I have been rewriting a piece to submit to Cartwheel after meeting with Rotem Moscovich, one of their editors. She had some very helpful suggestions and encouraged me to resubmit. Here were her two biggest problems with this picture book:
1. A comedic device used throughout that didn't work for her. Hey, no problem there. I'm a comic. I'm not tied to any bit. I can write a new joke (which I have). Oh, wait, hey, major problem. My ending is a call back to that device!
2. The title. The title is a The Solitary Witch. Her original problem was that it sounds more like a YA title, and a bit too serious for this comic-turn picture book. Her dislike grew in leaps and bounds when she found out it's an actual Wiccan term for witches who don't have a coven. Apparently this can be offensive to both Wiccans, if they see it as disrespectful, and Christians unwilling to accept an actual Wiccan term in their Halloween books.
Rotem really forced me to sit down and tear this ms apart. I kept in the phrases and images she really liked, yanked the comedic device, and returned to my original ending. And that's when a new ending, a new callback with a cute last line, came to me. But she really stumped me there for awhile. Took me several rewrites and a week a half to come up with something new. No idea if she'll like the new ending, but it is stronger than the one I presented her originally. Good to have her eye -- and her experience -- on this. So one problem down (perhaps). It's only solved if she likes it.
As for the title, well, I'm still stumped, and have nothing clever for it. So I have temporarily opted for the most straightforward path, changing The Solitary Witch, about a bossy little witch who gets kicked out of her coven, to (drum roll) The Bossy Witch. I know, how original, right? Still, I'm stuck, and for now it will have to do. However, I am OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS!
So that's the rewrite story on this, after sitting down with a pro. Rotem says it could be a good fit for their holiday trade paperback line, so I'll pitch it that way. Will mail it out later this week. I'd keep my fingers crossed, but it's a lot harder to type that way.
BTW, The Bossy Witch is one of two mss going out this week. Have to keep trying, have to keep trying...
John
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
78 Reasons to Review This Book
I remember sitting at a writer's conference this summer listening to the authors and editors drone on about this business thinking, "They're lying to me! They're lying! They're lying to all of us!"
That's not a problem in Pat Walsh's 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published & 14 ReasonsWhy It Just Might (Penguin, 2005). It's about as brutal an assault on the unpublishable and untalented as can be imagined. The first half of the book, say the first 30 reasons or so, positively sing. Why won't your book be published? You haven't written it. You don't know grammar. You think too highly of yourself. And so on. If you want truth, digest this: Mr. Walsh believes that the house where he works, MacAdams/Cage, only publishes one-half of one percent of what they read -- not what they receive. Good luck getting out of the slush. You have better odds throwing craps in Vegas, but, I believe, if you're truly a writer, a string of 7's is still less satisfying than publishing. And as for publishing, my position is you need to know somebody. Mr. Walsh agrees. And it's not likely to be him.
That said, the book is funny and astute, with a certain approachable verve and nerve that is likeable. Mr. Walsh reminds me of that cranky college professor, frustrated that he himself has not published, who hates everything you write but then sees promise, even genius, in that one line you wanted to cut, in that one sentence you tossed off. He can spot a gem, even if it means poring through garbage. Still, he thinks you're a hack who won't amount to anything because you don't apply yourself. He's your parents with a critical eye you can respect.
Not all of the 78 reasons, though, struck me as reasons a ms might not get published. When a writer gets too involved in marketing, isn't the book about to be published? Would a house really pull it just because the writer is a pain in the neck? Perhaps, but it seems unlikely. And Mr. Walsh freely admits during his exploratory of the publishing side of the world that these insights may not help an author at all, but they still might keep his book from seeing the light of day, or keep him from publishing a second. Still, I greatly appreciate his insider's look at such things as P&L's (profit-and-loss statements), especially after hearing editors repeatedly referring to them at Falling Leaves two weeks ago.
A general rule of crititquing is to open with kind words and close with cruelty. Mr. Walsh took the opposite approach, the one I prefer -- open cruelly, rub salt in the wound, and then stitch the writer's ego back together with thin nylon and a touch of salve. That's his 14 reasons why it just might section, and very little of that has to do with writing. You have written a good book, an outstanding book, perhaps, and all that helps, but you need to know to whom to reach, how to reach them, and above all, be willing to work with them. You're flexible, agreeable, and amenable. Rewrites are done quickly and professionally, and criticism is taken with the aplomb of a veteran comic dying at an open mic. It happens.
I highly recommend Mr. Walsh's book. We are unlikely to ever cross paths, but he's a bitter enough man for me to know that I could work with him. And if not, at least challenge his cynical approach to publishing. If not that, then to life. Still, with that said, buy a copy of 78 Reasons, even if it is closer to 68 Reasons. Or if you're like me, that starving artist, pick it up at the library with a touch of shame, denying him the dollar or two, that's still half of what you would spend in postage on the ms you expect him to reject. Either way, read this book. Maybe you'll know why he rejected it.
P.S. Right now I know Kay is laughing at me for 1. Reading a book about writing, even if it is about the business of writing and 2. writing about a book about writing. Go ahead Kay. Enjoy your chuckle... John
That's not a problem in Pat Walsh's 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published & 14 ReasonsWhy It Just Might (Penguin, 2005). It's about as brutal an assault on the unpublishable and untalented as can be imagined. The first half of the book, say the first 30 reasons or so, positively sing. Why won't your book be published? You haven't written it. You don't know grammar. You think too highly of yourself. And so on. If you want truth, digest this: Mr. Walsh believes that the house where he works, MacAdams/Cage, only publishes one-half of one percent of what they read -- not what they receive. Good luck getting out of the slush. You have better odds throwing craps in Vegas, but, I believe, if you're truly a writer, a string of 7's is still less satisfying than publishing. And as for publishing, my position is you need to know somebody. Mr. Walsh agrees. And it's not likely to be him.
That said, the book is funny and astute, with a certain approachable verve and nerve that is likeable. Mr. Walsh reminds me of that cranky college professor, frustrated that he himself has not published, who hates everything you write but then sees promise, even genius, in that one line you wanted to cut, in that one sentence you tossed off. He can spot a gem, even if it means poring through garbage. Still, he thinks you're a hack who won't amount to anything because you don't apply yourself. He's your parents with a critical eye you can respect.
Not all of the 78 reasons, though, struck me as reasons a ms might not get published. When a writer gets too involved in marketing, isn't the book about to be published? Would a house really pull it just because the writer is a pain in the neck? Perhaps, but it seems unlikely. And Mr. Walsh freely admits during his exploratory of the publishing side of the world that these insights may not help an author at all, but they still might keep his book from seeing the light of day, or keep him from publishing a second. Still, I greatly appreciate his insider's look at such things as P&L's (profit-and-loss statements), especially after hearing editors repeatedly referring to them at Falling Leaves two weeks ago.
A general rule of crititquing is to open with kind words and close with cruelty. Mr. Walsh took the opposite approach, the one I prefer -- open cruelly, rub salt in the wound, and then stitch the writer's ego back together with thin nylon and a touch of salve. That's his 14 reasons why it just might section, and very little of that has to do with writing. You have written a good book, an outstanding book, perhaps, and all that helps, but you need to know to whom to reach, how to reach them, and above all, be willing to work with them. You're flexible, agreeable, and amenable. Rewrites are done quickly and professionally, and criticism is taken with the aplomb of a veteran comic dying at an open mic. It happens.
I highly recommend Mr. Walsh's book. We are unlikely to ever cross paths, but he's a bitter enough man for me to know that I could work with him. And if not, at least challenge his cynical approach to publishing. If not that, then to life. Still, with that said, buy a copy of 78 Reasons, even if it is closer to 68 Reasons. Or if you're like me, that starving artist, pick it up at the library with a touch of shame, denying him the dollar or two, that's still half of what you would spend in postage on the ms you expect him to reject. Either way, read this book. Maybe you'll know why he rejected it.
P.S. Right now I know Kay is laughing at me for 1. Reading a book about writing, even if it is about the business of writing and 2. writing about a book about writing. Go ahead Kay. Enjoy your chuckle... John
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Crime Bake 2009
(For more on my New England Crime Bake experience, I'll be giving my highlight(s) on my writetime.wordpress.com blog. Read "Writing the Character Right" here.)
John asked me at Wallabee's after the last meeting what had me so jazzed about attending my first New England Crime Bake conference last weekend.
First, it confirmed that the mystery genre is where I want to be. It's where I want to practice, fall down and get hurt, pull myself back up and get farther until I finish something. Then get back in there and do it again until I get published.
To this point in my life, I've been searching for a focus for my writing. I've tried a lot of things. Journalism. PR. Speculative fiction. Mainstream fiction. I've never felt like I belonged to any of these "tribes."
I found writing love once before: Writing my column in the '90s gave me a major warm fuzzy every time, with a kick of very minor local fame. I still want to write essays. I have several great titles and outlines for uplifting essay collections. Imagining my novel on the shelf in the mystery section of Crandall Library gives a much bigger tickle to imagine.
Getting back to Crime Bake, I liked the overall atmosphere there. Not yet sure if this is an anomaly or if all mystery-oriented gatherings are this way. Right now, I'm going with the theory that everyone assumes that the person next to them knows how to kill in at least one way--probably more--so it promotes politeness and conviviality.
While this is mostly in jest, I did feel very at home at the conference. Maybe, again, it's me and my attitude of feeling like I belonged to the tribe. Still, the overall vibe was that off support, and "we're all in this together." Perhaps the unique combination of authors and fans promotes this. I don't know. I just like it and want more of it.
Finally, the conference was mix of writing (e.g. character development), marketing (e.g. pitching agents) and support knowledge (e.g. forensics, ballistics) so that I didn't feel overloaded with information in any one area of my brain.
The most unique event of the weekend was the murder mystery dinner theatre held during the Saturday night banquet. Each table had several tasks: solve the double murder, write a table song (we were the Mary Higgins Clark "house" of the Poe School for the Mysterious Arts) and complete a quiz about the guest of honor's books (Sue Grafton). Our table didn't win, but I met new people and added "songwriter" to my resume. Sort of.
You won't get that at any other writing conference.
I'm ready to put Crime Bake 2010 on my calendar for next year, once they officially announce the dates. Warning: Crime Bake appears to be addictive.
John asked me at Wallabee's after the last meeting what had me so jazzed about attending my first New England Crime Bake conference last weekend.
First, it confirmed that the mystery genre is where I want to be. It's where I want to practice, fall down and get hurt, pull myself back up and get farther until I finish something. Then get back in there and do it again until I get published.
To this point in my life, I've been searching for a focus for my writing. I've tried a lot of things. Journalism. PR. Speculative fiction. Mainstream fiction. I've never felt like I belonged to any of these "tribes."
I found writing love once before: Writing my column in the '90s gave me a major warm fuzzy every time, with a kick of very minor local fame. I still want to write essays. I have several great titles and outlines for uplifting essay collections. Imagining my novel on the shelf in the mystery section of Crandall Library gives a much bigger tickle to imagine.
Getting back to Crime Bake, I liked the overall atmosphere there. Not yet sure if this is an anomaly or if all mystery-oriented gatherings are this way. Right now, I'm going with the theory that everyone assumes that the person next to them knows how to kill in at least one way--probably more--so it promotes politeness and conviviality.
While this is mostly in jest, I did feel very at home at the conference. Maybe, again, it's me and my attitude of feeling like I belonged to the tribe. Still, the overall vibe was that off support, and "we're all in this together." Perhaps the unique combination of authors and fans promotes this. I don't know. I just like it and want more of it.
Finally, the conference was mix of writing (e.g. character development), marketing (e.g. pitching agents) and support knowledge (e.g. forensics, ballistics) so that I didn't feel overloaded with information in any one area of my brain.
The most unique event of the weekend was the murder mystery dinner theatre held during the Saturday night banquet. Each table had several tasks: solve the double murder, write a table song (we were the Mary Higgins Clark "house" of the Poe School for the Mysterious Arts) and complete a quiz about the guest of honor's books (Sue Grafton). Our table didn't win, but I met new people and added "songwriter" to my resume. Sort of.
You won't get that at any other writing conference.
I'm ready to put Crime Bake 2010 on my calendar for next year, once they officially announce the dates. Warning: Crime Bake appears to be addictive.
Meeting Recap
Sorry to post this a few days late, but well, an after-meeting trip to Wallabee's, a one day jaunt to Pennsylvania, and two shows Saturday night left me with time today to write... That said, my excitement for last Thursday's meeting was justified. We welcomed three new members -- Ann Marie, Cynthia, and Carol Gregson, who published the memoir "Leaky Boots" several years ago. They contributed critiques right out of the gate -- especially Ann Marie -- and now, having attended one meeting, are eligible to start submitting. I hope they do. Always love to see what the newbies contribute.
As for the critiques themselves, Sandy got worked up over the conclusion of her play, "Is This the Future of Washington County?", a rather bleak look at dairy farming prospects in the North Country. The group proposed ways to get its message out there. We actually read the parts out loud, like high-school English class, something the group has only done twice before. It was fun, and gave the play more depth and feeling. (Just remember, works are meant to be read silently, and should therefore be edited that way -- unless you're writing picture books, a play, and some poetry -- the three p's.)
We covered chapter one of Kay's new murder-mystery, which she then resubmitted with a new beginning. While an unusual move, I like any writer willing to tear their work up and start over. We always hear about treating the written words with a certain sanctity, but really, no writer should.
Michelle read her two poems, with individual members of the group picking their favorite and offering some surprising advice. We have a better understanding of poetry than I imagined.
Finally, Joe read an uncritiqued piece at the end of the meeting about the farmhouse where he grew up and still lives. Again, outside protocol, but we had the time at the end to oblige him. Which brings me a problem that needs to be addressed.
Submissions. While we had several submissions to cover this past week, it wasn't enough to fill the two-hour slot. And next month will be worse. Only diligent Zack submitted a chapter to be critiqued, and that's from a novel that's already done. We have to start writing more. Perhaps our newcomers will help. I certainly have to start doing my part!
See some of you next month, Dec. 17 at 7pm.
As for the critiques themselves, Sandy got worked up over the conclusion of her play, "Is This the Future of Washington County?", a rather bleak look at dairy farming prospects in the North Country. The group proposed ways to get its message out there. We actually read the parts out loud, like high-school English class, something the group has only done twice before. It was fun, and gave the play more depth and feeling. (Just remember, works are meant to be read silently, and should therefore be edited that way -- unless you're writing picture books, a play, and some poetry -- the three p's.)
We covered chapter one of Kay's new murder-mystery, which she then resubmitted with a new beginning. While an unusual move, I like any writer willing to tear their work up and start over. We always hear about treating the written words with a certain sanctity, but really, no writer should.
Michelle read her two poems, with individual members of the group picking their favorite and offering some surprising advice. We have a better understanding of poetry than I imagined.
Finally, Joe read an uncritiqued piece at the end of the meeting about the farmhouse where he grew up and still lives. Again, outside protocol, but we had the time at the end to oblige him. Which brings me a problem that needs to be addressed.
Submissions. While we had several submissions to cover this past week, it wasn't enough to fill the two-hour slot. And next month will be worse. Only diligent Zack submitted a chapter to be critiqued, and that's from a novel that's already done. We have to start writing more. Perhaps our newcomers will help. I certainly have to start doing my part!
See some of you next month, Dec. 17 at 7pm.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Excited About the Meeting
I'm excited about this week's meeting. It's been 11 months since I last attended a GFWG Third Thursday, following a brief foray back home to Pennsylvania. Not that I'm back in New York, I can once again cash in on my lifetime membership and attended the meetings.
This one should be somewhat unique. While open to writers of any genre and at any level, the group often fails to make good on that promise. This month, however, is a big exception. We have a brand new murder-mystery submission from Kay to critique, and a completed novel from Zack that we're 3/4 of the way through. There's two submissions from Sandy -- a one-act play and an essay, and Michelle submitted two poems. It's taxing to cover such a wide array of material. It's probably one some groups specialize -- SCBWI, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers, etc. -- but it's also what makes the GFWG unique. I'm not sure for this group I'd want it any other way.
Wonder what the night's submissions for next month will be. Sorry to say, I will not be keeping up my end of the bargain as I have to get other works completed following last weekend's conference. Oh, well. Hopefully I'll submit in December.
In the meantime, if you're an area writer able to join us, come to Crandall Library tomorrow night at 7pm. We'd love to see you.
This one should be somewhat unique. While open to writers of any genre and at any level, the group often fails to make good on that promise. This month, however, is a big exception. We have a brand new murder-mystery submission from Kay to critique, and a completed novel from Zack that we're 3/4 of the way through. There's two submissions from Sandy -- a one-act play and an essay, and Michelle submitted two poems. It's taxing to cover such a wide array of material. It's probably one some groups specialize -- SCBWI, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers, etc. -- but it's also what makes the GFWG unique. I'm not sure for this group I'd want it any other way.
Wonder what the night's submissions for next month will be. Sorry to say, I will not be keeping up my end of the bargain as I have to get other works completed following last weekend's conference. Oh, well. Hopefully I'll submit in December.
In the meantime, if you're an area writer able to join us, come to Crandall Library tomorrow night at 7pm. We'd love to see you.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Advantages of a Writers Conference
I have just returned from the three-day Eastern NY SCBWI Writers Conference known as Falling Leaves (do all autumn events contain the word "leaves?" And given that this was an attempt by authors and illustrators to get work from editors, shouldn't it have been What Color Is My Leaf? Too obscure?). It was held at the lovely Silver Bay YMCA retreat in Hague, and even had one celebrity author in attendance. More on that in a moment.
The one real advantage in this conference came two-fold:
The one real advantage in this conference came two-fold:
- The Saturday AM Critique Group: Authors reviewed each others' work of choice. Unlike the GFWG approach, the work was read and immediate feedback given. Nonetheless, it was great to have strange eyes on it, and some very good suggestions given. Our group contained Marileta (pronounced Mari-leeta) Robinson, a longtime editor at Highlights for Children. Veteran, seasoned eyes are good.
