Tag: critiques

Categories
Kids Lit

Help Me with My Book!

Kids Lit

As more books are published in a variety of ways (traditional, self-pub, hybrid, assisted), a whole crop of people with expertise (real or claimed!) have popped up ready to help the harried author by doing all the big and little tasks associated with preparing a book for submission. Here a just a few of the current players.

Ghostwriters

You have a great idea but no idea where to start, and not a lot of interest or talent in writing. A ghostwriter will shape your notes into the book you envision – and put your name on the front cover!

Writing Coach

You have an idea and sort of like to write but don’t know where to start or if your story is sellable. A writing coach will take you step by step through the nuts and bolts, teaching and supporting your writing.

Copy Editor

You have an idea and like to write but that whole grammar and punctuation thing is a mystery. A developmental editor will go through line by line and rearrange and correct sentences to today’s standards. They will not be looking at the overall ideas but sentence structure and correct usage.

Professional Critiques

You finished a story but don’t know if it is good or how to make it better. The professional critique will look at arc, structure, and character development and perhaps suggest other titles on the same subject or type of book to study as you work to improve.

Sensitivity Readers

You finished the manuscript but are not sure how certain topics, references, and language will be perceived by others. Sensitivity readers are experts in language and attitudes and are a guarantee to the publisher that this book will not create any issues.

Website design

You can negotiate the web but how do you set up a link or make separate pages on a website? A web page designer will develop a page with as many bells and whistles as you like to show prospective agents you are professional.

Virtual assistant

You like Facebook but IG reels, TikTok, and things “formerly known as something else” are baffling! A virtual assistant will help you select your target population, and establish, and update your social and promotional activities across media.

Endorsers and Influencers

Your manuscript is great, but no one knows who you are. You can find picture book influencers with several thousand followers. A mention or review on that post or blog gets wide attention, whatever the fame of the influencer.

Hey, this book-writing stuff could be easy!

Freelance editors, graphic designers, readers, and virtual assistants are available all over the internet. (Caveat: find someone who has personally used the service and check it out thoroughly.)

The catch: every person listed above will cost money! From $75 minimum for a sensitivity reader to $500-$750 for a ghost-written picture book. The virtual assistant works for $15-20/hour spent on your platform. Setting up a webpage initially is around $1500, and maintaining is extra.

Ask Some Questions

Do you need some help, or is the entire job done for you?

Do you just need instructions on how to do it?

Is your time for writing worth more than you will pay for the service?

Will you need this same kind of help for the next book?

Best wishes!

With over 1.7 M books sold, multi award winning author Robin Currie led children’s departments of Midwestern public libraries, but still needs help from spell check. She has over 40 published picture books and writes stories to read and read again!

Categories
Craft Essentials

You May Be Done, But You’re Not Finished

Craft Essentials

“Rewriting is the essence of writing well; it’s where the game is won or lost. That idea is hard to accept.”

William Zinsser

Little in the writer’s life is as exhilarating as typing the words, “The End.”

If a celebration was ever in order, this would be our moment.

  • We’ve fought through the brain drain aka writer’s block.
  • Stayed at the keyboard till the wee hours of the night.
  • Surrendered free time to the fickle writing muse.
  • Missed parties, events, and time with friends and family.

But now, greatness is found in those two brief words that conclude the saga. The End. The skeptics, the critics, and those who predicted you’d never finish the book will be eating crow.

Bursting with a sudden rush of energy, (along with some well-deserved pride) you share the final product with a friend, your mom, or a writing buddy. You expect the standard oohs and aahs that attend the birth of greatness. Then somebody (clearly someone uninformed) says, “I don’t get the ending.” Or “I didn’t understand why the hero never showed up.”

The feedback is synonymous with calling your baby ugly.

You rationalize their response with the “I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt since they know nothing about writing,” brand of generosity.

Could They Be Right?

An essential component of writing well is the willingness to consider there might be a few valid points in their assessment. Some authors may not dismiss the critique entirely. They shop for additional feedback with an industry professional or pitch it to a publisher at a writer’s conference.

That can be the hard thump.

“It’s a good first draft,” says the pro. “Interesting storyline. I’d suggest you work with a coach or find a good editor to strengthen the plot and help develop your writing style. You have a promising start. Good luck with the second draft.”

