Riley Adams's Blog, page 26

Writing Books With Series Potential

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I've mentioned before here that I love writing series.  Not only are they easier to write (the recurring characters and story world are already developed), but readers seem to enjoy spending more time with the characters they've gotten to know. Right now I'm working on three active series and have one discontinued one. And a single standalone book.

How can you write a book with series potential? Here are a few ingredients for a strong series:

A protagonist who has flaws and special skills. Someone who can change and grow. Does your protagonist shine in some way? Is his or her own particular skillset an important tool to help solve the story's conflict? Conversely, does your protagonist have a flaw that gets in the way, perhaps setting up some internal or external conflict? Can your character grow and change . . . for the better or worse?

Characters readers want to spend more time with. This goes for your protagonist of course (even if they're not 100% likeable, they need to be captivating), but it also goes for your supporting characters. They can be fun, mysterious, or quirky, but the point of the cast is to have characters readers want to find out more about or hang out with.

A story world that invites readers back. This could be a happy place (most cozy mystery series are set in charming locales) or even a scary place, as long as it's interesting. Can you imagine setting many different books there?

A hint of problems yet to come that the protagonist can help solve…but some resolution for the first book.  Readers tend to get very upset when the major plot problem in the first book isn't at all resolved. It's almost like the first book was just a teaser for book two. It's important to wrap-up at least part of the conflict in the first book, but (for continuous story arcs) hint at more issues to come. Avoid cliff-hangers but leave readers wanting more.

Tip: If you think you may continue your book into a series, go ahead and create a series bible. You'll thank yourself later.

For help expanding your story into a series, see this post from Reedsy.

What elements do you find appealing as a series reader or writer? Do you like writing in series or reading them?

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Business / MiscellaneousBecoming an Editor: What Type of Editing Is for You? by
James Gallagher @TheStoryEditorWhat Does an Editor Actually Do? @GoldenRuleEdit @DIYMFAWriting Contests – Good Idea or Waste of Money? @magpie0218 @RMFWritersDo I Need a Developmental Editor? How Do I Launch a Kickstarter? @MichaelLaRonn @sacha_black @IndieAuthorALLIConferences and Events / MiscellaneousSheikh Zayed Award Names Its Translation Category Longlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGuadalajara's Book Fair Opens With Cărtărescu's Award: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIn Nigeria: The Global Association of Literary Festivals' Conference: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesEngland: ‘A (Very) Short History' Wins the £25,000 Royal Society Science Book Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGuatemala's Raúl Figueroa Sarti Fêted at Guadalajara: by Adam Critchley @pubperspectivesIn England, the Banipal Prize Names Its 2022 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesTiya Miles Wins Canada’s $75,000 Cundill History Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers6 Steps to Help You Read Like a Writer: @ReesesBookClub @NaNoWriMo8 Books for the Recovering Nice Girl: @miamarket @ElectricLitCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Rachel Howzell Hall’s These Toxic Things: @MargotKinbergCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in Writing6 Tips to Move Ahead Even When You Don't Feel Like Writing: @LynetteEason @EdieMelsonCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeJournaling and the Writer: @jan_ohara @WriterUnboxedHow to Avoid Taking Edits Too Personally: by Hattie Fletcher @JaneFriedmanHow to stop your mind from wandering: @pubcoachRooms In a Writer's Mental Haunted House—and How to Escape! @colleen_m_storyGetting More Work Done at Home: Tips: The Seven Kinds Of Creative Rest: @OrnaRoss @Howard_Lovy @IndieAuthorALLIWriting Through the Impossible: @jaconoley @JaneFriedmanFaulty Thinking Traps for Writers: @MargieLawsonThe Wet Desk: Where Terese Svoboda Writes: @teresesvoboda @CatapultStory10+ Questions to Answer If You Don't Finish the Writing Projects You Start: @NinaAmirThe Story Cure: How Storytelling Restored My Health and Vitality: by Senem Donatan Mohan @LisaTenerHow to Squash Writer's Guilt: @jes_trudel @scbwiThe perils of free writing: @pubcoachStepping Back To Step Forward: @OrnaRoss @thecreativepennWriting Delays: What You Can’t Control And The One Thing You Can: @KMAllan_writerFive Tips for Giving Useless Writing Advice: by Oren AshkenaziMeditations: Boost Writing Confidence: @adchristiano @DIYMFAGenres / FantasyThe Unexpected Horse Girls of Fantasy: @dancinghorse @tordotcomThe Three Types of Magical, Mystical Fantasy Mirrors: @ColeRush1 @tordotcomGenres / MiscellaneousDefining Genre: @BookEndsJessica @bookendslitGenres / MysteryDifferent Law Enforcement Agencies as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / ScreenwritingOutlining a Script: @flyingwrestlerGenres / Short StoriesShort Story Writing Builds Skills for Tighter Text: by Deborah Lyn StanleyGenres / Women's FictionGenre and Gender: Grappling With the Awkward Question of “Women’s” Fiction: by Barbara Linn Probst @WriterUnboxedPromo / BloggingSocial Media, Blogging, and SEO: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthors4 Tips For Housekeeping Your Blog And Improving Its SEO Rating: @HughRoberts05Is Blogging Causing You Stress Or Making You Feel Guilty? 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Getting More Work Done at Home

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

A particularly challenging time of year is quickly approaching for those of us with a writing habit. There's often extra members afoot, parties and get-togethers, and children at home from school. Sometimes it can be hard to try and squeeze in a little time for writing.

