Social Media And Your Author's Online Presence

You would think by now, that people are aware of both the positive and the negative side of having an active online presence. This is a great way to increase your name recognition. This is also a place where you can easily end up with a reputation that does not show the good side of you or your writing.

We have to remember that when you type anything and hit "SEND" that information just became public. Sure, we get that there are now some safeguards that allow you to UNDO what you sent, but within that time between the SEND and the UNDO, I can guarantee that people saw what you wrote and have already made it public on their social media.

We also have to remember that when we type something, the tone of your voice is not going to show up in those words. People will read and think exactly what you wrote and not necessarily what you "meant."

Lately, I have seen a lot of different authors getting out there on social media stating their opinions, making general statements and probably not thinking about what the casual reader is now thinking of them. Using the F-bomb, slamming people in the industry and so forth just makes the writer look like someone who is not professional.

Let me give you another way to think of this. My daughter and I started a joke several years ago. If we had something negative to say about someone or some situation, we could only say that comment in the safe confines of my truck - we called this "TRUCK TALK." Saying things out loud where someone might hear it could lead to misinterpretation and certainly a negative reaction.

Look, I have no problem with people having opinions. I also have no problem with people who want to have a "discussion" or partake in a "conversation." But, when you "abuse" that right, please know that you are likely going to see an impact on your professional writing career. Readers are not that forgiving. 

Why Streaming Services M

This weekend, I was driving my daughter to the stables for her riding lessons. Most of the time we are either slamming the drivers around us for their stupidity, or even complaining about life in general. There are other days, like today, where she turns on the phone and either listens to music or watches videos. Because she was without her headphones, she was watching the video and I got to listen in as she watched...I really don't know what. Now, let me just say, what she was watching was not what caught my eye. It was HOW she was watching. 

As the show progressed, she would, every now and then, just fast forward through something that really was not grabbing her attention. No, this was not skipping over the commercials, she was just skimming through the show, skipping, what I am sure she would define as the "boring sections."

If you think about it, with all of the great new technology that we have with streaming services or "on-demand" tv, I am sure what she was doing is something a lot of other people do on a regular basis. NOTE: I will openly say I have no scientific proof of this so just go with it. As a society, we have no patience for anything that is "boring" or simply "does not interest us." And this got me thinking about what we read.

I actually heard an author once say that she openly skips over all of the narration paragraphs in a book. If it was not dialogue, it was useless information. Her comment was "she just wanted to get to the story." When I heard this, my jaw dropped. Really?? To her was dialogue the only thing necessary in a story?? But get this... others around her said the same thing. 

I have also heard editors talk about the desire to have more "quick reads." This did not mean shorter books, or stories with less depth, but stories that read faster. And, as authors know and understand, narrative paragraphs do indeed slow a text down in terms of reading speed. 

And if this is not enough, consider the HUGE rise in "graphic novels." Schools use the argument that if this is the best way to get kids to read, then let's push for this. I have to say, while I do want kids to read, these novels are now doing just what this other author was doing - just reading dialogue.

What we seem to be missing here is that great novels (and great television, movies and the like) WILL have things that are not going to be "in your face entertaining" 100% of the time. The thing that made all of those novels we have come to know and love truly amazing is the "great storytelling" which did involve narrations, character building, world building and great use of language. These stories were not simply meant to be rushed through, but to give the reader a chance to be immersed in another world. 

Look, I truly get wanting to skip over those commercials, especially now that we are once again getting ready to dive into an election cycle. But, at least those commercials do create a chance for people to discuss true feelings and not just "quote funny lines." 

Now, am I saying that there is a direction connection between these two? Maybe not. But what I am saying is that services like this are feeding our world's laziness, and maybe, it is starting to leak into the quality of our reading and novels. 

Why Fan Fiction Is Ruining Literacy

So, we were sitting around the dinner table last night and somehow, the Arthurian legends came up. Not really sure how, but it really does not matter. One of my daughters proceeded to talk about what she believed to be the true Arthurian legend. It was far from accurate. The story was based on what she had seen on our wonderful television media of ONCE UPON A TIME and the series MERLIN. When we tried to discuss with her the versions from the original Arthurian legends, T.H White's ONCE AND FUTURE KING, or even Tennyson's IDYLLS OF THE KING, her only comment was, those stories are boring.

