Tip O'Day for Writers #58

Drew Cross says “don't look back too soon.”

“Until you've got a complete first draft, resist the urge to start polishing your manuscript or you risk losing momentum and never finishing it. It's a little harder to find a market for a 'perfect' but incomplete book.”

Drew has publishing contracts for a children's trilogy (US) and a crime fiction series (UK) so far.

Saying for Writers #42

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." - Les Brown

Writing Tip O'Day #57

Getty Ambau shares the secrets of The Art of Storytelling. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone.

1. Write from your heart NOT from your head.

2. Show NOT tell. The sun is shining--is telling. A glint of light coming off of a broken glass--is showing.

3. Identify with the characters in your story--go with them through the emotional and mental journey you are putting them through.

4. Don’t treat your characters like robots--they should be a living and breathing group, with all the frailties, vanities, attitudes and emotions all humans possess.

5. Choose all the qualities you admire in someone you know for the lead character--you need to make him/her likeable if the readers are going to love him/her and continue reading the story. Chose all the worst attributes or qualities of a person you know and give them to the bad person (antagonist) of your novel.

6. Involve as many of the senses as you can in your storytelling.

7. Open your chapters with a visual element to draw the reader right there in the place you are describing.

8. Write as if you are telling the story to a friend sitting next to you.

9. Write simply. Using big words is not only unnecessary but could also distract the readers and impede their progress.

10. Don't use cliches or tautologies. The first is a tired language, and the latter can be redundant.

11. Make sure your characters are distinguishable from each other but also memorable.

12. Challenge your reader to think, reflect and time-travel.

Author Getty Ambau’s website can be found at gettyambau.com

Dixon says: This is an excellent list, but I take some exception with #5. Many times I've heard the old saw that the protagonist must be someone the reader can admire and relate to; however, I've read some marvelous stories with a downright despicable protagonist. THE BROTHERHOOD by John Grisham comes to mind - there's not an admirable character anywhere between the covers.

Also, I think it's more interesting when the protagonist has some flaws and the antagonist has at least one positive characteristic. For example, I once read a crime novel in which the antagonist, a contract killer, is struggling to find a nursing home for his aged, demented mother, even while trying to kill off the protagonist. Awwww, he's a nice boy who loves his Mommy...

Saying for Writers #41

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

"Writing is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to those who have none." - Jules Renard

Writing Tip O'Day #56

Guest blogger Joanne Kells says to follow your imagination.

"For me, experience and research deepen a story tremendously. However, it’s the writer’s imagination that fuels it all in the direction you want it to go. At times, it’s best to forget the rules of writing and go with the flow of words. The rest will inevitably follow, the more layers you write."

Her novel, RED SKIES, was scheduled for release last month – hope it’s going well, Joanne.

Saying for Writers #40

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“Cats are like Baptists. They raise hell but you can’t catch them at it.” - Anonymous

Obviously, this quote has nothing to do with getting published. However, I've noticed many of my FB writer friends have profile pics featuring their cats. Not sure if they are shapeshifters or just run-of-the-mill pet lovers.

Truth to tell, I ran across this quotation years ago, and have been itching to use it somewhere, somehow. Hope you enjoyed it.

Writing Tip O'Day #55

Laura Joh Rowland and Roquel Rodgers are planners, not “pantsers.”

Laura: "Write a synopsis before you start your book. It will be your road map and your chance to test-drive the story before you invest a lot of time in it. Also comes in handy to show editors and agents. A lot of people would rather 'fly by the seat of their pants' but I'm not one of them."

Roquel: "For first drafts - S.I.O. (S**t. It. Out.) Just get it out on paper, let it flow, and go back and fix it when it's all down. But before the s**tting - outline, outline, outline."

Dixon says: I met Roquel at the 2010 Flathead River Writers Conference in my home town of Kalispell, Montana. A lot of the discussion there was about whether it's best to be a planner or a pantser. I think those two positions are at the edges of a wide spectrum and most of us toil away somewhere between those points. Some genres are fairly anal in the plotting requirements, and in some experimental styles you can't find a plot. A lot depends on your personality as a writer, your genre, and your market.

Saying for Writers #39

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“Easy reading is damn hard writing." - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Tip O'Day #54

Clea R. Gellar talks about books from the perspective of reader and reviewer.

“I am a very visual person, so a good cover is often the first thing that attracts me to a book. If the cover is bad, I won't pick it up. One thing I have been discovering as a reviewer is that not all books are well edited. That is a key ingredient to making me want to read more from an author or a publishing house. A poorly edited book is very distracting, no matter how good the plot and writing are.

“As for being attracted to certain authors or genres, I think that I go through phases as to what snags my attention. In my early 20's, I couldn't get enough Anne Rice. As I got older and had children my tastes changed to chic lit and stories of friendships and women struggling through life. After being married for 18 years, I find myself reading books with more romance and passion. As I get older I have begun looking for new things to spark my interest, more sci-fi and fantasy. I think I tend to travel toward books that will satisfy something I may feel is missing in my life at that moment. “

Saying for Writers #38

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

"Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent." - Steve Martin

Happy Easter to all my writer friends!

Tip O'Day #53

Guest blogger Bill Craig says “the best tip I can give is to write.”

“Write through blocks. Write through adversity, write through sickness, but write. I find working on more than project at the same time can be helpful because if I get stuck on one, I can work on the other until a solution presents itself on project one.”

Bill Craig is author of The Jack Riley Adventures: Valley of Death, Mayan Gold, Dead Run, Pirate's Blood, The Child Stealers, and The Mummy's Tomb; as well as, The Fantastic Adventures of Hardluck Hannigan: Emerald Death, The Sky Masters, River of The Sun, Ghosts of the Sargasso, Curse of the Kill Devil and The Spear of Goliath. Plus the Sam Decker Mysteries: Scorpion Cay, Killshot and Decker P.I: Death Song. And the Noir suspense thriller The Butterfly Tattoo. His website is at http://billcraig.webs.com/

Saying for Writers #37

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

"Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act." - Truman Capote

Tip O'Day #52

Guest blogger Gregory Frost says don't try for perfection.

"Always give yourself permission to screw up. Many times. Perfectionism has no place in writing fiction--it's a free trip to the hamster wheel of death."

Dixon says: This is powerful advice. I heard UCLA writing guru Dennis Foley say at Authors of the Flathead sessions many times that we needed to "allow ourselves to write crap" before it finally sank in. You can edit crap. You can take it to your critique group for their advice. You can amp up the drama, humor, sex and action in crap. None of those things are possible with a blank sheet of paper, which is what we get when we're afraid of screwing up.

BTW - "Hamster Wheel of Death" - awesome! I can't sing or play a musical instrument yet I yearn to start a rock band just so I can use that name. Wait! Maybe it could be a book title...

Saying for Writers #36

Attention shoppers! A Blue Light Special - Two quotes for the price of one!

Tina Fey: "It has been said that to write is to live forever."

Steve Martin: "The man who said that is dead."

Tip O'Day #51

Jake Mactire, author of M/M cowboy stories, says to edit, edit and edit again.

Make certain it's in the format the publisher wants prior to submission. Also get a group of beta readers, people who will be honest, and listen to what they say. It can be a bit hard to keep from being defensive at times, but by listening to their viewpoints, you will ultimately have a stronger book.

The final decision is yours as the author, but sometimes you have to cut something you just love but everyone else just hates.

Saying for Writers #35

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has had an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference.” - Nolan Bushnell (founder of both Atari and Chuck E Cheese)

Tip O'Day #50

Author and today's guest blogger Sharon Ricklin Jones shares ideas on creativity.

So far, I have gone with my "gut feeling" on all of my ideas and methods. I try to write every day, but sometimes take a break for a day or two. The problem with that: writing, to me, is almost like breathing. I have to do it. I love doing it. And I would be lost without it.

Now and then I imagine some horrible thing happening and think to myself: Oh-my-God. What would I do if I broke a hand or even a finger...how would I type?

