How to Make the MOST of your Writing Weekends: WORDfest 2019

WORDFEST.org

Saturday, March 23, 2019 -- a day spent with writers, bloggers, authors, playwrights, educational specialists -- in essence, a day to grow and learn as a writer.

Like most conferences, there were seminars designed to encourage growth of basic skills to the next level, those for writers who've been around the proverbial publishing block, ones to maximizing online presence and even specialty sessions for groups wanting to grow their membership.

Visual demographics leaned heavily toward the female gender, but there was a great blend of young and old. Writing isn't for the faint of heart and the smart-minded encourage their common writing sense and find like-minded folks. Writing is for the tenacious . For those who can stand the solitude. For those who are willing to toil.

I read so many blogs of young women -- and for those reading this, almost all of you will be younger -- who feel a calling, an undeniable urge and a thirst to write and more to share that writing.

in my typical Texas fashion, I tip my hat -- that's a Stetson, of course -- to you all for that bravery.

Writing is a bit like bull-riding.
Hang on, I haven't baked my brain in Texas sun.
The 8-second goal is always on the bull-rider's mind.
That buzzer + being on the back of the bull = SUCCESS.

But ladies and gents, if you believe that it's all about . . . or . . . ONLY about those 8 seconds, then you're not in your 'right-thinking-mind' as we say in Texas. Bull-riders are tremendous athletes who put in hours of grueling training, weeks on the circuit, bruises (in places that we won't mention) even broken bones. IT's hard work. Now, you're getting it. Just like writing is hard work. I will be the first to admit that I have NEVER broken a bone due to excessive writing so bull-riders still win that event.

My good Texas advice to all you youngsters -- and remember, you're all younger than I am . . . if you're serious about your writing: Find a group, a seminar, a critique partner and invest the time and effort to learn your craft then HONE your craft.

Writing Organization worth a look-see:

Romance Writers of America

Young Adult Romance Writers of America

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

Sisters in Crime

Horror Writers Association

Writers' Guild of Great Britain



Time between conference seminars is meant for visiting the exhibitors; here's a list of a few of the participating groups at Word(Field) 2019 -- so named this year because it was a combination of WORDfest & the rescheduled WORDfield event. Hence, WORDfield 2019.

Long Star Literary Life

North Texas Chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association

Sisters in Crime

Writing Workshops Dallas

Happy writing to you all, and remember the 8-second rule: Stay in the Saddle and git it done!

6 Steps to Editing Like a PROfessional!

Editing is hard work . . . anyone who tells you differently is selling something.

Editing is part of every writer’s job . . . anyone who tells you differently is selling something.

Finding the time, and more importantly, making that time count is how the PROfessionals edit.

Below are 6 editing tricks to enhance your writing.

1) Find your editing groove. For some this is EARLY when eyes are the sharpest and focus is the clearest. For others their peak time might be mid-to-late afternoon. Caffeine kicks in, morning rush dies down and – again, this is about focus – the brain settles into a rhythm.

I caution against late night editing. Eyes are slower for all the image bombardment of the day. Eagle eyes are needed for great editing. If, however, evening is the ONLY quiet time – then read the sentences aloud. That’s the best way to catch what’s actually on the page.

2) Highlight sticking points. One particular sentence seem muddy? Dialogue exchange stilted? Blocking in the scene missing? Think about it. Mull it over. But NOT TOO LONG. Don’t get dragged into the writing whirlpool and expect to rescue every drowning sentence. Highlight the sticking points and then MOVE on.

The solution to the original hiccup may reveal itself a page later . . . two pages later . . . when you’re in the shower. (That’s a biggy for me. My dialogue is suddenly brilliant while I’m in the shower. Ink blots and smudges really can tell a story.)


3) Great editing is about condensing.

A) Don’t be afraid to rip out meandering dialogue. Think about that friend (or relative) who never met a short story. Get to the point. B) Scene setting is necessary; world-building may be a must for your genre. But readers will skip loooooong descriptive passages. Focus on the specific elements that make that particular description important then highlight those aspects. C) Adverbs are NOT a writer’s friend. Use with caution.

