By Julie Wright
Stephen King wrote a book called On Writing that is a dang good source on--well . . . writing. I recommend getting your own copy so you can use it for reference after you finish it from cover to cover. In this book he talked about writing your first draft, and then your second, and all subsequent drafts.
King said the first time you write a book, you should write with the door closed. This is the draft where you pour out your little scribbling heart with anything and everything. In this draft it's okay to be corny and a little over dramatic. With this draft, the important thing is to just get it down on paper (or on computer). The idea of the door being closed is knowing that you're writing it with no one else looking over your shoulder.
The second draft is where you write with the door open. This means that you edit and rewrite, cut and refine--and all this with the idea that the whole world *is* reading the manuscript over your shoulder. This is where you write for publication.
I have to admit, I write with the door wide open every time. I didn’t used to . . . not until I had my second book published. But now, I write knowing that anyone in the world could be looking over my shoulder at any time. I don’t know if this makes me a better writer or a worse one. But what I do know is that the journey of a writer is tough.
It’s hard to get started because you’re so afraid of what others might think. In the beginning, the concept of writing just for me liberated my writer’s soul. I was able to finish whole books because I wasn't doing it to please anyone else. I wrote to please me . . . with my door firmly shut.
So if you’re having trouble jump starting your writing because you’re afraid of what others might think—don’t worry about it—just kick the door closed, settle into a chair, and get it done. No one's looking--I promise.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Meet PEG
By Josi S. Kilpack
If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you have likely picked up on who we are; Precision Editing Group, but you can call us PEG. Not only do we give free advice, reminders, tips, and tricks on writing and editing, but you can send us the first 30 pages of your manuscript and we'll read and evaluate it for free as well. The evaluation consists of our opinion on whether we feel you need a content, line or combination edit and we'll give you a price quote at that time. We'll also give you feedback on those 30 pages, pointing out any problems we see, specifying the type of editing you can expect from the rest of your book. When we send it back to you, you decide if you're ready to have the rest of your manuscript edited. You owe us nothing. If you decide you don't need our services, no problem, if you decide you need to do another rewrite, that's fine too. There are no hard feelings if you don't pursue a full edit, otherwise it would be silly for us to offer the free evaluation.
All that is WHAT we do, but that's only part of the equation. Why do we do it?
Heather Moore is the owner of PEG, she's the business mind and the visionary. She came to each of us and asked us to join her company. I point this out to address any concerns that we all just thought this up together and that it was no based on our own individual skills with editing. We are here because Heather knows us, we've edited for her, and for others, and she wanted us to join her team. I considered it a great compliment and we will likely add other skilled editors as the need increases.
The reason we all agreed to join PEG isn't because we don't have better things to do with our time, some of us are employed full-time, all of us are mother's and wives, and each of us are always writing something. We aren't looking for something to fill our extra moments. But what we are looking for is an opportunity to give other writers what we have given to one another--objective feedback so as to make your book the very best it can be. It has been a priceless gift for each one of us to get that kind of feedback, and we are now able to extend that to other writer's.
Not everyone feels they need to hire an outside editor, some people have friends that will do it for free, some people feel they know enough on their own. They could be right, but if you get 30 pages evaluated for free, why not give it a shot?
I know that I personally HAVE to have someone else read my work. I have not only used friends (like the other contributors to PEG) but I have paid an editor for my last four novels. I want what I hand in to be in it's absolute best dress when it makes it's debut on the publisher's desk.
So, bring em on. Let PEG tell you what she thinks. You don't have to do it, but at least you'll know.
(My apologies for posting early--I'll be driving across the Nevada desert tomorrow)
If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you have likely picked up on who we are; Precision Editing Group, but you can call us PEG. Not only do we give free advice, reminders, tips, and tricks on writing and editing, but you can send us the first 30 pages of your manuscript and we'll read and evaluate it for free as well. The evaluation consists of our opinion on whether we feel you need a content, line or combination edit and we'll give you a price quote at that time. We'll also give you feedback on those 30 pages, pointing out any problems we see, specifying the type of editing you can expect from the rest of your book. When we send it back to you, you decide if you're ready to have the rest of your manuscript edited. You owe us nothing. If you decide you don't need our services, no problem, if you decide you need to do another rewrite, that's fine too. There are no hard feelings if you don't pursue a full edit, otherwise it would be silly for us to offer the free evaluation.All that is WHAT we do, but that's only part of the equation. Why do we do it?
