Calling All Newbies…and not so Newbies

Last weekend I met two “new” writers, two women who share common interests and goals with the rest of our chapter members. These ladies don’t just want to read romance, they want to write it. I didn’t get the chance to visit with each one as much as I would like. But one of the aspiring writers made the comment that she had so much to learn, and that stuck with me throughout the week. I wanted to tell her that’s true for all of us. No matter how long we’ve been writing, there’s still something to be learned about our craft.

For the new and not so new writer out there, I’d like to recommend a book I’ve found to be invaluable: Elements of Fiction Writing: Character and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card. It’s published by Writer’s Digest Books, and I picked it up at Barnes and Nobles. It’s a short book, only about 172 pages, but it’s packed with useful information and terms that every fiction writer, regardless of genre, must understand in order to write well. For example, Chapter Fifteen covers “showing vs. telling” and gives some great examples to illustrate the difference. Chapter Seven describes techniques used to draw an emotional response from the reader. I especially like Chapter Two, which discusses the three questions readers ask:

“So What?”
“Oh, Yeah?”
And “Huh?”

Writers write because we believe we have something to say, a story to share that says something about the world we live in and about the human condition. As Card states, “If your fictional vision was a good and truthful one, your characters will help your readers understand their families, their friends, their enemies, and the countless mysterious and dangerous strangers who will touch their lives, powerfully and irresistibly.”

I’m sure some of you have other resources you can recommend. Care to share?

Setting: As Important As Character

I have had the opportunity to read a lot of contest entries in the past month.  One of the more startling deficits I noticed was a lack of tone, mood and setting.  Certain genres tend to require more of a descriptive narrative, but all stories need the setting established to engage the reader.

Tone and mood are supplied by the setting, weather and activity first described in any scene.  You don’t describe a thunderstorm with rising flood waters and then have a happy go lucky party where no one cares… it just doesn’t work.  There have been many novels written where weather or setting could be said to BE a character in the novel.  Just one example from the recent past is The Perfect Storm.  I think the ominous weather facing the Coast Guard and fisherman took on a life of its own.

That said, not every story requires a dark mood or eerie tone.  But if yours does, then use the setting and a few detailed descriptions to get the reader on that same path.  Sometimes, it’s hot and humid.  When a writer says that the “moist air hit him like a wall” that evokes heat and humidity that everyone has experienced.  Air so thick that each breath feels like it’s being pulled underwater.  When a writers SHOWS the reader how the hot, humid air affects a character, then the reader identifies in a way with the character.  Even if you’ve never schussed down an alpine slope, if an author describes the smell of the cold mountain air, the reflection off the snow blinding you, and the bits of snow and ice hitting your exposed skin as you slide downhill… you may have a clue how it feels.

In many of the entries I read, the reader was engaged in action immediately or dropped into a conversation with dialog.  In either of these examples, it’s still imperative to give a few clues about the setting.  Background sounds can give some idea of a space.  If it’s filled with techno music, it can only be a club or upscale boutique.  If it’s low, rumbly jazz, it can be many places.

I heard Barbara Dawson Smith give an excellent class on writing where she suggested using specific detail to set a stage.  Instead of describing a room that the character enters by rug color, curtains, and furnishings, she suggested three sentences to set the stage.  In almost every contest entry I read where setting was not well described, I could think of three lines of detail that would have gone a long way toward setting the stage.  But the writer has to write them.  The reader can go a long way with their imaginations, but only if they are given some specific details to imagine along the way.

In most paranormal or urban fantasy, the writer is going for a creepy or otherworldly setting.  Even the Forks, WA backdrop for the Twilight Saga, is given a mystical feel by being experienced in the point of view of a girl raised in the desert.  The overcast, constantly raining weather gives the vampires some ability to move about in the daytime.  Its importance to the characters cannot be denied.

