This past week, I spent most of my writing time coming up with stories. I actually came up with five ideas, wrote two storyboards and one synopsis.
This week and next I will take the two most developed of those ideas, and write good synopses and the first three chapters for each book.
Now, why did I come up with multiple ideas if I'm only developing 2? Two reasons...I'm saving the others. :) But also...I like to task batch.
When I'm drafting, I love to draft. When I'm proofing, I proof the cereal box. The same is true when I'm coming up with story ideas. When I'm working on ideas, I like to work on ideas.
I have a system. I start with a concept that I turn into a one-paragraph story idea. I turn that idea into a could, might, must and should list which I turn into a storyboard. And the storyboard becomes a synopsis.
You need a specific set of skills to write a one-paragraph story idea. Your brain needs to be very open when you create your could, might, must and should list. And you need to be in organization mode when you're doing a storyboard.
So since you have to employ a specific skill set and also have to "set" your brain to work a specific way...Why only do one idea? LOL
With your brain set to stretch and reach, why not let it do all the stretching it wants to do? When it's in organization mode, why only organize one idea?
The next time you're working on an "idea"...try working on a second idea too. And in the week or two weeks you've set aside to develop your book...you might just end up with two stories rather than one!
Happy Monday
Susan
Monday, December 17, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Anthology
Over the past two weeks, I wrote my first ever anthology. I've written short stories for my website, around 10,000 words. I've written estories for eharlequin, but I'd never written an anthology.
I discovered a few things. Plotting an anthology is exactly like plotting a book. (Duh,
susan!) You scoff, but I know a lot of writers who don't believe the story needs to have depth. I know writers who believe the hero and/or heroine don't have to grow...that there's not enough room in the story for both characters to grow.
The truth is...there is. You just need to keep in mind the constraints of your page count. You also need to have scenes do double and triple duty. You have to think through your story.
But that wasn't a hardship because that's exactly what I do for my longer books. I remind myself that I am in the entertainment industry. I remind myself that readers like a story they can sink their teeth into. They like characters they want to read about. They like good secondary characters. They like a good setting...I'm reading BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, the anthology with Heidi Rice, Kate Hardy, Aimee Carson and Amy Andrews...their "setting" is a blizzard that strands four couples over the holidays. Loved it!
Anyway...no matter how long or short, a story has to have all the components to be something that pleases your readers. True, single titles have to have a bigger, broader story that gives the novel added depth, category romances have to focus on the romance and anthologies have such a short page count that you have to really work your words to death...but you can do it!
Have faith in yourself. Have faith in your talent. Then, work. Never expect a free lunch. :)
Happy Monday
I discovered a few things. Plotting an anthology is exactly like plotting a book. (Duh,
susan!) You scoff, but I know a lot of writers who don't believe the story needs to have depth. I know writers who believe the hero and/or heroine don't have to grow...that there's not enough room in the story for both characters to grow.
The truth is...there is. You just need to keep in mind the constraints of your page count. You also need to have scenes do double and triple duty. You have to think through your story.
But that wasn't a hardship because that's exactly what I do for my longer books. I remind myself that I am in the entertainment industry. I remind myself that readers like a story they can sink their teeth into. They like characters they want to read about. They like good secondary characters. They like a good setting...I'm reading BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, the anthology with Heidi Rice, Kate Hardy, Aimee Carson and Amy Andrews...their "setting" is a blizzard that strands four couples over the holidays. Loved it!
Anyway...no matter how long or short, a story has to have all the components to be something that pleases your readers. True, single titles have to have a bigger, broader story that gives the novel added depth, category romances have to focus on the romance and anthologies have such a short page count that you have to really work your words to death...but you can do it!
Have faith in yourself. Have faith in your talent. Then, work. Never expect a free lunch. :)
Happy Monday
Monday, December 3, 2012
FRA-GI-LE ... It must be Italian
There's nothing like a good Christmas story to stick with us and become part of our holiday tradition. My daughter and I watch WHITE CHRISTMAS like it's our job over the holiday. The boys are big fans CHRISTMAS STORY. And the whole family loves HOME ALONE.
How does a story get to be good enough to worm its way into our traditions? Well, for one, the story usually has heart. It appeals to something in us that wants everyone to be happy...especially the little girl or abandoned heroine or baby having her first Christmas or family losing their home or uncle suddenly saddled with raising his niece or nephew.
It hooks us "into" the holiday by being wrapped in tinsel, with twinkling lights everywhere, billowing snow and air so cold the characters' breath mists.
It reminds us of the best parts of our childhood...sleigh rides, the scent of warm sugar cookies, painting cookies with icing with our mom or gram, snuggling under the covers dreaming of gifts.
