Jennifer Azantian

                                                                                            “So many fail because they don't get

                                                                                             started - they don't go. They don't

                                                                                             overcome inertia. They don't begin."

                                                                                                                      -W. Clement Stone

Hello Writers,

You know that place that you think is the beginning of your story? Yeah, there. Well, that’s probably not where your story actually begins, at least, it’s probably not.

My Beginning

I rewrote the beginning of my first novel about six times (you can find the finished version on this site under The Eternal Link Sample). The first time I wrote it, it was an epically long info-dump, but at the time, I had no idea that wasn’t the best way to begin. I thought “epic fantasy” and so I went on about kingdoms and magic for far too long. Then, I was given the advice to focus on the people, but the problem was I wrote about people who lived before my main character’s arc, so that was a bust, too. Later, I tried a few more things, clinging to this idea of beginning the story at the birth of my main character.

After all that, I was given another piece of advice “begin with the action”, but the problem with this was I started with the wrong action scene. I picked one of a character’s death that seemed like a great beginning, and it got sort of good critiques. But then it went out to agents, and I got the same response almost every time: slow down. I had actually started too late! No one cared about these characters yet so a heart-racing chapter that spirals to a climactic death that was supposed to be poignant lost its meaning.

Ultimately, I took a step back and decided to start the story with a short scene of my main character at a few years old. My hope was that would established the personality of my mc, her world, and her family. After this, I switch to a few months before the big action scenes for the slower build. Finally, I have a beginning that seems to work.

The reason I wrote all that is to show you it isn’t always easy to know where to start a book. Don’t worry if you’re struggling. Try many different beginnings and ask others to read it. Sometimes, you need someone who doesn't know your story to tell you if they are lost early on. The reason for this is that you know your characters and what's happening, but it might not be translating as well. There really are no rules. I’ve read stories that start with description of a world that was fascinating, and I’ve also read stories that begin with a whirlwind bang that left me craving to know more.

Some tips for writing beginnings:

• Starting in the action is usually a good way to gauge where your story begins, but make sure you don’t leave too many questions unanswered this soon. If two people are having a heated discussion in a strange world that the reader doesn’t know much about, the reader may give up trying to understand what is going on.
• Beginning with establishing the setting/systems of your world is also something to be wary of. If you go on for too many pages, the reader may think “so who is this about?” and “why do I care about this place?” Don’t let your reader get bored!
• I believe, as is often the case, a balance of the two is best. Begin in the action, but also intersperse enough detail to ground the reader. Subtly is key.
• Something to watch out for is starting to early. Go through the first thirty or so pages of your book, and see if you absolutely NEED everything in it or if some of it can be pared down and sprinkled throughout.
  

As you probably already know, a strong beginning can make or break your chances of being successful, both with agents and the reading audience, so take your time with it! This is the part that draws people in. For agents, this is often the only part of your novel that will be read. Those first few pages are where you need to showcase your talent and also establish strong character, plot, and setting. This is where you really want to avoid cliches and be as unique as you can. It’s no small task, but when you finally get it right, it can lead to amazing opportunities (namely getting your whole novel read!)

Of course the beginning is just the beginning. Don’t spend all your creative energy perfecting the first five pages only to have the rest fall flat. Stay consistent, and I’m sure you will all do great!

Good Luck, and Happy Writing!

~Wistfulwriter

Editing tip of the day: Don’t Mind the Market, but Keep the Market in Mind

Basically what this means is don’t write what’s popular at the moment, because by the time your book gets out there, that trend you’re trying to emulate will probably have passed. You don’t need to pop a boy wizard into your story to make it “marketable”. This will make it harder for your story to get looked at by everyone from agents to publishers, and even readers. Think: “Oh no, not another vampire novel”.

With that being said, if you are currently writing a vampire novel, don’t give up hope just yet. Keep writing, and READ everything that comes out. No matter what, you want to write a story that’s different and so well-done, that no one will care that it’s another vampire novel. If you’re really concerned, another option is to put that project away for a while and take it out long after a new trend has settled in.

