Last Friday I attended the Willamette Writers Conference. I did two group pitches with agents and spoke to a film producer about a possible film idea. I wasn't my normal grounded self and was more withdrawn than I'd like to be.
I did see Jina and Tom from my critique group which was really fun and poor Gina Harris had to endure my awful pitch but other than that I'm glad I went. The best part for me was the last little bit of Irene Radford's workshop. Irene is a prolific author who has published the Dragon Nimbus series and Merlin's Guardians. She talked about production writing and told that her first draft is plain ugly. She said she doesn't worry about the holes but leaves blanks and notes to herself until the story is down. Then as she edits she fills in the blanks and cleans it up.
I want to try this. She also said that she likes to have three different projects at three different stages so that she doesn't get bored. She has one that she is editing, one she is creating and another that she is researching. Then when she hits a tough spot in one, she can switch to another. Helpful advice. I've been so linear.... but she doesn't have kids home. Still, I hope to be her.
Lastly, I have decided to join another blog because I don't have enough to do. www.pushingpastthepounds.blogspot.com is our new site and I'm chronicling the weight loss journey I should have gone on last year and the year before that. Oh, well, I think I'm taking a sound approach. We'll see how it turns out.
This week is the last week before I've got the birthday onslaught. George's is on Mon., Greg's a week later, Camron the week after that, then Anna two weeks after. Then school will be here. I'm not ready!
Thoughts on Books, Writing, Publishing and Other Surprises
Showing posts with label production writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label production writing. Show all posts
Monday, August 10, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
#2- Making Money and Building a Name for Yourself: Article Writing with Carolyn Campbell
Overview of LDS Storymakers Writer's Conference-
Carolyn Campbell is a woman of great success. Her stories have graced the cover of People Magazine. She has regular articles in Lady's Home Journal, Redbook, and nameless other smaller publications. She has had thousands of articles published and averages numerous projects every week.
So what's her secret?
I raised my hand, skeptical that everything she touches turns to gold and asked how many rejections she gets. She shrugged and said about half of what she sends out gets turned down, but since she submitted five queries a day- that is still a lot of copy that actually pays.
Wow.
AND at $500 to $1000 per article, she's making more in a few afternoons than I did over the six months it took me to put together my first book. Of course, her resume is impressive, but I'm ready to start trying. Carolyn outlined the way to start to make it all happen.
Choose Your Prime Time for Writing-
You need to face your writing seriously. She has a specific routine which she tries not to deviate from. Everyday she begins by sending out five queries. After an hour or so of doing that, she starts writing her current work in progress. She continues until two o'clock and takes a break. Then sometime in the afternoon she spends another hour on marketing and interviews. Just before bed, she plans what she'll accomplish the next day so that she stays on task.
According to Carolyn by:
- facing your writing like a business,
- keeping the pipeline full with new queries,
- holding yourself to time limits so you take breaks and
- varying your activities,
it allows you to stay productive without getting burnt out.
Sending Out Queries
Unlike writing fiction where you write first, sell later, this non-fiction venue is just the opposite. She must have told us at least four times DON'T WRITE YOUR STORY UNTIL IT IS SOLD! I think she had to repeat it so many times because we couldn't believe her. She also reminded us that seasonal stories must be queried six to eight months out. Get ready for Christmas!
So what's in a query? This is Carolyn's formula:
1. The Lead-
Begin with something that will surprise people and give them a visceral reaction. A girl got in a car wreck while text messenging. Carolyn found out the girl had 11,000 text messages that month. That was her lead. Another Calculus teacher was leaving high school to paint lines in parking lots. When the camera crew showed up to take his picture, they were so entertained one said "This is a huge loss to education." That was her lead. Start with what about your article will speak to people.
2. Why Should We Care?
The next paragraph should explain what impact this story has on what segment of the population. Use statistics, regional interest, news pegs, or the obscure.
3. Why Should You Be The One to Write it?
So if you've sold the article with the first two paragraphs, now is the time to sell yourself. If you've got past writing experience include it, but more than that, include how you are connected to the article. What experience do you have in the field or how do you know the person you are writing about.
If you don't have that, tell them you called the resources at the center of the story and they have already agreed to an interview. (If you say this, really have done it.) She also said they love photos, so if you have pictures or the ability to get pictures, that's a big plus.
4. Ending Phrase-
Carolyn said she ends all her queries almost identically. Her words are "If you will send me an approximate word length or deadline, I will begin on the article immediately." Now you might want to tweak it a little so it sounds like you, but in essence here is where you ask for the job.
That's it. She also said that after you develop a relationship with a publisher she sends out mini-queries. From what I could get the only difference between a full-blown query and a mini one was the third part of the query on selling yourself, because they already know you.
What Do You Write About?
Carolyn is always on the lookout for good stories. The kernel of an idea can begin any number of ways:
Proximity -
What's going on in your schools, in your town? What are your friends worried about or talking about? Read your local paper and magazines. Listen to what people around you care about because chances are that other people care about it too.
Personal Connections -
Do you have friends, relatives, church contacts with a friend of someone who might be newsworthy? Is there someone they have spoken of that seems fascinating. Don't be afraid to ask. (Carol is fearless when it comes to interviewing. She said that she had one person say they didn't want to comment so she got the article from getting information from all his friends and then called to see if he wanted to comment on their comments. He did.)
Personal Passions -
Is there something you are passionate about? If you care about it, that emotion will shine through your writing. Passions could include things like quilting, scrapbooking, geneology, organization, fitness, health issues you've dealt with, humanitarian aid. Anything you really feel strongly about could make a great story.
