The One Word That Saved My Book

Whether you have beta-read/critiqued hundreds of manuscripts or just a few, it's hard to know how to get your point across without long explanations when you see a problem. To avoid windy, gust-filled paragraphs where you note every detail you don't understand. See? I already used too many sentences. *wrist slap* And if that isn't hard enough, there is the question of niceties when it comes to approach. "Was I too harsh? Too nice? Too blunt? Too gushy? Are these comments even the least bit helpful?"

It's a difficult balance, and when you're on the receiving end, it can get confusing if the commenter can't quite put their finger on the problem or explain it clearly. Of course, I love it when people catch typos or point out that I missed a comma (Less work for me! Woot!), but the best help you can give a writer (IMHO) is to point out where their story isn't making sense or just isn't working.

That said, this tip comes straight from my wonderful agent, Karen Grencik, because she uses it often and it made ALL the difference when I was revising. Here it is...are you ready? You sure? Positive? Realllly want to know? Okay, here it is. Every now and again she uses her red pen in the margins or at the end of a sentence/paragraph and writes...drum roll please..."Why?"

Yep. That's it. No, really. I mean it. And guess what? I know from that one word that I messed up. My intent wasn't clear. All those little details that flesh out that part of the story (the ones crystal in my mind but she obviously isn't a mind reader so what's wrong with her, dammit?) either didn't get on the page at all, or there weren't enough of them sprinkled in so that she, as reader, knew what was going on and the motivations behind it.

It's simple, yet the most powerful tool I've seen when reviewing someone's notes of my work. And it makes it so easy for me to correct. I just have to say "Whoops, needs work here and here." And there really is no arguing. Writers like to get defensive and say, "But it's right there! How could they not know?" Believe me, I'm guilty. So, so...yes, let's add another so, guilty of this.

Now, I've experienced a few exceptions where I pointed out the information was in the ms and noted the pages. That reader did forget because I was parceling it out 3-4 chapters at a time.  But for the most part, it's black and white, as in: If the reader is confused, that's bad.  Period.

Confusion leads to boredom, frustration, and giving up on your book. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

So next time you read for someone, consider this one word when the author leaves you scratching your head: WHY?  You just might save their WIP, and everyone loves to be the hero, don't they?

How about it? Like this tip? And do you have any to share? Let me know!

I'm Not Her

Can't do it
Your flawless, perfect, air-brushed life
Your wrinkle free, look at me
Fat-less skeleton

Won't be that
Fake nailed, spray tanned
Extended hair, gem so rare
Silicone filled doll

I'm not her                                                                                           

Take my scars
Marred pieces, too big, too small
Take it all
Close your eyes and see

I'm real
All crooked and flawed
Outlawed
No zero tags to flash

Words float, ideas swell
An ear for the mind
A pure find
Strange and imperfect

The best me

I'm not her

A Twitter Experiment Gone Wrong...Or Did It?

I feel the need to whisper this...like I'm some kind of weirdo. Wait, I mean, I am weird, but you know, sort of normal, quirky weird. When I say weirdo, I mean *cough* stalker weird. Not the scary, following people in my car, taking pictures from behind bushes kind of stalker, but, yes, a Twitter stalker. What started out as my  total buttinski nosiness insatiable thirst for knowledge, turned into an experiment.

As the number of people I follow mushroomed over the last year, watching their tweets became unmanageable. I had my favorites, so I turned to **lists and columns using Tweetdeck. It's been great, but every now and again I look at my regular feed. I'm always hoping a great article will pop up, or I'll find some really funny person who brightens my day. That's all good, but then one day I happened upon someone, mmmm shall we say, different.

I'll call this person Racer X. See, one day I saw Racer X tweet something that was to take place later that day. I was intrigued for some reason, so I checked back later to see if Racer X tweeted the outcome. Drat! No tweet. Then I caught a another tweet from Racer X that was part of a conversation. "Hmm," I thought, "Wonder if that's connected?" Why did I care? I think it has something to do with *whispers* procrastination. I was stuck in my wip and looking for ANYTHING else to do. Before I knew it, I had followed this person's tweets for two days to find the answer to the initial tweet, and I realized that Racer X not only tweets a lot of personal info, but it's like a freaking soap opera.

Strangely, I've never been a soap fan, but I seriously wondered how far this person would go in the sharing of info. After less than a week, I found it shocking how much I knew of Racer X's life. (Now I know this is the internet. Every word could be pure bs, but to me, it seems like it would be quite a lot of effort to keep this up and it wasn't so much like movie drama, but real life crap...you know, the kind most people don't tell the world at large about...unless they are on Twitter and apparently forget the world at large can read it.)

So, here's where the experiment came in. I decided to watch Racer X's tweets for another few days to see how much I could learn about a stranger. I was hoping to prove to myself I was overreacting. I thought maybe I'd caught RX on a particularly emo week and the info would dry up. I didn't exchange tweets with Racer X, and don't ask me why. Guess I thought it would blow my cover or something. Did I mention I always wanted to be a detective? Anyway, let me tell you, it got scary. In that amount of time, I knew where this person worked, lived, a few of the restaurants RX frequented, romantic status, even saw pictures of the RacerXmobile.