                                                                                                Especially True for Writers

Hello Writers!

I’m back!

Writing the last few chapters of a novel can get a little overwhelming. All of your work these past months, or even years, is boiled down to an epic climax. I know that even though I was excited, I was also terrified to end my first novel. What if I did it wrong? What if it didn’t live up to the rest of the book? Besides that, I worried about what would happen with this project over. Would I be able to come up with more ideas? Would people like the book? Would agents? I remember getting major separation anxiety as I typed my “The End.”

Something to keep in mind when finishing a novel is that it really isn’t “the end” of your work with this story. There is an entire phase of editing ahead where you get to explore and interact with your world on an entirely different level. You’re not saying goodbye to your characters, just yet. And, quite possibly, by the time you finish the many rounds of editing with yourself, your agent, and your editor…you may just be ready to let your darling out into the world on their own.

With all that said, you probably want to know how to write a great ending, right? Well, there is no magic formula, no “this always works”, but I’ve outlined some tips below that have helped me in the past.

Watch out for the over-dramatic.

Pay attention to the right amount of “epicness” for your story. Just because it is an ending, doesn’t mean it can’t be subtle. If you do have that epic battle, the-world-is-about-to-end, kind of climax, that’s fine, too, just make sure that’s where your story had always been organically headed. If it feels right, great. If not, don’t worry about it; just focus on creating a satisfying conclusion.

Remember the promises you made to the reader.

Go back and read what you’ve written so far. Take some time to mull this over in your mind. What have you set up? What could you tweak slightly so that the signs point better to the ending you want? Listening to the words you’ve put on the page will help a lot.

Weave your threads together throughout the story, not just at the end.

In most novels, there is the main plot and several subplots that need resolutions. Avoid the “deus ex machina” sort of ending by leaving clues throughout your story. Also, I recommend weaving your different threads together as soon as possible.

Avoid getting overwhelmed at the end by concluding some plots sooner.

Sometimes, trying to bring all of your story to one epic finale doesn’t work. A trick I use to help with this problem is to conclude some sub-plots earlier. This is a great way to keep the excitement rolling and keep the big focus on your main storyline.

Avoid the obvious conclusion.

I once heard the advice that when coming up with your ending, don’t go with the first idea you have. This, of course, isn’t always the case. I just thought it was a neat idea. It challenges you to think outside the box, which I am always a fan of. The gist of this tip is basically try not to be totally obvious in your conclusion. I know I hate it when I can tell the ending half-way through the book. Surprise your readers in an “oh, I didn’t see that coming but now looking back, I probably should have” kind of way.

Good Luck, and Happy Writing!

~Wistfulwriter

Editing tip of the day: After “The End”, Begin Again

A good way to keep your momentum across projects is to write the first page of your next novel when you finish the last page of your story. By doing this, you remove yourself some from your first book and give yourself something for the future. I’ve found that having other stories in progress helps relieve some of the pressure while editing and sending out a story. It reminds you that the story you’re sending out is not the be-all end-all. You have other ideas, other projects, if this one doesn’t quite work out. 

Hello Writers!

I am currently going through a transition period so I apologize for no blog last week, and there probably won't be one this week, either. As soon as I get settled though, I will be back with new tips, tricks, and stories of my experiences.

In the meantime…Happy Writing!

~Wistfulwriter

                                                                                               The Side-Effects of Boredom 

Hello Writers!

For the past week, getting myself to sit down and write every day has been a bit challenging. The reason for this is that I am in a part of the book I think of as the chapter in-between “really cool” and “holy crap they are all going to die”. I will admit it. I love writing action scenes. If something fascinating doesn’t happen every chapter, I lose interest as a writer (though I’m much more forgiving as a reader). As I struggled through this last week, I noticed I have developed some tips and techniques for dealing with the “lulls” that I wanted to share.