Follow Your Instincts -
If your ears are open, you'll read a word or two or hear someone say something and it might spark something in you. When that happens, trust that feeling and pursue it. She told of many stories that started with an idea that panned out. One time her sister called and told her there was a contest she was sure she could win in the paper. When she opened the paper, her face fell. It was a contest for the messiest house. Well, she entered and WON! With the before and after pictures, Carolyn wrote an article about herself and it did really well. She was able to spin it and sell it multiple times. All because she followed her instincts and moved forward.
Types of Articles-
I know I didn't catch all of these so if anyone went to this session, please add the ones I'm missing in the comments, but here are the five types of articles I did get:
Informational- This article answers a question. If you want to know more about something chances are other people do too. More about the swine flu, the truth about global warming, more about the effects of mold and where it grows... whatever.
How-to- Begin with your own experience but make sure you FIND AN EXPERT for this type of article. Her example was a story she did on "The Healtcare Jungle" that explained her experience trying to find insurance. If you've been given the run-around, write about how-to avoid your mistakes. She also spoke about "Take control of the clock" and talked to a number of time management experts. She loved it because it was something she wanted to do better. Nothing like free advice AND getting paid for it.
Profile- If you hear or read about someone who's done something remarkable, call them and ask for an interview. She spoke about a woman who was told she couldn't make a scrapbooking magazine but did anyway and just sold it off for $15 million. That's a story! She heard about another woman that was in counseling that was speaking about her adopted teenager. The counselor explained that she had given a baby up for adoption and they found out it happened to be the same child. Wow! The person doesn't need to be famous to be fascinating.
Personal Experience- If you have started a business, lost your wallet, entered a clutter contest. Do wild things so you can write about them- think travel magazines.
Inspirational- As the ecomony gets tougher, inspirational stories will sell well. Look for people that have triumphed and tell their story.
Some tips for how to find people or stories-
The Encyclopedia of Associations is a great resource for finding experts. It should be in the reference section of your library. Don't choose the best expert but the most interesting. One who speaks with visual terms.
Also, Infotrac or EBSCO can give you great articles to start with and you can go from there, expanding or going into more depth.
Find the editor's name to send it to. It may take some digging but you can do it. If all else fails and you have the name, look for the email format of the magazine and guess, based on the other emails.
Also, www.mediabistro.com is worth the $40 per year. When looking for names you can also look in www.writersmarket.com. Check under the advertising section or media kit if you can't find the name you're looking for.
If you've got a great story, make sure you spin it and try to sell it multiple times. Organizing your office can be with business magazines or at home. Time management can apply to any number of fields.
Story lengths have changed. A long article is 1000 words. A regular article is only 500 words.
So roll up your sleeves and go for it!
Carolyn Campbell is a woman of great success. Her stories have graced the cover of People Magazine. She has regular articles in Lady's Home Journal, Redbook, and nameless other smaller publications. She has had thousands of articles published and averages numerous projects every week.
So what's her secret?
I raised my hand, skeptical that everything she touches turns to gold and asked how many rejections she gets. She shrugged and said about half of what she sends out gets turned down, but since she submitted five queries a day- that is still a lot of copy that actually pays.
Wow.
AND at $500 to $1000 per article, she's making more in a few afternoons than I did over the six months it took me to put together my first book. Of course, her resume is impressive, but I'm ready to start trying. Carolyn outlined the way to start to make it all happen.
Choose Your Prime Time for Writing-
You need to face your writing seriously. She has a specific routine which she tries not to deviate from. Everyday she begins by sending out five queries. After an hour or so of doing that, she starts writing her current work in progress. She continues until two o'clock and takes a break. Then sometime in the afternoon she spends another hour on marketing and interviews. Just before bed, she plans what she'll accomplish the next day so that she stays on task.
According to Carolyn by:
- facing your writing like a business,
- keeping the pipeline full with new queries,
- holding yourself to time limits so you take breaks and
- varying your activities,
it allows you to stay productive without getting burnt out.
Sending Out Queries
Unlike writing fiction where you write first, sell later, this non-fiction venue is just the opposite. She must have told us at least four times DON'T WRITE YOUR STORY UNTIL IT IS SOLD! I think she had to repeat it so many times because we couldn't believe her. She also reminded us that seasonal stories must be queried six to eight months out. Get ready for Christmas!
So what's in a query? This is Carolyn's formula:
1. The Lead-
Begin with something that will surprise people and give them a visceral reaction. A girl got in a car wreck while text messenging. Carolyn found out the girl had 11,000 text messages that month. That was her lead. Another Calculus teacher was leaving high school to paint lines in parking lots. When the camera crew showed up to take his picture, they were so entertained one said "This is a huge loss to education." That was her lead. Start with what about your article will speak to people.
2. Why Should We Care?
The next paragraph should explain what impact this story has on what segment of the population. Use statistics, regional interest, news pegs, or the obscure.
3. Why Should You Be The One to Write it?
So if you've sold the article with the first two paragraphs, now is the time to sell yourself. If you've got past writing experience include it, but more than that, include how you are connected to the article. What experience do you have in the field or how do you know the person you are writing about.
If you don't have that, tell them you called the resources at the center of the story and they have already agreed to an interview. (If you say this, really have done it.) She also said they love photos, so if you have pictures or the ability to get pictures, that's a big plus.
4. Ending Phrase-
Carolyn said she ends all her queries almost identically. Her words are "If you will send me an approximate word length or deadline, I will begin on the article immediately." Now you might want to tweak it a little so it sounds like you, but in essence here is where you ask for the job.
That's it. She also said that after you develop a relationship with a publisher she sends out mini-queries. From what I could get the only difference between a full-blown query and a mini one was the third part of the query on selling yourself, because they already know you.
What Do You Write About?
Carolyn is always on the lookout for good stories. The kernel of an idea can begin any number of ways:
Proximity -
What's going on in your schools, in your town? What are your friends worried about or talking about? Read your local paper and magazines. Listen to what people around you care about because chances are that other people care about it too.