But most of all it reminds us to love. In a romance it's easy for us to get love in through the hero and heroine overcoming their struggles...but it helps if your H and H are bringing love back to a dying town, or giving love to a suffering child, or rescuing dogs no one else wants.
Because love -- especially love in the Christmas season -- isn't just about romance. It's about the big picture. It's about saving someone else at your own expense, sacrificing, giving with no hope of receiving.
In final analysis, that's what Christmas is all about...and if you want to write a Christmas story...THAT's what you gotta get in there.
susan
How does a story get to be good enough to worm its way into our traditions? Well, for one, the story usually has heart. It appeals to something in us that wants everyone to be happy...especially the little girl or abandoned heroine or baby having her first Christmas or family losing their home or uncle suddenly saddled with raising his niece or nephew.
It hooks us "into" the holiday by being wrapped in tinsel, with twinkling lights everywhere, billowing snow and air so cold the characters' breath mists.
It reminds us of the best parts of our childhood...sleigh rides, the scent of warm sugar cookies, painting cookies with icing with our mom or gram, snuggling under the covers dreaming of gifts.
But most of all it reminds us to love. In a romance it's easy for us to get love in through the hero and heroine overcoming their struggles...but it helps if your H and H are bringing love back to a dying town, or giving love to a suffering child, or rescuing dogs no one else wants.
Because love -- especially love in the Christmas season -- isn't just about romance. It's about the big picture. It's about saving someone else at your own expense, sacrificing, giving with no hope of receiving.
In final analysis, that's what Christmas is all about...and if you want to write a Christmas story...THAT's what you gotta get in there.
susan
Monday, November 26, 2012
Goals
I know. I know. It's not even January 1st yet and I'm telling you it's time to set goals!
Why?
Because really good goals, the ones you actually achieve aren't set on impulse. They are thought-through. They take your real life into consideration...all your roles. They have a deadline and they also require a plan.
But they also have to be something over which you have control. You cannot say...I will SELL a book this year because you have no control over that. Well, maybe not 'no' control. You CAN write the book. You CAN polish the book so it's the best it can be when it goes to an editor. You CAN investigate publishers and editors who would want the book. You can set a deadline for when you will SUBMIT the book...
Hum...
Wouldn't those actually be better goals than saying you will SELL a book?
Actually, yes, they would be. The only thing missing in each of those steps is a date by which you would accomplish them.
You need a deadline for each of those goals because a goal without a deadline is only a wish. And if you're just wishing, then you're not serious. And if you're not serious, you're probably not going to succeed.
So if you're seriously considering taking the REAL plunge and writing and submitting a book this year...take a look at those four items above...Write book, polish the book, investigate publishers and editors, and submit the book. Give them dates/deadlines and you've got four good, achievable goals.
For those of you able to write more than one book a year...don't space the dates out so far. Know yourself. If you can write your book in four weeks, then give yourself four weeks to write a book. Give yourself a few weeks to polish, a few weeks to investigate editors and a deadline to submit...for more than one book. And you'll have your goals too.
susan
Why?
Because really good goals, the ones you actually achieve aren't set on impulse. They are thought-through. They take your real life into consideration...all your roles. They have a deadline and they also require a plan.
But they also have to be something over which you have control. You cannot say...I will SELL a book this year because you have no control over that. Well, maybe not 'no' control. You CAN write the book. You CAN polish the book so it's the best it can be when it goes to an editor. You CAN investigate publishers and editors who would want the book. You can set a deadline for when you will SUBMIT the book...
Hum...
Wouldn't those actually be better goals than saying you will SELL a book?
Actually, yes, they would be. The only thing missing in each of those steps is a date by which you would accomplish them.
You need a deadline for each of those goals because a goal without a deadline is only a wish. And if you're just wishing, then you're not serious. And if you're not serious, you're probably not going to succeed.
So if you're seriously considering taking the REAL plunge and writing and submitting a book this year...take a look at those four items above...Write book, polish the book, investigate publishers and editors, and submit the book. Give them dates/deadlines and you've got four good, achievable goals.
For those of you able to write more than one book a year...don't space the dates out so far. Know yourself. If you can write your book in four weeks, then give yourself four weeks to write a book. Give yourself a few weeks to polish, a few weeks to investigate editors and a deadline to submit...for more than one book. And you'll have your goals too.
susan
Monday, November 12, 2012
Late today!
Some of you may have noticed that my Monday morning posts are getting later and later. I have no excuse except that I used to write these on Sunday night and lately my Sundays have been busier. Good for me since I like a little social interaction, especially if there's cake. Not so good for my blogging.
