tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43942295080048116322024-01-22T12:12:17.610-07:00The Book DoctorGot questions about writing fiction?
We've got answers.The Book Doctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630790153730670666noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-17210388622388671652012-01-23T18:07:00.000-07:002012-01-23T18:07:29.599-07:00This blog is now closedI'm sorry to announce that The Book Doctor will no longer be running.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I want to thank all of those editors and writers who have contributed, especially Pam and Edie. Thank you both for all your hard work in keeping this blog alive.<br />
<br />
Because of the great posts they've shared, I'll leave the blog up for those who wish to look through past posts and learn something. If you would like to hire an editor, feel free to contact the editors (Book Doctors) listed on the left sidebar.<br />
<br />
Wishing all of you success in your writing careers!<br />
<br />
Blessings,<br />
<br />
Sandi Rog<br />
<div><br />
</div>Sandi Roghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14133590559340429928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-83545032248450886232011-12-15T12:03:00.001-07:002011-12-15T12:06:15.542-07:00Christmas Gift Certificate for a Detailed Edit!<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;">We at Inspiration for Writers have d</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;">one something we've never done before and most likely will never do again. But we've done it for the fun of it, for the excitement of it. We've done it as a special Christmas gift to some lucky writer out there. What have we done? Are you sitting down? We are offering a <strong>gift certificate for the detailed edit and critique of a book-length manuscript</strong> (fiction or nonfiction, your choice, up to 100,000 words) <strong>on eBay</strong>. The starting bid is just <strong>ONE DOLLAR</strong>. There is no reserve. If there's only one bid, well, the winner will get a gift certificate worth up to three thousand dollars for that buck. Yep. For real.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;">The winner will also get the same personal care and professional quality we give every client. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;">Want to know more? Better yet, want to submit a bid? Just go to</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290646489420#ht_2703wt_1038" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/<wbr></wbr>eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=<wbr></wbr>290646489420#ht_2703wt_1038</a>. If you have any problems with the link, go to<a href="http://ebay.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">ebay.com</a> and search for item number 90646489420. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;">And if you still have problems, email me: <a href="mailto:sandytritt@gmail.com?" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">sandytritt@gmail.com</a>.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;">But whatever you do, hurry. The auction will <strong>end on Wednesday, Dec. 21</strong>.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva; font-size: 12pt;">Please help us get the word out by putting this on all enewsletters, list-serves, email groups, blogs, facebook, twitter--anywhere you can. Thanks so much.</span></div></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPkOa4Fna516cN3p3I1oy4nZ1j27ksOxgGZUuzBUuPJR0xxSzFCDgHVuEKxjWhE-DPjKyp5cfBn_N0zu2UDNg374o-xkDbhOAKQM53kgoiZO2NhaQnFquy_qpgMNSu8E_22wJUZlEgkQ/s1600/sandy-headshot-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPkOa4Fna516cN3p3I1oy4nZ1j27ksOxgGZUuzBUuPJR0xxSzFCDgHVuEKxjWhE-DPjKyp5cfBn_N0zu2UDNg374o-xkDbhOAKQM53kgoiZO2NhaQnFquy_qpgMNSu8E_22wJUZlEgkQ/s1600/sandy-headshot-small.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Edwardian Script ITC'; font-size: x-large;">Sandy</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sandy Tritt, CEO</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Inspiration for Writers, Inc.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.inspirationforwriters.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.InspirationForWriters.com</a></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.ghostwriters.ws/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.ghostwriters.ws</a></span></div><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font: normal normal normal medium/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="text-align: center;"></span></span><br />
<div align="center" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></div><div align="left" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font: normal normal normal medium/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Check out our blog: </span><a href="http://www.inspiration4writers.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://www.<wbr></wbr>inspiration4writers.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/</span></a></span></span></span></div></div>Sandi Roghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14133590559340429928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-18103415201518892402011-11-06T22:50:00.003-07:002011-11-06T22:55:24.606-07:00PAM'S POINTERS<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrWiqWVDjcsr0a6Y_NscrC3BbzK8QPRhyphenhyphennBNpcWwFg0gNO2XB1aLHVwnn5zUPRXGmbEhDVHa1OSjjRtFe4HDmlfTNWMsRmqPnPgATZl3lendsoFT0vtCUNG7fMnilhAII087xmSY4a0s/s1600/pointer+dog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrWiqWVDjcsr0a6Y_NscrC3BbzK8QPRhyphenhyphennBNpcWwFg0gNO2XB1aLHVwnn5zUPRXGmbEhDVHa1OSjjRtFe4HDmlfTNWMsRmqPnPgATZl3lendsoFT0vtCUNG7fMnilhAII087xmSY4a0s/s1600/pointer+dog+2.jpg" /></a><u></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><u>Tips to Help You Get Published</u></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
by Pam Zollman </div>
</div>
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1)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Age
– Aim High. Word Count – Aim Low.</div>
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2)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Never
sleep under the same roof with a rejected manuscript. Send it out again as fast as possible!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
3)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>A
manuscript in your file drawer is rejected.
A manuscript in the mail is not.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
4)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Always
have a list of places to send your manuscript.
That way, if it comes back, you can send it right out again without
doing more research and using that as an excuse for not resubmitting it.</div>
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5)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>An
editor rarely calls and asks to buy what you have in your file drawer. So mail that manuscript today. You can’t sell it if it’s sitting in the
drawer.</div>
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6)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Enter
contests. Giving yourself a deadline is
a good way to make you finish that manuscript.
If you lose, so what? You have a
perfectly good story to submit to other publishers. Besides, you never know…you might win.</div>
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7)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>A
writer writes every day. A writer writes
the best she can in everything she does.
A writer experiments so that her writing doesn’t become stale. A writer tries other fields of writing,
because she might discover another area she enjoys.</div>
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8)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>A
writer reads every day. A writer reads
in his field to keep up with the market.
A writer reads outside his field to broaden his mind. A writer reads for research, and a writer
reads for pleasure.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
9)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Use
the Buckshot Method of Submission: Submit
10 manuscripts to 10 different publishers. You have a significantly better
chance of selling than if you submit 1 manuscript to 10 publishers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusw-0hxHLl40KBFOjDICg7Txiv_BxnIPhDPMLxrx6wy2knNHrLbfnJAFM4BkKN-h9C0M7EApMokL_jedZugBYJ9bj_nhEPRaQ_9CZeo0858xov5BIg8QDmM_35dlmvx0CJZyHKG8h7Do/s1600/pointer+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusw-0hxHLl40KBFOjDICg7Txiv_BxnIPhDPMLxrx6wy2knNHrLbfnJAFM4BkKN-h9C0M7EApMokL_jedZugBYJ9bj_nhEPRaQ_9CZeo0858xov5BIg8QDmM_35dlmvx0CJZyHKG8h7Do/s1600/pointer+2.jpg" /></a>10)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><u><i><b>The Secret
of Successful Writing</b></i></u>: Put the seat of
your pants in the seat of your chair and write!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Feel free to contact me, Pam Zollman, if you have problems with your stories. I'd love to help! My email address is pam (at) anauthorworld (dot) com. Visit www.anauthorworld.com. </div>Pam Zollmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02813877005100989651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-69065988713331623142011-10-16T21:47:00.000-06:002011-10-16T21:47:21.629-06:00Pantser or Plotter?by Pam Zollman<br />
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At our AAWC (www.anauthorworld.com) meeting yesterday, we talked about whether we were pantsers or plotters. These are individual writing styles. Which are you?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI-P05a06hLpKZdoFZMwY-OjCR7COQtq3CF0HrrINJaFsPCuPsHP-noCxqwKXYfMKPjSVeTWdduWaHrhHUwQTXy-ahPKN91N4b8YAUV7_MuZOZ57NuR4wzs9J6y1jdBMbNQ7M7d6A2Mw/s1600/pants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI-P05a06hLpKZdoFZMwY-OjCR7COQtq3CF0HrrINJaFsPCuPsHP-noCxqwKXYfMKPjSVeTWdduWaHrhHUwQTXy-ahPKN91N4b8YAUV7_MuZOZ57NuR4wzs9J6y1jdBMbNQ7M7d6A2Mw/s1600/pants.JPG" /></a></div>
A <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i>pantser</i></b></span> writes by the seat of his pants -- he just sits down and starts writing, without a plot or knowing exactly where he's going. He allows his characters to dictate where to go; he loves the spontaneity of his writing. <br />
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The pros of this type of writing is the freedom it allows. You don't have to have anything more than a vague idea in mind before you start writing. You can allow emotion and intuition to guide you, rather than a formal outline. You can go off on as many rabbit trails as your heart desires. Most beginning writers start off this way, and many professional writers still do this. Any outline they might have, they keep inside their head. Pantser feel this style of writing gives them the most creativity.<br />
