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​book reviews

Elisabet’s Will by Sandra Sperling

3/25/2022

73 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Sandra Sperling introduces us to her latest book, “Elisabet’s Will”:
The few relatives who are still friendly to Lisbet spend the summer at her northern Minnesota home. Determined to discover the reason why the rest of the family has shunned her since she was a child, she confronts Evelyn, her estranged uncle's wife. This action exposes her and her loved ones to danger and thrusts Greta, her beloved 5-year-old granddaughter, into deadly peril. 

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Oh, Mylanta! This is an amazing story about several generations of one family in Minnesota.
The story had a slow start for me. But I am so glad I kept reading. The author weaves a startling and clear tapestry about the depths of depravity some people in a family can sink to while other members of the same family remain normal. There are a lot of people in this family, many of them play an important part and all wonder what happened to the will of the matriarch, Elisabet.
This story has a delightful texture! The author has woven so many details about their daily lives and activities into the story that I feel like I know them all very closely. The intimacy is extraordinary and brilliantly portrayed.
I love this story about family life and you will too. "Elisabet's Will" gets five stars from me! 

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Elisabets-Will-Sandra-Sperling-ebook 
It is also in Kindle Unlimited at this time, so it is not available on any other platform as of this date March 25, 2022.

I have reviewed another book by the author: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-stash 

You can follow the author:
@sandysperling3 
https://www.facebook.com/sisuforever 
http://sandrasperling.com 


 Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.
73 Comments
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/26/2022 06:23:01 pm

Hope this works!

Reply
Mark
3/27/2022 07:30:49 am

Welcome to the Word Refiner channel. We are going to discuss your writing and publishing journey for "Elisabet's Will" an amazing and intimate story.
Here is the first question.
Please, tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/27/2022 08:03:34 am

Well---I was born in Nevada, the oldest of five kids, between the Civil and Gulf wars. My doctor was out of town, so I was delivered into the hands of a Navy doctor from the post, giving me a somewhat twisted view of reality with my first breath.

Reply
Mark
3/27/2022 09:18:40 am

That is funny, born between those two wars.
Let's continue to the next questions.
Are you a full-time or part-time writer?
What kind of work do you do? Feel free to skip that question, if you would rather not answer.

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/27/2022 11:41:53 am

Full time. I usually scribble ideas in a notebook in the morning when I'm still in bed, which is when I come up with my best ideas. Solutions to whatever problems I'm having with a story often come to me at that time also. My best time for writing is usually between 1:00 and 7:00 pm.

Reply
Mark
3/27/2022 02:32:41 pm

You are very blessed. I know a writer who hears from her muse only around 2:30 in the early morning. It has been like that for years. She keeps a pad and pen next to her bed. Sometimes she can even read her notes in the morning. Another writer lamented to me that she regularly receives regular visits from her muse while in the shower. I suggested she get a pad of waterproof paper and a Space pen. She reported positive results.
New questions.
What inspired you to write this book?
Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/27/2022 03:49:29 pm

Young children are helpless against crime and for various reasons are afraid to report it, as was Greta in the book. I hope to make readers aware of how kids behave when this happens.

When I write, I don't choose the genre, but how I handle the subject makes itself known by the third chapter or so. I'm most drawn to suspense and humor, but the one time I attempted to write a romance, it was so boring that I combined it with a horror story. I'm not sure whether or ot a romantic/horror would have an audience.

Reply
Mark
3/27/2022 04:55:07 pm

You wove an amazing story to share that lesson. I realized that she was in the story a lot. But I didn't consider her a major player. I was too focused on what the adults were doing. Greta was very brave and did her best to save herself.
A romantic/horror story leaves a lot of room for creativity. It could be interesting, and it might be easy to land in the top ten for that genre.
New questions.
Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.
What do the elements on the cover represent?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/27/2022 06:01:22 pm

My cover was designed by Emily's World of Design. She has an almost psychic ability to convey what's in my mind and has never disappointed me. She asks for a synopsis of the story and sends a questionnaire asking for detailed information. Barbed wire was mentioned twice in the story. The rusty strand of it on the cover hints at imprisonment and danger. The somber coloring sets the tone of the story.

