Janice Hardy's Blog, page 56

A Secret for Success in Publishing: Define Success

By Laurisa White Reyes, @lwreyes

Part of The Writers Life Series 

JH: The first step to being successful is knowing what "success" means to you. Why do you want to publish a book? Laurisa White Reyes shares things to consider when deciding where to set your (indie- or self-) publishing goals.

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.

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Take it away Laurisa...

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Crafting Hook Lines that Draw Readers in

By Janice Hardy, @Janie_Hardy

There's more than one way to hook a reader. Which is fortunate since we want to hook them on every page.

I've been writing most of my life, and I can still remember when I learned certain aspects of writing. Some lessons just stick with you, and what a "hook line" was is one of those lessons.

Around twelve years ago, I was at the Surrey International Writers' Conference (SiWC) and my "Blue Pencil Café" appointment--which is where an author or editor reads and critiques the first two pages of your manuscript. It was an enlightening experience.

I was meeting with author Carol Berg (a delightful woman), and as she read my pages, she put check marks on quite a few lines and said:

HER: You have some great hook lines here.
ME: Thanks! (Made mental note to look up what a “hook line” was)

Back then I didn't know what she was talking about, but she explained what she liked about those lines, so it became obvious what she meant. I was instinctively doing something right.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Embracing the Women’s Fiction Genre Label

By Orly Konig, @OrlyKonig

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: Women's fiction covers a wide variety of stories, but there are common elements to every one. Orly Konig shares thoughts on the genre and tips on how to know if your book fits this popular category.

Orly Konig is an escapee from the corporate world. Now she spends her days chatting up imaginary friends, drinking too much coffee, and negotiating writing space around her cats. She is the founding president of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and a member of the Tall Poppy Writers. She’s a book coach and author of The Distance Home and  Carousel Beach .

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Take it away Orly…

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Three Things to Remember When Revising from a Critique

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Revising from critique feedback can improve a manuscript—if you remember a few important details.

Starting the New Year probably ought to begin with the first draft of a new project, but I always seem to be revising when January 1 rolls around. This year is no different, and I’m deep into a final revision before this manuscript goes to my agent next week.

Naturally, revision and critiques are heavily on my mind this week, particularly the best way to get the most from the feedback I’ve recieved.

I’ve written a lot about critiques over the years, but there are always new things to learn and consider. Today, let’s look at three things to keep in mind when reviewing feedback:
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Real Life Diagnostics: Infodumping in the Opening Page

Critique By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Real Life 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 Real Life Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines. 

Submissions currently in the queue: one

Please Note: As of today, critique slots are booked through January 11.

This week’s questions:

Is it show, don’t tell? Does the opening page work?

Market/Genre: Mythological Fantasy

On to the diagnosis…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Are You Looking for a Critique Group or Partner?

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

It's Crit Time Again! The 2020 Winter Group is now open!

Back in 2013 I started a Yahoo Group called "Janice Hardy's Critique Connection" to help writers connect with like-minded folks looking for critique groups or partners. It was designed to help people find long-term, quality writing partners, not just places you can toss up your work and get quick feedback.

It went from a one-time event to annually, and now to every six months (I open it up every January and July). It's switched to Groups.io now, but it's the same group.

If you're looking to join or create a critique group, add more to your existing group, or find a critique partner, odds are you'll find someone here.

Just to be clear, I'm not personally critiquing anything in this group. This is for writers who are looking for critique partners or critique groups for more than just "I need some eyes on this before I submit it to an agent" type critiques. I'm solely a facilitator to help people connect without having to post their email addresses online, which some folks are hesitant to do.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Things That Happen When You Stop Chasing Social Media

By Alythia Brown, @alythiabrown.85 

Part of The Writer’s Life Series 

JH: Social media is both a blessing and a curse, and no writer should feel pressured to engage if they don't want to. Alythia Brown kicks off the New Year with thoughts and tips on what happens when you don't let social media rule your life. 

Alythia Brown is an award-winning journalist and author represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency. She’s also the copy editor who created The Grammar Chicken. Find her Medium articles on writing, life and parenting under @alythiabrown.85.

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Take it away Alythia...Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

A Guide to Creativity and Time

By Rochelle Melander, @WriteNowCoach

Part of The Writer’s Life Series

JH: The "creative well" is an apt metaphor for writers, and when we don't take care of ourselves, the well dries up and our writing suffers. Today, Rochelle Melander shares tips on keeping your creative well full.

Rochelle Melander is a certified professional coach, experienced book strategist, and the author of eleven books, including,  Level Up: Quests to Master Mindset, Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity . She provides solutions for people who feel stuck, overwhelmed or confused by the writing and publishing process. She is the founder of Dream Keepers, a writing workshop that supports children and teens in finding their voice and sharing their stories.

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Take it away Rochelle…

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

What Did We Accomplish This Year? The 2019 End of Year Wrap Up

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

As 2019 comes to a close, it’s time to look back on what we accomplished, and set new goals for 2020.
2019 was a better year for me, with life settling down some and no emotional trauma to deal with. It was also the busiest year I've ever had, and I traveled a lot. Our home grew by one (a family member moved in with us), the kittens have grown into sweet cats, and we saw family and friends more often than we have in the past. It was a good year, if a hectic one.

I’m a goal-focused person, and the end of the year is always a great time to reflect on what I managed to do over the year, as well as decide what I’d like to do for the coming year. I’m also an optimist, so I tend to have way too many goals (and a few failures from the previous year), but that’s okay. I’d rather push myself a little than not get as much done. The trick though, is finding that balance between pushing and setting too-high expectations. I’m still working on that. Hmm…maybe a goal for this year?
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Writers: Embrace the Bleak in Your Stories

By Bonnie Randall

Part of the How They Do It Series 

JH: Holiday stories offer happy endings, but they also tap into some dark areas writers can benefit from all year long. Bonnie Randall takes her monthly place at the podium today with tips on making the most of the dark moments in your writing.
Tis the season of peace, love, and good will. Christmas is here again and, like many people, I am binging on seasonal books and movies. I am also—like many writers—crafting stories and collecting ideas that fall under this theme we call the ‘happiest time of the year’.

I am also reflecting on how interesting it is that the best Christmas stories take us to the darkest places. It’s A Wonderful Life starts off with a suicide attempt. A Christmas Carol features a horrifying haunting. Looking past the silly, even the antagonist of The Grinch is a ruthless sadist whose sole intention is to rob people not of their possessions, but of their happiness—and he’s not above engaging in animal cruelty to do so. (Ahem. Consider his poor, little dog). The beatific, altruistic mom in The Christmas Shoes dies while her loving husband and son hover helplessly at her bedside.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com