Something one of y'all posted in the comment section on the last post got me thinking. There's a lot of talk among writers about genre and brand and voice and how what you write is unique.
If you think through this too much looking at a published author and their books, it can make your brain hurt. If you think through it from the point of view of someone who's not published yet, it can scramble your brain.
I know this is something that has long driven me crazy. I get the "brand" thing. As a writer, you want people to know what to expect from your books. I'm good with that.
It gets a little trickier for me when it comes to genre. You know why? Because MOST of the authors I've ever met have dabbled in different genres. And before we're published, it's super confusing to figure out which is "your" genre.
(Brief note: There's a difference between your genre and your VOICE. Camy Tang is an excellent example of that. She's written chick lit and romantic suspense, but the snarky, funny heroine with an attitude makes the stories be written with the same voice.)
Okay, back to my point. How do you figure out which one is your genre?
1. What do you LOVE to write?
2. What's easiest for you to write? (Doesn't necessarily mean this is the one you should choose, but it's good to consider.)
3. What do your friends or critique partners think is your strongest genre?
4. Which do you have the most story ideas for in the future?
And my personal favorite, which is the one I decided to go with when I was agonizing over my split-writing-personalities a few years ago....
5. Which one have you been contracted in first?
See, it's only after the contract that you have to pick a genre. I'm relatively new to the publishing side of things. Actually, really new. But I've been writing and going to conferences for awhile, and while I'm sure some people would disagree, I think this is the best thing to do. If you love women's fiction and mysteries, go for it! Write both of them! But if you sell first in women's fiction, stick to that for a while at least. You want to build up a following of readers and it's hard to convince people you can do that across genres.
Some people might say that it's bad to genre hop even before you're published, because it can scare off editors and agents. I don't think this is always the case as long as you're confortable with what ties your genres together. Maybe you write chick-lit and romantic suspense, but your characters are always strong women and your stories are always set in coastal towns. Maybe your style is similar. Maybe you have a similar theme (ha! There is again! Yay for theme!) that tends to come out in your books, like the fact that God is in control, and you show that in each of the genres you love to write in. I think if you're comfortable with what you write, it will show, and your love of several genres won't scare people off. As long as you're willing to commit once you're contracted.
So what I'm saying is--you don't have to pick right away! Yay! Isn't that freeing to know that you can write a happy scene where people are falling in love and then click over to your other manuscript and have a serial killer on the loose? =) So don't stress. It's okay to have a couple genres. But if you really want to pick, want to be able to identify yourself by what you write, or get to work on a website or a blog that really pertains to the one you write, think about those first four questions. I think that's one of the best ways to get your answer.
Signed,
A Recovering Writer of Chick-Lit Who's Now Sticking With Romantic Suspense....
Friday, May 17, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
What's your game plan?
What's your game plan?
We all have a dream as Christian writers, which probably boils down to "get published". :)
But the way to obtain dreams is to accomplish goals. Sooooo have you stopped lately to map out a list of goals that will serve as stepping stones toward your dream?
I think this is VITAL in the publishing industry, because things move so slowly there. It's nice to see yourself accomplishing goals and making productive steps along the way, because if you don't notice those little things, you'll feel like you're standing still or just constantly waiting waiting waiting.
And that's not exactly motivating :)
So think about your game plan. What can keep you moving and giving you fellow OCD'rs items to check off your list? What is your first goal?
This will look different for everyone, because everyone here is at a different stage of the plan. Some are working on a first manuscript, others might be working on a third or fourth. Some might have already pitched to agents/editors and are in the process of editing/tweaking their craft, while others are learning methods for the first time.
Some examples of these handy dandy stepping stone steps however, could include any or all of the below, in no particular order: (truly, no order, just as they come to me!)
1. Start a novel.
2. Finish a novel.
3. Attend a writer's conference.
4. Send query letters to agents.
5. Pitch a manuscript at a conference.
6. Start a second novel.
7. Finish a second novel.
8. Find a critique partner.
9. Submit an article to a magazine.
10. Start a blog.
11. Improve social media performance/build platform.
12. Join a writer's group.
13. Incorporate edits from a professional into your manuscript
14. Learn the craft of writing by taking an online or in person course.
What's your next step?
We all have a dream as Christian writers, which probably boils down to "get published". :)
But the way to obtain dreams is to accomplish goals. Sooooo have you stopped lately to map out a list of goals that will serve as stepping stones toward your dream?
I think this is VITAL in the publishing industry, because things move so slowly there. It's nice to see yourself accomplishing goals and making productive steps along the way, because if you don't notice those little things, you'll feel like you're standing still or just constantly waiting waiting waiting.