I do not use an outline. That sounds too much like work. I keep a notebook handy and jot down character's descriptions, main ideas, ideas that pop into my head but do not fit into the story quite yet. I usually write my story from beginning to end; however in my current novel, I found myself writing the ending about half-way through the middle.

When I first started reading about other authors and their "muses" or "letting their characters lead them," I thought they were nuts. But I have since found out, and am very happy to report that I too, have found my characters leading me down paths I never thought we'd go down. It is an awesome feeling, as though I am reading the story while someone else dictates it to me. (I do have those times too, where the words evaporate into thin air, and I have to coerce my characters back to helping me.) And for some strange reason, a lot of my ideas come to me while standing in the shower!

Sharon showers often, writes “romance with a twist” and blogs at http://color-me-read.blogspot.com/

Saying for Writers #34

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“I am a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” - Stephen Leacock

Tip O'Day #49

Gerald L. Griffin suggests holding off on blogging until you get published.

I believe blogs for a writer are most useful only after one has been published and has a website and fan base. At this point my biggest suggestion to you is to GET PUBLISHED! Then set up a website! Your blog then becomes more useful. But first steps first.

To get published, as every writer knows, the greatest help is to find an agent. But these cats, particularly in these times, are difficult to come by, especially for an unknown writer. So you may have to seek a publisher without an agent. This will require a search quest on your part, but a publisher you must find! And until you do, any other suggestions become inappropriate.

So, friend, find a publisher, or in some way become published --- and we can take it from there. Never forget, this is a business --- a hard business! To survive, you must have a passion for writing, and read the books of those who have demonstrated this passion, hoping that some magic will rub off.

Gerald’s website can be found at http://www.authorgeraldgriffin.com

His fourth published novel is OF GOOD AND EVIL and he is near completion of number five. Gerald is a very helpful, supportive gentleman, but I’m not sure about the first bit of advice he offers. Former lit agent Nate Bransford recently blogged that it’s never too early for writers to start establishing their online platforms.

What do you think?

Saying for Writers #33

Abother Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

"Thank God for books as an alternative to conversation." - W.H. Auden

Tip O'Day #48

Guest blogger Dan L. Hays says his work benefits from a series of edits. (He starts by referring to my earlier comment that "I can't find my own mistakes.")

Ditto, Dixon! I am submitting articles to an online magazine and the editor is working with me because I sometimes shift into a passive voice without knowing it. Just trying to see when I do it is half the battle, even when she gives me examples.

I need several editing looks at anything I'm doing. First, I will go through my work several times to clean up the things I can pick up on. Then I need someone to look at it from the global perspective - as a reader, whether the story line holds water. Third, I need a line edit to work out specific details like the passive voice thing. My work improves greatly with each round of editing!

You can learn more about Dan L. Hays, author of FREEDOM’S JUST ANOTHER WORD, at http://www.danlhays.com - he also blogs at http://danlhays.wordpress.com

Saying for Writers #32

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“Facts are stubborn things.” - French novelist Alain Rene Lesage originated this saying, which was borrowed by John Adams for the Boston Massacre trial.

Tip O'Day #47

Eve Paludan says to consider a “tie-back” ending.

The ending is the part of your novel that your reader takes away like a triumphant souvenir. When titling your novel, think about the last thing the reader will remember about your story, how it ended, and try to tie your ending back to the title of the novel (see The Body Departed by J.R. Rain). This gives the reader that "aha" moment of clever understanding, about how you made the novel come full circle back to your title.

Alternatively, you can do a tie-back ending to themes and clues from the beginning of your novel, which is also a "full-circle" technique (see The Star by Arthur C. Clarke). Think about the endings of novels that you enjoyed and try to analyze the structure of the ending. Additionally, check out these great resources about endings and examples of them:

http://sheryltut.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/six-common-types-endings/
http://www.fmwriters.com/Visionback/Vision20/themekeyes.htm
http://americanbookreview.org/PDF/100_Best_Last_Lines_from_Novels.pdf

Eve Paludan, twice a #1 Writer's Digest Book Club bestselling author, is also an editor of scholarly work at a state university, as well as a freelance fiction editor, e-publisher at NoTreeBooks.com, and a book reviewer. To contact her:

http://NoTreeBooks.com (now seeking short stories for anthologies)
http://EvePaludan.com/
http://twitter.com/evepaludan

Saying for Writers #31

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“Always behave like a duck; keep calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle like the devil underneath.” - Jacob Braude

Tip O'Day #46

Guest blogger Michelle Horst advises avoiding repetition.

"I always tell people not to abuse these words; and, but, that, just, and then Use a thesaurus and improvise. Never use the same word twice in one paragraph to express a feeling or describe a person like beautiful; rather move on to gorgeous or stunning. For but there are quite a few options.

"Always try to improvise."

Dixon says: Nice tip, Michelle. This is another reason to join a critique group or find a writing partner to review your prose. We all have words we overuse, but we're usually blind to them. Myself, I use the heck out of just and find that 99% of the time, I can cut it without losing the meaning I intended. In other writers, I often notice then and suddenly cropping up in nearly every paragraph. In storytelling, each action or observation naturally follows another, so then and suddenly are unnecessary signposts.

By the way, why isn't there another word that means the same thing as thesaurus?

Saying for Writers #30

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“Listen to anyone with an original idea, no matter how absurd it may sound at first. If you put fences around people, you get sheep.” - William McKnight, former president of 3M Corp.

Tip O'Day #45

Novelist Drew Cross suggests you figure out where you fit in the market.

"To get published, include a marketing plan with your submission - show the publisher the great ideas that you've got for making yourself stand out in a crowded market."

Drew Cross has publishing contracts for a children's trilogy (US) and a crime fiction series (UK) so far.

Saying for Writers #29

In Honor of the NCAA Final Four, Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“Only people who attempt nothing are always successful.” - Former Georgetown University basketball coach John Thompson.

Tip O'Day #44

My Facebook friend "Editing House" has some tips on being professional:

The best advice I could give any aspiring or established author when submitting their manuscripts is to do their homework. Rather than send out a blanket letter with their submission, they need to research each publisher's submission criteria. For example, some publishers/agents request the first/any three chapters, others like the first 30 pages, others need a submission form to be completed, and so on. If you submit your manuscript without doing your homework then you are likely to be rejected on this basis alone.

You also maximize your chances of being noticed if your manuscript has been professionally edited/proofread.

I actively solicit other authors and those working in publishing for suggestions on how writers can improve their craft and/or get published. "Be professional" is a very common refrain.

Anybody with a writing tip is welcome to email it to montananovels@yahoo.com and I do publish nearly every comment, even those I don't necessarily follow in my own writing. I sometimes combine pro and con viewpoints into a single post, or put together a series of very brief tips on the same subject. I reserve the right to do minor editing because, well, that's just the way I am.

Saying for Writers #28

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“I have always believed that writing advertisements is the second most profitable form of writing. The first, of course, is ransom notes.” - Philip Dusenberry

I don't like to criticize another writer but I think writing bank robbery notes should be either 1st or 2nd. As with other forms of writing, a lack of professionalism can lead to poor results. For example, don't write the note on the back of your own deposit slip. Dixon

Tip O'Day #43

Dixon says, "Make your first paragraph carry some weight."

One of the most helpful things I’ve learned from my critique group is to start each chapter with a paragraph that makes it clear (1) where the action takes place, (2) which characters are present, and (3) which one is the POV character.

For those who use omniscient POV, this last aspect may not seem so vital. As a reader, however, I sometimes feel cast adrift if I can’t answer this question pretty quickly – “Whose story is this?” I remember reading a paragraph from a Tom Clancy novel. It starts in the mind of a Secret Service agent, jumps to some thoughts by the President, takes another jump to the mind of a wannabe assassin, and ends up back in the head of the Secret Service guy. Clancy is a great storyteller but maybe a bit undisciplined. (I should be nice, though, since he’s never said an unkind word about me. Fact is, he’s never heard of me.)

