Tip O'Day for Writers #114

Guest blogger Kathy Reinhart says never stop learning.

First, never get too 'big,’ too 'smart,’ or too 'arrogant' to stop honing your craft. Read as much as you write; there is always something to learn.

Second, don't stop studying the market. Where it was once enough to create, submit, create… and let Mr. Publisher worry about how to place your work in the hands of the masses, it is now our responsibilty to meet and greet the world. We have to follow the trends, create a brand, build a platform, network (aggressively) and do it all while writing. I believe that writing in itself is enjoyable, something we have in us to do, but writing overall has taken on a business feel. We must keep up or get left behind.

Kathy’s contact info: twitter @kathyreinhart
Her blog, The Lily White Liar: http://wp.me/pZwht-1F
LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=80654612&trk=tab_pro
Her book, LILY WHITE LIES: http://www.amazon.com/Lily-White-Lies-Kathy-Reinhart/dp/0971327882/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1308587603&sr=1-1

Tip O'Day for Writers #113

Guest blogger Mercedes Murdock Yardley on well-meaning advice that, well, sucks...

Never let somebody say that you're aiming too high. They're misguided and may be trying to protect you, but they don't realize that they're crushing your creative spirit. Above all, be gracious when you prove them wrong.

Dixon says: Wonderful advice, Mercedes, and it got me thinking about the general topic of who to show your work to. I've heard it said, "Never show a work in progress to anyone you're currently sleeping with." Of course, I know a few writers where that doesn't narrow the field much.

It's easy to climb up the steps of a podium and announce rules, and often they only work for certain people at certain times, but here's an honest attempt: (1) Don't show your drafts to someone unless you've already seen that person provide balanced criticism - by which I mean pointing out not only the elements that need fixing, but also the aspects that are working beautifully. (2) Don't show it to someone you're in a relationship with, if there's a chance that person will clobber you over the head with it, the first time you show up late for dinner with beer on your breath. (3) Don't show it to anyone not in the publishing biz, unless you're ready for a bunch of really stupid questions and terrible advice.

Saying for Writers #86

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

“Let's hope the institution of marriage survives its detractors, for without it there would be no more adultery and without adultery two thirds of our novelists would stand in line for unemployment checks.” - Peter S. Prescott

Tip O'Day for Writers #112

Guest blogger Gordon VanGelder on personalizing your query or submission.

When I was editing books for St. Martin's Press, here’s some advice I used to give writers:

When you submit a book or proposal to an editor or agent, it's great if you say something in your cover letter like, "I saw you edited/represented this other book and I thought you might like mine." Not only does it separate you from the rest of the pack by indicating that you've actually read a book, but it also shows that you have some awareness of and respect for their work.

Tip O'Day for Writers #111

Guest blogger Dakota Banks on writing your synopsis first.

The best piece of writing advice I have gotten is the use of the synopsis. This technique literally saved my writing life. When I wrote my first book, I started right in without planning. That book expressed my basic writing talent, but I hadn't studied my craft enough to know how to organize a book. I thought it would all work itself out as I went along. The result was a rambling, hard to follow mish-mash (as I can see from hindsight). For my next book and every one after that, I've started by writing a synopsis of the story with a beginning, middle, and end, characters that both fit and create the situation, and pacing that provides the correct balance of action and breathers. All of these elements are laid bare when you boil your story down to ten pages or less.

I'm not talking about a chapter outline that defines what goes in each chapter or even how many chapters there are. Just get down the high points of the story so that it makes sense and the synopsis is an exciting read in itself. This is the brainstorming portion of your writing. You still have intense creative work left to do to transform that shell of a story into an engaging novel. But you have an overall guide to follow instead of losing your way, getting discouraged, and giving up. The synopsis is a tool, not something set in stone. If you think of a better way to handle the story, try it out in the synopsis first. It's better to change a few pages to see if the new idea works out in short form rather than put it in your manuscript and discover that 100 pages later, you've put yourself in a blind corner. Writing a synopsis is a crucial skill, because you're going to need one as a marketing device when you try to get your book published.

An agent might ask for three chapters and a synopsis. Why not get double use out of that synopsis by writing it ahead of time instead of hurriedly trying to scratch one out for an agent request? And best of all, you'll soon be getting contracts based on your synopses instead of having to write the whole books first!

Saying for Writers #85

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

“It's not plagiarism. I'm recycling words, as any good environmentally conscious writer would do.” - Uniek Swain

Tip O'Day for Writers #110

Guest blogger Beth Anderson gives short but memorable advice.

Write like a lover.

Edit like an ex-wife.

Dixon says: First I laughed for a couple minutes, but then I found myself nodding my head. It’s not only great advice but also easy to remember. By the way, Beth says she tries to follow her own advice on every single page.

Tip O'Day for Writers #109

Guest blogger Joe Hartlaub on submissions.

To get published, submit the cleanest possible manuscript. Check for typos, (unintended) grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, and misspellings. I am the world's worst proofreader. Find someone who is the best and pay them if you must, but have them go through your manuscript with the critical eye of an eighty year-old nun. SpellCheck is the first step, not the last.

Saying for Writers #84

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

“A story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end... but not necessarily in that order.” - Jean Luc Godard

Tip O'Day for Writers #108

Guest blogger Cynthia Echterling on making dialogue realistic.

Many authors will tell you to read - a lot. Well, when you get done with that, get off your duff and go out where there's real people. Listen to them! Eavesdrop on the drivers at the nearest truck stop, the young couple at Starbucks, the family with the unruly kids at McDonalds, old farmers at some small town restaurant, business types on their cell phones. It doesn't matter what they're talking about. Listen to how they express themselves. Notice the differences of regional dialect, ages, occupations. It's fascinating.

Realistic dialogue brings your characters to life.

Tip O'Day for Writers #107

Guest blogger John Grover on the importance of patience.

As far as writing and getting published goes, the key is to have patience, extreme patience. No one gets published overnight. It took me a few years to get one story published and even longer to get professionally published.

While waiting to get published, you should be honing your craft, write as much as possible, everyday if possible. Read your work out loud, and have someone who is impartial critique it. Work on grammar, dialogue, sentence structure again and again. Even when you think you have it right, go through it again.

Read a lot... read everything you can. Read outside your genre. If you're a horror writer, read horror, from the masters and from the newbies, but also read sci-fi, fantasy, history, drama, romance and mysteries.

I think these things in a healthy combination can make you happy with your writing. You may not be a best seller. I've been writing since I was 18 and I am now 40. I am not a huge success but I am happy with myself. My writing is published, I have books to my name, and a good circle of fellow writers.

Saying for Writers #83

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

"A novelist is a person who lives in other people's skins." - E.L. Doctorow

Tip O'Day for Writers #106

Guest blogger Michael Laimo has a formula for success.

Write every day. And love what you’re doing. Join writer’s groups, both online and local. Attend conventions and network! And do not get discouraged by rejection — it’s all part of the process. You can learn from them!

Tip O'Day for Writers #105

Guest blogger Kellie Joanne Kamryn says “never give up.”

My first piece of advice for any writer would be not to give up. Rejections come in abundance sometimes, but keep learning your craft, keep networking, and keep researching which publishers might suit your work. For a couple of years, I submitted only to be rejected. I stopped submitting for a while just to get the feel for the industry and research what publishing houses might work well for me.

Use your instinct. Just because an agent or publishing house is a big name, if your instinct is telling you not to submit there, then listen to it even if you don't have a concrete "why" as to your feeling. Perhaps you're not ready. Maybe they just aren't a good fit. Talk to other writers about their publishing houses too. A good recommendation can go a long way on your search to being published.

