Writing Fiction: Dreaming with My Eyes Open

by Mary Beth 

When we were at the beach a week and a half ago, my husband Curt had two of our kids outside swinging. "Daddy," my youngest said as she soared high on her swing, "I can dream with my eyes open!"

Curt thought he knew what she meant so he probed a bit to find out if he was guessing right. "Are you dreaming right now?" he asked her.

"Oh yes!" she said.

"What are you dreaming?" he asked.

She proceeded to tell him an elaborate tale about knights and kings and princesses and dragons. And, she pointed out, it was all happening in front of her eyes even though she wasn't asleep. Curt later told me this story and smiled as he said, "She's just like her mama!"

I admit. I dream with my eyes open a lot. While I am running. While I am driving. While I am washing dishes or sitting still. As I told someone recently: I am never idle and never bored. I get to go places, meet people and live adventures. Who cares if the places, people and adventures aren't actually happening? They are to me.

Novel writing has been a great extension of the dreams I dream with my eyes open. I get to tell the stories that entertain me and hope they entertain others as well. I love the possibilities that lie in front of me as I spend time this summer investigating ideas and fleshing out characters, determining what my next steps will be, my next novel-writing adventure will be. The world of storytelling is filled with potential. New ideas wait around every corner, hiding within the "What if?" question most writers are very good at asking.

I love dreaming with my eyes open. My life is all the richer for it.

MaryBeth Whalen is passionate about her Lord, her family and her writing. She is an author of fiction and non-fiction titles. Her first novel, "The Mailbox" has been released and she is working on her next two titles.

You can find more information about her here as well as her ministries page: http://www.marybethwhalen.com

MaryBeth's is a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker.

Taste Testing: A Forum for Fiction Authors

by Brenda Layman

I don’t write a lot of fiction, but I enjoy it immensely. Fiction lifts us out of our daily life and transports us to any place or time that an author can imagine and create. My writing is usually short, direct, and if I have done my research well, useful. The kind of writing I am usually paid to do is like the ham sandwich in the lunch bag. Fiction is the cream-filled cupcake.

A good ham sandwich is a valuable thing. It’s filling, and it provides the protein and carbohydrates that enable us to tackle an afternoon’s activities. A good cupcake isn’t strictly necessary, but it sure does make lunch more enjoyable. That, I think, is the role of fiction. It makes intellectual life more enjoyable.

That said, it is clear that I admire the pastry chefs of writing, those cupcake bakers, the writers of fiction. I love their mysteries, their comedies, and even their tales of terror and woe. They create new worlds of wonder; they entertain; they entice; they enthrall. They deserve our admiration and our support. Theirs is often a lonely existence, as they sit before their keyboards, deep in the narratives they wrest from their imaginations and render, characters still wriggling, into print for readers to enjoy.

The purpose of Fiction Writers’ Platform is to give writers another place to communicate. It is a place to share, and to elicit comments and suggestions for improvement. It is a place where those cupcakes, so delicious and still warm from the oven, are offered for tasting. Is the crumb delicate, the filling rich and satisfying, the frosting smooth and appealing? Is the recipe right, or does it need a bit more or less of some ingredient? FWP is a safe, free place to try out literary concoctions. I love to sample them, and I thank the authors for sharing them.

About Brenda:

Brenda Layman is a free lance outdoor writer who lives in Ohio with her husband and photographer, Mark. She is the Feature Writer for Hunting & Fishing at online magazine Suite101, and is a regular contributor to Ohio Valley Outdoors and Pickerington Community magazines. Brenda is a member of The Ohio Smallmouth Alliance, and she edits the organization’s newsletter. She is a member of The Outdoor Writers of Ohio and The Ohio Writers Guild. She published several articles over the years, but began writing in earnest after the death of her daughter, Carol. As a writer, her response to the tragic event was to put her emotional struggle into words. Her journal became a book, Song of Joy, a Guide to Recovery from Sorrow (AuthorHouse, 2006). The book is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can also be purchased as an e-book. Writing and publishing her book led Brenda to join The Ohio Writers Guild, where colleagues encouraged her to pursue writing about her passion for the outdoors. This led to her present career as an outdoor writer. Brenda is also an experienced public speaker.