I originally wrote a scene for MONTANA IS BURNING where Paul Longo, my detective protagonist, and another man are having a conversation in a sparsely decorated room. Halfway through the scene, the reader learns Paul is confessing to a Catholic priest. Trouble is, nobody who read the scene enjoyed it. They all felt I was being sneaky. Yeah, they were right. As a literary agent told me at the first writers conference I ever attended, “Dixon, don’t be so damned subtle. Sometimes you just need to come right out and say what’s what.”

So I have come to believe that suspense comes from a well-plotted story, not hiding the facts from my readers. (They both get cranky if they can’t figure out what’s going on.) One last point - when writing your opening, keep in mind you’ve got a whole paragraph to work with. There’s no need to cram everything into that first sentence.

Saying for Writers #27

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” - Zig Ziegler

Tip O'Day #42

Two writer friends I've gotten to know on Facebook deliver advice that's "short but sweet."

Samantha Kane: As for getting published, perseverance has gotten more writers published than brilliant prose and a great hook.

You can check out romance author Samantha Kane at http://samanthakane.us/

Along the same theme, from Conda Douglas: Write, edit, submit, repeat!

Saying for Writers #26

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“This book is one of the worst books I have ever read. I got to about page 3-4.”

From an anonymous reviewer on Amazon.com regarding the re-release of TROPIC OF CANCER by Henry Miller.

Tip O'Day #41

Claudette Walker says to protect your eBook rights.

On Amazon and Pubit you have a one-time choice when you launch an eBook to select "Manage My Rights." I chose it. What this means, as far I can tell, is that no other eBook publisher/pirate can copy from their eBook format and resell or give away your eBook. So far we have been safe. Only those two locations have my eBooks – Nook & Kindle.

Claudette blogs at http://abacusbooks.blogspot.com/

Saying for Writers #25

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money.” - Moliere

Tip O'Day #40

Barbara Pugh suggests we use writing to keep sane. Although she has “never tried to get published so I've never written specifically with that aim in mind…” she still has suggestions for fellow writers.

Writing can be very useful for keeping your mental equilibrium! Hate your boss? Write about it, and let your imagination go bonkers. Want him boiled head first in a vat of fudge sauce by mutant zombie law students? No problem. Mother-in-law revealed to have been working for years as a cold heartless russian spy/assassin? Yep we can do that.

Hate your boyfriend and want..well keep that one to yourself, maybe.

Sometimes just using your writing to enjoy and sustain yourself is a goal in itself!

Saying for Writers #24

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean.” - Robert Louis Stevenson

Tip O'Day #39

Dennis Foley on becoming a better scene writer:

We can learn something from the Cold War Soviets. They often created weaponry from reverse engineering weapons the US and NATO invented in the 60s and 70s. They'd start with reconnaissance photos of something and then work backwards until they had a similar weapon.

As writers we can use a variation on the same technique to become better scene writers. Scenes are the basic increment of the novel, the heart of everything we write and not an optional skill to master.

Improve your scene writing skills by watching a favorite DVD or recorded TV program and paying attention to one scene. Watch it, turn it off, go write what you just watched. Then play it again and see if your prose was complete and effective at what you see in the scene. Doing this often, and with favorite scenes, will sharpen your skills as a scene writer. Good scene writers become good novelists.

Novelist/screenwriter/producer/writing instructor Dennis Foley blogs at http://dennisfoley.blogspot.com/

Saying for Writers #23

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.” - Woody Allen

Tip O'Day #38

Today's guest post is from novelist Gary Williams: Writing fiction is a full-time job.

"I don’t mean in the literal sense that I’m writing 8-12 hours a day. What I mean is that, in everything I do throughout the course of the day, I’m looking for story ideas. It doesn’t matter if I’m in the middle of developing a storyline, working on a manuscript, mowing the grass, watching TV, or driving. I always look for the next idea, that special seed that will germinate into a great book. I’ve found that the best thing to do is keep a document for rough ideas so they’re not forgotten. Then, when the time comes to start a new project, you’ll have a head start. It’s far easier to develop a story when the idea is already waiting for you as opposed to forcing it to emerge."

Along with co-author Vicky Knerly, Gary Williams is signed with Park Literary Agency in New York City, NY. Their first novel is expected to be released in 2012.

Saying for Writers #22

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” - Groucho Marx

I've seen this many times, occasionally attributed to Mark Twain. Sooner or later, anything humorous is laid at the feet of the immortal Twain.

Tip O'Day #37

My FB friends "Crimespree Cats" keep the advice simple: Be patient and read every day in your genre.

Dixon says: Man, I keep forgetting about that last part. Life is so frenzied with meetings, deadlines, networking, keeping in touch with friends and family...

But when I squeeze in some time for reading, the craziness seems to slow down a bit. It doesn't go away but it's a bit more manageable. And when I sit down to write, my Voice comes more readily. I'm not copying Robert B. Parker or Dutch Leonard or Richard Price or whoever I'm reading at the moment - it's my own unique narrative expression - but the Voice is more accessible when I've been reading within my genre.

Saying for Writers #21

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

"Almost anyone can be an author; the business is to collect money and fame from this state of being." - A. A. Milne

Milne doesn't seem to be channeling Winnie the Pooh with this statement. Despite the fact many of us write for our own enjoyment, this is a good reminder that publishing is a business.

Tip O'Day #36

Be Professional, say writers Stella Deleuze and Devyn Quinn.

First, Stella Deleuze from her blog http://synopsisandbookfactory.wordpress.com/ (used with permission):

If you decide to join an online forum for writers, Facebook, twitter or if you own a blog – any public forum, in fact - you should keep it professional. Agents and editors are scouting for new writers and if they see the author of this good and publishable book is behaving like an idiot, constantly arguing, posting all sorts of things that make them look bad, there’s a great chance of him or her walking away. Opportunity missed.

Nowadays, everything is trackable; Google yourself and you will find a lot of proof for that, especially if you are active in online communities. Agents/editors/potential employers who receive your e-mail and like what they see, might be put off as soon as they search your name in Google, if they are confronted with foul language and online-fights, you calling others names.

Publishing houses don’t want difficult. They want easy-to-get-on-with authors, employees. Yes, you can be a square-thinker, but be professional about it. One can have a good discussion without getting personal.

In the end, if you are invited to an author-interview you won’t start yelling at the interviewer just because he asked a question you don’t like, would you?
I have heard of authors who have been ‘released’ from their contracts before their book went into print, because they have shown a different side to them after signing.

Being a paid author has to be considered a job and therefore, to be taken as seriously as one. Your online presence is your personal reference, make the best of it.

Along the same line, here is author Devyn Quinn:

The thing is, there are no "tips" for getting published. It's a business and you approach as such. It's like showing up to an interview in shorts and sandals when business attire is expected. Agents and editors expect to work with authors who know what they are doing, not simply guessing how the business works.

Saying for Writers #20

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug." - Mark Twain

Tip O'Day #35

Guest blogger Mike Pettit says: Consider Print on Demand.

My story is like so many other authors today. Months and months spent trying to get an agent, with rejection after rejection. Publishers won't talk to you without an agent, if then. The mainstream Agent/Pub crowd is sticking with proven moneymakers. They don't want to invest the time or money in new authors.

I finally gave up and took my career into my own hands. I found a P.O.D (Print on Demand) publisher, iUniverse, and now have four novels out on Amazon, B&N and several other sites. Sale are okay, but I'm not really in it for the money. I enjoy the notoriety of being a published author. It's a daunting task to be your own marketing, sales, and PR person but you have to do it. The mainstream guys are in a panic because of all the e-book action.

More and more authors are going this way. Depending on your goals, you need to decide what is best for you.

Mike writes the John Locke series of suspense thrillers and blogs about thrillers and other topics at http://johnlockethriller.blogspot.com/

Saying for Writers #19

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“A book is like a garden carried in the pocket." - Chinese Proverb

Our prayers go out to the tsunami and earthquake victims in Japan and throughout the Pacific Rim. Haven't heard about casualties in China, and perhaps they were shielded from the worst damages.

Tip O'Day #34

Faye Rapaport DesPres, today's guest blogger, shares thoughts on dealing with critiques.