Let me just say, I am a Literature Major. I believe in reading. I believe in reading the humanities to understand the world and our history. However, this world we are living in has truly become lazy and are slowly moving us toward a second Dark Age with nothing but an illiterate population.

K-12 education has eliminated reading novels, claiming arguments of public funding to "these are not skills found on standardized tests." AP and IB programs don't even read full novels any more but just give the "highlights" to get the students through the tests.

I was talking to a mother who she, and her son rides at the stable my daughter rides at. She was venting about how kids don't even have to write significant papers showing any analysis about what they have read. Her son has had to do a diorama, a Powerpoint presentation and a movie trailer, but in all cases, had to be limited. Translation... no thinking.

Parents are not even supporting literacy. Take a look the next time you got to the mall. How many times will you find a parent shoving a cell phone into a kid's hand to "give them something to do" while the parents shop endlessly for garbage or buy their Grande Skinny Peppermint Mocha.

While this might seem like a general cultural thing, the publishing world, is following in these same footsteps. Stories that have no plot are the stories the publishers are acquiring. In the romance industry, the trend is heading toward stories with sexy guys, no depth, low level vocabulary and certainly no significant plot.

The days of thinking are going away fast. If SIRI cannot answer the question, or SPARKS NOTES does not have the answer, it is apparently not significant.

The reality of the situation is that we need to remedy this fast. Parents can promote reading. Turn off the stupid TV and social media and read. And yes, parents, this mean you too need to read. Schools need to promote reading again. Not short cuts.

But this even means the industry needs to get off their butts and do something. Publish stories with depth. Quit going for the "easy" sale. Quit going for the fast money. Look for quality. Let me just say this is part of the reason Greyhaus Literary Agency has not signed an author in a long time. I want quality and not just the quick sale.

I challenge those of you who read this blog to promote this.

Want Your Bookstores Back? 1 Easy Solution

This last weekend, I returned to one of my favorite places in the world. No, as much as I wish it was Disneyland or the Disney Cruise Line, I went somewhere else - Barnes and Noble.

In our area, there are now just three Barnes and Noble around us. Yes, I know that sounds like a lot to many of you who have not seen a real bookstore in some time, but two of these are no less than 40 minutes away (or I drive to Seattle, fight the traffic and parking and get to that one). Not fun.

If you are like me, you loved walking around a bookstore. Browsing new titles, feeling book covers, having a cup of coffee and just sitting in one of those comfy chairs skimming a potential book you say you won't buy, but know you will eventually.

But so many bookstores disappeared when people simply had to make a decision of buying a book or buying a gallon of milk. Add in the fact that so many of these bookstores over-extended themselves with trying to do too many things, and we lost those wonderful sanctuaries.

There is a solution though.

Buy more books.

I know that sounds strange but buy the real books. There are two parts to this so let me start with the easier one.

When you buy the real book (not used so sorry briefly to the used bookstore people out there), the money goes back to the publishers and the authors. They see sales and this is good. More sales means they can do more! Remember, right now, they are making decisions based on sales numbers. Although sharing books, using the library, or even heading to the used bookstore is a great money saver, it is not making any money for those people who supply the bookstores. We have to encourage that.

Now, here comes the big one (and this is good for you used bookstore people). Go to those smaller booksellers (and this includes the Walmarts, grocery stores and so forth) and find that person stocking the shelves. Give them lists of names you want at the bookstore. Tell your friends you want those books. Tell everyone. Flood that person with titles that are simply not there. And don't just do this at one store! Hit all of the stores in your neighborhood. Used bookstore people can help to buy continually getting those books for them.

We know the success of having your friends promote your books for you. Here is just another way to help.

Secondly, get all of your followers to start a campaign. Get them to write to the publishers (which you carefully provide but make sure it is not your editor but the general marketing office) and have them tell these people they can't find your book. Again, the key here is to flood the market. Have everyone do it!

Finally, and I know this one will be hardest, but push for those books from places other than the online retailers. Sure, it is easy and convenient to just order it online, or have it sent to your phone, but all you are doing is proving to the publishers and book buyers that there is no need for those bookstores again. Remember, these people work with numbers. If they see online retail shopping of books levels but there is a spike in people wanting books at bookstores, they will notice.

