Insecure Writer's Support Group: When the Going Gets Tough

The first Wednesday of the month is Insecure Writer's Support Group! YAY us!

 

June Question: When the going get gets tough writing a story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end?

My Answer: Ah. What a great question!! I've been in that spot many, many times. The best trick I have is to open one of my favorite books on the craft of writing, randomly flip to a page, and then whatever concept is explored on that page, I apply it to the passage/chapter/scene that I'm struggling with at the moment. So for example, if the challenging scene is about two characters walking through a park and the random concept from the writing book is about second-person point of view . . . I'll rewrite the challenging scene in second-person POV. The exercise gives my brain a different way to process the writing, the story, the characters, and stepping out of my typical method gives me more insight and hopefully some new excitement for the story. I don't need to keep the changes I make during the exercise; I just need to remotivate myself to move forward in the story. Detours exist for a reason. They help us navigate around the hazards and construction sites. Give it a try. Take a detour. It may just open up a whole new landscape you hadn't considered before or even known existed.

What are your thoughts? How do you move past the bumps in the road in your writing?

Revising Your Story

Below are a few of the slides from the workshop I taught at the Idaho Writers' Conference, April 27, 2019. If you're interested in this workshop or any of the other workshops I teach, click on the "appearances" tab above for more information.

Here are a few snapshots from the wonderful two-day conference:

#IWSG: The Number One Pitfall Writers Should Avoid

Today is the first Wednesday of the month, which means it is time for The Insecure Writer's Support Group. If you've not heard of it before, check out the complete details by clicking here.

The purpose of the group is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"

This month's question is: What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey?

My answer: The number one pitfall to avoid is submitting your manuscript (to agents, editors, or anywhere else) before it's polished and ready. Revision fatigue is a real thing, and sometimes as writers, we think we just need to be done with the freaking thing. But either take a break from it and come back with fresh eyes or take the time to have a new critique partner review it. Then revise it again. How do you know when it's done? You'll know, because bells will sound, angels will sing, and the heavens will open and pour money down upon you. Just kidding. There's no way to know for sure, but if you push through the revision fatigue, get another set of eyes on it, walk away from it for a while, and then make one more pass, chances are, your manuscript will be better because of it. 

#IWSG: Pet Peeves

The first Wednesday of the month is Insecure Writer's Support Group!

www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com

"The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support."

For more information about the group, visit: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/


IWSG Question of the Month: What are your pet peeves when reading/writing/editing?


Hmm.

My pet peeves - - -

When reading, my pet peeves are being interrupted or accidentally falling asleep.
When writing, my pet peeves are struggling to find the perfect word or being distracted by noises.
When editing, my pet peeves are discovering I overused certain words and running out of chocolate.

haha

What are your pet peeves when it comes to reading/writing/editing?
(Dog hair is not a valid answer to this question.)

Omit Needless Words

Yep. I'm still in the revision trenches and working hard to tighten up my manuscript.

Every time I come across a phrase like: "She did not listen to me." I cringe, because Strunk and White's words pop into my head:

Omit needless words.

Sounds so simple.

And yet, I forget it so often. I'm a rambler, and I like to use a lot of words, but when writing a manuscript ... a lot of unnecessary words does not make it better!

She did not listen to me. = She ignored me.

That cuts the word count in half! That's just one sentence. Imagine how much tighter you could make the entire manuscript!

Here are some more examples:
Do not forget = Remember
A guy thumped his fingers against the microphone. = A guy thumped the microphone.
She put her hands on my shoulders. = She grabbed my shoulders.
He pointed his finger at me. = He pointed at me.
He snapped his fingers. = He snapped.

I'm not telling you to write only two and three word sentences, but I am telling (suggesting and kindly encouraging) you to omit needless words. Cut out the words, phrases, and scenes that readers skip or skim over. Make your manuscript as tight as possible.

Are you writing this weekend? Going camping? Me? I'll be revising.

Writing Tip: Show What the Character is Doing

Seems simple. Right?

But how many times have you written something like: "She just could not make herself go to the party." or "He did not want to play baseball."

Sometimes sentences like these are necessary, but if you overuse these nondescript phrases, you will lose the reader. They won't be able to connect to the character or the story, because you're not showing what the character is doing.

Pull your readers into the story by putting "statements in positive form."