In a ghost story, a writer needs to build some drama while keeping the reader’s disbelief at bay.  In the movie, The Sixth Sense, the entire plot progresses with a child who sees dead people and a psychiatrist who speaks to him.  The filmmaker uses imagery and color to set the scene.  Throughout the movie, a red colored item will cross the screen symbolic of death.  Now, do you see this right away?  Not necessarily.  Sometimes, the best creation of setting is subtle shadings that need repetition in order to be discerned.

As a writer, we need to give our readers a sense of place and time.  There needs to be enough of a description of setting (or its impact on a character) that the reader knows historically what time period they are in, what part of the country they are in, and what time of day or night the action takes place in.  You might feel like you can drop the reader right into the action or right into a conversation, but you need to weave in some setting so that they can visually draw an image and engage with the story.  I think it’s just as hard to establish setting for historicals and contemporaries as it is for science fiction or fantasy.  Regardless of the reality of the world or time  you’ve chosen as your backdrop, you have to give the reader a sense of it right away while you hook their attention.

–Sandee Wagner

Roller Coaster Ride

Last Saturday morning. I spent 3 1/2 hours, writing without stop.  The words just flowed from me.  It was all fresh, wonderful, awesome!  I wrote a total of 16 pages which finished Chapter 8 of my MIP, TEARS OF THE SUN, a chapter I’d been working on for over a year.  Okay, I know once I re-read what I’ve written, it won’t be as fresh, wonderful, or awesome as when I finished it.  In fact, when I go over it again, I’ll probably think it’s no more than okay.

That’s the trouble with this business…it rides you, up and down, just like a roller coaster.  Right now, I’m still up because I haven’t had time to re-write what I wrote.  But in the next few days, I’ll be getting the judges’ comments on the first chapter of TEARS that I submitted to the WHERE THE MAGIC BEGINS contest.  Part of the downward cycle has already started because I already know how many total points I got compared to the other entrants.

Understand, I didn’t actually want to final.  Heck, my book is no where ready to submit.  But a small part of me, shared a disappointment with the entrants that I didn’t final.  Again, a downward move on the coaster.  And when the comments come in…Yep, you guessed it.  I’ll hit rock bottom.  I’ll mope around, feeling like I should keep my day job.   (Oh, wait, my mortgage company thinks I should keep my day job!)

Then I’ll get very pissed.  How dare these sluts tell me what’s wrong with my story?  Growl, grumble, snort.  And a few other words I can’t say because this is a family blog…sort of.   My anger will fire my will to ”show” them they don’t know what they’re talking about. 

Finally, I’ll look at the comments and get all these great ideas of where I can either incorporate the suggestions or get a path to use based on the comments.  I’ll get all excited and write, hopefully with the same kind of flow I had last Saturday.  And maybe this time as I make that upward swoop on the roller coaster, this time I’ll fly right off the tracks and straight into a sale.

God, I love this ride!

The Reader or the Writer?

Susan filling in for Meg today.

So, which came first?

For me, it was the reader. I’ve read since before I can remember. One of my happiest early memories is moving to our house in Cleveland when I was about four. I remember being surrounded by my books, while my mom was busy unpacking and putting away our things. She stopped what she was doing and sat down in the middle of all those little Golden Books and read to me. What a beautiful memory. What a great mom!

As a young woman, I read everything available in our library, except The Doctor’s Wives. When I was about to check that book out (back when I was in college) our Librarian, Sis Parrish, took it from my hands and slid it under her desk. “I don’t think your mother would like your reading that book.”

To this day I haven’t read it. (If anyone has it, please loan it to me!) 

When my younger sibs were old enough to read, I was thrilled to get to take them to the library for their own cards. They didn’t all take to reading like me, but they could have if they’d wanted to. The material was at hand. 

My dh and I moved several times in our first years of marriage, and each time after we were semi-unpacked, the first thing I did was get a library card. And check out a few books.

I usually read in groups. Romances, westerns, biographies, I even went on a terror binge at one time.

After reading all those stories, is it any wonder that I’m brimming with stories to tell?  I enjoy the work of writing, researching for writing, talking about writing, and I even love rewriting.

