Or would that be sticking to your goals in this case? For those of you participating in Nanowrimo, more power to you! 50,000 words is an incredible goal and whoever accomplishes that is a marathon writer. I chose not to participate, instead trying to keep to my goal of five pages per day.
Those five pages sometimes feel like they will be the death of me...but on the nights that I slip into the groove of my story and more than ten pages happen to pour out, it makes up for the less than prolific times. Our lives are filled with distractions (Darn you, Ghost Whisperer! Your provocative story lines and Jennifer Love Hewitt's impeccable fashion sense tempt me from my goals nightly! Why must you be syndicated on several cable channels so your awesomeness can be viewed from 6-10???) but we must persevere.
No one stands in the way of our dreams but us. Write on, people!!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Criticism, The New Vampire?
It bites with shiny teeth and the pain can be excruciating. It destroys what you were and brings about change that in most cases is necessary. When it's over, you get to live forever and you are a beautiful, sparkly version of who you once were. Or maybe not.
Let's be realistic for a moment. No one wants to hear that they are not perfect or their work may die a quiet death, never having seen the sweet light of publication. But you need to hear it. You need to feel the bite to become something more. First the bitter, then the sweet.
On this journey that all aspiring writers are on, it can be easy to lock the door and keep the words to yourself. It's hard to share with others what means so much to you. What if they hate it? Then they are insane I tell you, insane! Or you are horrible and wouldn't you want to know? At least then you could work on it.
One of the hardest and most necessary steps that we must take if we are serious about publication is to join a critique group. Or at the very least, an organization that offers critiques and supportive interaction with other writers just like you. Oh, really? You thought you were the only one? You are so narcissistic.
RWA is one such shining example of an organization determined to help their members to succeed. Whatever your genre, there is an organization out there for you. Take advantage of these opportunities to meet published authors and aspiring writers alike. It may be the turning point for you.
Hopefully you will not experience the slight disappointment that I felt when upon seeing those published authors in the flesh....I realized they did not actually glow. Not even a little sparkle. Nothing.
Let's be realistic for a moment. No one wants to hear that they are not perfect or their work may die a quiet death, never having seen the sweet light of publication. But you need to hear it. You need to feel the bite to become something more. First the bitter, then the sweet.
On this journey that all aspiring writers are on, it can be easy to lock the door and keep the words to yourself. It's hard to share with others what means so much to you. What if they hate it? Then they are insane I tell you, insane! Or you are horrible and wouldn't you want to know? At least then you could work on it.
One of the hardest and most necessary steps that we must take if we are serious about publication is to join a critique group. Or at the very least, an organization that offers critiques and supportive interaction with other writers just like you. Oh, really? You thought you were the only one? You are so narcissistic.
RWA is one such shining example of an organization determined to help their members to succeed. Whatever your genre, there is an organization out there for you. Take advantage of these opportunities to meet published authors and aspiring writers alike. It may be the turning point for you.
Hopefully you will not experience the slight disappointment that I felt when upon seeing those published authors in the flesh....I realized they did not actually glow. Not even a little sparkle. Nothing.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday Flashback
1984
The number one bestseller on the New York Times list in October was:
The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub.
The number one movie of the year: A toss up between The Terminator and Ghostbusters.
I attended this concert:
REO Speedwagon was hot.
I may have worn these...
But if I did, I looked good and there was a lot of other people that were wearing them too!!!
It's no excuse...I know.
Oh, the shame.
The number one bestseller on the New York Times list in October was:
The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub.
The number one movie of the year: A toss up between The Terminator and Ghostbusters.
I attended this concert:
REO Speedwagon was hot.
I may have worn these...
But if I did, I looked good and there was a lot of other people that were wearing them too!!!
It's no excuse...I know.
Oh, the shame.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Trimmin' The Fat
Are we noticing a trend? Maybe some hidden guilt on my part for eating all that Halloween candy? I'll never tell...plus its hard to talk with tootsie rolls stuffed in my mouth.
We all know that after we finish that first draft and a few rewrites, the next step is trimming the fat. Those extra adjectives, those endless scenes where we waxed poetic about the beauty of the forest, that five page kiss. Stop it! You know your going to have to trim that. Kisses don't last more than a page...unless your writing something a little more risque than YA and if so..more power to ya.
I have never had a problem with the trimming, in fact I usually have to add more description to my manuscript at the backend. I am a bare bones kind of writer. Or I thought I was. Until I checked my word count last night and realized I am over 65,000 words and my MC is not nearly done with her story. I may have to trim down on this one. But not until I have completed the first draft and checked for story consistency.
Do you tend to overwrite during the first draft or are you an add later type of writer?
We all know that after we finish that first draft and a few rewrites, the next step is trimming the fat. Those extra adjectives, those endless scenes where we waxed poetic about the beauty of the forest, that five page kiss. Stop it! You know your going to have to trim that. Kisses don't last more than a page...unless your writing something a little more risque than YA and if so..more power to ya.
