Writing Update

I've been following my own advice of late (see tips number #1 and #29 from previous post) and have been getting immersed in a new project. It's still in the embryonic stages, but I'm feeling enthused about writing in a way I haven't for a little while now. That can only be good.

I'm still shopping my completed novel around, though much more selectively these days. And I'm holding out quite a bit of hope for my most recent queries.

But more importantly, of late I've been reflecting on how much I've learned about writing these past two years. And already I'm seeing the benefits of this, significantly, with how quickly my current project is flowing from my brain (heart, soul, the universe etc. insert wherever it is you think stories come from) and onto the page/screen.

Following the writing process I outlined in my last post, along with drawing on everything I've read--'how to ...' books as well as many novels and short stories--has really helped to illuminate what previously seemed like a process akin to alchemy.

I hope your writing progress is going along swimmingly as well.

Let me know about your challenges and successes.

Writing Tips (Recipe for Writing a Novel)

1. Write often, preferably at the same time everyday. Cultivate a writing writing habit as you would with exercise or any other activity you want to get better at.
2. Write without the expectation of producing something good.
3. Conceive of your story by constructing a one sentence embryo of your story: a one sentence synopsis (A wants/needs B but must overcome C to get it.) Develop this into a one paragraph (three sentence) synopsis. Develop this into a page (five to seven paragraph) synopsis.  
4. Vary chapter beginnings and endings. Make them strong and memorable.
5. Have your reader enter scenes as late as possible and get them out out as early as you can.
6. Choose a setting that amplifies and resonates key themes.
7. Be well researched and versed in all areas and aspects of your characters' story-world; their lives and your credibility depend on it.
8. Have a clear central plot (storyline) and interweave subplots that are subordinate. Subplots should somehow reflect and enhance the main storyline.
9. Characters be constructed so they have depth. Consider assigning characters conflicting habits, traits and features. Each character should represent a part of the human condition.
10. All characters should change in some way in the course of the story.
11. The protagonist must change and develop the most. He must face and overcome fears, obstacles, and the antagonist.
12. Ways for the reader to learn about characters include: what a character does; what a character says; what other characters say about him; how other characters behave in response to him.
13. The most effective settings are a crucible that protagonist and antagonist cannot readily escape.
14. Conflict should be present on multiple levels: internal; interpersonal; external.
15. Write your own story. Don't try to second guess popular trends.
16. Incorporate a three act structure into your plot.
17. Insert/include backstory only where necessary and only when the reader needs to know. Use a variety of techniques for delivering backstory. And drip-feed, don't info dump. Do not begin your novel with backstory.
18. Start your story in motion -- in medias res for you Latin speaking winkers -- in the middle of some compelling conflict, action, or event.
19. Be sure to include conflict, imagery, character and plot development on every page.
20. Strong verbs and unusual verb and noun combinations power a story at word level.
21. Vary sentence structure (syntax) and use it to 'pace' story and events. The same goes for paragraph structure, though briefer is almost always better. 
22. Edit and repeat.
23. Edit and repeat.
24. Edit and repeat.
25. Edit and repeat.
26. Learn who and how to query.
27. Continue learning who and how to query.
28. Edit and repeat again.
29. Whilst trying to solicit interest in completed project begin writing a new one. See step one. 

A Sample Query Letter

 I've decided to post more about querying agents. I thought I would share an updated version of my query letter and one or two other things I've learned.

Firstly, I think it's important to look at querying as a process, potentially, a lengthy, ongoing one.

It's also important to work at building your knowledge and developing and refining your skills in this area, just like you would in any other.

I can tell you from personal experience, querying can be a disappointing and frustrating experience, particularly when you've worked hard on your project, and at researching your agent list and improving your letter.

But it's important not to give up and to continue to be open to new information and ways of working.

One tip I received recently, was, in addition to including the word "Query" in the email Subject line, to also state the project's title and genre. For example, the subject line in my email query read: "Query: Commercial-Literary; Title: SEVENTEEN SUMMERS."

Doing this ensures an agent/editor knows what they are about to read, and might help them determine when they want to read a query in that genre, that is, when they are most receptive to it. As I see it, this can only help your cause.

