It’s so hard being “almost there” with a story. You love your work, you’re getting positive rejections, so what does it take to sell? For me, it was all about making the story bigger. And, I know, you’re saying you’ve heard it before. So did I. But I didn’t know what it meant. I had to push my writing to a level I had never gone to before, but I found three things were the key:
The “No Way” Factor
My characters had to take bigger chances, have more to risk and lose. It’s easy to say, but a hard thing for a writer to do. It’s a vulnerable, risky place to be. I knew my story was big enough to sell when instead of ending my writing sessions thinking, “I hope that’s good enough to impress an editor,” I ended them thinking, “No. I did not just write that. I did not just make my character defend herself with a toilet brush and a can of Purple Prairie Clover air freshener.”
The “Brainstorm” Factor
The first thing you think of might be good, but chances are the twentieth thing will be even better. When I was trying to think of a hidden hideout for my biker witch characters, the first idea that popped into my head was an abandoned biker bar. Kind of neat, right? Instead of going with it, I sat down and brainstormed twenty ideas. The first five or so come easy. The rest really make you stretch and think. One of those twenty ideas became a fun, quirky hideout for my witches – an abandoned riverboat that they’d enchanted years earlier (while drunk on dandelion wine). Now they not only need a safe place, but they need to catch the Choking spells, Lose Your Keys spells, not to mention the Frozen Underwear spells ready to attack from around corners and behind the old jukebox.
The “Surprise” Factor
Follow your story in new directions, because if you’re enjoying the surprise, chances are your readers will too. When I sat down to write my book, I had no notes about a sidekick for my heroine. But in the second chapter, when she’d learned she was a demon slayer and all hell was after her, she took comfort in her dog. As I was writing, I thought, "This is a sweet moment. Now how do I throw her off?" Simple. I made the dog say something to her. Nothing big. After all, he’s only after the fettuccine from last week. And he knows exactly where my heroine can find it (back of the fridge, to the left of the lettuce crisper, behind the mustard). It amused me, so I did it. Thanks to her unholy powers, my heroine can now understand her smart-mouthed Jack Russell Terrier. I had fun with it. In fact, I suspect Pirate the dog is my editor’s favorite character. I wouldn’t have been at all surprised if Pirate helped talk my editor into buying The Accidental Demon Slayer.
I suppose what I’m trying to say is – make your writing an adventure. Don’t be afraid to step out, take risks and push your story to the next level.
Angie Fox is the author of The Accidental Demon Slayer, coming from Dorchester this summer. Visit her at www.angiefox.com.
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Notable federal district decision from a week or so ago concerning a student/parent objection to a book that had homoesexual [well, same-sex couple] characters. The court upheld a lower court dismissal of a lawsuit by a family climaing their religious rights were being violated when kids read books involving “positive portrayals of families headed by same-sex parents and same-sex marriage, including the frequently challenged children’s book, King and King.” The court stated that reading the books is not the same as being “indoctrinated” into affirming the choices the book’s characters make, or are evidencing. It’s an interesting challenge and an interesting, and to my mind positive, response with the upshot being “you do not have the right to not be offended”.
The First Circuit rejected the parents’ indoctrination claims. It held that there is no First Amendment free exercise right to be free from any reference in public elementary schools to the existence of families in which the parents are of different gender combinations. It also held that public schools are not obliged to shield individual students from ideas which potentially are religiously offensive, especially when the school does not require that the student agree with or affirm those ideas, or even participate in discussions about them.
You can read the full opinion here and some backstory on the controversy that sparked these claims here and here. Keep in mind that this book challenge happened in Massachusetts, a state where same sex marriages are legal and where a “1993 state law directed school systems to teach about different kinds of families and the harm of prejudice.”
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I was thinking recently of how lucky I am to have had so many inspirations in life. I truly wouldn’t be where I am, working a job I love, if it weren’t for those people who always inspired my love for books. In their own unique ways they gave me a passion that I’ve been able to build a career on. So I asked Jacky and Kim to join me in sharing the names of those people who inspired us in our love of books. . . .
Jessica
Ms. Marjorie Johnson, my sixth grade teacher. She was able to pick a book that would hold the attention of 12-year-old boys while bringing the girls to tears. I still love The Outsiders.
Mrs. Rosemary Mickelson, my eighth-grade teacher, who told us that we are never too old to be read to, but if we couldn’t behave she would stop. I can still remember her voice clearly, and waited impatiently each day to discover what was going to happen next.
Grandpa Dick, who loved nothing more than a good book. I remember sitting on his cozy lap while he read to me. He is still waiting for me to write that next bestseller.
My parents (a cheat since they share a slot), who bought me endless books and let me read long into the night and all morning until I finished what I’d started.