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<b><i>The problem with this kind of writing?</i></b> Well, you might wind up with a rambling story and confusing plot. It may be overwhelming, especially for a beginning writer, to revise and fix. The inconsistencies and logic flaws can snowball into a huge amount of revision work. It's easy to get writer's block because you don't know where you're going with the story. You'll have pages and pages that you'll have to discard because they don't add to your story (even if they were fun to write).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-28QCGpS1iYNqFA3weIfgr6xTl-8wHbJ8uGD0T1C33UnX56P299BScHQCQtwg42IwY4QuAcjYLeYa_eOU8dmtzEchLIvVpMgVAXQd33BCVlAA3llrnixqTjnDHkJfB7jJEMah8-bmIs/s1600/working+at+desk+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-28QCGpS1iYNqFA3weIfgr6xTl-8wHbJ8uGD0T1C33UnX56P299BScHQCQtwg42IwY4QuAcjYLeYa_eOU8dmtzEchLIvVpMgVAXQd33BCVlAA3llrnixqTjnDHkJfB7jJEMah8-bmIs/s1600/working+at+desk+2.JPG" /></a>A<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> <b><i>plotter</i></b></span> writes down a detailed outline of his story before he even starts. He knows his beginning, middle, and end of his story; he even knows all the parts in-between. He has detailed character sketches, so that he knows everything he needs about each character and how these details will fit into the plot. All the backstory is worked out ahead of time. He can catch and correct any inconsistencies or logic flaws either before hand or as he writes. He can write fast because he knows where he is going and how he's going to get there. Writer's block usually isn't a problem.<br />
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<b><i>The problem with this kind of writing?</i></b> Well, you could wind up with stale prose. All the creativity went into making the outline. Sure, you can write faster, but is the emotion still in it or has it all been drained out? Your brain thinks it's already written the story because of the detailed outline. You write fast because you just want to get it over with; the love is gone. You can feel confined to following the outline, even though your characters and your heart tell you to change course.<br />
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And then there's the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>plantser</i></b></span>: that's someone -- like me! -- who outlines her story ahead of time, but not in such detail that she becomes chained to it. I do a detailed character sketch ahead of time, so that I know my characters very well. Then I use my characters to dictate my story. I know my beginning, my ending, and all the major plot points in-between. But since I haven't outlined my entire novel, I have the freedom of letting my characters dictate much of the story. However, I don't let them change the major plot points or ending, unless I realize that their way is better It's not always -- sometimes it's just a fruitless rabbit trail they wanted to follow, and I have to know this and stop it before I spend too much time and energy going in the wrong direction.<br />
<br />
So which are you? A pantser? A plotter? A plantser?<br />
<br />
Whichever one you are will depend a lot on your personality. For some people, writing any type of outline just kills their creative spirit. For others, they are totally lost without their guide map, their outline. There is no one right way. I have successful, multi-published friends in each catagory.<br />
<br />
So which are you? It doesn't matter, as long as you sit down and write.<br />
<br />
<i>If you need help with your writing, feel free to contact me at pam (at) anauthorworld (dot) com.</i>Pam Zollmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02813877005100989651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-49590606932562463732011-10-10T18:22:00.000-06:002011-10-10T18:22:13.647-06:008 Ways to Beat Post Conference Blues<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7zvXGkfQxTrTtQhRtsPXb_De1dwYgcP8cw_mecGPA4SLo4gPcWWpOe_cghyTaif26iQorsCRkr8tIyDv2tdUwvpEFiTUXN3ej4YfrDlRzV0R2bF-q54E9E6n_3b9nQWFYcJzuwlhGvk/s1600/MP900410082%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7zvXGkfQxTrTtQhRtsPXb_De1dwYgcP8cw_mecGPA4SLo4gPcWWpOe_cghyTaif26iQorsCRkr8tIyDv2tdUwvpEFiTUXN3ej4YfrDlRzV0R2bF-q54E9E6n_3b9nQWFYcJzuwlhGvk/s320/MP900410082%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I've been attending large writing conferences for twelve years and they all have <b>ONE</b>thing in common—post conference blues. It’s only natural. A week-long conference is an exciting, grueling experience. Just physical exhaustion alone could get anyone down—add to that the mental and emotional effects and you have the perfect <i>set-up</i> for a huge <i>let-down</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For those who aren’t expecting the post conference blues they can—worst case—derail your writing career for a year or more. At the least they can set even an experienced writer behind several work days.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC3kZ4lkBPfQcrH7jGSB08MQZb7djXOnQT_urmzwA_TYVHeUKuDchUdfPX7lMxBAB7hazAJo-6ACd2Sj6lMsafh8nJU7swK9sPzXSPV4FY2YS3N3jk7UvZx38R9PMgeXFzU5W4VUJUh_x/s1600/MP900178937%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #996633; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC3kZ4lkBPfQcrH7jGSB08MQZb7djXOnQT_urmzwA_TYVHeUKuDchUdfPX7lMxBAB7hazAJo-6ACd2Sj6lMsafh8nJU7swK9sPzXSPV4FY2YS3N3jk7UvZx38R9PMgeXFzU5W4VUJUh_x/s320/MP900178937%255B1%255D.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="254" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The feelings can run the gamut of a vague sense of unease to out-right panic. I’ve found that once I’m at home all the nice things people have said about my writing morph into something ugly.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">They were just being polite—they didn't really like my writing.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">They don’t really want me to send in that proposal.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">hey’ll never publish that (article, devotion, whatever) they told everyone to send something in.</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">All of these are lies. I've sat on the editor side of the desk and believe me when I say this. <b>Less than 30% of the writers I request something from <i>actually</i> send something in</b>. I’m convinced that a big reason is the post conference melt down.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here are some tried and true ways I’ve found to minimize the effects.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Give yourself permission to feel deflated when you get home.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Arrange your schedule so you have a few days to recuperate.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Pamper yourself. Sleep in, go out to eat, spend some much needed time with family.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Before you dive into conference generated work take time to evaluate what happened.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Make a list of things you want to accomplish over the next year, next six months and next month.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Develop a plan to stay in touch with new friends and contacts.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Reach out to others who may be feeling the same way.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 0.496094); border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Take your next steps in small increments.</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgwmQFqb0kLpu5St2z33O_qPWu9i03240py9M0f-UbS7X_wGAs3ef5M4jRMj__SR2p1kSYeIONMfp9wQze42tRNk6cCAi1z5tkZPK3GWuvMNa39XLpqjw3DQsgGu-d-an1jOEPiwNvIUN/s1600/MP900448670%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #996633; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgwmQFqb0kLpu5St2z33O_qPWu9i03240py9M0f-UbS7X_wGAs3ef5M4jRMj__SR2p1kSYeIONMfp9wQze42tRNk6cCAi1z5tkZPK3GWuvMNa39XLpqjw3DQsgGu-d-an1jOEPiwNvIUN/s320/MP900448670%255B1%255D.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">All of these things can help you navigate the post conference blues. Now it’s your turn. Have you experienced the let-down? If so, what have you found to help you cope?</div>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-15330836611513416572011-09-25T23:03:00.002-06:002011-09-25T23:03:52.561-06:00USING SCENE AND SEQUEL AS CHAPTER HOOKS<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>by Pam Zollman</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SB6xBle6pRhQ_PUrSmR9hi9bYb8Jz5YxWj3z8rR_H1j14BITVewAB_8whI9_bj_5hrilusL0ejcFgio09p0CBza7MdWVTJT8E2FIiBjGIz6pOPV3bt0bM05sBXvYnOe31zLDVst_z3Y/s1600/hooks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SB6xBle6pRhQ_PUrSmR9hi9bYb8Jz5YxWj3z8rR_H1j14BITVewAB_8whI9_bj_5hrilusL0ejcFgio09p0CBza7MdWVTJT8E2FIiBjGIz6pOPV3bt0bM05sBXvYnOe31zLDVst_z3Y/s200/hooks.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When most readers reach the middle of a chapter, they start
counting the pages to see how many are left.<span>
</span>They do this to find a good stopping point.<span> </span>The problem is that sometimes, if the book is
slow, the reader will not pick up your book again and you’ve lost him. <span> </span>The trick to keeping him turning pages and
keep your story fast-paced is to use scenes and sequels to create hooks at the
beginning and end of chapters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your story should start with some sort of hook to make the
reader want to continue.<span> </span>Most often
action is used to sweep the reader along.<span>
</span>After using the scene-sequel pattern, you come to the end of the chapter
and must decide where to stop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Chapter Endings</u>:<span>
</span>If at all possible, try to end each chapter with a cliff-hanger to force
the reader to turn the page.<span> </span>The
cliff-hangers can vary in intensity, but should make the reader curious enough
to find out what happens next.<span> </span>The best
way to do this is to use one of the following:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
1)<span>
</span><i>Disaster</i> – End the chapter at
the end of the scene with the point-of-view character being hit with the
disaster.<span> </span>The reader will want to turn
the page to see if the character survives it and what happens next.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
2)<span>
</span><i>Dilemma</i> – End the chapter in