Getting "Into" Your Character

 

Getting into the head of your character is what brings them to life. Knowing them intimately, writing a back-story (where they have come from), knowing the details down to their favorite flavor of ice-cream, or considering an abusive childhood creates realism. My radio show http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com guest, Virginia Smith shared some of her pointers on characterization as well as other tips for authors during our interview.

What you may not know about Virginia is her tenacity to become a published author. She received 143-rejection letters before getting her first contract. Most would have given up way before then. In fact, I stopped writing for ten years due to receiving a handful. She is truly an inspiration. She explained there is no substitute for studying the writing craft, taking classes, joining support groups and constantly learning. [I offer a weekly eCourse for authors on writing fiction here: http:// writingmembership.com]

http://www.virginiasmith.org

To hear the entire radio show go to: http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com

Here are some of Virginia’s tips:

1.    When writing about your character 20% comes from words and 80% from expression
2.    Relay body language
3.    People have physical quirks give your character one
4.    Invest in writing courses
5.    Attend Writing Conferences
6.    Study the craft
7.    Many more elements of a good novel in the interview

She also recommended good books among them ones on career steps and business negotiations, self-editing, and plot and structure.

I hope reading about Viriginia has motivated you to persevere in the writing and publishing process. As I tend to end my broadcasts, “Keep Writing”!

Do you have any particular struggles you have difficulty overcoming? Share them here.

Blog Tours for Authors

Years ago I created a Virtual-Field-Trips website for kids and parents to surf the net and learn from interactive, educational websites. Unfortunately, the site was hacked and while I was able to rebuild it in part, I ran out of time. I loved the idea of traveling virtually. No effort, no packing, no expense, no car sickness, and no kids asking the proverbial question, "When will we be there?"

Well, the idea of a Blog Tour is basically the same thing. You travel without leaving home! An author can use a blog tour as a platform to build momentum to coincide with a new book launch. It is a publicity tour for the book. What a wonderful idea! My radio show guest, Cara Putman, explained her success with running several for her newly launched books. I often take notes as I interview, and today was no different. Cara had excellent information to share. To listen to the interview go to WritingandPublishingRadio.com

How-To Find Blog Book Reviewers

Begin by searching for blog reviewers in your book genre. For example, you can search for:

"Historical Fiction Blog Book Reviewers"
"Christian Blog Book Reviewers"
"Mystery Blog Book Reviewers" etc.

Once you find the bloggers, look at their websites and read their blogs. Contact them to see if there is an interest in obtaining a free book for a review. Your blog blitz can be a one day, one week or one month tour. I had 100+ bloggers blog a review for the book, I co-authored with my daughter when she was a teen, Truth Seekers Mystery Series, "The Missing Link: Found." Some of those reviewers went to Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, etc., to post their reviews.

Ask the reviewers to contact you when the review posts. This is important for several reasons. Cara shared that when the blog is posted you should visit the blog and interact with those who post a comment. In fact letting the blog host know you will stop by to interact, is a good idea. More people may post a comment if they realize the author is coming to pay a visit. This makes sense, especially in regard to the idea of a "Blog Book Tour." In fact, not only will you be able to answer questions, comment on a post and direct them to your personal blog, you may sell some books.

Type of Review
The type of blog review can vary. It can be an interview, a guest blog post by the author or the typical, "this is what I think about the book" type of review. You may want to suggest your preference to the book reviewer, but use whatever method works best for you. Make their job as easy as possible by including as much information as you can, and if you have one include a press-release.

In fact, when I ask my radio show guests for a blog post the week the show airs I am sometimes surprised. Some guests send their posts in Notepad to remove all the "junk" associated with word files on most computers. All I need to do is copy, paste into my blog, and include a picture if they send one. Cara further surprised me by including all of the information in the body of the email including a link to her picture using HTML code. When I pasted the information into the blog post window and hit preview I was edified to see the finished product was perfect. The word "expert" comes to mind!



Follow-Up Via Email

Cara mentioned it is a good idea to follow up via email to make sure the blogger knows when the book releases, and hopefully with enough notice the Blog Book Reviewer will coincide the post within a few days of the release. This will create more "buzz" for your book. A follow up email is also a good reminder to post a review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or CBD, or one of the other websites where you book may be for sale. Giving the blogger the list with a link of where your book resides on this website will save them time in having to search for your book, especially if you have many titles.