Understand Why You Are Writing

When I’m feeling my writing is coming at a sluggish pace, occasionally I slip into the “what’s the point of all this” state of mind. The cure for this, is to remind yourself why you need this part of your story. Even if it isn’t a fast-paced, heart-racing section, there is a reason it’s in your story. Why does your character need to be having this conversation with their mentor? How is this going to connect later? Remember the work you’re putting in now will ultimately strengthen your story.

Do Not Skip Ahead (no matter how tempting)

Seriously, don’t do it. I’ve done this before, and it was ten times harder to go back to the non-action-y part afterwards and finish that. This may just be me, but I use the “fun parts” ahead as a motivator (read bribe) to get my work done. If that inspiration was missing, I’d be in trouble. Besides, I want my story to build and grow. If I skip a part because I’m not feeling it, I will undoubtedly miss out on a detail that would have enhanced the later part of the story.

Create Something to be Excited About

Although this part of your story is not your epic battle scene or big reveal or romantic climax (yeah, I see it shhh =P), you can still add a little something that will inspire you to write. Perhaps the way to do this is to add some humor or maybe place your scene against an exciting or stunning backdrop. Whatever you like to write best, sprinkle a little in somewhere.

An example from last week: I really didn’t want to write about my character’s musings on her current situation. Her thoughts are important for her development and the story, but I struggled with it because I already knew how she felt. To me, it was like repeating a story to the fifth person who asked, “Oh my goodness, how did you get that bruise?” Anyway, in order to remedy this, I moved up her discovery of a new ability and intertwined that with her musings. So while she is lost in her own thoughts, the world around her is in a strange and interesting state. This added an exciting dimension to the story and completely destroyed my pacing issue. The scene flew out of me!

Even if your addition is not this dramatic of a change, try a little something, and see what happens!

Cut it Out

If you’re really struggling with a part and feel that it’s mind-numbingly boring to write, consider that it might also be that way to read. Maybe you just need to get rid of it. You don’t need to outline every detail of your character’s journey. An editor I worked with once asked me if my main character ever eats. I told him unless it furthers the plot or her character’s development, then no. A personal peeve of mine is when stories go on for too long about the details of everything seen, eaten, slept on, and stepped on. For me, I'm okay with: “we set out for the mountain” “#” “two days later, we arrived” or "we feasted for three days in honor of the joyous event". If I can’t answer the question “Why am I writing this?”, then I probably don’t need it.

(Side-Note: Sometimes full-detail scenes can add richness to a story. If used for a purpose such as establishing a time-period or fleshing out an unfamiliar world, go on and describe to your heart's content. But for me, this is best done in the background, organically, instead of in the forefront through page after page of description. Again, this is a personal preference and definitely not any sort of rule.)

Refresh Yourself

Sometimes the cure for my lull has nothing to do with the story. When none of the tools above help, maybe it’s time to take a day off. Get away from your story and do something fun. I have written an entire blog about this before, but I want to mention it again, here. It is great to be able to write every day, and sometimes it’s hard, but if it’s getting to the point where you are just miserably staring at the screen…get out of your writing space. GO! I give you permission. Without fail, I always come back from a much-needed break feeling inspired. Sometimes, I’m bursting with it, but other times it was just that one little idea that was triggered during my day off that gets my head back into the game.

I hope you found some of this to be helpful. Don't let the lull get you down!

Good Luck, and Happy Writing!

~Wistfulwriter

Editing tip of the day: READ!

This tip is a simple one: Read what you write, and read as much as humanly possible. In order to be a good editor, you have to know what others are doing. If you don’t know what the tropes and clichés of your genre are, you won’t be able to spot them in your own work. You want to know if what you are doing has been done before and if your story is different enough from the stories before you to keep your reader’s attention. Remember, readers tend to read books within the same genre. Give yourself the advantage of having the same knowledge that they do. If your character or aspect of your story is very similar to another one, they readers may make associations and come to conclusions that you did not put into your text. If you read what your readers are reading, then you have a much better chance of thinking the way that they think (a great advantage when you’re editing!).

