Wisdom from An Agent

This is from Literary Agent Jean V. Naggar, who was asked: Do you think this (current) market has changed what editors are looking for?

She answered: "It's simple. Editors are looking for fresh, original material in perfect condition. Dramatic pace, writing quality, and clarity of thought trumps any particular trend, and my recommendation to writers today is to listen to their agent if the agent is requesting more work be done before showing a manuscript to eitors. Editors today are heavily bound up in meetings and other requirements, and showing them a strong national platform and a manuscript that is almost ready for the printer is the best way to get their attention."

Good reminder for all of us.

Lesson from The Yearling

I loved The Yearling as a child. It was a long book and it earned a bit of reverence from this reader by the time I had finished it. Of course, I cried my eyes out. But like today's devotion for writers, below, I had still missed a lot--simply because I wasn't ready for any more. Thanks to Jeanette Hanscome (whose site you can visit by clicking on the title above, or her name) for this thoughtful meditation.



The Bigger Story
By Jeanette Hanscome

I have a strange habit of picking up spiritual applications and writing-life lessons wherever I go. It must be the devotional writer in me. This week I found one in an old movie.

Since trading cable for an inexpensive Netflix subscription, my sons and I have developed an appreciation for classic films. Most recently, I decided to introduce them to The Yearling. It had been so long since I watched it that I almost felt like I was seeing it for the first time. I remembered about enough to warn my eight-year-old that it was sad. I’d forgotten how long it took for the boy to actually get the deer that becomes the title character. As a kid that had been the story—Jody finds a baby fawn, names him Flag, raises him, then tries desperately to keep Flag from eating the family crops until Pa has enough and. . . well, we all know how the story ends. I vaguely recalled Jody throwing something at a snotty little girl who was making faces at him. I also remembered a close-up on a row of tiny graves stones, followed by a father/son discussion about Ma losing so many children that she couldn’t bring herself to risk loving anyone—including Jody—too much. But as I re-watched this movie with my sons I discovered how much I’d missed as a younger viewer.

As I told my almost-20-year-old, it suddenly hit me that The Yearling isn’t really about Jody and Flag. Well, it is, but that is only the surface plot; the bigger story is about Jody growing from a starry-eyed boy prone to wandering in the woods when he should be doing his chores and begging his parents to let him bring home “a critter” (such as a raccoon), into a young man who, after a few painful doses of reality, is ready to face the responsibilities of grown-up life. He gets there through a lot of heartbreak and loss, including a moment of completely understandable anger that pushes him to run away. But he returns to his parents a different son, one who, as Pa puts it “Isn’t a yearling no more.” (Don’t you just love those soppy Old Hollywood lines, and Gregory Peck’s ability to deliver them so beautifully that laughing at the melodramatic wording would be about as disrespectful as laughing at a funeral?) In the process we see the family grow closer and a grieving mother’s walls come down.

So what does this have to do with the writing life? It reminded me how often we see only the surface plot of our careers, missing the bigger much more important story. Just as we appreciate a movie or book in a deeper way as an adult than we did as a child, the deeper story of what God is doing in our lives shines through as we mature, experience setbacks, frustration and heartbreak, and learn to persevere. What once looked like a long dry season in our career, we suddenly see as a time of growth, either in the craft or in our ability to discipline ourselves to sit down and write. Or we recognize it as a time of preparation, when God taught us valuable life lessons that equipped us to be the writer He needed. The tragedies that took us away from writing for weeks, months, or even years and had us crying “Why God?” we later recognize as the missing piece of the puzzle—that source of wisdom and understanding that we needed in order to truly inspire others and point them to Christ.

Take some time this month to examine the deeper story beneath some of your personal or professional surface plots, particularly those that had you kicking and screaming and groaning, “Why God? When are you going to use me?”

What has God used to grow you to a point where He could say you are ready to serve Him in a new way—that you “aren’t a yearling no more?”

Contest News--The Suzannah Contest

Here's news of a writing contest called The Suzannah.
For the future, I'll be posting more contests as I learn about them. So stay tuned!

***Permission to forward granted and encouraged!***

On your mark! Get set! Go prep your entry for the 2010 Suzannah Contest!

Everyone knows contests are an excellent way to get work in front of industry professionals and get honest feedback. Today our super contest opens for entries! And get this, if you final, your manuscript goes in front of SIX judges. Yes. SIX!

The contest opens Sept. 1st. We will take only 120 entries.

