Face Off Friday: First Novel Querying

Abby Annis over at Evolution of My Neuroses had a post yesterday on whether or not she should put her "baby" (first novel) in a drawer for a while or send it out to the agent world. Some say that you should not query your first book until you've written a second.

(It's too soon if) It's your first novel. No matter how hard it is to hear and follow this advice, it's probably the best advice I'll ever offer: write a second novel before you query on the first one. You'll learn so much while writing that second novel that you'll go back and either revise or discard Novel #1. AND you won't have all the baggage from those damn form rejections to weigh you down --agent Janet Reid

Others argues that it's silly to do that, some first novels get published. You've done all that work, so go for it. So, I thought this would make a great debate for a Face Off Friday.

I have to say that in my case, I queried my first novel too soon. It was before I was blogging, before I had quality beta readers, before I knew what the heck I was doing. (Although, I thought I did.) I had two biggie agents request fulls, which were eventually met with rejections (albeit one was personalized and encouraging.) After I received these a few months after querying, I already knew that my book needed work. Since querying, I had learned so much. I now want to smack myself in the head that I jumped too soon on sending out those letters.

I've since dramatically revised and rewritten that YA book and the new version is still out with a two agencies, so I haven't given up hope. But I think it would have served me well to wait on anything until I finished my second, which I've now done.

But patience is my least favorite virtue and is often my downfall. So I understand when others want to do the same as I did. And perhaps they will have better luck than me. But here are some points to consider:

Querying Now vs. Later

In defense of immediate gratification...

• You've worked really hard on your novel and the thought of not seeing what it could do out there is driving you crazy

• Some first novels sell

• You've revised the book ten ways til Sunday so it's not "technically" your first effort

• Publishing follows trends and your vampire/fairy/angel/werewolf book may not be "in" if you wait too long

• You can't focus on a second book unless you know if this one is going anywhere

• Your family has been hearing about your writing this book, now they keep asking you about the results

For love of patience...

• If you write a second, you will have learned so much more that you will look back and see the flaws in your first effort that you missed the first time

• It's already too hard to keep up with trends since publishing is a slow process, so you have to take comfort in that if it's a great book, it will still be great in six months

• You'll have time to detach yourself from the first book and have a more unbiased opinion later

• You won't burn bridges with agents

Alright, so I'm picturing myself reading this a year ago. I would have read the points for patience and been like, yeah BUT BUT BUT... and figured out all the ways that this did not apply to me.

So, I know that some of you are probably doing the same thing. Therefore, I'll include a little checklist to look over if you want to query your first novel and know that you're not going to be able to wait until you finish a second.

If you can't wait, make sure...

• You have read writing books, blogs, etc. on a regular basis.

• You know these rules/best practices (adverbs, participial phrases, buried dialogue, avoiding melodrama, showing not telling, etc.)

• Each important character has a clear internal Goal, Motivation, and Conflict and external GMC. And by clear, I mean you do not have to explain it to others who have read your book.

• Your novel is high concept (if that's what you're going for) so you can boil the plot down to a sentence.

• Both your author voice and character voice are strong.

• Your opening chapter hooks the reader and is not loaded down with backstory.

• You are able to write a 1-2 page synopsis. If you can't, there may be a problem in the book (according to Janet Reid).

• Your novel has been read by at least three beta readers/crit buddies who are NOT your personal friends or family members. You need people who are writers themselves, have knowledge of the craft, and aren't afraid to be honest.

• You've read extensively in your genre and know what's out there, what's been done, etc.

• Even if you're not writing a second novel yet, let the manuscript stew for at least a month to gain some distance from it.

Alright, so that's my take on it. The links I included are former posts on all these issues. Feel free to disagree as always.

So what's your opinion? Should you follow the path of patience or jump into the shark tank? For those of you who have more than one novel under your belt, how do you see your first novel now? And has anyone out there had success with first novel querying?

**Today's Theme Song**

"Patience" - Guns 'N Roses

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen)

Who Wants to Get High (Concept)?

Go to any writer's conference and you'll hear the following two words ad nauseum: High Concept.  Agents, publishers, your Uncle Bernard--everybody wants your story to be high concept. So what exactly does that mean?

High concept is an intriguing idea that can be stated in a few words and is easily understood by all. --James Bonnet

Okay, great. Sounds easy enough. Movies and tv shows use this all the time. It's just a log line, right? Well, not really. Let's look at a few log lines from today's tvguide.

Swingers--Warmly amusing story about the do's and don'ts of dating, centering on six friends who go looking for love at hip LA hotspots.

Definitely, Maybe--On the eve of his divorce, a jaded Manhattan ad exec tells his ten year old daughter how he met her mother.

*Shrug* Both good movies, but based on those descriptions I could take 'em or leave 'em. They tell you in general what it's about but there's no real intrigue. That's not to say they don't have high concept, but these loglines don't speak to it.

Now let's look at a few examples that are considered "high concept.

Speed--A cocky cop must find a way to save people stranded on a city bus that will

explode if is slows below 55 mph. (source)

Double Jeopardy--When a young wife discovers the husband she’s convicted of murdering isn’t dead, she escapes custody to track him down and kill him. (source)

The Hangover--After a wild bachelor party in Vegas, three friends wake up to find the groom missing, and no one has any memory of the previous night.

Back to the Future--In 1985, Doc Brown invents time travel; in 1955, Marty McFly accidentally prevents his parents from meeting, putting his own existence at stake. (imdb)

Ooh, now I don't know about you, but those grab me. Why? What are the differences between a straight logline and a high concept.

High concept stories have...

1. A unique premise

This doesn't mean you have to do something that's NEVER been done before. Let's face it, that's hard. But put a twist on it. In Speed, we've seen bomb/terrorist plotlines before, but wait, let's put it on a bus, oh and let's make sure that the bus can't slow down. In New Moon, we basically have Romeo and Juliet with vampires and werewolves.

2. Universal appeal

If your idea is unique (#1) but so bizarre that no one can relate to the premise, then you've lost your high concept. In Double Jeopardy, being betrayed by a spouse is something most people can connect with. No, maybe not everyone has been betrayed by their husband/wife, but we can imagine what that would be like. And certainly everyone has been betrayed at least once in their life by a friend, family member, etc.

3. Instant emotional connection

If we don't connect emotionally with a story, then what's the point of reading it? In Speed, we can connect with the idea of being an innocent bystander on the bus caught in that life or death situation. Or the cop whose trying to save everyone. In The Hangover, we can imagine the panic we would feel if we woke up and had no memory of the previous night and our friend was missing.

4. Obvious Potential (Can be visualized immediately)

When you hear a high concept pitch, you instantly start imagining what could occur. This doesn't mean a predictable story necessarily, but it gets our mind working. In Twilight, we can imagine what problems might arise when a vampire falls in love with a girl whose blood is absolutely irresistible to him. Clueless goes to Harvard Law (guess the movie). We can imagine the funny antics that will ensue.

5. Only one to three sentences (preferably one)

If you can't cover it in this amount of time, your concept made need a shot of heroine--sorry, I can't resist making lame puns--your concept needs to get high.

A few things to help you create your high concept...

