Alyssa Hubbard's Blog, page 14

Writing Goals

With the start of summer break, my new internship, and my job, I’ve had a lot of trouble keeping up with my writing.

I’m not going to lie, I’ve been majorly slacking on a lot of things. Sure, I have excuses:

Tornadoes ripped through my state and my town, the great snowpocalypse, general anxiety… but writing is something that has always made me feel good. It comforts me, and to have avoided just because of sheer laziness is unacceptable. So, in order to keep myself on task, I have set up writing goals for myself so as to start the next school semester fresh and productive.

ONWARD TO THE LIST!

Have my three short horror pieces beta read…

I have already somewhat started on this, and a lot of these will pretty much be continuations of what I’ve started, but it needs to be out in the world. If I post it publicly, I will definitely feel more obligated to do it. If you’d like to help out, please fill out the contact sheet and let me know how much you’re willing to read and when.
Send my short stories out to as many publications as possible…

I am extremely lazy. BEYOND lazy. I desperately need to sit down, go through some journals and magazines, and filter through the horror market. I need to see where I can fit in, where I can’t, etc. I don’t want to burn bridges by just spamming my work, but I do need to make a more conscious effort to get out there. I’ve already sent one out. We’ll see what is done with it, then edit, edit, edit, if necessary. Then, send again.
Write for some themed journals…

I’ve never been in to those journals that only publish for a theme. I understand a genre, but themes have just never appealed to me. If I want to get out there, I need to be able to expand my horizons, so to speak. I need to be more willing to write for something else. It’ll increase my productivity immensely, and I will be able to test myself. I need to at least try.
Finish Ice Over, then go back to writing short stories…

I love writing long pieces. I love it more than anything else in the world. Apocalyptia and An Austrian March were fun. But I need to become a better writer before I can continue to be a novelist. Short stories are just that, short. They don’t require too much time, though time is necessary. I can write a large amount, send them out, get critiques from a lot more people, and better my writing so I can eventually get back to novels. Ice Over will probably be the last long work I write for a long, long time.
Test the waters with my poetry…

This year, I thought, would be the year for my prose. It has actually been much more fruitful with my poetry. I’d like to explore my poetry a bit more and expand my skills in that field, too.

I, in general, just want to be more well-rounded as a writer. I thought I had found my place in the writing world, but I’m finding that there is so much more still to explore. Writing is a journey, and I’m taking it one step at a time.

Now, if you’ve made it this far, I want to ask you, what are your writing goals this summer? Anything special you’ll be working on? Let me know, and comment below!

Thanks for reading.

-Lissy

Want to be a beta reader? Go to my home page, fill out the contact sheet, and let me know!

Want to guest post? Want to trade posts? Same goes to you!

Don’t be shy!

Filed under: Personal Posts

Dealing with Rejections, and Knowing When to Quit

I’d rather fail doing what I love, than succeeding at something I hate.

Call me an idiot, but I’m just telling you the truth.

Writing is a life of rejection. The moment you decide to start on the path of professional writing, you are setting yourself up for a certain amount of failure – some more than others, but there’s almost always failure somewhere along the way. I’ve learned a lot about rejection, and this isn’t the first time I’ve written about rejection. And I’ve always said to never quit, to keep trying, no matter what, to obtain your dream.

But sometimes, it is time to quit.

Now, when I say “quit,” I don’t mean to quit writing. I mean it may be time to move on, to quit pushing that story, that poem, or that manuscript. It’s time to move on to other things and to focus on something that may have a better chance out in the world. While I am a self-published author, I also go out and send out short stories and poems, which I’ve actually had published every once in a while. Self-publishing is wonderful and can be an amazing learning experience, but it leaves little room for learning that painful lesson of rejection. It’s intensely humbling, and can range from mild to intense depression, but there are lessons to be learned, and today I hope to share a few of these lessons with you today. Hopefully, after reading this, if you’re going through a rejection of any kind, you will feel sadness, but know it isn’t the last rejection. You are a creative mind. Keep writing, keep earning those rejections and wear them like badges upon your chest. Be proud of rejection. Some people fear it so much, they never even attempt to be published. If you are reading this and haven’t attempted contests, literary journals, or agents because you fear rejection, let me go ahead and tell you:

I’ve been rejected 104 times as of March 12, 2014. It will probably be even more by the time this post is published. And that’s okay. At least I have tried. That’s what is most important. Now, onward to the list!

