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I'm sitting here going... Oh no! I have to write a new blog post when all I want to do is bask in the glory of my beautiful cover. He he he. But seriously folks, that brings up an important writing question:
How do you focus when you're distracted?
We face all sorts of those nasty little distractions (okay some aren't nasty like my baby for example). From work, to personal lives, to rejections, to acceptances! All of those things can take much needed focus from our actual writing. Even blogging! *faints*
Here are some simple tips to keep that butt of yours in the chair!- Plan ahead. Meaning, carve out that time to work before the day even starts. Actually writing it on your calendar can give it the importance it deserves.
- Turn off all the distractions. Some we can't - like babies - but some we can! Like the internet. Or the telephone.
- Write down your goals and check them off as you go. Seriously. Studies show that if you write it, you're more likely to accomplish it. Also the more specific the better, so break it down into parts and if you check them off you feel like you're really getting somewhere!
- Make yourself accountable. If you tell others you'll feel a lot worse about not doing it. My writing buddies (Leslie Rose and Julie Musil) and I have a policy where we share our monthly writing goals with each other. I love those guys!
- Recognize how important it is to you. I'm not complete if I don't write. I know that about myself. So if I don't make time, I'm not the only one that suffers. My family doesn't get the complete me if that makes any sense. Also, don't forget that blogging and all are AWESOME but they don't take the place of actual writing. ;D
Got any other tips to add? Share! Oh and did you get my little pic? He he. If not watch the movie UP!!!
Ahem.
Thanks to the AH MAY ZING cover artist and fellow writer, Lisa Amowitz, I bring you the GORGEOUS cover of the first book in the DJINN series, THE BINDING STONE.
From Goodreads:
Tricked into slavery by the man she loved, the Djinni Leela has an eternity to regret her choices.
Awakened in the prison of her adolescent body, she finds a new master in possession of the opal that binds her. But seventeen-year-old Jered is unlike any she’s seen. His kindness makes Leela yearn to trust again, to allow herself a glimmer of hope.
Could Jered be strong enough to free her from the curse of the Binding Stone?
May the oohing and ahhhing commence.
Anna Staniszewski's sequel to My Very Unfairy Tale Life is now out! And after reading My Epic Fairy Tale Fail I can tell you it does anything BUT Fail. Grab it. Read it. Pass it to a little girl out there to read. I plan on giving a copy to my own daughter because it's the kind of book I would have lived in when I was her age.
But don't take my word for it. Here's a review from Sleeping Beauty:
SB: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Me: *AHEM*
SB: Huh? Oh sorry. *eyes droop*
Me: Before you fall back asleep, can you tell us what you thought of the book? *pokes in the ribs*
SB: Ouch! I loved it. It's very realistic. I mean that's exactly what it's like where I'm from. *yawn*
Me: *yawn* those are contagious.
SB: Sorry. *slips down in chair and closes eyes*
Me: *pokes again* Anything else to say about the book?
SB: It kept me awake until I finished.
Well there can't be a better recommendation than that.
Today I am wrapping up my series on Indie vs. Traditional Publishing with a post from a very special guest, Sourcebooks editor Aubrey Poole. But if you have any additional questions leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer or find out.
Thanks for inviting me to be a part of this ever-changing and increasingly important discussion. The rise of the eBook has meant a lot of changes for the publishing industry, and I’m proud to be a part of an organization that has embraced those changes. Sourcebooks is a privately owned independent company that’s gained a reputation for being agile, forward-thinking and willing to experiment. So, we may not quite fall under the category of “traditional” publisher, but we definitely acquire, package, produce, market and sell books, and I’m very happy to talk a little more about what value a Publisher brings to its authors.
I can through a lot of terms at you about each piece of the publishing process, like so:
But I’m going to break it down to one core idea: Discoverability.
What does discoverability mean? How readers find your book. If they don’t know about it, they can’t buy it (or check it out), and they can’t read it. So, the billion dollar question is: how will readers find your book?
With the close of Borders and the increasing popularity of eReaders, brick-and-mortar stores are gradually decreasing in number, limiting the opportunity for chance discovery. It’s becoming less common for readers to be browsing a shelf to find their next must-read and more important for publishers (or self-published authors) to find ways to bring attention to their books.
So, essentially, a Publisher’s job is to connect authors to readers.