4) Enhance chapter hooks. Can you name 3 writers that make it impossible for you to put down their book? Why? Great writing – sure. Good plot – absolutely. Superb characters – goes without saying. But I’d place a bet . . . on chapter hooks. How do you hone that skill?

A) Study the timing your favorite authors employ. B) Study 30-minute TV shows. C) Study YA novella authors.

One of my go-to authors is Gary Paulsen. He started in short serials before moving to YA novels. He wrote for youth at an easily distracted age, yet he kept them turning the pages.

If adverbs should be avoided like the plague, then chapter hooks should be embraced liked antibiotics.


5) During editing pay close attention to easy-to-transpose words.

A) patient vs. patience; B) complied vs. compiled; C) advise vs. advice. D) analyze vs. analysis; E) ever vs. every.

The list can be endless, and even tedious. If you’re unsure on the correct version, highlight the word and check for synonyms. Still confused? Use Dictionary.com or your favorite online word source. I work with double monitors to keep support sources easily accessible.

6) Step six to editing like a PRO is an extension of step five. Be aware of your go-to words. One of my writing redundancies is ‘back’. Step back. Go back. He moved back. Her back. His back. Back off. Back away. Am I backing myself into a corner? Find a word cloud program, even a Plain Jane version in your document program of choice, then analyze a scene or chapter. If you are guilty of lazy repetition, it will leap off the page.

Good news for writers everywhere: Editing like a PROfessional writer is a learned skill.

You don’t expect to be a fabulous writer first rattle out of the box.

As a writer, you’ll create loads of boxes (stories) and each one will require editing (loads of editing).

Add these 6 editing tips to your writer’s arsenal and you will deliver more concise and enjoyable words to page.

Be at BETTER WRITER
AT

How to entice Readers . . . 5 Writing Tips to Building Book Teasers!

Writing the Perfect Phrase -- study the masters!

A Writer's Magic - as close as fingertips!

Harry Potter used a wand. Bewitched twitched her nose. Harry Dresden wielded a staff.
Writers come with their own special form of magic.
Whether it's pen to pad, stylus to tablet, or keyboard to PC . . . a writer's magic is as close as fingertips.

New writers often feel that they must pursue fiction writing as they don't carry a bag of non-fiction writing tricks.

Don't allow the concept of non-fiction writing to intimidate.

Consider the 3 easily defined categories:

Educating: How-to-manuals, directions, historical explanations, or scientific explorations fall into this category.

Influencing or persuasive: Every sales brochure, each editorial, even academic critiques are designed to persuade the reader to a certain conclusion.

Narrative: story-telling, but in the non-fiction circuit it is to be based on facts. Basic journalism to feature writing, and even biographies would fall under the Narrative heading.

Many authors not only cross genres, but modes of writing between fiction and non-fiction. A writing paycheck can come from a variety of sources and it is the wise writer who pursues all opportunities.

But, this is a cautionary tale . . . Fiction and Non-fiction are NOT the same writing beast, and must be courted differently in order to achieve successful results.

Be concise: get to the point. Getting to the point is crucial in non-fiction.

Know the point of your writing and get on with it.
A) There is some leniency in the narrative form, but study news stories – both print and online – to gauge the quick pacing of these pieces.
B) Educational writing varies wildly and while How-To-Manuals and Directions often taken on the bulleted-format, lengthy historical explanations and in-depth scientific explorations must still contain a very specific path from premise to conclusion. Be careful not to lose your way when working on the longer formats. Outlines can be a non-fiction writer’s best friend.
C) Persuasive or influencing: this writing can be as short as a tag line, a book blurb, a closing sales pitch or deal with weighty issues from politics to retirement planning. A clearly defined goal is the most certain way to achieve the end result of the writing.

Language choices: use power words and precision language.

Keeping in line with the Be Concise attitude, force each of your words to carry their weight. Know (and keep a list) of verbs that are effective and reflective on your subject matter. Equally important, know precisely how to describe the product, the ideal, the event.