And that's not exactly motivating :)
So think about your game plan. What can keep you moving and giving you fellow OCD'rs items to check off your list? What is your first goal?
This will look different for everyone, because everyone here is at a different stage of the plan. Some are working on a first manuscript, others might be working on a third or fourth. Some might have already pitched to agents/editors and are in the process of editing/tweaking their craft, while others are learning methods for the first time.
Some examples of these handy dandy stepping stone steps however, could include any or all of the below, in no particular order: (truly, no order, just as they come to me!)
1. Start a novel.
2. Finish a novel.
3. Attend a writer's conference.
4. Send query letters to agents.
5. Pitch a manuscript at a conference.
6. Start a second novel.
7. Finish a second novel.
8. Find a critique partner.
9. Submit an article to a magazine.
10. Start a blog.
11. Improve social media performance/build platform.
12. Join a writer's group.
13. Incorporate edits from a professional into your manuscript
14. Learn the craft of writing by taking an online or in person course.
What's your next step?
Monday, May 13, 2013
The Art of Teasing
I feel like I have some authority on this subject. To give you guys a little background, I'm the oldest of four children. I have a two-year-old son who has lots of friends who are girls.
My whole life has contained some form of teasing.
Sadly, the kind that I used to do and the kind that my son currently does is not really what we are going to talk about today.
(But if it was, here's what works really well for Nathan right now - grab a toy that is obviously desired and run away with it while laughing. Gets a reaction every time.)
No, today we are going to talk about two aspects of teasing that need to be incorporated into your books.
The Teaser
Also known as the "elevator pitch". We've talked about this before, but basically, editors like to see that you can describe your book or WIP in three sentences or less. The idea is that you could tell someone all about your book in the time it takes to ride one floor on an elevator. It's called a "teaser" because you want to leave the editor/publisher rep/random lady in the elevator wanting more. You need them to be begging you: what happens next??! This will go at the top of your proposal.
The key to crafting a good teaser is to let the reader know the very basics of your plot and I mean the VERY BASICS. Start with what your character wants and end with the question of whether or not they are going to get it. To use a common story, here's how Beauty and the Beast could likely have been written as a teaser:
"Belle lives in an idyllic countryside home but unlike her neighbors and fellow townspeople, Belle is not content to while away the days singing songs in the marketplace and buying bread. She longs for adventure and romance - and definitely not a romance with the town's bad boy who seems to have a thing for her. When Belle's father is taken captive by a mysterious beast who lives in a nearby castle, will Belle's thirst for adventure land her in bigger trouble than she could have ever imagined?"
Notice how there are very few details in there. Enough to paint a picture, not so much that we're taking up valuable elevator-door-opening time. ;)
The Teaser Ending
The other way to incorporate teasing into your book is really only applicable if you are writing a series. One of the best ways to hook readers in and get them to buy subsequent books is to leave your readers semi-hanging at the end of your story. However, be sure to wrap up the major plot lines introduced in your book.
In my new book, Paige Torn, I used this method. All through the book, I make hints to a rather important person in Paige's past who she would very much hope to never see again. Meanwhile, I have a whole storyline going in the novel about Paige and her current life. At the end of the book, the person from Paige's past is re-introduced as the plot lines from the current story are tied up. You want your readers to feel like it's a satisfying ending while also leaving them wanting more.
Want to practice? Try writing a very well-known movie's teaser. Then try to think of subplots in your current WIP that you could stretch into the sequel.
And feel free to leave your teasers in the comments! We would love to see them!
Have a great Monday, friends!
My whole life has contained some form of teasing.
Sadly, the kind that I used to do and the kind that my son currently does is not really what we are going to talk about today.
(But if it was, here's what works really well for Nathan right now - grab a toy that is obviously desired and run away with it while laughing. Gets a reaction every time.)
No, today we are going to talk about two aspects of teasing that need to be incorporated into your books.
The Teaser
Also known as the "elevator pitch". We've talked about this before, but basically, editors like to see that you can describe your book or WIP in three sentences or less. The idea is that you could tell someone all about your book in the time it takes to ride one floor on an elevator. It's called a "teaser" because you want to leave the editor/publisher rep/random lady in the elevator wanting more. You need them to be begging you: what happens next??! This will go at the top of your proposal.
The key to crafting a good teaser is to let the reader know the very basics of your plot and I mean the VERY BASICS. Start with what your character wants and end with the question of whether or not they are going to get it. To use a common story, here's how Beauty and the Beast could likely have been written as a teaser:
"Belle lives in an idyllic countryside home but unlike her neighbors and fellow townspeople, Belle is not content to while away the days singing songs in the marketplace and buying bread. She longs for adventure and romance - and definitely not a romance with the town's bad boy who seems to have a thing for her. When Belle's father is taken captive by a mysterious beast who lives in a nearby castle, will Belle's thirst for adventure land her in bigger trouble than she could have ever imagined?"