But, to make this work, it will take time and it will take a flash mob mentality. You have to get everyone on board to buy those books!

I don't know about you, but I loved heading into that bookstore this last weekend. Wouldn't it be nice to see that new construction in your neighborhood is not a new Fast Food Restaurant but a bookstore?

A Change In Writers From Yesterday To Today

Since opening the agency in 2003, I have seen a huge change in the types of writers out there. It is not just the type of story these authors are writing, but the approaches to writing that I have seen the largest difference. I am really wondering if the writer of today has the same values and desires that the writers I saw early in the agency, or for that matter, writers that proceed them going all the way back through history (that might be too extreme, but I think you will understand my point).

Maybe it is a perceptual thing, but it seems to me, many writers today are forgetting that one thing that got them interested in writing in the first place. It was the power to create. The power to be creative. Today, however, the story seems to only be a means to an end. It is simply a tool to make money.

And personally, I think that is a shame. 

Yes, I do understand this is a bit of a bind I am putting myself in here as a literary agent. My job is to get the money for these authors. To find them a deal and to get them a contract. I understand this is a business and that is controlling a lot of how we think and believe. But have we taken this too far? Have we pushed the ideas such as marketing, agents, advertising, publishing, publicity and sales so far that we are forgetting to create a truly good story?

This is one of those "chicken before the egg" concepts, and, in no way am I going to blame one side or the other. I think we are all in this together. I guess it is times like this, that I feel a bit frustrated when I see new authors, still holding on to that passion and the drive to create, and I know (or fear) that we lose it all the moment one of them signs that first contract. Has the idea of making money at something we love to do "from the heart" ruined or tainted the final product? 

I don't know? I guess this is just one of those thoughts that will have to work itself out with time. Maybe this is just something like Peter Pan. We all have to grow up and the idea of Neverland just cannot exist all of the time.

Your Story Cannot Be Published Just Sitting On Your Computer

You talk about your dream of being published. You attend workshop after workshop learning your craft. You read everything you can from editors and agents on their blogs and online forums. But, and here comes the greatest and most shocking thing you have ever heard.... you will not be published until you finally send that project out to an editor or agent.

That's right, you have to get it into the hands of the people who will publish your book.

But what if they say no?

For many authors those last six words are the only things standing in between them and that dream they have of seeing their writing published.

This business is all about taking risks, but you have to take the risks sometimes if you want to achieve. You might think swimming looks fun, but until you get into the pool, you will never know.

So...

• for those of you who have a project all finished, but you "just aren't ready because you want to tweak it more.
• for those of you who have that list of agents and haven't written the query letter.
• for those of you who want to venture into self-publishing but haven't hit the 'SUBMIT' button on that publishing website.
• for those of you who have a partial and haven't sent it to a contest
• for those of you who haven't attended a conference because you don't feel you are a good enough writer.
• ...and for those of you who have a story to tell and haven't started those opening pages.

What are you waiting for?

It is time to get moving and take that risk. So what if they say no, you can always try again!

Stay motivated and you will do it!

Scott

Where Are We Going To In Publishing?

Things are changing right now in publishing. This is one of those "no duh" statements. And yet, that statement is really on the minds of so many in the business including writers, editors and agents. We all seem to want that crystal ball that will tell us the exact path that we want to take so we can become the originator of that new trend, or at least the person on the cutting edge. We also want to be able to see the future to know if we should bail before things get too bad.

Unfortunately, that crystal ball is simply not there.

I have said this for a couple of years now, and I will say it again. I think we are seeing an industry in the middle of some serious growing pains. There are certainly changes happening when it comes to the delivery model of books, the way we work the books through the edititorial process, and certainly, the types of books that are showing up on the shelves (virtual or otherwise). What makes this so confusing right now is that, I do believe, too many people in this business are simply guessing and running. They throw all of their energy at a single venture in the hopes that this single approach will be the one that makes it.

When a couple of people start doing this, the rest of the group starts jumping on board with this idea calling it the "new way" of doing things. We saw this with "chick lit". We saw this with e-pubs. We saw this with the self-pub movement. Were these, or are these approaches bad? Absolutely not. Each has merits and each certainly has something to contribute. But, each of these ideas (along with all of the other ones we have out there in this business) are stilll in that early growing stage.

