tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20211691426177242672024-03-13T12:52:29.676-04:00Writing with the MentorsTips, Tricks, and Techniques from Agented/Published Authors, Interns, and EditorsVeronica Bartleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04452926814324819692noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-73388204904508946872016-12-29T03:07:00.000-05:002016-12-29T03:07:00.195-05:00LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Well, 2016 is coming
to a wrap (seriously, it went by that quick?!). That means it’s time to look back
on the year, and plan for the one coming up. You may have had some successes in
2016, but you may have had some failures. Either way, it’s good. Seriously. If
you’ve had successes, it means you’re primed to go into the new year, that you
have a momentum to build on, and you can start aiming for that next step. If
you’ve had some failures, remember these are learning opportunities. These are the
moments that teach you about your writing career, the industry, your craft,
your fortitude, and your goals.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In order to help you
get motivated for 2017, I’ve written up my tips for how to handle your success
and your failures from this year, and use them to progress for next year:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Your Successes</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Congratulations! Celebrate – you deserve it!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Make sure you don’t get complacent. As they
say, don’t rest on your laurels. Publishing demands our very best, so keep
giving it your all.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Look at what created your success and how you
can replicate it. Did you score an agent or publishing deal? Analyze your own
book and see what made it stand out. Successful launch? Look at what people
liked most, drop the bits they didn’t for your next launch. There’s always
something to learn.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Help others. Use your success to help empower
other writers. Contests such as Pitch Wars do just this. However, you can do
it, too, even if you’re not a mentor. Maybe be a great critique partner, join
up with someone for shared promotion, do a super awesome blog post, etc.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stay humble and don’t look down on those who
are climbing the ladder behind you – it’ll bite you on the ass one day. Writers
are some of your best readers. Don’t piss them off.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Your Bumps in the Road</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Congratulations! You put yourself out there.
Thousands and thousands of people don’t. You DID. Take immense pride in that.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Take the opportunity to learn. What didn’t work
for you? Why? Analyze your writing – is there an element you want to learn more
about? Ask someone or take a course. Didn’t get enough promotion for your book?
Talk to other writers and see what worked for them. Make a strategy with your
agent or publisher.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Don’t beat yourself up. It’s always a challenge
going for your goals. Know that and do it anyway. That’s what makes you amazing
– not giving up.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ask. Ask. Ask. Ask. Don’t be afraid to approach
someone and ask a question. More often than not, you’ll be well-received. And
if you’re not, that’s not someone you want to take an example from anyway.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Help those on the ladder behind AND above you.
Writers all have the same insecurities, so lift people up wherever you can.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I wish you all the
very best for 2017, and hope you remember the most important thing is </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">self-care</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">. Look after yourself and make
sure that you keep happy in your life, and your writing!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Good luck!</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Fiona McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730690752465797790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-78880549730567907942016-12-05T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-05T14:13:53.977-05:00The Devil Is In The Details<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYldy4LlM3R_wrj-H-KjV_OPyWpAHXOpSko8g9npL4uioNFuzmoRKlN4daIa81vedxBKd8q-VSsqKYv95NSXWVQ9B2dXIjlJh7Xw9Wz2XyDbQ4XXvAbur0Xoa0-aClF_akPY863fFGUjQ/s1600/the+devil+is+in+the+details.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYldy4LlM3R_wrj-H-KjV_OPyWpAHXOpSko8g9npL4uioNFuzmoRKlN4daIa81vedxBKd8q-VSsqKYv95NSXWVQ9B2dXIjlJh7Xw9Wz2XyDbQ4XXvAbur0Xoa0-aClF_akPY863fFGUjQ/s320/the+devil+is+in+the+details.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If plot is the fabric of a story, then
details are what stitch it together.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Yes, I admit it:
I’m one of those readers who skips over lengthy paragraphs of establishing
detail so I can get to the action, particularly if the story is set in a
familiar environment. I don’t need tons of descriptive detail in order to fully
enjoy the long-awaited love scene, or the shocking discovery of the murder
victim, or whatever it is I’m anticipating. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
So how do you keep
your readers engaged between dialogue exchanges and bursts of action? Reward
your reader’s patience by including details that enrich and inform.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
A common mistake
newer writers make is including too much detail. The writer sees the story so
clearly in their mind’s eye they wish for a reader to visualize it exactly the
same way. What they often don’t realize is that readers don’t want to be
passive participants in the reading experience. Readers want to employ their
own imaginations, to have the ability to fill in the blanks of a scene or a
setting. It’s one of the reasons people often say, “The book was better than
the movie,” because the film is somebody else’s interpretation of a character
or setting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
When I’m drafting
a new scene, there are several elements I address when considering how much setting
and character detail to include: blocking; familiarity of the environment; specificity
of objects; and the stage of each character’s development.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blocking</b>: Anyone who’s ever been on a
stage is familiar with this term, which refers to the geographical location of
the characters in the scene. Sometimes blocking can reveal character and/or
further the plot, such as: “Jessie and Nicholas squared off on opposite sides
of the small office.” Already we know there’s conflict between these two characters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Conversely, it can
slow pacing and even be misleading: “Nash sat down at the table. Erica sat down
on his right side while Olivia chose the seat on his left.” Unless seat
selection reveals character or is part of the plot, get your characters to the
table (“They gathered around their mother’s dining room table, the lingering
fear of her stinging tongue still palpable after all these years.”) and get on
with the show.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Familiarity of environment</b>: The more
familiar the location to your readers, the less detail required. And of those
details, focus on the ones your characters will interact with. For example,
your MC walks into a classroom, a setting most of your readers have personally
experienced. Instead of describing the room in detail, pick out the one or two
details that will advance your story:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Rows of small
tables filled the classroom, each seating two students. I found an empty spot
next to one of the prettiest guys I’d ever seen.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Specificity of objects</b>: This is a
detail that can be used to reveal your characters. For example, in my current
WIP, a character working as a bodyguard picks up a copy of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wall Street Journal</i> while on guard at a library. She could have
just picked up a magazine or stood filing her nails, but this character is
aware her profession has a limited shelf life and is concerned about investing
for the future. This action by itself does not a character make, but subtle
layering of details throughout the book will give readers a deeper understanding
of, and an emotion connection to, your character.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Stage of a Character’s Development</b>:
When we first meet a character important to the story, your reader will want a
physical snapshot. The details you initially share should reveal character as
well as physical traits. For example:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“He was a big man
in every way; from still-powerful shoulders straining at the seams of his
monogrammed dress shirt, to his beefy hands, crisscrossed with ancient scars.
His thinning hair was quite grey, almost white, and razed into bristles. His
eyes, shielded by a large pair of silver-rimmed glasses, were steely, and
despite being diminished by folds of aging skin, they were clear and piercing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Hopefully, I’ve
revealed the essence of this man’s character along with his physical
appearance. The next time we meet him, his character will be enhanced not with
further physical description, but through details such as specificity of
objects (“his sandpaper voice made rougher by the single malt scotch”). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
If you have favorite
techniques for deciding what details to include in your writing, I’d love to
hear from you on Twitter @kestrester or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kestresterauthor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "kes";">Kes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08553036082108480161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-10871431231546602682016-11-17T14:51:00.000-05:002016-11-17T14:51:05.135-05:00Writing Motivation<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the hardest parts of being a writer is k<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">eeping your motivation. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most of us ha<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ve been there<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">: rejection <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">number 400, another form, an R&R turned down<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, our fifteeth time on publisher submission, a CP points out all the holes in your story...you name it, we've trudged the same path as a hundred wr<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">iters before us. So<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, how exac<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tly do we keep<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> our motivation?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We all know the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ld adages "write<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> because you can't not<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">", "<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">write for the passion" and "it just takes one yes<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">", but sometimes those feel like just that..<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.adages. So what can you really do to keep your spirits up?<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Here<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'s what I do:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1) Keep a note o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">f what you're good at, and what you can improve on. I ha<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ve this on my whiteboard. The more times one skill gets transfered to the "<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can do it<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">well<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">" list, the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">more motivating it is<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Baby steps<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, people.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2) Go into the guts<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> of your book and find the re<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ason you wrote it. What made you think it wa<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s cool and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fun? What got you excited? Now go and immerse yourse<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">l<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">f in it<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, for no other reason<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> than simple enjoyment. I wrote my fantasy because I loved the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">idea of magic being made by quantum physics (yes, I geeked out<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">), so I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">go and watch <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">document<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">aries on science and magic.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> It really raises my spirits.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">) Go out and ignore writing for a day. Go do something else. I find the longer I sit staring at the computer, the more anxious I become. Go get some oxygen and outside air.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4) Stay <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">OFF <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">social medi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a for a day. Yes, it's <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">amazing <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to hear of</span> all the good news about agent and publish<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ing success. It'll probably make you </span></span></span></span></span>feel a<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> bit frustrated and crappy<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, too, so give yourself a break.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5) Binge on your favorite thing - movies, books, chocolate, hiking..<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.whatever. Just go o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n, guilt free, and do it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">at's it. Th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is is my way to cope and to keep my mo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tivat<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ion chu<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">gging along</span></span></span>. I hope one of these is useful to you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">! <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now go get <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">your hap<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">py!!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Fiona McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09730690752465797790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-63950348980645144852016-11-03T08:51:00.000-04:002016-11-03T08:51:21.267-04:00PITCH WARRIORS (to the tune of Queen's "We Are the Champions")<i>Dedicated to all Pitch Warriors and hopefuls out there fighting the good fight (or writing the good write), by </i><i><a href="https://susangrayfoster.wordpress.com/blog/">Susan Gray Foster</a></i><br />
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<i></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9W0ef6YDXcENc2MxSG9578fDL8DIHNH-u_dUnCSmxIBgMBjcy1FM5KFzEh0tHm_Jf5YoDoUvPrs3W2Al1OwaB5gPnWJJtJNo0uVu0hQhwdJFRBevw7qzfGwFbbZZYxxe6FWMvSrXMNC0/s1600/freddie-mercury1-300x199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9W0ef6YDXcENc2MxSG9578fDL8DIHNH-u_dUnCSmxIBgMBjcy1FM5KFzEh0tHm_Jf5YoDoUvPrs3W2Al1OwaB5gPnWJJtJNo0uVu0hQhwdJFRBevw7qzfGwFbbZZYxxe6FWMvSrXMNC0/s320/freddie-mercury1-300x199.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I’ve paid my dues<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I’ve done my time<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve worked for years<o:p></o:p></div>
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Never making a dime<o:p></o:p></div>
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And bad mistakes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I’ve made a few<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve told instead of shown and I’ve used lots of filter words too<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(And I need to just write on and on and on and on)<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are Pitch Warriors, my friend<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And we’ll keep on writing till the end<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are Pitch Warriors<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are Pitch Warriors<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No time for losers <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
‘Cause we are the writers of the words! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I’ve been rejected<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve rewritten it all<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But I’ve had CPs and my awesome mentor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I thank you all<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Still it’s been no bed of roses<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No pleasure cruise<o:p></o:p></div>
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I consider it a challenge before the whole publishing world<o:p></o:p></div>
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And we ain’t gonna lose<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(And I need to just write on and on and on and on)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are Pitch Warriors, my friend<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And we’ll keep on writing till the end<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are Pitch Warriors<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are Pitch Warriors<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No time for losers <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
‘Cause we are the writers of the words! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://susangrayfoster.wordpress.com/">susangrayfoster.wordpress.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/susangrayfoster">@susangrayfoster</a></div>
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susangrayfosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436899489472526799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-58351875236856711812016-10-31T07:00:00.000-04:002016-10-31T07:00:19.454-04:00Choose Your Own NaNoWriMo<div class="MsoNormal">
By Stephanie Scott<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NH7wCBF5Sqb-XEJca3ZqNBq7AIaJZmWvju9u7fnWum5ozA_QOudu_qtQQwBOLzhVXoThe-JvekYT2gTozZlHUV2zEG6lqgG6Qnmr4HrHPD8jS7yPwM1a3xWORUVOOqQKDwuz3FDFRCc/s1600/CHOOSEYOUR+OWNNANO.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NH7wCBF5Sqb-XEJca3ZqNBq7AIaJZmWvju9u7fnWum5ozA_QOudu_qtQQwBOLzhVXoThe-JvekYT2gTozZlHUV2zEG6lqgG6Qnmr4HrHPD8jS7yPwM1a3xWORUVOOqQKDwuz3FDFRCc/s320/CHOOSEYOUR+OWNNANO.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy All Nano’s Eve!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>You mean All Hallow’s Eve?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Nope. It’s the eve of <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/dashboard" target="_blank">National Novel Writing Month</a>, aka
NaNoWriMo! All NANO’s Eve!<o:p></o:p></div>
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By now, if you’re already planning to jump into writing a
50k draft during the month of November, chances are you’ve read half a dozen
blog posts with tips and ideas for how to succeed. You know, those helpful
plotting charts, outline a chapter-a-day and pre-plan your meals to stock your
freezer posts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This post is not one of those posts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This post is a challenge to flip your conventional approach,
abandon your insecurities, and a plea to go for broke! Which is the exact
spirit of National Novel Writing Month. Aka thirty days of literary abandon.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
It's time to Choose Your Own NaNoWriMo!</h3>
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<br />
Here are your starting options:<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Step 1:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>I’M A PLOTTER (Go to Step 2) <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>I’M A PANTSTER (Go to Step 3)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>HUH WHAT THIS ABOUT PANTS? (Go to Step 4)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Step 2:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Congratulations! You’re likely the type of person who buys a
nice planner and actually uses it. I bet your sock drawer is organized, too.
Your challenge as a plotter is to FORGET YOUR OUTLINE. You’ve done the prep
work, now let your story take over! If you’ve never strayed from an outline,
never fear—it will still be there in December when you revise. If you’ve never
let a character take your story in a new direction, silence that inner editor
and see where the story takes you. If you stick to your plan entirely, you
could be missing out on untapped stories lying dormant in your brainpiece.