Below is the most recent query letter I used; I hope you find it useful.

Dear Ms. (Redacted):

Please consider reading my 72, 000 word, coming-of-age, commercial-literary novel, SEVENTEEN SUMMERS, a “displaced memoir” of hope and love, overcoming violence and hurt.

Teenager JAMES CAIN is struggling to breathe amidst the crush of a dysfunctional family and a prejudiced peer group with a herd mentality. But when he trips for a spunky girl of mixed race named SARA LINDS, he’s no idea the wild ride their intercultural relationship will unleash. Thrusting them on a passionate and confrontation filled journey of discovery, and understanding of themselves, one another, and the invading world.

Years later, married to Sara with a young family, but with the ghosts of the past still haunting him, James returns home for his estranged father’s funeral—at least growing up he’d thought he was his father. But if leaving town the first time was tough, going back is almost a killer.

I’ve taught high school English for several years and hold a BA in Communications (creative writing and journalism) and a Graduate Diploma (English) in Education. I’ve had poetry and short stories published (Ribbons of Steel Poems & Stories Anthology; Opus magazine).

I’m querying you as I am impressed with what I’ve read about you and believe this novel may suit your tastes.

As per your submission guidelines I’ve included the opening pages and a synopsis below.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

J. C. Phalene

Querying Agents

I’ve decided to post on what I’ve learned about querying agents. I’m not claiming I’m an absolute authority on the subject, but I have picked up a few things which I think are helpful, and I’d like to share them.

Here they are in no particular order:

• Be sure to research the agents you approach. Make sure they handle the category and genre you’ve written, and that, as far as you can tell, they’d be a good fit. Follow their blog and follow them on Twitter to gain more insights into what they’re looking for. Check out Predators and Editors. And consult a guide book to agents, such as Jeff Herman’s Guide To Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents.
• Query them mid-week during office hours. Not over the weekend; an agent might have received hundreds of queries over the weekend and you don’t want yours lodged among them.
• Be polite, respectful, and professional in all your dealings. You’ll be judged on the standard of your initial query letter, writing sample, and synopsis, as well as on any future correspondence (email included), so continue to be polite, respectful, and professional.
• The opening sentence, paragraph, and pages of your manuscript are critical to getting an agent's attention. Make sure they draw the reader in and absolutely sing.
• Don't: sound desperate (even if you are); come across as crazy (if you can help it; if you can't, never mind); mention previous failures of any kind, mention self-published work unless you sold thousands of units; forget to meticulously edit for comprehension, punctuation, grammar, syntax, and spelling; ramble on; say, "God told me to write this book." 
• Do: highlight previous publishing credits; be positive in your tone; be succinct (300 words or under); meticulously edit for comprehension, punctuation, grammar, syntax, and spelling; carefully follow the "How to submit..." information from your agent's website; address your agent by their surname as you would in any business letter.
• Research how to write a query letter. Spend lots of time researching how to write query letters, practise writing query letters, and seek feedback (repeatedly), before you send any out. For help check out:

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/05/my-query-letter-for-jacob-wonderbar.html; Query letter Mad-Lib: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2008/03/query-letter-mad-lib.html; http://queryshark.blogspot.com.au/; http://www.mslexia.co.uk/getpublished/pub_wkshop2.php

Hope this helps. 

If you can add more tips, please do so via the comments.

Cheers,

JC 

What To Write?

Write what you care about and understand. Writers should never try to outguess the marketplace in search of a salable idea; the simple truth is that all good books will eventually find a publisher if the writer tries hard enough, and a central secret to writing a good book is to write one that people like you will enjoy.
Richard North Patterson

Only write from your own passion, your own truth. That's the only thing you really know about, and anything else leads you away from the pulse.
Marianne Williamson

Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.

Francis Bacon

You must want to enough. Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price of disappointment and discouragement while you are learning. Like any other artist you must learn your craft—then you can add all the genius you like.
Phyllis A. Whitney

If you enjoyed this, you might enjoy my book: Seventeen Summers. It's free!

It’s All Down To Luck: But What’s Luck?

Over the years I’ve heard many people attribute the achievements of others to 'luck'. Often with a note of jealousy or resentment in their voice.