If you believed the work was complete, this is a tough moment. A second draft, maybe even a third might be required. Adding more words is not the typical remedy. Killing off your darlings or discarding the overwrought half-page descriptions of the magnolias in full bloom in the moonlit night might be your road to success.

“We all have an emotional equity in our first draft; we can’t believe that it wasn’t born perfect. But the odds are close to 100 percent that it wasn’t.”

William Zinsser

The completion of a first draft is an epic accomplishment. In that finished work is evidence you have what it takes to be a writer – if you are willing to suck up the disappointment and dive in to refine and rewrite your work.

Don’t let the start stop you. You are not starting from scratch. But you do need to take a long look at your book baby with a more critical eye. The rewrite is inevitable as we learn the craft of writing. Every successful writer knows the first draft is seldom – if ever – the final.

Where Should You Start?

  • Consider the advice of the industry professional. If the feedback is general in nature, ask for specific insight for both strengths and opportunities for improvement in the work. For every “no thanks” to my first book – ten rejections – I asked for feedback that helped strengthen the work. I know their input and my willingness to incorporate it has helped me gain contracts for a total of six published to date.
  • Seek assistance from someone who has a successful track record to help move you forward. A certified writing coach or industry professional can help you accelerate your knowledge and build new skills.
  • Take a course – many are available online or through regional writing groups in your area.
  • Purchase and read books on the craft. The patron saint of this column’s book On Writing Well is a classic.
  • Attend a writing conference and select courses specific to your need.

Above all, refuse to throw in the towel (or throw a tantrum) and remember, you may be done, but you’re not finished!

Deb DeArmond

Deborah DeArmond Deb is a certified writing coach and award-winning author of five books. Her books often focus on family and marriage, covering relationship dynamics, communication, and conflict resolution. Her most recent wok is We May Be Done But We’re Not Finished (2021).

Deb’s published more than 200 articles in print and online, including a monthly column, for Lifeway Magazine. 200+ print and online articles published.

Deb helps writing clients achieve success using inquiry, humor, and a straightforward approach. Her clients describe Deb as “candid but kind” and skilled at helping “guide others to discover their answers and solutions to success.”

Website: debdearmod.com Facebook Author Deb DeArmond

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for June Part 2

Writers Chat Recap

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Critiquing Our Work

On June 8, 2021 Eva Marie Everson joined us to share about Word Weavers International and the critique method they use. This is a follow up to that episode. Five brave souls submitted one page to be critiqued by Johnnie Alexander, Brandy Brow, Jann Martin, Norma Poore, and Melissa Stroh. The insights gained from these critiques may prove to be valuable to you. Check out this week’s replay and see how to critique another person’s writing.

Watch the June 15th replay.

Open Mic Book Discussion: Unleash the Writer Within by Cecil Murphy

In this episode, we share insights from several chapters in the great book. Really a must have for writers. One point he repeatedly makes is to be transparent in your writing. We also discuss voice, waiting for inspiration, and being true to yourself, just to name a few topics from his book. We ended with the question Cecil poses in the opening of his book, “Why do you write?” Check out this week’s replay to learn more.

Watch the June 22nd replay.

Join Us

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. Here is out permanent Zoom room link.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Ten Ways to Be a Great Critique Partner

It cannot be overstated: Critique groups are vital for writers. The critique group is to a writer what coaches are to professional sports teams. If you want to play (write) at your best, you need them.

Many critique groups are meeting virtually, but good critique group etiquette is still as important as it ever was – if not more so. Whether you’re joining your first group or your fifty-first, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on some of the often-unspoken rules of critique groups. Here are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to being the kind of critique group member people want to have around.

Critique Partner DOs:

Ask the group leader about expectations before your first meeting. How many pages should the writing sample be, and should you share it before or during the meeting? If you will be sharing electronic documents, what file format is preferred?

Ask each member what kind of feedback they are most interested in before you read their work. Some are interested in general reactions; others may be trying to solve a specific problem. Tailor your feedback to help each writer achieve his or her objectives.

When giving feedback, be as specific as you can, and comment from your own perspective. For example, “I wondered if this character might have a stronger response when his little sister fell,” is more constructive input than “Needs better characterization.”

