Category: Writing

J is for Journaling

4/12/2016

My theme for the April A to Z blogging challenge is productivity for creative people.

I used to keep an ongoing journal, and I recently started journaling again by writing “morning pages” as described by Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way. Basically, she recommends that you write three pages by hand first thing each morning.

In the beginning, I pretty much hated this. It felt like one more thing I had to do each day. But after about two months, it became a useful part of my routine. Sometimes I vent. Sometimes I daydream on the page about my work-in-progress until I can barely wait to work on it. Sometimes I think of ideas that get transcribed onto my to do list. It’s like a mini-brain-dump on the page. I like using a cheap spiral-bound notebook (rather than a nice journal) so I don’t feel pressure to record anything "important."

(As an aside, some people use Bullet Journals which is more of a way to track tasks and goals than it is a free-form writing journal. I have yet to experiment with this, but you can learn more about it at Bullet Journal--Getting Started. )

These two articles link journaling to productivity: The #1 Productivity Tool You Aren't Using and Start this Simple Habit to Rocket Your Productivity: Journaling.) I do think it helps me have a certain positive mindset to start the day and increases my focus for the creative work ahead.

Have you ever kept a journal? Do you keep one now? If so, how do you find it helpful?

G is for Getting Creatively Unblocked

4/8/2016

By Yvonne Ventresca

My theme for the April A to Z Challenge is Productivity for Creative People.

What’s commonly referred to as “writer’s block” can occur in a number of creative pursuits. The ideas won’t come. Or you’ve written your way into a scene with no way out. Maybe you feel uninspired. Here are five ideas to get rid of the block.

Breaking a Creative Block

Think of the problem as a snarl that can be untangled, instead of a block, suggests Hillary Rettig, author of The 7 Secrets of the Prolific: The Definitive Guide to Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism, and Writer's Block. “…Identify the strands so you can start coping (and ultimately eliminating) them,” she says. Sometimes a block is really lack of research, for example.

Work in a different place, advises Sangu Mandanna in Writer’s Block: 5 Ways to Get Rid of It. “Not only does the transit time give you a well-deserved break, but the new environment might stimulate ideas and possibilities you’d never thought of before.”

Try doing something mundane--many people have experienced a great idea in the shower. So wash up, pull weeds, or go for a walk.

Go with the creative flow, according to LifeHack’s 20 Ways to Kill Your Writer’s Block Forever: “If you have a terrific itch to write one particular idea, then write that one right now.” I find this helps when I'm stuck on a scene. Sometimes it’s a scene that isn’t necessary or isn’t exciting enough to be included as is. If I skip ahead to the next section that I really want to write, the work goes much better.

Just do it! Jeff Goins offers this advice in Get Rid of Writer’s Block Once and for All: “WRITE SOMETHING. Anything at all. All bets are off. No rules or limitations. Just go for it.” It’s the act of beginning that is often the hardest part.

Have you ever experienced a creative block? How did you break through it?

B is for Backing Up Your Work

4/2/2016

By Yvonne Ventresca

My theme for the
April A to Z Challenge is Productivity for Creative People.

A to Z Challenge: B is for Backing Up Your Work

Backing up your work is mundane but critical. I know friends who have lost countless hours of productive time due to computer malfunctions. You can create your own backups by using a thumb drive or emailing yourself copies of your files. Dropbox offers free backups for up to 2 GB. Backup services like Carbonite are about $60 a year.

If you use Word, the default setting for Autosave is ten minutes (in the latest version). You can change the settings to save more frequently by selecting File, Options, Save, and decreasing the time for “Save Autorecover information every X minutes.” I have mine set to save every four minutes.

Do you have a preferred method for backing up your files? Do you have an "I lost my work" story to share?

Project Runway and the Creative Process

3/11/2016

By Yvonne Ventresca

On a recent author panel, the moderator asked us about our favorite TV shows. I don't know much about fashion, but I *love* Project Runway.

Creativity and Reality TV

Project Runway is one of the closest opportunities we get to seeing creativity in action. If there was a reality show about writers, it would be very boring. It's not exciting to watch people think. And type. And maybe drink too much coffee.

But watching the designers create clothes is a whole different story. Sometimes they execute a sketch just as they envisioned. Occasionally, they whip up magnificent garments after scrapping their original ideas. And at least once an episode, they fail to turn their vision into a reality.