Anyway, today, I looked at my manuscript and had one of those "hummmm..." moments. It's due next Monday. I've got about 2/3 of the book written. Not a big deal since I can write the other third in seven days. (And I don't have an event next Sunday. :O) But that doesn't leave a lot of time for polishing...or even reading the whole thing through.
But I've been writing for such a long time that I realize you don't have to dilly dally. In fact, I can probably get three read-throughs done on this book this week.
Three?
Yes. I'll read (skim read) the first time through to make sure my STORY is intact.
The second time, I'll skim read again, but not quite so quickly because I'll be looking at my SCENES. Making sure they are good choices to illustrate journey steps, making sure there's conflict and making sure there are beginning and ending hooks.
The last read through will be slow as I look at word choices.
If you try to read your ms looking for ALL your errors in one shot, without having a goal of what you're looking for, it won't just take you forever to read your book...esp if you stop to fix and repair things...you could also potentially make a mess of things.
Set your story. Then fix your scenes. Then go back and dabble with words and you won't worry that you'll change something at the beginning of the book that totally screws up something at the end.
So make your final read through three final reads-through. LOL Know your story before you start messing with scenes. Set your scenes before you screw with your words. And you'll be much happier with your final result!
Happy Monday!
susan
Anyway, today, I looked at my manuscript and had one of those "hummmm..." moments. It's due next Monday. I've got about 2/3 of the book written. Not a big deal since I can write the other third in seven days. (And I don't have an event next Sunday. :O) But that doesn't leave a lot of time for polishing...or even reading the whole thing through.
But I've been writing for such a long time that I realize you don't have to dilly dally. In fact, I can probably get three read-throughs done on this book this week.
Three?
Yes. I'll read (skim read) the first time through to make sure my STORY is intact.
The second time, I'll skim read again, but not quite so quickly because I'll be looking at my SCENES. Making sure they are good choices to illustrate journey steps, making sure there's conflict and making sure there are beginning and ending hooks.
The last read through will be slow as I look at word choices.
If you try to read your ms looking for ALL your errors in one shot, without having a goal of what you're looking for, it won't just take you forever to read your book...esp if you stop to fix and repair things...you could also potentially make a mess of things.
Set your story. Then fix your scenes. Then go back and dabble with words and you won't worry that you'll change something at the beginning of the book that totally screws up something at the end.
So make your final read through three final reads-through. LOL Know your story before you start messing with scenes. Set your scenes before you screw with your words. And you'll be much happier with your final result!
Happy Monday!
susan
Monday, November 5, 2012
What are you working on?
Many, many years ago, I realized (the hard way, long story that I can't go into now! LOL) that I was supposed to be growing as a writer, but I wasn't! Before we're published, we all have a tendency to long for that day when we get the call because then, we believe, we will have made it. The hard work will be over!
Sorta true, but not true.
Selling a manuscript IS a huge deal. It is a milestone. But it is not the end.
Readers (and editors) aren't looking for huge changes in your writing but they do expect your stories and your writing of those stories to get better. So the day that I realized my writing hadn't gotten better and I knew I'd have to be doing some studying, I actually broke my writing into categories. Story, scene and words.
Sometimes I'm studying grammar. Sometimes I'm looking at the intricacies of a great story. And sometimes, when I read, I'm studying how a beloved author put together her story. The order of scenes. The way she constructed the scene.
I know. I know. You all know this stuff. But...
Couldn't you be a little better at it?
Probably.
Right now, I have a big note above the manuscript I just started, reminding me of a criticism I got from a reviewer on my last book. I want to get rid of that writing tic.
I want to be better. Some day I'd like to be considered one of the best...which is kind of funny since there are thousands of incredibly talented romance writers out there. And lots of different tastes in books. And lots of different interpretations of what's "great."
But it doesn't hurt to have that goal...it drives me to think harder about my stories, to work more diligently on getting my scenes in order for maximum drama, and to delete, delete, delete poor phrasing and bad word choices.
As we rumble toward the year 2013 check yourself. Is there an area of your work you could improve?
Could you set it as a goal for 2013?
Happy Monday!
susan meier
Sorta true, but not true.
Selling a manuscript IS a huge deal. It is a milestone. But it is not the end.
Readers (and editors) aren't looking for huge changes in your writing but they do expect your stories and your writing of those stories to get better. So the day that I realized my writing hadn't gotten better and I knew I'd have to be doing some studying, I actually broke my writing into categories. Story, scene and words.
Sometimes I'm studying grammar. Sometimes I'm looking at the intricacies of a great story. And sometimes, when I read, I'm studying how a beloved author put together her story. The order of scenes. The way she constructed the scene.