This is done in a variety of ways from creating eye-catching book covers (that look good as thumbnails), to writing intriguing jacket copy, to placing ads in magazines, to sending ARCs (advance readers copies) to bloggers, reviewers, booksellers and librarians, to booking spots on TV or NPR, to purchasing advantageous placement in Barnes and Noble (those front-of-store table displays aren’t free!) to making sure the metadata (title, author, pages count, age level, etc.) is sent to Amazon correctly, and more.
With all of the noise out there (347,178 new books published in 2011 in the U.S. alone), it’s a Publisher’s job to make your book be heard.
What about Amanda Hocking and E.L. James, you ask? Didn’t they become successful, bestselling authors without a “traditional” publisher? Yes! They are part of the lucky few whose self-published eBooks got that magical word-of-mouth momentum combined with low price points that shot them to the top of the bestseller lists. But for every success story, there are thousands of self-published authors you’ve never heard of and likely never will. And, you may have noticed, both Hocking and James turned to “traditional” publishers to take their eBook phenomena and publish them in print to reach an even wider audience.
So, what does this all mean for you, the writer? Self-publishing is a fantastic new and growing option that will become an important part of the publishing sphere and allow for more and easier access to information than ever before. And for some authors, it will be the right fit. I think it will be especially important for authors of controversial, innovative or niche subjects and genres fast converting to eBooks (like romance!). But in my opinion, a Publisher is still a writer’s best bet when it comes to finding an audience for you book.
Bio:
Aubrey Poole got her start as an editor correcting her friends’ grammar in high school, an effort which naturally guaranteed instant popularity. After a brief internship in the marketing department at Penguin UK, she started her first real job as a news assistant at The Real Estate Journal in Los Angeles. But when she was offered a position as a reporter, Aubrey thought it would be less scary to move cross-country to New York City and try to break into the book publishing industry.
Aubrey is now an associate editor at Sourcebooks, acquiring children’s books from picture books through young adult. Her first YA novel, Send by Patty Blount, was a Junior Library Guild pick, and she hopes to continue shamelessly courting librarians with her forthcoming middle grade novel The Ninja Librarians.
*Before we begin I want you all to be sure to come back next week when the amazing Aubrey Poole, Editor from
Sourcebooks will join us to provide a more in depth look at why having a publisher is a good idea. But now for our Indie experts!
A post from Susan Kaye Quinn on Debunking Some Indie Publishing Myths, combined with Lisa Gail Green’s posts on Indie vs. Traditional kicked off a discussion between Susan Kaye Quinn and Laura Pauling (both indie authors with the Indelibles author group) on indie publishing myths, publishing middle grade, and the new hybrid author. For a peek behind the curtain at the real experience of indie authors today, check it out…
There are too many self-pub books; mine will be lost in the pile!
NOT TRUE.
 |
| Laura Pauling |
Laura: Sue’s post is a great list of myths (about indie publishing). (There are) so many more too when it comes to why authors self publish and quality issues. But Lisa has definitely covered some major ones. :) We're never doomed unless we quit trying.
Susan: I’ve been countering some myths on the blogosphere lately, so I collected them into a post. Interestingly, I’ve heard less lately about the “all SP (self-published) books are trash” meme – maybe I’m just hanging out with the cool kids now.
Laura: I see the knocks on quality about SP from posts in the traditional world; usually people who don't know much about it or who really don't know how to find the well written books. I just walk away. :)
You have to publish fast to be a successful indie author.
NOT TRUE.
And I agree, the whole rush, rush thing is slightly exaggerated. A career will not be made or broken based on that factor. Does rushing books to market help? If they’re quality. And it helps get the author to a point in his/her career where they could be full time, but it's not the determining factor.
 |
| Susan Kaye Quinn |
Susan: Getting quality books out quickly helps for the same reason that being 10 years down the road in my career would help – I’d have more to sell. But I don’t see a good way to short-cut that process – you have to actually write the books and earn the fans along the way.
I try to insulate myself from the indie naysayers of the world – it doesn’t help to listen to people who are dissing what I’m doing. I’ll let them play in their sandbox and I’ll play in mine.
Laura: I know what you mean. I'm attending and volunteering at NESCBWI (New England Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) this spring. I have to seriously debate whether it's worth my $$ in the future. Ansha Kotyk is presenting and will be able to sell her self-published book in the bookstore and sign, so I'm curious to see how that goes for her. :)
Have you decided what to do with your middle grade? Query? I'm torn about the future. I'll continue to write and self publish some companion novels to promote my middle grade that's out. And I have another idea for a series, that I'll self publish. I’ll see what happens.
