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Angie, the process you follow very much echoes the advice uber agent Donald Maass gives in his "Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook."

So many books I've stopped reading had ordinary, mundane characters in ordinary, mundane situations, and they made ordinary, mundane decisions. Bor- ing! You've got to raise the stakes, and make it entertaining. Sounds like you have.

Good luck with your new release!

Excellent advice and I think I'll follow all of it.

I would add one thing. I'm not 100% sure writers need to be fully conscious of this, but maybe.

Where's the conflict?

Usually aspiring writers have a good idea of what their basic conflict is. Their main character is trying to solve some problem, ergo, conflict.

But more successful fiction has a lot more conflict from a lot more areas.

The character may be ambivalent about what they're doing or who they are. (Like, I'm a demon slayer. That means what? Are you crazy? Aren't they going to try and kill me? Aren't I, like, outnumbered?)

I've often considered Michael Connelly's bestselling Harry Bosch novels as a great example of conflict, because Harry, just by his nature, carries conflict with him wherever he goes. Has baggage, will travel. So he rarely gets along with his partner, his boss, his neighbors, his lovers, his ex-wife...

Make the weather a conflict. Give your character a bad cold in the middle of having to do something, save the world, whatever. Just pour on the miseries.

Or, if you're writing something lighthearted, make sure there's still lots of conflict. Go watch the TV shows "Monk" or "PSyche" and see how those writers create conflict in funny, silly situations.

Thanks, Josephine. I think most authors have been forced to come to similar realizations about their work. We’ve all had the “ah-hah” moment in different ways, but yes, these techniques are universal. I’d heard them before I actually learned how to put them into practice. That’s the key. For years, I thought I was doing this and I wasn’t.

I didn’t realize how important it was to push myself to the point where I feel that “What did I just write?” discomfort. Because, hopefully, that means there's something unique on the page. And this isn’t only true for the kind of quirky paranormals I write. Authors who write dark use these techniques too. It’s not about the kind of story you’re crafting. It’s about pushing that story and the characters harder.

Mark brings up an excellent point. Conflict is key – both internal and external conflict. It’s not just about the outward challenges of the story, i.e. what is happening “to” the hero/heroine. Rather, it’s about their personal struggles too. You’ll want the events of the story to challenge your main characters on several levels.

And Mark guessed it 100% right about The Accidental Demon Slayer. Yes demons are after her, but you can’t leave it at that. What makes it unique? Okay, there’s a hot shapeshifting griffin that has his own agenda. Okay. What else? To draw more conflict, I made my heroine a preschool teacher who would really rather be left alone. Her whole life, she’s been the good girl who doesn’t like to cause trouble. Now, she can’t avoid it. She’s been forced to take off with a bunch of geriatric biker witches. Worse, she has no idea how to best use her powers or what she’s capable of doing. So it’s not just about her life being in danger, but we’re challenging her entire world view.

Really stick it to your characters. Make the good things about them, the things we like, become liabilities. That challenges a reader, and the character. Like when the griffin in my story agrees to help our budding demon slayer and we think she’ll finally catch a break. There’s conflict because we know he’ll want payback later, but we’re happy that she’s finally going to reach one of her goals – until the hero tricks her and ties her to a tree. Always look for ways to challenge your characters in their beliefs and about who they are.

And don’t forget about you secondary characters, either. My biker witches have their own story arcs as a result of what happens in the story. Conflict challenges characters and often changes them – for better or worse - and that is always interesting.

This was such a helpful post, and your book sounds so awesome! There's another novel I need to add to my 'must read' list! :)

- Joya M.

This is an enormously helpful post! Thanks, Ms. Fox, for spelling it out so clearly and well, and thank you BookEnds, for posting it!

Geriatric biker witches! Yeah, you just sold me your book. :)

My motto for my current WIP has been "THINK BIGGER," and this plays directly into that. Thanks for the post!

Most informative, thank you.

-Rachel Glass

Angie, I'm not a paranormal book reader, never have been, but I can't stop thinking about the frozen underwear spell! That's hysterical : )

Yes, thanks so much for this great post. I especially like the part about brainstorming and not going with your first thought. GREAT advice.

Angie, you've become my must-have summer book buy. I can't wait to read it! It sounds like a hoot. I love the riverboat idea. And I think you're so right on in your advice. And you phrased it in a way that makes me itch to get back to my story. Which is a rare talent.

Most writing teachers I've had seem to have a knack for phrasing their advice in such a way that it leaves you considering donating your laptop to Goodwill and never writing again. It's like their mission in life is to suck all the joy out of writing.