Notice how there are very few details in there. Enough to paint a picture, not so much that we're taking up valuable elevator-door-opening time. ;)
The Teaser Ending
The other way to incorporate teasing into your book is really only applicable if you are writing a series. One of the best ways to hook readers in and get them to buy subsequent books is to leave your readers semi-hanging at the end of your story. However, be sure to wrap up the major plot lines introduced in your book.
In my new book, Paige Torn, I used this method. All through the book, I make hints to a rather important person in Paige's past who she would very much hope to never see again. Meanwhile, I have a whole storyline going in the novel about Paige and her current life. At the end of the book, the person from Paige's past is re-introduced as the plot lines from the current story are tied up. You want your readers to feel like it's a satisfying ending while also leaving them wanting more.
Want to practice? Try writing a very well-known movie's teaser. Then try to think of subplots in your current WIP that you could stretch into the sequel.
And feel free to leave your teasers in the comments! We would love to see them!
Have a great Monday, friends!
Friday, May 10, 2013
Humor Me and Pretend You're Back in High School English...
So today is kind of a big day in movies, I guess. Gatsby, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, comes out today! My husband has been wanting to see it, so he can talk about it with his dad (both of them are big Great Gatsby fans). What he didn't realize until we talked the other day is that LOTS of people are looking forward to this movie. When I told him that, he was super surprised. I guess he thought only hard core literature nerds would care. BUT that's not the case. Plenty of people are intrigued by the story, and I know why that is. As a fellow writer, you probably know too, or you would if you sat and thought about it for awhile.
Let me put on my former-English-teacher hat for just a second okay? Because I can't resist. =)
The reason people are going to run to theaters tomorrow to see a movie based on a book written decades ago is that it has a universal theme. People are people, and humanity's main characteristics and struggles know no boundaries in time. What people wanted in the 1920s is what they want today. Sure, buzzwords change, people like to pretend we're "original," but really we haven't.
Think about any of the classics you've read. They've stayed popular for a reason. Here are a few of my favorites (disclaimer: some of the language/other things in these books are less than stellar at times)
1984
Pride and Prejudice
This Side of Paradise
The Scarlet Letter
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The House of Mirth
Heart of Darkness
If you've read any of those (or if you've read other classics that I haven't listed), think about the themes. We'll take The Scarlet Letter, since lots of people have read that. One of the main themes is hypocrisy. People who aren't who they say they are. Respected church leaders with dark secrets. Do we still deal with this today? Absolutely! Do we still judge people based on their sins and label them? Yes! Does Hawthorne think we should?
Even if it's not your #1 pick for a beach read (and let's be honest, I was an English teacher and it's not mine), you can see how this book impacts people because it has a theme we understand. Something we deal with, something we can relate too.
Gatsby's like that too. It has some universal themes about love (lust?) that people today relate to. THAT's why people are going to flock to that movie, in my personal opinion.
Think about what you're writing. What's the theme? Maybe you don't know yet. Most of my stories I have no idea what the theme is, what truth I'm trying to get across, until I'm part of the way into the story. But you probably have a theme. It's not necessarily something the reader will realize as soon as they read your book, which is good. We read fiction for entertainment. The gift we've been given as writers is the opportunity to weave themes into our stories that people absorb into their minds, whether they realize they're doing that or not.
So think of your story. What are you saying? What do you want to say? How can you work that into the plot, into the characters, in a way that's natural? How can you make your book something that will speak to people across geography, across age difference even?
I love theme stuff. I'm such an English nerd. =)
Comments: What are y'all's thoughts? Can you pick out the theme of the story you're working on? Maybe if you're feeling ambitious, also pick what you think is a theme from a current novel you've read lately and one from a favorite classic? Being able to do this with other people's stories will help you learn to make a theme shine through in yours.
Let me put on my former-English-teacher hat for just a second okay? Because I can't resist. =)
The reason people are going to run to theaters tomorrow to see a movie based on a book written decades ago is that it has a universal theme. People are people, and humanity's main characteristics and struggles know no boundaries in time. What people wanted in the 1920s is what they want today. Sure, buzzwords change, people like to pretend we're "original," but really we haven't.