Saying for Writers #82

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

"Popular success is a palace built for a writer by publishers, journalists, admirers, and professional reputation makers, in which a silent army of termites, rats, dry rot, and death-watch beetles are tunnelling away, till, at the very moment of completion, it is ready to fall down." – Cyril Connolly.

Contributed by Dan Anderson, author of mystery novels BAD VIBRATIONS and DEATH CRUISE.

Tip O'Day for Writers #104

Guest blogger Stef Mcd on what makes a story work.

The keystone to any story is the opening, which you must edit to perfection when the time comes.

Good characterization is what makes the story jump off the page - the reader relates to a realistic mix of personalities (and a varied mix it should be). To achieve this you can create character maps, a kind of personality file, adding as much as you can; you need only show the tip of the iceberg to the reader, of course.

Don't state the obvious to readers; they will become irritated if you write: "Clark switched on his wipers to clear the snow so that he could see the glimmering lights of the town in the basin." Consider instead: "Clark switched on his wipers until they cleared the snow and he could see the glimmering lights of the town in the basin." (Not killer prose but you can see the subtle transition.)

Make sure your story has a satisfying resolution with no loose threads left dangling. We can all remember sticking with a book to the end only to discover a flat anti-climax; your MC should have at least changed something/somehow along the journey through the book.

For new writers, I recommend Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. It’s much more than an editing book and will save aspiring writers a heck of a lot of time if they read it before even setting pen to paper.

For more about this writer and his novel TULAGI HOTEL, check out http://www.tulagihotel.com/

Tip O'Day for Writers #103

It took guest blogger Heikki Hietala ten years to write his book and find a publisher. Here are a few of the lessons he learned.

My road to being published began 12 years ago, when I wrote Chapter I of a book I never thought I'd write. The next 10 years were full of perseverance, research, planning, ad hoc writing sessions whenever I had a free hour, and nagging self-doubt as I wondered if anyone would ever want to read me. As it turns out, I found a publisher willing to take the risk and print it, and now I've moved on to another. What did I do right during the trip?

One - I wrote what I myself wanted to write; I did not try to write what I thought someone else would want to read.

Two - I networked like crazy after I had a full manuscript, and that network paid off handsomely; not only did I get published, but I got the book edited too through the network.

And three - I never let go of the dream of a published version. The moment you let yourself think your book is not worth the effort, it becomes worthless. You must invest all your spare energy into it, and if your story is good, the book will be a good one too.

Another key, at least in my field of historical fiction, is research. One wrong plane type in my book would ruin the whole framework, but my editors spotted all the errors I made.

Saying for Writers #81

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

"The parody is the last refuge of the frustrated writer. Parodies are what you write when you are associate editor of the Harvard Lampoon. The greater the work of literature, the easier the parody. The step up from writing parodies is writing on the wall above the urinal." - Ernest Hemingway

Tip O'Day for Writers #102

Guest blogger Janette Lennox feels unworthy.

Janette doesn’t feel very worthy to offer writing advice “as I have still yet to have my first (real) book published (only several e-books at Amazon at this stage).” Her suggestion to all creative people is to follow your passion, for the sake of the passion, and it will always be rewarding.

Also, she offers a Robert Benchley quote close to her heart: “It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up, because by that time I was too famous.”

Dixon says: Too often we equate being a good writer with getting accepted by a major publisher. Some brilliant people slave away in privacy and their work never sees the light of day. Only about a dozen of Emily Dickinson’s 1,800 poems were published during her lifetime, and her genius was never recognized until after her death.

In today’s economy, it’s very difficult for someone to get traditionally published unless they’re already an established bestseller. Or named Oprah. Not impossible, but a lot more difficult than a mere decade ago.

Choosing to self-publish or go the Kindle route doesn’t make anyone a substandard writer. And an e-book IS a real book. Janette has a right to her opinions, and I think there’s real merit in her writing tip.

Thanks, Janette.

Tip O'Day for Writers #101

Guest blogger Robert N. Stephenson on the challenges of writing for publication:

In writing, the new writer learns many, many things. What is often forgotten are the long and lonely hours spent writing when your mind is questioning whether this is what you really want to do? It is true, writing itself is quite easy, but taking it to commercial publication is about the most difficult thing you will attempt in your life. Anyone can bungy jump or leap out of an airplane, but so very, very few will be able to write a publishable book in the commercial sphere.

The important thing for the writer to know at the start is that this will be a lifelong road of challenge, difficulties and rewards. By knowing of the pressures you will face, you may find your personal traumas of rejection and silence become less impacting.

Never give up. Never surrender.

Saying for Writers #80

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

“Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don’t know and I don’t care.” - William Safire

Just a reminder to writers & poets who suddenly find themselves dragged from their caves and thrust in front of audiences: Toastmasters International is a self-paced program that will help you conquer stage fright and eventually come to enjoy interacting with crowds of book lovers.

Tip O'Day for Writers #100

Guest blogger Michael J. Pollack on writing YA.

If you write for young adults, remember what it felt like to want the privileges of adulthood but not the accountability. Remember what it was like to want to sit at the grown-up table but how hard it was to let go of the frivolous things of childhood. No other time in our lives do we straddle two worlds with so little guidance. Remember that feeling with every sentence you write, and you will truly be writing for young adults.

Dixon says: It’s refreshing to see so much YA written these days with teen sensibilities, not as if they’re just short adults. I don’t read a lot of YA, but found both the Harry Potter series and the Hunger Games trilogy as compelling as most adult fiction.

Tip O'Day for Writers # 99

Guest blogger Richard S. Charles on the courage to cut.

Never be afraid to delete sentences, paragraphs or even whole sections of your work-in-progress if they are not necessary, even if they are beautifully written. I once purposely deleted a whole chapter of my sequel when I was editing it. Although it read well, the plot was obviously going nowhere as a result of its inclusion; it was just padding and superfluous!

Dixon says: Great advice, with one small proviso. I have a “junk” file in my computer where I save large chunks (a paragraph or more) that I’ve cut during rewrites and edits. Sometimes I find myself going back and searching for one golden sentence or phrase that would be perfect somewhere else.

Saying for Writers #79

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

“I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat. “ - Edgar Allan Poe

Tip O'Day for Writers #98

Guest blogger Hayden Chance on reading vs living.

Live a life worth writing about. If you spend all of your time with your head in a book or staring at a TV screen you'll never write anything that has true wisdom or changes any minds. Most writing courses teach students to maintain a steady diet of other people’s words. But that’s vicarious living. If you’re not living a life that gives you wisdom (direct experience) then what’s the point of writing about it? People will only be inspired by those who are genuine.

Dixon says: I think many readers do vicariously live more interesting lives through reading, and I don't believe that's a bad thing. For most writers, I think reading is partially for sheer enjoyment, partially for sanity (getting a temporary reprieve from your own characters and plots), and partially for craft (seeing how other writers turn the mundane into the magnificent). If, as Hayden says, some writers use reading as a substitute for engaging with life, their work will surely lack the ring of truth.

Tip O'Day for Writers #97

A Montana born and bred author, guest blogger Marsheila Rockwell says “hold your horses.”

Don't try to write a story the minute the idea for it pops into your head. Chances are, it's not ready. Let it simmer for awhile, picking up flavors from other ideas already floating around in your brain. The best, most original stories usually come from a combination of new ideas and ones you've had for a while but didn't know what to do with - until now.