Today I spent my lunch chatting with a girl about a book she’s been working on with a friend. (It’s a little long, but knowing this girl, the end product will be fantastic!) Naturally I invited her to our writers group, and I hope she’ll come! This girl has talent.

But if I hadn’t read for my entire life, would I want to write? I doubt it. I’m not sure I’d understand the possibilities.

Such as the sass and flash of a character like Scarlett O’Hara in GWTW. The enormity of a book like Centennial just knocks me off my feet. The imagination of the inventors of the Greek myths is amazing.

Louis Lamour taught me how to stand tall and shoot from the hip–a necessary when you’re pregnant, you’re husband is working a job that has him on twenty-four hour call and you live several miles away from your nearest neighbor. His books showed me a people with an indomitable spirits. A people I’d descended from. (And taught me a quick draw. )

I’ve read and reread the Little House series and Little Women. In the main characters in both books, I found kindred spirits.

I know of writers who say they didn’t read much before they started writing, but I’m not sure I believe them. I also know of writers who don’t read at all while they’re writing. I couldn’t handle it, though. I get depressed if I don’t have a current read in progress.

Are there books in your life (besides the Bible) that helped shape the person you are? Care to share?

Are You One? And Do You Wanna Be?

(aka Living The Life Of A KA Heroine)

Margaret E. Reid spoke to RWI last Saturday about living a KA heroine’s life. We all look at her and think, “Wow. She’s actually doing it.” She races cars, scuba dives, belly dances, and does her own repairs around the house (as in tiling the bathroom) just to name a few of the things on her resume. She looks at herself and just sees a wife, mom, sister, friend. Nothing special. No different than you and I. Except she has done a few of the things she’s always wanted to try. Or was goaded into trying, like driving that dirt track race car.

She showed a video of one of her races from inside the car. To be able to dodge all the other cars when there were wrecks was amazing. She did a terrific job. However, the first time she ‘raced’, she drove on the inside of the track doing about 30 mph (I could be exaggerating here just a bit) and scared to death. But she wouldn’t quit. For the last 2 years, she finished 4^th in overall points and was the only female competing. Has she ever come a long way, baby!

Are we any different than Meg? Not really. Each of us has that KA heroine in us. Somewhere. To some degree. Maybe we wouldn’t dream of tackling some of the things she’s done, but we can tackle the things that do hinder us. One of the things she pointed out in her talk was it’s your courage that makes the difference. Do you have the courage to step out of your comfort zone?

You don’t have to set the world on fire. All you have to do is take it one baby step at a time. Meg has inspired me. I’ve always wanted to build up my stamina enough to ride the Harley to Sturgis, SD with my hubby one year. Could this coming year be the year to do it? I just need to put my butt in the saddle and go for it.

What about you? Besides selling your next book, or even A book, what would it take for you to feel as if you were a KA heroine? Or do you already feel like one? If so, tell us. We want to know.

What I’m Thankful for…

This last Saturday, we had our chapter meeting and as usual, during introductions, we had to answer a question. This month’s question was what are you thankful for. 

It’s a good time to remember just what we are thankful for, since it’s November. I said that I was thankful for my husband, kids and my RWI sisters.

I want to expand on that.

Without my husband, I wouldn’t be who I am. Having come from a rough background, I had a lot of issues–and I still do to an extent. But he has always been there for me. Even when half way through our marriage I decided to legally change my first and middle name. He went with me to court and has supported me through it all. He supports my writing and encourages me to keep trying–something I would have given up on a long time ago if it wasn’t for him. And without him, I wouldn’t have my kids–who I am also thankful for. I can’t imagine where I would be without them.

And my RWI sisters. I don’t think you girls realize how much ya’ll mean to me. Without you, I wouldn’t have come so far. More than that, you all have been there for me through some tough times. It means so much to know that I have friends. Before I met you all, I didn’t really.

Thanks so much for all you do! You mean so much!

So what are you thankful for?