Will Sales Soar?
The jury is still out on whether or not you will see a major spike in sales by the Blog Review Book Tour. As authors what is important is publicity. Having name or brand recognition is the major topic of many author and publisher forums. How to become a household name is important in this industry. If you obtain this type of publicity and someone sees your book they may buy it based upon name recognition.


Either way, money can't buy positive publicity, and a Blog Book tour is one way to obtain this in a relatively inexpensive manner. Plan ahead of time, plan well and most of all be ready to send your thank-yous when the tour is over. If you keep track of those who were prompt with their posts you will have a basis for further tours in the future, with your next book!

Writing a book? It is time to get your book off the computer and into the hands of an eager reader! Felice can help you! She is the author of  many books and the creator of a new series of non-fiction how-to the: Information in a Nutshell Series, "Writing and Publishing." See what author Dan Poynter says about her book here!   Isn't it time you get a copy?

Author Interviews: Jeanette Windle

One of my favorite parts of preparing for upcoming talk show interviews is the amount of information I learn about the guest. Jeanette Windle did not disappoint me, in fact she is one of the most interesting authors. She is a child of missionaries and grew up in small towns and the jungles of Colombia. After college and as an adult, she moved to Bolivia to work in the mission field with her husband. While she is "state-side" now, she has traveled widely and brings this experience to her writing.

If you are an author who wants to write fiction that reads like an authentic account, stay tuned to this blog, and Jeanette will share her techniques and tips with you on how this can be done. She has experienced many of the places she writes about. Even if you can't go to the places you'd like to write about or talk to those you'd like to characterize in your book, you can glean much through the correct type of research.

Another interesting point is that Jeanette continues to participate in writing groups. She is teaching and sharing her knowledge with others. What a wonderful gift to those authors who attend. Jeanette currently resides in Lancaster, PA, so if you are in the area you will want to learn about the non-denominational writing group for Christian authors.

As an author I will never stop discovering new ideas and techniques that will continue to stretch my abilities. It is edifying to learn from some of the best! Obviously the access to information online has been a great boon to authors. Sometimes I wonder what we did beforehand. My trips to the college library to research seem so long ago! Are there any techniques you have found especially helpful in your writing projects? Let us know.

Word Placement by Guest Blogger: Gail Martin

Word Placement for Powerful Sentences

 

by Gail Gaymer Martin
www.gailmartin.com

How words are placed in sentences determines the power words, the word that is the focus of the sentence. Sometimes, it’s easy to allow the major point or focus of the sentence to get lost in the structure. By putting it in the correct location, you can change the emotion and power of the sentence.

Margie Lawson, psychology counselor, is well known for her fiction editing and emotion workshops. I enjoyed one of her courses a few years ago and especially what she taught in her class Empowering Characters Emotions.  Though this technique, which Margie calls “backloading,” not only is the emotion enchanced, but it places the focus word at the end of the sentence, a place of power. This last word in the sentence draws attention to it and enforces emphasis, making your writing more dynamic. The words are truly empowered.

Here are a few examples:

Original Sentence: Tears filled her eyes.
Powered Structure: Her eyes filled with tears.

In the original structure, the power word is eyes, but is this the focus? Ask yourself which word is most significant. Though a simple change, the emphasis of the sentence is tears.

Original Sentence: Her throat tightened with the words that formed in her mind.
Powered Structure: Words formed in her mind as her throat tightened.
The revision helps to focus on the emotion she feels, shown as her throat tightens.

Once again, read the first sentence and ask which is the power word in this sentence.


Original Sentence: With her spirit wavering, she shrugged off her attitude and enjoyed the scenery.
Powered Structure: With her spirit wavering, she enjoyed the scenery and shrugged off her attitude.

I think it’s clear that her changing attitude is the focus here and one that is the empowering word of the sentence.
Read this sentence and before you check the re-write, ask yourself what’s most important in the sentence.

Original Sentence: From the past she recalled that Bonnie tended to go into a tizzy when she didn’t get what she wanted.
Powered Structure: From the past she recalled when Bonnie didn’t get what she wanted, she  tended to go into a tizzy.
I think you’ll agree that Bonnie’s tizzy is most important. It’s the part of the sentence that draws more emotion and is the most important piece of information in this sentence.