RESPECT THE SUBCONSCIOUS BRAINPIECE. <b>(Now go to Step 6) </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Step 3:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Congratulations! You were MADE for NaNoWriMo. Outline -- what’s
that? Hit a dry patch? Add a gun! (What?) Okay, so you write by the seat of
your pants. Here’s your challenge. Before you crack open your writing program, jot
down 4 things that need to happen in your next chapter or what your character needs to experience to deepen his or her story arc. Do this on a blank piece of actual paper. Using
a pen. With your <i>hands</i>. Yes, it’s
awkward holding pens these days when all we do is text and type, but I promise,
you are tapping a different part of your brainpiece (we talked about respecting
brainpieces in step 2, btw). Take ten whole minutes to do this task even if you
want to claw your eyes out to get to that pants-o-rific manuscript. I may have
perhaps tricked you into light plotting, but November is all about trying new
things! <b>(Now go to Step 6)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Step 4:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing by the seat of your pants is a way some writers
complete their drafts. We’re nice to them because they’re special. Plotters
need to know where the story is going ahead of time and often are very eager to
share those details with anyone who will listen. The important part here is
that any of these options is okay and no single drafting method is better than
another. Also, writers of all ilk love discussing their methods with anyone who
will listen. <b>(Go to Step 5)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Step 5:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Congratulations! You can choose any method to write your
story that you want. Challenge yourself to write a little bit every day, even
if it’s under your target word count. The NaNoWriMo website has a handy word count
tracker. If you’re intimidated by stats, challenge yourself to log your word count
every day until it becomes habit. If you love stats, go a full week without
looking at that graph. It’s distracting you. You need to be writing. FIFTY
THOUSAND WORDS, HELLO!<b> (Go to Step 6)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Step 6:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="426" src="//giphy.com/embed/t7MWRoExDRF72" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/cheezburger-cat-kittens-dj-t7MWRoExDRF72">via GIPHY</a><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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We all needed that.<b> (Go to Step 7)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Step 7:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Nano is what you make of it. Why not use this challenge to
try a method you’ve never done with drafting. Maybe this is your first book and
everything is new. The spirit of Nano is welcoming—anyone can do this. Anyone
CAN do this. It’s up to you whether you clock in, pants or not, and write the
words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<h3>
<b>Who all is ready for
Nano tomorrow? Leave your response and Nano username in the comments!</b></h3>
Stephscohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-64486555061522382102016-09-19T03:01:00.000-04:002016-09-19T03:01:00.511-04:00A STORY IS A PROMISE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRT0iumzs_8X2q5XIkjukZHzWaC6XAhAqhksj4EhSO3Bdt93hyjgfyyyJJlwbT8h6cxA22DChFQix4O5WrHpwVN8BB6RXhlyNNzSqOkK8spU1mt96k0lG4KnBc3rerrcMtvmz6iZKWFz0/s1600/51HMW6VKBWL._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRT0iumzs_8X2q5XIkjukZHzWaC6XAhAqhksj4EhSO3Bdt93hyjgfyyyJJlwbT8h6cxA22DChFQix4O5WrHpwVN8BB6RXhlyNNzSqOkK8spU1mt96k0lG4KnBc3rerrcMtvmz6iZKWFz0/s320/51HMW6VKBWL._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Story-Promise-Things-Writing-Screenplay/dp/0936085614/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1473165967&sr=8-2&keywords=A+story+is+a+promise">A STORY IS A PROMISE</a>, Bill Johnson examines the <i>right </i>way to open a story. And that’s
important information to have. But as a PitchWars mentor, I’ve read hundreds of
opening chapters and find that the same kinds of mistakes show up time and time
again. With that in mind, I’ve put together a handy checklist of several ways
to avoid writing the <i>wrong</i> opening.
Ready? Let’s go!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The story starts in the wrong place<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Occasionally, the story starts too late. When this occurs,
the reader doesn’t have enough information to understand what is happening
and/or they don’t have enough information to care about the main character. Most
often, stories start too early, burdening the reader with pages and pages of
material that don’t signal where the story is going or drive it forward in a
meaningful way. (The best way to know if you’ve started in the right place?
Share your work with critique partners and beta readers.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The story lacks emotional resonance<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There may be all sorts of exciting, dangerous, or even sad
things happening in your story. But if we don’t know how these plot points
impact the main character on a personal level, it makes it hard for us to buy
into their journey. Give us a reason to care. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The story lacks tension<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s easy to mistake tension for drama or action.
Consequently, readers who are writing quiet (character-driven) stories
sometimes mistakenly believe that their stories don’t need tension. But tension
is what drives a story. Tension doesn’t have to mean running from bad guys or a
storm brewing on the horizon. Tension means that there is some type of conflict—which
can be internal, external, or both––driving the story forward. Otherwise, there
is no reason for the reader to keep turning the pages. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The writer tries to play coy<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writers often try to hook the reader by dangling a carrot in
front of them—referring to an incident that they assume will pique the reader’s
curiosity and make them want to continue turning the pages. But often, these
carrots confuse the reader and they end up setting the book aside. The line between hooking the reader and confusing them can be a very difficult one to walk, and CPs and beta readers play a crucial role in helping the writer get it right. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Too much backstory<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’ve followed the PitchWars hashtag for any length of time, this is
one that you’ve undoubtedly seen come up again and again. Don’t make the
mistake of bogging down your opening pages with tons of information that the
reader “has to have” to understand the story—if they really, truly have to have
all of that information, then you’ve probably opened your story in the wrong
place. But the chances are, the reader doesn’t need nearly all the information
you’ve stuffed into your opening. Cut most of it, and leave only that
which the reader absolutely cannot move forward without. (How do you know if
you have the right balance? CPs and beta readers, of course. Noticing a theme
here?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>First Day of School Syndrome<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stories that open on the first day of school are extremely
common. As such, it’s exceptionally difficult to write a scene that feels fresh
and engaging. The same goes for opening with dreams (in addition to signaling that you are a new writer, this technique causes the reader to feel like the writer
has pulled a bait and switch, and they lose trust in the writer. Don’t take
that risk). Another opening mistake along these lines—having the character gaze
into a mirror. Find a more original way to convey the MC’s appearance. <u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make sure your story doesn’t fall into any of the common opening
traps, and you’ll be several steps closer to writing a solid opening that
delivers on its promise to the reader. (Hopefully you’ve also walked away from this with a sense of how important critique partners are to
the writing process. More about that <a href="http://wp.me/p6XhXK-Cx">here</a>.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy writing!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 27px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Posted by: <a data-mce-href="http://www.jessicavitalis.com" href="http://www.jessicavitalis.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #1c7c7c; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;">Jessica Vitalis</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 27px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhpUsNiNA6L3CbuZeIGIPKJHQGjPHPKuogSxknC4rxQ3aMR1h0VQcLlMfc8YMUGhWOU3RHjMukxLmFgco-Xy9PFLc6MilqFWNLKyZFluVBbpqBHzSgNKl-NXhctVEM7kqogZfgFSljhM/s1600/Jessica+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhpUsNiNA6L3CbuZeIGIPKJHQGjPHPKuogSxknC4rxQ3aMR1h0VQcLlMfc8YMUGhWOU3RHjMukxLmFgco-Xy9PFLc6MilqFWNLKyZFluVBbpqBHzSgNKl-NXhctVEM7kqogZfgFSljhM/s1600/Jessica+Photo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 27px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A jack of all trades, JESSICA VITALIS worked for a private investigator, owned a modeling and talent agency, dabbled in television production, and obtained her MBA at Columbia Business School before embracing her passion for middle grade literature. She now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where she divides her time between chasing children and wrangling words. Her debut novel, NOTHING LIKE LENNON, is currently out on submission. She’s represented by Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch and would love to connect on <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/jessicavitalis" href="https://twitter.com/jessicavitalis" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #1c7c7c; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;">Twitter</a> or at <a data-mce-href="http://www.jessicavitalis.com/" href="http://www.jessicavitalis.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #1c7c7c; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;">www.jessicavitalis.com</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692425400433889268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-35529887296256924512016-09-16T01:00:00.000-04:002016-09-16T01:49:02.021-04:00TACKLING REVISIONS BASED ON FEEDBACKby Kim Long<br />
<br />
<br />
I love hearing from my critique partners (CPs) or beta readers on a new manuscript. But I confess after the initial reaction of, "Yay, feedback!" is some dread, "How am I going to handle all of this?" It really can be overwhelming, especially when I receive feedback from several readers within a few days. That's a lot of information to take in all at once. In an effort to decrease my anxiety as much as possible, I focus on breaking things down.<br />
<br />
First, usually, before I hand off a manuscript, I'll have an idea of a few potential issues. On my current manuscript, I worried about too much info-dump in the first chapter, whether chapter 4 was too early for a flashback, and if my MC played a big enough role in the ultimate conflict resolution. These weren't the only things, mind you. Let's face it, I knew I was going to be getting a bunch of, "What's she feeling here? Show some emotion!" comments because, yeah, that's par for the course. But those are small things. I leave the small things for the end. The first thing I want to know is whether my concerns on the bigger things match at all with my CP's concerns.<br />
<br />
In this case, one CP totally thought too much info-dump, one CP thought it was "perfect," and one thought it might be too much, but she wasn't sure how to fix it. With that feedback, I knew chapter one was going to have to change. Got it.<br />
<br />
The chapter 4 flashback wasn't a problem with anyone. In fact, two of the three CPs LOVED where it was in the book. WOO HOO!<br />
<br />
The MC's role was called out by everyone. Not surprising. But, the great news was that one CP particularly had an idea changing something else in the story could work to fix that problem. Taking that suggestion, I brainstormed and developed a new sub-plot that will put my MC front and center.<br />
Great!<br />
<br />
Now that I had an idea what to do with the three main issues, I looked to see if any of the CPs had other, "major" issues that would call for more substantial revisions. I didn't really have any this time around, but in a previous manuscript I had a CP raise an idea I really liked that I thought could help the manuscript. I note those bigger things--things that will require writing new scenes/deleting scenes--for the next stage.<br />
<br />
For my current manuscript, once I had my CPs' answers on the issues that I had and know their main plot/character issues, I tackled the opening first, working to reduce the info-dump. Good thing is the CP who also thought it was a problem had a couple suggestions on how to make it work.<br />
<br />
Once I revised the first chapter and got it in a good place, I opened one CP's edits and looked for the first edit/comment. If I thought the CP's suggestion worked, I revised in my document. I did this through the entire manuscript, looking at each comment in chronological order and then editing my manuscript as I saw fit. When I reached a point that I had to make substantive revisions based on my plan to add the new sub-plot, I revised accordingly. (And in my last manuscript, this is the time where I wrote new scenes/deleted scenes to make the other substantive plot changes.) Then I returned to the CP's version and continued on my way. By the time I reached the end of my manuscript and the CP's notes, I had a revised version with the new beginning and the new sub-plot. YAY!<br />
<br />
But I'm not done yet, of course. Next, I opened the second CP's line edits. I repeated the same process--reading each comment in order and deciding whether to revise in my manuscript. The good thing is that some of the second CP's suggestions were already taken care of through the first revision. And, if the second CP mentioned something was an issue, I had the luxury of referring back to the first CP's comments to see how that scene played with them.<br />
<br />
I essentially repeated this process for each CP. Usually, I have only three CPs at a time. If a beta reader has overall comments, I'll read those as soon as I get them and note substantive changes I want to make. <br />
<br />
Overall, I find the above process works well for me. I don't get overwhelmed by trying to incorporate every suggestion every CP makes at one time. Also, by focusing on a single CP's edits at one time, I can get a better idea of that CP's thoughts as they read the manuscript. <br />
<br />
As for how many comments/suggestion I take and how many I don't, it depends on the CP, but overall I think I probably consider and make at least some kind of minor change over 80% of the time. If a CP wants a bit of emotion, fine, it probably needs it. Lol. If a CP thinks a line can be cut to better the pace, why not? If a CP is confused about something, why wouldn't I add a phrase to clarify in case that CP wouldn't be the only one confused? <br />
<br />
Basically, I don't enter revisions with the thought of revising as little as possible. Instead, I want to make changes. I'm dying to make changes! The worst is getting something back with no feedback and no comments! (Luckily, I have a great group of CPs where that is not a problem!)<br />
<br />
What are your tricks or tips for handling feedback? Let us know in the comments!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kim Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11049789852190211896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-5367837901950308642016-08-25T23:01:00.000-04:002016-08-25T23:01:54.965-04:00HOPE in the face of rejectionby <a href="https://susangrayfoster.wordpress.com/">Susan Gray Foster</a><div>
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Whether we’ve successfully published or we’ve just completed our first
manuscript and are tentatively beginning to query, we’ve all been there: In
that place where someone has rejected our writing and all the hours, effort,
and pieces of our soul poured into it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGFZwxFh4SSnCa6_e3pbeVZUIdirLu87WtuVtmmw9NzmAXrvIrfuOlqJSey-30q12GEnxrG5cqoHjb2it9LcScAPPzbdUdOAqaiRD6c2h4CNlHMzcN7p_NALwJVxnSX7KkuSXIBlqQxUu/s1600/disney+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGFZwxFh4SSnCa6_e3pbeVZUIdirLu87WtuVtmmw9NzmAXrvIrfuOlqJSey-30q12GEnxrG5cqoHjb2it9LcScAPPzbdUdOAqaiRD6c2h4CNlHMzcN7p_NALwJVxnSX7KkuSXIBlqQxUu/s320/disney+quote.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
Rejection can mean that a manuscript isn’t quite ready yet, that there’s
work to be done. Or it can mean that the right person just hasn’t seen it yet. Most
of the time, unfortunately, there’s no way to know for sure which is the case.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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Rejection hurts. It’s hard. We feel angry, sad, frustrated, jealous, foolish,
bitter. Devastated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
But here is a truth about writing and about stories and the storytellers
who milk their hearts to create them: <i>They
are full of hope.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Stories are created from the belief that human lives matter, that our
stories matter, that there is meaning in life and we can help decipher and
share it in some way, and that we can connect with others—even across hundreds
or thousands of miles, or years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
That’s hope. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSUURGQye5sfW1e1ju_N9s1qRgVZzC2IEWbWxWwHjZEVclWLc-Ipq4gupixY3eWgE30G_xg4QYL2Czebnslbzm9T_WKfOkAdq81NViYe9pGpf65xwtAYRXiyxO5BUqgdr0VvNNinK8q_7/s1600/Donal+Maass+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSUURGQye5sfW1e1ju_N9s1qRgVZzC2IEWbWxWwHjZEVclWLc-Ipq4gupixY3eWgE30G_xg4QYL2Czebnslbzm9T_WKfOkAdq81NViYe9pGpf65xwtAYRXiyxO5BUqgdr0VvNNinK8q_7/s320/Donal+Maass+quote.jpg" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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If you can remember a time in your life (maybe recent, maybe NOW, maybe
long ago) when everything was hard, but a story sparked your imagination and
made you believe that somewhere out there someone felt what you felt and
understood, or that somewhere out there a better life was waiting to unfold for
you, then you know what I’m talking about. Stories help us believe that even in
the darkest times, the human spirit can triumph, that love can prevail. Stories
give us hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If you’ve written something, it’s because you believe in that hope and
you want to share it. Hold onto that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Some of us need a moment, or several hours or days or weeks, to wallow,
suffer, watch <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> or
whatever Netflix show of choice, or to listen to a sad song on replay.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2rNrEYZDcCb0YQZEuiHs1NB2sQpYUTCdpf9oBAUYSC4mKh0P8aY1pP9n7xo0FxHV5sGVZwA4gg_ZUE2TN8PJvbRHVy90nhDxDRDlFEsn7__vxPihII_HraG0F3G1HdrZYxDLkZxn0xRh/s1600/shel+silverstein+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2rNrEYZDcCb0YQZEuiHs1NB2sQpYUTCdpf9oBAUYSC4mKh0P8aY1pP9n7xo0FxHV5sGVZwA4gg_ZUE2TN8PJvbRHVy90nhDxDRDlFEsn7__vxPihII_HraG0F3G1HdrZYxDLkZxn0xRh/s320/shel+silverstein+quote.jpg" width="320" /></a>But then, whatever the next step is—whether it’s continuing along the
path you’re on, or sending your manuscript to a new critique partner, revising
again with some fresh feedback, finding a writers’ group, seeking out a
professional editorial service, taking a class, studying a craft book or your
favorite novel, setting a project aside for a bit, or writing something
completely new—TAKE THAT STEP! Keep learning, growing, pushing, believing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Emily Dickinson wrote, “Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches
in the soul –” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Give hope space to unfold its wings and take flight: <i>Write.</i></div>
<br />
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<o:p><a href="https://susangrayfoster.wordpress.com/">Susan Gray Foster</a></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/susangrayfoster">@susangrayfoster</a></div>
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susangrayfosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436899489472526799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-64807866184520790072016-08-24T21:16:00.000-04:002016-08-24T21:18:12.133-04:00WARM AND FUZZIES FOR ALL THE WRITERS IN THE HOUSE<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And that’s it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2016 Pitch Wars picks have been
announced! Woohoo!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Huge congratulations to the
mentee/mentor matches. From all of us, we wish you luck and send writing power
your way! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But for those of you who didn’t make
it, this blog is for you. Actually, scrap that. This blog is for any writer out
there, now and in the future, who has been knocked back, rejected, or just didn’t
get the feedback they were hoping for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Right now, you might not want to
hear it, and that’s just cool. But, bookmark this page, because what follows is
advice and wise words that you surely need to hear and absorb. Not one writer
on this planet, and maybe others too, hasn’t been knocked back at some point in
their career, and who are likely to be knocked back again in the future. We’re
in this together. Remember that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">‘</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">It's okay to feel disappointed, but don't stay there. You
are still a writer, and your stories are still awesome. This is one step in a
really long journey to get published. So eat ice-cream, drink wine, go for a
run, binge watch Vikings (that might just be me!)... do whatever you need to
do. Then wake up tomorrow and make a new plan to get your book into the world.</span>’
</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Scarlett
Cole</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">‘</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">I know it doesn't feel that way, but not getting picked
really isn't a rejection. We only get to pick one entry, and most of us loved
more than that. Not getting picked for Pitch Wars doesn't define you, but how
you react/respond could.</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><br />
<br />
</i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><i>Also: PitchSlam starts 9/8, so send your entry for feedback
on your query and pitch!’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Laura
Heffernan<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘Everyone has a story
worth telling, but not every path to publication is the same. Not getting into
one contest doesn't change the fact that you still have a story to tell, it
just means that contest won't form part of your particular journey. But ther</span>e
are still numerous other ways to get there. So pause for a moment to regroup if
you need to, eat some cake and/or low-fat pickles (or both), binge watch your
favorite TV show, and then take the next step, whatever that might be. Because
the only way to get there is to keep moving forward.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Wade
Albert White<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘I didn't get into
PitchWars, but I got "the call" the day after mentees were announced.
