Comments on: Best Practices http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/ America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:07:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Camille http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2669 Camille Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:20:05 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2669 How do you strike a balance between following all the 'rules' and keeping your creativity flowing unhindered? How can you increase your daily wordcount? How can you make the most of your writing time? (see a pattern here?) How do you strike a balance between following all the ‘rules’ and keeping your creativity flowing unhindered?

How can you increase your daily wordcount?

How can you make the most of your writing time?

(see a pattern here?)

]]> By: Daan Van der Merwe http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2670 Daan Van der Merwe Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:03:07 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2670 Wow! I can't wait. As a freshman I'll appreciate all and any information on all the questions listed by you and also the questions posted by Camille, particularly her first one. Wow! I can’t wait. As a freshman I’ll appreciate all and any information on all the questions listed by you and also the questions posted by Camille, particularly her first one.

]]> By: Carrie Neuman http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2672 Carrie Neuman Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:06:04 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2672 When you're planning your outline, how much stuff do you need to put in to get an 80,000 word novel? Or is it something that comes after the outline? Real books have all kinds of minor glitches for the main character, and the outline only hits the highlights. So I know other problems have to crop up, but I don't have a good guess for how many between disasters. Finding any kind of hard numbers for scenes or minor conflicts on the internet is pretty much impossible. Everyone just says it depends on your style. Noobs don't have style yet, can I get a hint? When you’re planning your outline, how much stuff do you need to put in to get an 80,000 word novel? Or is it something that comes after the outline? Real books have all kinds of minor glitches for the main character, and the outline only hits the highlights. So I know other problems have to crop up, but I don’t have a good guess for how many between disasters.

Finding any kind of hard numbers for scenes or minor conflicts on the internet is pretty much impossible. Everyone just says it depends on your style. Noobs don’t have style yet, can I get a hint?

]]> By: Lynn http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2673 Lynn Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:27:04 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2673 I have lots of questions but here are only a few: How do you determine what words/scenes to cut from a wip that is too long? How do you create smooth writing without loosing your style to formula writing (e.g. following a pattern like writing a short sentence, then a long sentence, then changing the structure of a sentence, then back to a short sentence, etc.)? How do you create mystery in a story without confusing and thereby losing your reader? How do you introduce those details that are clues to the future, yet seem irrelevant to the present time in the story? Okay, last one - How do you get a published author to read your novel with the hope that they will recommend you to their agent? Besides the obvious of meeting them at a writer's conference. I have lots of questions but here are only a few:

How do you determine what words/scenes to cut from a wip that is too long?

How do you create smooth writing without loosing your style to formula writing (e.g. following a pattern like writing a short sentence, then a long sentence, then changing the structure of a sentence, then back to a short sentence, etc.)?

How do you create mystery in a story without confusing and thereby losing your reader? How do you introduce those details that are clues to the future, yet seem irrelevant to the present time in the story?

Okay, last one - How do you get a published author to read your novel with the hope that they will recommend you to their agent? Besides the obvious of meeting them at a writer’s conference.

]]> By: Karla http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2674 Karla Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:29:09 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2674 Proposal, agent, voice, promotion are the topics I need most help on. Also, how do you choose which writing conference to attend? We don't seem to have them around here and it is cost prohibitive for me to travel to either coast. It would be a huge sacrifice for my family financially to attend one. So how do you know if you're attending one that's right for you? What is the protocol for finding favor with an editor that you might meet at a conference? How should you dress, act, etc.? I need real practical information in these areas. Proposal, agent, voice, promotion are the topics I need most help on.

Also, how do you choose which writing conference to attend? We don’t seem to have them around here and it is cost prohibitive for me to travel to either coast. It would be a huge sacrifice for my family financially to attend one.

So how do you know if you’re attending one that’s right for you? What is the protocol for finding favor with an editor that you might meet at a conference? How should you dress, act, etc.? I need real practical information in these areas.

]]> By: Heath http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2675 Heath Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:32:53 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2675 "How do you design a novel?" is the item atop your list which interests me. My rather unorthodox method, as a novice novelist, is to spend several months brainstorming every aspect of my subject: settings, characters, plot devices, storyline, etc, etc. The struggle at the end of this process is bringing it all together. I have 10 notebooks of brainstorming info. along with several 3 ring binders packed with research. It's like a hurricane of whirling information I need to mold into one steady stream. Thanks for your always wise counsel. “How do you design a novel?” is the item atop your list which interests me. My rather unorthodox method, as a novice novelist, is to spend several months brainstorming every aspect of my subject: settings, characters, plot devices, storyline, etc, etc. The struggle at the end of this process is bringing it all together. I have 10 notebooks of brainstorming info. along with several 3 ring binders packed with research. It’s like a hurricane of whirling information I need to mold into one steady stream. Thanks for your always wise counsel.

]]> By: Pam Halter http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2676 Pam Halter Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:44:41 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2676 An agent has offered you a contract. Another agent is still reading your stuff. I've put out questions and am talking with clients. How do I know which one will be better if I haven't heard from them both? How long do I keep the one waiting? An agent has offered you a contract. Another agent is still reading your stuff.

I’ve put out questions and am talking with clients.

How do I know which one will be better if I haven’t heard from them both?

How long do I keep the one waiting?

]]> By: Mary E. DeMuth http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2677 Mary E. DeMuth Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:48:37 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2677 Right now I'm young enough to hold a book in my head. I'll be all there, with lots of details swirling around. But someday I'll get old. What's a great tracking method to keep plotting points and details all in one place (besides my brain)? Right now I’m young enough to hold a book in my head. I’ll be all there, with lots of details swirling around. But someday I’ll get old. What’s a great tracking method to keep plotting points and details all in one place (besides my brain)?

]]> By: Lynda http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2678 Lynda Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:02:45 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2678 This sophomore needs help on EVERYTHING. How long should a novel be? I was told that there isn't a prayer of getting published if it is over 100,000 words. I'm at 113,000 and don't see where I can cut! This sophomore needs help on EVERYTHING. How long should a novel be? I was told that there isn’t a prayer of getting published if it is over 100,000 words. I’m at 113,000 and don’t see where I can cut!

]]> By: Lynn http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2679 Lynn Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:14:11 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2679 Sorry Randy, but I have one more question - Should you hire an editor to review your novel, and if so, when? The expense seems formidable. Sorry Randy, but I have one more question - Should you hire an editor to review your novel, and if so, when? The expense seems formidable.

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2680 Rebecca Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:31:32 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2680 One thing I continue to struggle with is balancing the POVs in my novels (both in number of POVs and the weight allotted to each). I've read of various formulas to follow, but I'm afraid that in reality it parallels the writer's 'voice'... which I'm still developing. Does it? How many POVs is too many? One thing I continue to struggle with is balancing the POVs in my novels (both in number of POVs and the weight allotted to each). I’ve read of various formulas to follow, but I’m afraid that in reality it parallels the writer’s ‘voice’… which I’m still developing. Does it? How many POVs is too many?

]]> By: Marcus Brotherton http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2681 Marcus Brotherton Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:13:13 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2681 Is there anything you (or your agent) can do to help guarantee placement of your book in a bookstore? Of the 17 or so commercially published books I've been a part of, I've only ever seen two or three that have actually made their way onto shelves. Is there anything you (or your agent) can do to help guarantee placement of your book in a bookstore? Of the 17 or so commercially published books I’ve been a part of, I’ve only ever seen two or three that have actually made their way onto shelves.

]]> By: bonne friesen http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2682 bonne friesen Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:41:00 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2682 If you are working on public speaking and are willing to help promote your book in other ways, at what point in the proposal do you mention this to a publisher or editor? If you are working on public speaking and are willing to help promote your book in other ways, at what point in the proposal do you mention this to a publisher or editor?

]]> By: Ted Truscott http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2683 Ted Truscott Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:58:18 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2683 I'd like to teach some moral principles in story form but I want to be didactic without being preachy. How do I 'teach' without losing the story and therefore the audience? I’d like to teach some moral principles in story form but I want to be didactic without being preachy.

How do I ‘teach’ without losing the story and therefore the audience?

]]> By: Jason Campbell http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2684 Jason Campbell Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:35:08 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2684 How do I get some shape on this monster-of-a-story in my head and out onto paper? I've seen the "where do I go for inspiration" stuff covered in the usual books and helps, and I've seen your excellent mechanics for taking a core concept and fleshing it out using the snowflake process, but I'm missing a step in the middle. I don't have enough of a handle on the story to begin the snowflake. I'm one of those people with a story (or trilogy) in my head, but it's all themes and images, character impressions, setting flashes, scene fragments. Exploring that stuff and getting it out of my head is something I've been struggling with for a while now... How do I get some shape on this monster-of-a-story in my head and out onto paper?

I’ve seen the “where do I go for inspiration” stuff covered in the usual books and helps, and I’ve seen your excellent mechanics for taking a core concept and fleshing it out using the snowflake process, but I’m missing a step in the middle. I don’t have enough of a handle on the story to begin the snowflake.

I’m one of those people with a story (or trilogy) in my head, but it’s all themes and images, character impressions, setting flashes, scene fragments. Exploring that stuff and getting it out of my head is something I’ve been struggling with for a while now…

]]> By: Cathy http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2685 Cathy Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:37:47 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2685 If you're writing about a historical era, does the setting have to be a real place? I love the mid to late 1800's time frame preferably set in the western part of the US. Can I use ficticious names for towns? How accurate do I have to be in my descriptions? Is it sufficiant to stick to the general aspects (dessert, mountainous, hilly, flat, dry or wet climate, forrested, etc.)? I have several story ideas, but I haven't pursued them because of setting. They don't fit my location. I guess that's why I'm still writing fan fiction. The original writers cared little about these issues so I'm free to make things up to fit my purposes. If you’re writing about a historical era, does the setting have to be a real place? I love the mid to late 1800’s time frame preferably set in the western part of the US. Can I use ficticious names for towns? How accurate do I have to be in my descriptions? Is it sufficiant to stick to the general aspects (dessert, mountainous, hilly, flat, dry or wet climate, forrested, etc.)?

I have several story ideas, but I haven’t pursued them because of setting. They don’t fit my location. I guess that’s why I’m still writing fan fiction. The original writers cared little about these issues so I’m free to make things up to fit my purposes.

]]> By: Karri http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2686 Karri Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:38:18 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2686 I love the research and voice questions. It's embarrassing, but I've got another question, one which may not make a bit of sense. My problem is going from outlining to actually writing. I can plan out my characters and plot, but then when I have to actually get down to writing, I fizzle. How do I segue between preparing to write and writing? I love the research and voice questions.

It’s embarrassing, but I’ve got another question, one which may not make a bit of sense. My problem is going from outlining to actually writing. I can plan out my characters and plot, but then when I have to actually get down to writing, I fizzle. How do I segue between preparing to write and writing?

]]> By: Doraine Bennett http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2688 Doraine Bennett Tue, 16 Oct 2007 01:50:05 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2688 How do you find the end? Surely there are some tips for us SOTP that could help. How do you find the end? Surely there are some tips for us SOTP that could help.

]]> By: Marci Burke http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2694 Marci Burke Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:50:34 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2694 How do you layer your novel? I have it finished, but I'd like to know the best way to go back in and layer in the elements that make it emotionally satisfying. How do you layer your novel? I have it finished, but I’d like to know the best way to go back in and layer in the elements that make it emotionally satisfying.

]]> By: Anna http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2707 Anna Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:08:37 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2707 What do you do when your plot is weak in some places and needs help? What do you do when you have a hard time writing a character that you sort of know and love? I am really looking forward to this. Anna What do you do when your plot is weak in some places and needs help?

What do you do when you have a hard time writing a character that you sort of know and love?

I am really looking forward to this.
Anna

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2730 Kathryn Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:16:58 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2730 My biggest problem is still finding my 'platform'. As a fantasy writer, it has been extremely difficult to find common ground between promoting myself and my writing. So my question is: How do you promote yourself when all you have is your writing? What other avenue does a writer have other than: Link something you know to what you write? My biggest problem is still finding my ‘platform’. As a fantasy writer, it has been extremely difficult to find common ground between promoting myself and my writing.

So my question is: How do you promote yourself when all you have is your writing? What other avenue does a writer have other than: Link something you know to what you write?

]]> By: Andie Mock http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2753 Andie Mock Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:16:46 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2753 Hi Randy - I am taking your teleseminar on public speaking and still can't seem to figure out how to connect a NONFICTION topic with my YA humor novel that will actually sell my book to teens and a cross-over market to their mothers. Here's the problem I see. Folks who are interested in nonfiction topics are often not interested in fiction. Last night I was at a dinner with a bunch of academics --- nonfiction writers all ---and two dissed novels to my face as "frippery". Also, I notice you do not have a link anywhere on your website to a place to purchase your books. Is this intentional? Thanks Randy. I've bought everything you are selling and am having some pretty wild success in a very short time following your advice to the letter. Andie Mock Hi Randy -

I am taking your teleseminar on public speaking and still can’t seem to figure out how to connect a NONFICTION topic with my YA humor novel that will actually sell my book to teens and a cross-over market to their mothers.

Here’s the problem I see. Folks who are interested in nonfiction topics are often not interested in fiction.

Last night I was at a dinner with a bunch of academics — nonfiction writers all —and two dissed novels to my face as “frippery”.

Also, I notice you do not have a link anywhere on your website to a place to purchase your books. Is this intentional?

Thanks Randy. I’ve bought everything you are selling and am having some pretty wild success in a very short time following your advice to the letter.

Andie Mock

]]> By: simplestuff » Blog Archive » Best Practices http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2786 simplestuff » Blog Archive » Best Practices Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:24:50 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/10/14/best-practices/#comment-2786 [...] the details here This entry was posted on Monday, October 15th, 2007 at 1:34 am and is filed under fiction writing. [...] […] the details here This entry was posted on Monday, October 15th, 2007 at 1:34 am and is filed under fiction writing. […]

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