Before I begin, there’s an added bonus at the bottom of this post! Go ahead, check it out, then come back, and read the post. If you’re like me, you have to know the bonus before you continue. :)
La, la, la, la, la…oh, you’re back, sorry about that. I tend to sing or hum when I’m waiting. With RWA nationals around the corner, (registration is now open), I thought we’d talk about pitching.
What is it about the words ‘Pitching to an Editor’ that causes the stomach to roll, the eyes to blur, and the heart to pound with the force of category five hurricane? (I’m in Florida, so change the hurricane to twister, blizzard, or whatever major weather you have where you’re from.)
For any of you who’ve been to conference you totally understand the above paragraph. For those who haven’t here’s a little image for you.
Breathe, you tell yourself as you sashay into the perfect meet the editor/agent outfit. You’ve remembered not to wear perfume, just incase their allergic. Having them break out into hives or a sneezing fit isn’t going to help you get those much-wanted words, ‘send me the full’.
With a quick check of the iron, making sure you’ve unplugged it from the wall, you grab your badge and head out the door. You check your watch and smile. Thirty minutes until your pitch appointment. You’re doing great.
The elevator door opens and you squeeze in with countless other hopefuls, only to remember…
Read the rest over here
Make sure you come back and let me know your answer here too. :)
WW's and PD's,
Vicki
Showing posts with label Writing - The Journey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writing - The Journey. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
More Hours in My Day, Please
I'm a little behind this week and it's only Tuesday. Not a good thing. Right now, I'm in the process of cutting words from ATB. This is a good thing, but it takes time going through line by line to decide if something is needed or not. Does it really move the story along? Or if it doesn't move the story, is it still needed to give a sense of place, time, and little bits of info on the H/H?
So far I've cut 6000 words and I'm only in chapter 9. My plans are to cut around 6 - 8K more, but we'll see. :)
For me the process means printing out the manuscript and red lining the pages and then going to the computer to input (or cut), the words. I know it would be quicker to just do it online the screen once and for all.
Doesn't work for me. I get cut happy. Really, I do. I start out with little to nothing cut off the page and before you know, I'm marking huge sections. So I do it on paper to keep the logical person within me happy. When I'm sitting in front of the computer, I can then say, nope need to keep this part.
Many of the editors who used to ask for higher word counts are now lowering them, due to paper cost and the economy in general. Cutting is in order. For those who’ve read ATB, I’m not losing any of its story, but tightening the pacing. I love it.
The day job is crazy. One of my bosses is moving to NY (big sigh, cause he's great to work for), and Science Guy and I are trying to find a house. And I need to have the cutting process done, the manuscript re-read (get ready cp's), and ready to mail out to the GH hopefully next Monday. The deadline approaches.
How about you? What's your process for cutting down your manuscript? Are you on a deadline now?
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
So far I've cut 6000 words and I'm only in chapter 9. My plans are to cut around 6 - 8K more, but we'll see. :)
For me the process means printing out the manuscript and red lining the pages and then going to the computer to input (or cut), the words. I know it would be quicker to just do it online the screen once and for all.
Doesn't work for me. I get cut happy. Really, I do. I start out with little to nothing cut off the page and before you know, I'm marking huge sections. So I do it on paper to keep the logical person within me happy. When I'm sitting in front of the computer, I can then say, nope need to keep this part.
Many of the editors who used to ask for higher word counts are now lowering them, due to paper cost and the economy in general. Cutting is in order. For those who’ve read ATB, I’m not losing any of its story, but tightening the pacing. I love it.
The day job is crazy. One of my bosses is moving to NY (big sigh, cause he's great to work for), and Science Guy and I are trying to find a house. And I need to have the cutting process done, the manuscript re-read (get ready cp's), and ready to mail out to the GH hopefully next Monday. The deadline approaches.
How about you? What's your process for cutting down your manuscript? Are you on a deadline now?
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Monday, October 20, 2008
Writing the Stand Alone Series
You’re writing a stand alone book and yet it’s a series. Sounds great, right? Well, it’s sort of this double edge sword thing. I’ve been using that word a lot lately, but with stand alone series, it’s true.
The first book is completed, shinning so bright, if it was a hotrod you’d seen yourself in it. And you’ve got it out there. People have requested it. Not quite to the point that it’s ‘your people call my people’ yet, but you feel it’s getting close.
You start the second book. Fingers tremble slightly as they pose over the keyboard. For the last month you’ve been dying to start this book. The first chapter flows and you smile. Of course it’s mostly POS, but not to worry, you’re writing forward and besides this is book two.
The screen is white, not a hint of black fills the page. You’ve now decided white is no longer one of your favorite colors. Shaking your head to clear out the proverbial cobwebs, you get another cup of coffee, grab a couple dove chocolates and head back to the laptop.
Maybe if you put on sunglasses it’ll stop the glare of what you are sure is now the brightest white on computer screen you’ve ever seen. And then it hits you. OMG, you’re going to need to plot this out. (Imagine hand slapping forehead here)
Two of your secondary characters from book one are the hero and heroine in book two. Shouldn’t be a problem, you’ve heard them in your head for months. They’ve been dying to get their story told.
Hero and Heroine decide to clam up. Oh yeah, they aren’t saying a word. You cajole them with promises of really listening to them and writing what they want you too. Nothing. What the heck is wrong with these two? Where have they gone? Don’t they know you’re ready now?
And that’s when you finally get it. You don’t know them at all. Sure you knew them in book one as secondary characters, but that’s all. You really didn’t care to much about their GMC’s and now all of sudden you think you can sit down and just spew it out.
You’ve got to plot, BUT more importantly you’ve got to LISTEN to them.
After pouring yourself a glass of wine, and taking the bottle with you, (hey this could be a long night), you settle down and begin. You talk about personal dreams, goals, and desires. Things no one else might know. During the course of the conversation you laugh and you cry and then you’re ready.
Electrical current charges through your fingers and mind, you’ve a real story to tell and it’s theirs. Not something left over from book one, but their lives, hopes, and dreams.
Book two, a stand alone series comes alive and you smile.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
The first book is completed, shinning so bright, if it was a hotrod you’d seen yourself in it. And you’ve got it out there. People have requested it. Not quite to the point that it’s ‘your people call my people’ yet, but you feel it’s getting close.
You start the second book. Fingers tremble slightly as they pose over the keyboard. For the last month you’ve been dying to start this book. The first chapter flows and you smile. Of course it’s mostly POS, but not to worry, you’re writing forward and besides this is book two.
The screen is white, not a hint of black fills the page. You’ve now decided white is no longer one of your favorite colors. Shaking your head to clear out the proverbial cobwebs, you get another cup of coffee, grab a couple dove chocolates and head back to the laptop.
