Were you always gifted with writing? Did your teachers often give you A's for your papers, even when the grammar was terrible, simply because they were so well written? Did you unwilling skip every basic grammar and level one English class in your school career?
If so, or even if you just need a refresher on grammar, check out Purdue OWL. (It stands for Online Writing Lab.)
This is the place I go for answers when I'm questioning the use of a comma or the placement of a hyphen. Here, you can brush up on what's right and wrong and then become your own copy editor before submitting to agents or magazines.
Because even though grammar is one of the easiest things for a publisher to fix, don't you think they'd rather not fix anything at all?
Right. So the next time you question yourself, check out Purdue OWL and submit with confidence. I just used its large knowledge base to quickly proof my short story before I even considered sending it out.
Now, fingers crossed that the grammar and writing are so spectacular, it's only a matter of time to publication.
:)
(By the way, here's the link to Purdue OWL so you can check it out!)
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Short Stories, Novellas, Novels, Oh My!
Sometimes it's difficult to know into which category your writing will fall. If you're like me, you allow your first draft to unfold organically or with an outline, paying little attention to the word count at the bottom of the screen. So, you don't stop at 3,000 or 5,000 or 30,000 words just because you've hit the word count stop point. You let the story happen as it needs to, with as many or few words as it needs to be.
That's the easy part, right? Then you revise, edit, and revise again. You read it out loud, give it to critique partners and file it into a drawer for three weeks so you forget about it.
After all this - when the work is done - how do you know what to call it?
I'm not talking title, I mean when someone asks you what you wrote, do you say it's a novel, novella, or short story? What makes each of these categories?
Well, traditionally, a short story is a piece under 12,000 words.
A novella is a piece from 17,000 to 50,000 words.
And a novel is a piece from 65,000 to 120,000 words.
But traditional guidelines are not always the norm. I've found that many lit mags won't take short stories over 5,000 words. There are a few that accept up to 7,000 words, a slimmer section that take up to 9,000 and only a handful who want stories under 12,000.
Similarly, agents and publishers like to see (in adult works) novels from 70,000 words to 90,000 words. Any less and you don't have enough plot or conflict or characterization. Any more and you can't edit yourself. (One exception, of course, is fantasy or Sci-Fi, when the novel can be up to or over 100,000 words.)
And novellas? Well, where can you send those other than to contests with steep entry fees or to a self-publishing company?
When your work falls outside the norm, what do you do?
1) Revise and edit. Get your short story down under 7,000 words or bump that novella up to novel status.
2) Hope. Send your work off to agents or lit mags and pray that they love the story enough to look past your word count. Of course, this method only works if you've gone through your manuscript with a fine toothed comb and can justify every sentence, every word and its existence.
3) Try untraditional. Is your story too good to not share, but not the norm for publishers? Think about posting it online or in a blog in increments. You probably won't make money or have any pub credits, but you may get a lot of hits on your story. And one of those could be an agent who is now watching your incline as a writer.
Those are the facts of piece lengths and realistic expectations in this industry. But if you're doing something new and interesting that needs to be seen, don't be discouraged if it isn't the norm. Power on until the story you need to tell is out there.
That's the easy part, right? Then you revise, edit, and revise again. You read it out loud, give it to critique partners and file it into a drawer for three weeks so you forget about it.
After all this - when the work is done - how do you know what to call it?
I'm not talking title, I mean when someone asks you what you wrote, do you say it's a novel, novella, or short story? What makes each of these categories?
Well, traditionally, a short story is a piece under 12,000 words.
A novella is a piece from 17,000 to 50,000 words.
And a novel is a piece from 65,000 to 120,000 words.
But traditional guidelines are not always the norm. I've found that many lit mags won't take short stories over 5,000 words. There are a few that accept up to 7,000 words, a slimmer section that take up to 9,000 and only a handful who want stories under 12,000.
Similarly, agents and publishers like to see (in adult works) novels from 70,000 words to 90,000 words. Any less and you don't have enough plot or conflict or characterization. Any more and you can't edit yourself. (One exception, of course, is fantasy or Sci-Fi, when the novel can be up to or over 100,000 words.)
And novellas? Well, where can you send those other than to contests with steep entry fees or to a self-publishing company?
When your work falls outside the norm, what do you do?
1) Revise and edit. Get your short story down under 7,000 words or bump that novella up to novel status.
2) Hope. Send your work off to agents or lit mags and pray that they love the story enough to look past your word count. Of course, this method only works if you've gone through your manuscript with a fine toothed comb and can justify every sentence, every word and its existence.