Every journey is unique--don't let this one contest define you (especially
because it's so highly subjective). Gather what feedback you can, solidify
relationships<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>with
friends and CPs you've gained along the way, and most important of all--don't
give up. (Also: kidlit writers should keep an eye on The Winged Pen for another
opportunity to obtain feedback)’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Jessica
Vitalis<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘I didn't get into
PitchWars my first year, but I didn't let that stop me. I revised my MS and
went on to query it. By next year, I didn't think that MS was going anymore so
I entered PW again — with a new MS. I got a couple requests from</span>mentors
that time around, but I had to pull my MS from consideration because I ended up
getting an offer on the Contemporary YA I entered in PW the first time (ended
up with two offers even!). Most journeys don't happen over night. Most take a
while. As long as you stick with it, you'll get there. A lot of us mentors took
multiple MSs to land an agent — and then multiple MSs on submission to land a
book deal. Not getting into PW with your MS this year is NOT a reflection on
your abilities or the quality of your book.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Kim Graff<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘When I didn't get into PW
in '14. I felt horrible, that no one would ever love my MS. But a friend
reminded me that this is just one tiny bump in the road. Take the time you need
to mourn, but don't let one contest define your career. Don't let it defi</span>ne
YOU. There are multiple ways to get your book out there. Reread your MS one
more time, get some trusted CPs to help you with your query, and send your baby
out into the world widely. The right agent or publisher will love it as much as
you do.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Marty
Mayberry<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘It hurts not to get in.
We feel for you. Remember what you love about writing, what makes those hours
pleasurable. Hold on to that joy. Nothing else matters - not getting an agent,
not getting published. Just the delight you find along the way. Hang in there.</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Carrie
Callaghan<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"><i>‘We know how it feels to
not be picked- for contests, for agent requests, for publishers. It's normal to
be disappointed. But use what you have learned and keep writing. Keep
fine-tuning your<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pitchwars?hc_location=ufi" style="cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><i><span class="58cl"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag">#</span></span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; text-decoration: none;">PitchWars</span></span></i></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">project, keep percolating new ideas, keep putting
words down. Remember how subjective this industry is. If you keep writing, you
are guaranteed to not fail, because you are doing what you love.</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Laurie
Elizabeth Flynn<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘Not getting picked for PW
doesn't reflect on you as a writer. It's that dreaded word you will continue to
hear in this industry. Subjectivity. Take what you have learned in this
experience and KEEP WRITING. Keep moving forward. I've been
"rejected" for</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> more
contests than I can count on one hand. What did I do? I worked on my craft,
reached out to other writers, and learned as much as I could. Don't give up,
because your moment may be right around the corner!</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Monica
Hoffman<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"><i>‘<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></span><span class="uficommentbody"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I wanted to cuddle so many entries. The concepts in my inbox
were amazing. You are such a talented bunch. Some of my closest writing friends
were people I met through Pitch Wars, and that’s been the biggest win of all.
Stay in touch with the Pitch Wars community because the support lasts more than
once a year.</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Sharon M.
Johnston<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘There is success in
having the courage to share your work. Finishing a book is an amazing
accomplishment and one that you should be very proud of. Take these next months
to polish your story and then get back out there. There are many paths to
publishing. You just have to find yours!</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Amy
Trueblood<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘I've judged a lot of
contests over the past few years through Romance Writers and have read hundreds
of queries from PItch Madness, Pitch Wars, and a few other blog contests. This
was the best bunch of queries and entries I've seen yet. Be proud of where you
are. So many writers have no idea where to start, or never finish even one
draft. Each step you make in this journey matters.</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Stephanie
Scott<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘PitchWars is just one
contest, one option, among many. I didn't get in either time I entered, and
landed my agent a month after the announcement last year. Because we can each
only accept one mentee, we have to be super subjective. This means passing o</span>ver
excellent entries. If you don't get in, all it means is that this isn't your
path. Take whatever time you need, but dust yourself off and keep going,
because you will get there, but only if you keep fighting for it.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Laura
Brown<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘I pitched for PW twice,
wasn't picked but made some amazing writer friends, wrote a new book, got an
agent and deal and am now a mentor! PW is an amazing opportunity and contest
but that is all it is--it isn't the only way in! This industry is full of
rejection and you need a thick skin and to believe in your writing. Keep
writing and keep going!</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Katie
Webber Tsang<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘I wish I could squishy
hug everyone who needs it! This is such a tough business because we put so much
of ourselves into our work. And putting yourself out there like that takes such
courage. Don't let a bump in the road send you into hiding. We need e</span>veryone
in this industry! All of our beautiful differences and points of view make it a
rich and wonderful world. So lean on each other. Lean on me. Keep trying, and
keep putting yourself and your words out there. The community of writers I found
through PW is the reason I'm still writing. Hold onto your people, and keep
going.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Summer
Spence<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘The most important thing
to remember is not getting into Pitch Wars has ZERO bearing on whether you will
be a published author one day! Don't let discouragement steal your joy of
writing because this industry favors grit and persistence and you will get
there if you make the choice to use every no as an alignment instead of a
rejection.</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Destiny
Cole<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘Right now, it’s okay to
feel low. Cry if you want, eat carbs if you really have to, but don’t take too
long about it because you have amazing stories inside you. Pull on the passion
you have for the written w</span>ord. Let your heart bleed, then pick up your pen or laptop,
and get back at it. You’ve merely run into a rock, don’t allow it to become a
wall. Success awaits, go find it.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">E.L. Wicker<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘I didn't get into
PitchWars the first time I tried. After I squeaked in the second time, it still
took a year, and more revising, before I was offered rep. Being a writer is a
lifestyle choice. Do what you do, and persist in it. We all get down--let th</span>ere
be no doubt, but try and recognize that it will pass. The only things you have
some control over, really, are your books. That doesn't change regardless of
which part of the journey you're on. You write. Do that some more.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Gabrielle
K. Byrne<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘Be there for each
other...listen, learn, read, write, cp and beta read, immerse yourself not only
in your writing but in the writing community. It's the best around! It's not
perfect, but strive to make it even better with your words, your wisdom, your
heart. And know we're all here for you!</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;">Shari
Schwarz</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘Subjectivity is truly a
motherfucker. But it's one you cannot take personally. The tough part about
business meeting passion, like writing or most other arts, is that it's harder
to separate ourselves from our work because we put so damn much of oursel</span>ves
into it. It can feel like YOU are being rejected when that's not the case at
all. Contests, agents, editors, readers, this aspect of the business isn't
going to go away and you need to know that you're a badass for not only
completing a book but for putting yourself out there. For most submissions I
received, I could see a spot on my bookshelves for them--but not a way to make
them better. That's a good thing! Pitchwars was AN opportunity, not THE
opportunity. Keep going. I want to see your books on my shelves.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="background-color: white;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Tamara
Mataya<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">‘Agents and publishers
aren't limited to one pick! I loved so many that I couldn't choose. There are a
couple of mentors this year that I passed on in 2015. It didn't stop them and
it won't stop you! Almost every successful author you know, did not get there
via Pitch Wars. Keep writing, keep submitting and keep believing!</span>’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lisa Tyre</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: rgb(246, 247, 249); line-height: 115%;"><i>‘</i></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><i>All the mentors started out without
agents or publishing deals and had to climb each rung on the ladder. Every
writer has their own ladder and some may be easier than others. Focus on
writing the story that pleases you and don't worry about agents or deadlines or
what rung you're standing on.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 115%;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Michelle Hauck</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: rgb(246, 247, 249); line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: rgb(246, 247, 249); line-height: 115%;">‘</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">So, you didn’t get picked, and that sucks.
But, to tell you the truth, I identify more with you than my mentee. Because I
am you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I entered Pitch Wars in 2013 with a now-trunked YA fantasy. I got a
partial request (three chapters), and that was it. And, the request was from an
Adult mentor. Did I neglect to mention I had no idea if I’d written a YA or
Adult so I subbed to two mentors in each category? (BTW, this was before Brenda
tracked such a thing. Now, that is strictly prohibited.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Here’s also what I didn’t know in 2013: What CPs were. What betas were.
What an appropriate word count was for my manuscript. That a YA with a female
protagonist should include some kind of romantic element. That YA fantasy based
in typical “medieval” type worlds with fairies and prophecies and dragons was a
hard sell.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I queried that YA, revised, queried, revised, queried, revised. A few
partial requests from agents. Nothing exciting. I had entered some other
contests in 2013, and I entered a few more in 2014, and never got chosen for
anything.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>In the meantime, I started another book, an MG this time, about an idea
I couldn’t get out of my head. See, the thing about all those unsuccessful
contests is that I saw what was getting picked (need to have a hook, something
that makes your manuscript completely original), I found resources on the craft
of writing, and I saw what a successful query looked like. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>In other words, I got better. I entered Query Kombat in 2014 with that
MG, and I made it to the agent round. Guess what happened there? Three requests.
One agent I never heard from, one rejected my manuscript in 24 hours, and the
other rejected within a week. Depressing? Not really. Because that contest is
where I found my CPs and betas, and they read that MG, offered suggestions, and
after revising I sent out my queries, which led to full requests, which led to
my agent in November 2014.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Oh, and did I mention that I entered that MG in Pitch Wars 2014 and got
no requests? Yep. Zero.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>So, let’s circle back around. It’s the day after Pitch Wars 2016
announcements, and you didn’t get in. That sucks. But it doesn’t have to. Maybe
you’re the me of 2013 and need to learn the craft and learn the market for your
age category and then put that knowledge to work on a new manuscript. Or, maybe
you’re the me of early 2014 who finds CPs, betas, and learns how to apply those
revisions to your manuscript. Or, maybe you’re the me of late 2014, confident
in her query, confident in her manuscript, doesn’t get any requests in Pitch
Wars, but queries and finds her agent through that process.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This writing thing really is a journey. You learn along the way. I’m
still learning as I go because it doesn’t end in a pot of gold when you get an
agent. You have to write that new thing whether you sell your first thing or
not. You have to keep getting better. You should want to keep getting better.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>And that’s what you do here. You look at your manuscript, figure out
where you are in the process, and do what you have to do to get to that next
level. Pitch Wars 2016 is but one teensy way to get an agent, one stop on this
journey. Take it for what it is, and keep going. We’re all on this journey with
you.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Good luck!!’</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kim Long<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">‘</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">Know that
whatever you feel right now is appropriate and right. If you weren't chosen as
a mentee, and you feel down and awful because of it, let yourself feel that. If
you feel compelled to jump into edits and are excited, let yourself feel that.
If you want to set your MS on fire, let yourself feel that too (just umm, don't<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>actually set your computer on fire). Feel the feels,
and then come out the other side ready to focus and put the work in. Also, know
that all of us in the PW community are here for you <3'</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Juliana Brandt<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">‘</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">In 2014 I got zero
requests. I got less than zero requests. I knew in 2 days that I wasn't getting
in to Pitch Wars. One of the mentors who didn't select me? Dan Koboldt,
my co-mentor and critique partner. I'm represented by the best agent I could
hope for. The only thing that matters is what you do next. </span>‘</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Michael Mammy<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>‘All the mentors chose their mentees for their individual teams, but
there’s another team called Team Pitch Wars that lasts forever, and everyone
makes it in!’</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">–<span style="font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kate Foster<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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Kate Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05043513329083537213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-55037105838834738962016-08-22T06:25:00.000-04:002016-08-22T06:25:26.204-04:00Your 8-Step Plan Before Diving into Edits
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An agent has rejected
you. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your CPs and beta readers
have given back mixed feedback and a bunch of edits. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe you didn’t get chosen
by a Pitch Wars mentor or into another writing contest. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now what do you do
with the manuscript? </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, in my opinion,
there are several essential steps that every author post-rejection or those
hesitating outside the gates of revision hell should take before they even consider
diving in. Of course, if you’re on some kind of deadline then some of
these steps might need fast-forwarding, and, to be honest, the more developed
your writing and techniques become, or with certain manuscripts, not
all will need to be tackled. And, it just might be the time to find your manuscript a resting place upon that high, dusty shelf, but that's a blog for another day.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, check out my (slightly tongue-in-cheek) eight step plan before diving into edits... </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: try calling the manuscript a name. Something nasty, evil, cutting. Attack
that stupid, nasty, garbage bit of work. She’s let you down, for goodness sake.