Heather Moore is the owner of PEG, she's the business mind and the visionary. She came to each of us and asked us to join her company. I point this out to address any concerns that we all just thought this up together and that it was no based on our own individual skills with editing. We are here because Heather knows us, we've edited for her, and for others, and she wanted us to join her team. I considered it a great compliment and we will likely add other skilled editors as the need increases.
The reason we all agreed to join PEG isn't because we don't have better things to do with our time, some of us are employed full-time, all of us are mother's and wives, and each of us are always writing something. We aren't looking for something to fill our extra moments. But what we are looking for is an opportunity to give other writers what we have given to one another--objective feedback so as to make your book the very best it can be. It has been a priceless gift for each one of us to get that kind of feedback, and we are now able to extend that to other writer's.
Not everyone feels they need to hire an outside editor, some people have friends that will do it for free, some people feel they know enough on their own. They could be right, but if you get 30 pages evaluated for free, why not give it a shot?
I know that I personally HAVE to have someone else read my work. I have not only used friends (like the other contributors to PEG) but I have paid an editor for my last four novels. I want what I hand in to be in it's absolute best dress when it makes it's debut on the publisher's desk.
So, bring em on. Let PEG tell you what she thinks. You don't have to do it, but at least you'll know.
(My apologies for posting early--I'll be driving across the Nevada desert tomorrow)
Friday, July 27, 2007
“Failing Like a Champ”
by Lu Ann Staheli
Several years ago, I attended a conference where author Jerry Spinelli (Eggs, Little Brown Young Readers) recounted his long path to success. He reminded the audience that failure is more common that success in the world of publishing. “It’s how you learn to deal with failure that determines who you are,” he said. “I wrote for twelve years, writing four books before I made my first sale. I was failing like a champ.”
Spinelli continued his advice with, “Never waste your failures. Whether you sell the book or not, what do you do? Write another one. Why doesn’t everyone see that?”
I’m sure many of us feel like we are failing like a champ. Although I’ve had publication success via many venues, there is still that elusive desire to sell a novel that burns deep within me. I could ignore those feelings which have lived with me since I was a child, forcing myself to be satisfied with all the other writing I have sold, but as any of you who are serious about writing careers will understand, quitting the dream is not really an option.
Next year celebrates the twelfth anniversary of when completed my first novel. Since then I’ve finished three more. True—none of them have yet sold, but I’m feeling my time is coming. I’ve had my failures, now it’s time to have my successes.
Maybe Jerry Spinelli and I will have something more in common, and someday having a Newbery of my own would be nice, too.
Several years ago, I attended a conference where author Jerry Spinelli (Eggs, Little Brown Young Readers) recounted his long path to success. He reminded the audience that failure is more common that success in the world of publishing. “It’s how you learn to deal with failure that determines who you are,” he said. “I wrote for twelve years, writing four books before I made my first sale. I was failing like a champ.”
Spinelli continued his advice with, “Never waste your failures. Whether you sell the book or not, what do you do? Write another one. Why doesn’t everyone see that?”
I’m sure many of us feel like we are failing like a champ. Although I’ve had publication success via many venues, there is still that elusive desire to sell a novel that burns deep within me. I could ignore those feelings which have lived with me since I was a child, forcing myself to be satisfied with all the other writing I have sold, but as any of you who are serious about writing careers will understand, quitting the dream is not really an option.
Next year celebrates the twelfth anniversary of when completed my first novel. Since then I’ve finished three more. True—none of them have yet sold, but I’m feeling my time is coming. I’ve had my failures, now it’s time to have my successes.
Maybe Jerry Spinelli and I will have something more in common, and someday having a Newbery of my own would be nice, too.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Swinging Pendulum: Balancing Your Time
By Heather Moore
“How do you find time to write?” is a question that I hear often. And anyone who isn’t an obsessive compulsive writer will wonder the same thing.
Before I list some ideas, here’s a warning: If writing has already taken over your entire life, don’t read the following list. It will just give you more excuses of why not to take out the garbage.