Markets you may fit best in…

One key factor in successfully publishing is knowing what market you fit in. Some are better at short stories, others poetry. Some can do fantasy, others can rock out some non-fiction. I’ve had more poems published than I have short stories, surprisingly enough, and I have never claimed to being good at writing poetry.


Where you can improve…

Have you been rejected  in your chosen market? Have you received any feedback or critique? If you’re not making it in your chosen market, it might be time to line up some beta readers, or to read some books in your genre/form. Everyone can improve. J.K. Rowling was rejected PLENTY of times prior to her success in fantasy. Failure can be just as rewarding as success if you let it.


You (your work) may need to change…

In the end, the hard truth may be that you’re not cut out for that market. That’s not to say you won’t ever be. But why focus so hard on one market when there are so many more out there? Not working out with poetry? Ok, while you’re still working out the kinks, try your hand at some short stories, work on a novel, or maybe even try a different poetry form. Blogging may also be your niche! You won’t get anywhere just by resubmitting the same piece over and over and over without working on it and even upping your cred by sending out other stuff. Who knows? You may find your calling.


Even if you thought it was perfect, you may need to edit it more…

I’ve done this plenty of times, especially when I first started sending out manuscripts. When I thought I could edit all of my own stuff to perfection and that I could find every plot hole… Well guess what, I was wrong. Every piece needs work, and could be edited more. Even famous novels can still be found with little errors in them… The point isn’t perfection, it’s getting close enough that people can read your story without distraction. If you find your story still is getting rejected, you may need to take it back to the drawing board and get to editing.


Beta readers/Editors/Honest strangers can be your friends…

Sometimes you need to listen to those you might have brushed off. Beta readers? Ha! What do they know? Except perhaps what they like and what they don’t like, which might be similar to what your audience and your markets like or dislike. This goes for editors and strangers, as well. No one wants to be mean. Unless they’re dicks, in which case that’s all they want to do. But being honest and being mean are completely different things. A good editor/friend/STRANGER will be honest and tell you when something just isn’t working and it might be time to move on.


There are always more stories…

I haven’t heard of anyone who only ever had one story to tell. Life is made up of a bunch of different stories. If one doesn’t work, that doesn’t mean the next will be the same. However, wasting all your time on one piece isn’t getting you anywhere. It could actually be hindering you from finding that piece you actually publish.

In the end, just keep writing. Write until you can’t write anymore, even if you never publish a single thing. Writing is about the journey, about learning and growing as a writer, and in general just doing what you love. Write because you love it.

Love what you do.

Do you agree? Disagree? Let me know, and comment below.

Thanks for reading.

-Lissy

Want to be a beta reader? Go to my home page, fill out the contact sheet, and let me know!

Want to guest post? Want to trade posts? Same goes to you!

Don’t be shy!

Filed under: Marketing Tips, Writing and Marketing Tips, Writing Tips

Beta Readers – The Ultimate Guide for Writers

What is a beta reader?

A person who reads a work for context, plot, and continuity. Not to be confused with an EDITOR who looks for mechanical errors as well as context, plot, and continuity. Is usually not paid. Can be done for any piece of writing, including, but not limited to: blog posts, short stories, poems, novels, etc.

 

Where to find them?

Google+, Twitter, pretty much any social media site you can think of. Local libraries may have info. Friends (the honest, brutal kind, preferably), family (also honest and brutal), local college campuses (plenty of brutality there). Take the time to ASK people! There’s no time to be shy when you might be published.

 

Are there bad ones?

Yes.

 

Are there great ones?

Yes.

 

How to tell the difference?

Good give you concrete reasons why they didn’t like it.

Good are honest.

Good mark up your work.