Ruined your only chance, your whole career. Call her Butt-Stink or Total Loser or
WOS (Waste of Space) or F**ked-Up A**hole *C**t. Too much? OK, sorry. Let’s run
with Vomit Pile for now.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxTKiUOeuVSVXvH_N3eZ94ipIXIriWGhXvoME6ZD-F2kGP2aLDCPkDTYbA3uHQQZTdyh4kDC401m2I-QdjGwj8eb5tMTclIvS8CPupLUbx-vSfcLgUB4oaovO01N4y2BWGirFtdj-Ghc/s1600/vomit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxTKiUOeuVSVXvH_N3eZ94ipIXIriWGhXvoME6ZD-F2kGP2aLDCPkDTYbA3uHQQZTdyh4kDC401m2I-QdjGwj8eb5tMTclIvS8CPupLUbx-vSfcLgUB4oaovO01N4y2BWGirFtdj-Ghc/s320/vomit.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: it’s perfectly OK to feel down in the dumps and overwhelmed. In fact,
it’s completely normal and totally deserved. Every writer spits a little piece
of soul into their Vomit Pile, and when she gets knocked back, skinned alive, and ripped
to shreds, it’s a total punch in the gut. So, by all means:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">wallow in
a little misery</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">pour a
small (MASSIVE) glass of cheap plonk – or that Jamaican coconut rum 90% proof you brought back from holiday 10 years ago</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">eat dessert-spoonfuls of sugar straight from the packet whilst those hot tears drip drip drip </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">blame
everyone else (because it’s totally someone else at fault)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">create a
pillow and blanket fort and hunker down with the rum and sugar</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">forget the
housework and family (sorry, who?)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">scream
into the mirror</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">shrivel up
in the tub</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">tell
yourself you should never write again and you were an utter fool to think you
could ever be a writer</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">have
imaginary conversations, with whomever, in which you convince the world that you obviously write as well as Patrick Ness
and this book should definitely go to auction where six-figure bids bounce around the room from all the big publishing houses</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cope
however you must, will, and can </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: give yourself a sharp, stingy slap round the face because that’s where
the depression has to end. No more misery, no more sugar, no more alcohol. A
couple of days, maybe even a week or two is enough then take back control and end
it. Pull on the boxing gloves and get back to work. You can and will become a
brilliant writer if you’re prepared to scramble out this angry pit of despair. No
famous author became famous for the giving up. No bestseller got to the top of
the charts because revisions came to an abrupt end. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Four</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: take a week or two off from writing, or at least from prodding and
poking Vomit Pile. Go to the bookstore (physical or virtual) or library and
load up on books – preferably bestsellers or new releases in the same category
and genre as Vomit Pile. AND READ THEM. Read, digest, analyse.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Write down
everything you know about the characters in the book to analyse the amount of
work gone into characterisation</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Write or
draw a picture of the world/town/house/room in which the character lives to
analyse the amount of work gone into world-building </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note down
what and when you smell, hear and feel something, then study how the words
evoked this</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4)</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Highlight
when you are overwhelmed with emotion then note down exactly what you felt and what
words, what moment set you off</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It might be that you
don’t have issues with some of these aspects in your own writing, but it doesn’t
mean you can’t improve upon what you have or you should stop studying how other
authors succeed in creating their magic. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Five</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: Write some other stuff. Blogs or magazine articles about anything –
maybe rejection, short stories, plot outlines for new novels, character
profiles. Absolutely anything and everything but not Vomit Pile. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Six</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: Crack on with some CPing or beta reading. This will always be one of
the most awesome and effective ways to learn how to accept criticism because dishing out
feedback and advice is a whole different ball game when you’ve been on the
receiving end. Plus, it teaches you how to ‘see’ your manuscript, your
sentences, and your structuring critically. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seven</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: After all the reading, critiquing, and studying, and the all important
time away from her, go to that toxic, green-glowing folder and whip out Vomit Pile. There she
is. In all her hideous, rejected ugliness. Now, if you can, send her to your
e-reader or print her in a different font than you're used to. Then read her. Uninterrupted. Aloud,
if you like. No pauses for analysis, no time-out to ask questions, no note-taking
or stunning and elaborate rainbow-effect highlighting. Just indulge that poor,
neglected beast for a moment and treat her like the book she is. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, write critically
and in detail about Vomit Pile. Really go for it. Cover all the elements of
the manuscript as if you were writing a book review for Goodreads or Amazon. How
did it make you feel? Was the writing smooth and the voice clear? Were there
any areas you lost interest or where you skipped sections? Were the characters
believable and well-defined, were their motivations obvious? Were the stakes
high enough to create enough tension and an addictive read? It’s going to be
hard because you know the background, but do your best.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eight</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: And finally, it’s time to re-read the feedback you’ve received and get
down to edits. And also the moment for you to refer immediately to the other sensational editing blogs on
this website! </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all, peeps, revisions
can be tough and rejection a nightmare. So give yourself a break, have some fun
and a little down time, and keep focused. Making your book shine was never
going to be easy. But snatch back those reins and kick Vomit Pile’s butt. Show the world that you're not a quitter and you can make this book better. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Kate Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05043513329083537213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-1923844810582404182016-08-12T00:24:00.000-04:002016-08-12T00:30:07.952-04:00FINAL EDITING CHECKLIST!!!<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>by Kim Long</b><br />
<br />
<br />
So I've revised, revised, and revised until I cannot revise
anymore. Plot holes have been filled, my MC’s arc is complete, my word
count is good, and everything is nice and shiny. FINALLY! So exciting to be done! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NOT. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SO.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
FAST.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now comes the drudgery. And by drudgery, I mean the tedious
task of final edits. There’s no quick way to do this. There’s no fun way to do
this. But, alas, no matter how many times I try and talk myself out of it, i.e. "I'm sure it's fine," or "It can't be that bad!" it needs to be done. I want my CPs and betas to focus on the big things, not little things that can detract from the story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so, I turn to my checklist and get to work.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: purple;">1. </span></b><i><b><span style="color: purple;">Thesis
Sentences.</span></b> </i></span>My MS is not a term paper or a legal brief, but it’s
surprising how much I still catch myself writing thesis sentences. An example: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">Kim wouldn’t give up yet. She looked
under the couch, tossing cushions left and right. After finding nothing but loose
change, she fell to her knees and crawled around the ottoman. Studying the
carpet fibers, she . . .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
You get the idea. “Kim wouldn’t give up yet” serves as the
thesis sentence that is then supported by specific examples. Stop it. Stop it.
Stop it! This sentence serves no purpose except to <i>tell</i> the reader what I’m about to specifically <i>show </i>them. I read every paragraph and delete most of these
sentences.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Notice I say most. In some cases, sentences like this exist,
but they are not thesis sentences. They’re used to quickly summarize info. “Slipping
out the back door, Jim noticed the street was quiet. He entered his car and headed to the bar.” That’s
fine because I’m not explaining anything more about the quiet street. I’m just
relating Jim’s actions to move along the plot, specifically to get him into his car. Technically, not a thesis sentence.
It can stay. (Though I’m not sure why I’d be writing about such boring info
anyway.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple;">2. </span><b><i><span style="color: purple;">Interior monologue questions.</span></i> </b>I came
across this point back in 2013 when I was working on my first manuscript. It
was around Pitch Wars time, and a mentor, Rae Chang, posted something on
twitter about how she was giving her mentees homework. First assignment?
Deleting their MC’s interior monologue questions. I was like, What? She linked
to this <a href="http://kidlit.com/2013/08/06/dont-ask-dont-tell/">article.</a> I read it and then went back to my manuscript. Holy Guacamole
did I do this! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started cutting and rephrasing, and I found that my
writing became crisper, tighter, stronger (yes, like the six-million dollar man). It really
forced me to make sure I had sufficiently related facts that supported whatever
question I wanted the readers to be asking themselves at that moment. Do some
questions deserve to stay? Of course. But I really look at each question and try and write
so there is no need for the MC to ask that question.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: purple;">3. <i>Was, There was/were</i></span></b><b><i><span style="color: purple;">.</span> </i></b>I always do a search for these words. It’s easy to fall back
on them when describing a scene, but with a little rephrasing or tweaking, I
find I can often display a more vivid picture. And it’s real simple to make the
switch. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Example:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">There were bookcases lining the
walls. An old, grandfather clock was in the corner. The safe was hidden behind
the painting.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>can be:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">Bookcases lined the walls. A
grandfather clock stood in the corner. Along the back wall, a painting
concealed a safe.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Same thing with, “The room was dark.” I’ll change it to “The
dark room” and continue from there. Or, “There was a knock at the door” will
become, <i>Knock.</i> Using italics will
denote it's a sound. Even, “A knock interrupted the conversation” or “Someone
knocked,” or, “A knock sounded.” Any of these are possibilities depending on
the context of the scene. More often than not, each will be stronger than the
“There was a knock.” I find that words like "was" used in this matter remove the reader from the scene, even if just a little.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple;"><i><b>4.</b> </i></span><b><span style="color: purple;"><i>Felt, Knew, Thought.</i></span> </b>This is another thing I do in drafts (apparently) and have to go back and fix. Very rarely
should my MC be using these words. It’s classic telling. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Example:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">Clarissa felt scared. She had never
been alone past ten o’clock. What if a robber came? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only does this use a question (blech, too easy), but it’s telling me how
she feels. Yawn. If this is an important point (and it must be or it wouldn’t
be here), I need to take the time to show Clarissa is scared. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">Clarissa flicked on all the lights.
As she passed the television, she paused, grabbed the remote, and powered it
up. Eyeing the stereo system in the corner, she darted to it and turned on her
I-pod. Music filtered through the house. She exhaled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="color: blue;">Better.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">With a firm nod, she visited her
parents’ office, kitchen, and bedrooms, turning on anything and everything that
could demonstrate the house was occupied. As she made her way back to the living
room, she grabbed her cell phone (just in case) and sunk into Dad’s
favorite chair. Now it was like her family was home too.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, this takes more words, but the
readers get to sympathize with Clarissa more, feel her angst, her concern,
rather than just being told that she’s scared. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And many times, I find I don’t even need to include such a
long scene to convey the emotion. I can add a, “She cringed,” or “she
rolled her eyes,” to convey what that character was feeling at the moment. The <i>Emotion Thesaurus</i> is a great resource
for finding actions that correlate with specific emotions. Highly recommend!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><i>5. Seemed and
appeared.</i></span></b> Somewhere down the road I read somewhere that “seemed” and “appeared” reduce tension and should be eliminated wherever
possible. Say no to, “The door appeared to crack open.” Make that door crack
open. No to, “He seemed to be getting closer.” It raises the tension if, “He was
getting closer.” Again, there are exceptions, but this is something I search
for and really look at to see if any appears or seems are necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: purple;"><i>5. Replied, Asked,
Questioned.</i></span> </b>We all look for ways to vary dialogue tags instead of “said.” I
know that “said” should be used more often than not, but it’s nice to add some
variety . . . until I finish my draft
and see that I have tons of “replied” “Interjected” and “added” and much fewer
uses of said. So, I do a find and replace for these words, which leads to . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: purple;">6. Prepositions and
Pronouns. </span></i></b>I’m better at these now. But I still find them. “Called out” can
be “called.” “Sat down” can be “sat.” “Stared
up at the sky” can be “Stared at the sky.” "Passed by" can be "passed." Essentially, to make sure I don’t
miss cutting an unnecessary preposition, I’ll do a search for the biggies: in,
out, down, up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For pronouns, for some reason I like saying this: “The three
of them walked down the road.” Seriously? I can’t just say “They”? “Looked at
herself in the mirror” is “Looked in the mirror.” Here too, I’ll do a search for
her, herself, him, himself. The “three of them” thing I *think* I’m finally conditioned
against so as not to do a search for “them,” but you never know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><b>7. Words I Love to
Overuse.</b> </i>T</span></span>his list will be different for every writer. For me, my
characters nod so much they’d nod their heads off if I let them. They sigh and
shrug a lot too. “Just” is a big one, and even if it’s in dialogue, there’s no
reason to have five “justs” on a page. Seriously, who would do that? Ahem. Anyhoo,
smile is one for me. Glance. Oh my, do my characters like to glance. Look and
stare too. One character in particular loved raising, arching, and cocking his
eyebrow. Widening eyes? Check. Bulging eyes. Yep. Mutter, mumble, and murmured
have become popular too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is all fine for drafts. The main thing is to get the
words down and then revise, and when I do revise in second or third drafts, a
lot of these do indeed fall by the wayside as I have developed tics for each
character or know better how to weave in other, more relevant actions. But it’s
always amazing how many of these I find in that final run-through. I really
have to shake my head, which, by the way, my characters also enjoy doing when
not slumping or sagging their shoulders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Usually, while writing, I’ll notice that I’m using a word an
awful lot. That’s when I start making a list so that when I’m finally, finally
done, I can run those through a search and replace. It works with phrases too.
This last manuscript had a kid “swinging his backpack” an awful lot while
another kid kept, “surveying the scene.” Heh. I’d noticed both while writing,
and then searched when I was done to reduce the number of those references.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">8. Spellcheck.</span></i></b> After all this tweaking,
I will do another spell check on the entire document, just in case during these
final edits I’ve screwed something up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;">9. Title and Header.</span></i> </b>I’ve
changed titles before and although I’ll fix the title page, I have forgotten to
change the title in the header. So, I’m including this here to make myself
remember to do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And that’s it! Now I can finally send this baby off to my
wonderful CPs, betas, or agent! Overall, I’d say it probably takes me a good week to
run through this checklist. It’s very tedious, especially when I get to the
find and replace words portion, and I get tired/my eyes glaze over as I marvel
at how many times I used the word “just” in a single manuscript. At that point,
I’ll stop and go back to it a different day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After I’ve done the above, I feel pretty
comfortable having other people look at my manuscript. There’s going to be
issues, sure, but, at the very least, the writing will be crisp so that my
readers are able to focus on plot, character development, theme, etc. and not
find the writing to be a distraction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hope reading about my edit checklist helps you with yours! If you have other things you, please share in the comments below!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Kim Long</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
@theSol23</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
Kim Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11049789852190211896noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-67467452377210436242016-08-08T09:00:00.000-04:002016-08-08T09:00:00.920-04:00F Words And Other Writing Mishaps<div>
Few writing rules have ever resonated with me more than this one:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Chop the filter words!</span></i></b></div>
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I credit New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard with opening my eyes to filter words, once upon a very long time ago. (FYI, for those who are unfamiliar with Susan, her <a href="http://susandennard.com/for-writers/">amazing blog</a> is like an online writer's manual, with tips on writing, revising, queries, synopses. It's crazy how much stuff she covers. ) Filter words are words (often verbs) that distance the reader from the character--in effect, they offer a world filtered through the character's eyes, rather than creating a direct picture for the reader to absorb himself/herself. Without these filter words, our language would be much more immediate and the reader would experience the actions/environment/emotions firsthand, as opposed to getting it second-hand from the character. Think of it this way: a friend tells you how spooky her experience at a haunted house was, OR that same friend walks you through the haunted house so that you can experience it along with her. Which example do you think would scare the pants off you?<br />
<br />
Filter words include see, hear, think, touch, wonder, realize, watch, look, seem, feel .....and many, many more. The list is not exhaustive.<br />
<br />
For example:<br />
<br />
1. Using a filter word: She <b><u>looked</u></b> elated, clapping her hands together and squealing in glee.<br />
<br />
Without a filter word: She clapped her hands together and squealed in glee.<br />
<br />
2. Using a filter word: The rain <b><u>seemed to</u></b> coat his skin until he glistened.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Without the filter word: Rain coated his skin until he glistened.<br />
<br />
3. Using a filter word: I <b><u>heard</u></b> thumps coming from the kitchen. I <b><u>felt</u></b> pure fright.<br />
<br />
Without the filter word: Thumps echoed in the kitchen. Pure fright washed over me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
As the third example above shows, without using filter words, you often have an opportunity to use more impactful verbs to convey the tone of the scene.<br />
<br />
Unless the filter words are critical to the meaning of the sentence, ditch 'em. They more than likely don't add anything to your narrative, and actually wind up preventing your reader from fully connecting with the main character.<br />
<br />
For a more in-depth read, <a href="http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/filter-words-and-distancing-point-of-view/">click here</a> for Susan Dennard's original post about filter words.<br />
<br />
Happy writing!<br />
<br /></div>
Jeanmarie Anayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15444097096666633756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-30072784584643813612016-08-01T10:44:00.000-04:002016-08-01T10:44:07.883-04:00Self-editing Checklist<div class="MsoNormal">
by <a href="http://www.brightonwalsh.com/" target="_blank">Brighton Walsh</a></div>
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As hundreds of hopefuls are gearing up for #PitchWars this
week, there has been lots of editing talk on the feed. How much is too much?
