Tag: readers

Categories
Writing for YA

How To Reclaim Writing Motivation

Slogging away for weeks, months, or years on a project can be discouraging. Writing requires self-discipline, but is that enough to power through? Maybe. But as with any long-term task, staying motivated is essential.

There are days when motivation remains elusive, no matter how much I try to buckle down.

I asked a few young adult authors what keeps them going when the task seems never ending.

What keeps me going is knowing that not all teen readers are interested in fantasy. Some are looking for other types of stories, like the historical novels I write. Readers should have options the way I did as a teen.

Stephanie Daniels ~ Historical Young Adult Author

Without a doubt the weekly meeting with my crit group helps keep me creatively energized. I know I need to sub something. Even when I don’t feel like writing, I’m the type of person that doesn’t want to let anybody down. I take that seriously and it keeps me—if not on track—at least moving forward.

Stephanie Daniels ~ Historical Young Adult Author

I can’t NOT write. It is has been a part of my creative makeup since I was a young teen. I would write stories even if there were no motivation for me to publish them. Of course I stumble into times of writers’ block or when life gets in the way. Discouragement, grief, stress… they’re all powerful anti-motivators to writing. Sometimes I must accept those challenges and give myself permission to take a break. When my mother was sick and subsequently passed, it was over a year before I could write again, and then I had to make a concerted effort to write… not wait for inspiration to strike.

Diana L. Sharples ~ Young Adult Contemporary Author

I’ve been writing for long enough that I know it’ll all come back when my head is in a better place. One trick I’ve found that usually works to get me past those bleak times is to remove myself from the environment causing the stress. A restaurant, coffee shop, library, or a picnic table in a park will usually help me to get back into my creative space.

Diana L. Sharples ~ Young Adult Contemporary Author

I’ve always wanted to be an author, so what motivates me to keep writing is knowing that I’m pursuing my dream and that I’m getting to do the thing that I love every day. I also think about how there are people out there that I can hopefully encourage and inspire with my stories. That motivates me to keep writing, knowing that readers will read my books and that those books will speak to them the same way that other books have spoken to me in the past.

Melody Personette ~ Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and Science Fiction

Outside stressors and internal doubts can be motivation zappers. Periodically, I have to remind myself of my original goal, why I’m writing and who I’m writing for. I want my words to comfort and help.

If my stories can do that for the people they were intended for, I’ve done my job and honored my calling.

Until I get my words in print, I’ll keep striving toward the goal with these things in mind.

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
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

‘Tis the Season of Thankfulness

lighter look at a writer's life

Even though Christmas items have been up in stores for what seems like forever, ’tis the season of . . . thankfulness! Lest we skip over Thanksgiving for the season of holly, mistletoe, and Christmas nougats (my favorite), I decided to make a list of reasons writers need to be thankful. So, here’s the list, and feel free to check it twice (Sorry, I couldn’t resist).

1. Writers can be thankful for the gift and talent of writing.

Some people are talented at singing, while others are gifted in working with their hands, like woodworking, mechanical tasks. Those are worthwhile things, but God made writers a special breed, wired to share His story on the page. It’s a wondrous gift and a serious responsibility.

2. Writers can be thankful for technology.

Even though it drives us absolutely CRAZY sometimes, technology makes writing easier in this day and age. Personally, I’m thankful I don’t have to fire up an oil lamp, write everything out in longhand, and then “snail-mail” huge manuscripts to prospective publishers. I’ve been a teacher so long that you probably could not read my handwriting anyway.

3. Writers can be thankful for websites like this one.

With a few clicks, we can get top-notch instruction on everything from where the commas go to how to write travel pieces. Speaking of commas, we can even read endless debates about whether to Oxford comma or not (For the record, I am firmly in the Team Oxford Camp).

4. Writers can be thankful for other writers.

I don’t know about you, but I found my “tribe” or “squad” or whatever you want to call it through writing. Our fellowship is unique, as we relate to the struggles, commiserate the rejections, and celebrate the successes. Bonus thankfulness for writers conferences, where we gather to consume caffeine while we are talking, laughing, and eating way too many sweets. Oh, yeah, we also take classes and discuss writing (most of the time . . . well, some of the time . . . well . . . ).

5. Writers can be thankful for readers.

Where would we writers be without our readers? You are the reason we do what we do. Your support and feedback are invaluable

Now you know my thankful list—what’s on yours?

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.

Categories
Fantasy-Sci-Fi

Wonder

I wonder… What made you fall in love with science fiction and fantasy?

As a child, I loved fairy tales and myths. When I got older, the worlds of Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and Anne McCaffrey swept me away, surprising and astounding me with new ideas. Their worlds opened my mind to endless possibilities.