Maybe if you put on sunglasses it’ll stop the glare of what you are sure is now the brightest white on computer screen you’ve ever seen. And then it hits you. OMG, you’re going to need to plot this out. (Imagine hand slapping forehead here)
Two of your secondary characters from book one are the hero and heroine in book two. Shouldn’t be a problem, you’ve heard them in your head for months. They’ve been dying to get their story told.
Hero and Heroine decide to clam up. Oh yeah, they aren’t saying a word. You cajole them with promises of really listening to them and writing what they want you too. Nothing. What the heck is wrong with these two? Where have they gone? Don’t they know you’re ready now?
And that’s when you finally get it. You don’t know them at all. Sure you knew them in book one as secondary characters, but that’s all. You really didn’t care to much about their GMC’s and now all of sudden you think you can sit down and just spew it out.
You’ve got to plot, BUT more importantly you’ve got to LISTEN to them.
After pouring yourself a glass of wine, and taking the bottle with you, (hey this could be a long night), you settle down and begin. You talk about personal dreams, goals, and desires. Things no one else might know. During the course of the conversation you laugh and you cry and then you’re ready.
Electrical current charges through your fingers and mind, you’ve a real story to tell and it’s theirs. Not something left over from book one, but their lives, hopes, and dreams.
Book two, a stand alone series comes alive and you smile.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
It Hasn’t Changed All That Much…
Science Guy gave this to me last night and I thought I’d share it with you. Although we might not be at an actual huge rock, when the writer’s block hits us, we might as well be.
I tried to find it on the net and it wasn’t there. So what’s a girl to do? Snag it and give kudo’s to the cartoonist.
I did, however, find John McPherson’s, the cartoonist, bio on this website. And this is his Close To Home website.
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
Monday, June 2, 2008
Time Flies When You’re Having Slammed…err, I Mean Having Fun
I can’t believe it’s been almost a week since I posted anything. Lately the days seem to fly by. Summer wishes? Maybe, but in all reality it’s the busy schedule that just won’t go away.
Yes, there is the day the job, the one that pays bills, but it’s more the night job that’s keeping me busy. There are contest to enter, revisions to still consider, and yep queries to submit. And I love it. All of it.
And I’ve been reading. WhooHoo!!! Sometimes I’m so involved with my own writing that I don’t take the time to read. Needless to say, my TBR pile has become a tower to its own right. In fact, I could probably build my own Stonehenge of sorts. One made completely out of books yet to be read.
How about you. Do you make time to read in between your writing or at the same time?
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
Yes, there is the day the job, the one that pays bills, but it’s more the night job that’s keeping me busy. There are contest to enter, revisions to still consider, and yep queries to submit. And I love it. All of it.
And I’ve been reading. WhooHoo!!! Sometimes I’m so involved with my own writing that I don’t take the time to read. Needless to say, my TBR pile has become a tower to its own right. In fact, I could probably build my own Stonehenge of sorts. One made completely out of books yet to be read.
How about you. Do you make time to read in between your writing or at the same time?
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, A Day of New Roads, Excitement, and Nerves
It’s Tuesday morning, the long weekend is over and it’s back to the day job. Not that I mind the day job, in fact, I’m one of the lucky ones who enjoys what I do for the most part. But this past weekend was spent on doing the job I can’t wait to become the day/night/all the time job.
My query letter is now complete, the synopsis is complete, and the manuscript is…well, I’m not sure we ever feel it’s complete. Now it’s time to send the baby out into the world.
Scary, really when I think about it. However, it’s the next leg in the journey. The fork in this part of the road is a little darker and less traveled than the first leg of the journey. The trees are dense and you can’t see the end of the road from here. You know it’s there and you know there is still yet another fork or two coming. There aren’t as many people on this part since each of the people you’ve been on the first leg of the journey have their own forks in the road to take.
But still, as your fingers tremble ever so slightly or perhaps in an all out shake, you grab hold of the mouse and slowly edge it towards the send the button, hovering for a moment. Questions flood your mind at rapid gun fire rate. Did I remember to change the date on the query letter? I know I’ve checked the synopsis a thousand times, but should I read it one more time? Will he/she like it enough to request? Will my baby come back giggling and happy, or sad and alone?
All of these questions run through my mind at least. Funny thing, is this is not the first manuscript I’ve written or completed. It is the first one that has begged to be sent out into the world of agents/editors. Kinda like a child who grows up wanting to stay close his/her parents. For the moms out there you know what I’m taking about. The kids tell you at a young age, their going to always live with you. Even when they get married, they’ll still be with you. You find it cute, endearing, and you smile. Then they become young adults and their ready to soar on their own. You let them go because that’s what you supposed to do. You’ve raised them to be the best they can be and you send them on with a smile of satisfaction as they begin the next journey in their life. The darker road, the one less traveled, the one with more forks you cannot see or know until you reach them.
Yep, my baby is ready to be sent on and it makes me happy and scared at the same time.
What about you. How do you feel when you’re ready to send your manuscript out the door? Shaking in your boots scared? Or relief that you’ve done all you know to do and you’re ready to start the next one?
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
My query letter is now complete, the synopsis is complete, and the manuscript is…well, I’m not sure we ever feel it’s complete. Now it’s time to send the baby out into the world.
Scary, really when I think about it. However, it’s the next leg in the journey. The fork in this part of the road is a little darker and less traveled than the first leg of the journey. The trees are dense and you can’t see the end of the road from here. You know it’s there and you know there is still yet another fork or two coming. There aren’t as many people on this part since each of the people you’ve been on the first leg of the journey have their own forks in the road to take.
But still, as your fingers tremble ever so slightly or perhaps in an all out shake, you grab hold of the mouse and slowly edge it towards the send the button, hovering for a moment. Questions flood your mind at rapid gun fire rate. Did I remember to change the date on the query letter? I know I’ve checked the synopsis a thousand times, but should I read it one more time? Will he/she like it enough to request? Will my baby come back giggling and happy, or sad and alone?
All of these questions run through my mind at least. Funny thing, is this is not the first manuscript I’ve written or completed. It is the first one that has begged to be sent out into the world of agents/editors. Kinda like a child who grows up wanting to stay close his/her parents. For the moms out there you know what I’m taking about. The kids tell you at a young age, their going to always live with you. Even when they get married, they’ll still be with you. You find it cute, endearing, and you smile. Then they become young adults and their ready to soar on their own. You let them go because that’s what you supposed to do. You’ve raised them to be the best they can be and you send them on with a smile of satisfaction as they begin the next journey in their life. The darker road, the one less traveled, the one with more forks you cannot see or know until you reach them.
Yep, my baby is ready to be sent on and it makes me happy and scared at the same time.
What about you. How do you feel when you’re ready to send your manuscript out the door? Shaking in your boots scared? Or relief that you’ve done all you know to do and you’re ready to start the next one?