I think you have to find the right middle-ground between being confident in your own work, style, and ideas, and being open to constructive critique.

Early on, it's good to drink in all of the critique with an open mind (and without taking it personally), especially from more experienced writers. Accept and work with what feels right to you, and let go of what doesn't. There is no "right" or "wrong," because readers and writers have different tastes or sensibilities. But if your teachers or readers are finding and pointing out similar issues in your work, it's a good idea to pay attention to what they're saying.

It takes time, but eventually you will find that there are certain aspects of your writing, or a of a particular story or essay or poem, that you simply can't or don't want to change because those words or sentences or structures feel right to you, and you have good, solid reasons for sticking with what you have. At the same time, you will know in your heart when someone is pointing out something that could be improved in your text. In those cases, for me, it's best to be open to hearing it, and to think of it as a gift. Generous teachers and readers want your text to be as good as you want it to be.

Comment from Dixon: Great advice. I belong to a wonderful critique group and get pretty good feedback from the members. However, there's sometimes one or two who want to write my book for me. Until I reach those magic words "The End" even I don't know which scenes and characters are going to survive. So I'm very open to advice on logical inconsistencies, bad grammar or spellings, lazy language and so on, and pay not so much attention to critiquers who seem to have a different vision for the book as a whole.

If one person has a problem with a certain aspect of my writing, I take that with a grain of salt. Maybe she's just having a bad hair day. But if I hear the same criticism for several members, then I know there's a problem I need to deal with.

Saying for Writers #18

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.” - Unknown

Tip O'Day #33

Thoughts from writer Claudette Walker:

Are you a great storyteller? Can you take your reader on an unforgettable journey? Does your work tell a remarkable, true, or believable story? If you can say yes to these questions, file numerous copyrights during the creation process of your book – one for each significant revision of your work. Find the best editors you can (I prefer at least two editors). They do not need to be the most expensive; check colleges for candidates. Have them sign a confidentiality agreement before they begin to look at your work. Bring one editor on board early for proof reading, content, and editing. Then bring in the most technically trained editor on board for the last few edits for grammar, punctuation, and the like.

Read more about Claudette's work at http://abacusbooks.blogspot.com/

Saying for Writers #17

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body." - Benjamin Franklin

Post O'Day #32

Guest post from writer and funny guy Gary Williams: Don't force it.

When you’re writing a section and it’s not working, come back to it later. Sounds simple huh? What I mean is, don’t force yourself to write a section if it becomes a grueling endeavor.

I’ve spent an hour writing one paragraph because the words and phrases just wouldn’t mesh to my satisfaction. Sometimes it’s because I’m in my “dead zone” but other times it’s simply brain fatigue, hunger or my concentration is off. Instead of getting frustrated and writing bad material, walk away from your PC and take a break. Often, a 5-minute pause is all it takes. Other times, you may need to break away for a day to clear your mind.

You’ll be surprised how a temporary disconnect will be rewarded with satisfying prose which you could never have achieved otherwise.

Gary Williams (along with co-author Vicky Knerly) is signed with Park Literary Agency in New York City, NY. Their first novel is expected to be released in 2012.

Saying for Writers #16

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.” - P.J. O'Rourke

Tip O'Day #31

A short but sweet tip from writer Ruth Dupre:

The biggest tip I have is to open up the file and write. Every day. Even if it'd horrid. Even if it stinks like three day old desert highway road kill and the vultures are circling over your computer-- write. You can always fix it in rewrites.

Saying for Writers #15

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man’s brow.” - Charles Brower

Tip O'Day #30

Similar writing tips from two awesome ladies - Get an outside eye.

Multi-talented Jessica Knauss: "A tip that has made a huge difference in my writing has been stepping out of typical writer's isolation and seeking critique partners. An outside eye can do wonders for how one considers one's own work. For anyone who lacks literary acquaintances, www.critique.org has a workshop for every style and genre."

Laura Schultz, one of founders/directors of the Writers Etc group on Facebook: "I usually don't submit a piece unless I have someone I trust read it aloud to me, so I can hear it versus just reading it myself. Another voice and pair of eyes always helps to see what I cannot."

Saying for Writers #14

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

"The idea is to write so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart." - Maya Angelou

Tip O'Day #29

Guest blog post from author Gerry Bogan:

Don't depend on Spellcheck.

One of the biggest and most basic mistakes a writer makes is the reliance on spell checking software to find any mistakes in spelling or grammar. You will simply have to read your work out loud to find any problems. Computers are great but they don't know anything more than what you have taught them. This is part of what an editor gets paid three cents per word to do, but that gets expensive with a 75,000 to 150,000 word manuscript. Let's see - read out loud and possibly look the fool to somebody or spend up to $4500 for an editor to do the same thing?

Your choice, my friends, but I know which way I normally go.

Saying for Writers #13

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“The relationship of editor to author is knife to throat.” - Unknown

Tip O'Day #28

This guest post is from author Mark Sadler.

Do the research needed for accuracy.

Although I write fiction, I like to be factually accurate in both historical and physical facts. A lot of that research has perhaps already been accomplished, without your realizing it. When I write I draw on a lot of information from personal experience. I had spent the best part of a month hiking on the Appalachian Trail and used old diary notes for details of the trail so it could be used as a location my characters experienced. The two main characters both have lots of me in them as far as traits and characteristics; I drew on knowledge of attending school as a foreign student and playing goalkeeper on a college soccer team. I drew upon my son's work experience on oil rigs, my own love of the movies, and my intimate knowledge of Oklahoma, having resided in Oklahoma City for eighteen years.

For the things I did not know, for instance details on guns, dead bodies and the Episcopalian Church, I went to experts and asked questions. I sat down with a Catholic priest and asked for his reaction to the confession that would be given. Readers are intelligent and have questions and will catch you out if you are inaccurate.

I am currently engrossed in writing what I hope is the first in a five book series. The plot is well scripted in my mind and vaguely outlined. I have my spiral bound notebook with cardboard dividers and pockets to hold documents and have character and plot notes accumulating. It is interesting to see how I am again writing of the familiar, the child of a preacher and using lots of poetic license, but I am in a lot more unfamiliar territory too. Having never been in a law enforcement job and writing about a police detective I am doing a lot more field research. I sat in a nine week course with the Oro Valley Citizens Academy, taking copious notes as officers described their duties. I drove with local officers around the areas of town I am writing about to get their knowledge of the areas - I was told no crime occurred here that didn't involve "meth or incest," what a great line to use in context with my story - and I drove with the Border Patrol down to the Mexican border town of Sasabe, AZ. I have witnessed a car burning in the desert and helped chase down illegal immigrants. Just as much hands-on experience as prior books called for, but more planning and less life experience. I listened to first-hand knowledge from people who attended parties thrown in a drug lord's homes in Sonora, Mexico, and sat down with the town historian at the museum in Prague, OK, to discover what life was like in their small burg thirty years ago.

You want to create life-like scenarios, correct diction for your characters, and describe the places your character might journey. This can be done by reading books or looking online but will not stand in for hands-on experience as you describe what they encounter. It helps describe what and how they feel if you have had a slight taste of it yourself. Then you can create the characters that are running around in your mind in order, letting them out to move and breathe and talk on the pages of your book.

Mark Sadler is the author of BLOOD ON HIS HANDS and blogs at http://damnedinsatiablethirsteternallanguor.blogspot.com/

Saying for Writers #12

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” - Six-word short story supposedly penned by Ernest Hemingway.

Tip O'Day #27

The guest post by Jessica Knauss two days ago discussed using self-imposed deadlines so you’re not sitting around waiting for inspiration to strike, like lightning from the sky.

Samantha Kane has a similar but somewhat different take on the same topic.

Make time to write every day, even when you don't feel inspired to do so. Writing is hard work, and for most writers inspiration comes when we are working the hardest. You may feel like you're slogging through ten words a day, but the reality is that you ARE writing. You are putting words on the page and that is what gets books written, not inspiration.

