Hello there, Operation Awesome!
Well, y'all, this is a bittersweet post to make. After two, well, awesome years at OA, I will be stepping down as a regular contributor to the blog. This will not be goodbye forever - you may see me around these parts from time to time as a guest poster, and you will absolutely see me haunting the comments section!
It's been such an honor and a joy to give back to a blog that gave me so much throughout my writing journey, to help arrange the Mystery Agent and Editor contests that introduced me to so many amazing people as a querying writer. I have enjoyed the warmth, wisdom, and insight these ladies have offered over the years, and I know I will keep on enjoying it going forward.
And most of all, it's been wonderful to meet all of you and watch all of these journeys in progress. And if I could leave you (for now) with one last bit of advice, it would be not to decide, ahead of time, how your journey will or should go. The publishing way of life has a way of defying the narratives we craft in our own writing. It has a way of sidestepping the foregone conclusions and bringing on the curveballs. It has a way of taking forever, and when we stop expecting it, it has a way of moving forward all at once.
It can be overwhelming, all these ups and downs, all this uncertainty. And there's so little of it you can control, including, sometimes, how you feel about all of it - especially, sometimes, how you feel about all of it. But you can be positive when it's time to be positive, and when it sucks, you can let it suck. You can be understanding and patient, while never forgetting to advocate for and value yourself. You can work hard and be passionate about what you're working on, and if you need to step back, you can step back. And you can be kind to the people you meet along the way. And that includes being kind to yourself.
And with that, I will take a step back and let the fabulous ladies of OA take it from here. Thank you all for having me. I look forward to seeing where your journeys take you from here!
Showing posts with label Becky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Becky. Show all posts
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
The New Project Starter Kit
TGIF, Operation Awesome!
As those of
you who know me know well, I like to stay... busy, to put it mildly.
Even now, as I am powering through revisions on my current project, I am
already getting excited about my next idea in the queue. And I have
good reason to be excited - usually the end of one project prompts a
Battle Royale between fledgling ideas for premium space in my brain, so
it's a lovely change of pace to have a fully-formed idea ready to go!
Sometimes,
going into that new idea, I don't have a lot to work with until I get
into the rhythm of it. Sometimes it takes a couple chapters to figure
out what I'm doing. But even when I'm flying blind, I like to make a new
project survival kit of sorts. Here's what I take with me when
exploring the uncharted project wilderness:
A proper soundtrack.
I work full time and have a long commute, so I have to use those long
commutes to my advantage and get some serious brainstorming in. And when
I need to drown out the loud-laughers and the cell phone-talkers and
get lost in my thoughts, I need something to set the right mood.
Sometimes that means a full-fledged, 50+ song playlist. Occasionally,
that means two songs I will listen to on repeat for weeks upon weeks and
will never want to hear again when the project is over. Either way,
music, for me, is a serious plotting aid.
A protagonist character sheet.
Other characters, I can figure out along the way, but if I can't get
the voice right off the bat, it's hard to get going on the project. I
shared my character sheet here - help yourself!
Basic plot touchstones.
I have done my share of plotting AND pantsing, but I rarely know
exactly where I'm going right from the start. Instead, I have key scenes
in mind when I start, just to give me and idea and get me excited about
the story. A full outline tends to emerge after the first quarter or so
of the manuscript.
A pitch letter. Yes,
I used to hate them, too. But much like those touchstones, it's great
to start out knowing my hook. And it's also great to have something to
share with my critique partners to get their early take on it. (And I
kind of love getting a little early excitement going, too!)
Have fun, OA, and happy writing!
Friday, February 20, 2015
Debut to Watch: MONSTROUS by MarcyKate Connolly
The coolest thing about being a part of the online publishing community is that you get to see the genesis of all kinds of success stories.
I remember, for example, following The Writer's Voice contest in its first year, and seeing a particularly strong query+first page that was garnering a lot of requests. That page always stuck in my mind. And by the time I was fortunate enough to meet MarcyKate Connolly a year or so later, MONSTROUS was already on its way to become a book.
(That page stayed exactly the same, by the way.)
MarcyKate's revision process was almost compelling as the book itself (it began its life as a young adult MS!) But let's talk about the story:
The city of Bryre suffers under the magic of an evil wizard. Because of his curse, girls sicken and disappear without a trace, and Bryre's inhabitants live in fear. No one is allowed outside after dark.
Yet night is the only time that Kymera can enter this dangerous city, for she must not be seen by humans. Her father says they would not understand her wings, the bolts in her neck, or her spiky tail—they would kill her. They would not understand that she was created for a purpose: to rescue the girls of Bryre.
Despite her caution, a boy named Ren sees Kym and begins to leave a perfect red rose for her every evening. As they become friends, Kym learns that Ren knows about the missing girls, the wizard, and the evil magic that haunts Bryre.
And what he knows will change Kym's life.
MONSTROUS is an absolutely unputdownable read. Kym's first person narration hooked me as she learned to navigate the rules and boundaries of her new life. The world of Bryre just comes alive as the pages go on, and The reader takes it all in as Kym does. But occasionally the reader sees things Kym doesn't, too. While I can't dive too deeply into plot details without spoiling all of you, the story rarely seems to take the easiest turns for its characters. I had to keep reading just to make sure everyone would be okay!
This MG fantasy has been described as "Frankenstein as told by The Brothers Grimm," which I think is about as accurate as you can get, and MarcyKate seamlessly combines the fear, love, and sacrifice of a great fairy tale with Shelley's question of what it truly means to be human.
MONSTROUS comes highly, highly recommended from this reader. Go check it out now!
Friday, February 6, 2015
Remember: check out our February 2015 Mystery Editor pitches!