You can always dial back your writing for the holidays. Or you can try to fit it in, perhaps on a more-limited basis.

Here are a few tips I use to squeeze in writing during the holidays (or other busy times during the year):

Writing early, writing late. This applies during the holidays, but also applies to just everyday life. Writing early or late in the day when no one is calling you or needing you for other things can really help build up your wordcount. I especially love writing in the early morning hours before anyone else is up. I get so much done then and love having “a win” at the start of the day.

Readjust goals. This is the time of year when we need to reevaluate our goals to make sure they're attainable.

Ask your family for help/fill them in on the plan.  This might look like getting more help from the kids with chores, from your spouse with watching the kids, or even just letting them know you need thirty free minutes to get some work done. They won't know if you don't ask.

When you're not writing, be present with your family and friends. I just close my laptop so I won't be tempted. :)

Try to gain more time by cutting back on doing other things.  Now is the time to consider meal prep or pulling out the crockpot or the air fryer or asking your spouse to cook.

And finally, consider jumping ship altogether. Know when to leave home to get work done. Libraries are great places to get work done, either at a quiet study area or in the hustle and bustle of the periodicals. When my kids were little, I'd take them over to the library, too. We'd pick out books and then I'd settle them on the library's computer, which always had different computer games than we had at home (often educational ones). I'd sit at a table near them and get some words in while they were happily entertained. There are other renditions of this approach, if you have children. The roller skating rink (I brought friends for them, too, to prolong the outing), or the playground worked well, too. Playgrounds might even be best because of the lack of internet there (usually).

Do you sometimes have a hard time working from home? What are some of your ways of getting it done?

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Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Business / MiscellaneousUse these Valuable Tips to Seek and Secure Endorsements for Your Manuscript: @CindyDevoted @EdieMelsonBusiness Musings: How Writers Fail: They Quit: @KristineRuschWhat to Do if Amazon Shuts Down Your KDP Account: @StoryHobbit15 Places to Find Freelance Writing Jobs: @KissMyBiz5 ways to demonstrate editing competence on your website: @LouiseHarnbyFreelancing: The No-Resume Resume for Writers: @okonh0wp @hopeclarkConferences and Events / MiscellaneousSheikh Zayed Award Names More Longlists: Criticism and Nations' Development: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesMadrid Book Fair's Eva Orúe: ‘A Mood for a Fair': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGuadalajara International Book Fair To Present 620 Book Presentations: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesTaina Tervonen's ‘Les fossoyeuses' Wins Switzerland's 2022 Jan Michalski Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / First NovelsYou Have a Great Idea for a Story. 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It Was Yesterday's Goal: @BookEndsJessicaIs Your Book Any Good? @jimdempsey @WriterUnboxedBuild A Profitable Author Life: @SharonWoodhouse @WriteNowCoachHow Being Broke (and Taking My Top Off) Made Me a Writer: by @fabulousdk @lithubPut in the Work to Become a Proficient Blogger and Writer: @LiveWriteThrive @NinaAmirFinding your People: @karen_odden @WomenWritersCancer, Writing, and Motivation: @ClareWynStevens @writingcookbookUsing Lists to Organize Your Writing, Reduce Stress, and Bring Back the Joy of Creating: @EdieMelsonWhy is writing so hard? @_GinnyCarterHow Various Media Can Change You as a Writer: @richardgthomas3 @LitReactorHow I Started My Local Writer's Group: @jes_trudel @scbwiBecoming you – how to develop confidence as a writer: @Roz_MorrisIs It Still a Thrill? @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsTales of a Solopreneur: @Richelle_Lyn_ @DIYMFAGenres / HorrorThese Books Prove We’re Living In a Golden Age of Horror: @mollsotov89 @CrimeReads5 Tips for Writing a Horror Weird Western: @KCGrifant @HorrorTreeGenres / MemoirWhat you can achieve if you try something a little scary… how I became a memoirist and novelist by @expatapple: @Roz_MorrisGenres / Middle-GradeCrafting Authentic Voice in Middle Grade: @Livy_Fisher @DIYMFAGenres / MysteryHow to Write a Cozy Mystery: @SaraRosett @sacha_blackLeaving a Crime Unreported as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergChild Stars as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / Screenwriting5 Top Tips For Converting Your Screenplay Into A Novel: @Bang2writeStructure is a Puzzle: @thejkstudioPromo / MiscellaneousDecember is Read a New Book Month: @BookgalFive Questions to Find Podcasts That Fit Your Message: @PatriciaDurgin @A3writersHow Do You Publicize a Book? @CatapultStoryHow to Stay Healthy and Sell More Books During the Holidays: @SusanNealYoga @EdieMelsonFollow-Up Techniques for Writing and Marketing Success: @KarenHWhiting @EdieMelsonPromo / SpeakingHow to Speak as Well as You Write: @FoxPrintEdPublishing / MiscellaneousWriters and Publication: @LindasclareParamount Terminates the PRH-Simon & Schuster Deal: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCambridge University Press and Ludenso on AR Textbooks: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSelf-Publishing versus Traditional Publishing: @JackJordanBooks @thenovelryPublishing / News / International PublishingRights Roundup: On the Other Side of Frankfurt: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAbu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre Issues Rights Grants, Signs UAEU Agreement: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesSpringer Nature Signs Open-Access Agreement with Japanese Universities: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBookwire in France: A ‘New' Audiobook Market: @OliviaSnaije @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingStick the landing (query critique): @NathanBransfordPublishing / Process / Book DesignThe Key Elements of Eye-Catching Book Cover Design: @IamJessicaBell @JaneFriedmanPublishing / Process / LegalitiesHow to Protect Intellectual Property as Creative Entrepreneur: @quiettypeblogWriting Craft / Beginnings10 Ways To Start Your Story: @ecellenbWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsWhat is the Antagonist in a Story? @themaltesetigerEvery Young Hero Needs an Archrival: @ColeRush1 @tordotcomWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWhy? 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Spread the Joy: On Writing a Christmas Book