Susan: Everything I see still tells me that middle grade indie books struggle. Writing and publishing really are two separate functions in my brain – I write what I love, then figure out the best way to publish. Speaking of: has your small press (Pugalicious) gotten good reviews/distribution for your MG novel about the Mayans? Has that opened any doors you wouldn’t have had with self-pub?
Laura: Honestly, publishing with the small press has certain advantages. Pugalicious Press did fantastic job with editing and cover design. I had a one-hour phone conversation with a marketing specialist. I think it also opens doors for certain contests, if a writer cares about that. I could submit for the bigger awards.
But, over all, in all honestly, it doesn't help as far as distribution. But, let's say, a book took off, then it would be much easier to get into bookstores b/c bookstores would see your book as traditionally published. So it has the potential to open doors that I wouldn't have self-publishing.
I think querying a middle grade would be much easier knowing I was writing and self-publishing other works. That my career didn't hinge on that one manuscript. Middle grade is really hard, even though everyone clamors for it. But, there is a certain freedom knowing that if they're not interested I can go with a small press or self publish. It frees me to write for me, not for them or what I think they're looking for. I don't think I realized how much that influenced me until I started self publishing.
Susan: This is SO true – and it’s really hard to explain it to people until they’ve self-pubbed and seen it for themselves. There’s an unrestrained variety in self-pub. You’re not locked into what publishers see as having high sales potential.
Laura: I think some authors truly feel that self-publishing is giving up the dream. I guess if you want to be published traditionally, than it could be. But underlying what we've been told for years, is the dream of reaching readers, of possibly making an income. That's never been more possible than it is today.
Susan: I think it’s definitely ok to pursue the dream (of traditional publishing). In fact, I think it’s imperative that you do so, if that’s your dream, until it plays out, whatever the outcome.
Laura: I do understand writers not wanting to take on all the aspects of self-publishing, so ultimately it's their choice. But I see traditional publishing just as stressful and time consuming as far as the business aspect, worrying about selling through and the huge pressure (along with excitement) that comes with release.
I'm so interested to see what the next couple of years bring, but I see over and over again that 2013 is the new normal. The gold rush is over. Now it's about self-published authors playing it smart, seeing the long tail, producing good work, improving craft, and sticking to a schedule. And most importantly, not giving up. If something isn't selling well - try something else.
What do you think of the hybrid author these days? Advantages/disadvantages?
Susan: I’m not sure I know what a hybrid author is any more. I thought I knew – it was an author who was trad-pubbed then went indie or who was an indie success and got plucked from the bestseller list and offered a contract from the big six.
These days, I think less and less in terms of publication route and more in terms of distribution, intellectual property, and opportunities. I just finished putting out a live-action trailer that has helped me connect with film agents who might be interested in shopping film rights. I’m working on an audio version of Open Minds where I’ll be revenue sharing with the narrator. And I’m exploring possibly translations to other language. Meanwhile, indie superstars like Hugh Howey and Colleen Hoover are negotiating print-only deals with publishers.
All these things used to be only available to trad-pub authors, but now I see this as the true future for hybrid publishing – managing your intellectual property through all the most effective channels (trad-pub for print, indie for e-rights, film agents or indie producers for the film world, indie collaborations for things like graphic novels, audio books, and translations into foreign languages).
Indie publishing is a whole new business model, and authors are still feeling out all the pathways to success.
It’s a brave new world. Still.
Laura: Definitely!
Personal Satisfaction
Indie:- Pros:
- You do it your way.
- You get to see your book out there in the hands of readers.
- Cons:
- You may not have shelf space or an end cap.
- You won't get that third party recognition from the big guys. Unless of course you sell above 50,000 books and attract a little attention, which is difficult to do.
Traditional:
- Pros:
- You made it the "hard" way! You have the recognition.
- You are dealing with others who can do certain things for you that you don't want to deal with yourself.
- Cons:
- You may have to struggle to sell more books if you are a mid-list author, which most people are.
- It may take years. Even decades.
Yup it all comes down to this. What is it that drives us? We don't write because we think it's glamorous - those that do are probably due for a checkup. We write because we HAVE to. But beyond that we each have different goals and preferences.
Over this series we've examined pros and cons to both Indie and Traditional publishing. Does it look like one is better than the other? There's no knockout here. I believe they are both valid and wonderful ways to pursue our art. That's why I'm pursuing both.