This technique can make a difference in your writing, One caution: don’t use this method if it ruins the natural flow of your sentence or if it sounds awkward or forced. You can’t structure every sentence with backloading or it can lose its effect, but chose the sentences that will enhance emotion and point readers to what’s important. It’s easy to do. Pull the strongest and most important word from within your sentence and put it at the end, the place of power.   

For more information on Writing Fiction Right visit: www.writingright-martin.blogspot.com

Guest Blogger: Candy Arrington

Are Your Writing Ideas Publishable?

© 2009 Candy Arrington

Each of us has gifts and talents, and as writers, we have unique ideas about how to convey various topics via the written word. So why is it that some ideas make it to publication and others don’t?

Often, would-be writers claim someone “took” their idea when they see a book release on a subject they are interested in writing about. But I believe God gives his message, in different forms, to many different messengers. Some heed the call immediately and follow through. Others get bogged down in preparations or procrastination. Years after the idea’s germination, they are still pondering but haven’t thought things through fully enough to get to the nugget that will interest a publisher.

Here are some things to consider when determining if you idea is publishable:

•    What are you writing?

While this may sound amazing, I often review a manuscript the writer thinks is a book, when it’s really an article or devotional. Or a writer refers to something as an article that is really a personal experience story. Or a writer isn’t sure if he’s writing fiction or nonfiction. If you are writing a book, do you know which category your book would fit in on the bookstore shelf? Publishers expect you to know. Until you categorize your work, your writing isn’t likely to get published.

•    Who is your audience?

Do you have a magazine or book publisher in mind for your manuscript? Novice writers write first and then try to place their manuscript. Professional writers write to the market rather than chasing it. Until you know your audience, your writing isn’t focused.

•    Is there a market like for your topic?

Have you done market research to see what else is available on the topic? Have famous authors, who are considered “experts,” written on the topic? If so, you may well have a hard time getting a publisher to consider an additional book on the subject. Can you refine your idea, making it narrower and exploring a different twist on the topic? For example, the subject of parenting is broad. Narrow it down by writing about parenting a techno-savvy generation or effective parenting despite your upbringing.

•    Do you have enough material to support your premise?

Have you created a full outline to see if you have enough for a book, or enough for an article? Can you avoid repeating and rephrasing material? Are there other sources you can draw from and quote? (One caveat: there is nothing more boring than a book of quotations broken up by a little commentary!)

•    Is your idea captivating?

Can you sustain the text and hold reader interest throughout the work? Many times writers repeat the same ideas others have already written on, or worse, paraphrase a seminar they’ve attended. If you idea isn’t involved enough to be captivating, or is pirated from someone else, it will never see publication.

•    Do you have a compelling beginning?

Are you hooking your readers and drawing them in from the first sentence? Start with a story, yours or someone else’s. Write in a narrative format that makes readers want to know more. You have to pique the curiosity of an editor or agent first before moving further in the publishing process.



About :
Candy Arrington’s writing provides Biblical insights and practical advice, often on tough topics. Her publishing credits include hundreds of articles in periodicals such as Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman, Marriage Partnership, Encounter, Pray, The Lookout, The Upper Room, Advanced Christian Writer, CBN.com, The Writer, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s stories have appeared in the Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort series.

She is coauthor of When Your Aging Parent Needs Care: Practical Help for This Season of Life (Harvest House) and Aftershock: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B & H Publishing Group). Candy is on staff with The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and also provides private paid writing critiques and editing. She is on faculty for several national writers’ conferences and is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

First Novel: Having Fun

Writing My First Novel and Having Fun With It:
An Amateur’s Take on First Time Writing
by Kathryn Rizzo



I have to say, nothing can be more daunting than the idea of writing your first manuscript. Sure, it sounds like a lovely idea in theory. You have a few ideas that have been rolling around in your head for months, you read books by fabulous authors who are paid fabulous sums of money for their work and then after reading their fabulous book, you find yourself thinking, “Hey, that wasn’t so hot, I could have written that.” And that’s when you decide you are finally going to do it. You are going to write your own novel.

Then comes the day when starting the writing would be perfect. The stars are aligned so that you have a few precious hours free, the house is somehow miraculously quiet and your inner muse is simply begging you to finally share the talent that you know you have. Everything about the day is telling you that you are on the cusp of creating a masterpiece. And then… Dun Dun Dun…the eerie feeing of doubt crashes your writing party like the class bully who has always had it out for you.