I know. I know. You all know this stuff. But...
Couldn't you be a little better at it?
Probably.
Right now, I have a big note above the manuscript I just started, reminding me of a criticism I got from a reviewer on my last book. I want to get rid of that writing tic.
I want to be better. Some day I'd like to be considered one of the best...which is kind of funny since there are thousands of incredibly talented romance writers out there. And lots of different tastes in books. And lots of different interpretations of what's "great."
But it doesn't hurt to have that goal...it drives me to think harder about my stories, to work more diligently on getting my scenes in order for maximum drama, and to delete, delete, delete poor phrasing and bad word choices.
As we rumble toward the year 2013 check yourself. Is there an area of your work you could improve?
Could you set it as a goal for 2013?
Happy Monday!
susan meier
Monday, October 29, 2012
Ninc Takeaway
Wow.
No one puts on a conference like NINC. If you attended and didn't return with at least fifty great ideas, you're either already doing all this great stuff or ... well, you were dead -- or sleeping during the presentations.
Honestly, I don't really know where to begin with information. I'd never heard of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) but now I know enough about it to totally transform my website. I'd heard about Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, but under use them. Now I won't! (I also got to see Jen Talty!)
Liz Maverick talked about discoverability and discussed newsletters in a way that didn't merely help revolutionize mine, but also in a way that helped me to understand the real purpose of my newsletter. I no longer have to feel like I'm talking to a big black hole.
Julie Ortolon taught us a lot about marketing, including advanced marketing techniques. She and her lifeboat team also taught us how to create our own groups of friends, not just to like and tag our books, but also to be a sort of think tank for lifting our discoverability as well as a support group.
Guys from Amazon and Goodreads also demystified their processes. (Thank you, guys!)
I have 2 notebooks filled with notes...in shorthand. Which means in longhand terms I'd probably have 6 notebooks. I have 20 pages of action items...aka a to do list! (A long to do list)
Obviously I won't even have them transcribed for weeks. So what's the takeaway?
I think the bottom line for discoverability and navigating the new world of publishing is the same bottom line I have for writing a novel. It takes time. It takes a village. But most of all, you really have to want it.
I used to go to conferences and meet people who wanted "to write a book" as a form of entertainment. This weekend I met my competition and they are fierce. But they are also generous. They shared their marketing tricks and tips as freely as I share my writing tricks and tips.
You need to go to conferences. You need to use all the tools at your disposal. But most of all, you need to somehow, someway love this processes. Not just the writing but the marketing.
This weekend caused me to love the marketing side, to see that it can be fun and every bit as creative as writing a novel.
But it also showed me what a fantastic, generous writing community we live in.
So, thanks NINC and thanks to all the wonderful presenters.
susan meier
No one puts on a conference like NINC. If you attended and didn't return with at least fifty great ideas, you're either already doing all this great stuff or ... well, you were dead -- or sleeping during the presentations.
Honestly, I don't really know where to begin with information. I'd never heard of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) but now I know enough about it to totally transform my website. I'd heard about Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, but under use them. Now I won't! (I also got to see Jen Talty!)
Liz Maverick talked about discoverability and discussed newsletters in a way that didn't merely help revolutionize mine, but also in a way that helped me to understand the real purpose of my newsletter. I no longer have to feel like I'm talking to a big black hole.
Julie Ortolon taught us a lot about marketing, including advanced marketing techniques. She and her lifeboat team also taught us how to create our own groups of friends, not just to like and tag our books, but also to be a sort of think tank for lifting our discoverability as well as a support group.
Guys from Amazon and Goodreads also demystified their processes. (Thank you, guys!)
I have 2 notebooks filled with notes...in shorthand. Which means in longhand terms I'd probably have 6 notebooks. I have 20 pages of action items...aka a to do list! (A long to do list)
Obviously I won't even have them transcribed for weeks. So what's the takeaway?
I think the bottom line for discoverability and navigating the new world of publishing is the same bottom line I have for writing a novel. It takes time. It takes a village. But most of all, you really have to want it.
I used to go to conferences and meet people who wanted "to write a book" as a form of entertainment. This weekend I met my competition and they are fierce. But they are also generous. They shared their marketing tricks and tips as freely as I share my writing tricks and tips.
You need to go to conferences. You need to use all the tools at your disposal. But most of all, you need to somehow, someway love this processes. Not just the writing but the marketing.
This weekend caused me to love the marketing side, to see that it can be fun and every bit as creative as writing a novel.
But it also showed me what a fantastic, generous writing community we live in.
So, thanks NINC and thanks to all the wonderful presenters.
susan meier
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