You can check out romance author Samantha Kane at http://samanthakane.us/

Bonus comment from Dixon: “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after another.” - Walter Elliott

Saying for Writers #11

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

"I write for the same reason I breathe - because if I didn't, I would die." - Sir Isaac Asimov

Tip O'Day #26

This guest post is from Jessica Knauss who says, "Don’t wait for inspiration."

I consider myself a pretty low output writer, and my life is full of distractions. I also have a nasty habit of waiting for "inspiration" before I start writing, so you can imagine how little that would take place.

I did very well with some of the structural elements of school, so, considering that I never missed a deadline, I began to construct deadlines for myself: Finish this project by the end of the month, outline this other one for next week, etc. Deadlines that come relatively soon are more effective than ones that seem far away, like "the end of the year." Since doing this, I've accomplished one hundred percent more than I would have otherwise.

An additional tip: it helps if the deadlines have some relation to the real world, such as submitting a piece to a market before an actual deadline, or even, if the goal isn't accomplished, then I can't enjoy some reward.

Writer, poet and acquisition/editorial associate Jessica Knauss blogs at jessicaknauss.blogspot.com

Dixon's comment on this topic: “You can’t wait for inspiration; you have to go after it with a club.” - Jack London

Saying for Writers #10

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“A room without books is like a body without a soul." - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Tip O'Day #25

I got to know Laura Schultz through her role as one of founders/directors of the Writers Etc group on Facebook. She is a writer, a poet, and the most supportive mentor a person could ask for. (I'm not sure she knows I think of her in that way, but the cat's out of the bag now.) She encouraged me to start a discussion thread on Writers Etc and to be a more consistent blogger.

She sent me two tips and the second one will appear in a few weeks. Here's the first:

Several things have been very helpful to me in my writing and I am sure a lot of folks do this, but who knows? I carry a pad w/me at all times -- car, purse etc. -- in case a poem or article idea comes to me. Otherwise I’m liable to lose the idea later.

There is so much truth in that brief paragraph. Writing instructor, novelist and screenwriter Dennis Foley channels Laura when he says that, after age 40, you only get one shot at every new idea. If you don't write it down PDQ, it will be completely lost.

Saying for Writers #9

Another quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Be awful nice to ‘em going up, because you’re gonna meet ‘em coming down.” - Jimmy Durante

Tip O'Day #24

Advice from writer John DeDakis on how to beat writers block.

You know the feeling: You’re on a deadline. You don’t have much time to craft the perfect story. You sit and stare at a blank computer screen while it stares back at the blank expression on your face. With each tic of the clock, your blood pressure ratchets up a notch. Panic grasps you by the throat.

Ever been there? Of course you have.

During my 21 years at CNN, I’ve worked with some of the best writers in television news. I marvel at how they repeatedly – and rapidly – transform blank screens into solid, readable copy. Yet every now and then, someone gets stuck and needs a little help. Whether your challenge is to write a news story, a novel, a term paper or an e-mail, here are some suggestions on how to beat writer’s block:

1. RELAX! - Nothing paralyzes more than trying to be perfect. The writers I know always aspire to do their best and that means nothing less than perfect. But it’s an elusive goal, so rule number one: Relax. Take the pressure off yourself. It doesn’t have to be perfect – at least not the first time.

2. What Are You Trying to Say? - When a writer comes to me with that familiar blank stare, it’s usually accompanied by the statement, “I’m having trouble getting started.” It’s at times like these that I simply ask, “What are you trying to say?” Amazingly, when detached from the keyboard, the writer usually has no trouble telling me in his or her own words what the story is about. “Okay,” I’ll respond, “now go and write that.” Once the mental logjam is broken, the words flow through their fingers.

3. Listen to Your Head – Ah….but exactly what words? And in what order? The answers are already in your head. Listen to that voice inside you. Or, if you’re one of those whose head has many voices clamoring for attention, zero in on the voice you hear the clearest, then write down what it’s saying. Once you’ve written the first sentence, the others will follow logically as the momentum builds.

4. Take a Hike – Bob Slosser and Ken Gilliam are two of the best writers I ever worked with (may they rest in peace). Ken was a CNN writer who loved to craft the perfect sentence. He agonized as he searched for just the right words to turn an original phrase. He told me what worked best for him was first to think about the story. That was usually best done while taking a walk to the break room, the coffee urn, or the bathroom. When he returned to his computer, he’d make the keys clatter a bit, then he’d take another hike while his copy simmered. Finally, he’d return to take a fresh look at what he’d written, then buff, polish, tweak and revise before he was satisfied – or the clock ran out. Bob Slosser, a former New York Times editor and author of several nonfiction books, had an approach to writer’s block that was similar to Ken’s. Bob was a pacer. He once told me he wore out the carpet in his den as he walked back and forth in his quest to find the right words. Bob said each of his books “went through the typewriter” 25 times. That’s a lot of pacing. But you see, ruminating is simply another way of writing.

5. Write something. ANYthing! – Ruminating, thinking, and pacing are fine, but there comes a time when you must take action. So, just do it. You can always loop back and make it better.

These are just a few suggestions. The list is not meant to be exhaustive. What works for you? Pass it along. I’m sure we could all benefit from it.

John DeDakis is a Senior Copy Editor on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” and the author of the mystery-suspense novel “Fast Track.” Visit his Web site at www.johndedakis.com

Saying for Writers #8

Another quote which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia." E.L. Doctorow

Tip O'Day #23

This tip is from author Cindy Zelman. To paraphrase her: Get your work out into the world, and don't give up just because the Big Boys reject you.

I've talked to a lot of writers, including published writers, some of them famous, some of them not. Most of them agree that when trying to get work published, don't dismiss small presses, little literary magazines, or other lower circulation venues. Get your work out there, become part of a writing community, become read, and don't be a snob.

It's worth noting that John Grisham's first novel, A TIME TO KILL, was rejected by every major NY publisher. So Grisham self-published. While he continued to improve his writing craft, he and a group of friends sold copies of the book out of the back of his station wagon at flea markets and county fairs around the South. Eventually, THE FIRM was traditionally published and people started asking, "What else have you written?"

Saying for Writers #7

Another quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Some writers take to drink; others take to audiences." - Gore Vidal

Tip O'Day #22

Short sentences create impact.

So can short paragraphs.

They’re good for action or sex scenes, to emphasize the physical and emotional give-and-take. However, three or four in a row make for choppy, distracting prose, so consider balancing them with longer, more lyrical passages where appropriate.

Saying for Writers #6

Another quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” - W. Somerset Maugham

Tip O'Day #21

This writing tip comes from Dianne Thomas:

To jump start my day I keep a file named "three minutes" on my computer desktop. While my coffee brews I open a document and write whatever comes to mind. When the coffee is ready -- about three minutes later -- I save the document with the day's date. Sometimes I do just continue working on it, but usually I move on to other business. Then when I'm short on inspiration or just being lazy, I open a three-minute file at random and see what I can do with it. I've gotten some good poems and short stories from this exercise.

Dixon says: what a great idea. I find that almost any scribbling or typing loosens me up physically and mentally, whether it's replying to an email, making a journal entry, or revising my To Do list. Dianne's suggestion is so much better - tapping into the writer's creativity on an unrelated topic.

I'm learning so much from tips other writers have sent in, and really appreciate all of you. If anyone else has a tip on the craft of writing, or the process of getting published, please email me at montananovels@yahoo.com - thanks!

Saying for Writers #5

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you don’t make any money.” - Jules Renard

Tip O'Day #20

Know the functions of an opening paragraph.

A first paragraph is like when you owe me money, and I send No-Nose Noonan over to your place to collect. (1) It grabs the reader by the collar and captures his attention. (2) It drags the reader by the shirtfront into the story itself and suggests what is to come. (3) It shakes the reader back and forth and forecasts both the mood and style of the story.

Some writer friends kicked this topic around on the “Writers Tips” discussion thread of Writers Etc (on FB), and Dan L. Hays added this:

You've nailed it so far - the first paragraph has to be a grabber! I took a creative writing course one time where the teacher went further - the first sentence. I remember the one that stuck with me:

"Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again." - Rebecca, Daphne DuMaurier. A strong first sentence pulls you even into that first critical paragraph!