Think about any of the classics you've read. They've stayed popular for a reason. Here are a few of my favorites (disclaimer: some of the language/other things in these books are less than stellar at times)
1984
Pride and Prejudice
This Side of Paradise
The Scarlet Letter
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The House of Mirth
Heart of Darkness
If you've read any of those (or if you've read other classics that I haven't listed), think about the themes. We'll take The Scarlet Letter, since lots of people have read that. One of the main themes is hypocrisy. People who aren't who they say they are. Respected church leaders with dark secrets. Do we still deal with this today? Absolutely! Do we still judge people based on their sins and label them? Yes! Does Hawthorne think we should?
Even if it's not your #1 pick for a beach read (and let's be honest, I was an English teacher and it's not mine), you can see how this book impacts people because it has a theme we understand. Something we deal with, something we can relate too.
Gatsby's like that too. It has some universal themes about love (lust?) that people today relate to. THAT's why people are going to flock to that movie, in my personal opinion.
Think about what you're writing. What's the theme? Maybe you don't know yet. Most of my stories I have no idea what the theme is, what truth I'm trying to get across, until I'm part of the way into the story. But you probably have a theme. It's not necessarily something the reader will realize as soon as they read your book, which is good. We read fiction for entertainment. The gift we've been given as writers is the opportunity to weave themes into our stories that people absorb into their minds, whether they realize they're doing that or not.
So think of your story. What are you saying? What do you want to say? How can you work that into the plot, into the characters, in a way that's natural? How can you make your book something that will speak to people across geography, across age difference even?
I love theme stuff. I'm such an English nerd. =)
Comments: What are y'all's thoughts? Can you pick out the theme of the story you're working on? Maybe if you're feeling ambitious, also pick what you think is a theme from a current novel you've read lately and one from a favorite classic? Being able to do this with other people's stories will help you learn to make a theme shine through in yours.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Panties and piggybacks
Hey guys! Well at least my subject title caught your attention. hahaha.
I'm having quite a week as well, so I'm piggybacking on Erynn here and doing a quickie post.
I really would love it if you'd visit my personal blog today at www.writergetsreal.blogspot.com and read my post on "I Can't Find My Big Girl Panties". It's not exactly writing related, but when you're a writer, you realize that almost anything can be applied to our writing life/career/ministry. ::grin:: I hope it encourages you in some way!
I'll be back next Wednesday too with more craft posts. :)
Anyone have any questions/topics they'd like to see discussed coming up? :)
I'm having quite a week as well, so I'm piggybacking on Erynn here and doing a quickie post.
I really would love it if you'd visit my personal blog today at www.writergetsreal.blogspot.com and read my post on "I Can't Find My Big Girl Panties". It's not exactly writing related, but when you're a writer, you realize that almost anything can be applied to our writing life/career/ministry. ::grin:: I hope it encourages you in some way!
I'll be back next Wednesday too with more craft posts. :)
Anyone have any questions/topics they'd like to see discussed coming up? :)
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The Birth of a Book...
Y'all. This is the day I've been waiting for all year.
Who am I kidding? I've been waiting for it my whole life!
Today, I could walk into a store, and BUY MY BOOK!
Not that I would do that.
Check it out... and that's the Bare Naked Truth.
Who am I kidding? I've been waiting for it my whole life!
Today, I could walk into a store, and BUY MY BOOK!
Not that I would do that.
Check it out... and that's the Bare Naked Truth.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Exhausted
Hi friends,
Oh the week I have had!! It has been a wonderful week filled with lots of wonderful things like... drumroll please.. Paige Torn's release! But I am on SUCH an adrenaline crash now. I promise that if I didn't have my little man keeping me up and moving, I would still be sleeping.
So, all that to say, I feel totally incapable of providing any kind of writing advice today. So how about today we spend the day refreshing and recharging by picking up your favorite book and doing some sleuthing in it? Every time there's a scene in the book that pulls at your heart strings or makes you laugh or cry, stop, re-read and try to figure out how the author was able to make you feel that way.
Love to you all, my dear Scribble Chicks! I promise that I will be back on Monday, rested and with a fully-functioning (or at least semi-functioning) brain. ;)
Oh the week I have had!! It has been a wonderful week filled with lots of wonderful things like... drumroll please.. Paige Torn's release! But I am on SUCH an adrenaline crash now. I promise that if I didn't have my little man keeping me up and moving, I would still be sleeping.
So, all that to say, I feel totally incapable of providing any kind of writing advice today. So how about today we spend the day refreshing and recharging by picking up your favorite book and doing some sleuthing in it? Every time there's a scene in the book that pulls at your heart strings or makes you laugh or cry, stop, re-read and try to figure out how the author was able to make you feel that way.
Love to you all, my dear Scribble Chicks! I promise that I will be back on Monday, rested and with a fully-functioning (or at least semi-functioning) brain. ;)
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