Were I a "real" stalker, I could have found this person irl with ease. And I really think that should make everyone who uses social media, pause. So, while at first I laughed at myself and wondered why I did this experiment, I soon realized that it was a good thing. It made me think. I learned. 

What I learned is that A) There is most definitely this thing called TMI, B) I don't want anyone to know THAT much about me (especially total strangers) and C) Stalking is easy enough as it is. Why give someone a road map to your entire life? While you might think your tweeting is random, if you put it together as a whole and someone cared enough to see every single one of your tweets, how much would they know? Think about it. I've also had more than one person tell me they're glad their friends and family aren't on Twitter, but how can you be sure? Names are faked and people don't have to follow you to read your tweets. Every complaint, snarky remark, etc may just be read after all.

So, the moral is, have fun with all forms of social media, but be careful. You never know who might be watching a little too closely. And it won't be me, though I'll admit I felt sort of addicted to Racer X's ongoing hijinks for a few days. I removed that column from my Tweetdeck and went back to looking at my friends lists and the occasional peek at my regular timeline. And, phew, I'm glad I did. No one told me that stakeouts were so exhausting!

**If you want to be on my friend list, all you have to do is start talking to me and respond when I talk to you. Simple!

What do you think? I'd like to hear from you!

Read A New BooK? Let's Chat...Before I Explode

Raise your hand if you've ever said this or had it said to you: "I just read the best book! Go read it right now because I need to discuss!" A friend (who happens to be a librarian) said this to me the other day regarding King's new offering 11/22/63: A Novel. While I've been considering adding it to the tbr pile, I haven't yet. But we went ahead and discussed it anyway because I saw that look in her eye. That look of near combustion if you don't GET IT OUT and dissect the story, get someone's opinion, and either gush, moan, or both about certain parts.

I even let her tell me spoilers because I knew what she had to say was about to boil over. Also, I was on the fence about reading this book and she convinced me that I most definitely will. We had a great chat. Librarians are awesome, btw.

While I've never belonged to a book club (I can't take the pressure to read certain books by a deadline), I do enjoy a hearty discussion with ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN TO ME when I come across another who has recently read the same book. I can go with books I read awhile back, but it's really the most fun when the story and emotion are fresher than fresh. Like walking out of a movie with a friend, going for a drink, and rehashing the whole thing scene by scene. 



That said, I'm need a favor, friends. I just read The Fault In Our Stars by John Green and I seriously need to purge. I have A LOT of thoughts about it and I really, really want to know what someone else thinks. (No spoilers from me here, but I'll say this: Loved a lot of it, had a problem with one part. Beautiful writing. If you're still trying to figure out what voice means, read this book!) For now, I've made do with reading a few reviews and that helped...a little. One in particular had me nodding my head so some of my opinions were shared by at least one other person. But I'd still like to hear from you! There is so much about this book to discuss. Anyone read it? If not, tell me what you ARE reading. Maybe we can still share thoughts!
 

If Your Character Smells Like a Rose, Make Sure He Still Stinks

The other day I was thinking about some shiny characters, deciding what they will be like and how they will develop through a new story. Of course they will be fictional...sorta, but there's always a pinch of someone we writers know in our characters, right? Or is that just me? *ahem*

I had a conversation with a friend recently regarding a mutual acquaintance and she said, "Aw, you know. He's one of those people who can make every bad decision possible and still come out smelling like a rose. He never seems to suffer for anything or be held accountable because he's so damn charming." Hmm. I wondered if I could put this to use. 

Then it hit me that this example would make a character people wouldn't believe. They'd think no one would ever get away with such behavior even though they probably know someone "rose-like." They'd say no one's life goes that perfectly. (Although, I swear, it really does for this person I know irl. It's baffling and the ultimate example of "life isn't fair.") 

Ultimately, it comes down to getting the reader to agree to go along for the ride. Not everyone will like every character, but we do have to make events, actions, and emotions seem  logical for the character we've created while at the same time making them unique. I decided I could take a pinch of this "smelling like a rose" guy and turn him into a winning character if he behaves just as my friend talked about, but hits a few bumps along the way. That's where the potential for growth is waiting to be revealed as the story progresses.

My plan is this: I'm giving this character who's coming to life a shower and just the slightest spritz of cologne to start out, but he's going to get some dirt on his clothes. Some of the other characters will think he stinks. Maybe he'll learn to be responsible, or maybe the other characters will learn that he'll never change. We'll just have to wait and see...

How about you friends? Do you know any roses? Annoying, aren't they?    

Hey, Heather Locklear, I Want My 2 Hours Back!

