Following Up After a Conference

Well hey! You made it to part three! O thou hast come far…
seriously the fact that you’ve made it through an entire conference is awesome.

But, because of reasons, you still have a little work to do…but if you like people, social media, and of coarse your stories, then this should be a piece of cake.

Friend on social media:

Everybody sigh, because we have to trudge our butts on over to the computer. Not to watch a cute cat on YouTube—Nay! We have to go to the webpages dedicated to you. The walls that you’ve thrust your life upon. “Social media” Assuming you met a person that you hit it off with. Find that person on social media and friend them. Simple right.

Here’s the only rule, don’t pester them on social media. Think of your relationship to this person on the internet as someone who’s eating. Boom, that basically sets all the parameters you should need.

Sending requested manuscripts:

Sometimes your connection is an editor, publisher, or an agent, and they think your pitch is great, and so they ask you to send them a manuscript. If they give instructions or limitations, such as they only want the first three chapters, please follow those to the letter.

For the most part this is a really simple task…Send them the manuscript. However, unless they’re an editor looking forward to doing a macro edit for you, don’t send them your first draft. Just make sure you’ve cleaned it up best you can before you’ve sent it, and then let it go. If you can’t do this quickly, just let them know. I have failed this area personally, so don’t feel bad if you’re bad at this your first time.

[bctt tweet=”Go with your gut. If YOU think your manuscript stinks, then there may be some editing that needs to happen.” via=”no”]

Thank you notes, and maintenance:

Now, even though we live in an advanced age, with technology and social media, sometimes an old fashioned thank you card, or email, is needed. If someone took time to talk with you and really helped you, a thank you note is an excellent gesture.

As far as relationships that you made over a conference go, it’s important to maintain them. Talk every once in a while. Check in. Comment on their posts and other such things.

      A lot of these things I still have yet to master…But it’s coming together, and I hope this helps you in some way.

But this is only my perspective on the matter, tell me yours, and whether you think I missed something in the comments below.

Thanks to: Donald Tong for the edited picture of super swank glasses, and thanks to, ClkerFreeVectorImages, andrewlloydgordon, & Wikipedia, for the unedited images.

Preparing for a Conference

So you have respectable goals, and you’ve paid for the conference. Now it’s time you thought about what needs to be done before you get there. Because this is part two of my conference series, and that’s what you’re reading about…but, I guess if you have already prepared for it, then you don’t need this…Wait! you can use this as a check list.

Whew, glad you decided to stay. Since you’re still reading, you get reader status, and life points. You can’t really do anything with them, but hey! Here’s some advice on conferences, from a conference goer.

What to have done:

      If you’re only purpose is to go to the conference and learn how to write, and you don’t want to do anything else, then come as you are. As you were. As I want you—E,hem.

Otherwise it’s crucial to have your “Elevator Pitch” leveled out. Most new writers don’t even know about an elevator pitch. It was news to me. If you’re writing a story, or you have an idea for a story, your elevator pitch is a short summary of it. The way it was explained to me was, “Imagine you’re in an elevator, alone with an agent that you want to work with. You have until that elevator reaches their floor to tell them what your book is about.” That’s seriously not a lot of time.

Generally it’s three or four complete sentences that sum up the main plot. This and a few other things are super important to have done, before anything else. To save time here’s a short list. (heh, see what I did there…I know you did, but I’m just being annoying.)

• Finish your elevator pitch
• Have an edited first chapter on your person (if possible)
• Look over the staff of the conference
• Do your research on the agents and publishers there

What to pack:

Packing is not a science, however there are somethings that you will always take with you. Like shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, and of coarse a brush/comb. But depending on the conference and what you plan on doing there, you’ll have to pack differently than you would for other trips.

Something I think is important to take is you’re computer, or some sort of device. It helps with networking, as well as filling in the gaps where you have break but no-one to share it with…You should also bring a nerf gun, because…reasons. (but seriously if you go to Realm Makers, bring a nerf gun and I’ll meet you in battle.)
Finally, clothing is important to think about. The conference you’re going to determines what kind of attire you pack.

[bctt tweet=”Any suggestions on what to pack for a convention, or writers conference?”]