by Mike Martin, @mike54martin

I never thought I’d be writing a Christmas book. But now I’ve got two. How did that happen? It all started about 20 years ago with one short Christmas story that I wrote for my family. They seemed to like it and I loved the feeling of thinking about special Christmas memories so much that I kept writing them. Then my father-in-law told me about his Christmas a long time ago in Grand Bank, Newfoundland and I was hooked.

I loved those stories when the plentiful snow and a home-made sled were a child’s entertainment and nights were filled with songs and kerosene lamps and laughter. And the 12 days of Christmas were a time for family, friends and roving bands of mummers. Those are people who dressed up in outrageous clothing and for a drink of rum would sing and dance in your kitchen.

It was easy to bring Sgt. Windflower and his friends and new family into the Christmas story tradition. He loved Christmas, of course, as well as the enduring traditions of caring and sharing that he found in Grand Bank. Windflower, Sheila and Eddie Tizzard all had new adventures across Christmas time each year as they found their way into trouble and back out again. Always in time to enjoy the most magical time of the year.

Christmas in Newfoundland 2 is a continuation of those stories. More memories of Christmas in my hometown of St. John’s, Newfoundland and lots more stories featuring characters from the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. I especially liked writing about Christmas through the eyes of Windflower’s two little girls, Amelia Louise and Stella. As well as some special memories from Eddie Tizzard and his family, there’s one from Herb Stoodley, Windflower’s best friend, who finds himself an unlikely Christmas hero on one snowy Christmas.

There’s a special trip to tiny and isolated Ramea, Newfoundland from a long, long time ago with Richard Tizzard, Eddie’s father. That was when some people hung their Christmas tree from the ceilings in their kitchen, and mummers were a regular tradition. You can even learn a little about a special Newfoundland Christmas event, Tibb’s Eve, which always was an occasion for another celebration of Christmas.

So, why do I do it? Mostly, because it is so much fun. And because I do think it is important to keep some of those stories and memories alive. But it is also a way to bring a little more light, a bit more Christmas magic into the world.

It’s hard for many people these days and we have lots of problems and worries and concerns and very real issues to deal with. But if we can think about a happy memory from a Christmas long ago or dream about a new memory we can create with our own children and grandchildren, all those worries may pass for a few moments.

Then we can all be that little boy or girl with our nose pressed up against the window of the toy shop or trying to fall asleep so that Santa can finally come. I hope you can find some of that Christmas magic in these little stories and if you do, please take the time to spread it along around your family, friends and neighbours.

I hope you enjoy the stories.

You can get Christmas in Newfoundland 2: Memories and Mysteries in paper or e-book on Amazon all over the world.

You can follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

 

 

 

Mike Martin is the author of the Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mysteries. The latest book in the series is Safe Harbour. You can buy it on Amazon all over the world, Chapters/Indigo in Canada and fine independent bookstores like Sleuth of Baker Street in Toronto.

 

 

 

