Revisions. It's a dirty word, isn't it?
I am not a revise-as-you-go writer. I write the first draft close to the desired word count, set the book aside, and come back to revise it.
The first round of revisions can only be described as painful. I'm fixing major plot, character, and pacing problems. I'm straining to make sure each scene has conflicts and goals. Round one takes a long time to get through.
But round two--oh round two!--is beautiful. I'm filling in scenes with action tags, sensory details, and internal thoughts. My favorite way to do this is by reading the scene out loud in first person (I write in past tense, third person.) It helps me get in the character's head and visualize the scene.
The second round takes much less time than the first, and the process is more fun. I'm not tensing my shoulders or burning a hole into my laptop with my laser-stare, trying to figure out what on earth is wrong with the page. Instead, I'm complimenting the scene, making it better, like dusting glitter powder on a dancer before a recital.
Then round two will be finished and I will enter round three with a thud. Chocolate will be involved. And coffee. Round three can be a bear.
What aspect of revising do you like best?
Have a happy Wednesday!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Love Edition
Happy Valentine's Day!
I love romance, love Valentine's Day and the unabashed joy of love.
How important is love? Elizabeth Bernstein wrote an article for The Wall Street Journal, "How--and Why--to Say "I Love You" to Friends and Family." I loved the article and got a bit misty-eyed at the Piglet reference.
Why is it so difficult to say these words to certain people?
I wish I had the answer, but in the name of Valentine's Day, go ahead and tell those closest to you that you love them. If they seem shocked, you can attribute it to the holiday! If the words lodge in your throat like a huge wad of cheese, at least show them you love them with a kind gesture. A big hug always tells someone you care.
For those of you without a recipient for a loving gesture, why not take the opportunity to do something really nice for yourself? Is there something you've put off because it seems extravagant? Today's the day! Go ahead and indulge in a box of chocolates, a thick book, a trip to the movies, or whatever is on your wish list. Sometimes the person we need to hear "I love you" the most from is from ourselves.
How will you show your love this holiday?
Happy Valentine's Day!
I love romance, love Valentine's Day and the unabashed joy of love.
How important is love? Elizabeth Bernstein wrote an article for The Wall Street Journal, "How--and Why--to Say "I Love You" to Friends and Family." I loved the article and got a bit misty-eyed at the Piglet reference.
Why is it so difficult to say these words to certain people?
I wish I had the answer, but in the name of Valentine's Day, go ahead and tell those closest to you that you love them. If they seem shocked, you can attribute it to the holiday! If the words lodge in your throat like a huge wad of cheese, at least show them you love them with a kind gesture. A big hug always tells someone you care.
For those of you without a recipient for a loving gesture, why not take the opportunity to do something really nice for yourself? Is there something you've put off because it seems extravagant? Today's the day! Go ahead and indulge in a box of chocolates, a thick book, a trip to the movies, or whatever is on your wish list. Sometimes the person we need to hear "I love you" the most from is from ourselves.
How will you show your love this holiday?
Happy Valentine's Day!
Friday, February 11, 2011
One Tip for Writers Starting a Blog
If you're a writer and considering taking the plunge into the blogging world, I have one piece of advice.
Use your author name in the URL and the title.
I know, we all want our blogs to stand out. We want the title to be clever--a good thing--and catchy--another good thing. But failing to include your author name in the URL and the title will cost you.
There are two reasons to use your author name in the URL and title of your blog.
1. From a platform perspective:
You're starting to build a web-presence to help you either get published or get readers. Will agents, editors, or readers Google an obscure title? No, they will Google your name. We want every online effort to reflect back to our author name. Let's make it easy for search engines to find us!
2. From a reader's perspective:
I follow hundreds of blogs, and I read them in Google Reader. The title of the blog shows up along with the title of the post. If your author name isn't in the title of your blog, it makes if very difficult for me to connect you as the author.
A few days ago, in the name of researching this post, I counted how many blogs I follow that feature a play on the word write in the title but no author name. Twenty-five! My memory for matching authors with blog names is very limited.