                                                                                                      Unfortunately Useful

Hello Writers!

Although stereotypes are often discussed in a negative context with regards to writing, I’ve found that stereotypes can be used effectively. The reasons why stereotypes and prejudices are perpetuated within a society have more to do with psychology than writing, but the important take home message is that we all know what they are, and even if we don’t consciously accept them, they are in our subconscious and color our judgments. This is something a writer can take advantage of even if it isn’t always the most pc.

For example, when writing a female character, until told otherwise, a reader may assume she cares about what she looks like, is emotional, and is not a skilled fighter. But, she can also be viewed as nurturing, self-sacrificing, and intuative (not all stereotypes are negative!).

These assumptions can be used in two ways. The first works if your character is exactly what they appear to be. Without having to say anything, you have built in expectations of her behavior if someone around her is suffering, or you have created a tension for when she is physically attacked. While this is great when you’re trying to establish a character quickly for an upcoming scene (probably best used for minor characters), the other option is often a better choice.

The second option is to use a sort of sleight of hand with the stereotype being your tool for misdirection. You allow the reader to make their assumption about your character based on a few, carefully selected, details, then, you destroy all of their expectations. Kind, old ladies do not always have to be dishing out sage advice at every lost-looking, young passerby they see. They may, instead, purposefully guide you the wrong way because they are bored and in need of amusement. For this to work on a major character, it’s probably best not to wait untill the very end for the reveal. This is a device best used early so the reader doesn’t feel like you’re cheating as a writer.

I really love writing a scene where, for example, a sweet-looking little girl in pig tails is surrounded by a bunch of gangsters, and two seconds later they are incapacitated on the floor. As it turns out, her mother was a master fighter (or something like that). The reader didn’t see this coming because they expected the girl to be weak based on appearances. Thus, I’ve created a memorable moment that will stay with the reader longer than if her skill was discussed before the fight took place.

Another use for stereotypes that goes along with what I just discussed is to use it to highlight one aspect of a character. To do this, have your character be and act in a stereotypical way based on their history, race, religion, or gender and then have one thing that the reader does not expect or anticipate. This will stand out to and intrigue the reader. Use your story to answer the questions about why they are different in this way. Or you can use this quality as a driving force for their actions. You can even use it as the one thing that saves your character from a terrible fate at the end of your story. If you go through all the trouble of pointing this trait out, you might as well make it good.

Well, I hope this gave you a bit of a different perspective on stereotypes. They aren’t always bad and need to be steered away from. Like all things, know why you’re breaking “the rules”. This is one that I suggest not going overboard with, though. Too many stereotypical characters in one story will come across as lazy writing. Be creative!

Good Luck, and Happy Writing!

~Wistfulwriter

Editing tip of the day: Watch your quirks

Sometimes, writers get a little excited about the eccentricities of their characters. Although, this can work for a certain character if a distinct strangeness is your intention. But you have to be careful not to go overboard and create a character that is humorous when you do not want them to be. A character that is always bumbling and stumbling will quickly fall into comic relief instead of becoming a sympathetic character who struggles with an injured leg. Yes, it is good to give your character distinguishing quirks, but when you’re editing, make sure you use these appropriately. If you think you have too many references, cut some of them down. As a guide for which ones to get rid of, ask yourself what was your purpose in mentioning it in this place, in this way. If you can’t think of one, then it’s probably safe to delete it.

                                                                                                                                                                          Subtlety is the Key

Hello Writers!

Emotional scenes come in many different forms. There are love scenes, loss scenes, scenes of deep joy or intense pain. These are often some of the most poignant and memorable aspects of storytelling. Below are some tips on how to handle such scenes.

An important part of writing scenes with emotional impact (and really any part of you're novel) is to know your audience. When you write that romantic scene between your mc and their love interest, keep in mind the differences between middle grade, young adult, and adult. In my experiences, young adult romance is basically the same as adult only it includes the uncertainty of that age and also is less explicit and more suggestive. The key lies in the subtlety. For middle grade, there tends to be little romance, and if there is some, it is fairly innocent.