Be considerate and helpful. No matter what type of feedback you offer, consider how you would feel if you were the one receiving it. Deliver every comment, whether critical or complimentary, thoughtfully and with care for the receiver.

If you have time, organize your comments. Prioritize them into “big bucket” and “little bucket,” or sort them by story component. Try to help the writer gain a sense of what problems might prevent their manuscript from getting a second look from an agent or publisher.

Critique partner DON’Ts:

When you receive criticism, don’t freak out. Criticism of your work is not the same as criticism of you as a human being, so do not treat it as such. Try not to take any comments as a judgment of your value or worth, because they are not. They’re notes from a fellow writer about how they reacted to your work product.

Don’t obsess but do notice trends. If you get certain types of feedback consistently, there’s a reason.

Try not to brush off the good things. If you’re like me, you are your own harshest critic. Learn to graciously accept compliments.

Remember to be respectful of the group’s time. Make an effort to be on time and prepared. Everyone understands that life happens, but if you’re going to miss a meeting or be late, let your group leader know.

Stay on topic. This falls under “be respectful of the group’s time,” but it is worth mentioning. Most groups have a limited amount of time, which means if you want each member to receive feedback on their work, the entire group must stick to the same agenda. Don’t hog the group’s time with tangential discussions, irrelevant questions, or personal stories. Stick to the task at hand, which is critiquing your fellow writers’ work.

These are just a few things I’ve learned over the years in various critique groups. The most productive groups are the ones who set clear expectations about group behavior early. It’s easier for everyone when they know what to expect.

What’s your critique group like? Do you share a set of guidelines or group practices, so everyone knows what to expect?

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.

Categories
Embrace the Wait

Survival Tips for the Waiting Part of Writing Tip #19 – Remain teachable

My dear Mother-In-Law is ninety years old, but she’s not like any senior citizen you’ve ever met. Power suits, three-inch heels, bright red fingernails, and crimson lipstick are her trademarks. She’s a celebrity in her neck of the woods, not only because of her dynamic style and outgoing personality, but because she’s spent her whole life caring for others. Just a few years ago she retired from running a non-profit organization and is still active today as a representative of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature. Yes, at age ninety!

I’ve often pondered the secret to my MIL’s success. The answer hit me one day as I witnessed her interaction with my fifteen-year-old daughter. My daughter was trying to teach her the clapping game Miss Mary Mack. Time after time again my MIL would get half way through the rhyme and accidentally clap left when she was supposed to clap right. But did she quit? Never. She laughed at herself while my daughter giggled with her, then they would begin the game again. She was teachable. Yes, at age ninety!

Teachability is one of the most valuable tools in any successful writer’s tool chest. Most of us begin the writing journey with tons of it, but as legendary basketball coach John Wooden states it: “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

Here are five probing questions to keep us on the path toward teachability:

  • Am I willing to ask a question even if I’m afraid they will expose my ignorance?
  • When my writing is critiqued do I listen openly for truth or do I become defensive?
  • Am I willing to learn from a writer with less experience or fewer credentials than me?
  • Do I remain open-minded about doing things differently than I’ve done them before?
  • How do I handle failure? Do I consider it an opportunity to learn?

Scripture: Proverbs 9:9, Proverbs 15:32, Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 19:20

Fun Fact or Helpful Resource:
If you’d like to catch a glimpse of my amazing Mom-In-Law in action here’s the link to a news story from a few years back.

Annette Marie Griffin is a award-winning writer who speaks at local women’s group meetings and women’s retreats on the topic of biblical womanhood and finding our identity in Christ. She is the Operations and Events Coordinator at a private school for special needs students and is the editor of their quarterly newsletter. She has written custom curriculum for women’s retreats and children’s church curriculum for Gateway Church in San Antonio, Texas where she served as Children’s Ministry Director and Family Program Director for over twenty years. She and her husband John have five amazing children and two adorable grands. She’s a member of Word Weavers International, ACFW, SCBWI, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Creative Writing Institute.

