So, I’ve been called out of my hiding (hello, Christine! LOL). I’ve taken a hiatus from blogging, to my family’s general benefit. We now live in a cleaner and more organized home, I think. Well, it hasn’t been all cleaning and cooking and laundry that have taken up my time.

I’ve been neck-deep in revisions. See, I finished my first novel back in January. Now I’m revising heavily. I’ve rewritten whole chunks and chapters of it. I now realize how true it is that first drafts are always sucky. Here’s an example of something in my first draft, that happily has now been hacked out of my manuscript:

She crouched down and, with her hands, felt the object she had stumbled into.

“With her hands”!?!?! Oh, because she’s also been known to use her nose and her big toe to feel things. NOT!

And also, “her eyes followed…” LOL. So now I have an image of a pair of eyeballs rolling and jumping after somebody. Permission to chop away, granted.

Yeah, my first draft was bad that way.

And that is why I need to do revisions and blogging had to take a back seat. Don’t worry, I’m still around.

Last October, I took an online class on Point of View, offered by the RWA Online Chapter. I’m not a member of RWA, and don’t even write romance. But their classes are open to non-members for a small fee, and the topic was timely for me, so I signed up. The workshop consisted of written lectures, short assignments, a main homework and interaction with the lecturers, Jess Granger and Angie Fox.

The workshop was worth every penny I paid. It was a good overview of POV, plus the exercises and critiques were very helpful. The excerpt below is my final homework, a result of the writing prompts and comments from both lecturers and fellow students. It’s not a part of any work in progress of mine, but the premise is an idea I had for a story a while back. I hope you like it!

The Rehearsal

Elizabeth looked up at the yellow streamers hanging from the rafters of the auditorium. Their long tails twirled gently down to bob in delicate loops above the baby grand piano. The hum of the air conditioner mixed with the restrained hubbub around her.

The raised platform where the performers would be standing on was decorated with multi-colored paper flowers to match the fiesta theme. Elizabeth knew exactly where on that platform she would be tomorrow. She clasped her hands together and was surprised at how steady they were.

Elizabeth met Philip’s gaze across the semi-darkness of the theater. She smiled at him, trying to ignore the crowd of their classmates that always seemed to gather around him.

"He’s so sweet, isn’t he?" Jenni appeared beside her, her long gown swishing on the wood floor as she moved.

"Huh?" Elizabeth glanced at her best friend and handed her one of the flowered bonnets from the bench by the stage door.

"Philip. He’s very sweet. He’s the most adorable gentlemanly guy ever. Well, of course, you already know that," said Jenni, who had plopped the bonnet on her head. "I thought I saw him out there somewhere." She poked her head out of the door to look, the hat hanging on precariously.

"Yup, he’s over by the first row." Elizabeth waved her hand in Philip’s direction. Philip grinned and waved back, causing her heart to flutter. She ducked her head and picked up the sheet music she would use today, pretending to make sure the pages were in order.

"Did you know Philip carried Mrs. Dempsey’s books for her this morning? He actually made her smile! You are just sooo lucky, you know? John thinks that that opening-doors-for-ladies routine is so lame, but I think it’s adorable. Oooh, are you still doing Fidelio? I’ve never been able to mmmmphrzz ddnn." Jenni’s last sentence was lost when she stuck several hairpins between her lips, so she could fix the bonnet in her hair.

Elizabeth nodded. "I know Fidelio already, so I didn’t have to work on it much." She knew their music director Mr. Walden wouldn’t mind if she changed it at the last minute. It had been hard to find the time to practice without anyone knowing what she was doing. She just hoped she got the words right. It wouldn’t sound the same without the dulcimer, but maybe Philip would still recognize it. She hugged her secret to herself, conscious of her sudden grin and trying to hide it from the boy who was still gazing at her from across the room.

Elizabeth heard her name called out on stage. With a little shiver of excitement, she picked up her skirts and stepped out for her rehearsal.

****

Wow. I didn’t realize how long it’s been since I blogged here. It’s a bit embarrassing, considering I blog regularly elsewhere. Anyhow, what’s up with you? Not that many of you are reading this blog.

I have been busy with various projects. Since I last wrote here, I’ve been on two three out-of-state trips, completed a flooring project with the hubby (we replaced our carpet with hardwood), sent one kid off to kindergarten (boo hoo hoo), read quite a few books. On that last note, I think my book shelf is the only thing on this blog that I’ve kept pretty much updated.

The last two books I read were Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer and On Writing by Stephen King. Liked the first one, loved the second (and will be re-reading it).

I also borrowed Write Great Fiction: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. There’s so much information in that book that I couldn’t just read it in one go. Unfortunately, it was put on hold by someone else (a fellow writer, I presume) so I had to return it. I think I’ll just buy it from Amazon to really get a chance to delve into it.

So, what else?

About writing. I have re-focused my goals. I continue to maintain 2 pro-blogs, and handed off a personal project to someone else. Meanwhile, I’m using what extra time I have to hone my fiction writing. I have a story I’ve been working on for some time now. I am reluctant to call it a book because it’s not that yet. Nor is it a manuscript. As I’ve read about the writing of fiction, I’ve realized just how much I have to learn. My first draft is not even that at this point, it’s so bad. It’s probably better to call it the pre-write edition.

I know I can get a little impatient, but I really need to learn. I love the story I’m writing, and believe that, with the right tools and hard work, it has potential. Whether I can get it there remains to be seen. That’s one of my goals for finishing this work, to see whether I have what it takes to write fiction. Even if it takes me several re-writes to do it.