Now I don't expect you to rely on my word for it. In the next couple weeks I'm going to have some better authorities weigh in on BOTH sides. Next week we will start with the amazing Susan Quinn and Laura Pauling, both successful Indie authors, discuss the benefits of Indie publishing from their viewpoint. Then we'll give the other side a chance. :D So don't forget to stop by!
Audience
Traditional:- Pros:
- They can get the word out and are featured prominently at chain bookstores and online. So you have a boost right away
- People trust what they know
- You have a better chance at hitting the best seller list and your book becoming big
- Cons:
- They may be trying so hard to mass market that they miss the real gem inside your book
- If it flops, it usually happens right away and it's tougher to get a second book deal
Indie:
- Pros:
- You can publish a book designed to fit the needs of a small or particular audience
- You build your name as an author over time and by word of mouth, so if you don't "make it big" right off the bat, you're still doing just fine
- Cons:
- It's tough to get noticed
- You have to work hard to get the book in the hands of the right people to spread the word
What do you think? Did I get that right? It's tough to say, but that's what I've gleaned so far. Next time? The final round: Personal Satisfaction.
Quality
Indie:- Pros:
- You control the quality of everything from each word to the cover. It's all your decision and if it doesn't fit your vision, you don't have to do it.
- Cons:
- You control the quality. Yup here we go again! See, here's the thing... Having a good editor is priceless. I truly believe if you don't have your book edited, you shouldn't put it out there. There are things you just can't see because you are too close to it. Great beta readers are important, but you need a healthy line edit and of course copy editing as well to make it perfect - or as close as you can get it. It's so important that I can't stress this enough. You have to rely on others to help you out. A great cover artist is important too. You have final say - and that's awesome! But you have to take your time and approach it like a business and DO IT RIGHT.
Traditional:
- Pros:
- You are dealing with a known quantity. You can go to B&N and see their work for yourself. You can rely on the professionals and know that you are in good hands.
- Cons:
- You usually don't have much of a say (if any) in things like cover art and design. Sometimes even marketing. I know of authors who've had issues with the ages their publishers have suggested on both ends of the spectrum (too young and too adult).
Confused yet? Next week is round 4: Audience.
Timeline
We all know how long it takes to write a book. We also know how long it takes to publish one. Here are my pros and cons on the time involved in both traditional and indie publishing.
Traditional:- Pros:
- It may take a while, but you know they're doing it "right".
- If it's delayed even longer, it's possibly because your book will do better if released at another time.
- Cons:
- It typically takes a MINIMUM of a 1 1/2 years from deal to publication.
- Many times the list gets shuffled and your release is delayed. Sometimes it's better for the house and not your specific book.
Indie:
- Pros:
- You control the timeline. If you decide to put all your effort and time in, it's not like you're splitting that between dozens of other books and submissions, so you can push it through faster. *note this will also appear as a potential con below.
- You can put out secondary novels/sequels faster than a traditional publisher would, potentially reaching more readers/fans faster.
- Cons:
- You control the timeline. Yup. You might be so excited or so sure your book is perfect that you don't invest the time necessary to do it "right" as sited above. That's up to you as a professional and a true writer.
- You can become so overwhelmed with trying to act like the publisher that you forget to spend time writing and revising and subsequent books can suffer.
So there you have it. My second edition. What can you add? Next week is something I touched on today: Round 3. Quality
This isn't about competition. Most people think it is. That only one format can come out on top. I'm not here to play that game. Personally I believe they can coexist and in fact, I'm going to continue to pursue both. But I do want to take a look at the pros and cons of both as I see them in a series of blogs. I know there are so many people out there better researched than I, but maybe you're just as confused as I was not that long ago and perhaps a layman's view will come in handy.
Today I want to look at Publicity.
Traditional: - Pros:
- Sometimes you get a publicist!
- You have a name behind you
- You have wider exposure in print
- Cons:
- Most new authors have to promote themselves
- Other books from the publisher may take precedence
Indie/Small Press:
- Pros:
- You can release more books in a shorter period of time (provided you still use professional editing/copyediting/design etc.)
- The publisher (sometimes you) might be better invested in your book.
- Cons:
- You definitely have to promote yourself
- You can pretty much count B&N out unless you are doing NOOK.
The truth is I'm not sure I see much of a difference in work unless you are one of the lucky few the big five decide to help publicize. The biggest difference is in traditional print and availability. It's not impossible with Indie by any means, but in a large chain it is.