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
It's Been a Year Since Miss Snark Retired and We Miss Her
May 19, 2007 was a day for many of us that will go down in history. It’s the day our much beloved Miss Snark announced she and Killer Yapp were retiring.
524 comments later, she came back and gave us several more post, finally closing on May 20, 2007.
Although we no longer have her or Killer Yapp live on the blog, she's left it up for us. To which we say Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I have visited it many times, refreshing or making sure I'm doing it right when I query. She taught us to Query widely and Query well.
For any aspiring writer, the posts along with comments, (yes, snarky comments) are a valuable learning tool. While many of us were lurkers and posted occasionally we were there everyday, learning from someone who was quick to place her T.Rexual heels of stiletto snark upon us.
It’s there you’ll learn about the true crapometer, (which became an industry term from the blog), the do’s and don’ts of query letters, and more. Really everything you ever wanted to know and probably more, you’ll find in the archives.
So to you Miss Snark, and lest I forget, to you as well Killer Yapp, I hope you’re doing well, drinking from the gin pail, and of course married to George Clooney. Also, know that you’re missed by all!
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
PS. Last week’s contest: The winner for Karen Rose’s book Scream For Me is…Karen Lingefelt. WhooHoo Karen!!!
524 comments later, she came back and gave us several more post, finally closing on May 20, 2007.
Although we no longer have her or Killer Yapp live on the blog, she's left it up for us. To which we say Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I have visited it many times, refreshing or making sure I'm doing it right when I query. She taught us to Query widely and Query well.
For any aspiring writer, the posts along with comments, (yes, snarky comments) are a valuable learning tool. While many of us were lurkers and posted occasionally we were there everyday, learning from someone who was quick to place her T.Rexual heels of stiletto snark upon us.
It’s there you’ll learn about the true crapometer, (which became an industry term from the blog), the do’s and don’ts of query letters, and more. Really everything you ever wanted to know and probably more, you’ll find in the archives.
So to you Miss Snark, and lest I forget, to you as well Killer Yapp, I hope you’re doing well, drinking from the gin pail, and of course married to George Clooney. Also, know that you’re missed by all!
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
PS. Last week’s contest: The winner for Karen Rose’s book Scream For Me is…Karen Lingefelt. WhooHoo Karen!!!
Monday, May 19, 2008
WhooHoo, it's Monday
It's done!
I've finished the synopsis for AT&B. WhooHoo!! Now, it's on to the query letter and then...I'm sending this baby out. :)
Finally!
This has been a much longer process than any other book. But it's also a much longer book than any other I've written.
Next?
I've written the four and a half page outline/synopsis (yes, I did it first and I'm not normally a plotter), for Annie's book. I can't wait to start writing it.
How about you? What going on in your writing? Are you sending your baby out or in the middle of your wip?
WW's and PD's,
Vicki
Check back tomorrow for the winner of last weeks contest.
I've finished the synopsis for AT&B. WhooHoo!! Now, it's on to the query letter and then...I'm sending this baby out. :)
Finally!
This has been a much longer process than any other book. But it's also a much longer book than any other I've written.
Next?
I've written the four and a half page outline/synopsis (yes, I did it first and I'm not normally a plotter), for Annie's book. I can't wait to start writing it.
How about you? What going on in your writing? Are you sending your baby out or in the middle of your wip?
WW's and PD's,
Vicki
Check back tomorrow for the winner of last weeks contest.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Synopsis – Love em or Hate em???
There are contest, we’re talking writing contest, all through out the year. Some are amazing and some…well, it’s not that they are not good, they just don’t speak to me personally to enter. Which is great on the pocketbook so to speak.
Yet, it’s this time of the year I get excited about them. Now and going through the next couple of months there are several contest I think are great. There’s the TARA (deadline just passed), the Molly’s, (deadline fast approaching) and the Maggie’s, (deadline coming soon). Yes, there are more than these three and they’re really good too. It’s these three that speak to me, Vicki writer.
Of the three above, two require a synopsis and one is your choice to send or not to send. And out of the two that require the dreaded “S” word, one of them is a judged component of the contest.
Synopsis. How can one word breath fear into so many of us? Is it because we’ve written this incredible long book and can’t for the life us figure how to get everything in a 3 – 5 page document? Maybe.
I looked up the meaning of the word on dictionary.com and this is what it says:
• A brief or condensed statement giving a general view of some subject
• A compendium of heads or short paragraphs giving a view of the whole
• A brief summary of the plot of a novel, motion picture, play, etc.
So where are the words, Fear, Dread, and oh yes, Procrastination? I mean really, most of us who are writers (there are a few who love them), really hate (strong word) writing them. We will sit for days on end thinking about them, trying to wrap our minds around the few short pages we need to tell our story and get everything “we” think is important.
That’s just it, everything is NOT important to put in the synopsis. Really. An agent, editor, or contest judge, doesn’t need everything including the proverbial kitchen sink in there.
So, we write it, part of it anyway, and then stew over it, write some more, stew some more and finally come up with what we hope will be a shinning short version of our work.
The thing is this, I’ve seen the lengths of them, long, medium, and short. By short, I mean very short. In fact, a friend of mine, sent me hers to look at. I asked about hers, since I knew her first book was indeed quite long, had paranormal elements, romance, and well, great stuff.
I expected it to be at least 5 pages, probably longer, since I knew roughly the word count of the book. Nope, not so much. What I received was 2 pages. Two! That’s it. It was great. Told whomever would be reading it, everything they needed to know.
Guess what I’m saying here, is yes, Synopsis World, is the place where so many of us get stuck. Perhaps even put the book under the bed with the other ones and begin the next book. Why, because writing the book is so much more fun. And the writing of the book isn’t the part which can bring the rejection first.
Still the contest deadlines loom and the agent / editor queries must have them, so they must be written. Yes, fear, dread, and procrastination, must be pushed aside and the words which flowed when you wrote your book, must now flow in a shortened, condensed version, so to tell your story and hopefully final in the contest or acquire the agent / editor.
Your turn, do you love to write them? Hate to write them? Ask for help writing them? Do they make you stop and go to the next book?
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Words...
I love words. Okay, that’s not a big surprise, but really I do. An email comes to me each day with a new word and its meaning. Sometimes they’re normal, everyday words. More often than not, they’re obscure words and those are the ones I love the most.
The funny thing is as much as I love words, I found in the editing process, I was using some words way to much. How many times can you ‘look, gaze, or peer’? Or better yet, the words ‘as she’ and ‘as he’. I’m not saying you don’t need those words, because you do. Just not tons of them.