It's kind of like writing. Maybe a scene comes together in a first draft, but more often the idea needs to be taken apart and reworked. There is always editing involved. If we're lucky, we have a mentor or critique partners to help us get our design on track. If only Tim Gunn could stop by and offer encouragement while we write...

Share your favorite TV show in the comments.

Watching people think would not make good reality television.

New York SCBWI Conference

2/18/2016

By Yvonne Ventresca

Last weekend, I attended the annual winter Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Conference in NYC along with 1150 other people. There is amazing energy in the (giant) room when that many creative people get together. I can't possibly summarize the speeches, panels, and workshops from the conference. Instead, for this week's Friday Five, I've pulled together five short points that resonated with me.

Martha Brockenbrough (author of The Game of Love and Death) stressed the value of being positive on social media: “You will never regret kindness.”

A quote I loved from author Jane Yolen: “Nudge yourself into the path of luck.”

Author Rainbow Rowell talked about how music can be a shortcut for her to reach the emotion of a scene. When she’s writing a difficult part over a long period of time, specific songs can serve as the key to returning to the heart of scene.

A term I heard several times: Discoverability. Readers can’t buy a book if they don’t know it’s out there.

Author Gary D. Schmidt gave a moving keynote speech to end the conference. “We write to express empathy in a broken world,” he said.

If you were at the conference, I'd love to hear your favorite parts.
Do you listen to music while you create?

How to Find An Agent

2/5/2016

By Yvonne Ventresca

Several people have asked me recently about the seemingly elusive "golden ticket." How do you go about finding a literary agent to represent you?

Just as "how did you meet your significant other" stories differ, each author can have a different version of the finding-an-agent experience. While there is no one way to find a literary agent, there is a common denominator: your work needs to submission-ready. Assuming that you've written, revised, been critiqued, and revised some more, this week's Friday Five resources can guide you on your agent search:

1. If you are still learning about the publishing business, start with How to Find a Literary Agent for Your Book.

2. For children's writers (picture book through young adult), consider joining the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Members can access The Book, a giant resource that includes an agent directory, as well as information on how to prepare and submit your work. SCBWI also hosts national and regional conferences. These conferences are a great way to learn what agents are looking for through panels, workshops, and one-on-ones. (Opportunities vary by conference.) I've been a member for fourteen years, and I met my agent at an SCBWI conference.

3. Also for children's writers: check out Kathy Temean's blog. As a former SCBWI NJ regional advisor, Kathy frequently posts about agents looking for submissions.

4. Try QueryTracker.net to access a database of agent information. (Registration required.)

5. Subscribe to the SubItClub blog, which is dedicated to the querying and submission process. There is also a SubItClub Facebook group where members can ask questions and get query letter feedback.

If you know of other online resources for finding an agent, please share in the comments.

Teen Writing Contest: $1000 for 1000 Words

1/5/2016

By Yvonne Ventresca

Writing Contest for Students

Happy New Year! Teen Tuesday is back this week, but the featured contest deadline is coming up fast. Can you write a story of exactly 1000 words over the next few weeks? If so, check the contest details below.

What: 1000-word story contest with $1000 prize. Your short fiction must be *exactly* 1000 words.

Who: Students in grades 6-12

When: Now through February 1, 2016

Prizes: According to the website, "two $1,000 scholarship prizes will be awarded, one for grades 6-8 and one for grades 9-12. Seven $100 cash prizes will also be awarded for winning entries, one per grade level. Stories selected for publication into Bluefire, but not selected as a grade-level or scholarship winner, will receive a $50 cash prize.... The author retains all copyrights to the submitted work."

Details: Visit the Bluefire contest page for complete information.

Teachers: Visit the educators' page join the teacher mailing list, see excerpts from past contests, and get a copy of their creative writing curriculum.

Self-Editing Tips for Writers

12/4/2015

By Yvonne Ventresca

Need help revising your manuscript? Here are some tips from a revision workshop I gave at SCBWI NJ last year.

Having critique partners is an invaluable part of the novel writing process. To get the most mileage out of a critique, you should fix the more obvious problems yourself before passing the manuscript to other readers. Here are some questions to consider.

Is the age of your main character appropriate for your genre? Does the voice match the age?