Interview With Merline Lovelace

What was the best part about your military career and how long did you serve?
I served for 23 years, with tours in Taiwan, VN, and at the Pentagon, among other charming vacation spots. My favorite assignment was Wing Commander at Eglin AFB, FL. I had 3,000 men and women under my direct command, another 20,000 living or working on my base. It was 24/7 but soooo rewarding.

You’ve done a lot of traveling. What’s your favorite destination and why?
As a history buff, I love visiting ancient sites — Pompeii, the Terra Cotta warriors, Hadrian’s Wall. But our recent trip to Egypt and the Holy Land left an indelible mark on me! Walking in Christ’s footsteps was an amazing experience and Egypt was everything I’d imagined it would be and more! I got several books out of that trip!!!

What made you pick up a pen or keyboard and write your first book?
When I retired from the military I wanted to be my own boss for the first time in my life, work out of my own home, and NEVER wear another pair of panty hose. So I looked around for a second career and decided to see if my love of reading could translate into writing. Once I got into my first book, I was totally hooked.

What is the best advice you have received as a writer?
In Nora Roberts’ immortal words — write every day, even if it’s crap. Sometimes the words come easy, sometimes it’s like pulling teeth. If you keep at it, tho, the characters will find their way and the pages will add up.

What does your normal (writing) week look like?
Writing is a full time job for me. I usually write Mon-Fri, from 6 or 7 am to about 2 pm. After that I do edits or emails or proposals for several more hours. When I’m pushing a deadline, it’s Sun-Sun.

What is your favorite tip/trick when you get stuck on a manuscript? How do you handle writer’s block?
See above. I just plant my butt in my chair and start typing. Eventually, the characters regain their zest and the plot starts to make sense again. Although — sometimes it takes a martini or two and a long bubble bath for the brain cells to regenerate.

When promoting your book(s), what have you found that seems to work well?
I don’t do as much promotion as I used to. I’m not convinced it makes much difference in terms of overall sales and would rather spend my time writing and traveling.
Almost all of what I do do these days is electronic. I enjoy creating book trailers on my Mac and uploading them to YouTube. My publishers and several major book chains have picked up the trailers for their sites. I also regularly update my website and send mass release announcements to readers. I’m on Facebook but haven’t done much with it or with twittering yet. So much to do, so little time…

What’s coming up next for you?
I’m having a ball with my new mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime. I’m also excited about a medieval historical for Blaze that I’ll start working on in a month or so. It’s been a while since I did a historical. I enjoy the change of pace and style and research.

Do you have an excerpt from your most recent book that you’d like to include?
With pleasure. Here’s the opening of the very first Lt. Samantha Spade mystery, currently on sale. ALL THE WRONG MOVES

Love in the Stacks

I’m still not absolutely certain what it was about.

I received a phone call one day at work, asking me if I’d be interested. A signing. A way to promote my work. You betcha.

The event was held at the beautiful Hardesty Library in Tulsa for librarians with area romance writers.

So I went, even though neither Twisted Sister Marilyn nor TS Meg were going to be able to make it and I’m so shy.  I’d be all by myself, more or less. The first person I saw when I got there was an old friend, Vicki McDonough. I was thrilled!

Yay! I’m not alone among strangers.

I ran into Jordan Dane and introduced myself. (I remembered her from our conference a few years ago.) Another writer, Malena Lott,  from Edmond, drove up with Jordan and we had a great chat. Jordan asked me if we would have many of our unpubbed members in attendance. I doubted it. I hadn’t even known we could invite them. I should have asked more questions.

I got hugs from writer friends Jaci Burton and Margaret Daley. Don’t you love ‘em? (Hugs AND friends.) 

That’s when Joan, the book seller, heard my name. “Your books aren’t here. They promised me they’d be here yesterday, and they aren’t here yet.”

Joan looked really unhappy, but hey. That’s life, and crap happens. When I spotted my name on the table at the front (with 8 other authors) I decided to stay. At the speakers’ table I sat by Jackie King and Peggy Moss Fielding. Those ladies are so much fun! I think the librarians liked them best of all. Truth be told, there were about as many people listening as there were speaking! 