the middle of the sequel with the point-of-view character having to decide what
to do.<span> </span>His choices aren’t great, but he
has to do something!<span> </span>What will he
do?<span> </span>The reader must turn the page to
find out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
3)<span>
</span><i>Decision</i> – End the chapter at
the end of the sequel with the character having made up his mind what he will
do.<span> </span>He’s picked the best of his bad
options, and the reader will turn the page to see if the decision was a good
one or not.<span> </span>Plus, now the point-of-view
character has a new goal, and the reader will want to read on to see if he can
achieve this one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ending a chapter with Goal, Conflict, or Reaction are weaker
choices.<span> </span>However, even these can be very
effective with the right plot situation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T3dOrlOir7u-H4f5EozSmNO2JpmK407hWcEDitG0TbZ-8VGgu9Qn0Y6_gAdkxZgK4lW73uIp3mZG7kPD6qkjbs4BSNUQEzY2RvaYkSXg6VBYGISc25lNzARgzpNe-QT6ft7BiygJc5E/s1600/hook+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T3dOrlOir7u-H4f5EozSmNO2JpmK407hWcEDitG0TbZ-8VGgu9Qn0Y6_gAdkxZgK4lW73uIp3mZG7kPD6qkjbs4BSNUQEzY2RvaYkSXg6VBYGISc25lNzARgzpNe-QT6ft7BiygJc5E/s200/hook+1.JPG" width="200" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Chapter Middles</u>:<span>
</span>End chapter 1 with either Disaster, Dilemma, or Decision, so that
chapter 2 starts out in the middle of the scene-sequel cycle. By the time the
reader reaches the middle of the chapter and starts counting pages, you’ve
started the scene-sequel cycle all over again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Chapter Beginnings</u>:<span>
</span>Whichever part of the scene-sequel cycle you ended the previous chapter
with, you start the next chapter with the next part of the cycle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next time we'll discuss how to use Scene and Sequel to pace your story. Feel free to contact me at pam (at) anauthorworld (dot) com, if you need help with your writing.</div>
Pam Zollmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02813877005100989651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-62368658174465346412011-09-12T06:00:00.001-06:002011-09-12T06:00:06.342-06:00Conference Etiquette<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Today I’m finishing up my series on attending a writers conference with a great post from my writing and critique partner—<a href="http://www.vondaskelton.com/">Vonda Skelton</a>. She originally posted this on her blog in 2009. Read the original <a href="http://www.vondaskelton.com/Blog.htm?blog_id=200">here</a>. She offers great advice on how to be a gracious addition to any conference!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78ZpCUmTcQMuTnqAqAcTLLWBnshkZeiBkn6ImNs2NKhwULa-uceIV1B1YmycC6ZU8AvbTeFijDNRhn4ZXHXrcd0kXh-wAoj8Er7xa_w9dIn64gL6bONUZ_PwiEQ24Z7MYcSMNfkpA1jMI/s1600/vondaskeltonredheadshotsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78ZpCUmTcQMuTnqAqAcTLLWBnshkZeiBkn6ImNs2NKhwULa-uceIV1B1YmycC6ZU8AvbTeFijDNRhn4ZXHXrcd0kXh-wAoj8Er7xa_w9dIn64gL6bONUZ_PwiEQ24Z7MYcSMNfkpA1jMI/s200/vondaskeltonredheadshotsmall.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span">Vonda Skelton is a national speaker, freelance writer, and the author of four books, including Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe and the Bitsy Burroughs Mysteries for kids. She is the owner of</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><a href="http://vondaskelton.com/Blog.htm">The Christian Writer’s Den Writing Blog</a>, She and Gary have been married 41 years—and they’re still happy about it!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Conference Etiquette</span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Here are some suggestions on how to be a gracious receiver of an editor's or agent's or other faculty member's time and input:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"></div><ol><li>Seriously pray about and consider who you should meet in faculty appointments. Don't just take an appointment because there's an opening. I did that the first year. Signed up to talk to just about everybody-even if I had no intention of ever writing what they'd be interested in! Wasted my time and theirs.</li>
<li>Be on time for your faculty appointments and be considerate when the faculty member says the time is up. I think most instructors are like me and try to stay on schedule in fairness to all those with appointments.</li>
<li>Listen more than you talk. Like many others, I tend to talk too much when I'm nervous. And before I learned this lesson, the less I knew, the more I talked! The best use of your time is to make a short introduction, tell a little about your experience, ask a sensible question, and then listen. Don't plan your next question while the person is answering the one you just asked. Really listen. Take notes if necessary. Follow up with other questions as time allows.</li>
<li>If you're getting a critique, don't defend every point the critiquer makes. If you do, you're wasting valuable time you could be using to learn. Of course, you may have questions you need answered for clarification, but don't argue or rationalize every point. Sincere questions are one thing, continually being on the defensive is another.</li>
<li>Realize that instructors will most likely be unable to take your manuscript home from the conference. Remember, you're one person. Multiply that by 300-400 students. If they are interested, they'll give you instructions for sending it to them.</li>
<li>Faculty members love to eat with students, answering questions and giving encouragement. But don't hog the conversation at meals. Occasionally there are those who dominate the conversation, treating the opportunity as one-on-one time. Not good.</li>
<li>One more thing about meals with faculty: It's really nice when they can get a bite or two of food in.</li>
<li>Be considerate: Don't shove your manuscript in their faces in the restroom. Don't interrupt a conversation or break in line to speak to someone. Don't bad mouth one instructor to another. ;-)</li>
<li>And a common courtesy that's often missing in our culture today: thank you notes. Handwritten ones are especially nice, but email ones are certainly acceptable. I cringe every time I think of those kind people who invested in me...and yet, I never even wrote a thank you note. Sadly, that wasn't something that I was taught as a child, and I didn't even take such notes seriously until someone mentioned it regarding conferences. Now I try to write notes to everyone who does a kindness to me. Sometimes I forget, but it is something I want to do. They've invested time in me. The least I can do is invest time to write a note.</li>
</ol><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">So there you have it--suggestions on how to present yourself as a professional writer, as well as a kind, considerate person. ;-)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Now it's your turn - have you witnessed any crazy behavior at a writers conference? Have you seen anyone go above and beyond at a conference? I want to hear your stories.</span></div>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-25824005359900308502011-09-04T23:24:00.006-06:002011-09-04T23:42:08.140-06:00Decisions, Decisions, Decisions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS8Nj3SzsptcRkVRVmu2drcPwHzVmmZQWvpB_eKENeXYPutmvh51SKARTA5a9UWDciAbsAvaGzmjVfFN-BXk_7SzTk-zJF5ugS45KKaoekGsxXlbZ_cJlvBbnGDEmCHRzlsK9WlhYBjI/s1600/decision+7.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS8Nj3SzsptcRkVRVmu2drcPwHzVmmZQWvpB_eKENeXYPutmvh51SKARTA5a9UWDciAbsAvaGzmjVfFN-BXk_7SzTk-zJF5ugS45KKaoekGsxXlbZ_cJlvBbnGDEmCHRzlsK9WlhYBjI/s200/decision+7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648743844064036210" /></a>
<br />We all know how important the right decision is. The more important it is, the more time we take to process all the information we know that concerns that decision. Your character has reacted to the last scene's disaster. He has realized his dilemma of not knowing what to do next. After weighing all his options, he now makes a decision. And, yes, this is a very important decision!<div>
<br /></div><div>The decision your character makes will determine his next course of action. This decision of what to do next becomes the goal for the next scene. The decision section of Sequel leads your character back to the beginning: the goal of the next Scene.
<br /><div>
<br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Be sure to make your character proactive, that he actually makes the decision and that one is not forced on him (making him passive and not as interesting).<span> Give him options, but don't make any of them easy. </span>The more risky the decision, the more intensely involved is the reader. This is another way to raise the tension.<span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span><p class="MsoNormal">However, be sure that the decision is workable, even if the percentages are small (otherwise, you paint yourself into a corner).<span> </span>Now the reader is forced to turn the page to see if the decision is the right one and if it will work.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Remember:</p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyYXpz0XpR6-bzM4iyM2IdD78DqoEs60Gsdu10nVEoJNcDYj_2lBldROX65-DKMABWhm1Cb6m3LHl_hpza6KEOPodnXZ7mutv7aOQ2V77tlqh9Rh7etG9g5Tcjhl1bUTsXmD2WAcynxE/s200/dilemma.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648744559398171234" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 192px; " /></span></div><div>3 parts to a Scene</div><p class="MsoNormal">*Goal</p><p class="MsoNormal">*Conflict</p><div>*Disaster</div><div>
<br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">3 parts to a Sequel</p><p class="MsoNormal">*Reaction</p><div>*Dilemma</div><p class="MsoNormal">*Decision</p><p class="MsoNormal">Scene and Sequel work together to move your story forward. Next time I'll show you how to use Scene and Sequel in all types of fiction.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Visit AnAuthor World's website (www.anauthorworld.com) for information on our fall writing conference, <i>The Story Continues</i>. It will be Saturday, October 15, 2011, at Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC. If you have questions about the conference or just writing questions in general, feel free to contact me at pam at anauthorworld dot com.</p></div></div>Pam Zollmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02813877005100989651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-70669187424388592402011-08-22T06:28:00.005-06:002011-08-22T06:34:56.382-06:00Dilemma!