According to the ever popular book, THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, by Strunk & White, "Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, noncommittal language. Use the word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion" (page 19).

When you overuse the word not, your writing is weakened, and "Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not; the reader wishes to be told what is. Hence, as a rule, it is better to express even a negative in positive form" (page 20).

For example:
not honest = dishonest
not important = trifling
did not remember = forgot

And to rework the two sentences from above:
"She refused to go to the party, because she dreaded seeing her birth dad again."
"He wanted to practice the piano so that one day he'd play in sold-out venues."

When you go back to your manuscript, highlight the word not and any contraction with it (like couldn't, shouldn't, wouldn't) and change the sentence to a positive statement showing what the character IS doing. You'll find that your reader will be able to connect with your story on a deeper level.

What do you think? Do you agree with Strunk & White that sentences are stronger in a positive form?

Cutting Secondary Characters

Today's A to Z post is below, but I also wanted to let you know that I've got a great post (if I do say so myself, thank you very much) today over at: darklydeliciousya.blogspot.com ... It's all about cutting unnecessary characters from your manuscript. So check it out!

 

B is for BROWNE & KING

 

 

So … you want to be a writer? Where do you start? How do you get there? No worries. This month I’ll be sharing my A to Z list of writer’s resources: books, blogs, and beyond! Check back each day to find helpful resources for improving your writing and navigating your way through the publishing industry.


The letter B is for BROWNE & KING

If you're a writer, you'll need editorial skills, too, because whether you choose the traditional path of publishing or you choose to self-publish, you will need to polish your manuscript and make it shine! Editing your own work is essential, and Renni Browne and Dave King have put together a must-have book to guide you through the process:

Do you have a favorite book on the craft of writing?

A Killer Title

I have read (and own) quite a few books on the craft of writing, but very few tackle the topic of creating a great title.

SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder dedicates a page and a half to the topic, which is more than the other books. ;)

Snyder writes, "to come up with one that nails the concept, without being so on the nose that it's stupid, is an art unto itself" (page 9).

Right ... we know that ... but how do we come up with that great title that nails the concept?

I dunno.

Evidence: My debut novel was originally titled THE EDUCATION OF THIA. After several agents used the phrase "too didactic" in their rejection letters, I reconsidered the title and changed it to BUT HE LOVES ME. With that change alone (I left the content of the query letter the same) I received quite a few requests for the full manuscript. So was it a winning title? Not really. After signing with an awesome agent, we worked and worked and worked to come up with a better title. We decided on SAFE. A winner? Not sure. The editor who made an offer on the manuscript said we had to change the title. Okay. Back to the drawing board.

Snyder also writes, "Title and logline are, in fact, the one-two punch, and a good combo never fails to knock me out. Like the irony in a good logline, a great title must have irony and tell the tale. One of the best titles of recent memory, and one I still marvel at, is Legally Blonde. ... It says what it is! ... If it doesn't pass the Say What It Is Test, you don't have your title. And you don't have the one-two punch" (pages 9-10).

So here is the logline my agent used to sell my manuscript:
Margo Kelly’s debut SAFE is a modern take on “the call is coming from inside the house” old urban legend, in which a young girl falls in love with a guy online who comes for her.

And here's the new title my editor and I came up with:
WHO RU REALLY?

Does it pass the Say What It Is Test? Or is it so "on the nose that its stupid?"

Actually, don't answer the second question.

Naming a book is like naming a child. Inevitably someone is going to hate the name, and you can't possibly please everyone.

*sigh*

BUT the good news is, I have a KILLER TITLE for my next book. ;)

Emotional Scenes

Sometimes ... I get so caught up in a scene I'm writing ... so involved with the characters and the emotions ... that I find myself crying. Not just welling up with tears, but tears actually rolling down my cheeks, one after another.

Then I stop, and I read what I've written, and I *hope* that the emotion I'm feeling is translated to the page.

*sigh*

How about you?
Have you written or read anything recently that has moved you to tears?

Stop Distracting Me!

Now that I am done stressing about volleyball tournaments (but only because my beautiful daughter has two volleyball camps coming up this month and team tryouts next month) ... it's time to revise my WIP (again).

And, just because I know you're curious to hear what my amazing agent had to say about this current project ... here are a few snippets from her email:

"I finished it in a single day (staying up wayyyy past my bedtime to finish) and I think it’s fantastic."