3) Try untraditional. Is your story too good to not share, but not the norm for publishers? Think about posting it online or in a blog in increments. You probably won't make money or have any pub credits, but you may get a lot of hits on your story. And one of those could be an agent who is now watching your incline as a writer.
Those are the facts of piece lengths and realistic expectations in this industry. But if you're doing something new and interesting that needs to be seen, don't be discouraged if it isn't the norm. Power on until the story you need to tell is out there.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Should You NaNoWriMo?
It's Wednesday, isn't it? It's totally Wednesday.
Well, looks like another late post tally. I'm on a roll this October!
Today, even though it's a day late, I want to discuss NaNoWriMo.
Do you have no idea what I'm talking about? NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month - which takes place November 1 through November 30. Basically, the goal is to write a 50,000 word draft of a novel in just 30 days.
Over 310,000 people around the world participated in last year's NaNoWriMo. With these kinds of numbers, is it time to join the bandwagon? Let's explore the Pros and Cons.
Pros:
Do you procrastinate? "I'll write after I make dinner. I'll write after I do the dishes. I'll write after the kids are asleep? I'll write after my homework's done. I'll write tomorrow because it's too late and I'm tired?" Then NaNoWriMo may be the right format for you. Not only do you create a profile by pledging to participate, you also get your own word count widget to see how many words you wrote today, along with a support system of hundreds of thousands of writers to keep you honest and to give encouragement. In short, if you're not writing EVERY DAY like I so advocate on this blog, NaNoWriMo could help.
Are you your own worst critic? Do your typos drive you mad? Do you waste hours in the quest for perfect sentence structure? If you're a perfectionist when it comes to the craft, NaNoWriMo can help. With the lofty goal of 50,000 words in one month, there is no time for editing. If you decide to NaNoWriMo, ignore the misspellings and the bad grammar, and instead write with a new, freeing mindset. It'll do wonders for your first drafts. Promise.
Networking. Many NaNoWriMo participants find great writing friends and literary advisers through their participation.
Also, there's NaNoWriMo for kids! (With a much lower word count.) So if you want to get your kids or students interested in creating, or just want to spend more time with them, here's your chance.
Cons:
NaNoWriMo falls in a very busy month for most of us. Football. Thanksgiving. Christmas Shopping. Family get-togethers. School breaks. On and On. If you're going to commit to writing a novel in a month, 1) should it be during such a busy time of year, and 2) why not choose a month with 31 days and give yourself an extra 24 hours to reach your goal?
Unless you're writing middle grade, 50,000 words does not equal a first draft of any novel. For that reason, be prepared to keep writing after November leaves, even if you reach your goal. Writing a novel is a massive commitment not to be taken up lightly on October 31.
Are you sure you're not a procrastinator? If you're sitting at your desk counting down the days to November 1 so you can start writing every day and complete draft one of your novel, why haven't you started yet? There's no law (in America, at least) that says novel writing can only happen during NaNoWriMo. If you're so excited and committed to writing, you can write every day. So do it! You don't need a widget and a world map to track your progress against everyone else. Write because you need to.
Whether or not you decide to NaNoWriMo, there's one goal here for all of us. To Write. So get those laptops and Carpal Tunnel braces ready. The novels are coming.
Well, looks like another late post tally. I'm on a roll this October!
Today, even though it's a day late, I want to discuss NaNoWriMo.
Do you have no idea what I'm talking about? NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month - which takes place November 1 through November 30. Basically, the goal is to write a 50,000 word draft of a novel in just 30 days.
Over 310,000 people around the world participated in last year's NaNoWriMo. With these kinds of numbers, is it time to join the bandwagon? Let's explore the Pros and Cons.
Pros:
Do you procrastinate? "I'll write after I make dinner. I'll write after I do the dishes. I'll write after the kids are asleep? I'll write after my homework's done. I'll write tomorrow because it's too late and I'm tired?" Then NaNoWriMo may be the right format for you. Not only do you create a profile by pledging to participate, you also get your own word count widget to see how many words you wrote today, along with a support system of hundreds of thousands of writers to keep you honest and to give encouragement. In short, if you're not writing EVERY DAY like I so advocate on this blog, NaNoWriMo could help.
Are you your own worst critic? Do your typos drive you mad? Do you waste hours in the quest for perfect sentence structure? If you're a perfectionist when it comes to the craft, NaNoWriMo can help. With the lofty goal of 50,000 words in one month, there is no time for editing. If you decide to NaNoWriMo, ignore the misspellings and the bad grammar, and instead write with a new, freeing mindset. It'll do wonders for your first drafts. Promise.