Spread the Joy: On Writing a Christmas Book (by @Mike54Martin):
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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Business / MiscellaneousFinding Venues to Sell Your Books by Jean Davis: @TheIWSGWhy Your Hourly Freelance Writing Rate Matters: @KissMyBiz3 Tips for Branding Your Freelance Services Online: @RobynRosteTracking Your Author Finances: @BookEndsJessicaHow much is your novel worth? @PhilAthansSelf-publishing News: Writers Leave Twitter for Mastodon as Several Platforms Offer Enticing New Features: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIAmazon Printing Press and Pricing Scams: What Authors Need to Know: @StoryHobbitConferences and Events / MiscellaneousWIPO's Accessible Books Consortium Names Its Award Shortlists: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesConferences and Events / NaNoWriMoOn Winning NaNoWriMo: @OpAwesome6Creativity and Inspiration / Careers in Writing and Day JobsHow to Leave Your Day Job Without Quitting: @AmyImpellizzeri @CareerAuthorsCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersLiterary Mysteries That Embrace The Gray Areas: by Stacey D’Erasmo @CrimeReadsBecoming a better reader: @pubcoachEight Works That Blend Mystery and Detective Fiction With Fantasy and Horror: @jamesdnicollJane Austen Mysteries: @avonlea79 @DIYMFA7 Novels That Blend Romance and Body Horror: @rachfacelogic @ElectricLitCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Henry Chang’s Chinatown Beat: @MargotKinbergSex and the 16th Century: How John Donne Learned To Write Love Poetry: by Katherine Rundell @lithubCreativity and Inspiration / MotivationInspiration vs. Motivation: @johnaugustMotivation Doesn’t Finish Books: @GuerillaMemoir @JaneFriedmanCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer's BlockWriter’s Block: 5 Ways to Help Yourself Over the Hump: by Janet Forbes @NaNoWriMoCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyHow to Write Fast and Plot a Novel with Shane Millar: @sacha_blackCreativity and Inspiration / Writing Life5 Hidden Benefits of Being an INFJ Writer: @losapalaA Strengths-Based Approach To Writing: @JennyHansenCAKnowing Your No: @theladygreer @WriterUnboxedWhy Writers Should Celebrate Every Writing Milestone: @KarenDeBonisHow Should I Critique Controversial Stories? by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsBook writing strategies that DON'T work: @pubcoachThe Secret To Avoiding Burnout: @RyanHoliday10 literary classics that didn’t sell: @knownemily @lithubFinding your writing balance: @AnneJanzerThree Ways to “Live First, Then Write” Within Your Limitations: @typewriterbird @NaNoWriMoPro Tips from a NaNo Coach: Writing with Chronic Injuries: @MimiMatthewsEsq @NaNoWriMoWhat Writers can Learn from Guilty Pleasures: @EliasJMcClellanThree Cheers for Idleness: @CCHall_author @womenonwritingA renowned literary critic's favorites and what it might mean: @joshnlambert @JSTORHow to Make Time to Write and Develop a System to Take Notes: @BryanJCollins @annkroekerAsk Yourself if You’re The Right Storyteller for This Story: @kavitamix @ElectricLitGenres / HorrorFive Scary Novels That Use Setting To Embody Horror: by Stephanie Feldman @tordotcomGenres / Mystery“It Couldn’t Happen Here” as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergA Closer Look at Crime Fiction Magazines: @MargotKinbergCrime writing: practical applications for high explosives: by John Gilstrap @killzoneauthorsGenres / PoetryI’m Living in the Poems I Can’t Yet Write: by @NatashaOladokun @CatapultStoryPoetry Prompt: But Take Away The Fear: @CallieFeyen @tspoetryGenres / RomanceRomance: Publishing’s Hottest Genres and Subgenres: @ReedsyHQPromo / MiscellaneousAdvice from Industry Experts on Street Teams: @KHogrefeParnell @EdieMelsonEasy Book Marketing Tips that Worked for Me and May Work for You: @colleen_m_storyCrafting a Sell Sheet: A Quick, Easy Guide: @ArielleHaughee @FloridaWriters1How to Use Your Reviews and Excerpts in Your Media Kit : @FrugalBookPromoPromo / PlatformsWriter or Brand? @LindasclarePublishing / MiscellaneousRichard Charkin in London: An Updated A-Z of Trade Publishing: @RCharkin @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / DataNPD BookScan: US Holiday Market Diverges From 2021: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @npdgroup‘Confidence in Research' Report from Elsevier Released: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingBrazil's IPA-UN SDG Book Club: 500,000 Copies: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSharjah World Book Capital Supports a Fire-Damaged Italian Bookstore: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAustralian Publishers Association: A First Industry Diversity Study: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesItaly's ‘Book City': Reading Supports Cultural Life: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe IPA's Congress in Jakarta: So Many Issues: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @IntPublishersPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingDifferent Traditional Publishing Experiences: @GCrossAuthor @thecreativepennPublishing / Process / TranslationWhy translation is essential to the literary landscape: @CatapultStoryWriting Craft / BeginningsHow to Write a Great Opening Chapter: a Revised Checklist: @annerallenWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentFear Thesaurus Entry: Never Finding Happiness: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersStep Up Your Character Game: Character Building Through Repeated Actions: @KatFrog @NaNoWriMoWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsDoes Courage Define Every Protagonist? @diannmillsWriting Craft / Common MistakesWrite for the Reader, Not for Yourself: @KarenCVMaking Mistakes: It’s a Mistake Not To Make Them: by PJ Parrish @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / DraftsHow Do I Know When It's Time To Let Go Of A Draft? @Bang2writeWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmFive Overshadowed Characters in Popular Stories: by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWriting a Coming of Age Story: @InspireEnvision @DIYMFAShowing the World through Your Character’s Senses: @CSLakin @LiveWriteThriveWriting the Protagonist and Antagonist: by Amy Wilson @GoodStoryCoWhy “The Worst That Can Happen” Is Terrible Writing Advice: @Janice_HardyWrite Small for a Bigger Impact: @JoePonepinto @JaneFriedmanCrafting Snowball Stakes for Your Fiction: @diannmills @LiveWriteThriveExpansion Pack: Writing from the side: @VirgilanteNovels That Shouldn’t Work But Do Work—and Why: @DonMaass @WriterUnboxedWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / NamingHow to Title a Book: 13 Steps to Choosing a Title That Sells: @DaveChessonWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingHow to Pull Off a Plot Twist: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story Beats4 Reasons to Use the “Save the Cat” Story Structure in Your Writing: by Rose Atkinson-Carter @savethecat @TheRyanLanzWriting Craft / Scenes / ConflictThe Frustration of Inconsistent Deathblows: @cyallowitzWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionImmerse Your Readers in the Stories You Create: @PeggySueWells @EdieMelsonWriting Tools / AppsA Closer Look at One Stop for Writers: @storyhobbit @onestop4writers

 

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My 5 Most-Common 1st Draft Mistakes

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

First drafts are meant to be messy. It's the time when we hammer out our story, taking it from a concept to something that, at least vaguely, resembles a book.