Personal Connections -
Do you have friends, relatives, church contacts with a friend of someone who might be newsworthy? Is there someone they have spoken of that seems fascinating. Don't be afraid to ask. (Carol is fearless when it comes to interviewing. She said that she had one person say they didn't want to comment so she got the article from getting information from all his friends and then called to see if he wanted to comment on their comments. He did.)
Personal Passions -
Is there something you are passionate about? If you care about it, that emotion will shine through your writing. Passions could include things like quilting, scrapbooking, geneology, organization, fitness, health issues you've dealt with, humanitarian aid. Anything you really feel strongly about could make a great story.
Follow Your Instincts -
If your ears are open, you'll read a word or two or hear someone say something and it might spark something in you. When that happens, trust that feeling and pursue it. She told of many stories that started with an idea that panned out. One time her sister called and told her there was a contest she was sure she could win in the paper. When she opened the paper, her face fell. It was a contest for the messiest house. Well, she entered and WON! With the before and after pictures, Carolyn wrote an article about herself and it did really well. She was able to spin it and sell it multiple times. All because she followed her instincts and moved forward.
Types of Articles-
I know I didn't catch all of these so if anyone went to this session, please add the ones I'm missing in the comments, but here are the five types of articles I did get:
Informational- This article answers a question. If you want to know more about something chances are other people do too. More about the swine flu, the truth about global warming, more about the effects of mold and where it grows... whatever.
How-to- Begin with your own experience but make sure you FIND AN EXPERT for this type of article. Her example was a story she did on "The Healtcare Jungle" that explained her experience trying to find insurance. If you've been given the run-around, write about how-to avoid your mistakes. She also spoke about "Take control of the clock" and talked to a number of time management experts. She loved it because it was something she wanted to do better. Nothing like free advice AND getting paid for it.
Profile- If you hear or read about someone who's done something remarkable, call them and ask for an interview. She spoke about a woman who was told she couldn't make a scrapbooking magazine but did anyway and just sold it off for $15 million. That's a story! She heard about another woman that was in counseling that was speaking about her adopted teenager. The counselor explained that she had given a baby up for adoption and they found out it happened to be the same child. Wow! The person doesn't need to be famous to be fascinating.
Personal Experience- If you have started a business, lost your wallet, entered a clutter contest. Do wild things so you can write about them- think travel magazines.
Inspirational- As the ecomony gets tougher, inspirational stories will sell well. Look for people that have triumphed and tell their story.
Some tips for how to find people or stories-
The Encyclopedia of Associations is a great resource for finding experts. It should be in the reference section of your library. Don't choose the best expert but the most interesting. One who speaks with visual terms.
Also, Infotrac or EBSCO can give you great articles to start with and you can go from there, expanding or going into more depth.
Find the editor's name to send it to. It may take some digging but you can do it. If all else fails and you have the name, look for the email format of the magazine and guess, based on the other emails.
Also, www.mediabistro.com is worth the $40 per year. When looking for names you can also look in www.writersmarket.com. Check under the advertising section or media kit if you can't find the name you're looking for.
If you've got a great story, make sure you spin it and try to sell it multiple times. Organizing your office can be with business magazines or at home. Time management can apply to any number of fields.
Story lengths have changed. A long article is 1000 words. A regular article is only 500 words.
So roll up your sleeves and go for it!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
10,000 Hours of Practice
Dr. Daniel Levitin has figure out that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert. That's 20 hours a week for ten years. I figure I only started writing seriously two years ago but I've spent far more than twenty hours many weeks and completed at least first drafts on three more projects in the last six months.
One of these was The Amazon Break-Through Novel Award. It had come and gone, and I was eliminated. Bummer. A few people I know made it to the next round, but I can take solace in the fact that it may have just been a bad synopsis and excerpt and not the book in general.
Speaking of synopses (plural for synopsises) I have been working on one for my rejected manuscript of "An Angel in the Family." I'm preparing it for a pitch with Deseret as we speak. Cross fingers. I've got a few more weeks to get it in and then the rest of this month to get the manuscripts squeaky clean before I sit before the great Editor and try to sell it face to face.
Lipstick Wars is still waning in cyberspace, on vacation from thought but not forgotten. If only I had more time or perhaps used the time I had more efficiently. Good things are in the future so I guess I'll just keep chipping away at that ten thousand hours and eventually I'll get there or at least enjoy the journey.
One of these was The Amazon Break-Through Novel Award. It had come and gone, and I was eliminated. Bummer. A few people I know made it to the next round, but I can take solace in the fact that it may have just been a bad synopsis and excerpt and not the book in general.
Speaking of synopses (plural for synopsises) I have been working on one for my rejected manuscript of "An Angel in the Family." I'm preparing it for a pitch with Deseret as we speak. Cross fingers. I've got a few more weeks to get it in and then the rest of this month to get the manuscripts squeaky clean before I sit before the great Editor and try to sell it face to face.
Lipstick Wars is still waning in cyberspace, on vacation from thought but not forgotten. If only I had more time or perhaps used the time I had more efficiently. Good things are in the future so I guess I'll just keep chipping away at that ten thousand hours and eventually I'll get there or at least enjoy the journey.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Rejection and Hope
When I received the rejection to Lipstick Wars I wasn't surprised because it was too long. I loved it but I knew it wasn't consistent with the length of Crayon Messages. So I've yanked it out to try and cut it down and now it just looks to me like a piece of swiss cheese. Full of holes of what I threw away.
In frustration I decided I could just forget the whole thing if I emailed the acquisitions editor at CFI and she said she didn't want it. Well she emailed right back and said she did. It is a great story so there you go. Today I'm rolling up my sleeves and going to keep chopping away. I'm hoping to have it in the mail by Monday.
