Third Thursday Review

Members are starting to return as the weather gets colder, though we still aren't operating at full strength. Still, our Third Thursday meeting was spirited and informative. With only two manuscripts to critique (from Zack and Kay), we spent nearly an hour delving into other aspects of the writing business.

1. Writing Tips from Diana Gabaldon. Kay reviewed some of what she learned at DragonCon from author Diana Gabaldon (The Outlander series). I don't have good notes on this, so Kay may want to present them in-depth here at a later date.
2. I discussed news I received a literary agent recently, which led to a look at the way agents sign clients and how to write a good query letter.
3. Kay has asked that anyone submitting work for the November publishing for the Chronicle book fair do so by the end of the month.
4. Crystal requested that we cover ways to create a proper story outline, so I will do so in a future blog post and possibly discuss it deeper at a future meeting.

Next meeting we have three submissions: one from Zack, one from Sandy (submitted through email) and one from Gino, making his first submission to the group.

The next meeting is October 7th at 7pm. Hope to see you there!

Third Thursday Preview

It's that time again, time for our Third Thursday meeting and difficult downtown parking. We only have two pieces to critique, a murder-mystery from Kay and a sci-fi thriller from Zack. This means we'll have to fill up much of the time discussing tricks of the trade and the trade itself. I have no idea what the primary topic will be, so the floor is open. If you have ideas, please bring them.

I will take up some of your time discussing a new development in my writing career. Big news, if not yet a big breakthrough. But think big, anyway.

Also, don't forget, tomorrow is the deadline to present Kay with your submissions for our November publication. Please email her a copy of what you would like included.

See many of you tomorrow night.

Details: 7-9pm, Holden Room, Crandall Library, Glens Falls, with optional social afterward.

Building Backstory Naturally

"Hey, Bob, remember that time we went bass fishing and you lost your leg in that horrible fishing lure accident?"
"I'm just glad you were there, Jim, to jump in and retrieve it as it sank to the bottom. Who knew you could hold your breath for three minutes?"

OK, the above scenario is a bit of stretch, but unfortunately not by much. I've seen lines like, "Do you remember that time you got shot?" Yes, of course. The person got shot! Same with the above "example." A reader should know, needs to know, certain facts. but the author should be able to find ways to introduce backstory without being ham-handed or clumsy.

Bob limped into the room on crutches, having lost his leg bass fishing years ago. His lure got caught in the boat's motor and pulled him forcefully toward it, severing his left leg just above the knee.

Jim dove into the lake to save his daughter. He struggled for air, turned purple, fought for five more seconds. He hadn't held his breath this long since recovering Bob's leg from the bottom of the lake.

Incorporating facts into action, not just exposition or dialogue, is a great way to present backstory. But make sure it fits. Make sure it doesn't take away from the scene. The last thing you want is for your reader to say, "That's nice, now get on with it!"

Don't introduce backstory too soon or too late. Your reader can forget certain information, or they might say, "Thanks, but I could have used that 30 pages ago. That explains Bob's fear of ordering sea bass in a restaurant." Backstory, like comedy, is all in the timing.

Don't introduce it all at once, unless it's in a scene. Can you reveal pertinent information by fully re-creating the time and place in your story? Do we have to know about Bob's horrible accident in the past tense, or can you create a full-fledged scene for us in the here and now? Describe Bob's accident, the pain, the stupidity, and Jim's valiant efforts to dive in and retrieve it like a Labrador. The information will stick with your reader longer, make more sense, be full of tension, action, and drama, and add to -- rather than detract from -- your story.

Consider all the ways to introduce backstory and find the one that works best, even if that means rewriting whole passages. When the time comes, reread your piece and see if your attempts at keeping the reader up-to-date and informed are awkward and heavy-handed. If they are, find a way around it, or you might lose your reader long before they learn why they need to know all that information in the first place.

Read more about it here: http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/2010/09/that-sneaky-backstory.html

First Thursday Review

Another good meeting of the GFWG last night, if sadly in Kay's absence. While she was having fun in Atlanta, we were hard at work in Glens Falls.

We opened with a conversation about book marketing, anchored by a great presentation from Zack. We discussed traditional and new media marketing in-depth. Instead of 30 minutes, it lasted 45, and we still didn't get to everything. Must be why entire books are written on the subject.

We critiqued pieces from Billy, Zack, Amanda and me. Mine was a surprise because I didn't realize I had submitted, and Amanda was shortchanged a bit because most people did not have copies of her story following email difficulties.

Next month we'll be reviewing work from Zack and Amanda.

Zack also announced that he will be selling Frostie the Deadman at the Chronicle Book Fair, and we reminded members to have any work they want included in our publication ready by next meeting.

That's it. Thanks to everyone who attended. Our next meeting is September 16th at 7pm. See you then!

First Thursday Preview

Our First Thursday September meeting comes pre-Labor Day during a heat wave. Kay might just be roasting in Atlanta this week.

We'll be critiquing selections from Zack, Billy, and Amanda. Kay's piece will be reviewed at our Third Thursday meeting in two weeks. Our topic for the evening will be, care of Zack, book marketing, which has changed sharply in the digital age. Bring your ideas, from the traditional to the avant garde. In essence, the more novel the better.

We'll have other news and a reminder to submit any work you want placed in our upcoming Chronicle Book Fair publication at the next meeting.

See many of you Thursday night!

Details: 7-9pm, Sept. 2, Holden Room, Crandall Library, Glens Falls, with optional social afterward.