The nice thing about first drafts is that they can be fixed.  That's why I don't worry over my drafts as I'm writing them; my goal is just to get from the beginning to the end. At this point, I've written around 50 first drafts.  There's definitely a recurrence of some issues over others. Once you know what your most common issues are, you can start looking out for them.

Crutch words: Everyone has them (at least, I hope they do). I  track down “justs,” “thats,” and “reallys” and decide how many are necessary in my document.

Echoes: An echo is a repeating word close enough in a manuscript for a reader to notice it. Some repeating words fly more under the radar than others. Reading a passage out loud is one great way of finding repetition.

Continuity errors: I try to read as much of my first draft as possible in one sitting because it makes continuity errors so much easier to catch.  Sometimes my characters will inexplicably be wearing different outfits at the end of a scene than at the beginning of it. Or someone will be driving their car back from the store when their friend had given them a ride there.

Lack of description: This is usually on-purpose because I skip character or setting description in the first draft since I don't enjoy reading or writing it. The important thing is that I put it in the second draft…sometimes it's easy to forget.

Rushing through relationship building of any kind:  This might be specific to just me. I always tend to focus primarily on the mystery itself: the clues, red herrings, suspects, interviews, etc. But, as my Penguin editor used to tell me, readers care about the characters in their daily lives and interactions. I needed to show more of what their lives were like outside of the context of the mystery. That's something I often address in the second draft.

These are my usual problem areas in a first draft, but what are yours? Do you have repeat offenders or are your issues different in different drafts?

5 Common 1st Draft Mistakes:
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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

New Stuff

My friend Margot Kinberg and Cat Connor will be teaming up in February to offer a six-part online seminar for writing mysteries. For more information, click here.