What did I miss? Fill me in!
By: Lisa Gail Green,
on 1/12/2013
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If you feel like visiting me today, my first post on the awesome Scene 13 blog is up!
What would a Djinni wish for?
As adorable as these little guys are, I couldn't pick one out that is cuter than the rest. Now imagine if one had a tiny bow-tie and top-hat. Yeah... Then he'd be cute like the others, but really draw our attention!
Enjoying my drawn out metaphor yet? I'm talking about books of course. We want to be original and not follow the same formula as everything that's already out there, but we also want to make sure we stay on top of the trends so that we can blend in enough.
A kangaroo in a top-hat would just look weird in that pic, don't you think?
So what am I saying? Here are some things to keep in mind if and when you think about the potential marketing of your book. And think about you must if you're serious about this.- Read, read, read! That's right, especially in your genre, but also without. If you don't love to read in genre anyway, you probably aren't a writer.
- Write what you want BUT figure out where it belongs. For example, if your MC is twenty you may have an issue marketing it as YA and you'll know that if you read in genre. Age him down and if it absolutely hurts the plot? Then you probably aren't writing YA. You can disregard this of course, but I'm only trying to make your life easier in the long run and chances are if you examine why, you'll find it's more emotional than imperative. Choose your battles, my friends.
- Think about comp books. Don't pick Twilight or Hunger Games. Be realistic and show you know your stuff. What's similar about them? What's different?
- Find a beta reader from the audience you're aiming for. Have your teen cousin read that YA and see if they like it. No you shouldn't say that in your query letter, but it's not a bad personal hurdle as long as you also use professional critique partners.
In the long run you have to write what you are passionate about or it won't be your best work. But if you're doing your job treating writing as a profession, you will use revisions and a touch of planning to make sure you aren't dressing up a kangaroo.
Happy New Year! And with the New Year, I have a very important announcement.
Ahem.
The first novel in my DJINN series, THE BINDING STONE, will be debuting in April of this year!!
*pops cork*
Thank you all for sticking with me. I hope you will continue the journey because I couldn't do it without all of you.
I'll have more details as the date draws near, and I'm happy to answer questions as we go, so don't be shy! I promise not to make this blog all about me either, I will continue to post on writing, though now I'll have more experience to draw on.
AND one more thing... I am very excited to be a part of the new blog Scene 13 with so many other AMAZING authors! So go take a peek and join us for the fun.
I love the goals you've been posting!! Keep it up! Here's mine: Get back to a regular writing/blogging/reading schedule while handling the kiddos.
NOW as to book resolutions. I'm sure you've read as many series as I have if you read YA. I love them because if I care about a character, I don't want that character to disappear after one book. But I also can't deny that there's a beauty to a complete book. I'm thinking of ones like THE REPLACEMENT for example. As a matter of fact there have been many books lately - beautifully written books that I absolutely adore - that frustrate me at the end because I'm supposed to wait for the next installment, like the old Buck Rogers series. I like my books, even those within a series, to have a good wrap up. A nice finished feeling that leaves me wanting to visit the world again. What do you think? What examples can you think of?
My best to you in the coming year! Let's enjoy it together *clinks glass*.
Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate it!
You've all done a great workout with me! Thanks. And if you didn't squeeze it in, that's okay - you can go back and do it when you're ready. I hope you found some inspiration in there. Today we stretch and wind down so we can spend time with family.
So all I want you to do is write down your next goal. Be specific and positive. Like, "I will write ten chapters by February." Or whatever applies to your situation. Then put it in a place you'll see it often. On the fridge, cork-board, computer background, whatever.
And one more thing...
RELAX AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Hi everyone! As you may remember, a few weeks ago
PETE the Elf had a touch too much Eggnog at the Holiday Christmas Party and as he stumbled home, he lost Santa's
NICE LIST.The North Wind scattered the papers to all four corners of the world, and
The Bookshelf Muse put out a call to help find them in order to SAVE CHRISTMAS.
Ever since I read about it, I've been on the lookout. And then today,
EUREKA!Yes that's right...
I found part of Santa's missing NICE LIST. There it was, fluttering in the wind, half caught under the corner of my welcome mat. And shock of all shocks, I recognized the name, and I bet you will too.