• Create a compelling character with a desperate desire

• Give the character a flaw related to their job or situation

• Have a life-altering, inciting event

• Insert a quirk of fate or irony

--source

Alright, so I hope that helps. I know that we all want to be able to do that "elevator pitch" if ever given the right opportunity. And we certainly want that one liner in our query that is going to get an agent or publisher excited. I'm terrible at this, so this post is as much for my benefit as everyone else's. I'm bound and determined to have my high concept pitch before I jump into my next novel.

Here are the sources I quoted from, check them out for more info:

Conquering the High Concept

High Concept Defined

Got High Concept (from RWA)

What's all this talk about high concept? (from the Knight agency)

If you want to see examples of loglines (some high concept, some not) and taglines (i.e. hooks), go to imdb.com and enter any movie. They offer one line plot summaries and the hook for every movie. It's awesome.

So have you done this? What's your logline or high concept pitch? Do you think your current WIP fits these guidelines? Also, what do ya'll think I'm my kinder, gentler new blog design? I'm on the fence about it, so let me hear it. :)

**Today's Theme Song**

"High Enough" - Damn Yankees

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen)

Characters in the Belfry and (Not so)WIP Wednesday

I don't have much to report for WIP Wednesday since I wrapped up the synopsis and such last week. However, now I have a different problem. I haven't started the next WIP yet, and it's driving me bonkers. There are so many ideas and characters whirling around my head, but none have come together enough for me to latch on to it. Each time, I'm like "oh, that's a good one!", I try to think it out further and then hit mental block on how to make it a fully realized story. Grr.

I want to make sure that whatever I start is "high concept" (more on this term tomorrow). Something that with a one sentence log line, people say--ooh, I want to read that. And as of yet, that concept hasn't come to me.

And the bad thing about not having a true work in progress is that I feel totally restless and without focus. My husband keeps asking me why I'm so quiet lately. It's because I can't stop turning over ideas and characters in my head. Any moment of the day I can snatch to think through them, I do. This includes at night before I fall asleep, which means I'm tossing and turning until at least midnight lately. *sigh* I'm super fun to be around right now, let me tell you. ;)

On a good note, I am one follower away from 100 followers! Thanks you guys! Who is going to cheer me up and be number one hundred? *hint hint to any new readers out there*

So am I the only one who gets so frazzled and grumpy when not actively working on a manuscript? How do you decide which idea is "the one"? How is your WIP going?

**Today's Theme Song**

"Funhouse" - Pink

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen)

Crit Group Matchmaking

It seems that I've had a number of people lately asking me about crit groups. How did I find mine? Do I know of any that have openings? Where would I recommend hooking up with one? Beyond telling people how I found mine (online through a contest), I didn't have many answers.

So I thought I would help the critter-less writers as best I can by doing some research and some matchmaking.

Face to Face Groups

How to find one?

• To find these you need to google your city and terms like writers group, critique group, etc.
• Also, whatever your genre is, go to the national organization website (i.e. Romance Writers of America, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and see if they have a local chapter. Your chapter will probably have information on groups that meet in your area.
• Attend writers' conferences in your area to hook up with other writers and network.
• Look for ads at local bookstores, coffee shops, etc.

What to expect?

Each group will have its own rules and structure. However, typically members read chapters at home and arrive to the group with comments already prepared. Or, work is read out loud, and critiques are given on the spot.

Online Groups

How to find one?

• Create your own (more on that later)
• Network with your blogging friends to see if they know of any
• Join one of the critique websites/communities: Critique Circle, Critters Workshop, search Yahoo Groups (I have only used Yahoo groups, so if anyone has other suggestions or has experience with an online workshop, please list it in the comments).
• Volunteer to exchange beta-reading with blogging friends. If you find you connect and enjoy critting and being critted by them, consider putting together a group.

**I would suggest that you only post your work on a site that requires membership and passwords. Don't publish your stuff for free for all the world to see.**

What to expect?

I can only speak from my personal experience. In my group, we are responsible for critting at least one chapter a week (not one per member, just one). We obviously try to do more when we can. We also try to make sure that each member gets at least one crit in return per week). Chapters are posted for download on our yahoo groups page (it's members only so only we can see it) and then we crit in Word (using the comments and review features). Once we're done, we upload the critted chapter for the writer to review.

Things to keep in mind for forming or joining a crit group:

• Make sure that there are some rules and expectations set up. Lack of structure is not your friend in this type of situation.

• You need to enjoy the genre that the other members are writing. If you never read horror but you join a group of Stephen King wannabes, you're a) not going to enjoy critting them if you don't like horror b) aren't going to be effective at critting if you don't know anything about the conventions of that genre and c) may not get effective critiques in return if they aren't fans of your genre.

• Try to find a group that contains writers of varying levels of experience (but not necessarily extreme disparity). Put a group of beginners together and it will be like the blind leading the blind. The other writers don't necessarily need to be published (although it's great if they are), but find some that have studied the craft and already learned from some mistakes. On the other hand, put a newbie with a bunch of established authors, and the newbie will probably be torn to shreds and the experienced writers will tire of reading work that isn't close to being ready.

*One suggestion I have regarding this is have potential members submit samples of their writing to you (if you're starting a group). Gauge what level they are at and if they will fit in your group.

• Most importantly, make sure you are ready to truly be critiqued. If you are just looking for a group to tell you how awesome you are, don't join. Being critted and critiquing others is HARD. Your hackles will rise the minute you get that document back with red marks all over it. If every time someone says something negative, you start with the "yeah, but" then you're probably not ready.

Hey Baby, what's your sign, er, genre?

Alright, so now for a little matchmaking for those who are out there on their own. If you are someone who is looking for an online crit group, then consider this your match.com today. In the comments section, please put that you are looking for a group and include the genre(s) you write and your email or website link. Once I have a list, I will post those singles looking for a group and you can contact each other.

Also, if any of you have an already established group and are looking for members, then please post that in the comments as well.

As for everyone else, what has been your crit group/beta reading experience? Do you have any sites that I missed? Any more tips to share? What was your reaction the first time you received a tough critique?

 

**Today's Theme Song**

"On My Own" - Les Miserables Soundtrack

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen)

Face Off Friday: Honest Reviews vs. Selective Reviews

Honesty is the best policy, right? That's what we're told when we're growing up. You won't get in trouble if your tell the truth. However, after the first time we tell our friend that the side ponytail she's rocking makes her ears look elfin (I grew up in the 80s--for my younger friends, side ponytails were the way to win friends and influence people), we learn that there are caveats to this honesty thing. Tact and good judgement have to be a part of it.

So where does this fall when doing book reviews? People read a book review because they want an honest opinion to know if they should read the book or not. If the reviewer is just saying he/she liked it because the author gave them a free ARC or they know the author or the author agreed to do an interview with them or they're afraid to insult the author, then the reviews are not honest. Therefore, the reviews on that site are unreliable. So reviewers should be completely honest then, right?

Well, maybe, but then there's karma. It may be because I am a writer, but throwing another writers work under the bus makes me feel icky. I know how much I slave over every word and I'm sure that author did the same. Telling other people not to buy their work shrouds me in guilt. Plus, I worry that if I'm ever lucky enough to get published, karma will wield her crafty hand and have reviewers or other authors lambasting me.