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXCzfXBNrzQKU0enfHkgQUYtycbaLYcIR939WgeT8jZhliOrgAmWtClVNctt33p3Ujc8FF_DX86iLNgTUmW6ExJIdPIKB60NKsyFZwg-q1lwG8RidwERFi5vfrCD7DdDt0FJ8-VkNx9M/s1600/puzzled+3.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXCzfXBNrzQKU0enfHkgQUYtycbaLYcIR939WgeT8jZhliOrgAmWtClVNctt33p3Ujc8FF_DX86iLNgTUmW6ExJIdPIKB60NKsyFZwg-q1lwG8RidwERFi5vfrCD7DdDt0FJ8-VkNx9M/s200/puzzled+3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643656593737190226" /></a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">by Pam Zollman</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“What do I do?<span> </span>What do I do now?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Your main character has been through a scene where he had a definite goal to accomplish, but ran into trouble.<span> </span>That trouble or obstacle caused conflict between your character and another person or nature or society or even with himself.<span> </span>This conflict didn’t turn out the way your character hoped; instead, it was a disaster.<span> </span>He didn’t achieve his goal; in fact, things probably just got worse.<span> </span>Your character reacts to this disaster with horror, grief, surprise, sadess, disgust or some other emotion.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Now your character has to ask himself, "What do I do now?"</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36RKbbMHOvYoCE-Lk5BQg85JpEpukfPpchu96R1CNhlZVoQYR4rZMR8pDkuaESE_tGbfqNQ5X3jtRCsWdsWfopXCzRQDa4BgTKL_hyf4TkB3KOD3IHFr6-bo0TfvILdANE0imjwbYieM/s200/puzzled+1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643656893960366850" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 192px; " /></span></span> <p class="MsoNormal">The second part of Sequel is Dilemma.<span> </span>Your character now finds himself in a bad situation.<span> </span>During this part, you will raise the tension as your character goes through his options.<span> </span>His options should be few and none of them good.<span> </span>Even if your character does nothing, that is a choice and usually a really bad one.<span> </span>As your character examines all his options, your reader will be on edge, worrying about what will happen next.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt">How much time do you spend on Dilemma?<span> </span>That all depends on your story and where you are in your story.<span> </span>As discussed in previous blog posts, the bigger disaster requires a longer sequel.<span> </span>A small disaster requires a smaller sequel.<span> </span>Sometimes all your character can think (or is implied) is, “What do I do now?”<span> </span>Other times, your character must weigh all his options before he takes another step.<span> </span>If the plot calls for it, let your character work through his choices, even if this slows down the pace.<span> </span>If this is a major decision, then your reader will want to experience the character’s thinking process.<span> </span>Otherwise, don’t let your character agonize over every single dilemma in the story.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt">For example, if your character finds that he’s standing on a landmine at the end of the scene (okay, that’s a pretty big disaster), his reaction and dilemma will have to be explored. <span> </span>After all, this is life or death, or, if not death, then maimed for life.<span> </span>If your character finds that he has a flat tire at the end of the scene, it’s probably not life or death.<span> </span>His reaction is probably frustration because he’s on his way to a job interview and his dilemma might be whether to change it himself and get dirty, but be on time, or to call for help, stay clean, but be late for the appointment.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Don’t skip Dilemma, even if it’s so small as to be implied.<span> </span>At least imply it.<span> </span>Your reader may not know why, but he will be dissatisfied.<span> </span>The missing piece, no matter the size, could pull your reader out of the story as he tries to figure out why your character does what he does.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Questions?<span> </span>Feel free to contact me at <a href="mailto:pam@anauthorworld.com">pam@anauthorworld.com</a> and I’ll try to help you with any story problems.</p>Pam Zollmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02813877005100989651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-63444259234542171582011-08-14T20:09:00.000-06:002011-08-14T20:09:32.423-06:00Google Plus - Will it Live up to the Hype?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4gpatPF4vIGom0OTehnr115F15sdrtIX3cmPkJDmJGqhHw6iDU_mC8sv20SASwkfR-golPfjb8QkHof2_maPRitsSD40DVQj6LMEKbrPTDW2U_iUOaenEsfa65nHTvEMLd9b2E3UccA/s1600/MP900403785%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4gpatPF4vIGom0OTehnr115F15sdrtIX3cmPkJDmJGqhHw6iDU_mC8sv20SASwkfR-golPfjb8QkHof2_maPRitsSD40DVQj6LMEKbrPTDW2U_iUOaenEsfa65nHTvEMLd9b2E3UccA/s200/MP900403785%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you heard the hype? <a href="http://www.google.com/+/demo/">Google</a> is out to change the world—or at least the online part of it. Chances are, if you’re connected at all, you've heard the rumblings that have marked Google’s entry into the social networking arena with <a href="http://www.google.com/+/demo/">Google Plus</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m a small player in a big world, but I’m loving the view from the sideline. I’m observing the polarizing effect this is having as the big dogs take sides. I, for one, am cautiously impressed. After a short time of experimentation I’ve found Google + a big improvement on many of the other options out there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are the things I particularly like:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Privacy settings.</b> For me, they were easier to navigate and gave me more options than those I've been able to decipher on Facebook. It’s not perfect, although I can choose from more options, once I share a post with someone they have the option to share it and I can’t stop them.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Circle concept.</b> I like being about to separate my conversations. Many writers (and other professionals) have had to decide whether or not to enter the social networking arena for friends, family or profession. The circles allow me to have ONE account and still keep my private life private.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Post editing. </b>I can’t help it—I’m an editor at heart—and I like to edit. In Facebook or even Twitter, once I put something out there it either stands or falls . . . as is. With Google + I have the option to edit things I've already posted <i>and </i>decide whether or not to allow comments. </span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlMbTQ7eOqHbAsKL4NB3_QyVgGhATGaYcDHD3q5ppiOtsjHn4Rdm5g0v8TICtDEg-vGxzUEO_Prk2jDlVhNLLHychtND9mErMQjHtxnw0m0J6JZsOb_TzTbdLTZROC0ubEH31G1FBGnny/s1600/MP900184963%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlMbTQ7eOqHbAsKL4NB3_QyVgGhATGaYcDHD3q5ppiOtsjHn4Rdm5g0v8TICtDEg-vGxzUEO_Prk2jDlVhNLLHychtND9mErMQjHtxnw0m0J6JZsOb_TzTbdLTZROC0ubEH31G1FBGnny/s200/MP900184963%255B1%255D.jpg" width="132" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Granted Google + is still in beta mode, but I’m enjoying this new universe. I recommend you find a way to wangle an invitation and begin to test the water. Let me know what you think.</span></div>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-74573771775265195082011-08-07T21:39:00.005-06:002011-08-07T22:05:16.243-06:00Scene and Sequel: Reaction!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG88-1uw6O3KI_qxM_JN94-NMHtOwwZ0OODIyjBCURWBEDJHZabexGhsSi5MRzn8m5KcHa-vK5oDUv6zlRcVDBu0upgw4IO4CWDh4mQ1yMEaT_3A8uo_8eqQYn_AAj5gu5mXWch0HacZ4/s1600/surprise+4.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG88-1uw6O3KI_qxM_JN94-NMHtOwwZ0OODIyjBCURWBEDJHZabexGhsSi5MRzn8m5KcHa-vK5oDUv6zlRcVDBu0upgw4IO4CWDh4mQ1yMEaT_3A8uo_8eqQYn_AAj5gu5mXWch0HacZ4/s200/surprise+4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638327060538799634" /></a><br /><div>The three parts of a Sequel are: Reaction, Dilemma, and Decision. Readers read for emotion, and sequels provide an abundance of that. Sure, there's emotion involved in scenes, but your character doesn't have time to really experience it. Now, in the following sequel, he can.</div><div><br /></div>Every action has a reaction. And after experiencing a disaster at the end of the scene, your character will experience a reaction, an emotion of some sort. A disaster hurts your character. How m<br />uch of a reaction or a hurt that your character experiences will depend on how big the disaster is and what it involves.<div><br /></div><div>During "reaction time," your character is off-balance, reeling from the disaster. When your character hurts, your readers hurt for them. So, don't be afraid to hurt your characters and then allow them to feel the blow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Remember, though, to keep the reaction appropriate. A pimple may just be an annoyance to a business woman. A pimple is a major disaster to a teen girl on prom night. The business woman's pimple may be a small "disaster" in that it may have resulted in stress that she doesn't want to show. A teen girl, on the other hand, may agonize over a pimple on that special night.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes, a series of fast-moving scenes with end-on-end disasters will not allow much time for reactions. A wave of emotions may flicker across your character's face as he speeds through the sequel, or your character may be operating in shock. However, there will come a time that your character will have to process all that just happened, and the first thing he proces</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUnw-q0O1J-c-CdfZHTqYyoDEL2fuH0mNUFmLeyfmHimw5VJpCpzWcbaDZQ6PH5H8rtGznr4S5Phvbrv-bkPYGVFEt-pSAAATmSgsk-lkOA_2S-5mZ1a5objUVElMsqzgEoHa7YoEWNQ/s200/hurt.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638330372891069170" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 192px; " /><div>ses is his reaction to what just happened.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also remember that in real life, people don't like to be around others who moan and groan constantly and have a woe-is-me attitude. And in books, readers get feed up with characters who do the same. In life, people leave. In stories, readers close the books. So, if you feel that your character must moan and groan, make sure that it's something really important. Then let him do it in the appropriate sequel...and everyone will be pleased. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next time we'll cover: Dilemma!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have questions, feel free to contact me at: pam@anauthorworld.com. And visit AnAuthor World's website: www.anauthorworld.com. </div>Pam Zollmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02813877005100989651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-45052616350781696932011-07-31T20:07:00.000-06:002011-07-31T20:07:26.451-06:00The Scoop on the Dreaded Fifteen Minute Appointment<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6PcB2eURssO1aFrxnAxHX4923xegMqWpX-JqbrCkLGva8kUCdvapVjeb0NwtYqF56Y5iKaxEWhvXs2aa90me0CvXvEZE8iou5cy1_d3-jATypSMx69Kywsp5_VRX6sJU0FKZdXN47n4/s1600/MP900399352%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6PcB2eURssO1aFrxnAxHX4923xegMqWpX-JqbrCkLGva8kUCdvapVjeb0NwtYqF56Y5iKaxEWhvXs2aa90me0CvXvEZE8iou5cy1_d3-jATypSMx69Kywsp5_VRX6sJU0FKZdXN47n4/s200/MP900399352%255B1%255D.jpg" width="158" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had several people ask me what to expect when they having a fifteen minute appointment with an industry professional. Many even wonder if they should take advantage of an appointment. My answer? <b>ABSOLUTELY</b>. Even if you don’t have something to pitch, an editor, agent or even well known author can give you valuable insights to help you focus your career goals.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me give you some idea of why professionals agree to be part of the faculty.</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They want to help you.</span></b> By and large, those on the faculty at writers conferences are there because they have a heart for helping new writers. They know what it’s like to sit on your side of the table. Others have helped them achieve their goals and now they want to give back by helping someone else.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They’re looking for new writers.</span></b> The market is constantly changing and there is always room for new writers. Recently I had someone ask me why a publisher is looking for new writers if the book market is shrinking.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>First,</b> it’s not shrinking—it’s changing.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Second</b>, writers come and go.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Third</b>, every choir needs more than one voice for each section. It’s the blend that makes the music beautiful.</span></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, onto who you should speak with at a conference.</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Editor </span></b>(for books or magazines)—these professionals are a good choice for two reasons.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One—you have a project that fits their line and want to pitch it.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two—they know the market and can give you an idea of their opinion about where it’s headed.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three—they can give you input on an idea you have.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four—they can give you career advice.</span></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Agent</span></b>—these are good for the same reasons above.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One—you have a project that fits who they rep.