"It’s so suspenseful and smart and well done, and deliciously creepy in just the right ways."

"The point is, I was absolutely glued to this."

And then, she followed those wonderful comments with 2 1/2 pages of editorial suggestions for improvements. :)

So ... stop distracting me internet and volleyball and dogs and family and chores ... I have work to do!

 

And the pictures have nothing at all to do with this post. I just miss my cute boys, and I'm craving chocolate chip cookies.

What's your favorite cookie?

Failure NOT an Option!

Today, we have a special treat! YAY! My pal, Christi, is hosting the blog! ... Take it away ...

 

 

First, I’d like to give a big thank you to my critique partner, Margo, for allowing me to host her blog! I truly appreciate her sharing her readers with me as I celebrate the release of my debut novel, Along the Way Home.

Failure Wasn’t an Option: How it Took Me 13 Years to Sign a Book Contract

Publishing is a tough business and not for quitters. While right now I’m happily thinking of how to best promote my debut novel, it took over THIRTEEN years to get to said happiness.

Yes, it took me thirteen years to go from, “Hey, I’ve got a really great idea for a book!” to signing the publication contract from Astraea Press.

And there were plenty of times during those thirteen years when I considered quitting. Considered that maybe I didn’t have it in me to go the long haul. Considered that maybe the process was just too hard. Considered that maybe my story idea was stupid and no one would want to read about a family’s adventures and misfortunes on the 1843 Oregon Trail. Considered that maybe to get published I’d have to compromise my beliefs.

But, even though over those thirteen years there were plenty of days, months, and even years when I didn’t write at all, there was always a little voice deep inside me, rooting me on and saying “Don’t worry. Right now you’re dealing with a lot, but when things calm down you’ll get back to this story.”

So, I listened to that little voice while I was pregnant with our twins in what turned out to be a high-risk pregnancy that forced me into two months of complete bedrest. I listened to that voice when our twins were born one month premature. I listened for the next two years while I was buried in diapers, toys, drooling smiles, potty-training, and tears of exhaustion and joy. 

I listened to that little voice while packing, unpacking, and then packing up again through a total of four out of state moves (Washington to Minnesota, Minnesota to Montana, Montana to Washington, and then Washington to Oregon).

Then, once our twins were two years old, that same little voice helped me to eek out five minutes of writing time here, another five minutes of writing time there, until lo and behold, my twins were five-years-old and I’d finally finished my book.

And then I realized that my book was horrible.   

But that same little voice was still with me, now saying, “Ok, you’ve got a lot of work ahead, but you FINISHED and that’s something to be proud of. Now get to work on making it BETTER.”

So I did. I went to my very first writing conference and realized there were people just like me, striving to write until they got it right. I made some great writing friends at that first conference.

Now, armed with my own little voice and a few writing friends with actual voices, all of whom were giving lots of encouragement, I ripped my book apart and revised it, from the first word to the last…SIX TIMES.

Then I found a local writing group and two critique partners (lots of love here to Margo Kelly and Artemis Gray!) who showed me I had a lot more work to do. So I revised it again…TWO MORE TIMES.

Then, I went to the Willamette Writers Conference in August of 2012. Conferences are expensive and I could only afford one of the three days, and getting that money took holding a yard sale. But, my husband and entire family are very supportive, so clutching my yard sale proceeds in one hand and my query letter in the other, off to the conference I went.

I met more amazing writers, got requests for partials from three of the three agents I met with, and then drove home with my dreams soaring—dreams that were quickly dashed when I got rejected by one of the agents and never heard back from the other two.

But still, that little voice inside just wouldn’t let me quit. I revised my query letter until it shone, showed it to everyone who would look at it, revised it TWENTY more times (no, I’m not kidding) and then one minute after I put my twins on the school bus for their first day of second grade I began querying in earnest.

A few months into it I had around forty rejections, but I also had six agents and three editors (Medallion Press, Tor/Forge, and a small press) reviewing requested partials/fulls, an R&R offer from an agent, and an offer pending from another small press.

Then, it happened.

I was rejected by an agent who called my book lovely and sweet, raved about my writing and the storyline, but ended with the statement, “…let your characters engage in sex and describe the sex. As it stands, I’ll pass. Put the sex in and I’ll take another look.”

