Write. Network. Publish.

Don't Give Your Readers a Roller Coaster Ride Between Boredom and Excitement, Choose Effective Scenes

2009-02-16T07:16:00.000-08:00

Once you've created your plot, main characters, and setting, it's time to start your verbal blender and mix up some muse-inspired sentences. The problem that often creates writer's block and that if not addressed creates a roller coaster ride from boredom to excitement to boredom and then back again, is that we fail to realize which scenes are important enough to include, when to start them, and when to stop them.

For example, whether your character is traveling to St. Louis in a minivan to start a new job or to some fictional land called Rameolus to save a princess, it is not beneficial to the author to detail every road, turn, song on the radio, and in the case of our second example, every time he stops on the side of the road to start a fire and hang-out Middle Earth style. This could be rather dull and loses readers left and right.

On the other hand, if there is an important event that progesses, complicates, or enhances the plot, if the characters are going to have some sort of important converstatin or experience, then do tell! Each scene, and each page for that matter, should contain material that supports the plot and creates some kind of change that's interesting or unexpected. I've seen some visually stunning movies that contained predictable plots and just didn't pull me along. You want your scenes to do that, reach out and grab the reader in a ninja-like grip and pull them along from page to page, paragraph to paragraph, sentence to essential sentence.

In short, when you are choosing which scenes to write, skip the dull parts of the story and fill the reader in later, or use one tactic that I've seen many successful writers impliment: use a sentence or two to fill them in so you can relish in and dabble with the interesting parts. Here's an example:

"After getting ready for the day, John unexpectedly--even to himself--took a left turn on Broadway and found himself at his favorite Starbucks. There were two lines, and he decided to stand in the longer one. The one where Suzy Renolds would help him order an Espresso."

With that single paragraph, we know our character woke up the next day, that's a given, got ready, started off to work and then took a detour. The scene is set, the action begins as he takes his place in line and tries to catch the eye of the lovely Miss Renolds.

Hopefully this post not only helps you get rid of some of that writer's block but also aids you in creating richer, more vivid content that keeps your readers hanging on every word. Take a moment and share this post with yoru writing friends by clicking "Tell-a-Friend" below, and subscribe to this blog to recieve regular advice on writing and publishing.

The Two Important Steps to Score a Literary Agent

2009-02-12T06:56:00.002-08:00

Though an agent takes a portion of your profits, they are also one of your best bets to becoming published. In a way, it's a catch-22. Obtaining an agent isn't the only route to getting published, and it may not be for you, but nobody can deny that it's can be a really important step in launching your writing career and opens doors to publishers who only accept submissions from literary agents. So if you have the audacity to try this traditional rout, there's really only two things you have to do:

1. Start Small and Build Your Credentials
You should not have to pay an agent up front, and if it is ever too easy maybe you could reconsider. Your best bet is to start getting published in local anthologies, college-level publications, and then move up to professional literary magazines like the ones featured in The Writer's Market books or smaller publishing houses that accept poetry, short stories, and other submissions.

Once you start getting published with those credible sources, you'll be able to catch the eye of an agent who will take you somewhere, who know the right people and can help open doors to publishers. So start writing often and submitting just as much - it's really that simple. If nothing happens, keep writing. There is no better way to improve your writing skills than by writing on a daily basis.

2. Look for An Agent Who is Credible and Ask Them to Represent You
Credibility must be the word of the day. It's a good idea to research agents before inquiring if they would like to represent you. See what they've published and trust your instincts. If it seems fishy it probably it. Use your own credibility to find an equally credible agent.

Again, one of the best places to find an agent is through credible listings found in The Writer's Market. I've also heard that Literary Market Place is another great source. Keep in mind that most agents request to be contacted by mail (yes, snail mail) and e-mailing them won't really get you anywhere. Your best bet is to find out how they wish to be solicited.

Discussion:

Tell us your story! Have you struggled with finding an agent? What have you learned from your attempts? Have you had any success? Do share!

Show Don't Tell, the Technique That Will Instantly Improve Your Writing Skills

2009-02-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

If there was anything I could share with writers that would enhance there ability to portray scenes, character, action and so on, it would be to "show" and not "tell."

What does this mean? Simply put, it means that instead of writing something like, "Arnold was angry. He wen inside his apartment and looked for his gun. He found it in the refrigerator." You would not even use the word angry at all but use specific words that show it:

"Arnold burst into his one-bedroom apartment without even closing the door behind him. After flinging his backpack on the ground, he marched over to the fridge and began rummaging through the shelves. 'Where are you!' he yelled. Bottles clanged as they were savagely thrown around, and an unsuspecting McDonalds ketchup package fell to the floor. 'Aha!' Arnold said, reaching into the vegetable bin and pulling out a Glock pistol. "

Ok, perhaps I added a little humor as well, but I hope that paragraph illustrates my point. If you are having trouble publishing a piece you've already written or are already in the middle of one, go back and polish your writing with this technique. Otherwise, start using it now.