I've been cogitating on my recently finished manuscript. And I've decided it's not finished material yet. My character arc is a gentle slope and not the steep arc it should be. I kinda realized I had some problems when I was attempting to write the synopsis. I couldn't readily identify four key turning points in the story. Everything just kind of goes along for Sierra until about three quarters of the way through the book, when things get bad.
So it's back to the salt mines to dig a little deeper into Sierra's life.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
I'm back
Sorry I've been gone so long. October was a crazy month. It started with a huge battle with the inner demons of self-doubt as I slogged my way through the mess of submitting my recently finished manuscript to agents. Then I went away to a writers' conference where I had a blast, but came home with a 2-day stomach flu. Two weeks at home, then a weekend at a writers' retreat, from which I came home with another stomach flu! Egads! Enough already!
So, I'm back. I'm working on some new stuff. And trying to stay healthy!
So, I'm back. I'm working on some new stuff. And trying to stay healthy!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Time for the Synopsis
I've finished my edits and revisions in my current WIP. It's printed, and my four trusted readers are flipping through my pages as we speak.
Now comes the hard part. Condensing 55,000 words into a 5 page synopsis. UGH! Have I told you how much I detest writing these things?
I've never been good at summarizing. I'm much too long winded for that. I remember writing book reports in grade school where I always ended up retelling the whole story in nearly the same length as the book. Fortunately they were shorter books back then.
One submission I made to an agent required a one page synopsis for my first manuscript. ONE PAGE! for my 88,000 words!
So, what did I do?
I searched the internet and found this great webpage with directions for writing a one page synopsis. The directions are written for screenplays, but works just as well for novels. If you ever find yourself needing to write one of these beasties, check this webpage. I found it extremely helpful.
Now comes the hard part. Condensing 55,000 words into a 5 page synopsis. UGH! Have I told you how much I detest writing these things?
I've never been good at summarizing. I'm much too long winded for that. I remember writing book reports in grade school where I always ended up retelling the whole story in nearly the same length as the book. Fortunately they were shorter books back then.
One submission I made to an agent required a one page synopsis for my first manuscript. ONE PAGE! for my 88,000 words!
So, what did I do?
I searched the internet and found this great webpage with directions for writing a one page synopsis. The directions are written for screenplays, but works just as well for novels. If you ever find yourself needing to write one of these beasties, check this webpage. I found it extremely helpful.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Writing Tip 101
At the first writing conference I ever attended, I heard the most important writing tip. READ!
In order to find my place within my genre, I need to know who else is out there and what they are writing. There is a lot to learn by studying the work of other writers – how they handle descriptions, inner thoughts, love scenes, conflict, the final words on the final page, and so much more.
As I write my current WIP, a contemporary romance, I keep several books within that same genre on my desk. When I get stuck, I flip through one of the books and see what the author before me has done. Like how many pages should this kiss last? And what vocabulary is appropriate for this imprint line?
I heard at that first conference that if I didn’t have time to read, then I didn’t have time to be a writer. I make time for both, and I watch a whole lot less TV!
In order to find my place within my genre, I need to know who else is out there and what they are writing. There is a lot to learn by studying the work of other writers – how they handle descriptions, inner thoughts, love scenes, conflict, the final words on the final page, and so much more.
As I write my current WIP, a contemporary romance, I keep several books within that same genre on my desk. When I get stuck, I flip through one of the books and see what the author before me has done. Like how many pages should this kiss last? And what vocabulary is appropriate for this imprint line?
I heard at that first conference that if I didn’t have time to read, then I didn’t have time to be a writer. I make time for both, and I watch a whole lot less TV!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Time Management - The Myth
We all have the same 24 hours in the day, as I'm sure you've heard before in numerous discussions on how to better manage your time. But finding the time to write or do whatever else is important to you is not really about finding time or making time. Rather, it is about Energy Management.
Our bodies have a natural energy cycle. Some people are 'morning people' and feel energetic as soon as they bounce out of the bed in the morning. Whereas, other people don't begin to feel a surge of energy until lunchtime or later in the day. Of course, we can force ourselves into a false sense of energy by using stimulants like caffeine.
Throughout the day our energy ebbs and flows. Certain things in our life, besides caffeine, can give us more energy, like laughing with our girlfriends or feeling the sun and wind on our faces. And other things can drain our energy, like naughty children who make us yell and scream at them. (Not that my angels would EVER make me yell at them.) The biggest energy drain for women is doing things for other people. How many people or commitments in your life do you take care of? Husband, children, parents, friends, school, work, laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping...