Categories
Guest Posts

8 Things to Do Before Your Self-Published Book is Released

It has never been easier to publish a book thanks to the rapid advancement of technology. Goodreads and Amazon are some of the best platforms for new authors, most of whom are unknown and inexperienced. Most writers have no idea about what it takes to release a book. Publishing a professional, well-written, and memorable book is a process.

As a writer, you’ve probably published some of your books. Perhaps you have completed writing another book and you want different results when you finally release your creativity to the world. Here are eight things that you should so before releasing your book.

1. Write a great book

According to college papers, every reader wants to invest in great books. While this point may appear simple, you’ll be surprised by the number of poorly written books that have already been published. Don’t be too excited to release your book without ensuring that it’s good. People will hate the book and the author. And you’ll end up hating yourself.

How can you be sure that your book is good? If you are happy with the plot, characters, and the flow then you are one step closer to having a good book. However, reading the book alone is not the most effective solution. There are people who can spot errors that your eyes can’t see even if you read your work fifty times. You need beta readers to help you out.

2. Find beta readers

Beta readers are people who read your book from cover to cover and give you an honest opinion. Some of these readers might be writers. And others might be people who simply love reading. You give them a free book for their honest opinion.

It can be surprisingly difficult to find people to read your book especially if it’s too long. Some will say they don’t have enough time to read. And others will want to read without having to look for mistakes. Avoid asking the following people to point out mistakes in your work:

  • Best friend: Even if they are willing to help, there’s a chance that they’ll never find time to read it. You’ll keep pestering them and they’ll always come up with excuses or worse, avoid you.
  • Your mum: Your mum is always going to love the work of your hands. Your mother is the best choice if you want to be complimented. However, not the best choice if you want honesty.
  • Your spouse: People who are close to you are the least likely to be completely honest with you. They have already accepted you with all your strengths and weaknesses.

You should ask:

  • Writers: Writers understand their craft. You should go for experienced authors because they’ll quickly notice your mistakes. They can also offer constructive criticism and suggestions of what you need to improve and how to go about it.
  • Editors: Editors love reading books. Some of them won’t charge you anything for reading your book. Editors are experienced in pointing out mistakes. They won’t hesitate to tell you what needs to be improved.

Today, it’s quite easy to find beta readers. They have formed groups on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Other platforms to find experienced writers and editors include research paper writing service, assignment help and essay reviews. For other people to read your work, you must be willing to read other people’s work.

3. Criticism shouldn’t hurt

Don’t send your book to an experienced writer or editor and expect them to shower you with compliments. They won’t unless they are close to you.

Criticism is a free gift that improves the quality of your book. Some people will just trash your book without any valid reason. Instead of feeling awful, ignore such people. However, if you get comments such as “continuity error in Chapter X Paragraph Y, then you’ve got some work to do.

Criticism can hurt. But it’s one of the most effective ways of improving your skills. Take criticism well and make the most out of it. If one reader can spot mistakes and leave honest feedback, it’s highly likely that others will feel the same way.

4. Find more beta readers

After correcting your work, send it more beta readers. Hopefully, some of your original readers will be interested in reading your revised manuscript. This is good because they’ll let you know if the changes you made have improved your book. And other things that you need to add. Honest feedback can be a pain in the ass. But it’s an important process if you want readers to take you seriously.

5. Find a copy editor

According to dissertation help service, if you are self-publishing, you’ll have to hire a copy editor. The best part is, you’ll get to choose an editor who is ideal for you. A copy editor will check for things like repetition, word choices, and get rid of weak sentences. Beta readers will not do this for you. But a copy editor will greatly improve the quality of your work.

6. Hire a proofreader

All the stages that we’ve discussed are important. And can be skipped if you are an experienced writer with a loyal following. However, proofreading is a must. Since our eyes are usually blind when it comes to finding our errors, a proofreader will help you fix typos, punctuation, spelling, and grammatical errors. Unless your book is short and you are a professional proofreader, it’s always good to hire someone.

A study conducted by Dissertation Today found out that close to forty percent of books that you’ll find on shelves have never been proofread. They are full of spelling mistakes, incomplete sentences, and tense confusion. And they frustrate many readers. To avoid joining this club, hire a proofreader to polish your work.

