tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post114619629834425127..comments2023-10-11T09:22:33.136-04:00Comments on Paperback Writer: Friday 20Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146685436619281212006-05-03T15:43:00.000-04:002006-05-03T15:43:00.000-04:00I read Some Writers Deserve to Starve last week. I...I read <I>Some Writers Deserve to Starve</I> last week. <BR/><BR/>IMHO, Niles is one of those writers. As near as I can tell (her website is under construction), <I>Some Writers</I> is her second book...and her first was self-pubbed.<BR/><BR/>According to the bio printed in <I>Some Writers</I>, her primary credential appears to be "former writing conference coordinater." The bio doesn't even mention previous books.<BR/><BR/>Plus she gives some <I>really</I> bad advice--like not sending an SASE if you want to know how much an agent likes your writing.<BR/><BR/>She does have a blurb from Donald Maass though--what's up with that? No doubt that's why people keep mentioning the book (that and a kick-a** title).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146322928395857622006-04-29T11:02:00.000-04:002006-04-29T11:02:00.000-04:00Imagine everyone in nothing but bright red Speedos...<I>Imagine everyone in nothing but bright red Speedos that are one size too small. And they're handing out Oscars at the Academy Awards.</I><BR/><BR/>I'll need a barfbag to go with that image. I'm reminded of a German Luftwaffe counterpart on an afternoon boat ride in the Turkish Med a few years ago. Excuse me...<BR/><BR/><I>Meditation and dedicated writing time: I'm pushing them this week.</I><BR/><BR/>Things suitable for pushing even in school zones. Of course, you are correct (but we all knew that on this subject--sometimes it helps to hear it from someone else).Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01805501348812702651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146280118049357012006-04-28T23:08:00.000-04:002006-04-28T23:08:00.000-04:00Simon wrote: I'm not just involved, I'm a founding...Simon wrote: <I>I'm not just involved, I'm a founding member ;-)</I><BR/><BR/>I probably shouldn't mention that Andromeda rejected my first Mercy story, but it was cute. I still remember the comment from the editor who bounced it: <I>Not exactly politically correct, is it?</I> Cracked me up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146279961460278002006-04-28T23:06:00.000-04:002006-04-28T23:06:00.000-04:00Jean wrote: Now, if I just make it through the nex...Jean wrote: <I>Now, if I just make it through the next four months at work without killing anyone or making a complete ass of myself, I'll be just fine.</I><BR/><BR/>Imagine everyone in nothing but bright red Speedos that are one size too small. And they're handing out Oscars at the Academy Awards.<BR/><BR/><I>Somewhere in there, I need to sort out my writing life--which is dragging itself behind me at the moment.</I><BR/><BR/>Meditation and dedicated writing time: I'm pushing them this week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146278942083279962006-04-28T22:49:00.000-04:002006-04-28T22:49:00.000-04:00Corine wrote: I've spent the last five years writi...Corine wrote: <I>I've spent the last five years writing my first novel, found an agent who closed her business before showing my Ms. around, sent queries to ten top agents who turned me down, and now I wonder.</I><BR/><BR/>Welcome, Corine. You're among friends here. :)<BR/><BR/><I>Maybe writing a first novel was merely about teaching myself how to write? Everytime I go back to it I notice enormous mistakes and wonder if I'm not polishing a turd? I want to shove it in a drawer and write novel #2. Is this sanity or is it self loathing talking? Was finding a first agent a sign that the novel had value or since she no longer IS an agent, a sign that the novel blows?</I><BR/><BR/>If you've only submitted your novel to eleven agents (I'm taking you literally here) I don't think it's time to abandon the manuscript just yet. If it were mine, I'd stop polishing and rewriting it first off. I'd definitely send a query on it out to twenty or thirty more agents. I'd also submit it to publishers who are willing to look at unagented queries, proposals and partials. Try to glean what you can about your novel from any personal responses you receive. You may also want to show your manuscript to another writer or a critique group and get some feedback. <BR/><BR/>I would also start writing the next book while I was sending out submissions on the first one. If this was a learning novel for you, then use what you've learned to write the next. Also, if you can't sell it, don't kick yourself. Sure, there are writers who sell the very first thing they write, but usually it takes a couple of years and books for the rest of us. In my case, it took ten years and over a thousand rejections before I sold.