Happy Friday, everyone! Does anyone else feel like winter is just starting? Between the bitter cold and feet upon feet of snow, being outside doesn't sound terribly promising right now.
But one awesome thing to do while stuck inside (besides, of course, flail at your deadlines, which is what I've been up to lately?) Critique our amazing Mystery Editor pitches! Our critique round is still ongoing, and we have some fabulous pitches on the forum waiting for your feedback. Please do swing by and cheer them on! And be sure to keep an eye out for our Mystery Editor reveal later this month!
But one awesome thing to do while stuck inside (besides, of course, flail at your deadlines, which is what I've been up to lately?) Critique our amazing Mystery Editor pitches! Our critique round is still ongoing, and we have some fabulous pitches on the forum waiting for your feedback. Please do swing by and cheer them on! And be sure to keep an eye out for our Mystery Editor reveal later this month!
Friday, January 23, 2015
Writing while swamped
Different writers divide their time differently - but all of us have big, important things in our life that have nothing to do with writing.
(Unless you have decided to eschew human contact and live a life of quiet reflection in the mountains. In which case, you presumably still have to go hunt for your food to store for the long winter months ahead, so you also have some stuff to take care of.)
And those big, important, non-writing things? Can sometimes end up taking over most of your free time. My year got off to a pretty shaky start writing-wise as my day job picked up steam significantly, but three weeks into the new year, I think I have finally carved out a balance.
This post is not necessarily for those looking to take their manuscript to word count bootcamp - I tend to save that frenzy for deadlines. This is a kinder, gentler, 'take care of your brain or it will turn against you' time management post. Here are some of the things that work for me when non-writing life gets taxing:
Plan around your most productive time. For the intrepid early birds of the 5am Writers Club, the crack of dawn can be an extremely productive time. For me, less so. I've found that, when I have a free day, I get the most done between 9am and early afternoon, before that post-lunch crash - so when my day is less than free, I try to work as much writing into the first part of the day as possible. Though my lunch break is on the later side of this window, it's generally the best time to get some serious word count in.
Which brings me to my next point...
Extended that routine to everything else! Though 'don't skip lunch' seems like a pretty simple directive... really, don't skip lunch. If you need to have a reminder on your phone at a certain time telling you to drop whatever you're doing and go get your sandwich, that can be helpful. (I have found it pretty helpful from time to time.)
Allow for forgiveness. This is why I tend towards weekly goals instead of daily ones, since it leaves space to skip a writing session if I need to decompress and make up for it the next time around. But it also means reminding yourself that if you fall a little short, that's okay. You're not a machine. You can readjust later!
Remember that this is the best reason to pursue projects you love and are passionate about. You're making the time for your writing, so that's all the more reason to make sure it's the kind of writing you want to do, rather than the kind you worry that you should be doing. If you're not excited about it, then don't be afraid to make changes as needed.
Have fun, everyone, and happy writing!
(Unless you have decided to eschew human contact and live a life of quiet reflection in the mountains. In which case, you presumably still have to go hunt for your food to store for the long winter months ahead, so you also have some stuff to take care of.)
And those big, important, non-writing things? Can sometimes end up taking over most of your free time. My year got off to a pretty shaky start writing-wise as my day job picked up steam significantly, but three weeks into the new year, I think I have finally carved out a balance.
This post is not necessarily for those looking to take their manuscript to word count bootcamp - I tend to save that frenzy for deadlines. This is a kinder, gentler, 'take care of your brain or it will turn against you' time management post. Here are some of the things that work for me when non-writing life gets taxing:
Plan around your most productive time. For the intrepid early birds of the 5am Writers Club, the crack of dawn can be an extremely productive time. For me, less so. I've found that, when I have a free day, I get the most done between 9am and early afternoon, before that post-lunch crash - so when my day is less than free, I try to work as much writing into the first part of the day as possible. Though my lunch break is on the later side of this window, it's generally the best time to get some serious word count in.
Which brings me to my next point...
Extended that routine to everything else! Though 'don't skip lunch' seems like a pretty simple directive... really, don't skip lunch. If you need to have a reminder on your phone at a certain time telling you to drop whatever you're doing and go get your sandwich, that can be helpful. (I have found it pretty helpful from time to time.)
Allow for forgiveness. This is why I tend towards weekly goals instead of daily ones, since it leaves space to skip a writing session if I need to decompress and make up for it the next time around. But it also means reminding yourself that if you fall a little short, that's okay. You're not a machine. You can readjust later!
Remember that this is the best reason to pursue projects you love and are passionate about. You're making the time for your writing, so that's all the more reason to make sure it's the kind of writing you want to do, rather than the kind you worry that you should be doing. If you're not excited about it, then don't be afraid to make changes as needed.
Have fun, everyone, and happy writing!
Friday, December 26, 2014
The 2015 Accountability Post
Happy Holidays, everyone! Whatever you're celebrating, I hope your year is winding down nicely and that you're getting some well-deserved relaxation.
So that said... is it too early to start talking about goals for 2015? ;)
While I am pretty good with self-set deadlines, I do work full time, and my days just seem to get fuller and fuller as I go on, and sometimes it's easy to shunt all my wordcount goals to the weekend. So I do find it useful to state my writing goals in a nice, public place. I wouldn't want to go back on my word, after all!
So while it's early, I'm setting my first goal of 2015: I plan to finish my current work in progress by mid-March. Sure, that leaves this notoriously slow-drafter three and a half months to finish a project that is not quite half-done yet. But it wouldn't be the first time I've surprised myself!
If you, like me, find it useful to shout your goals from the rooftops, then please do join me in the comments! What are some of your writing goals for 2015?
So that said... is it too early to start talking about goals for 2015? ;)
While I am pretty good with self-set deadlines, I do work full time, and my days just seem to get fuller and fuller as I go on, and sometimes it's easy to shunt all my wordcount goals to the weekend. So I do find it useful to state my writing goals in a nice, public place. I wouldn't want to go back on my word, after all!