7. Get a captivating cover

The cover is the first thing people look at before picking a book. Believe it or not, a lot of readers judge a book by its cover. Therefore, it’s important to hire a professional designer to help you create a good cover for your book. Ensure that the designer takes into account the main points in your book. You don’t want your creativity to be hidden behind a poorly designed cover.

8. Format

Self-publishing a book requires a lot of formatting work. The font has to fit properly on e-readers like Kindle. The cover size has to be perfect. It’s better to work hard and eliminate errors before releasing your book than after you’ve released it.

Conclusion

After completing all these steps, you’ll have a professionally written manuscript with a great cover waiting to be published. And you can start calling yourself an author. The more you write, the easier this process will be.

Kurt Walker is a skilled freelancer and editor at a professional writer service in London. He is one of the many UK essay writers specialized in essay writing and assignment help. In his spare time, Kurt plays the guitar and takes his dog Shay for a walk.

Categories
Writing for YA

Write Anyway

There will be days when writing is hard. When your eyes burn and your back hurts. You will scrape dried ink from the bottom of the well, wondering if these tiny, insignificant flakes are worth anything. 

Hours, days, years of work languish with no guarantee of display in the light of day.

Write anyway.

Some days your words and lines will rip out your heart with their truth and beauty. You will feel naked and afraid. 

Some days the emotion you are desperate to share dribbles away, never caught and put to page. An unspoken message is worse than letting the world taste your secret sorrows. The tale must be wept out and sweated out onto paper even if it doesn’t want to be confined—or set free—by a pen. Story will haunt, steal your rest, demand attention. You will pound a keyboard while dinner burns.

Write anyway.

There will be people who tell you the harsh truth, and those who whisper sweet lies. And others who are purposely unkind, cruel with breath-stealing carelessness that makes you doubt your own passion. 

There will be rejections wrapped in softness. Slamming shut doors will become a commonplace sound. 

There will be hindering mentors, jealous companions, and friends who mean well but let you wallow in mediocrity and blissful ignorance.

Write anyway.

Some days you will be your own worst enemy, second-guessing, unsure as a newborn colt. Some days you will be too sure of yourself, and ignore horrendous flaws, until, stumbling over the cracks, you fall flat on your face, hard. The danger is invisible to the scribbling storyteller. You will fail and embarrass yourself time and time again.

Write anyway.

If you succeed, the monetary rewards are likely to be small. There will always be ugly reviews. People will inform you point-blank they didn’t like your book. Family members and friends won’t even bother to read it. But someone will. And sometimes it will mean a great deal to the reader, your reader. They may or may not tell you—this really happens—how it touched them, comforted them, and made them feel understood.

It’s why we write anyway.

Donna Jo Stone writes YA contemporary novels about tough issues but always ends the stories with a note of hope. She blogs at donnajostone.com.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

My Fifth Anniversary

As an adult, writing has been a mainstay of my professional career. I majored in journalism, interned at newspapers, worked at magazines and television stations, then migrated to marketing and freelance copywriting. For twenty-plus years, I’ve used words to persuade someone to do or buy something.

I enjoyed writing, I felt competent, but something was missing. If it weren’t for the occasional journal entry or poem I drafted here and there, my relationship with writing was transaction-based. I wrote. I revised. I collected a paycheck.

Even though I was always happy and thankful about my ability to write as part of my day job, something was missing. I felt restless and frustrated. I had ideas and characters in my head who wanted to play, but there was no room in my day job for them.

I kept on writing website copy, marketing presentations, or ghostwriting blog posts. One night, after everybody was tucked in and asleep, I started writing a story. Nobody was paying me to write it. There was no deadline attached to it. It was a creation of my own with no other purpose but to enjoy the discipline and freedom of writing.

Now it’s March 2020. Although I haven’t yet sold that first manuscript, I’ve finished a couple of others since then. I know I still have much to learn, but here are a few things I wish I’d known five years ago.

1) Critique groups are crucial. 

In my corporate and freelance world, I “routed” copy to other team members to make sure it was factually accurate and error-free. Even though it was time consuming and occasionally painful, receiving feedback made my writing stronger. For the life of me I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me to do that with my first manuscript.

