I don't know why I'm more embarrassed to share the contemporary romance novel than the historical romance with Utah Valley Writers (UVW). The historical romance has taken a lot of research and is more serious in tone so it seems a more "worthy" genre as though romance is a sappy, easy-to-write genre; it's not. The first chapter I shared with the two Michelles didn't go well. They had some good comments and I fixed their concerns. The main problem was that I was not connected to the characters. I keep changing their names for one thing. Once I settle on a name it's as though they come to life for me and I can visualize them better. Last Thursday I dared to take the first chapter to UVW and it was generally well received. I do need to do some tweaking, but not a lot. So, while I'm reading Michelle Stoddard's manuscript and editing Effie's story, I'll return to LATR as a little break. One of the people at the critique table has several unfinished novels and that seems to be the way it is for others too. Ideas come faster than the writing and we don't want to lose the idea so we begin writing a new book. But, the important thing is that we actually finish a manuscript.
I'm impressed with Shaela Odd who I met through UVW. She has published two books already through Amazon publishing. I'm also impressed how well she is promoting her book. Most writers seem to want to publish with bona fide publishing companies and that really is more prestigious. But I want to be like Shaela and have something published! I honestly can't be bothered going through writing pitch letters, though it is a good exercise. I've only done one for the Pitch Wars contest so I really haven't tried very hard. Part of my reasoning is that Effie's story is a cross between a historical novel and a historical romance and publishing companies are more likely to publish something that fits a particular genre. I've decided to finish the edit and get it looked at through the agent who read my pitch and first chapter. I wasn't chosen by her, but she has a professional writing service in Los Angeles and offered a discounted service. I'd like to get feedback from professionals and then go from there. Then I will get a copy edit done and publish it through Amazon. That's the plan.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Reading Good Books
They say that reading good books helps you become a better writer. I used to think that. But now as I am trying to write, I get more discouraged when I read well-crafted books. I think my writing is pretty bad compared to others. Of course, I haven't seen the work that went into a book before its final copy and publication. What I am battling against is the boring prose and hackneyed phrases that seem to pour out of me.
For example, trying to "show" not "tell," trying not to use adverbs (Stephen King's idea), showing emotion without using the world "feel." I can't seem to come up with adequate substitutions and continue to use the same old stuff: the clenched fist, the tears, the sigh, etc.
For Book Group tonight we're discussing All the Light We Cannot See. It's such a moving and beautifully written book so when I come back to my own manuscript, it is so ho hum. Of course, I'm not setting out to write a literary novel or set it in WW2 and the natural conflicts that arose, but even with the genre I'm writing it feels shallow.
I've been having a hard time getting to edits. My post on procrastination tells it all. But I had a breakthrough last night. I was reading over the scenes where Effie talks with her mother who explains about her rape. It occurred to me in the middle of the night (I was having one of those sleepless nights) that I could just leave all of that out. I never felt comfortable with it anyway because the way I wrote it felt forced and puts Maggie, the victim in a worse light than the man who deflowered her. It also seems repetitive after the conversation Effie had with Elspeth Mackie who gave background about Maggie. I also decided to have Maggie die and not meet Effie. It felt forced again when I had her worrying about whether she should associate with her mother who had fallen to the lowest of the low in society and balance Effie's new rise in society as Vandemark's protegé and heir. Duh! I mean to say, that's a no brainer. Why would she even think about this, except that she wants to do the right thing. But, I think I'm going to keep the half-brother and bring him into the second book. (If I ever finish this one!)
When I made that decision and started rewriting that part, it felt as though a weight was lifted off. It will make the book more cohesive. I'm also going to beef up the romance and interactions between Effie and Calum. I've found some great information on physicians in the navy during that period and how they sketched and collected plants. This will also fit in well with Effie's discovery of the herbal book so they can have a conversation about that. So more romance, less angst.
I've also decided to shorten the title from Joy to the Person of My Love, though I love the "antique" feeling of this title. I think I'll call it Joy to My Love, but I may come up with something else that describes the book better though the song is about unrequited love which Effie experiences.
For example, trying to "show" not "tell," trying not to use adverbs (Stephen King's idea), showing emotion without using the world "feel." I can't seem to come up with adequate substitutions and continue to use the same old stuff: the clenched fist, the tears, the sigh, etc.
For Book Group tonight we're discussing All the Light We Cannot See. It's such a moving and beautifully written book so when I come back to my own manuscript, it is so ho hum. Of course, I'm not setting out to write a literary novel or set it in WW2 and the natural conflicts that arose, but even with the genre I'm writing it feels shallow.
I've been having a hard time getting to edits. My post on procrastination tells it all. But I had a breakthrough last night. I was reading over the scenes where Effie talks with her mother who explains about her rape. It occurred to me in the middle of the night (I was having one of those sleepless nights) that I could just leave all of that out. I never felt comfortable with it anyway because the way I wrote it felt forced and puts Maggie, the victim in a worse light than the man who deflowered her. It also seems repetitive after the conversation Effie had with Elspeth Mackie who gave background about Maggie. I also decided to have Maggie die and not meet Effie. It felt forced again when I had her worrying about whether she should associate with her mother who had fallen to the lowest of the low in society and balance Effie's new rise in society as Vandemark's protegé and heir. Duh! I mean to say, that's a no brainer. Why would she even think about this, except that she wants to do the right thing. But, I think I'm going to keep the half-brother and bring him into the second book. (If I ever finish this one!)
When I made that decision and started rewriting that part, it felt as though a weight was lifted off. It will make the book more cohesive. I'm also going to beef up the romance and interactions between Effie and Calum. I've found some great information on physicians in the navy during that period and how they sketched and collected plants. This will also fit in well with Effie's discovery of the herbal book so they can have a conversation about that. So more romance, less angst.
I've also decided to shorten the title from Joy to the Person of My Love, though I love the "antique" feeling of this title. I think I'll call it Joy to My Love, but I may come up with something else that describes the book better though the song is about unrequited love which Effie experiences.
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