• Expensive, and fancy conferences, almost dictate that you wear your best. Business formal as it were. If you’re young like me, these aren’t the kinds of conferences where you’re gonna have a blast.
• If it’s something like Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, usually a dressy top, and casual bottom, with shnazzy shoes—business casual.
• But if it’s something like Realm Makers, wear something comfortable, and geeky. Then throw a vest on, or a sweater. High heels? Rarely used. But combat boots with a grey dress, and a red shirt. H’yeah!

What not to pack:

Of coarse there are the things that you shouldn’t bring with you…such as real weapons…I mean you could, but why?

More importantly, you shouldn’t bring work with you. If that’s even possible. The only work that is expectable in my tiny little peabrain, is more writing…or if you have a platform where people follow you, document your experience. Otherwise, no work. (I know that’s not always possible so don’t stress about this particular point.)

Last but not least, leave your grumpy, negatively charged, turd, attitude at home. But make sure you pack plenty of reality…You need lots of that.
There you have it! You have successfully packed for a writers conference…or even a convention. Have an amazing trip and may all that you put your hand to succeed—or at least teach you something.

That’s how I see things through my lenses, comment below and tell me how you see things through yours.

Thanks to, Jurgen Appelo, Alan Cleaver, THOR, & Silverleaf For the unedited images.

Setting Goals for a Conference

Hello, my fantastic reader. It’s come to my attention that the season of writing conferences is coming. I can still remember my first conference…I mean I’ve only been to two. At least at the time I’m writing this. Regardless, I remember it, and it was a really great experience. I’m a really big perfectionist, and I think that if my goals hadn’t been realistic, I’d have had a terrible first conference. Heck, all I did was take classes and talk to a few people. So it’s important to have realistic goals.

That’s why I’m doing my very first blog series. Setting Goals for a Conference, Preparing for a Conference, and Following Up After a Conference.

Large Goals:
Every writer, has some sort of end game. What you want to accomplish in the long run is ultimately up to you. This is where you dream. Where you imagine looking back on everything you’ve done. No regrets.

This goal size is equivalent to going to a conference and getting an agent. You want to get published, and getting that process started falls under the category of large goal. And these goals only get bigger and better as you go.

I personally didn’t even have publication on my radar my first conference. I truly believe this was the reason that everything seemed so grand, and I came away hopeful rather than defeated.

Medium Goals:
The medium goal is more practical, it’s also intentional and more in your control. It’s the goal that if you work hard enough, you really could achieve it. It’s not impossible, but it’s not entirely in your control either.

Making connections, and friendships that last, fall into this category. People at conferences are friendly and are usually willing to talk with you. So if there’s someone you want to meet and talk with, then you should go for it. Make it your mission to get that chance. Whatever your reasons, you should try to make as many connections as possible, so that you can follow up on the ones that matter.

I actually have a really funny story about connections. Click through the link at the end of the article to see my episode about it on Clever Gents.

Kaz: My Conference Experience

Small Goals:
Finally the small goals. If I’m honest these are really the only goals I ever reach for. Sort of like baby steps then I’m pleasantly surprised if my medium goal ends up working out. I’m not saying that you should only shoot for the dirt. In fact, dream. There’s a quote that I’ve never even cared about that I heard somewhere about the moon and stars…You probably know it…And maybe it means something to you. For real though if you aim high and miss, you’ll still reach one of your lower goals. And that is something to be extremely proud of.

Examples of small goals would be, sitting at a new table every lunch, so that you can talk to someone new. Approach the unfamiliar. If there’s someone you want to talk to them, make eye contact with them and say hello.

It’s the simple things that lead to great achievements.

Things To Remember:
In closing, I think it’s important to say that none of this planning will become a reality if you’re not going to take a chance and work hard for it. Some things aren’t in your control, but we can’t sit back doing nothing and then expect our goals to be met.

That’s my perspective on things, comment below and tell me yours.

Thanks go to DariuszSankowski & Unsplash For the edited images, and Thank you GotCredit &  Rob and Stephanie Levy for the unedited images.

      3 Ways To Keep Writing

WARNING: This post is not meant to stress you, and if all goes according to plan it ought to help you. Please don’t be mad.

