Boosting the Signal Strength

Jacqueline Christensen passed along this message from Parris Afton Bonds, and I'm delighted to share!

I published my 36th novel ~ this one an ebook at Amazon.com/kindle.

Please pop a beer tab or uncork a wine bottle and join me to celebrate Dancing With Wild Woman ~ Janet Lomayestewa, tracker for U.S. Customs (ICE), who must learn to dance in order to find a serial killer and keep our earth in balance as well as her own off-kilter love life. 

Check out this new ebook from one of the romance genre's biggest names!

Writers Groups and Writers--The Ongoing Dilemma

There are so many fabulous blog entries over at Book View Cafe if I linked to all of them, I'd do nothing else but link to them.

But finding a writing group for critique can be a challenge, and Sherwood Smith tackled the subject yesterday.  She links to many different resources, and then there is even more great information in the comments.

Check it out.

A Posse of Princesses  

by Sherwood Smith

Lanetta's Excellent Worldbuilding

Awhile back I posted about worldbuilding and writing and such over at planetpooks. I even threw in a heavy dose of Regency cant at the end. In comments, my friend Lanetta mentioned that she does the worldbuilding for her books in Excel. That intrigued me, and I asked her to blog about her process and I would link to it. She did! And now, a month later, I'm finally linking. This is really interesting to me, because I never considered importing images into Excel.



I'll still be using Scrivener [pooks recommends page] because of the degree of detail I need, but I can definitely see how Excel works, and it is often a program people already have. What are you tricks of the trade? How do you keep your research organized and your worldbuilding at your fingertips? Send pics! Tell me. I love this stuff.

Bloody Coincidence?

Perhaps it is, but I found it interesting that PN Elrod mentioned on Facebook today that she's had a sudden upsurge in sales for her ebooks in the past couple of days.  Perhaps some of you contributed to that uptick? [You might remember her first page--with Ms Vandermore's spangled dress getting ripped, and of course, poor Escott, interrupting to artist at work in The Vampire Files?]

Of course looking up her current books available for Kindle was my lucky break.  I had no idea she'd also written a historical, Jonathan Barrett, Gentleman Vampire.

Yes, I'm downloading again.

First & Third Person pov, examples and discussion...

Good ol' Jenny Crusie. Again, perfect timing with a blog entry that addresses something we've just discussed, but she gets into much greater depth in the mechanics of the technique.

I am not one to argue with a gift horse and this time the gift horse is yours.

Read this great examination of the difference between first and third person, and why you can't write in one pov and just change pronouns to the other (from "I" to "she" as an example) and have it work well.

"Lots of commenters on the previous post said, “Write it in third and then change it back to first.” That doesn’t work for me (I’ve tried), which doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. But for me, it’s two different languages. It’s like saying, “Write it in English, and then translate it into German, and then translate that back into English.” If you’re talking about a page full of dialogue, it doesn’t matter much, but for anything else, I lose a lot in the translation both ways. Here’s a piece from Maybe This Time..."

And she goes on to give the same paragraph in third person, then change to first, then rewrite to first... and it keeps going from there. If you want to see the mechanics played out before your eyes, check out her post!

This may or may not be the start of something.

Which is why I thought it worth mentioning.

"Where do your ideas come from?"

So many answers, so little time.

But sometimes a book may just begin on a morning like this.

Picture this: Jenny Crusie & her collage method

Timing is everything! Today Jenny posted about one of her current works in progress and ended with the beginning of a collage. And for the first time, I'm tempted. Perhaps seeing it in an early stage where it still looks amazing did that.  

Perhaps it was seeing Benedict Cumberbatch on her collage.

No matter. Fact is, tonight we're looking a bit at plotting again and I was going to hand out a card with her URLs on it, and decided to just put them in my sidebar.  Right over there near the bottom in Special Writing Topics.


And because you asked so prettily, I'm sharing her new, barely started, collage.

[Oh, and I might as well. To make it easy for you since we'll also touch on this tonight and tomorrow morning, Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need and its sequel (yes, this cracks me up that the "last book you'll ever need" has a sequel, which is why I had to include the subtitle) Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told. From where I'm sitting, you really can't use one without the other. Although, everybody is different, yadda, yadda.]

This weekend! If you're writing science fiction/fantasy...

Or aren't sure, but want to explore it.

Or love to read it.

Or... are just interested.

ConDFW is here this weekend, and has a great lineup of sessions for writers, artists and readers, all.  I'm not sure if I will be there, but I will try.  In the meantime, check it out.  It's probably the least expensive convention that includes writers around here. It's too late to pre-register, but you can register at the door, $40 for the 3-day weekend. That is a bargain.

