I'm thankful for my wonderful and tolerant family.
I'm thankful for my writing friends, online and in person.
I'm thankful for the men and women in the armed services.
I'm thankful for the country that we live in. We have problems, but at least girls are allowed to go to school without having acid thrown in their faces.
I'm thankful for you. . .
11/26/08
11/24/08
To crit or to be critted, THAT is the question. . .
Critique: an act of criticizing.
Criticize: to consider the merits or demerits of and judge accordingly.
--tends to give a negative impact on the writing
--but critters who only have wonderful things to say about your work aren't helping you become a better writer. They are stroking your ego, not helping you improve your craft.
Writing is a very personal and emotional expression of one's self. And when we offer our work up to be critiqued, we are opening ourselves up . . . and we tend to get our feelings hurt in the process, especially in the beginning of a writer's career. I'll quote a cliche that I chant as a personal mantra: "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."
As new writers we have to know what does and doesn't work, so we can fix it in our writing. Critiquing will help you to accomplish that goal, but you have to take that first step. And no, your loved ones and family members will NOT give you their true opinion, unless they happen to be writers, and then, they still might candy-coat it. You must find writers who write in the genre you are trying to break into. Having romance writers critique a horror story might help you develop some aspects of the story, but they don't have real knowledge of the horror genre and what it takes to make the story salable. You can benefit from their input, but after awhile you will have to spread your wings and fly.
1) You must be able to trust the person giving the critique: I think this is the #1 criteria for a valuable critique partnership.
--they should NEVER take your idea to write their own story
--they should never try to undermine your confidence. This is where it helps knowing, and trusting, the person critting you. Some people (me) tend to shoot from the hip as critters. And this can seem abrasive, harsh, and brutal to outside observers, but I won't usually be that blunt unless I think and know you can do better.
--you should never think your critters have an agenda. Again, the trust issue. If you don't trust them to give you an honest opinion, why are you asking them for it?
2) Critiquing is subjective: use the rule of 3. For example, if you get 3 critters that comment the lack of emotion in your submission, then you have a problem. Fix the emotional element.
3) Learn from the critique: When a person starts writing, they usually don't have a grasp of all the basics from grammar and punctuation to characterization and plot. But if you are told by the crit group that you must punctuate your dialogue in a specific manner--DO IT! There is nothing worse than critting someone who won't learn. That is pure laziness and disrespectful of the critter's time and effort.
4) If the critter has a problem with something, they should help pinpoint the problem area or offer suggestions on how to fix it. For example, "I hate your heroine!" doesn't help you figure out WHY. But "Your heroine is awfully whiny for a thirty year old" does suggest where the problem is and a place to start fixing.
That's it for now. I know I have more suggestions, but I'm drawing a Monday morning blank.
REMEMBER, this is your story. Good critters want to help you make your story the best it can possibly be. Take the suggestions that work and toss the others.
Criticize: to consider the merits or demerits of and judge accordingly.
--tends to give a negative impact on the writing
--but critters who only have wonderful things to say about your work aren't helping you become a better writer. They are stroking your ego, not helping you improve your craft.
Writing is a very personal and emotional expression of one's self. And when we offer our work up to be critiqued, we are opening ourselves up . . . and we tend to get our feelings hurt in the process, especially in the beginning of a writer's career. I'll quote a cliche that I chant as a personal mantra: "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."
As new writers we have to know what does and doesn't work, so we can fix it in our writing. Critiquing will help you to accomplish that goal, but you have to take that first step. And no, your loved ones and family members will NOT give you their true opinion, unless they happen to be writers, and then, they still might candy-coat it. You must find writers who write in the genre you are trying to break into. Having romance writers critique a horror story might help you develop some aspects of the story, but they don't have real knowledge of the horror genre and what it takes to make the story salable. You can benefit from their input, but after awhile you will have to spread your wings and fly.
1) You must be able to trust the person giving the critique: I think this is the #1 criteria for a valuable critique partnership.
--they should NEVER take your idea to write their own story
--they should never try to undermine your confidence. This is where it helps knowing, and trusting, the person critting you. Some people (me) tend to shoot from the hip as critters. And this can seem abrasive, harsh, and brutal to outside observers, but I won't usually be that blunt unless I think and know you can do better.
--you should never think your critters have an agenda. Again, the trust issue. If you don't trust them to give you an honest opinion, why are you asking them for it?
2) Critiquing is subjective: use the rule of 3. For example, if you get 3 critters that comment the lack of emotion in your submission, then you have a problem. Fix the emotional element.