Reply
Mark
3/27/2022 06:52:42 pm

Emily is good! That is a striking cover!
I grew up on farms most of my life. I left the farm in the hills of SW Washington a few months after high school graduation. I moved to San Francisco, California.
When I say barbed wire and I are intimately acquainted you can believe it. I can attest that barbed wire is very dangerous and can easily wound a person.
It is a beautiful and meaningful cover.
New questions.
Was it hard to come up with the title?
What was the process?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/28/2022 10:13:13 am

The title was easy to choose, since the legal will powered the story. Besides being literal, the title is figurative in that it shows how much willpower--sisu (Finnish for enormous tenacity) the women in this story have, especially young Greta. I decide titles based on incidents, objects, places or whatever runs through the entire story, usually at key points in the plot. If it's both literal and figurative, it gets my strong vote of approval.

Reply
Mark
3/28/2022 11:00:16 am

That is an interesting way to come up with a title. It fits quite well. It also helps me understand why some writers start without a title in mind. They want to see where the story goes.
New questions.
Were the character names difficult to develop?
How did you choose them?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/28/2022 12:18:58 pm

Names are fun! I try to use a variety of popular and not-so-popular names that are consistent with the time of the character's birth and the region they were born in. You wouldn't, for instance, name a character born of first-generation Finnish Americans Jose or Rashid unless you were writing a comedy. That's an idea!! Jose Rahkola??

In Elisabet's Will, I named a husband and his wife Evan and Evelyn to link them together in the reader's mind in that book of many characters. Also E and V begin evil, which seemed appropriate for the antagonists. Dennis is a menace. Greta has a good share of grit. The method produces subtle results, but it works. Last names come from a phone book of the region where the story is set, chosen at random and agonized over until I find ones that fit.

Reply
Mark
3/28/2022 01:40:31 pm

I like your process, very organic. Effective too. The memory joggers are handy as well.
Jose might be a long, lost heir to a cough drop fortune if the spelling wasn't so off. He will never know what he missed. ;-)
I have heard many authors mention using websites that post popular names for babies by year or decade. I presume those are available for different regions and countries also. They would certainly contribute to the authenticity of a book.
I grew up in a small town in southwest Washington state. Our nearest neighbor was an old Finn. I believe his last name was Seikula or something like that.
New questions.
Is this your newest book?
What other books and genres have you written?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/28/2022 03:14:02 pm

Elisabet's Will is my newest book.

I write humor, psychological suspense, family saga, and have written one romantic/horror, which I'm not sure I'll ever publish. One beta reader said my next one could be classified as mainstream. Humor is my favorite to write, and I sometimes have difficulty keeping it out of the more serious books I write.

Reply
Mark
3/28/2022 04:09:43 pm

That is good, you are not just a one-trick magician, you can write in multiple genres.
I think that is good. If the muse stops providing inspiration in one vein, you can jump to another genre.
What is mainstream as a genre? I have never heard of that. The closest I can think of is literary fiction, which seems to cover a lot of ground.
I love to read books that make me laugh. I like it even more when the humor is unexpected.
New questions.
Have you done any public speaking?
Will you be doing more in the future?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/28/2022 05:09:41 pm

No. No.

Reply
Mark
3/28/2022 05:31:16 pm

A lot of people are afraid of public speaking. I have found a secret. If you are an expert and you accept that people are eager to hear what you have to say (otherwise, they would probably be somewhere else) public speaking becomes ever so much easier, nearly effortless.
I know, I had a serious stammering problem all through elementary and high school. A variety of circumstances culminating in a Dale Carnegie Course in Public speaking and Effective Human Relations taught me that I could speak in front of large groups, if I was well acquainted with my material. The stammer still haunts me if I try to talk too fast.
One day, you might get asked to do a reading at a signing or talk about your book to a book club. I hope you take the opportunity and run with it.
New questions.
Have you entered any writing contests?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/28/2022 05:57:00 pm

I entered my first book, The Beginner's Guide to Spouse Removal, and my third book, A Few Trivial Felonies into a contest held by IAN (Independent Authors Network) and won a Finalist award on both of them. I'll enter Elisabet's Will into a couple. Anything for exposure!

Reply
Mark
3/29/2022 08:07:56 am

Getting exposure is the big deal! Contests are one way of facilitating that. You are being careful and that is smart. There are bogus contests out there. The more harmless ones just want a chunk of your money. The really bad ones want a piece of your future. They steal your intellectual property (IP), your book. More precisely, they try to steal your rights to your IP. Here is a good, copy-and-paste link about that Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags. https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests Anne is one of my favorite bloggers. You can also use the search box below to find it. I have links to many fabulous blogs for writers on my Highly Regarded Blogs page.
New questions.
I noticed that your book is in Kindle Unlimited.
How is that working out for you?
How many books have you put in KU?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/29/2022 08:46:21 am

Kindle unlimited is working well for me. I've made sales every month since I began that. I now have two books on there and will likely keep using it.

