Janice Hardy's Blog, page 48

Five Ways to Kick Your Writing up a Notch

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

The path to stronger writing happens a step at a time. 

There's a moment in writing when we know our work is good, but not great, and we're not sure how to get it there. We're doing everything right, our beta readers love the book, but we just can't quite boost the writing high enough to land that agent, get that publishing deal, or sell the amount books we want to.

This is a frustrating place to be.

It can make us doubt our skill, and worry we don't have what it takes to be a writer. It can make us doubt our novels and wonder if the idea is viable. It can make us doubt our dreams.

The good news is, it might only take a few small changes to nudge the writing to the next level.

Here are five ways to give your writing a boost.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Successful Self-Publishing: Write a Great Book (Part 1)

By Laurisa White Reyes, @lwreyes

Part of The Indie Authors Series 

JH: In the end, it all comes down to the novel itself. Laurisa White Reyes shares why it's so important to start with a great book.

Laurisa White Reyes is the award-winning author of seventeen books, including  8 Secrets to Successful Self-Publishing . She is also the founder and senior editor of Skyrocket Press and teaches English composition at College of the Canyons in Southern California. Visit her website at www.SkyrocketPress.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |
Take it away Laurisa...

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

The Agent Lens: Advice from an Author Turned Agent

By Joyce Sweeney

Part of The Writer’s Life Series 

JH: Seeing multiple sides of the publishing industry can give someone a different perspective on it. Joyce Sweeney shares thoughts on making the switch from author/editor to literary agent.

Joyce Sweeney is the author of fourteen novels for young adults and two chapbooks of poetry. Her books have won many awards and honors. Joyce has recently switched to writing adult fiction and is represented by Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour agency.

Joyce has also been a writing teacher and coach for 25 years and offers online classes. In 2019, she, Jamie Morris and Tia Levings released  Plotting Your Novel with The Plot Clock  (Giantess Press). At this writing, 64 of Joyce’s students have successfully obtained traditional publishing contracts.

Joyce lives in Coral Springs with her husband, Jay and caffeine-addicted cat, Nitro.

Take it away Joyce…

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Do E-Readers Put Unfair Pressure on First Chapters?

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

How important is it for readers to know what the book is about before they start reading? 

Years ago, I'd started a novel on my e-reader that my husband had recommended. I'd read other books by this author and enjoyed them, and this was a different series with new characters and world. I knew the basic premise going in, but nothing more. After several chapters I found myself getting bored, but probably not for the reasons you'd expect.

Since I'd never read the cover copy, I had no idea what the novel was about.

Since I had no clue what the novel was about, I needed the first few chapters to establish that for me to keep me hooked.

And this novel didn't do that. It focused on things that--as far as I could see--were going nowhere. I mentioned it to my husband, who gave me a quick two-sentence core conflict update. Suddenly I saw those "going nowhere" chapters in a whole new light. The tiniest bit of information made a huge difference.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at a Historical Middle Grade Opening

Critique By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

WIP Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and we diagnose it on the site. It’s part critique, part example, and designed to help the submitter as well as anyone else having a similar problem.

If you're interested in submitting to WIP Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines. 

Submissions currently in the queue: six

Please Note: As of today, critique slots are booked through June 13.

This week’s questions:

1. Does this work and is it all in Freddy’s POV?

2. Is it all in Freddy’s POV?

3. Am I showing or telling?

Market/Genre: Young Adult

Note: This is a re-submission. Check out the first submission if you’re curious how the author revised.

On to the diagnosis…

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

5 Reasons Our Characters Need to Fail

By Bethany Henry

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: In a novel, failure is actually a good thing. Bethany Henry shares reasons why our characters need to fail in order for us to win.

Bethany Henry writes fantasy novels and blogs about writing and wellness at bethany-henry.com. When not writing, she can often be found on the frisbee field, drinking tea, or reading picture books with her two little girls. Sign up for her email list for weekly posts on writing craft- along with fun extras like quotes and freebies.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | Email List

Take it away Bethany...

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

I Hear You: Creating Character Voices in Non-POV Characters

By Janice Hardy. @Janice_Hardy

Just because a character doesn't have their own point of view, doesn't mean they shouldn't have their own voice.

Years ago, I saw a movie (one of my favorite, super-cheesy disaster ones) where five of the female characters had the exact same appearance. None of them were main characters, and before long it was impossible to remember who was who and what storyline they belonged to. Nothing they said or did stuck with me after that.

It was a perfect example of why not developing your supporting characters enough can mess up a perfectly good story.

Non-point-of-view characters run this same risk if they don’t have their own distinct voices. But without being inside their heads to help create that voice, it can be tough to make them sound different.

Let's look at ways to craft different voices for the characters in your novel.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

The Power of Journaling Through Difficult Times

By Bonnie Randall

Part of The Writer's Life Series 

JH: Writing can entertain, inform, and even heal. Bonnie Randall shares thoughts and tips on the therapeutic power of journaling. 
These are strange times and, like much else these days, this month’s column is going to deviate from the norm. We’re still going to talk about writing—just not fiction. Not even anything for publication. We’re going to talk about writing that heals and soothes the stressed brain during the most unprecedented time we will ever see in our lives.

Journaling from the Heart, For Your Heart

In my day job as a therapeutic counselor, I assign journaling all the time. It is not an uncommon practice in or out of the counseling room; one quick peek at Pintrest and you’ll be overwhelmed with articles about journaling, journaling prompts, and even journaling doodles you can incorporate onto your pages.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Exposition and World Building

Critique By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

WIP Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and we diagnose it on the site. It’s part critique, part example, and designed to help the submitter as well as anyone else having a similar problem.

If you're interested in submitting to WIP Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines. 

Submissions currently in the queue: Five

Please Note: As of today, critique slots are booked through May 30.

This week’s questions:

1. Does this opening hook you? Would you keep reading?

2. I’ve edited down for word count and audience (MG) reasons. Are there enough world-building details to sufficiently orient readers? (More details come relatively quickly after this, but I’m worried this opening is too sparse.)

3. Is there too much exposition? I want to establish relationships and give a feel for personalities, but I don’t want to info dump.

4. Do the explanations of in-world terms (magitiere, magiquipe) flow naturally and clearly?

Market/Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

On to the diagnosis…

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

5 Reasons Why You Should Finish Your Novel

By Colleen M. Story

Part of The Writer’s Life Series

JH: Writers write, but to be an author, you need to first finish your book. Colleen Story shares five tips on why finishing your manuscript is so important.

Colleen M. Story inspires writers to overcome modern-day challenges and find creative fulfillment in their work. Her latest release, Writer Get Noticed! , was the gold-medal winner in the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards (Writing/Publishing 2019). Overwhelmed Writer Rescue was named Book by Book Publicity’s Best Writing/Publishing Book in 2018, and her novel, Loreena’s Gift , was a Foreword Reviews' INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner, among others.

Writing and Wellness | Writer CEO | Teachable | Author Website | Twitter

Take it away Colleen…

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com