A newbie writer is looking for guidance. A lot of new writers want to know the very basic information. The information those of us who have been doing this for a while take for granted. So you have to remember two things. There are no stupid questions. And you were a new writer once too.

I’ve had new writers ask me where to start. They have an idea or they have a character so what do they do now. This is the most common question I get asked. If a new writer asks you that keep in mind what a writer should not do.

Writers should not tell other writers how they SHOULD write. There is no wrong way or right way to write a book. It’s an individual process. What works for me might not work for you. I should not tell you that you should let the book simmer for a year or two. That you must have a detailed chapter by chapter outline. That you must have action on the first page (it’s a good idea but you don’t have to do it). You might be a pantser. A chapter by chapter outline wouldn’t work for you. I’ll admit, the more a book simmers for me the faster I can write it when I sit down to write. But I would never let it simmer for two years. And some readers and editors actually like books that start off slowly, building the suspense without hitting you over the head with the conflict.

Writers should not think that just because they are published they know everything about writing and getting published. Writers learn new things about writing every day. Published authors I know continue to take workshops to improve their craft. The only difference between me and a published author is they have a contract. If I got a contract tomorrow that doesn’t magically make me more knowledgeable or mean what I have to offer in the way of advice is any better than the published author who got their contract a year ago. Do published authors have more to teach us? You bet they do. They have insight into the part of the business the unpublished don’t. They know all about ARCs and proofs, deadlines. I listen intently when published authors speak. But I’ve also seen stories by a published author who didn’t know how to properly use a dialogue tag.

Be helpful. Be supportive. Writers should not tell a new author their story is boring or won’t sell. How do you know? What you find boring someone else might find enchanting. Yes, I’ve told authors their books might be hard sells because of the subject matter. But I would never tell them it would never sell.

I try to always preface my advice with – this is what works for me. The writer can pick and choose what they want to listen to.

If you’re a new writer I highly recommend joining a SUPPORTIVE group. One that won’t judge. That won’t tell you how writing must be done. Local is always best. Meeting face to face with other writers is a great experience. If you’re in the Guelph area (living or visiting) check out the local writing group Guelph Write Now.

What advice have you been given that totally didn’t work for you? What else should writers not do?

Until next time…

Cindy

I did get in 1688 words before going to bed. I forced myself to write to at least the minimum. I wanted to give up at 1029 words, rationalizing that it was good enough on the first day. It was ten to midnight, I was tired. I decided that if I let myself slack off on the first day it would set the tone for the rest of the month. So I pushed myself to get the rest of the words in.

On the way to work this morning I realized that what I wrote as one of the opening scenes would have to move to the middle of the book. It’s all good though. I came up with some other scenes, with the help of the boyfriend, that I can write today.

How did you do your first day?

Until next time…

Cindy

To prevent the curse I will have to be writing and plotting this week. I still don’t have a lot of scenes figured out (2) but other scenes are starting to come into focus. And I know where my characters live. I hadn’t realized how much research I would have to do for this one. Bright side, since I’m doing it now I won’t have to do a whole lot for the sequels. Most of the research will be done already.

I’ll be back later this week with progress reports. Yes, I’m being optimistic that I will have progress.

Are you ready to start that NaNo novel?

Until next time…

Cindy

I love to write thrillers with serial killers. But that was all I had been doing for a while so I decided to try something completely different. Scripts. What I found was writing scripts helped me grasp some of those novel writing rules I’d been hearing about and thought I understood. But based on one rejection I clearly did not. It wasn’t until I started writing my first feature script that I truly “got” show, don’t tell because you have to show in screenplays. I’ll be dedicating an entire post to show, don’t tell later.

If novelists really want to learn show, don’t tell, keeping the writing active, story structure and dialogue I highly recommend studying movies. Those things are so much more clear in movies/screenplays. Debra Dixon’s GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict, though written for novelists, uses movie examples to illustrate her points. And she does it brilliantly.

I didn’t stop the new experiences with scripts. I moved onto something else completely different. Sci-Fi and horror short stories. Not a serial killer in sight. I discovered there were a lot of calls for submissions out there for short stories for anthologies. Why not try to break in that way while still honing my craft? Short stories are great, as are screenplays, to teach you to be economical with words. I’ve written about seven short stories so far, four of which have been submitted. I’ll keep writing them because they’re quicker than books and I have a finished product a lot sooner.

Writing in different mediums and different genres helps you grow as a writer. It may help you understand concepts better. Am I suggesting you write something you don’t like just because it’s different? No. You still need to like what you’re doing. Remember when you were younger and you refused to eat something because you said you didn’t like it? And your mother said, “You haven’t even tried it. How do you know you don’t like it?” Same concept applies. How will you know you don’t like writing screenplays if you don’t try? And don’t give up just because it’s hard.

A former critique partner wrote brilliant historicals. I loved them. She couldn’t sell them. She switched to contemporary settings with classic themes and sold her first book.

Whether you’re writing a short story, a novel or a script you still have to paint a picture with words. Personally, I would want every edge I could get. For me that means experimenting with different genres, mediums, structures, writing processes. You never know. You might find a new favourite genre to write. Or a new writing process that works better for you. If you keep an open mind about things in general, why not your writing too?

How open minded are you?

Until next time…

Cindy

Last year I was lucky. I knew well in advance (August I think) what I was going to write. Couldn’t wait to start the book actually, but I forced myself to wait until November. So for at least three months I had scenes, characters and dialogue running through my head. And it helped. I won NaNo last year.

