I've been thinking lately about Michelle's advice re my characters being reactive as opposed to active. At least that's what they were in my original synopsis. I never really thought about this before - of course they were active, they were walking and talking and making decisions, right?
But that is not being active. They didn't take charge of the story. They sat there and waited for stuff to happen to them.
I found this happened with chapter 1 of my re-write. I was feeling unhappy with what I'd done and I couldn't figure out what the problem was. And then the light dawned: my hero was looking at the heroine waiting for her to come to him. The heroine was looking at the hero, too bound up in her conflict to actually take that step. The consequence was lots of staring but not much doing. No action at all. What needed to happen was one of them needed to act.
Had to be the hero - my mountain climber wouldn't stand around staring, he'd get out there and get what he wanted. So this my hero did. He got out and took charge of the scene, making the heroine have to act intstead of her just sitting there waiting for something to happen. And it's a much, much better scene now. It has movement. It's more pacey. And sets off a whole chain of choices and actions that bring both characters slap bang up against their internal conflict. Phew!
Anyway, this kind of thing is new to me so I'm going to have to keep thinking about it as the book progresses. I have to say, being conscious of having your story flow from the choices your characters make, certainly makes things more dynamic. Which for me - a very waffly writer - is a very good thing. And it makes me more certain than ever that they were right to reject my earlier manuscript. The first half was so slow compared to the second half! Nothing a complete re-write wouldn't fix however. ;-)
Okay, I'd be interested to hear what anyone else thinks of this. Any insights?
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Fine Art of Synopsis Writing
Right, forget flowery phrases. Sentences that scream 'look at me!'. Paragraphs that read well but don't actually tell you anything about the story. Throw them out of the window. Why? Because all your synopsis needs is the setting, the internal/external conflict, the evidence of growing attraction, the black moment and the resolution.
Yes, I have been thinking more about Michelle's advice, especially when it comes to writing the synopsis. The first one I did was full of the flowery phrases. It said nothing about how the characters grow and what they learn. It was full of 'he realises' and 'she realises' but nothing about why they realise that. So I wrote another one, and this was full of the 'why's, the internal conflict, what the heroine liked about the hero, what he liked about her, what they learned from each other, why they fell in love, why they couldn't be together and why, in the end, they were. But this one missed the turning points in the story, how it actually unfolded. Wrong again.
So this time I've done a third. And this time - I hope - I've done it right. This time I've actually included the 'hows'. Like instead of just saying ' he shows her that a little risk isn't a bad thing'. I've said how he does this by taking her bungy jumping and rock climbing. And when he comes to realise he needs the heroine in his life, instead of saying 'he suddenly realises....' I've given him some bad news about his father that the heroine is able to help him through, thus showing him what it's like to have support when he needs it.
Okay, it's not perfect, and until I get the okay from the editors, it may not be right, but it's SO much better than my previous effort. And this is a typical two page deal. Michelle said I should be able to write a synopsis in one page and let me tell you, it was difficult exercise. But I managed it! I would actually recommend everyone give this a go. It certainly boils your story down to the most basic nuts and bolts, and it's a great way to see if there are any plot/conflict holes. In much the same way as writing a synopsis centered just on the conflict can be useful too.
Anyway, that's my two cents worth today. This may be self evident to others but it was certainly a big step forward to me. As a pantser extraordinaire, doing a synopsis before I actually start writing is a huge acheivement. Who'd have thought it would help? :-) And it's given me a great start for writing the rest of the story - two chapters down and one to go before spit, polish and send. :-)
Yes, I have been thinking more about Michelle's advice, especially when it comes to writing the synopsis. The first one I did was full of the flowery phrases. It said nothing about how the characters grow and what they learn. It was full of 'he realises' and 'she realises' but nothing about why they realise that. So I wrote another one, and this was full of the 'why's, the internal conflict, what the heroine liked about the hero, what he liked about her, what they learned from each other, why they fell in love, why they couldn't be together and why, in the end, they were. But this one missed the turning points in the story, how it actually unfolded. Wrong again.