***When in doubt about not just the appropriate level of romance but also other aspects of your story (e.g. violence), use the published novels of others as a guide.***

Knowing your audience is just as important in scenes where there is a loss or feelings of happiness as it is in romance. If you want the emotion to translate to the reader there needs to be some point of identification. Someone losing their job may not strike an emotional cord in the average reader of a young adult novel. Instead, a focus on how this makes the character feel, in terms of helplessness or their emotions about their new dependence on others, might help teens identify better. You don’t need to alter the events of your story to appeal to a particular audience, but you can tweak it in such a way that it resonates.

A problem I come across a lot in high-emotion scenes is a tendency to over-write. This leads to a desperate and cheesy feel that creates the opposite effect of the one you desire. Before tackling an emotional scene, I like to imagine a similar situation from my own life. Okay, perhaps I’ve never been in a situation where orcs killed my best friend, but I have experienced moving away for college without my best friend, and I can channel that same sense of loss and loneliness into the scene. I hope that by using personal experiences, relationships, and observations, I draw a sense of realism into my stories. 

Emotional scenes are a great time to follow the “show don’t tell” policy. You don’t want to say, “My friend was dead, and I was deeply saddened.” You want to make your reader feel it. I attempt to do this in my work-in-progress when my mc loses her friend. It is out of context, but I think you'll get the idea anyway.

“My legs felt weak, and I let myself fall into a heap on the stone floor. I felt both hollow and heavy with loss at the same time. It was my fault. Why couldn’t I have used my fire sooner? The thought that I could have prevented Alex’s death took me from silent tears to body-wracking sobs...I spent hours sitting on the cold floor, staring, barely moving, barely breathing, until I felt the pain turn to a numbness along with the rest of my body.”

Remember, even if the situation is fantastic and unbelievable, the emotion behind it can be a very real and relatable thing that not only transcends literature but is present in every culture in the world.

Good Luck, and Happy Writing!

~Wistfulwriter

Editing tip of the day: The Grammar Checker

Most people use the spelling checker on their computer and often rely on the red squiggly underline to help them with their writing. I know that I do (though I do not rely on it exclusively!). Another program that is helpful in the same was is the grammar checker. Some suggestions may not apply to your writing due to stylistic reasons, but the great thing about the grammar checker is that it tells you the rule it believes you are breaking. Besides, it couldn't hurt.

In most word processors you can access the grammar checker by going to Tools at the top, then clicking Spelling or Spelling and Grammar, and then checking the box that says check grammar. If you have trouble finding it and can’t locate instructions online, there are a few internet grammar checkers like this one http://www.spellchecker.net/grammar/ that you could try. Again, these aren't exhaustive or always accurate, but I have found them useful in the past.

                                                        Action Scenes: Yeah, they're kind of like that.

Hello Writers!

Today, I wanted to talk about action scenes, which are one of my favorite things to write. I find action scenes are somewhat easier to write when I’m telling a story from the first person or third-limited point of view. The reason for this is that I get to focus on one character, or one character at a time if I’m alternating POV by chapter, and this helps me keep the emotional intensity up.

This is an important part of writing action scenes. In order to write an action scene effectively, the reader must be invested in the outcome of the fight/chase/battle. How I do this is to really get inside the characters' heads and find out how they are feeling. Are they scared, enraged, thrilled? Are they brave or meek? How do they deal with violence? How your character reacts to the danger in action scenes is a great strategy for character development.

An important thing to remember is not every person in your stories is going to be a master swordsman, gunman, or fighter. If you choose to make your character so, it is a good idea to at least hint at this before the action scenes or early in the story. Your shy female sidekick character suddenly destroying her five attackers is going to feel like a plot device if it isn’t properly set up. As usual, there are exceptions, for example, if you do this in the very first scene of a novel to establish her skill as part of who she is.  Remember, though, it is okay to have your character fumble during action scenes. If a character is just handed a sword for the first time, they are going to have a rapid series of observations like how heavy it is or how awkward it feels to wield it.