Action words are some of my favorite. Slammed, bounced, tickled, kissed, and so many more with or without the ‘ed’ or adding ‘ing’. Going back through AT&B, I’ve found places to add action rather than the normal ‘as she/he’ or ‘she turned’ or ‘he looked’. For me it makes the pacing so much better and keeps the dreaded ‘TELLING’ out of the book.
Yes, for those of you who know me well, I do have a spreadsheet. I love spreadsheets, what can I say. It’s a little OCD of me, but it works. It’s simply called, are you ready for this? Words To Start Paragraphs With.
In all honesty, I rarely glance at anymore. In fact, I forgot it was hanging on my bulletin board, until last night. I needed a word. Yep, it was there. Just what I needed and so the ‘Unexpected’ the paragraph took on new life.
See that’s the thing. Words are the life force to our books. If they’re too weak our characters will have problems breathing. Everything slows down and for a book that would be its heart. You can’t live long with a heart that doesn’t beat. The same thing happens but to the other side of the spectrum if they’re too strong for to long. The characters begin racing through the book and without warning they’ll plop down and won’t move. Okay, that sure doesn’t work in the book.
Long blog, short. I’ll spend the time to find the right word when needed. Because when that happens, you’ve hit gold. The reader no longer realizes he or she is reading. The words have breathed the correct amount of life into the book at the right time. The readers breathing will match the books, slowing down and speeding up as they are then immersed within your world.
Yep, I love words.
How about you? Do you find you have words you have change as you go back through your wip? Or as a reader, do find words that slow your reading down, making it hard to get through? What about the books where after the fist paragraph you no longer realized you were reading words, but now lived inside the pages of the book?
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
Oh and just on a side note, Julie Leto is guest blogging over on Diana Peterfreund’s blog today. Go read it, leave a comment, and you may win a copy of Phantom Pleasures.
The funny thing is as much as I love words, I found in the editing process, I was using some words way to much. How many times can you ‘look, gaze, or peer’? Or better yet, the words ‘as she’ and ‘as he’. I’m not saying you don’t need those words, because you do. Just not tons of them.
Action words are some of my favorite. Slammed, bounced, tickled, kissed, and so many more with or without the ‘ed’ or adding ‘ing’. Going back through AT&B, I’ve found places to add action rather than the normal ‘as she/he’ or ‘she turned’ or ‘he looked’. For me it makes the pacing so much better and keeps the dreaded ‘TELLING’ out of the book.
Yes, for those of you who know me well, I do have a spreadsheet. I love spreadsheets, what can I say. It’s a little OCD of me, but it works. It’s simply called, are you ready for this? Words To Start Paragraphs With.
In all honesty, I rarely glance at anymore. In fact, I forgot it was hanging on my bulletin board, until last night. I needed a word. Yep, it was there. Just what I needed and so the ‘Unexpected’ the paragraph took on new life.
See that’s the thing. Words are the life force to our books. If they’re too weak our characters will have problems breathing. Everything slows down and for a book that would be its heart. You can’t live long with a heart that doesn’t beat. The same thing happens but to the other side of the spectrum if they’re too strong for to long. The characters begin racing through the book and without warning they’ll plop down and won’t move. Okay, that sure doesn’t work in the book.
Long blog, short. I’ll spend the time to find the right word when needed. Because when that happens, you’ve hit gold. The reader no longer realizes he or she is reading. The words have breathed the correct amount of life into the book at the right time. The readers breathing will match the books, slowing down and speeding up as they are then immersed within your world.
Yep, I love words.
How about you? Do you find you have words you have change as you go back through your wip? Or as a reader, do find words that slow your reading down, making it hard to get through? What about the books where after the fist paragraph you no longer realized you were reading words, but now lived inside the pages of the book?
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
Oh and just on a side note, Julie Leto is guest blogging over on Diana Peterfreund’s blog today. Go read it, leave a comment, and you may win a copy of Phantom Pleasures.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
How Do You Get Back To Work?
We all know that I finished my first draft of AT&B on Sunday, December 2nd at 4:01pm. That one I shouted from the roof top. In fact, I think Bill may have heard me over in Greenwich.
I wrote so many words that weekend (19k+) I couldn’t begin too start edits as my mind would not wrap around anything for several days.
It’s now been a week and I still have not begun them. My office is a wreck, the tree needs ornaments and…give me a second, I’m sure there is something else. I even have a great three chapter crit from Maven Lacey from the Manuscript Mavens. How much more can a girl ask for?
See what I mean. I’m finding excuses to not start on it. I didn’t actually realize that until this morning. I’ve made goals for this next part of the journey and still here I sit. Every time I pick it up ready to go, I sit there and decide not just yet. Or I think to myself, you really should clean out the fridge. Clean out the fridge??? Now who thinks that?
So, how about you? What do you do when you need to start your edits? How do you get yourself to go back to page one and begin?
Side note here: If you’re not reading the Mavens blog, you really should add it to your list of daily reads.
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
I wrote so many words that weekend (19k+) I couldn’t begin too start edits as my mind would not wrap around anything for several days.
It’s now been a week and I still have not begun them. My office is a wreck, the tree needs ornaments and…give me a second, I’m sure there is something else. I even have a great three chapter crit from Maven Lacey from the Manuscript Mavens. How much more can a girl ask for?
See what I mean. I’m finding excuses to not start on it. I didn’t actually realize that until this morning. I’ve made goals for this next part of the journey and still here I sit. Every time I pick it up ready to go, I sit there and decide not just yet. Or I think to myself, you really should clean out the fridge. Clean out the fridge??? Now who thinks that?
So, how about you? What do you do when you need to start your edits? How do you get yourself to go back to page one and begin?
Side note here: If you’re not reading the Mavens blog, you really should add it to your list of daily reads.
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
Monday, November 19, 2007
Frogs and Miracles
Willis sent this to me and I thought I'd share it with you.
Frogs
Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs…who arranged a running competition.
The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants....
The race began....
Honestly:
No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.
You heard statements such as:
"Oh, WAY too difficult!!" "They will NEVER make it to the top."
or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"
The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one....
Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher..
The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up....
But ONE continued higher and higher and higher....
This one wouldn't give up!
At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!
THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?
A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal?
It turned out....
That the winner was DEAF!!!!
The wisdom of this story is:
Never listen to other people's tendencies to be
negative or pessimistic... because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart!
Always think of the power words have. (There's life and death in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21.)
Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!
Therefore:
ALWAYS be....
POSITIVE!
And above all:
Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams!
If you fall down 10 times,
Stand up 11 times.
In other words if you’re rejected 10 times you may need to submit something new but submit again you must. A great friend once told me never give up today because tomorrow might be your miracle. I realize that the miracle comes from hard work but you can achieve your dreams if you never, ever give up on them.
Funny thing, my Flavia calendar today said: What we've worked and hoped for doesn't show until one morning we wake to se a field of miracles.
