QUERY & MS ISSUES I'VE NOTICED

Lately I've been doing a lot of manuscript and query critiquing, and I'd like to talk about a writing issue I've noticed. One that can possibly help with your query as well as your manuscript.

No base plot thread. No main point. Basically, what is the main character hoping to accomplish? Or what do they need to learn?

I'll use a few popular movies and books to explain.

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD by Kendare Blake: In the first chapter you meet Cas, a ghost hunter, and you see that his goal is to find a ghost named Anna and kill her.

How to Train Your Dragon (movie): Early on you see that Hiccup is not like the other vikings. He wants to be accepted and loved by his dad, which means he needs to learn how to deal with dragons, one way or another. 

TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer: In the first chapter Bella is new to town, and not too happy about her move. She sees Edward and is intrigued; she wants to get to know him, see him again.

FIRST GRAVE on the RIGHT by Darynda Jones: In the first chapter the main character, Charley, is approached by the ghost of a dead guy asking for her help to find out who murdered him. Also, a very old undead being contacts her and whispers a name no-one should know, other than her.

From the get go, the reader/viewer has an idea of what to root for. It's as though the writer has left bread crumbs on the plot trail, enough to keep the reader/viewer traipsing down the trail. Hopefully enough to make the reader want to run down that trail, full speed ahead because they just HAVE to know if the main character is successful. (Of course there's other factors in writing a can't-put-down story, but I'm focusing on this one.)

I see the main plot thread as the main color of a tapestry, woven through the center. You need it to keep the rest of the threads together, to make them mesh and the complimenting colors pop. The story opens, you show the inciting incident (what spurs the main character). Then at about 15% in (give or take) you have the first plot point (when the MC decides to venture out and change things up, while still sticking to the basic plot thread.)

For example, in How to Train Your Dragon a band of dragons attack the viking's village and Hiccup tries to help, to make his dad proud, but he screws up and ruins everything and in the process hurts a black dragon, Toothless. That's the inciting incident. When he meets Toothless and helps him, deciding there may be another way to save the village from dragons, that's the first plot point. All the while, he's still seeking acceptance from his dad and the villagers while trying to keep the village safe from future dragon attacks, which is the main plot thread.  

Look at your manuscript. Does your main character have a goal/motivation? What is it? Why? This question should be answered (hinted to, at least) in the first couple chapters. It's what causes the reader to continue down that path, knowing which way it's headed and promises more bread crumbs. And it shows the reader what's so special about your story. What makes it unique.

So if you're having trouble creating a query, it could be because either you're not realizing and showcasing your main plot thread, or you don't have one.

Tell me in a couple sentences, what's your main plot thread?

Secrets of Getting Published by Bestselling Author Jayne Ann Krentz

As I write this, my mind is floating in my head, not exactly sure where or why or...

Basically, I've been editing.

And because I like doing things the hard way, I decided to pick Dark Waters up again and re-edit it after my critique partner gave me a copy of her full manuscript for me to critique. So I'm rearranging the chapters of my WIP, which seems the hardest phase of editing, while critiquing my friend's manuscript and thanking the snowflakes for school closures so that I can put my homework off just a little bit longer.

Yah, my brain's feeling a little mushy lately.

Okay, but that's not my point. (Here I go getting off track. See what I mean?)

On Saturday I got to attend a writing workshop taught by Jayne Ann Krentz, author of many New York Times bestsellers. The topic? Five Secrets to Selling Your Story.

Wanna know what they are?

#1) VOICE: Like every person has an accent, every writer has a voice. You don't hear it, but everyone else does. Discover your voice and hone it.

#2) CORE STORY: What sociological, theoretical themes do you find yourself using in each story you craft? That's your core story. Realize what it is and you can take it almost anywhere in the genres.

#3) KNOW THE MARKET: Read widely in the genres that compel you and find the sub-genre that fits your core story best.

#4) PROPOSAL: Keep the query short and to the point, making sure it's as tight and neat as possible. When writing the synopsis, it should only be one page and read like the back cover (or the flap) of a book, but with the ending.

#5) ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA: She highly recommends joining this group, saying that we will learn more in six months with them than six years on our own. They offer a newsletter, monthly chapter meetings, and annual conferences. I actually did look them up and my local chapter is meeting in February for an all day editing workshop, so yah, I think I'd learn a ton.

And while I enjoyed receiving this advice, Jayne's words weren't what I walked away remembering about her, but rather her confidence. When I asked her about critique groups, she said she's not a supporter of them because what one person may love, someone else will hate and you shouldn't change your story according to their preferences. When I asked her at what point in my editing will I know my manuscript is polished enough to submit, she answered when my gut tells me so. When I have polished enough to know that I like it, and I think it's ready. She also warned me not to over polish it and remove my voice from the pages.

See what I'm saying? Awesome.