1. Limit the number of email lists you join. This can take up an incredible amount of time. Join one or two that you feel are very helpful. I have a specific email account that I use for the lists I’m on and they don’t feed into my Outlook. That way I don’t see all the emails unless I specifically go to the list.
2. Are you blogging more than you’re writing? Enough said.
3. Invest in a laptop or a Neo Alphasmart. Annette Lyon swears by hers. You are now portable. Writing can be done in an airport, at the park, a café, or even waiting to see the dentist.
4. Hire a nanny. Just kidding. I read this suggestion once in an article. Maybe if you are able to justify the expense, minus your royalties, and still profit. But, joking aside, you need to treat your writing as a job. Some days you’ll have to force yourself to put in that hour or two—just like any other job.
5. Set word count goals. Stay away from blocking out hours. Well, you can block out time to write, but if you don’t have a word count goal, I can guarantee those email lists you are on will see higher traffic from you during those time blocks. Even if you decide you are writing 500 words a day or 2,000, keep a running total at the bottom of your manuscript and watch the numbers grow.
6. Reward system: I didn’t mean for this blog to turn into a motivation tool, but I just achieved a writing goal that took me nearly 6 months of writing, 2 months of editing, then 3 more months of rewriting. My reward? After I edit the hard copy, I’m going to read Harry Potter Seven and New Moon. And maybe I’ll spring for a pedicure--with the flowers.
7. Choose now. TV or writing?
8. Set wacky hours. With summer in full swing, I usually write from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.
9. Take at least one day off a week from writing anything. Recharge your creativity. Give your poor hands a break. Smell the roses.
10. You do have to shower and clean your house even if you’re a writer. Set the timer for thirty minutes and clean like mad. Julie Wright gets all sorts of inspiration cleaning out her closets. Then make a cup of hot something and you’ll be ready to write when you sit down at your computer.
It's all about the balance.
“How do you find time to write?” is a question that I hear often. And anyone who isn’t an obsessive compulsive writer will wonder the same thing.
Before I list some ideas, here’s a warning: If writing has already taken over your entire life, don’t read the following list. It will just give you more excuses of why not to take out the garbage.
1. Limit the number of email lists you join. This can take up an incredible amount of time. Join one or two that you feel are very helpful. I have a specific email account that I use for the lists I’m on and they don’t feed into my Outlook. That way I don’t see all the emails unless I specifically go to the list.
2. Are you blogging more than you’re writing? Enough said.
3. Invest in a laptop or a Neo Alphasmart. Annette Lyon swears by hers. You are now portable. Writing can be done in an airport, at the park, a café, or even waiting to see the dentist.
4. Hire a nanny. Just kidding. I read this suggestion once in an article. Maybe if you are able to justify the expense, minus your royalties, and still profit. But, joking aside, you need to treat your writing as a job. Some days you’ll have to force yourself to put in that hour or two—just like any other job.
5. Set word count goals. Stay away from blocking out hours. Well, you can block out time to write, but if you don’t have a word count goal, I can guarantee those email lists you are on will see higher traffic from you during those time blocks. Even if you decide you are writing 500 words a day or 2,000, keep a running total at the bottom of your manuscript and watch the numbers grow.
6. Reward system: I didn’t mean for this blog to turn into a motivation tool, but I just achieved a writing goal that took me nearly 6 months of writing, 2 months of editing, then 3 more months of rewriting. My reward? After I edit the hard copy, I’m going to read Harry Potter Seven and New Moon. And maybe I’ll spring for a pedicure--with the flowers.
7. Choose now. TV or writing?
8. Set wacky hours. With summer in full swing, I usually write from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.
9. Take at least one day off a week from writing anything. Recharge your creativity. Give your poor hands a break. Smell the roses.
10. You do have to shower and clean your house even if you’re a writer. Set the timer for thirty minutes and clean like mad. Julie Wright gets all sorts of inspiration cleaning out her closets. Then make a cup of hot something and you’ll be ready to write when you sit down at your computer.
It's all about the balance.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Research Shortcuts
by Annette Lyon
I've heard it a ton of times regarding my historical novels: How can you do so much research?
Well, I have a little secret: I don't do that much.
Sort of. That's not entirely true. I do do research. But what a lot of people don't understand is that you don't have to bury your head in a dusty library for months on end in order to get enough information to write a novel.