How do you know when to stop? What’s the best use of your time (hint: it’s not
#PimpMyBio)? What should you focus on first?</div>
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This year, I created a <a href="http://www.brightonwalsh.com/catch-all/" target="_blank">catch-all post</a> on my blog that has
many different topics listed—everything from crafting a synopsis, to getting
rid of crutch words, to a cheerleading post encouraging you to keep on keepin’
on. But the posts I want to focus on are some of the self-editing tips I’ve included, and add a few more to the list. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While it’s true that mentors are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>looking for perfection in the manuscripts that come our way, why
not give your manuscript a leg up if you can? Here’s the real truth: I’m going
to have my mentee do this homework anyway. So if it’s already done? Bonus
points for you! That means that on a MS that maybe has more
structural issues—deep edits that may take long enough to complete to make me nervous—but already has all this detail work done, I wouldn’t be hesitant to
take it on with the short two-month revision period. Not like I may if it needed deep work <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and
</i>needed an editing overhaul. Make sense? You doing the work ahead of time
means we have more opportunity to get into the thick of things and focus on Big
Issues. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are so many subjective reasons for mentors (and agents
and editors) to say no. Why give them an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">objective
</i>reason to do so? <o:p></o:p></div>
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So how do you do this? I have a handy checklist I go through
every time I finish a manuscript. The good news is the more you write and edit
using said checklist, the more of a habit you’ll build, and these edits will
start to come out <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">while</i> you’re
writing instead of after the fact. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Only my mentees have gotten this checklist, but I’m going to
share with you all because I like you and because you stopped by and checked
out my blog post. And because you’re all <a href="http://www.brightonwalsh.com/pitch-wars-2016-wishlist/" target="_blank">submitting to me</a> anyway. Right? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Read aloud</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a great place to listen for awkward phrasing, clunky
word choices or sentence structure, or unrealistic/stiff dialogue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Spell check</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Seems like a no brainer, but you wouldn’t believe how many
people don’t do this. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Check chapter headings for consistency</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Not just in numbers (1-20+, not skipping any), but in naming
(Chapter 1, Chapter One, One, etc).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Find and cut your filter words</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I have been preaching on this since I jumped on the feed
this year. Upload your MS into wordle.net (you have to have Flash player
installed, I believe, so if it’s not working, try that). Your biggest words are
the ones you use the most. They’re probably back, just, then, really, quite,
etc, and your MC names. Yes, even the names need to get slashed. You probably
don’t need half of them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Find and replace your distancing words</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Doing this will give you stronger sentences which will in
turn make your MS tighter. Felt, heard, saw, noticed, thought, realized, looked
are all words that distance the reader from your MC. Find every sentence that
has them and figure out a different, more powerful way to craft that sentence
without it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Adjective check</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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How many times do you classify your hero’s eyes with
something pretty and poetic? His ocean eyes. His whiskey eyes. His rainforest eyes. How about your heroine’s hair? Her mahogany hair. Her long, flowy
hair. You get my point. Mention it once, maybe twice, and then they’re just
eyes/hair/skin/whatever. I know the descriptions are pretty. But they still
need to go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Adverb check</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m putting this in here because some writers abuse this and
use way too many. But I’m gonna let you in on a secret: I love them and I use
them. That said, if you have fifteen on a page, you need to cull. Do a search
for –ly and find them, then make sure you can’t replace it with a stronger verb.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Redundant actions</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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You don’t need to say she shrugged her shoulders or he
nodded his head. She shrugged. He nodded. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Search and delete exclamation points</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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They’re overused and generally not even needed. Here’s a
tip: Find and replace them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all </i>with a
period. Then when you do a final read through, see what ones you need to add
back in. There probably won’t be many.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Creepily moving body parts</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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His hands roamed over her body. Her eyes rolled. Anchor them
to a person and reword for a stronger sentence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There's your handy dandy self-editing checklist! Now that you have it, are you worried you don’t have enough time to get this done before
the submission window closes? I don’t believe that, unless you’re a single
parent working three jobs. (In which case, kudos to you. You’re amazing.) You
have time. Use it to deliver the strongest MS you can.<o:p></o:p></div>
Brightonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046740548105136797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-33559315528919479862016-07-28T08:00:00.000-04:002016-07-28T08:00:33.948-04:00Do You Want to Become a Prolific Writer?<div class="MsoNormal">
I recently attended the Romance Writers of America
conference in San Diego, and while I was there, I went to a workshop called
“Being Prolific and Productive While Remaining Sane” with Robin Covington,
Laura Kaye, and Rebecca Zanetti as speakers. Guys, this was an eye-opener, so I
wanted to share some of the points that came up during their session.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, let me say, these ladies write crazy fast. Don’t be
scared by what I’m about to share ‘cause I’m telling you… This is insane. And,
yes, you might detect a little bit of envy from this post. Just sayin’…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robin said the book that took her the longest to write was
80,000 words. She wrote it in EIGHT weeks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I warned you…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The longest it took Laura to write a full-length book (about
80-90K) was four months.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fastest it took Rebecca to write a 95,000-word book was
ONE WEEK.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ready to pass out yet?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not everyone can write this fast, but you can train yourself
to write faster. Why would you want to?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Pros to Writing Fast:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-You can publish often.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-You’re always in the story. You don’t have to go back and
read the last scene or chapter you wrote, so you can jump right in and write.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-You can build a backlist quickly and make money off those
books.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Your publisher will continue to market all your books.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-You’ll rapidly build a readership.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Cons to Writing Fast:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-The expectation (from your publisher and readers) is that
you’ll continue to write fast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Promotion takes a lot of time, but you need to find a way
to fit that and writing into your day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Your deadlines will stress you out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-You might not make time to exercise or eat well, and your
health could suffer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Your family might forget who you are.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-You could cannibalize your own sales because your books
will compete against each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-You’ll get complaints from readers if you don’t produce as
often.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-You could burn yourself out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Want to learn how they do it? Check out some tricks on how
to be a prolific writer. I’ll post them on <a href="http://labelleseditorialservices.com/blog-chatterbox-chitchat/">my blog</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>August 9. See you then.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lynnette Labelle <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.labelleseditorialservices.com/">www.labelleseditorialservices.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.lynnettelabelle.com/">www.lynnettelabelle.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LynnetteLabelle">@LynnetteLabelle</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Lynnette Labellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227593491562480538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-91772481910198604822016-07-25T02:21:00.000-04:002016-07-25T02:21:03.644-04:00Speculative Fiction - What the heck is that?!Speculative Fiction is a term that can garner some debate in the publishing community. What exactly is it?<br />
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In general, it's an umbrella term that covers a lot of genres, such as Fantasy, Horror, SciFi, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Alternative History and the like. But with the rise of genre mash-ups, sometimes it's used to classify a story itself when it's too hard to pin down a specific genre. </div>
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An example of this is Holly Black's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/46604-curse-workers">Curse Worker Series. </a>This is an Alternative History as it's set in a world like ours, except that there are people called Curse Workers, and their existing has changed so much about history. So instead of convicts being sent to Australia, Curse Workers were. But when you look at what Curse Workers are, this isn't just about changing history. It's also about magic. That brings in a fantasy element. But wait - there's gansters too! When someone first talked to me about Curse Workers, they called it Speculative Fiction, and I believe that definition is apt. </div>
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Speculative fiction means you are speculating - what if? So for Curse Workers it's, what if there is a breed of people amongst humans who can deliver curses. </div>
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That 'what if' question is one that drives a lot of my writing, which is why I predominately write genres under the Speculative Fiction umbrella. </div>
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I'm going to talk about my very first book DIVIDED, if you haven't read it yet, and are planning to, look away now or you will see the ending....</div>
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Right, you've been warned. </div>
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The idea for <a href="http://www.cityowlpress.com/2015/08/divided.html">DIVIDED</a> came to me with the thought of 'What if a clone met her original's soulmate?' </div>
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Once that question rattled around in my head I couldn't get rid of it, so I started writing Mishca's story. The world in DIVIDED was built around these two people meeting for the first time. I needed to find a way for them to meet, so I had Mischa going to university and Colin (her original's soulmate) being her university professor. But then I also needed a reason her to be a clone, and the story took on a life of it's own from there. </div>
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Asking 'What if' can be such a powerful writing tool. And it can work for stories outside of the Speculative Fiction realm as well. One of my WIP is about 'what if' something had of happened to me as a teenager instead of as an adult, but it's a total contemporary. </div>
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Speculative Fiction lets your imagine run wild. you just have to ask yourself 'What if?' and go from there. </div>
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SM Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-70300511822397837452016-07-21T09:00:00.000-04:002016-07-21T09:26:57.592-04:00The Importance of Critique Partners ~ Kelly Siskind<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, writing isn’t a solo endeavor. The words may
originate in my mind and find their way onto the page, but I’d be lost without
my critique partners. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We are so invested in our words that it’s often impossible
to look at them objectively. The mere thought of losing a single line or
character or nuance is horrific, because we are <i>brilliant </i>and the story is <i>perfect
</i>and cutting even the smallest piece of our manuscript would be<i> tragic</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hell to the no.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is the time to
be ruthless. To cut and slash and burn the excess until you have a tidy package
covered in glitter and sparkles. Since such actions are tantamount to torture
for writers, critique partners become invaluable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When critiquing work for another writer, it’s important to
sandwich the negative between positive feedback. Start with what works, what
you absolutely LOVE, then explain what you feel needs improvement. Once
again, finish with some positive words. Honesty is the key. Critique
partners who blow rainbows up my butt do me no good. They are a hindrance to my
growth as a writer. The partners I work with point out issues with plot, pacing,
character development, voice issues, poor word choices, and typos.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n1r8ieqlbwwruSbpvKFpW4vNU0pCd45Gxckh9oS_nHeWXmjx7WeQSV3_d92RH2zlvX2Wva9oQez8AIFPLFJeeuL8tlEWGBPB9LCref76NjaxDzMX37ezKaRqFUjOiA4NxGzkT1ViU-9E/s1600/The+Joy+and+Grief+of+Reading+a+Critique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n1r8ieqlbwwruSbpvKFpW4vNU0pCd45Gxckh9oS_nHeWXmjx7WeQSV3_d92RH2zlvX2Wva9oQez8AIFPLFJeeuL8tlEWGBPB9LCref76NjaxDzMX37ezKaRqFUjOiA4NxGzkT1ViU-9E/s320/The+Joy+and+Grief+of+Reading+a+Critique.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Being open to the process is tantamount, but, inevitably,
when I read a critique, I go through the following stages of grief:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stage One: THIS PERSON IS A MORON
WHO DOESN’T GET MY STYLE OR KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT WRITING. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Stage Two: Okay…maybe she’s not
completely insane. There might be <i>one</i>
thing she’s right about.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stage Three: Yep. She is a
genius. I need to rip this sucker apart and glue it back together. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When attacking changes, remember that you don’t need to make
every fix suggested. A big part of becoming a writer is learning how and when
to trust your gut. This often comes over time. It’s still important to mull
over issues brought up by your partner, but that doesn’t mean you have to
follow suggestions blindly. I often sit with feedback for a while. I let the problems
marinate while I’m exercising or cooking, or doing anything but writing. Once I
have a sense of which things should be fixed, I make a to-do list. An order of
operations on how to attack the piece. Baby steps are the key.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I found my current critique partners through Pitch Wars. I
usually work with three people, not as a group, but we swap chapters or
manuscripts individually as needed. One reads, gives me feedback, I freak out, and
then I revise. I do this one or two more times with someone new. Once I’ve
revised the crap out of my piece, I give it to my agent, who offers her two
cents, and<i> then</i> it goes into my
editor. And guess what? I get to do content edits all over again! This is what makes
a good book great. Willingness to rework a piece is what being a writer is all about.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some other places to search for critique partners: Absolute
Write Water Cooler, Agent Query Connect, Ladies Who Critique, Romance Critters,
and Romance Writers of America. Even places like Goodreads and Wattpad have
forums through which you can find partners in your genre.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two important ground rules when choosing critique partners:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Swap first chapters before committing to a
longer relationship. Ensure your writing styles mesh.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span><!--[endif]-->Discuss length of time critiques should take. If
you need work back in a week or two, and someone can’t turn it around for a
couple of months, you won’t be a good fit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not only are critique partners vital for the success of my
manuscripts, but mine have become my closest friends—people who support me
during the ups and downs of this crazy business, something all writers need. I would be lost without them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Best of luck to you on all your writing endeavors!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kelly Siskind</div>
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Kelly is the author of CHASING CRAZY, MY PERFECT MISTACE,
and A FINE MESS, all
published through Grand Central’s Forever Yours. A small-town girl at heart,
she moved from the city to open a cheese shop with her husband in northern
Ontario. When she’s not neck deep in cheese or out hiking, you can find her,
notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around
in her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.kellysiskind.com/">www.kellysiskind.com</a></div>
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Kelly Siskindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10527284233579564809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-71288230192349315242016-07-14T07:40:00.000-04:002016-07-14T07:40:20.522-04:00On Big Magic, Creativity, and Loving Your Book
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I was going to write a post about polishing your manuscript
for PitchWars.</div>
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In fact I DID write that post and while it had some useful
tips, a lot of them have been covered in the PitchWars feed during discussions
this week. The article felt a little redundant, plus I wanted to write about
something else. Specifically, Elizabeth Gilbert’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Big Magic.</i></div>
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I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, so when my CPs first recommended
it, I resisted them. My fiction TBR list is already unmanageable.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Read it,</i> they
urged. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s food for the writer’s soul.</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Maybe later,</i> I
said, and read another YA thriller instead.</div>
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Then I had one of Those Weeks—the kind that makes you wonder
why you ever thought you could, or should, be a writer in the first place. When
all your ideas seem ten times worse than the worst idea anybody else has ever
had. I capitulated and bought <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Big Magic.</i>
And I’m glad I did.</div>
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Elizabeth Gilbert knows a few things about the creative
process, and she shares a lot of wisdom in this book. But the thing that struck
me most came toward the end: an anecdote about an aspiring artist who was invited to a
costume party. He misread the invitation and showed up dressed as a
lobster at a glittering medieval court ball. The artist debated turning
(literal, red) tail and going home, but instead he braved the stares, joined
the party, and had a great time.</div>
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Why did that resonate so much? I think because at almost
every stage of the publishing journey, all writers are convinced their book is
the lobster in a room full of ball gowns. When first you
start querying. When you reply to a full request. When your soon-to-be agent sets
up The Call, and you convince yourself that this busy professional is taking
time out of her day to explain over the phone why you should never, ever
become a writer.</div>
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When you’re on submission. When you’re revising for your
editor. When you have to wrestle your next book idea into a synopsis (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shudder</i>. Sorry, flashback). When your
debut launches. And so on.</div>
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If we gave in to these fears and held our creation back all
its vulnerable imperfection, a lot of wonderful books would never be born.</div>
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As Gilbert writes, “You must stubbornly walk into that room,
regardless, and you must hold your head high. You made it; you get to put it
out there. Never apologize for it, never explain it away, never be ashamed of
it … You were invited, and you showed up, and you simply cannot do more than
that.”</div>
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So when the PitchWars submission window arrives, go ahead
and send your work into the world. Don’t miss the party. Wave your giant foam
claws in the air and be proud of what you made. It’s beautiful and uniquely
yours.</div>
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Also, get rid of filter words. (Had to get that original
article in there somewhere).</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14781755711108672729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-62181600474871086512016-07-11T09:00:00.000-04:002016-07-11T09:00:25.310-04:00Why Romance?<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16pt;">by <a href="http://www.brightonwalsh.com/" target="_blank">Brighton Walsh</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumad58UqjLVZtr3zkmq7Foa5Bn5Rq-7rM9wtkTFPadPqFPnkc_QH2niwovVWMw5llNj1IBmQrRipGpTSxbRCkvVf2v01L8GVFuWIBos4jcLnEmgsKrzSxCgc11MipW32AKoOdtiNRgNk/s1600/Fotolia_48164774_Subscription_Monthly_XL_jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumad58UqjLVZtr3zkmq7Foa5Bn5Rq-7rM9wtkTFPadPqFPnkc_QH2niwovVWMw5llNj1IBmQrRipGpTSxbRCkvVf2v01L8GVFuWIBos4jcLnEmgsKrzSxCgc11MipW32AKoOdtiNRgNk/s320/Fotolia_48164774_Subscription_Monthly_XL_jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I get asked a lot why I write romance instead of
one of the dozens of other genres out there. Why not fantasy or sci-fi or
mysteries? (I get this especially from my oldest: “Can’t you write a
non-kissing book?” No. No I cannot.) My simple answer is because I love love. I
love reading about it and writing it. There is something magical and
exhilarating about those first looks, first touches, first kisses. Imagine what
it was like to fall in love for the first time. Now imagine getting to feel
that over and over and over again without ever leaving the comfort of your
couch. Romance leaves me breathless and happy. But that's not where it ends for
me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I read and write romances because I <i>need</i> to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the world is pretty damn scary, and
it doesn’t appear to be getting better anytime soon. It seems like every time I
log onto Twitter, I’m reminded of another tragedy that’s happened. It’s a
dystopian novel right in my timeline. I see enough horror in every day life. I
don’t need to have it in my books, too. Not when those books are supposed to be
an escape for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">That’s the amazing thing with romance novels… You can have a thousand
different stories—contemporary, historical, paranormal, suspense. You can be
taken on twists and turns, you can have your heart ripped out in the middle of
the book, but the one thing you can bank on? Those characters are getting a
Happy Ever After. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">If there’s no HEA, it’s no romance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Having that comfort there, knowing that when all is said and done, my
main characters are going to be happy and together, makes everything else okay.