This year I was a little nervous. As of this time last week I had just decided what I was going to work on. Not a lot of time for prep. Writing loops to the rescue! I belong to Candace Havens’ Write Workshop loop (check out her workshops page to sign up) and last week on the loop Jacqueline Corcoran started a two week free workshop that is a mish mash of everything. Awesome when you’re trying to figure out a book. Some of the exercises really helped me figure out my main character and the whole workshop has been fabulous so far. Over on the FF&P loop Elijana Kindel is giving a plotting workshop this week. It starts today and I can’t wait. Even though I had no plan until recently I’m feeling good about the story. And of course this year’s NaNo book is going to be the first book in a series.

So, how much NaNo prep do you do?

Until next time…

Cindy

Now, I love October because it’s the month before NaNoWriMo. The month where we prepare for that marathon of writing that takes place in November. Some NaNoers don’t know what they’ll write about until November 1. Some plan months in advance. I’m finally excited for NaNoWriMo because I just figured out what I’m going to write this year. Well, I figured it out on the weekend. I had 5 stories to choose from and couldn’t figure out which one to do. Then one of my critique partners, the lovely Beverley Bateman , posed a simple question that made everything so clear. Which one would be the most fun to write? Because NaNoWriMo is all about having fun while putting in those crazy hours to get a novel written.

The answer to her question hit me in the shower, where I do most of my best thinking. So this year’s NaNo book is going to be another urban fantasy. It’s also going to be something I haven’t written before. Last year the shapeshifter was new to me. This year it will be angels. I have some research to do in my very near future before I can start writing the story. I already have some plot points and scenes in mind that are going to make this year’s book just as much fun to write as last year’s book.

Status on last year’s book – still need 35,000 words to complete. I’ll work on that soon too.

Are you ready for NaNoWriMo?

Until next time…

Cindy

Story: I have to say I really like this story. It was funny, cute, with likable characters. I thought it was a good family movie.

This was a really engaging story. I was able to overlook the flaws and continue to enjoy the story. Loved the ending. Very nice way to tie it all up. Great symmetry.

This past weekend I saw the movie at the drive-in. I couldn’t wait to see it because I enjoyed the script so much. You know how you should always read the book first before you watch the movie based on the book because the book is usually better? The script was WAY better. The original script was written by Jay Scherick & David Ronn. The end of the movie had five people with writing credits. I didn’t really care that some of the names had been changed. His name was Andrew in the original script. There was no Stephanie. Gale was Trent. Gale was unlikeable in a really obvious way. Over the top way. Seriously, what happened to subtle?

I understand some of the changes made to the script. For example:

It’s not really showing us the down side of being a zookeeper. The scene added to the movie did show that, though I thought it was over the top. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending of the movie. I thought the script’s ending was much stronger. Had much better symmetry.

So, maybe I should start watching the movies first before reading the scripts. Especially if there are more than two writers with writing credits for the movie. That way I might avoid disappointment. If this were a book it wouldn’t end up on my keeper shelf. The DVD will not be sitting on my DVD shelf when it comes out.

Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the dish. The proof is in the movie.

Until next time…

Cindy

Today I’m at Amber Kallyn’s blog talking about action. And it might not be the kind of action you’re thinking about.

Pop over if you can and leave a comment for your chance to win the ITHC lecture packet.

Until next time…

Cindy

So, the epiphany – you can’t sell a novel if you’re only writing and submitting short stories. And related to that – you can’t sell a novel if you don’t finish writing it and then submit it.

Once the script is finished and polished I’ll be focusing on the urban fantasy novel I started during last year’s NaNoWriMo.

Also had an epiphany for my script with the help of the boyfriend. He figured out the all important way to get my characters back from – let’s just say – another realm. The clues I planted in act one will (hopefully) have the reader/viewer thinking – well, duh. Of course!

For now, I have to get to the day job. Then tonight work continues on the supernatural thriller script.

Until next time…

Cindy

The best part about wanting to write for TV is that when I watch TV it’s not goofing off. It’s work. It’s study. The study part was easy. The first teleplay I wrote was for my favourite show. I watched Supernatural from the very beginning. I mean, it debuted in my birthday month. How could I not watch it? I loved the characters. I loved the stories. I’m a huge fan of horror movies so the show was a great fix every week. The hard part was finding scripts from the show to study. I wanted to see how they did it. I found the pilot online but that wasn’t enough. I ended up buying two other scripts on eBay. I photocopied the scripts then started highlighting like crazy. Each character got a different colour so I could make sure I had the balance right. My first teleplay turned out pretty good. I wrote two more for the show then started writing movies.

Now, I’m back to wanting to write television shows again. I want it all basically. I have so many ideas, they need an outlet. Not all of them are novel ideas. So now I’ve got movies, TV shows, novels and short story ideas vying for attention. I’ve been participating in TV writer chats on Twitter. When my feature screenplay is finished and polished I will pull out one of my spec pilot ideas and start writing.

If you want to write for television (or movies) I highly recommend the following sites/groups/podcasts.

Screenwriting U – They offer classes on screenwriting that are simply amazing.

Scriptchat – They have a Twitter chat every Sunday on screenwriting.

TVWriterChat – Also has a Twitter chat on Sundays about writing for TV.

TVWriterPodCast – I just started listening to this podcast. Awesome! Lots of great information about writing for TV.

TV writers to follow – A database of TV writers on Twitter and their handles. Follow them!

Sources for TV scripts to study – TV Writing, More TV scripts, My PDF Scripts

The advice most writers who want to write for TV hear is that they need to move to LA. Well, that’s not really possible for me. But that doesn’t mean I can’t travel there for meetings. And a lot of shows actually film in Toronto. I would love to write for one of those. For that kind of job I would gladly brave the TTC. Well, the GO train, actually.

Now, I’m off to the day job. Then tonight working on the feature script. I’m loving the characters and the story as the script progresses.

Until next time…

Cindy