Tip O'Day for Writers #133

Guest blogger Bob L. Morgan on what to write & how to get published.

As far as choosing one book to write over another, that just comes down to what excites me enough to sustain my interest through the entire process. If I'm not excited then I can't keep my readers excited. The only thing I always promise is that my readers will never be bored when they read one of my books. They might be grossed out, or disgusted or maybe ticked off but they will never be bored.

As far as getting published: I just write what I really like reading then look for publishers who seem to fit the type of book that I just put together. But don't be too picky. There is no perfect fit. If you search for the perfect fit you'll be searching forever. My stuff blends several genres at once so finding publishers has not been easy. You just keep throwing it out there. Somebody will publish it.

Saying for Writers #96

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

“A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one.” - Baltasar Gracián

Tip O'Day for Writers #132

Guest blogger Stella Deleuze wrestles with the question: To review or not to review? (Used with permission, from her post on July 20, 2011 at http://wordsbystelladeleuze.blogspot.com/)

When I started out with self-publishing, I promised myself to review every book I buy and read, simply because I knew every author yearns for reviews. Now, I have come to the conclusion that it's better to not do it anymore. The point is, and I know I'll be making enemies by saying this, I've tried a few self-published books and soon switched on my editing-programme in my head, which is a bad sign, really. Of course, being an editor has somewhat destroyed the ability to just read and take in the story, I will admit that. A book must be really well-written, with well-developed characters, a complex story with no holes in it and logical.

If a book fails to fulfill that, I will stop reading and move on to the next. Others might not see those mistakes, but I do. Not saying I've written the perfect book, but moving away from me being an author, to me being a reader, I have high expectations and rightly so. I did have those beforehand and I have stopped reading traditionally published books in the past, but not that many.

My first impulse is to e-mail the author and tell him or her about my concerns, but then you have cases like the infamous author, who couldn't take criticism and hell broke loose. Further on, it's not my responsibility to give constructive criticism; I'm a reader, by buying the book and spending time with it, I've fulfilled what can be expected from me.

Back to me being an author again, I feel a little bit in a pickle; if I give a negative review, I might be in danger of getting one in return, just for revenge, or when I give a positive review - despite my dislike of the book - I'd lie and I don't like lying.

In addition to that, pure readers check out the reviewers of a book and indie authors reviewing other indie authors is widely understood as cheating. People automatically assume it's a review exchange. I will also not tell an author anymore that I've bought his or her book, in case I don't like it, I can just walk away, silently, but if I really love a book, I'll be there to support it. And that's a promise.

It’s a long walk from Kalispell, Montana, to London, England, so Stella and I haven’t yet met, but we’ve become good friends in the past year – just one example of how helpful and gracious writers around the globe can be, if you give them a chance.

Tip O'Day for Writers #131

Guest blogger Jimmy Pudge says to make like a tree.

My only advice as far as enhancing success is to branch out. Meet as many writers as possible, and network with them. Here's the thing: you may have written the greatest thriller ever, but it still won't sell if no one knows about it. You need reviews, and you need other writers to help you promote the book. Having a great cover and a nicely edited manuscript is also important in the long run.

Check out Jimmy’s blog at http://www.jpudge.com/

Saying for Writers #95

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

“If you want to get rich from writing, write the sort of thing that's read by persons who move their lips when they're reading to themselves.” - Don Marquis

Tip O'Day for Writers #130

Guest blogger Joan De La Haye doesn’t follow instructions. I asked for one writing tip, and she came up with eight – each one excellent. All is forgiven.

1. Go on a writing course. The people you'll meet there will be an invaluable support system.

2. Join a writing group in your area or start your own with some of the people you meet on the course, or else join a Yahoo on-line writing group. There are hundreds to choose from in all the different genres.

3. Set aside a place and time each day to write. I know it's hard, but it's the only way you'll ever get that book finished.

4. Read and research your preferred genre, as well as other genre's. In other words read a LOT.

5. Read the following books: Stephen King’s “On Writing” & Strunk & White’s “The Elements of Style” -

6. Find your own voice and style.

7. Send your completed manuscript to as many publishers or agents as possible. You’ll never get published if you don’t put yourself out there.

