Dawn Metcalf's Blog, page 47

It's a Fangirl/Superpy/Halloween/Corruption Thing, You Understand...and Sure, I'll Take the Blame!

Happy to bring wig-inspired silliness to the amazing Jackson Pearce ( watchmebe )!



And here's proof of the referenced corruption:



Now I have to go Deep Undercover. Thanks, Jackson!

When The World Has Other Plans

Further posting will have to wait. This brief hiatus brought to you by five stitches in the right thumb, courtesy of multitasking and a jagged tomato can lid. Typing is not fun.

Sooooo thankful this happened AFTER line-edits!

(ouchie)

How To Get Published: Where Do I Start?

As happens at random social events, I managed to stumble into a conversation with someone who wants nothing more in life than to get their book published. Once we chat about things like the strange quirkiness of fate, the agonizing waiting periods, and my views on self-publishing, we get down to the nitty-gritty: where do we start? I'm comfortable giving my -- now perfectly legitimately solicited -- advice and I figured I'd compile a list here for those interested (although I'm sure to be preaching to the choir) because the internet is a HiveMind of Awesome and there's so much good stuff out there, it boggles!

1) Finish your manuscript. Butt In Chair. Sit and write until you type "The End." YES! You can do it!

2) Join a national organization like SCBWI (Society for Children's Book Writers & Illustrators), SFWA (Science Fiction Writers Association), RWA (Romance Writers Association), etc. - whatever is relevant to your book. These are incredible resources with incredible people. Be sure to go to regional events, conferences or national extravaganzas! The forums and online resources can help you get things you'll need like critique partners, query help, business advice and getting a clue.

3) Did I mention critique partners? Find some. It may take a bit to get the right fit, but these fellow writers are the critical eyes we need before we parade our stuff before the pros. They are also the ears, shoulders, and support structures necessary to make it through this process with our brains intact. It's my philosophy that I want 5 people not related to me by blood or friendship to tear a manuscript to shreds before an agent or editor ever sees it.

4) Did I mention getting a clue? Follow the pros online. No, I don't mean stalk them (which is bad behavior online or at conferences! Read my lips: No, no, no, no.) - but check out some of the helpful folks in the business who blog or share tips with writers-to-be everywhere. Whether agents like Nathan Bransford, Janet Reid, Kristin Nelson, Sara Crowe, Jennifer Jackson, or "Daphne Unfeasible", entire agencies like Dystel & Godrich, editors like Cheryl Klein and Andrew Karre, or anonymous tipsters like Moonrat, Editorial Anonymous, and the incredible Miss Snark; these folks take the time and energy to help you get it right. It pays to listen to them. Daily.

5) Find your community. Whether it's Verla Kay's Blueboards, Absolute Write, a LiveJournal or Blogger group, or the SCBWI Forums, there are great discussions happening that will give you a heads-up on the latest news in the industry and important tidbits you can get from those who are further down the line. It's amazing how much people are willing to share and help out one another. If you frequent these, remember to Pay It Forward, too.

6) Send stuff out. Where? Well, you've probably checked the forums and the bookstores to see where similar authors have succeeded: start there. Research agents and editors, check out blogs or interviews, read books from their client list and see if it's a good fit. Plug in your info at AgentQuery.com, QueryTracker.net or double-check for scams at the gold star Preditors & Editors database. Note requested submission guidelines and follow them. Pay attention to expected turn-around times so you don't freak out waiting. Once you write and polish your manuscript, write and polish your query letter, and write and polish your "elevator pitch" hook, the most important thing to do is lick that stamp or hit "Send." I can attest that no one will ever discover you if you don't do that. (And keep track of what has been sent where and when in a notebook or handy Excel or Google.doc file so nothing gets away from you.)

7) Keep writing. If only to keep sane while the clock is ticking and you check your mailbox over and over and over and over, it's also practical: writers write. Pinning all your hopes and dreams on one manuscript can tie you up for years (and I do not exaggerate here) so it's best to keep learning and expanding and dreaming on the page. Build up your kitty of cool Works-In-Progress so you have something else to offer in case someone asks, "So, do you have anything else?"

Does it look like a lot of homework? It is. I once naively thought that my job was merely to write good books (and that *is* my top priority) but in order to share any book with the world, we writers need help and we need to know how to get it.

And this is just the beginning...


NOTE: If I left anything out, please add it to the comments. The more info, the merrier!

How To Get Published, Part I: Where Do I Start?

As happens at random social events, I managed to stumble into a conversation with someone who wants nothing more in life than to get their book published. Once we chat about things like the strange quirkiness of fate, the agonizing waiting periods, and my views on self-publishing, we get down to the nitty-gritty: where do we start? I'm comfortable giving my -- now perfectly legitimately solicited -- advice and I figured I'd compile a list here for those interested (although I'm sure to be preaching to the choir) because the internet is a HiveMind of Awesome and there's so much good stuff out there, it boggles!

1) Finish your manuscript. Butt In Chair. Sit and write until you type "The End." YES! You can do it!

2) Join a national organization like SCBWI (Society for Children's Book Writers & Illustrators), SFWA (Science Fiction Writers Association), RWA (Romance Writers Association), etc. - whatever is relevant to your book. These are incredible resources with incredible people. Be sure to go to regional events, conferences or national extravaganzas! The forums and online resources can help you get things you'll need like critique partners, query help, business advice and getting a clue.

3) Did I mention critique partners? Find some. It may take a bit to get the right fit, but these fellow writers are the critical eyes we need before we parade our stuff before the pros. They are also the ears, shoulders, and support structures necessary to make it through this process with our brains intact. It's my philosophy that I want 5 people not related to me by blood or friendship to tear a manuscript to shreds before an agent or editor ever sees it.

4) Did I mention getting a clue? Follow the pros online. No, I don't mean stalk them (which is bad behavior online or at conferences! Read my lips: No, no, no, no.) - but check out some of the helpful folks in the business who blog or share tips with writers-to-be everywhere. Whether agents like Nathan Bransford, Janet Reid, Kristin Nelson, Sara Crowe, Jennifer Jackson, or "Daphne Unfeasible", entire agencies like Dystel & Godrich, editors like Cheryl Klein and Andrew Karre, or anonymous tipsters like Moonrat, Editorial Anonymous, and the incredible Miss Snark; these folks take the time and energy to help you get it right. It pays to listen to them. Daily.

5) Find your community. Whether it's Verla Kay's Blueboards, Absolute Write, a LiveJournal or Blogger group, or the SCBWI Forums, there are great discussions happening that will give you a heads-up on the latest news in the industry and important tidbits you can get from those who are further down the line. It's amazing how much people are willing to share and help out one another. If you frequent these, remember to Pay It Forward, too.

6) Send stuff out. Where? Well, you've probably checked the forums and the bookstores to see where similar authors have succeeded: start there. Research agents and editors, check out blogs or interviews, read books from their client list and see if it's a good fit. Plug in your info at AgentQuery.com, QueryTracker.net or double-check for scams at the gold star Preditors & Editors database. Note requested submission guidelines and follow them. Pay attention to expected turn-around times so you don't freak out waiting. Once you write and polish your manuscript, write and polish your query letter, and write and polish your "elevator pitch" hook, the most important thing to do is lick that stamp or hit "Send." I can attest that no one will ever discover you if you don't do that. (And keep track of what has been sent where and when in a notebook or handy Excel or Google.doc file so nothing gets away from you.)

7) Keep writing. If only to keep sane while the clock is ticking and you check your mailbox over and over and over and over, it's also practical: writers write. Pinning all your hopes and dreams on one manuscript can tie you up for years (and I do not exaggerate here) so it's best to keep learning and expanding and dreaming on the page. Build up your kitty of cool Works-In-Progress so you have something else to offer in case someone asks, "So, do you have anything else?"

Does it look like a lot of homework? It is. I once naively thought that my job was merely to write good books (and that *is* my top priority) but in order to share any book with the world, we writers need help and we need to know how to get it.

And this is just the beginning...

This is Part I of the process. Stay tuned for Part II: YAY! I got a bite! Now What?


NOTE: If I left anything out, please add it to the comments. The more info, the merrier!

Add More Penguins & Explosions

Jim Henson is one of my all-time creative heroes. He once said, "If a scene isn't working, add more penguins or explosions."


Or, in Berkeley Breathed's case, penguins and raspberries. L-rd, how I miss Bloom County!

Now as a YA genre writer, I can say that my stories rarely feature penguins or explosions as I am more a subtle-head-screw-and-spattered-blood kind of girl, but whenever I'm stuck in the plotting process, I remember this tidbit of wisdom and take his words to heart. I change this int...

A Retraction

I'm sorry...did I say that I was done? Did I imply that I was ready to go onto my next project? Silly, silly, delusional me! Maggie is wagging her finger at me with a smirk on her lips.

I guess I was right when I said I'll be done tweaking when someone pries this thing out of my fingers. And by "someone", I mean my editor who would like it before the week's out with a few minor adjustments. Yep. Yep yep yep.

Friday I'll be done.

And NeNe's pissed.

*typing now*

Progress: Where Creativity & Insanity Meet

Now that the latest draft of LUMINOUS is marinating in my mind and being reviewed by trusty beta-readers, I can *finally* look to the future and pay attention to the idea that has been lurking, waiting for its turn in the sun. I have made notes, outlines, rough sketches, did preliminary research, bounced the details off several smart & creative folks I know and love, and even bought dolls for an undisclosed project. That said, I am now on the very edge of the diving board, looking down, waiti...

BOO-Ya!

1 red pen
1 stack of Post-It notes
2 2" binder clips
302 pieces of printer paper
2 weeks solid

Line edits are done.

Next?

Where Do We Start?

Despite what Julie Andrews may sing, starting at the very beginning is rarely the place to start your book. Characters have lived a lifetime in your world before getting to the heart of their story and beginning their story at birth (or, beforehand in a lengthy prologue) isn't often the way to go. For me, the beginning is always the hardest part; not the act of sitting down and writing part, but when to start the tale.

In other words, Why now?



It's important to think, "Why now?" What is it abou...

A Year of Sweetness and Fulfillment

For all those who celebrate (and even those who don't):

HAVE A HAPPY AND SWEET NEW YEAR!


Thank you to Elana from elanaspantry.com for the perfect holiday pic and the complete Gluten-free Rosh Hashanah meal!

L'shanah Tovah! *nom nom nom*


P.S. Mine just started nicely! LUMINOUS just popped up for pre-order on Amazon! Whoopee!