Worlds full of… WONDER.

Wonder: rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely
mysterious or new to one’s experience.

David Farland, mentor for dozens of internationally successful writers including Brandon Sanderson and Stephanie Meyer, lectured on the importance of writing wonder into our stories, and often. He pointed out that JK Rowling introduced something wondrous in her Harry Potter series every three to five pages. When I needed some comfort-viewing, I rewatched the first few movies and it was true. Something wondrous happened every few minutes, immersing me deeper and deeper into her world of impossibility.

This is what our readers crave—to be transported.

The challenge lies in how to share the wonder present inside our minds with our readers. Don’t hold out on them. My tendency is to reveal little bits at a time, teasing the reader and saving the big reveal until later in the story. But if I wait too long to set the hook, I risk losing them altogether. Remember, they have chosen your sci-fi or fantasy tome because they want, no they expect to be fascinated. Don’t be coy.

Another point David Farland makes is that once the audience has been exposed to something new and wondrous, the author will need to provide a new magical experience. The next time they see it, they will not be struck with wonder, but filled with nostalgia. you must keep tapping into what makes them wonder, but with new experiences.

If you write science fiction or fantasy, it’s not because it’s easy. You love your genre, and you are compelled to share the worlds inside you. But after months or years of worldbuilding it’s easy to forget that not everyone knows the suns create seven seasons, or the cannibalistic flora are the sentient beings of their planet, and we assume that our readers will grasp the diabolical intent of a mental contract.

Build a world filled with wonder.

Then invite your reader in.

Star Trek promised new worlds and new civilizations—to boldly go where no one had gone before. Avatar’s world is full of wondrous creatures that don’t seem to move the story forward—it’s all part of the setting, right? But then these amazing creations show up powerfully, asserting their place in the narrative. Star Wars began with A New Hope, and while they were spinning that tale, introduced new robots, new powers, and new races. As much as we love to laugh at the cantina scene, we all remember it.

Look at your work.

Have you shown the wonder that you know exists in it? Pull back the curtain a little more and let your reader in on the special. It’s not spoiling—it’s deepening their experience.

Here is a link to one of David Farland’s seminars on Writing Wonder.

Sophia L Hansen is an author and editor with Havok Publishing and loves to write In Other Worlds. She’s lived on a tiny island in Alaska, the bustling cities of New York and Boston, raised kids in Tennessee, and now resides just outside Birmingham, AL. After 30+ years of marriage, seven children, and numerous pets, Sophia still fits into her high school earrings.

You can follow Sophia’s words and worlds at https://www.sophialhansen.com/, Facebook, and Instagram.

Categories
Book Proposals

Target Readers You Can Reach

Literary agents and publishers are actively looking for authors and books to publish. Yet the reality is thousands of new books are published every day. Millions of pitches and proposals are circulating in publishing offices. With the volume of submissions, some publishers and agents have said if you don’t receive a response in a certain time period, then you should consider it a rejection. Other publishing professionals will take months to respond. As an author (and an editor), I understand waiting is hard yet I understand the submission process is all about searching for the right fit with your content and what you want to publish. How can you distinguish your proposal from others? Here’s five keys for every would-be book author:

1. Have a direct connection to your reader.

Email continues to be one of the most reliable ways for authors to reach their audience. Do you have an email list? If not, start building one right away.

2. Write an excellent book proposal and manuscript.

From reviewing thousands of submissions, I know a well-written manuscript and proposal is foundational. Get outside editing and help before you show it to anyone.

3. Understand the business decisions.

Publishers and literary agents are making business decisions every day which affect you. While their decision about your work may feel personal, these professionals are focused on the business or work and it is not personal. Learn as much about the publishing world as you can through books and blogs and conferences. To learn more about this perspective, get my free ebook, Straight Talk From the Editor, 18 Keys to a Rejection-Proof Submission: www.straighttalkeditor.com

4. See other writers as cooperative instead of competitors.

Attitude and perspective will affect your success in the publishing world. Choosing to work with others rather than compete can be a game changer for you.

5. Build relationships at conferences, groups and online.

Who you know is as important as what you know in publishing. Always be working to build relationships with anyone in the business. You never know how a single connection can change your book sales.

Your reach as an author is often called a “platform.” Publishing professionals are looking for authors who can reach their target market. If you don’t have this reach or it is small, begin building it every day. It is critical to remember that small actions taken day after day will have an effect. Your actions as an author will be the difference maker in this process. Keep moving forward and searching for the right opportunity.

Terry Whalin

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook, his blog and LinkedIn.

To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success.