I admit that I have not been able to do much while following #Queryday on Twitter this morning. But it’s time well spent. There is so much information there, thanks to the generous agents and editors who are participating today. Here’s a summary of the precious nuggets I’ve gleaned so far:

• Do your research before querying. Make sure you have the agent’s name (spelled correctly!).
• Read and follow submission guidelines.
• The best source of information for submission guidelines is the agent’s website.
• Platform is important, particularly for non-fiction. Examples of a good platform include a blog, articles, and speaking engagements.
• Treat the agent with respect.
• Young adult or middle grade books should be written from the protagonist’s point of view.
• Vampires are getting old.
• Writing a good query should be secondary to writing a great book (ie., good writing, good plot, good voice). Develop your craft.
• Finding an agent is like finding a job. Be professional.
• It’s ok to query several agents at a time, and you don’t have to tell them. But tailor the query to each agent.
• Accept rejections gracefully. It will keep the door open for you.
• Don’t bug editors and agents.
• Polish your work before querying.
• Read examples of good synopses and queries.
• Continue to write while waiting for responses. Start a new project.
• Don’t resubmit material that’s already been rejected by the same agent.
• Don’t chase trends. In other words, don’t write about topics that are hot right now.

In your query:

• Use proper titles and formal address. Best practice: Mr. or Ms. Lastname.
• Don’t say that you “just completed” your manuscript. It might give the impression that you didn’t spend time editing and re-writing.
• Don’t mention that you’ve edited your work, or that you have a writer’s group. It’s assumed.
• Don’t mention that you’ve written a series.
• Get straight to the point. Get rid of fluff.
• Don’t say that there has never been any book like yours before. Because there has!
• Don’t say that your book is the next Harry Potter or Twilight. It’s not.
• Do mention the target audience. If it’s the Harry Potter set, it’s OK to say so (just read the previous point again).
• Ditch the “this meets that” comparison.
• A lightly humorous query is fine. You might get the agent’s attention with a good laugh.
• Don’t say that “the book gets exciting in chapter X”. Hook the reader from the first page.
• Know your genre.
• Present a brief overview of the plot.
• In the synopsis, include only 3-4 characters at most.
• Don’t include irrelevant info, like hobbies, and the phrase “life-long dream”.
• Include word count, even if it’s approximate. Page counts are useless.
• Proofread. And proofread again.

Manuscripts:

• Use dialogue.
• Pacing is more important than chapter length.
• Even when writing with a series in mind, the first book should be able to stand alone.
• If submitting manuscripts simultaneously, let the agents know.
• Keep within the suggested word counts for your genre and the submission guidelines.
• Don’t send cover art with your manuscript.

I will update this list as #QueryDay progresses.  That’s it for this edition of #Queryday for me. You can read more here. And feel free to add your own list (or a link to it) in the comments.

After weeks of waiting for a spot on the local library’s hold list, I was finally able to get my hands on a copy of Stephenie Meyer’s ‘Twilight’ a couple of days ago. This first book in the ‘The Twilight Saga’, and its author, seemed to have come from nowhere yet has spread like wildfire from the young adult market to fans of all ages.

When I started reading the book, I didn’t expect to be bowled over in any big way. Yet I wasn’t able to put it down till 3 (or was it 4?) a.m.

So what was it about ‘Twilight’ that has gained it immense popularity (and its author a multi-million dollar brand)?

Here are the lessons I gleaned from Ms. Meyer on how to write a best-selling romance novel:

1. Start with a tried and tested theme. There are only a few general themes that can be worked with in fiction writing, some of which have been beaten to a pulp in every other romance novel on the bookshelves. A few examples are:

• The triumph of good over evil
• Plain Jane moves to a new place and becomes highly popular
• Hero saves damsel in distress
• Hate first, love second
• Hero/heroine has everything, his/her counterpart has nothing

If you’ve read the book, you know that ‘Twilight’ uses all of these themes. Bella, ho-hum in her previous school, is the belle of the ball in Forks High School. Every guy wants to date her. And how many times did Edward save her from sure harm? He hated her upon first sight, yet loved her with an obsessive consuming love. He has perfect looks, wealth, superhuman abilities, immortality. Her? A beat-up truck, savings that can fit inside a sock, an ordinary life.

2. Add the marks of good fiction. Every good story has well-developed characters, a tight plot, believable language, conflict between main characters, a villain, and a satisfying conclusion. ‘Twilight’ has all these and more. For example, the setting is well-described, leaving no doubt about the climate and surroundings of the town of Forks. 

3. Insert a unique, never-been-done-before twist. This is where Ms. Meyers makes her mark, introducing concepts that are entirely new. We’ve had vampire stories, and vampire romances. But a vegetarian vampire that sparkles in the sunlight? A man whose love is absolutely sheltering, yet whose very nature urges him to kill the woman he loves? These are what make ‘Twilight’ stand out from the crowd.

4. Draw the reader into the story. The best romance novels make the reader cry, laugh, and wish that he/she were the hero/heroine. In scene after scene in ‘Twilight’, the emotions of the characters are so well characterized that the reader feels them, instead of just reads about them. Edward’s desire and thirst, his anguish and struggle for control. Bella being drawn inexorably to him, despite the danger. The reader experiences these emotions as they unfold, letting him share in the story in a way that compels him to seek its ultimate satisfying conclusion.

‘Twilight’ is the story of an ordinary girl finding extraordinary love in a gorgeous and perfect man with a terrifying hidden secret. Readers are riveted by the constant conflict in their relationship. The tension is not just because of what they do, but what they are. How will it end, how can the hero’s nature be overcome? This underlying current is what makes the reader turn the page to find out what comes next.

***

While not every good fiction is best-seller material, the chances of publication and success are greater if these lessons are put to good use: Start with good bones; flesh it out using setting, mood, and characters; add a unique twist; make it seem real. I will certainly be keeping them in mind in my own writing.