Suddenly you find yourself second guessing everything. How am I actually going to write a novel?  What do I even know about writing? What was I thinking, I can’t write a manuscript. I must have been crazy. That’s it, I’m just going to have a Crunch Bar and call it a day.

Well, I am here to tell you to put your writing party gear back on and to get back to that focused mindset because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from writing my own manuscript, it is that if I can do it, anyone can. All you have to do is hold tight to the drive and determination to see your novel through to the very end, no matter what. If you do this, you will be leaving your writing experience with a sense of pride and accomplishment stronger than you ever expected.

When I first started my manuscript, I was writing it as more as a form of personal entertainment. They library was closed, nothing good was on TV, I had a few hours to kill before I had to go to work and I couldn’t think of anything good to lookup on Youtube.com. I had also just finished reading a book I wasn’t very impressed with, so I asked myself what I would have done differently if I was the one who wrote the novel. That idea lead to the question, what would I write about if I was a writer? And that question lead to me writing my very first work of fiction and unknowingly beginning my first novel.

From that day on I was determined to keep going. I was going to continue my story every single day, I didn’t care if it was a chapter, a paragraph, or even a sentence…I was going to make some kind of progress. Before I knew it, my original ten pages turned into fifty, which turned into a hundred and fifty, and which ended as two hundred and fifty. And when I printed out my work and sat it down on my desk, I’ll never forget the feeling of finally seeing myself as a writer.

And what was it that made writing my first manuscript possible? Just having fun with my novel. I never thought of it as a serious thing. I didn’t see what I was doing as intense and it. If you just have fun with your writing, you can’t go wrong. When I was in the process of writing it wasn’t stressful because I too busy being happy and excited about doing something that I never thought was possible, for me. Everyday I would go through the motions of work and my other responsibilities, all the while mentally itching to get home so I could get at my laptop and write.

For me, writing my novel was such a freeing and incredible experience and even if I never do get it published, I’ll always keep writing. Every time I look at my manuscript I know that I completed a serious feat and that I told my doubtful bully, who said that I didn’t know the first thing about writing, to sell his negativity elsewhere because if I want to be a writer, then I can. I firmly believe that anyone who wants to be a writer can and should be (whether you are published or not). And like I said earlier, if you just have fun with your writing, you can’t go wrong.  

Marketing: Typical Misconceptions

By Sarah Bolme
Author:
Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Market Place

A lot of authors treat marketing like it’s a dirty word. Many feel intimidated and scared by the thought of marketing. Christian authors, in particular, don’t want to “promote” themselves, because this seems to be contrary to Biblical teachings.

The problem is that many people have a misconception about marketing.

In a nutshell, marketing is any activity that connects producers to consumers. It is not self-promotion. It is showing consumers how what you have meets a need they have.

Stop and think about this.

You are thirsty. Then drink Dr. Pepper. Not only will it quench your thirst, but it will also put a spring in your step. Dr. Pepper will not meet just one, but two of your needs: quenched thirst and energy.

You are tired. Your old mattress is no longer comfortable and you wake up with back pain. Then buy a Sealy Posturepedic® mattress. It will give you the best night’s sleep you have ever had because it conforms to your body. Your need: a good night’s sleep. A Posturepedic mattress will meet that need and keep your back pain free.

You need transportation. A Volvo is for you. Volvos are the safest car on the road. A Volvo will not only meet your need of getting you where you need to go, it will keep you safe as it does.

Now think about your book. What need does your book meet?

Your book meets some need in someone’s life. That is why you wrote it.

If you developed a curriculum for homeschoolers, then your book helps a homeschool parent teach their children. If you wrote a nonfiction book on any topic, it meets some need in someone’s life. Even fiction books meet needs. People need wholesome pleasure reading. Your book can fill that need.

Next time you have a chance to promote your book, don’t worry about self-promotion. Rather, engage in ministry. Ministry is about meeting other’s needs. Market your book by meeting someone’s need. Tell them about the answer your book has for their need.

