Workshops And Conferences May Be Slowing You Down

This one is going out to all of you who love going to conferences and workshops, or those of you who love surfing the net for those little nuggets of knowledge to help you out with your latest work in progress. You know who you are. I have seen all of you, sitting there diligently with your notebooks, furiously jotting down notes, nodding your heads, asking questions, and discussing what you learned during those quick coffee breaks between sessions. 

And you are the same people who, after one year, are still working on that same story. 

So, why are you still on that same story? The answer is simple. At every one of those conferences, with every one of those blog posts, workshops, articles or books you read, you found something you "learned" and then you felt the need to change your story. We're not talking about just something to pay attention to, we are talking about a full blown "remodel of your story." Ugh!

Now, don't get me wrong. If a story is in REALLY bad shape, there is nothing wrong with throwing an entire project out. I have told authors that in the past. Sometimes, authors did not think it out before they started writing which I have talked about here before. However, the odds are, in many cases, many of these authors are just over reacting.

I have sat in workshops and speakers have made statements such as "if you do this, it will make your story amazing or marketable" and "every agent or editor will buy it." Well, heck yeah, I'm going to buy this product. This is like those guys in the old west selling Snake Oil to unsuspecting buyers. What the authors don't understand is that these steps may indeed work assuming other variables are in place. The authors don't hear that part.

The other problem with making all of these changes after every one of these workshops and conferences is that these changes are often contradicting each other. Sure, one of those changes may have worked with helping developing your character, but then the other change you make to adjust pacing now ruined that change you just made with your character. 

Finally, a lot of you are just making these changes without thinking. You heard that these changes work and not thinking if this change is going to work with your story. If you have read my posts here, I often say that what works for one person may not work for someone else, and even then, what works for one of your stories may not work for another story. I am talking about the same thing here. 

Look, I want you to learn from these workshops, but I also want you to think before you leap.

When Opposites Attract - Don't Make It Extreme

The opposites attract storyline is always a fun one to play with. How do we bring people together, who we think should not fit, into a relationship. It has a built in conflict at some level so why not try it. For those of you who struggle with trying to find a conflict in your story, this might be a great approach. 

HOWEVER

Yes that is the class Scott Big HOWEVER...

Be cautious that you have not created people that are so polar opposite that they would never, in any time or place, ever come together. This is when reality is blown completely out of the water. 

A lot of times, authors try so hard to create these opposites, that the story becomes farcical. It just becomes plain stupid, and then they wonder why they are getting so many rejections. Sure, their critique partners might think some of the scenes you created are fun and entertaining, but remember, you are not selling a scene, you are selling a FULL story. 

I remember reading one many years ago where the author was proposing a story where pretty much a social elite (think Paris Hilton, or Kardashian level) falls in love with a homeless guy who was a drunk and a drug addict. The guy didn't even come from any prior background such as a fall from grace. He was literally a nobody (and don't take that the wrong way, everyone is human and I think we need to help out all of the people in these situations one way or another). The point here is that there is no way and no situation that these two would ever be in a situation where they would be together long enough to build a relationship to fall in love. 

Sure, they might be in a brief meeting such as a homeless shelter where she is serving at Thanksgiving, but the odds of anything extending beyond that are slim to none. Their social spheres are so different that they would never get together. 

Look, as much as I would love to have dinner with Stanley Tucci, the odds of that are slim (yes, I do have a link through the literary world, but... working those connections is a bit slimy...although I am always open to an invitation, hint, hint!).

I am going to return back to what I am always saying. Would your character really do that? Would your character really talk to that person? Come on, think about the talk they have in The Breakfast Club toward the end of detention. They all openly admit that on Monday, they won't talk to each other that they think that sucks and is stupid, but is 100% true.

My Responses From Editors and Agents Sound Like Form Letters

Let's talk about form letters here. I want to address two points here and let's get the big one out of the way first. I always find it funny when authors complain when they get "form letter responses" from editors and agents about their submissions. "Why can't they just tell me what they liked or didn't like about my story so I can really advance my career?" Well, the funny part is that 9 times out of 10 (yes, I know that line is cliche) but the majority of you are cranking out form letters to all of us so why shouldn't we? OK, I know that might not seem like a really good reason, but give me a break. 

The real reason you are getting these "form letters" as you call them is two-fold. First of all, there are more of you than us. If we honestly sat down and provided all of you a full critique of each of your stories coming in, we would never have time to actually do the work for our own clients, especially if you saw how bad some of the stories are that we see on a daily basis. 

But secondly, and this is the biggest one, is that there are only so many ways we can say the following statements:

• "This story is not a genre that we represent."
• "We are currently not looking for this type of story"
• "The market is really not buying this genre but you writing is good"
• "While you have a great voice, I personally did not connect enough with the project to want to read more."
• "This project does not fit our submission guidelines."

Sorry, but it is as simple as that. There are a limited number of ways to pass on a project.

Honestly though, if you got a rejection letter, form letter or not, at least you know it made it to someone. Take that as a positive. You have heard me say it here before, but the "if you don't hear from us, consider it a no" response it not IMHO a professional approach. I don't care how busy you are, I think at least a form letter is appropriate. I mean, how do I know my submission didn't get lost in cyberspace.

So, quit complaining. If you really want a great response back, I will tell you, write a letter that is not a form letter to us. To be honest, I have been answering people in many cases recently with responses that are even more personal because they took the time to show me their letter was not a form letter or written by ChatGPT. 

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Writer's New Year's Resolutions

No, I am not going to tell you to add "go to the gym" on the list. I promise. I'll leave that one to your significant other and the medical profession. I am here as your writing mental counselor today. So, between picking up from those wild parties last night, or trying to dig your puppies from under the bed after the fireworks (which is what we did with our Benjamin), it is time to make a list of the things you want to do this year.

Now, with any set of goals, you do need to make these realistic and achievable, so that means no saying you are going to get that 6-figure deal or achieve the NY Times Best Seller List before Spring Break. These are out of your control.

These can be as simple as finishing writing that you have been working on, attending a conference that is in your areas, joining a professional writing organization. It doesn't matter. Create a practical list. Attempt to achieve 1-2 major things a month. See what you can do. 

Let me know how you do this year! I would love to hear your successes.

And just as a reminder, here are some things you can do to help me out. Don't forget to follow me on all of the following social media channels (yes, I know the blog is on the list, but stay in touch!):