Good give you more than just: I hate/love it.

Good give you reasons why they like it.

Good read what you give them.

Bad will promise to read it, then never will.

Bad will give you butt pats and sugar coat everything.

Bad will analyze you as a person, rather than the work.

Bad will make changes, but won’t explain why.

Bad will tell you its garbage and that you’re an idiot.

Bad will comment on your work without reading the whole thing.

Bad will usually start with, “No offense, but…”

 

How to be a good AUTHOR to beta readers?

Know that you don’t have to use all their suggestions, but you should still listen to them

Thank them even if they say they hate it. They took the time to read it.

Never send them a rewrite unless you asked them beforehand. Don’t take advantage of their kindness.

Don’t argue with them. They have an opinion. You asked for it. Take it, regardless if you use it or not.

BE. HUMBLE. Stephen King started as garbage, you started as garbage, EVERYONE started as garbage. Your shit don’t smell like roses.

EDIT before you send them work. Editors and beta readers are two separate things, though one person can be both. Don’t assume a beta reader is also an editor.

 

When do you seek a beta reader?

When you’ve edited the piece to the point of near-publication readiness MECHANICALLY. Edit out typos and ensure grammar is near-perfection before seeking beta readers.

 

What’s the purpose of a beta reader?

To be your pre-audience, audience. These are the people you let read your work before all of society has access to it. See what they say, take it to heart, and then decide what you need to do before publication or sending it off to a judge/final editor.

 

Once again, and I can’t stress this enough, beta readers are here to help you. You actively seek them out yourself and ask them to read it. They didn’t force you to let them read it. They aren’t forcing their opinions on you. It’s your work. You can do what you want, despite what they say, and that’s okay. But remember they are only trying to help (most of the time). Just thank them for their time and effort and move on. What do you think? Anything you agree or disagree with? Let me know, and comment below!

Thanks for reading.

-Lissy

Want to be a beta reader? Go to my home page, fill out the contact sheet, and let me know!

Want to guest post? Want to trade posts? Same goes to you!

Don’t be shy!

Filed under: Writing and Marketing Tips, Writing Tips

Happy Birthday! (Thank you!)

Happy birthday to me.

Happy birthday to me.

Happy birthday,

Happy birthday.

Dear lord, I’m twenty!

It has been a long time, my dear friends! Long time, and no talk. I’ve been writing up a storm, preparing for my internship, getting ready for finals, and working, working, working. At this point, I’m sure all you’ve heard is excuses, excuses, excuses… but let me change the subject and just thank you all for your wishes of my good health and for a “happy birthday!” Let me say, all of your messages of support and “happy birthday” have already made it pretty wonderful! I am beyond honored to have made such wonderful friends during my short time on here. I have become a lurker as of late, and I can’t apologize enough for that, but when I do post, it is you all who make it a point to hop on and wish me well! Makes me feel those warm and fuzzies.

While I can’t physically wrap you all in a big blanket and create an awesome friendship burrito, please accept this virtual equivalent!

Crudely Drawn Friendship Burrito

I swear, if y’all could send me edits of this pic with your faces, it would make my day even better. Regardless, thank you so much for all you do. I hope your day is just as awesome as mine is!

Thanks for reading!

-Lissy

Filed under: Personal Posts

“Words, Words, Words,” a poem

As published in scissors & spackle, issue 12, February 2, 2014. Copies are available for purchase on the My Books page, under the category of “Other Publications.”

This is a phonic poem, inspired by Gertrude Stein’s Tender Buttons,  and as such is best read out loud. Enjoy!

Words, Words, Words

by Alyssa Hubbard

Falling, lifting, jumping, tumbling, writing, reading words on paper, pages, paper, pages. Pacing words to find words to find words to find fine dining, lining the streets with gold nickels and brass plating.

Plating, feigning and raining open worlds, open worlds, curl and unfurl, furling, furling, furling outward.

Out, out, and in, out and in, out and in, in, in, in, inside the mind of a rhyme, slant rhyme, can’t rhyme, rhyming for the sake of a rhyme.