About the Author:
Sarah Bolme is the author of Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace (www.marketingchristianbooks.com). As the Director of Christian Small Publishers Association (www.christianpublishers.net) she helps small publishers market their books in the Christian marketplace. You can read her blog at http://marketingchristianbooks.wordpress.com.

Author Book Signings

During a recent visit to a local Christian bookstore, I found an author book signing underway. As I watched the event from nearby, the author of a well known fiction series, greeted the line of women and chatted briefly with each. She had poise. She had flair. She seemed relaxed and appeared to be enjoying herself.

She had arrived at the top, or to the outside world, so it appeared. Book signings are the goal of many authors, especially novelists. Large royalty publishers have an easier time setting up book signings for their authors, yet it is possible for small literary publishers and self-published authors as well. Several of my author friends have hired publicists who set up radio interviews, television spots as well as print interviews. Yet, there is nothing like being up close and personal. What a great way to sell product and meet your readers.

If you are interested in obtaining a book signing at a major store chain I invite you to listen to this week's Blog Talk Radio Show for authors, Information In A Nutshell Radio where I will interview a book store employee, Joel Cobb who will share his insider's tips: http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com

Joel will also be the guest blogger this week and will share his information on what works, what doesn't and protocol that major book store chains require. Knowing the rules is always important. In this case it will make the difference between a good experience and one that could ban you from future book stores in the entire area.

My largest book signing was at the Christian Book Association (CBA) National conference, hosted by my distributor. It was a major event and upon entering my husband who accompanied me, smiled and said, "We're not in Kansas anymore." I laughed which helped to alleviate my nervousness, somewhat. Here I was, ready to re-launch a series of books, The Truth Seeker's Mystery Series, The Missing Link: Found and I was so nervous! It turned out to be an unforgettable time and I enjoyed meeting new people and sharing my love and passion for being an author. Have you had a book signing or perhaps attended one? Share your insights with us here.

Guest Blogger: Susan K. Marlow

Part 2

4. Changing points of view during a scene. TV shows and movies can get away with this, and maybe even the classic writers of old, but it's not a good idea to bounce around from one character's thoughts and viewpoint to another's, all in the same scene. I've seen this many times in beginning writers' work. In fact, changing POVs (points of view) was the very first thing a critique group pointed out to me during my first writers' group meeting. My character was just getting ready to be trampled by a wild stallion and her brother pulled her to safety. Then I switched points of view and told the story from the brother's viewpoint as he rescued his sister. I had no idea I was doing something that is a "mistake." It's OK to switch POVs between chapters or if you use a distinct scene break, but avoid jumping around during the same scene.

5. Run-on sentences. I'm always amazed when I read new writers' work and wonder if a sentence is ever going to end. It's like they're so busy putting thoughts on paper they forget there needs to be a period now and then. Instead, they connect phrases and clauses with "and" "but" "then" "so" and other connectors that are best used sparingly. Here's an example: "Sarah, the office manager, wanted all the memos to be typed so they would be easy to read, but Jane just couldn't figure the keyboard out, no matter how many times Jane tried to teach her, and it drove Jane nuts." It's best to use short, snappy sentences (especially if you want to build suspense). Save the longer sentences for a quiet, sleepy feeling. But be careful you don't put the reader to sleep!

6. Pet word. Every beginning writer (and sometimes experienced authors) have a basket of "pet words." These are words that flowed so well when we use them that before long we've crossed over into "overuse." A good critique partner (or editor) catches there favorite words right away. Mine was "just." Other pet words may include "that" "then" "very" "really" and "OK." You don't even know you're using them! However, that wonderful "Find" tool in the Word program helps you track them down and use a different word or (better yet) cut them out. Even now I cringe like a beginner when my critiquer says things like "first use" "second use" "third use" and she's still on the same page. Most recently, my pet word was "toss." Things were always getting tossed! And I didn't even know it until she pointed it out to me.

7. Pest words. Pet words quickly morph into "pest words." These are bugs that infect your writing and can brand you as a beginner. "ly" adverbs are a perfect example of pest words. "Really, happily, clearly, wisely, lovingly, carefully, frantically . . ." There is no end to these verb modifiers! While the beginner believes he is expanding his description (Jon held tightly to the railing), in reality it is considered weak writing. Intead, go through your manuscript and find "ly" adverbs and try to think of a strong, vivid verb to use instead. (Jon gripped the railing). Sarah talked loudly could be Sarah shouted. The boy ran quickly through the forest = The boy dashed through the forest. Again, this is a beginner's mistake that most of us don't realize we are making and it easy to fix!