And here you come along with advice that puts the joy back in. What a treat! Count me among the pre-orders.

That is the most helpful thing I have read in a long time. Every day I go online searching for something that will give me answers and inspire me to be a better writer. Thank you Angie Fox! I feel like you just let me in on a secret. :)
Chris

Great advice, Angie.

I can't wait until your book is out.

CC

Oh wow - thanks for the positive feedback. I'm really glad to hear this is helping. We writers have to stick together. :)

I think the fun in writing is taking it to a higher level. April Kihlstrom in her Book in a Week lectures talks about throwing in the kitchen sink.
Make it bigger works just as well.
And Angie, your book sounds like a hoot.
cmr

Congratulations on the upcoming book! I will keep an eye out for it this summer!

I really appreciate your topic. While writing, I sometimes wonder if I have made the manuscript surprising enough. I will hold on to your advice!

Okay, you had me at the dog! The toilet brush was just icing on the cake. I will definitely look for your book.

Congrats!

Angie, thanks so much for this post. I'm working on a paranormal now. I must put your book in my Outlook calendar with a reminder so I can pick it up when it comes out.

Very good post! I agree!

I also find that sinking a few JD & Cokes does wonders for letting down your barriers and making you go that extra step!

Great 1st chapter, Angie, and thanks for sharing both the chapter and the advice.

Things to add to my list:
1) Buy your book this August.
2) Post your advice over my computer today.
3) Write more--right now!!!

Great advice! I myself have been mulling over how to get that extra "oomph" that will sail me into published land, and I think your three points are excellent ways to get there. Now I just have to follow said advice (not easy).

Thank you!!!

I love this post! Great advice..

This is a wonderful post. Thank you so much for sharing and congrats on your success.

Hi,
I don't know how I got here, followed a link from somewhere, but I'm glad I'm here.
Great advice and you have some great comments as well.
I just finished my novel and I'm struggling with the revision process.

I'm not into books other than mystery but I'm looking forward to yours. Sounds so funny.
Thanks,
Cher'ley
http://cherley.webs.com/index.htm

Pirate the dog is my favorite character too, Angie. I loved him -- wouldn't want to have him for my very own, but I loved him. Your writing is terrific and I hope your book is a huge success.

You can find my list on my own blog post from Feb 5. It's more about writing than reading, but they kind of go together.

http://scottrhoades.com/wordpress/?p=13

Kim, my son's name is Nicky, and he is 2 too! Our favorite book is Custard the Dragon. He absolutely adores it, and it's the only thing that keeps him still for more than three seconds.

Besides my little guy. The one's who inspire me are Anne Rice, who has just some of the most beautiful writing on the face of the Earth and writes exactly what she wants even when most of her fans turn on her.

My mother who made me love the language of Shakespeare, handed me my first Anne Rice book, and never once tried to censor anything I wanted to read.

And all those writers who I read and whose endings I hated so much that I decided I just had to write so I could make the stories end just like I wanted them to.

My mom and dad read to me pretty much since birth, so I can't remember a time in my life when I wasn't reading. I grew up on comic books, Peanuts comic strips, Erma Bombeck's columns, and Sherlock Holmes and the Hardy Boys and a thousand other books that still make me smile to think of.

Like everyone else, I was inspired during my formative years.

Erma Bombeck No one has ever been so funny with the mundane. Her way of looking at an ordinary life and making it into sheer hilarity amazed and inspired me.

Comic Books Every character has to make a choice, and the difference between a hero and a schmuck is that decision.

Peanuts Heroes shouldn't be perfect. A loser can be the best character of all.

Sherlock Holmes Without the characters, the mystery won't mean much, and vice versa.

And of course, my mom and dad, who always suported me, and still do. I've got then reading rough drafts and trying to help me find the right agent for my novel.

I'll get there. I have to, I'm part of a team and they wouldn't let me down.

I'd have to say my parents and the bookmobile. My mom and dad belonged to a book club and we all would read the selections that came each month. I was just a little kid when they got me started on their favorite authors: Thomas Costain, Frank Yerby and later, John D. McDonald and then all the science fiction authors (my dad's favorites) I had special permission to take more than the allowed number of books from the bookmobile, and remember walking home with my arms stretched as long as they'd go to hold my week's selections. My mother still teases me about my favorite reply when she asked me to do something: just a minute...let me finish this chapter.

My dad read to me for years. When I was little he'd read me Pooh stories. Each character had their own voice. Eeyore, of course, was very gloomy. Piglet was excited and high-strung. And Pooh . . . well, Pooh was Pooh, of course.

