It’s Read An E-book Week at Smashwords! My publisher, Twin Trinity Media, has discounted Bubba Goes National and Bubba to the Rescue by 50%–use coupon code REW50, and my short The Fire is FREE! Coupon code RE100.
Visit Smashwords today to get your copies: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AuthorJennWalker
Day one of the Bubba to the Rescue Virtual Book Tour has begun! Please stop by Shark Bytes and Tales to read JoanofShark’s review. Leave a comment, and you could win a free download of my short story, Leslie and the Lion! http://www.joanofsha…ook-review.html
To find out more about the tour, visit http://services.auth…scue-book-tour/ or join the facebook event at http://www.facebook….44971298910383/.
Why a virtual book tour? This is a great way to create buzz about your book by offering a lot of promotion during a short period of time, plus it has the long-lasting effects of all these mentions of your book staying out there on the web forever. Marketing is all about keeping your name out there so people see it over and over again. You might not see an immediate result from your efforts, but everything you do adds up.
Whether you’re working with a publisher or getting your book edited before submitting or self publishing, at some point you are going to have to work with an editor. Depending on your attitude, editing can be a painful, brutal, adversarial process, or it can be a stimulating, challenging, and enlightening process. Either way, the end result is the same: a book that is better than it was before the process. At least, you hope so.
The author-editor relationship is a tricky one. An author has invested many hours, cups of coffee (or perhaps bourbon) (or both), blood, sweat, and tears in their work, and chances are they love it just the way it is. Editors come at it fresh, usually with a perspective of what will fly in the marketplace. At the very least, they are readers themselves and have some idea how a reader would view the book. They are not as close to the book as the author is, and therefore it’s easier for them to do what needs to be done.
So, here’s the thing. The author wants to furiously defend their book against any change (except grammatical ones, I hope), but the editor, presumably, has some really good changes to make that will likely make the book better. As the author, you have to decide when to listen to the editor, and when to pack up your baby and run.
Editors, of course, are people. Some are good at their jobs, and some are not. Some are more experienced than others. Some have no business being an editor, at all, anywhere, while others are outstanding. I’ve run across a couple of bad ones. In one case, on Bubba Goes National, the editor was unwilling to discuss certain changes she wanted me to make, was not interested in what the typical reader might think or know, and sicked the publisher on me to threaten me when I wanted to discuss said changes. I ended up walking away from that contract for several reasons, and that was just one of them. In the end, I made some of the changes she suggested, although not in the exact way she wanted me to. So far, so good on the response to the book, so I think I made the right decision. Plus, authors are fleeing that publisher left and right, which further emphasizes that I made the right decision.
I have an online friend with a similar story, and I hope she won’t mind that I share it here. I’ll keep the details vague to protect her identity, but after getting accepted by a small press, the editor there suggested changes to her that were very, very bad. He wrote sentences that were not only grammatically incorrect, but horribly structured and just didn’t make sense. That was the end of that relationship, thank goodness.
Having related those two tales, that is not to say you should not listen to your editor, it just means that you have to be discerning. If the editor is not willing or able to explain why they want you to make a change, you might have a problem. However, if they have a good explanation, you really need to consider it. Step away from your own work and view it the way a reader would. Is the story/character/dialogue really as believable and understandable as you think? Does the reader really need those pages and pages of back story and description? They might have been good for you to write as an author for the sake of the story, but that doesn’t mean the typical reader wants to slog through them. Loosen your hold on what you think your story needs, and you just might find that it will blossom with a little pruning and fertilizer.
Finally, don’t look at the editing process as a painful one, even though it might seem like it. Your editor wants to help you make the story better. Look at all that red ink as an opportunity to improve, not commentary on how your work is lacking. Where I used to work, we said, “Red is the color of love!” If your editor fills your work with red ink, it means they care enough about you and the story to make it better. Every change you make is a step toward a better story. I know, easier said than done, but who said writing was easy?
It’s January 15, and that means we’re halfway through LAFFN. Just two more weeks to finish that novel! How are you doing? If you haven’t started yet, there’s still lots of time. If you’ve been moving along slowly, now is the time to kick it into gear. Or perhaps you’re already almost done and will soon be laughing at the rest of us suckers over a glass of wine. Remember, even if you don’t finish, at least you’ll be further in your book than you were two weeks ago.
I’m in the middle category. I have started, I have added about 1500 words or so, but I still have quite a ways to go. I feel a little like I don’t know what to do with the book at this point, so I add a few lines here and there. I’m hoping inspiration will hit me soon! I have time. I will finish! I’ve got to get this book published (by Twin Trinity Media) this year. It will be my third, and they say the third is when you start getting some real sales momentum. Here’s hoping!
