October 4, 2012

Writing the Author Bio. DUN Dun dun.

I've been asked to rewrite my author bio. Make it fresh. Basically, not boring. 

© H. Armstrong Roberts/CORBIS

I researched a bit online and there was so much conflicting information! What to do, what not to do, adding in what my publisher is looking for. One of the best tips I did find, though, was to remember that we are writers! We write prose and description and emotion for people we make up, but when it comes to bios, we sound like boring history professors. So write like you write!

*No offense to the exciting history professors. Great job.* 
Google creative commons images

So, I'm posting the before and after and I'd REALLY like to know what you think. 

Before (*note: I've never liked this one. Urg.):


Krista Lynne Jensen grew up in Washington State, attended Brigham Young University, lived in Oregon for many years, and now lives in Cody, Wyoming with her husband Brandon and four children: Chelsea, Braeden, Jacob, and Maren. She loves to cook, garden, read, and explore the inspiring beauties of the country. Her laptop always comes along.
Growing up, Krista loved the English language, read constantly, and wrote poetry and journal entries. But she didn’t begin writing seriously until her youngest child started school full-time and she joined a writing group, where she quickly rediscovered her passion for words. She places her characters in the settings she loves and challenges them to dig deeper and fight for what they want. Her family life is busy, but she keeps up with the stories playing out in her head while trying to ignore the dishes and laundry.



After:


Nearly every one of Krista Lynne Jensen’s elementary school teachers made a note on her report card pointing out that she was a “day-dreamer”. It was not a compliment. So, when Krista grew up, she put those day dreams down on paper for others to enjoy. When writing, she fuels her creativity with chocolate-covered cinnamon bears and popcorn. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, her family, and sunshine. But not laundry. She never day-dreams about laundry.


What do you think? Any more tips? Writing a bio is hard, and most authors don't care to talk about themselves anyway, but it's a great way to connect to readers in a simple paragraph at the end of your book. What do you like to know about an author?

5 comments:

Ranee` said...

I love it. Especially the laundry-day-dreaming part.

nephite blood spartan heart said...

You're on the money, the second makes you pay attention.

Krista said...

Thanks! I like it, and I guess that's a good sign, because I've never liked these.

Kate said...

Love it! Very fun.

Ru said...

Maybe I just like boring, but I liked the old version too! :) The second one is definitely fun, though. Good luck!

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