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146278273742997652006-04-28T22:37:00.000-04:002006-04-28T22:37:00.000-04:00Zornhau wrote: Any tips on writing a love story, a...Zornhau wrote: <I>Any tips on writing a love story, as opposed to a an adventure with a romantic sub plot?</I><BR/><BR/>That will or will not piss off the Sisters of the Immaculate Love Scene? Lol.<BR/><BR/>A love story is just that: the story of a love between two people (or, if you're talking eotica, three people, four people, or paranormal erotica; a person and a vampire, two people and a werewolf, three people and a unicorn, etc.) The other story aspects ride shotgun or take a back seat to the love. <BR/><BR/>If you're talking about a love story as in a romance genre novel, that's way more rigid and rule-bound. Like how your mom was when she tells you about the birds and the bees, and how you have to wait until you're married and stuff? Pretty much that kind of rigid.<BR/><BR/>Traditional romance writers focus on love as the vehicle for the story (all things in the story are peripheral or secondary to said love, and must not overshadow it, contaminate it, or get its play clothes dirty.) They adhere to many, many rules that govern what can and cannot be written in the romance genre; "There must be a happy ending" is one of the biggies. It's like purist science fiction with the plausible science; same kind of strait jacket.<BR/><BR/>And before anyone snickers, traditional romance is the still the bestselling form of fiction out there, folks. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146277976923162932006-04-28T22:32:00.000-04:002006-04-28T22:32:00.000-04:00I didn't know you were involved with that magazine...<I>I didn't know you were involved with that magazine, Simon. A very fun magazine, btw, for those who enjoy humor with their SF.</I><BR/><BR/>I'm not just involved, I'm a founding member ;-) I'm glad you've heard of it, sometimes it feels like we're a tiny mag on the far side of the planet from the rest of the reading world. (One reason we're looking to a PDF version - it almost costs more to post a copy to the US than to buy one.)<BR/><BR/>We started out looking for humour but we tend to print a mix these days. We still aim for the lighter end of the scale, since there are plenty of mags printing the dark stuff, but you can only pick stories from those people send you.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146276999768972312006-04-28T22:16:00.000-04:002006-04-28T22:16:00.000-04:00Erin wrote: I have a writing related question. Tod...Erin wrote: <I>I have a writing related question. Today I had some trouble with both my WIPs. The two scenes I wrote just didn't *feel* right. One is from an outline (ok, a hazy organic outline) and the other is semi-outlined but I'm basically winging it. Do you ever have moments like that? And how do you combat them?</I><BR/><BR/>I don't have the exact same problem because I'm an obsessive pre-planner, but I have had bad writing days when I'm convinced everything I've written according to plan is still complete crap, and should be burnt as I pack my bags and move to a mountain in remote Asia where all I have to do is light some cones, harvest strange root vegetables and keep the monks' scarlet prayer robes from turning their undies pink in the wash.<BR/><BR/>Seriously. Even Tibetan monks need an incense-burning, veggie-gathering laundry savvy chick around the temple, right?<BR/><BR/>But Tibet being expensive as hell, I rely instead on my daily routine. Taking a break between writing and editing helps me disconnect from those it's-all-crap feelings and get into a more rational, analytical mindset. Then, while I'm editing, if I still think everything I wrote is crap, I give myself permission to let it go, correct the usual stuff and move on. <BR/><BR/>I know that when I do the final, massive, thorough edit on the whole manuscript that I'll be in a better place to revise or, if need be, throw out the bad stuff and rewrite from scratch. <BR/><BR/>It's always easier for me to rewrite when the entire book is finished anyway, because I've got a complete manuscript and that bestows a certain undeniable confidence. The "I did it" afterglow, so to speak. I don't have that while I'm writing a book, and as a result I'm more susceptible to getting sucked into an endless rewriting loop, so I don't let myself act on the doubt by breaking routine.