Saying for Writers #78

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

“Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.” - Unknown

Tip O'Day for Writers #96

Guest blogger Donna Levin opines on whether or not to self-publish.

In recent years self-publishing has finally become affordable. So affordable that I’ve been getting a heckuva lot of e-mails from writer friends-and-acquaintances announcing the self-publication of their novels, often ending with the personal note, “I just got tired of all the rejections.”

Well, I hear you, man/dude/sister, louder than a foghorn when it’s too late to save your boat.

If all you need is to hold your fiction in your hands, with a high-concept cover and your name as large as the title, self-publishing is the way to go. If you will be satisfied by spreading a few hundred, maybe a thousand, copies among your family and Facebook buddies, then you, too, are a natural candidate.

Just keep in mind the alternative, which is to rewrite your manuscript, maybe even rewrite it twice, before you send it out. In my experience, writers often submit their work too soon. I have been one of those writers who thinks, “What the heck do they want from me? I’ve put my heart and soul into this. I deserve to get it published!”

While readers (and I have been one of these, too) think, “Couldn’t the writer have done one more draft to cut out the redundant scenes, liven up the dialogue, see more deeply into the characters?”

So find fresh readers whose judgment you trust to give you feedback. Then dig down for the inner resources you need to sit down to this manuscript again. You may very well still end up self-publishing, but you will be self-publishing a better book, and that can only be good.

Tip O'Day for Writers #95

Guest blogger Meg Collins has six quick tips:

never give up

self educate

study your competition in the industry

spend time in bookstores to see what is selling

get listings of the top selling books of the genre that you currently are writing

be consistent and write every single day

Saying for Writers #77

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

“This book is not to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.” - Dorothy Parker

Tip O'Day for Writers #94

Guest blogger Sienna Lewis on what writing is and is not.

I am not sure how this works for other authors, but it's not about writing simply for getting published - you have to HAVE to write, and if you get a contract out of it, even better...

Make sure there is a market for your story, but that it is unique. Just keep writing and keep having things to say.

So many writers say this in different ways - writing to many of us is as essential as oxygen, and getting published is a nice extra.

Tip O'Day for Writers #93

Guest blogger S.J. Heckscher-Marquis looks at several factors when considering whether to publish a novel.

First the writing. If you have not grabbed my attention with the blurb, you might find it difficult to engage my interest in the book itself. Why is the blurb important? People browse books by the blurb, so you have to be enticing.

First five paragraphs... do your characters seem interesting? If not, does your writing suggest that the characters may grow and change? Excite me, grab me... if you cannot do that in five paragraphs, you probably won't be able to do it in a complete novel.

Finally, what are you like as a person? Are you personable? Do you conduct yourself with dignity and sense online, or are you inclined to go off boom and wait for the fall-out to hit the fan? It might seem a little preachy, but it is important. Personable people sell more books and cause fewer problems.

Contact information:
http://myinkproject.com/
http://mock-ing-bird.blogspot.com/
http://thepigpicture.wordpress.com/

Saying for Writers #76

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

“A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author.” - G.K. Chesterton

Tip O'Day for Writers #92

I met guest blogger David Mark Brown at the 2010 Flathead River Writers Conference in Kalispell, Montana, and it will take someone more talented than me to accurately describe him. He marches to his own drum, trumpet, fiddle... Here he posts on Writing Niche vs Blockbuster.

Like all of us, I have made infamous decisions in my life which have long outlived their immediate effects. For instance, dropping off the football team to try out for cheerleader -- in a small, Texas town.

One such decision I have made more recently has been to deep six my long held dreams of being a New York Times best selling author in exchange for pursuing a more attainable, double-digit salary as a professional niche-genre writer. When I say, "niche-genre" I don't mean science fiction or romance. I don't even mean paranormal urban fantasy or steampunk, the shooting stars of sub-genre genre fiction. Nope. In my case I'm referring to dieselpunk weird western alternate history pulp, with a twist of granola. (And yes, you saw the word western in the mix, otherwise known as the kiss of death).

I call it Reeferpunk, and it was what leapt from the fire once I finally developed the cojones to ask myself the million dollar question -- "What were you born to write?" Screw market forces. Forget the critics, the agents, the gatekeepers, Oprah. Throw away all the lectures given by snooty professors on how the short story is the only true form of American literature. Lose the personal desire to impress and mold society. Push Henry Thoreau off the docks at Walden Pond. And finally fly the double bird in the face of reason.

What can I write that no one else can? It's a matter of calling. I don't suspect that I've perfected the answer yet, but I'm closer than I've ever been. And it feels good. But a series of preliminary questions rattled around my brain before I could answer the big one: What do I enjoy reading? When I first asked myself this simple question I was in the midst of my fifth rewrite on a novel that I would've never picked off the shelf (unless my reading club had dictated it). I like thrilling and speculative stories based on real human desires and characteristics put to the test in outlandish situations or alternate realities -- human stories in sensational environs. I like fast-moving yet brain-punishing fiction. I like Frank Herbert's DUNE and Orson Scott Card's ENDER'S SHADOW.

What do I know? I'm no scientist. I'm a liberal arts slacker through and through, but history and political science felt doable. Who am I? And what has made me what I am? Born and raised in rural Texas, I grew up working on a ranch. I attended university in the midst of the Rocky Mountains at the U of Montana (the Berkeley of the Rockies) where the police were on record saying about marijuana, "it's so common we hardly try to stop it anymore," and the school paper published editorials on how to weatherstrip your dorm room so your R.A. would never know. I'm the Redneck Granola.

Now all I needed were the яичка ("eggs" in Russian) to put the answers together and write the royally whacked-out speculative fiction I've been called to write -- invent the niche-genre that is David Mark Brown. Maybe later in my career I'll be talented enough to write what others want me too. But for now I'm writing refried alternate-history about what could have become of the southern half of North America if cheap oil never got cheap (due to the birth of the evil nation of Texicas), and instead brilliant minds devised an early cellulosic ethanol from the wondrous cannabis plant. Mein Hanf! (Spanish, Russian and German in the same post!)

As for reality? Well, thank God for ebooks, the digital wrecking ball of the publishing industry. Current conditions seem perfectly suited for the self-published, super-niche ebook. Forums, facebook groups and hashtags on twitter make it easier than ever before to participate in cultural and literary ghettos of our liking. To survive as a professional writer of super-niche genre fiction all I need are the enthusiastic downloads of 15,000 fans.

New York Times? Not a chance. But at 70% of $2.99 for two books a year I'd rather have my 15,000 fans for fiction I was born to write, than a pipe dream and a job at Home Depot. Will it work? It'll probably take a miracle. You could always download FISTFUL OF REEFER from an ebook distributor near you and find out for yourself.

David Mark Brown blogs at www.davidmarkbrownwrites.com or you may find him skulking around the FB group Writers Etc.

Tip O'Day for Writers #91

Guest blogger Brian Hodge says it’s all about the rewrite.

If you haven’t already, learn to fall in deep, passionate love with the rewriting process. Very little writing is the best it can ever be straight out of the gate. But too many aspiring writers seem to feel as though they can’t (or shouldn’t) be bothered to work and rework and re-rework something. Malcolm Gladwell (OUTLIERS, THE TIPPING POINT) provides a starkly telling quote on the need to smash through the laziness: “I always say to young writers who are struggling, well, how many drafts do you do? And then I say, what, you only do three drafts? I do ten.”

Even an early mentor of mine, quite successful, told me that rewrites felt to him like beating a dead horse. Of course he did them anyway. Fortunately, to me, the revision phase has always felt like when a work comes most fully alive … when the seedlings flourish, the tonal shadings emerge, and it starts the climb toward fulfilling its potential.