Reply
Mark
3/29/2022 09:59:38 am

That is good to hear. Not everyone does well on KU. I am inclined to think that having multiple books available helps sales. Many readers want to read more by the author when they find a book they like a lot. I also think having some books available outside of KU can be helpful also.
New questions.
Have you ever gone through the query process, seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers or did you go straight to indie publishing or self-publishing, and why?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/29/2022 10:16:57 am

I wrote and sent queries to agents and publishers but got the usual rejection letters back. Some actually contained handwritten notes of encouragement, but it was a lot like fishing with a barbless hook. I decided on Amazon after researching the options. I learned a huge amount in a short time, writing stuff down as I went and watching it become obsolete.

Reply
Mark
3/29/2022 11:48:02 am

You were lucky to get those notes. I imagine the notes were quite encouraging for you. Other writers have not had that good of a querying experience. Most get rejection form letters; some get only crickets on many of their queries.
Agents and traditional publishers are on the ropes. Their profit margins are so slim they cannot afford to publish anything they don't think will be a smash hit. Agents don't even get paid until a contract is signed. Advances are pretty small also and must be repaid from sales before the author receives any royalties. First and foremost, publishers want to stay in business and make money.
As evidence, there are only five large publishers left, that will reduce to four if the government allows a proposed merger and that is looking unlikely.
Amazon changes things frequently and that highlights the inherent danger of having all of your eggs in one basket. Amazon is not concerned about authors as long as Amazon makes money.
Here is another copy-and-paste link from elsewhere on my website: Aggregators just might be an author's best friend! https://www.kotobee.com/blog/everything-need-know-aggregators/ More great blogs available on my "Highly Regarded Blogs" page on https://www.wordrefiner.com or search for the title below.
New questions.
Did you seek specific help in formulating your query letters? Did you use querytracker.net or some other website like that?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/29/2022 01:36:27 pm

Thank you for the information!!

The Writer's Digest magazine and their Handbook of Novel Writing, along with other sources were what I used to write query letters. I condense a lot of information into wee spaces when I write, so it wasn't difficult. Even the perfumed pages, photos of my pets, and picturesque penmanship didn't seem to help my pathetic pleading. Yup, I'm full of it at times!

Reply
Mark
3/29/2022 02:52:15 pm

That is pretty funny. Pictures of pets are a big draw. That might get a second or third look from an agent.
Query letters are very important if the number of blogs dealing with them are an indication. Like everything else, the letter writer has to answer one question that every agent and publisher has in mind, 'What's in it for me?' They are not going to waste their valuable time on something they think won't fly regardless of how pretty the letter is.
New questions.
After rejecting traditional publishing, did you consider an independent or hybrid publisher?
Or did you choose self-publishing as the best way and why?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/29/2022 06:41:07 pm

Amazon seemed like the easiest way to go, with everything explained in understandable terms.

Reply
Mark
3/30/2022 08:41:51 am

That makes a lot of sense. Self-publishing allows an author the most control over their book. They also don't have to share the profits.
Almost all publishers ask for a license from the author. With the license granted the publisher now has control of the book within the terms of the license. Most of the time the publisher is granted permission to request or require changes in the book.
I know one author who was requested to rewrite the book to take it out of the series it was in. The author declined and went on her merry way.
If a publisher pays an advance to the author that advance is repaid out of the author's cut of the sales. The author won't see a cent until the advance is repaid. Of course, the publisher gets a portion of every sale until the contract runs out or the book stops selling.
A self-publishing author keeps all of the profits and bears all of the risks.
New questions.
How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/30/2022 09:28:29 am

I think Elisabet's Will is comparable to the top third of the best ones. In the past year, I've tossed out two books published by the major houses, kept six to read again and given three or four to Goodwill. I'm designing hanging bookcases to install on the interior doors, but I'd need more massive hinges than are available at Lowes.

I read somewhere that when a film studio buys the option on a book, publishers get a cut. If that's true, it really sucks!