Ok, friends, there's always room to learn, especially from awful writing. I truly believe I learn more from the bad than the good. I see mistakes I've made and vow never, EVER to do them again. I see mistakes I never want to make. So even though I thought I had wasted 2 hours of perfectly good air with what I'm about to tell you, I know somewhere down the line it will keep me from stepping in it when I write. 

The year was 2011...

Picture it: Me in fleece pants, eating a Pop-Tart,  and flipping channels late one night when I can no longer write another word. And I'm sure as hell not about to do something productive like laundry at this point. I click-click away, two steps closer to carpal tunnel, while griping about the lack of anything to watch when I have a least a gagillion channels to choose from. But, wait. What is this? Is that Heather Locklear? What is going on with her face?

Unfortunately, this is all it takes to make me pause. Her lips look weird and her cheeks don't move when she talks. Hmm, I study her, then Google to see how old she is (50, btw). Cut to commercial and I see that the name of this movie is "Flirting With Forty." Of course, I now think, "Yeah, right! 40?" But hold on, HL is still a babe and she looks really good (though slightly frozen). So, props to her. Hollywood is brutal on women.

Anyhoo, though I missed the beginning, I quickly catch up to the story. Boy, it's a doozy! Betcha never heard this one before: Woman about to turn 40 gets divorced when husband gets a new young girlfriend. She travels to Hawaii where she is promptly picked up by a hot 27yo surf instructor. They have sex the night they meet, but OMG she's not really like that! He leaves the next morning, she sobs, then he shows back up and wants her to be his everything woman. I mean really, like his girlfriend. Not kidding. He takes her to a party and hid dude friends think she's hot.

So she starts flying to Hawaii every few weeks to see him, and did I mention she has 2 kids and is supposed to be an uber busy hot-shot interior designer? And yes, it does get better from here...as in really, really awful. Her friends and family give her a hard time. She breaks up with him. They pine for each other. Piiiiiiine, I tell you. Oh, but wait, not before she dons the skimpy bikini he gave her as a Christmas present and wears it out in the snow of her Colorado hometown to symbolically throw away her over-sized sweatshirt of divorce mourning. *snicker* I know, I should have stopped watching, but it was sooooo bad it was good, ya know?

Long story short, the writers try to "trick" the viewer into thinking surf dude has a hot young girlfriend when it's really his sister, HL's ex-husband gets dumped by the hot young girlfriend he really has, and HL and surfer dude reunite when he comes to the mainland to become a businessman as HL wanted him to do. Ohhhhh, and the big "We <3 each other" scene happens on Christmas. Or was it New Year's Eve? I already forgot and/or blocked it from my mind.

I was a little nauseous by this point, maybe slightly, ummmm, bitter and angry with myself for spending my time with this drivel, but in an effort to wring a drop of learning, I decided to step back.

So while, yes, HL, I do want my 2 hours back, thank you for reminding me to stay away from every possible cliche, all ridiculous/bad/syrupy dialogue, wooden/stock characters, beaten to death plots, and...botox.   

If you love me, you'll  leave a comment and tell me you spent part of your holiday doing something equal in the pursuit of time wasting to my hours spent with Heather Locklear. Please? Just so I won't feel bad. *puppy eyes*   

I Kissed A Writer and I Liked It

The title of this post is the phrase I want everyone to say in the new year. I think there should be bumper stickers! T-shirts! Barbie dolls wearing the T-shirts! Coffee Mugs! A new logo on the Red Bull can! And...and...did I miss anything?

Well, anyway, the reason for this phrase should be obvious, but for those who don't know, writers are quite loveable if you get past the quirks and don't need a lot of attention.

We have many, many good points. For example:

1. Soft lips. We use a lot of Chap Stick. All that hunkering down in the dry air requires copious amounts of lip balm.

2. Virtually wrinkle free. We never go out in the sun, so that unlined baby's bottom skin is ours! (disclaimer: Most of us aren't vampires.)

3. We go green. While we consume our fair share of electricity, our footprint is low when you consider the lack of showering, and wearing the same shirt for a week really saves on laundry.

4. We create jobs. The coffee industry stays vibrant and healthy due to writer consumption of their product. Even if all non-witers quit drinking coffee, the bean would still be in high demand.

5. We make a cheap date. Take us to the library, sit and discuss books for a few hours, then spring for a bag of chips from the vending machine on the way out and we're set.

6. We're good listeners. It's all about YOU! We like for YOU to do most of the talking. That is...if you're answering our research questions about how you hold your fork, when you lost your virginity, or what's the best way to kill someone with a can of hairspray.

7. We're generous with your free time. We'll never complain about how much time you spend playing video games or watching You Tube videos. That just frees up more time for us to write.

8. We have interesting friends. Do you know many people who sit around and talk about the best way to write a sex scene (in detail) and consider it all in a day's work?

9.  We're easy to please at gift time. One solid trip to the office supply store and you're done for the year.

10. Writers are freaking cool.  Nuff said.

 I think everyone should kiss a writer...then go get the shirt.

Okay, friends, I only listed a measly 10 reasons. I'm sure you have more, so hit me in the comments!