After reading Diana’s post I realized that it’s been a long time since I wrote a blog aiming to help the unpublished writers out there. I’m sure there are a number of you folks who have begun manuscripts, are getting reading to pitch manuscripts, or have characters roaming around inside your head that you don’t know how to transfer to paper in an orderly, yet engaging manner.
If I can be of any help, please let me know by posting your question on writing or publishing. I will check back several times a day over the next week and try to answer your queries as honestly as possible. If I can post links to resources, I will do that as well.
Here are some topics I might be able to provide advice on:
1. Getting Unstuck
2. Organizing Your Plot
3. Joining a Professional Oganization
4. The Use of Professional Editing Service
5. Looking for Agents
6. Knowing Whether Your MS is Ready
7. Standard Contracts, Royalties, etc.
8. The Uncertain World of Publishing & Promotion
Go ahead, friends! Ask away!
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Organizing Your Plot
Oh, the bane of my existence!
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Ok…here’s one…I’ve been writing something and the scenes are getting repetitive. It’s the same scene with different people. Have you ever had this happen? IF so, how do you resolve the problem?
by Traci
on January 27th, 2008 at 2:50 am
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JB,
I’m interested in all your writing topics! I love this cozy chicks blog, because I really have enjoyed the mix of posts on writing, along with posts about your lives, topics in the news, etc. I guess for right now though, I’ll ask you how you go about writing your drafts, primarily how do you actually go about editing your story after you have your first draft complete?
by Linda
on January 27th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
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Hey JB ~ That’s so generous of you & Diana to offer
assistance to those of us yet-to-be’s! I’m with Linda, as I’d love to hear advice on all the above topics.
Uppermost in my mind today is which organization/s would be most beneficial to join, at this point in my writing life. I’ve researched MWA and SinC, along with a few state and regional groups and would like to hear your thoughts and personal feelings on this subject.
BTW, in 2 weeks I’m going to my first ever meeting of a regional writer’s org. to test the waters. Really looking forward to it, tho’ with some trepidation as I’m a bit shy, especially when it comes to public speaking (eeek!) and basically not much of a “joiner”. It’s a special themed meeting though, (A Sherlock Holmes High Tea) so it ought to be interesting!
by Texas Lynn
on January 27th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
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Let me start with Traci’s issue. This happens to all writers, Traci. A good scene can become something we reach for again and again, but it needs to change enough to be fresh each time. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Pretend that you are holding a camera. How are you filming the scene? Does it start right off with dialog? If so, switch it up by using a descriptive opening.
2. Can you have your character remember the scene - thus switching the tense?
3. If dialog is important, perhaps your character can use some inner dialog a bit (Place these thoughts in italics).
4. Allow setting to become more predominant. Include a storm in your scene or a garden or some other outdoor setting. If it’s unique enough, your reader won’t be reminded of any previous scenes, even if the rhythm of the scene is similar.
by JB
on January 27th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
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Howdy Lynn,
I highly recommend joining both SinC and MWA. I don’t go to any of the meetings as none are close to me, but I read every email and try to learn from those writers with more experience than I have (which isn’t much!). I especially tune in to their ideas on promotion.
This may sound odd, but I’ve also joined RWA (Romance Writers of America) even though I have no intention of writing a romance. I just wanted their newsletter, which is stuffed with agent interviews, contests, writing suggestions, market trends, and promotion ideas. This is a large organization with a lot to offer any writer. You may want to add them to your list of organizations to check out.
I think your Sherlock Holmes event sounds perfect! If nothing else, you can meet other writers and listen to what’s what in your local writing world.
I rarely comment on MWA’s site. I like to lurk and learn, so feel free to remain your sweet, shy self.
by JB
on January 27th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
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I am at a spot where I have written four or five chapters but then I just don’t know where to go. It’s like I get so excited about the world I’m creating, then I worry it really won’t work. That I don’t know enough to be able to write so I go into stall mode, calling it research. It’s that uncertainty or lack of confidence that keeps me from finishing. I start worrying that I don’t know what past/present/future tense I’m writing in or that I’m writing from the wrong POV. And sometimes being on the web listening to other writers, I’m sure I’m a dunce.
Is there a way to get past this or is just something novel to me?
by Lynn
on January 27th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
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JB,
Thanks for the advice. I’m so glad that all my writing problems so far are normal for writers and I’m not some weirdo. 
by Traci
on February 1st, 2008 at 2:31 am