So this time I've done a third. And this time - I hope - I've done it right. This time I've actually included the 'hows'. Like instead of just saying ' he shows her that a little risk isn't a bad thing'. I've said how he does this by taking her bungy jumping and rock climbing. And when he comes to realise he needs the heroine in his life, instead of saying 'he suddenly realises....' I've given him some bad news about his father that the heroine is able to help him through, thus showing him what it's like to have support when he needs it.
Okay, it's not perfect, and until I get the okay from the editors, it may not be right, but it's SO much better than my previous effort. And this is a typical two page deal. Michelle said I should be able to write a synopsis in one page and let me tell you, it was difficult exercise. But I managed it! I would actually recommend everyone give this a go. It certainly boils your story down to the most basic nuts and bolts, and it's a great way to see if there are any plot/conflict holes. In much the same way as writing a synopsis centered just on the conflict can be useful too.
Anyway, that's my two cents worth today. This may be self evident to others but it was certainly a big step forward to me. As a pantser extraordinaire, doing a synopsis before I actually start writing is a huge acheivement. Who'd have thought it would help? :-) And it's given me a great start for writing the rest of the story - two chapters down and one to go before spit, polish and send. :-)
Monday, June 22, 2009
You Learn Something New Every Day
Well, what a weekend it's been. My poor husband has been in despair. Mainly because I am being very mono-manic about my writing!
Why? Because I've been inspired! After the wonderful Michelle Styles offered to look over the synopses of my next two subs, I have been having lightbulb moment after lightbulb moment. I think I must be very slow with learning all of this stuff because Michelle did point out things that Anna has already said to me, but for some reason I didn't see it in the manuscripts I've already written. Maybe it's to do with having new eyes to see the wood in spite of the trees, or maybe it's because I only focussed on fixing one thing to the detriment of all the rest, but whatever, the main thing is that it will mean RE-WRITING BOTH ENTIRE MANUSCRIPTS! Argh.
So? What were the problems? I'll point out the things from my climbing story:
1. The internal conflict was complicated for the heroine (again) and my hero was too self aware. There was no clear reason why they couldn't be together.
2. The two characters must grow from the experience. They must learn things from each other. Again, it wasn't clear what the h&h learned from each other or how they were changed at the end.
3. I didn't give any reasons as to why my hero was willing to give up the thing that made him who he was for my heroine. Neither did I make it clear why my heroine would overcome her fear of commitment for my hero other than the fact that she loved him. Why did she love him? Why did he love her?
4. My story was episodic. One scene didn't lead particularly well into the next.
5. My characters were reactive not active. In other words they reacted to stuff that happened to them, they didn't drive the story along by taking action themselves.
Phew! Quite a bit of stuff. And those were just the main points. There were other problems too. Fixing all of this was actually surprisingly easy once the faults were pointed out. To fix things I:
1. Gave my heroine some internal conflict that made getting involved with my hero her worst nightmare. Made my hero peripatetic and loving his freedom, who finds my heroine's need for security claustrophobic.
2. My heroine will learn stuff about herself from the hero and will use what she's learned to eventually get the hero. My hero will learn he can't live without the heroine, that her qualities are what's missing from his life, that he can't do without them, and what happens to make him realise this.
3. I gave them both qualities that each find attractive in the other. The heroine loved the excitement that the hero's risk taking brought into her life. The hero likes my heroine's bravery in how she goes along with one of his schemes even though she deems it risky.
4 & 5. I made the characters decide the flow of events rather than letting lots of outside forces determine the action. This makes them drive the story forward.
I've also learned HEAPS about synopsis writing. It really is an art. I thought I had it but no, I didn't! I am still fiddling around with the current synopsis but it's much better than it was and is certainly a great blueprint for how the story will follow.
Anyway, I'm all energised and desperate to get into writing. I want this story to be the one!
Once again, huge thanks to Michelle for her time. I really feel like I've come a long way since last week!