Wish me luck.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I DID IT!!! (With Help)
I can't believe it. "Dead Dreams" is written and turned in and I'm free! It's a great feeling. I do know that I probably should have done one more edit, but at least it is done.
This story was a new adventure for me, because it was my first attempt at a general release (not LDS specific.) There were scenes that I had so clearly pictured in my head that I never got to and others that seemed to appear out of thin air that I was really pleased with.
As I typed the last few pages, tears were pouring down my cheeks which is always a good sign. The best feeling is when you type the last word and know the story is really over. Every loose end makes sense and hopefully you've learned something along the way.
Special thanks to Betsy Grow who totally helped me with the fortune teller. Also, to my sweet husband who took the children to the grandparents for the weekend so I could write all night long, which I did.
Well, if you're interested, here's my final pitch:
When senatorial hopeful Peter Strabeck is found near death in his speechwriter’s room, the press has a field day with his family, leaving them hopeless and broken. After college graduation Margaret, the youngest daughter, must force her dreams aside to care for her widowed mother over the next eight years. Her mother’s final words are to J a young attorney who has been called to secretly amend her will. Mags doesn’t trust J who is the son of her father’s alleged murderer.
The family arrives hoping for a hefty inheritance, and J explains that the money has been spent on legal fees and the home shopping network. They are furious but find solace in childhood memorabilia. While attending the funeral, they are robbed. Who would want a life-sized Barbie head, brass knuckles and an old sheepskin rug, but one of them? Mags knows who the culprit is, but stays silent. Frozen relationships begin to thaw as the siblings investigate each other and on the way help a struggling teenager, save a marriage, complete a dissertation and eventually land together on the island of Jamaica.
J is pleased that all is going as planned, except the third provision. How can he ever get the independent, headstrong Mags to have feelings for him? When strange things begin to happen, J is certain he is receiving help from beyond the grave. Can Mags let go of the past and resuscitate dreams she thought had died? .
Dead Dreams is a twisted family comedy of 58,555 words. Contemporary fiction with a hint of romance, this story is a light read similar to Delinsky’s Three Wishes with the homey feel of Debbie Macomber. It will appeal to anyone who agrees that life is better with family, even when they are a little crazy.
This story was a new adventure for me, because it was my first attempt at a general release (not LDS specific.) There were scenes that I had so clearly pictured in my head that I never got to and others that seemed to appear out of thin air that I was really pleased with.
As I typed the last few pages, tears were pouring down my cheeks which is always a good sign. The best feeling is when you type the last word and know the story is really over. Every loose end makes sense and hopefully you've learned something along the way.
Special thanks to Betsy Grow who totally helped me with the fortune teller. Also, to my sweet husband who took the children to the grandparents for the weekend so I could write all night long, which I did.
Well, if you're interested, here's my final pitch:
When senatorial hopeful Peter Strabeck is found near death in his speechwriter’s room, the press has a field day with his family, leaving them hopeless and broken. After college graduation Margaret, the youngest daughter, must force her dreams aside to care for her widowed mother over the next eight years. Her mother’s final words are to J a young attorney who has been called to secretly amend her will. Mags doesn’t trust J who is the son of her father’s alleged murderer.
The family arrives hoping for a hefty inheritance, and J explains that the money has been spent on legal fees and the home shopping network. They are furious but find solace in childhood memorabilia. While attending the funeral, they are robbed. Who would want a life-sized Barbie head, brass knuckles and an old sheepskin rug, but one of them? Mags knows who the culprit is, but stays silent. Frozen relationships begin to thaw as the siblings investigate each other and on the way help a struggling teenager, save a marriage, complete a dissertation and eventually land together on the island of Jamaica.
J is pleased that all is going as planned, except the third provision. How can he ever get the independent, headstrong Mags to have feelings for him? When strange things begin to happen, J is certain he is receiving help from beyond the grave. Can Mags let go of the past and resuscitate dreams she thought had died? .
Dead Dreams is a twisted family comedy of 58,555 words. Contemporary fiction with a hint of romance, this story is a light read similar to Delinsky’s Three Wishes with the homey feel of Debbie Macomber. It will appeal to anyone who agrees that life is better with family, even when they are a little crazy.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
It will HAVE to be a Miracle
I don't know if I'm going to make it. I'm trying to get my current work, "The Strabeck Codicil" finished and entered in the Amazon Break-out Novel contest by February 2nd. Unfortunately life keeps getting in the way.
Greg, my hubby, has these reports from work that he wants my help with so I've been doing work for him all weekend. I had a wedding and children that needed help with projects for the end of the semester. AHHH!
Then I went to writer's group and they told me what I knew, that my central conflict was getting muddy. It was. I've got to accept that the most driving relationship is a love story and let it be a romance with strong family themes but a romance none the less and do a major rewrite. Yuck!
So I'm at 31,000 words and less than halfway through with three weeks before deadline. I've got to finish AND have an incredible pitch. Today I'll finish Greg's stuff and get back at it.
Will I make it?
Don't know, but I'm hoping for a miracle.
Greg, my hubby, has these reports from work that he wants my help with so I've been doing work for him all weekend. I had a wedding and children that needed help with projects for the end of the semester. AHHH!
Then I went to writer's group and they told me what I knew, that my central conflict was getting muddy. It was. I've got to accept that the most driving relationship is a love story and let it be a romance with strong family themes but a romance none the less and do a major rewrite. Yuck!
So I'm at 31,000 words and less than halfway through with three weeks before deadline. I've got to finish AND have an incredible pitch. Today I'll finish Greg's stuff and get back at it.
Will I make it?