In my novel, I have a huge battle scene at the end that I was very nervous about writing. I have very little experience reading about big war scenes and felt uncomfortable faking it. But this actually ended up working out pretty well because my character didn’t know anything about fighting, either. Through her eyes, I was able to write a great scene without getting too technical. It works because I translated my lack of knowledge into her struggle with the sights, sounds, smell, and death associated with war.

One thing to watch out for when writing action scenes is to slip into the format of a blow-by-blow. This is where you go, “And then he punched a right-hook. And then I kicked his thigh. And then he kicked me in the face. And then I ran and hid. And then he jumped in his car" and on and on. Instead, break up the monotony of this not so great style of writing an action scene by being careful about what details you include and. also, filling in your characters' mental reactions. “He punched a right-hook, and I ducked, barely missing it. I couldn’t believe how fast he moved. Before I knew it, I had several bruises blossoming under my skin. I sent a kick to his face, but the impact seemed to hurt my aching leg more than it injured him.” -or something like that.

Another tip about writing action scenes is to try to sustain the tension all the way through. Some ways to do this is to avoid the blow-by-blow and pay attention to inner thoughts and feeling like I mentioned above. In addition to those, keeping tension throughout a scene may just be a matter of knowing when to end it. You don’t need page after page of fight and run and dodge. Write some of it out (the most interesting and memorable details are best for this) and then simply state the rest. This is one of those times when you can break the “show don’t tell” rule a little bit.

Writing action scenes can be some of the most fun you have a writer, so my final tip is to enjoy it! Don’t stress too much over accuracy, either (like what type of metal used in swords during your time period). You can go back and edit for that when you finish. Think of all the cool things that could happen and throw it out there! See what sticks!

Good Luck, and Happy Writing,

~Wistfulwriter

Editing Tip of the Day: Character Arcs

While editing, pay attention to whether or not your characters have a strong, believable arc. A character arc is the internal growth or change a character goes through from the beginning to the end of your story. Sometimes the path your character follows produces a clear and significant change, but this is not always the case. The growth can be a slight, subtle thing as well. Also keep in mind, the change does not always have to be for the better. An optimistic person may become more cynical by the end of your tale. But do see that something does change. A character that goes through your entire story and ends up completely the same isn’t very interesting or realistic. The exception to this is if the lack of change is a plot point that is done with forethought and for a purpose.

*Side-Note: One of my favorite character arcs is from the movie “What Women Want” where Mel Gibson’s chauvinistic character develops the ability to hear women’s thoughts, and by the end of it, he has a completely different attitude towards and view of women.

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

Hello Writers!

This week I thought I would take a little break from my usual technical musings and share with you all what writing means to me.

When I think of writing, the very first thing that comes to mind is not bestseller lists or hordes of fans or money or prestigious awards. What I think of is freedom.

For me, writing is freedom for more than one reason.

The first is the freedom to do exactly as I wish  in a world all my own. I can experiment with a different way of life, play with all the what-ifs that us mere mortals only wonder about. I can restructure current society or create a new one with new rules. When I write, especially since the majority of my work is in the first person, I get to see through another’s eyes for a while and, sometimes, even feel what it would be like to experience things I never otherwise could.

As I write this, I wonder if it’s a sort of escapism, writing. And, in a way, it is that, but I don’t think it is for the reason non-writers may think. I have heard more than once that writers write because they are bored with their own lives, but I haven’t found this to be true. All the writers I know lead rich and fulfilling lives. Personally, I’m at a time in my life where all the pieces are coming together, an exciting place to be. I don’t write to avoid life, I write because my life is bursting with experiences and questions that I want to share and explore in a fictional world.