Hey guys! Life is one of the busiest things in existence. In fact I’d wager that most of you are experiencing the negative affects of it right now. Yes even now as you read this, the back of your mind is racing, organizing, and planning your busy busy day. With days like this, and many more on the horizon, who on God’s green earth has time to write! I submit to you that time can be found if you look in the write places. (See what I did there.) So I have 3 tips that can help anyone find time.

Looking in the Write Places. So many times we find ourselves on our phones in moments of peace and calm. Your phone is amazing! It comes with email, iMessage (or some form of text thing,) not to mention notes. If you find you have a minute, and you’re writing is clear in your mind, type out the next paragraph. If you just write it out, then you can later cut and paste it into your document. It’s as simple as that. If you’re super cool and carry around a journal with you, then write it by hand. If your pen’s out of ink, use your nail polish…or blood…You can clean it up if it’s needed and then you’re that much further along in your story.

I know you’re thinking this is chaotic, messy, and stupid, but it really works. If you keep chipping away at it in small bursts you’ll be done with your book before you even know it. I speak from experience. I’ve written an entire book over email. Crazy? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.

After advice like that I’ll bet you’re making a face like this. You may even be thinking:

“I’m Not ‘Different/Strange’ Like You.” Well, that’s fair. My methods are…out of the box. If your opposed to the suggestion above then here are more conventional ways of getting things done.

[bctt tweet=”Develop the write habits. 3 Ways to keep writing.”]

Develop the Write Habits. Much like your terrible unhealthy habits, writing can become a routine, or tradition. I know with school, work, life skills, and the mad world that’s out to bring you down, finding time seems impossible. However this is where the old schedule comes to your aid. You see, there are so many different holes in your life that can be claimed. If you’re an early bird, try getting up thirty minutes to an hour earlier than usual. Night Owl? Instead of watching Walking Dead tonight, put down that zombie scene you’ve been wanting your unicorn protagonist to fight her way through…(That’s just a suggestion…but you know you want to.)

Plan the Write Vacation. Sometimes opportunities present themselves. A day without obligations is a day with writing. (or…obligations if you promise your brother you’ll play video games with him, and help him beat a level that neither of you can beat, and so you spend all day playing the same stupid part of the game over, and over, and over, and over! but I digress.) I often try to keep a day once every blue moon free for writing. A retreat into your own little world, if you will.

But then again that’s just how this teen writer sees things through his spectacles. Comment below and tell me how you see things through yours?

Special thanks to: koka_sexton, jason rogers, Hey Paul Studios for the edited and normal images. 😀

Wielding Original Tweaks

     I try to come up with as many Characters as I can. This can sometimes be a little hard, because you don’t want to “cut and paste” one of your old characters, but you want someone that you like. I’ve found that sometimes taking a step back, thinking outside the box, and deviating from the conventional way of wielding original tweaks helps in the art of character building.

Taking a step back

     Music is my way of writing up a character without writing. I create playlists that represent my character’s emotional and physical journey. As I’ve said before in a previous post music is a big part of my writing style. Music can create that deep inflection that you want for your character, in a way it give your character his or her voice long before their words ever make it to the page in your manuscript.

[bctt tweet=”What’s one way you take a step back? #OriginalTweaks #AmWriting”]

     Want a challenge, or stuck and can’t make a good enough character? One thing that I do from time to time is pick twelve songs that I like to listen to, or identify with, and smush them all together. the challenge is to create a character based off of the playlist you just made. Some of my favorite characters started out as a playlist.

Thinking outside the box

     Sometimes interacting with your character for a day, can really help you develop them, and as weird as this sounds, thinking of your character in terms of smell can add an entirely new dimension. What does he smell like? What’s her favorite smell? What’s a smell that repulses them, and do they repulse you? Your world and the places your characters go will determine all of the scents. Their past can even influence the “scents” of your character.

[bctt tweet=”Do your Characters have scents? #OriginalTweaks #ThinkingOutsideTheBox”]

Deviating from the conventional.

     The best way to break free from the conventional way of discovering your character is to just have fun with it. Sure there are sciences to creating your character, but the more fun you have with it, the more that imaginary friend means to you. Figuring out what works for you is how you learn to use Original tweaks to the max.

