Your Writing Does Not Suck

Planning a series can be daunting. Realizing that you’re writing a series *after* you’ve already written the first book can be an even bigger Oh, Boy. Today the group chats about tips and tricks to organize your game plan so you can give the readers what they want from your future genius works.

Tracey talks about leaving loose threads, Anne discusses theme confusion, and Jessica reveals her unabashed dislike for duologies.

QUOTE: “When you arise in the morning, think what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

LINKS:

Robin Hobb - Realm of the Elderlings

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recording by the individual participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The ladies finish off the list of what NOT to include in your query and then dive into a fake query that Anne made up. Included are some obvious and not-so-obvious mistakes to consider.

___________

TERRIBLE FAKE QUERY 

To Whom It May Concern:

I have been told I write like Stephen King. My 20,000-word romance novel takes place where everything is not what it seems.

For instance, old Mrs. Spencer is a former Nazi sympathizer who washes dishes at the local café. The friendly hairdresser, Milo Meester, is a former enforcer for the mob boss Vinny Vito. And polite, sweet librarian Agnes Boyd is really in hiding from her abusive ex-boyfriend.

Agnes’s already complicated life get worse when she stumbles across a murder scene. Afraid of how this murder connects to her ex-boyfriend, Agnes turns to Chase McChase, the mysterious new detective in town. But Chase is hiding secrets of his own.

Will they solve the murder before everything in town gets turned upside down?

This is my first attempt at writing a novel and I have been told I have a knack for it. This story was a finalist in the Obscuro County Book Contest in 2007.

I have included the full manuscript for your consideration.

Thank you,

   Writer McWriter

________

QUOTE: “Forget all the reasons why it won’t work and believe the one reason why it will.” – currently Anonymous

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The gang tackles another large topic with query letters and has to break it into two chunks. In this episode they cover what to include and a taste of what not to include. They home in on the business aspect and the need to show that you’re serious about your craft. They also discuss the “why-what-who” of a query and talk comps.

QUOTE: “Don’t downgrade your dream just to fit your reality. Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny.” – Stuart Scott

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded separately by its participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Part 2 of Lazy Words continues to dissect the smaller moments in our writing that can lead up to big issues.

This time the ladies explore harmless little words like “of” and “that.” Then Jessica chips away at the word “said,” Tracey clarifies the different ways that adjectives can bog down your work, and Anne has another game for them that incorporates information from both Parts 1 and 2 of this conversation.

QUOTE: If you want to fly, give up everything that holds you down.” – Buddha

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recording separately by each participant and edited by Anne M. Belen.

This episode focuses on words and phrases that indicate a potential problem with your prose. The group stresses that this is a late-in-the-game editing concern, but it is helpful to practice recognizing these as you go along.

Tracey and Jess compete to explain their ‘as’ problem, and Anne brings the word "when" onto the chopping block. The group also discusses the problems with "started to" and "decided to," and plays a game of Shrink That Tautology.

QUOTE: “Life is ten percent what happens to you, and ninety percent how you react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded individually by the separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The gang gathers around the cyber fireplace and trade opinions, tips, and considerations about crafting a mystery.

Anne talks about Lurkers, twists, and red herrings, Tracey talks mystery subplot and mixing up your professional and amateur sleuths, and Jessica breaks down what makes a mystery versus a thriller or suspense.

QUOTE: “You can get bitter, or you can get better.” – Josh Shipp

LINKS:

- One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recording by its separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Since the beginning they’ve said, “Your writing does not suck. You’re just not done yet.”

So, when is it done?

Today the group discusses the importance of getting down the core of your story, the dangers of never-ending edits, the pressure to create the never-before-seen premise, and making sure your pivotal moments get the bulk of your critical eye. They also quiz Jess on what sort of fact-checking, if any, an editor will do.

QUOTE: “Two things you are in control of in your life are your attitude and your effort.” – Billy Cox

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M Belen.

We’re heading into the holiday season and talking a bit more about character backstory!

Tracey debates developing backstory before writing -- as opposed to during, Jess talks about creating and holding on to character secrets, and Anne makes the group do a real-time backstory exercise.

QUOTE: “Ten years from now, make sure that you can say you chose your life, you didn’t settle for it.” – Mandy Hale

LINKS:

Anatomy of Story by John Truby

The Plot Whisperer

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M Belen.

In a shorter episode, Anne and Tracey chat about character names, inspirations, and whoopsies. They discuss considerations for fantasy names, names drawn from different cultures, and the universally-accepted truth that Google is a writer’s best friend.

QUOTE: “No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.” – P.T. Barnum

LINK: “Little circle people” books. To prove Anne is not just making stuff up.

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M Belen.

The group discusses the scary idea of reading your work out loud to other humans. Focusing on both raw work and formal presentation, they discuss tips, tricks, and handy reminders to get through the various types of readings you may find yourself in.

Anne confesses to a childhood aversion to speaking at all, Tracey reveals her lifelong love of oral storytelling, and Jess notes that even a background in theater does not always save her from succumbing to the nerves.

QUOTE: “Focus on the step in front of you, and not the whole staircase.” – Currently Anonymous

CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M Belen.