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two—they know the market and can give you an idea of their opinion about where it’s headed.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three—they can also give you input on an idea you have.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four—they can give you career advice.</span></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Published Writer</span></b>—these professionals can do a lot of the same things. They can also:</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Commiserate about challenges you’re facing as a writer.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give you advice on where a particular project might fit or who in the industry might be looking for something similar.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give you encouragement.</span></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You’ll sometimes find other industry folks at a conference, such as marketing professionals, speakers, publicists, etc.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfJmzRFrcW3sJUmO1CX1Qc_S1GWTXfavrq9ETxNTOJIP3BLpx4f-hx1fxSbWAIMVgCXuJdAQr2J5DUEAUgE4ePEDTIHhoSGbvXtYUAXZz6knhG2IhyzO6G2O7ATJOJ_GuiDGrT9NMlVD9/s1600/MP900448494%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfJmzRFrcW3sJUmO1CX1Qc_S1GWTXfavrq9ETxNTOJIP3BLpx4f-hx1fxSbWAIMVgCXuJdAQr2J5DUEAUgE4ePEDTIHhoSGbvXtYUAXZz6knhG2IhyzO6G2O7ATJOJ_GuiDGrT9NMlVD9/s320/MP900448494%255B1%255D.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I encourage you to make your appointments and try not to be nervous. They are there to help, not tear you down. And a lot of good things can come from those appointments—way beyond career stuff. I’ve made friends, gotten validation that I’m not really crazy and had the opportunity to be prayed for and to pray for others.</span></div><div><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-8660523640961627522011-07-24T23:26:00.004-06:002011-07-25T00:50:29.702-06:00Scene and Sequel...Continued<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6FD3CTt_vtnbmHYsuiw0Bca9xwArtLxB4GCPu627c2pbnWdIHuFfllwBcwGC9B8vdRNy0KZoNMNAri9o3tGAJdZydmjXgYNDEXL69qC9q2tQM7XKvtAuQStHeSLobbTPym36tE8DuyI/s1600/books+with+typewriter.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6FD3CTt_vtnbmHYsuiw0Bca9xwArtLxB4GCPu627c2pbnWdIHuFfllwBcwGC9B8vdRNy0KZoNMNAri9o3tGAJdZydmjXgYNDEXL69qC9q2tQM7XKvtAuQStHeSLobbTPym36tE8DuyI/s200/books+with+typewriter.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633163384741771682" /></a><br />by Pam Zollman<div><br /></div><div>Quick Review: </div><div>Scene has three parts: Goal, Conflict, and Disaster.</div><div><br /></div><div>A scene must have action that moves the story forward in some way. It has a goal -- it's going somewhere specific. It has conflict -- something that elevates the tension. It has disaster -- something that makes the reader want to turn the page to see what happens next; it increases the reader's interest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sequel has three parts: Reaction, Dilemma, and Decision.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every Scene has a Sequel. Sometimes sequels are extremely short, so short, in fact, that you might not even notice that they're there. But when they're omitted, you notice...even if you're not sure why. You just know that something is missing. That "something" is usually motivation. Sequel gives the motivation for why a character does something. It sets up the following scene, giving it its goal.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the disaster, your character has to figure out what just happened and what he should do about it. This tells the reader why your character has made a certain decision. It gives your character a chance to recover from the disaster, if even for a moment. It also gives your reader a slight break in the tension, although the decision that your character makes should ramp the tension/suspense back up again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next time we'll go into detail about the first part of Sequel: Reaction.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have questions, feel free to email me at pam@anauthorworld.com. Also check out AnAuthor World's website (www.anauthorworld.com) for upcoming events, workshops, classes, and conferences in the Upstate South Carolina area.</div>Pam Zollmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02813877005100989651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-74033341993764165122011-07-17T21:23:00.000-06:002011-07-17T21:23:03.311-06:00Get Organized for a Writers Conference<div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those who’ve known me for any length of time are aware that organization isn’t my strong suit—at least not in the conventional meaning. My desk is covered in stacks of paper and the walls of my office are papered with rainbow hued sticky notes. It’s a system that works for me—but I quickly discovered it didn’t translate when I went on the road.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDr6P206BUMm5JNHU9vS-TTwAreHY59AkkxQi3Ha8WtME60TXp_zA-ClDmRvgac1CRwng_It3Vj_j3l2yS9NCZ3N1NlaQAvCq80BV1shZ9wzC4fBMxArg_u46Dx3KdF6NJD7eyYOAHwqg/s1600/conference+notebook+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDr6P206BUMm5JNHU9vS-TTwAreHY59AkkxQi3Ha8WtME60TXp_zA-ClDmRvgac1CRwng_It3Vj_j3l2yS9NCZ3N1NlaQAvCq80BV1shZ9wzC4fBMxArg_u46Dx3KdF6NJD7eyYOAHwqg/s200/conference+notebook+cover.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="178" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I found another way to keep myself on track when I’m away from the office and my conference notebook was born.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s really pretty funny. The moment people see my notebook they immediately assume I’m this ultra-organized whiz. Actually, the opposite is true and my notebook is just a last ditch effort at self-preservation. Another thing I’ve noticed is that this notebook works well no matter what your natural bent toward organization.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The primary idea for this notebook is that it contains everything I need at a writers conference so I don’t have to dig through bags or be constantly returning to my room for something I’ve forgotten.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So let’s get to it!</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First,</span></b> I choose a one and a half inch three ring binder. Mine is green because green is my favorite color. I make sure there’s a sleeve on the front cover to slide a cover into because it hold my contact information if I should lay it down and leave it somewhere.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6M2wDgk4E_R4bZ9bK7zU438RbiVhGRNJUf3gyiLEiS4PIWT7MCxE9am6A4Yz4xfKXF_6BXKJjmJeUebOQCt0BI3DyynzAm3ccxA-Jif4h5O6HhYPfEcmIF8rI1XZMGNan-Q_gHNqRUkY9/s1600/conference+notebook+open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6M2wDgk4E_R4bZ9bK7zU438RbiVhGRNJUf3gyiLEiS4PIWT7MCxE9am6A4Yz4xfKXF_6BXKJjmJeUebOQCt0BI3DyynzAm3ccxA-Jif4h5O6HhYPfEcmIF8rI1XZMGNan-Q_gHNqRUkY9/s200/conference+notebook+open.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next,</span></b> in the front I have a small zippered pouch with a couple of pens and some paper clips. I can also slide in a small lipstick, some band-aids and tissues.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After that,</span></b> I have a neat insert that holds several different size and colors of sticky notes.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwExMWY1kVOT9j_kb_d6eFKQlN0ZinVXo_4cQsQ3bQaKr2eCHJ6p5eTB3KY1HPtGUhitYTyuTWV6tWs3Gla8Q1mDv4bLtoc9_N1RJaLYvXjU7X7ow5jWl1ysJHtr4FL-RDk0lb03zFsvs/s1600/conference+notebook%252C+business+card+pages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwExMWY1kVOT9j_kb_d6eFKQlN0ZinVXo_4cQsQ3bQaKr2eCHJ6p5eTB3KY1HPtGUhitYTyuTWV6tWs3Gla8Q1mDv4bLtoc9_N1RJaLYvXjU7X7ow5jWl1ysJHtr4FL-RDk0lb03zFsvs/s200/conference+notebook%252C+business+card+pages.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then,</span></b> I add 4 pages of clear business card holders. I use the kind that are the size of a full page, so I have plenty of room to add business cards. I keep the first three empty and use them to store business cards I get from others. The last page is full of my personal business cards, so I always have plenty to hand out. (Don’t know what to include on a business card? I posted a blog on that <a href="http://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2011/03/prepare-for-writers-conference.html">here</a>.)</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M6AlJmM2nr6mKuCF6L4kbsjz5bvcUCTcXQOWNuhfnGD6BSdO5CGCi5orhUQxpfSw14liSev6zK4P2uMqKF_cqePlJ6hsiQY5GSg_uSSnlrgHbqC7WAbUVNrP4BlGl4XyFk9POlzKCt7d/s1600/conference+notebook%252C+project+section.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M6AlJmM2nr6mKuCF6L4kbsjz5bvcUCTcXQOWNuhfnGD6BSdO5CGCi5orhUQxpfSw14liSev6zK4P2uMqKF_cqePlJ6hsiQY5GSg_uSSnlrgHbqC7WAbUVNrP4BlGl4XyFk9POlzKCt7d/s200/conference+notebook%252C+project+section.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next part</span></b> is divided into sections with tabs. Each project I’m pitching has a section. Here’s what would go into a section.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A clear plastic sleeve containing my one sheet for that project. (Don’t know what a one sheet is? Click <a href="http://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-is-one-sheet-anyway.html">here</a> for a post on one sheets).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An outline for the project—if it’s non-fiction.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A synopsis for the project—if it’s fiction.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A sample of my writing for the project. This can either be a couple of sample devotions (for a devotional book) or the first couple of chapters in a book (fiction or non-fiction).</span></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have several copies of my one sheet, outline, synopsis and sample—just in case the person I’m showing it to wants to keep it or mark it up with suggestions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Finally,</span></b> after the section for projects I stock the back of the notebook with notebook paper and extra clear plastic sleeves and tabs.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Extras,</span></b><b style="font-size: x-large;"> </b>you can include in your notebook might be a <a href="http://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2011/04/you-as-main-characterevery-writer-needs.html">bio</a> sheet, a list of topics if you're a speaker or even a list of articles you might want to pitch. The nice thing about this kind of notebook is you can personalize it to fit your needs.</span></o:p></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With this notebook, no matter where I run into an editor or agent, I’m always prepared. I literally have everything at my fingertips. During a conference I <b>NEVER</b> go anywhere without my notebook.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what have you found to help keep you on track while at a conference? We’d love to learn from your experiences too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-5637275266819888732011-07-11T01:15:00.008-06:002011-07-11T14:59:50.409-06:00Disaster!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9HfLUeVF6ZHUqu9PvDpqvyvIEuOZGhifDw_y5YDJubQq2Xwow1b_VJFV3UgWIC1KVntPMHrig6n5U_OJgDaHicZepKzIfx8ODIGj6hCPLi0X3-Zx0loCk_xTbWrrchdoVnhs2A6b6Uw/s1600/car+wreck.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9HfLUeVF6ZHUqu9PvDpqvyvIEuOZGhifDw_y5YDJubQq2Xwow1b_VJFV3UgWIC1KVntPMHrig6n5U_OJgDaHicZepKzIfx8ODIGj6hCPLi0X3-Zx0loCk_xTbWrrchdoVnhs2A6b6Uw/s200/car+wreck.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627991229788160530" /></a><br />by Pam Zollman<div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Come on, admit it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You slow down at the scene of an accident.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You can’t help yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You want to know what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">When there’s a hurricane or an </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5WXwdlykaH9PJcpBh0vjPauNW_CBNP5B3WeXU6em9NC1yYJLD-JiZ1wTcu-THO2KAj8aAPy78pKbw_k78rX7AHOXrYLBHqjODLyp0l-aeak3ak-m0TgQCyjBM2E8nE-XUXDrVykJERY/s200/earthquake.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 192px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627991619692413186" /><p class="MsoNormal">earthquake or a bomb blast, you stay glued to the television.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You can’t help yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You want to know what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">When you see a friend upset or crying, you want to know what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s human nature.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So what does this have to do with writing scenes and sequels?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Disaster is the third building block of scenes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The first two, goal and conflict, are set-ups for the third, disaster.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Disasters can be huge or they can be small.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In my book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Don’t Bug Me!</i> (Holiday House 2001), Megan has to collect 25 different bugs, mount them on cork board, and label them for her science project.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When she goes into her room and sees that all her bugs are missing, that a big disaster for her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In another scene, Megan works hard at catching a cricket, only to lose it as it slips between her fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her little brother scoops it up and claims it as his pet. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although not as big as losing all of her insects, this is still a disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Be careful, though, of making the disaster so big that you character cannot recover from it or so small that your reader either doesn’t notice or thinks it’s “much ado about nothing.”</p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Every scene has a disaster.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The disaster, big or small, must be the result of the conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It can’t come out of left field, unless you’ve set it up in previous scenes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It can’t be there just for “effect.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It must move the story forward.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Every story has a disaster.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The major disaster of the story comes at the climax and makes the reader wonder if the main character will achieve his goal after all.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A story, though, will have at least three major disasters (one at the end of the “beginning,” one half-way through, and one at the end of the “middle”) before the climax.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All of these disasters are related to the main character’s goal in some way and prevent him from achieving it, while moving the story forward.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Every character has disasters.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Your character will have lots of disasters, most of which are minor, but all hindering him in getting what he wants.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Your character grows through these disasters; they strengthen him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He learns from the disasters.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You decide which conflicts and disasters to give your character based on his fears, his weaknesses, his flaws.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When you hit him with these, you knock him down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But you never want to knock him down so hard that he doesn’t recover.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s okay if it takes him a few minutes to get back up, but your character must get back up; otherwise, your story is over.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Conflict creates tension.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Disaster elevates it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So use human nature and our curiosity and concerns about disasters – whether man-made or natural – to keep your reader on the edge of her seat. </p><p class="MsoNormal">* * * * *</p><p class="MsoNormal">You can contact me at pam@anauthorworld.com if you need help with your story.</p></div>Pam Zollmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02813877005100989651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-41207729470648536892011-07-05T07:43:00.000-06:002011-07-05T07:43:02.748-06:00Dress for Success at Your Next Writers Conference<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Today I’m going to continue my series on getting ready for a writers conference. One of the most asked questions I get is about appropriate attire. Below is my opinion—you’ll find others who disagree—but it’s always worked well for me.</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">First let me say this, you’ll see a little bit of everything when comes to what people wear at writing conferences. But, and this is important, just because you see someone wearing it doesn’t mean it’s appropriate.</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I always treat a writing conference like a job interview—and really that’s what it is. You are meeting people who are deciding on whether or not to invest in you and your work. It may be a small investment—like an article; or a large investment—like a book contract.</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black;">Here are the guidelines I use when I plan my conference wardrobe.</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Business casual always works</b>. For women, slacks, casual skirts, nicer jeans or capris. For men, slacks, nice jeans, polo’s, even some t-shirts if not sloppy. Suits are definitely NOT required. I like my style to look effortless and timeless.<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Keep it comfortable, for shoes at leas</b>t. I don’t know about you, but I can’t concentrate when my feet hurt. I try to avoid athletic shoes because of their ultra casual nature, but I would choose them if they were the only ones I could be comfortable in.<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Dress in layers</b>. No matter what the temperature outside—inside is always a roll of the dice. Some rooms will be hot, some cold. So I always try to top an outfit with a light sweater or jacket, and usually a scarf.<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Leave the perfume (men, this means cologne) at home</b>. I know lots of folks who get headaches from or are allergic to different strong scents—and their definition of strong isn't always the same as mine. Some conferences, like ACFW, bill themselves as perfume free. <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">And although this isn’t actually a piece of clothing,</span></i></b><span style="color: black;"> you’ll need to choose something to carry. Men and women need something to tote their laptops, notebooks, handouts, business cards, etc. Pick something with a wide strap, because it can get heavy by the end of the day and don’t forget to pack extra pens, tissues and breath mints!</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now it’s your turn—how do you plan your wardrobe for a conference? </span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-83362499622982850922011-06-27T06:00:00.000-06:002011-06-27T06:00:10.683-06:00Honing Your Conference Pitch<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attending a writers conference can be a stressful undertaking—even for a seasoned writer. A lot of writers have gravitated toward our profession because we’re not comfortable with crowds, especially crowds of strangers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s why I’m posting this series on writing conferences. It’s not to add to your stress—but to alleviate it. For me, when I know what to expect and am prepared, I’m less anxious. No one likes to feel like they're under the gun. I assume I’m not alone in this feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the first subject we’re going to tackle is the one that makes most writer’s stress levels spike off scale—pitching.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the years I’ve had people tell me they’re not worried about pitching—they’re just going to learn. Nice thought, but not based in reality. I hate to break it to you, but if you’re standing in line or sitting beside someone and they ask you what you’re writing, if you answer them, you’ve just delivered a pitch. I could post pages of stories from writers who wished they’d been prepared for this unassuming little scenario.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The idea behind a pitch is to get the person you’re talking with to ask for more.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simple concept, harder to execute. So here are some of the do’s and don’ts of pitching.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;">Do</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Set up an intriguing scenario.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Introduce your main character.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give a hint about their situation and goal.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tie in the disaster or obstacle to that goal.</span></span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;">Don’t</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go over 2 sentences—try to keep it to one sentence.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Answer all the questions the listener might have.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Substitute cleverness for specifics.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give away the ending.</span></span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, here are some real life hooks or tag lines from popular movies. I’d love to read some of your favorites as well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"She brought a small town to its feet and a huge corporation to its knees." —Erin Brokovich</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"To enter the mind of a killer she must challenge the mind of a madman." —Silence of the Lambs</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What if someone you never met, someone you never saw, someone you never knew was the only someone for you?" —Sleepless in Seattle 1993</span></span></i></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">“A businessman falls in love with a hooker he hires to be his date for the weekend” —Pretty</span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> Woman</span></i></span></li>
<li><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “When you can live forever, what do you live for?” —Twilight</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.” —Jaws 2</span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “In space, no one can hear you scream.” —Alien </span></span></i></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now it's your turn to chime in. Do you have any questions or is anyone brave enough to try their pitch out here?</span></span></div>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-86866742562486662172011-06-26T19:45:00.000-06:002011-06-26T19:45:06.251-06:00Honing Your Pitch<div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Attending a writers conference can be a stressful undertaking—even for a seasoned writer. A lot of writers have gravitated toward our profession because we’re not comfortable with crowds, especially crowds of strangers.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">That’s why I’m posting this series on writing conferences. It’s not to add to your stress—but to alleviate it. For me, when I know what to expect and am prepared, I’m less anxious. No one likes to feel like they're under the gun. I assume I’m not alone in this feeling.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So the first subject we’re going to tackle is the one that makes most writer’s stress levels spike off scale—pitching.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Over the years I’ve had people tell me they’re not worried about pitching—they’re just going to learn. Nice thought, but not based in reality. I hate to break it to you, but if you’re standing in line or sitting beside someone and they ask you what you’re writing, if you answer them, you’ve just delivered a pitch. I could post pages of stories from writers who wished they’d been prepared for this unassuming little scenario.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>The idea behind a pitch is to get the person you’re talking with to ask for more.</b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Simple concept, harder to execute. So here are some of the do’s and don’ts of pitching.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Set up an intriguing scenario.</li>
<li>Introduce your main character.</li>
<li>Give a hint about their situation and goal.</li>
<li>Tie in the disaster or obstacle to that goal.</li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don’t</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Go over 2 sentences—try to keep it to one sentence.</li>
<li>Answer all the questions the listener might have.</li>
<li>Substitute cleverness for specifics.</li>
<li>Give away the ending.</li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Now, here are some real life hooks or tag lines from popular movies. I’d love to read some of your favorites as well. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><i>"She brought a small town to its feet and a huge corporation to its knees." —Erin Brokovich</i></li>
<li><i></i><i>"To enter the mind of a killer she must challenge the mind of a madman." —Silence of the Lambs</i></li>
<li><i></i><i>"What if someone you never met, someone you never saw, someone you never knew was the only someone for you?" —Sleepless in Seattle 1993</i></li>