Networking. Many NaNoWriMo participants find great writing friends and literary advisers through their participation.
Also, there's NaNoWriMo for kids! (With a much lower word count.) So if you want to get your kids or students interested in creating, or just want to spend more time with them, here's your chance.
Cons:
NaNoWriMo falls in a very busy month for most of us. Football. Thanksgiving. Christmas Shopping. Family get-togethers. School breaks. On and On. If you're going to commit to writing a novel in a month, 1) should it be during such a busy time of year, and 2) why not choose a month with 31 days and give yourself an extra 24 hours to reach your goal?
Unless you're writing middle grade, 50,000 words does not equal a first draft of any novel. For that reason, be prepared to keep writing after November leaves, even if you reach your goal. Writing a novel is a massive commitment not to be taken up lightly on October 31.
Are you sure you're not a procrastinator? If you're sitting at your desk counting down the days to November 1 so you can start writing every day and complete draft one of your novel, why haven't you started yet? There's no law (in America, at least) that says novel writing can only happen during NaNoWriMo. If you're so excited and committed to writing, you can write every day. So do it! You don't need a widget and a world map to track your progress against everyone else. Write because you need to.
Whether or not you decide to NaNoWriMo, there's one goal here for all of us. To Write. So get those laptops and Carpal Tunnel braces ready. The novels are coming.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Pondering Lit Mags and some Advice from Doug of Pixar's UP
You know when you go to a favorite literary magazine's submissions page and read their guidelines? About two paragraphs in there's a page-long rant about how you NEED, DEAR GOD, NEED to read their magazine at least for a good year so you understand what they like and accept. So you understand what kind of story they'll publish. Then you'll understand that if your story isn't a carbon copy of these previously published stories, you shouldn't waste their time and your own by submitting it to them.
I often find myself turned off by these rants. Even when it's a literary magazine I've subscribed to in the past or one I really look up to. It can sometimes feel that the literary community has turned against us as writers. If they want nothing new and inventive - if they want us to write only what's already been published - then why are we here? What are we striving toward?
This is something I've been grappling with for years. The American culture puts so little value into the arts. If you're a creator or an innovator, whatever you make had better generate its own cash-flow or you're worthless.
However, other cultures, like Japan, can see the value in the arts, and they respect things that are beautiful and innovative not solely from a basis of profit but from the aspect of a cultural advancement.
Because, really, what are we without art? Will we ever grow as a species if no one thinks outside the confines of what we already know and accept? Why do we put so little heft into the words or pictures brought forth by artists that wish to broaden our definition of humanity? Why do we ridicule the artist herself so?
These questions are the ones that boggle me. They are even more boggling when the community that is supposed to be supportive of the artist and his work turn against him.
Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for these questions, or a reason that America seems to dislike those who wish to allow us to grow and see things through new eyes. Perhaps it will not be within my lifetime that our thoughts switch and we value art.
Most humans, after all, dislike change.
But we keep doing it, why? Because we love it, and we can't stop. Even when no one else believes in us or shows us any support.
To keep you rolling with your writing, even when the haters get you down, here's a list of 22 tips on better storytelling from Pixar:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/191403052888669266/
I often find myself turned off by these rants. Even when it's a literary magazine I've subscribed to in the past or one I really look up to. It can sometimes feel that the literary community has turned against us as writers. If they want nothing new and inventive - if they want us to write only what's already been published - then why are we here? What are we striving toward?
This is something I've been grappling with for years. The American culture puts so little value into the arts. If you're a creator or an innovator, whatever you make had better generate its own cash-flow or you're worthless.
However, other cultures, like Japan, can see the value in the arts, and they respect things that are beautiful and innovative not solely from a basis of profit but from the aspect of a cultural advancement.
Because, really, what are we without art? Will we ever grow as a species if no one thinks outside the confines of what we already know and accept? Why do we put so little heft into the words or pictures brought forth by artists that wish to broaden our definition of humanity? Why do we ridicule the artist herself so?
These questions are the ones that boggle me. They are even more boggling when the community that is supposed to be supportive of the artist and his work turn against him.
Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for these questions, or a reason that America seems to dislike those who wish to allow us to grow and see things through new eyes. Perhaps it will not be within my lifetime that our thoughts switch and we value art.
Most humans, after all, dislike change.
But we keep doing it, why? Because we love it, and we can't stop. Even when no one else believes in us or shows us any support.
