April 11, 2011
Chapter 14 update.
Finished with 1,829 words deleted! Wow - the most so far. Total word count is now down to under 112K and I don't feel I've killed any part of the story doing so. Still not sure I'll get it down low enough for YA, but at least I'll be in the ballpark to query agents who handle both... On to 15.
April 7, 2011
March 27, 2011
Chapter 12 done.
814 words edited from this one. Seems like a lot, considering the total word count is now only 2616, the 3rd shortest chapter besides the prologue. On to 13.
March 22, 2011
March 21, 2011
March 12, 2011
Wow...
...a month without a post.
Pathetic.
Having food poisoning really wipes you out... I don't recommend it.
Anyway, getting back into the swing of things: 719 words cut from Chapter 10... on to 11.
Pathetic.
Having food poisoning really wipes you out... I don't recommend it.
Anyway, getting back into the swing of things: 719 words cut from Chapter 10... on to 11.
February 10, 2011
My Seven Days of Fame ... are over!
And they were fun while they lasted!
Be sure to check out Randy's Advanced Fiction Writing blog to find out the winning title.
Be sure to check out Randy's Advanced Fiction Writing blog to find out the winning title.
February 6, 2011
Chapter 9 Finished
746 words dumped, bringing Chapter 9's count down to 3970 from 4716.
Getting closer to the goal range...
Getting closer to the goal range...
February 1, 2011
My Seven Days of Fame
For the next week, my not-yet-published-or-seen-by-the-outside-world novel is getting some attention. Not because it is a stellar work of fiction, not because it earned a six-figure advance (let's dream big here, seven figures!), not because Oprah hiked through two feet of snow from Chicago to Akron to find me, and not because Hollywood is fighting over it.
It's because it has no title.
With the query process upon me, I'm in a bit of a panic. I know my characters as well as I know myself. They live in a fictional version of my home town...many are named after people in my life and the story is picked right from my own brain, not a copycat of someone else's idea. Yet a good, catchy title still escapes me five years into the effort.
When I first seriously considered attempting to get published a few years ago, I started following a Randy Ingermanson's blog. I learned a lot from his book Writing Fiction for Dummies and his newsletter. So, after brooding over my title dilema, I decided to send him a question, asking how much effort an author should put into naming their work when a publisher will most likely change it anyway.
I did not expect a response, but I got one.
Randy posted my question on his blog and gave a very detailed response. Then he offered to post a contest on his blog and have his readers give title suggestions. What a wonderful opportunity - I almost had tears in my eyes. So please visit Randy's blog and take a shot at naming my novel. It'll be fun!
Oh, and I'll throw in a bonus to the Winner: Randy offered to critique the first 5 pages of the Winner's novel - Thank you, Randy! I'll add this: If the Winner posts here after the contest stating they won, I will, with permission, use their name or a verision of it, as a character name in the final book.
It's because it has no title.
With the query process upon me, I'm in a bit of a panic. I know my characters as well as I know myself. They live in a fictional version of my home town...many are named after people in my life and the story is picked right from my own brain, not a copycat of someone else's idea. Yet a good, catchy title still escapes me five years into the effort.
When I first seriously considered attempting to get published a few years ago, I started following a Randy Ingermanson's blog. I learned a lot from his book Writing Fiction for Dummies and his newsletter. So, after brooding over my title dilema, I decided to send him a question, asking how much effort an author should put into naming their work when a publisher will most likely change it anyway.
I did not expect a response, but I got one.
Randy posted my question on his blog and gave a very detailed response. Then he offered to post a contest on his blog and have his readers give title suggestions. What a wonderful opportunity - I almost had tears in my eyes. So please visit Randy's blog and take a shot at naming my novel. It'll be fun!
Oh, and I'll throw in a bonus to the Winner: Randy offered to critique the first 5 pages of the Winner's novel - Thank you, Randy! I'll add this: If the Winner posts here after the contest stating they won, I will, with permission, use their name or a verision of it, as a character name in the final book.
January 18, 2011
Chapter 8 Finished!
Total words eliminated - 856 bringing the Chapter 8 word count down to 3,140 from 3,996.
I'm feeling better about this, the word count is dropping. Won't be long now and I'll be in range for the YA market.
I'm feeling better about this, the word count is dropping. Won't be long now and I'll be in range for the YA market.
January 17, 2011
Chapter 7 Finally Finished!
684 total words eliminated leaving a total word count for the chapter at 3,490.
I like this chapter. It ends with a cliff-hanger practically guaranteeing the reader will continue on to the next to find out who this mysterious, drunken stranger is. Love it.
Ok, on to Chapter 8 which stands at 3,996 words. I hope to get it down to around 3,500.
I like this chapter. It ends with a cliff-hanger practically guaranteeing the reader will continue on to the next to find out who this mysterious, drunken stranger is. Love it.
Ok, on to Chapter 8 which stands at 3,996 words. I hope to get it down to around 3,500.
January 15, 2011
January 8, 2011
The Novel Road: Dan Krokos Interview
Nice to see local Clevelander Dan Krokos landing a great agent!