3) Learn from the critique: When a person starts writing, they usually don't have a grasp of all the basics from grammar and punctuation to characterization and plot. But if you are told by the crit group that you must punctuate your dialogue in a specific manner--DO IT! There is nothing worse than critting someone who won't learn. That is pure laziness and disrespectful of the critter's time and effort.
4) If the critter has a problem with something, they should help pinpoint the problem area or offer suggestions on how to fix it. For example, "I hate your heroine!" doesn't help you figure out WHY. But "Your heroine is awfully whiny for a thirty year old" does suggest where the problem is and a place to start fixing.
That's it for now. I know I have more suggestions, but I'm drawing a Monday morning blank.
REMEMBER, this is your story. Good critters want to help you make your story the best it can possibly be. Take the suggestions that work and toss the others.
11/20/08
2009 ABNA Amazon Breakthrough Novel
Normally, I plan to blog on M-W-F unless something interesting comes up.
Well, something came up. :-)
Amazon and Penguin are hosting the second year of Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award. I entered it last year and they sent me a link informing me of it again. The odds are slightly better than winning the lottery or Publisher's Clearing House. A one in 5,000 chance isn't too hideous, and it does get your story out there to the masses. But, personally, I think it is a HUGE time suck. You have to be willing to spend writing time networking to get votes (ie popularity contest). I'm pretty lazy in this respect. I was never popular in school, what makes me think this will change now? Nothing.
X person will vote for you if you vote for him. Well, I've read some of the people soliciting votes and they have zero business even entering this contest. I'm sorry, but I won't compromise my values to play that game. If you suck, I won't vote for you, but if you are a friend and I actually like your stuff, I'll vote and comment. Last year, they had better prizes. Maybe they are simply waiting to announce the prize list.
Will I enter something? Probably. Last year, I entered a romantic suspense. This year, I'll probably enter my urban fantasy. My last ditch effort to sell this puppy. Yep, I've generated more rejections with it than with all the other manuscripts combined. Sad thing is that I think it's my best writing yet, exhibiting my style and story in the best light. *sigh*
Another reminder that everything in this biz is subjective.
Well, something came up. :-)
Amazon and Penguin are hosting the second year of Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award. I entered it last year and they sent me a link informing me of it again. The odds are slightly better than winning the lottery or Publisher's Clearing House. A one in 5,000 chance isn't too hideous, and it does get your story out there to the masses. But, personally, I think it is a HUGE time suck. You have to be willing to spend writing time networking to get votes (ie popularity contest). I'm pretty lazy in this respect. I was never popular in school, what makes me think this will change now? Nothing.
X person will vote for you if you vote for him. Well, I've read some of the people soliciting votes and they have zero business even entering this contest. I'm sorry, but I won't compromise my values to play that game. If you suck, I won't vote for you, but if you are a friend and I actually like your stuff, I'll vote and comment. Last year, they had better prizes. Maybe they are simply waiting to announce the prize list.
Will I enter something? Probably. Last year, I entered a romantic suspense. This year, I'll probably enter my urban fantasy. My last ditch effort to sell this puppy. Yep, I've generated more rejections with it than with all the other manuscripts combined. Sad thing is that I think it's my best writing yet, exhibiting my style and story in the best light. *sigh*
Another reminder that everything in this biz is subjective.
11/19/08
Advice to the newbie
I found out a few days ago that my niece has started writing in her free time. Of course, I sent her an email, but haven't heard back from her yet. My brother, her uncle, is the one who sent me a note about her endeavors, and here is one of his comments, "Perhaps you can share some lessons learned that she need not suffer through, unless this is some necessary rite of passage for any author to be any good at all." I thought his comment was funny as hell, though I don't think he meant it to be. Yep, if I'd been drinking coffee when I read this the spray would have ruined my monitor.
Writing is a tough biz. 90% of the population wants to write a book. 10% actually starts writing a book. 1% finish a manuscript. And less than 0.01% actually publishes a book.
well, crap, I was cleaning up my blog and deleted the rest of it. Guess, I'll have to try to remember what I was going to say, other than AARRRGGGHHH!
In the current economic downturn, very few publishers will want to extend contracts to untested debut authors. Oh, there will be a few, but you have to remember they are only going to bet on the sure thing, the guaranteed money makers, such as celebrities. And you have to remember that mid-list authors will be fighting for what little money is available, and they are already a proven entity.
Use this time to hone your craft, learn all aspects of the business, research your story, and discover your writing voice. Finish that manuscript and start another, and another, until you have more to offer when you get picked up.
Write what you love, because your passion will shine through.
And remember, they aren't rejecting you, it's just business.
