Janice Hardy's Blog, page 65

Why Writers Should NEVER Carry a Notebook

By Laurence MacNaughton, @LMacNaughton

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: The right tool for the job applies to writers, too. And sometimes, the right tool can make all the difference in our productivity. Laurence MacNaughton takes his monthly place at the podium today to share one of his go-to tools for keeping track of his notes and story ideas. For all you NaNoWriMo'ers...this would be very handy come October when you're planning your November novels (and pair well with a certain plotting book, too!).  

Before I became a published author, I used to carry around a writing notebook in my back pocket. You know the kind I'm talking about: the little black book that tells the world you’re a Serious Writer. But that little notebook is a big mistake, I eventually learned. Here are three reasons why you should ditch it, and what you need to keep in your pocket instead.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Looking for a Writing Workshop? Here Are September & October Workshops from Janice Hardy

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

It's been a busy conference year, and the next two months are the busiest of them all. I'll be attending conferences and giving workshops in both Florida and Texas in September and October.  

If you're looking for some serious in-depth novel tweaking, try my full-day "Bringing Your Novel to Life" workshop in Gainesville, FL.  
Gainesville, FL: FL-SCBWI Boot Camp Workshop (full day)
Saturday, September 21
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Members: $85, Non-Members: $115
Saint Leo University
4650-B NW 39th Place
Gainesville, FL 32606
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Sunday Writing Tip: Add More Emotion to Your Scenes

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Each week, I’ll offer a tip you can take and apply to your WIP to help improve it. They’ll be easy to do and shouldn’t take long, so they’ll be tips you can do without taking up your Sunday. Though I do reserve the right to offer a good tip now and then that will take longer—but only because it would apply to the entire manuscript.

This week, go through each scene and find three places where you can add or deepen the emotion.
Unless you’re writing a heavily plot-driven genre (such as a thriller or procedural), getting emotion into the story is vital. The more your readers connect emotionally with your characters, the more likely they are to love the book. “Not caring” is a big reason readers put a book down.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Real Life Diagnostics: Would These Queries Make You Ask for More?

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: Two

Please Note: As of today, RLD slots are booked through September 21.

This week’s question:

1. Would these queries make you ask for more?

Market/Genre: Women’s Fiction

Something a little different today, with a pair of very short query burbs.

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

The 5 Most Common Misconceptions About Writing Contests — Debunked

By Savannah Cordova

Part of The Writer’s Life Series

JH: Writing contests can be a great way to get your writing out into the world, rack up some credentials, or just get some good feedback on your work. Savannah Cordova visits the lecture hall today to share some insights from a regular contest participant and judge.

Writing contests are, without a doubt, one of the most enigmatic phenomena of the literary world. Anyone who’s entered their share of writing contests will know that the guidelines can often be vague, the judging process seemingly indiscriminate, and the feedback minimal, if given at all. And to those who haven’t entered them before, contests probably seem about as inscrutable as the Rosetta Stone (unless you can read ancient Greek and Egyptian, in which case I’d recommend eschewing contests entirely to become a professional translator).

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Introversion 101: Survival Tips for Writers Who Would Rather Hide

By Jillian Boehme, @Jillian Boehme

Part of The Writer’s Life Series

JH: Being an introvert can be challenging for writers when it comes to promotion. The idea of putting themselves out there is a real and paralyzing fear. Jillian Boehme takes the podium today, to share tips on not letting an introvert nature hold you back.

Jillian is known to the online writing community as Authoress, hostess of Miss Snark’s First Victim, a blog for aspiring authors. In real life, she holds a degree in Music Education, sings with the Nashville Symphony Chorus, and homeschools her remaining youngster-at-home. She’s still crazy in love with her husband of more than thirty years and is happy to be surrounded by family and friends amid the rolling knolls of Middle Tennessee.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter

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

Open Up! Writing the Opening Scene

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

I've gotten no writing done this week as I prepped for Hurricane Dorian, so here's a dip into the archives for a popular favorite. Thankfully, Dorian skirted far enough east to only be a nasty storm here where I live, and I'm watching the trees whip around as I write this. To my fellow Floridians and Southeast Coasters...stay safe.

The primary goal of an opening scene is to make readers want to read the next scene. 

You’d be surprised how often this is forgotten, because the focus is on establishing the setting, introducing the protagonist, and telling readers all about the cool story waiting for them. These are all important things, but on their own they’re not going to do what an opening scene needs to do—grab readers and keep them reading.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

The Budrys Rule: Three Writerly Sins, One of them Cardinal

By Dario Ciriello

Part of The How They Do It Series 

JH: Dario Ciriello returns to the lecture hall today with three "rules" writers should never break. And for once, these rules are ones writers really should live by.

As an editor/copyeditor who reads a lot of manuscripts, I see many potentially fine, well-written novels with believable characters, rollicking plots, and crisp dialogue fail because they fell short of what I call The Budrys Rule.

The late Algis Budrys was a famous science fiction author, editor, teacher, and critic. He taught for many years at the Clarion Writers Workshop, and worked as a book editor for Playboy magazine. In his fine little 1994 craft manual, Writing to the Point, Budrys gives one of the clearest and best pieces of advice to authors I’ve ever read, and does it so succinctly it works as a simple mnemonic.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Character’s Career

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Due to story prep for Hurricane Dorian, I'll dipping back a year and pulling form the archives today. Enjoy this look at why a character’s job is a useful tool when developing a novel.
I’ve been working hard on a new book this week, and since it’s a bit outside my normal genre (this one’s a science fiction detective novel), I’ve had to do a few things differently. There are elements to this genre I haven’t had to worry about in previous books.

Most notably, has been how my protagonist’s job affects the rest of the plot. As a private investigator, his job is the plot, and that career choice affects pretty much everything else in the novel.

In one way, this makes developing this novel easier. I have very clear parameters to work in, and a specific character type to flesh out.

In another way, it adds a layer of difficulty. The most obvious and easiest path is also the most overused or even cliched. I don’t want that, even if I might want to play with the tropes and cliches a little (I can never resist this—it’s too much fun).
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Real Life Diagnostics: Would You Keep Reading This Middle Grade Science Fiction Story?

Critique By Maria D'Marco

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, RLD slots are booked through September 7.

This week’s question:

Is this chapter working?

Market/Genre: Middle Grade Science Fiction

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