This land was made for you and me. -Woody Guthrie
A safe and happy holiday to all.
Cheers! Amy
Author: amywestphalcreates
Emerging writer building a platform. Stay tuned!
Quid Pro Quo
I’m drowning here, and you’re describing the water!
-Melvin Udall, As Good As It Gets
This post is about the importance of critique partners and beta readers.
So you wrote a book and had it edited, your mama and your friends love it. So obviously, you’re ready to hit the query trenches.
Wrong…
I learned this one the hard way.
Even your smartest, most well read loved ones are not enough. And your editor? Their job is to clean up your book with out destroying the integrity of your writing. But if your integrity is questionable, you have a problem.
NOT ONE OF THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TELL YOU YOUR NOVEL SUCKS.
So who will tell you your shit sucks? Hopefully your CP will. And perhaps a beta or two who have no need to stroke your fragile ego.
So now that you know you need one, where do you find a CP?
I only have one answer for this, and please advise that this is only my opinion, I advise you to take to the internet. Join a writing group, connect with fellow bloggers on WordPress (👍) and cut a deal.
If you don’t find someone suitable to CP with, you could look up people willing to beta read for a small fee. Or, if you are time and cash-strapped, you could check out the super awesome resource http://www.querytracker.com that I mentioned in Query, Querying, Queried…and sign up to post in the forums. Here you can not only post your query for anonomous critique, you can also submit your first five pages for a critique too! Just remember to reciprocate.
Write on Writers, Cheers! Amy
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Poetry… in Fiction?
Like reeds on water,
We sway, they cannot break us.
We will only bend.
— Lauren, Capture the Tide
I love haiku, I find it very cathartic. So much that my novels protagonist writes Haiku.
For me, utilizing poetry in my fiction novel offered another level of depth I was searching for. For both my writing and my protagonists character. But how do you take that further? Music, Art, Astro physics? How do you merge your passions and create a deep and believable world full of history and meaning?
I’ve spent a month in the blogosphere and I am still in awe of the incredible artists I have encountered. Novelists, poets, lifestylers, storytellers…..writers. It’s good company to be in. And it got me into some inspired thinking….
Feel free to tell me how you merge your passions in the comments….I love it…..Until then, I’ll be rubbing all my sticks together to see if they make fire🔥
Cheers! Amy
Painting by me.
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Do what?
Picking an editor that’s right for you.
I recently blogged about my querying journey, but how did I get there? Let me backtrack a bit and talk bout editing…
You’ve written a book, now what? Now it’s time to edit. Oh you already did? Ran it through spell checks, reread it a hundred times? That’s nice. You haven’t been edited though.
If you’re serious about launching your book and you don’t find a pro, you are doing yourself an enormous disservice. Even the best writers need a fresh eye.
So what do you do? If you’re lucky, you know someone who will do it for free or a small fee. Or if you’re more lucky, you can rely on critique partners and beta readers to help you work it right. If you’re me, you got Nothing and need to start from scratch.
I researched local editors first. People I could meet in person. I found a few. They had different styles, all valuable but Difficult for me to life manage, so I checked out internet services. There are a lot of those too!
Here is what I learned:
Benefits of In house editor- offer the chance to meet in person or Skype. Together you can go line by line and really get gritty with your work. Time consuming but a great option.
Benefits of Internet services- offers you opportunity to send them your work and they will edit your book using a tracker on Microsoft word, that way you can see every change they make or suggest, always keeping the integrity of your work in tact.
This is what I chose:
I chose the internet. Quick efficient and time tested.
I recommend skribendi, book baby or standout books. Each are excellent. I particularly love the comments and questions from my editor that allowed me To make the change, or take a suggestion, or to note any inconsistencies. And even better? It works with my limited schedule. I will admit that pros on either platform aren’t free. But it’s an investment in your career right?
So what’s your editing process? Tips to share or questions? Let me know in the comments. I love it!
Cheers, Amy.
Painting by me
Quote-Yeats
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Query, Querying, Queried…
Literary agents. How do you find one that’s right for you?
I’m currently querying….
And this is what I’ve learned:
WAITING SUCKS!
In the meantime I thought I’d share my process and some processes I’ve learned.
1- make a list of all the agents that fit your genre, and are accepting submissions.
2- put those agents in order of preference. (I would recommend searching quick responders to get your toes wet, querytracker helps you there.)
3- indicate on your list, the agents submission guidelines, estimated response time and whether the agency is a no from all or free to query another after a pass. You may also note something unique about them to help keep memory fresh.
4- send out batches of 5-10 queries and find something to distract you while you wait.
And how do you organize said list???
If you’re computer smart (not Amy) I recommend using an excel spreadsheet.
If you crazy, I’d just send out emails in batches of 10 to random agents and see what happens…
If you’re me… http://www.querytracker.com
What an amazing resource for querying writers. Querytracker allows you to upload your query letter and select agents from their database to query. It helps you track all the info above plus clues you into a plethora of details about the agent.
And it’s free, unless you go premium for 25$
And if you struggle to busy yourself with something other than your hopes and dreams in the palm of someone else’s hand, you could always twitter and tumblr stalk your favorite agents. Some of them update when they are caught up reading by a certain date. You don’t even need accounts to do it… I wouldn’t know anything about this of course😉
Happy querying! Write on writers, Happy Weekend!
Amy
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The Muse
If your muse was a real person…
In mythology, 9 Grecian sister goddesses preside over the arts and sciences. The muses… Today, the muse is any personification of inspiration.
So what is your muse like? Look like? Talk like? Could you take them out for drinks and have a good time, or does that creeper need to stay chained in the basement?
I like to think of my muse as an uncut, despicable version of myself. She is ruthless and undiplomatic. She takes what she wants. She’s a bitch, but I love her. I need her because I will back burner everything and anything to meet the needs of my loved ones. I happily forgo me. But she reminds me, gives me shit for slackin’. And if I ignore her, she fights her way to the front of line.
It’s nice of her really…
Tell me about yours in the comments, I love it.
Cheers, Amy
Sculpture by Me
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Daytrippen’ 2: Summer reading list
I’ve added another book to my queue …
Visit
Overflowing Ink
braedenmichaels.wordpress.com
For more on Braeden’s amazing work.
Cheers, Amy
Image: my kindle copy for Overflowingink s The Devil’s Blacklist on iPhone
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Writing…with zombies
Is your writing being taken over by Zombies?
Avoid the passive voice with this unique and super fun tip I found from a most unexpected place: Archives.gov
I use it every time I taste the unpalatable flavor of inactive language in my own writing.
https://www.archives.gov/open/plain-writing/tips/passive-voice.html
image from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
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I’ve been nominated for a Liebster award!
Thank you crushedcaramel@wordpress.com
For nominating me! I appreciate being nominated by such a wonderful storyteller and kind supporter of Amy-Westphal.com
Crushedcaramel was nominated by geneticlearning@wordpress.com
I have copied and pasted the rules outlined in crushedcaramels posts:
1. Acknowledge the blog who nominated you.
2. Answer the 11 questions your nominator asked.
3. Nominate 11 other bloggers.
4. Ask them 11 questions.
5. Let them know you have nominated them
1. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TYPE OF CANDY OR SWEETIE?
What don’t I love? Tough one, I’ll stick to my top candy: Violet Crumble and Dark Chocolate Mars Bar
2. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START A BLOG SITE?
The completion of my first Novel. I want to give it the best opportunity to get published. I’m committed to being a writer and building a platform for my art.
3. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN BULLIED?
A little, in 3rd grade. By a bus driver ( of all people) and 2 older girls. It didn’t last long. I learned quick that I don’t like to be silenced.
4. WHICH IS THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL – BOAT, PLANE, WHEELS? WHERE WOULD YOU GO? (SORRY I KNOW THAT IS TWO QUESTIONS)
All travel is good travel.
5. HOW DO YOU VIEW PEOPLE WHO CHEAT IN MONOPOLY? Who cares, it’s just a game… but get a fuckin life too.
6. DO YOU PREFER POEMS THAT RHYME? (IF THIS IS TOO CONTROVERSIAL A QUESTION – YOU COULD SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE HOUSE-KEEPING TIP INSTEAD)
All poetry is beautiful as long as it’s authentic and from the heart
8. FANCY DRESS PARTIES – WHAT HAVE YOU DRESSED UP AS?
That sounds like you mean costumes? And I love me some costumes- favorites are a Gargoyle, (wings and full body makeup), Alex from A Clockwork Orange and Medusa (snakes and all)
9. WHICH SONGS WOULD YOU SING IN THE SHOWER WHEN YOU THINK NOBODY CAN HEAR?
Singing the showers the best, great acoustics. I sing whatever’s in my head at the moment
10. IS ANYONE ELSE IN YOUR FAMILY A BLOGGER OR VLOGGER?
No, I really don’t think so.
11. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC BIN FAIRY (WHO COMES IN THE NIGHT AND EMPTIES YOUR BINS MIRACULOUSLY WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING AND WIPES ALL THE SPILLS ON THE BIN AND ON THE WALLS AND FLOOR AROUND IT)??? OR ARE THERE MEMBERS OF YOUR HOUSE-HOLD WHO BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC BIN FAIRY?
I’m a compulsive tidier. You leave me anywhere long enough and I’ll be your magic bin fairy.
That was fun, now here are my questions-
1- why did you start a blog?
2-favorite quote?
3-tell me a secret, come on, who am I gonna tell? 😉
4-how many times have you read your favorite book?
5-what is your favorite book?
6-Coffee or tea?
7-favorite show to binge watch?
8-favorite food to binge on?
9-what would your theme song be?
10-first book that resonated with you as a kid?
11-favorite word?
So that’s my 11 questions, here are the people I nominate
trreat.wordpress.com
turning20web.wordpress.com
thenewburyshortstoryteller.wordpress.com
SeejayStark.com
Braedenmichaels.wordpress.com
Crazartt.com
Ladykiesha.com
Miraculoussmile.wordpress.com
Oladewalaura.wordpress.com
Themilitantnegro.com
StellaBailey.wordpress.com
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50 Shades of Adult
Is your novel clearly defined?
Separating Young Adult and New Adult, is it just the absence of sex that defines them? Or something more? And where does Adult fit in?
I’d like to make a case for New Adult fiction. Not just to sex up YA or “young” down Adult. Perhaps there is a full fledged market of post education 20-30 somethings being somewhat dismissed.
There are stories that transcend time and space like Harry Potter of course 😏, and anyone can find resonance in any genre, but to have an actual section in a bookstore that speaks directly to this age group would be alright. Perhaps just as alright as any other subgenre? Fucking octogenarian paranormal crime fiction anyone?
I know, I know, the horror of more categorization, learning new things, stifling, finely wrapped boxes… I get it….
When I started my novel, I never considered the market I had in mind. I simply wanted to write a book that I would like to read.
But now that marketing is on my brain, I can’t help but wonder…
I remember reading books like Exit to Eden, The Silence of the Lambs and The Doors when I was maybe 13 years old, but would I want my tween to read them? Not yet. But did I also devour The chronicles of Narnia and Anne of Green Gables? Absolutely.
But something in between. Something if I’m not in the mood to recapture my youth or ponder the deep minutia (impending fucking realness) of seasoned adulthood. Hmm. Books for that nebulous in between. I say New Adult…Why not?
Image found on digitalsynopsis.com
Amy-Westphal.com 