Why? Because I've been inspired! After the wonderful Michelle Styles offered to look over the synopses of my next two subs, I have been having lightbulb moment after lightbulb moment. I think I must be very slow with learning all of this stuff because Michelle did point out things that Anna has already said to me, but for some reason I didn't see it in the manuscripts I've already written. Maybe it's to do with having new eyes to see the wood in spite of the trees, or maybe it's because I only focussed on fixing one thing to the detriment of all the rest, but whatever, the main thing is that it will mean RE-WRITING BOTH ENTIRE MANUSCRIPTS! Argh.
So? What were the problems? I'll point out the things from my climbing story:
1. The internal conflict was complicated for the heroine (again) and my hero was too self aware. There was no clear reason why they couldn't be together.
2. The two characters must grow from the experience. They must learn things from each other. Again, it wasn't clear what the h&h learned from each other or how they were changed at the end.
3. I didn't give any reasons as to why my hero was willing to give up the thing that made him who he was for my heroine. Neither did I make it clear why my heroine would overcome her fear of commitment for my hero other than the fact that she loved him. Why did she love him? Why did he love her?
4. My story was episodic. One scene didn't lead particularly well into the next.
5. My characters were reactive not active. In other words they reacted to stuff that happened to them, they didn't drive the story along by taking action themselves.
Phew! Quite a bit of stuff. And those were just the main points. There were other problems too. Fixing all of this was actually surprisingly easy once the faults were pointed out. To fix things I:
1. Gave my heroine some internal conflict that made getting involved with my hero her worst nightmare. Made my hero peripatetic and loving his freedom, who finds my heroine's need for security claustrophobic.
2. My heroine will learn stuff about herself from the hero and will use what she's learned to eventually get the hero. My hero will learn he can't live without the heroine, that her qualities are what's missing from his life, that he can't do without them, and what happens to make him realise this.
3. I gave them both qualities that each find attractive in the other. The heroine loved the excitement that the hero's risk taking brought into her life. The hero likes my heroine's bravery in how she goes along with one of his schemes even though she deems it risky.
4 & 5. I made the characters decide the flow of events rather than letting lots of outside forces determine the action. This makes them drive the story forward.
I've also learned HEAPS about synopsis writing. It really is an art. I thought I had it but no, I didn't! I am still fiddling around with the current synopsis but it's much better than it was and is certainly a great blueprint for how the story will follow.
Anyway, I'm all energised and desperate to get into writing. I want this story to be the one!
Once again, huge thanks to Michelle for her time. I really feel like I've come a long way since last week!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Moving On - The Next Sub
I'm posting quick smart because I don't want my rejection post to be the first thing people see on my blog. It's been a hell of a process but it's done now and I'm moving on. And what better news to move on with than an email from Anna. After telling her that I had four manuscripts ready(ish), she told me to send her partials of the two I thought were strongest. Two!! Yay.
So now all I have to do is choose the two strongest. Not so yay because which one do I go for? One of them the conflict is still niggling at me so probably not that. It's another classic case of me having a set-up without really thinking through the internal conflict. However, the other three are all potentials. They are all very simple stories in that that there is no immediate, gimmicky set-up. The emphasis is entirely on the internal conflict. I've also steered clear of the stereotype trap I fell into with the previous stories in that they're fully rounded characters and not just a bunch of character quirks. At least, I hope I have.
But you know, it's funny. I was running through one of the stories with my husband last night and he said 'wow, you really problems with your heroines don't you?'. And I thought no I don't! Surely not. But he's right. My heroes conflicts are all clear cut, I find them simple to write. But my heroines always seem to take me ages to figure out. I wondered if it was because men just aren't that complicated - at least, that's what I told my husband - but actually, I think it's because my heroes are more important to me. I love writing them. And my heroines tend to suffer because they're just a foil for my amazing guy. Which was why my manuscript was rejected. The second half of the book was great, Anna told me, because it was all about my hero. The first half was about my heroine and just didn't work.