Don't know, but I'm hoping for a miracle.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
It's A Wonderful Day and Novel Idea
Last night I was up until 2 a.m. finishing my initial edits on "Artemus and the Knights of Light." It's a cute story that's got a lot of good going for it but like many first novels (mine included) it has POV and story arc issues.
After my initial reading, I struggled with how to get my arms around the project. Sunday afternoon I was thinking about the writing process in general and did a quick search on how to write a bestseller. An article came up that I doubt I could find again but in it, the author suggested using a table or speadsheet to map out the scenes of your book.
One thing I've learned about writing is that its different for everyone. I could never do this before I started writing. I'm an organic author. I start with a basic premise and then sort of live through my stories and see how they grow from the seat of my pants. BUT for editing and revisions, what a fabulous tool.
With this story that was the perfect answer. As soon as I could see it simplified in front of me, I could figure out how to intensify and streamline the plot to add suspense and interest.
Now I'm going to do it on the final edit of my own manuscript.
Hooray for good ideas!!!
After my initial reading, I struggled with how to get my arms around the project. Sunday afternoon I was thinking about the writing process in general and did a quick search on how to write a bestseller. An article came up that I doubt I could find again but in it, the author suggested using a table or speadsheet to map out the scenes of your book.
One thing I've learned about writing is that its different for everyone. I could never do this before I started writing. I'm an organic author. I start with a basic premise and then sort of live through my stories and see how they grow from the seat of my pants. BUT for editing and revisions, what a fabulous tool.
With this story that was the perfect answer. As soon as I could see it simplified in front of me, I could figure out how to intensify and streamline the plot to add suspense and interest.
Now I'm going to do it on the final edit of my own manuscript.
Hooray for good ideas!!!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Critique Group, Attack! or What Should A First Chapter Contain
I don't know how many of you have ever been to a writing critique group but it's a fun experience. I love seeing people rip apart what I've written and excited to discuss my motivation and clarify if I really have a plot point or simply like this scene so much I'm misleading and boring my audience (which I do far too often.)
In response and perhaps because of this fact, I attack my fellow group members with the same gusto and in the end we find what is best in what we have written. Invariably I have left feeling that my work is better and hope I've helped those writer's around me. It's great!
So last Tuesday we had a new friend come to critique group. She is in her early twenties, just out of college and was a little hesitant to read. We did our pieces first and then she began. Jackie's work was wonderful! It is about a family of elves whose mother dies of a strange disease. Elves hardly ever get sick and the calamity forces these elves to go to the land of humans to find a cure. Great premise!
The only issue was that the conflict wasn't introduced until twenty pages into the story and you weren't sure who the main character was, his weakness or his obstacle. Maybe I'm going through the growing pains of a new writer but the more I read and write, the more formulaic I'm becoming, believe it or not. I hope Jackie comes back because we sort of drowned her in suggestions like simply dropping the first chapter and starting with the second but I hope she does because she is a great writer.
BUT I also wanted to clarify what a first chapter should contain:
1. Grab the Reader- Everyone agrees that the most important thing the first sentences of you book must do is to grab the reader. In the first 13 lines there should be enough action, unanswered questions or pathos with your main character to suck the reader in.
2. Introduce the Main Character- Books are about being given the privilege of living on someone else's shoulder for a while and vicariously experiencing their most challenging, thrilling or scary moment and watching how they overcome it through change. If I don't like the main character, sorry, I don't want to go for the ride. And if I don't know who the main character is, I'm done.
3. Introduce the Main Conflict or Hint at it- In romance the main conflict is will these two people fall in love despite some great flaw. Almost without exception the hero/love interest is either introduced or mentioned by one of the main character's friends ("Did you hear about the new CIO? He used to be a male model.) In other types of fiction where the conflict may be the destruction of a world or simply overcoming shyness, the conflict either needs to be thrown in the readers face through the first humilating scene or hinted at subtly as your character participates in something truly attention grabbing. By the end of the first chapter I've got to have an idea what the book will be about.
4. Plan on It Changing- I doubt that many writers ever keep their first chapter close to the same by the time a book goes to print and most first time writers' books don't really begin until the third chapter. That's okay but expect that your first chapter is going to be chopped up, revved up and slimmed down. It's the first chapter that sells your book and it should go through the most stringent editting. Have lots of people read it. Change it. Try new first scenes. Make it shine.
5. Don't Make it Too Long- I hadn't thought of this but it's true. That first chapter should suck people in. When they end it, it is the first feeling of satisfaction the book gives them and you want them to feel that as soon as possible. If there is information you can put into back story, take it out of that first chapter. Start in the middle, I'm not reading a diary of this person's whole life so you don't have to tell me everything up front. Give me the action, introduce your main character and conflict and leave me with a cliffhanger.
6. Yup, End with a Cliffhanger- NOT at the end of the book but definitely at the end of the first chapter. Does the last sentence leave me starving to read the next paragraph. What vital question have you left unanswered? Leave me wanting more.
Lastly, I have to admit that I think I did none of these for my first book. In my second I did a better job but I can see why this is important and as I reviewed my favorite authors I found that most did this perfectly. Wow.
In response and perhaps because of this fact, I attack my fellow group members with the same gusto and in the end we find what is best in what we have written. Invariably I have left feeling that my work is better and hope I've helped those writer's around me. It's great!
So last Tuesday we had a new friend come to critique group. She is in her early twenties, just out of college and was a little hesitant to read. We did our pieces first and then she began. Jackie's work was wonderful! It is about a family of elves whose mother dies of a strange disease. Elves hardly ever get sick and the calamity forces these elves to go to the land of humans to find a cure. Great premise!
