Dilemma over 3 eclairs,

Two maple bars and a

Twinkie

Well, it’s now 3:00 in the morning,
     and once again, my editor wants something on her
     desk at 10:00 am and once again, I still don’t
     have anything to say.

I‘m sitting here,
Staring at this blank piece of paper,
     (which of course, has not moved for the last 3 hours).

The clock,
     ticking away the minutes in the background, telling
     me, “You better get moving buddy or you won’t
     have a job at 10:00 in the morning.”

Maybe I’ll have another cup of coffee.

No, I’ve already had three pots already.

I’ve been at this job for 6 years now,
     I know how to write.
I didn’t have to struggle like this in the past.
Ideas for stories use to pop into my head,
     born, fully developed,
     living creatures.
     ready to hit the page with zero…

O.K…maybe one rewrite…

     But that was just to check the grammar.

All I had to say was,

“I need an idea!”

     And poof,
             there it was.

Now I scream,
“I need an idea!”

      What do I get?

A blank sheet with crumbs of too many doughnuts that I shouldn’t have eaten.

O.K.

Relax.

Calm Down.

You’ve done this before.

How would you do it if you were
     still in college?

What would Professor. Fitzler say
     if you were in the same situation?

             “Didn’t you take notes that day?”
             “Were you sleeping again?”

I never did like that man.

Uninterrupted writing!

       No, that only works if I have
       An idea to start with…

Free-association…

Oh, that takes too much work!

Writer on something you know,

       Something you have experienced.

                 Rule #1: Always write on experiences that you have had
                 because you can’t write on something
                 you don’t know…
                                             Or something like that.

What I am I feeling now?
         Other than an upset stomach
                  from too many doughnuts.
Frustration…

                      Why?
Because I can’t think of anything to write!
                                                               Why?

I…

I…

I DON’T KNOW!
                              Why?

Because I have writer’s block!

Idea!

                        Well, it’s now 3:00 in the morning,
                         and once again, my editor…

Eagan, 2002

Too Much Sex - Yes It Can Happen...

So, you heard the rumors that XYZ Publisher or ABC Editor really likes stories that are hot. Since this is a person you really wanted to write for, you go back to a work in progress and steam that little bad boy up. You open up the book with sex, and then, somehow, every other chapter, find a way to have the hero and heroine in another compromising, and yet apparently, very enjoyable position, um situation.

This will sell, right?

The odds are this story might not have any better chance of selling than it did in the first draft. In fact, the addition of all those extra scenes will likely result in a quicker rejection due to a plot line that seems to have pointless elements.

Just because a story is considered a romance does not mean that the characters have to be jumping into bed every chance they get. Some writers try to pawn this off adding sexual tension because one or both of the characters feels guilt or anxiety over the incident. This is far from sexual tension.

Sexual tension is nothing more than two characters who want to move the relationship to a new level and the passion between them is amazingly hot, but they are continually finding the relationship with a road block from outside or one that comes from either the hero or heroine.

If you think of the really hot characters in great novels or movies, the characters simply ooze sexual energy and when the characters are getting near each other, the tension becomes even stronger.

Now don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong about adding some great sex scenes in your book, but they have to be there for a purpose. Like anything else the characters might do during your story, there has to be a reason for the sex to happen. Just because you feel the characters haven't hopped in the sack yet is far from a good reason.

Scott

Networking at National Conventions

Every writer talks about the networking they plan on doing at a national convention. They talk about the editors and agents they will meet with and the professional writers they plan on talking to. In the end, though, they end up going, having a great time, but failing to meet up with those people they wanted to talk to. Why? Because they weren't proactive.

Unlike smaller writing conferences, the larger scale national conferences are about meeting with people. You might not be able to get a meeting with a person for a long period of time, and you may have to settle with a 15 or 30 minute chat. But to get those meetings requires being proactive.

Now, before going any further, I have to stress that you will not be able to set up an appointment with an editor or agent, outside of the pitch sessions, so that you can pitch your story. But there are ways to make that connection and potentially have a chance to slip that pitch in.

The first is for all of the writing groups that are getting together for lunches, breakfasts or dinners (or even drinks). Talk to your chapter presidents (or who ever is organizing the affair) and get them to invite the editors and agents to stop by. Obviously take the time to offer them a meal, but if that isn't going to work, at least offer a drink and a handshake. We might not be able to meet for the whole time, but we might be able to swing by and say a few words. At least it is something.

The second is to keep an eye out for those editors and agents during the meals. Most of the writers I see are so eager to fill their tables with their friends that they forget about the editors and agents. Find them, invite them in to sit and see what happens. They might already have a previous engagement, but it can't hurt to ask.

I think the biggest thing you can do is just take the time to say hi to the editors and agents in the hallway. If you are standing in line, then talk. This is a conference where being a wallflower will get you no where.

The simple solution - just ask.

Scott

Unpublished Authors and Having a Web Presence

Sorry it has taken so long to get this up and running this morning. Had a hard time getting moving.
I wanted to take some time today to answer a question I hear a lot from writers, either here on line or when I talk to them in person. "Should I create a website while I am still trying to market a book for the first time."