Anyway, in the words of the Jimmy Buffet country song, “That’s My Story and I’m Stickin’ To It.” What’s your opinion?

Saying for Writers #4

Another quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“I cannot write any sort of story unless there is at least one character in it for whom I have physical desire.” Tennessee Williams

Tip O'Day #19

This very concise writing tip is from Mike Snyder:

"Write characters, not caricatures."

I like that. Look around at the interesting people in your life. Are there any friends without weaknesses? Is there someone you dislike who doesn't have at least one redeeming quality? Interesting people have both. A villain without a shred of goodness isn't a character - he's a cartoon. A heroine without a fault isn't a character - she's a cartoon.

One thing I learned from writing instructor Dennis Foley is to give your hero a secret weakness. To everyone else, he's a confident, talented overachiever but only you, the writer, is aware that his best friend in high school became a hopeless alcoholic and Hero is secretly afraid that one shot glass would send him down the same road. So Hero meets the love interest at a restaurant but there's a wait until a table is ready. "Let's wait in the bar," the girl says, but Hero insists on taking a bench outside in the chilly night air. Your reader wonders "What's that all about?" but you know...

Saying for Writers #3

Another quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.” - Albert Einstein

Tip O'Day #18

This writing tip comes from free-spirited author Layla Messner. “I don't know if this is a tip exactly, because no one ever said it to me. But this is what I tell myself when I sit down to write: Be honest - put your trust in the story, and don't hold back.“

Similar advice was offered by Grievous Jones: “Be honest…Be you.”

Another Saying for Writers

Another Quote which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.“ - Ayn Rand

Tip O'Day #17

Make sure your first page engages the reader.

You walk into a book store (for future readers – a retail establishment selling words printed on paper). You pick up a book and turn to page one. You might read for 30 seconds or so, maybe 15-20 lines of text, to see if the prose has any appeal. Sometimes that's all it takes - Grisham's "A Time to Kill" had me hooked from the first few lines.

So that's the test: does the prose intrigue us? Does it set up a dramatic or humorous situation, a unique character, or a fascinating locale? Does the author have a Voice that grabs us by the collar and won't let go? Is there some intangible quality to the writing style that we've admired in other books? For a real eye-opener, check out the one-page posts on WeBook website. Some are awesome but it’s amazing how other wannabe authors can fill a page with word after word and yet NOTHING HAPPENS. For some amazing examples of first paragraphs, check out Nate Bransford’s “finalists” blog post – link is to the right.

Allow me to inflict upon you an early version of the opening for my crime thriller, "Montana is Burning”. I don't have the emotional distance to tell whether this is any good, but my aim was to intrigue the reader with an interesting protagonist, locale and situation.

Paul Longo eased his lanky frame into a chair at the New Accounts desk and waited for the statuesque blonde – Elizabeth from her nametag – to get off the phone. Her shimmering emerald dress clung to all the right places. Paul didn’t mind the wait. He looked around the lobby. A small bank for a small town. Some of the windows had the bluish, dimpled look of antique glass. The pressed tin ceiling looked authentic, suggesting the building was a hundred years old or more.

The guy pushing through the copper-and-glass doors didn’t seem the slightest bit authentic. A little man, maybe five-foot-four and 130 pounds, who looked full of meth. Bulging eyes flicked nervously around the lobby, and one cheek twitched a furious beat. Still had prison pallor from his most recent stint. Both hands jammed deep in the pockets of a down vest, despite the unusual autumn heat.

Detective Paul Longo slipped the 44 caliber Super Redhawk from the shoulder holster and dangled it behind his chair. The end of its nearly ten-inch barrel touched the floor.

Quasi Motivational Quote

A Quote which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“One of the signs of Napolean’s greatness is the fact that he once had a publisher shot.” - Siegried Unseld.

Tip O'Day #16

This writing tip is from Gary Williams. Along with co-author Vicky Knerly, he is signed with Park Literary Agency in New York City, NY. Their first novel is expected to be released in 2012.

Find the time to write that works for you.

Each writer has to discover the most productive time of day to write. For me, I’m far more prolific in the early morning (not long after I wake) and again in the early evening. From 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. is my dead zone. While I do write during these intervals, my productivity slips — the right words are harder to come by, descriptions are lacking, text conversations lag — and I generally end of reworking these sections in the morning. As a writer, you need to understand “your time” and then leverage this information to achieve your most productive writing.

I will admit, this is a rule that doesn’t apply to everyone. While the thriller writer Steve Berry has admitted that his best writing comes in the morning, James Rollins is known to write with equal production at any time of day.

Tip O'Day #15

Have you ever read a story – even a full-length novel – and wondered “so what?” Okay, some guys rob a bank and in the end they all die in a hail of bullets. Or geeky boy meets hot girl and loses her due to a falsehood, but they get back together in the final chapter. Or a wealthy CEO has his job, reputation and lover stolen, but manages to climb back to the top.

So what?

There are Universal Themes found in literature. “The moral to the story,” so to speak. There are many opinions about what they are, but I like the following post by Rachel Mork:

http://www.life123.com/parenting/education/children-reading/12-most-common-themes-in-literature.shtml

She lists 12 Universal Themes:

1. Man struggles against nature.
2. Man struggles against societal pressure.
3. Man struggles to understand divinity.
4. Crime does not pay.
5. Overcoming adversity.
6. Friendship is dependent on sacrifice.
7. Importance of family.
8. Yin & Yang: Just when you think life is finally going to be easy, something bad happens to balance it out.
9. Love is the worthiest of pursuits.
10. Death is part of the life cycle.
11. Sacrifice brings reward.
12. Humans all have the same needs.

Maybe I’m way off base, but I think much of the distinction between literary fiction and commercial fiction has little to do with grammar, vocabulary, style or subject matter. To me, it comes down to whether plot is primary, or whether the Universal Theme is supreme, woven through practically every page of the work.

Of course, there are other considerations. Much of genre fiction follows a fairly strict formula, and many authors of book series don’t create much of a character arc for the protagonist. But ask yourself – is a Universal Theme threaded through the novel, or is “the moral of the story” mostly an afterthought, even inferred?

Tip O'Day #14

Grab the reader's interest from the very first page.

Just how vital the first paragraph of a story is, will remain open to debate but there’s no doubt it plays an important role in whether the reader continues to turn pages, or skips on to something more interesting. Former lit agent Nate Bransford is currently running his 4th annual contest for the best first paragraph. Although it’s past the deadline for entries, it can be instructive to visit Nate's blog at http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/01/4th-sort-of-annual-stupendously.html and look at some 1,500 examples of what OTHER authors think is a good attention-getter.

Here is my entry:

Tyler Goode didn’t know the man’s real name until he read the obituary three days later. Everyone called the guy Brute. It fit him well. He’d become a legend in northwest Montana for taking whatever he wanted – whether someone else’s woman or a warm bottle of beer – and leaving the victim a bloody, broken mess. He wore his nickname like a medal, as if it were a compliment to his strength and combat skills instead of a summary of his personality. Smart people steered clear of Brute, all three hundred-plus pounds of him. Of course Ty had never been accused of genius.

Tip O'Day - Lucky #13

Thanks to Gary Ponzo, a fellow writer I met on Facebook, for this writing tip.

Because writing is such an empirical process it's hard to determine one tip which helped my overall skills. The only thing which comes to mind is the old line, "Show don't tell." And we all know to do this, but it's the one ligament which pulls at every aspect of my prose.

I realize it's a simple thought, but I'm a simple kind of guy.

(Comment by Dixon: A great reminder, Gary. Most readers enjoy solving puzzles, from big mysteries that act as the engine of the novel, to minor ones about what drives a character. Instead of saying some guy is a domineering brute, show him browbeating others in dialogue and through his actions. As Anton Chekhov said, "Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.")

Tip O'Day #12

Novelist and screenwriter Dennis Foley blogs at http://dennisfoley.blogspot.com/ and his online writing courses can be found at the UCLA Writer's Program and Writers On the Net. I always look for profluence in the writing of others, but had never heard the word before meeting Dennis.