<li><i></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><i>“A businessman falls in love with a hooker he hires to be his date for the weekend” —Pretty <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Woman</span></strong></i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><i><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></strong></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i> “When you can live forever, what do you live for?” —Twilight</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i> “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.” —Jaws 2</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i> “In space, no one can hear you scream.” —Alien </i></span></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Now it's your turn to chime in. Do you have any questions or is anyone brave enough to try their pitch out here?</span>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-8245573031871166022011-06-20T21:46:00.007-06:002011-06-20T21:59:44.924-06:00CONFLICT<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVaqp9jNFOCgAKfI9kYgwgREowR3pA7HkF_wSOCZesY-SNcZqF-tfNcqwScuZe6Vj-gyW7asrly5yTz41G2BAr7ooBfpw4hHNGiKIRJcTrf1fxEQie5GnMYy8flKj7DqnF14TdCaEvKs/s1600/dog+with+bone.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVaqp9jNFOCgAKfI9kYgwgREowR3pA7HkF_wSOCZesY-SNcZqF-tfNcqwScuZe6Vj-gyW7asrly5yTz41G2BAr7ooBfpw4hHNGiKIRJcTrf1fxEQie5GnMYy8flKj7DqnF14TdCaEvKs/s200/dog+with+bone.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620515390650692338" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">by Pam Zollman</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is Part 2 of my blogs on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Scene and Sequel</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Remember that every Scene has three parts:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Goal (which we discussed last time), Conflict, and Disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This week we’ll discuss “conflict.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One definition of conflict is “a state of open, often prolonged fighting; a battle or war.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Another definition is “a competitive or opposing action of incompatibles.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But the best definition I’ve ever seen of conflict is “two dogs, one bone.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some books have major battles in them, some physical and some mental.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some books have good vs evil (think Harry Potter). Some have two people wanting the same thing, but only one can have it. Depending on the age of your readers as well as the type of story you’re telling, you’ll have different degrees of conflict.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Conflicts are the results of obstacles blocking a goal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When your character is trying to get from point a to point b, you need to put something in the way to stop him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As he confronts the obstacle, he must decide how to deal with it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This, in turn, reveals the true nature of your character and allows him to grow slowly throughout your story.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->E Every <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">story</b> has conflict.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">We don’t want our lives to have conflict; we go out of our way, in fact, to avoid it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, we don’t want to read books without conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those books are boring...and don’t sell.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Since your story has a goal, then your story must have something to prevent that goal from being easily achieved.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Plots usually concern one (or more) of these:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>man against man, man against nature, man against society, or man against himself.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->E Every <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">character</b> has conflict.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Obstacles for a character are developed from two main places:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>his goal and his nature.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When you are devising obstacles, you must make them fit the story and move it forward.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So examine your character’s main story goal and ask yourself ways to stop him from achieving it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What are some of the natural obstacles?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If a boy wants to hit a home run, but usually strikes out, a natural obstacle would be a lack of time to practice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also examine your character’s nature and use his weaknesses and fears as obstacles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If that boy had a weakness of not being able to say “no” to his friends, then he would give up hitting practice time to hang with his friends...and not be any closer to hitting a home run, which is his goal.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->E Every <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">scene</b> has conflict.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">While your character has a major over-arching story goal, he also has smaller goals that move him forward in the story.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each scene has a goal, so therefore, each scene has conflict – something to stop your character from achieving his goal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The obstacle doesn’t always have to stop your character; it can also just hinder your character along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The size of the obstacle depends on the importance of the scene.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The more important the scene, the bigger the obstacle, and therefore, the bigger the conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Your reader wants to see conflict “on stage,” not “off stage.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In order words, he wants to read about it as it happens, not hear about it from the author after it happened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you do that, your reader will feel cheated.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9v6dquqUH1RFkrtwpz1sVCcuaw9ZyKeDwAKTzFxG0OUJdXYRPqeHEi_v5_dzsBG-k_QqTiUj5LBOsKcgwSl-kH8ibAT7xb84Pi53Q04_RIWs_QMRCSstvwUiW_hWLi76dpwgeUotXj0/s200/dog+with+bone+1.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620515581547683634" /> <p class="MsoNormal">Even though conflict and its preceding obstacles stop your main character from achieving his goal easily, it should not stop your character completely.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t paint your character into a corner; allow him a way to escape.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you don’t, then your story ends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But each obstacle and resulting conflict moves the story forward and strengthens your character.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Conflict:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>it’s what your reader wants!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Next time we’ll discuss “disasters.”</p>Pam Zollmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02813877005100989651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-44732568517924802802011-06-13T06:00:00.001-06:002011-06-13T06:00:05.710-06:00Preparing for a Writers Conference<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s conference season and many of us are making plans to attend at least one. Today I'm going to share some of the things you may want to prepare before you go. Two of the main reasons to attend a conference are Networking and pitching and I’ll concentrate on what you’ll need with these two goals in mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Networking</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Networking is the easiest to prepare for. If you're just going to meet other writers and professionals the main thing you need is a good business card. Please take note, I said, good, </span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NOT</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These are the things a good<i> writers</i> business card includes:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your picture</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - I know, I hate to have my picture taken and I always hate how it looks. But, in this business you need to be remembered and recognized and your picture is the best and easiest way to do that. If someone has a card with your picture on it, they'll remember who you are months longer than if it's just got your name. Also, it's harder to throw away a card with a picture on it than a card with just text on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The name you use when you write</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - if you use a pseudonym, be sure it's on the card. Here's an example (I just made up the names - they're not representative of a real person): Susie Stone, writing as Catherine Milo.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your email address</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - this is going to be the main way others will contact you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your website or blog address</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - never pass up the opportunity to encourage new visitors to your sites. Also, many people will follow up on what you've told them and this will be a way for them to get to know you better.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cell phone number</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - this isn't absolutely necessary, but it helps if your email goes down and someone has a hot lead for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Please take note of what is </span><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NOT</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> included on a business card now. You do not need your physical address on the card. Actually, it's a liability. It can be dangerous to give out your home address, so if you feel you must include an address, invest in a PO Box.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is possible to make your own business cards, using Avery brand sheets that go through your ink jet printer. The trick to successfully printing your own cards is to keep them simple! Another inexpensive way to go is by using <a href="http://www.vistaprint.com/"><span style="color: #996633; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">VistaPrint</span></a>. This online company is very reputable and I personally know a lot of writers who get their cards through them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bring some writing samples:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These are good to have simply because you'll probably find yourself in a group, or at a table, where everyone is sharing something they've written. It might not happen, but chances are, if you don't have anything to show, you'll be disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pitching</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is when you attend a conference because you have something you want to sell to a publisher or if you want to get an agent. The things below that you'll need are specifically for those wishing to sell a fiction or non-fiction book.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's important to keep in mind that everything you prepare for the conference to pitch a project is incremental in nature.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your </span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tag line </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">or</span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> hook</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> should make the editor or agent ask to hear more about your project (this is the time for the elevator pitch).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The </span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">elevator pitch</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> should lead them to ask for your one sheet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your </span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">one sheet</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> or </span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">pitch sheet</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">should lead them to ask you to send them a proposal when you get home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your </span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">proposal</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> should lead them to ask you to send them your entire manuscript.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your entire</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">manuscript</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> should lead them to offer you a contract.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These are the generic steps in publishing. God can step in at any time in the process and something completely different can, and often does, happen. But, until that happens, I try to take it one step at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now Let's look at what's involved in each one of these components.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tag line or hook</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - this is one sentence, preferably 15 words or less. It should NOT be a synopsis of your book, but rather it's to intrigue the editor/agent and make them want to know more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">elevator pitch</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - this should be short, around 45 seconds. It will sound a lot like back cover copy or what is on your one sheet. Again, it's to make the editor/agent ask to see more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">one sheet or pitch sheet</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - this gives the blurb about your book, information about yourself (bio) and general info, like genre and audience for your project. If it's fiction, it states that the project is finished. If it's non-fiction it gives a completion date if the project is unfinished<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You won't need a full proposal or manuscript for the conference. If an editor or agent is interested they'll ask you to email or snail mail them one when you get home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Again, as with networking, you'll need to bring some samples of your writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is just a general overview of what is needed. If you have specific questions, feel free to use the contact form at the bottom of the blog and send me your question. You can also post your question in the comments section. In the next few weeks I'll address each of these components individually or in groups and give you some examples to see exactly what others have used successfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-55126641257172748022011-06-05T20:38:00.004-06:002011-06-05T20:50:08.210-06:00Scene Goals<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; color: rgb(74, 74, 74); " >by Pam Zollman</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; color: rgb(74, 74, 74); ">I was working on a scene in my WIP middle-grade novel and it was causing trouble for me. It made me go back and review what I was doing. I learned how to write scenes from Dwight Swain’s book, TECHNIQUES OF THE SELLING WRITER.