So while it's early, I'm setting my first goal of 2015: I plan to finish my current work in progress by mid-March. Sure, that leaves this notoriously slow-drafter three and a half months to finish a project that is not quite half-done yet. But it wouldn't be the first time I've surprised myself!
If you, like me, find it useful to shout your goals from the rooftops, then please do join me in the comments! What are some of your writing goals for 2015?
Friday, December 12, 2014
Wrapping up the writing year
So it has come to my attention that 2014 is almost over. The end of the year has been just about as breathless as the beginning was, so I haven't exactly been keeping track of the day lately, but we're running out of time fast. So tonight, I'd love to hear about your year in writing!
2014 was a strange one for me, personally. At a glance, not many things have changed for me. But I finished a manuscript that took me two years, one that might have been tougher to write than anything I've ever worked on. I met a ton of really fantastic people, I went to my first conference, and I met even more really great people at my first conference.
I finished NaNoWriMo for the first time, which, given my slow-drafter tendencies, I didn't think I could do. I wrote a few pieces that I'll probably never show anyone, and I worked on a few projects that I hope lots of people will see... when I polish them up a bit. I learned how to better multi-task, how to switch it up and stretch different muscles, how to dive at the projects I want to pursue, whether anyone wants them or not. I got some practice being satisfied with the kind of writer I am, and the kind of work I want to do.
So even if this year wasn't the year when things happened for me, this was the year that made me more confident that I could keep going and keep pushing myself regardless. So I'm going to declare it a success!
Now you tell me: what was your year in writing like?
2014 was a strange one for me, personally. At a glance, not many things have changed for me. But I finished a manuscript that took me two years, one that might have been tougher to write than anything I've ever worked on. I met a ton of really fantastic people, I went to my first conference, and I met even more really great people at my first conference.
I finished NaNoWriMo for the first time, which, given my slow-drafter tendencies, I didn't think I could do. I wrote a few pieces that I'll probably never show anyone, and I worked on a few projects that I hope lots of people will see... when I polish them up a bit. I learned how to better multi-task, how to switch it up and stretch different muscles, how to dive at the projects I want to pursue, whether anyone wants them or not. I got some practice being satisfied with the kind of writer I am, and the kind of work I want to do.
So even if this year wasn't the year when things happened for me, this was the year that made me more confident that I could keep going and keep pushing myself regardless. So I'm going to declare it a success!
Now you tell me: what was your year in writing like?
Friday, November 14, 2014
NaNo and Slow Drafters
My name is Becky Mahoney, and I am a plotter.
I am a plotter to the extent that it makes drafting very, very slow. I like to get the wording very precise in my head before I lay it all out there. I didn't used to be this way, but I always say that learning how to revise properly kind of ruined me for drafting. Once I realized how good I could be, it was difficult to give myself permission to be terrible.
So having tried NaNoWriMo with very little success in the past, I always assumed it was just completely antithetical to the way I worked. Of course, I was always in the middle of a project when November rolled around, so I always tried to log 50k on that project with very little success. It's difficult enough to produce 50k in one month. But to produce 50k of good words? I'm sure it's been done, but I am nowhere near that amazing.
My participation this year was sort of a last-minute snap decision. All of my current projects were going slowly or stalling because I was stuck on the words, stuck on making them right in one go. I needed to stretch my drafting muscles. So I decided to do that with a completely blank slate. I chose a vague idea that had taken up residence in my brain over the last week of October, and I went for it with very little planning. Had I made this decision earlier, I might have made myself an outline ahead of time. But I dove in with only a few story beats mapped out in my head.
I am someone who, on a good day, is lucky to get to 500 words. 1000 is in the high end of my daily word count more often than not, and very rarely, I will write more, especially if I'm close to some watermark, like the end of a chapter (or the manuscript.) Today is November 14th, and I am sitting at 30,000 words.
They are, of course, not good words. Much of what I have is wheel-spinning, repeated conversations, clunky exposition, and loads and loads of telling. It is, in essence, a very long dry run for this project.
But I have a separate document going with all the ideas I'm having along the way: changes to the setting, various plot twists, logistical kinks to work out. I'm getting a chance to hash out voices and character dynamics without having to worry about hewing to my outline. And I'm getting a sense of just how much I can get done when I turn my internal editor off and just enjoy drafting.
I am a plotter. That much has not changed - actually, this experience has emphasized it for me. But NaNo is teaching me some excellent new tricks. And I look forward to using them.
I'll see you all at 50k!
I am a plotter to the extent that it makes drafting very, very slow. I like to get the wording very precise in my head before I lay it all out there. I didn't used to be this way, but I always say that learning how to revise properly kind of ruined me for drafting. Once I realized how good I could be, it was difficult to give myself permission to be terrible.
So having tried NaNoWriMo with very little success in the past, I always assumed it was just completely antithetical to the way I worked. Of course, I was always in the middle of a project when November rolled around, so I always tried to log 50k on that project with very little success. It's difficult enough to produce 50k in one month. But to produce 50k of good words? I'm sure it's been done, but I am nowhere near that amazing.
My participation this year was sort of a last-minute snap decision. All of my current projects were going slowly or stalling because I was stuck on the words, stuck on making them right in one go. I needed to stretch my drafting muscles. So I decided to do that with a completely blank slate. I chose a vague idea that had taken up residence in my brain over the last week of October, and I went for it with very little planning. Had I made this decision earlier, I might have made myself an outline ahead of time. But I dove in with only a few story beats mapped out in my head.