Brian Hodge is the author of 14 books. His fourth collection, PICKING THE BONES, was released in April with a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Connect with him through his web site (www.brianhodge.net), blog (www.warriorpoetblog.com), or Facebook (www.facebook.com/brianhodgewriter).

Saying for Writers #75

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

"I believe that good questions are more important than answers, and the best children's books ask questions, and make the readers ask questions. And every new question is going to disturb someone's universe." - Madeleine L'Engle

Tip O'Day for Writers #90

The other day, three different people asked the same question: what can a beginning author can do to promote a book? Here are some ideas.

Build name awareness wherever you can. On Facebook, I post a different country song title every single day. It hopefully gives folks in my network a daily chuckle, and differentiates me from the many authors with nonstop cries of BUY MY BOOK. My novels take place mostly in Montana and I try to use humor in my writing when appropriate, so these daily posts are not entirely irrelevant.

Get active in online writers' groups. I’m most familiar with those on Facebook, and they are legion. There are many genre-specific, such as Suspense/Thriller Writers. For a group that’s more wide-spectrum, I enjoy Writers Etc because of the nice mix of newbies and very experienced pros. There’s also a nice mix of posts about improving the craft of writing, and those on the business side – getting an agent, promoting your book, self-publishing, and so on. It’s a closed group and I don’t add anybody to anything without their permission, but I'd be glad to add you to Writers Etc upon your request.

Keep your online activities focused on improving your craft and promoting your career. You may have strong political and religious opinions, but why on earth would you want to alienate potential mentors, fans and buyers? Even if I agree with the philosophy behind your rants, you might anger me with personal attacks on people I admire, or crude language. I have over 3,500 FB friends and I made the same approach to all of them – “I’m a writer, and I like to network with other writers and book lovers.” If I had added “and I enjoy tormenting Sarah Palin,” I don’t think my network would be nearly as large.

Review other books within your genre. Make any suggestions for change specific and positive. (“If you had done ABC, your characterization would have been even more effective.”) If you’re not giving a rating of at least 3 out of 5, consider keeping the review private, between you and the author. You’ve probably got enough enemies already, right?

Start a blog and post at least 2-3 times a week. Daily is better. Try to keep focused on just a couple themes instead of being all over the place. Capitalize on your unique expertise, or make yourself on expert on a particular subject. There are some wacky people lurking in the ‘Net so don’t be upset if you get wacky comments; on the other hand, you can control the comments you allow to appear.

Ask reviewers if they'd be interested in looking at your book. Be aware that there are excellent, professional reviewers who expect payment, and excellent, amateur reviewers who do it because they love all things bookish. Whatever the case, check out a few of their reviews first, to make sure they’re not cranky flamethrowers. If you happen to get an awful review, just thank the person for expressing an honest opinion and put it behind you. Trying to challenge a crappy review, however mistaken, will only make you look like an idiot. Really.

Get to know the local booksellers. In some communities, this might be your neighborhood grocery or big box store. Some of these folks have to accept buying decisions from their corporate headquarters, whereas others have a great deal of latitude.

Finally, be kind and helpful to other writers. (I wish I’d learned this earlier.) Resist the urge to criticize unless you’re asked for a critique. Even then, keep in mind the term “constructive criticism.”

Good luck and keep writing - Dixon

Saying for Writers #74

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

“If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster.” - Isaac Asimov

Tip O'Day for Writers #89

A literary agent once told me, "Don't be so damn logical, Dixon." I think that's what guest blogger James Rourke is getting at here.

The conscious mind isn't king. Stories seem to emerge more than are consciously written, especially in the early drafts. Get your thoughts down on paper and don't resist the unfolding story. I've written pages and wondered, "Why is this happening to this character?" When I've tried to change it to something I "understood" I developed a knot in my stomach.

Sometimes the story knows what it's doing even when you don't.

James Rourke is author of The Eternal Struggle: Two Worlds, One War

Saying for Writers #73

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

“Books are never finished, they are merely abandoned." - Oscar Wilde

Tip O'Day for Writers #88

Guest blogger Rick Mofina on what it takes to be a writer:

The only guarantee that you will fail, is if you give up. The only thing impeding you stares back at you in the mirror. Don't make excuses for not writing. Create sentences. Don’t trouble other people looking for the magic beans, because you have them in your hand.

Get to work. You have to earn the right to be on a book shelf with all the other authors who have paid their dues. Do your homework, read, study the industry, be realistic and ask yourself the following: Are you a writer? Or, do you want “to be” a writer? Real writers reading this will understand the difference immediately. Those who don’t get the meaning of that, never will. And, as Stephen King, said, "Do not come to this lightly."

Oh yes, don’t quit your day job.

You can catch more of Rick Mofina's act at www.rickmofina.com

Saying for Writers #72

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

"Most new writers think it's easy to write for children, but it's not. You have to get in a beginning, middle and end, tell a great story, write well, not be condescending--all in a few pages." - Andrea Brown

Tip O'Day for Writers #87

Guest blogger Susan Oleksiw says to challenge yourself with a daily record.

No matter what you write, you have to start at the beginning and write until you reach the end. That sounds so boring, and there are times when it is. Staring at a blank page because you can’t think of anything to say is boring and sometimes even worse—brain rattling, crazy making. Still, it does build character—and novels.
One of the tricks I use to keep me going when I’m in danger of drifting away into a round of cleaning out cupboards or checking on the vegetable garden is the daily record. When I begin a novel, I begin a daily record of my work. Whenever I sit down to write, I am committed to putting down something on that record sheet. It doesn’t have to be complicated—the sheet itself can be just one page in a notebook along with notes and research on my current book—but each note does have to be something. I list the number of words written, even if it’s only 50; the research conducted or books consulted; the clues considered; or the number of pages edited. The record reminds me I have to keep working, and also shows me that even during weeks when I think I’m getting nothing accomplished, I do have something to show for my time. Watching that list grow is one way of seeing the novel grow.

The record also tells me when I’m dawdling, taking too much time off, or writing more productively than I realize at first. And sometimes just knowing I have to record something gives me that extra push to keep going when I can’t think, and get something down on paper even if I know I’m going to delete it later and start over.

Saying for Writers #71

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

"My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip." - Elmore Leonard

There are some marvelous, insightful American authors these days, some very productive and others doling out a gem every decade or two. In my humble opinion, Elmore "Dutch" Leonard is our greatest living writer.

Tip O'Day #86 for Writers

Guest blogger Ray K. Alan says to hang out with other writers.

The best tip I can provide, besides write everyday about anything, is to join a writers’ club where you can obtain critical constructive criticism. Whether you meet every week or month or collaborate online, it’s important for your personal growth to have feedback. It helps stretch your writing skills and forces you to write so you don't come in empty handed to the next meeting. Coffee and donuts are optional but highly recommended.

Ray K. Alan helps authors post their press releases for new books, book signings, awards and special announcements at NewBookJournal.com

Saying for Writers #70

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

"The wastebasket is the writer's best friend." - Isaac Singer

Tip O'Day for Writers #85

Guest blogger Brett McBean has some thoughts on the writer’s best friend.

The notepad is your best friend. Use it to jot down story ideas, character names, weird and wonderful observations, titles for stories yet unwritten; basically anything that pops into your head. You may never use that story idea or title, but if you have all of your ideas written down, there’s no chance of forgetting something that may be of use down the road.

Tomorrow, another post about a writer's best friend.