One of the major key words there is worked. This writing journey takes work. It's not easy, but if this is your hearts desire never give up and never listen to those who say you can't do it. Be the frog, the deaf frog too them. :)
WW's and PD's,
Vicki
Frogs
Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs…who arranged a running competition.
The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants....
The race began....
Honestly:
No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.
You heard statements such as:
"Oh, WAY too difficult!!" "They will NEVER make it to the top."
or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"
The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one....
Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher..
The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up....
But ONE continued higher and higher and higher....
This one wouldn't give up!
At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!
THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?
A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal?
It turned out....
That the winner was DEAF!!!!
The wisdom of this story is:
Never listen to other people's tendencies to be
negative or pessimistic... because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart!
Always think of the power words have. (There's life and death in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21.)
Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!
Therefore:
ALWAYS be....
POSITIVE!
And above all:
Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams!
If you fall down 10 times,
Stand up 11 times.
In other words if you’re rejected 10 times you may need to submit something new but submit again you must. A great friend once told me never give up today because tomorrow might be your miracle. I realize that the miracle comes from hard work but you can achieve your dreams if you never, ever give up on them.
Funny thing, my Flavia calendar today said: What we've worked and hoped for doesn't show until one morning we wake to se a field of miracles.
One of the major key words there is worked. This writing journey takes work. It's not easy, but if this is your hearts desire never give up and never listen to those who say you can't do it. Be the frog, the deaf frog too them. :)
WW's and PD's,
Vicki
Friday, October 26, 2007
Who, What, When, Where, Why and How???
Who are you as an author? What made you decide to write? When and Where do you write? Why do you do it? How bad do you want it? The last question may well be the most important question you’ll ask yourself in your writing career.
The Encyclopedia, The Free Dictionary online has this to say concerning the definition of an author.
An author is the person who creates a written work, such as a book, story, article, or the like, whether short or long, fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose, technical or literary.
Who? As an author you are the one to pen/type your words, create your world, and introduce us to your characters. It’s your job to make them come to life for the reader. To so submerge them into this world you’ve created, the reader will sigh as they close the book not wanting to leave their new found friends.
So, what made you decide to write? Or this could simply say why do you write? You can read the post on why do you write, in its entirety here.
Or maybe it’s one of the ones below.
Is it because:
a. You’ve read 1000 books and decided, “Hey, I can do that.”
b. This years lineup on TV just aren’t doing it for you and your bored
c. Everybody’s writing something, besides it’s pretty cool to tell people you’re a writer
d. Because the damn muse will not shut up. You’re character won’t leave you alone. In fact they’re pretty much demanding you write their story or forfeit all thoughts of sleep and a normal life.
Depending on “Who” you are, you may pick any one of the above. For me, it’s definitely the last one. I go to sleep thinking about the book and wake up thinking about it. I have notepads everywhere in case they speak to me and I’m not near the computer. Trust me, if I don’t write it down I might just forget it. My muse knows this, but she a stubborn one. I pretty sure she feels like once she tells me it’s my job to get and remember it.
When and Where do you write? Are you a morning person, like C L Wilson, who loves to write at 4:00 AM or are you an late night person, like Anne Marie who prefers anywhere from 11:00 pm until the dreaded 4:00 AM? Me, I’m neither of those. I write when I get home from the day job. Regardless of when you write the importance is that you write. You will never see the end if you don’t have HOKBIC (hands on keyboard, butt in chair). Where you choose to write should be the place that most inspires you. If you need absolute quiet then sitting in front of the tube with the kids/dogs playing all around you probably won’t work. If that doesn’t bother you and your creative juices flow between commercials then by all means do that. Basically what I’m saying it pick what works best for you and to use Nike’s phrase Just Do It.
Okay, you’ve answered the who, what, when, where, and why’s. There’s just one more question to ask. This, in my humble opinion, may be the most important question to answer in your writing career.
How bad do you want it? Are you willing to give up television at night in order to write? If you work a day job are you willing to make this your second job to get it done? This is your career and it’s up to you how fast or long it takes to reach “The End”. But if you’re serious about wanting this as a career you must make time to write everyday or almost everyday. How much time you devote will differ from day to day and also depending on your life. But time devoted is the only way you’ll finish the book.
If this is to be a career then yes, it’s your second job until the day comes you can make it your one and only job. How long will it take you? That’s your decision and yours alone. For me, it’s working on it everyday when I come home from pay the bills job. I’ve heard that in order to achieve the things you want most you should act like it’s already a done deal. That means writing deadlines and finishing the book.
So your turn, do you have any Who, What, When, Where, Why and How’s going on in your world? Have you decided this is your career and created a career path for yourself? Or are you simply writing as you have time just for the joy of writing a story?
Oh, any by the way, if you haven’t been to the Maven’s this week for the Choose Your Own Adventure, what are you waiting for. You’ve got several days to read and then choose the next. It’s a writer’s Halloween party going on over there. :)
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
The Encyclopedia, The Free Dictionary online has this to say concerning the definition of an author.
An author is the person who creates a written work, such as a book, story, article, or the like, whether short or long, fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose, technical or literary.
Who? As an author you are the one to pen/type your words, create your world, and introduce us to your characters. It’s your job to make them come to life for the reader. To so submerge them into this world you’ve created, the reader will sigh as they close the book not wanting to leave their new found friends.
So, what made you decide to write? Or this could simply say why do you write? You can read the post on why do you write, in its entirety here.
Or maybe it’s one of the ones below.
Is it because:
a. You’ve read 1000 books and decided, “Hey, I can do that.”
b. This years lineup on TV just aren’t doing it for you and your bored
c. Everybody’s writing something, besides it’s pretty cool to tell people you’re a writer
d. Because the damn muse will not shut up. You’re character won’t leave you alone. In fact they’re pretty much demanding you write their story or forfeit all thoughts of sleep and a normal life.
Depending on “Who” you are, you may pick any one of the above. For me, it’s definitely the last one. I go to sleep thinking about the book and wake up thinking about it. I have notepads everywhere in case they speak to me and I’m not near the computer. Trust me, if I don’t write it down I might just forget it. My muse knows this, but she a stubborn one. I pretty sure she feels like once she tells me it’s my job to get and remember it.
When and Where do you write? Are you a morning person, like C L Wilson, who loves to write at 4:00 AM or are you an late night person, like Anne Marie who prefers anywhere from 11:00 pm until the dreaded 4:00 AM? Me, I’m neither of those. I write when I get home from the day job. Regardless of when you write the importance is that you write. You will never see the end if you don’t have HOKBIC (hands on keyboard, butt in chair). Where you choose to write should be the place that most inspires you. If you need absolute quiet then sitting in front of the tube with the kids/dogs playing all around you probably won’t work. If that doesn’t bother you and your creative juices flow between commercials then by all means do that. Basically what I’m saying it pick what works best for you and to use Nike’s phrase Just Do It.