If I see Julie Musil: New Blog Post, I'm more likely to read it because I know and like Julie's posts. (If you don't follow Julie Musil, go on over to her blog. She's terrific!) Plus, I connect Julie's name to her Facebook profile and her tweets on Twitter. Whenever someone retweets or shares one of her posts on a social network, I see her name with the title of the post.
On the other hand, it's very hard to remember that Write Bucket is written by Susie Sunshine. Even if I adore Susie's posts, I'm less likely to read them because I've forgotten Write Bucket belongs to Susie. (I made up Write Bucket and Susie Sunshine--my apologies if this is an actual blog.) If her post is retweeted, I don't see Susie's name in the title of the post, making it less likely for me to click on it.
If you already have a blog, consider altering the title to include your author name. It won't affect old followers (any existing links to your site from other blogs will still show up under your old title), but new followers will have an easier time coming back. In Blogger, simply click on "Settings" and type in your new title, example--Susie Sunshine: Write Bucket.
If you follow many blogs, do you have a hard time remembering who the author is if the name isn't in the title? Does it affect your reading habits?
Have a fabulous weekend!
Use your author name in the URL and the title.
I know, we all want our blogs to stand out. We want the title to be clever--a good thing--and catchy--another good thing. But failing to include your author name in the URL and the title will cost you.
There are two reasons to use your author name in the URL and title of your blog.
1. From a platform perspective:
You're starting to build a web-presence to help you either get published or get readers. Will agents, editors, or readers Google an obscure title? No, they will Google your name. We want every online effort to reflect back to our author name. Let's make it easy for search engines to find us!
2. From a reader's perspective:
I follow hundreds of blogs, and I read them in Google Reader. The title of the blog shows up along with the title of the post. If your author name isn't in the title of your blog, it makes if very difficult for me to connect you as the author.
A few days ago, in the name of researching this post, I counted how many blogs I follow that feature a play on the word write in the title but no author name. Twenty-five! My memory for matching authors with blog names is very limited.
If I see Julie Musil: New Blog Post, I'm more likely to read it because I know and like Julie's posts. (If you don't follow Julie Musil, go on over to her blog. She's terrific!) Plus, I connect Julie's name to her Facebook profile and her tweets on Twitter. Whenever someone retweets or shares one of her posts on a social network, I see her name with the title of the post.
On the other hand, it's very hard to remember that Write Bucket is written by Susie Sunshine. Even if I adore Susie's posts, I'm less likely to read them because I've forgotten Write Bucket belongs to Susie. (I made up Write Bucket and Susie Sunshine--my apologies if this is an actual blog.) If her post is retweeted, I don't see Susie's name in the title of the post, making it less likely for me to click on it.
If you already have a blog, consider altering the title to include your author name. It won't affect old followers (any existing links to your site from other blogs will still show up under your old title), but new followers will have an easier time coming back. In Blogger, simply click on "Settings" and type in your new title, example--Susie Sunshine: Write Bucket.
If you follow many blogs, do you have a hard time remembering who the author is if the name isn't in the title? Does it affect your reading habits?
Have a fabulous weekend!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
No? What Is This Word "No"?
Most people fall into one of two categories. Either they have a hard time saying "yes" to anything, or they find it impossible to say "no."
I'm in the latter group. What can I say? I like to help people. I enjoy volunteering at my kids' school and I adore pitching in with my local writers' group, MVRWA.
Lynn at Place to Create: Connecting Stories wrote a terrific post last week about her experience at Breaknorth Canada 2011. One line in particular stood out for me. "The reality is that when I say Yes to a new task, I'm saying No to another, and pushing my priorities down."
Yeah, I get that. Sometimes we should say no instead of yes. Since my professional goal is to be a published author, I need to carefully weigh each volunteer opportunity before making a decision. Since my personal goal is to raise great kids, I cannot only weigh volunteer opportunities based on my writing.