"ing" words are another pest problem. I've seen many manuscripts come in where the character can't say or do anything without an "ing" word attached to the dialogue tag. "I can't hang on much longer!" Jon said loudly, holding tightly to the edge of the cliff. Sounds OK at first glance, and honestly, a few of these are OK in a novel. It's overuse we're talking about here. This could be changed to: Jon clung to the cliff's edge. "I can't hang on much longer!" The exclamation point clues the reader into the fact that he's probably shouting. I replaced the "holding tightly" with "clung."

8. Passive verbs. Beginning authors always use passive verb forms. It's a sure sign, so look out and fix this one before sending anything into an editor or agent. Passive = slow. Active = action. A passive verb is when you use a state-of-being verb (am, is are, was, were, be, being, been) and have all that great action happening TO the subject of the sentence instead of the subject DOING the action. This wearies a reader's mind in no time and makes the story slog along like it's caught in molasses. For example: The meeting was called to order by President Baker. Change to: President Baker called the meeting to order. Or . . . The dog was hit by the car. Change to: The car hit the dog. Again, the occasional use of passive verb forms add variety to your story, but overuse will brand you as a beginner.

Learning to self-edit your own work saves you a lot of misery (from rejection letters) and money (from paying an editor to do what you are perfectly capable of doing). Once you are aware of the mistakes, it takes only determination and vigilance to keep from falling into these beginner traps.


Editor's Note: Susan Marlow has authored a book for students, Reach for the Stars Young Fiction Author's Workbook

Susan K. Marlow
www.circlecadventures.com

Guest Blogger: Susan K. Marlow

Mistakes? You Don't Want to Be Branded a Beginner.
Part 1

Oh, those writing mistakes! Those mistakes that brand a new writer as a "beginner" to the editors we hope to impress with our work. I know all about them--intimately--because I've made most of them. News flash: I was a beginner once, too. But as soon as a seasoned writer pointed the mistakes out, I ceased (for the most part) making them. What separates the beginner from those who go on to become mature writers? It's how quickly they identify and overcome these common mistakes. Here are a few you can start to identify in your own writing:

1. Not beginning your story in the right place. A lot of new writers feel the reader needs back story, character expansion, or setting the scene before diving into the story problem. The truth is, the reader wants to be grabbed with a tantalizing "hook" and drawn into the story itself. Character development, setting, and even back story can be weaved into the story once you've got the reader turning pages. And . . . it's all about turning pages. An editor has a stack of manuscripts to read, and he gives himself a couple of minutes to scan each submission. If he isn't hooked by page 2 or 3, he's going to lay it aside and pick up the next manuscript. This happened to me, but thankfully an experienced, published author told me and not an editor from a publishing house! I had time to go back and start the story right where it needs to begin: just before the story problem. (This is especially true for children's literature.)

2. The need to explain everything. Another mistake beginners make is feeling they need to explain everything. I call this "giving the reader TMI." Too Much Information. The reader drowns in a sea of wordiness and redundancies. Trust me. Readers are smart. They can infer much that doesn't need to be explained. Here is a simplistic example: If a mountain lion is chasing a girl, you don't need to add the part about the girl running. The word "chase" assumes somebody is running. If something changes, (like she falls or climbs a tree), that's the time to tell the reader. Sometimes, in their need to "tell all," a new writer intrudes into the story. The reader knows right away that the action has stopped and he's been jerked from the story. For instance, a story is about the misadventures of Jane in the big city. Nothing seems to be going right for her throughout the entire book. A chapter ends, and then . . . bang! The next chapter begins with, "Jane had come to the city to try and find a job. Now it looked like it wasn't going to work out so well, so she decided to try another alternative." Stop! The whole story has been about Jane's problem. Why review this just because it's a new chapter? And lest you think I'm making this up, except for the name and setting changes to protect the guilty, I found this in a recent editing job.