The only issue was that the conflict wasn't introduced until twenty pages into the story and you weren't sure who the main character was, his weakness or his obstacle. Maybe I'm going through the growing pains of a new writer but the more I read and write, the more formulaic I'm becoming, believe it or not. I hope Jackie comes back because we sort of drowned her in suggestions like simply dropping the first chapter and starting with the second but I hope she does because she is a great writer.
BUT I also wanted to clarify what a first chapter should contain:
1. Grab the Reader- Everyone agrees that the most important thing the first sentences of you book must do is to grab the reader. In the first 13 lines there should be enough action, unanswered questions or pathos with your main character to suck the reader in.
2. Introduce the Main Character- Books are about being given the privilege of living on someone else's shoulder for a while and vicariously experiencing their most challenging, thrilling or scary moment and watching how they overcome it through change. If I don't like the main character, sorry, I don't want to go for the ride. And if I don't know who the main character is, I'm done.
3. Introduce the Main Conflict or Hint at it- In romance the main conflict is will these two people fall in love despite some great flaw. Almost without exception the hero/love interest is either introduced or mentioned by one of the main character's friends ("Did you hear about the new CIO? He used to be a male model.) In other types of fiction where the conflict may be the destruction of a world or simply overcoming shyness, the conflict either needs to be thrown in the readers face through the first humilating scene or hinted at subtly as your character participates in something truly attention grabbing. By the end of the first chapter I've got to have an idea what the book will be about.
4. Plan on It Changing- I doubt that many writers ever keep their first chapter close to the same by the time a book goes to print and most first time writers' books don't really begin until the third chapter. That's okay but expect that your first chapter is going to be chopped up, revved up and slimmed down. It's the first chapter that sells your book and it should go through the most stringent editting. Have lots of people read it. Change it. Try new first scenes. Make it shine.
5. Don't Make it Too Long- I hadn't thought of this but it's true. That first chapter should suck people in. When they end it, it is the first feeling of satisfaction the book gives them and you want them to feel that as soon as possible. If there is information you can put into back story, take it out of that first chapter. Start in the middle, I'm not reading a diary of this person's whole life so you don't have to tell me everything up front. Give me the action, introduce your main character and conflict and leave me with a cliffhanger.
6. Yup, End with a Cliffhanger- NOT at the end of the book but definitely at the end of the first chapter. Does the last sentence leave me starving to read the next paragraph. What vital question have you left unanswered? Leave me wanting more.
Lastly, I have to admit that I think I did none of these for my first book. In my second I did a better job but I can see why this is important and as I reviewed my favorite authors I found that most did this perfectly. Wow.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Where Do Stories Come From
This week I read a book by Thomas Tryon called "The Wings of Morning." It looked like an intellegent historical romance set at the turn of the century but it was actually a bizzare tale about the horrible destroying effects of true love and how most people that survive this life are lucky because they never experience it, settling for something far less.
Later I looked at a biography of the author's life. He was an disenchanted Hollywood actor who specialized in horror and mystery. He never married and preferred men. Suddenly I totally understood the truth he was attempting to portray because he really believed it, but I didn't. For me love was not what I expected but something a million times more deep, complex and satisfying than simple attraction, which this writer mistook for "true love." So I sat down and outlined a modern story to rebutt his well written but totally inaccurate novel. I can't wait until I finish my next two projects because I actually think its going to be pretty good.
After I sat in front of my six page outline, I thought that it was interesting that this book would inspire me to organize a story. Which got me wondering where writers come up with the basis for their books. Looking around I found an article from Dan Brown (not THE Dan Brown.) He is a columnist for the Free London Press and he said that writer's need to be sponges. If you are running out of ideas you have to read, watch TV or live a little. He also said that in a pinch you can find what other writers are writing and take an opposite view.
So I suppose the foundation of my story is not that original then. But he also said that is only the seed or kernel that gets you started and then you find yourself evolving from there. Hah, so it is original.
Stephen King has apparently written a book "On Writing" that tells his experience, which again often came from events in his life, albeit shifted, expanded or totally twisted. When I was a teenager his books creeped me out but they were compelling.
Jodi Picoult, one of my favorite writers, says that her stories usually begin with a what if scenario. What if a boy left standing after a botched suicide pact was accused of murder? What if a little girl developed an imaginary friend who turned out to be God? What if an attorney didn't think that the legal system was quite good enough for her own child? Then she begins researching and it morphs from there.
Stephanie Meyers said the origins of "Twilight" began as a dream. It is also interesting that JK Rowlings said that Hermione was actually alot like herself as a child- a know-it-all who was afraid of failure. Well, if she had a crystal ball she never would have had to worry about that.
I imagine on some level all writers insert a part of themselves into their books that's what makes them compelled to write them. But what makes them worth reading is a whole different matter. Okay, so I'm easily hooked into a story if you have left me hanging with a character that I like and I want to know what's going to become of them but 95% of the books I read end with me feeling empty or disappointed. For me the test of a really good book is when the truth at the center of the story is honest and enlightening. Those are the books that stay with me and make me want to read them again. And, I guess, that is what I'm trying to create.
Later I looked at a biography of the author's life. He was an disenchanted Hollywood actor who specialized in horror and mystery. He never married and preferred men. Suddenly I totally understood the truth he was attempting to portray because he really believed it, but I didn't. For me love was not what I expected but something a million times more deep, complex and satisfying than simple attraction, which this writer mistook for "true love." So I sat down and outlined a modern story to rebutt his well written but totally inaccurate novel. I can't wait until I finish my next two projects because I actually think its going to be pretty good.
After I sat in front of my six page outline, I thought that it was interesting that this book would inspire me to organize a story. Which got me wondering where writers come up with the basis for their books. Looking around I found an article from Dan Brown (not THE Dan Brown.) He is a columnist for the Free London Press and he said that writer's need to be sponges. If you are running out of ideas you have to read, watch TV or live a little. He also said that in a pinch you can find what other writers are writing and take an opposite view.
