3 Ways to Fix a Story Problem: WSG 26

Writer's Survival Guide 26: 3 Ways to Fix a Story Problem

If you're a writer and you've gotten feedback on your work either from a critique partner, a contest, an agent, an editor, or a freelance editor, you know about story problems.

By story problems, I mean, things that don't work for whomever gives you feedback. These could be a character flaw, inappropriate pace, too much backstory, too little backstory, insufficient conflict, over-the-top conflict, stilted dialogue, unlikable characters, cliche'd writing, undeveloped setting--you name it!

I've been alerted to many story problems in the years I've been writing. It's shocking, I know. I'm not a perfect writer! What?? :)

When I get feedback that resonates with me, I sigh. I berate myself a little bit.

Why can't I get this right? How many revisions and books does it take to write a great book? I'm studying, working hard, and I'm committed to writing at my highest level--so why am I still not getting it right?

When I'm done with the self-loathing, I usually detach myself emotionally. I analyze the main problems identified and spend time analyzing if I agree they really are problems. Once I've done this, I'm ready to tackle them.

Here are three ways to fix a story problem.

1. Get to the heart of the problem by summarizing it in one sentence. Do this for every issue you will be working on.

2. Brainstorm 10 ways to fix the problem. You can always brainstorm more, but do a minimum of 10. You might not use every "fix," but you'll feel better knowing you have plenty of options.

3. Send the new version out for more feedback. Sometimes we do our best to solve a problem, but we only get it about 80% correct. A trusted critique partner, a contest, or a freelance editor will help us shape the book into it's absolute best form.

I've written a lot of books. When I stray from my prescribed revision and feedback routine, my book suffers. I've learned the hard way that for me to put out my best work, I have to be diligent about verifying the key plot points, paying attention to my critique partners' advice, and going through my revision checklist.

How do you fix story problems when you're writing?

Have a fantastic day!

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Be a Sponge

Be ready. Be willing. Be able.

A long time ago, I read these three sentences on an agent blog (sorry, I can't remember the author). I thought they were terrific guideposts for writers.


I'd like to add a fourth. Be a sponge.

Many aspiring writers are ready and willing. It's the able that gets them. That's why we need to be a sponge.

Let's look at a fictional aspiring writer, Susie. Susie wrote her first manuscript last year during NaNoWriMo. She spent the bitter winter months revising and editing it, and she attended her first writer's conference in June where she pitched to an editor and an agent. Both requested a partial.

Susie is pumped. She knows she's got what it takes and certain it will be a short wait until her big dream comes true. Of course, if her future publisher has suggestions, she'll take them, but as far as she's concerned, she'll land a contract, and soon.

What Susie finds out eight weeks later from both the agent and the editor is that her story shows promise but she needs to work on her craft. They decline her project.

Her craft? Rejected? What??

Susie takes a few days to rant, cry, and eat brownie batter. Slowly, she returns to life. She remembers how that guy from the fiction workshop self-published his book. He made it sound easy. Maybe the agent and editor don't know everything. A hidden part of her protests, though, since both pointed out the same problem.

She doesn't rule self-publishing out, but decides she'd better investigate writing techniques and make her book as polished as possible before making any publishing decisions.

She starts paying attention to the blogs she's read that talk about point of view, info dumps, and backstory. Even though she doesn't quite believe she's doing any of those things, she checks out a few recommended books on the writing craft. As she reads, she has many breakthrough moments. Once more, she gets excited about writing.

Now she knows what she needs to do. As she writes book two, she knows she's writing much better than her last book. She queries agents and gets a few requests. This time she gets a rejection based on pacing.

Pacing? She heads back to the blogs, checks out more books. And so the process goes.

While she's learning about writing, she's also picking up advice about self-publishing, e-publishers, and traditional print publishers. She now knows the genre she writes, let's say urban fantasy, sells really well as an e-book and she decides to query a respected e-publisher. She not only gets a request, she gets a contract.

Susie was smart. Sure, she had big dreams for her first book, who doesn't? Some writers actually get their first book published--why not her? But when her book one got rejected, she took the advice given and worked on improving. She kept studying, kept her ears perked for advice, and picked up every tip she could.

Now when Susie writes, she's creating better books, and she's building an audience. Her confidence is based on a solid foundation. She knows she'll always be soaking in writer advice. And because she was willing to be a sponge, she is able.

Be ready. Be willing. Be able. Be a sponge.

Are you always on the lookout for tips to improve your writing? Do you have anything to add to the mantra?

Have a wonderful Monday!

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Preparing for Success Part 1: The Mental Game

Preparing for Success is a three-part series targeted to aspiring writers. Any writer who decides to pursue publication, whether through self-publishing, e-publishing, or traditional publishing enters a crowded, competitive field. For most of us it will be a long, bumpy, confusing ride. If we use our unpublished time wisely, we will stand out from the crowd and our hard work will pay off.

Part 1: The Mental Game

The moment we decide we want to be published, a mental shift occurs. The safety of writing as a hobby is stripped away. Can I do this? What if I try and fail? Or what if I’m an instant success? We’re pummeled with excitement, euphoria, and uncertainty.