   So these are a few of the ways I see original tweaks through my lenses, How do you see them through yours?

Special thanks to OpenClipartVectors,  SplitShire, Jakob Lawitzki, & Whizzer’s Place for the free stalk images.

Worlds of the Complex Nature

So we’ve got a great story idea, and we’ve got two great characters now we need a world…

Let’s begin with the basics

I’ve been told there are two ways to go about writing a story world.

• Outside In
• Inside Out

[bctt tweet=”Are you Inside Out or Outside In? #teenwriter #worldbuilding”]

    Both are correct, and it’s all preference. (I’d like to begin with point 2. ‘Cuz…why not?)

Inside Out

To put it simply it’s the exploration and discovery of your world in your writing. There’s no drawing board, no brain storm, no intense game plan needed for this style of world building. You start small and expand. Start with your character, and as she or he lives life, your world will begin to shape and take form. You’ll end up coming back and adding to it, but as you do it’ll get fuller and richer.

“The quintessence of life…So full and…rich?”
—the Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Outside In

With this approach you’ve really got to love planning. You create a world, and understand it, long before you ever place your precious character in it through writing. Nothing is a surprise to you. You start big and detailed then work your way in. I met a guy at the Realm Makers conference I went to this year, and he was really cool. He enjoyed creating and defining his worlds by drawing his own maps of them. I’m not much of a planner myself, but I think that knowing your world well enough to recognize it on a map is great for any style of world building. Eventually, I would even venture to say it’s essential.

Now there will be a quiz at the end, so I hope you’re all paying attention.

Basic Stuff

No matter which of these styles you prefer, there are some basics that are necessary for any universe. You should have a government and common religion. You have to ask yourself, Is you’re world a safe place and how many intelligent races (at present) are in it? Is there a world history or has it been lost to the ages and humanity’s fate is in the hands of your characters. These are important for you to know, because they’re your story, and they really define your world.

A few questions you can ask yourself to really kick your world into gear are:

• What do your government and religions look like?
• How does government affect it?
• How do the religious systems affect your land?
• What do people wear?
• What do people eat?
• How does your natural world (landscape and climate) affect your character’s culture?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then you weren’t paying attention.

        This is how worlds are birthed and nurtured.

[bctt tweet=”This is how worlds are birthed and nurtured. #fantasy #makeaworld “]

Quiz Time!

1 + 1= ?

Thanks for playing! Extra credit if you comment below, and share your thoughts, questions, or concerns.

Alser…I just wanna say if you need some incredible inspiration for a fantasy landscape, I highly suggest clicking through the link to google images.

So that’s how I see things through my lenses, how do you see things through yours?

Thanks to Adrian Scottow and Barabasi_Istvan for the unaltered images.

Worlds of the Complex Nature

    So we’ve got a great story idea, and we’ve got two great characters now we need a world…

    Let’s begin with the basics

    I’ve been told there are two ways to go about writing a story world.

• Outside In
• Inside Out

Both are correct, and it’s all preference. (I’d like to begin with point 2. ‘Cuz…why not?)

Inside Out

    To put it simply it’s the exploration and discovery of your world in your writing. There’s no drawing board, no brain storm, no intense game plan needed for this style of world building. You start small and expand. Start with your character, and as she or he lives life, your world will begin to shape and take form. You’ll end up coming back and adding to it, but as you do it’ll get fuller and richer.

“The quintessence of life…So full and…rich?”
—the Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Outside In

    With this approach you’ve really got to love planning. You create a world, and understand it, long before you ever place your precious character in it through writing. Nothing is a surprise to you. You start big and detailed then work your way in. I met a guy at the Realm Makers conference I went to this year, and he was really cool. He enjoyed creating and defining his worlds by drawing his own maps of them. I’m not much of a planner myself, but I think that knowing your world well enough to recognize it on a map is great for any style of world building. Eventually, I would even venture to say it’s essential.

    Now there will be a quiz at the end, so I hope you’re all paying attention.

[bctt tweet=”Are you an inside out or a outside in kid of writer? #Storyworld #teenwriters “]

Basic Stuff

    No matter which of these styles you prefer, there are some basics that are necessary for any universe. You should have a government and common religion. You have to ask yourself, Is you’re world a safe place and how many intelligent races (at present) are in it? Is there a world history or has it been lost to the ages and humanity’s fate is in the hands of your characters. These are important for you to know, because they’re your story, and they really define your world.