I once knew a man, who used to work as a buyer for a large department store. He told the story of a new buyer who had accidentally placed a pre-winter sized (very large) order for umbrellas with an overseas supplier in the spring, and for several weeks after was a laughing stock in the buyers' department. Not to mention in danger of losing his job.

That was, until the summer turned out to be one of the stormiest and wettest on record. And cargo ships delivering subsequent orders to other Sydney stores were delayed by the weather.

When the buyer later received an award for his his 'astute insight into the market', a colleague commented that it was all down to luck. His boss, overhearing the remark, replied, "Give me a lucky buyer any day."

This is one example of luck. But more often I think it works slightly differently. Typically, I believe 'luck' is derived from a combination of factors, which we help determine or create.

I came across this post on Writer Unboxed and it got me thinking about a quote I read recently. (If you follow me on Twitter, or read this blog regularly, you’ll know I'm fond of quotes.)

I’ll apologise in advance because I can’t remember where I saw this, and therefore I can’t attribute it. I’m not even sure exactly how it went, but the gist of it was something like this: “Luck is the coming together of preparation and opportunity.”

On reflection, what I took away from this quote and reading the post, was that preparation (on a material, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual level) combined with a willingness to try new things, even if they frighten us (especially if they frighten us), is key to getting 'luck' on our side and achieving anything we personally consider worthwhile in life.

So all the best of luck.

And, keep writing!

__________________________________________________________________________

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More (Online) Creative Writing Resources

Top 100 Creative Writing Blogs

I came across this site recently. As it says on the tin, it contains links to 100 Creative Writing Blogs -- I'm not sure I would categorise them as the top 100 out there, but you be the judge.

Even though this was posted in 2009, most of the links are active and the blogs (I visited) are regularly updated. A number of them I've seen recommended elsewhere and a few I've listed in my 'Useful Links For Writers'.

There seems to something for everyone here, regardless of your level of experience and the type of writing you enjoy.

On the site the blogs are categorised and there is a brief description of each; I've included the first five categories below and links for each blog, and in cases where a blog has been moved, a new link. Some links I've omitted because they are dead or the site lacked relevant content.

Here they are:

General

• Writer Unboxed (Very useful, great information re creative and business aspects of writing fiction.)
• Backstory (Moved in 2010 to Like Fire.)
• Write Anything (Moved in 2010 to emergent publishing.)
• Inky Girl: a Guide for those who Write and Draw for Young People
• Women on Writing (Moved in 2010 to Muffin Wow Women on Writing.)
• Cute Writing (Doesn't appear to be as content rich as some of the others.) 
• Write to Done
• The Urban Muse
• Writing Forward
• Writers Write
• Creative Writing Corner (Links to site called 'Blair Hurley'.)

Aspiring Authors

• The Desperate Writer
• Incurable Disease of Writing (Dead link, not included here.)
• Emerging Writers Network
• Ficticity
• Authors Blogs (Not so good... I wouldn't bother with this one personally. But hey, we're all different.)
• The Plot Monkeys 
• Maternal Spark  ( Moved to Home to Heather in 2009)

Published Authors

• The Orwell Diaries
• Tom Conoboy's Writing Blog
• John Baker's Blog
• The Man in Black (Doesn't seem to have posted recently.)
• Neil Gaiman's Journal (Lots of useful links and information here.)
• Wil Wheaton in Exile
• A Writer's Life
• The Paperback Writer
• Holly Lisle: Author Homepage
• Beyond the Beyond
• Contrary Brin
• Scott Berkun

Improving Your Craft

• Becoming a Writer Seriously (Doesn't seem to have updated recently.)
• Wordswimmer
• Time to Write
• Flogging the Quill
• Six Sentences
• Luc Reid
• The Writing Show
• Men With Pens
• Write A Better Novel
• Write Better
• Clear Writing With Mr Clarity
• Mike's Writing Workshop
• Kim's Craft Blog

When I have time, I'll check out the rest of the links and post them as well. The category headings are below.

Grammar and Editing
Getting Published
Genre Focused
Fiction Writing
Poetry

Hope you find this useful.

Keep writing!