Okay, you’ve answered the who, what, when, where, and why’s. There’s just one more question to ask. This, in my humble opinion, may be the most important question to answer in your writing career.
How bad do you want it? Are you willing to give up television at night in order to write? If you work a day job are you willing to make this your second job to get it done? This is your career and it’s up to you how fast or long it takes to reach “The End”. But if you’re serious about wanting this as a career you must make time to write everyday or almost everyday. How much time you devote will differ from day to day and also depending on your life. But time devoted is the only way you’ll finish the book.
If this is to be a career then yes, it’s your second job until the day comes you can make it your one and only job. How long will it take you? That’s your decision and yours alone. For me, it’s working on it everyday when I come home from pay the bills job. I’ve heard that in order to achieve the things you want most you should act like it’s already a done deal. That means writing deadlines and finishing the book.
So your turn, do you have any Who, What, When, Where, Why and How’s going on in your world? Have you decided this is your career and created a career path for yourself? Or are you simply writing as you have time just for the joy of writing a story?
Oh, any by the way, if you haven’t been to the Maven’s this week for the Choose Your Own Adventure, what are you waiting for. You’ve got several days to read and then choose the next. It’s a writer’s Halloween party going on over there. :)
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Friday, October 5, 2007
You've Written 'The End' and It's Time to Begin The Next WIP
So you’ve written ‘The End’. Your baby’s polished and out the door to face the world of agents and/or editors all alone.
There you sit, staring at the blank screen or pad of paper before you, knowing full well its time to begin the next wip.
Oh you’ve got plenty of ideas brewing. You may even have a short outline. But now you’ve got to interview the next set of characters. Get to know them. Their likes, dislikes, and omg their conflicts. Maybe you’re on deadline. You’re fingers sit on the keys waiting and still you stare, no longer at the blank screen / paper but now off into space wondering…
Speculating how is Sam (insert your hero’s name here)? Or asking yourself, what is Abby shopping for now? (you know the drill by now, insert heroine’s name)
You see, you’ve been with them for months and for some of us years. Going through every happy and sad moment right along with them. You wanted to kill Sam when he forgot Abby’s birthday and then had tears when he made it up to her with a surprise trip including rose petals lining the pathway. (One of mine really did do something like that only it wasn’t a forgotten b-day).
The thing is you miss them. They were you’re comfort. If you had to you could write scenes out of order during this book. Some that wouldn’t happen for several chapters since you knew them so well. And now their gone.
Should you write a sequel? They could visit in. That would be lovely. No, their book really didn’t leave room for another. Besides, it’s time to let go. But how do you do that?
Take a couple of days to read, paint, watch a movie, or clean house and do laundry. All the things you’re characters didn’t let you do while writing their story. Refresh your mind. Then begin that new wip. Allow yourself to write POS (forever grateful to Nora Robert’s for that one). You can fix it later. The important thing is to write.
Look through magazines find out what/who your hero and heroine look like. Maybe go to the mall have lunch and people watch. What are they doing? Take notes as you watch their quirks; perhaps hear a snippet of conversations, and anything else that make you smile.
In other words do whatever it takes to get you into that new work. You’re muse may have stubbornly stepped out when Sam and Abby’s story was completed, but not for long. In all actuality she is just as curious as you are about the new couple. Oh, she won’t tell you that at first. No, she likes to be in charge of what words hit the paper.
In no time you’ll be back in the swing and a new story has emerged. Lives are taking shape; conflicts are getting in their way, danger, sexual attraction, odd things happening, and love / hate begins to blossom.
You sit back and smile. Once again you’ve got a new world building and new lives to get to know.
Shaking out your fingers, cracking your knuckles, and stretching your neck from side to side you back you begin typing as words pouring out. Your muse is back. She didn’t go far and she’s ready to work. You grin as the screen / page is no longer blank.
The race to the end of the book is back on with a new set of friends and family. A new baby is born.
So, what do you do when you’ve finished your book? Tell us how you get started on the next one.
On Sunday I’ll announce this week’s winner.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
There you sit, staring at the blank screen or pad of paper before you, knowing full well its time to begin the next wip.
Oh you’ve got plenty of ideas brewing. You may even have a short outline. But now you’ve got to interview the next set of characters. Get to know them. Their likes, dislikes, and omg their conflicts. Maybe you’re on deadline. You’re fingers sit on the keys waiting and still you stare, no longer at the blank screen / paper but now off into space wondering…
Speculating how is Sam (insert your hero’s name here)? Or asking yourself, what is Abby shopping for now? (you know the drill by now, insert heroine’s name)
You see, you’ve been with them for months and for some of us years. Going through every happy and sad moment right along with them. You wanted to kill Sam when he forgot Abby’s birthday and then had tears when he made it up to her with a surprise trip including rose petals lining the pathway. (One of mine really did do something like that only it wasn’t a forgotten b-day).
The thing is you miss them. They were you’re comfort. If you had to you could write scenes out of order during this book. Some that wouldn’t happen for several chapters since you knew them so well. And now their gone.
Should you write a sequel? They could visit in. That would be lovely. No, their book really didn’t leave room for another. Besides, it’s time to let go. But how do you do that?
Take a couple of days to read, paint, watch a movie, or clean house and do laundry. All the things you’re characters didn’t let you do while writing their story. Refresh your mind. Then begin that new wip. Allow yourself to write POS (forever grateful to Nora Robert’s for that one). You can fix it later. The important thing is to write.
Look through magazines find out what/who your hero and heroine look like. Maybe go to the mall have lunch and people watch. What are they doing? Take notes as you watch their quirks; perhaps hear a snippet of conversations, and anything else that make you smile.
In other words do whatever it takes to get you into that new work. You’re muse may have stubbornly stepped out when Sam and Abby’s story was completed, but not for long. In all actuality she is just as curious as you are about the new couple. Oh, she won’t tell you that at first. No, she likes to be in charge of what words hit the paper.
In no time you’ll be back in the swing and a new story has emerged. Lives are taking shape; conflicts are getting in their way, danger, sexual attraction, odd things happening, and love / hate begins to blossom.
You sit back and smile. Once again you’ve got a new world building and new lives to get to know.
Shaking out your fingers, cracking your knuckles, and stretching your neck from side to side you back you begin typing as words pouring out. Your muse is back. She didn’t go far and she’s ready to work. You grin as the screen / page is no longer blank.
The race to the end of the book is back on with a new set of friends and family. A new baby is born.
So, what do you do when you’ve finished your book? Tell us how you get started on the next one.