I am someone who, on a good day, is lucky to get to 500 words. 1000 is in the high end of my daily word count more often than not, and very rarely, I will write more, especially if I'm close to some watermark, like the end of a chapter (or the manuscript.) Today is November 14th, and I am sitting at 30,000 words.
They are, of course, not good words. Much of what I have is wheel-spinning, repeated conversations, clunky exposition, and loads and loads of telling. It is, in essence, a very long dry run for this project.
But I have a separate document going with all the ideas I'm having along the way: changes to the setting, various plot twists, logistical kinks to work out. I'm getting a chance to hash out voices and character dynamics without having to worry about hewing to my outline. And I'm getting a sense of just how much I can get done when I turn my internal editor off and just enjoy drafting.
I am a plotter. That much has not changed - actually, this experience has emphasized it for me. But NaNo is teaching me some excellent new tricks. And I look forward to using them.
I'll see you all at 50k!
Friday, October 31, 2014
Happy Halloween!
Image by satit_srihin at freedigitalphotos.net
Happy Halloween, Operation Awesome! I hope you have super fun plans for tonight, whether you will be trick or treating, headed to a party, or curling up with something nice and creepy. If you're planning on the latter, here are a few recommendations to get your night started.
Some free things:
- CLICK CLACK THE RATTLEBAG, a short story by Neil Gaiman presented in the classic, read-out-loud tradition of the creepy stories of our childhood. It's a free download from Audible today, so be sure to snatch it up.
- HIS FACE ALL RED, a stunning horror comic by artist Emily Carroll. Carroll's comics are masterworks of the genre, lyrical and spare and brimming with unspoken dread. I highly recommend devouring all the other free comics on her page, and then checking out her anthology, THROUGH THE WOODS.
- WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE, a serialized podcast drama that's a delightful fusion of sci-fi, satire, and cosmic horror, all in the style of a small desert town's community radio broadcast.
And here are a few lightning-fast book recommendations:
- THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST, by Rick Yancey: The first of a stunning, devastating quartet of literary horror YA. Not for the faint of heart.
- THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, by Claire Legrand: A wickedly clever and deliciously creepy MG horror. Particularly good for those of you who loved CORALINE and want something similar.
- LONG LANKIN by Lindsey Barraclough: The atmosphere in this debut is perfect. And the titular monster is freaky as hell.
- THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE by Shirley Jackson: It's usually best to let Jackson's words speak for themselves.
"No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions
of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to
dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding
darkness within; it had stood for eighty years and might stand for
eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors
were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against
the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked
alone."
And that seems like the perfect note to leave you on. Pleasant dreams!
Friday, October 17, 2014
What's your stamp?
Happy Friday, OAers! If you haven't seen it yet, the winners of the October Mystery Agent contest have been posted. Head on over to look at the results and take a look at our interview with this month's agent!
I have been plugging away at a new project lately, and whenever I work on that new-project-groove, I spend a lot of time thinking about the work-in-progress in relation to other things I've written. If a story idea has themes, characters or relationships that are too close to my last work, then that idea either needs to wait a while, or isn't developed enough to have a life of its own yet (and then it still needs to wait a while.)
But there are similarities that follow me from project to project, too. I have been writing for long enough now that I've identified many of my favorite tropes to use, though I'm recognizing more and more all the time. I love stories about negotiating power imbalances: both in relationships and in the character's station in life. I love old, unreliable legends coming to life. I love the consequences of a long-past action echoing into the present.
And there are littler character tropes I love, too: found families, tragically codependent best friends, characters whose lives depend on saying the right words, characters whose decisions are fueled by someone long gone. And recently, it was pointed out to me that my shy, socially awkward characters show their love to those they're comfortable with by getting snarky with them. (And that is totally true. I love that dynamic.)
These tropes are sort of my stamp, as it were - proof that you're reading a Becky Mahoney story. And the fun thing is, the more I play with my favorite tropes, the more they begin to evolve. And I can't wait to see where some of them take me next.
What are some tropes that tend to reoccur in your work? How do you think your readers would describe a quintessential 'you' story?
I have been plugging away at a new project lately, and whenever I work on that new-project-groove, I spend a lot of time thinking about the work-in-progress in relation to other things I've written. If a story idea has themes, characters or relationships that are too close to my last work, then that idea either needs to wait a while, or isn't developed enough to have a life of its own yet (and then it still needs to wait a while.)
But there are similarities that follow me from project to project, too. I have been writing for long enough now that I've identified many of my favorite tropes to use, though I'm recognizing more and more all the time. I love stories about negotiating power imbalances: both in relationships and in the character's station in life. I love old, unreliable legends coming to life. I love the consequences of a long-past action echoing into the present.
And there are littler character tropes I love, too: found families, tragically codependent best friends, characters whose lives depend on saying the right words, characters whose decisions are fueled by someone long gone. And recently, it was pointed out to me that my shy, socially awkward characters show their love to those they're comfortable with by getting snarky with them. (And that is totally true. I love that dynamic.)
These tropes are sort of my stamp, as it were - proof that you're reading a Becky Mahoney story. And the fun thing is, the more I play with my favorite tropes, the more they begin to evolve. And I can't wait to see where some of them take me next.
What are some tropes that tend to reoccur in your work? How do you think your readers would describe a quintessential 'you' story?
Friday, September 19, 2014
The October Mystery Agent contest is coming! Is your first 250 ready?
TGIF, Operation Awesome! In case you missed it, our October Mystery Agent lottery is open until next Thursday, September 25th. Our awesome MA is seeking MG, YA (any & all genres!), women's fiction, historical fiction, and romance (historical, contemporary, and new adult).
Our MA will be considering not only your Twitter-length pitches, but also the first 250 words of your manuscript, as well. When I was a querying writer, those contests were my favorite - a pitch could go either way, but when actual pages entered the equation, I knew that my entry would truly represent my manuscript, for better or worse.