I don’t have to flip to the back of the book to make sure the heroine isn’t
going to die or to make sure the couple doesn’t end up with two other people. You
can go to any other genre and gamble with the endings if that’s your bag. Maybe
you like having your heart ripped out and torn to shreds. I don’t, and that’s
why I rarely—if ever—stray from this genre. And i</span><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: 21px;">t might be a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but it's important to me to know I can provide an escape to someone else who's looking for it—or maybe who desperately </span><i style="font-size: 21px;">needs </i><span style="font-size: 21px;">it—with the books I write.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">So while this 1.4 billion dollar industry—the highest earning and double what the next genre (crime/mystery) is at 728 million—gets looked down upon because
it’s “silly” or “predictable,” I’ll be over here getting lost in a book that
might make me cry along the way, but I know will give me the HEA I desperately
need before it’s over. I'll end that book with a smile on my face and my heart happy. </span></div>
Brightonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046740548105136797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-90866991676302897312016-06-30T03:01:00.000-04:002016-06-30T03:01:00.474-04:00Polish Your Opening Lines with 8 on Eight! <br />
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Today’s magic number is … <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: white;">34</i></span>. </div>
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Why?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because that, my friends, is the number of days until the
Pitch Wars submission window goes live!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*insert long,
dramatic pause to let that reality sink in*</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Hopefully, right now you’re feeling like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsW48cTgN83DCqAJBOtMAgQF8MvHuBn_rZNq48Sm92Tmz1S1AduiJXUTJqwrVFoOgKQP8P7doQQxXZniNKgHo2TJK3fZv_sjkEi6u74Tz4FIK2PrEJjxyWe9s4z3ekDd_MWoJpp9rjm6Q/s1600/excited.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsW48cTgN83DCqAJBOtMAgQF8MvHuBn_rZNq48Sm92Tmz1S1AduiJXUTJqwrVFoOgKQP8P7doQQxXZniNKgHo2TJK3fZv_sjkEi6u74Tz4FIK2PrEJjxyWe9s4z3ekDd_MWoJpp9rjm6Q/s320/excited.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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And like this:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDACd-BOHR9KtIDB4tNjOtS7_IA_tnP2M4Ry_H6Mu-6sY8CYoi25szFaIJH0uQ845sjxCLVRa6pPxfArQjVcnPigokC58MyVVfno7o5ey8eJNzNUrSVzE-Vowr-bHZKOzd35olFYVr2j8/s1600/Confident.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDACd-BOHR9KtIDB4tNjOtS7_IA_tnP2M4Ry_H6Mu-6sY8CYoi25szFaIJH0uQ845sjxCLVRa6pPxfArQjVcnPigokC58MyVVfno7o5ey8eJNzNUrSVzE-Vowr-bHZKOzd35olFYVr2j8/s320/Confident.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But if you are human, the idea of entering your manuscript in Pitch Wars probably makes
you feel something more like this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KEbK4BdzQhUMFoBvf4rqDKohg4QLJPRLb38ho4IQM7vOb25jBCCQ95SQTEuszd2tCHH79yRfaDcmePrd5ql3I4_vLTIRYDNSJVWL8xAWW7me3cYJIc8pd6t_KzJjwdQajMiiH04zIgA/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KEbK4BdzQhUMFoBvf4rqDKohg4QLJPRLb38ho4IQM7vOb25jBCCQ95SQTEuszd2tCHH79yRfaDcmePrd5ql3I4_vLTIRYDNSJVWL8xAWW7me3cYJIc8pd6t_KzJjwdQajMiiH04zIgA/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
And when you start thinking about what a huge opportunity it is, the pressure only increases. Over 40% of the 2015 mentees have signed with agents and new contracts are being inked all the time. With over 1600 entries last year, the competition is fierce. And writing a killer opening is more important than ever.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyluCNSySQ9yjcg5eJ70VEh1jzA2o8TNXpskTIjJ3Cx1YMtw3_qI18do0O82Y3bL0Vr7d6oV2QduG5h5-mmJeQaEeBmdn5qdJiBQhE8Jm8-MeouGnpdCM1zA7_tiKWDvWBXdts_Mrc1M/s1600/eight-on-eight-2-392x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyluCNSySQ9yjcg5eJ70VEh1jzA2o8TNXpskTIjJ3Cx1YMtw3_qI18do0O82Y3bL0Vr7d6oV2QduG5h5-mmJeQaEeBmdn5qdJiBQhE8Jm8-MeouGnpdCM1zA7_tiKWDvWBXdts_Mrc1M/s200/eight-on-eight-2-392x1024.jpg" width="76" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, the good folks over at <a href="http://www.thewingedpen.com/">The Winged Pen</a> (including yours truly) are hosting a contest on July 1<sup>st</sup> to help one lucky kidlit
writer (PB, MG, or YA) polish his or her opening eight lines*.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To enter <a href="http://thewingedpen.com/eight-on-eight/">8
on Eight</a>, simply keep an eye on <a href="http://thewingedpen.com/">The
Winged Pen blog</a> and leave a comment when the contest goes live. If your
name is randomly drawn from the Triwizard cup at 8pm on July 1st, at least 8
Winged Pen members will provide feedback on your first eight lines. For more
information, read about the contest <a href="http://thewingedpen.com/eight-on-eight/">here</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
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Good luck! <br />
<br />
*Winning this contest is no guarantee that you'll be selected for Pitch Wars, but getting feedback from 8 serious writers surely can't hurt. And please remember that even if you don't win 8 on Eight or go on to become a 2016 mentee, Pitch Wars can still be a powerful––and enjoyable––opportunity to build a community and support your fellow writers.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFbzX5QTD2CBjzNOdTfFeq16cRCZV84NnWZkC-DR0x_NzQD_RKKsI1iIA9whV_0o4IJmUI4UB1u3qiCl4KpftiVXn0YB_4KrZN6f35-FlMPHaq6rXK7IpWXJWINSqfViWG-sc5kRsQ-Y/s1600/Jessica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFbzX5QTD2CBjzNOdTfFeq16cRCZV84NnWZkC-DR0x_NzQD_RKKsI1iIA9whV_0o4IJmUI4UB1u3qiCl4KpftiVXn0YB_4KrZN6f35-FlMPHaq6rXK7IpWXJWINSqfViWG-sc5kRsQ-Y/s200/Jessica.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 18px;">Jessica Vitalis is represented by Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch. An active member of the literary community, she volunteers as a </span><a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/pitch-wars/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1abc9c; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">Pitch Wars</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 18px;"> mentor, with the </span><a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.org/mission-statement/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1abc9c; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">We Need Diverse Books</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 18px;"> campaign, and contributes to two blogs: </span><a href="http://writingwithmentors.blogspot.com/2016/01/welcome-to-home-of-mentors.html?showComment=1452076371095" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1abc9c; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">Writing With The Mentors</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 18px;"> and </span><a href="http://www.thewingedpen.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1abc9c; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">The Winged Pen</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 18px;">. When she’s not pursuing her literary interests, Jessica can be found chasing her two precocious daughters around Atlanta, Georgia (or eating copious amounts of chocolate). She’d love to connect on Twitter at </span><a href="https://twitter.com/jessicavitalis" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1abc9c; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">@jessicavitalis</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09692425400433889268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-42990797713184761992016-06-27T10:43:00.000-04:002016-06-27T10:43:24.810-04:00Finding and Working with a Mentor<div class="MsoNormal">
By <a href="https://susangrayfoster.wordpress.com/">Susan
Gray Foster</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LRTRnDU78ka1njpQY92SoZ1cTGvvQOS4NarV5563R_6vEqZWAGTFhak-JXCd0-JT2t4W491fPnSbbuRCgCEwSMN-Bqeo6-SSUNrfHanV5vknFFObUq6MwTBIcHdvhDccteS5BAqzykZ4/s1600/Monica+and+Susan+1.16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LRTRnDU78ka1njpQY92SoZ1cTGvvQOS4NarV5563R_6vEqZWAGTFhak-JXCd0-JT2t4W491fPnSbbuRCgCEwSMN-Bqeo6-SSUNrfHanV5vknFFObUq6MwTBIcHdvhDccteS5BAqzykZ4/s320/Monica+and+Susan+1.16.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My mentor and co-mentor, <span style="text-align: start;">Mónica, and I met up on a beach in Florida.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/pitch-wars/">Pitch Wars</a>
2016 is just around the corner! One of the best features of the Pitch Wars
contest is that writers get the opportunity to work with mentors who help them
strengthen their manuscripts before submitting to agents. Best of all, writers can
choose which mentors to apply to. That way, if they are selected as mentees,
they know they’ll be working with someone whose opinions they value.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So how does one go about deciding which mentors to apply to,
and how, exactly does having a Pitch Wars mentor work? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Since I had the tremendous good fortune to be selected as a
mentee in 2014 and as a co-mentor in 2015, I thought I could share some tips
from both sides of the Pitch Wars experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>***Opinions are mine;
please refer to <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/pitch-wars/">Brenda Drake’s
website</a> for all official <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/pitch-wars/">Pitch
Wars</a> rules, information, and guidelines.***</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<b>How to choose<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The process begins when mentors’ wish lists go live on July
20. <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/">Brenda’s website</a> will have links
to all the mentor blogs, and each mentor will post a brief bio and detailed information
about what categories and genres they are seeking, taste preferences,
expectations, and other useful tidbits. So, of course step one is to read the
mentor wish lists! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You will definitely want to take notes, and using a
spreadsheet or some sort of organizational system will help track mentor
information. You can immediately narrow your mentor list to those seeking the
category and genre you write. (Seems obvious, but there are always a few wasted
entries submitted to someone not mentoring that genre.) If a mentor mentions
special interest in something specific that your manuscript has (could be
horses, a particular period setting, LGBTQ, rare fairy tale retellings, etc.),
that’s a strong indicator that they might be a good choice for you. Mentor
wishlists may also discuss mentoring style, and you may get a sense of personality.
In addition, some mentors take part in Workshops (on <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/">Brenda’s website</a>), and Live Chats.
These are great sources of information about the mentors and their styles and
personalities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><strike>Stalking</strike> Researching<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Once you have a “short list” of potential mentors who are
seeking the type of manuscript you’re writing, you will probably want to do a
bit of stalking on twitter and/or other social media sites and blogs to find
out more. You can check out any books mentors have published or that will be
coming out, who their agents are, and who they’ve mentored in previous years.
All these tidbits may leave your head spinning, which is where a good
note-keeping system can be a huge help.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Finally, for mentors who have been involved with Pitch Wars (or
other contests) in previous years, I highly recommend checking out their
previous entries. This is what lead me to apply to the person who ultimately
became my mentor (and now co-mentor) <a href="http://monibw.blogspot.com/">Mónica
Bustamante Wagner</a>. I loved the writing and concept of her previous year’s
entry, and I figured that if we had similar taste in that respect, then there
was a better chance that she would like my manuscript. Furthermore, I felt I
could confidently rely on her judgement, knowing that she had similar values in
terms of story and writing style. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Now what?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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So you’ve applied to carefully-selected mentors, and you’ve waited
through the grueling weeks until the mentor picks are revealed, and—HURRAY!!—you’ve
been selected as a Pitch Wars finalist! Now your mentor will provide you with
feedback to help you take your manuscript to the next level.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I was beyond thrilled when I received feedback from my
mentor, Mónica; I knew, immediately, that she had discovered the key to
fixing an issue that had been plaguing my manuscript and preventing me from
moving forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Communication<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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But what if your mentor suggests something you don’t agree
with? At some point in the revision process, Mónica advised me that my
characters “laughed” too much and suggested that I could substitute the word, “chuckle.”
But, for me, the word, “chuckle” has very specific connotations: an old man can
chuckle, but my MC would never chuckle! The word didn’t fit my manuscript’s
voice, in my opinion. Timidly, I explained this to Mónica. And of course
she replied with something like, “Okay, no problem, just find other ways to fix
your overuse of ‘laugh.’”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe communication is the key to a successful mentor-mentee
relationship. Don’t understand a suggestion? Communicate. Wondering when you’ll
get notes? Communicate. Disagree with something? Communicate. Confused by what
other mentees are saying? Communicate. Completely and utterly freaking out
about everything? Communicate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Respect<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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At the same time, mentors have varying communication styles
and schedules, and it’s also important to be respectful of your mentor’s time. Communicating
every time you’re unsure of where to put a comma would probably be a bit much. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Your mentor selected your manuscript from among the many
they received, and they are volunteering their time because they believe in you
and your manuscript and want to help you move forward with your writing dreams.
By respecting your mentor’s time and effort, and communicating honestly, you
can make the most of your Pitch Wars experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Questions or tips about finding and working with a mentor?