So I suppose the foundation of my story is not that original then. But he also said that is only the seed or kernel that gets you started and then you find yourself evolving from there. Hah, so it is original.
Stephen King has apparently written a book "On Writing" that tells his experience, which again often came from events in his life, albeit shifted, expanded or totally twisted. When I was a teenager his books creeped me out but they were compelling.
Jodi Picoult, one of my favorite writers, says that her stories usually begin with a what if scenario. What if a boy left standing after a botched suicide pact was accused of murder? What if a little girl developed an imaginary friend who turned out to be God? What if an attorney didn't think that the legal system was quite good enough for her own child? Then she begins researching and it morphs from there.
Stephanie Meyers said the origins of "Twilight" began as a dream. It is also interesting that JK Rowlings said that Hermione was actually alot like herself as a child- a know-it-all who was afraid of failure. Well, if she had a crystal ball she never would have had to worry about that.
I imagine on some level all writers insert a part of themselves into their books that's what makes them compelled to write them. But what makes them worth reading is a whole different matter. Okay, so I'm easily hooked into a story if you have left me hanging with a character that I like and I want to know what's going to become of them but 95% of the books I read end with me feeling empty or disappointed. For me the test of a really good book is when the truth at the center of the story is honest and enlightening. Those are the books that stay with me and make me want to read them again. And, I guess, that is what I'm trying to create.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Writer's Block and not Doing your Homework
Tonight was bedlam. I was watching a nine-year-old girl for a friend and the younger children were running around our feet, screaming in glee and showing off. To top it off I was late starting dinner and forgot I was having dinner guests until they arrived at the door. Somehow I had also asked my teenager to make dinner rolls. Of course, they weren't ready in time and the kitchen sink was piled high with all the dishes she had used for her small little salty mounds of what tasted like hardened playdough. My older sons and my husband were loudly debating the option of writing in Kermit the Frog on their ballots rather than vote for McCain who looks like the GOP candidate with our guests and I was running around frantically, trying to get edible food on the table. It was bedlam.
By the time the guests left and dinner was cleared I noticed my thirteen year old son who had been working on his math homework the entire time slumped over face down in his open book. I sat next to him, looked at the broken pencil and bent dinner fork, and guessed it wasn't going well. "Can I help you?" I offered.
"No! This is so stupid; it is impossible. It won't do what I want it to. I hate it!"
"Well, buddy," I tried to soften his frustration, "maybe if you look at it a different way..."
"There is no other way!" He smashed his face two or three times back into the page, returning to his lifeless stance.
I lifted the book and saw percentages. I explained that the key to percentages is that "of" means its the denominator but he wouldn't believe me. So I went back over his work, most of it incorrect and showed him how to do it. After the third correct answer in the back of the book, he began to see hope that it might work out. He did a problem and got it right and then grabbed the pencil and I became to him. Less than ten minutes later he closed the book with satisfaction, finished with his impossible task and ran upstairs to catch the last of American Idol before family prayer.
What surprised me as I watched him go was how similar his experience had been to my own just the day before. I was working on a chapter about "small sins." I had a scripture I wanted to weave into a C. S. Lewis quote that totally correlated to the topic but everytime I tried to segue it together, it was AWFUL. I couldn't make it work; it just wouldn't twist and squeeze into compliance. The entire day I only produced four pages of ragged, nasty copy and when my husband got home, I felt like I was an idiot to think I could even attempt such a massive project with my addled brain.
My patient husband pulled me away from the computer and we talked about it. My problem was the same as my son's, I wasn't willing to let go of my false idea so I could let a better one enter. Greg made some other suggestions and we talked about themes of the book and the big picture and a whole new and better connection came to mind that lead to the introduction of three more quotes and life was fabulous and you couldn't tear me away from flopping out the ten fabulous pages I produced today.
Now as I look back on it, I wonder how many times I wasn't willing to let go of what I had to take in something better. How many times have I felt too busy to attend a meeting or said no to a friend who had invited me to lunch or didn't ever make a phone call I thought about but let life get in the way? I remember after I lost my baby and my father passed away just four days later I sort of shut down. One day a woman my husband worked with came over to take me to dinner. I told her I didn't want to go out but she would not let me politely say no. When we got in the car, I began by talking about my loss but she wouldn't let me. She said that it would be there when we got back but for an hour I was going to go on vacation from all that pain and have fun, and I did. When I got back, it was amazing because suddenly I wasn't still marinated in it. I realized I could be free of some of the extreme emotion that was drowning me. I hadn't realized I had that ability but once I did, it was easier.
Part of being a writer is seeing connections others don't see. They say there are no new plots, only new perspectives on the old ones. But if we don't let go every once in a while and open our minds and hearts, we can spend our whole lives trapped in the same old, same old.
Thank goodness for mothers that can do math, husbands who can put up with their crazy wives and close friends who pull us out of our comfort zones against our wills.
By the time the guests left and dinner was cleared I noticed my thirteen year old son who had been working on his math homework the entire time slumped over face down in his open book. I sat next to him, looked at the broken pencil and bent dinner fork, and guessed it wasn't going well. "Can I help you?" I offered.
"No! This is so stupid; it is impossible. It won't do what I want it to. I hate it!"
"Well, buddy," I tried to soften his frustration, "maybe if you look at it a different way..."
"There is no other way!" He smashed his face two or three times back into the page, returning to his lifeless stance.
I lifted the book and saw percentages. I explained that the key to percentages is that "of" means its the denominator but he wouldn't believe me. So I went back over his work, most of it incorrect and showed him how to do it. After the third correct answer in the back of the book, he began to see hope that it might work out. He did a problem and got it right and then grabbed the pencil and I became to him. Less than ten minutes later he closed the book with satisfaction, finished with his impossible task and ran upstairs to catch the last of American Idol before family prayer.