So what makes a strong opening? Well... unfortunately, that is as subjective as the rest of this process. One reader may find your opening slow or confusing, and another may be hooked from the word 'go.'
But no matter what kind of opening I'm reading, there's one thing I can't go without: grounding. Sometimes, in an effort to avoid the dreaded infodump, the writer will catapult the readers into a dynamic, dramatic scene, hoping to grab their attention that way. And some writers can pull off an in media res opening beautifully! But without grounding - an idea of who these people are, and the rules of the world they live in - the stakes just aren't there for me.
If I don't know the main character yet, I'm just not going to be invested in their success. But that doesn't mean I have to understand absolutely everything within that first page! It really only takes a few well-placed, specific details to get readers interested in what you have to offer. A hook doesn't have to be an explosion. It can be an intriguing setting, a relationship dynamic, or just a character I instantly like. That's what will keep me begging for the next page.
What do you look for in an opening?
Our MA will be considering not only your Twitter-length pitches, but also the first 250 words of your manuscript, as well. When I was a querying writer, those contests were my favorite - a pitch could go either way, but when actual pages entered the equation, I knew that my entry would truly represent my manuscript, for better or worse.
So what makes a strong opening? Well... unfortunately, that is as subjective as the rest of this process. One reader may find your opening slow or confusing, and another may be hooked from the word 'go.'
But no matter what kind of opening I'm reading, there's one thing I can't go without: grounding. Sometimes, in an effort to avoid the dreaded infodump, the writer will catapult the readers into a dynamic, dramatic scene, hoping to grab their attention that way. And some writers can pull off an in media res opening beautifully! But without grounding - an idea of who these people are, and the rules of the world they live in - the stakes just aren't there for me.
If I don't know the main character yet, I'm just not going to be invested in their success. But that doesn't mean I have to understand absolutely everything within that first page! It really only takes a few well-placed, specific details to get readers interested in what you have to offer. A hook doesn't have to be an explosion. It can be an intriguing setting, a relationship dynamic, or just a character I instantly like. That's what will keep me begging for the next page.
What do you look for in an opening?
Friday, August 22, 2014
Today's required reading: confirming receipt of materials
TGIF, Operation Awesome! Summer is almost over (EEEP) and you know what that means: people are going to be returning from vacations and hopefully requesting up a storm! But, as in any business where you receive approximately 10,000 e-mails a day, sometimes things get missed. To that end, sharkly agent Janet Reid has posted some advice on when and how to confirm receipt of requested materials if many months have passed and no one ever told you "Hey, I got it."
Sending e-mails like that can be daunting, I know. I see a similar sort of phenomenon in my day job, where something will go wrong, but the person in question won't tell me about it for fear of bothering me. (And I can't hold that against them - I worry about bothering people all the time!)
But if you're terrified that you're going to come across as pushy or step on someone's toes, then chances are, you're not the kind of person who would do that. If you're here, reading this, then you already know how important it is to be polite, professional, and recognize that you are not entitled to an agent or editor's time. And if you're received a full request, or an R&R, or have otherwise gotten past that initial contact with a publishing pro, then this is a person who is potentially interested in working with you. Don't let that slip by you!
Have a great weekend, all, and happy writing!
Sending e-mails like that can be daunting, I know. I see a similar sort of phenomenon in my day job, where something will go wrong, but the person in question won't tell me about it for fear of bothering me. (And I can't hold that against them - I worry about bothering people all the time!)
But if you're terrified that you're going to come across as pushy or step on someone's toes, then chances are, you're not the kind of person who would do that. If you're here, reading this, then you already know how important it is to be polite, professional, and recognize that you are not entitled to an agent or editor's time. And if you're received a full request, or an R&R, or have otherwise gotten past that initial contact with a publishing pro, then this is a person who is potentially interested in working with you. Don't let that slip by you!
Have a great weekend, all, and happy writing!
Friday, August 8, 2014
Friday Night Writes - a couple prompts to start your weekend!
TGIF, Operation Awesome! I come bearing prompts for your weekend! If you're between WIPs or looking to take a little break, hopefully one of these will kickstart your brain in one way or another!
This is an exercise that has been a lot of fun for me in the past. I'm going to post pairs of adjectives below. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is either to a) Use those two adjectives to create two characters and write a scene between them, or b) Create a character who can somehow embody both of those adjectives.
Ready? Go!
1. Insouciant and duty-bound.
2. Austere and empathetic.
3. Altruistic and unsettling.
4. Queenly and anxious.
5. Protective and dangerous.
Have fun! And if you have any prompts to share, be sure to post them in the comments!
This is an exercise that has been a lot of fun for me in the past. I'm going to post pairs of adjectives below. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is either to a) Use those two adjectives to create two characters and write a scene between them, or b) Create a character who can somehow embody both of those adjectives.
Ready? Go!
1. Insouciant and duty-bound.
2. Austere and empathetic.
3. Altruistic and unsettling.
4. Queenly and anxious.
5. Protective and dangerous.
Have fun! And if you have any prompts to share, be sure to post them in the comments!
Friday, July 11, 2014
A love letter to disappointments
One of these days, just for scientific purposes, I suggest you sit down and tally up some of those bumps in the road you've hit.
Not if it's just going to depress you, of course. But if you're having one of those days when you've seen a book deal perilously close to yours, or you see a former querying trench buddy in the bookstore, or you're staring at your perpetually empty inbox, hitting refresh every five seconds and thinking Please, just this once, let it be easy, this might be useful to you.