Another thing I’ve noticed in other writers that is definitely true of myself is an addictive desire to understand other people. I was a psychology major in college, but my fascination with all different manner of people began long before that. Writing is a way to deconstruct and then reconstruct the psyche. We notice traits and qualities in people and wonder about their lives, their histories, and their futures. How did the university graduate end up a homeless man on the street corner? Why does the wealthy businesswoman always look so sad? Beyond this, we wonder: How would it affect the world if cars as we know it were never invented? Or, what could incite a World War III, and what would happen to civilization afterward? Both on the small and large scale, writers get to play God and, for me, there is no thrill quite like it.

Becoming even moderately successful as a writer also means freedom for a different reason. It means that my work is justified, though I know I shouldn’t measure my worth based on commercial success. It also means my thoughts can reach, and hopefully connect to, other people. But, most of all, it means that I can continue writing, which is the most precious thing of all. I have enough seeds of ideas to last me multiple lifetimes. Yes, no matter what I’m doing, I will be writing. But the ability to keep professional hours means I can produce more manuscripts in my lifetime than I would if I had to squeeze in an hour of writing time into my “real-life” schedule.

So I’ve discussed at length why my first thought is freedom, but a secondary thought is work. Writing is work. No matter how much I love it, as fulfilling as it is, writing is something I’ve committed myself to doing every day and to be constantly growing and improving at. Recently, I tried to explain this to someone who thought a writer’s life must be wonderful and easy because they are doing what they love. Writing was described as play or even a hobby. Before I could respond, someone else asked, “Do you love pizza”, knowing what the answer would be. “Yes, of course,” the first person said. “Well what would happen if you ate it every day for a month?” It was a crude analogy, but it got the point across. Eating something you love every day does not produce the same euphoria as having it occasionally and when you feel like it. I do not write only when the mood strikes me. I write or edit every single day no matter what because I take my work seriously. It is my job. It is work, and don’t let ANYONE belittle you and tell you that it isn’t. (End mini-rant  )

So all of the above is what writing means to me. I surprised myself more than once while writing this blog. I had no idea I had so much to say on the subject. I encourage you to take a little time this week and think about what writing means to you, and then, in your darkest hours, remind yourself why it is that you do what you do.

Good Luck, and Happy Writing!

~Wistfulwriter

Editing tip of the day: Less is More

Something I find myself doing a lot is overwriting. I think complicating our pros is a natural instinct for writers who want to appear more “professional”. While editing, try to cut out some of the frivolous extra parts.

Example one from my editing last night: “A sound between a screech and a roar reached my ears.”

Simplified: “I heard a sound between a screech and a roar.”

Example two from my editing last night: “He seemed to be very upset. The wrinkles on his face furrowed deeper than usual.”

Simplified: “The wrinkles on his face deepened, showing his distress.”

                                                                                        The World is in Your Hands!

Hello Writers!

Worldbuilding is a huge topic that would take a novel to cover properly, but here are just a few pointers I’ve come to learn through my own writing. For those of you that are unfamiliar, worldbuilding is the term used when talking about the creation of all the little things (and big things, too!) in your setting that come together to make a cohesive world. I’ve touched on this briefly before as an editing tip, but I feel it deserves some more space here.

So how do you go about creating your world?

Some things to think about before you begin:

General setting (forest, mountain, ocean, desert)

City vs. small town vs. deserted area

Means of food and supplies/Agriculture

Government/Politics

Climate

Relationship between different sexes and races

Role of children, the elderly, and animals

High tech vs. low tech

Shared History

Religious beliefs (not just traditional either)

Rich area vs. poor area

These are just a few basic things to keep in mind. There are, of course, many more. A big point in all of this is not just the answers to those questions but to understand how they are going to shape your characters. In a way, the setting is a character in its own right, and just like a character, it’s always good practice to know far more about it than ends up in the novel. For example, you may never discuss a religious system in your story, but what your characters believe will influence how they treat others or how they curse when they are excited or upset. So it’s good to know all the little things so you can more easily keep a natural feel to your imaginary world.