- The Saturday Afternoon Critique: Done by an professional editor with a major house who received our manuscripts more than a month before. Rotem Moscovich of Cartwheeel/Scholastic offered some very helpful advice and I greatly appreciate her time and veteran stewardship. I will be sending her the revised ms since it fits several of the categories she is looking for in a picture book.
OK, pet peeve time. The Friday and Saturday evening workshops were very helpful, particularly the one by Alexandra Cooper of Simon & Schuster, who offered an in-depth overview of story structure, and Ruta Rimas of Balzer+Bray, whose writing exercises help wordy and wayward mss fit Cooper's framework. Here's my peeve -- All the authors who suddenly said "Those workshops inspired me to write!" Why? They are very helpful, but you should have been inspired before you arrived. You coughed up cold, hard cash to attend. Very little in our culture says dedication like money. If you're that dedicated to improving your craft, I would hope you were already motivated. Perhaps a better phrase would be, "Now I have direction!" Like Dorothy leaving Oz. She always had motivation, but no direction...
And our celebrity author? Martin Kratt, host of the PBS programs Kratt's Creatures and Zoboomafoo. He was nice, pleasant, and I think, unlike too many celebrity authors, talented. He is also dedicated to the children's market, as his shows attest. I'm sure his animal-centered picture books will be on the market soon.
Just remember, the real value in this conference was professional feedback from people with no vested interest in your story, life, or feelings. It was about the work. Write, critique, edit, publish. A nice format. Now for steps two and three, through both SCBWI and the GFWG.
--John Briggs
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
GFWG at the Chronicle Book Fair
Kay Hafner and I manned the fort at the 14th annual Chronicle Book Fair, aka Autumn Leaves (does anyone actually call it that?), this past Saturday at the Queensbury Hotel. New member Sandy Buxton and longtime member Zachary Richards took their turns, especially while Kay was moderating the Sisters in Crime panel.
The breakdown: We received interest from several local writers, two with great possibilities -- one a professional freelancer from Saratoa and the other a grad student seeking his MFA from SUNY Plattsburgh (and if he joins us that will give us two such qualified writers/editors. Not bad for a little group from Glens Falls!).
While all our members' books were on display, my book, For Our Sins, and Ruth Lamb's At the End of the Road: Reflections on Life in an Adirondack Valley, received the most interest from passersby, but great praise was heaped on Zack's Frostie the Deadman. I routinely received the question, "Is your book available at the library?" Aaaagggghhhh! But for the record, yes it is, at both Crandall and Saratoga.
Lee Merrett was set up across the way from us with ALL, seeking members and selling thier irregularly published collection, The Apple Tree. She also participated in the 5-minute readings held throughout the day.
I usually use the Book Fair to network, but did very little of that this year. It has become so overwhelmingly geocentric, that is, all Adirondack all the time, that it gives me little in common with most of the attendees. My next book will be Jesus in the Adirondacks. I thought you were supposed to write what you know but read what you don't. I wonder if all book fairs are so locally focused?
Oh, well, to each his own. The Book Fair seemed to be a big success, and the GFWG will be there next year. Hopefully you will too!
--Briggs
The breakdown: We received interest from several local writers, two with great possibilities -- one a professional freelancer from Saratoa and the other a grad student seeking his MFA from SUNY Plattsburgh (and if he joins us that will give us two such qualified writers/editors. Not bad for a little group from Glens Falls!).
While all our members' books were on display, my book, For Our Sins, and Ruth Lamb's At the End of the Road: Reflections on Life in an Adirondack Valley, received the most interest from passersby, but great praise was heaped on Zack's Frostie the Deadman. I routinely received the question, "Is your book available at the library?" Aaaagggghhhh! But for the record, yes it is, at both Crandall and Saratoga.
Lee Merrett was set up across the way from us with ALL, seeking members and selling thier irregularly published collection, The Apple Tree. She also participated in the 5-minute readings held throughout the day.
I usually use the Book Fair to network, but did very little of that this year. It has become so overwhelmingly geocentric, that is, all Adirondack all the time, that it gives me little in common with most of the attendees. My next book will be Jesus in the Adirondacks. I thought you were supposed to write what you know but read what you don't. I wonder if all book fairs are so locally focused?
Oh, well, to each his own. The Book Fair seemed to be a big success, and the GFWG will be there next year. Hopefully you will too!
--Briggs
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