Second--Dude. What happened to Blogger? I hate it when sites I use and am used to change layout and look. I get confused. *sigh*
Okay, down to business. Here are a few nuggets from the SCBWI FL Mid-Year Workshop. I attended the Novel Intensive and the YA track, so my tidbits are all from Marjetta Geerling, Kathleen Duey, and Michele Burke (editor at Knopf BFYR).
- Filter everything through your character. -KD
- An editor can take a MS that's 70% of the way there and take it the rest of the way. Editors can help you make your book better, but they can't do everything. -MB
- Voice is innate. -MB
- The reader shouldn't need to be told what the character is feeling--they should feel it with the character. -MB
- After voice, setting is the #2 reason MB will put a MS down. Readers need something familiar to cling to--a seed of familiarity. -MB
- Don't throw the reader into the middle of the action at the expense of clarity. -MB
- Don't be deliberately mysterious and vague. -MB
- Be invitingly different and comfortably familiar. Ground the reader in the familiar. -MB
- You have to hook the reader right away, but there are 8 million kinds of bait. -KD
- You need a striking and engaging beginning, but not action. - KD
- Setting should do at least two things, and it's better if it's three or four. -MG (Not just establishing time/location/etc, but can add to characterization, pacing, mood, etc.)
- Try to build your venue with an eyedropper, not a shovel. -KD
- When revising, print out your story and read it without a pencil so you turn off your writer brain and turn on your reader brain. -KD
Finally, Marjetta did a mini-presentation based on research she did in her MFA program. It had to do with using a character's world-view and experiences to create unique language for that character (voice). It was a really fantastic presentation. Kathleen even talked about how awesome it was and that it wasn't something she'd thought of before.
Anyway, if you or someone you know is in charge of speakers for a writing group/conference, you should look into bringing Marjetta in. She is fantastic.
So, which piece of advice above speaks to you the most?
Larissa :)
Hello, I tell you I'm looking for my blog followers.
ReplyDeleteI will begin to publish a novel of suspense.
I invite you.
Thanks for sharing these tips, Larissa.
ReplyDeleteThe reader shouldn't need to be told what the character is feeling--they should feel it with the character. -MB
Each time I catch my self writing the word "feel" red lights flash and alarms sound. I appreciate the reminder.
Wow, that's pretty good advice from awesome authors! I particularly like Kathleen Duey's tips, mostly because I want the reader's attention right away, and the other because I love her work.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR THIS POST! It's really helpful, and I'm hoping it will be of good use in the future for many aspiring writers. C:
chocolatestarpie(at)yahoo(dot)com
"An editor can take a MS that's 70% of the way there and take it the rest of the way. Editors can help you make your book better, but they can't do everything. -MB"
ReplyDeleteI love that one because it really speaks to the partnership and is a reminder that, while of course the goal is to do your best work, your editors can help bring the book to even higher levels.
"You need a striking and engaging beginning, but not action. - KD"
I also think that's a good reminder, because I've seen a lot of people worry that they don't have crazy action right off the bat, but that's not what's important!
"When revising, print out your story and read it without a pencil so you turn off your writer brain and turn on your reader brain. -KD"
I read my ms on my Nook, but I still keep my laptop open to make changes... can't turn off my writer brain.
Thanks for the info. I was happy to hear bout the striking beginning. I've noticed on first 250 words contests, a lot of people think it's supposed to be nonstop action. I was surprised to hear voice and setting are the two most important factors in a manuscript.
ReplyDeleteLove the striking beginning. I used to think start with action until an editor set me on the straight and narrow. She said the readers need to care about the characters and then head into the action. Great post. :-)
ReplyDeleteHey! Awesome notes! I was at the same conference... but I did the MG track with Joanna -Volpe and Gordon Korman. It was great too and I just posted my notes on my blog. I live in Tampa. Nice to meet you! We'll have to keep in touch for the next one. :)
ReplyDeleteI find it highly interesting that they say turning on your reader brain involves not reading it electronically.
ReplyDelete