Think of it this way. Trying to predict what each of these models will be or do, is like making a prediction on what a newborn is going to be when he or she grows up. There are simply too many variables early on in that baby's life.
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So does this mean we quit trying these new approaches? No way! We have to experiment and see what happens. But, in the end, we have to remember that there is one key constant in all of this. The writing, the actual story we compose has to be strong and stable. The characters, plot, setting and theme need to be amazing and universal. The writing should be able to transcend time.

If we think of the great pieces of writing found in the canon of literature, we will see a lot of different approaches, styles, and genres. Some were daring. Some challenged our thinking? But what we remember of these unique pieces of writing is the quality of the work. Not how it was cutting edge.

So, where are we going? Honestly, until the dust settles, I don't think you can get an honest answer. Yes, there will be people who tell you they know, but their guess is as good as mine or yours.

Just go with the flow and write the best damn story you can write.

Scott

Publishing Professionals May Be Trying To Do Too Much

I really struggled with this title today. I don't know how many times I wrote it, deleted it and tried again. So, if this sounds a bit rambling at first, just stick with me. I promise things will make sense in a moment.

As the publishing industry struggles to work though the tough economic times, when people aren't buying books, or they are only looking for the cheap ones, I fear that many, are jumping on ideas and programs that are going to become barriers to being successful in this business. It all seems to be about the money. In other words, the more ways I can find to bring in cash, the better off I will be. I do fear, however, that this approach is bringing down the quality of their work, whether they are editors, agents or writers.

It seems that many individuals are going after, what appears to be "the quick buck". Sure, they jump into these programs, justifying their decisions with wanting to be "at the head of the game" and yes, some may end up being there. Unfortunately, I greatly fear that many of these people may be making decisions that simply are going to either ruin their original (and most likely successful career) or, more likely, just produce a lesser quality of work.

Now don't get me wrong. I do believe in innovation. I do believe in trying new things. But when we think this through, we also have to consider the potential consequences of that move.

Let me be a bit more specific here.

I have toyed with the idea of incorporating into Greyhaus, an editorial model that other agents have tried. But I have to say, every time I think about that option. I change my mind. Sure, I could now have some additional income via the sales from those books, but their is a price to be paid. What about my work as an agent? As an advocate for my writers who are working hard with their career. In simple terms, there are only so many hours in the day and something will have to take a back seat.

I have also see authors, who see an potential new source of income for their careers in working as editors of other publishing companies. Do these people have something to offer other writers? You better believe it! But again, I have to ask, what will be lost? In some cases, these authors have been kicked out of professional organizations. Was this worth it? Remember that we joined these organizations for not just the comraderie, but also for the networking and resources? Is that now gone? And of course there is the writing. The time they are spending on editing some other author's work could potentially have gone to improving their own writing. Could it be that the decline in sales with their writing is not so much because of the economy, but because of the lack of time they spent on that continual growth and learning?

In no way am I going to say that the decisions these people are making are wrong. I am simply asking if these decisions are really worth it? Have they honestly thought things through clearly before making that jump?

A Christmas Present For That Author In Your Life

You know who these people are? They're the ones that have spent countless hours behind a computer creating those stories you love the most. They have given you so much joy over the year.

Now it is time to give something back to them.

This Christmas, give the gift of a book.

• Buy a real book. Don't buy digitally. The authors are getting a lower royalty rate in many cases.
• Don't buy a used book, but one from the store. Remember, used books don't give the author anything financially.
• While sharing books is great and certainly fun, buy the book this year. Sharing books is just like the used book thing.
• Buy a lot of books from them. Remember, the more you buy, the better their sales will be. The better the sales, the publisher is happier. A happy publisher means more books from your favorite author. Yes, this is very circular.

And finally, send your favorite authors a quick note on their website. Send notes via the publisher or the agent. The more they see they have a following, the more motivated they will be to write even better books!

And for you authors out there. Buy your own books directly and give those as a gift to the family. Giving away those books you use for promotion isn't getting you anything.

Scott

Vet's Day Challenge

As we honor those Veterans today, I am challenging all of you today.