This unique contest sponsored by the NOLA STARS is for PUBLISHED and UNPUBLISHED writers and mimics an editor's desk pitting genre against genre for six finaling spots. Here's who we've lined up to judge:

Emmanuelle Alspaugh (Judith Ehrlich Literary Agency)
Alexandra Machinist (Linda Chester Literary Agency)
Jill Marsal (Marsal Lyon Literary Agency)
Keyren Gerlach, Harlequin/Silhouette
Lauren Plude, Grand Central Publishing
Danielle Poiesz, Pocket Books

The winner of the Suzannah receives $300.00 provided by the Suzannah Nelson family along with a beautiful trophy. So spiff up your entry (7200 words including a one page set-up) and get ready to enter by September 31st. For more information, visit http://www.nolastars.com

Please share with your chapters and loops.

Thanks,

Liz Talley, president of NOLA STARS
http://www.liztalleybooks.com

Steps to Being A Writer

Thanks to Kathi Macias (click the title to go to her blog), I came across this advice from seasoned writer Kay Marshall Strom. Many people ask her (and me!) how to become a professional writer: Here's tips on getting started for the person who means business.


Set aside a writing area. You say you plan to clear away a little spot when you're ready to write? Won't happen! My first writing area was a dedicated end of the kitchen table. Yours doesn't have to be fancy, it just needs to be yours.
Learn your craft. Locate a writing class (university continuing education classes can be great). Find--or start--a writers' critique group. Start saving your $$ for a good writers conference.

Invest in the tools of the trade. For starters, you need: A computer. A printer. Internet service. A basic set of reference books. A bookcase for your library. (Trust me, you'll accumulate a library!)

Read. Great writers are great readers. Read different things: books on writing, magazines, books both fiction and non-fiction. Read critically, paying attention to characters, plots, tension, the use of details.

Put words down on paper. Loosen up your writing joints by spending five minutes writing whatever pops into your head. Don't stop until the five minutes are up. After that, the sky's the limit.

Write every day. It may mean getting up early. It may mean turning off the TV. (Bonus for the entire family!) But make time to write every day. Oh, and carry a notebook with you so you can jot down ideas. The most unforgettable ones have a way of hitting at inopportune times, then slithering away before you can find paper.
Determine what type of writing you want to pursue. Your first clue might be the type of writing you enjoy reading. That old nugget Write about what you know has a lot of truth to it. If you love reading legal drama, but know nothing about the legal system, you've got a huge amount of research to do. Do you love to ponder life? To know your family? Maybe you want to write a journal, or a family history for your next reunion. All writing doesn't have to be published.

Think small. "I'm writing a novel about..." Why does everyone think novel? Or even book? Write fillers. Start a blog. Write an article for your local newspaper. Contribute to on-line magazines. Writing small hones your work, a vital step for most writers.

Write something someone wants to read. If your intention is to be published, avoid the trap of writing only for yourself. Instead, write with the reader in mind. Locate the Writers' Guidelines for the publisher to which you want to submit and follow the directions. Edit your work until it's the best you can do right now, then send it off.

Expect rejections. Rejection letters are part of the writing process. We all get them. Some of us get lots and lots of them. When you open yours, remember that it's only one editor's opinion. Only one publication's consideration. Lots of great books were rejected many times before they hit stardom. On the other hand, look back over your manuscript with an editor's eye. What problems did she see? What will you rewrite before you send it out again?
Best advice: If you want to be a writer, write. Write and write and never give up.

"When I am working on a book or story I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you and it is cold and you come to your work and warm as you write."

Ernest Hemingway

Thanks again, Kathi and Kay!

Let the Shoe Fit!

You know the saying...if the shoe fits, wear it. You also know what it really means: that if something strikes home, applies to you, own the truth of it. Admit it. Even better, take a lesson from it.

Following are just a few sayings I'd like to share, which I've often thought of doing, but felt that it's not enough for a blog post to just share some quotes.

Well, I've changed my mind.

Take these aphorisms and apply them to your writing life. You'll be surprised how well they can speak to your situation. And if the shoe fits.....go for it!

Here goes:

"Only those who risk going too far will ever know how far they can go."

"Do something everyday that you don't want to do. You need to get out of your
comfort zone in order to grow." Ed Smith

"Strengthen the things that remain."

"Opportunities are disguised by hard work, so most people don't recognize them."
Ann Landers

"When you reach for the stars, you may not get one, but you won't come up with a hand full of mud, either." Leo Burnett

"I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it." Johnathan Winters

"Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is." Will Rogers

How can your writing be improved by taking the advice from one of the above
sayings? Do something today with that new thought or inspiration!

Historical Instruction for Writers

As a writer of historical romance I found this very interesting. Imagine, writing advice from 1834 England, to women.

From, "The Ladies' Magazine," 1834.