I entered my first writing competition in March 2015 with a rough draft. My first manuscript didn’t get seen by another living soul until I met my first critique group at the SCBWI conference later that year. Until that conference, I’d never heard of critique groups. Now I can’t live without them. Like the “routing” teams in my past 9-5 life, critique groups exist to make the work better. They bring fresh eyes and perspective and catch things I would have otherwise missed.

2) Critique groups are not interested in stealing your work.

Tell a non-writer about your critique group and they’ll probably ask you if you’re afraid someone will steal your idea. Take comfort in this knowledge: Writers in a critique group understand what being a writer is about. They know how hard it is to write. They want to see you succeed – not plagiarize from you.

3) Comparing yourself to other writers is a waste of time and energy.

Over the past five years, I’ve met all kinds of writers. They each have a different story to tell about their path to publication. Some publication stories are dreamy, some are fraught with obstacle after obstacle. Other stories are relatively short and sweet. Nobody else’s publication story will be exactly like yours. Mine is a work in progress, and not only am I okay with that, I’m excited about it. My journey is as unique as I am. Yours will be as unique as you are. There’s room for all of us. Embrace that and don’t worry about what other writers are doing.

What I love most about this writing life is the opportunity to learn from and connect with other writers. I’d love to learn from you too! Introduce yourself in the comments below or on Instagram at @klmckinneywrites.

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.

Categories
The Intentional Writer

How to Face A Critique

The intentional writer

Does the word critique fill you with dread? It shouldn’t.

I have learned most of what I know about writing by receiving critiques. It started in school, when teachers graded my first early efforts. It continues today every time I seek the input and feedback of others.

All artists need feedback in order to improve their craft. Consider a piano student. Each week she goes to her instructor and receive a lesson, which consists primarily of a critique on whatever skill she is trying to master. The same goes for an athlete and her coach.

Critiques should be welcomed as a writer’s best tool for improvement. Here are some suggestions for making the most of critique sessions.

Tips for facing a critique

  • Attitude is key. Start with a teachable spirit. If you are not open to feedback and willing to learn then there is no point in asking for a critique.
  • Remember a critique is not an attack on you or your worth. It may feel painful, but a good critique will always help you grow rather than tear you down.
  • Think of the person giving the critique as a teammate or coach, not an adversary.
  • Remember, a critique is not a contest. There are no winners or losers. You are not at war and you don’t need to defend yourself.
  • Listen to everything politely and without interrupting. Listening silently does not mean you are being passive, or that you agree with what is said.
  • Expect to learn something. Approach every critique session with the attitude: What can I learn from this discussion?
  • Even if you disagree with a critiquer’s opinions, you can still learn something. For example, you might learn that some readers will not understand a paragraph the way you meant it to be understood. That is valuable feedback.
  • A good critique will cite specific examples of what is being criticized. If examples are not cited, ask for some. Example: “You say my writing is choppy. Can you show me what you mean by that?”
  • When it’s practical, ask the critiquer for suggestions on how to improve. You can learn much from someone who points out a writing weakness and then shows you how to make it better.
  • There are two main kind of information you gain from a critique. A) How well am I mastering my craft? and B) How well am I communicating what I am trying to say? You need feedback in both areas.
  • You do not need to follow all advice you receive in a critique session. Use your best judgment. (If you receive similar feedback from several sources, you should take a good hard look at the issue. If you don’t agree, begin to ask why they think what they do and see if you can get to the root of the problem.)
  • When you consider how much weight to put behind a critique, consider the critiquer’s experience, skill, and familiarity with the genre and today’s publishing realities.

Unfortunately, we have all experienced critiques that did more damage than good. It happens. Here are some suggestions to avoid non-constructive critiques and mitigate the problems they create.

Tips for protecting yourself against malicious or unhelpful critiques.

  • Be suspect of any critique that is 100% praise.
  • Do not expect expert advice from beginning writers.
  • Do not expect good writing advice from those who don’t write and rarely read.
  • Realize that someone who does not enjoy your genre will probably not enjoy your manuscript. This does not mean their critique is unhelpful, but you might need to guide them to look past the genre to specific things. For example, ask them: “Can you picture my setting?” or “Can you follow my main character’s logic?” 
  • Don’t expect a helpful critique from someone with an axe to grind against you or the topic of your manuscript.
  •  Learn who not to ask! When someone rips your writing to shreds, choose not to open yourself up to that pain by asking them again. Like anything in life, we need to keep wise boundaries.