• Go out and buy a book for a vet today. Don't go cheap. Don't go to the used book store. Get a vet a great book to read.
• If you are a published author, donate some of your books to a Vet's organization today.
• Published or not, donate some NEW books to your local military organizations. Send those books to our troops not at home.

I challenge all of you!

Scott

The Changing Model of Publishing

I was reading an article by Mathew Ingram on Friday and thought some of his comments were interesting, but with that said, I think he, like many others out there writing about this topic, might be missing a few points.

http://gigaom.com/2011/10/28/on-the-death-of-book-publishers-and-other-middlemen/

Ingram notes that there is a huge chance that the "middlemen" (agents and editors specifically) may be out of a job soon when more and more opportunities show up for the writers to self-publish their books. Yes, these opportunities are there and yes, these might be avenues that many authors need to take to see their book in print. I 100% agree with this. However, Ingram misses the point when he notes the authors that are taking this option.

What readers should note in cases like Ingram as well as other authors who write on this, is that the authors they mention already have huge readerships. For these authors, the readers will already go out and buy those books because they know who they are. They got their start in the traditional system and for many, this move is just an extension into another marketing avenue.

We also need to note that for many of the authors, they are using this option to release "backlists" to their readers. I personally think using the self-publishing model is a great avenue for the backlist issue. We have to remember, however, that dealing with backlists is completely different than new releases. In other words, we cannot (for the most part) extend the same analysis to both types of books.

He also notes that publishers need to find a way to "make it easier to get to the readers." I don't think the self-publishing model is really doing anything different here. Traditional publishers are already providing print and e-book options for their authors. In many cases, when a book is released, it is also coming out in various e-book formats. The books are also being distributed directly to those book stores that receive standing orders from the publishers. If we talk about those moving into the self-publishing arena, readers have to go in search of the books. That distribution model isn't exactly there and it is often up to the author to make those direct connections to the book stores, online or traditional.

I do agree that the e-book market that many of these self-publishers are using does get the books out there quicker. No problem with that. I also agree that many of these options do give the author a higher cut of the profits. But, again we have to remember that for an unknown author, regardless of how high that percentage might be, it all comes down to sales. If your readers don't already know who you are as an author, those sales simply won't be there. Again, this goes back to that first idea I mentioned that the authors we see doing this ALREADY have a readership.

Are we seeing some trends in publishing changing? Yes. But I think it is always important to remember that when it comes to readership, there is still a huge percentage ( I think I read once 2/3 of the readers) that are not moving to an e-books which is, in reality, where many of the self-publishers are placing their books.

Just some things to consider.

Scott

Some Comments on Self-Publishing

I want to first begin by stating what I have said time and time again. An author has a choice of self-publishing. No one is forcing an author to do this. I am also not saying self-publishing, or traditional publishing is better. There are certainly benefits for any of the approaches.

Now with that said, I do want to address some comments that I read recently about self-publishing, which, in my humble opinion, are a bit misguided and a bit off the mark.

The writer commented that they stopped buying print books because they were tired of finding errors... Sorry to say this, but the size of the company printing the book is not going to eliminate errors. Authors need to make certain they are sending in clean copies to be published. This is where the errors begin and not with the publisher. In the past, when publishers would have to re-type the manuscripts or "type set" the stories, there was certainly an increase in the chance for errors. Now, everything is done electronically. Being electronically published does not eliminate the errors.

The writer commented that traditional publishers are out to make all of the money and take it away from the writer. They also commented that self-publishing means the author gets more from the sale of the book... Let's first of all begin with the idea that this is a business. Publishers are not doing things for free and do want to make a profit. But, that does not mean they are out to screw the authors. Increases in prices of books have come from new costs the publisher has to deal with. Some of that has to do with the higher advances and royalties the author is asking for. Some of those costs also deal with the price of paper, distribution costs and so forth. If everyone wants to make money, we have to raise the costs.

Let's look at the second comment that self-publishing allows the author to get more from the sale. Sure, that is true, but what about the number of sales the person makes. Remember, the money you make comes from how many books you sell. Statistics have shown that self-publishing doesn't often yield high number of sales. We're not talking 100,000 books here, we might be talking 1000 maybe. What I found interesting was the additional comment the writer made stating with self publishing the author can charge less for the book. While that is true, dropping the price means less money you will be making as an author. Factor in the number of books you sell and you see the point.