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; color: rgb(74, 74, 74); "><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Scenes have three parts:</span><br /></span></span></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Goal</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Conflict</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Disaster</span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" >Today, we'll discuss "goals.”<br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Every <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">story</b> has a goal.</i></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Your character has an overarching story goal -- the problem he or she has to solve, something he/she wants to achieve. My character, Joetta, wants respect from her family, but she doesn't understand at first that *that* is what she wants. She thinks she wants revenge for her twin brothers' pranks. She thinks she wants relief from a copycat younger sister. She thinks she wants her parents to punish her siblings, while giving her a break. This is what drives her through the story.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Every <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">scene</b> has a goal.</i></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Her brothers continue to prank her, and in the previous scene attacked her with pillows until she screamed for help from her parents, who were unhappy at being awakened. So now she's lying there in the dark in her great-grandmother's home, thinking about revenge. She decides to wait until the twins are asleep and then write on their foreheads, "dumb" and "dumber." Her goal in this scene is to write on their foreheads without waking up them -- or her parents -- and getting away with it.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Goals create active characters.</i></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Scenes are action. You want your character to be active, not passive. Passive characters react to what happens to them; they seem to allow things to happen. Active characters make things happen, good or bad. They don't wait for something to happen. Not all of their decisions are good, but they do make decisions and ACT. These characters are more interesting and engaging for readers.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Every scene goal leads eventually to solving the overall story goal.</i></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">As your character moves forward, scene by scene, goal by goal, he or she gets closer to solving the problem or achieving a desired outcome. Your character will not only reach the final goal, but will grow in the process. As your character handles each problem presented by each scene, he stretches and grows and is able to make new and better goals.</span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span">So give your character a goal in every single scene. It's what moves your story forward.</span> Next time we’ll talk about “conflict.”</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>The Book Doctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630790153730670666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-17858561256429780582011-05-31T05:53:00.000-06:002011-05-31T05:53:57.742-06:00Farewell, Welcome, and Updates!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I want to share some news from the Founder of The Book Doctor, <a href="http://www.sandirog.blogspot.com/">Sandi Rog</a>. I know you've all been following her progress in her battle against cancer. We also have some exciting news about a new addition to the Book Doctor. </span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">News from Sandi</span></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many of you already know of this, but on November 1, 2010, the very day my debut novel THE MASTER'S WALL was released, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 T-cell Lymphoma: cancer. Since then, I've been undergoing the fight of my life, but not without the support of my family, church family, friends, schools, and the ACFW family. Truly, the prayers and support have rocked our world! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, I'm now nearing the final battle. I'm in the hospital getting ready to undergo a bone marrow transplant. I've completed three days of totally body radiation, and just finished my last round of chemo today. Without the donor's bone marrow, I won't survive. The donor's bone marrow will arrive on the 24th (this Tuesday) and will be injected into my body (much like getting blood). Please pray for my donor. We haven't met, but I know he's in a lot of pain with the injections he has to take to produce more blood (all this for a complete stranger; it's amazing!). </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyway, I just wanted some extra prayers coming my way during this time. I likely won't have much energy in the upcoming weeks as my body will be at war within itself. The new marrow is supposed to grow and wipe out my old marrow, and in effect, tackle the cancer. Please pray it only takes out the cancer and nothing of "me." There's a chance it could attack my skin, gut, or liver. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's a scary time, and I have four children counting on this to work (17, 14, 11 and 3). My husband is using time off to be with me during my difficult times (he's also able to work from the hospital most times), and his parents are in town from Holland to help out at the house with the kids. My sister will be with me during my worst of times next week.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the meantime, my second book galleys are being proofed. I sent them on to my editor, Wendy Chorot, to proof them. I just can't do it. I pray I'll have the strength to read the ARCs once those are released, and Lord willing, I won't find anything major that needs fixing! :-) It's rather ironic that this story is to release after/during all I've been through. You can read the book jacket description of it on my last blog entry and see the cover. In the meantime, I'll share the foreward with you below, which gives better insight into just how deep this story goes. I thought the foreward was very touching, and it might give you all an idea of what this road has been like for me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you all, and thank you so much for your prayers. If you'd like to share this with other prayer groups or blogs, please do! ALL the prayers I can get mean everything to me! EVERYTHING!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love in Him,</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sandi</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Farewell and Welcome</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know everyone has been blessed by <a href="http://www.darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/">Darlene Franklin's</a> time with the Book Doctor. We're excited about her new opportunities, but she will be missed! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, I want to introduce a new addition to The Book Doctor family, <a href="http://www.pamzollman.com/">Pam Zollman</a>. Pam and I have become friends through the years and I greatly admire and respect her. She's a gifted writer and an amazing editor. I'll post her full bio next week, but she's written over 40 books and is a former editor with Highlights for Children. </span>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-67043379380280351242011-05-23T05:00:00.002-06:002011-05-23T05:00:09.070-06:00GOOD-BYEEighteen months ago, Sandi Rog honored me by inviting me to join the staff at the Book Doctor. I have been privileged to share my experience as a multi-published author, my heart as a struggling Christian writer, and my expertise in various aspects of writing with you, my fellow writers.<br /><br />During this same time, God opened the doors wide for my writing. I currently have four books under contract to write; three of them are 80,000 words. I have become a grandmother twice over; and my health has gone downhill.<br /><br />So the time has come to evaluate my activities and unfortunately, I will say goodbye to The Book Doctor.<br /><br />Thanks to all of you who have made this such a memorable experience.Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-42762673870684547822011-05-16T06:51:00.000-06:002011-05-16T06:51:41.499-06:00Writing Advice<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When someone asks me what I do or where I work, I always hesitate to mention that I’m a writer. Not because I’m ashamed of it or think I’m not worthy to be called a writer, but because it often leads to some frustrating conversations. Let me see if any of you can relate to some of my experiences.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">“I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Can you help me?”</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">“I have a book I’ve written. Can you send it to a publisher for me?”</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">“I used to write in high school, maybe you could look at a few things and tell me what you think.”</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">“I’ve been through (you fill in the blank) and want to write a book about it. Can you tell me how to get it published?”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"> </span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Don’t get me wrong, there’ s nothing inherently wrong with these questions, the problem comes when I answer them. I’ve found that most people don’t really want to hear the truth – they want a shortcut to fame and fortune, not the truth.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">There’s no shortcut to becoming a professional writer. It takes time and commitment.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">I don’t have an inside track into getting your book published.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">If I take the time to look at your samples, I’ll tell you the truth and that may not be what you really want.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">t’s hard to sell a memoir or personal experience story. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"> </span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">There are no shortcuts to becoming a master at your craft and writing is no different. Even exceptional talent needs time and experience to hone it into brilliance. Occasionally I come across someone who’s willing to put in the time and really learn about the craft of writing. Those individuals are a joy and I love taking time to help them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">How do you answer those who want help on the path to writing? How do we tell the truth without killing the dream?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4394229508004811632.post-58660218344084765142011-05-09T04:00:00.000-06:002011-05-09T04:00:11.200-06:00THE LIKEABLE HEROINEOne of my writing friends says "How do you create a likeable heroine--one who isn't sickeningly sweet?"<br /><br />I will confess, I find some of the heroines in Christian fiction "sickeningly sweet" and their so-called problems laughable. In the early days of Christian fiction, this seemed to be the norm and not the exception. Thankfully, that trend has changed.<br /><br />"But it's still true in romance."<br /><br />Well--yes. We want a heroine we can root for and romances must end in "happily ever after" or not be a romance.<br /><br />Well--no. I have written numerous novels for Heartsong Presents. As a Christian romance book club, some of their stories are simple stories well told of a man and a woman falling in love.<br /><br />Some are much more. I remember one story (to my shame, I don't recall the title or author) that dealt with rape. Another, <em>Dear John, </em>introduced me to author Kim Vogel Sawyer--and a series that dealt with downs syndrome, alcoholism, and ex-cons. My own heroines have run lighthouses, worked in a Romanian orphanage, fought for women's suffrage, among other problems.<br /><br />Consider the following characters from the secular world: Scarlet O'Hara; Miss Marple; Mary Poppins; Kinsey Millhone; Brenda Leigh Johnson; Ziva David; Alicia Florrick; Mary Richards; Emily Pollifax. <br /><br />Each of those names conjure up images of unforgettable women. These women have unlikeable qualities. Ziva used to kill people for a living; Scarlet is completely self-centered. They also have weaknesses. Brenda Leigh sneaks chocolate whenever she can.<br /><br />But they are strong, and we root for them--in spite of their less than sweet personalities.<br />What makes a heroine likeable? Why do we care about what happens? How about these ideas for starters:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>She has weaknesses that we can identify with.</li><br /><li>She faces opposition.</li><br /><li>She cares for other people. </li><br /><li>She takes risk to help others.</li><br /><li>She is strong (different ways for different heroines)</li><br /><li>She is real--her responses to life ring true</li><br /><li>She is persistent</li><br /><li>She's an independent thinker</li></ul><br /><p>Who are some of your favorite heroines? What qualities appeal to you? </p><br /><p></p>Darlene Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.com0