Critiques are important and powerful tools for improving our craft and honing our manuscripts. May you face them with confidence and utilize them wisely.

Award-winning writer Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging about living intentionally.

You can find her on Facebook  LisaEBetzWriter Twitter @LisaEBetz and Pinterest Lisa E Betz Intentional Living.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

You Wrote a Middle Grade Book. Now What?

You had an idea. You wrote. You slept. You wrote some more. You edited. You cried. (Just me? Oh. Okay. Never mind.) You shared. You revised. You reviewed. 

Now you wonder: How does my story magically leap from my hard drive to the shelf?

If you’ve already bought your copy of Writer’s Market, kudos to you. But if you’ve drafted a generic cover letter that you’re ready to send to every children’s publisher, editor and agent listed, I’d like to politely ask you to pause a moment. Put the postage stamps away, and keep reading. It’s going to be okay.

Ask yourself some tough questions:

1) Is the story well-told?

2) Is it within the generally recognized middle grade word count?

3) What books currently on shelf is it most like?

4) What makes yours different?

5) Who should read it? (the answer is NOT ‘everyone.’)

I want to talk about item number one, is the story well-told?

Of course you’re going to say ‘yes.’ You believe in your story (you should).

But the truth is, you need other writers to help you make this determination. You need a critique group, or an editor, to read your story and help you shape it into the best it can be. Make sure this happens before you begin the submission process.

Your critique group or editor will find plot holes, characterization issues, and continuity issues. They will find any awkward word choices, filler words, or phrases that don’t make sense to this generation of readers. You need this feedback, even when it’s hard to hear. It’s given with the desire to see your story on shelf.

Once you have received feedback and revised, and you can answer the rest of the questions above, you’re ready for the next steps in the process.

If you plan to self publish, at a minimum you will need to know:

1) how to format your manuscript for print and e-reader.

2) how to choose cover art

3) how to market your book

Click here and here for some additional excellent resources.

If you plan to pitch your book to agents and editors, you will need to:

1) research so you find the best agent/editor fit for your story

2) write a concise, persuasive query letter

3) possess patience by the bucket – this can be a slow process

4) separate yourself from your work – rejection is a normal part of the path to publication, not a reflection of your worth as a person.

The fact that you’re reading this is a great start. For what it’s worth, I’m traveling this road with you. AlmostAnAuthor has a number of resources that have helped and encouraged me along the way. What questions do you have? Let us know in the comments and we’ll find an answer for you.

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.

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Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for June, Part Two

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Hollywood Storytelling with Zena Dell Lowe

Zena is an actress, director, producer, and writer. She joins Writers Chat to share her insights on telling a story. If you want to write a screen play, non-fiction, or fiction, this episode is packed with information and a must see. Zena is an amazing storyteller and creates examples that will have you leaning on the edge of your seat to hear what’s next. Many of live audience thought this was worthy of the episode of the year.

Watch the June 11th replay.

Historical Fiction Panel

If you have thought about writing historical fiction, but weren’t sure about all the research that goes into such a novel, this episode is for you. Johnnie Alexander, Melissa Stroh, and Josephine Massaro (from Yahweh Sisterhood Book Club) comprise our panel and share a wealth of information with us. They discuss research and how to use what you find in your story in such a way that won’t bore your readers. This episode is full of practical ideas. Come check it out.

Watch the June 18th replay.

For more information and tips from our wonderful panel, check out this week’s Show Notes and Live Chat Discussions.

One Page Critiques

Critiquing is an important part of being a writer. Sometimes we are too close to catch mistakes and having a critique group or partner helps us sharper our writing skills. On today’s episode, the Writers Chat team will critique two pages submitted from different writers. The team shares their insight into the positives of these stories, as well as some things that need a little work. This episode is a good reminder of what to look for when critiquing someone’s story and could help you avoid common pitfalls. Check it out. You will surely be encouraged in your writing today.

Watch the June 25th replay.

For more information and helpful hints on writing and critiquing, check out this week’s Show Notes and Live Chat Discussions.

JOIN US!

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. Here’s the permanent Zoom room link. 

Participants mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.

Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.