Reply
Mark
3/30/2022 11:25:15 am

Not just the hinges, although that is a good idea. You might need solid wood doors and possibly four hinges to carry the weight. I suggest looking for the shelves you want to use, getting one and see how many books the shelves will hold. Then, weigh all of it. That is an important factor to consider. Keep in mind, that the doors may not lay flat against the wall if the rack is more than 3 or 4 inches deep.
Whether the publisher gets a cut or not depends upon the contract. A lot of authors get star-struck at the thought of their book being made into a movie and can't negotiate a good deal for themselves. A knowledgeable attorney would be critical at that point.
I have heard stories of authors being required to rewrite their book several times without extra remuneration. In the end, the film may or may not be made. And where does that leave the author?
Many blogs have been written about these issues. I am certain that there are books also tailored to these issues.
New questions.
Is there a book that causes strong emotions to come up no matter how many times you read it?
Do you have a favorite book by another author or just favorite authors?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/30/2022 12:43:28 pm

Watchers by Dean Koontz get to me every time I read it. I'm a sucker for smart dogs and Einstein in that book hits me with amazement, affection, humor and sorrow. I wore out my first copy and bought a copy with large print after I had to have surgery on my retina, afraid I might not regain my clear eyesight, but fortunately I did.

The Institute, by Stephen King,
The Broker, by John Grisham
Winter Study, by Nevada Barr
The Virgil Flowers Series, by John Sandford
Zemindar, by Valerie Fitzgerald
Hornet Flight, by Ken Follett
Huck Finn, by Mark Twain

Reply
Mark
3/30/2022 03:17:22 pm

That is an eclectic list. I have read a couple of Grisham's books, last century. I have also read Huck Finn when I was a boy, probably an abridged edition in an encyclopedic set of great literature.
There isn't enough time to read all of the books. I wanted to when I was a boy. I loved reading. Books provided me a welcome escape.
I love the Lord Of The Rings by Tolkien. I read it 3 times before I had graduated from high school. I discovered C. S. Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia during my college years and fell in love with his writing. He wrote a science fiction trilogy called Out of the Silent Planet. He patterned the protagonist after his close friend, J. R. R. Tolkien. It had some philosophical moments that were a little deep for the average reader. I enjoyed the series several times.
Enough book sharing for now.
New questions.
Which of your books is your favorite, and why?
Do you ever read a book more than once? If so, which one?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/30/2022 04:45:16 pm

Watchers is probably my favorite book. I've read all the books from the previous answer at least twice, along with dozens of others. I prefer paper over e-books, and I think I was born with a library card clutched in my hand.

Reply
Mark
3/30/2022 05:51:41 pm

I used to read favorite books multiple times. Not anymore. Doing a book promotion almost every week and proofreading in the middle doesn't leave me enough time.
Ooh! Is there a pill that will let me get 8 hours of sleep in only 1 hour? I need that!
Now, it is all e-books for logistical reasons. I don't have the room for a lot of books. I will admit that my Kindle is starting to get heavy.
I spent a lot of time in the school library, it was a good reason to skip class. I felt so grownup when I was issued my own public library card in the small town, I grew up in.
New questions.
What about your own books, do any of them make you emotional?
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/30/2022 06:14:20 pm

When I wrote them, I felt the emotions of the characters in varying degrees. I literally become each person as I write about him or her, but record what the character is feeling, was not necessarily what I personally feel. I've always observed how people react to situations--what they say, their expressions, their body language--and use it in my work. Having eight uncles, three brothers and four brothers-in-law to study was a great help in writing about men.

I've found that writing about situations helps me get over miserable incidents in my life. And yes, I do get even with people by using them as antagonists in my stories. You can run, but you'd can't hide . . .

Reply
Mark
3/31/2022 08:51:10 am

I think most authors have a similar experience. Otherwise, the emotions might be shallow and unrelatable. It's important for the reader that the author can recreate the emotions and emotional context on the page. That is when the reader connects with the characters. We all crave connection with others, we all want to be loved and accepted for who we are. If our self-image is twisted or damaged, then the desire for connection can be equally damaged.
Many writers have said that writing is cathartic. Some have mentioned getting symbolic or substitutionary revenge in a similar fashion, I think the others don't want to admit it.
New questions.
Have you ever done NaNoWriMo?
If you have, what kind of preparation do you do before it starts?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/31/2022 10:24:37 am

No. I had to look that up to find out what it actually (pet word) meant.

