Janice Hardy's Blog, page 54

Hey, Still with Me? Poking Dead Scenes With a Stick, Part One

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Revisions aren't for weaklings. They're hard, they take commitment, and sometimes you have to make the tough call and decide the fate of a scene that isn't pulling its weight. 

I've been deep in a revision for a few months now, looking at each scene with a critical eye. Is it advancing the plot or story? Is it serving the story in any way? Is it a scene that should stay, or do I need to kill it?

I've been lucky so far, and most of the scenes are indeed doing their jobs, but I have had to kill a few that weren't. It's always hard, because there's usually something in that scene I liked, otherwise it never would have made it this far.

But cutting dead scenes from a manuscript improves the novel as a whole. It's just not always easy to know if we should.

To be clear, I'm talking about problem scenes, not scenes you know are working.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

How to Persevere When the Mountain Seems Unconquerable

By Jodi Turchin, @jlturchin

Part of The Writer's Life Series

JH: Being an author is a rough job, particularly if you haven't quite made the last step between writer and author. Jodi Turchin shares tips on hanging in there when the writing times get tough.

Jodi Turchin is a Young Adult novelist represented by Dawn Frederick at Red Sofa Literary. She’s also a photographer, a high school English teacher, a former actress and director, an Independent Scentsy Consultant, a Younique presenter, and a dog-mom.

Website | Twitter

Take it away Jodi…

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Author, We Have a Problem: 4 Tips on Plotting Your Novel

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

When I ask writers what they struggle with the most, plot is often at the top of the list. Here are some tips to make plotting easier.

Despite their challenges, plots are really simple things to create (no, really,). A plot is just the events that make up your story. It's what happens in the novel, and what the characters do.

Now the hard part, and the part writers often struggle with, is crafting a good plot. Because plotting is easy, but plotting in a way that best serves your story is much harder. You can't just have "stuff" happening--all that "stuff" has to have a point and tell the story you want to tell, in the way you want to tell it.

This is why the same story can be told a million different ways, because the plot can always be different.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Input for Writers: 6 Ways to Feed Your Muse

By Bethany Henry

Part of The Writer’s Life Series

JH: Being productive isn't always about how much you write. Sometimes, it's about how well you manage your muse. Bethany Henry shares tips on how to feed your muse and keep your creativity flowing.

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

Let's Talk Book Marketing! Twitter Chat Tonight

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

I'm doing a Twitter Chat tonight with Bad Redhead Media, talking about the five marketing things I do with every book. I'll share what I do, how I get organized, and where to start marketing your book.

When: Wednesday, January 29
Time: 9pm EST / 6pm PST
Where: Twitter! Just look for the #BookMarketingChat hashtag
Join me, @BadRedheadMedia, and @TheRuralVA!

Hope to see you online.Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Writing Resolutions 2020: Kick the Social Media Addiction

By Bonnie Randall

Part of The Writer's Life Series 

JH: Social media has its uses, but when it sucks away our lives, joy, and creative energy, it doesn't do any writer any good. Bonnie Randall shares some scary numbers on what social media can do to your writing and your life.
Even as I write this, the ensuing hypocrisy is not lost on me: most of you will all be reading it off a screen, and will have likely arrived her via some social media platform; Facebook, Twitter, or the like.

Nonetheless:

I have arrived at a writing resolution for 2020 that’s been a long time coming, and a longer time needed. My own addiction to social media is a problem, and I’ve known it for a while—but it is not until now, with a few lofty fiction goals[1] in my near future, that I have actually wanted to make a change.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Things to Consider When Adding a Point of View Character

By Janice Hardy. @Janice_Hardy
  Another pair of eyes can add richness to a story, but is it the right thing to do for your novel?

I was once about halfway through a first draft when I realized the story was a bit bigger than I'd first thought. There was a lot of tale to tell that my protagonist wasn't involved in, and seeing that side of the story through another character's eyes would benefit the novel as a whole.

Of course, this novel was written in first person, so adding another point of view character also added a myriad of problems to solve. Considering the work involved to add that second point of view, I wanted to make sure it was the right call for the novel before I started mucking around in it.

Having Second Thoughts

I'd originally plotted this novel as my protagonist’s story. I'd planned goals for her, conflicts for her, given her personal stakes and a character arc, etc. It was her story.

Until it wasn't. At least not completely.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Writers: Make a List of Personal Influencers

By Sara Megibow, @SaraMegibow 

Part of The Writer's Life Series
JH: When it comes to publicity and promotion, we often have more resources than we think. Agent Sara Megibow shares tips on making the most of your personal influencers--those people in your life who can and will help you promote your book. 
Sara Megibow is a literary agent with kt literary out of Highlands Ranch, CO. She has worked in publishing since 2006 and represents New York Times bestsellers authors including Margaret Rogerson, Roni Loren, Jason M. Hough and Jaleigh Johnson. She specializes in launching debut authors and working on long-term career development and profit strategy with them. She is a graduate of Northwestern University with degrees in Women’s Studies, Gender Studies and American History. Always LGBTQ+ Friendly!
Website | Twitter | Publishers Marketplace | Manuscript Wishlist | Submission Guidelines
Take it away Sara...
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

4 Mistakes Amateur Self-Publishers Make That the Pros Don’t

By Dave Chesson, @DaveChesson

Part of The Indie Authors Series 

JH: It's easy to make mistakes when venturing into self publishing. Dave Chesson shares four mistakes new authors make when they go indie, and shows us how to fix them. 

Dave Chesson is the founder of Kindlepreneur.com and creator of Publisher Rocket, a software that helps authors market their books more effectively.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Take it away Dave…

Self-publishing can be pretty intimidating for new authors. It’s easy to make mistakes without knowing you’re making them, and with competition stiff nowadays, being on top of your game has never been more important.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Following Directions: Editing First Draft Feedback on The Shifter

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Ever wonder what the original draft of a published novel looked like? Here's a peek behind the curtain and a look into the critiquing process.

Every Saturday I critique someone's work and post it for all to see, but I've also done the same to my own opening page. Fair's fair.

I came across this early post from 2010 where I showed excerpts from the very first draft of The Shifter (back when it was still The Pain Merchants), and the feedback I'd received from my critique group. Not only did I share what they said, I shared what I did, and explained why I found the comment helpful.

I've always been interested in the thought process and decision-making behind writing, so hopefully this will help other writers apply the feedback from their own critiques. It might even give them some insight into why they might have gotten a particular comment.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com