8. And finally, NEVER give up!

Here's the link to Joan’s blog: http://joandelahaye.wordpress.com/
And here's a link to her book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Joan-Haye/dp/0983279209/

Tip O'Day for Writers #129

Guest blogger Pete Morin on a Hemingway tip.

I was sitting outside in the shade this morning, doing a little research to answer an assertion that Ernest Hemingway was a "hack" who didn't take the craft of writing seriously. I was trying to source the quote often attributed (wrongly, I think) to him that there is nothing to writing, "all you do is sit at the typewriter and bleed." Combing through Ernest Hemingway On Writing, a collection of his letters and writings edited by Larry Phillips, I ran across one of my favorite pieces of advice.

Hemingway recommended that the best way to write is to STOP when you're going good and know what's going to happen next, so when you come back to it, you won't be stuck. That way, he said, your subconscious will be working on it until you next sit down to write.

I've found this enormously effective, especially as an out-and-out pantser. I start a scene without knowing perfectly well where it will end, and stop in the middle of it. My mind turns it over and over, and when I come back to it, I am ready to continue.

Saying for Writers #94

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

“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your stars, you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy." - Terry Pratchett

Tip O'Day for Writers #128

Guest blogger Roger Smith on your true audience.

As a writer your challenge is to find stories and characters that stimulate and excite YOU -- material that you are passionate about. If you find yourself shocked, amused, terrified and moved by what appears on the page, then agents, editors (and ultimately) your readers will be too.

Roger’s website is found at www.rogersmithbooks.com

The link to his latest book, DUST DEVILS on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dust-Devils-ebook/dp/B0054TR7GM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1311225691&sr=1-1

Tip O'Day for Writers #127

Guest blogger Devika Primic says Web readers have no tolerance for fluff.

Your Web points must fit; don’t waste your time with unnecessary text. Online time is a fleeting thing and your reader doesn’t want to spend the few minutes looking for the main point. Be focused.

Be conversational, not boring. Talk to your readers like you would face to face to generate buzz for your work.

Don’t Be Salesy. If you are trying to promote yourself in your social media contacts, your content will be buried because of ulterior motives.

Dixon says: In the new publishing paradigm, I feel self-promotion is a necessary part of the mix. Even agented authors who are published by a major house don’t receive the marketing support they would have expected just a few years ago. I think most of your social networking partners will accept some self-promotion, especially if it is combined with educational or entertainment value. What turns people off is the blatant “Thanks for adding me. Buy my book.”

Saying for Writers #93

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

“Most editors are failed writers - but so are most writers.” - T.S. Eliot

Tip O'Day for Writers #126

Guest blogger Beatriz Terrazas says there’s no Tooth Fairy, no Easter Bunny, and no Muse.

Forget about the muse. There is no such thing. Inspiration, yes, but that comes as a result of being aware and open to the world and the people around us, and of course, of our own personal histories and adventures, good or bad. Yes, at its best, writing is art but even art is work, hard work. This art is only achieved by sitting at the notebook or computer and putting down the words day in and day out. Sometimes the words are pure crap and you may wad up the sheet of paper or hit the delete key the next day, but it's part of the process. I say it again: there is no muse. Only your fingers on the pen or keyboard priming the pump in your mind.

Beatriz recently won first place in the American Society of Journalists and Authors for a first person narrative about taking care of her mother with Alzheimer's. She says the essay was fairly raw as it was pretty much written under duress in the way she described above, “by simply putting down the words.”

Tip O'Day for Writers #125

Guest blogger Dee Stewart on rattling your skeleton.

Before you write your novel have a plot skeleton designed. I use an 8-point plot structure. It really helps once you've become published, because you can swiftly give your editor a proposal for a new novel. It also helps on writing the next draft, editing for marketing content, and staying focused through the writing process.

Saying for Writers #92

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

"What no wife of a writer can ever understand is that a writer is working even when he's staring out the window." - Burton Rascoe

Tip O'Day for Writers #124

NYT bestselling author Gayle Lynds says to search for what fascinates you.

For twenty years I carried a Los Angeles Times clipping about Ivan the Terrible’s long-lost library of gold-covered books, so fascinated I couldn’t make myself throw it away. But I write contemporary spy novels. How could I use the idea in one of my books? Finally I realized that if the CIA were tracking terrorist financing and the path led to the library, I had the basis of a good story. The result was The Book of Spies, which has just been nominated for the Nero Award.

