lcrwpres Presentaation summary

November 2023 Presentation Recap

During the presentation portion of our November meeting, we had a round-table discussion about doing research, hook and curtain lines, and how to keep interested in your own projects. One of the things our group does best is share experiences and knowledge about our love of writing. Below are the main results of the lively session.

  1. The first line of the product description should include a hook. This refers to a book blurb on any of the book-selling sites. Kathy Shay suggested bolding the first line. The shorter the description, the better, i.e., three to four sentences.
  • Stop setting up the scene at the beginning of the chapter and start with the action. Filter the background information throughout the chapter.
  • The curtain line at the end of the chapter could be the opening hook for the next chapter.
  • Use a Character Chart for descriptions, personality, education, conflict, etc., for the major characters. If you do this before you start writing, you will know how your specific characters will act or react in the situations you put them in.
  • If you already know the ending, write the story toward the ending, even if the ending may eventually change.
  • Use different colors to highlight different topics in your story when editing so you check detail accuracy and consistency.
  • When researching nonfiction, relationships with people you speak with are important. If you want information, ask for it. People like to talk about themselves.
  • How to keep interested in your work? Write shorter stories, include new characters, or add a subplot.

lcrwpres Writing Tip

10 Excuses for Not Writing—And How to Overcome Them by K.M.Weiland

1. I Have No Talent

Is It True?

Maybe so, maybe no. But the will to write is more important than any amount of talent. Commitment is more important than talent. Determination is more important than talent.

Smash It!

Although it’s important to realistically assess your skill level, what’s more important is having the guts and grit to keep at it, keep learning, keep improving. Talent isn’t what ultimately matters in this game.

2. The Odds of Being Published Are Too High

Is It True?

The odds are high these days. Traditional houses are hurting, and they’re taking fewer risks as a result. On the other hand, independent publishing gives any writer the opportunity of seeing work in print, but seeing it sell and sell well is still a long shot.

Smash It!

In the immortal words of Han Solo, “Never tell me the odds!” Agented writers are being signed to fat traditional contracts and indie authors are selling thousands of copies every single day. Yeah, the odds are high. But they’re only impossible if you never give the game a go.

3. I’m Too Exhausted/Stressed/Wired

Is It True?

Are you exhausted, stressed, wired, pained, or feeling less than physically perfect? Probably. Are you always too exhausted, stressed, wired, or pained to write? Probably not.

Smash It!

Find the right balance between taking care of yourself, your physical needs, and the other demands in your life—and sitting down to your writing. Writing time won’t always take precedence, but if it’s important enough to you, you’ll be able to find time.

4. Taking Time to Write Makes Me Feel Guilty

Is It True?

Your feeling of guilt is undoubtedly real. But whether it’s justified is another question altogether.

Smash It!

If you choose to make writing a priority, you will inevitably have to give up other things. Sometimes those things will be important. But once you’ve made the decision to devote a certain amount of your day to writing, don’t allow yourself to be guilted out of it. If you don’t treat your writing like a priority, it won’t be.

5. Fiction Offers Nothing of Value to the World

Is It True?

Absolutely not. Art, in all its forms, is the expression of humanity. It is the record of our lives. It is the exploration of the deep and never-ending questions of our existence. It is our soul-deep communication with one another. Writing changes lives.

Smash It!

Just because fiction is entertainment doesn’t mean it has to have an empty-calorie effect on the world. When you sit down at the computer and start typing, you’re wielding untold power. Use it responsibly, use it honestly—and never discount it.

6. People Will Ridicule My Writing and Me as a Writer

Is It True?

Perhaps. Non-writers often have a difficult time understanding what we do and why. Some people will scorn your work for any number of reasons (which can include their own ignorance and insecurity).

Smash It!

One of the chief requirements of surviving as a writer is a thick skin. If you’re worried about what people think, become a roofer. Hard knocks come with the business. Learn to smile and let the bitter words roll right off you.