Here it is below: NAME: Martina BooneLOCATION: Adventures in YA and Childrens publishingNICE LEVEL: 98%NAUGHTY LEVEL: 2%OBSERVATIONS: Martina is super talented, intelligent, sweet, funny, honest friend/writer/critique partner/blogger. Could loosen up a bit and drink more prosecco. RECOMMENDATION: a) Coal b) Gift~ ~ * ~ ~
Because poor Pete is dashing all over the place trying to hunt down the rest of Santa's missing Nice List, I decided to take care of this one myself. Martina, I feel so blessed to know you! Enjoy the card I sent to your inbox and have a wonderful Christmas!
How about you, Readers? Is there someone you'd like to say Happy Holidays to, or tell them how much they mean to you? JOIN US! There's plenty of days left until Christmas, and sometimes a kind word can lift people up in a way that they really need. It's as easy as sending a free ecard or email note, posting on a Facebook wall or sending out a tweet. So go ahead and spread some kindness and cheer!Photo credit:
How are you all fairing with our workout? The holidays are in high gear right now, and we're physically working out getting in that last minute shopping, but we can't ignore our writing muscles. Last week we wrote the scene that grabbed us. Now we're going to do the scary thing and throw something in the mix. Take whatever part of the book you're working on and add one of the following, then see what happens. Remember you don't have to keep it, but it's a great exercise to test out your characters. We love to torture them!- Your character finds out someone close has just died.
- Your character is injured.
- The antagonist shows up unexpectedly.
- Severe weather interferes (e.g, storm, earthquake, heatwave)
You have to do this exercise the first half of the week, because we're doing double time now that we have our heart rates up. The second exercise is this:
Take another character from the same book and put them in the same situation to see what happens.
Did you learn something about the other character you didn't know? What did that do to your perspective? I'd love to hear if you found anything interesting from this! Don't be afraid to email me. Good luck!
So we're all warmed up and stretched! The holidays are approaching. In fact, Chanukah is already here. So let's jump into the meat of it, shall we? If you've done your homework then you have your brain working on different scenarios and hopefully that wonderful imagination of yours is rearing to go.
Now it's time to work on something that will keep you focused on your story even when visiting Santa at the mall. Whatever your book is - whether you're just starting it or revising - take your favorite scene, you know the one, it's the one that keeps playing in your head, that you know you have to write for this book or work your way to or polish till it shines. That one. Take it and write it. Right now. Out of context, out of order. Just write.
It feels naughty doesn't it? To dive into the whipped cream before the main course? But why not? You can always redo it. In fact, that's your homework. Redo it every day a different way. OR write another favorite scene you see coming. Even if you end up not using it, it will get you in the mood so to speak. It won't take long, and you'll enjoy it. Heck, you might even find yourself working the whole book around it. That's happened to me believe it or not.
By: Lisa Gail Green,
on 10/22/2012
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Paranormal Point of View
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Show don't tell! We hear it all the time. But is it true? And what does it mean exactly? What it really says is, "Don't be lazy!"
Meaning don't say:
Suzie was tired.
Show us:
Suzie rubbed at her eyes, trying to focus on the letter, but the soft mattress in the corner kept drawing her attention.
That was a simple example, but what about when it gets more complicated? Sometimes you have to tell. Sometimes you even have to do both. I've had times when I thought I'd so cleverly (I love to pat myself on the back) shown the MC's feelings when in reality all my betas came back and told me they wanted to know how she/he felt about something that happened. Obviously I wasn't clear enough. So what did I do? Added internal thoughts to the actions. Sometimes even came out and said it.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding how to word things:
- Was I clear enough with the action alone?
- Is it important enough of a moment to add thoughts and maybe spend a bit more time showing?
- If it isn't important, does it slow down the pacing too much to show? Would it flow better to tell?
- Did adding to it make it redundant? You don't want to repeat yourself or tell the reader you don't trust them to "get" it.
What questions and examples can you add to the list?
By: Lisa Gail Green,
on 11/26/2012
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Just like our bodies, our writing can benefit from flexing those specialized muscles. Whether you're a published pro or a newbie it doesn't matter. We can ALWAYS improve, and that's exactly what we should strive for. So while we work our way through the holidays and all the temptation (whether the edible kind or the time kind), we're going to focus on some ways to work out that won't take too long and will keep us moving forward.
Let's start with step one: Preparation
Are you a Plotter? Then you've probably got this covered. But Pantser or Plotter, it doesn't matter, other things and people need your attention and even the best laid plans can fall to the wayside, especially this time of year. But if you make a promise to yourself, if you write it down and plan it out, you can find more time than you thought possible. And since this is an exercise program, let's start with fifteen minutes a day. Can you squeeze that in to improve your writing? I pledge to do it too. So let's work on it together. What do you say?