"It is difficult to frame a story to amuse, and yet keep it strictly to the point of doing good. But Christians must do this. They are as much bound to do good when exercising their talents in story-telling, as though they were writing sermons. And they should never attempt to amuse the world at the expense of truth in principles, any more than they would dare to deceive the world by the violation of truth in practice."

This was a letter to the Editor of the The Ladies' Magazine, and I just wish I had the article it was a response to.

When I hold this advice up to my work-in-progress, it presents a problem, were I to take it to heart. My new book is a time-travel, and so is of necessity a violation of truth, since I don't believe in time travelling, and I hope you don't, either.
I will just have to conclude that such advice goes far as far as it goes; but that fantasy writing, such as for a book like mine, is an exception.

Any thoughts, fellow writers?

THE MOLLY CONTEST--for Unpublished Authors

*2010 Molly is Open for Entries *

*Purpose:* The purpose of THE MOLLY is to inspire, motivate, and reward
unpublished authors of romance fiction.

*Eligibility:* Participation is open to all unpublished authors of novel
length romance fiction and those who have not published within three years
prior to contest deadline. Previous Molly FIRST PLACE winning entries are
not eligible to enter that winning manuscript. Reformatting and/or title
changes of previous winning entries will result in disqualification and
forfeiture of entry fees. All work must be the author's original work that
has not been contracted for publication prior to the contest deadline. The
official entry form (which may be copied) and entry fee must accompany each
submission.

*CATEGORIES:
*
*Contemporary* - Romantic novels, which may also include sensuality that may
or may not be intense. Projected word count: More than 40,000 words.

*Single Title* - Romantic novels released as individual titles. Projected
word count: over 70,000 words.

*Romantic Suspense* - Romance novels in which suspense may constitute a
strong element in the romance plot. Projected word count: over 70,000 words.

*Historical *- Novels that have a strong romantic element throughout. This
includes Regency and gothic romances. Settings must be at least one hundred
years in the past. Word count: over 40,000.

*Paranormal/Time-Travel/Futuristic *- Romantic novels with any time setting
that contain elements such as time-travel, angels, or other
mystical/paranormal themes or set in the future. Word count: over 40,000
words.

*Young Adult - *Novels with a romantic element aimed at teen and young adult
readers. Word Count: More than 40,000 words.

*HODRW reserves the right to return all entries and fees if the minimum
entry number for each category (10) is not received. Entrants will be
contacted to see if they wish to place their entry in another category
before entries are returned.

We accept Electronic entries only in 2010*

*Entry Deadline: *All entries must be received by *May 25, 2010*. Entries
must be *received* by 11:59pm MDT *May 25, 2010*. Please factor in your ISP
may not deliver in mere seconds.

*Entry Fees:* $30 for all HODRW members, $35 for all RWA members who are not
members of HODRW, and $40 for all non-RWA members. *You may pay by using
Paypal .* (click here) Payments
by check or money order should go to* treasurer@hodrw.com* and be marked for
Molly Entry 2010. International entries must use the PayPal method.

*EARLY BIRD Deadline - *

* DEDUCT $5 FROM FEE IF e-mailed BY April 25, 2010


*Checklist*

_____ One (1) completed and signed official entry form and agreement for
each entry. *Entry* forms should be in the body of email.

_____ First up to thirty (30) pages of your manuscript. This can be a
combination of Prologue plus Chapter One+, but 30 pages maximum. Formatting
should be standard Times New Roman 12 or 14 or Courier 12, 1 inch margins,
saved in .rtf. Five (5) page max of your synopsis (same formatting as ms
entry). It is best to use the standard Hard Page Break with the synopsis
included in the one file.

_____ One (1) check or money order made out to "HODRW" for the applicable
entry fee for each entry. Or the PayPal receipt of payment or confirmation
number.

_____ Entry sent to the category coordinator

*ELECTRONIC ENTRIES: Format/Checklist: Each entry will be formatted and
presented as follows:*
Entries MUST be in an .RTF (rich text format) file. Header on manuscript
and synopsis pages should contain title and category in the upper left
corner and the page number in the upper right. A category subgenre (i.e.
“Regency,” “Time Travel,” “Young Adult,” etc. ) *may* *but need not* also be
included in the header. We understand formatting sometimes changes in
transmission, but every attempt should be taken to maintain proper
formatting and ready for printing. Some of the final round judges still ask
us to print the finalists entries mailed to them. Author's name may not
appear anywhere on the manuscript or synopsis, or the entry will be
disqualified. Author’s name should only be on the separate entry form.

Copy Contest Entry Form and Contestant Agreement into an email with a
subject line of *Molly Entry and Category name*. Attach entry and then email
completed form to proper category coordinator. *(ENTRIES MUST BE .rtf
FORMAT)*. The title of your entry should be the file name.