I assure you, I have thick skin when it comes to rejections. I’ve racked up my fair share since I began querying, and normally took them with a grain of salt (and chocolate—lots of chocolate), but this one really bothered me. I understood if a rejection was based upon my writing style, the likeability of my characters, or a flaw in the storyline—but to be rejected solely on the basis that I choose NOT to include sex? That one didn't go over well.

So much so that I finally decided it was time to query the one publisher I’d had my eye on for months. A publisher that cares not only for the authors, but for the kind of work they attach their name to. I'd discovered Astraea Press before I started querying in September and really liked the stance the owner, Stephanie Taylor, took against unnecessary sex.

During a 2011 interview, Six Questions for Stephanie Taylor, she made the following statement: “…Astraea offers a safe haven for good books where the focus is on the STORY and not the sex”.

I sent off a query to Stephanie at Astraea Press late one afternoon, and woke up the next morning to an offer! And it was my birthday too!

I immediately pulled my novel from consideration from all the others who were reviewing partials/fulls/had offers pending, because I believed so strongly in Astraea Press, and the niche they’ve carved out for themselves in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

I hope my brutally honest story inspires you to never ever EVER give up on your dreams!

How do you keep writing/pursuing your dreams when it gets tough?

Kate Davis is intrigued when her father reveals his dream of starting a horse ranch in Oregon Territory. Settlers out west value a strong woman, and though she manages the financials of her father’s mercantile her competence earns her ridicule, not respect, from Virginia’s elite society.

Jake Fitzpatrick, an experienced trail guide, wants land out west to raise cattle and crops. But dreams require money and he’s eating dandelion greens for dinner. So when a wealthy businessman offers double wages to guide his family across the Oregon Trail, Jake accepts with one stipulation—he is in complete control.

Departure day finds Kate clinging to her possessions as Jake demands she abandon all he deems frivolous, including her deceased mother’s heirlooms. Jake stands firm, refusing to let the whims of a headstrong woman jeopardize the wages he so desperately needs—even a beautiful one with fiery green eyes and a temper to match.

Trail life is a battle of wills between them until tragedy strikes, leaving Jake with an honor-bound promise to protect her from harm and Kate with a monumental choice—go back to everything she’s ever known or toward everything she’s ever wanted?

Advance Praise for Along the Way Home

…author Christi Corbett unfurls an unforgettable epic romance inside of an epic Western adventure. Beautifully crafted, this debut novel is a tender journey of the heart as well as a treacherous journey of many miles.

Eve Paludan, author of Taking Back Tara (Ranch Lovers Romance series)

 

A breathtaking account of courage and adventure along the Oregon Trail.

Jillian Kent, author of The Ravensmoore Chronicles.

 

A dash of action! A touch of intrigue! Loads of sweet, clean romantic promise…

Reid Lance Rosenthal, Winner of 15 National Awards, #1 Best Selling Author of the Threads West, An American Saga series.

 

About Christi

I’m addicted to coffee, sticky notes, and the Oxford Comma. I live in a small town in Oregon with my husband and our twins. Our home’s location is especially inspiring because the view from the back door is a hill travelers looked upon years ago as they explored the Oregon Territory and beyond.

 

Along the Way Home is a Sweet Historical Romance. It released in ebook format on June 11, 2013 and will be available in print July of 2013. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstrand, Astraea Press (my publisher),OmniLit, and several other retailers.

 

When I’m not writing I love chatting with readers and writers alike. You can find me in one of the following locations:

Email: christicorbett@gmail.com

Blog: http://christicorbett.wordpress.com

Twitter: @ChristiCorbett

Facebook: Christi Corbett—Author

....

Thanks, Christi.
 
Check back on Friday for MY review of Christi's book. :)

IWSG: When is it GOOD ENOUGH?

First Wednesday of the month = Insecure Writer's Support Group. Visit here for more info: http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

So you've written a novel. When is it finished? When is it good enough?

Well, it's *probably* not quite there yet if:
1. You just finished writing the first draft.
2. You have only let your best friend and mother read it.
3. You relied on the computer for spell check and grammar check.
4. You have never read a book in the genre of your story.
5. You have never read a book on the craft of writing.
6. You've only revised the story once.