I have never had a problem with the trimming, in fact I usually have to add more description to my manuscript at the backend. I am a bare bones kind of writer. Or I thought I was. Until I checked my word count last night and realized I am over 65,000 words and my MC is not nearly done with her story. I may have to trim down on this one. But not until I have completed the first draft and checked for story consistency.
Do you tend to overwrite during the first draft or are you an add later type of writer?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Hips Don't Lie
When Shakira came out with the song 'Hips Don't Lie', I and the rest of my family spent hours watching her video and trying to imitate her dance moves. It was not possible and usually resulted in us dissolving into breathless laughter.
The recurring question of what makes a good writer made me remember those futile attempts. As much as I would love to dance like Shakira, I know that I will never be able to. She possesses an innate rhythm that I do not. I became pretty good and had a lot of fun trying but I will never be the dancer she is. Her talent was the base that hard work and practice built upon.
I am not too devastated by this realization. Shakira will never be able to create the beautiful imagery of Hogwarts or inspire the sheer terror of a town populated by vampires. Her talents lie elsewhere and I am sure she is happy with that. We all have our own abilities. Hopefully, we are lucky enough to discover them and hone them with knowledge and hard work so we may one day realize our dreams.
So my answer to the question of what makes a writer is....the hips don't lie, people.
The hips don't lie.
The recurring question of what makes a good writer made me remember those futile attempts. As much as I would love to dance like Shakira, I know that I will never be able to. She possesses an innate rhythm that I do not. I became pretty good and had a lot of fun trying but I will never be the dancer she is. Her talent was the base that hard work and practice built upon.
I am not too devastated by this realization. Shakira will never be able to create the beautiful imagery of Hogwarts or inspire the sheer terror of a town populated by vampires. Her talents lie elsewhere and I am sure she is happy with that. We all have our own abilities. Hopefully, we are lucky enough to discover them and hone them with knowledge and hard work so we may one day realize our dreams.
So my answer to the question of what makes a writer is....the hips don't lie, people.
The hips don't lie.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Name Your MC
How do you name your main character? Or for that matter, any of your characters? Do you look through baby books? Google ancient Latin names? Or does it appear to you in a vision inspired by your awesome, writery powers?
I wish I could say it was a vision. I made a list long ago of names I liked. It may have actually started as baby names but it has evolved. Our characters are our babies in a way, are they not? I first scan this list as a reference and use either one of these names or a variation. For minor characters, depending on their background and nationality, I google it. Thank you, Google.
The name needs to fit the character and to be realistic our characters need flaws. Their names do not always have to be flowing, beautiful extensions of some perfect supreme being. They can be the name of the girl next door, or the cashier at the local market, or the drunken old lady that grooms your dogs. Don't judge me. She has great prices.
What mysterious well of information does your character names come from?
I wish I could say it was a vision. I made a list long ago of names I liked. It may have actually started as baby names but it has evolved. Our characters are our babies in a way, are they not? I first scan this list as a reference and use either one of these names or a variation. For minor characters, depending on their background and nationality, I google it. Thank you, Google.
The name needs to fit the character and to be realistic our characters need flaws. Their names do not always have to be flowing, beautiful extensions of some perfect supreme being. They can be the name of the girl next door, or the cashier at the local market, or the drunken old lady that grooms your dogs. Don't judge me. She has great prices.
What mysterious well of information does your character names come from?
Monday, November 2, 2009
SuperAgents
The term 'superagent' evokes the image of a caped superhero, with a kindle in one hand and a contract in the other, able to leap buildings in a single bound, and talk multiple publishing houses into competing for your manuscripts.
This is the agent we all want. We have a top ten list and keep our fingers crossed when we pluck up the courage to query them. In reality, these are the busiest agents in the business and they might not be the right fit for you. Do not be hesitant to query those agents who are newer to the business and making a name for themselves. They can sometimes be more eager, more energetic, and have the time to give you that a busier agent might not have.
When you receive that offer of representation, you should have already researched the person and house they work for, but take the time to speak with them. Find out those personal factors that might or might not make them perfect for you. You do not want the equivalent of a one-night stand, you want a long term relationship with this person. Do not leap without careful consideration.
Do not be discouraged, your superagent is waiting for you....and ironing that cape in their free time.
Congrats to Stephanie Faris for signing with an agent!
This is the agent we all want. We have a top ten list and keep our fingers crossed when we pluck up the courage to query them. In reality, these are the busiest agents in the business and they might not be the right fit for you. Do not be hesitant to query those agents who are newer to the business and making a name for themselves. They can sometimes be more eager, more energetic, and have the time to give you that a busier agent might not have.
When you receive that offer of representation, you should have already researched the person and house they work for, but take the time to speak with them. Find out those personal factors that might or might not make them perfect for you. You do not want the equivalent of a one-night stand, you want a long term relationship with this person. Do not leap without careful consideration.
Do not be discouraged, your superagent is waiting for you....and ironing that cape in their free time.
Congrats to Stephanie Faris for signing with an agent!
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