Reply
Mark
3/31/2022 12:24:34 pm

A lot of authors use the opportunity to jumpstart a novel. Many will join a virtual group for mutual fun and support. Some pansters, like you, might jot down a few ideas about where they would like the story to go. The plotters, on the other hand, will spend time in October to create an outline to work from for the new book idea. All of that is personal taste, of course.
I have heard of a few authors using the opportunity to try a different genre out, not expecting to publish it at all.
Simply, it is a 30-day challenge to write 50,000 words of a first draft. Less that 2,000 words a day will make the goal of 50,000 words.
Easy-peasy, right?
New questions.
Are you an under-writer or an over-writer?
When the first draft is done, do you need to add more to it to flesh it out or do you have to cut material because there is too much?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/31/2022 12:38:02 pm

Both, but usually I have to delete and condense. In The Stash, my next book to publish, I cut the length by about 2,000 words.

Reply
Mark
3/31/2022 01:55:20 pm

You are all over the map. But many writers are. You have lots of company. There is so much behind-the-scenes detail that goes into writing a book. Not enough prose can leave the reader feeling disconnected, too much and the reader can lose track of the action or plotline. The danger is the same in either case, the reader might close the book.
Some years ago, a book was submitted to me for a promotion. I found at least a dozen spelling errors on every page. It got to me, and I couldn't finish the book. I offered to proof it for them, but they refused. I refunded their money for the promotion.
New questions.
Are you talking about sentences, paragraphs or a chapter that didn't survive the final cut?
Do you save the parts that didn't make it into the final version?
Did you cut mostly descriptions, action, dialogue or whole chapters?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/31/2022 05:50:02 pm

I've chopped out entire chapters that unnecessarily enriched a character but put a stumbling block into the plot. I delete words and sentences, more often rewording them to make the prose slide when read. Long paragraphs are split, or they bite the dust.

I toss out what I cut.

Reply
Mark
3/31/2022 06:51:05 pm

Removing entire chapters doesn't surprise me considering you are a pantster. That is what pantsters do. The story and plot dictate what remains.
Prose that is easy to read is usually achieved by a lot of rewriting. A lot of finesse is required to get the proper words in the most appealing order. Every word has to earn its place on the page.
Readers of most genres want a fast-paced story. They want the conclusion to be entertaining and logical. That way they can move on to the next book in the series.
I am not surprised that you don't save the excised portions, it seems most pantsters don't save that material. However, there are a number of plotters that do save what they remove.
If I was a writer, I would likely be a plotter and save everything I don't use.
I like the way you write. It is effective and quite entertaining.
New questions.
Have you ever used yourself as a starting point for a character in a story? Would family or friends recognize you in the story?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
3/31/2022 08:07:09 pm

Yes.

No.

Reply
Mark
4/1/2022 07:58:47 am

I have been told that many writers use themselves as the starting point for one or more characters in a story. Whether it is a conscious decision or not. Truthfully, I think that is the only way a character can be written. We know ourselves pretty well, unless an author has DID, then that can be a questionable concept. We have a lifetime of experiences, and we are not the same person as we were one, two or ten years ago. Our experiences provide a varied and textured backdrop to develop any and all characters.
New questions.
Have you ever used other acquaintances as the basis for a character, to the point they have recognized themselves in your book?
If you used a close friend or family member in a book, would you tell them or make sure that they wouldn't recognize themselves in the story?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/1/2022 09:00:00 am

I've often used heavily disguised people I knew, mostly from long ago, changing everything except the nasty personality traits.

Oddly enough, people seem to recognize themselves in the protagonists rather than the antagonists.

Which GWTW character is Sandy most like? I expected, or hoped, they would say Scarlet or Melanie, which they did. Two, however, said Rhett. Hmmm... Must be because I refuse to wear dresses.

Reply
Mark
4/1/2022 11:20:05 am

That is a good way of writing what you know. Utilizing the worst or best of a person you know.
I am not surprised that most people would identify with the protagonist. The protagonist is usually a wonderful person and overcomes terrific odds. Even the antagonist of a story thinks (or should think) they are the hero in the version running in their head.
While we are talking about characters, here is a copy-and-paste link for a guest blog elsewhere on my website about a tool a client has created to help writers make their characters seem psychologically congruent: https://www.wordrefiner.com/guest-blogs/character-creation or you can use the search box below. I am quite impressed with it myself.
New questions.
What do you do to flesh out the characters for your stories?
Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist, and why?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/1/2022 11:41:16 am

Thank you for the link. I use the Briggs Myers personality types, but always add one or two traits that barely fit the character, for a little surprise. Even a villain must have some redeeming points.