It might surprise you a little bit how many of those moments you'll find once you get going. Once you catalog all the crushing close-calls, the maybe-but-not-quites, and the sure things that you still can't believe didn't work out, you'll find other things. Smaller things. Form rejections that hit you at just the wrong moment. A promising start that fizzled out. All those little work-life balance misfires that made you think maybe you couldn't do this after all.
If you're feeling particularly tough, you can put yourself back there. Think about how you reacted in that moment: whether you sobbed into your pillow, dived for the takeout menus, laughed bitterly with your friends over drinks, or just sat in front of your computer and quietly scrubbed that particular happy ending from your mind.
But the most important thing to remember isn't that those moments didn't work out. It's that you kept going, even if you had to dig in with both hands. That passion, ambition, and drive is something that deserves to be recognized. The fire that's gotten me this far isn't always a pleasant thing to live with, but I'm a little in awe of it nonetheless.
There's a bit of a trap inherent in this exercise, though. It's tempting to think that, after all that hard work, the easy part has to be right around the corner. Even though logically we know there's no such thing as a guarantee in this business, we're writers. We love a good narrative.
But the point, at least for me, is to remind myself that if I didn't give up during any of that, I'm certainly not going to give up now. It might not be all the reassurance I was looking for. But it's a pretty powerful feeling all the same.
Have a great weekend, everyone, and happy writing!
Not if it's just going to depress you, of course. But if you're having one of those days when you've seen a book deal perilously close to yours, or you see a former querying trench buddy in the bookstore, or you're staring at your perpetually empty inbox, hitting refresh every five seconds and thinking Please, just this once, let it be easy, this might be useful to you.
It might surprise you a little bit how many of those moments you'll find once you get going. Once you catalog all the crushing close-calls, the maybe-but-not-quites, and the sure things that you still can't believe didn't work out, you'll find other things. Smaller things. Form rejections that hit you at just the wrong moment. A promising start that fizzled out. All those little work-life balance misfires that made you think maybe you couldn't do this after all.
If you're feeling particularly tough, you can put yourself back there. Think about how you reacted in that moment: whether you sobbed into your pillow, dived for the takeout menus, laughed bitterly with your friends over drinks, or just sat in front of your computer and quietly scrubbed that particular happy ending from your mind.
But the most important thing to remember isn't that those moments didn't work out. It's that you kept going, even if you had to dig in with both hands. That passion, ambition, and drive is something that deserves to be recognized. The fire that's gotten me this far isn't always a pleasant thing to live with, but I'm a little in awe of it nonetheless.
There's a bit of a trap inherent in this exercise, though. It's tempting to think that, after all that hard work, the easy part has to be right around the corner. Even though logically we know there's no such thing as a guarantee in this business, we're writers. We love a good narrative.
But the point, at least for me, is to remind myself that if I didn't give up during any of that, I'm certainly not going to give up now. It might not be all the reassurance I was looking for. But it's a pretty powerful feeling all the same.
Have a great weekend, everyone, and happy writing!
Friday, June 27, 2014
Mystery Agent Critique Next Tuesday!
Hey gang! This is just a reminder that our 15 Mystery Agent entries will be posted here on Operation Awesome next Tuesday, July 1st, for community feedback. The entries will go up at 10am EDT for all your cheerleading and critiques, so be sure to stop by and take a look!
And for those of you who weren't selected this time around, don't despair. We've got plenty more to come! Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about our future Mystery Agent contests in the coming months.
Have a great weekend, everyone! And to all our contestants: best of luck!
Friday, June 13, 2014
The July Mystery Agent Lottery - CLOSED
And we're back! Did you miss us? Because we missed you!
We have a fabulous July Mystery Agent all lined up for you - but with our new revamped contest, the fun is going to start a little early. Our Mystery Agent will accept 15 pitches, with your log line and the entire first page of your manuscript, and starting now, you can enter the Mystery Agent Lottery for one of those 15 slots.
Our Mystery Agent is actively seeking the following:
- Young Adult horror/thrillers
- Contemporary YA with a hook
- Speculative fiction
- All kinds of adult romance- Picture books
If you have a completed manuscript in one of these genres, please enter your name and contact information into the Rafflecopter below. Please enter only once, and only if your manuscript is finished and query-ready.
The lottery will close on June 20th, and winners will be contacted with instructions for submitting their work. And not only will our agent be able to read the entries, but so will all of you! All 15 entries will be posted here on the blog on our Mystery Agent day, July 1st, for your cheerleading and constructive feedback. And last but certainly not least, the reveal, along with the fabulous to-be-announced prizes, will be posted here sometime in the month of July.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If I left anything out or you have any other questions, please do leave a comment so one of us can point you in the right direction. Best of luck to everyone!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Chopping down that wordcount
We all have filler text. Some of us have a lot of it. And it does serve a purpose: we need it sometimes for our brain to transition from Point A to Point B in a scene. Of course, one of my favorite parts of revision is realizing you don't actually need that filler text at all, and that the scene is that much more snappy and powerful and interesting without it. People often ask me if it's hard, deleting the words I've written, but personally, I think it's a pretty great feeling sometimes.
Need to whittle down your wordcount? Here are a few things I keep an eye out for when I'm chopping away:
Repetitive or 'on-the-nose' dialogue: Dialogue is one of the most enjoyable parts of writing for me. I think that's usually why I get carried away. When real people talk, especially when they know each other well or are in a particularly intense emotional state, they don't always use full sentences, or say what they mean. I was told by a workshop teacher once to that the character should say their piece in as little space as possible, and that advice has served me well. So if the characters are repeating themselves (or someone else), or explaining themselves in a way that leaves little up to interpretation? Cut it out.
Also a great candidate for chopping: when I'm writing a scene with a large group of characters and I shoehorn in some dialogue so that the audience remembers they're there. Not only do I cut that line, but if the character has that little to do in a scene, I try to write them out altogether.