    A few questions you can ask yourself to really kick your world into gear are:

• What do your government and religions look like?
• How does government affect it?
• How do the religious systems affect your land?
• What do people wear?
• What do people eat?
• How does your natural world (landscape and climate) affect your character’s culture?

    If you answered yes to any of these questions then you weren’t paying attention.

    This is how worlds are birthed and nurtured.

Quiz Time!

    1 + 1= ?

    Thanks for playing! Extra credit if you comment below, and share your thoughts, questions, or concerns.

    So that’s how I see things through my lenses, how do you see things through yours?

OCD—Original Composition Disorder

Sometimes it’s hard to be original—especially in today’s world. We see a good story, we like it, we copy it. Late at night, as we’re lying in our beds, it taunts us—the subconscious voice ringing in our heads. “This was cool last time. I know this sells. I’ve seen it…Also, think about how easy it would be to get up and steal that last brownie.”

Wait. Is that last bit just me? (I didn’t think so.)

In response to the voice you might think “Yeah! Wait, what? No, if I steal that brownie, I’ll get caught.”

Well, the same is true if you take a story that’s already a hit and try to make something just like it. We’re not talking plagiarism here—there would be an effort to make it your own, but it’s too close—and it’s just lazy writing.

I myself have often come up with ideas that were not mine (though by accident.) My Papi is my brainstorming buddy. He’s been around. Sometimes I come up with a story, and this is how the conversation goes:

Me: “Dude! I just had a great story idea!”

Dad: “Okay, shoot.”

Me: “So there’s an assassin and he works for an agency, but—get this—the agency sends their agents back in time to stop the crime before it happens. Now something happens with the main character, so that they have to kill him. They send another assassin to the past to kill his past self, and he has to protect himself in the past.”

Dad: “That’s a brilliant idea. It’s called Minority Report, and it stars Tom Cruise.”

Me: “Dang! Well…oh, we’ll change it. The world has fallen into ruin because of something mankind did. So they send a criminal back to stop it.”

Dad: “Ah! Now we’re talking. You know, if it becomes a movie you should get Bruce Willis to play your convict, and we’ll call it Twelve Monkeys. Already done.”

It’s not easy. But it can be original. “Stop stop stop!” you say. If you’re going to tell me nothing under the sun is new, then you’d be correct. But I didn’t say “new,” now did I?

Stories always stick to major life themes—ideas, longings, hopes, struggles that resonate with people. They always have and always will on earth. It’s also true that humans have the same basic bone structure, but there’s never the same person twice. We, as writers, have a duty to “Original Tweaks” as I call them. We can take the structure and make it unique, by using totally different characters who will respond differently to the drama, risk more. And we can drop them in a unique story world.

[bctt tweet=”Use totally different characters who respond differently to the drama, risk more. And can drop them in a unique story world. #amwriting #original”]

Characters are some of the most effective Original Tweaks. To pull this off, you’ve got to love your characters. You need to know them better than anyone else. Two character flaws do not make a compelling character. What does? We’ll get further into the art of character design in the next post. (Geek’s honor).

[bctt tweet=”Enthrall your readers in a rich story world, so they fear for all your characters are risking. Let them experience it. #amwriting”]

World-building is so important, especially if you write Spec Fic. A world with its own religious, natural, and political systems is always more believable and more in depth than one without. Your world shouldn’t be the only thing that matters, but it should excite the readers’ minds. If they’re enraptured in the world and the characters, they’ll want more. They’ll feel what’s at stake. Little by little, you unravel your world, revealing just how fantastic it really is. More on this later, but an example of beautiful world building would be the Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin.

Cass J. Tuck, a new favorite YouTuber of mine has a great video on original writing and why it’s important. What’s Wrong With YA Fiction? Seriously go check it out.

This is how I see things through my lenses. Comment below and tell me how you see things. This week, share what you think makes a compelling character.

Thanks to a friend for first introducing me to Cass J. Tuck, and thank you Ryan, Triet Do, Alyssa L. Miller, and Jon Gosier for the images.