Find your calendar and dig out those fifteen minutes. Wake up early, go to bed late, take a shorter lunch, whatever it means. You've already improved, because you've made a commitment to yourself and your writing. Doesn't that feel good? Next Monday we'll get moving and in the meantime I want you to fill in these blanks for next week and those to come. Who's with me?
Character Name:
Age:
Deepest Desire:
Deepest Fear:
Okay. That's good for now. Baby steps, right?
By: Lisa Gail Green,
on 11/19/2012
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Paranormal Point of View
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It's time to remind ourselves what we're thankful for. Too often we get caught up in the misery of rejection and writer's block and we forget all the wonderful things about writing.
Here's my list:- Writer friends like you
- chocolate and coffee
- my laptop (which seems to be surgically attached to my lap)
- shiny new ideas
- meeting new characters
- reading amazing books
- the occasional "yes"or personalized rejection
- saying the words "I'm a writer." and meaning it.
Having trouble making your own list? Answer this: Why did you start writing? Tell me in the comments!
By: Lisa Gail Green,
on 11/12/2012
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Paranormal Point of View
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So here we are in the middle of Nano. But participating or not, you probably know that feeling where something feels... a bit off. Here's where I have some fun suggestions to play around with until you find the sweet spot.
- Try varying the perspective. Is it in first? Try third. Is it past tense? Try present. Try something totally out there for you, this is the right time to do it! No one needs to see it but you, though you never know what you'll find works.
- Try varying the tone. C. Lee McKenzie had a great post on tone. What feel are you going for? Is it too light for the situation? Too dark? Try playing with the setting and word choices to alter this. But remember to make it consistent in the finished product.
- Try varying the story. If you're a plotter this might make you uncomfortable. But that's a good thing! Throw something in there that neither you or your character were expecting and see what happens. At the very least it will tell you something about your character you might not have realized. Best case? It makes the book better!
Have any other ways you like to play with first drafts? Share!
By: Lisa Gail Green,
on 11/5/2012
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Paranormal Point of View
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Ever been rejected? If not, you aren't a real writer yet. It's part of the job, but that doesn't make it feel any nicer when it happens. Jemi Fraser had a guest post on this last week and it got me thinking. All of those points are valid - especially the one about not flying off the handle and sending back a nasty email. But I feel like "rejection" is the elephant in the room that no one REALLY wants to talk about. But I'm not one to ignore large jungle animals near the sofa.
Rejections suck. They feel personal, possibly more personal when it's a form rejection. We are human, we have to give ourselves permission to feel bad about it. It's OKAY. The tricky part is getting past that. If you can't shrug it off, don't. Just have a piece of chocolate and a pumpkin latte and let it sit for a while. But then you have to ask yourself something:
WHY WAS IT REJECTED?
Was it really not right for that agent or house? This is a serious possibility. But if you've collected more than one rejection and if you are lucky enough to get a note or two on specifics, take a look again. What the rejection might be saying isn't "no" as much as "not yet."
"But I worked super hard on this book!" you might be saying. "I had beta readers and critiquers. I revised six times and it's taken me two years!!!"
Okay. But maybe, just maybe it's still not quite there yet. Maybe, just maybe it's time to put it in a drawer and write a new book or think about it for a while and tackle it AGAIN. Maybe the seventh time is the right one.
I guess what I'm saying is don't stop working - keep revising. Go deeper. Make it shinier. But more importantly, NEVER GIVE UP. Even if it means putting that book away until the second or third one is published. Because if you've queried 867 agents and stop? It might have been 868 that said yes.
By: Lisa Gail Green,
on 10/29/2012
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Quick announcement: Journey's of Wonder Volume one is being offered for FREE download October 29 and 30!
Okay, Halloween's in a few days - one of my favorite holidays of course. But you know what scares a lot of writers? NANOWRIMO!
If you don't know what it is, November is novel writing month where you pledge to write 50,000 words by the end of the month. Check out the link if you're interested and don't be afraid to friend me.
I love Nano! I revel in getting lost in that initial draft. To me that's the most exciting part of the process. Will I do it this year? I'm going to try, but with the baby it will be challenging. I like challenges. I work well under pressure. And besides, when it's all said and done, I'll have more than I would have if I hadn't attempted it.