7. Writing Is Too Hard

Is It True?

Writing is hard, no question. Sometime it’s bone-bustingly, mind-numbingly, soul-wrenchingly hard.

Smash It!

But watch out for that word “too.” Spelled backwards and spoken out of the side of your mouth, it means you’re giving up out of weakness and laziness. When the going gets tough, gird your loins and battle on through. It’s the only way to make it—in writing and in life.

8. My Life Is Too Boring to Provide Interesting Material

Is It True?

Sitting at a computer eight hours out of the day doesn’t generally lend itself to wild life experiences. Not all writers can (or want to) live life on the edge.

Smash It!

The tortured author stereotype is just that. You’re not limited to writing what you know, only what you can imagine—and that goes for life experiences as much as anything.

9. I Need to Learn More About How to Write

Is It True?

Probably. There’s always more to learn. No one masters an art form. Even were you to prove prodigy enough to master all the variables of the craft, the very nature of art means it’s always evolving. Every book you write is going to be a new adventure, full of new trials.

Smash It!

Although studying the craft is important, it’s no replacement for on-the-job experience. The best way to learn how to write a book is to write one. Keep reading those how-to books, but don’t let that prevent you from hammering the keyboard.

10. There Are Too Many Distractions

Is It True?

Life is full of distractions. The dog needs to go outside. The kids need to be fed. The day job needs to be tended to. Sometimes it all gets to be so overwhelming, all you want to do is scream.

Smash It!

Did you notice that “too” word again? Sometimes we can’t control the distractions in our lives. But we can control our responses to them. Set up personal boundaries, create schedules, or, better yet, learn to write right on through the distractions.

***

There are always going to be moments and circumstances that intrude on our writing with an inexorable force we can’t ignore. But most of the time, the only thing keeping us from our writing is ourselves. Excuses are like termites. Give one or two the opportunity to thrive, and before you know it, they’ll have eaten through the very foundation of your determination and creativity. So grab the bug spray and the flyswatter, and start smashing!

lcrwpres Posts, Writing Tip

Free Kindle Book on Story Structure

Published and unpublished authors alike collect books on writing, how to write, how to plan writing, and how to improve. Currently, there is a FREE book available to download on your Kindle or whatever device you use to read on. I got it and have browsed through it before recommending it to you. Thank you, Steve Yates, for bringing it to my attention.

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Story-Structure-Helping-Writers-ebook/dp/B01BHE3HXE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=httpwwwkmweil-20&linkId=2077cce60a71e6928df760bc1d76f5c7

The photo says buy, but if you use the link, it is FREE to download. Another added bonus, when you get this book, there is an offer for a second free book by the same author about Crafting Unforgettable Characters. It’s a double win. Start collecting if you haven’t already

lcrwpres Presentation described

September Presentation

Steve Yates, LCRW’s treasurer extraordinaire, likes to learn shortcuts for accomplishing things in Word and Windows without using his mouse. He will be sharing those tips and tricks with us at our September 23 meeting. And yes, he also knows how to do it on Mac. He makes his presentations fun, so bring your laptop and we’ll all learn together.

lcrwpres Writing Tip

Query Letter

If you are a writer, you already know what a query letter is. But, there are ways to write an excellent query that you might not have learned yet. The LCRW treasurer, Steve Yates, is always looking for good information to help himself and other authors. While doing research into critiquing what a good letter consists of, he came upon the following website. It is indeed a good source for everyone to add to their important information files.

