A Golden Rule for Writers??

As a blustering storms builds outside my window, a similar cold and cantankerous storm brews within me and I feel compelled to share my plight with you.

As you can see, it's been a while since I've posted anything new on my blog. This is because I haven't been writing lately.Oh sure, a little bit here and there. I've posted an entry on the monthly WEbook writing challenge and I've done some editing and reviews for a few fellow writers, but as for my novel in progress: Nothing.

Mind you, this is not for lack of inspiration or motivation. Those things still rage in me like the Amazon during rainy season. My problem is different. There's something in the storyline of The Swamplands that's hanging me up to the point that I don't want to write a word until I can put my finger on the exact nature of the problem.

My hang up is also hanging me up. By that I mean that I feel guilty for not writing. Anyone who has written or is in the process of writing a novel has probably heard the Golden Rule of writing. "You must write every day, even if it's only a few lines. You must write."

Well, I'm here to say that I disagree with that.

Sure, a writer should write something every day, but when a writer is in a funk like I am at the moment, I don't believe that they should dare write a single word in their current forming novel. In this less-than-genuine state, I truly believe that anything written in your novel will be sub-par; marred, at best. When you're not "in the zone" your prose will reflect that.

By all means, write other things; poems, short stories, enter contests. Just don't touch that novel until your issue is resolved. Think about if folks: If you go slopping through your N.I.P. in a state of mediocre placidity, you'll have to go back and edit the crap out of the crap you created later on. That to me seems like a waste of time and a travesty to your characters and plot.

Relax. Work on other projects. Just keep your novel in the back of your mind at all times, searching for the cure to whatever ails it. It will come to you. BUT do not listen to those that demand productiveness at the expense of quality. Join me in this revolutionary thought: "Let your muse lead the way."

Have a great day everyone!

Checkov's Gun vs. Red Herring

I've recently familiarized myself with the theory and practice of what writers call "Checkov's Gun". I'm writing this blog today because I'm constantly surprised and invigorated by these little writing secrets and cliches I've come across.

Do you know what a red herring is?

How about a MacGuffin?

Checkov's Gun is another one of those intriguing little anecdotes that gives a name to something that writers know about, but didn't know what to call it.

Checkov's gun refers to the use of introducing a seemingly benign item or object early on in the story that turns out to play a pivotal role in the plot later on. (See link above for more info.)

A red herring is the opposite of Checkov's Gun. A red herring is a useless, meaningless object, person or occurrence that diverts your attention away from the truth or the suspect or the issue at hand. If not done properly, a red herring could lead to holes in the plot of the story and confuse the reader.

In one of my books, (and I'm not telling which one) I used a red herring to make an innocent person look guilty. If I didn't use this little trick, the plot would be thin and extremely predictable. So, red herrings can be useful if used properly.

I'd like to thank my friend Jessie for allowing me to participate in her recent workshop "Stargate Deconstruction". The movie Stargate has several excellent examples of Checkov's Gun. It was this workshop that introduced me to the concept.

Before I knew what Checkov's Gun was, I identified the concept in books and movies. I tried to explain it to my non-writer husband. All I got was a polite nod loaded with extreme disinterest. I suppose it's only
fascinating to writers and that's okay.

Red herrings and Checkov's Gun are both useful tools to make your stories richer and more dramatic. At the very least, I feel like a better writer just knowing what they are and how to identify them. I hope I was able to help you as well.

BFN

What Do They Mean, Cover Letter?

As any writer in the thick of querying agents, I come across a few surprises when I research each agency's submission guidelines. Just when I start getting into a routine of knowing exactly what I'm doing, up pops something new that snaps me back to attention.

Sometimes, they want your query attached in a certain format or file type. Sometimes they request your query be put in an attachment rather than in the body of the email. Sometimes vice-versa. But the one request that has always stumped me is when the agent/publisher asks for a cover letter. Everyone's heard of a cover letter when applying for a job. Most people know what that entails. I'm referring to a literary cover letter.

What's in a cover letter?

What are they looking for?

So I searched the internet. Would you believe I couldn't find anything? I asked my writer friends. Everyone drew a blank. I was actually passing up the agencies that asked for a cover letter simply because there was no information on how to create one.

Finally, I happened upon an article that spelled it out nicely for me. Hooray!! Here's the answer to the burning question:

A standard submission cover letter in the body of your email.

* Start the email by writing your contact information in the top left corner: Real name, address, phone, email address, title of the work, pen name if any, genre or category, and the word count of your manuscript according to MS Word. Don't round, and don't use "approximately 55,000 words." Please use the actual word count.

* Include your web or blog URL and any publication credits you may have.

* And don't forget the most important part-that short blurb that will pique our interest and make us eager to read more. Or at least give us your best attempt. We'll still read your manuscript even if the blurb isn't perfect.

How about that? My options have now vastly improved and I even get to practice my elevator pitch with a cover letter.

So there's your lesson for today folks. Now you won't feel like a twit when they so casually ask you for a cover letter. :-)