Let me know if you go. I want to hear all about it! (Unless I'm there. If you see me, then say, "Hi!")

If you're going to write a romance novel...

File this in the "you learn something new every day folder."

I found this image of Barbie Romance Novel Collection while looking for an illustration.

If you read or write romance, you are probably familiar with these kinds of thoughts, but it never hurts to refresh your memory.

Author R. Ann Siracusa welcomes you to her blog

Not long ago, I happened to run onto a reader’s comment thread on Amazon.com entitled “Dear Author: Please Don’t…” at the following link.

http://www.amazon.com/forum/romance/ref=cm_cd_dp_rft_tft_tp?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=FxM42D5QN2YZ1D&cdThread=Tx1U9IFOLVQRGXV

There are 62 pages of interesting reading.  Over 1,500 comments from readers.  I had to restrain myself from writing responses.  While some of them are a little [or a lot] off the wall, many of the readers had something worthwhile to tell us.  Many of the don'ts we’ve heard from agents, editors, and other authors.

As authors, we may not agree, but each comment represents the personal reaction of a reader.  To me, they speak volumes about what people read and what is getting published by today’s industry.

Check it out!

Practical Meerkat’s 52 Bits of Useful Info for Young (and Old) Writers

This is the writing book I've been waiting for!

If you look at the bottom of my sidebar you'll find Practical Meerkat linked from last year, when Laura Anne Gilman--novelist, short story writer, editor, industry pro--wrote a weekly series of advice to writers mined from her experiences and those she's observed.  It's all there still, free for the reading.

What kind of subjects does she tackle?

Writing is a craft. Publishing is a business. Today’s world requires you to understand both.

A year’s worth of first-hand advice from the popular “Practical Meerkat” series, including:

• Knowing When Not to Complain (and how to do it)
• Bar Schmoozing with the Big Dogs (even if you don’t drink)
• Dealing with a Difficult Editor/Agent
• and 49 more!

I'm buying and downloading the ebook so I can have it all together at my fingertips.  I don't buy a lot of writing books any more, but I'm buying this one--and it's only $2.99.

Paperback Writer: Scarab Outlining

Scarab Pectoral, from the Tomb of Tutankhamun

A couple of things. First, I'm about to add Paperback Writer to the sidebar. I can't imagine why I haven't already.

Second, what a clever idea for outlining. I love her "scarab" outline, especially since I love things from the flapper era and scarabs were all the rage. (I even included a scarab in one of my novels.)

What is a scarab outline? Well, follow the link below and see!

Paperback Writer: Scarab Outlining

Morning Pages, Writing Spaces

I love seeing where writers write.

I love hearing and reading how writers write.

"Process" fascinates me, and I learn so much from it.

It's somewhat timely that when I discovered this blog that has pictures of many writers' offices, I found Heidi Durrow [The Girl Who Fell from the Sky] who  mentioned her morning pages.  [Now if you're in my evening class you know what that is. If you're in the morning, you don't, yet. At least, not from me. I will tell you Tuesday.]

The space of Eugenia Kim [The Calligrapher's Daughter] appeals to me this morning.  I love her view because I love trees, and yet it's so cozy.

And look at that board and bookcase:

 I could create there.

And finally, a few takes on morning pages:

Here.

And here.

And here.

Do you do morning pages? Like them? Hate them?

Where do you write?

YA books for you to read.

If you're writing YA, you should be reading YA. Sounds obvious, right?  (I might have mentioned this before, ahem.)

To answer a few questions that came up in week one's classes, I went back to Doug Solter:

Me: Suggestions for YA books that might be along the lines of Harry Potter?

Doug: "The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann: Harry Potter meets Hunger Games."

[From Amazon] Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret--behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime. In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation. But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

Me: Suggestions for high school settings, non-sff?


Doug: "I would recommend anything by Courtney Summers, John Green, and Amy Lynn Reed. Good Contemporary YA stuff to start with. If they want to write stuff that's contemporary high school they need to look for the sub-genre 'contemporary YA.'  Ellen Hopkins comes to mind too. Check her out also."


There. That should get you started! (Me, too. I'm going to look into The Unwanteds, myself.)

WEEK ONE – HOMEWORK

1. Take yourself on an Artist’s

     Date.

2. Try “morning pages.”

3. Read the “first pages.”

4. Use your “capture device.”

5. Watch WITNESS.

6. Be a writer.

Got questions?  Ask!  (Or email me.)  And don't forget to sign up for email delivery of this blog.

Go write something!

A Must-Read for Friends of New Authors!