Ahh, the old web presence question.

In my humble opinion, the time, energy and money you put into creating that website for a product you don't have could easily be spent on making that current work in progress amazing. I don't know of many, if any, agents who go out there and start surfing the net for the next best writer based on their websites and their blogs. Honestly, I am not sure if we have the time to do that, let alone figuring out where to start to find the next best author. Yes, I am sure they are out there, but finding them would be a chore.

I would also add in the fact that an agent and writer have to want to work together as a team. If an writer really wanted to work with me or another agent, they would approach us and not the reverse.

Now let's talk about what that website will have to offer. As I said, you are selling a product that doesn't exist. You are attempting to get people, other than friends, to come and visit your site, learn about your writng and get overly hooked on something that isn't there.

I have heard some writers say this is a way to build a "readership" Pooey! (Now where did that word come from?) Those readers are, in most cases, people who already know you and would have gotten your book anyway. Even if there was a bit of word of mouth here, the numbers just aren't going to be there.

In the end, I want you to take the time and work on your story. When you get an agent, and certainly, when you get an editor, then get that website up and running. Until then, just write.

Scott

Remember Your Family - Remember to Have Fun

I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about no excuses when it comes to your writing. In other words, we don't want to hear all of these reasons why you cannot get your writing done today, or why that deadline of yours cannot be met. While this is important as a writer, I want to take a 180 degree turn around today.

Your writing cannot be everything all of the time.

You have to find a way to balance your writing with other things that are also important in your life. This means that you have to remember your family and most importantly, your own life.

I have spent a lot of time in Europe and I have to say, there is an element of this lifestyle I really wish we had here in the US. Work is not everything. Sure, getting a paycheck is important and when we are at work, we put 100% of ourself into what we do, but, when we leave work, we leave it there. Here in the US we have this mentatlity that home is just an extension of our work and then we find ourself working close to 24 hours a day.

This does not work.

Taking time to do something other than writing every now and then will do several things. First of all, your mind now has a nice break and that relaxation will allow it to regroup. Secondly, that time away will give the current writing you are doing a chance to settle. It will be amazing how many answers you will end up with when you finally get back to the writing.

The third element is probably the most important. You won't lose your family.

My daughter frequently drives this point home to me when she wants me to play Barbies with her or play a game. I don't know how many times I have said "I can't. Daddy has to work." And then the guilt kicks in. I can't work all of the time.

Your job this week is to find time to keep the writing going, but to give yourself some time away from the work. Let me know next week how things work out.

Pitching IS a Job Interview

I want to take the time to again address some confusion writers seem to have about the publishing world and the real world. I have mentioned this before in other situations, but honestly, it is always good to have a bit of a reminder every now and then.

For some authors, this will be a chance to finally meet with an editor or agent face to face and "pitch" your story. Unfortunately, too many authors blow this chance with an awful pitch. I am not talking about what they say, but about their presentation as an author in front of that editor or agent.

Despite what many editors and agents say, that "we know some people struggle with pitches and it always comes down to the story," the reality is that we cannot avoid that pitch. A bad pitch  is at least one strike against you.

What writers seem to fail to grasp is that a pitch to an editor or agent IS a job interview. In the case of a job interview, it is your chance to show that future employer that you are the right person for the job. In the case of a pitch, it is your chance to demonstrate to that editor or agent that you have a project that is right for us and you are professional and have a future with us.

Let's step away from writing for a second and talk about job inteviews;

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

An interview gives you the opportunity to showcase your qualifications to an employer, so it pays to be well prepared. The following information provides some helpful hints.


Preparation:

• Learn about the organization.
• Have a specific job or jobs in mind.
• Review your qualifications for the job. 
• Be ready to briefly describe your experience, showing how it relates it the job. 
• Be ready to answer broad questions, such as "Why should I hire you?" "Why do you want this job?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
• Practice an interview with a friend or relative.

Personal appearance:

• Be well groomed.
• Dress appropriately.
• Do not chew gum or smoke.

The interview:

• Be Early
• Learn the name of your interviewer and greet him or her with a firm handshake.
• Use good manners with everyone you meet.
• Relax and answer each question concisely.
• Use proper English—avoid slang.
• Be cooperative and enthusiastic.
• Use body language to show interest—use eye contact and don’t slouch.
• Ask questions about the position and the organization, but avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the company Web site.  
• Also avoid asking questions about salary and benefits unless a job offer is made. 
• Thank the interviewer when you leave and shake hands.
• Send a short thank you note following the interview.

 We've all seen similar lists such as this. None of this information should come as a surprise to you. These items are things that present you in a positive light to a prospective employer.

Now take all of those same items in the list above and replace terms that deal with publishing. Employer for agent and editor and so forth.

There is no change.

And a couple of other things to remember. I don't care if the conference you are attending is a working conference, when it is time to pitch, you need to be in "interview mode."

Also, you will remember that you would never apply for a job and interview "just to get a chance to practice your interview skills." The same goes for pitching. There are often few slots for pitch appointments and taking up the time of an editor or agent when you are not ready is taking up the spot from someone who might have been ready to move on.

Just something to chew on this weekend.

Scott