But if I don't like a book, what should I do? I won't lie. It's not in me. I'm the girl who created this elaborate plan to sleep at her boyfriend's house on prom night, only to call my mother at seven the next morning to admit it. (You should have seen the horrified look on my boyfriend's face as I made that call.) My mom has actually told me that I have a truth problem, that sometimes lying is necessary, lol.

So what's a girl to do? My policy thus far has been to follow the credo of "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all." If a book receives less than three stars, I don't review it online. But is that the right thing to do? Here's the argument:

Brutal Honesty v. Selective Reviewing

The truth hurts, but it's the truth...

• Honest reviews will build trust among your followers

• You'll save people from spending hard earned money on a crappy book

• Authors are adults and can handle a tough review. Heck, maybe it will make them better the next time if the reviews are universally bad.

• People often enjoy debating and commenting on a negative review

If you don't have something nice to say, don't...

• If you're a writer and eventually get published, these writers will be your peer group and the internet has a long memory

• Agents have said they don't appreciate if they go on a site and a writer is dogging out one of their author's books

• Karma's a bitch

• The only thing a negative review does is cut into someone else's income

So what's your opinion? I've gone with the selective reviewing policy, but see the merits in both sides. Do you think I'm just lying by omission? What's your policy?

**Today's Theme Song**

"A Beautiful Lie" - 30 Seconds to Mars

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen to the lovely Jared Leto)

Read 100, Write One

One of the beautiful things about writing is that it doesn't require a license, a special degree, a certification, or a secret handshake to do it. Anyone can pick up a pen or sit down at a computer and start. Does that mean what the person writes is good? Not necessarily, but it doesn't automatically mean it's bad. It's not like me walking into a hospital and picking up a scalpel to try my hand at surgery--guaranteed failure. We each have a chance at succeeding when we sit down to write. However, as we all know, many times we fail. It's hard. Really hard.

So what do we do to improve? We read writing books and blogs, join critique groups, attend workshops, write our butts off, and basically become information whores. But what is sometimes overlooked is the fact that we should be reading extensively as well, particularly in our home genre. Not doing so is like walking into a foreign country and not speaking the language. Sure, you may be able to figure out how to order that chicken dish you want using hand motions or something, but you may end up with fried pig entrails instead.

Some argue that you don't have to read in your genre because that will keep your mind clear and prevent you from being derivative. Heck, you can be truly creative, right? BUT, if you don't know the expectations of readers in that genre or don't know what's selling, you may create something that no one wants. Or, more likely, you'll create something that's already been done to death, but you don't realize it because you haven't read those books.

So what has been suggested is that you read a hundred books in your genre before you write one. That number seems daunting (and I don't think you need to stop writing until you finish), but it's like getting a masters degree in your genre. Emily Cross (in the spirit of the Fill-In-The-Gaps challenge) has created The Basics Challenge. This challenge requires you to make a list of a hundred books you want/need to read in your genre, then giving yourself five years to get through them.

I haven't officially signed up because I'd have to come up with a list first, but I'm thinking this is a great idea. I have a long list of YA I've read, so I've probably taken a big chunk out of that hundred already, although there is room for more. (Update: I just made a list of my YA off the top of my head, and I've read 65.) However, with romance, I used to stick strictly to romantic suspense, so I have huge gaps in contemporary and historical romance. So I'm going to think about putting together a list. And all you romance readers, I'm asking for your help--tell me what I MUST read if I plan to make a career in romance writing.

If you're interested in joining this challenge, visit The Basics Challenge website. Here are some lists I found online in different genres to get you to thinking of books to add to your list. Keep in mind, every list is subjective. You need to make a list that fits you. I would suggest including classics of your genre along with what is selling now. (For instance, YA has changed drastically in the last ten years, so don't base your knowledge just on what you read when you were a teen.)

Top 50 YA books of all time and Best YA from GoodReads

Best Thrillers of All Time

Best Horror of All Time

Top 100 Fantasy

Top 100 Romances and All About Romance 100

Time Magazine's Top Books of All Time

And I bought this at the used bookstore and it has been a wealth of suggestions for me in all genres. I've enjoyed every recommendation so far.

So what do you think of the "read 100, write one" philosophy? Does the basics challenge interest you? Think you could go the distance? And all you romance readers, what book do I just HAVE to read (can be any subgenre of romance)?

**Today's Theme Song**

"The Distance" - Cake

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen.)

WIP Wednesday, an Award, and the Elaine

I did it. Yes, I did. In the last two weeks I've finished both my query letter and my synopsis. Halle-freaking-lujah. I think those two things are more difficult than writing the book itself. Hopefully, I did a good job on both so that the publishers just fall over themselves trying to get to me. *snort* Okay, so I'd be happy with them requesting pages, but I'm trying to think positive. I'm really happy with my story right now so I guess that's all I can do. The rest is in the hands of the decision makers.

This will be a new experience this time because I'll be submitting directly to publishers. With the first book, I'm querying agents. But with a category length romance, I've heard it's better to just go direct. I haven't run across many agent sites that say they handle category romance, so I'm thinking this must be the case.

Alright, so in honor of completing the synopsis, I'll provide another dance this time. The query got me to do the Carlton, the synopsis gets the Elaine.

Patti over at Book Addict has awarded me with the Heartfelt Award! Thanks, chica! Since I will be nominating both men and women, I decided to break the rules a bit and added an alternative image. I'm sure the dudes out there don't want a teacup hamster in their space, lol. So feel free to adopt the traditional image for this award or the alternative one.

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you're relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside. Rules:Put the logo on your blog/post. Nominate up to to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside. Be sure to link your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

My Nominees are new blogs I've discovered recently and enjoy:

Catherine Kariaxi at Work in Progress

Jeannie Campbell at Where Romance Meets Therapy

Tina Lynn at Tina Lynn's Not So Daily Blog

Amber Tidd Murphy at Musings of Amber Murphy

Jm Diaz at An Ulterior Motive

Sierra Godfrey at Sierra Godfrey

Lindsey at The Domesticated Writer

Alright, that's not nine, but seven is pretty good. Go check these out, you'll be glad you did.

So how is everyone's WIP going? Also, has anyone else heard what I heard about going directly to publishers for category romance? And which part of the process do you dread the most: revising/editing, writing query and synopsis, or something else?

**Today's Theme Song**

"I Want You to Want Me" - Cheap Trick

(player in sidebar--this is dedicated to those agents and publishers out there.)

"Oh no! Melodrama!" she screamed as she collapsed into tears.

 
 

There are a lot of fine lines in writing: creating a sense of place v. bogging down reader with description, creating a new spin on an old idea v. being derivative, creating characters with depth v. backstory overload, etc. Another one that I've had trouble defining the line between is drama and melodrama.

Our stories are supposed to have conflict and drama. What's the point otherwise? However, when that story inches into melodrama we risk losing our reader. Instead of connecting with the characters and feeling part of the story, our readers start rolling their eyes. So how can we tell the difference?

This is especially difficult to determine if we're writing a teen story. I'm not going to stereotype, but looking back at myself as a teen, I was quite melodramatic. My high school was my whole world and every event and emotion was amplified. When my crush didn't like me, it was cause for tears and incessant listening of depressing and sappy music. When a good friend gave me the silent treatment for a week, I thought we would never be able to overcome such a terrible turn of events. So how do we make sure our characters and plot are authentic and believable and interesting without sending it into the realm the soap opera?