So what are my tips?
- Write whenever you can. Even it it's for ten minutes it will keep your mind working on the story.
- Don't be afraid to put down whatever comes to mind. No one sees it but you, so go back and fix stuff later. It's a computer that counts the words.
- Don't believe you have a masterpiece. Ok - I mean a FINISHED masterpiece. What Nano leaves you with is a lovely first draft to have fun revising later.
- Challenge yourself. It's a great way to let loose without that internal editor getting in the way. JUST WRITE. You'd be surprised at the result.
- Make it a priority. Obviously some things come first like family and paychecks, but you know what I mean!
Have you done Nano before? Planning to do it this year? Why or why not and what are some of your tips?
If you read the blog last week (and did your homework) you're well prepared to get going! Got comfy clothes? Kidding! Any good workout has to start with some stretching and warm up so we don't jump in and hurt ourselves. Writing is no exception. So I want you to do the following exercise. You can do it each day and use a different outcome or you can do it once and jump into something you're dying to start. Think of it as a game.
Take the character you created last week and pick one from each of the following categories then write a couple pages. Just write. You don't have to show anyone, just see where it takes you.
World:- Deep space
- Kentucky
- The Amazon
- an apartment in New York
Antagonist:
- An animal
- A rival at work/school
- The weather/world itself
- A psychopath
Goal:
- Safety
- Love
- To retrieve something of value
- Save a relative
Okay now here's the fun part - don't make it obvious! Mix it up. Have her fight the world itself in an apartment in New York in hopes of retrieving something of value for example. You can mix these up and add your own as the week goes on so you try something new each day. OR you can use the first try to help you in whatever project you're working on now. Your choice.
Ready? Set. Go!
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Oooh, I get the squirrel now! Congrats on the cover--it's so pretty!
I just posted today on writing for my non-writer friends, because maybe now they will stop distracting me! ;)
Yes Yes Yes on #5. That's totally me, too. My kids are very understanding about this (most of the time). As is my hubby. I bought me a MacBook for Christmas so I can write on vacation. Yep, I even need to work on my WIP while on vacation. :D
SQUIRREL!
I love you too, Lisa *hugs*
If I really want to get anything done, I must turn off the Internet, TV, and email. When I take breaks, I check for messages. Otherwise, forgetaboutit :)
Love this. The story I'm working on right now, well, I'm at a place that's not coming easily, and it's easy to avoid working on it. But I need to because it's beginning to affect other parts of my life.
Timely post! I struggled this weekend with a post for my new blog - shamelessly listed below - as well as a short story that HAD to get out and my current WIP. Of course, there was also preps for meeting with the tax guy, spending time with hubby, laundry, groceries, dog walking UGH! I'm printing your post and hanging in front of the computer!
(http://nofilterinstalled.blogspot.com)
I need to focus on #5 more and write. I do like writing lists. It keeps me focused on what I need to get done in writing and blogging.
The last one is so important. Sometimes I'll take a writing break and get so cranky only to realize the moment I start writing again...oh...duh...I'm a writer. I NEED to write.
I always need to take a bit of time after I reach a writing milestone to get recharged and caught up on all the things I've neglected. But then I do set hard goals for myself in terms of completing a project. And I put the writing first. If that means I have to stay up until 3:00 am a couple nights a week, then that's what I do. And I do the same type of goal exchange every week with Clara Kensie! It really does help me stay focused.
I need to get better about tuning out the squirrel-like distractions. I don't know how you do all you do, LIsa! Respect.
Hugs,
M.
Oh, man! I was SO ADD last week, I could barely get anything done. Turning off the distractions is a big one. Making a list is another. Great stuff here, LG! Hope you got it done~ :o) <3
These are really amazing tips! I really should work on #5 more.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
I'm very boring. All I do is make lists and check off what I do when I do it. I don't necessarily have to go in order, so that adds a little "excitement" to my system, doesn't it? Tell me yes.
I don't have any babies to turn off, so all I can do it unplug the phone.
My dog would be going nuts over that picture, but I try not to share my laptop with her. LOL!
Congrats on your cover love and thanks for the tips on keeping BIC! For me, if I can't make myself sit and write, there's usually a reason and sometimes I just have to give myself permission to be lazy for an hour or a day or even a week.
I didn't get the reference to UP (need to watch it again?) but the squirrel made me think of distracted squirrel Hammy from Over the Hedge.
I need to try that writing down goals part. It's so simple.