Musings by Janice
Thoughts on writing and the journey to publication...
Monday, November 30, 2015
Today's Monday Meet-Up is with Debut Author, Kristen Remenar!
Happy Monday!!
I am super excited about the month of December at my website: www.janicebroyles.com where I will be interviewing published authors for each Monday Meet-Up!
To start it off is the lovely Kristen Remenar who has TWO books being debuted just months from each other.
So, stop by my website and say hello to Kristen. No doubt you'll learn some wisdom for your writing journey.
www.janicebroyles.com
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Monday, November 23, 2015
It's Monday! AND It's Thanksgiving Week! Time for Bonus Monday Meet-Up!
Check out my website for TWO awesome interviews today! www.janicebroyles.com
First of all, I interview my SUPERSTAR agent, Carrie Pestritto from Prospect Agency!
THEN, to sweeten the holiday deal, acquiring editor, Jim Watkins from Wesleyan Publishing stops by to answer some business questions.
You won't want to miss their professional writing advice.
First of all, I interview my SUPERSTAR agent, Carrie Pestritto from Prospect Agency!
THEN, to sweeten the holiday deal, acquiring editor, Jim Watkins from Wesleyan Publishing stops by to answer some business questions.
You won't want to miss their professional writing advice.
Monday, November 16, 2015
It's Monday, and that means Monday Meet-Up!
That means it's Monday Meet-up! Every Monday, I post an interview with a publishing professional (literary agent, editor, or author). It's a fantastic resource to learn about the industry and how to turn our writing into published work.
Last week, I interviewed literary agent, Linda Glaz, from Hartline Agency.
This week, the fabulous Ann Byle, literary agent from Credo Communications, stops by to answer some questions.
Next week, being THANKSGIVING week, is extra special because you get two interviews! One is with my lovely agent, Carrie Pestritto from Prospect Agency, and the other is with super cool acquiring editor, Jim Watkins, from Wesleyan Publishing!
You'll want to check it out!
You can find Monday Meet-up at my website:
www.janicebroyles.com
Don't forget to leave me a comment, or to sign up for weekly e-letters.
Happy Monday! See you tomorrow for Tip Tuesday!
Janice
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Tip Tuesday: Writing tips for aspiring authors
Tip for Tuesday, November 10, 2015
taken from googleimages (dreamsanimation.com) |
Join a critique group!
Once you finish a draft, it's only natural to feel a sense of accomplishment. However, you are far from done.
Revision is its own beast, and you'll need help. Having another set of eyes...or two sets...or three sets...really helps you see the glaring errors or a plot development that doesn't quite work or a character that doesn't feel authentic enough.
Finding a group of fellow writers and critiquing each other's work is therefore beneficial.
How to find a group of fellow writers?
1. Join a writer's association. Oftentimes there are others looking for critique groups in your area or even completely online.
2. Print out a flyer or two and post them in the local library and bookstore. Ask to see if critique groups already meet at the library or bookstore and see if there is a contact number.
3. Create your own. If you have an acquaintance or two who like to write, you can start there.
What to do from there?
1. Decide when to meet and where. Maybe once a month? Online? At the coffee shop?
2. Send a chapter to each participant (or at least comparative pages...up to 10 pages is the norm for many). You read the chapters sent to you ahead of time and critique them before hand. Others will do the same with yours.
3. Some groups will bring copies with them and read right there.
No matter what, critique groups are a great way to strengthen your work and make that draft reach its potential!
Thursday, November 5, 2015
New Venture...or is it?
Two weeks ago I had the immense privilege of attending Maranatha Christian Writers' Conference. It was fabulous, dream-affirming, life-changing.
First of all, I met the most amazing people. All of whom were eager to help in whatever capacity they could. That was a good thing. Even though I am not new to writers' conferences, this was a different branch of writing, and I found myself unsure.
I had taken a nonfiction book proposal. It was about a topic that I felt needed to be written about, mostly because I've experienced it a lot. I was unsure because I normally write fiction, so nonfiction was a whole new ballgame.
Not only did I get the advice and direction I needed, I also received some interest from industry professionals.
I left the conference full to the brim and excited, once again, about this writer's journey.
So, what will it be?
Fiction or Nonfiction?
Hmm... I've got to talk to my agent about this!
Not only that, but I have an awesome NEW website! It's simply janicebroyles.com!
You can't mess that one up! Check it out...
Lastly, come here each Monday for MONDAY MEET-UPS. It's another new venture I'm taking where I will bring to you interviews and advice from industry professionals (authors, agents, editors). Learn the ropes with me from the best of the best!
Until next time,
Janice
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Write What You Know? OH NO!
My husband was reading a section of the historical fiction novel I'm working on. After reading it he said something along the lines of, "I really like the scene between the father and daughter, but the fight scene before it I didn't like as much." Then he paused and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I thought that writers should only write what they know. So, why are you writing war scenes?"
Now, grant it, I had asked him to read it and tell me his HONEST thoughts, so I can't get too bothered (but I did have to count to ten before I responded).
It made me stop and ponder the notion of only writing what we know. I first heard it at a writer's conference. A well-meaning publishing professional stated that authors needed to stick with they know. That it makes the writing more "authentic." It makes sense...in theory. A lot of our life experiences show up in our writing. Also, I'm sure that agents and editors reading disingenuous stories might make their eyes glaze over.
But every story I write is new to me. Sure, character experiences might be similar to different experiences in my own life, but each story is unique with complicated plots, unique settings, distinct time periods, etc. I am not an expert at all of the story lines, but I see it as a good thing. Writing what is unfamiliar to me allows me to grow as a writer. I research, then I research some more. I read. A lot. I make plot notes, and setting notes, and conflict outlines.
So, I'm taking my husband's comments as a challenge. I will rework the war scene. I will rethink it, interview a few men who've been in the trenches, maybe even watch a war movie or two. Then I will revise and make it better. I will keep doing that until I get it right.
Because writing what I "don't" know is a challenge. And it's a challenge I gladly accept.
Janice
Now, grant it, I had asked him to read it and tell me his HONEST thoughts, so I can't get too bothered (but I did have to count to ten before I responded).
It made me stop and ponder the notion of only writing what we know. I first heard it at a writer's conference. A well-meaning publishing professional stated that authors needed to stick with they know. That it makes the writing more "authentic." It makes sense...in theory. A lot of our life experiences show up in our writing. Also, I'm sure that agents and editors reading disingenuous stories might make their eyes glaze over.
But every story I write is new to me. Sure, character experiences might be similar to different experiences in my own life, but each story is unique with complicated plots, unique settings, distinct time periods, etc. I am not an expert at all of the story lines, but I see it as a good thing. Writing what is unfamiliar to me allows me to grow as a writer. I research, then I research some more. I read. A lot. I make plot notes, and setting notes, and conflict outlines.
So, I'm taking my husband's comments as a challenge. I will rework the war scene. I will rethink it, interview a few men who've been in the trenches, maybe even watch a war movie or two. Then I will revise and make it better. I will keep doing that until I get it right.
Because writing what I "don't" know is a challenge. And it's a challenge I gladly accept.
Janice
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