Profluence and Throughline:

A plot or subplot follows the efforts of the protagonist within that plot to achieve his primary goal. He does this by attempting to accomplish all the lesser goals necessary to achieve the primary goal. (If he is going to kill someone he has to go get a gun first.) This path to the primary goal is the plot's throughline. It is vital to the life of your story.

Recognition of this throughline by the reader gives the reader confidence that there is profluence to the story. Profluence is the clear sense that things are moving toward something, getting somewhere, flowing forward, have a direction and a destination.

The reader demands some reason to keep turning the pages. He won't do it just because the setting is interesting, the character is unique, pages are filled with endless detail or your writing style is fresh. The story needs to be going somewhere. How do you do that?

— You quickly and clearly make it obvious to the reader who the central character is.

— Make it clear what he wants, needs or desires.

— Resist the urge to explain or offer unnecessary back story.

— Remind yourself that you are writing a story and not a biography or a resume.

— Don’t dwell in that character's history, past, earlier experiences or anything from the character's life that wouldn't fall into the category of being absolutely necessary to the story's forward motion. History is final, done, behind the character and has already occurred. The minute a novelist begins to explain what happened when the character was six or what life was like years ago the reader knows that whatever it is, it didn't result in the worst thing that could happen or else the character wouldn't be present in the story.

— Ask yourself with each scene if it is clear that the scene is a logical step toward the protagonist's ultimate goal.

We can't write like previous generations of novelists. Start your story on a train in motion or at least pulling out of a station.

Evidence of continued profluence is the presence of causally linked scenes in pursuit of what's most important to the protagonist. Stories without profluence are normally populated by a lack of causally linked scenes and the presence of unrelated scenes showing no progression or connection to other scenes other than being about the same characters.

Know what your character wants and let your story be about his struggle to get there.

Tip O'Day #11

Stella Deleuze blogs at http://synopsisandbookfactory.wordpress.com/ and this is a past post, used with her permission.

Don’t be fooled

As a new writer, you may share a dream with many others: to be published.
For many it stays a dream and for others this dream comes true. I’m talking about signing a contract with a reputable publishing house. While most of the big names do not accept unsolicited submissions and only work with agents, many of the smaller, newer and independent ones are open to deal with authors directly.

But beware of those you deal with. There are a lot of so-called vanity publishers out there, trying to lure you in with promises they can’t keep. I’ve met a few authors who fell for them and bitterly regret their decisions. It’s a matter of not having researched properly that made them sign a contract.

Here are a few points to watch out for:

• If a publisher asks for money upfront or in general, run! Money flows to the author, always.

• If they don’t have books or other checkable credentials on their website. Run! Every publisher is proud of their achievements, no reason to hide them.

• If they get back to you in a brief amount of time, asking for a full manuscript, be skeptical. Publishers are busy, especially if they do accept unsolicited manuscripts, they are swamped. It happens from time to time that they get back quickly. To be on the safe side, research them if you haven’t already done so. Check them at Preditors & Editors and Writer Beware

• If they stress explicitly that they are not vanity publishers. Any good publisher doesn’t need to state it.

• If they don’t offer to assign an editor or tell you that your book will be published a month after signing. It usually takes at least six months to be out on the shelves, even if the book is quite polished upon submission. A more realistic figure is a year.

• If they offer to edit your book for a fee, even if they promise to pay you back once the book sells. Run! Every publishing house has editors and it’s their job to do the final touches to make it fit their lines.

• If they offer you a contract that asks for money, is not conclusive, demands the author to buy a certain amount of books, etc. Don’t sign – run!

• If you find information about them on google or other sites, complaints, negative comments, etc. Run!

There is a lot to watch out for. If you stumble across a vanity publisher, help your fellow writers by sending an e-mail to P&E, informing them. They are on a mission to protect you.

Tip O'Day #10

Here’s a writing tip from Raymond Benson, an awesome writer who was selected to continue the 007 novels after Ian Fleming passed away.

Gee, my main advice to writers these days is to find something else to do :) (just kidding).

Okay, here's a tip: "When I write a novel I mentally *cast* the characters in my mind. For example, for the villain in my first James Bond novel, ZERO MINUS TEN, I imagined it was Jeremy Irons in the role. For some reason, that helped me develop the character's mannerisms and speech, even though I gave no clues in the narrative that I was thinking about that actor. I've found that doing that with all the major characters of novels works very well, at least for me, the writer."

Tip O'Day #9

Learn the rules, and then feel free to break them if it serves your purpose.

(A lengthier post was removed at the request of the writer concerned.)

Tip O'Day - Guest Post (Parts 7 & 8)

When I asked some writer friends for a favorite writing tip, I was afraid they'd be too busy to help me re-energize the Wredheaded Writer blog. Then, one of the first replies I received was an eight part message from Stephanie Osborn. Woot woot!

I've received lots more tips, and will be mixing in some of my irreverent (irrelevant?) insights as well. But this process will be incomplete without YOUR input. Whether a published pro or rank amateur, you still have valuable ideas. John Grisham isn't necessarily any smarter than you - he's certainly more experienced but he struggles with the same issues that bug you, just at a different level. You worry about burning your grilled cheese sammie, while he is concerned that his surf and turf is served at the proper temp and texture. Same issues, different levels. (I look forward to your phone call, John.)

Soooo, let's see your idea. Email me at montananovels@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook (Dixon Rice Novelist).

Now here's the conclusion of Stephanie's eight-part series:

Stephanie Osborn - Things They Don’t Tell You In Author’s School, Installment #7:

So you have the book edited, it’s in gorgeous shape; the cover art has come down and it’s beautiful. You’re done, right? Nope. Now you get the e-ARC, the electronic Advanced Review Copy. You get to review that, make corrections, and send the corrections back. That's gotta be it, you think.

NOW you’re done? No. Now you get the galley prints. These are unbound first run prints of your book. Again, review for errors and send back the corrections. These will sometimes be things that were missed in all of the previous edits (yes, it IS possible!), but mostly it will be problems in converting the electronic version of the manuscript into print. This usually comes in the form of dropped formatting - a missed tab, lost italics, a strange carriage return, a blank line where it shouldn't be, or an odd symbol substituted for punctuation.

Meanwhile, you and your publisher are working on the public relations and publicity campaign. Start making appearances before the book is released if you want to build buzz. Build a website. Blog. Tweet. Face. Space. If you can get your name out there, and your book’s name out there, do it.

After the book comes out come the interviews, talks, and book signings.

Somewhere in there, you start writing your next book.

Thing Seven: You NEVER really get done.

And finally, Installment #8:

Wait - the book is OUT, right? What more can there BE?!

Thing Eight: Congratulations. Once you’ve realized Things One through Seven, you are now an experienced, professional author.

Tip of the Day - Guest Post (Part 6 of 8)

Stephanie Osborn - Things They Don’t Tell You In Author’s School, Installment #6:

Thing Six: Getting a contract in hand is NOT the end of the job. It’s the beginning.

Now you get to work with one or more editors, copy editors, and proofreaders. Multiple times.

Thing Six-A: Be aware that you are NOT required to do everything, or even anything, the editors say. But you better really be confident you’ve done it exactly right, because these guys are usually way more experienced than you are and know what they’re doing. (Not always. But mostly.)

Tip of the Day - Guest Post (Part 5 of 8)

Stephanie Osborn - Things They Don’t Tell You In Author’s School, Installment #5:

(The previous tip discussed the need for patience since your masterpiece may get stuck in a slush pile.)

Well, how the heck do you DO it (get published), then?

Thing Five: A mentor helps. S/he should be someone already experienced in the business, firmly established (hopefully as an author) and willing to take on a protégé. S/he is the "somebody you know," your entrée into the business, acting as your reviewer, your advisor, your agent, your friend, and your shoulder to cry on when an editor says your beloved baby is a pile of horse manure. (Tidbit Five-A: Editors do sometimes say this. Or words to that effect. You haven't lived until an editor has informed you that he hates your intro, hates your conclusion, and everything in between needs to be totally re-written.)