First my quick definition...

Melodrama is when emotions, plot, or actions are too over the top. My litmus test is if a scene that is intended to be emotional/heartfelt/painful would tempt readers to groan, roll their eyes, or laugh, then I've crossed over the line.

I'll use Twilight as an example since most of you have probably read it or seen the movie. In the scene at the hospital in the first movie (see pic above), Edward tells Bella she needs to stay away from him for her own safety. Bella sits up, panicked, stuttering "No, you can't leave me! We can't be apart." The line in and of itself is fine, but this scene made me giggle in the theatre. Also, in the book New Moon, Bella's reaction to Edward leaving is um, intense, to say the least. Months of depression and becoming an adrenaline junkie seem a tad melodramatic to me. (Disclaimer: I have admitted to loving Twilight, so please no hate comments from devoted fans. Despite the problems I see in the stories, I can't help but be hooked. I'll be in line on opening night of the next movie.)

So what can we do to avoid crossing this line?

 

• Beware the exclamation point! It's rarely needed and is usually a beacon of melodrama

 

• Watch words like screamed, shouted, sobbed, cried, etc. Use them sparingly.

• Put yourself inside your characters. If A, B, or C happened to you, how would you react? Of course, your character hasn't a different backstory than you, but this will give you a start to find an authentic reaction. I mean, really, how many of us are actually swooning when we see a hot guy?

• Don't have your characters act contrived just to fit a plot need. They're actions must be based on realistic/logical motivations that you've developed in the story. i.e. If a character is mild-mannered throughout, but you need an emotional scene so all of a sudden she flies off the handle with no logical motivation to do so or previous behavior to back it up.

• No TSTL (too stupid to live) characters. i.e. running up that stairs when a serial killer breaks into the house, heroine believing something the bad guy tells her when she KNOWS he's the bad guy. Your readers won't buy it.

• Avoid stereotyped characters--the wise old man/woman, the evil ex-wife/other woman, the naive virgin, the bitchy popular girl, the hooker with the heart of gold, the perfect/infallible male love interest. If you use any of these, you need to make sure there is a twist on it. For example, in PC Cast's Marked series, Aphrodite starts as the stereotypical blonde mean girl, but develops into something much different as the series goes on.

• Watch out for huge coincidences. Yes, when writing, we're playing God, but that doesn't mean we can twist fate to create unbelievable coincidences. Your reader will give a big "yeah right" or "my, isn't that convenient?"

• This is related to the coincidence thing, but be careful of creating conflict after conflict after conflict to where there is no way to believe that all that would happen to one person. The best example I can think of is the first seasons of 24. Jack's daughter's Kim couldn't keep herself out of trouble. How many times can one girl get herself kidnapped or put in mortal danger? It became a joke in our house--how will Kim try to get herself killed this week?

 

And if in doubt, picture a scene through the eyes of a Saturday Night Live writer. How much rewriting would you have to do on that scene to recreate it for comedy/satire on the show? If the answer is "not much", you may have jumped into the melodrama hot tub.

So am I the only one who struggles with this line? How do you determine if you've gone too far? And what are some of your favorite melodramatic books/movies/tv shows?

 

**Today's Theme Song**

"Selling the Drama" - Live

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen)

The Big Thirty

Yesterday I hit one of those decade milestones, I said goodbye to my twenties and hello to my thirties. I have to admit I did have a brief freak out moment--like wait, when did this happen? But then I decided I need to be thankful for what the twenties gave me to and excited about what the thirties might hold.

In my twenties I...

• Completed a Masters degree

• Met and married the love of my life

• Experienced the joy of motherhood

• Lost someone close to me and learned that I need to appreciate every day I have with the people I love

• Lived in four different cities, bought four houses, sold three, and moved six times (whew!)

• Worked in two different careers

• Saw my beloved LSU Tigers win two national football championships

• Rediscovered my passion for writing and completed two novels.

So looking back, although there were some sad moments, the twenties were very good to me. I hope that the thirties are just as good if not better. Maybe as the next decade clicks over to 40, I'll be able to look back and see the launch of my writing and publishing career. Let's hope so.

Alright so in honor of my birthday, I'm giving you guys a few gifts. Well, not really. They're free, but it's the thought that counts, right? Here are some freebies I found on the web.

17, yes 17!, free ebooks from Harlequin---no strings attached. (You can get PDF if you don't have an Ereader) There's everything from straight up romance to suspense to paranormal. Plus, an extra from their new Harlequin Teen line.

Writing classes online by author Candace Havens. She offers great information and it's all completely free. (Of course, you are nice writers so make sure if you sign up you also buy one of her books in appreciation--she writes paranormal romance.)

Now, if you're now feeling guilt that you didn't get me anything for my big day, you have the opportunity to give me the best gift of all--a comment or a follow. And if you're someone who reads this but never says hi, now is a great time to de-lurk--a happy birthday is the easiest comment of all. :)

Alright, now for my daily questions: What are your goals for your next decade? What decade has been your favorite so far? Or, what have you accomplished in the last ten years that you never thought you would do?

**Today's Theme Song**

"100 Years" - Five For Fighting

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen, this song always gets to me)

Face Off Friday: EReaders v. Traditional Book

First off, I would like to apologize for my slacker status this week. On top of being busy with revision stuff, I have had a super cranky toddler who is suffering with a painful ear. So I have gotten ridiculously behind on blog reading and commenting. So if you haven't seen me around your blog or I've let super short comments, that is why. Hopefully this weekend, I will get some time to catch up. I miss reading all of your great posts.

Alright, so on to our Friday Face Off ...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently purchased a Kindle. I did this with the utmost reluctance. I couldn't imagine enjoying reading on an electronic device. Books are so, well, perfect. Some people use retail therapy, I have book therapy. If I've had a bad day, a few hours in a library, Borders, or the used book store will rejuvenate me like a soak in a hot tub. So how could I possibly like some plastic box that claimed to be a book substitute? *places my nose high in the air*

However, my closets were starting to tumble over with piles of books and my husband kept mentioning that those Kindle things look pretty cool--HINT HINT YOU FRIGGING PACK RAT. So, when I received some money for a holiday, I decided that maybe I should give one of these new fandangled devices a try. I checked to make sure there was a return policy (there is) and then put it in my Amazon cart. I literally closed out the order three times in the matter of two weeks before I got myself to hit the purchase button. Then, I finally did it.

And now.

*ducks book-loving head in shame* I'm a convert.

So I thought I would give my opinion about the pros and cons of each method for those of you wrestling with the decision like I did. I know there are many other ereaders besides the Kindle, but since I have no experience with those, I will speak specifically about Amazon's Kindle.

Traditional Book v. Kindle

For those who sniff books and say ahh....

• Looking for books in a store/library is half the fun
• A book won't break (although it may fade, get worn, etc.)
• Books are relatively inexpensive
• You can check them out from the library
• You can buy/sell them used
• Friends can borrow them after you finish
• You always have a physical copy if you want to save it
• Covers are pretty to look at
• Shelves of books in your house makes you feel warm and fuzzy
• Anytime you want to flip back through a book, it's there

For the progressive...