As I got older he read the Little House books. We called them "Ma and Pa" stories.

I always read to my kids. I was sad when they didn't like the Pooh stories, but we found our own favorites: Goodnight Moon, Frog and Toad, Go Dog Go! Later there was the Phantom Tollbooth. I could go on and on. They both began to devour books as soon as they could and they continue to be *huge* readers.

One of my great joys is that they are also exquisite writers.

My parents always read to us and encouraged us to read. We could beg and plead for toys and not get them, but books were ours for the asking. Some of the first books I remember really being excited by were my father's collection of '60's era John D. MacDonald. I started reading them very young because they were the shortest books on the shelves.

My first grade teacher, Mrs. Aspenes, helped me write my first book: "The dog who went to the oshun."

(Jessica -- no one helped me find The Outsiders, but I read it at the same age as you did and it had an incredible impact on me.)

George Lucas. When I went to see Star Wars at 13, I suddenly realized how BIG something could be. He'd planned a series of 12 movies originally, and that huge imagination showed.

(Jacky--I still have my copies of the Blyton books from my childhood. They're dated, I know, but I can't get rid of them.)

T.H. White, whose Once and Future King introduced me to Arthur. I went on to read everything I could get my hands on, including things from the 11th-14th centuries, which in turn sent me off to grad school to get a degree in Medieval Studies.

My father and my fifth standard teacher Mrs. Aranha.
In Mumbai, the city where I grew up I was exposed to all types of books but largely from the West. For the last ten years I have been reading Indian authors in English. And they do a good job!!!!!!!!!!!

mini nair

My English teacher in my Jr year of high school Mrs. Inman.
She so loved books.
One day she closed the blinds turned off the lights and lit a candle on her desk. She proceeded to read us A Cask of Amontillado (spelling?). I still have chills thinking about it.
Our public library was around the block and across a busy street from our house. When I was old enough to cross that street was a great day. I'd come home loaded with books. Each week at least.
My father read the paper from front to back and my mother read and passed on Agatha Christie Mysteries.

As a shy child during the 40's, every time we moved to a new town (I was a WWII Army brat as well as a minister's daughter) I cringed at the thought of making new friends. My mother always headed to the library as soon as we arrived at our new destination. My library card became my best friend -the local library was my safe haven.
My mother loved Zane Grey, and I cut my teeth on the Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew. We spent a lot of time reading together in those days when the world was in turmoil and my father and brother were in the Armed Forces.
As I entered the last years of high school and actually was able to finish the last three years at the same little Texas school, my English and Literature teacher, Lura Smith, impacted my life deeply with her encouragment. I loved writing and she was a wonderful mentor. Her belief in me has stayed with me all these years and when my first novel was published in 2005, I received a congratulatory email from a former classmate, stating that he knew I had made Mrs. Smith proud. That moved me to tears.
Books -- a little girl's best friends, a big girl's best memories.

Definitely my mom - she always has her nose in a book and encouraged me to read for as long as I can remember. No matter how tight money was back then, a trip to the bookstore was a necessity, not a luxury.

My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Slaby, who introduced me to Judy Blume when she read "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" and "Superfudge" to the class.

Judy Blume who taught that no subject was so taboo that it shouldn't be written about, and who made adolescence a lot less traumatic =)

Kathleen Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsey, for writing historicals I wanted to read, and for giving me a love of historicals that made me want to write them.

My daughter - who is discovering Judy Blume herself, and asking a million questions as a result.

My husband - who understands my Harry Potter nerdiness and is willing to take the kids for the day so I can sit and read the new HPs when they come out! =)

My stepmother always made sure we had a library card when we moved, which was often.

She also bought me books...and made us spend time reading each day.

My high school English Teacher encouraged me to pay attention to words and helped me find my writing voice.

My grandma introduced me to Erma Bombeck's humor.

I'm proud to say that books are all over my house. My oldest son can't even get in the car without one.

Trips to the bookstore and library are one of my most favorite things to do with my kids.

My mom! We always had books stacked around the house, and learned they were something to be treasured and respected. I grew up living the life of an Army brat, so we moved every three years or so. One of the first places we'd always visit was the local library, and load up on books. Somehow they helped with the transition of coming to a new place, and having to make new friends, etc.