I can only speak for myself, but when I decided to pursue publication, I was certain I could write a good book and get it published. After all, reading was my favorite hobby; I knew a great story when I saw one. All I had to do was come up with a fabulous plot line, write the book, and send it to my target publisher. And if my first book didn't sell, surely my second book would. As I wrote my first novel, I skimmed the library’s copy of Writer’s Market, checked the publisher’s website, and took notes on how to submit to them.

Imagine my happiness months later when they requested a partial. This is it. All my dreams are going to come true. I’ll have a book on store shelves next year!

Four years later, I have yet to see my books on store shelves, but I’ve learned so much on my journey to this point that I’m—I can’t believe I’m admitting this—glad my first books never made it stores.

In fact, I’m convinced these years have been God’s way of preparing me for success. Each setback has strengthened me. Even with a supportive, fabulous agent, I keep my expectations realistic. My initial bravado morphed to true confidence in my ability to write a good, publishable book, and that confidence could only be earned by mastering the mental game.

Common Mental Traps Aspiring Writers Fall Into:

1. I’m special/unique and above the average writer.

Initially, we might not realize how many people are aspiring to be published authors. We may have a sense of entitlement or a deluded idea that we are somehow above the trials of other writers. Sure, it took them seven years to get published, but that won’t happen to me. The reality? We have no idea how long it will take us to get published.

2. I was born with writing talent. I don’t have to study.

Another pitfall of fresh, aspiring writers is the false belief that talent is a set trait. Most writers are born with special gifts, but talent must be polished, nurtured, strengthened. All writers need to continuously hone their craft.

3. My degree in creative writing guarantees I’ll get published.

Sorry, but even with a degree, you’re going to have to study the market. You’ll need to read the genre you write, learn mainstream fiction techniques, and get a critique partner. Whatever your literary background, expect to spend a lot of time learning about the publishing industry.

4. Rejected? I should quit. I’ll never be any good.

The first rejection can be brutal. I remember feeling as if I’d lost two pints of blood. It took me a few days to process everything. The only advice I can give is don’t give up. This is a setback, a learning tool, not the end of your writing career. Keep writing. Keep submitting.

5. No one understands how hard it is to get published.

Well, duh! Most people have no clue how competitive the publishing field is. It really doesn’t matter. We can use fear to distract ourselves by thinking about the thousands of queries we’re competing against, but at the end of the day, we only have control over one thing: writing the best book we are capable of.

6. I’m scared. I’ve invested years into this. What if it never happens?

I struggle with this one all the time. I still struggle with it. All I know is writing is the only thing I want to do with my life. It’s part of my soul. It’s necessary. And I want to share my writing with the world, so I keep going.

7. It’s not fair! She got a book deal?

Ah, envy, that vicious bully. Some writers will get their very first book published. It’s true. And we can’t help but wonder if they found some magical fast track. How did they get picked up? Why didn’t we? Again—this doesn’t help us. It distracts us. If you’re struggling with envy, remember the countless other souls in the same boat as you.

8. My book isn’t as funny/suspenseful/outrageous/etc…as so-and-so’s.

Good! We’re striving to offer something special in our books. When we get caught up in comparing our books to someone else’s, we diminish our own value. We don’t have to be like anyone else. Our writing should stand out for what we have to offer.

Mental Tools for Success

1. Humility

If you, like me, sometimes struggle with pride, facing rejections can be extremely humbling. However, when we experience lows, we’re better prepared to empathize with others in our shoes. Even when I’m celebrating a writing high, I’m careful not to overdo my public excitement out of respect for fellow aspiring writers. Yes, we all celebrate our friends’ successes, but if we’re in a slump or received a rejection, reading post after post about the wonderful life of a fellow author can grate our nerves to shreds.

2. Confidence

Confidence can be confused with pride or arrogance. Confidence in your writing is when you know deep in your soul that your writing is the best it can be at this time. I didn’t gain true confidence until I entrusted my writing to critique partners, studied the craft extensively, and took to heart the advice offered in rejection letters.

3. Peace

I’ve made peace with the fact my current books may get turned down. Or they may get picked up. It may take months on a pub board to get a contract. It may take months for me to write my next book and maybe that will be my break-in book. I still have a nagging sense of wanting it now, but I no longer put unrealistic gauntlets down, like this MUST be the one. Really? Must it? My life will go on pretty much the same regardless.

Final Thought

Often, we put a time frame or other limitations on our writing aspirations. If I’m not published in a year, I’ll give up or If this book gets rejected, I’ll know it’s a sign I’m not meant to be published.

This kind of thinking doesn’t help us. Why put an expiration date on our dreams? We have a lifetime to do the things we want to do, so throw off the rules and embrace the fact that you’re a writer. You’re doing something amazing and courageous by writing and submitting your work. Be proud of yourself!

What is your biggest hurdle in the mental game?

Come back on Wednesday for Preparing for Success Part 2: Writing.

Have a wonderful Monday!

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