Here is one way I aim (and never completely succeed!) to keep my volunteer commitments at a manageable level.
I write every volunteer commitment for the current year on an index card and slip it into my small day planner.
My rule? The card can only have writing on one side. When the white space is used up--I have to say no.
This helps me choose the activities I enjoy the most and which are tuned into my goals.
If you have a hard time saying no, what tricks do you use to keep your commitments realistic?
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
I'm in the latter group. What can I say? I like to help people. I enjoy volunteering at my kids' school and I adore pitching in with my local writers' group, MVRWA.
Lynn at Place to Create: Connecting Stories wrote a terrific post last week about her experience at Breaknorth Canada 2011. One line in particular stood out for me. "The reality is that when I say Yes to a new task, I'm saying No to another, and pushing my priorities down."
Yeah, I get that. Sometimes we should say no instead of yes. Since my professional goal is to be a published author, I need to carefully weigh each volunteer opportunity before making a decision. Since my personal goal is to raise great kids, I cannot only weigh volunteer opportunities based on my writing.
Here is one way I aim (and never completely succeed!) to keep my volunteer commitments at a manageable level.
I write every volunteer commitment for the current year on an index card and slip it into my small day planner.
My rule? The card can only have writing on one side. When the white space is used up--I have to say no.
This helps me choose the activities I enjoy the most and which are tuned into my goals.
If you have a hard time saying no, what tricks do you use to keep your commitments realistic?
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Monday, February 7, 2011
3 Lessons for Writers from Cleopatra
I recently finished reading Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. It isn't difficult to see why Ms. Schiff has won prestigious awards for her writing--the book is meticulously researched and gives a broad, unbiased look at a slice of world history many are only vaguely aware of.
I walked away from the book with a better understanding of a pivotal moment in history, when Rome finally gained control of enough money to dominate the world. It didn't pass over me that these events happened just 30 years before Jesus was born, that one of the main players played a prominent role in Jesus' life, and that, with Cleopatra's demise, a new world emerged.
It's a fantastic book--if difficult to read--and I recommend it.
Here are three lessons for writers based on Cleopatra's life.
1. Don't trust your family (to be honest about your writing).
Cleopatra had siblings murdered. She didn't trust them, and with good reason. No, we don't want to kill our families, but it's best to seek honest opinions about our writing from outside sources.
2. Keep going when things don't go your way.
This woman should have been renamed "tenacity." She would not give up. When her brother convinced officials to turn against her, she cozied up to her supporters, went into hiding, and found a way to meet with Julias Caeser. It wasn't easy; there were no guarantees Caeser wouldn't kill her--but she didn't let that stop her.
3. Expect the best.
Cleopatra believed she deserved to be queen, and welcomed all of the trappings and responsibilities that came with the job. Did she feel guilty that she was the wealthiest woman in the world? No. Did she worry she wouldn't be able to handle the constant stream of duties each day? Doubtful.
We too can expect the best. When we believe we will be published (or whatever dream we have that seems impossible), we welcome all the trappings and responsibilities that come with the job.
Do you find it harder to keep going when things don't go your way or to expect the best?
The mental game of being a writer is hard. Be confident!
Have a happy Monday!
I walked away from the book with a better understanding of a pivotal moment in history, when Rome finally gained control of enough money to dominate the world. It didn't pass over me that these events happened just 30 years before Jesus was born, that one of the main players played a prominent role in Jesus' life, and that, with Cleopatra's demise, a new world emerged.
It's a fantastic book--if difficult to read--and I recommend it.
Here are three lessons for writers based on Cleopatra's life.
1. Don't trust your family (to be honest about your writing).
Cleopatra had siblings murdered. She didn't trust them, and with good reason. No, we don't want to kill our families, but it's best to seek honest opinions about our writing from outside sources.
2. Keep going when things don't go your way.
This woman should have been renamed "tenacity." She would not give up. When her brother convinced officials to turn against her, she cozied up to her supporters, went into hiding, and found a way to meet with Julias Caeser. It wasn't easy; there were no guarantees Caeser wouldn't kill her--but she didn't let that stop her.