• One device can hold hundreds of your books (mine holds 1500), saving your closets
• What we love about books is the story not the paper and that stays the same
• After the initial cost of the device, ebooks are often cheaper, hardbacks are 9.99
• You can take your library with you anywhere
• You can read books with covers or titles like these in public and people are none the wiser. You could be reading Chaucer for all they know. Not that I ever do this, *ahem*.
• 
• There is a whole world of ebooks (some very good) that are only available in e-format. I was totally missing out.
• Not printing all those paperbacks is more friendly to the environment
• Instant gratification--you want a book, you can download it in 60 seconds wirelessly
• There is a built in dictionary, which I didn't expect to be so helpful, but is great
• You can upload word documents onto it--so you can read your own manuscript or your crit buddies' on it
• There are tons of free ebooks and promotions available
• Your purchases are saved online, so if your reader breaks or you get a new one, everything you bought is still available to redownload
• The battery life is ridiculously long
• You can highlight and bookmark passages, which is super helpful for me with reviews. If I run across a quote I love, I just highlight it and it saves it in a file for me.

To be fair, I'll also point on some of the concerns about E-readers.

• The upfront cost ($299 or more) is steep
• You can't lend/sell your books after you've read them
• You lose the library option (although they are looking at ways of incorporating this option)
• They can break and eventually (like any electronic device), you'll want to buy the newest version of it
• Some are concerned about straining their eyes--I will say this worried me, but the e-ink technology really does read like a book, not a computer screen. Most of the time I completely forget I'm not reading a paper book.
• You don't get to see the cover/back copy and there are no page numbers (just percentage done), which I hope they change in the future.
• Not all books are available as ebooks. This was a huge concern of mine, but all but one of the books I've wanted lately were available. The selection is huge.

So that's my take. I ♥ my Kindle. I still hang out at the bookstore, but I just make note of what I want then look it up when I get home. I never thought I'd be such a believer, but my experience has sold me.

So how about you? Would you ever consider getting an Ereader? For those of you who have one, what's been your experience? And am I the only one who's sniffing books?

**Today's Theme Song**

"I'm A Believer" - The Monkees

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen)

The Show Don't Tell Rule

Photo by Cristian V.

We all know it's one of the biggest rules in writing. We hear it over and over again. "Show don't tell, show don't tell." Like an annoying parrot squawking in our ear. However, despite this rule being ingrained on our very psyche, many of us still fall victim to a whole lot of telling. And even though we can't possibly show every single thing, we should aim to spend most of our story showing. Otherwise, we'll distance our reader from the action and they'll just feel like they're hearing a story secondhand instead of experiencing it themselves.

Here are some tips (source) to help catch those sneaky telling moments.

Please forgive me in advance for my not so genius examples, it's early. I went to the Pink concert last nightand am feeling a little fuzzy. :)

1. Unearth those -ly adverbs.

TELL: "I can't believe he's gone," she said sadly. (How do you know she's sad? You're telling us.)

SHOW: "I can't believe he's gone." Her eyes filled with tears.

2. Beware the "to be" verbs. am/is/was/could be/would have been/etc.

TELL: The room was creepy and she was scared.

SHOW: A chill stole across her skin as the oppressive darkness pressed against her. The floorboard creaked beneath her feet, and a small yelp escaped her lips.

3. Hunt down the words Look, Feel, Know (and others I'm probably forgetting.)

TELL: He looked angry. He felt angry. She knew he was angry. *yawn*

SHOW: His face turned an unbecoming shade of purple, and he slammed the phone against the wall.

A few other tips that help with showing....

--Paint a picture, be specific.

Don't just have your hero eat cereal. Tell us what kind. A person who eats Count Chocula is very different from someone who eats Shredded Wheat. This helps you show us something about him

--Use all five senses in your writing, don't rely on sight and sound only.

Romance novels are very good at this one since the reaction to the hero/heroine is usually experienced on every level.

--Use dialogue to "show".

Don't say he's cocky. Show him saying cocky things. I ♥ dialogue. It's one of my favorite ways to show.

--Don't recount a past event if you can show them.

This can be a simple thing. Like, don't say your character had a fight with their boss earlier in the day. Let us see the fight or at least her storming out of the office. This can also help with backstory. Flashback scenes can be dodgy, but if used correctly, can be a good way to show a dramatic moment instead of having a character recount it.

--Pretend you are a directing a movie

Movies can't tell you anything. They have to show it all. Watch movies to see what they use to show the characters personality, emotion, backstory, etc.

--And know that you can't and shouldn't show everything.

Some scenes are uninteresting and don't need a play by play, just a quick summary to get us to the next important scene.

Alright, hope that helps. It definitely helps me.

WIP Wednesday & The Carlton

Is it Wednesday already? This week is flying by. I've been keeping so busy that the days have gone by quickly. I spent the week in edits. I rewrote half a chapter that wasn't fitting with my character and feel good about the changes. This leaves me two chapters away from finishing the first edit of my romance. Woo-hoo!

After that, I will wait on the rest of the critiques from my crit buddies. The feedback I've received so far has been super encouraging, so I'm taking a big sigh of relief that others are liking my story. I never know until I put it out there if people are going to enjoy it and "get" my sense of humor or be like--what is up with this chick? Does she think she's funny? And then there are the love scenes. I'm not sure I'd be able to survive an in person critique group. I blush just uploading the steamy files to the online group, lol.

Also, on the progress front, I have tackled the dreaded query letter. After quivering in fear for two weeks, I decided to face it head on this weekend. After many days of writing, rewriting, and leaning on my crit group for advice, I think I'm just about there. A few words tweaked here and there and I think I'm good to go. *breaks into the Carlton*

 Okay, I feel better.

By the way, I highly recommend having others look at your query letter before you send it out. My final version is so much better than the version I started with on my own. If you don't have crit buddies/beta readers, at least post it on the public query slushpile to get some outside opinions.

Now, I'll have to move on to my next favorite part of the process--the (dun, dun , dun) synopsis. Hopefully by next WIP Wednesday, I'll have finished that as well.

So how is your WIP looking? Do you let others crit your query letter? Any synopsis advice for me? And is anyone else blushing at submitting love scenes to their beta readers?

**Today's Theme Song**

"With A Little Help From My Friends" - Joe Cocker

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen)

You Never Even Called Me By My Name

What do J.K. Rowling, Mark Twain, Amanda Quick, J.D. Robb, George Eliot, and Dr. Seuss all have in common?

They are all pen names.

In our fame hungry world, why are so many authors not using their real names? Isn't the dream to see our name scrawled across that book cover?

Well, maybe, but there are a lot of good reasons for going with a pen name instead of what's typed on your birth certificate. Here are a few:

1. Your parents were cruel and your name is just awful. Who wants to buy a book by Harry Butts?

2. Spelling or pronouncing your name requires a lesson.

3. You want to write in a genre whose readers are unconsciously gender-biased. (i.e. guy writing romance, woman writing political thriller).