My Aunt Becky, who bought me (and continues to buy me) a book for every birthday, Christmas, and special event from the day I was born. In my mind there has been no greater gift.
Jacky
My mom: She took me to the library every week when I was a kid. We'd each get a huge stack of books and stop for an eggroll on the way home.
Those first authors whose books I picked up, who showed me I could travel anywhere in the world just by reading, such as Barbara Cartland (I was young!), Enid Blyton (who had 800 books to choose from!), Beatrix Potter, Carolyn Keane, and Stephen King.
Then later, the Romantic literary wonders like Mary Shelley, Samuel Coleridge, and William Blake.
My husband, Alex, who shares books with me all the time. At home, on the road, over the phone, by email . . . Thanks to them all!
Kim
My grandma and mom first come to mind. We all shared my grandma’s Phyllis Whitney, Mary Stewart, and Victoria Holt collections and would pass the books back and forth to one another, reading and rereading them. I guess we were all a bunch of romantics. Total suckers for gothics.
Next, I think of my book club: Amy, Michele, Robyn and Betsy. All friends from my college days, we live many miles away from one another, but we decided to hold book club meetings via instant messenger. It’s been a great way to stay in touch, but it’s also reinvigorated my love of books. We have the most wonderful discussions, and often one of them will point out something that I totally missed. It deepens my reading experience and makes me appreciate the written word even more.
Finally, I’d have to say my son, Nicky. He’s only two, but I’m determined to pass on my love of books to him. So far, it’s working. He just loves to sit around and flip through his books, staring intently at the photos. We read Curious George, Dr. Seuss, or one of his other favorites before bed every night. I know that as time goes on and he’s able to read the words all by himself, his sense of wonder will grow and I’ll discover the joy of reading all over again.
So, who has inspired you?
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So, I was tagged recently by Susan to fess up seven things about myself. However, I do believe my foot was touching base, so instead I'll offer seven sources of creative inspiration.
1. Buster Keaton. Not only the greatest of the silent comics, but film's purest genius. He was also the best director of the silent era. Watch The General and think about his editing, pacing, and composition. Also, it's hilarious.
2. Orson Welles. The sound era's genius. Yes, Citizen Kane is that good. Also check out his radio work..all of Welles' stuff is about rhythm. Extra genius points for his sketching abilities.
3. Charles Schulz. I grew up devouring the Peanuts on Parade books and I think Schulz has had the greatest influence on what I find funny. His drawing is superlative. Huzzah to Fantagraphics for reprinting the complete works.
4. Ernest Shepard. One of my favorite children's book illustrators. The Pooh books and The Wind in the Willows are simple perfection.
5. The Beatles. Creativity, energy, and confidence. Listen to all of A Hard Day's Night and hear four guys who know they're the best band ever. And they're right.
6. King Kong. Of course I mean the original. No other movie has the power to instantly make me a kid again. Remains one of the greatest adventure movies of all time.
7. Jim Henson. Originality and conviction. The Muppets are one of the great creations of the twentieth century. Orson Welles thought so, too. Extra genius points for Henson's drawings. There's a reason the Muppets haven't been good since he died.
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I know I should be heading home but before I go I needed to log in and talk a little bit about the negative side of getting published. I know I've touched on this before, but I think it bears repeating. I spent almost my entire day boosting the confidence of some of my clients. Writers who are smart, creative and dang good. Really, I'm not just saying that. When I read one of my clients' published works I'm impressed. These are amazingly talented writers. And yet, after talking, blogging, conferencing and networking with other writers all of them (with completely different experiences) came back beaten.
I think of myself as an optimist so I hate to say this, but the downside of getting published is that almost universally authors confront jealousy and negativity. They have to deal with other authors (and I imagine editors and agents too) who feel that it's their responsibility to "set them straight." Suddenly no one is cheering them on. Instead they're tearing them down. And it drives me crazy!!! And it makes me mad.
Do you know that I honestly want to see every author succeed? When I reject your work it's not because I want you to fail it's because I don't think I am the one who can bring you the best success. And I would think that as fellow writers you could put the green-eyed monster away and truly wish each other well. This is a really, really tough business and we all know that success today doesn't necessarily mean success tomorrow which is why it's important that we all support each other and cheer each other on. After all, that author who gets the contract today might be the same one who gives you an amazing quote tomorrow.
I hope I was able to remind my clients that they truly are deserving of the success they are having. This is why I'm here. I don't just sell books and negotiate contracts I also listen and mend wounded psyches. I started this blog as a way to help everyone achieve success and I hope that all of my readers will make some attempt to pay that forward. Support each other and if my pep talk doesn't help, think of it as good karma.
Jessica
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.
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
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.
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.