After I finish this book (Bubba Gives Wings), I need to start working on Agnes Milby, my NaNo from this year. This is my attempt at a mainstream market, so I’m pretty excited about it. Back into the querying game with me! I’m excited and scared at the same time.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about with LAFFN, read all about it here.
Two years ago, I was chatting with a friend of mine, and we were talking about how we, like so many people, take part in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) every year, but then many of those books just languish on our hard drives. Either they stopped at 50,000 words and didn’t finish the story, or the book needs editing, or it just needs that final polish and a query letter written so it can be submitted to agents and publishers. I decided we needed a month just for finishing those babies up and getting one step closer to being published, and Let’s All Finally Finish a Novel (LAFFN) was born.
The challenge was originally meant to run in January and July, but some writers have taken it on in other months that were more convenient for them or when they just really needed to get a novel finished. January is rolling around again in just a few days, so we’re gearing up to do it again. Remember, the idea here is not to write a whole novel from scratch (like NaNoWriMo), but rather, take a novel you’ve already started and commit to FINISHING it by the end of January.
This can mean one of three things:
1) Pick up a novel you’ve started writing and actually finish writing the rough draft to the conclusion of the story.
2) Take a completed rough draft and rewrite/edit it.
3) Take a prepared second draft and perfect it and polish it so it’s ready for submission, and write your query letter and synopsis (I realize it’s not the same as writing one, but some people might need this, and the whole point is to get people moving forward, right?)
If you have another measure of success, as long as it’s in some way related to getting a book published, you are welcome at LAFFN!
So… find a way to measure your successes… a goal meter, percentage of project, etc.
It’s not about things being ‘equal’ for everyone, or to be a competition. It’s about a personal goal and challenge to ourselves. It’s about finishing something you started, and for some of us, that’s really hard. It’s about taking that next step toward being a published author. As with any challenge, it will be easier and harder for different folks. YOU decide!
It’s just a few days ’til LAFFN Jan12. What’s your goal? We have a forum for it on the Accentuate Writers forum (http://accentuatewriters.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=89) so we can all cheer each other on. Please register for the forum and post to tell us what your personal challenge is.
My goal: finish the second sequel to Bubba Goes National, titled Bubba Gives Wings. I wrote 50k words of it during NaNo last year, so I probably have about 10-20k to go. That’s just 646 words per day at the most. Cake! I’ve been preparing for it for the past week by reading what I wrote last year and editing as I go so I know right where I’m at when it’s time to start writing on January 1.
Let’s Get LAFFN!
If you get involved with your local NaNoWriMo region (you can find them on the NaNo site), you might find that people in your area get together for write-ins. These are fun gatherings where everyone takes their laptops and works on their novel while in the company of others. People might bring snacks to share or brown bag it. The point is just to have some company while you write, as well as to motivate you. They might have word wars, which is where you race to see who can write the most in a 10 minute (or whatever) period. It all encourages you to write, write, write!
I know, you’re shy. I am, too. Many writers are. We’re quiet introverts who keep to ourselves. Now that you know that, you don’t have to feel shy about going to a write-in with strangers, because they all have the same problem! In my region (Sacramento, CA), everyone is very welcoming and we always have a good time. Our Municipal Liaisons do a great job of fostering a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
If you don’t have any such happenings in your area, see what you can start! Even if it’s just you and one crazy, like-minded friend bent on writing an entire 50,000 novel in one month, the two of you can sit at a cafe and cheer each other on.
Just a quick NaNoWriMo tip tonight, because it’s 12:14 and I just met my word count for the day and I’m falling asleep!
I like to play a little game with my word count that helps motivate me to write more. I try not to take a break or let myself get distracted until I’ve reach a word count that’s a round number, usually in increments of 100. In other words, if I’m at 14,337 and I really want some mac & cheese, I’m not allowed to get up and make it until I get to 14,400. What often ends up happening is that I get to 14,400 and I’m on a roll, so I keep typing to finish my thought…and then I’m so close to 14,500 that I might as well do just a little more and get there. When it seems like I’m not going to make my word count, I look at how much I have left for the night and say, “OK, I only have 700 words left. Maybe if I can get 400 in, I’ll be able to make up the rest tomorrow.” But I keep playing my little “just a little more” game and the next thing I know, I’m looking at passing my goal for the day.
That’s it. Give it a try!
One of my favorite NaNoWriMo sayings: Embrace the Suck! You’re probably thinking around this time that your novel sucks, and it’s boring, and no one will ever want to read it. Of course it sucks. You’re writing a whole novel in the month of November. How good could it be? That doesn’t mean you should quit, though.