To flesh out characters, I give them favored foods, scents, colors, cuss words, songs, pet peeves, friends, etc. The antagonist is always more fun to write, because I allow them to commit actions that I only think about doing. I would not likely hide a person's death to keep collecting their social security checks, but you never know. It's smart to know just how you'd go about doing it without getting caught and it makes a good story.

Reply
Mark
4/1/2022 01:37:23 pm

I am glad you like the website. It impressed me quite a bit. I think the Briggs Meyer has been around for a long time.
Yes. Every villain must have some good characteristics. No one is completely bad or good. We are each a mix. Though we are quite clever at explaining away some of our own worst characteristics.
More than one writer has a sign in their office or writing area, 'don't judge me by my search history, it's for a book.'
Most bad guys and gals get caught. Of course, we never hear about the ones that evade detection. So, it is a fun game of 'what if?'.
New questions.
What is one thing you hate about your protagonist and one thing you love about the antagonist?
Which is more important to a story pace or flow?
How do you control it?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/1/2022 02:04:08 pm

I loathe the way Dennis thinks and feels about women--to be used for the dirty jobs in life and blamed for his own shortcomings. Grrrrrrr. I respect the way he continues to pay child support for all those kids he fathered.

Pace is 55% and flow is 45% in importance. I like the pace to gradually amp up toward the climax, but I do have trouble keeping the story compelling at the beginning, without foreshadowing the climax too strongly.
I prefer to read a story that doesn't jerk me from point A to point D without preparation, so I spend time making the transitions smooth.

Reply
Mark
4/1/2022 03:47:08 pm

Dennis is that guy. He seems to be in love with love but can handle the reality after the feelings simmer down and wear off. That is what feelings do, they are transitory. They cannot stay in one place too long.
Dennis is an honorable man, supporting the children he fathered.
many authors would agree with you for the most part, a few might quibble about the numbers. I think you are right in the ballpark. Both are very important. Nobody likes whiplash, literal or literary.
New questions.
What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?
Do you write in a straight line or do you write whatever the muse provides for you at a given moment?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/1/2022 05:45:03 pm

I usually play a game of solitaire, then get to work.

I generally have a page scribbled down about where I want the current chapter to go along with a few details about 'stuff' I might want to include. The music I played a great deal for this book was Prelude in E OP. 28 #4 by Chopin.

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Mark
4/1/2022 06:47:16 pm

Very nice! Solitaire is one of my favorite games to play on my phone.
That is a god idea, to leave yourself notes about where the story might be going next. One writer recommended stopping in the middle of a chapter or some point where you know what is going to happen next. Her contention was that by the time you complete that section your muse will be fired up and ready to jump to the next great thing.
I am not familiar with that piece. I have listened to Chopin in the long-ago past.
New questions.
Did your writing process change much from your early books to your current book, or did it stay the same?
Now that your book is published, is there anything about it you would like to change?

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Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/1/2022 07:57:02 pm

My process hasn't changed, although I tend to spend a little more time on research when needed. There is very little I'd like to change about Elisabet's Will.

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Mark
4/2/2022 08:08:32 am

Excellent. Some writers find that writing the second or third book is quite a bit different. I would imagine that is because the first book is a learning experience and has a steep learning curve. Every author has to find their way through the wilderness in the beginning.
New questions.
What do you do to launch a new book when it is first published?
Have you ever participated in a book blog tour, why or why not?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/2/2022 09:05:20 am

Tweet, Facebook, contact reviewers, and send books to libraries all over the country (not all accept them, but most do). I send signed copies to some people, including Dean Koontz, and promote wherever I can. Once, before a minor surgical procedure, an orderly who was filling out a questionnaire asked me if I'd ever had thoughts of harming other people. I said, "No, but I should tell you that I've published a book titled 'The Beginner's Guide to Spouse Removal.' It so fascinated him that he wrote down the title and left the room, forgetting to reattach the IV he'd removed so I could use the bathroom. One must be careful where one promotes.

No, to book blog tours. Where is a good place to find information?

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Mark
4/2/2022 10:54:19 am

You are doing a lot of the right things.
You could learn more about blog tours my using those search terms in the box below. there are a number of links to blogs about that topic on my Highly Regarded Blogs page. You could also search on Twitter, with or without a hashtag. I have an extensive list of book promoters among the other lists on my Twitter page. Click on the three dots under the banner picture.
That is a cute story, and the lesson is very real.
New questions.
How do you think your book relates to the world we live in today?
What is the one thing you hope readers will remember from your book?