So what does this have to do with Time Management?
If we are constantly giving away our energy reserves to others, we won't have energy to do the things for ourselves that matter to us, like writing. We may find ourselves with an hour in the afternoon alone, but with no energy to concentrate on writing. And a nap will sound so much more productive, or TV, or reading a relaxing book, or browsing the internet, or eating...
So, really what we need to focus on is managing our energy. Don't give away more than you can spare. Learn to say no. And find something that recharges your energy reserves when they get low, preferably caffeine free. (Don't get me started on the dangers of caffeine.)
Our bodies have a natural energy cycle. Some people are 'morning people' and feel energetic as soon as they bounce out of the bed in the morning. Whereas, other people don't begin to feel a surge of energy until lunchtime or later in the day. Of course, we can force ourselves into a false sense of energy by using stimulants like caffeine.
Throughout the day our energy ebbs and flows. Certain things in our life, besides caffeine, can give us more energy, like laughing with our girlfriends or feeling the sun and wind on our faces. And other things can drain our energy, like naughty children who make us yell and scream at them. (Not that my angels would EVER make me yell at them.) The biggest energy drain for women is doing things for other people. How many people or commitments in your life do you take care of? Husband, children, parents, friends, school, work, laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping...
So what does this have to do with Time Management?
If we are constantly giving away our energy reserves to others, we won't have energy to do the things for ourselves that matter to us, like writing. We may find ourselves with an hour in the afternoon alone, but with no energy to concentrate on writing. And a nap will sound so much more productive, or TV, or reading a relaxing book, or browsing the internet, or eating...
So, really what we need to focus on is managing our energy. Don't give away more than you can spare. Learn to say no. And find something that recharges your energy reserves when they get low, preferably caffeine free. (Don't get me started on the dangers of caffeine.)
Friday, September 4, 2009
All I want for Christmas...
Well, that and the 2 tickets to the Chicago Bears v. Detroit Lions game that I already bought yesterday.
Food and football.
They are just meant for each other.
What are you hoping to receive for Christmas?
Friday, August 28, 2009
Going Deeper
Yesterday my critique partners and I met, and we discussed deep POV (point of view). Really getting inside of the character's head and reading her thoughts and feelings as they happen to her.
One of my favorite authors is a master at deep POV. Suzanne Brockmann says she came up with that phrase when first asked to explain her writing style. She gets deep into the character's mind. As she says, "We hear things through his ears. We smell what he smells, feel what he feels, think what he thinks. With deep POV, I write using words that that character would use. I tell the story with that character's voice." And she is gifted at giving each of her character's his own voice. She doesn't need to write "he thought" or "he felt" because it is understood that the words she writes are this character's thoughts and feelings.
How can you make this work in your own writing?
Suzanne suggests a great exercise to try. She says, "Write a scene from the first person. Instead of using 'He' or your character's name, use 'I'. Instead of 'his', use 'my'. And so on. Write as if you are your hero. Describe the world with his voice. Tell us what he feels -- or what he'll admit to himself that he's feeling! Then, after you finish writing the scene, go back in and replace all the first person pronouns with third person pronouns or your hero's name. That's deep point of view!"
To read Suzanne's complete interview and more information about how she got started as a writer, please check out A Conversation with Suzanne Brockmann by Claire E. White.
One of my favorite authors is a master at deep POV. Suzanne Brockmann says she came up with that phrase when first asked to explain her writing style. She gets deep into the character's mind. As she says, "We hear things through his ears. We smell what he smells, feel what he feels, think what he thinks. With deep POV, I write using words that that character would use. I tell the story with that character's voice." And she is gifted at giving each of her character's his own voice. She doesn't need to write "he thought" or "he felt" because it is understood that the words she writes are this character's thoughts and feelings.
How can you make this work in your own writing?
Suzanne suggests a great exercise to try. She says, "Write a scene from the first person. Instead of using 'He' or your character's name, use 'I'. Instead of 'his', use 'my'. And so on. Write as if you are your hero. Describe the world with his voice. Tell us what he feels -- or what he'll admit to himself that he's feeling! Then, after you finish writing the scene, go back in and replace all the first person pronouns with third person pronouns or your hero's name. That's deep point of view!"
To read Suzanne's complete interview and more information about how she got started as a writer, please check out A Conversation with Suzanne Brockmann by Claire E. White.
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