Anything that dilutes your impact: Sometimes a scene ends. And then it keeps going. It can be hard to see until I'm in the revision phase, but sometimes a scene or chapter hits its natural endpoint (and a great one at that), and then I have a good three or four paragraphs after it. Those can all go, and the 'wham' factor is stronger for it. The same goes for a tense conversation that has a little too much slack, or a reveal that gets a little too wordy. Even if you're not writing an edge-of-your-seat thriller, those threads still need to be as taut as possible.
"As you know...": This phrase is often used to warn writers away from clumsy exposition - when two characters discuss, in great detail, something both of them already know. I am sometimes guilty of doing the same thing with the reader. Sometimes it can be necessary to remind the reader of something that hasn't been brought up in a while. But if I take up precious plotting time reiterating a point I've already made, that can go. Stories work best when you trust your reader to connect the dots. And this is where betas are invaluable. If they don't get it, they'll let you know.
There are times for the scalpel and times for the machete: Sometimes I can make a huge difference in my wordcount just by taking out the little things above. And sometimes - say, if I've done heavy revisions already - I find a scene that was necessary the first time around, but has been made redundant by the changes I've already made, or no longer make sense for the characters/relationships. It can be hard to get rid of those. But it's necessary. And when that number at the bottom of your document drops by several hundred words, it's a beautiful thing.
Happy weekend, OA, and happy writing!
Friday, May 16, 2014
Drafting vs. revising
There are few things more fun than the discovery process of a new project. I just love the moment when I figure out a troublesome plot point, or where suddenly, that relationship I've been struggling with makes perfect sense. I love the hours I spend letting all those new characters and plot twists come together in my head.
And then when I write those characters and plot twists out for the first time, I grimace and mutter, "Oooooh. That sucked."
Sometimes my drafting sessions are fantastic, but other times, writing those more complicated scenes feels like an extraction. It depends, from project to project. I have my manuscripts that were an absolute dream from start to finish, and then there's my current manuscript. When it was in draft form, it was a bit of a problem child. Or, as I called it, Frankenbook.
However much I enjoyed the drafting process, though, when I reach revisions, my enjoyment of the project reaches another level. My favorite point of any given project is the point where I can be sitting on the train and think, "Oh wait, that one line of dialogue in Chapter Eight contradicts what she says in Chapter Three." There's nothing I love more than being so deep into a project that I can see where storylines need to link together, or where to strengthen the resolution of a tertiary conflict. It's the point where writing becomes architecture as much as art: I have my frame, the bare bones of each floor, and now I'm going to develop it, trim it back where trimming is needed and build the rest out.
And then there are writers who are the opposite. Who can sit down and write a full, beautiful draft within a matter of months (or even weeks) with little to no agonizing. But once that draft is done, the less fun part begins. Revising, to them, can be like pulling teeth.
Rarely, of course, do writers fall neatly into #TeamDrafting and #TeamRevising. But I've found that even if most writers love aspects of both processes, there's usually one that they enjoy at least a little bit more.
Which do you prefer? And if you're equally brilliant at both: tell the rest of us your secret. ;)
And then when I write those characters and plot twists out for the first time, I grimace and mutter, "Oooooh. That sucked."
Sometimes my drafting sessions are fantastic, but other times, writing those more complicated scenes feels like an extraction. It depends, from project to project. I have my manuscripts that were an absolute dream from start to finish, and then there's my current manuscript. When it was in draft form, it was a bit of a problem child. Or, as I called it, Frankenbook.
However much I enjoyed the drafting process, though, when I reach revisions, my enjoyment of the project reaches another level. My favorite point of any given project is the point where I can be sitting on the train and think, "Oh wait, that one line of dialogue in Chapter Eight contradicts what she says in Chapter Three." There's nothing I love more than being so deep into a project that I can see where storylines need to link together, or where to strengthen the resolution of a tertiary conflict. It's the point where writing becomes architecture as much as art: I have my frame, the bare bones of each floor, and now I'm going to develop it, trim it back where trimming is needed and build the rest out.
And then there are writers who are the opposite. Who can sit down and write a full, beautiful draft within a matter of months (or even weeks) with little to no agonizing. But once that draft is done, the less fun part begins. Revising, to them, can be like pulling teeth.
Rarely, of course, do writers fall neatly into #TeamDrafting and #TeamRevising. But I've found that even if most writers love aspects of both processes, there's usually one that they enjoy at least a little bit more.
Which do you prefer? And if you're equally brilliant at both: tell the rest of us your secret. ;)
Monday, May 5, 2014
Lessons from my first conference: NESCBWI 2014
Hi there, Operation Awesome! I'm coming to you today fresh from my tax return gift to myself: the 2014 New England gathering of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, from May 2nd to 4th in Springfield, Massachusetts - and my very first conference ever. Not only did I have a total blast, but I learned a lot about what to expect from conferences, and getting the most out of the experience. Are you planning to go to a conference in the future? Here are my tips:
Decide what your goal in attending the conference is. One of the reasons I decided to make NESCBWI my first conference was the focus on workshops, which I don't get to experience in my every day life and work. With my WIP getting ready to go and lots of future projects on queue, it was important for me to bring fresh perspectives to my work. Before you go to a conference, take a look at the lineup and make sure it gets you really excited. Are you looking to pitch, receive critiques, network yourself within an inch of your life? Make sure the conference will allow you those opportunities!
Be an extrovert for the weekend. If you're naturally extroverted: congratulations, this is totally your time to shine. If you are a fellow introvert, you may feel your social skills flagging by, say, Saturday night. Resist the urge to hide in your hotel room all night. Not to say you can't slip away for a while if you have to (guilty) but you never know who you're going to end up talking to if you go to the continental breakfast, or stick around for that second drink. Go forth and make connections! It's okay if you feel a little awkward sometimes. Chances are, everyone else is in the same boat.