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Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/2/2022 12:34:38 pm

This is a contemporary story, with the major and minor themes true right now, from the past, and sadly, probably in the future.

Greta saved her life by using tactics taught to her by her parents, grandparents and other adults in her life. TIME SPENT WITH A CHILD AND TEACHING THEM IS NEVER WASTED.

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Mark
4/2/2022 02:25:02 pm

Your positioning this book in contemporary culture was no accident. It seems you wanted to maximize the possibility that people would identify with the adults in the story and utilize opportunities they had to train and protect kids. I love that about your story. Grace is just a child; the adults were involved with all kinds of worldly things. Grace is an unlikely protagonist in this story. The ending proved me wrong.
Training children is very important!
New questions.
What software do you use to write and publish your books, and why do you use those?
Have you ever had the experience of the story swerving in a different direction than planned, as if a character was driving it?

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Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/2/2022 03:02:03 pm

I use Word--16 I believe and Adobe Acrobat. I've tried others but have had problems with them.

Yes, my stories often change direction, and most of the time my muse shows his displeasure. My muse is not female and magical, but from the flashes I've almost caught of him over my shoulder, he resembles Don Knotts. He nods his head to show approval and then vanishes, indicating I'm on the right path. When I'm screwing up, his eyes bulge out in horror. He's a handy guy to have around!

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Mark
4/2/2022 04:09:16 pm

MS Word is the software almost every writer uses. It has a huge installed user base around the world. It can also be set to forty-some different versions of English, Canadian, Nigerian, South African to name only a few. I am using MS Word 2019 currently.
I don't know about your muse, but I think Don Knotts was a comedic genius! He died in early 2006. It's nice to know he may have found further employment since then. ;-)
New questions.
Do you have defined space for writing at home, or would you be a coffee-shop writer, if we weren’t stuck in the covid mess?
Action, dialogue, or narration; which is easiest to write?

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Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/2/2022 05:49:49 pm

I have a small bedroom that I use for an office, painted my favorite shade of pale celery green. Nothing fancy, but nice to have the clutter in a room where I can shut the door.

Narration is the easiest.

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Mark
4/2/2022 06:41:58 pm

Being able to close a door is quite nice, not just to hide the clutter but also temporarily break away.
Many authors would agree with you about narration. As you well know, it can also bore a reader. Action and dialogue forge a stronger bond with the story for a reader. Too much narration and exposition cause many a book to be closed.
That leads us to the old dictum, show don't tell. A proper amount of narration in the right places can prevent rapid and terminal boredom for the reader. No one wants to read three pages about a person leaving work, driving home, parking the car and entering the house. Unless that information is critical to the plot. Which seems highly unlikely to me.
New questions.
Of the five senses which is the easiest to write and which is the hardest?
Have you ever done any theater, written a play or any screenwriting?

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Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/2/2022 07:57:10 pm

Sight is the easiest to write about. Smells are difficult to write about, because you can only compare them to other scents or say something like, "It smells moldy in here."

I wrote a play about a group of girls dancing on a flight of stairs when I was about ten. All the characters were female, which made it impossible to cast, since all but two of the neighboring kids were boys.

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Mark
4/3/2022 07:53:25 am

Most writers answer n a similar fashion. Sight is the easiest followed by hearing. Either smell or taste are the hardest to write about.
It sounds like you were interested in dance also at that age. It is an interesting concept. Casting is always a problem. But that problem was insurmountable.
New questions.
What kind of marketing are you doing or planning on doing for your book?
Have you bought any advertising on Amazon, Facebook or other platforms? What were your results?

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Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/3/2022 08:43:18 am

Global Book Marketing, which I also used for my last book--with good results. I'm looking into the Amazon program when I get a couple of other chores taken care of. A good thing about being an Indie writer is that the book is out there for a loooong time and not quickly 'taken off the shelves' as those through traditional publishing. There are a few businesses (resorts, mom and pop stores, a mostly second-hand book store) in northern Minnesota that are interested in putting a few copies on display.