4. You're already published in one genre (lucky you) and you want to write something completely different.

5. Your given name is Steve King or Lora Roberts and its just too close to another authors.

6. Your write naughtiness and you don't want your mother or neighbors to know.

7. You can't pass up such a creative opportunity as coming up with a whole new name.

8. You're convinced your book is going to inspire stalkers.

9. Your name is common and boring.

10. You're afraid your book is so freaking awesome that it will surely rocket you into uber fame and you just can't bear to lose your reclusive life.

I've thought a lot about this. I am not immune to ego, so I can't say that seeing my own given name on a book doesn't hold a lot of appeal. With my YA, I never even considered the idea of a pen name. However, now that I've written a romance, I'm starting to think more about it. My story has a high degree of sensuality, not erotica, but pretty naughty.

So, although I'm not embarrassed by this, I do wonder if it could effect my life in some adverse way if I'm fortunate enough to get published. For instance, I have a teaching certificate. If I get hired to teach high school, I definitely don't want my students (or their parents) seeing their teacher's name on a sexy romance novel. Hello, awkward.

Also, if I decide to write both YA and romance, I wouldn't want the YA readers jumping over to the adult romances. So when I start submitting to romance publishers, I will probably include a pen name.

I haven't decided on what that might be yet. I could change my first name's spelling so that it looks more like it sounds: Ronni instead of Roni (which many people pronounce like Rice-a-Roni, which I hate). Or I could pick something completely different and unrelated to my name, which is fun to think about.

They need to come up with a pen name generator/formula like they have those formulas for your stripper name. (For those curious, the stripper formula is the name of your first pet plus the name of the street you grew up on. With that one, my name is Pumpkin Randolph. I definitely won't be using that one on a book, lol.)

So how about you? Do you plan to use a pen name? Why or why not? What would your pen name be? And for fun, what's your stripper name?

**Today's Theme Song**

"You Never Even Called Me By My Name" - David Allen Coe

(player in sidebar--make sure you listen until the last verse, great for a laugh)

Face Off Friday: Prologues

It's that time of the week again: Face Off Friday. On today's agenda, the loved/dreaded/maligned prologue. The rumor is that writers love them and agents/publishers hate them. Some quotes from our favorite blogging agents:

 

99.9% of the time, the prologue is vague or doesn’t really give me a sense of the writing or the story that’s going to unfold. I skip them as a general rule. --Kristen Nelson, Pub Rants

It is 3-5 pages of introductory material that is written while the author is procrastinating from writing a more difficult section of the book. --Nathan Bransford's definition

 

Earlier in the week, I talked about the written and unwritten rules of writing I have discovered along the way. The one that many of you had pain over was the fact that prologues are frowned upon. So, I thought I would delve deeper into that topic today.

First, let's define a few types of "pre-chapters":

 

Prologue is a preface to the story, setting up the story, giving background information and other miscellaneous information. --wiki

A preface is an introduction to a book written by the author of the book. A preface generally covers the story of how the book came into being, or how the idea for the book was developed; this is often followed by thanks and acknowledgments to people who were helpful to the author during the time of writing. --wiki

A foreword is a (usually short) piece of writing often found at the beginning of a book or other piece of literature, before the introduction, and written by someone other than the author of the book. --wiki

Okay, so what most of us are dealing with is the first one, as the preface and foreward are typically used for non-fiction works. (However, Twilight breaks this rule--what's new--and uses the term preface for its prologue.)

Prologues are seen in all genres, but are particularly popular in fantasy/sci-fi and thriller/suspense. In fantasy, the prologue often provides information to help the reader understand the strange world that they are about to enter. In suspense, a prologue can contain the killer's point of view or one of his first victims points of view to ratchet up the tension instantly.

So those seem valid reasons to use one, right? What's the problem?

The problem can lie in the fact that the prologue is almost always a big chunk of backstory. And backstory can be dangerous--it risks boring the reader and makes your pace drag. Prologues can also be a sneaky way to hide a slow-moving first chapter. (I have NEVER used this device for this sordid purpose, *cough*.) The latter is how it's used in Twilight. We get a glimpse of the end action--an unnamed victim being stalked by a unknown predator--before we enter into chapter one where nothing much interesting happens for many pages.

However, prologues aren't always terrible. Hush, Hush which I just reviewed recently had a prologue. The brief pages showed a scene that explained what happened to one of the characters to make him the way he was. In this novel, I didn't mind the prologue and its purpose was clear. Could the story have been sprinkled in later? Perhaps, but the prologue was a big shining billboard that said--"hey this is about angels!" and the scene had tension and action, not just flowery language about some random legend.

So when is it a good idea to include a prologue and when do you need to cut it?

Prologue vs. No Prologue

For love of the prologue:

 

• Fantasy/Sci-fi/Paranormal can be difficult to jump into without explaining a bit of the mythology/legend/world first.
• Some of the greats used prologues
• It can build tension early
• You have a helluva twist coming later that you need to foreshadow
• There is history that is vital to your story that must be introduced early

 

Nix the prologue because you are probably using it to cheat and do one of the following:

 

• Set the mood/atmosphere because you failed to do so in the opening chapter
• Info dump because you can't figure out where to sprinkle in the backstory
• Create tension because your chapter one is slow and you can't bear to edit it again
• Not trusting that your reader is smart enough to understand the world you created
• Your story or fantasy world is overly complicated and you want to get the reader a school lesson on it first

 

Another thought:

 

"Writers hope to create suspense and interest by writing a prologue about the person who turns out to be the villain but without identifying that person by name or gender. Sorry, but in my opinion, that's a cheap parlor trick and your reader knows it. You're better off doing the hard work of creating suspense and tension with your hero and heroine."--author Carolyn Jewel

 

I have to admit that I am guilty of loving a prologue. The one I had for my first novel was unnecessary and I was using it as a cheat (cheap foreshadowing). I cut it a few months ago and saw that I never needed it. However, I do have some mythology that could be helpful in a prologue, so even though I haven't added it, I'm constantly tempted. *sits on hands for a moment to keep from typing one up*

However, I am a little afraid of including one based on the may negative opinions out there. Most agents/authors say it should be used as a last resort. I don't want to do anything to hurt my already slim chances of breaking into the world of publishing.

So what's your opinion? How do you feel about prologues in the stories your read? Do you have a prologue in any of your stories? Are you using it for the right reasons or are you worried it's a cheat? Do you think they should be used only as a last resort?

**Today's Theme Song**

"Your Cheatin' Heart" - Patsy Cline

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen)

Rating Books Like Movies

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Site

So apparently, my blog is rated PG. My parents would be so proud. I was hoping I would at least garner a PG-13, but oh well. ;) If you want to check your rating, go here.

This rating got me to thinking though. A while back I posted about the sex in young adult books. Many of you commented that you prefer to both write and buy wholesome. However, the norm for most teen books these days is to have a bit more than wholesome. Some it's mere sexual tension or comments, some it's full out sex/drugs/violence. So I started wondering about ratings.

We use rating systems for a number of things already. Movies, music, and video games come to mind. These handy letters let us decide what we want to see/hear personally and what we allow our children to be exposed to. So, should this be considered for books?

And I'm not just talking about YA books, but all books. The level of sex, language, and violence in novels can vary greatly. For instance, in the romance genre, you can find anything from inspirational (where a kiss before marriage may be taboo) to straight up erotica (where hardly any line goes uncrossed). Many category publishers draw up their own rating systems to let readers know what to expect.