Maybe it's finished if:
1. You've revised the story a million times (or more but you lost count).
2. You've had several (or at least two) critique partners (who are skilled writers themselves) rip it apart.
3. You've had a beta reader (someone who doesn't know you personally and could care less if they hurt your feelings) read a polished version and give their feedback for improvement.
4. You've studied the craft of writing (by reading books on the topic or attending classes).
5. You've read a lot of books in the genre you're writing.
6. You've revised, edited, polished the story one more time.

It's a tough call, but the bottom line is: at some point, we have to say it is finished. As my CP said, "Stop picking at the wound, or it will never heal." Ick.

:)

How do you know when you're WIP is finished?

Stop Asking So Many Questions!

Blake Snyder writes, "The hero knows and others around him look to him for answers, not the other way around. if you see a lot of question marks in your hero's dialogue, there's a problem" (SAVE THE CAT, p. 146).

So ... "a lot of question marks" ... how many does that equal exactly?

I took the challenge. I use the find feature in Word and discovered my WIP had 900 (exactly) question marks. Now, granted, not all of those were used by my main character, but I took it further and went through the entire ms with a fine tooth comb.

Of those 900 question marks, 511 belonged to my MC. Yikes. That's probably what Snyder meant by "a lot."

HOWEVER, to my defense, not all of those question marks were in dialogue. A LOT were in her inner monologue. Is that better or worse?

Well, again, upon further examination, I discovered that most of those questions she asked silently to herself were completely unnecessary. I could delete them without changing the meaning of the paragraph, scene, chapter, or plot. *sigh*

I also discovered that many of the questions in her dialogue could be altered to be said as a statement rather than a question, which resulted in a much stronger voice coming from my MC.

After cleaning up the ms, I had eliminated 123 questions - all from my MC. Is that enough? I don't know, yet.

I'll make another pass through the ms and have another beta reader take a look.

What do you think? Does your MC ask a lot of questions? Do you think that's a bad thing?

Unpredictable Endings

"The secret to unpredictable endings ... is to allow ... your protagonist ... the possibility of failure" - Donald Maass (Writing the Breakout Novel, p.196).

Use a freaking COMMA!

Normally, the first Wednesday of the month is reserved for the IWSG post, but today it will share space with the A to Z Grammar Rules. :) Seriously, what insecure writer amongst us could not use a little grammar pep talk? Well, today is more of a lecture. So if you're feeling tender hearted, maybe skip my post today. Happy April, everyone. :)

 

 

 

(Originally posted in 2011)

...

Here's my tiny pet peeve (when not used):

"Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause" (THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, page 5).

For example: "The early records of the city have disappeared, and the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed. The situation is perilous, but there is still one chance of escape" (THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, page 5).

More explanation: "Two-part sentences of which the second member is introduced by as (in the sense of "because"), for, or, nor or while (in the sense of "and at the same time") likewise require a comma before the conjunction" (THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, page 5).

Tell the truth. What's your grammar pet peave?

Or are you just an all around happy person, and nothing ever bothers you?

Does Your Writing Lack Authority?

"If your every sentence admits a doubt, your writing will lack authority. Save the auxiliaries would, should, could, may, might, and can for situations involving real uncertainty" - Strunk & White (THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, p. 20).

...
Well, there's some revision inspiration. I'm going to highlight these doubt-filled words in my manuscript and reconsider my word choices. Great advice from Strunk & White.

Does your writing lack authority? Do you think it matters?

Revision Inspiration!

"Make the changes you craft for your main character permanent and irreversible. ... Make sure when the dust settles, your hero will never be the same again" -- Donald Maass (WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, p.156).

REVISING: Scenes

"A well-constructed scene has a mini-arc of its own: a beginning, rise and climax or reversal at the end" -- Donald Maass (WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, p. 174).

THINK before you REVISE!

Hopefully, you are WAY smarter than I am, and when you read the passage below, you will think to yourself, "Well, of course!" I, on the other hand, read it and had to think very hard and ask myself, "Is that why my current project is taking so long to revise?" SHEESH.

THINK before you REVISE. It could save you a ton of time and effort!!!

Deborah Halverson writes, "Create a revision list that you can work through item by item during several different passes through the manuscript. Prioritize your revision list so that big-picture items (such as character, plot, and setting work) are first, followed by smaller items (such as language tweaks). You want to start big and finish small to avoid revising specific sentences that may be completely omitted when you fix a bigger problem" (p. 203, WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES).

Okay. Back to work.

:)