3. Telling and not showing. Explaining is another word for telling. New writers sometimes do a lot of telling. After all, it's much easier to narrate (tell) a story than to show what is happening. Memorize this phrase: Show. Don't Tell. The reader does not want to learn second-hand what happened in scene about two rivals having a conflict at the water cooler. The reader wants to be at the water cooler, listening in to the conversation, sensing the emotions, being involved in the characters' lives. Even experienced authors sometimes slip into "telling" when their fingers are flying over the keys and they want the story to move quickly. I broke off a scene once, just as my character was about to be dumped fromher horse in front of a group of young ladies. I did a scene break and then had my character retelling her humiliating experience to her roommate. My critique partner wisely slammed me for it and said, "But I want to SEE Andi getting dumped from the horse." Oh. Yeah. Good point.

Fiction Author: Susan K. Marlow

Does social media work in landing a publisher? For author, Susan K. Marlow, the answer is “yes” in regard to her book, “Reach for the Stars: Young Fiction Author’s Workbook.” And, who was that publisher? Media Angels, Inc. (that is my publishing company). I met Susan Marlow via Facebook when someone recommended that I “friend” her…I looked at her bio and found that she was a fiction author. I was intrigued and not only did I ask her to be my friend but I asked if I could interview her. I soon learned that Susan Marlow hates the thought of anything being “boring” and she is a wife, fun-loving mom of 4 adult children, grandmother, horse-lover and avid fiction author.

Susan and I have burned the airwaves in long-distance phone calls (she lives in Washington (State) and I in Florida, and email correspondence. Susan and I have little and lots in common. She has the grammatical gene I lack. We both love to write, love our kids and grandkids; both are homeschool moms and were both education majors. She is much more outdoorsy than I. I like horses in movies, novels, and from a distance. My one and only episode riding a horse resulted in a family story my in-laws still recount. Let’s put it this way…they are big animals and to be respected. I did manage to get up on the horse with my dignity intact and ride the horse…but that is all I’ll share of that adventure. Susan on the other hand can be found with photos of herself on a horse on her blog and website. (Go Susan!)

When I read Susan’s writing book for kids I loved it. I asked that she add a few pages Okay, 60 pages. Even so Susan was a good sport about it and did a fabulous job. This book has hit the ground at a good pace and is selling rather well. If you want to hear how Susan found a publisher for her Circle C series, what she recommends for those considering writing children’s fiction and more about Susan join me on my Blog Talk Radio show at http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com

There is a contest to win a free: Information In a Nutshell: Writing and Publishing book OR a copy of the writing book for children, "Reach for the Stars: Young Fiction Author's Workbook" Listen to today's radio show and you can find out how to win!

Radio Interview Marketing Tips

I had a great time today on the Ultimate Writer's Expo. I presented a seminar entitled 10 Ways to Jump Start Your Market before the Book is Published. When I first began writing all I cared about was completing my book. I had no idea what the entire process would entail. That was in 1992 and over the years I have experienced both the highs and lows of being an author.

I have coached many people through the years (before the term was popular), and found that many came to me for help after they had a product. With a storage room full of books and no outlet to sell, the great idea (the book) was now a problem. What had started out to be a joyful event...publishing a book ended on a soar note.

Well, maybe you don't want to self-publish and are looking for an agent, a publisher, or both. Marketing is their problem right? Not so fast. It goes unsaid that before you write your book you should understand your audience and your specific market. If you think that is up to the publisher, you may be surprised to learn that the publisher will ask you the same questions, or at least want to see something about your market in your book proposal.

I began with a speaking platform. I had an audience that was interested in my topic and hopefully were interested in reading more about the topic at home, via my book. It was a great combination, and giving seminars and workshops usually translates into sales. But, most people don't start out this way. And no, not all authors tour and speak.

One of the first thing I would advise no matter where you are in your writing journey is to learn. Try to learn something daily. I spend at least 15-20 minutes following blog posts, reading articles or researching a particular topic if I plan to give a speech. I have also used mentors, consultants and listened to the advice of other publishers in a similar market. The results have been rewarding.

I am offering a totally free audio presentation 7-Steps to Becoming a Published author and you will receive follow up emails encouraging you in the writing process. These tips are tried and true. If you are interested in jump-starting your writing career, visit my website and sign up for the series: http://www.mediaangels.com/home/writing-and-publishing

In the next few days we'll explore some great ways to market, many that won't break the bank. I'd love feed back as well. If you have a good idea you'd like to share of something that works for you. Drop me a line.