Harlequin does it by having separate lines with different sensuality levels. For instance, you know if you pick up a Steeple Chase book from Harlequin, you're going to get a sweet romance. You pick up a Blaze (high sensuality) or a Spice (erotica), you know there will be no fade to black sex scenes. Everything will be out there for the reading. So readers have the option to decide what they are comfortable with.

So could this work for other books? What if you picked up the latest thriller and on the back it said "Rated R for adult. Contains graphic violence, torture scenes, and language." Or, you picked up a YA for your kid and it said "15 and up, contains mild sexual situations and some foul language." Would you pay attention to that rating?

Many people will argue against the rating because it could lead to censorship. What if libraries (or Walmart--as they did with the CDs with explicit lyrics) decided they wouldn't stock any teen books that weren't PG? What would happen to the authors who write great edgy YA? What great stories would readers miss out on? Or, a library/store in a conservative community could decide that no x-rated books were allowed for adults, so all sensual romance/erotica was banned. (I shudder at the thought, lol.)

So I have mixed feelings on this (what's new). Part of me likes the idea of a rating. No so much to censor what I'm reading, but more just to know what to pick up when a mood strikes me. Sometimes I'm okay with reading graphic violence, sometimes I'm in the mood for something milder. I also think that parents have the right to know what they're kids are reading. (Although, I lean more on the side of letting them read it if appropriately aged, then have a discussion about some of the more adult themes if necessary. I would have hated to be stuck with only squeaky clean books as a child. A lot of edgy YA is awesome.)

But on the other hand, it does make me nervous to think that some books/authors could be censored. My YA tends to lean to edgy and my adult romance has no closed doors, so I could be one of those people to get stamped with a naughty rating (if I ever were so lucky to be published.) I would hate to see any author's creative freedom be choked by having to play to the market. And God help us all if Walmart starts deciding what is okay for us to read.

So what are your thoughts? Do you think ratings would be helpful? Or do you fear the fallout they would cause?

**Today's Theme Song**

"Livin' on the Edge" - Aerosmith

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen)

WIP Wednesday & Choosing a New Baby

First off, I want to say thank you to all you guys and gals that follow my blog and regularly comment. I've passed the 75 followers mark and am so grateful to all of you. Your comments and your blogs are such a wealth of information and insight, I can't believe I waited so long to join the blogging world. You guys rock!

Now for WIP Wednesday. I can't say that I have too much to report. Since I was on vacation much of last week, I only managed to revise two chapters in my WIP. The good news is I'm almost through the first round of edits. It's gone way quicker than I expected, so I'm happy about that. It helps that the book is category length, so it's 30k less words to slog through than my first manuscript.

So now that I'm getting close to round one edits being over, I'm itching to start another project. I feel restless when I'm not writing. I have a few ideas knocking around in the bat cave, but I haven't decided which baby to choose yet. 

The most developed idea is for a YA (non-supernatural) romance. I also wrote Shadow Falls with intent for a sequel, so I could start that. Although, I have this superstitious thing about starting a sequel to a book that isn't agented yet.

Also, I had so much fun writing the adult romance I just finished, that I'm wondering if I should do another one of those. I have a suspense storyline in my idea notebook that I could turn into an adult romantic suspense. Hmm. Decisions. Decisions.

How do you decide which project is the perfect one to start next? Do you stick to writing the same genre or switch around? Do you start sequels before the first book has gotten picked up? How's your WIP going?

**Today's Theme Song**

"Perfect One" - Lit

(player in sidebar--go ahead, take a listen, everyone needs a love song in their day)

My First Crush and poll results

Photo by Tamsin Slater

I know I will be one of a million bloggers writing about Patrick Swayze today, but I couldn't not mention him. Dirty Dancing came out when I was seven or eight. (I know it has adult themes, but I didn't catch those at the time.) All I saw was this handsome man that knew how to dance and who fell in love with Baby. He was definitely my first crush and my first introduction to the "bad boy" character. I had his poster on my wall and knew every line from the movie by heart (still do).

To this day, Dirty Dancing remains my favorite movie because it was the first love story I can remember seeing. My hopeless romantic self was born. And Patrick Swayze was the guy I set as my standard. Clearly, he was taken from us too soon. My heart goes out to his family and all those who loved him.

Okay, on a happier note...

I thought I would share the results from last Thursday's poll.

Why do you visit this blog?

For writing info 11% (2 votes)

Book Reviews 11% (2 votes)  

Both 53% (10 votes)

Other: 26% (5 votes)

This one surprised me a bit. I'm curious about what the "other" segment means. If any of you would like to share your specific "other" reason, please leave me a comment. I'm curious. I know it must be my stunning wit and charm, right? lol

What is genre do you write?

Young Adult 19% (5 votes)  

Literary Fiction 0% (0 votes)  

Horror 0% (0 votes)  

Thriller 4% (1 votes)  

Mystery/Suspense 8% (2 votes)  

Romance 15% (4 votes)  

Erotica 0% (0 votes)  

Non-Fiction or Memoir 4% (1 votes)  

Inspirational/Christian Fiction 4% (1 votes)  

Women's Fiction/Chick Lit 4% (1 votes)  

Historical Fiction 0% (0 votes)  

Urban Fantasy 8% (2 votes)  

High Fantasy 8% (2 votes)  

Sci-Fi 4% (1 votes)  

Not a writer 19% (5 votes)  

Other: 4% (1 votes)

Young Adult and Romance are the winners. Not surprising since those are very popular genres right now and those are also what I write.

Does your work in progress have supernatural/paranormal elements?

Yes 50% (9 votes)  

No 22% (4 votes)  

Not a writer 28% (5 votes)

 We're a spooky group. That's a lot of paranormal going on. I guess we reflect the current trends in the market.

What is your favorite genre to read?

Young Adult 14% (5 votes)

Literary Fiction 9% (3 votes)

Horror 3% (1 votes)

Thriller 6% (2 votes)

Mystery/Suspense 9% (3 votes)

Romance 17% (6 votes)

Erotica 3% (1 votes)

Non-Fiction or Memoir 0% (0 votes)

Inspirational/Christian Fiction 6% (2 votes)

Women's Fiction/Chick Lit 3% (1 votes)

Historical Fiction 9% (3 votes)

Urban Fantasy 11% (4 votes)

High Fantasy 3% (1 votes)

Sci-Fi 3% (1 votes)

Other: 6% (2 votes)

 Once again, young adult and romance are the winners. We write what we love to read. :)

Are you published?

No 72% (13 votes)

No, but I have an agent 0% (0 votes)

Yes, in print 0% (0 votes)

Yes, ebook 0% (0 votes)

Not a writer 28% (5 votes)

All of us (except the non-writers) are still chasing the dream.

Does anyone ever listen to the theme songs I post?

Yep 12% (2 votes)

No, your music choices suck 0% (0 votes)

No, I'm at work and can't listen 0% (0 votes)

Wait, there's music? 35% (6 votes)

No, but I enjoy the suggestions 53% (9 votes)

This one made me laugh. Thanks to the two of you who actually listen to the songs! :) And I'm glad that most enjoy the suggestions even if not everyone has time or inclination to listen. I'll continue providing the theme songs.