On Sunday I’ll announce this week’s winner.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Friday, September 14, 2007
Writing the Book of Your Heart – With Deadlines for the Unpublished Author
Julie Leto has an incredible article on Writing the book of your heart – Ditching the book of your heart for your voice. Check it out when you’re finished here. Or check it out now and come back.
This is actually for the unpublished or not published in a while author. Yes, I do call us authors because that’s what we are. We’re writers who author our books.
Okay, you’re writing your first book, or maybe it’s your fifth. You’ve not yet been published (never say not published but not yet published), or it’s been a while, a long while since your last book sold.
Since you’re not yet published, you’re taking your time, writing as you can fit it in. Rewriting chapter one, oh no less than 10 – 12 times. It’s okay. Lift your chin back up, we’ve all been there and many of us are there right now.
My question to you is this. Have you given yourself deadlines? Deadlines, you asked. Why would I do that? I’m not contracted yet. I don’t have deadlines.
Well you’re right, you don’t. But you will. You’ll finish that book, shine it to perfection, and ship it off to the editor (or to the agent who will then ship to editor).
Guess what? They love it. Not only do they love it, they want to contract you to a two book deal. Those secondary characters that you loved so much? So does the editor. He/She can so see them in their own book.
Now can you guess where this is going? In said contract you’re going to have a deadline for that book. You haven’t even started on Sally and Harry’s book. Heck, you’ve been working on that Historical that you thought you’d never write, instead.
That’s okay; you’re snoopy dancing around the kitchen with a glass of wine in one hand and chocolate in the other. You’ve got a contract and they want a second book. Squeeeee!!! All right, if you are like me, you’re probably dancing all through the house and there are lots of Squeee’s going on. :)
Time to sit down and begin S & H’s book. You’re so excited your fingers fly across the keyboard. This is great! You’re going to have this done in no time at all. Chapter four…you’ve stared at those words for 2 weeks now. Where or where is this going? What happened? Then you decide, heck its fine. I’ve got 4 months to get this done. No worries.
Trust me on this. It is just the beginning of your worries, unless you’re the much loved Nora Roberts. Very few people can spew out a book in less than 3 months, revise and get said book to the editor.
Now is the time to make deadlines and stick to them. Start with something you know you can do and work your way up. But by all means make them. Be accountable to someone (here on Monday’s or to your CP, just someone) for the deadlines. If you don’t make one, that’s okay. Even seasoned writers have to ask their editors for an extension once in a while.
If you can get yourself used to deadlines now when you actually don’t have them, they will be much easier to work with once you do. It’s a lot like exercise. At first you can only go a mile on the treadmill and your leg muscles are dying. Before you know it you’re doing five miles and it’s easier. In fact, if you don’t make your daily five mile treadmill walk you become sort of grouchy. It’s now become your part of you.
So tell us, do you have deadlines when you’re writing? Do you stick to them? Has it helped you?
I’ll announce this week’s winners on Sunday so make sure you check back. Oh and today’s comments count. :)
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
This is actually for the unpublished or not published in a while author. Yes, I do call us authors because that’s what we are. We’re writers who author our books.
Okay, you’re writing your first book, or maybe it’s your fifth. You’ve not yet been published (never say not published but not yet published), or it’s been a while, a long while since your last book sold.
Since you’re not yet published, you’re taking your time, writing as you can fit it in. Rewriting chapter one, oh no less than 10 – 12 times. It’s okay. Lift your chin back up, we’ve all been there and many of us are there right now.
My question to you is this. Have you given yourself deadlines? Deadlines, you asked. Why would I do that? I’m not contracted yet. I don’t have deadlines.
Well you’re right, you don’t. But you will. You’ll finish that book, shine it to perfection, and ship it off to the editor (or to the agent who will then ship to editor).
Guess what? They love it. Not only do they love it, they want to contract you to a two book deal. Those secondary characters that you loved so much? So does the editor. He/She can so see them in their own book.
Now can you guess where this is going? In said contract you’re going to have a deadline for that book. You haven’t even started on Sally and Harry’s book. Heck, you’ve been working on that Historical that you thought you’d never write, instead.
That’s okay; you’re snoopy dancing around the kitchen with a glass of wine in one hand and chocolate in the other. You’ve got a contract and they want a second book. Squeeeee!!! All right, if you are like me, you’re probably dancing all through the house and there are lots of Squeee’s going on. :)
Time to sit down and begin S & H’s book. You’re so excited your fingers fly across the keyboard. This is great! You’re going to have this done in no time at all. Chapter four…you’ve stared at those words for 2 weeks now. Where or where is this going? What happened? Then you decide, heck its fine. I’ve got 4 months to get this done. No worries.
Trust me on this. It is just the beginning of your worries, unless you’re the much loved Nora Roberts. Very few people can spew out a book in less than 3 months, revise and get said book to the editor.
Now is the time to make deadlines and stick to them. Start with something you know you can do and work your way up. But by all means make them. Be accountable to someone (here on Monday’s or to your CP, just someone) for the deadlines. If you don’t make one, that’s okay. Even seasoned writers have to ask their editors for an extension once in a while.
If you can get yourself used to deadlines now when you actually don’t have them, they will be much easier to work with once you do. It’s a lot like exercise. At first you can only go a mile on the treadmill and your leg muscles are dying. Before you know it you’re doing five miles and it’s easier. In fact, if you don’t make your daily five mile treadmill walk you become sort of grouchy. It’s now become your part of you.
So tell us, do you have deadlines when you’re writing? Do you stick to them? Has it helped you?
I’ll announce this week’s winners on Sunday so make sure you check back. Oh and today’s comments count. :)
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Why Do We Write?
Through some talk on the TARA loop, my local chapter, I started seriously thinking about this question. Only the question was actually Why do I write? The more I thought about the question, I realized some of you may wonder the same thing. Although I can’t answer that question for you here’s a bit about me and why I write.
I first started writing because I had to get the words out. I’d read Trixie Bleden or Nancy Drew and wanted to be just like them. One day I decided I could do that and so I wrote my own stories where I solved mysteries, sometimes being a part of a club and other times not. I guess I sort of blended the two together.
Just a small side note here, even at that early age I never once copied anything from any of their books. At that time no one had told me what plagiarism was yet still deep down I knew words were/are a precious thing and once someone wrote them in a book I could not use them the same exact way. Besides, I wanted to tell my stories not anyone else’s.
Flash forward: I’d written a couple of manuscripts, which now reside eternally with the dust bunnies, but never pursued it further. I joined my local chapter, TARA and RWA several years ago because I wanted to be among other writers. I didn’t know at the time I needed to learn more of the craft. I mean, I could write a story. Right? I knew all about the H/H meeting and falling in love and the conflicts that must arise until they could have the HEA.