This is a link that you're going to want to keep handy and send to people when your book is about to be published by a traditional publisher. (Traditional publisher means a publisher that pays you an advance, that puts print books into book stores, that is not self-publishing or some variation of it.)

Publishing has become more and more like movies, and that's not great news.  Bottom line, "opening weekend ticket sales" (or in the book world, pre-orders and the first two weeks your book is available for sale) can make or break you. 

Not All Sales Are Created Equal—What Your Writer Friends Wish You Knew But Are Too Polite to Tell You 

 

Inspiration and Advice, 2011 looking to 2012

I stumbled across this "year-end wrap-up" of an aspiring writer who is going after the dream with all the energy and heart and brain-power she possesses.  I think reading her 2011 accomplishments and thank-yous might prove both inspirational and informative to my students (and others following with this blog).

From Darcy to Dionysus: A Writing Repository: Mentors & Magicians of 2011

I'm also very pleased to say that the "Practical Meerkat" weekly series of writing advice that I've pointed you to all year (check the sidebar) has completed and will be appearing in a great writing book soon. Stay tuned for more info on that.

I look forward to a new semester of classes and I hope to hear from more of my former students as time passes.  In fact, I should probably start posting updates on them as I get them.  Good idea, huh?

Deep Point of View

It's always helpful to find support for things I teach, like how to write point of view. Our friend Doug Solter pointed me to this five-article series on "deep point of view" written by Toni Andrews.

Stephen King is a great example of an author who often writes in deep point of view. His popularity doesn't come from his ability to create the scariest monsters. It comes from his ability to make the readers experience what his characters are experiencing when they encounter the monsters.

Yes. That.


[And if you haven't already entered my contest for a free book of your choice from bookdepository.com, go do it now! Contest ends January 6, 2012.]

I'm giving away books!

In order to get my new website/blog site started, I'm giving away at least one free book, maybe more. Any book of your choice (up to $20 value). Find out more about it here!

Contest ends January 6, 2012.

Forget the word "network" and all it represents.

You will be told you need to network in the publishing biz. You will be told that twitter, facebook, blogs, all sorts of social media are how you do this.

I know you will be told this because I have told you this myself. And it's true, except for that word--that word network. It sounds cold and businesslike, or possibly smarmy like a bad salesman glad-handing everybody in the room with a big grin making sure he doesn't miss a soul because any single person there might be his Next Big Sale and by golly, he wants to talk to you about that!

 Do not be that guy.

So, you ask in frustration, how do you network without networking?

I have been told this about the film business.  I have been told this about the publishing biz.  It may be true of other biz as well, but I know it is true about these. And that is, stop looking at people--whether they be authors, agents, editors, potential readers, in terms of what they can do for you.

Instead, relax. It's a party, but it's the lowest key party you've ever been to.  You can sit back and observe and nobody knows it. And you can--brace yourself--find the people you like. Find the people who you find fascinating or entertaining or have things in common with.  Find people you like to spend time with.

And start following them, whether it's reading their blogs or following their tweets or reading their reviews on goodreads. The internet makes this the best time ever to meet people without having to get dressed up, without having to leave your home. And you get to choose which people you meet. Now how cool is that?

It's good to occasionally post a comment to a blog if the person says something that particularly resonates with you.  It's good to retweet something that struck you as clever or wise or witty.  It's good to simply assemble those people you have something in common with on the assumption that you have something to share that they might enjoy, too--your comments, your own tweets, your own book reviews. Whatever it is.

That is networking.  Everybody on the internet--unless they are already an internet rock star--is looking for like-minded people to share with. And you can be that person. And by being that person, you put yourself in a position to learn about the business, or the subject you love, or writing, or the current marketplace.

Check out my sidebar for starters. There are people there to read, to follow.  Will each person you follow be a best buddy? Of course not. But you will meet other people at their parties, you know. Somebody else who makes a smart comment, and maybe after they make a couple of smart comments, you check out there twitter stream or their blog and realize, hey, I think I like this person.

The network, from your perspective, is who you can enjoy and learn from. And in all probability, you will meet others who feel the same way about you.

Nathan Bransford said it in fewer words today.  Check it out.

Writing what's HOT!

The Practical Meerkat has done it again, nailed this one on the head.

About writing what is hot at Exactly the Right Time for the Market!

And yes, we're talking about what makes the big bucks.

Here’s the bitter part:  while “don’t chase the market” is advice that’s handed out freely, at the same time, we’re told by example and inference that if you want to make Real Money, you have to hit the hot markets.

And the hard truth is – that IS how you make Real Money...