Business / MiscellaneousBe A Responsible Writer – Internet Best Practices: @LisaEBetz @A3writersHow to improve Zoom calls – some slick tricks: @pubcoachEditor Interview: Jordan Kantey on Helping Writers: @nownovelSharing the Byline ( or: Writing with a Co-author): by Peggy Sias Lantz @FloridaWriters1Should you edit your published book? @Dwallacepeach @StoryEmpireConferences and Events / MiscellaneousSeven Reasons to Attend a Writers Conference: @Kdibianca @killzoneauthorsBooks at Berlinale Issues Its 2022 Call for Submissions: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSheikh Zayed Book Award: Readings Conclude for 17th Edition: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSharjah Conference: ‘Hungry for International Content': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @SharjahBookAuthGerman Nonfiction Prize: Submissions Are Open: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSelf-publishing News: Disabled Writers Call for Festivals to be Hybrid in 2023: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIConferences and Events / NaNoWriMo10 NaNoWriMo Tips for Success from Editors and Agents: @kleopatra_oWays to Find Community During NaNoWriMo This Year: @NaNoWriMoHow to Succeed at NaNoWriMo: @WriteNowCoachRaising Kids and Writing Books: Five Tips for Parents Daring to Try NaNoWriMo: @ruthingsNaNoWriMo Tips: from Fix Your Writing HabitsWhy I'm a NaNoWriMo Rebel: @seejavaciawriteNANO-WHAT-MO??? – @TammyLoughBooks @DIYMFANaNoWriMo for Indie Authors with Grant Faulkner: @sacha_black @NaNoWriMoUse NaNoWriMo to Write Your Nonfiction Book: @WriteNowCoachCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersChecking Out Virtual Book Clubs: @FinishedPages @womenonwritingThe Art of the Hand-Sell: 31 Spooky, Eerie, and Uncanny Books for Halloween: @prepartynap @lithubStaff Picks: Scary Stories: @parisreviewFavorite Horror Stories Available to Read Online Right Now: @richardgthomas36 Fantasy Books with Powerful Female Leads: by Megan Beauregard @BookTribGruesome and Grim: Five Spine-Chilling Fairy Tales for Spooky Season: by Rachel Ayers @tordotcomThree Stories of Haunted Houses and Apparitions to Tell on Halloween Night: @WF_WRITERS @BookTrib9 Works of Dark Humor Perfect for Halloween: by Claudia Lux @CrimeReadsWhere Are the Contemporary Southern Women Writers? @Kelly_J_Ford @CrimeReads8 Novels About Monstrous Mothers: @AinslieEm @ElectricLitWait, What? A List of Psychological Thrillers with Gobsmacking Twists: @sarahbonner101 @CrimeReadsCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Nalini Singh’s Quiet in Her Bones: @MargotKinberg4 Knockout Slam Poetry Performances to Watch: @LittleInfiniteDeep Emotion, Plain Speech: Camus’s The Plague @lauramarris @parisreview7 Experimental Books Reshaping Historical Narratives: @suburbanprairie @ElectricLitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow writing is like making pickles: @pubcoachCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing Quickly5 Tips to Write Your Novel Faster: @createastorylov @lornafaithCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeHonoring Your Graveyard of Stories: @kristanhoffman @WriterUnboxedSolid Boundaries Lead to Success: @BookEndsJessicaAuthor Burnout (with Becca Syme): @writingcookbookBusiness Musings: A Worrying One Percent: @KristineRuschBalance Between Joy, Sorrow, Humor, and Rage: @BarbaraR_Writes @DIYMFAGenres / FantasyWhat Is “Curio Fiction”? Finding a Name for a Fantastical Subgenre: @QuotidianWriter @tordotcomGenres / HistoricalHow to Write Historical Fiction with Kim Taylor Blakemore: @sacha_blackGenres / HorrorMust Sex Always Mean Death When it Comes to Horror Movies? @ThePhthailer @lithubWhat’s My Genre: Writing Horror vs. Writing Terror: @EldredBirdTop 10 horror short stories: @sicrook @GuardianBooksHow to Write a Horror Story: Best Tips: by James Gallagher @TheStoryEditorGenres / MysteryThree Key Elements of Crime Fiction: @TashBarsby @thenovelryHow Scary Should Cozies Be? Genres / Picture Books4 Helpful Tips For Writing Fresh Fantasy Picture Books: @RhiannonWrites_ @GoodStoryCoGenres / Poetry5 Best (and Worst) AI Poetry Generators: by Sara Barkat @tspoetryPromo / BloggingBlogging Doesn't Have to Be Scary: How to Overcome These 8 Common Blogging Fears: @EdieMelsonPromo / Book ReviewsOn Handling Bad Reviews: @justjuliawhelan @WriterUnboxedPromo / Connecting with ReadersHow Libraries Help Authors Reach Readers: @DiAnnMills @EdieMelsonPromo / Miscellaneous5 Ways to Use Community Marketing for Your Book: @mywordpub @JaneFriedmanPaid Newswire Stories On Books Are Worthless: @ThePRExpert10 Common Book Marketing Mistakes You Should Avoid: @Bang2writePromo / Social Media TipsHow to Use Goodreads as a Writer: @JillWilliamson @goteenwritersPublishing / MiscellaneousPaths to Publishing: @susan_writes @FloridaWriters1Footnotes vs Endnotes: Which is Which, and How to Use Them: @StoryHobbitHow to Use Endnotes in Books: The Ultimate Guide: @StoryHobbitCourt Blocks PRH-Simon & Schuster Acquisition: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesMarcus Dohle on the PRH-S&S Ruling: ‘Utterly Wrong': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesScholastic and Ravensburger CEOs: ‘What Young Readers Need': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / DataAAP: Six Charts on the US Book Market, 2017 to 2021: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingAt Sharjah's Conference: ‘Let's Not Leave Anyone Behind': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBeyrouth Livres: A First Staging in a Troubled Market: @OliviaSnaije @pubperspectivesRicardo Levi Leads FEP; Sonia Draga Is First Woman Vice-President: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @FEP_EUIPA's 33rd International Publishers Congress: Day Two Highlights: @Porter_Anderson @IntPublishers @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingAre You Ready to Get Your Latest Title in Bookstores? @BookgalPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingWhen Is It Smart to Submit Your Work to a University Press? (You’d Be Surprised!): @JoniBCole @JaneFriedmanPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingHow Agents Really Read Queries: @bookendslitAvoid those little redundancies (page critique): @NathanBransfordPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidWhen New Isn’t Better: The Value of Experience: @victoriastrauss @WriterUnboxedPublishing / Process / TranslationPublishing Scotland Opens New Round of Translation Funding: @Porter_Anderson @PublishScotland @pubperspectivesWriting Craft / Chapter EndingsHow to Use Chapter Cliffhangers in Your Fiction: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentHow to Use an Actor's Tool to Write More Compelling Characters: @AneMulliganWriting 3-D Characters: @LindasclareWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsClose off your protagonist's easy off-ramps: @NathanBransfordWriting Craft / Characters / Supporting CharactersOn Sidekicks: @MorganHzlwoodWriting Craft / ConflictHow to Reveal a Character's Internal Conflict: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmWhat Writers Can Learn From Marx: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthors5 Top Tips From The Black Phone Writers Can Learn: @Bang2writeWriting Craft / Miscellaneous5 Ways to Introduce Your Character: by Dana Isaacson @CareerAuthorsSweet, Scary, or Some of Each: by Laurie Schnebly CampbellPumpkin Spice and Writing: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthorsTen Tips for Writing Gothic Fiction and Ghost Stories: @Anna_Mazz @thenovelryExpansion Pack: Prequels: @Virgilante @StoryEmpireDoes Your Novel/Movie have an Understory? @SPressfieldWhy Rhetorical Questions Help You Go Deeper With Emotions: @LisaHallWilsonGimmicks or Good Plot Devices? @authorterryo @killzoneauthorsTips and Tricks For Writing Audio Drama: by Katie Gill @sfwaWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningPlotting vs. pantsing: by Jack Smith @TheWriterMagWriting Tips: Outlining/Plotting Vs Discovery Writing/Pantsing: @thecreativepennWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingWhy Plots Fail: @FoxPrintEd @JaneFriedman10 Signs Your Plot is Weak (And How to Fix it): @SeptCFawkesHow Much Should You Plot Your Stories? @FoxPrintEdWriting Craft / RevisionRewrites and Second Drafts: A Necessary Evil: @BeemWeeks @StoryEmpireOne Last Edit: Re-think before Submitting: @LinWilsonauthorWriting Craft / Revisions / Critiques6 Tips for Working with Beta Readers: by Michael James @TheRyanLanzWriting Craft / Scenes / ConflictConflict and Emotional Connection: Every Beat, Trope, and Scene Must Have These: @StoryGridWriting Craft / Settings and Description7 Ways Settings Can Rescue a Stalled First Draft: @RuthHarrisBooksWriting Tools / AppsHow to Better Use Track Changes: by Pamela Hines @TheStoryEditorWrite with friends or strangers with the Writing Analytics app (free until Dec. 4): @radekpazdera

 

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How Scary Should Cozies Be?

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Happy Halloween, everybody!

On this day of spooky celebration, I thought I'd take a quick look at scares in cozy mysteries, known as being gentler reads than other mysteries in the genre.

Agatha Christie was a founder of the genre and several of her books have scared me to death over the years.  But the scares aren't the so-called “jump scares” where a killer leaps out at you. It's more the tone, the situation (a country house in the middle of nowhere with a killer on the loose), and the ominous general foreboding that the books offer. And, when the killer (they can be plural) is revealed, it often gave me a shiver, too.

Nancy Drew books, crafted for young girls, also did a great job with scares. Maybe “spookiness” is a better word for what they pulled off. A hidden staircase, old secrets, and mysterious diaries lent a sinister feel to the stories.

What kinds of scares are good for cozies? In my mind, they need to be gentle and not protracted. The discovery of a body can definitely be a scary moment in a cozy mystery. Here, though, the scare is more in the surprise discovery and less about the appearance of the body. Avoiding detailed descriptions of the victims is a good practice, actually.

Sometimes the scary moment is more about tension. There's almost always going to be a very tense moment near the conclusion of the story when the sleuth uncovers the killer. Does the killer plan on shutting her up permanently? How does she get away? It's a good place for fast-paced action to drive readers to the end of the story.

Interspersing scary or serious scenes with lighter ones is a good idea. The quirkiness of the genre's supporting characters can be a welcome relief when the story gets intense.

One of the nice things about cozies is the escape it offers to readers. Not only do readers have the opportunity to be armchair sleuths, they're also honorary residents of the town during the story. The danger the mystery offers by interrupting the idyll of the community is eliminated by the end of the book, adding to the contentment and the general sense of having tidied everything up at the end.

How many scares do you like to see in a cozy mystery? Or in your own genre (I think every genre has them!)

Scary Scenes in Cozy Mysteries?
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Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you're there, check out the Writer's Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here.