Payment is encouraged through PayPal, but payment by check for electronic
entries must be received by the HOD treasurer - with a printed entry form
for proper tracking - by May 20, 2010.

Verification of receipt of entry will be made by email address included on
the entry form. If you do NOT receive a verification email within 72 hours,
please notify the appropriate coordinator immediately.

*FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE RULES MAY DISQUALIFY THE ENTRY AND
THE ENTRY FEE MAY NOT BE REFUNDED. *

*Judging: *

*First Round: *Two qualified judges will judge the first round. The top 30
percent of entries in each category will move into the second round.
Re-judging will occur in the first round only, and only where there is a
difference of at least twenty (20) points between the two judges, AND the
higher judge gave a score of 85 or more. When re-judging occurs, the lowest
score will be discarded (whether or not it is an original or rejudged
score).

*Second Round:* The second round will be judged by two published authors.
After the four scores from first and second round are received, the lowest
of the four scores will be dropped. The three entries with the highest total
of the three remaining scores will advance to the finals. Additional
finalists will be added in the event of a tie for third place.

Judges for both rounds are encouraged to comment within the manuscript on
ELECTRONIC entries.

*Final Round:* An *editor*/*agent* will select a winner from the finalists.

*Final Round Judges:*

*Contemporary: Patience Smith, Harlequin *

*Historical: TBA *

*Paranormal/TimeTravel/Futuristic: TBA *

*Young Adult: Katelynn Lacopo, BookEnds Literary Agency*

*Single Title: Holly Blanck, St Martins Press*

*Romantic Suspense: Danielle Poiesz, Simon and Schuster, Pocket Books*

*Heart of Molly: TBA*

*Unsinkable Heroine: TBA *

*Notification:* First Round semi-finalists will be notified by APPROXIMATELY
*July 1, 2010. *Second Round finalists will be notified by
APPROXIMATELY *August
5, 2010. *Winners will be notified by* *APPROXIMATELY *October 17,
2010,*following the contest award ceremony.
*Awards: *The first place winner in each category will receive the "Molly
Award Plaque." All other finalists will receive certificates. Results will
be publicized on loops and in the RWR.

*"The Unsinkable Heroine" Award:* Each entry will be judged for "The
Unsinkable Heroine" award. This award is separate from the regular contest
scoring and in no way reflects adversely or advantageously to the general
scoring system. The heroine in each entry will be judged for Spunk,
Imagination & Creativity, and Unsinkability.
Beginning in 2010, all entries with two perfect scores on the Unsinkable
Heroine score sheet will be compared to their overall scores in round
one. Then
the highest three scoring will be advanced to the Unsinkable Heroine
finalists. All those receiving the two perfect scores will receive
Honorable Mention certificates.

*The Heart of Molly Award: *Only Heart of Denver Romance Writers (HODRW)
members (as of January 31, 2010) are eligible for this special award at no
additional charge and in addition to the Molly and/or Unsinkable Heroine
Awards. An agent or editor will select the winner from the first and second
round top HODRW scores for the *2010* Heart of Molly Award.

*Submission: *Entries must be directed to the appropriate category
coordinator:
Payments by check to:

Grace Larralde
719 Butte Pass Rd
Ft. Collins, CO 80526
treasurer@hodrw.com

*ENTRIES FOR CATEGORIES*:

*Romantic Suspense*

*Contemporary*

Email entry to: Lesli Lent,
Mollycoordinator@hodrw.com
*ENTRIES FOR CATEGORIES:*
*Paranormal/TimeTravel/Futuristic*
*Single Title*
*Young Adult*

Email entry to: Lisa Pietsch,
Molly@hodrw.com

*ENTRIES FOR CATEGORIES:*

*Historical*

Email entry to: Roxanne Kean,
*HistoricalMolly@hodrw.com*

*General Questions?* Email *Lesli Lent at** *Mollycoordinator@hodrw.com* *

A Poem for Writers

A Writer’s Step of Faith
(Matthew 14:28-33)

by Donna J. Shepherd, Author, Speaker, Singer

I step out
Into a sea of words.

Oh, that anointed phrases
And heavenly prose
Would jump onto my page
Like fish jumping into a boat!

But they don’t.

I take each step in faith,
all the while
Catching fish as I walk.

Waves of rejection
Threaten to overcome,
And I’m afraid.

I begin to sink
Into the murky deep.

“Lord, save me.”

Jesus stretches forth His hand.
I keep my eyes on Him,
And grasp Him tight.

He guides me
through every storm
Over contrary seas,
Catching fish
One word at a time
Until we cross
To the other side.

Copyright © 2006 Donna J. Shepherd

Labels: Donna Shepherd, Inspirational, Poetry, Writers