Fine, find me, find me, hide me, cajole me, grip me, and pull me, till I can’t breathe. Till I can’t breathe. Till I can’t breathe. Until you breathe in a steady breath, breathing breaths within my breast of breath, breathing, breathing, breathing.

Stealing words, feeling words, kissing words, kissing lips, hips, strips of gold and stone. Stone and gold, gold of stone, God of stone, idols in piles of ash and rubble. Rumbling, tumbling, slipping, falling.

Falling into stone, stoning, stoning a woman in the street of the middle east. East, west, right, left, foot, feet, arms, legs, nose, liver, shiver.

Shivering in the snow, the weather, the weather, the weather, changing. Changing as a changeling, forever changing, like the weather, like your breathing, breathing, steady beats of a heart, breathing, heart breathing, breathing heart.

Pum, pum, pump of the heart. Pum, pum, pump. Pump the blood, blood inside of a pump, flooding the arteries, the veins as steady lanes paved in blue and blue and blue and red.

Red word read steady led, led steady outside. Outside is to hide as hiding is the steady finding of finds and treasures.

Treasures of feathers floating flying and careening from the sky. Feathering, floating, unfurling, flying into the sky, sky of flying clouds.

Clouds clouding the clarity. Campus wide panic of camping on campus, feathering and floating outward. Out and about, out and about, lending words and words lending sounds, sounds lending pounds and pounds and pounds of meaning.

Meaning no meaning, meaning lack of meaning, meaning some meaning, meaning meaning meaning meaning.

_____________________________________________________________________

What did you think? Please leave your comments and opinions below. All are welcome (even if you think it’s complete trash).

Thanks for reading!

-Lissy

Filed under: Original Work, Poems

Want to Guest Post?

Do you have fresh, innovative ways to write, edit, or get published?

Want to spread your knowledge and help other aspiring authors out there?

Want to establish a long-lasting literary relationship through simply doing what you do best: writing?

Then head over to my HOME page and submit a contact sheet requesting to guest post! I just need your name, a general topic you’d like to discuss, and then a general timeline of when said content will be complete. If you’d like, feel free to add a short bio and links to your main accounts so readers can easily find and connect with you, too!

And I’m always up for interviews or trading guest posts, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Happy reading!

Happy writing!

-Lissy

P.S.

How do you all feel about guest posting? Love it? Hate it? Is it worth the time and effort? Let me know, and comment below!

Thanks for reading!

Filed under: Guest Posts

Guest Post by Josh Rollins – XCOM Commentary and FanFiction

I am deeply honored to introduce writer Josh Rollins to my blog, and I hope you all will enjoy his take on the wonderfully, immersive tactical, sci-fi game XCom!

“We’ll be landing deep into Algerian territory on this one,”Officer Bradford’s words came through the soliders’ ear pieces.  A satellite photo on the far wall of the plane’s hull presented a round shape in a mix of thermo red, green and white. “Civilians on the ground. Repeat, we have civilians on the ground.”

“Damnit!” Lucas reached pulled out his wallet to take out a $20 dollar bill. It was a bet he shouldn’t have made; he hoped the crash would scare the locals away.

The hand that closed on the bill belonged to Max, a mountain of a man decorated by tribal tattoos where they weren’t covered by the heavy body armor.

“I told ya,” his voice was deep and carried a European accent, “when was the last time we had a mission in Africa without civs on the ground?”

Lucas shrugged. Without explosive weapons the fight will be much harder, forcing them to come in contact with the aliens. He prefered to blow them to smithereens and salvage remains for research later, much to the dismay of Dr. Vahlen and her team back at the labs.

“Three months, nine days, twenty hours, 13 minutes.”

It was MEC 3 Paladin. The head did not move to look at Lucas, the voice was flat and factual. Lucas found himself wondering yet again if there’s any woman left inside the monstrous robot sitting across from him. He gazed at the huge steel hands which were powerful enough to crush his skull. He saw her do that exact thing to a Sectoid once: one smooth effortless motion and the thing’s head squashed like a ripe tomato. The alien didn’t even get a chance to scream. The cold-blooded killing machine used to be his best friend and secret love interest before the surgery. He shook his head silently and let it sink unto his chest.