<BR/><BR/>If you'd personally prefer to rewrite, no problem, just set a limit to how many times you go back over something so you don't get stalled. If it's not to your liking by rewrite #3 or #4, consider tagging it as needing a complete rewrite and move on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146275024745701812006-04-28T21:43:00.000-04:002006-04-28T21:43:00.000-04:00Misty wrote: And all this is, of course, designed ...Misty wrote: <I>And all this is, of course, designed to keep me from staring at the phone, wishing it would ring and be my agent with The News.</I><BR/><BR/>Real life does interfere greatly with those times when we could be sitting next to the phone, staring at it, alternately checking it to make sure there's a dial tone and then hanging up at lightspeed because what if the agent was trying to call while we were fiddling with the darn thing?<BR/><BR/>(I've been not waiting for a call all week. It came yesterday, was supposed to be followed-up by yet another call today, but the darn thing never rang. I'll just have to not wait for it next week.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146270616938314672006-04-28T20:30:00.000-04:002006-04-28T20:30:00.000-04:00What's up with me? Wallowing in the abyss and jus...<I>What's up with me?</I> Wallowing in the abyss and just realizing it's me that's the problem but not entirely certain what to do to change my attitude. Finally had a quality conversation with hubby while on my way home from work (but before he got distracted with Fiesta playing), which helped ground me some.<BR/><BR/>Now, if I just make it through the next four months at work without killing anyone or making a complete ass of myself, I'll be just fine. Somewhere in there, I need to sort out my writing life--which is dragging itself behind me at the moment.<BR/><BR/>No question--already been lots of good ones today.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01805501348812702651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146266409809320772006-04-28T19:20:00.000-04:002006-04-28T19:20:00.000-04:00First time writing here. Thank you PBW for a very...First time writing here. Thank you PBW for a very generous blog. I've spent the last five years writing my first novel, found an agent who closed her business before showing my Ms. around, sent queries to ten top agents who turned me down, and now I wonder. Maybe writing a first novel was merely about teaching myself how to write? Everytime I go back to it I notice enormous mistakes and wonder if I'm not polishing a turd? I want to shove it in a drawer and write novel #2. Is this sanity or is it self loathing talking? Was finding a first agent a sign that the novel had value or since she no longer IS an agent, a sign that the novel blows?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146264346376272422006-04-28T18:45:00.000-04:002006-04-28T18:45:00.000-04:00(Just stopping off from packing up my shiny plate ...(Just stopping off from packing up my shiny plate for a day at St Andrews Castle, so pardon if this was handled up thread)<BR/><BR/>Question: Any tips on writing a love story, as opposed to a an adventure with a romantic sub plot?M Harold Pagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08949772130509527838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146263302394496242006-04-28T18:28:00.000-04:002006-04-28T18:28:00.000-04:00I have a writing related question. Today I had so...I have a writing related question. Today I had some trouble with both my WIPs. The two scenes I wrote just didn't *feel* right. One is from an outline (ok, a hazy organic outline) and the other is semi-outlined but I'm basically winging it. Do you ever have moments like that? And how do you combat them? <BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/>Erin K.vamp_writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09419145832788705647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146255095349389482006-04-28T16:11:00.000-04:002006-04-28T16:11:00.000-04:00Milady Insanity:Thanks for the tip! I've found I ...Milady Insanity:<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the tip! I've found I can mentally multitask if I'm in different stages of each project (planning, editing, writing the first draft, etc.), however my main concern is actually time. I only have 1-2 hours a day to work on my writing, so I prefer to devote that space to one project at a time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146250310431947482006-04-28T14:51:00.000-04:002006-04-28T14:51:00.000-04:00Zoe wrote: You've said repeatedly that you think i...Zoe wrote: <I>You've said repeatedly that you think it's best, rather than doing all the promotion stuff like tours and cons, to spend your time producing as much work as you can. My question is, how did you get your publisher to be okay with this?