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Mark
4/3/2022 12:39:03 pm

Thanks for recommending Global Book Marketing. I am glad you have had a good experience with them.
As you know, marketing and promotion is a huge issue. Every writer struggles with getting their book in front of customers. If they can't find your book easily most first-time buyers will buy someone else's book.
With over a million books being published each year, getting noticed is the paramount issue. How to make your book rise above the froth. Countless blogs have been written about the topics of promotion and marketing of books. I have links to many on my website and some excellent guest blogs.
I am glad to hear you are pursuing the 'local author' angle. Here are a few more ideas. Any place that people visit is a likely source of sales. you mentioned a few, here are several more. These are focused on tourists but apply to everyone. Having a small, countertop, cardboard displayer might prove to be useful in places like restaurants, motels, gift shops, and museums. You should have a picture of your cover inside the displayer. And instructions to the vendor for getting a refill. Many of these places will take them on consignment, some will buy them from you at a wholesale rate. There are selling opportunities at flea markets, farmers markets and fairs. Having a box of books and several displayers in your trunk will come in handy, many times over.
You can also pursue the 'Local Author' angle at local broadcast stations, TV and radio. Cable access stations are always looking for broadcast material. There are also classes and clubs in education from high school to college. Local civic clubs and book clubs are other opportunities.
An author can invest as much time as they want in promoting and marketing their books. Book promotion is an ultra-marathon, not a sprint. I recommend allowing an hour or two at least every two weeks for this type of activity, otherwise it can eat up all of your writing time.
New questions.
What kind of marketing has worked the best and the least for you for this book?
Speaking of marketing, why did you pick me to help promote your book?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/3/2022 01:08:24 pm

So far, to unknown customers, probably due to Global, Twitter and Facebook. Fans are always the first to buy, which is wonderful! It makes the arduous process of writing and publishing worth it.

I chose you when my editor let me know that she was planning on quitting before too much longer. I happened to run across a tweet of you holding Grizz, with a line about your word proofing. I tweeted you, asking if word proofing was the same as editing, and you answered, giving links. Actually, it was your dog who decided me. May his spirit live on forever!

Reply
Mark
4/3/2022 02:18:55 pm

I owe Grizz a lot of treats for all of the assistance he has provided since his death and before.
Fans are the lifeblood of sales! The bigger your backlist the better your financials will look in the long run. A lot of authors cultivate their fans by providing them access to fan-only material. Some authors ask fans to be part of a street team or early reviewer team and provide them Advance Reader Copies, also known as ARC, of the latest book.
I appreciate being of service to you and other authors with my word refining and book promotion.
New questions.
How do you know when a book is complete, and you should stop working on it?
How long does the research process take before you start to write a book, or do you do the research as you write?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/3/2022 02:32:14 pm

I could tweak for years, but when I've wrapped up the story and done the best I can, then it goes out to beta readers. I never think I've done a good enough job. I'm always afraid I might have written a real stink bomb of a story until they read it.

Research is fun!! I limit myself to the minimum needed to start the story and check things out as I write.

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Mark
4/3/2022 04:07:02 pm

I think every writer worries about having a stinker on their hands until someone else reads it. It is human nature. We all have what I call the inner liar. That person whispers to us constantly that we will never measure up. We will never be good enough. With effort, a person can learn to ignore the inner liar.
I worry about my work when I send it back to the author. I know I have done a good job and gone through the manuscript 4 times. The doubt is always there until the author lets me know what they think of my work for them.
New questions.
Do you do much rewriting after getting the comments from your beta readers?
Do you send them the manuscript after it has been to the editor or before?

Reply
Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/3/2022 04:30:53 pm

I send it to the beta readers and make about 50 corrections--usually typos-- before it's edited. With The Stash, I sent it from corrections straight to you, skipping the editor. My editor found that my stories didn't need any rewriting, but only suggested a sentence here and there to make things clearer. I tend to be sloppy with commas and other punctuation, because I lose track of my story if I worry about it.

Reply
Mark
4/3/2022 06:15:56 pm

That is a pretty sleek process. It's working quite well for you.
I am honored that I was able to work with you on 'The Stash' I enjoyed the story and loved the characters, they were rich and vibrant.
I have already asked my last questions. We will continue the interview when we promote 'The Stash" in October.
You have been a great guest on the Word Refiner channel. I have enjoyed our conversation quite a bit.
Keep on writing.

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Sandra Marion Sperling link
4/3/2022 06:26:21 pm

Working with you was a lot of fun, and from your comments and suggestions I learned a great deal. It's most pleasant to deal with someone who knows so much about the publishing business. I look forward to working with you again!!

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"I'm very pleased with all your efforts. Twitter promotion and proofreading were beyond what I expected with a book review. Your suggestions throughout the process of refining both books helped me immensely. I look forward to working with you again."   A.E.H Veenman “Dial QR for Murder” and “Prepped for the Kill”