What your mentor can do is to point you in new directions, and tell you if and when someone is trying to take advantage of you. Sometimes your mentor even becomes a co-author, and then it’s really fun.

Tip of the Day - Guest Post (Part 4 of 8)

Stephanie Osborn - Things They Don’t Tell You In Author’s School, Installment #4:

Getting your foot in the door can end up with a smashed foot.

Thing Four: The old adage, "You can’t get published without an agent, and you can’t get an agent without being published," isn’t true – but it isn’t far from it. Many of the big publishers won’t even look at anything that isn’t handed to them by an agent. With some of them, it’s impossible for the budding author to even find contact information.

Contrariwise, most agents won’t look at anyone who isn’t published. (There are a few. But your story had better be good, and polished to the nth degree.) But there are some good publishing houses out there that DO accept unagented submissions. The trick to these is that, unless you know somebody, your submission goes into a "slush pile" and will remain there for some time. Slush pile submissions are read in the order received, so your baby will be there for however long it takes for the company’s readers to dig down to it. So be prepared to be patient.

Dixon’s comment: Consider getting your first publication credit from a small, regional press. Also, many authors e-publish and hope that sales on Amazon and other sites may entice a major publisher to pick up their book.

Tip of the Day - Guest Post (Part 3 of 8)

Stephanie Osborn - Things They Don’t Tell You In Author’s School, Installment #3:

Some things have nothing to do with your manuscript.

Thing Three: There is a pecking order among authors, and it is not entirely determined by tenure, sales figures or awards.

Who published you? How big was your last advance? (This is not, coincidentally, often determined by the size of the publishing house.) The bigger the publishing house, the larger your advance, the higher up the pecking order you are – at least in the minds of some.

Be prepared to experience resentment from those below you, and disdain from those above. Some of us view the playing field as level – but not all.

Tip of the Day - Guest Post (Part 2 of 8)

Stephanie Osborn - Things They Don’t Tell You In Author’s School, Installment #2:

Thing Two: It IS possible to have a novel that’s TOO LONG. It seems there’s some alchemy mixed into publishing. There’s an arcane formula publishers use to transmute word count into page count. Page count, in turn, converts to shelf space. Use up too much shelf space on one book, and the publisher suddenly can’t display as many books. So your wonderful, two hundred thousand plus word count book that spewed out of you like water from a fire hose probably isn’t usable, unless you can find a way to cut it down into two or three books.

Comment from Dixon - I had an interesting talk with a literary agent this fall at the Flathead River Writers Conference in Kalispell, Montana. Among other things, he said that although thrillers are typically around 100,000 words, previously unpublished authors should limit themselves to 70-80,000 words.

Tip of the Day - Guest Post (Part 1 of 8)

This evening marks the kick-off of "Writers Tip of the Day" - a bit of advice on how to improve your writing craft or get published. More than that, it's a reason for you to get out of bed in the morning.

Stephanie Osborn couldn't come up with one tip. She sent me a week's worth. Here's Installment 1 of

Things They Don’t Tell You In Author’s School.

I’m a fairly decent writer, with a good half-dozen popular books to my credit. (Not bad for a couple years in the business.) And long before I submitted a novel manuscript for publication, I did my homework. I knew about query letters, slush piles, and house formats. I knew some publishing houses don’t take unagented submissions and some do. I knew how to find the correct name and address for a submission, and to address the query letter TO that person. I knew how to make my query letter POP.

But once I got into the industry (translated – once I had a novel under contract), I discovered there are some little details they don’t tell you in author’s school.

Sub-thing: Everybody knows not to trust spelling and grammar checkers, right? They don’t know there from they’re from their… (finish the statement on your own). Good. ‘Nuff said. On to the serious stuff.

Thing One (with apologies to Dr. Seuss): Different publishers have different definitions of what constitutes novel length. For some, it’s anything over forty thousand words. For others, it’s sixty, and for most in my genre (science fiction slash mystery) it’s around one hundred thousand. This is a rough rule of thumb, and generally the bigger the number, the more leeway you have, plus or minus, in your word count. But make sure you know what the definition is for your genre, and MAKE IT LONG ENOUGH, or you could run into problems.

Bickering Feds

Here's a scene that didn't make the final cut for my unpublished novel, MONTANA IS BURNING. I liked the characters too much to kill them off, though, so they do appear in a few later scenes. Oh, wait a minute. I just remembered - I DID kill off one of them...

Six hundred miles south of Mullen County, Montana, FBI special agent Jordan Pelzner handed an airsick bag to his traveling companion and looked past him out the window. To the east, the sun edged from behind mountains dusted with early snowfall. Pelzner looked beneath the 737’s wing at the intricate network of dikes and roadways surrounding the Great Salt Lake. Some reservoirs were full of water, others evaporated to salt beds. He wondered how many tons of salt the Mormons had extracted over the last hundred and fifty years.

The retching at his side interrupted Pelzner's wool-gathering. He handed a napkin to Fred Rugar, the senior ATF agent for the Western Region. Rugar patted the pointy chin that anchored his heavy jowls and stuffed the napkins into the airsick bag. A sour odor drifted toward the FBI man.

"You know," said Pelzner, "you have an unusual method of preparing for an investigation."

"Shut your damn face."

“Is that standard operating procedure in the Seattle ATF office -- drink yourself blind and then bust up a gay watering hole? Or is it usually the other way around?"

"For freaking missionaries, they sure got a mess of gay bars."

"Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms..." Pelzner mused. "I suppose you can't smoke or shoot worth a damn either."

"Heaven protect us from self-righteous Fibbers. My damn head is ready to burst and here you’re thumping a bible for all you're worth. Lemme die in peace."

"That's a tempting thought, my friend, and you certainly couldn't smell much worse. Might even be an improvement for the first few days."

"I had any strength, I'd yank your tongue out."

"No, Agent Rugar, I can't let you die. Too much inter-departmental paperwork and besides, you're the big cheese on this case."

"Aw shit, don't mention cheese."

"I’m afraid explosives mean this one's an ATF case. The FBI just came along to smile at the reporters and pay the bar bill."

Rugar’s hands trembled on his lap. "Don't remind me what we're headed for. I was hoping to coast into retirement without sniffing any more crispy critters."

Pelzner watched he poor bastard’s shakes grew steadily worse. He wondered if there were any medical personnel on board. The ATF agent gripped the armrests as if the seat bucked under him. The tremors finally subsided and Rugar took a few long, slow breaths.

“Your color’s coming back, my friend," the FBI agent said. "But you’re still a bit green around the edges.”

"Takes me freaking days, sometimes weeks to get the smell of burnt flesh outta my hair and off my skin. Don't know how many suits I've gone through in the last twenty years. Stunk too much to dry clean, just threw them out."

"That's why you get the big money."

"Hah!" The ATF agent’s bitter laugh turned into a wheezing attack. Beet-red jowls quivered as he pounded his barrel chest with one hand, tightly holding the armrest with the other.

"Great impression. That's from The Exorcist, right?"

"Lord," said Rugar, raising his eyes in mock prayer, "help me live through this flight and I'll do any penance you name. Go to church. Shoot a Fibber. Any-damn-thing."

"I notice you failed to mention celibacy."

"Leave your mother and me outta this, Pelzner."

"So the subtle Fred Rugar wit lives on, despite the anticipated demise of the body. I'm sure the locals will be suitably entertained."

"Yeah, I’m really looking forward to meeting Barney Fife and the rest of the Mayberry gang. I swear, if I find one piece of evidence mishandled, I'll rip each freaking bugger a new anus."

"My friend, your attitude bodes poorly for cooperation with the Mullen County Sheriff."

"Those hicks probably don’t handle twenty felonies a year. Best for them to stand back and let the pros take over."

"You take over, Agent Rugar. I'll hold your jacket and lead the applause."

"Just make sure there's a freaking rental car waiting in East Cupcake."

"That's Edgerton."

The ATF agent turned away from Jordan Pelzner and looked at the morning sun rising past the Wasatch Mountains. "Whatever."