</I><BR/><BR/>I never sought my publishers' permission, but then, they've never asked, demanded or expected me to do any sort of self-promotion. <BR/><BR/>Self-promotion is not a prerequisite to becoming a professional writer. If you're very good at it, and enjoy doing it, I think you should self-promote (intelligently, and frugally.) I'm not particularly good at it and it makes me cringe, so I stick to what I do best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146249873294686742006-04-28T14:44:00.000-04:002006-04-28T14:44:00.000-04:00Milady wrote: PBW, do you write a blog each day? O...Milady wrote: <I>PBW, do you write a blog each day? Or do you have a backlog of sorts and you just pick one to post?</I><BR/><BR/>I do a little of both, depending on the schedule and what/when I feel like posting. I do write everything at least 24 hours in advance of posting. All the posts this week, for example, were spontaneous stuff that I wrote the day before I posted them. Monday's ten lists I usually compile over a period of weeks, and I'm generally working on collecting links for four or five simultaneously. I also have a few pieces I write and save as drafts for rainy day posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146249491510348842006-04-28T14:38:00.000-04:002006-04-28T14:38:00.000-04:00Steven wrote: ...what is the easiest way for you t...Steven wrote: <I>...what is the easiest way for you to get back into the writing after an enforced absence such as the above? Do you re-read the last few pages or just jump right in, or what?</I> <BR/><BR/>Stop playing with sharp objects, Steven. ;)<BR/><BR/>If I can clearly remember where I was with the story, I just jump right in. If I can't, I will look at the last page of what I wrote, but only for a minute to get my scene bearings. If you do backtrack to pick up the story, just don't let yourself rewrite unless it's a typo or an obvious fix. Rewrites kill your momentum.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146249147386395312006-04-28T14:32:00.000-04:002006-04-28T14:32:00.000-04:00Rebecca wrote: For me? *Sigh* Exams. I've been cha...Rebecca wrote: <I>For me? *Sigh* Exams. I've been chanting my mantra "Must not fail! Must not fail!" and desperately staring at the same piece of paper, not taking in any of the words on it, for a while now.</I><BR/><BR/>Try a change of scenery. I used to pack up my books and drive to the beach or the park, and study there. Much nicer than sitting in a room.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146248876167133072006-04-28T14:27:00.000-04:002006-04-28T14:27:00.000-04:00Scott wrote: This week I've decided to give my la...Scott wrote: <I>This week I've decided to give my laptop to charity and move to a village in the Amazon where no one has even heard of writing.</I><BR/><BR/>They'll make you wear a loincloth and drink things that old naked women have premasticated. <BR/><BR/><I>But, on a more positive note, at least I'm not working in a dog food factory :)</I><BR/><BR/>Or writing copy for their advertisements.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146248575941896192006-04-28T14:22:00.000-04:002006-04-28T14:22:00.000-04:00Simon wrote: I've just finished packing and postin...Simon wrote: <I>I've just finished packing and posting this month's issue (#22) of Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. We're only small press, but we've given quite a few SF/F writers their first appearance in print. Best of all, we accept submissions via email.</I><BR/><BR/>Well, knock me over with a feather -- I didn't know you were involved with that magazine, Simon. A very fun magazine, btw, for those who enjoy humor with their SF.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146248306053486262006-04-28T14:18:00.000-04:002006-04-28T14:18:00.000-04:00Darlene wrote: My question is about querying agent...Darlene wrote: <I>My question is about querying agents. Is there anything you think should or shouldn't be in a query letter?