Using Pinterest for character development

Using Pinterest for Character Development

When I write, I see the scenes unrolling as a movie in my head, with the characters moving and talking. If I can't picture something, I can't write it, to the point where I have to lay out the rooms, where the furniture is, the color of the rugs. Never mind that only a tiny fraction of this ends up in the novel. If I can't see my characters getting up from the dining table and marching the dirty dishes into the kitchen, I can't write it.

I started using Pinterest when working on a sci fi novel. I'd finally decided on the point-of-view characters, and, in an attempt to wrap my mind around them, went in search of visuals. This was my first multi-pov novel, and I was about to start the third major rewrite. I needed to get the four characters in the romance clear enough to hear their voices, see them move, and be able to work out the revision.

I started several Pinterest boards. The first was for clothing for the one female in the four-way romance. The previous versions of the novel had paid little attention to this character, and I needed to flesh her out. I found a website and searched for the tunics and pants to clothe her.  She ended up with elegant, flowing, fabrics in soft, glowing colors, and her voice came clear.

I still craved more images, so I started another board for actors I could cast to play my characters. After some searching, I settled on the actors I wanted.

I also started a board for images of the planet, many of them generated by me using GIMP, a freeware program something like photoshop.

Some people fill out character sheets. Me, I give my characters personality tests, find photos and clothing to bring them to life.

Using Pinterest as a Marketing Tool

By: Stephanie Burkhart

Social media sites are a great way to attract new readers and Pinterest is one of the fastest growing sites today.

What is Pinterest? Is it free?

Yes, Pinterest is free. While Twitter and Facebook focus on words, Pinterest attracts your attention by using pictures and graphics. Pinterest is mainly about collecting and sharing. Think of it as an online scrapbook.

What can you collect on Pinterest?

Anything. There are two ways to do it. Upload a picture from your computer, or re-pin a picture using the "pin it" button that you can add onto your tool bar.

Boards

You can have multiple "scrapbooking" boards, and name them whatever you want after your own interests.

How can Pinterest work for me as an author?

You can create a board named after your book and those pictures that have inspired the setting – a landscape, an actor, or an item featured in the story. You can pin the book's trailer or anything else that is relevant to the novel.  Don't limit yourself. Say you like to cook, too. Pin up your recipes on your board, too. By pinning a new recipe every week, you'll keep your followers checking in. Sharing recipes is very popular, but you can also share jewelry, candles, soap, and baby ideas.

Some Interesting Stats:

Pinterest is popular because of the simplicity of its design.

80% of its users are women.

There are 11 million unique visitors a month.

In the US, people are 70% more likely to buy a product if they find it through Pinterest.

I've got no time. How do I fit Pinterest in?

Set up a social media "plan. Say you can only fit an hour in for marketing. What's a necessity? Emails? Blogging? Facebook? Twitter? Triberr? Pinterest? Budget your time and stick to it. A little pays off. Plan 15 minutes for emails, blogging, Facebook, and Pinterest.  The next day: Emails, Triberr/Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.  A constant, active presence attracts followers.

Question: Are you on Pinterest? Share your Pinterest link. What do you like about the site? Any misc. thoughts to share?

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She lives in Castaic, CA and has two young sons. She adores chocolate and is addicted to coffee. Her books with 4RV Publishing include: The Giving Meadow and 1^st Flag of NH.

First Flag of New Hampshire:

Can Alyssa and Miguel find the first flag of New Hampshire before time is up?

My Pinterest Link:

http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart/

Links for 1^st Flag of New Hampshire:

http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php

Amazon:

http://amzn.com/0983801835

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-flag-of-new-hampshire-stephanie-burkhart/1109218791?ean=9780983801832

Marketing Strategies: Pinterest by Stephanie Burkhart

There's a lot of free or inexpensive social media and marketing tools available for authors to work into their marketing plans. One such site that's generating a lot of interest is Pinterest.

I'm new to Pinterest myself, still learning my way around, but I have to admit, its fun. I like looking at the different pictures as they inspire ideas and stories. I like the idea of sharing my likes with other authors and readers. I also find that its a great way to connect with others. Pinterest drives traffic as well, not only to your Pinterest account but to other sites, your website, Faceback, Linkedin and other places you're on.

And, ultimately, isn't that what social media is about – making connections? As an author, Pinterest is another tool to connect with others.

Just a little about Pinterest: the site launched in March 2010 in a closed format. After 9 months it had 10,000 users. Pinterest went viral in 2011, but the way to join is to receive an invitation from a friend who is already registered. You can also create an account by liking it to your Facebook or Twitter.

The goal of Pinterest is to connect people through "things" they find interesting. They do this by "pinning" pictures. You upload a pin (picture) or you can use a "pin it" button added to your bookmark bar or your web browser. I don't quite understand how to do that yet, so if anyone can explain it, I'd appreciate that. I just upload my pictures.

Once you pin a picture, people can either 're-pin it,' 'like it,' or 'comment' on it. Therein lies the fun. And the more you do, the more others will do it to you, thus driving the traffic to your site. I've had a good response to my Pinterest board and I haven't been on the site long, maybe about 2 months. My goal is to spend about 5-10 minutes a day on Pinterest. I figure a little goes a long way.

Interesting Notes about Pinterest:
There's also an app! You can find a Pinterest app for the Iphone.

Who's got a Pinboard? Ann Romney and Michelle Obama!

83% of users in the US are women.

In Feb 2012, Pinterest reported 11.7 million users.

Anyone else have a Pinterest board? What do you like about it? Dislike? Do you think it's a unique social network? If you have a board, leave your name or your link and I'll follow you! Feel free to follow me on Pinterest as well.

Love to hear your thoughts, comments, and feedback about Pinterest.



Stephanie Burkhart was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. She spent 11 years in the US Army as an MP and now works for LAPD as a 911 dispatcher. Her 4RV Books include "The Giving Meadow" and "First Flag of New Hampshire." Her son, Joe's, favorite 4RV Books include: "Spider in my Mailbox," "Angeline Jellybean." Her son, Andrew's, favorite 4RV Books include: "Angeline Jellybean," and "The Marshmallow Man."

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee

PINTEREST:
http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart/