26

(4 replies, posted in This is US!!)

I haven't entered yet. I had planned to but just can't motivate myself to do the necessary editing. Good luck to everyone!

27

(23 replies, posted in HodgePodge)

I'm pushing that rock with all my might, Vern.

28

(2 replies, posted in This is US!!)

Thanks Alan. Lost my best friend, my career, AND my 34 year marriage this year. Still reeling as well. Bring on 2019...

29

(2 replies, posted in This is US!!)

Seems like the moment we all decided to join this group many of us have had the misfortune of dealing with some pretty massive issues in our lives. Just wanted to send virtual hugs to all of us who are suffering, or trying to get over suffering.

30

(23 replies, posted in HodgePodge)

Just popping in to say heya to the three of you. Been busy hiding under a rock whilst I deal with the more unpleasant side of life. Hope you are all well.

If you are wanting to query an agent, knowing and identifying genre is an extremely important step because the query should include this information. Many agents also like genre/style comparatives within the query. Vern is right that agents tend to make changes to genre if they're interested in your work...but that matters not. They want to know that YOU know which genre(s) your work fits.

If you don't think your novel fits in one solid genre or sub genre, then choose the one closest and run with it. Just make sure what you choose is closest to the overriding theme of the novel and it's not a made up or slammed together term. Check the agency website and look at the genres they represent. If your closest theme is on the list, use that term no matter how many other themes there are (PS this is where using comparative works in your query will help that cause).

32

(62 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Dialect is an entirely different subject--and as there are SO many schools of thought, it's impossible to work in absolutes. My first series had an Immigrant primary character and I went back and forth for years, sometimes using a lot, other times very little...in the end, I went with enough to color, yet not so much to sound artificial, or hard to understand. I'm quite happy with the result. And that's really what it all comes down to--taste.

33

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Character driven vs plot driven would be the correct way to discern if something is lit fic or not. If you think your work qualifies as character driven, submit it. You have nothing to lose.

Way to go Randall!

Can't beat an edit by a real person because they see nuance, style and understand subjective choice. Auto crit apps can never do that. Also, an in person edit will address things like plot, characterization, story arc and pacing...vital elements which nit programs can't handle.

My suggestion for finding an editor is either word of mouth, or see who is offering editing services among your targeted agencies. For example if you really want to be signed by XYZ agency, check and see who in that agency offers freelance editing services. You'd be surprised how many freelancers there are and it's a great way to potentially get your foot in the door.

36

(62 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Hamler is probably one of the best examples of how subjective this process can be. I’ve read a ton of his writing over the years and he nearly always utilizes dialogue as a way to illustrate his narrative. So, for instance, instead of it being: talk, talk, talk >narrative to summarize or process—John’s would be narrate, narrate, narrate> representative talk.

If you were measuring the quality of only his dialogue against the ‘norms and rules’ of utilizing dialogue, it would fall quite short of the mark because 99% of his forward movement and characterization comes from narrative instead of dialogue. But the way I see it is neither process is necessarily right or wrong as long it’s effective. And his usually is.

37

(62 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Tags aren't only to identify a speaker...they prevent reader confusion, create rhythms, elevate, maintain or break tension (beats), and provide avenues to insert action. But in most cases, if a writer finds themselves explaining too much in the tag, or relying too heavily on a tag to convey the desired sentiment, they should probably consider taking a second look at the quality of the dialogue itself.

38

(62 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I use it all with no regard for rules as long as what's hitting the page is believable. If my character decides he/she wants to use Uhm..it gets used. If they talk too formally, so be it. The key for me was teaching myself how to ignore my own voice in my head and start LISTENING to them. That and subtext, subtext, subtext.  Without subtext, even the best dialogue just plain sucks.  smile

39

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Norm, I think it's a matter of taste. I don't tend to name characters who have little to do with the forward movement of the story unless they have a stake, no matter how minor. And so you know the reason I choose to do this is I don't personally like trying to remember a ton of superfluous names when I read the work of others.

40

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I've always seen comments such as that to be a giant positive, not a negative. Unless they told you it sucked as a short story--they were paying you the ultimate compliment.

41

(8 replies, posted in This is US!!)

So sorry to hear about your dad's passing Nancy. sad

42

(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

My horses will happily eat fresh cob corn if offered, yet, they won't touch it if it's been cooked. They eat the entire thing, not just the kernels. And as Marilyn pointed out, ponies are part of the herd with horses and fine for adult riders--but they can be much more notoriously stubborn at times. We've had several ponies of various sizes over the years, and yes, they are MUCH more apt to try to avoid work than their full size counterparts...but only with handlers who are less adept. With experienced handlers, they're well mannered and pretty eager to please.

As to backpack foods--you'd probably be wise to stick with fresh fruits and then add a few quirky things for color. My main horse was CRAZY about red licorice and cola. I didn't give her either very often, but if she caught a whiff of licorice, she'd go nuts trying to get it.

Hope that helps.

43

(5 replies, posted in This is US!!)

What JP said--but the reason I don't bother loyal reviewers with minor changes (just quickly edit the content as is) is mainly because I'm saving their loyalty for the actual rewrite. Then I disable the draft version and create an entirely new project for the rewritten version. Everyone wins--they get points again and you stand a chance of gaining new readers.

44

(2 replies, posted in This is US!!)

Can we have an agreement in this critique group to keep the focus on reading and reviewing and not off site flogging? I don't at all mind when an author messages me  privately to help them promote something--but I personally don't want to see a ton of that here in the group. I'd like the focus here to be on helping each other with the writing end.

Agree? Disagree?

As long as you have it classified as a "book", you will be given the chapter option to work in when adding new material. So like vern said, pick one and start adding new material as chapters. You can edit chapters at any time at no charge. So if you want to change the content in something you've already posted just for the sake of organizing it anew, choose the chapter you wish to edit, cut and paste the newly organized content and you're done.

You definitely want to do this because it not only helps you keep everything organized, but it helps the reviewer keep track too. Also, to lessen the confusion for reviewers, you should probably disable the remnants of any of the older versions once you're done moving stuff around.

46

(8 replies, posted in This is US!!)

So sorry to hear what you're going through, Nancy. Take care of you and we'll be here when you're ready to return. Until then, sending love and light your way.

A 6k chapter is long by any measure. You should probably read up on the normal expectations for your target genre and try to craft/edit your chapters to a reasonably acceptable length accordingly. For instance--a lot of Literary Fiction chapters can run quite long, whereas a commercial fiction chapter is better being under 3k. You can easily find 'norms' for your target genre with a google search. 

Good luck!

48

(26 replies, posted in This is US!!)

Hey all, life has taken a huge turn for me over the last two years so I haven't had as much time to write. Due to a separation from my husband of 32 years, I sold both of my businesses, my home and relocated myself and my 93 year old mother (who I care for full time now) across the country. I'm currently "retraining" for a new career and hopefully once school ends and life settles to a dull roar, it will free up more evenings for writing once again. 

My current wip, Sister Margaret's One Big Lie, is up in rough draft form on premium, but the first major edit is only about a third done so I haven't begun posting it yet. I'd love feedback on it, but I'm also very okay with waiting until the edited version starts going up instead. Until then, I'll start trying to get to as many of your works as I can that are posted here in our group.

49

(23 replies, posted in This is US!!)

All good suggestions Bonnie, but like Norm said, there's likely to be all stages of works being posted. I don't expect recips on my wip unless someone wants to read my draft version before I start uploading the rewrite. But I'm happy to help with reviews off site for works that are more polished or ready for pub.

50

(23 replies, posted in This is US!!)

Don't think points are necessary