What surprised me as I watched him go was how similar his experience had been to my own just the day before. I was working on a chapter about "small sins." I had a scripture I wanted to weave into a C. S. Lewis quote that totally correlated to the topic but everytime I tried to segue it together, it was AWFUL. I couldn't make it work; it just wouldn't twist and squeeze into compliance. The entire day I only produced four pages of ragged, nasty copy and when my husband got home, I felt like I was an idiot to think I could even attempt such a massive project with my addled brain.
My patient husband pulled me away from the computer and we talked about it. My problem was the same as my son's, I wasn't willing to let go of my false idea so I could let a better one enter. Greg made some other suggestions and we talked about themes of the book and the big picture and a whole new and better connection came to mind that lead to the introduction of three more quotes and life was fabulous and you couldn't tear me away from flopping out the ten fabulous pages I produced today.
Now as I look back on it, I wonder how many times I wasn't willing to let go of what I had to take in something better. How many times have I felt too busy to attend a meeting or said no to a friend who had invited me to lunch or didn't ever make a phone call I thought about but let life get in the way? I remember after I lost my baby and my father passed away just four days later I sort of shut down. One day a woman my husband worked with came over to take me to dinner. I told her I didn't want to go out but she would not let me politely say no. When we got in the car, I began by talking about my loss but she wouldn't let me. She said that it would be there when we got back but for an hour I was going to go on vacation from all that pain and have fun, and I did. When I got back, it was amazing because suddenly I wasn't still marinated in it. I realized I could be free of some of the extreme emotion that was drowning me. I hadn't realized I had that ability but once I did, it was easier.
Part of being a writer is seeing connections others don't see. They say there are no new plots, only new perspectives on the old ones. But if we don't let go every once in a while and open our minds and hearts, we can spend our whole lives trapped in the same old, same old.
Thank goodness for mothers that can do math, husbands who can put up with their crazy wives and close friends who pull us out of our comfort zones against our wills.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Be True to the Star Within You
Today was a red letter day for me as far as writing was concerned. I finished a chapter that has had me stumped for two weeks and when I typed the last words I felt estatic because it was really, really good! What was so interesting about the writing process is that it went in an entirely different direction than I had originally planned.
At first I wanted the chapter to follow the same bullets as Sister Beck's talk but I couldn't force my muse into the unnatural pretzel shape I would have had to in order to package it that cute-ly (probably not a word but you know what I mean.) Then I was going to string together unrelated topics with a thin thread of logic that was making me hate myself as a writer- a very bad thing.
Finally I let my writing lead me. This meant long delays as I searched for new information, rather than manipulating my copy into the information I had already gathered but as I let my mind follow its natural path, I found new corners I hadn't considered and ended up full circle- even using a quote I had found two years before and simply adored but thought I'd never be able to use again. It was exhilarating.
I consider myself a VERY immature writer with a lot to learn. Perhaps that is because I am a VERY immature person with a lot to learn, but this is something I hope I have learned sufficiently to never forget. When a writer writes, he or she must be true to his own voice. When we try to cut corners or package ideas, we cheat ourselves and the reader. I'm not saying we don't need to edit or adjust our tone to meet our audience but in so doing we must still be true to our inner voice.
A few days ago I received an awesome Christmas CD from my cousin Peter Asplund. His entire young family sings and raps and he does this cool remix thing- it is a joy to listen to. Anyway, in his accompanied letter he mentioned his young daughter is very talented in many ways and has perfect pitch. Apparently they have been encouraging her to sing so she left the following note on her parents' door-- I've lost the original so please accept my paraphrasing until I find it amid the ocean of papers on my desk- but it went something like this: "I know you and Dad are encouraging me to sing. Music is not my inner star, art is. So please stop it. I must follow my inner star."
It is so refreshing to hear of a child so assured of her "inner star" and it is a little embarassing that it took me so long to remember to find mine and follow it.
At first I wanted the chapter to follow the same bullets as Sister Beck's talk but I couldn't force my muse into the unnatural pretzel shape I would have had to in order to package it that cute-ly (probably not a word but you know what I mean.) Then I was going to string together unrelated topics with a thin thread of logic that was making me hate myself as a writer- a very bad thing.
Finally I let my writing lead me. This meant long delays as I searched for new information, rather than manipulating my copy into the information I had already gathered but as I let my mind follow its natural path, I found new corners I hadn't considered and ended up full circle- even using a quote I had found two years before and simply adored but thought I'd never be able to use again. It was exhilarating.
I consider myself a VERY immature writer with a lot to learn. Perhaps that is because I am a VERY immature person with a lot to learn, but this is something I hope I have learned sufficiently to never forget. When a writer writes, he or she must be true to his own voice. When we try to cut corners or package ideas, we cheat ourselves and the reader. I'm not saying we don't need to edit or adjust our tone to meet our audience but in so doing we must still be true to our inner voice.
A few days ago I received an awesome Christmas CD from my cousin Peter Asplund. His entire young family sings and raps and he does this cool remix thing- it is a joy to listen to. Anyway, in his accompanied letter he mentioned his young daughter is very talented in many ways and has perfect pitch. Apparently they have been encouraging her to sing so she left the following note on her parents' door-- I've lost the original so please accept my paraphrasing until I find it amid the ocean of papers on my desk- but it went something like this: "I know you and Dad are encouraging me to sing. Music is not my inner star, art is. So please stop it. I must follow my inner star."
It is so refreshing to hear of a child so assured of her "inner star" and it is a little embarassing that it took me so long to remember to find mine and follow it.
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