3. Expect the best.
Cleopatra believed she deserved to be queen, and welcomed all of the trappings and responsibilities that came with the job. Did she feel guilty that she was the wealthiest woman in the world? No. Did she worry she wouldn't be able to handle the constant stream of duties each day? Doubtful.
We too can expect the best. When we believe we will be published (or whatever dream we have that seems impossible), we welcome all the trappings and responsibilities that come with the job.
Do you find it harder to keep going when things don't go your way or to expect the best?
The mental game of being a writer is hard. Be confident!
Have a happy Monday!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Does an Internet Presence Really Help Unpublished Authors?
Last Friday we talked about how social media can help sell your books. But what if you're an aspiring author without a book to sell? Is it really worth your time to create an online presence?
Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency wrote a terrific series a few weeks ago, and one of the posts, The Inside Track: How to Attract an Agent, spelled out what she looks for in a new client. "Along with that knowledge of the industry I look for writers who are connected. If you are writing fiction, I look to see what organizations and critique groups you belong to. I like to see queries from writers whose names I recognize because they Twitter with other writers, they comment on writer blogs or they follow a number of my writer/agent/editor friends on Facebook."
Her words triggered my memory. Way back in 2009, Rachelle Gardner wrote in her blog post The Dreaded Author Platform, "...I almost wanted to announce that I'd no longer accept queries from anyone who doesn't already have a good solid head start on a platform. (I won't draw such a clear line in the sand, but consider yourself informed.)"
Recently, more evidence of the importance of having an online presence came directly to my blog. I wrote a post two weeks ago, Why Not to Announce Requests/Rejections on Twitter, and wanted to share quotes from two very interesting commenters.
Lucky Press, LLC said, "As a publisher, if I am considering a manuscript, I do visit and read many posts and comments on the author's blog.... If a writer wants to be published, she must treat it as if she is starting a business and the product is the writer and her work." Lucky Press continued on to give a detailed, inspiring scenario about a current client.
Also, Bob Mayer--yeah, Bob Mayer the best-selling author, speaker, and publisher--stopped by and chimed in. "The first thing I do when I get a query from an author is Google them. Mainly to see if they have a social media platform-- it's a hard sell without one. I don't think authors should discuss their submissions, their agents, their publishers, unless it's positive on-line or unless they're burning a bridge they never expect to cross again. This is a good topic."
Four different publishing experts agree it is important for an unpublished author to build an online presence. To be fair, I know of a few authors with no online presence who have gotten agents in the past six months, but I know many more with firm online presences who have gotten agents.
What do you think? Is it important for unpublished authors to build an online presence?
Have a fantastic weekend!
Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency wrote a terrific series a few weeks ago, and one of the posts, The Inside Track: How to Attract an Agent, spelled out what she looks for in a new client. "Along with that knowledge of the industry I look for writers who are connected. If you are writing fiction, I look to see what organizations and critique groups you belong to. I like to see queries from writers whose names I recognize because they Twitter with other writers, they comment on writer blogs or they follow a number of my writer/agent/editor friends on Facebook."
Her words triggered my memory. Way back in 2009, Rachelle Gardner wrote in her blog post The Dreaded Author Platform, "...I almost wanted to announce that I'd no longer accept queries from anyone who doesn't already have a good solid head start on a platform. (I won't draw such a clear line in the sand, but consider yourself informed.)"
Recently, more evidence of the importance of having an online presence came directly to my blog. I wrote a post two weeks ago, Why Not to Announce Requests/Rejections on Twitter, and wanted to share quotes from two very interesting commenters.
Lucky Press, LLC said, "As a publisher, if I am considering a manuscript, I do visit and read many posts and comments on the author's blog.... If a writer wants to be published, she must treat it as if she is starting a business and the product is the writer and her work." Lucky Press continued on to give a detailed, inspiring scenario about a current client.