Saying for Writers #69

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

"The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading, in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book." - Samuel Johnson

Dixon says: I'm working on two novels at the same time. Sometimes I run into a creative wall on one. By switching to the other project, I often find my subconscious mind works out a solution for book #1 while I'm distracted by book #2. Also, I've got a wife and four wonderful kids who deserve my time and attention. I'm active in my church and two Toastmasters clubs, assign referees to the youth soccer games in Kalispell, and do my share of refereeing and coaching as well.

It feels like I'm cheating somebody or something when I force myself to crack open a book or turn on my Kindle, but I know it energizes my mind and spirit, and helps my writing. From starting out awful at dialogue, I've turned it into a strength through reading Elmore Leonard, Robert B. Parker, Richard Price, and other masters of dialogue.

In my humble opinion, three things are essential for a writer: a love of reading, a feel for the music and magic within language, and a willingness to accept constructive criticism.

Tip O'Day for Writers #84

Guest blogger Taylor Grant on the phases of writing.

Think of your screenplay, novel or short story as a sculpture. The first draft is putting together the clay that resembles what you’re trying to create. The rewrites are where you cut a little here, remove a little there, and ultimately reveal your work. The polish is where you painstakingly refine your sculpture into a professional piece.

This philosophy removes the necessity for perfection at the beginning of whatever you’re writing and allows you to enjoy the process more.

Taylor Grant is a produced screenwriter, award-winning copywriter, published author and professional script consultant.

Dixon says - I like it when a writer brings a first draft to my local critique group, since then I feel free to suggest major plot changes, different goals for the protagonist, consolidating or eliminating minor characters (or inventing new ones), and so on. With a book or short story that's been through rewrites, I figure the author's not going to consider such major changes. That's a time to focus on inconsistencies, flat dialogue, and grammar.

Saying for Writers #68

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

"If a book comes from the heart, it will continue to reach other hearts." - Thomas Carlyle

Tip O'Day for Writers #83

Guest blogger Tony Piazza says you should write about something you know and enjoy.

There is nothing original about this tip, but yet sometimes authors overlook it to produce something that they view as "current" and therefore financially viable. For example, I am a mystery writer; it is what I know, love, and do best. I would not be good at writing about Vampires, Zombies, and teen love. My heart would not be in it, and a real labor to write. Undoubtedly this lack of enthusiasm would be reflected on the pages, and easily singled out by the readers. More importantly the critics would drive a stake so quickly into my work that it could never rise again!

Brilliant advice, Tony.

Agents, publishers and readers are looking for fresh and original voices, and fresh and original stories. Chasing trends will not create loyal, enthusiastic fans for your work.

Dixon

Saying for Writers #67

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

"If you wish to be a writer, write." - Epictetus

Tip O'Day for Writers #82

Guest blogger Rick Hautala has some thoughts on how to persevere in today's shifting publishing paradigm.

To paraphrase Harlan Ellison: Becoming a writer is easy; it's staying a writer that's the hard part.

The marketplace is changing so fast, a lot of traditional prose even by seasoned pros is falling by the wayside.

Writing to publish successfully requires a thick skin and a sense of humor along with hard work, talent and inspiration. You have to work against all odds. You must face rejection and adversity by pushing and pushing to become a better writer. If you do so, eventually editors, publishers and readers can't possibly ignore or avoid your work.

Saying for Writers #66

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

"As cows need milking and sweet peas need picking, so writers must continually exercise their mental muscles by a daily stint." - Joan Aiken

Tip O'Day for Writers #81

Guest blogger Terry Kroenung on self-promotion with class.

Oscar Wilde said that the only thing worse than being talked about was NOT being talked about. And the one who should be doing the talking is you, at least at first. If you are of the opinion that marketing yourself is crass, that it is somehow beneath you as a creative genius, then your 300 pages of deathless prose will languish unread on one of Amazon's more obscure lists.

This doesn't mean that every sentence you speak or type should scream "Please buy my book!" Review others' work, follow their blogs, go on message boards and recommend novels to others. Eventually your name will become associated with professionalism and a love of writing.

Saying for Writers #65

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

"If you tell me, it's an essay. If you show me, it's a story." - Barbara Greene

I ran across this quote recently and really like it. There's a somewhat controversial Canadian politician by the same name (who also teaches media & English lit) but I'm not sure this is her.

Tip O'Day for Writers #80

Guest blogger P.D. Allen dispenses concise, joyful advice.

"Focus on publication with as much joy, enthusiasm and creative intent as you focus on writing."

Saying for Writers #64

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

"The most valuable of talents is never using two words when one will do." - Thomas Jefferson

Tip O'Day for Writers #79

Guest blogger Ray Garton says textured characters are essential.

No matter what genre you write in, no matter what kind of story or novel you're writing, a reader will not come back for more if you don't give him characters he recognizes, can connect with emotionally and will want to follow to the end. Your reader doesn't have to like all of these characters, but they must ring true to him. He must be able to feel they are in some way like people he has known, or at least like people he could know.

This should be true of both protagonists and antagonists. If your villain is simply villainous, he will be flat, unbelievable and uninteresting. But if he has human characteristics that are likable -- even admirable -- his villainy will be more effective because it comes from a well-rounded human being and has understandable motivations. If your hero is only heroic, he will not ring true. His flaws and weaknesses will make him far more appealing to the reader, because we all have those and must overcome them.

Even if you are a master of plot, nothing will bring a reader back faster than characters with depth, flaws, strengths and familiar experiences and emotions. A great example of this is Stephen King. Sure, he writes books that twist reality in creepy ways and sometimes involve strange creatures or people with bizarre abilities. But they are populated with characters who resonate with readers, and those characters make all the weirdness much more believable. Having written mostly horror fiction in the last 27 years, it seems natural and perhaps even cliched for me to use him as an example, so let me recommend another.

John Irving, the author of THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, has created some of the most eccentric characters since Dickens. But no matter how odd they are, they are still recognizable as human beings and their quirks are understandable. We may not like all of them, but we recognize the humanity in them and we enjoy getting to know them and following them through Irving's novels, which tend to span generations.

Plot is only part of the battle. Nothing will make your plot sing more beautifully than a cast of fully-fleshed characters with whom your readers can make an emotional connection. If your readers care about those people, it will make your plot more riveting, more compelling, and your readers will come back for more.

Saying for Writers #63

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

"I never spent less than two years on the text of one of my picture books, even though each of them is approximately 380 words long. Only when the text is finished ... do I begin the pictures." - Maurice Sendak

We've all met people who say, "I've been thinking about writing a children's book. Twenty pages, how hard can that be?"

Tip O'Day for Writers #78

Guest blogger Dave Jeffery advises on writing dialogue.

Dialogue fulfills two important roles: it perpetuates the story and gives shape to your characters. Stilted and unrealistic dialogue distracts the reader and yanks them from the world into which you are trying to immerse them.

I tend to follow this process:

a. What message are you trying to get across?
b. Distill the message to its essence
c. Think of your characters
d. Ask yourself the question: "How would these characters put their messages across, given their personality?"
e. Write the dialogue with this in mind.

Giving your characters some vocal inflections, using slang, and providing other unique ways of expression can easily add shape to them. If done correctly, the reader will be able to tell who is speaking by the way a sentence reads on the page. This is particularly useful for short story writing where word count is a factor.