The Novel Road: Dan Krokos Interview: "Cleveland
Who do you root for? Anyone? Has life so inundated you that you’ve stopped wishing..."
The Novel Road: Dan Krokos Interview: "Cleveland
Who do you root for? Anyone? Has life so inundated you that you’ve stopped wishing..."
January 6, 2011
Chapter 7
Tonight's progress:
6 1/2 of 10 pages edited - 552 words eliminated.
Lots more eliminating to do...will be back at it tomorrow to finish off 7.
6 1/2 of 10 pages edited - 552 words eliminated.
Lots more eliminating to do...will be back at it tomorrow to finish off 7.
January 4, 2011
New Year, New Post
Well here it is, another year. Feels the same as the last, but here's to hoping for better times. No death, no broken bones, no injures...just happy things.
I had the most intriguing e-mail in my box today when I turned my computer. It was from my good friend Rob stating how he is “killing me” by out-blogging me. Well, such things are true. I’ve not touched this computer in almost two weeks. I actually had to look up the password! Poor HT is probably feeling rather abandoned, but I assure you he is not.
I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions. I made one about twenty years ago to never make one again and by george, I’ve not broken it. My goals are simple: get the word count down to a respectable number and query. Query query query. Now, with that said, it’s time throw some more wood on the fire and get to work.
December 14, 2010
9 Manuscript Rules to Live By
I like this list of rules, compliments of editor Anica Mrose Rissi at Writersdigest.com. They are simple, direct, and I believe I am following them fairly close. Except for #7. I tend to read mine silently and imagine I'm listening to books on tape...it's amazing how effective that is.
1. Revise, revise, revise! I don’t want to read your first draft, ever. (Tip: Your novel isn’t ready to send to me until you can describe it in one sentence.)
2. Start with conflict and tension to raise questions, arouse curiosity and (like musical dissonance) create the need for resolution.
3. Start with the story you’re telling, not with the backstory. Throw the reader directly into a conflict and let her get to know your characters through their actions. (Yes, this is another way of saying, “Show, don’t tell.”)
4. Give the reader something to wonder about and a sense of where the story is going—of what’s at stake.
5. Avoid explaining too much too soon. And, don’t be obvious. Trust your readers. Trust your characters. Trust your writing. If you find that chunks of your story need to include long explanations, go back in and write those chunks better, until the story explains itself.
6. Make sure your story has both a plot arc and an emotional arc. Cross internal conflict with external conflict. Give your characters moral dilemmas, and force them to deal with the consequences of their choices.
7. Read your dialogue out loud. When revising, ask yourself, “What is the point of this dialogue?” (Just as you should be asking, “What is the point of this sentence? What is the point of this scene?”)
8. Use adjectives, adverbs and dialogue tags only sparingly. (See “trust your readers,” above.)
9. Make sure your details matter.
2. Start with conflict and tension to raise questions, arouse curiosity and (like musical dissonance) create the need for resolution.
3. Start with the story you’re telling, not with the backstory. Throw the reader directly into a conflict and let her get to know your characters through their actions. (Yes, this is another way of saying, “Show, don’t tell.”)
4. Give the reader something to wonder about and a sense of where the story is going—of what’s at stake.
5. Avoid explaining too much too soon. And, don’t be obvious. Trust your readers. Trust your characters. Trust your writing. If you find that chunks of your story need to include long explanations, go back in and write those chunks better, until the story explains itself.
6. Make sure your story has both a plot arc and an emotional arc. Cross internal conflict with external conflict. Give your characters moral dilemmas, and force them to deal with the consequences of their choices.
7. Read your dialogue out loud. When revising, ask yourself, “What is the point of this dialogue?” (Just as you should be asking, “What is the point of this sentence? What is the point of this scene?”)
8. Use adjectives, adverbs and dialogue tags only sparingly. (See “trust your readers,” above.)
9. Make sure your details matter.
December 7, 2010
Query Therapy - Couch #4 Available
These days I do feel query therapy is helping. My anxiety, though not completely gone, is waning and I've come up with the opening hook to my query letter. Largely in thanks to Dawn Whitmire's post on Suite 101. After reading her advice, I cranked out the hook to my ms in about two minutes. And the bulk of it stays, with only a word here and there tweaked. I love it when ideas snap into place so fast, so be sure to check out this site if you find yourself stressing on the couch...it's brilliant!
December 6, 2010
Query Therapy - Couch #3 Available
If stressing over writing an effective query letter capable of promoting your manuscript out of the slush pile hasn't landed you on a therapy couch, submitting a query to the Query Shark just might.
When I first started reading Janet Reid's Query Shark blog, I was shocked at the bluntness of her comments to unknowing submitters. On one occasion found myself curled up on the couch in the fetal position while reading comments by her faithful followers. Imagine how the poor query author must have felt!