The business side of writing? Not so much. I thought okay, write the book, send it off, and much like Emeril, Bam…in no time at all I’d see it sitting there on the shelf. In all it’s glory. You know, with the heavenly lights shinning down on it. Of course, it’s sell well. Of course, it’d would need to be reprinted. And yes, in many languages. After all everyone who knew me and loved me had read my work and they said the same thing. So it must be true. Right?
Okay, so the first thing I learned was I knew nothing about the business. Who knew that once the book was contracted it could take up to year to hit the shelves? Oh yeah, and that eternal heavenly light? Nothing more than a spotlight that only on rare occasions comes out to shine upon an author. The thing is I still want to write even after learned the difference. Even after I learned that unless you are our beloved Nora Robert’s you can’t really head-hop. I love to do this. Just ask my CP, she’ll tell you.
Which brings me to rules. Ugh! There are rules in this business of writing? But it’s my book. Why must I learn the rules? Answer: It makes you/me a better writer. Can the rules be broken? Oh yeah. You can’t break them though until you learn them well. Until they become second nature to you. Then and only then, when you know them can you learn how to break them correctly to work in your story.
It’s hard. No one ever said this would be an easy job. There is no magical wand to sprinkle the words onto the computer screen. We have to sit in the chair, put our hands on the keyboard, and type. And yes, even thought it’s our passion it’s also our job. We must take it serious in order for that to be the case. I know that life gets in the way. Okay, so take a PTO day from your writing when you have too.
There are days when all of us think “Can we really do this?” or “Why did we decide we could write?” Then I read on blogs of well-known, published many times over, authors who say the same thing. They say this now, not back in the day before they were published.
What I do know is yes, I can do this, and you can do this, if we’re willing to give it what it deserves.
Each of us has to decide what our career path is in this business. If our path is only filled with publication dreams then the road is rocky and it’s painful most times. Although we meet some wonderful agents and editors at conferences we also have to remember when they see that requested manuscript they many not want it. They may not even like it. Or it may just not work for their house. We have to be willing to let it go and move on.
For me, yes, I do want to be published. I do want to see my baby-sitting on the shelf. This is the job that I want with all my heart and soul. I work everyday on my current wip. I want to see my dream come to fruition and writing it is the only way to make that happen. But, there is one thing that I know. I have to write regardless of how long or how short the journey is, I must write. That is foremost in this passage. My characters want their story told. My muse wants me in the chair.
Therefore, I’m willing to give up time in the evenings when I’d like to watch TV. I’ll tape it and watch it later when I’ve reached a goal. I’ll take the time to do what my hearts desire is, not make the time. Take the time.
Beside, if you check out the stories behind stories of authors we love like, Sherrily Kenyon, JR Ward’s,and J K Rowling to name a few, you'll find their beginning journey was much like your own. They write because they must.
So what about you? Why do you write? Is it only to see your name on the shelf? Would you write regardless of publication? Does it burn in your soul? Do you wake up everyday with your wip in your mind and what’s coming next?
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
I first started writing because I had to get the words out. I’d read Trixie Bleden or Nancy Drew and wanted to be just like them. One day I decided I could do that and so I wrote my own stories where I solved mysteries, sometimes being a part of a club and other times not. I guess I sort of blended the two together.
Just a small side note here, even at that early age I never once copied anything from any of their books. At that time no one had told me what plagiarism was yet still deep down I knew words were/are a precious thing and once someone wrote them in a book I could not use them the same exact way. Besides, I wanted to tell my stories not anyone else’s.
Flash forward: I’d written a couple of manuscripts, which now reside eternally with the dust bunnies, but never pursued it further. I joined my local chapter, TARA and RWA several years ago because I wanted to be among other writers. I didn’t know at the time I needed to learn more of the craft. I mean, I could write a story. Right? I knew all about the H/H meeting and falling in love and the conflicts that must arise until they could have the HEA.
The business side of writing? Not so much. I thought okay, write the book, send it off, and much like Emeril, Bam…in no time at all I’d see it sitting there on the shelf. In all it’s glory. You know, with the heavenly lights shinning down on it. Of course, it’s sell well. Of course, it’d would need to be reprinted. And yes, in many languages. After all everyone who knew me and loved me had read my work and they said the same thing. So it must be true. Right?
Okay, so the first thing I learned was I knew nothing about the business. Who knew that once the book was contracted it could take up to year to hit the shelves? Oh yeah, and that eternal heavenly light? Nothing more than a spotlight that only on rare occasions comes out to shine upon an author. The thing is I still want to write even after learned the difference. Even after I learned that unless you are our beloved Nora Robert’s you can’t really head-hop. I love to do this. Just ask my CP, she’ll tell you.
Which brings me to rules. Ugh! There are rules in this business of writing? But it’s my book. Why must I learn the rules? Answer: It makes you/me a better writer. Can the rules be broken? Oh yeah. You can’t break them though until you learn them well. Until they become second nature to you. Then and only then, when you know them can you learn how to break them correctly to work in your story.
It’s hard. No one ever said this would be an easy job. There is no magical wand to sprinkle the words onto the computer screen. We have to sit in the chair, put our hands on the keyboard, and type. And yes, even thought it’s our passion it’s also our job. We must take it serious in order for that to be the case. I know that life gets in the way. Okay, so take a PTO day from your writing when you have too.
There are days when all of us think “Can we really do this?” or “Why did we decide we could write?” Then I read on blogs of well-known, published many times over, authors who say the same thing. They say this now, not back in the day before they were published.
What I do know is yes, I can do this, and you can do this, if we’re willing to give it what it deserves.
Each of us has to decide what our career path is in this business. If our path is only filled with publication dreams then the road is rocky and it’s painful most times. Although we meet some wonderful agents and editors at conferences we also have to remember when they see that requested manuscript they many not want it. They may not even like it. Or it may just not work for their house. We have to be willing to let it go and move on.
For me, yes, I do want to be published. I do want to see my baby-sitting on the shelf. This is the job that I want with all my heart and soul. I work everyday on my current wip. I want to see my dream come to fruition and writing it is the only way to make that happen. But, there is one thing that I know. I have to write regardless of how long or how short the journey is, I must write. That is foremost in this passage. My characters want their story told. My muse wants me in the chair.
Therefore, I’m willing to give up time in the evenings when I’d like to watch TV. I’ll tape it and watch it later when I’ve reached a goal. I’ll take the time to do what my hearts desire is, not make the time. Take the time.
Beside, if you check out the stories behind stories of authors we love like, Sherrily Kenyon, JR Ward’s,and J K Rowling to name a few, you'll find their beginning journey was much like your own. They write because they must.
So what about you? Why do you write? Is it only to see your name on the shelf? Would you write regardless of publication? Does it burn in your soul? Do you wake up everyday with your wip in your mind and what’s coming next?
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)