We had a great time, chatting about books we enjoy and how we write. And where our ideas come from. I so enjoyed learning how other women work.

When the question/answer period was over, we had a signing. Since I didn’t have anything to sell, I bought a couple of books from the foreigners (OKCers)  and decided to head home.

The good news is since my books didn’t come in for sale at the signing, they will now be in the Barnes & Noble store at 71st and Memorial, and I’m thrilled! And Joan (the book seller) invited me to an in-store  romance signing she’s having not long before Christmas. 

I can’t wait!

Gifts and Regifting

With the holidays coming up, I’ve been thinking about gifts. I’m not a great shopper. I love to find just the perfect gift for people, but I hate going to stores (which makes it kind of tough finding that perfect gift!).

Perfect gifts are . . . well, perfect, but funny/odd/quirky gifts (or gift-giving habits) appeal to me a lot. When my nephew Kevin was about six, every time I asked him what he wanted for Christmas, he replied, “Anything but a Barbie.” Of course, in addition to a video game, I got him a Barbie. The next year he gave me a box of coal. (He regifted the Barbie to his big burly uncle Ron, who gave it back a year later.)

A few years ago, my aunt Alice’s friend gave her a box of truffles for her birthday. She hates truffles, so she stuck them in the freezer, pulled them out at Christmas and gave them to her sister. Her sister stuck them back in the freezer, pulled them out a few months later and gave them to her best friend. Come Alice’s birthday the next summer, the best friend gave the truffles back to her.

My aunt Linda trades the same birthday card with her best friend year after year. She crosses out her friend’s name, writes hers on it, and her friend does the same when she returns it.

Meg and I usually trade goodies when we see each other. One year I bought an inexpensive (like 50 cents) gift bag, filled it with stuff and gave it to Meg. Next time I got the bag back, filled with her goodies. I don’t remember how many exchanges that bag made before it fell apart at the seams, but we definitely got my 50 cents’ worth from it.

What’s your take on gift-giving? Are you always serious? Do you like gag gifts? Do you ever regift?

2010 Will Be Here Sooner Than You Think

Since January of this year I’ve lost forty pounds.  I say that not to break my arm patting myself on the back or solicit praise, but because over the last few months I have finally found the deep well of discipline I thought I might have let run dry.  The effort to get focused and reign in the chaos that surrounds my eating habits has seeped into other areas of my life, particularly my writing.  I used to just grab whatever and I usually ate on the go or at my desk.  I’d often say I didn’t have time to plan or think about what I was going to eat.  Over the last few months, I’ve learned that I do have time. It really doesn’t take all that much effort to think about eating well. I’ve learned to make myself slow down and take a break now and then, to sit down and enjoy a meal.  I’ve actually begun to use real plates…not paper ones! <big snort>

The discipline that I always had, but just didn’t engage, is now becoming a part of my writing routine. Just as I now make the time to walk an hour every day, I set aside the time to write an hour every day. It may just be crap or stream of consciousness, but I’m putting words on a page, and that’s what counts.  You can’t learn to play the piano or the guitar without practice. You can’t learn to write well unless you practice that too.

Naturally there are days when I don’t want to stick to the diet and I’d rather watch TV that walk or write.  The trick I’ve learned, is sticking to a routine, but when I mess up, forgive and move on. As the Holidays approach it will be tempting to fall off the wagon, to eat all that great food, and let writing fall by the wayside.  But when I think about the fact that I’ve already had to buy new clothes three times this year, and when I consider the requests I’ve had for partials and full manuscripts, basically when I see the discipline paying off, that’s my motivation  to stick with the diet and with the writing routine.

I have set two goals for 2010…by Halloween next year (my birthday) I want to shop at Victoria’s Secret without anyone vomiting on the floor. (bigger snort) And I want to have a publishing contract in my hot little hands.

2010 is not that far away.  Have you set your goals yet?