Besides shaping the attitudes of characters, the world you build can also work as an ally or an obstacle for your characters. If there is a devastating apocalypse in your story, how will a character who spent a life in privilege survive in a decimated desert wasteland versus a character who’s had a difficult life and was used to making something from very little? When they are traveling to a new place, think about what strengths and weaknesses your characters already have and how this is going to help or hurt them in their new setting.

Another aspect that is important are the rules of your world. Every society has rules. Whether they are crude and primitive or a sophisticated, well-oiled machine, it’s important for you to know what these rules are so that you don’t break them. This will pull a reader out of your story. That is, of course, unless you are deliberately breaking the rules of your world in order to establish an important event.  But this is the kind of thing you want to do with full intention and not by accident. A good example of establishing rules comes from the fantasy genre. The best magic systems are the ones that establish clear costs and rewards to the use of magic. Limitless, unchecked magic often translates to a boring story. A system where each bit of magic used requires a living sacrifice that grows with the scale of the magic is an example of a more engaging and believable one.

I hope I gave you something helpful to think about this week.

Good Luck, and Happy Writing!

~Wistfulwriter

Editing tip of the day: The Hard Copy

No matter what you’re writing, it’s always a good idea to get your story off of your word-processor. There is just something about staring at a screen, hour after hour, that messes with your ability to catch errors. Having a freshly-printed, clean hard copy to interact with (scribble things out, brainstorm in the margins!) is a great editing tool, and I would venture to say, an essential one.

                                                                               Blend Your World Into Something Beautiful!

Hello Writers!

Something that I come across often in my conversations with other writers is an interesting hesitation to blend genres in fiction. The problem seems to be not that the writer has difficulty pulling from different genres, but instead, has a fear that what they have won’t sell. I have heard this myself over the years from quite a few different sources.

I can understand why there is the stigma out there are about this. Both online and traditional booksellers do separate their selection by established genre so books that are in-between most likely have a harder time getting placed. However, just like I don’t believe in “writing to the market”, I also don’t believe in limiting a story that naturally goes in a certain direction. This, of course, is just my opinion.

One thing to keep in mind is that just because it hasn’t been done before, doesn’t mean you can’t do it and do it well. A great example of this is Laurel K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. At the time when she started writing her books, there was no such thing as “paranormal” as a genre. What she wrote was horror/romance/fantasy, and she was turned down many times. BUT, eventually, someone decided to give her a shot, and now, she is a regular best-seller. Not only that, but as more people enjoyed this type of story, it became a popular and recognized genre.

Currently, I am writing a young adult fantasy/science fiction story. My story MUST be written this way, or it will not work, and I am going to be completely honest, I have never had an agent comment on this. It is completely a non-issue. So, while I recommend making sure genre blending is actually what you want to do for your story, I wouldn’t say don’t do it. I believe a well-written novel that gets all the parts of story-telling right will have as good a shot as any to “make it”.

If you have a sci-fi horror story, go for it. If you want to write a literary fantasy, do it! You’re the writer. You’re the one who decides how you want to tell your story. Besides, if you’re really concerned, you can emphasize one genre more than the other. For example, a literary fantasy would probably be marketed as fantasy (see Neil Gaiman's American Gods) . That sci-fi/horror story could go both ways depending on what the core of the novel is.

I think my biggest piece of advice is don’t hesitate to let the person reading your story know exactly what you have written (agent/editor/publisher, whatever). I call my story YA fantasy with elements of science-fiction.

So, If blending genres is something you are concerned about, be aware that getting your story published may be more difficult if you choose this path. However, if you believe in your story and that you made the right decisions when you created it, then press forward and try to have it looked at. There is no agent that is going to turn down the best story they have ever read. Strive to be that story.

Good Luck, and Happy Writing!

~Wistfulwriter

Editing tip of the day: Spell Check

While editing, it is easy to rely on spell check, but that wonderful tool just can’t do everything. Watch out for words that sound alike but mean different things. I was about to type up some quick definitions of a few of these, but then I found this: http://homepage.smc.edu/reading_lab/words_commonly_confused.htm. When you click on the words, it sends you to the definition and a few exercises, too. How great it that!