So, the next submission will have to concentrate on getting my heroine right. Argh! Choices, choices... :-)
So now all I have to do is choose the two strongest. Not so yay because which one do I go for? One of them the conflict is still niggling at me so probably not that. It's another classic case of me having a set-up without really thinking through the internal conflict. However, the other three are all potentials. They are all very simple stories in that that there is no immediate, gimmicky set-up. The emphasis is entirely on the internal conflict. I've also steered clear of the stereotype trap I fell into with the previous stories in that they're fully rounded characters and not just a bunch of character quirks. At least, I hope I have.
But you know, it's funny. I was running through one of the stories with my husband last night and he said 'wow, you really problems with your heroines don't you?'. And I thought no I don't! Surely not. But he's right. My heroes conflicts are all clear cut, I find them simple to write. But my heroines always seem to take me ages to figure out. I wondered if it was because men just aren't that complicated - at least, that's what I told my husband - but actually, I think it's because my heroes are more important to me. I love writing them. And my heroines tend to suffer because they're just a foil for my amazing guy. Which was why my manuscript was rejected. The second half of the book was great, Anna told me, because it was all about my hero. The first half was about my heroine and just didn't work.
So, the next submission will have to concentrate on getting my heroine right. Argh! Choices, choices... :-)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Final verdict is in and the jury decided: guilty.
In other words they didn't want my manuscript. Clearly the second opinion the EA got found too many things wrong with it and the fault was largely with my heroine. To be fair, I did write this last year before I knew all that I know now and I found it very difficult shoe-horning believable conflict into a premise that probably shouldn't have flown in the first place. I probably should have rewritten the whole thing from the start.
Anyway, all is not lost. They told me they saw great potential in me as a writer and that I didn't need the pitch slot I had booked for the RWNZ conference because I already had their attention and continued feedback (I'm hoping!). And basically I should send them whatever I'm working on now. I emailed Anna back and told her I had four completed manuscripts and which one did she want to see? :-) Bit cheeky I guess.
So, today, I need to have a good wallow, and deal with my disappointment - which is mainly focussed on having to begin the waiting process again. It's been very hard and it will be hard to face another year while they decide on something else.
You guys have been great with all the support you've given me. And - this is silly I know - but I feel like I've disappointed everyone. I hope I haven't. I hope I'll be able to post something a lot more positive in the future and repay all that good faith, because obviously I'm not giving up. Not in the slightest. I'm going to do this no matter how long it takes me.
In other words they didn't want my manuscript. Clearly the second opinion the EA got found too many things wrong with it and the fault was largely with my heroine. To be fair, I did write this last year before I knew all that I know now and I found it very difficult shoe-horning believable conflict into a premise that probably shouldn't have flown in the first place. I probably should have rewritten the whole thing from the start.
Anyway, all is not lost. They told me they saw great potential in me as a writer and that I didn't need the pitch slot I had booked for the RWNZ conference because I already had their attention and continued feedback (I'm hoping!). And basically I should send them whatever I'm working on now. I emailed Anna back and told her I had four completed manuscripts and which one did she want to see? :-) Bit cheeky I guess.
So, today, I need to have a good wallow, and deal with my disappointment - which is mainly focussed on having to begin the waiting process again. It's been very hard and it will be hard to face another year while they decide on something else.
You guys have been great with all the support you've given me. And - this is silly I know - but I feel like I've disappointed everyone. I hope I haven't. I hope I'll be able to post something a lot more positive in the future and repay all that good faith, because obviously I'm not giving up. Not in the slightest. I'm going to do this no matter how long it takes me.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A Wobbly Moment
To all those lovely people who have offered advice and support over the past week or so, thank you so much. You've made me feel hugely better about this waiting game that I'm playing. For someone who absolutely loathes waiting and who is naturally impatient, this has been a real lesson and I'm just so grateful to have understanding ears to pour all of my whines into. :-)
So, I'm feeling much better about waiting on Anna to get back to me, although I had a wobbly moment on Saturday when I found out I didn't final in a contest I had high hopes of. It's funny how the fact of not finalling suddenly made me doubt my writing and doubt the stories I had entered. Maybe they were boring? Maybe I'm not as good as I think I am? Maybe I was arrogant in thinking I would final in the first place? Sigh. Whatever, it's a good lesson in humility and just goes to show that even when you think you're doing quite well, there will always be people who don't agree.
