work on blogs but I know it is a way to get that book news out and someday I might even do it too!
As for cliffhangers–hate them in books!