Please add a comment!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
susangrayfosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436899489472526799noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-80023859665220111242016-06-20T08:00:00.000-04:002016-06-20T08:11:27.992-04:00Parting Ways with an AgentSigning with a literary agent is one of the many exciting steps a writer can take toward publication. Unfortunately, the truth remains that some writers will eventually part ways with their agent, whether for good or for not-so-good reasons. Often, this isn't a process we talk about, so despite the fact that a good many writers experience it, we end up feeling quite alone in the experience. Below, we've compiled quotes from writers who've had to part ways with their agents, in the hopes that you find some solace in the advice and encouragement if you are going through this (though we sincerely hope you find the most perfect of perfectest of agents the first time around!).<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">While collecting quotes, it was interesting to note that there are some <u>common themes</u> throughout. Even if you are <b>unagented</b>, we absolutely encourage you to read through each of these. There is some wonderful advice in here about what to ask agents <i>before</i> you sign with them.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #ca3088; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"It took me so long to get an agent the first time (5 manuscripts!) that for a long time I tried to ignore my mounting feelings that it was time to move on. I was terrified that the first agent was the ONLY person in publishing who would ever connect with my work. But when I finally realized I had to - for a combination of reasons, including communication issues, editorial feedback that didn't resonate, and multiple manuscripts not selling - it was such a relief to move forward and be proactive again. I was fortunate enough to get a new agent within a couple weeks of querying. Not everyone is so lucky. But I encourage people who are miserable with their agents to think about whether they're better off staying in a miserable situation or taking the leap and perhaps being without an agent for a while."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"You never know what an agent-writer relationship is like until you’ve gone through it. My relationship with my previous agent worked until it didn’t. I left my agent because I knew what was in my heart: that I was no longer a priority. It was the only way I could finish the WIP I had stalled on. Leaving took courage. I didn’t know if I could get another agent again and how long it would take. The self-doubt was crippling and the second time in the query trenches felt worse, but in reality, it was a better request rate, etc. My advice to a writer thinking about leaving their agent is to go with your gut and be professional."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"I parted ways with my agent because, time and time again, she was not enthusiastic about anything I wrote after that first manuscript. It was terribly disheartening, and it went on for years. S/he would not submit a manuscript s/he didn't like, which meant my career came to a halt for 18 months. By the end, I felt like I was writing to please him/her rather than myself--and still s/he didn't like it! After finally parting and adding the revisions I wanted to my manuscript, I received a huge amount of interest when I queried and was fortunate enough to, again, have a lot of options. This time around I signed with the agent who I felt was not necessarily the best match for my one project, but the best match for me as an author."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #385723; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">"Leaving my agent was both terrifying and empowering, scary and freeing. After more than a year of working with this person to take my books to that next level, I was going back to square one: once again in the query trenches, asking more agents to take a chance on me and my books. I was told it's easier your second time around, but even with that introduction--"I'm looking for new representation after amicably parting ways with my first agent"--I got a mixed reaction from agents. It's not a guaranteed request, because in the end it's up to your book to grab an agent's attention. I know that without my critique partners and close writer friends at my back every step of the way, I would likely never have been brave enough to start over and try again."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">"The best advice I've ever received on working with an agent is that the agent should make writing easier for you, not harder. It took me a long time to come to terms (2 manuscripts and 1 1/2 years) with the fact that my agent was perhaps not the "perfect" agent for me. Parting ways was a difficult, but ultimately very healthy decision. We parted very mutually, with the understanding that the writing I was producing was very different from what I had been offered representation for. It was time for me to find an agent that had the same vision for my writing career that I did."</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">“I left my last agent after I had been with them for about nine months and had been on submission with one book. It was basically friendly, and I'd tell anyone wanting to query this agent that they would be great for authors with slightly different career goals, but we weren't on the same page. Ultimately, it's hard to tell how you're going to work together in the long term, based only on email and maybe a phone call or two (although I do think there were questions I should have asked and didn't, I was so glad to have the offer).</span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">My first indication that things weren't going the way I hoped came when we were on sub. We had very different ideas about which publishers to submit to (namely, whether to include digital imprints and very small presses on the first round) and, while my agent agreed to only submit to the publishers I was enthusiastic about, I later found out they had submitted to publishers I had specifically asked them to wait on.</span><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">I definitely wouldn't recommend parting ways with an agent who is enthusiastic about your career just because your first book doesn't sell, but in my case, when that first book didn't sell, I didn't get the vibe that my agent was excited about the next book. They wanted to keep subbing the same book, where I was ready to shelve it and focus on my recently-completed book 2. Both are legit strategies, but what it came down to was that we didn't agree.</span><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">When I started feeling like my second book wasn't going to be given a lot of love, I initially gave myself a week to think about it. If I still felt that way at the end of the week, I would terminate the contract. I ended up only waiting about four days, though, because the thought of QUERYING, of all things, made me excited about my career in a way I hadn't been in a very long time. If the thought of being in the query trenches actually makes you happy, it's probably a good sign your relationship with your agent isn't working.</span><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">Parting ways itself was extremely painless. My former agent was professional about it and responded to my request quickly. I spent the next few weeks polishing up Book 2, and jumped back into querying with a much better idea of what I was looking for this time around. In the end, I ended up with multiple offers from some amazing agents, and a very hard--but exciting--choice to make!</span><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">If you're thinking about leaving your agent, the best advice I can give you is to trust your gut. Does talking to your agent about your career leave you feeling enthusiastic and reassured, or stressed and frustrated? If you have friends who are with different agents, how do you feel when you talk to them? Do you feel that your agent is doing as much (if not necessarily in all the same ways) for you? How do you feel when you imagine being represented by someone else? Being back in the trenches? Being unagented for awhile? For me, at least, the answers were pretty easy once I decided to listen to my heart. Again, if a prospective client were to ask me about my former agent, I would have a lot of GOOD things to say as well. But it ultimately wasn't a good fit, and I'm glad that I took that leap, and eventually found an agent who is more in tune with my career goals.”</span></span><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">A few pieces of advice for querying writers: ask how the agent anticipates going on submission (print deals vs digital-first or digital-only; which publishers you'll sub to and for how many rounds), have the agent tell you specifically what they liked about your book and discuss revision ideas (how they respond to what they liked about your book might give you an idea for it they will like your writing voice across multiple books), tell them about other book ideas you have and see if they are interested, and ask who else in the agency will be involved (will there be interns or assistants who will read your work? other agents who will act as support and advisers?. The answers to these questions and your comfort level with them will vary writer to writer, and that's okay, but it's still a good idea to ask!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">"I've left two agents since 2014. Both
times, I had a gut-deep feeling that it was what I needed to do. Querying after
leaving the first agent helped me find the second one pretty quickly, but it
also caused me to rush my decision and choose wrong again. My takeaways were
this: don't choose an agent for star power, and don't choose one just because
you like him/her as a person. It's a business relationship, so choose the
person whose vision for your work aligns most closely with yours, and who
doesn't mind telling you what the plan is to sell your book(s). Communication
is of supreme importance."</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">"While my former agent was as sweet as pie and
checked all the boxes for enthusiasm, we weren't the best match professionally.
My biggest concern was communications. In my corporate life, I work for a
handful of clients. It's expected that I respond to communications same day.
With agents, their "handful of clients" is quite larger, so responses
may take longer, but my former agent once required three nudges, across a total
of 8 weeks to respond to a pertinent email. I had a situation similar to this
multiple times. We discussed the situations on the phone, but, unfortunately,
her communication skills didn't improve. Another concern I had was her tenacity
as an agent. She's was my avenue to an editor/elusive book deal, but she didn't
have the drive I was hoping for, an example being our submission period of
close to a year with only responses from a third of the editors she pitched. I
personally didn't want her to simply knock on doors, I wanted her to knock them
down. With a new manuscript, I made the scary decision to find an agent better
suited for my career goals, and I'm truly blessed to have found my current
agent. In just over a year of being together, she's secured me 3 book deals
with 2 major houses, along with a TV option." </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">“It probably took me
longer to part with my agent than it should have, as I had a niggling feeling
for quite sometime that things weren't quite working. I adored my agent as a
person, but the business side of things just wasn't working. It was one of the
hardest things to do (and scary!), but I owed it to myself to try and get my
career on a more even keel. When I left, I had the prerequisite terror about
entering the query trenches. At the time, I went through some hefty personal
issues, so I put a query or two out, then stopped to deal with life stuff.
Several months passed before I sent another few queries out and I ended up with
3 offers. However, it was perhaps one of the most anxious periods of being a
writer. Giving up a sure thing for the unknown. But I absolutely recommend it
to writers who just don't feel that their author/agent relationship is working.
Be brave.”</span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">"I
knew I wanted to part ways with my first agent a year before I did. She was
uncommunicative and ineffective, and terse and snarky when I did manage to get
a hold of her. But I hesitated for so long because I was afraid I wouldn't be
able to find someone else who'd want to represent me. But I shouldn't have been
scared. I shouldn't have waited. I found a new agent<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="aqj">two months later</span>. The fact is, by having that first agent, you've
already been vetted. Yeah, technically you can include "seeking new
representation" in your query's subject line, but I didn't in my new
query.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>If your writing got you one agent, your writing will get you
another.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> So don't let fear hold you back from biting the
bullet. Having no agent is far better than having an agent who's stagnating your
career. Even if the worst happens — even you don't find a new agent — any
option is better than an agent who ignores you or doesn't prioritize your work.
Remember, self-publishing is not just a fallback option these days. You are
your own biggest advocate. Above all else, it's up to you to figure out how to
connect with an audience. And just because publishing is slow as molasses
doesn't mean you have to be. Don't let fear slow you down."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Other helpful resources:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dailydahlia.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/jumping-back-into-the-trenches/" target="_blank">Jumping Back into the Trenches</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dailydahlia.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/some-truths-about-life-after-agent/" target="_blank">Some Truths About Life After Agent</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2016/01/on-parting-ways-with-literary-agents-by.html?spref=tw" target="_blank">On Parting Ways with Literary Agents </a></span><br />
<br />
*If you've parted ways with an agent and are interested in adding a professional, anonymous quote of your own, please feel free to contact us!*</div>
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Juliana L. Brandthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15903360100714298208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-22970922530130834422016-06-17T08:00:00.000-04:002016-06-17T08:00:08.003-04:00The Art of Killing Characters<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">by <a href="http://katiebucklein.blogspot.com/">Katie Bucklein</a></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">It's no secret
if you know me or my books that I kill characters, and I enjoy doing it. But
something I've learned over the years of writing, over years of reading books
and watching movies and TV shows that have deaths abundant, is that there is an
art to killing characters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is a
difference between killing characters for shock value, and killing characters
to further the plot. And there's a fine balance between them that many don't get
right. I can promise I didn't understand it when I first started out writing,
and it took some trial and error to understand when and how a character should
be killed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">There's that
old saying that if you don't know where to go in a manuscript, kill a
character. I disagree. While killing a character could definitely throw a
wrench in your narrator's story and untangle a plot knot, killing characters
every time you encounter a plot knot would likely result in a manuscript riddled
with deaths. And by killing characters that often, you risk causing your reader
to no longer worry over or care for your characters' plights. I remember seeing
someone I follow on Twitter talk about how often characters are killed in TV
shows nowadays, and that it's lost its shock value. You go into a speculative
fiction book or show or movie, and immediately begin to wonder who is going to
die first, and how. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think a lot
of this arises from Game of Thrones. It's no secret that GoT is infamous for
killing characters, often in gruesome ways, but there comes a point when a
character is killed and you simply just shrug. "I saw it coming when I
started watching," you may think, and move on with your day. (Not counting
Jon Snow's death, because holy painful.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Killing
characters for shock value is not enough anymore. You shouldn't create a
character for the sole purpose of killing them. While you can know from the
get-go that the fate of this character is death, they absolutely must serve a
larger purpose to the plot, and their death absolutely must impact
your other characters, the world, and/or the plot (bingo if it's all three!).
Shock value is never a reason you should have for killing a character. Shock
value only gets you so far. Lopping off the head of a character just for kicks is pointless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Before I get into
examples of good ways/times to kill a character, I want to share some advice
from one of my critique partners. He and I have had many conversations about
the art of killing characters, and he always has brilliant things to say. So
directly from the mouth of <a href="https://twitter.com/theDMatthews" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Dylan Matthews</span></a>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I
think it's less important <i>that</i> they die compared to <i>how</i> they
die. Many years ago, nobody killed off characters. Now its en vogue because GoT
and Walking Dead and a bunch of other popular media. It's almost to the point
where <i>not</i> killing characters is cool again. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">At this
point, readers are wary. The only way you can shock them with a death is to
kill an important character. If you set up a character with the intention of
them to die, then they're going to have a pretty complete arc - something that
SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN WITH CHARACTERS WHO DIE. Seriously, that's the biggest
thing for me. What saddens me about deaths is the potential of those
characters. Say one of the characters is a prodigy who is bound to do great
things. Important to the story, valuable, and has limitless potential. Then,
unexpectedly, he's killed off. It's all that unfilled potential that really
makes me cry. But seriously, isn't that what makes death sad in real life?
All the things they were capable of accomplishing but never had the chance to?
So many side characters that are destined to die aren't fleshed out. They're
never vital to the story because if they were, the writer wouldn't kill them
off. However, if the writer <i>were </i>to kill them off, it would
plunge the story into a whole new direction. Writers don't do that. That's why
their deaths aren't terribly sad.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Killing characters is
cool in the writer's mind. But readers nowadays are expecting people to die,
and they're looking for characters who have the potential to be knocked off. If
I was giving advice, I'd say don't foreshadow a death, don't mock up a
character from the start with the intention of having them die, don't kill off
characters to make your story edgy, and kill off the character sooner than you
want to (as in, if you slate him to die in chapter 20 with the big battle
scene, kill him in 15 somehow - one, so the characters have to adjust
without that that guy, and two, because nobody's expecting him to die in 15
with the scene in 20 looming). </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Best way to put it? Only
if it shocks the writer will it shock the reader. The reader's going to see the
set-up otherwise." </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, with that in mind, I'll end with some good ways to kill
characters: </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">1) A character
shouldn't die from old age. A lot of people won't view this as sad, since it's
just a natural course of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">2) Never have
them complete all of their goals before they die. It's painful and
heartbreaking when a character isn't able to fulfill their goals, whether that
be to fall in love, save the world, or find the final object they need to break
the curse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">3) Make sure
they have strong relationships with at least one other character. It'll be
sadder for the surviving character--and thus the reader--to say goodbye when
they're not ready to let go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">4) Make them
fight against what ultimately kills them. If the villain succeeds in killing
the hero, chances are you'll cause a few shed tears. (We all remember when
Augustus Waters died, right?) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">5) (Reiterating what Dylan said) Don't let
them reach the end of their character arc. Kill them before they complete the
journey they're on.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">6) If you're going to kill a minor character, ensure that the reader knows something about them, even a small thing. That guard who gets killed by an arrow shot over a castle wall? Introduce him earlier on in the story (with a defining feature if he's a nameless character) and make sure we see him talking with his little brother, the two of them smiling and joking. When his death is witnessed by the narrator of that story/scene, make sure they recall seeing him with his little brother. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of course, not every death must leave an impact on the reader. Think of Lord of the Rings. If every character who dies in the Battle of the Hornburg was well-known to us and meant to cause an emotional impact, we'd have sensory overload and likely lose interest in the movie right then and there. (But can you imagine Legolas dying? Or Gimli?! THE HORROR. <i>That </i>would <i>definitely </i>cause me to shed a few tears.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">My final piece
of advice is this: There are fates worse than death. Being able to
find and hone those fates will make the story all the sweeter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Katie Buckleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17235511655412915701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-13872821338442823472016-06-15T08:00:00.000-04:002016-07-10T12:39:48.087-04:00The Do's and Don'ts of Twittering During Pitch Wars<div class="MsoNormal">
by <a href="http://www.brightonwalsh.com/" target="_blank">Brighton Walsh</a></div>
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Pitch Wars is a nerve-racking time for many a writer. It’s
hard to know what to do, what not to do, how often to do it, and what the
general etiquette is surrounding conversation with the mentors. Twitter is an
awesome place many of the mentors hang out. We’re there to answer questions, or
just plain old chat with any/all hopefuls. That said, there are some definite
do’s and don’ts when using the #PitchWars feed, so I thought I’d do a little
post on using Twitter during the months leading up to, during, and
post-Pitch Wars.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do:</b> Hop on and
introduce yourself. The best way to start using the feed is just that: start
using it. Everything can be found under #PitchWars, so jump into other conversations people are having, and don’t worry
about interrupting. If they wanted the conversation to stay private, they’d
have it via DM or email. This is a great way to make new friends, find CPs, and
calm your nerves during the process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t:</b> Jump into
a conversation just to argue or stir the pot for your pleasure. Pot stirrers
get side-eye.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do:</b> Ask questions
of the mentors! It doesn’t even have to be a mentor in your category or genre,
unless it’s specific to those things. The mentors who are on the hashtag are
there because they’re willing to chat with you about your writing, your MS,
something you’re unsure of, the industry, etc. And we're mentors because we've been around the block a time or two, so we have knowledge we're willing to share. Tap into it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t:</b> Ask too specific
of questions such as, “Are you interested in a time traveling troll who falls
in love with a princess and then they have to fight the fairies for control of
their land?” For many mentors, that crosses the boundary line they don’t want
to cross. Instead ask, “Are you interested in fantasy?” or “Do you have an
aversion to trolls?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do:</b> Be positive
and help fellow hopefuls! Don’t think of this as a Survivor type contest. Your
positive energy and genuine concern of/help to fellow hopefuls <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will </i>be noticed by the mentors.