When the Cold War ended, many spies around the globe in every national intelligence agency were suddenly out of work. I was fascinated by what would happen to such a highly trained, committed, focused individual if his raison d’etre were suddenly removed. The result was The Last Spymaster, named by Library Journal as one of the Top 5 Thrillers of the Year.

My point is simple: If you’re fascinated, you have a better chance of fascinating your reader. So find what you love, what you care about, what FASCINATES you, then figure out how to use it in your novel. You will feel inspired, and your readers will be grateful.

To learn more about Gayle Lynds, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Spies, The Last Spymaster, Masquerade, and others, check out the website at www.gaylelynds.com

Tip O'Day for Writers #123

Guest blogger B.P. Baggett on the decision to self-publish.

As a writer, I looked for a publisher that would support a fantasy writer and wanted stories that fit their ideals. Eventually, I chose to self-publish with Authorhouse, since I’d have more control and the personnel there were very helpful and easy to speak to.

In the end, each author chooses what he or she looks for in a publisher. I personally found what I wanted in Authorhouse.

For a look at this writer’s DIY book trailer, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQbtRd6aqRY

Saying for Writers #91

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

“My language is the common prostitute that I turn into a virgin.” - Karl Kraus

Tip O'Day for Writers #122

Some writers on what they look for, when deciding what to read:

Kate Collins: "When I open a book to the first page, I want to be sucked into the story immediately. If those first several paragraphs make me ask questions such as; "Why did s/he do that? What happened to get to that point? What on earth will s/he do next?", I have to read on to find answers. Hopefully, the answers will lead to more questions or problems that will keep me hooked. That's what I strive to do in each book I write, and what I look for in reading material."

The official website for mystery author Kate Collins is http://www.katecollinsbooks.com/

Joy Castro: "For me, it's all about voice. No matter what the blurbs on the back say or how fabulous the reviews have been, it's all about reading that first page myself and feeling the rhythms, the originality, the intimacy and honesty of the particular voice the writer has created on the page. Voice is what hooks me--or leaves me cold."

Joy Castro teaches creative writing, and is the author of a memoir, THE TRUTH BOOK, and the forthcoming thriller, HELL OR HIGH WATER. She blogs at www.joycastro.com, or readers can follow her on Twitter @_joycastro.

Tip O'Day for Writers #121

Guest blogger Sibel Hodge insists on quality.

Get your manuscripts edited and critiqued professionally before you publish them. I think this is invaluable to a newbie (or indeed any writer) for producing a top quality novel.

Also, you can accomplish anything you want in life. You may have to take a different route to get there, but if you believe in yourself, anything is possible!

Saying for Writers #90

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

“I think it's bad to talk about one's present work, for it spoils something at the root of the creative act. It discharges the tension.” - Norman Mailer

Tip O'Day for Writers #120

Guest blogger Matthew Q. Dawson gets to the heart of writing.

As a writer, you must be willing to open your heart to the words you are writing. When the reader can feel the writer’s heart as expressed in the words written, you have become a successful author.

Check out some of Matt’s writing at http://hubpages.com/author/Matthew+Q+Dawson/hot

Tip O'Day for Writers #119

Guest blogger Shalini Boland said she’d love to share a writing tip or three.

1. When promoting, think laterally. Don’t necessarily promote in the same places as everyone else. It’s okay to start small. I did a book signing in a gift shop in the area where my book is set. People loved it and I sold out. I didn’t sell thousands, but I generated a buzz and the local press got involved.

2. I know you spent days researching that scene and you discovered all kinds of interesting facts and details, but if they don’t enhance the story then there’s no point shoe-horning them in. Honestly.

3. An atmospheric piece of music can eliminate writer’s block. If I want teenage angst, I’ll play indie guitar tunes with haunting strings. For horror, I'll dig out classical film soundtracks or a bit of punk metal. And nothing says lurrve like Motown or Amy Winehouse. For maximum inspiration turn up the volume and melt into the music.

Check out Shalini’s blog at http://someonewotwrites.blogspot.com/

Myself, I like something bluesy like Carly Simon.