Remember, twelve different publishing houses said no to Harry Potter before it was accepted. Never give up hope of getting your work published.


https://thejohnfox.com/2021/05/100-query-letter-examples-that-got-authors-an-agent/

lcrwpres Posts

LCRW President is Podcast Guest on “Once Shattered; Picking Up the Pieces”

Sue eloquently and openly shares her experiences and those of members of the Rochester Veterans Writing Group, who find writing about their military experiences cathartic. These vignettes will make you laugh, open your eyes to the perks and challenges of being in the military, as well as the sacrifices made by those who serve and their families. Their books, United in Service, United in Sacrifice, and … NOT Fade Away are available on Amazon.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/writing-sharing-healing-united-in-service-united-in/id1576543501?i=1000621756591

lcrwpres Presentation described

Critique Rules

Our second of three critiques is coming up on Saturday, July 22. This is a great time to get a manuscript of up to 2500 words looked at.  If you aren't a member, this is a fantastic opportunity to see what LCRW can contribute (in addition to the six speakers we have each year.)

This is a LCRW function.  You may participate one time only if you are a non-member. This applies to writers and guest critiquers.

          ALL manuscripts must be emailed to the moderator, Steve Yates at writingsbysay@yahoo.com by MIDNIGHT on Wednesday, July 12th.  (Note, this is ten days before the critique session.)  Any submissions received after that will be handled as time permits, at the end of the critique session.

          Critiques will be discussed in the order they are received.

          You will be receiving a manuscript from each participant and are expected to print it out and have your critique of their work at the meeting.

          Your manuscript must be formatted using: Times Roman, Courier, Tahoma, or Verdana font at 12 points.  Margins should be to one inch.  Double space.

Be sure to number your pages (Insert / Page Number).  Also, it makes critiquing easier if you insert line numbers (Open the Page Layout ribbon / Click Line Numbers in the Page Setup section / Select your options from the pop-up menu.)

Save your document in: .doc, .docx, or .rtf formant.  (All major word processing programs have this capability.)  All manuscripts will be converted to .pdf by the facilitator, with line numbers inserted if you have not already done so.

          Please limit your submission to about 2500 words.  (You may send as many words as you like.  The person critiquing may stop at any time after 2500 words.)

          Starting time is 9:00 AM Saturday, July 22th. Please be ready to start then.

          1605 Buffalo Rd, Rochester, NY 14624 Enter via the Police Annex.  We are the first room on the left.  Parking is in the rear.

          Please do not submit first drafts.  Spend some time editing before you send it out.  Also, it is requested you don’t send a modified copy of your manuscript after the original has been dispersed. (When I receive a manuscript, I will send it out to those who have already submitted. I will send all the manuscripts at the deadline.

          Everyone who submits a manuscript will be expected to critique all other entries and ensure they receive a copy of your comments.  (You are not required to send your critique to the recipient before the critique, but it is useful.)  In addition, we always have people who wish to share their knowledge of writing, yet not submit.  Those wishing to only critique are always welcome.

          NEW: It was decided at the last critique that, no matter how many entries and volunteers we have, we will all be at one table. That may force us to extremely limit your time to present your critique. Therefore, you must be sure to have everything you wish to say on the paper copy to return to the author.

 

The following information should be on the first page, before your story begins. (You may wish to copy/past this to your manuscript and answer them.)

·       Please include your email address at the top of the page.

·       Genre: (Fantasy, Romance, etc.)

·       Demographic (target audience):

·       How long is the final piece (short story, novel):

·       Is there back story we need to know to understand what is going on:

·       Where does this fit in your manuscript (i.e.: two-thirds of the way through):

·       What questions do you want answered:

          When critiquing, consider:

·       Are the characters developed.  (You may not get to this in a limited piece)

·       Is there a strong sense of the setting/time.

·       Is it original (Not a requirement.  Some of the best stories are a retelling.)
lcrwpres Presentation described

FINDING YOUR AUDIENCE

Our next presentation will be on June 24. We will have a panel of three authors who write in different genres, sharing their process of finding their specific target audience.

John Caligiurii will go through a simple 6-step marketing/publishing process and then review a generic marketing plan he uses with a few antidotes “for flavoring.”

Kathryn Shay will present 10 ways to find your audience and give an example of what she uses. 

Rick Iekel will demonstrate how a properly arranged marketing plan is a tool that continues to be of value for the entire time a book is being marketed.