Don't get me wrong; as a writer, you do need to get the facts straight. And the more you've researched, the better feel you'll have for an era, the more accurate you'll be. But if you think you need to be a full-fledged historian, think again.
Here are four tips that can help save time so you can get back to what you love most: telling the story.
1) Find What's Been Done.
Assuming you're researching for a historical novel rather than, say, a biography, there's no need for you to do the primary research. Chances are, someone else has done that, and you can then read their findings.
Find the work of the experts and read it, highlight it, make notes. I've had a lot of success digging up graduate theses on topics I need that were written at a university that is located in the area I write about. Likewise, a state historical society provided with me with a gem of a resource, the author of which was the expert I needed for one book.
Search libraries, especially university libraries, for what you need. Ask a professor in the field for ideas on who you should talk to or read.
2) Find official sites.
Granted, a lot online isn't accurate, and you have to tread lightly there, but that doesn't mean the Internet doesn't have a ton of resources at your fingertips.
One of the best things things you can do is find web sites of official organizations on the topic you're looking for, because there's a good chance they're more accurate than some average Joe's ramblings about it. Plus, you can often find additional links and resources there as well.
If you don't have your questions answered at that site, contact the webmaster and pose your question. Pros in various fields have a treasure trove of information, and if they've made a web site about that passion, they're likely eager to share that information with someone who shows interest in what they love.
3) Ask for help doing the dirty work.
Librarians exist to help patrons find what they're looking for. Take advantage of that. Call (or if possible, e-mail) a library and see if someone can look up what you need. These people are trained like dogs to sniff out information that most of us might have trouble locating. Let them spend time in the shelves and have it ready for you (or even better, e-mail it to you, if they can).
Likewise, if you'll be traveling to an area where you'll be doing research, contact the library there ahead of time and see if they can't look things up for you so your time there is better spent.
Don't be shy here; they're hired to help you. Let them!
4) Note bibliographies.
At the back of any resource you find, be sure to read the bibliography. It'll be like a trail of breadcrumbs that can lead you to other resources you can look up, including many you might not be able to find elsewhere, and definitely ones you hadn't heard of before.
Enjoy the research process and don't be afraid of it. While you won't use everything you find in your book, the journey to discovering the nuggets you will use can be extremely rewarding.
I've heard it a ton of times regarding my historical novels: How can you do so much research?
Well, I have a little secret: I don't do that much.
Sort of. That's not entirely true. I do do research. But what a lot of people don't understand is that you don't have to bury your head in a dusty library for months on end in order to get enough information to write a novel.
Don't get me wrong; as a writer, you do need to get the facts straight. And the more you've researched, the better feel you'll have for an era, the more accurate you'll be. But if you think you need to be a full-fledged historian, think again.
Here are four tips that can help save time so you can get back to what you love most: telling the story.
1) Find What's Been Done.
Assuming you're researching for a historical novel rather than, say, a biography, there's no need for you to do the primary research. Chances are, someone else has done that, and you can then read their findings.
Find the work of the experts and read it, highlight it, make notes. I've had a lot of success digging up graduate theses on topics I need that were written at a university that is located in the area I write about. Likewise, a state historical society provided with me with a gem of a resource, the author of which was the expert I needed for one book.
Search libraries, especially university libraries, for what you need. Ask a professor in the field for ideas on who you should talk to or read.
2) Find official sites.
Granted, a lot online isn't accurate, and you have to tread lightly there, but that doesn't mean the Internet doesn't have a ton of resources at your fingertips.
One of the best things things you can do is find web sites of official organizations on the topic you're looking for, because there's a good chance they're more accurate than some average Joe's ramblings about it. Plus, you can often find additional links and resources there as well.
If you don't have your questions answered at that site, contact the webmaster and pose your question. Pros in various fields have a treasure trove of information, and if they've made a web site about that passion, they're likely eager to share that information with someone who shows interest in what they love.
3) Ask for help doing the dirty work.
Librarians exist to help patrons find what they're looking for. Take advantage of that. Call (or if possible, e-mail) a library and see if someone can look up what you need. These people are trained like dogs to sniff out information that most of us might have trouble locating. Let them spend time in the shelves and have it ready for you (or even better, e-mail it to you, if they can).
Likewise, if you'll be traveling to an area where you'll be doing research, contact the library there ahead of time and see if they can't look things up for you so your time there is better spent.