My grandfather was the director of the Pickler Memorial Library at NMSU, now Truman State. I remember making trips into the library to visit and being fascinated by all of the books - they seemed to reach from floor to ceiling! He made sure that all of his grandchildren understood the importance of books and how to take care of them - no bending the corners, laying them face down, or throwing them....Sadly, his sight diminished and he went completely blind about fifteen years ago, but he's always the first person that I think of when someone asks me about reading!
My middle school english teacher, Mr. Worley - who also happened to be my best friend's dad! His enthusiasm for literature was contagious - and still is!
I remember reading all types of Harlequins from the age of about 12, and of course, the Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts. I also remember burying my head into a Loius L'Amour series - I didn't come out for months!
I'm so glad that my daughters, Madlyn (5) and Ava (3) also love to read!

I'm inspired by practically everyone and everything...by all of you :-); though my earliest recollection goes back to before I could speak...watching and listening to my parents and sibs talk, sensing the importance of such a connection through words and wishing I could do that. I've been fascinated with words ever since; their power, their connection, their purpose; how they can bring one to tears and another to joy. I was fortunate to have a family of "readers" from dear ole Dad who sent books up to the cabin with instructions for them to be read to me while we summered on the lake and he worked in the city; and later to a mother who loved a good romance novel, western sagas, and puzzle books; to my sibs who were hooked on the Doc Savage series of whom I quickly and quietly became hooked on as well. To Sammy Davis, Jr. who showed us perseverance with his autobiography, "Yes I Can." To Erma Bombeck who showed us how to see the funny side of the crazies we live with. To Harper Lee whose brilliance took us on a journey of accountability.
To all of you out there whose books will inspire, provoke to thought, make us laugh, or nibble on our lip as we grip the pages on this journey your book will take us on where the only requirement is a comfort place to sit and a good reading light...I thank you. :-)

Zee

"A man only learns by two things, one is reading and the other is association with smarter people." - Will Rogers

I admit I can get jealous. It's frustration at the work to pay off ratio. But I can tell when I'm getting like that. I can feel it. So I avoid people then. I rant in my private journal, or stay off the net for a few days. I batten down the hatches and work on my own piece, my own plans.

What gets me is when people throw "you're jsut jealous" in my face when I'm not. When I just plain ole didn't like their story, or their attitude.

Absolutely just getting to the point of published is something to be crazy proud of. Even when I don't like a story I always look at other things, like nice tight writing, or something that is new.

It takes a lot of balls (metaphorically speaking) for people to step out there and put their work in the public eye, knowing that sure, people may love it, but people live to be mean more.

Tell your writers that if someone feels the need to try to "put them in their place" or tear them down that the perpatrator feels threatened should mean more than all the nasty words in the world. It's hard to remember sometimes, but it's true.

Jessica, I just posted today (as an unpublished writer) on the virtues of having an agent and how agents earn their 15% and this is an aspect of agenting that I never even thought of. Everyone needs a cheerleader sometimes and I don't think it ever occurred to me that cheerleading might be part of an agent's job description.

I definitely get jealous but I keep it in my head. It's only human nature, I think. It's just something we need to be cognizant of. More than anything, though, I feel a need to support fellow authors. I have a list of the books I want to read but I simply can't afford them all and I feel guilty borrowing them from the library because I'm not supporting the authors by buying the books outright!

Right now my life is pretty darn good. I love writing. Have always loved writing. One day I hoped to be published, as most of us do. But jealousy, hmmm, maybe more like envy if I've been writing for 7 years and an author with only one manuscript gets published before me. Just wishing I was in her place not wishing her to fail or sell less books. Would just love to fulfill my own dream but certainly not at the expense of someone else.

I too have problems with envy, but I can't imagine tearing someone else down. If I'm really feeling low, I'll avoid people (online too), but I try hard to offer congratulations at least. And am just as likely to go buy their book if I can manage the cost. As for my own career, I try to think in terms of there being a larger reason why I haven't broken in yet!

I've caught some of this already and I'm not even past Stage 2 of the Rejection Evolution! I try to remember it's people venting and not to take it personally. The nice thing about cyberspace is I can delete it with a simple click of the mouse. I imagine having to deal with it face-to-face at a conference must be horribly disheartening. My sympathies to your clients.

Jealousy is a tough old bear. But I think part of the problem is that people don't *realize* that what they are feeling is jealousy or envy or whatever. They don't recognize the negativity of their own behavior.

I've been a teacher all my life -- whether I've been teaching a subject or just helping people along in a less formal way -- and I hope that I will always be able to do that. I don't see my behavior changing when (power of positive thinking) I get published, though I know it's possible.

I just hope that I've done enough navel gazing to recognize the green monster when he eats my lunch. I was just talking with another woman in my Sisters In Crime group today about an author whose books we don't particularly care for, but who we adore as a person. Both my friend and I support her in everything she does to help younger authors.