Am I completely gung-ho again and absolutely hopeful that I'll one day be a published author? Nope. Did I leave the workshop on a writing high? Nah. But I did walk out with a signed copy of Jayne's newest book and a reverberating reality that's still unwinding in my mind: In the end, my story is about what I want it to be, what I like to write about, and no amount of advice and critiquing should take that away from me.

   

DARK YA BLOGFEST: MUSIC & MOVIE FUN

Today I'm participating in the Dark YA blogfest and our topic is movie fun. We pick a dark YA novel and add the actors to play the characters. Since Hunger Games already has these things, or most of them, I decided to post the actors I see playing the roles of Dark Waters, my book. :) Woohoo! This is gonna be fun!

Allura's Sisters:

Arlana

Cara

Celine

Femina Mari from other Shoal's:

Vanessa. Allura is in charge of providing for Vanessa's Pledging ceremony.

Miyu. She's been a Provider for years. She's Allura's trainer, preparing her for the ceremony.

You wanna see some more? Okay, so David is a Allura's love interest. Well, first he's her food interest. ;) Anyways... I can't find a pic that resembles him. He's a Greek-looking teenage guy. Difficult to find that picture online. To me, he looks like my hubby. :) But, here's a taste:

Hehehehe. Hey, she talks about his neck a lot! ;)

David's bike

How about a little more?

Deadman Island. Near the San Juan Islands

Hummel Lake. An actual lake on the island Allura lives on.

Lagoon on San Juan Island, WA where Allura lives

I wish I could add more, like the rest of the Femina Mari, um, well, lets say from the waist down and hope that doesn't sound bad. But I think I'll save that for a later post. :)

My Maniac Tendencies

So, on Sunday I heard back from my critique partner about the last few chapters of my WIP. Two words: HOORAY and OUCH. If you've ever had an in depth critique partner, you totally know what I mean. She seems to really like my writing and the story, but the biggest issue she found, what she got completely hung up on, was the last chapter. It had some major flaws.

Yes, that's code for: My kids were home when I wrote that last chapter.

Further meaning that I tried to write this emotional scene with a litany of interruptions.

Lesson learned.

So as you can guess, all day Sunday I was thrilled by her encouraging words while stewing over the "issues" she found. And then yesterday I drove myself crazy with "what if" and "how will I" questions. I literally had knots in my back!

Why do we as writers stress out like this? One day we think we have something great, something readers will love and then the next day we want torch it all?

 I know you guys do this too. I read your blogs. ;)

 
 Is being crazy-emotional about a word document just something that comes with the personality of a writer? I'm thinking so. Did the authors of the past throw their typewriters in the trash bin only to gently retrieve it hours later with love and affection? I wouldn't doubt it.

By the way, I think I fixed the problems she found, and am hoping it's great. And I think I want to do another blog post in a few days about how fantastic critique partners are because her reaction to the story as a reader, and then her advice as a critique partner have been absolutely invaluable.

But for now, tell me about your maniac tendencies as they pertain to writing. Ever throw your laptop in the trash? 

YA Road Trip: Writers Block

This Week's Topic:
How do you beat writer's block?
Do you go for a jog? Read a book? Go to a movie? Come on, share your secret - we're dying to know! 

The view from a walk with my family

A published author told me once that sometimes you have to pull yourself away from your work to gain a fresh, new perspective. So, when I hit writers block and no matter how hard I try I can't seem to get my way around it, I pull myself away. I live life, go hiking, work out, play with my family, do daily chores, read great books. Usually, when I least expect it POP the idea I had been searching for to push the story ahead comes to me.

And if that doesn't work, or I don't want to wait...

I have a brainstorming session with my best friend who also writes. :) If I'm really lucky, our brainstorming is amidst tall fir trees and waterfalls on an awesome hike. 

Hiking with my Rayna

MC Blogfest -I'm Asking My Main Character A Few Questions

I'm taking part in the MC Blogfest hosted by Elizabeth Mueller today. She asks three questions of our main characters and I'd love to ask my MC character what her answers are. To check it out for yourself, follow the link bellow. 





This is good timing too seeing as last week I posted on character depth as well. :) Ah, don't things seem to work just a little easier in blog world? Okay, let me go grab Allura and ask her these three questions. I'll be right back...

Wait, before I get her, I should let you in on a few idiosyncrasies of hers. First, she isn't human and although she appears to look just like one, she really hates them. In fact, she see's humans as the reason she's forced to live on land and only go for a "swim" under the cover of night. Being that she lives on land, it's important she and her sisters not stick out at their high school so she has even more anger toward humans because she has to pretend to be someone she's not. This is why if you were to see Allura or her sisters in the halls at school and you said "Hi", you would get the cold shoulder coupled with no response and then you'd think they were stuck-up snobs. But she's not.

And, if balancing the tightrope of pretending to be something she's not while proudly clinging to the thing she is isn't difficult enough, she just met David. She can't figure out why (against her better judgment) she's so incredibly drawn to him in an inhuman/human way. Because...her kind destroys men.