And on that note...
Bring business cards, if you can. You probably got that memo. I think everyone got that memo except me. You can always write down your e-mail/Twitter/etc for anyone, but I was getting a bit envious of people who could just toss over a card and be done with it!
(And while you're thinking about preparedness, bring a spare change of clothes, too. Because you never know if you're going to roll in on Friday night, pop up to your hotel room to get ready for cocktail hour, and promptly acquire a huge oil-based stain on the front of your shirt. It's always good to cut down on the emergency trips to CVS for seltzer and OxyClean.)
Don't be scared of agents and editors! I think it's really valuable for writers to spend some time chatting with people on the other side of the fence. Not only do you learn so much more about the business that way, but you'll hear a different perspective that you might have missed otherwise. Ask about their current projects, or about what they're reading lately, or if bumblebees are really the new vampires. If they ask you about your project, by all means, have that elevator pitch at the ready. But if they don't, just roll with it. You're establishing yourself as a professional, courteous person, and that's the kind of writer people want to work with.
And above all, keep an open mind. Wherever you are in the process, you can always learn something new. So be prepared to meet awesome people, try out fun things with your work, and have a great time!!
Decide what your goal in attending the conference is. One of the reasons I decided to make NESCBWI my first conference was the focus on workshops, which I don't get to experience in my every day life and work. With my WIP getting ready to go and lots of future projects on queue, it was important for me to bring fresh perspectives to my work. Before you go to a conference, take a look at the lineup and make sure it gets you really excited. Are you looking to pitch, receive critiques, network yourself within an inch of your life? Make sure the conference will allow you those opportunities!
Be an extrovert for the weekend. If you're naturally extroverted: congratulations, this is totally your time to shine. If you are a fellow introvert, you may feel your social skills flagging by, say, Saturday night. Resist the urge to hide in your hotel room all night. Not to say you can't slip away for a while if you have to (guilty) but you never know who you're going to end up talking to if you go to the continental breakfast, or stick around for that second drink. Go forth and make connections! It's okay if you feel a little awkward sometimes. Chances are, everyone else is in the same boat.
And on that note...
Bring business cards, if you can. You probably got that memo. I think everyone got that memo except me. You can always write down your e-mail/Twitter/etc for anyone, but I was getting a bit envious of people who could just toss over a card and be done with it!
(And while you're thinking about preparedness, bring a spare change of clothes, too. Because you never know if you're going to roll in on Friday night, pop up to your hotel room to get ready for cocktail hour, and promptly acquire a huge oil-based stain on the front of your shirt. It's always good to cut down on the emergency trips to CVS for seltzer and OxyClean.)
Don't be scared of agents and editors! I think it's really valuable for writers to spend some time chatting with people on the other side of the fence. Not only do you learn so much more about the business that way, but you'll hear a different perspective that you might have missed otherwise. Ask about their current projects, or about what they're reading lately, or if bumblebees are really the new vampires. If they ask you about your project, by all means, have that elevator pitch at the ready. But if they don't, just roll with it. You're establishing yourself as a professional, courteous person, and that's the kind of writer people want to work with.
And above all, keep an open mind. Wherever you are in the process, you can always learn something new. So be prepared to meet awesome people, try out fun things with your work, and have a great time!!
Friday, April 18, 2014
The Writing Project Love Quadrangle
I'm a committed woman right now. What with the end-of-the-school-year crunch at my day job, the precious few hours I have for writing have to go towards one project, and that project is currently elbow-deep in revisions. Until I get this manuscript polished to go out into the universe, in other words, it's going to have my full attention.
Once it does go out into the universe, however, I'm going to have a fight on my hands. There are currently three other projects trying to seduce me.
There's the project that waited: the one that I started a little fling with last summer, that has patiently waited for me to wrap up my current MS. There's the wildly ambitious project: a sexy genre-blender that I'm really excited about... if I can pull it off right. And there's the dark horse: a thoroughly random idea that came out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. How's a girl to choose?
I know people who can juggle multiple manuscripts at the same time, and I'd very much love for those people to teach me their secrets one of these days. But until they do, I will have to contend with the writing project love quadrangles. True, it's an excellent problem to have, and you can always come back to a project next time. It'll probably be better for the extra time it spent steeping in your head. But it's so hard to take a world and characters you're already in love with and say, "Sorry, not yet."
If you've found yourself caught in a love quadrangle, maybe you've found a way to consider the pros and cons: whether you weigh market concerns, write a little of each project to see what shakes out, or imagine each of your love interests wrestling in jello. But one way or another, you have to choose eventually.
Best of luck. ;)
How about you? What's your strategy?
Once it does go out into the universe, however, I'm going to have a fight on my hands. There are currently three other projects trying to seduce me.
There's the project that waited: the one that I started a little fling with last summer, that has patiently waited for me to wrap up my current MS. There's the wildly ambitious project: a sexy genre-blender that I'm really excited about... if I can pull it off right. And there's the dark horse: a thoroughly random idea that came out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. How's a girl to choose?
I know people who can juggle multiple manuscripts at the same time, and I'd very much love for those people to teach me their secrets one of these days. But until they do, I will have to contend with the writing project love quadrangles. True, it's an excellent problem to have, and you can always come back to a project next time. It'll probably be better for the extra time it spent steeping in your head. But it's so hard to take a world and characters you're already in love with and say, "Sorry, not yet."
If you've found yourself caught in a love quadrangle, maybe you've found a way to consider the pros and cons: whether you weigh market concerns, write a little of each project to see what shakes out, or imagine each of your love interests wrestling in jello. But one way or another, you have to choose eventually.
Best of luck. ;)
How about you? What's your strategy?
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