UK bestseller Dave Jeffery is author of NECROPOLIS RISING. He writes adult and YA supernatural and horror, as well as YA adventure, and nonfiction on mental health issues. His website can be found at http://www.davejeffery.web/

Dixon says - Many beginning writers struggle with writing dialogue, and try to avoid it, but few other aspects of fiction add the energy, mood and immediacy of dialogue. Instead of avoidance, plunge in!

Read authors who are known for their dialogue, and study their techniques. In crime fiction, Elmore "Dutch" Leonard, Richard Price and the late Robert B. Parker are masters.

Another great way to study dialogue is reading screenplays because they're... well... pretty much all dialogue.

After some of this study, sit down with a yellow pad and write a complete two-character scene that's all dialogue - no attributions, no action, no descriptions. Make it at least 3-4 pages handwritten or 2 pages typed double-space. Then show it to your critique group (if you have one) or share it with a few writer friends. Consider the advice you get, and then try to rewrite the scene in a way that is more dramatic, humorous, mysterious, or whatever message you were trying to get across. (See Dave's a thru e above.)

Saying for Writers #62

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

"This is always the key: you have to write the book you love, the book that's alive in your heart. That's the one you have to write." Lurleen McDaniel

This is the absolute truth. We all hear so much about the latest trends - sensitive vampires, zombie romances, yada yada yada. The characters that keep you sleepless and the plot that distracts you while your wife is telling you what the kiddies just did in the yard, those are the stories you need to bring to life.

Tip O'Day for Writers #77

Guest blogger Tod Langley comments on setting tone and foreshadowing.

I checked out your blog. I thought some of the discussions were extemely valid. One that I remember still sticks in my mind, and I try to think about it during every chapter re-write: the importance of establishing tone, scene, and POV within the initial paragraph.

You could also make the argument that the first sentence of the first paragraph is the most important of the chapter. This is especially true for the beginning of the novel, but I use the premise for every chapter.

I also like to use the scene setting within the initial paragraph to foreshadow the rest of chapter - sometimes hinting at something dire occurring later in the book.

Saying for Writers #61

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

"Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space." - Orson Scott Card

Dixon says - This brings something else to mind. I keep hearing writers dismissing a line of dialogue because 'Oh, that's such a cliche.' But having someone speak largely in cliches can be very revealing about character.

Also, a cliche can convey a great deal of information in just a few words. If Joe says of his romantic rival, "He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth," we know precisely the image Joe wishes to communicate.

Tip O'Day for Writers #76

In only 25 words, M.L. Hamilton dispenses some brilliant advice.

Write because you can't stop. Write because your characters want life.
Then try to get published because there is absolutely no reason not to try.

Saying for Writers #60

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

"Cut out all those exclamation marks. An exclamation mark is like laughing at your own joke." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

In my local critique group, the Grammar Nazis (myself included) will ROUGH YOU UP if you put more than a couple exclamation marks in each chapter. If you are using powerful words and creating dramatic scenes, those marks are unnecessary!!!

(Along with all caps and boldface. We'll let you use italics to emphasize a word or phrase, as long as it's not overused.)

Tip O'Day for Writers #75

Nicholas Royle & Shaun Jeffrey say “talk to yourself.”

Nicholas Royle: My tip is to read your work out loud. Never consider it done until you’ve read it out loud to yourself. You will catch all sorts of hidden problems – linguistic infelicities, awkward phrasing, unwanted repetition – that you will otherwise not notice. Read it slowly, out loud, with the proper enunciation, as if you were giving a public reading, and highlight problems as you go.

Shaun Jeffrey: Read your work aloud and it will allow you to spot things that don't sound right.

Dixon says - there are a few alternatives. It can be just as helpful to have someone else read your story to you. Maybe your local critique group would consider helping with that, or a writer friend you could swap services with.

Also, if you have a Kindle, you can send your work to that device from your computer. After it's downloaded, use the read-back feature. You have the choice of a male or female voice, and most folks find the male voice sounds more natural and conversational.

Saying for Writers #59

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

"A writer's job is to imagine everything so personally that the fiction is as vivid as memories." - John Irving

Tip O'Day for Writers #74

A guest post from Blake Crouch on minor characters.

Many times, when I’m stuck on a scene, I realize after the fact that the reason is because I haven’t truly thought through a new character I’m introducing. Every character, no matter how small, should steal the show.

Dixon says: Robert B. Parker had a special touch with those walk-on characters. Even if it's just a pizza delivery boy or a waitress bringing over a cocktail, everybody in the Spencer, Paradise or Sonny series got a few words of description. More than that, their descriptions and their actions/dialogue would subtly reinforce some aspect of the setting, the mood or the story.

To me, a story full of faceless tertiary characters smacks of lazy writing and missed opportunities. Unless they're zombies.

Saying for Writers #58

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

"Writing is rewriting. A writer must learn to deepen characters, trim writing, intensify scenes. To fall in love with the first draft to the point where one cannot change it is to greatly enhance the prospects of never publishing." - Richard North Patterson

Tip O'Day for Writers #73

Three writers on the value of criticism.

Alex Ryder: Take criticism to be a positive thing and review your work accordingly. They may just have a point, or they may not. Be objective and then you can decide.

Margaret Callow: When others read your book, there is often conflict when it comes to a possible weakness. It can mean you end up altering something on one piece of advice and then having to change it again later. Now, I wait before making changes and then, if several people point out the same thing, I seriously consider and probably end up agreeing they could be right. If so, I make the change.

Dixon Rice (your genial blog host): I relentlessly search for criticism, because I don't recognize my own faults. Everything I write is golden. Then a member of my critique group asks if action ABC is consistent with how character XYZ acted in previous chapters...

Damn. Why didn't I see that? Thank you, guys.

Like Margaret, if just one person makes a comment, I may take it with a grain of salt. If a couple readers have the same criticism, it definitely must be taken seriously. That doesn't mean I'll make a change but I will certainly consider it. Sometimes the greatest value of a critique is forcing you to look at your work with fresh eyes and review the decisions that led to the incident in question. Then, if you decide to stick with it, you can do so with confidence.

Saying for Writers #57

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

“You don't write because you want to say something; you write because you have something to say.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Tip O'Day for Writers #72

Guest blogger Joan Connor believes random thoughts can benefit your prose.

I keep a writer's journal. When I am writing I open it at random and make myself choose one word to incorporate at that instant. It makes the writing a little less overdetermined.

For example, I was writing an essay about horseback riding lessons with my son, opened my writer's journal and found this snippet a colleague mentioned in a meeting -- we need to cover bird cages at night because they don't think the day is ending; they think the world is ending. (HOWEVER did she know this?) At that point in the essay I had to seek the connection between the horseback riding lesson and the bird lore and it pitched me into unexpected metaphoric discovery.

That's an interesting way to keep your writing fresh and spontaneous.

I like to put my characters at a crossroads where a decision is necessary, and push them in a counter-intuitive direction. For example, the guy who's been a plodding CPA all his life runs away with a hooker. Or the politician on the brink of election as governor betrays his mentor in order to help a homeless illegal immigrant.

However, the counter-intuitive moment must be believable. What has been simmering inside the CPA over the years, to make him recognize the promise within the whore? After a lifetime of compromises and back-room deals, what made the politician take a moral stand, regardless of the consequences?

Surely there's a reason. But can I make it part of the story through "showing, not telling?"

Saying for Writers #56

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

“Writing and rewriting are a constant search for what it is one is saying.” - John Updike

When I started doodling on MONTANA IS BURNING, I had a vague concept that it would be interesting to plop a Born Again cop from the city into a rural police force made up of coarse, heavy-drinking rednecks. Then the characters I had created decided they had a different story to tell, and dragged the novel off in unexpected directions. My subconscious mind has been very, very busy, and I'm still figuring out what I'm trying to tell myself.