Business / MiscellaneousBook Design Plagiarism, Getting Your Book into Bookstores, Negotiating Rights, and More Questions Answered: @sacha_black @MichaelLaRonn @IndieAuthorALLIBusiness Musings: Events Versus Urgency: @KristineRuschTo Nail Your Book Proposal: Think in Synergies, Not Sections: @lisaellisonspen @JaneFriedmanConferences and Events / MiscellaneousRichard Charkin's Frankfurt, Day Four: ‘Suffering': @rcharkin @pubperspectives @Book_FairSharjah's Rights Connection Awards Name First Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrankfurter Buchmesse 2022: 180,000 Trade and Public Visitors: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairPhotos from the 2022 Frankfurt Book Fair: @HannahSJohnson
@pubperspectives @Book_FairCanada’s $75,000 Cundill History Prize Names Its 2022 Finalists: @Porter_Anderson @CundillPrize @pubperspectivesSo How Did It Go? Literary Rights Pros on Frankfurt 2022: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairKeep Calm and Carry-On: How to Attend a Literary Conference Without Checking a Bag: @juliecardalt @WriterUnboxedA Closer Look at the Upcoming The Maple Leaf Mystery Ottawa Virtual Mini-Conference: @MargotKinberg @youfirstwriterAt Frankfurt: IPA Stages Its Second ‘Sustainability Summit': @RogerTagholm @IntPublishers @pubperspectivesIPA's 33rd International Publishers Congress: Program Highlights: @Porter_Anderson @IntPublishers @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationWhere Do Ideas Come From? @SnowflakeGuyCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers8 Thrillers Exploring Female Friendship: by Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry @CrimeReadsFinding Comfort in the Horror of Stephen King’s Maine: @writingelizabeth @tordotcomTop 10 books about cleaners: @AmandaPCraig @GuardianBooksFalling for Language, and Translation as Destruction: R.F. Kuang’s Babel: @nataliezutter @tordotcomCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Ben Sanders’ The Devils You Know: @MargotKinbergHow to become a better reader: @pubcoachRead These If You Aren’t A Poseur: Books That Embody The Punk Ethos: @TeaHacic7 Short Story Collections About the Dislocation of Migration: @LolaOgunyemi @ElectricLitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow To Create A Writing Schedule: @StuartConover @HorrorTreeFinishing our books in 10 days – or else: by Susan Ito @TheWriterMagCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer's BlockCreativity: Avoiding Blocks and Refreshing Ideas @christinadelay @JamiGoldCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeWriting as a Husband and Wife Team: @loismelbourne and @RossMelbourne @WomenWritersStop putting yourself down: @pubcoachThe Finishing Line: How to Celebrate A Completed Book: @Bang2writeThe Author Persona: Do I Hide My Quirks? @cyallowitzPermission to Write: @AnneJanzerHow to Increase Your Level of Writing Confidence with Greater Competence: @NinaAmirMy Writing History Is Best Told Through Handwriting: by Aditi Malhotra @CatapultStoryFeatured Writer on Wellness: Amber Logan: @AmberAnnLogan @colleen_m_storyFirst Chapter Dropout: by Pam Hillman @SKRViLLHemingway made fun of Fitzgerald’s boxing abilities in a newly-uncovered short story: @cesegal @lithubFrom Burnt Out Artist to Joyful Creative Coach: The Power of the “Perfect Fit” Business Model: @jccabelWhy Writers and Artists Have Such a Hard Time Selling Things: @losapalaUncover Your Strand of Gold as a Writer: @createastorylov @lornafaithSo You Want To Be A Writer: @Soraya_Lane @WomenWritersStacey D’Erasmo on the Fun of Writing Cryptic Characters: @lithubGenres / Middle-GradeDebut MG Authors Share Lessons Learned on Their Path to Publication:   @Write4KidsGenres / MysteryAdult Children Living With Their Parents as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergAdvice From Sleuths ;-) @MargotKinbergCelebrating Sisters in Crime at Thirty-Five: @S_G_Wong @CrimeReadsGenres / Non-FictionHow to Edit a Narrative Nonfiction Book: @StanleyKMS @TheStoryEditorHow to Generate and Test Non-Fiction Ideas: @dkparsonswriter @SelfPubFormGenres / Picture Books18 Best Children's Book Illustration Styles and Mediums: @StoryHobbitPromo / BloggingBlogging Tricks For Keeping On Top Of Your Content: @KMAllan_writerPromo / MiscellaneousGreat marketing is giving people something they WANT to share: @WeGrowMedia @DanBlankPromo / Social Media TipsHow to Use Goodreads as a Writer: @JillWilliamson @GoTeenWritersTaking Off With TikTok – with A.P Beswick: @SelfPubFormPublishing / MiscellaneousPRH Updates Its US Workplace Demographics Profile: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @penguinrandomDK CEOs Rebecca Smart and Paul Kelly on Consumer Bond: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingInternational Open Access Week: OUP's Rhodri Jackson: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUkraine's First Lady Onstage at Frankfurter Buchmesse: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairJuan Pirlot de Corbion at France's YouScribe: Betting on Africa: @OliviaSnaije @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingHow NOT to become a traditionally published author: @FinebergLauraPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingDon't tell an agent what your book is like. Show them. (query critique): @NathanBransfordYour Query was Rejected because You Failed to Discuss the Book: @BookEndsJessicaTop 3 Tips to Write a Perfect Query Letter: @Bang2writePublishing / Process / Book DesignIs Your Book Cover Doing the Job or Does It Need to Be Fired? @KellyMcClymer @sfwaThe Ultimate Guide to Author Pen Names: @IndieAuthorALLIPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidSnake Oil Exists in Book Publishing and Marketing: @BookgalWriting Craft / BeginningsDon't let your opening cement in your mind: @NathanBransfordWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWriting Your Character’s Strengths and Weaknesses: @LindasclareMake Music with Character Voices: @LynetteMBurrowsFear Thesaurus Entry: Becoming What One Hates: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionWhose Emotion Is It? @virginiahartmn @DIYMFAThe Size or Degree of Character Emotions: @kathycowleyWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsWriting the Unsympathetic Narrator–So What If Your Readers Don't Like Them? @writeabookWriting Craft / Characters / Supporting CharactersWriting Minor Characters That Matter: @ecellenbWriting Craft / DiversityCharacter Development and Diversity: @gmplano @StoryEmpireThe Future of Disability Is Diverse (and Visible): @wynterkm @ElectricLitWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmSix Stories With Cheap Cop-Outs: by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsWriting Craft / MiscellaneousGuilt: How Shame, Regret and Guilt Shape Story: @KristenLambTX10 Big Mistakes To Avoid When Writing Female Characters: @Bang2writeThe Art of the Funny Metaphor: @ben_sandman @CatapultStory7 Tips to Writing an Isekai Story: @cyallowitzAbout Chapter Beginnings: @annehawkinson @FloridaWriters1Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchFacts Matter in Fiction: @JoniMFisher @FloridaWriters15 Tips on Facts to Fiction Writing: @dianecohe @DIYMFAWriting Craft / RevisionStory Development and Execution: Mid-Level Self-Editing: @stacitroilo @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / ScenesWhen You Enter A Scene,Use Your Senses Sensibly: by PJ Parrish @killzoneauthorsHow to Quickly Establish the Setting in Scenes: @LiveWriteThriveWriting Craft / Scenes / ConflictSeven Easy Sources of Real World Danger: by Chris Winkle @mythcreantsWriting Craft / SubtextThe Art and Purpose of Subtext: @diannmills @JaneFriedmanWriting Craft / VoiceEasy Guide to Finding Your Voice as a Writer: by Linda Hitchcock @BookTribWriting Craft / Word CraftingListen for the Music in Your Writing: @BNKennedy10 @womenonwritingUncategorizedUpdate Your Amazon Book Pages and Author Page: @TheIWSG https://t.co/1s81ASyxcO

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