Thanks for all of you who participated. I love knowing more about you guys.

So what do you think of the results? Also, who was your first crush? Can you remember the first romance you ever saw in a movie or read in a book? Was anyone else a Swayze fanatic like me?

**Today's Theme Song**

"She's Like the Wind"-- Patrick Swayze

(player in sidebar, take a listen)

No! No! Bad Writer

Growing up, I was a girl who (except for the occasional rebellious moment) followed the rules. I wanted my parents, family, and teachers to be proud of me. I did what I was supposed to, got the As, and developed a bit of a perfectionistic personality. In many ways, this was a good thing. On the other hand, worrying about perfection is a bit maddening because of course it can never be achieved.

When I started to get serious about my writing last year, I jumped in and just started typing. I didn't pick up a writing book, read an agent blog, or do a lick of research. Very unlike me. But the creative juices were churning and I needed to get the words on the page before I did anything else. Once I finished my first draft, I took a breath and started to read more about writing. And boy, oh boy, there was enough out there to send me into a near panic attack.

There was so much I didn't know, so many rules I had never heard of. I thought with a firm grasp on grammer, an idea about story structure, and the show don't tell rule, I was good to go. I had no idea there was a written (and unwritten) code of the do's and don'ts of writing. This, of course, sent my anal-retentiveness into overdrive. I jumped into editing and tried to fix the things I had no idea were wrong the first time around. Then, draft after draft, I would discover a new rule I wasn't aware of and would have to go back through again. It was liking trying to break the code into a secret society.

And it hasn't stopped yet. I'm still learning new rules and agent/publisher preferences every day. At times, it's overwhelming, but I want my manuscripts to be as good as they can be, so I'll keep digging and finding out what I can. I know I can never reach perfection, but I can sure try, lol.

What I Done Learnt So Far:

1. Adverbs are the devil incarnate. They will steal the soul of your verbs.

2. Excessive adjectives are like white shoes after Labor Day.

3. Prologues (this one hurt) are not your friend.

4. Dialogue tags are like big, fat "I'm a new writer" billboards in your manuscript

5. The being verbs are the ugly stepchildren of the verb family

6. You want verbs that go to the gym--nice and strong.

7. Rhetorical questions in query letters make agents burn your letter in a weekly bonfire.

8. Backstory should be slipped in like roofies into a drink--your reader didn't even notice it happened.

9. Present Participial phrases are generally bad. (This one is a new discovery for me. Editortorent has a whole series on PPPs alone.)

10. Hidden/Buried Dialogue is not preferred and slows down your pacing. (This one is also new to me. My handy dandy critique group gave me a lesson on this one recently. Apparently, dialogue passages need to be in one of the following structures:

• dialogue -->narrative-->dialogue
• narrative-->dialogue
• dialogue-->narrative

NOT narrative-->dialogue-->narrative OR (my personal favorite) Dialogue-->narrative-->dialogue-->narrative. Don't bury dialogue in the middle of narrative. I did this all over the place, including the submissions I currently have with agents--sigh).

I'm sure there are hundreds more rules, but these are the ones that made the most impact on me.

What writing rules have you discovered that you never knew existed? Which rule stabbed you in the heart when you heard it? Which one is your biggest enemy--the one who sneaks in your writing all the time?

**Today's Theme Song**

"Know Your Enemy"-- Green Day

(player in sidebar, take a listen)

Face Off Friday: E-publishing

As aspiring authors, our goal is to get published (Yes, I'm playing the role of captain obvious today). That used to be a straightforward plan. Write great book, land an agent, get a publishing contract, see book on shelf. Done. Right?

Well now there are more options than that. The rapidly rising industry of ebooks is beginning to change the face of publishing. Now, instead of just having hold-in-your-hand printed books, there are e-books and self-publishing and print on demand technology. Things are changing fast and we better pay attention.

But my question is, if you don't have luck with the traditional route, should you consider the ebook publishers? (I'm not going to talk about self-publishing. Weronika discussed that recently if you are curious about that direction.)

Ebooks are gaining popularity, especially in the areas of romance, erotica, and fantasy/sci-fi. Kindles and SonyEbooks are selling quickly and new companies are jumping in the ring with their own technology. Even Borders and Barnes and Noble are moving into the market.

So, is this a good route to get your words out there? I know most of us would prefer the traditional route, so I'm not going to pit that against ebooks. Instead, I'm going to look at the pros and cons of going with an e-publisher if you haven't had luck with an agent or traditional publisher. Is it better to be e-published or is it better to tuck your manuscript away and move on to the next project?

E-Publishing vs. Waiting out "the dream"

For love of technology:

 --An Ebook can be your springboard--This gets your name out there and gains readers. The early titles of Sherrilyn Kenyon, Angela Knight, and Sylvia Day were released as ebooks before they had books in traditional format. (source)

--The turnaround to get published is quicker

--Royalty percentages are usually higher with ebook publishers

--Environmentally friendly--same great book, less waste

--More control--it's been said that epublishers are often very author friendly

--Your book is published and not gathering dust in a drawer

--Genres such as romance have big gains in ebook readership

--Readers get a reasonable price on your book

--Once someone owns a e-reader (speaking from experience), it's easier to make an impulse buy. You hear about the book, sixty seconds later, it's on your reader. I did this yesterday in fact. If I had had to purchase this recommendation from my friend from a bookstore, I probably would have never gotten around to buying it.

--Because the upfront costs are lower, the e-publishers can take more risks, so they may give you a shot when an agent or traditional publisher couldn't because of market conditions/similar stories in their hopper/editor preferences/etc.

In defense of practicing patience:

--Your book will not be on a shelf at the local bookstore. Your grandmother will never believe you are published.

--Ebooks have a stigma attached to them that they are not as high quality as traditionally published books. (I have recently started reading ebooks and have not found this to be true, btw.)

--If you eventually get traditionally published with a different manuscript, you can dust off that first novel, revise, and try to get it published now that you're established.

--The number of people who own e-reading devices is still pretty low. The upfront cost for a reader is significant.

--You may not feel satisfied because it is a modified version of your dream.

--Distribution can be limited with ebook publishers.

So what's your opinion? If you tried to go the traditional route and it didn't work out, what would you do? Would you try to submit to an e-publisher or would you bury your manuscript and move on? I'd love to hear from those who have been e-published as well. What was your experience?

**Today's Theme Song**

"You Can't Always Get What You Want"-- Rolling Stones

(player in sidebar, take a listen)

Just Curious

Nathan Bransford recently did a poll of his readers to get an idea of who was out there. Since I am on vacation today. I thought this would be a good time to find out some information about you guys. That way I can make sure that my posts are relevant. Plus, I'm just curious. :p

Also, this is a perfect opportunity for any lurkers out there to participate as well, since it's anonymous.

Also, please leave a comment of what you would like to see more or less of in this blog. Is WIP Wed. interesting? Does Face-off Friday make you happy?

Okay, that's all I can think of for now. Vote people! Ignored polls will be bad for my self-esteem. :)

**Today's Theme Song**

"Talk Dirty to Me" - Poison

(player in sidebar, take a listen)