Plus, we buy her books. Do we love them? Nope. Will we buy them in hardcover? Nope. But do we admire all the other work she does, the work she couldn't do if her books didn't sell and she had to go back to a grunt job? You bet. And that, as much as anything, is something we need to remember...authors are, above all things, people. And there's more to any writer than the words on the page.

It's very, very important to understand, at least in my opinion, that one author's success is *every* author's success. The more people who fall in love with books by reading one author, the better it is for every other writer out there. People who read, read. They won't only read my book or your book. If they like your book, they're going to want more than you can provide, which makes room for me.

And Jessica...from the quality of comments I generally see on this blog, I would bet that most of your readers *do* pay it forward.

Rejection is sad but the writing sooths the broken hearts. As long as I have that I can get by.
I think rejection is just part of being a writer. Every letter is just a notch in our belts. I have lots of rejection letters. (even one from you!) I keep them in a mickey mouse can under my desk. Someday when I'm published I will show them to an unpublished writer and tell them to never give up.

Add me to the list of people who get jealous. But jealousy cuts both ways for me. Some days it's just depressing (like today), but most days it lights a fire under my butt, and gets me working harder to improve my writing.

When everyone is selling around you and you're the only one struggling, it's hard not to get jealous. But I don't know everyone enough to know what they're doing to become published. For all I know they sleep two minutes at night and write all day. I think it helps to have a friend you can vent to.

This post made me realize something: statements that are completely appropriate for a reader to make are not necessarily appropriate for a would-be professional writer to make.

Since I've started writing seriously, I've become a very picky reader. However, if I post a snarly review on my blog about a book I didn't like, might that come back to haunt me later?

As a writer, the review stops looking like my opinion and starts looking like sour grapes. I also run the risk of ticking off a potential contact in the industry if my review offends the book's author/agent/editor.

I guess the lesson is that while a reader is entitled to her opinions, a writer needs to learn when to shut up and smile encouragingly.

jj --

You might find John Connolly's comments on reviewing interesting: http://www.johnconnollybooks.com/2006/06/reluctant-critic.html He addresses a lot of issues about being both a writer and a reviewer.

Love this post, Jessica. Thank you.

I believe that regarding jealousy, no other writer’s success can or will impede your own. Celebrate the success of other writers for they confirm that the marketplace is healthy.

Since it took me twenty years to get that long-dreamed-of NY contract while I watched many of my friends move forward with successful publishing careers, I probably could have become really jealous and resentful, but what kept me from that is the fact that I looked at their success as proof I could do it, too. I decided a long time ago that negative feelings replicate negatively. I made a conscious decision to remain positive and upbeat, to continue with my own, personal code of paying it forward and helping other writers in whatever way I could--and believe me, in twenty years of TRYING to get there, I've learned a lot I can pass on! Many of them sold before I did, but I looked at their success as a challenge, and further affirmation that I could do it, too. If my attitude sounds disgustingly Pollyanna-ish, that's probably because it is, but, it works for me. In a way, I think I'd rather fail knowing I tried my best and left behind nothing but good feelings among my fellow authors, than to think I made my success through cruel comments and hurtful acts. In the long run, though, jealousy only really hurts one person--the one who feels jealous. The same with bad reviews and snarky comments--and believe me, I get my share. I ignore them. Why should I give power or even any credence to someone whose intent is malicious? Life is too short to worry about things I can't control and honestly don't even care about. I'm enjoying a certain amount of success right now. I know that probably won't last forever, but I intend to enjoy the present, prepare for the future, and, like Jessica, remain a full-fledged optimist. It gives me a lot more to look forward to every day!

Kate, you're a wise woman with a terrific attitude.

I'm in the 2003 Golden Heart group, a fantastic group of women who formed the Wet Noodle Posse. I've never been involved with such a supportive group. Over 70% of the members have sold, and while those of us who haven't desperately want to, I don't think any of us are jealous of the ones who have. We celebrate each and every sale, we buy their books, and we cheer them on at the Ritas.

That said, there are authors out there who can get down right ugly. I smile and remain polite, then remember their name so that I don't accidentally buy their books. Sad to say, but that list seems to grow daily. :(

Then there are other authors who are gracious and kind. Those go on my auto buy list. It pays to be nice.

Talent is important. But being at the right place, and at the right time is critical.

How can anyone be jealous of that?

I don't do green, except in my garden. No room for such petty feelings as jealousy or envy.

But then, I've been told before that I am an odd bird. :)