Okay, let me go get her.

Blog friends, meet Allura.

Question 1: What is your greatest fear? Ha. You'd think it would be to be found out, but really I'm more afraid of my Aunt's reaction to me being found out. Making them angry would be a mistake. I think I also worry that when it comes time to decide if I want to do the responsible thing and live on land to continue our kind or selfishly live in the sea and never return, I'll make the wrong decision. I know my sisters are counting on me -we're stronger and more protected in numbers- but I really hate being fake all the time. Oh, and there's the David thing, although I'm trying to just trust my instincts on that one. I still don't know if I like him because the urge to hunt and destroy men has blossomed a little earlier in me than my sisters or if, gulp, I actually am falling for a human guy. Ah, I hope it's the first reason.


Question 2: What is your biggest accomplishment? Probably surviving in a house where I don't really belong. Each of my sisters -we call each other sisters but really we aren't blood related- has a mother to look after them, to love them. Those are my aunts. But, since my mother died, I have nobody. I mean, my aunts take care of me in a providing-a-roof-over-my-head-and-clothes sort of way, but I don't get the advice and care my sisters get. I don't know though, lately, since my aunts noticed I may be emerging as the Provider of our group, they've been treating me a little different. Still not the same as having a mother.  

Question 3: What is your biggest regret? My Mom dying. David tells me it's not my fault, and my aunts wont talk about it much except to say it was caused by a human man so I need to keep away from humans, especially humans of the male persuasion. But, as much as I hear that it had nothing to do with me, I can't argue with the facts: she died shortly after I was born. So, I don't know my exact role in it, but I regret her dying. Are we done now? 

So, I have to ask my blog readers: Have you thought about these three question for your MC?

My WIP 30,426 words down

Constructive Criticism: Judges Feedback

So a couple days ago I went to my email inbox and saw something from the Frasier contest. Cool. I opened it and was glad to see they'd sent me the judge's feedback. All in all I had the input of four judges and each had their own page, word document. Of course the first page I opened happened to be the harshest, because that's how life can be. But, no, it was like tearing the band-aid from a hairy arm and I'm glad the first was the worst.

I went on to read the three others' and the smile on my face continued to grow. One of the judges stated that it was gripping and rated it as ready for publication which gave me hope.

I loved the constructive criticism I received too; there was one piece of advice in particular that I found helpful and I wanted to share it with my blog friends. Now, know that this isn't the easiest thing for me to do. I'm sharing my manuscript weakness' for all to read and that in itself scares me a little. But the advice is so helpful that I can't not share it! So, with a deep gulp, here it is:  

"Phrases like I saw, I noticed, etc signifies telling. For example:

I noticed the older passengers helping the younger ones.

To make the sentence more active, just say Older passengers helped younger ones. Or you could be more specific and show one passenger help a younger passenger with a specific activity.

Showing and active sentences create a much stronger, powerful scene."

Now, I've heard it a thousand times, "show not tell!", and I've tried to do just that, but this judge actually gave me an example which brought it to a whole new level. I will definitely be hunting for those hints of telling rather than showing and eradicating them pronto!

As I re-read the feedback over and over again, I'll continue to post the advice I find particularly helpful. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on this judges show not tell advice?  

 

Frasier Bronze Medal Award Winner!

Yesterday I received an email from the Frasier contest I'd entered back in March.

I heard about the Frasier contest online through a group I belong to. They judge your synopsis with the first 1500 words of your manuscript for all types of attributes that make up a good story. The winner would be announced at the ACFW conference in front of many agents and editors. Score. I figured if I won, I'd have my foot in the door, and if I lost I'd still receive helpful feedback on my submission.

I'd never entered a writing contest before so I figured I'd give it a shot. Which brings me back to the email in my inbox yesterday.

The email explained the process of judging. All of the contestants pieces were reviewed by two different judges. The top 10% were then sent on to the second round of judging. Those 10% were then whittled down to six contestants. Those six were the finalists and the winner will be announced at the conference in September.

They were happy to inform me that although I didn't final, I did make it to the second round of judging, so I am a Frasier Bronze Medal Award Winner. She said my writing showed solid writing craft.

Now, when I first read the news, I wondered if I should be excited or upset. After reading all about this contest and talking to other authors though, I'm excited! Not only will my name be mentioned at the conference awards ceremony, and on the conference pamphlet, but I'll be receiving feedback from the judges. I can't wait for the feedback! No, literally, I can't wait! I've already emailed asking when I get my feedback. :)

I want to be the best writer I can be, and I'd like to know what kept my work from being among the finals so I can fix it. I also realize that not being a finalist doesn't necessarily mean there was much wrong with it. It could just mean the judges didn't prefer first person narrative, etc. Either way, there's always room for improvement and I can't wait to do it!

So, I wanted to announce to everyone in blog land that I placed in my first ever writing contest! WOOHOO!