Well, after reading more of the Shark's blog I noticed a pattern. There's a darned good reason why she is so blunt and her followers harsh: The querys submitted and posted, for the most part, were dead awful. Yes, I said it, just dreadful. Now, I'm not one to criticize someone else's work, for all I know mine isn't much better, but there is absolutely no reason to submit a query without at least knowing proper form and etiquette. It's not rocket science, people. Read directions. Follow directions. It's that simple.
So to my faithful followers (Hi Rob!) I say this - for the love of all things pure and holy, research how to write a professional query letter before filling an e-mail full of fluff, drool and nonsense. Save Ms. Reid and those like her from hours of wasted time reading anything except for what your story is about. Read her blog, it's one of the best.
When I first started reading Janet Reid's Query Shark blog, I was shocked at the bluntness of her comments to unknowing submitters. On one occasion found myself curled up on the couch in the fetal position while reading comments by her faithful followers. Imagine how the poor query author must have felt!
Well, after reading more of the Shark's blog I noticed a pattern. There's a darned good reason why she is so blunt and her followers harsh: The querys submitted and posted, for the most part, were dead awful. Yes, I said it, just dreadful. Now, I'm not one to criticize someone else's work, for all I know mine isn't much better, but there is absolutely no reason to submit a query without at least knowing proper form and etiquette. It's not rocket science, people. Read directions. Follow directions. It's that simple.
So to my faithful followers (Hi Rob!) I say this - for the love of all things pure and holy, research how to write a professional query letter before filling an e-mail full of fluff, drool and nonsense. Save Ms. Reid and those like her from hours of wasted time reading anything except for what your story is about. Read her blog, it's one of the best.
November 23, 2010
Query Therapy - Couch #2 Available
Searching for query information giving you a headache? Literally? Well, join the club. Have you ever read for hours on a Kindle and not gotten a headache, but then spend twenty-three minutes on a computer and feel like a porcupine is doing the Mambo behind your eyes? I don't have a Kinde, but from what others tell me there is no eye strain at all. Why is that? And why can't computer monitors be as gentle?
Today's query therapy couch is occupied by The Knight Agency and their fine post on Writing a Solid Query Letter. I like this page, it gives distinct instructions on how to present your manuscript without having to hold your hand to do it. They even offer links to more querying sites, and let's face it folks, there can't be too many query sites. The only thing missing, for me, is a sample query letter from one of their clients - that would be very helpful. Be sure to check out the rest of the website, it's loaded with great information!
Today's query therapy couch is occupied by The Knight Agency and their fine post on Writing a Solid Query Letter. I like this page, it gives distinct instructions on how to present your manuscript without having to hold your hand to do it. They even offer links to more querying sites, and let's face it folks, there can't be too many query sites. The only thing missing, for me, is a sample query letter from one of their clients - that would be very helpful. Be sure to check out the rest of the website, it's loaded with great information!
November 21, 2010
Query Therapy - Couch #1 Available
I've come to the conclusion that writing a 120,000 word novel is easy. Yes, I said easy, but that is compared to surgery sans anesthetic (trust me here) or, say, writing a query letter. Over the past couple weeks I've been hitting the query thing pretty hard, reading good and bad samples, memorizing the do's and don't's, trying my hand at my own...and have discovered there's as much information out there on querying as there are hairs on a shedding cat.
That said, and to keep my head from exploding with information overload, I've decided to post the good sites I come across here, not only for my own therapy, but also for my followers, or follower (Hi Rob!) to assist in making their own query adventures a bit less mind boggling.
On Couch #1 is an excellent site by literary agent Jennifer Jackson. Jennifer is an agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency and attended the World Fantasy Convention in Columbus, OH (I was there too!) One simple sentence on her site literally grabbed me by the shirt and said "read on!" That sentence is: "She believes in a hands-on approach with a focus on career planning and editorial support." I don't know about you, but that is exactly what I want in an agent - someone who is hands-on, cares about my career and will ensure my manuscipt is in top form.
Visit Jennifer's site and check out her blog for her series of Query Wars posts. The numbers are a little intimidating - number of queries received vs. number of partials or ms requested, but that's the writing world, folks. She hands out fantastic query advice and comments with a gentle hand - I like that.
Enjoy!
That said, and to keep my head from exploding with information overload, I've decided to post the good sites I come across here, not only for my own therapy, but also for my followers, or follower (Hi Rob!) to assist in making their own query adventures a bit less mind boggling.
On Couch #1 is an excellent site by literary agent Jennifer Jackson. Jennifer is an agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency and attended the World Fantasy Convention in Columbus, OH (I was there too!) One simple sentence on her site literally grabbed me by the shirt and said "read on!" That sentence is: "She believes in a hands-on approach with a focus on career planning and editorial support." I don't know about you, but that is exactly what I want in an agent - someone who is hands-on, cares about my career and will ensure my manuscipt is in top form.
Visit Jennifer's site and check out her blog for her series of Query Wars posts. The numbers are a little intimidating - number of queries received vs. number of partials or ms requested, but that's the writing world, folks. She hands out fantastic query advice and comments with a gentle hand - I like that.
Enjoy!
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