I know there are a lot of you that will post now saying you love self-publishing and you hate tradtional publishing. I also know a lot of you will post the "exceptions" to what the things I have said. Yes, there are cases when the things I have said are not the case, but that is not the point I was making here. I just wanted to give some insight and one perspective. Remember, there are a lot of routes you can take in publishing and it is up to you to find the approach that works best for you.

Scott

Things Are Changing But We Have To Be Careful

We are now in an age of change. There is a huge rise in people reading things electronically. There is a huge rise in people purchasing more and more from the internet instead of simply going to the story. In fact, I heard of a place on NPR recently that women can rent saris online instead of purchasing their own. Wow, what a change the world has gone through.

With that said, I think it is important that we are all very careful, especially in publishing.

Earlier, I made a comment about people just selling out and going with e-pubs and self-pubs. Let me address that. First of all, I am not saying to not do either. All I am saying is that the business takes time and we are all too anxious to make money too fast. There is a definite place for both of these forms of publishing and if people are successful with this model, then I am 100% backing you.

But with that said, I think there is another element of caution when it comes to this shift. That would simply be doing things for the immediate financial concern and not for the long term stability of the author. I am reminded here of a comment that I have heard Deb Werksman from Sourcebooks say time and time again. "I do not buy books, I buy authors." (or something to that effect).

The reason I bring all of this up is I am concerned about many in the publishing industry that are not thinking about the actions they do today and how those actions lead to the things that will occur in the long run. Will pushing for higher rates with some publisher burn a bridge later on when you might need the negotiating room? Will moving to a different business model become a conflict of interest later on when the model or market shifts?

Although (here comes the political side of things) I am a liberal in many things, when it comes to business models, I am a hard core conservative. I believe in the status quo and I believe in making changes only when there is a need.

I will admit, I can see things I do at Greyhaus and see many ways that I can bring in an immediate cash flow. Will I do it? No. Even when I first started the agency, I was thinking about offering (as a side-line) critique services, but I chose not to. Why? Because there were authors that saw this as a conflict of interest. Even though I had a clause in my contract, it wasn't enough. So I didn't run with that plan. The same goes for my Alien Vampire Bunny Contest and my work with the Brenda Novak Auction. This is to help a craft, and not to "make money for Greyhaus."

So with that said, let me re-state the things I believe in here at Greyhaus.

• I believe there should be no conflict of interest for the agent. It is for this reason I am looking for an agent to publish my own writing.
• I believe that the agent's prime concern is for the authors they represent.
• I am firm that I will stick to representing only romance and women's fiction.
• I believe, as an agent, I will represent only stories I believe in.
• I believe an that an agent can be a writer, and an agent can do editing, but those lines cannot ever be crossed and there needs to be a clause written into every contract stating those two lines can never be crossed.
• I believe in the author and I want to do the best for the author. This does not mean I will push for things unrealistic, but I will push for the best in the long run.
• I believe in my authors and when they want to do projects outside of our agreement, I am 100% backing them but will not be entering into a contractual obligation with the author. This allows Greyhaus authors to write in projects outside of romance and women's fiction as well as writing in the self-publishing market.

There are a lot of great agents, authors and editors out there. I think the world of these people. With that said, I am just concerned that many might be heading down the wrong path.

Scott

Editor For The Day

I was just thinking about this and figured I would put it out to all of you. Who knows, maybe in a massive "grass roots movement" you can let the editors and agents know what should really be out there.

I know as an agent there are certain story ideas/genres that I would love to see more of and some I would like to see less of.

So what are your thoughts.

I am putting you in charge of being an editor for the day. If you can pick:

1. What would you acquire, right now!
2. What do you want to see go away?

Scott

Know You Can See "The End"

As you all know, I am a big fan of being a plotter when it comes to writing. I think it is amazing important for a writer to have a clear vision of how he or she plans on getting from that first line to the last. I think, however, there is another element many writers fail to see. For many writers, seeing the end is something that is still an abstract concept. In other words, the thought of finishing the novel has never crossed their minds.

Successful writers have the ability, whether they are a plotter or a panster, to see and know that "THE END" is on the horizon. It is the simple thought that they know they can make it to the end and type those wonderful two words. Unfortunately, there are far too many writers that simply don't have the confidence in their own abilities to every think they can finish the story.