It actually got me thinking that that it won't be any easier if I'm published. You'll always be worrying about whether the editor likes your next book, whether anyone will buy it, whether they'll like it, and if they don't like it, how to cope with bad reviews. Scary stuff. Obviously I need to start growing a thicker skin.
That wasn't a blatant play for sympathy, by the way, merely a little sulk. I'm over it now - retail therapy courtesy of Great Uncle Visa certainly helped, as did large amounts of chocolate. :-)
Speaking of contests, I just wanted to say a big woohoo to Rach! She finalled in the Valerie Parv and the Great Beginnings contest! That girl's got talent and if she doesn't sell soon, I'll eat my cotton socks. WTG, Rach.
Oh, and you know I mentioned I computer game I bought for my birthday? Well, it's called The Sims 3 and it's kind of like a real life simulator. You manage the lives of virtual people. The reason I'm telling you this is that in the game, you can make your little people become writers and make money by selling books. And do you know which books make the most money in the game? Romance books!! If only that were as easy in real life... ;-)
So, I'm feeling much better about waiting on Anna to get back to me, although I had a wobbly moment on Saturday when I found out I didn't final in a contest I had high hopes of. It's funny how the fact of not finalling suddenly made me doubt my writing and doubt the stories I had entered. Maybe they were boring? Maybe I'm not as good as I think I am? Maybe I was arrogant in thinking I would final in the first place? Sigh. Whatever, it's a good lesson in humility and just goes to show that even when you think you're doing quite well, there will always be people who don't agree.
It actually got me thinking that that it won't be any easier if I'm published. You'll always be worrying about whether the editor likes your next book, whether anyone will buy it, whether they'll like it, and if they don't like it, how to cope with bad reviews. Scary stuff. Obviously I need to start growing a thicker skin.
That wasn't a blatant play for sympathy, by the way, merely a little sulk. I'm over it now - retail therapy courtesy of Great Uncle Visa certainly helped, as did large amounts of chocolate. :-)
Speaking of contests, I just wanted to say a big woohoo to Rach! She finalled in the Valerie Parv and the Great Beginnings contest! That girl's got talent and if she doesn't sell soon, I'll eat my cotton socks. WTG, Rach.
Oh, and you know I mentioned I computer game I bought for my birthday? Well, it's called The Sims 3 and it's kind of like a real life simulator. You manage the lives of virtual people. The reason I'm telling you this is that in the game, you can make your little people become writers and make money by selling books. And do you know which books make the most money in the game? Romance books!! If only that were as easy in real life... ;-)
Friday, June 12, 2009
We Apologise for the Delay - Normal Service Will Resume in a Fortnight
Yes, I have heard back from M&B. It was a lovely email letting me know that there has been a delay and that I'll get my feedback within a fortnight. Sigh. It's very nice of them to let me know this - they certainly didn't have to send me anything at all - so I'm very grateful for the heads up.
But I admit to feeling a tad...tortured! The email only mentioned 'feedback' so I have to say I'm expecting the worst. This may seem premature and fatalistic but at this point that's how I feel. I was wondering if they can't just give me a hint - rejection or revisions! But I assume they can't tell me anything more because no one has made an official decision yet. Until the 'second opinion' has let the editorial assistant know the verdict, she can't say anything either way. Which is only my assumption of course, not knowing how these work, but I guess that's the reason. And I understand. I wouldn't want to be told 'yes, you're having revisions', only for her to come back and say, 'scrub what I told you, the official word is no'.
So,I shouldn't assume what they'll tell me because I don't really know. I guess I'm doing what I always do - assuming the worst so I won't be disappointed. This, by the way, never works! I should also resume my NTAI which I have to admit, is getting very hard. But forgetting about it is clearly the way to go. If only I could! :-)
Anyway, given the delay, I have emailed the editorial assistant to ask if it's appropriate for me to pitch another ms at our conference. I'm hoping she'll get back to me because I don't want to take up a slot if I don't need it.