Don’t quit!!! Keep writing. Last year, I was convinced my novel was the worst ever, but I stuck with it and the story got much better. Ask Michy and Greg…I bitched all month about how I hated my story, it was stupid and boring and not nearly as good as the outline promised. I still haven’t finished that book, but at least most of it is done and I can always go back and spruce it up. And I will.
In point of fact, I’m going to have to go at this year’s novel with a machete when I edit it, because it needs to be much funnier than it is. But, it’s so much easier to edit something that’s already written and make it better than it is to start from scratch! I’m also a little worried about meeting word count. I’m running out of ideas. I also don’t know how this thing is going to finish. In general, I’m pretty worried. I could just finish it wherever it’s going to finish and then make up the word count by finishing another book (like last year’s, which is sooo lonely), but then I’ll be stuck with a story that’s too long to be a short and too short to be a novel. Plus, I really want this to be the start of a series of novels, so it kind of needs to go ahead and flesh out. That’s the nice thing about middle grade fiction–it can be short.
Where was I? What was the point of my post? Oh, right. Keep going. Embrace the suck. Don’t worry if you don’t know where the story is going or how you’re going to get your characters out of this mess, or how you’re going to solve the murder, or even how it’s going to end. Figure out what the next scene is, and write it. Then, figure out another scene and write that. The next thing you know, it’s November 30th and you have a completed novel on your hard drive.
Now, go write!
I had promised to come back and give some tips for winning at NaNoWriMo, and here it is the 7th and I haven’t done it yet! My tip for today is time management.
Most of us have something that we allow to steal time from us…Bejeweled, television, skyping/texting, staring at the news feed on facebook, etc. etc. etc. Depending on how fast you type, you should be able to get your 1,667 words done in about two hours if you focus. I’m pretty fast, so I can do it in an hour and a half IF I focus and IF I know what I’m writing about. If I’m running out of ideas, like I am today, it takes more like three hours.
In any case, set aside time every day for NaNo, even if it’s only half an hour. If you can’t finish your daily word count, you can make up for it another day…but even if you only get 300 words in, that’s 300 words closer to your goal and less you have to make up. If you’re tempted to zone out to television or facebook or whatever your guilty pleasure is, write instead. Skip the movies this month and save them for December when you’re sick of writing and need a break. Tell friends to lay off and give you some time so you can get your novel written. They’ll understand…it’s only a month! You can do anything for a month.
I generally have NaNo time at the end of the day, after I’ve dealt with all my other responsibilities. I also feel more creative at night. In the morning, my brain is too slow. Other people do better right after they wake up. Find your own rhythm.
The most important thing here is to make the commitment and just do it. You can do it!
NaNoWriMo 2011 is here! In case you’re not familiar, this is a challenge where people all over the world pledge to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. Yes, your reaction is correct: Oh, my. It’s a lot of work and sacrifice, and it’s not easy, but it’s also a lot of fun. And, hey, you finally get that novel written you’ve been thinking about all year!
Once again, I have no business participating because I have too much work to do. Once again, I’m going to do it anyway, because I just can’t stand NOT participating. Every year, I have some reason why I can’t finish. Every year, I do it anyway. Check it out:
2007: Didn’t find out about it until November 7th. Signed up, got to work, and finished the entire novel at 63k words. (Flying Leaps, my women’s fiction, now in editing)
2008: Got a case of tendinitis in my elbows and wrists halfway through. Had to take a week off to rest. Finished on time at 50k words. (Bubba to the Rescue, now published)
2009: Was working 10 hours a day as a groom for a horse trainer. Also had writing work on the side. Couldn’t work on NaNo at all several days of the month. Finished on time at 50k words. (Another book in the Bubba series as yet unfinished or titled)
2010: Was working all hours trying to support myself with writing work, just like this year. Couldn’t work on NaNo at all several days of the month. Finished on time at 50k words. I think i was on 25k at the end of the third week, so that last week was really, really hairy. (Bubba Gives Wings, book three of the Bubba books and needs to be finished)
My point? You can ALWAYS make excuses. You have work to do. Thanksgiving is this month. You have to start your Christmas shopping. There’s always a reason why you can’t or shouldn’t do NaNo. So what? Do it anyway. Maybe you’ll finish, maybe you won’t. Even if you don’t, you’ll have a start on that novel and you’ll be further along than if you didn’t do it. If you finish, great! Imagine the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you type in that 50,000th word…it’s priceless, really. I cried last year.
I write fast, so I can reach my daily goal of 1,667 words in an hour and a half to two hours. when I have time, I do more and try to get to 2,000 for those days when I can’t write as much. I’ll try to pop in and post some tips for success.
If you’re on board, welcome, and good for you! Best of luck…you can do it!