Tip O'Day for Writers #71

A brief yet poetic comment from guest blogger Christine Columbus.

My advice on writing…quit worrying about every leaf on every tree and enjoy the forest. A novel is more than one word, comma or misplaced modifier. A forest is more than a branch on a tree.

Saying for Writers #55

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

“If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.” - Bob Hope

Kindly keep that in mind when you critique other writers. A dash of charity and a dab of diplomacy make any dish better.

Tip O'Day for Writers #70

Guest blogger Franz McLaren says “Less is more.”

Over the years I have had many valuable tips from notable writers. However, one stands out above all others. This one came from Del Howison (author, actor, Stoker-winning editor, and co-owner, with his wife Sue, of Dark Delicacies). His tip can be boiled down to three words; Less is More.

It is true that most classic literature is drowned in adjectives. But there is a reason. A century and a half ago few people could afford books. When they did manage to grab one they wanted it to last. Hence Dostoyevsky. Few modern publishers would consider publishing him. Today there are far too many distractions available and writers must cater to a general ADHD if they wish to survive. A faster pace creates a sense of tension between the author and the reader drawing them on before they can set themselves and prepare for the next revelation.

Less is more also applies to how much an author should convey. The great draw of reading, over any other form of entertainment, is that it allows the reader to create the scenery. No matter how we try as authors, the book will always be in the mind of the reader. Take the following example:

"Through heat shimmers, a dozen silhouettes rose above the horizon. They were coming and, out here, there was no place to hide."

Twenty-two words that describe little. However, most readers will develop an inner view of this world and what is happening.

For me, the most important part of editing is in removing that which adds less than it provides. The object of a well written line is not in how much of the author's perspective it portrays, but in how much it allows the reader to become a part of the tale by making it their own.

There's another reason classic authors like Dickens threw buckets of adjectives into their works. They were paid by the word. So you might see a sentence such as:

"He was a large man, a really, really, really, really large man."

Dixon

Saying for Writers #54

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

“Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.” -
Arnold H. Glasow

Tip O'Day for Writers #69

Carol Weekes offers three tips for the price of one!

1. Create a writing space: Although writers can and do write anywhere in order to get the word down, having your own space with all necessary materials puts one into the mindset to write. When you're there, you write, rewrite, edit, muse, etc. Make it special, make it your own. Decorate it to inspire you. Ensure it has good light, enough room to spread out papers, notes, etc. and to contain any necessary reference materials, as well as your computer.

2. On getting published: Get enough material out there and keep it circulating. If something gets rejected, note if you receive a few similar comments on a rejected piece - if so, consider a rewrite. If the rejections are form types, and you know you've done your best work, keep sending the piece out again and again until you 'hit home' with an acceptance. Some pieces take longer to sell than others. Persevere. Perfect your craft. Then submit, submit, submit. Learn to take criticism towards strengthening your craft; don't take anything personally. Believe in yourself - eventually, if the writing is good, you will break through.

3. Try collaborating with another writer on a piece from time to time; it can be fun if the 'synergy' between your styles is there. It allows two people to take turns submitting the piece. It allows for any discussion of a rejection, and is doubly exciting when the piece sells. It provides insight into how another writer works and develops an idea.

Carol has a blog at www.carolweekes.com

Saying for Writers #53

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

"Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." - E.L. Doctorow

In the ongoing debate between Planners and Pantsers (writing by the seat of your pants), I'm firmly in the middle. I know generally where I'm headed, and have a clear plan for the next few chapters. I keep on writing, always knowing what will happen in the next 50 pages or so.

I see the road as the headlights expose it, and for me, that keeps the trip exciting.

Tip O'Day for Writers #68

Guest blogger Toby Tate says “Don’t let time steal your muse.”

Letting too much time pass between writing chapters in your book, scenes in your story, or paragraphs in your magazine article can put a serious damper on your enthusiasm. Trust me, I speak from experience. I have taken long breaks from stories only to come back later and have no motivation to finish what I started.

Taking breaks is good in short doses. A couple of days to think about plotlines or character development can be a positive thing because it allows you to rework parts of your prose that may not be panning out. On the other hand, getting lazy and just saying, "I don't feel like racking my brain anymore" can be detrimental to the whole creative process by putting too much time between you and your story.

No one said writing was easy, but you have to follow through until you finally type "the end." That's when it's time to put down the book or the story and give yourself a breather, then you can go back and look at it with fresh eyes.

Toby Tate is a freelance writer and the author of DIABLERO and SHADOWLAND.

Saying for Writers #52

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

“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” - Robert Byrne

My favorite 9-word quote.

Tip O'Day for Writers #67

Guest blogger Laura Elvebak says “remember your timeline.”

As I work on the final edit on my WIP, I realize that I haven't been clear on the time when all the action takes place. You can do this with your initial outline, while writing the first draft or while editing the final draft. If you wait until the final draft, you might find you need to make some changes, add details of the weather or time of day.

Saying for Writers #51

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

"Imagination has brought mankind through the dark ages to its present state of civilization. Imagination led Columbus to discover America. Imagination led Franklin to discover electricity." - L. Frank Baum, author of WIZARD OF OZ

Tip O'Day for Writers #66

Guest blogger Chantal Boudreau says “the story is what counts.”

Stylistically, despite what others may quote as the "rules" of writing, writers have to figure out what works best for them, which differs from person to person and sometimes from story to story. Practice and testing your work, are the best ways to find your best methods.

On the most basic level, the story is what counts, because that's what will draw in your reader, and the technical elements are secondary (although still important.) You can have a technically pristine manuscript, but if the story falls flat and does not engage the reader, nobody's going to want to read your technically sound work.

Saying for Writers #50

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

“Writing only leads to more writing.” - Sidonie Gabrielle

Tip O'Day for Writers #65

Guest blogger Douglas Preston suggests you become a photographer.

Anyone who has aspirations to be a writer should take up photography. A writer must learn how to see things in a fresh and different way. This is an excellent way to do it.

NYT bestseller Douglas Preston has written 17 techno-thrillers and horror novels, most with co-author Lincoln Child. He has also written NF books about the legendary Seven Cities of Gold, Angkor temples, the Monster of Florence serial killer, and the Amanda Knox murder case. He teaches an intensive, week-long writing workshop every year for ten people, and one of the central aspects is photography.

Saying for Writers #49

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

“The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.” - Joe Ancis

The same goes for fictional characters. Sometimes it takes some digging to uncover their inner creepiness.

Tip O'Day for Writers #64

Today's guest blogger Debra Burroughs says we should learn from others, work hard and read a lot.

As a fairly new author, I have tried to learn from others who have blazed the trail of writing and publishing before me. One of the greatest people I have found to follow is J.A. Konrath and his blog JAKonrath.blogspot.com. He and his blog are a wealth of good information and inspiration for anyone hoping to make writing their full-time career.

He offers an eBook called The Newbie’s Guide to Publishing for next to nothing. It is a compilation of five years’ worth of his blogs, is rich with meaty information. The following is a quote from that book which always encourages me in my quest to be a successful author:

“Writing is a craft, and craft can be taught. If there’s a super-talented egomaniac with a sense of entitlement that matches his flair for prose and an average Joe who studies the market, hones his craft, responds to feedback, and keeps at it, my money is on Joe Average getting published first – then having a more successful career when he does. Hard work trumps talent. Persistence trumps inspiration. Humility trumps ego.”