Okay, that's my news. Anyone got anything good to share? I need some good news today. :-)
But I admit to feeling a tad...tortured! The email only mentioned 'feedback' so I have to say I'm expecting the worst. This may seem premature and fatalistic but at this point that's how I feel. I was wondering if they can't just give me a hint - rejection or revisions! But I assume they can't tell me anything more because no one has made an official decision yet. Until the 'second opinion' has let the editorial assistant know the verdict, she can't say anything either way. Which is only my assumption of course, not knowing how these work, but I guess that's the reason. And I understand. I wouldn't want to be told 'yes, you're having revisions', only for her to come back and say, 'scrub what I told you, the official word is no'.
So,I shouldn't assume what they'll tell me because I don't really know. I guess I'm doing what I always do - assuming the worst so I won't be disappointed. This, by the way, never works! I should also resume my NTAI which I have to admit, is getting very hard. But forgetting about it is clearly the way to go. If only I could! :-)
Anyway, given the delay, I have emailed the editorial assistant to ask if it's appropriate for me to pitch another ms at our conference. I'm hoping she'll get back to me because I don't want to take up a slot if I don't need it.
Okay, that's my news. Anyone got anything good to share? I need some good news today. :-)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
No News is Good News
No news this morning. Honestly, after all my nervousness and drinking of chocolate martinis the night before... Anyway, I kind of thought something like this might happen so I'm not too worried. I've waited over 3 months now so I can wait another couple of days. If it is a couple of days. Actually I hope I hear back before the end of June though. Got a pitch session booked for the RWNZ conference and I was hoping not to need it...
No doubt all will become clear in the fullness of time. :-)
No doubt all will become clear in the fullness of time. :-)
Friday, June 5, 2009
Happy Birthday To Me
Guess what day it is today? Yes, my birthday! And also - brace yourselves because I'm going to tell you how old I am - the last year of my thirties. Which is sad! I have loved the thirties - not the beginning bits because some crappy things happened then - but the last five years have been rather good. Especially the last year.In fact, this has been a pretty momentous year all round. This time in 2008, I subbed my first ms to Mills and Boon following recieving a compliment slip after the Instant Seduction Contest. I was also feeling annoyed with my library job and wondering if it was at all possible to have a decent career while having a young family. Even working 30 hours a week put huge stresses on our family - my husband has a fairly demanding job and what with me trying to carve out my own career, it was just hell on wheels. And so that's when I thought, dammit, writing has been my dream since I was 12 years old. It's all I've ever wanted to do. So why not take the leap - quit a job that was only frustrating me and write full time. It took me months to do this because giving up a career I'd spent 10 years in wasn't easy. Neither was being dependent on income from my husband. But honestly, it was the best thing I ever did. Not only did it take away the stress involved with managing school hours and school holidays, but it meant I could do what I've wanted to for years. I'm very lucky and my husband is a small god for making it possible.
I also want to thank you all for being such great friends. If I'd never made that leap, I would never have met such a wonderful lot of people. Even though I've never met any of you in real life, I feel like I know you, and that's something I never, ever expected from full-time writing.
Anyway, that's my deep and philosophical thoughts for the day. Tonight we're going out for dinner and in order to NTAI, I am being a complete computer geek and playing the new computer game I've just bought. No writing will be done.
Next year it's going to be the big four oh and I am planning big things. Until then, happy birthday to all you other Geminis out there and let's hope this year is the best ever!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
News - Revisions R Us!
I had an email from Anna today! No, not a sale but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be asked to do a second round of revisions!! Why am I not sure? Well, the email was kind of an apology because she mistakenly sent me my ms when it should have gone to a colleague she was wanting a second opinion from. A second opinion so she could send me some revisions! At least, she mentioned that but then the rest of the email talked about 'feedback'. Do you think 'feedback' is revisions? Or am I being an idiot and over-analysing??
Oh well, I'll find out next week because apparently I'll get my feedback by Tuesday. Argh!!
Oh well, I'll find out next week because apparently I'll get my feedback by Tuesday. Argh!!
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