Writing is a tough biz. 90% of the population wants to write a book. 10% actually starts writing a book. 1% finish a manuscript. And less than 0.01% actually publishes a book.
well, crap, I was cleaning up my blog and deleted the rest of it. Guess, I'll have to try to remember what I was going to say, other than AARRRGGGHHH!
In the current economic downturn, very few publishers will want to extend contracts to untested debut authors. Oh, there will be a few, but you have to remember they are only going to bet on the sure thing, the guaranteed money makers, such as celebrities. And you have to remember that mid-list authors will be fighting for what little money is available, and they are already a proven entity.
Use this time to hone your craft, learn all aspects of the business, research your story, and discover your writing voice. Finish that manuscript and start another, and another, until you have more to offer when you get picked up.
Write what you love, because your passion will shine through.
And remember, they aren't rejecting you, it's just business.
11/17/08
Blathering insomnia
It was between the hours of midnight and two in the morning when I lay in bed and watched the digital numbers slowly change that I realized I had the wrong puppeteer.
Oh, don't get me wrong, the guy I thought it was would still make a great evil doer, but not for this story. I think I'll let him percolate for book 2.
I don't often get insomnia. I think it was due to some cold medicine that I took. Out cold for two hours, then up for two, and finally four hours of moderate sleep. Yeah, I still feel like crap, but shit happens.
Anyhoo, I started thinking about a Scooby-Doo movie along with an Agatha Christie novel--trust me, there is a common intersection--and I realized that the person responsible for committing the crime was already 'dead'. Not dead dead, though it would work since this is an urban fantasy and vampires do make an appearance, but thought to be dead. It gives the character leeway to create all sorts of havoc, and I like making my characters suffer.
If I feel like crap, then they can, too.
Oh, don't get me wrong, the guy I thought it was would still make a great evil doer, but not for this story. I think I'll let him percolate for book 2.
I don't often get insomnia. I think it was due to some cold medicine that I took. Out cold for two hours, then up for two, and finally four hours of moderate sleep. Yeah, I still feel like crap, but shit happens.
Anyhoo, I started thinking about a Scooby-Doo movie along with an Agatha Christie novel--trust me, there is a common intersection--and I realized that the person responsible for committing the crime was already 'dead'. Not dead dead, though it would work since this is an urban fantasy and vampires do make an appearance, but thought to be dead. It gives the character leeway to create all sorts of havoc, and I like making my characters suffer.
If I feel like crap, then they can, too.
11/14/08
Who is the puppeteer?
I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure this out. I have my bad character and know what they do and what they gain by perpetrating this evil. . .
BUT I don't know who is playing with the puppet's strings!
Two chapters are written, but I've been stopped cold by this. True, my character doesn't find out who is behind all this until the end of the book, BUT I NEED TO KNOW IT NOW!
Argh! talk about frustrating...
Oh, cool. . . I just had a thought about who could be behind all of the hideous happenings.
Hm, let me re-read my first two chapters and see if this inkling of an idea has merit.
BWAHAHAHAHA--
By Jove, I think I got it! Yay!
BUT I don't know who is playing with the puppet's strings!
Two chapters are written, but I've been stopped cold by this. True, my character doesn't find out who is behind all this until the end of the book, BUT I NEED TO KNOW IT NOW!
Argh! talk about frustrating...
Oh, cool. . . I just had a thought about who could be behind all of the hideous happenings.
Hm, let me re-read my first two chapters and see if this inkling of an idea has merit.
BWAHAHAHAHA--
By Jove, I think I got it! Yay!
11/12/08
Writer's Block
This question was posted by a prolific writer on one of my loops this week. And I have to say there were various answers to the question of how do we deal with it. The answers ranged from: force yourself to write to research and read.
I was the one who suggested reading and researching. I do this to help refill the well, jarring the writer out of a dead-end funk. I've tried the write through it phase and all I had was a bunch of crap that I had to delete. . . and it was more frustrating than it was worth. If I think about the problem for a day or two (walking is a great way to sort it out) or read to get my mind off it, then I seem to come up with an answer.
The key is to find a way that works for you.
What tricks do you use to keep working on your manuscript?
I was the one who suggested reading and researching. I do this to help refill the well, jarring the writer out of a dead-end funk. I've tried the write through it phase and all I had was a bunch of crap that I had to delete. . . and it was more frustrating than it was worth. If I think about the problem for a day or two (walking is a great way to sort it out) or read to get my mind off it, then I seem to come up with an answer.
The key is to find a way that works for you.
What tricks do you use to keep working on your manuscript?
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