Be Nice!

This always amazes me, but I hear about it so often, I thought it would be worth a mention so you don't become one of those that I hear about.

In publishing, as in many other fields, relationships are important. An editor at one house today may be an agent you query next month. And the associate editor you sent that snippy email when they rejected your story may be the senior editor at the next house you try.

There's a simple rule that, if followed, will keep you from having to eat humble pie over and over again: Be Nice!

If it shocks you that there are still people who have to be told this, you're not alone. But agents and editors rant about this all the time: the angry author who tore up a contract after the publisher changed his cover copy, the arrogant writer who sent a full page of curse words to an agent who turned down his query.

What in the world is wrong with these people? Do they honestly think they are helping their cause? Just like the disappointed contestant on American Idol who swears at Simon and insists on "just one more chance," they must think that the sheer power of cursing will change the judge's mind. Poor deluded people.

But don't YOU become one of them. When you receive a rejection or lack of response to a query or proposal you've sent, it is NOT okay to shoot an email back asking why. It is NOT okay to argue the decision, point out the shining gems in your work that they obviously missed, or ever-ever-ever respond with anger.

Nathan Bransford, agent with Curtis Brown, has an interesting take on this subject on his blog.

This Says it All

This pretty much speaks for itself!

.

Writer's Conference

With the new year, comes planning. As a writer dedicated to learning all you can, you should give serious thought to attending a writer's conference.

There are conferences all across the country, focusing on specific genres and markets. There is probably one near you.

But conferences cost money! Why should I spend money going somewhere when there is so much free advice on line?

Good point! You can learn a tremendous amount from books and websites. But a writer's conference is sort of like a shot of caffeine for a serious writer. You are suddenly surrounded by like-minded people who aren't the least bit surprised to see you talking to yourself or laughing at a joke your protagonist just told. You take classes by successful authors and editors and can ask that burning question you've never spoken aloud. You're challenged by the struggles of many and the successes of others. And if you attend a Christian conference (which I highly recommend) there is the added benefit of outstanding spiritual encouragement and the reminder that your words are in the Lord's hands.

Conferences change date and location every year, but some of the big ones are the same place every year. The list below is a couple of years old, but click on each link provided to get updated information.

If you are serious about pursuing publication, a conference or two is almost mandatory. It not only helps you, but it impresses potential agents and editors who recognize that as dedication on your part.

Check out this list and find one that fits your budget and schedule. It will be money and time well-spent.

List of Contests

I'm going to make a shameless plug for another site because I think it's a great resource for writers wanting to take their work to the next level and publish. Hope Clark offers a free newsletter which lists various writing contests that require no or nominal entry fees.

Contests are a great way to learn to polish your work, whether or not you win. You learn a lot by following each contest's guidelines and submitting your work for another's scrutiny.

Often you can get ideas simply by reading the prompts or suggested topics for other contests. So go for it! Sign up for the email newsletter and start submitting your work!

Writing Contests
.

Lovely Villain

As I hope you learned in middle school English class, there are three major types of conflict in literature: man vs. man, man vs. nature, and man vs. himself--or in Christian circles, we could include man vs. God.

Regardless of the conflict, a story is made richer by the presence of a villain. In children's literature, the villain is often one-dimensional and the creepier the better. My son loves superheroes and supervillains, both of whom MUST contain super powers of some sort.

But in adult literature, the villains need to be more complex or we tire of them. The villain needs to be at least as interesting as the hero, otherwise it's not a fair contest of wills.

A common mistake is working hard to create a complex, believable hero while allowing the villain to fall into a predictable cardboard stereotype. The villain doesn't necessarily have to be "evil" in every sense of the word. The villain is whatever stands in the way of the hero attaining whatever it is he desperately wants.

.

The most interesting villains need to have something redeemable about them. Even the most horrendous criminal was somebody's baby once. Someone loved him at some point, so show that side somehow. Give him an out-of-character quirk that makes him more intriguing: a killer who grows prize roses, a psychopath who gives large sums of money to the animal shelter, etc.

.

Don't make it ridiculous, but adding little details gives your villain life. The conflict between good and evil is heightened when it is blurred a bit. And conflict is always the goal!

What's a Synopsis?

When you've completed your masterpiece and are thinking about submitting it for publication, you'll have to tackle the part of writing most authors hate the most: the synopsis. Some find writing a good 2-page synopsis more difficult than writing the 100,000-word novel.





In short, a synopsis is just the general ideas of your story, leaving out all the dialogue, description, and details. In essence, you leave out everything that makes your novel sing--which is torture for novelists! One editor described it as "the worst writing you'll ever do, but the most necessary."





Condensing all the twists and surprises of a four-hundred page novel into two pages that is supposed to convince an editor to buy your book is not easy and definitely no fun. But once you've gotten the hang of it, the next one isn't so bad. Add it's great practice for your next tasks, which are writing cover copy, an elevator pitch, and and a one-sheet. But we'll get to those another day.


Nathan Bransford, agent with Curtis Brown, Ltd., has a good blog post which goes into further detail. Hop over there and then get to condensing! Nathan Bransford