Also, Bob Mayer--yeah, Bob Mayer the best-selling author, speaker, and publisher--stopped by and chimed in. "The first thing I do when I get a query from an author is Google them. Mainly to see if they have a social media platform-- it's a hard sell without one. I don't think authors should discuss their submissions, their agents, their publishers, unless it's positive on-line or unless they're burning a bridge they never expect to cross again. This is a good topic."
Four different publishing experts agree it is important for an unpublished author to build an online presence. To be fair, I know of a few authors with no online presence who have gotten agents in the past six months, but I know many more with firm online presences who have gotten agents.
What do you think? Is it important for unpublished authors to build an online presence?
Have a fantastic weekend!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Research, Reality TV Style
I watch reality television. Don't judge me. I can't help it.
I'm drawn to shows like Hoarders, Pawn Stars, The Biggest Loser, Storage Wars, Jersey Shore, Worst Cook in America--yes, I watch them. Am I proud? No. But recently, I came across a new-to-me reality show set in Detroit, Hardcore Pawn, and it was very different from the other shows I watch.
Hardcore Pawn does not focus on wealth, strapping young adults, or fun antique finds.
It highlights the seedy side of the pawn business--desperate people doing anything to scrape up money.
While I didn't find the show itself compelling, the customers and interactions blasted me with book ideas and dialogue snippets. Even as I laughed at some of the conversations, I couldn't help but feel saddened by the grisly reality of poverty and addiction. Some of the customers show up several times a day and head straight to the casino. Others need cash to pay monthly bills. One woman announced she was headed to jail the next day.
From my standpoint as a writer, the show gave me interesting material. Dozens of people wait in line each morning for the store to open. Then, inside, they wait even longer. Many of them are irate. Just watching the way they physically handle waiting is an eye-opener. Some are so self-centered and hostile, I almost couldn't believe it, but then I kept watching, and it became obvious that they weren't putting on an act.
I imagine anyone growing up in a poverty stricken area full of crime quickly learns to watch out for number one.
By the end of the episode, I had to give the producers of Hardcore Pawn credit. They broadcast an unflinching view of one segment of Detroit. It's one of the few programs that doesn't hide poverty. It might be cringe-worthy, but it did give me plenty of material to use in my books.
Do you watch reality television? If not, can you help me to stop watching reality television??
Have a great Wednesday!
I'm drawn to shows like Hoarders, Pawn Stars, The Biggest Loser, Storage Wars, Jersey Shore, Worst Cook in America--yes, I watch them. Am I proud? No. But recently, I came across a new-to-me reality show set in Detroit, Hardcore Pawn, and it was very different from the other shows I watch.
Hardcore Pawn does not focus on wealth, strapping young adults, or fun antique finds.
It highlights the seedy side of the pawn business--desperate people doing anything to scrape up money.
While I didn't find the show itself compelling, the customers and interactions blasted me with book ideas and dialogue snippets. Even as I laughed at some of the conversations, I couldn't help but feel saddened by the grisly reality of poverty and addiction. Some of the customers show up several times a day and head straight to the casino. Others need cash to pay monthly bills. One woman announced she was headed to jail the next day.
From my standpoint as a writer, the show gave me interesting material. Dozens of people wait in line each morning for the store to open. Then, inside, they wait even longer. Many of them are irate. Just watching the way they physically handle waiting is an eye-opener. Some are so self-centered and hostile, I almost couldn't believe it, but then I kept watching, and it became obvious that they weren't putting on an act.
I imagine anyone growing up in a poverty stricken area full of crime quickly learns to watch out for number one.
By the end of the episode, I had to give the producers of Hardcore Pawn credit. They broadcast an unflinching view of one segment of Detroit. It's one of the few programs that doesn't hide poverty. It might be cringe-worthy, but it did give me plenty of material to use in my books.
Do you watch reality television? If not, can you help me to stop watching reality television??
Have a great Wednesday!
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