Is the length of your story typical? There are always exceptions to the rule but it’s good to know where your story falls on the spectrum. Jennifer Laughran has an excellent blog post about children’s book category lengths and example titles.

Are you starting the story at the best point? Is it interesting and compelling to make readers want to continue?

Is your main character solving problems too easily? Are the stakes high enough?

Do you know enough about your characters and their motivation? Is backstory handled appropriately? (For example, you don’t want to dump a large amount of backstory in chapter one.)

After you make any “big picture” changes, you can focus on the finer wording details.

Have you eliminated filler words such as really, just, very, well? (You can use this list of words to avoid here.)

Do you overuse any body part references? (Try searching for stomach, hands, heart.)

Have you written in the active voice? Example: It was a rainy afternoon (passive) versus The rain pounded the roof (active). Find clues you are using passive voice by searching for to be, are, is, was, has, had, etc.

For more self-editing information online, check out Common Manuscript Mistakes and the Writers Who Make Them and Six Easy Tips for Self-Editing Your Fiction.

For more extensive editing advice, I have some recommended books. Share your own favorite books in the comments.

Quick Productivity Tips for Creative People

11/27/2015

By Yvonne Ventresca

Productivity is an interesting concept, especially for creative people, because our “work” for each day isn’t always clearly defined. Without specific deadlines, we can sit around waiting for the muse instead of plowing ahead. Consistent progress can sometimes be a struggle.

Here are a few thoughts on staying motivated, after you've recovered from Thanksgiving:

1. If you don’t have an external deadline, create one. For example, pick a date to exchange manuscripts with a critique partner or promise to have the story ready for beta readers by a certain time. Making a commitment that involves other people can work wonders for motivation.

2. Create a chain, as Jerry Seinfeld once advised a new comedian. Using a calendar, make a large X each day you complete a certain task. Soon the line of Xs becomes self-perpetuating because you don’t want to break the streak. (FYI -- gold stars work, too!) James Clear says on Entrepreneur.com, “The Seinfeld Strategy works because it helps to take the focus off of each individual performance and puts the emphasis on the process instead. It's not about how you feel, how inspired you are, or how brilliant your work is that day. Instead, it's just about ‘not breaking the chain.’” If you are looking for online support, the Monthly Twitter Writing Challenge encourages participant to write or revise daily for the month and document it on the group spreadsheet, mixing the “Seinfeld Strategy” with public commitment--a winning combination! The same can be said for NaNoWriMo.

3. Make a plan that divides “writing a novel” (a huge, scary project) into manageable pieces. Set goals to write the first chapter, decide character names, write the second chapter, research the setting, etc. If you want to finish a novel in a certain time period, approximately how many words do you need to write a month? Make a schedule. It can always be adjusted, of course, but, as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

I usually blog with a "five" theme on Friday, but the holiday weekend merits a shorter post. If you want to read more of my thoughts about this topic, you can read a collection of my productivity posts from A to Z. If you have any favorite tips or resources, please share!

Interview with Liza Fleissig of the Liza Royce Agency

11/20/2015

By Yvonne Ventresca

Literary Agent Liza Fleissig

For today’s Friday Five, I’m featuring an interview with literary agent Liza Fleissig, founder of the Liza Royce Agency (LRA). I signed with Liza as my agent earlier this year and was thrilled when she sold my next novel, Black Flowers, White Lies (coming Fall of 2016!) to Sky Pony Press. Read on to learn about submitting your manuscript to LRA, Liza's ideal client, and her thoughts on trilogies.

Q & A with Liza Fleissig

1. What are some of the most important qualities you look for in novel submissions?

Other than the obvious--strong writing and compelling voice--I like stories that are fresh and take chances. Once any given book becomes a hit, it is inevitable that we get submissions that basically jump on the bandwagon and offer a variation on the same best-selling theme. What some authors don’t realize is that publishers are no longer looking for THAT book, they are looking for the NEXT big thing. It is very frustrating because you look forward to great submissions and at times you are just left rolling your eyes and declining to consider.