Don't be shy here; they're hired to help you. Let them!
4) Note bibliographies.
At the back of any resource you find, be sure to read the bibliography. It'll be like a trail of breadcrumbs that can lead you to other resources you can look up, including many you might not be able to find elsewhere, and definitely ones you hadn't heard of before.
Enjoy the research process and don't be afraid of it. While you won't use everything you find in your book, the journey to discovering the nuggets you will use can be extremely rewarding.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thoughtful Blogger Award
Our blog has received the Thoughtful Blogger Award from LDS Publisher.
LDS Publisher said: "I'm awarding the Thoughtful Blogger Award to: The gals at Writing on the Wall for all their specific help on developing writing as a craft."
Thanks!We'd like to pass this award onto Maria Zannini who runs a blog with excellent writing and publishing advice.
Know Your Genre
by Heather Moore
Whether you're writing Romance, Fantasy, YA, or Suspense, you must know what works and what doesn't in your chosen genre. Read the bestsellers in the genre you want to be successful in. Ask yourself what makes them successful.
Does this mean if you’re writing a WWII historical, you need to read other WWII novels? Not necessarily. But you should be reading in the historical genre in order to understand the concept of combining fact with fiction, and how much or how little historical information you should put into a scene. You also need to know what’s out there, what’s already been published, and how to make your work take on a unique angle.
If you’re writing Romance, know that there are specific guidelines or formulas to follow. For instance, Romance is always written in 3rd person narrative. Boy and girl have to meet in the first 10 pages. Study the guidelines at the Romance Writers of America website. Attend conferences or download classes on CD. There are also word count guidelines and restrictions on the age of a heroine. These can be quite strict according to the different romance lines. Before you invest months in writing a novel, know your target audience and publishing guidelines in advance.
If you're writing YA, you need to know that most YA is written in First Person. How old should your character be to target the most readership? The older your character, the more age groups will read it. A fifteen-year-old is less likely to read a novel about a thirteen-year old, but a thirteen-year old will definitely read about a fifteen-year old. Your dialogue and themes must also be consistent with the YA readers.
If you’re writing Fantasy, you must decide the target market—YA or Adult? Know the differences. As you create your new world, there must be a reason for everything . . . WHY do the characters have the skills or physical characteristics that they do?
Knowing your genre also helps to prevent cloning--by this I mean reusing plot elements that have already been published and putting them into your own book. You may know someone who's written a novel only to be told that it's similar to another book that's already published. This can happen innocently, but it will prevent you from getting that book contract. Stay educated, read your genre, and write well.
Whether you're writing Romance, Fantasy, YA, or Suspense, you must know what works and what doesn't in your chosen genre. Read the bestsellers in the genre you want to be successful in. Ask yourself what makes them successful.
Does this mean if you’re writing a WWII historical, you need to read other WWII novels? Not necessarily. But you should be reading in the historical genre in order to understand the concept of combining fact with fiction, and how much or how little historical information you should put into a scene. You also need to know what’s out there, what’s already been published, and how to make your work take on a unique angle.
If you’re writing Romance, know that there are specific guidelines or formulas to follow. For instance, Romance is always written in 3rd person narrative. Boy and girl have to meet in the first 10 pages. Study the guidelines at the Romance Writers of America website. Attend conferences or download classes on CD. There are also word count guidelines and restrictions on the age of a heroine. These can be quite strict according to the different romance lines. Before you invest months in writing a novel, know your target audience and publishing guidelines in advance.
If you're writing YA, you need to know that most YA is written in First Person. How old should your character be to target the most readership? The older your character, the more age groups will read it. A fifteen-year-old is less likely to read a novel about a thirteen-year old, but a thirteen-year old will definitely read about a fifteen-year old. Your dialogue and themes must also be consistent with the YA readers.
If you’re writing Fantasy, you must decide the target market—YA or Adult? Know the differences. As you create your new world, there must be a reason for everything . . . WHY do the characters have the skills or physical characteristics that they do?
Knowing your genre also helps to prevent cloning--by this I mean reusing plot elements that have already been published and putting them into your own book. You may know someone who's written a novel only to be told that it's similar to another book that's already published. This can happen innocently, but it will prevent you from getting that book contract. Stay educated, read your genre, and write well.
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