Saying for Writers #89

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

“Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.” - Unknown (Sometimes wrongly attributed to Samuel Johnson)

Tip O'Day for Writers #118

Guest blogger Alicia M. Dean offers some tidbits.

I don't have any great words of wisdom. I'm still a struggling writer myself. I'm published, but not exactly in the bestseller category. However, I have a few tidbits.

Write your first draft in first person, then go back and revise it into third (unless you WANT a first-person book). Writing first person helps you connect with your character, have more control of POV, and convey more easily what the character is experiencing.

When revising, read your pages backwards (last page to first). You will more easily catch errors because you won't be as caught up in the story and your eyes will see what is there, rather than what your mind thinks is there. Also, read aloud. Hearing the words will help you with pacing and to know when something is 'off.'

This is one reason I love hosting guest bloggers - I'd never before heard that last bit of advice. I intend to try it myself.

Tip O'Day for Writers #117

Guest blogger Keith Gouveia on breathing life into your “truck stories.”

There are so many writing tips, tricks, and practices that never pan out for everyone. Let's face it, you can't catch lightning in a bottle. If there was ONE way to getting published and being successful at this game we'd all be best sellers.

However, there is one tip that always works for everyone, and that's persistence. The more you write, the better you become, and then suddenly the rejections start turning into acceptances.

Discouragement is a writer's worst enemy. It'll bring on writer's block, self-doubt, and envy. So you wrote a story and you can't sell it. There's a reason for that. Nine times out of ten, it's not ready for publication. So you put it away and write something else. So on and so forth, and one day you revisit those trunk stories. Then you see with clear eyes what all those editors who passed on them saw. You're now able to polish them and resend them, or gather them all together in a single book and hit the bestseller's list.

When I turned in my collection Animal Behavior and Other Tales of Lycanthropy to my publisher I was told it was the best thing I've ever written, and then I turned in The Black Cat and the Ghoul, and that was said to be the greatest thing I've ever written. And you know what will happen when I turn in my next book? That's right, the same thing. Practice makes perfect, it's true. It's a natural progression. So chin up. Put pen to paper, and keep writing.

Dixon says: I love the expression “a trunk novel,” which I have understood to be a labor of love that one writes mostly for oneself, without the intention of seeking publication. Here, Keith uses the term “trunk stories” to mean stories that benefit from sitting on the shelf awhile while the writer gets some emotional distance and learns more craft.

All that perseverance, all those rejections, all those blind alleys were not wasted time because now you’re able to recapture the creativity of your earlier self, and fuse it to your improved skills and experiences to create something truly exceptional.

Saying for Writers #88

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

“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” - George Orwell

Tip O'Day for Writers #116

Guest blogger Nicole Ireland is thumping her thesaurus and preaching to the choir – believe!

The most important piece of advice I can give a fellow writer/author is to believe in your creations.

Sure, we all have moments of indecision and self-doubt. We question whether or not our work is up to par with others out there. But at the end of the day, we need to believe in the words we write because if we don't, how can we expect anyone else to? And it's that self-belief that will carry you through the hard times, the negative reviews, poor sales, etc. So stop worrying.

Start believing.

The Amazon link to Nicole’s novel SACRIFICE is http://www.amazon.com/Sacrifice-ebook/dp/B0054EX3UG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1310233948&sr=8-1

Tip O'Day for Writers #115

Guest blogger Walter Jon Williams says know where you’re going.

Try to know the end before you start. It saves a lot of time and anxiety and wandering down dark corridors in search of the plot. You can aim each scene at the ending, and that means that every scene will contribute its own energy to the resolution, and the resolution will thus have more impact.

Dixon says: Good advice. I subscribe to the “writing in the headlights” school of fiction, midway between Planners and Pantsers (as in ‘flying by the seat of your pants’). When I start a novel, I know generally how it will end, and I have a pretty clear vision of what will transpire in the first 3-4 chapters. As I progress, the headlights expose more and more of the plot details along the roadway and my understanding of the climax grows progressively clearer.

For me, discovering exactly how everything will work out in the end is one of the most exciting parts of writing. Besides, my characters keep doing unexpected things, the rascals, and the plot I envision when I start is never exactly what transpires.

Saying for Writers #87

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

“Writing is both mask and unveiling.” - E.B. White

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.