The Art of Juggling by Susan Anne Mason

I never realized that being an author would mean learning to juggle. Not that I hadn’t been prepared by my ‘pre-publication’ life. After all, I juggled being a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a church secretary. Plus, I wrote in my spare time.

And you’d think that with my twelfth published novel coming out on October 13th, I’d have this writer’s job down pat. But these last few weeks have proven me wrong.

5 Ways to Spice Up a Lukewarm Manuscript by Michelle Griep

You know that story you've written that's hiding in a drawer? The one that's finished but it's just meh? The one you love but know isn't market ready and you're not quite sure why? Have I got a handy dandy checklist for you . . .

1. Cause Trouble

When it comes to characters and story, safety is overrated. If your characters aren't having the rug yanked out from beneath them in every chapter, forget about it. You think readers want to wade through a dung pile of description for pages on end? The answer is no, they don't, and I don't care how clever your prose is. Ramp up the tension, not the exposition.

2. Speed It Up

Think about it. What's more exciting to watch? A Nascar race with squealing tires and burning rubber, or a blue-haired senior shuffling along with a walker? Pacing is everything when it comes to story. Put the pedal to the metal and keep the action whizzing by.

3. Shove Your Reader to the End of their Seat

Cliffhangers aren't only for the climax of a story. Use them at the end of every scene. Wait, did you hear me? EVERY scene. Don't give your reader a reason to yawn and close your book.

4. Zigzag and Switchback

Predictability is death. Except for a few die-hard formula romance readers, no one wants to have the story figured out from page one. As an author, it's your job to keep the reader guessing.

5. Toss in Some Clown Pants

Humor has its place in every book, no matter the genre. Sprinkled throughout, a good grin creates levity, breathing space, and contrast.

So go ahead and pull out that manuscript. Give these techniques a whirl. You'll have a spicey dicey story in no time.

Have you tried any of these tips to revive a less-than-stellar manuscript? Any suggestions to add?

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12 Days at Bleakly Manor

England, 1851: When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet feels compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of five hundred pounds.

But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, Benjamin Lane.

Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar. Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters.

What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of both Regency and Colonial historical romances but also leaped the writerly fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. Keep up with her escapades at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Fear of Opening that Edited File by Annette M. Irby

laptop and notebook on a table^

By this time tomorrow, it will be here. I’m nervous! I’m excited! I’m worried.

You see, I sent my manuscript out to have it fully critiqued/edited by a trusted fellow author. And this week, that file will return to me. So, I’m full of doubts and second-guessing myself.

I haven’t always lived in fear of the returned edited file. For the book I mention below (Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington), I had plenty of time to rework, rewrite, analyze it before it was handed over to an editor. My critique buddies and I dragged a fine-toothed comb through that story for years. So, when I handed that manuscript over, I was rather confident.

But the one I’m waiting for this week, I had only several months to write. Not years. So, what will my editor think? Did she find plot holes the size of Alaska? Did she find layered characters and believable story lines? Did my spiritual threads hold up? How “red” will the file be? See that? I’m hyperventilating again. 😉

I work on the other side of the desk as well. I edit freelance and am familiar with Tracked Changes. Really familiar. If I edit for you, I’ll mark obvious typos, but I’ll also comment on story elements that perhaps come across as unbelievable. Maybe the author jars readers out of the story by sharing his or her opinion (author intrusion). I’ll highlight that and give a suggestion for a change. Or perhaps the conflict feels contrived. I’ll probably flag that. I try to encourage my clients by sharing positive feedback, but sometimes (and this is true for me as a writer as well), there is no substitute for the tough rewrite. Once you’re through that process, though, the book will shine! Or at least, we all hope so. (Readers, writers, editors, agents, publishers, sellers.)  

So, I’m nervous. But I also trust this fellow writer. I trust her opinion. I’m willing to put in the work. Perhaps those are the keys to coping with this waiting. Because as soon as that file comes in, and I have the courage to open it, then the work begins. The deadline is approaching.

How about you? Are you ever afraid to open the edited file? Or pleasantly surprised to find very few edits? Do pages covered in comments and suggested changes scare you? Or do you dive in, eager to work through the story and polish it up?

Happy re-writing friends!

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Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington by Annette M. Irby

Releasing 9/1/17 from Mountain Brook Ink. The e-book pre-order link is now live. 

FLI Friday Harbor, WA

Will keeping his promise lead to another broken heart—or help them find love again? 

Professor Mikaela Rhoades has a plan: she’ll encourage her students’ marine biology research through an exclusive program while helping an old family friend’s whale touring business stay afloat. The challenge is the tour captain is her first love and ex-fiancé. Mikaela longs to help his family in the wake of his father’s death, but she’s keeping secrets. She’ll have to face her past and overcome her concerns about the future to make it through the summer. 

Captain Hunter Cahill has taken over the family touring business after his father’s death. Unfortunately, he’s drowning in grief and accumulated debt. He’s hoping the incoming stodgy professor will help resurrect the failing business, but he’s not prepared when that professor turns out to be Mikaela, his former fiancée. To make matters more difficult, he’d promised his father to pursue her if she ever returned to the island single. The more time they spend together, the easier it is to keep that promise, though she still plans to leave at the end of the season. How much will it cost him to spend the summer romancing Mikaela?

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Annette M. Irby *

Annette M. Irby has been writing since her teen years when she sat pounding out stories on a vintage typewriter just for fun. Since then, she’s joined Christian writing groups and launched blogs so she could share the joy of writing. She likes to say she’s addicted to color as flowers and seascapes inspire her. In her off hours, she enjoys gardening, photography, and music. She lives with her husband and family in the Pacific Northwest.

Learn more here on her Seriously Write Page.

Links to connect with Annette:

Website: www.AnnetteIrby.com

Twitter: @AnnetteMIrby

Facebook Reader Friends Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/252272708574760

Book Review Blog: www.annetteirbyreviews.blogspot.com

*author photo credit: Sarah Irby of Irby Photography 

^laptop photo credit: Pixabay

Is this Scene Necessary? by Jill Kemerer

Jill Kemerer

Hey everyone, Annette here. Do you prefer writing or rewriting? When I'm working on my own projects, I refer writing—that gush of words pouring onto the screen. When it comes time to edit, here's some great advice from author Jill Kemerer for deciding what scenes to keep:

Is this Scene Necessary?

by Jill Kemerer

In spite of my best intentions when revising, I often get lost in the story and forget to ask key questions about a scene. Even if the scene is fun to read, I can usually give it more impact by stepping back and asking myself a series of questions. It takes more time to revise this way, but it’s worth it.

To determine if the scene is necessary, I analyze it based on the following:

1. Scene question: Is there a yes or no question being asked early in the scene? (Example: will Susie convince John to help his sister?)

2. Is there a clear progression that provides tension, keeping the reader turning the page? This can be done in several ways.

A. GMC (goal, motivation, conflict): Sometimes the character will have a scene goal. Show his motivation for obtaining it. Then present conflicts to prevent the character from getting it. As soon as the character either achieves or fails to achieve his goal, end the scene.

B. ARD (action, reaction, decision): Another option is to have something happen (action) that the character naturally reacts to. After this reaction, the character decides to do something about it. End the scene as soon as the character makes the decision.

C. Sequel. A sequel is a transition between action scenes. This is where the character experiences emotional fallout from the previous scene, reflects on what just happened, and makes a goal-oriented decision forward.

If you can’t find a clear scene question in the first three paragraphs, look for a scene goal. If you can’t find a scene goal, try to find an action, reaction, or decision. If these aren’t obvious either, the scene isn’t furthering the plot. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to cut the scene. Brainstorm ways to add a story question, GMC, or ARD.

By taking extra time and asking these questions, you’ll make sure every scene in your novel is not only necessary, but vital.

What is your best revising tip?

Thanks so much for hosting me today!

Great having you, Jill!

~~~~~

Jill Kemerer writes inspirational romance novels with love, humor, and faith. A full time writer and homemaker, she relies on coffee and chocolate to keep up with her kids’ busy schedules.

Besides spoiling her mini-dachshund, Jill adores magazines, M&MS, fluffy animals, and long nature walks. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children.  Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website www.jillkemerer.com and find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Small-Town Bachelor

Small-Town Bachelor

A Place to Call Home

  

When Reed Hamilton arrives in Lake Endwell for a family wedding, he expects to do his part as best man then head back to the big city. But when a tornado postpones the wedding, the town is in shambles and Reed is injured. Thankfully maid of honor Claire Sheffield offers him one of her cottages to recuperate in.

Dedicated to her family and her dream job at the zoo, Claire is all about roots. She's this city slicker's opposite, yet as they help the town rebuild, Reed is captivated by her stunning looks and caring ways. He can't ask Claire to leave the life she loves for him, but he also can't imagine ever leaving her behind…

Interested in buying Small-Town Bachelor? Click on http://jillkemerer.com/books/small-town-bachelor/ for links to purchase!

The Rewards of Rewriting by Keli Gwyn

Rewrite. The word can put fear into a writer, evoking images of taking an axe to one’s story—or maybe even a chainsaw.

In December 2009, I got an amazing Christmas present: an offer of representation from Rachelle Gardner. She’d seen my story when serving as a final-round contest judge and requested the full. I was soaring in the ionosphere, which my science teacher hubby tells me is even higher than the stratosphere.

When Rachelle called to make her offer, she mentioned that the story needed work but didn’t tell me what I would have to fix. At my critique partner’s suggestion, I made a worst-case scenario list, noting everything I thought she might say.

I didn’t think big enough. When I got the feedback six weeks later, I learned that I’d released the tension one-quarter of the way into the story and needed to rewrite the final three-quarters. Yup. I had to delete 75,000 words and start over.

Two weeks later, after I’d come to grips with the news—and shed a few tears—I tore into my story chainsaw-style. I literally cut the hard copy to pieces, saving any scenes or snippets I thought I might be able to use in the new version. Then I set to work writing an ending to match the beginning, one that had earned me a number of contest wins.

I was no stranger to rewriting. I’d already rewritten this story two times. I could do this. I would do this.

I did, completing the revised version of the story six months later. I sent it to my critique partners, who told me it had a sagging middle. Oops!

Two months later I sent the finished product to Rachelle, who said it was ready to submit. She did, and six weeks later we had two offers. I got a contract for Christmas that year.

These days I don’t call myself a writer. I prefer to say I’m a re-writer. It’s not easy to rip a story to shreds and rewrite it, but the rewards can be great.

What would you think if you were told you had to rewrite a major portion of your story?

If you have performed a rewrite, what did you learn from going through the process?

Award-winning novelist Keli Gwyn writes inspirational historical romance. She’s a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America® and is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary. Keli earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication/Print Journalism from California State University East Bay and worked as a copyeditor for a small textbook publisher. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, was released by Barbour Publishing in July 2012.

An ever-resourceful widow, Elenora Watkins arrives in El Dorado ready to go into partnership with Miles Rutledge. When he refuses, Elenora becomes the competition across the street. Is this town big enough for the two of them?