Pronouns: the NO-NO for non-fiction writing.

Fiction writers often court pronouns like a torrid love affair. They, those tiny pronouns, can essentially disappear on page and not slow reading. HOWEVER, and it is a huge however for non-fiction writing, especially technical and legal writing, pronouns provide opportunities for confusion. The average fiction reader may not mind re-reading a sentence or even a paragraph if lost in a point-of-view. However, a judge reviewing a motion, brief, or filing will take a dim view of that necessity and however, the mechanic handling a brake job doesn’t want to re-read confusing installation directions due to pronouns. See, I told you it was a huge HOWEVER.

Grammar Rules: they are meant to be followed in non-fiction writing.

Fiction authors, novice to NY Times best sellers will routinely break grammar rules. Unfortunately, many novice writers don’t know they have broken the rules, but that discussion is for another blog post. Non-fiction writers must be intimate with books such as The Chicago Manual of Style; Essentials of English Grammar: The Quick Guide to Good English; and Basic English Grammar for Dummies.

Perhaps, you have read through this blog and questioned?????

But . . .

Aren’t these areas equally important for fiction writers?

Caught me.

I will confirm – GOOD WRITING SHOULD BE GOOD WRITING.

Great fiction writers will brain-storm, outline, and plot in order to begin stories at the most exciting moment and conclude with the perfect resolution. They’ll utilize story-boards, Post-it Notes, Trello boards and various techniques to start and end each scene, chapter, and novel with precision.

Great fiction writers will hone their language choices, then eliminate sentences, paragraphs and even scenes that drag the pacing. Their characters will always ask the right question, supply the most scathing rebuttal, and declare unfaltering devotion with a prose to rival Shakespeare.

Pronouns in fiction writing are more acceptable, and can, indeed, speed reading. But ONLY when done well. Great fiction writers pay careful attention to the use of dialogue tags, body blocking, and paragraph construction to guarantee that readers can easily follow along when pronouns are employed. In other words, these marvelous authors utilize precise language to lead the reader through any maze of pronouns.

Finally, fiction readers will forgive the occasional grammar break, but they depend . . . NO, I believe, they demand that their great fiction writers KNOW those rules and break with intent.

It’s worth saying again – GOOD WRITING SHOULD BE GOOD WRITING.

Whether you are starting your blogging career or completing your first manuscript, consider these writing tips to hone your Non-Fiction skills.
.

Marketing Plan of Action - how to start simple and build to great!

Tim Grahl, author of Your First 1000 Copies and founder of booklaunch.com
believes that Marketing doesn't need to be a 'eew' prospect.

So, I've read over a few of his techniques and decided to break-it down into a Plan of Action.
New Year . . . New Goals . . . and all that.
More importantly, it's about finding a way to market that doesn't make the author in me cringe at the idea.

READ ALONG & SEE IF YOU AGREE

According to Tim, MARKETING is about creating long-lasting connections. I'd say this is sound business whether you're selling books, artwork or cars off the used lot. None of us want just the ONE-AND-DONE customer. We want repeat business. We want to develop long-lasting connections/relationships that will keep folks coming back because they're pleased with their purchase.

Tim breaks it down into three categories for connection.

1) Outreach – The act of moving people from not knowing I exist to knowing that I DO exist.

Here are my ideas:

a. Facebook
b. Twitter
c. Pinterest
d. Blog
e. Book-signings
f. Public readings
g. Carrying a business card with my books/blog listed AND handed those out.

i. Where can I leave these?
1. With every receipt/tip I leave on a table
2. Any bulletin board
3. Any clerk that I speak with and mention I'm a writer
ii. Order from Vista-Print

h. Get some print copies of books and carry them on vacation –

i. Look for independent book stores and ask if I can donate a few copies.
ii. Libraries

i. Interview on Podcast
j. Book reviews
k. Post a lot on Reddit

2) Content: Providing a way for people to get to know me and my writing.

Again, here are my immediate thoughts:

a. Blog writing
b. Book teasers
c. Samples listed on Amazon
d. Samples listed on my blog.