2. What’s your favorite part about being an agent? Least favorite part?

My favorite part? Being able to help our clients attain success, and in many cases life-long dreams, is an amazing feeling. I will never forget LRA’s first picture book signing--there was a full display in the store front window--and the look on the author’s face when she got out of the cab was priceless. My least favorite? Sigh. This business is not for the faint of heart. More and more often books are not passing acquisition meetings even with full editorial support. So when a deal is expected to be a fait accompli, but somehow still falls through, the blow is crushing--and being the one to deliver that news is almost as devastating as it is to hear it.

3. How would you describe your ideal client?

One who shoots for the stars and looks for a window when the door is closed, but who can also be practical when need be. The agency relationship is like a marriage, with ups and downs, and the ideal client is one who can handle disappointment with grace, even when it’s unfair. Comparing yourself to other authors is a huge no-no, and knowing how to accept and appreciate constructive feedback is a must. We look for clients who say “what can I do for me?” not just “what can the publisher do for me?” and since LRA is run like a family, our ideal clients cross-support and share in their agency siblings’ successes. Determination helps too. We’ve sold books right out of the gate, and others in months, one took a year!--you never know--so be in it for the long haul and believe in yourself. Above all--HONESTY, TRUST and mutual RESPECT is key. Prima dons/donnas need not apply.

4. What do you see as the biggest changes in YA publishing in the past few years?

I think YA continues to morph since its formal inception. When I grew up, there was no real YA section--books like FOREVER were considered risky, and now characters have sex with vampires. Talk about change! I think the main thing I would caution authors is that contrary to popular belief, trilogies is not the way to go. Post HUNGER GAMES everyone thinks they need to write trilogies, so they write with arcs that lend themselves to that, and I think it’s a critical error. First of all, as the numbers demonstrate, few books will break out in such a tremendous way. That is not to say they won’t have huge successes, just not necessarily in such a franchising way. Second, and more important to consider, the YA audience continues to grow up. As your readers hit college and adult years, they no longer read YA books. And, as new readers come of age, they don’t want to pick up a book mid-series. So I think it’s really important you write a GOOD YA STORY and worry only about THAT one. Trying to develop a trilogy often leaves the first book falling short, which makes a sale less likely in the first place. One book at a time. Very important in YA.

5. Are you currently open to submissions? How should an interested writer submit to you?

I am always open to submissions, albeit sometimes my turn around is slower than others. Guidelines will be up on our website (launching hopefully by Jan!), but until then, people should send us an email WITH NO ATTACHMENTS since they will not be opened, providing a pitch, a brief bio, along with information about any social/marketing platform they feel is relevant. Unfortunately since we are so slammed, if someone doesn’t hear back from us within two weeks, then that means we declined to consider the work, for a variety of reasons, ranging from we might have something similar on our list to it just didn’t resonate. This business is so subjective, so please remember that a pass from us could very well be a YES from another agency!

Thank you, Liza, for the helpful information. Follow the Liza Royce Agency on Twitter @lizaroyceagency and like them on Facebook at Liza Royce Agency for more deal and industry news.

<<Previous

Forward>>

J is for Journaling

G is for Getting Creatively Unblocked

Breaking a Creative Block

B is for Backing Up Your Work

A to Z Challenge: B is for Backing Up Your Work

Project Runway and the Creative Process

Creativity and Reality TV

New York SCBWI Conference

How to Find An Agent

Teen Writing Contest: $1000 for 1000 Words

Writing Contest for Students

Self-Editing Tips for Writers

Quick Productivity Tips for Creative People

Interview with Liza Fleissig of the Liza Royce Agency

Q & A with Liza Fleissig

1. What are some of the most important qualities you look for in novel submissions?

2. What’s your favorite part about being an agent? Least favorite part?

3. How would you describe your ideal client?

4. What do you see as the biggest changes in YA publishing in the past few years?

5. Are you currently open to submissions? How should an interested writer submit to you?

Get new blog posts by email:

Archives

Categories

Breaking a Creative Block

A to Z Challenge: B is for Backing Up Your Work

Creativity and Reality TV

Writing Contest for Students

Q & A with Liza Fleissig

1. What are some of the most important qualities you look for in novel submissions?

2. What’s your favorite part about being an agent? Least favorite part?

3. How would you describe your ideal client?

4. What do you see as the biggest changes in YA publishing in the past few years?

5. Are you currently open to submissions? How should an interested writer submit to you?

Get new blog posts by email:

Newsletter: Sign me up!

Archives

Categories