If you are a writer, you probably know jsut the type of people I am talking about. These are the people that, when you tell them you are a writer, they tell you how much they would love to write a story but "probably would never be able to finish it." It's really a shame, because they probably have amazing stories to share with the world, but just don't believe in themselves enough to even start. There is a fear that if they start, not reaching the "THE END" would be a sign of failure.

As a writer, you have to believe in yourself enough to want to finish that story. You have to believe enough to force yourself to do it.

This is just one thing that makes a successful writer. It isn't just the technique. It is the "I CAN DO IT" attitude.

Do you have it/

Why Do We Write?

Here's something to consider...

When you first started writing, and no, it doesn't have to be the novels you have right now, I'm talking about any type of creative writing - why did you do it?

What was it in you that pushed you to the point of wanting to put pen to paper? My bet is that the reason did not involve anything with money. There were no dreams of 6 figure deals and fans at a book signing. There were no dreams of book covers at the front table of a Borders or Barnes and Noble. There probably wasn't a mention of being on the NY Times Best Seller list.

The drive you had came from the excitement of creativity. That passion of being able to tell in words feelings and emotions that you might not have been able to express any other way.

I always love talking to people in creative writing classes, especially those still in college. There are really few classes at a college level that have students really wanting to spend countless hours outside of class working on that latest writing project. You see them huddled in corners, penciling away at that poem. The rush into class ready and eager to work in critique groups and share. I see that same excitement when I return to my local university and work as an alum. When they hear what I do, they can't help but want to share their latest project with me. Not that they want me to sign them or get advice to be published. They simply want to share.

Every day you write, you have to bring back that same excitement you had when you wrote the first time. Find that pleasure inside of you again. Maybe, just maybe, that spark is what you will need to get you from saying to yourself, "Ugh, I have to write my next chapter today." or "I have to find another 10,000 words to get to my deadline." You don't need to force it, if you love it.

Scott

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

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.

So Scott, What Have You Written Lately?

One of the writers I work with (not one of my clients) asked me yesterday, "So how are you doing with your writing?" O.K. I had to cringe at that question. I pushed her with her writing and now she is pushing me. My answer was, unfortunately, "nothing."

Oh did I get an earful for that comment.

But, I just have not had the time. I know this sounds like an excuse, but it is the way I decided I wanted to run my business. If my clients had work to do, or I had something for the agency on my "to do list" then I would put that first.

I just work that way.

Yes, I know that there is a certain agent out there that will likely read this and probably email me or call me or Tweet me to get on my case. I am still going to make her deadline she set for me. But... (yes I have used that a lot lately), my clients come first.

Just thought you would like that perspective.

Scott

An Insight to Scott - What Type of Characters Do I Like?

You have all heard my talk time and time again about my dislike of characters with baggage. I'm talking about those people that have more problems than any human can deal with and then, you as an author, decide to pile on a complicated romance with someone who is equally loaded down with baggage. Instead of focusing on this element, I thought I would give you an insight into the characters that I really do like.

First of all, the characters have to be real. No, this doesn't mean that the story is based on real living people, but that the characters are people that I might see at the grocery store or on the street somewhere. Too often, I see stories with characters that are so fictional, that it becomes difficult for me as a reader to really buy into them. The best analogy I can come up with is trying to relate to someone like Queen Elizebeth or someone filthy rich like Bill Gates. Their life is simply something that is a bit incomprehensible to the everyday person.

Secondly, I love characters that might have flaws, but inside they are good people. The hero in a Regency may be a rake, but inside we can see he is a mama's boy. It is this reason that I frequently reject stories that have characters doing things that socially, people would find unethical. This is my adultry example I have mentioned here before. I don't care how bad the relationship might be, if the "good' character goes out and does something unethical, I have a hard time wanting to side with them.

Thirdly, I love characters that scream personality. Again, this is not a cartoon character personality, but someone that you would really want to hang out with. Their dialogue is honest and true, and their words really do suck you in. You want to listen to them.

Now, I will have to say, that much of this stems from the plot choice you put your characters in. Write a "manufactured" or "unreal" story and tyhe characters will likely follow.

Scott