</I><BR/><BR/>I think every query letter should contain all your contact info and the correct spelling of the agent's name, agency and address. I opened mine with a great tag line, brief info about the book (genre, length, and a premise of 25 words or less); you can add your professional writing credits, and wind up with a thank you for their consideration. <BR/><BR/>ALWAYS include a SASE (and for those who think that's an amateur move, you should read Anna Genoese's latest LJ entry.) Basically: be brief, be honest, be dazzling without being blinding.<BR/><BR/>What you don't want in a query letter: name dropping (unless an agent's client is specifically referring you); snotty overtones such as "Don't be an idiot and miss your chance at this amazing literary opportunity"; over-familiarity, i.e. opening a letter to Donald Maas with "Hey, Don, How are the wife and kids? Here's a new project I know you'll love"; or any other obnoxious, sure-fire approach to pissing off the recipient. <BR/><BR/>Also, please do not use colored or scented or glitter-sprayed stationery. Do not spray the letter with perfume. Don't send something you've wiped cat puke off of before you mailed it. Use only clean white bond paper with clear black printing.<BR/><BR/>Do not cite how many years you've been a member of your writer organization. They don't care. Don't print the writer's org's little crest on the letter. They don't care. Don't list how many writing medals you got in high school. They don't care. <BR/><BR/>Do not send personal photos of yourself, especially the one when you were drunk at the last con after receiving your PRO pin. They will copy these and pass them around at the next agent's pow-wow.<BR/><BR/>When avoiding what to put in an agent letter, weed out all those things that are TMI, amateur, or unbusinesslike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146246746016287872006-04-28T13:52:00.000-04:002006-04-28T13:52:00.000-04:00Pencilone wrote: When you hit rock bottom, how do ...Pencilone wrote: <I>When you hit rock bottom, how do you find the strength not to doubt yourself and keep on writing?</I><BR/><BR/>Look for my grafitti on the rock bottom walls. It reads <I>PBW was here.</I> There are a bunch of other writers' names there, too.<BR/><BR/>Whenever I am pushed, kicked, or stumble into abyss of depression, which is my most direct route to rock-bottom these days, I remember death. Death is forever, and I won't be able to do anything after it. Then I collect myself, and tell myself to quit whining, and start climbing back out of the pit. I do that by writing. Some days I only manage an inch. Some days I climb a mile. But I never stop writing, and that way, I never stop reaching.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146245725484984162006-04-28T13:35:00.000-04:002006-04-28T13:35:00.000-04:00I'm way to the organic side of the spectrum. I usu...I'm way to the organic side of the spectrum. I usually discover that a story is ready to go when I'm several chapters in... Obviously this makes rewriting really important... <BR/><BR/>Zoe: Sales = clout. If your books sell well, the publishers don't care if you live in a cave in Tibet. They'll be happy to let you keep doing what you're doing. <BR/><BR/>Given how much trouble most writers seem to have getting any kind of promotion budget, I suspect most publishers aren't sure that promotion actually helps anyway. It can't hurt and it makes the author feel useful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146244924150238202006-04-28T13:22:00.000-04:002006-04-28T13:22:00.000-04:00You've said repeatedly that you think it's best, r...You've said repeatedly that you think it's best, rather than doing all the promotion stuff like tours and cons, to spend your time producing as much work as you can. My question is, how did you get your publisher to be okay with this?Zoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17702478924392188540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1146244454442269082006-04-28T13:14:00.000-04:002006-04-28T13:14:00.000-04:00Thank you for your response to my longwinded and m...Thank you for your response to my longwinded and meandering question(s), PBW. It was helpful and makes a lot of sense. I'm middleground on the planning/organic battlefield. Even when I think I know everything about the story, I usually learn I only knew half the full story when I started writing. Sometimes, I think that's also why I have problems hearing the "ding" that it's ready to start.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com