3) Permission: A way to stay in contact with people long-term.

a. Build an email list – remember that I'm looking for a way to stay in long-term contact with these folks so that every time I release a book they’ll know about it.
b. Gain readers for the blog – this is interactive: if readers come back to the blog and see the new releases, they'll be more likely to purchase. Readers can't buy what they don't know about.

i. Building readership to the blog is a way to not only introduce my writing, but to encourage folks to experience my voice, my style of writing. Ultimately, I want readers to be pleased with their purchase and feel like their funds were well-spent.

So a huge Thank You to Tim Grahl and his insight.

To me these are more than goals for 2019 -- this is a Plan of Action.

Do you have other ideas????? Other plans that have worked for you?????

Please feel free to comment, or send me a Twitter reply.


K.M.Saint James
@LoneStarMeander

Learn More! Additional Writing Tips . . .

A Writer's Magic . . . as close as fingertips!

6 Steps to Editing like a PROfessional!

Secrets to Writing THE PERFECT PHRASE

Writers need to be voracious observers.

LISTEN carefully.

Read anything, everything.

WATCH behaviors.

Stare at the sky, the horizon, your backyard, the local park, the grocery store, the mall.

Nuggets of WRITING gold can be mined from the most unusual & USUAL places.

I watch America’s Got Talent. Sometimes to prove how out-of-sync that I am with the rest of the population. More often, because I’m continually awed by the gifts of so many.

AGT comedians for the most part – entertain.

The ones that truly earn my out-loud guffaws are those who keep it every day simple, say grocery store adventures.
No, I’m not specifically referring to Wal-Mart shoppers. Those would be an article all of their own.
Remember your last grocery store trip.
Funny stuff happens.

Men, who are perfectly capable of driving on the right – correct side of the road – seem to become lane-confused when in the store. They’re always on the wrong side, or pass incorrectly, or block the aisle, and then are terribly confused when they receive death glares from their female counterparts.

Teenagers, who clearly believe in the grocery stork, are completely lost and will wander aimlessly – and always in your path – when searching for an item.

The woman on her phone – you’ve seen it too – who is so engrossed in her conversation that it’s impossible for her to shop.

AGT Comedians don’t find these encounters aggravating.
Well, maybe they do. But they turn said encounters into comedy.
Laugh-makers, I term them.
The real world with a twist.

As I DVR my select AGT favorites, I often watch these snippets again and again.
Who doesn’t need a laugh pick-me-up after a tough day?

I practice this same repetitive behavior with books.
A familiar book will feed my sanity-starved soul.

Most of us have ‘keeper’ shelves. Some of us are a bit obsessive and mark favorite pages . . . passages . . . the perfect turn of the phrase.

Use that behavior to your writing advantage.

Is the narrative in your current WIP detached? Guilty of telling rather than showing? Borderline boring?

Is your dialogue flat? Uninspired? Wasted page space?

Then start your own page of ‘keeper’ phrases, lines, and great passages.

When I began this exercise, it was with the thought I’d capture a couple of memorable one-liners and then share.

The more I read the talented, the more I find to KEEP.

I’ve listed a few here. If you haven’t read these books, I’d suggest a trip no further than your local bookstore. Any of these titles that are in hardback or paperback, I own the permanent copies.

1) Because writers need to be voracious observers.
2) Because reading makes me happy.
3) Most importantly, great writing hones my craft.

I hope you enjoy my list.

‘It’s for his own good. Odd how the gods and humanity used that so often to justify brutality.’ Sherrilyn Kenyon, UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR.

‘Howard Roark laughed.’ Ayn Rand, THE FOUNTAINHEAD.

'She was the dream he lost at dawn . . . his dream of everything . . .' Suzanne Elizabeth Phillips, THIS HEART OF MINE.

‘Caitlin mustered up all her courage – all one and a half ounces of it – and walked up the stairs. Stopping at the closed door, she risked a side-long glance at Mr. Mountain Man.’ Sayara St. Claire, HURT ME, HEAL ME.