Alternately, your lack of positive energy/concern will also be noticed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t:</b> Constantly
bemoan the process, the mentors, Brenda, the industry, the agents listed, etc,
etc, etc. Think of the mentors like your mom. We’re always watching, and we
have eyes in the back of our heads. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do:</b> your
homework! When the mentors are listed and the blog hop is upon us, don’t be
afraid to chat with the mentors you’re considering. And it doesn’t have to be
all shop talk! This is a great time to get to know the mentors you’re
considering and see if you’d be a good fit, personality wise. Clicking with
your mentor is a very important aspect, and, though I can only speak for myself,
it’s also something this mentor takes into consideration when choosing a
mentee. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t:</b> freak out
if you never had conversations with your selected mentors and now fear you
won’t get picked because of that. Mentors can tell your personality through
many things; conversing on Twitter is only one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do:</b> say thank you—to
the mentors, and especially to Brenda and her assistants—and support those
giving their time in whatever way you can. This is a lot of work, and work that
isn’t always done without a price tag (both in terms of money and that all-valuable time). While a simple thank you is always appreciated and noticed, you
can also help support the mentors giving their time by buying their books or checking them out from the library and
spreading the word about them, and also by donating to help Brenda run Pitch
Wars.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t:</b> whine
about how much work you’re putting into getting your MS ready, wading through
the 100+ mentor blog posts just to find the ones who accept your genre, etc.
Believe me, we know how much work goes into it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do:</b> keep
following the mentors even if you didn’t get chosen. The urge to unfollow can
be strong if you’re not selected, and I know it can be a little rough seeing
someone else where you hoped to be, but the mentors are there and willing to
chat with you even post-Pitch Wars if you should have questions on the process,
the industry, etc. Don’t make a snap decision and do something that will only
hurt you. Like my mom always said, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your
face.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Twitter is an awesome and fun place to hang out before,
during, and after Pitch Wars, so make the most of it! <a href="https://twitter.com/writeasrain_" target="_blank">Swing by and say hi. </a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Brightonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09046740548105136797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-4667555430746052582016-06-13T09:00:00.000-04:002016-08-03T09:54:15.815-04:00The Synopsis Is Your Friend (Yes, really!)<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">The
Synopsis Is Your Friend</span></u></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">I
am a weirdo for many reasons, not the least of which is that I enjoy writing a
synopsis. (I also enjoy query-writing, but that’s another story for another
blog post for another day.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">Drafting a synopsis is my number one revision tool. I’m (mostly)
a pantser when it comes to churning out first drafts. Once I’m done, I find it
difficult to gage if what I’ve written flows well. That’s where the synopsis
comes in. By taking a stab at drafting a synopsis (in its initial stages—it
doesn’t have to be perfect), the big picture plot becomes crystal clear. Things
that are highlighted? Subplots that lead nowhere, storylines that need
resolution or scrapping, character arcs that don’t…well, arc. After all, it’s
the character’s growth (by way of the effects of the plot) that the synopsis
should show us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">So,
how do you do it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">I
print out my manuscript (yes, the entire thing) and I boil each chapter down to
its meat and bones summary—I’m talking only two or three sentences each. That
gives me a skeletal outline of my synopsis. Each chapter’s summary will then
read something like this: Main character wants to _______ BUT he’s thwarted by
________. It’s a “Character wants ABC….BUT…XYZ holds him back” formula. And you
just continue onward through the rest of the novel, taking care to cut out extraneous details that either don't shift plot points or that either don't otherwise affect the main character's arc. Oftentimes it’s necessary to include the
character’s emotional state as it changes throughout the novel, in order to
show his or her growth. Don’t worry about the “show don’t tell” rule here. It
doesn’t apply to the synopsis. In a synopsis, you can just flat-out tell us the
character’s emotion. For example, “Excited about her new job, an impulsive Jane
spends her last dollar on an Armani briefcase for her new boss.” And then
remember to bring in the critical conflict in each chapter with a BUT (or "however"...or "despite such and such"--you get the idea). “Excited
about her new job, an impulsive Jane spends her last dollar on an Armani
briefcase for her boss, but when she learns that the position was also promised
to someone else, she grows distraught.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">Additional
points to remember: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: -0.25in;">As you might have heard, you don’t want any teasers in the
synopsis. This isn’t a query or pitch. The synopsis should give away all the
plot details and should clearly spell out the ending of the book.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: -0.25in;">Characters full names should appear in all capitals the very
first time you mention that particular character. After that, no capitals
necessary.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman"; text-indent: -0.25in;">To minimize confusion, keep the characters lean. I’ve heard
different schools of thought on this, but I think the consensus is no more than
4-5 characters. Of course, as with all writing, this isn’t a hard and fast
rule. If it’s necessary, then by all means include more, but make sure they are
absolutely critical to the main character’s arc.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">A few helpful resources:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">Chuck
Sambuchino's "</span><a href="http://writerunboxed.com/2012/02/27/untitled-2-27/?et_mid=570319&rid=3057326"><i><span style="color: #852302; font-family: "times new roman"; text-decoration: none;">5 Tips on How to Write a Novel Synopsis</span></i></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">" is a terrific, brief
introduction to the synopsis-drafting process. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">The master post that I always refer
back to when I'm at the synopsis stage is "</span><a href="http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/04/17/how-to-write-a-1-page-synopsis/"><i><span style="color: #852302; font-family: "times new roman"; text-decoration: none;">How to Write a 1-Page
Synopsis</span></i></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">"
by NYT bestselling author </span><a href="https://twitter.com/stdennard"><span style="color: #852302; font-family: "times new roman"; text-decoration: none;">Susan Dennard</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">. </span><a href="http://susandennard.com/links/for-writers/"><span style="color: #852302; font-family: "times new roman"; text-decoration: none;">Susan's website </span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">is packed with additional fantastic writing tips and resources
as well. (It's my go-to site when I have questions or need a reminder.)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">This will sound wacky, but when I'm stuck I peruse the synopses of my favorite movies on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/">IMDB.</a> Some are better than others, but it's a perfect way to get in the habit of visualizing the plot and character arcs as a whole, and how to pare it all down to 1-2 pages worth of critical information.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "times new roman";">Feel
any better? I hope! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jeanmarie Anayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15444097096666633756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021169142617724267.post-59658859645759746392016-06-06T14:48:00.000-04:002016-06-06T14:48:55.949-04:00Four Qualities of Good Writing<div class="MsoNormal">
by <a href="https://susangrayfoster.wordpress.com/">Susan Gray Foster</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-s3dRamjQeTHouoFsaYgSvcExYqrv8b1Hn-epm-zATJXfGWNGcodJAIa6t6k3rIi6r1FiL4CYvcTI1fTcqif3U1cuK-Wr9909WB5hs39nXTV9wjt_H-ocQJ0-4eGvNFTsqZg-L-zl09H/s1600/IMG_4770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-s3dRamjQeTHouoFsaYgSvcExYqrv8b1Hn-epm-zATJXfGWNGcodJAIa6t6k3rIi6r1FiL4CYvcTI1fTcqif3U1cuK-Wr9909WB5hs39nXTV9wjt_H-ocQJ0-4eGvNFTsqZg-L-zl09H/s320/IMG_4770.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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What are the fundamental qualities of good writing? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Many years ago, as a brand new student teacher, I discovered at the last moment that I would be teaching creative writing to at-risk teens
at an alternative high school. Luckily, I stumbled across a text called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Process-Activities-Mary-Brandvik/dp/0876289685/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465236085&sr=1-1&keywords=writing+process+activities+kit">WRITING PROCESS ACTIVITIES KIT</a> by Mary Lou Brandvik. This curriculum (now long out of
print) promotes utilizing steps of the writing process (prewriting, drafting,
revising, and presenting), and emphasizes four key qualities of good writing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The book focuses primarily on writing personal narratives
(true short stories from students’ own lives), but these fundamental qualities
apply to many types of writing, and definitely to writing fiction. I learned so
much teaching these qualities to student writers. And now that I am teaching
again, it’s a continual refresher course as I witness how powerful writing can
be when it exhibits these qualities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have a guess—what are four fundamental qualities of good
writing?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKvP-3NrQgyIWXGohOXDIGTynWvw50wK6hzCJwwyNItDolGUorsNXttQNUpTtrRNFql6u5PVhAF_xMJzVegdFRNuMt-Dvne4zR6adzQ56E5Wy1dRq-6uFWW2UphO0MMCNw1H_A-gGwWTn/s1600/writing+process.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKvP-3NrQgyIWXGohOXDIGTynWvw50wK6hzCJwwyNItDolGUorsNXttQNUpTtrRNFql6u5PVhAF_xMJzVegdFRNuMt-Dvne4zR6adzQ56E5Wy1dRq-6uFWW2UphO0MMCNw1H_A-gGwWTn/s320/writing+process.JPG" width="240" /></a><b>Focus</b></div>
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One is <b>focus</b>. In
writing personal narratives, students are encouraged to focus on one particular
time, experience, memory, and to make the reader “see” it. Instead of vague
generalizations such as, “I love my mom and I’m really going to miss her,”
focusing on a particular moment and experience can produce something like this
brief passage from one my favorite YA novels, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6936382-anna-and-the-french-kiss?from_search=true&search_version=service">ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS</a>, by
<a href="http://stephanieperkins.com/">Stephanie Perkins</a>: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>My mother lingers
behind. “You’ll have a wonderful year here,” she says. “I just know it.” I bite
my lip to keep it from quivering, and she sweeps me into her arms. I try to
breathe. Inhale. Count to three. Exhale. Her skin smells like grapefruit body
lotion.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Focusing on this small moment allows the reader to
experience it right along with the main character, and to feel what she is
feeling.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Specific Details</b></div>
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Another quality of good writing that is beautifully illustrated
by the above passage is use of <b>specific
details</b>. Specific verb choices such as “lingers” and “sweeps” help us
picture the scene. Specific details make characters, worlds, thoughts, and
emotions come alive. Bonus points for use of <i>sensory details,</i> which are specific details pertaining to the
perceptions of our five senses—not just the sense of sight, which most of us tend
to naturally rely on and use most frequently in our writing. Including details
that the other senses perceive—such as the scent of “grapefruit body lotion”
can have a powerful impact. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Showing</b></div>
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A third quality of good writing, one that is often discussed
and sometimes causes confusion for fiction writers, is <b>showing, rather than telling</b>. Writing that is focused and uses
specific details already has a high probability of showing, not telling. Writing
that <i>shows</i> puts a picture in the
reader’s mind, engages the reader, and makes them feel emotions right along
with the characters(s) in the story. In the passage above from ANNA AND THE
FRENCH KISS, specific details about Anna’s body language convey that she is on
the verge of tears without ever having to name an emotion. Often if we check
our writing for words that name emotions, such as happy, angry, or jealous, we
can find opportunities to replace these words and <i>show</i> the reader what the character is feeling, using specific
details, rather than naming that emotion. Similarly, checking writing for
“filter words”—such as <i>think, feel,
wonder, remember</i>—can help us find places where we can <i>show</i> the reader our character’s thoughts and feelings, rather than
telling the reader about them. This is not to say that these filter words
should <i>never</i> appear in a manuscript,
but that they may signal places where we can make our writing better, stronger,
more powerful by showing rather than telling.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Honesty</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6YAf2f4_M_eOO2QyvyyYNM0OsrBEct223Lm50G9aiVA_Qz_1i5M_bzc714-AinRb1-qWIUo277i9xbu07Xvju8DhrChBuixuHI6QNpE5Ma-oUGh9uU3RCysPam8aJQ8Q4JS9YDHzHCT_/s1600/IMG_2966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6YAf2f4_M_eOO2QyvyyYNM0OsrBEct223Lm50G9aiVA_Qz_1i5M_bzc714-AinRb1-qWIUo277i9xbu07Xvju8DhrChBuixuHI6QNpE5Ma-oUGh9uU3RCysPam8aJQ8Q4JS9YDHzHCT_/s320/IMG_2966.jpg" width="320" /></a>Finally, a quality of good writing is <b>honesty</b>. The idea of honesty in writing—particularly honesty in
fiction—often caused confusion and discussion in my classroom. No, <i>honest writing</i> does not mean that
everything one writes must be factual or that one must record events and
dialogue <i>exactly</i> as they occur. So, how
can a fictional story be honest? By expressing honest thoughts, feelings, and
behavior that <i>is true to the human
experience</i>. Even in way-out-of-reality sci fi and fantasy, writing is often
at its most powerful because of <i>honesty. </i>And
moments when we convey true, honest thoughts, feelings, or behaviors—ones that
are <i>not</i> pretty or heroic or glamorous—are
often the moments in a novel that evoke the most powerful emotions, or the
biggest laughs. Those honest expressions of humanity are what readers connect
with most strongly. We recognize our own human frailties and flaws and relate
to them, sympathize and empathize with them. And this can lead to a powerful,
unforgettable connection with a character and their story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In this passage from another one of my YA favorites, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15745753-eleanor-park?from_search=true&search_version=service">ELEANOR AND PARK</a> by <a href="http://www.rainbowrowell.com/">Rainbow Rowell</a>, Park realizes something unflattering about himself:
<i>Park rolled onto his stomach and pressed
his face into his pillow. He’d thought he was over caring what people thought
about him. He’d thought that loving Eleanor proved that.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>But he kept finding
new pockets of shallow inside himself. He kept finding new ways to betray her.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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This <i>honest </i>recognition
of ugly qualities within himself feels so real, so authentic, so believable,
and it makes the reader connect with him powerfully and makes his love for
Eleanor feel even more authentic and strong. No wonder ELEANOR AND PARK is
loved by so many readers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Remembering and continually refreshing our awareness of
these four fundamental qualities of good writing—focus, specific details,
showing-rather-than-telling, and honesty—can help make our writing not only
good, but powerful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Please comment below if you have thoughts or questions on qualities of good writing and how to put them into practice!<o:p></o:p></div>
susangrayfosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04436899489472526799noreply@blogger.com0