Beyond that, someone once told me that you will never write better than the books you read. Pick a few successful authors in the genre you want to pursue and consistently read them. It will make you a better writer. I know it has worked for me.

Debra Burroughs is the author of CHICANA, a gripping account of survival, prejudice, heartbreak and love. It is available on amazon.com.

Saying for Writers #48

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

"The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business." - John Steinbeck

Tip O'Day for Writers #63

Three guest bloggers post that you must persist.

Jason Wolfgang Gehlert: "Persistence... never give up and keep your momentum going."

P.L. Parker: "The best tip I have is to not give up. Keep trying and someday the right publisher comes along and the connection is made, but you have to keep trying."

Jennifer Allis Provost: “Write every day, aim for a specific word count (I aim for 2000) and get that story out. Don't worry about editing; that'll happen once the story is there. If you're suffering a case of writer's block then write something else - a poem, a short story, a blog post. It all adds up, and each word brings you closer to your goal.”

If you would like to submit a guest post for this blog, please email it to montananovels@yahoo.com

Saying for Writers #47

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

“An archeologist is the best husband a woman can have; the older she gets, the more interested he is in her.” - Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie was indeed married to an archeologist. She was an amazingly productive author, penning both the Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot series. I believe she also wrote the first mystery from the villain's POV, not disclosed until the final few pages.

Tip O'Day for Writers #62

Guest blogger Bob Weinberg says there are three steps to becoming published: Read constantly, learn from what you read, and write constantly.

You need to read all sorts of material, but especially the type of story you want to write. You need to be familiar with the structure of the stories you plan to create, know the vocabulary, and know your rules of punctuation.

You need to learn from what you read. A good writer learns from every book he or she reads. I still find myself noticing interesting sentence structure or wordplay by other writers, and that's after 35 books.

You need to read, to learn, and then to write and write and write. Plus, after you write you must submit what you have written and keep on submitting. The secret of most published writers is that they are determined to sell what they have written. So you need to write and submit constantly. If you continue to learn and continue to submit, you will sooner or later start selling. Simple as that. A good writer is a determined writer.

Bob Weinberg is the author of 17 novels, 2 short story collections and 16 non-fiction books. And editor of over 150 anthologies.

I originally posted this on May 12th but it somehow vanished overnight. Don't understand how this could happen; however, here it is once more.

Saying for Writers #46

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

“Genius means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way.” - William James

Post O'Day for Writers #61

Guest blogger Burl Barer posts about the difference between pros and amateurs.

Buying a stethoscope doesn't make you a doctor. Owning a pen doesn't make you a writer, and running off copies of your material doesn't make you a "published author." Harlan Ellison once said that there are no great unpublished works for the simple reason that great work gets published. There are professionals and there are amateurs. One is not superior to the other. The difference is whether you are paid for your work, or if you pay to work. I come from a family of journalists and authors. We find nothing unusual or extra-special about writing for a living. A family of real estate speculators or a family of ranchers regard their professions in the same manner.

I recently attended a writers group where people who didn't know the basics were helping each other remain ignorant. They critiqued a woman's ten page short story, suggesting her protagonist's name be changed from Mary to Sue, or perhaps Suzette. They argued over the type of sofa upon which she reclined on page five.

When my turn came, I read the first paragraph aloud and then stopped. "If you came across this story in a magazine, would you keep reading? No. Of course not. It makes no sense, says nothing of interest, and does absolutely nothing to engage the reader. Why bother discussing her name, the sofa, or anything else if you don't entice the reader in the first paragraph?"

Silence.

Well, thanks for dropping by. Sure. No problem. Now, excuse me. I have three books on deadline.

All great writers, and mediocre ones, have books written that may never be published. Why? Because they suck. They are the wrong book with the wrong characters at the wrong time for the wrong market.

If you wrote a book that no publisher wants, there is probably a damn good reason -- a reason better than the book. So, when your novel is rejected, write another one, and keep at it until you write one that someone wants.

Dixon says: Let me tread carefully here. I've learned that if I applaud 95% of a guest post and criticize 5% - well, you know what happens. However, I think the above post deals with important issues within the writing community, and I'm not sure there is a right or wrong way to approach them.

First of all, most of us lust for publication but I know a significant number who write for the pure joy of putting words on paper. Their "trunk novels" will never see the light of day, and they're perfectly happy with that. On the one hand, there is nothing wrong with that approach. As Burl says above, "One is not superior to the other." These writers probably embrace the title of amateur. On the other hand, not seeking publication doesn't mean they shouldn't still seek to improve their prose or poetry.

Secondly, I understand impatience towards writers who "don't get it." My local critique group has seen potential members over the years who (1) couldn't write a coherent paragraph if their lives depended on it, and (2) just wanted a pat on the back rather than constructive criticism. The good news is that they usually run screaming into the night at the first sound of honest feedback.

However, honest feedback can still be delivered in a diplomatic manner. Higher standards can be established and enforced with a kind heart. This won't happen overnight. It may never happen in a group that has become a social gathering rather than a self-improvement group. But I have seen it happen.

So I really appreciated Burl's comments, and hope all professionals can find a space for mentoring in their toolboxes.

Saying for Writers #45

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

"Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night." - Glade Byron Addams

Dixon says: I collect quirky quotes, which I post regularly in this blog. I collect weird country song titles, which I post on FB every single day, no doubt bugging thousands of strangers. I collect strange people I meet on the street, in the library or on the soccer pitch, and then twist and turn them until they become characters in my stories.

I guess I'm addicted to collecting. Luckily, it's fairly harmless compared to other addictions I've fought through.

Tip O'Day for Writers #60

Guest blogger Sammi Carter suggests you write every single day.

Learn the discipline of writing every day while it doesn't really matter. Once you sell and the pressure of deadlines and being under contract for books you haven't even conceived of yet settles on your shoulders, it can often be difficult to present yourself at the keyboard on schedule. The urge to wander off, to read, to think, to research, to walk, to catch up on reality TV -- to do anything else or everything else increases at a frightening pace once legally binding deadlines are on the horizon.

Even if you can get yourself to the keyboard, producing words at that stage of your career can be surprisingly difficult. That is not the time to decide that you need to be serious about the business of writing. The time for that decision is long before, when you still have the luxury of waiting for the muse to dance by and issue an invitation to write.

Sammi Carter is author of the Candy Shop mystery series.

Sammi's comments are so true. Have you ever noticed when a deadline is looming, you start wondering how long it's been since you turned the mattress? Or maybe you should replace the air in your tires. This FEELS like a productive use of your time, but it's that familiar old bugaboo, procrastination.

Saying for Writers #44

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

“Lady Godiva put everything she had on a horse.” - W.C. Fields

Just a favorite quotation that unfortunately has nothing whatsoever to do with getting published. Or Mother's Day. Or springtime or rainy weather or...

Wait! There is a topical tie-in - the Kentucky Derby! Yeah, that's the ticket.

Tip O'Day for Writers #59

Guest blogger Jamie DeBree says “Make your plot twist unpredictable.”

Whenever I find myself writing something that feels old or clichéd, I ask myself how I could twist just one part to make it more original. A character who gets mugged walking through a park is predictable. To twist that scenario, I’d have the mugger *give* something to the victim, rather than take something away. Perhaps the victim wouldn’t realize that until the mugger is gone, and the victim is getting up off the ground, checking for damage and loss. Relatively small twists like that can have a huge impact on the entire story, and make your work even more fresh and intriguing.

Jamie’s website is found at http://jamiedebree.com/

Saying for Writers #43

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

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” - Ernest Hemingway