To keep you rolling with your writing, even when the haters get you down, here's a list of 22 tips on better storytelling from Pixar:
Monday, October 6, 2014
Bonus Post! (Active Voice vs. Passive Voice)
I'm sorry I didn't post last week at all. My entire attention and time was devoted to my health.
However, as a thank you gift for being so patient with me, here's a Bonus Post for this week!
I'd like to talk about Passive Voice vs. Active Voice. This is such a subtle topic that it's rarely taught in writing classes and even in college. Yet, it is the unconscious abuse of passive voice that holds many talented writers back from publication.
First, let's describe Passive Voice and Active Voice. Now, these terms have nothing to do with perspective. You could be writing in first person, third, or even second and still be vulnerable.
Passive Voice is when the noun or phrase that should be the object of the sentence, appears as the subject. For example, The map was found by Joseph.
Whereas Active Voice allows the object of the sentence to be just that - the object. Example, Joseph found the map.
Need more?
Passive: Amy was sitting in the corner, next to the washing machine.
Active: Amy sat in the corner, next to the washing machine.
Passive: The sword was wielded by Kash.
Active: Kash wielded the sword.
Passive: Leonard was holding the labels I needed.
Active: Leonard held the labels I needed.
Do you see the difference? Passive Voice does nothing but add extra versions of the verbs "be" or "get". The meaning of the sentence stays exactly the same.
Why, then, are we all so prone to using Passive Voice? Because, we speak most often using Passive Voice. Call it politically correct. Passive Voice softens the statement, whereas Active Voice delivers the message clearly and succinctly. As humans, when we need to communicate a message, we most often do so in Passive Voice to soften the blow of our words on the listener. But the last thing you want to do in writing is soften any blows. What do we want? Tension! When do we want it? Always!
So, even though they never taught it to you in school, do your best to delete as much Passive Voice as possible. Not only will it aid in the tension of your writing, but it will also severely decrease your word count to a passable amount.
Extra Bonus Bonus Post:
Do you understand the difference between Passive Voice and Active Voice, but once you go to your novel, you can't seem to find the Passive Voice you know is there? Here's a way to weed it out. Do a Find or Search for the word "was". Normally, this is the word with the most Passive Voice offenses. (If you're writing in present tense, search for "is".)
It might take you a while before you start noticing all the Passive Voice in your writing because it's so commonly the way we talk. It blends. But once you spot it and really get it, you will never be able to ignore it again. And I promise you, agents and publishers know it.
However, as a thank you gift for being so patient with me, here's a Bonus Post for this week!
I'd like to talk about Passive Voice vs. Active Voice. This is such a subtle topic that it's rarely taught in writing classes and even in college. Yet, it is the unconscious abuse of passive voice that holds many talented writers back from publication.
First, let's describe Passive Voice and Active Voice. Now, these terms have nothing to do with perspective. You could be writing in first person, third, or even second and still be vulnerable.
Passive Voice is when the noun or phrase that should be the object of the sentence, appears as the subject. For example, The map was found by Joseph.
Whereas Active Voice allows the object of the sentence to be just that - the object. Example, Joseph found the map.
Need more?
Passive: Amy was sitting in the corner, next to the washing machine.
Active: Amy sat in the corner, next to the washing machine.
Passive: The sword was wielded by Kash.
Active: Kash wielded the sword.
Passive: Leonard was holding the labels I needed.
Active: Leonard held the labels I needed.
Do you see the difference? Passive Voice does nothing but add extra versions of the verbs "be" or "get". The meaning of the sentence stays exactly the same.
Why, then, are we all so prone to using Passive Voice? Because, we speak most often using Passive Voice. Call it politically correct. Passive Voice softens the statement, whereas Active Voice delivers the message clearly and succinctly. As humans, when we need to communicate a message, we most often do so in Passive Voice to soften the blow of our words on the listener. But the last thing you want to do in writing is soften any blows. What do we want? Tension! When do we want it? Always!
So, even though they never taught it to you in school, do your best to delete as much Passive Voice as possible. Not only will it aid in the tension of your writing, but it will also severely decrease your word count to a passable amount.
Extra Bonus Bonus Post:
Do you understand the difference between Passive Voice and Active Voice, but once you go to your novel, you can't seem to find the Passive Voice you know is there? Here's a way to weed it out. Do a Find or Search for the word "was". Normally, this is the word with the most Passive Voice offenses. (If you're writing in present tense, search for "is".)
It might take you a while before you start noticing all the Passive Voice in your writing because it's so commonly the way we talk. It blends. But once you spot it and really get it, you will never be able to ignore it again. And I promise you, agents and publishers know it.
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