“Come on man,” Max placed his hand on his shoulder, the $20 bill tucked between his fingers. “I miss her tits too, you know.”

“Max! Goddamnit, she’s right here!”

“It. Don’t worry. it can’t feel a thing.”

“She is still human. And She saved your ass more times than you can count, which is a challenge for you, shit for brains.” Lucas shook Max’s hand away in disgust.

“Hey, don’t get emotional on me. It’s a machine. Just like the one you’re flying in right now.”

“Fuck you, man.”

The questions kept piling up. Back at base, Dr. Shen was working around the clock with his team, trying to figure out what caused the MEC soldiers to become so desensitized. Shen called it ‘MECancholy syndrome,’ but the term failed to catch. The soldiers called it MEC blues. It was a mystery: the arms and legs were removed surgically, along with some internal organs, replaced by machine counterparts – but the brain was left intact. Nothing should have affected the MEC psychologically. Still, somehow something did. Within weeks, MEC 3 was just a shadow of the person she once was.

“Hey, Tinkerbell,” he addressed MEC 3 Paladin by her old call sign.

“Yes.”

“How about a drink? You and me, after we blow some alien ass?”

“Sure.”

He wasn’t satisfied, but it would have to do. Asking MEC 3 if she (it) really wanted to get a drink would only prove that Tinkerbell didn’t care either way, and he prefered to hold on to whatever shreds of hope he had left. He knew she was gone, but chose not to accept it.

“Strike Team one, prepare for landing. North East of bogey. Search and destroy.”

Lucas held on to the cargo net as the plane lowered. Max was adjusting his utility belt to fit with the TAO launcher on his back, as always. Maybe they will get clearance to use it, Lucas hoped, or maybe they could use the MEC 3 railgun. He looked at the massive weapon attached to the MEC’s arm. It required two men to lift and a third to operate, but MEC 3 didn’t even budge from the recoil.

‘Tinkerbell,’ He corrected himself. ‘Her name is Tinkerbell.’

___________________________________________________________________

At first glance, there’s nothing new about the Independence Day plot of the game: aliens invade Earth, humans fight a long desperate battle, humans win. As a matter of fact, XCOM Enemy Unknown is a remake of a cult-classic PC game made in the 1990s. As the commander of an elite extraterrestrial-combat (hence the name XCOM) unit, you call the shots from a secret base deep underground and fight the alien invasion by researching alien technology, building advanced weapons, and training your soldiers. With some imagination however, the plot thickens.

I started out with the noble mission of Earth’s “first and only line of defence” against the alien invasion, but I learned quickly that the world is still busy fighting its own wars despite the alien threat. When the aliens attacked,  I noticed some countries offer better rewards if I was to take care of them first; different world leaders approached me with private offers, often asking for cutting-edge weapons and armor; the Council of Nations who oversees the Xcom project (and pay the bills) came to me with special requests for side-missions that seemed rather political in nature. After a few hours of playing the game, every move I made bame a strategic calculation of profit and gain.

After I purchased the new extension, the game allowed me to genetically modify soldiers or take them through a traumatic surgery which turns them into human-machine hybrids (MECs) *A MEC or Mechanized Exoskeleton Cybersuit (aka MEC Suit) is a specialized combat rig utilized by a MEC Trooper inXCOM: Enemy Within*). As I spent my time tinkering with the layout and of my MECs armor, changed their haircuts and gave them different nicknames, I noticed something odd: my MECs never smiled. In fact, they looked downright depressed. I’m not sure if the game makers planned this “MECcnocholia” or not, but as you can see, it gave me an idea for a story.

It started with questions. Is it possible that the surgery, which involved removing all of soldier’s limbs and putting them in giant machines was the reason? How could you convince a human being to undergo such a traumatic surgery voluntarily? How can such a person function in normal society, after the war is over? If every inch of the MEC’s body besides the neck and head is mechanic, how do they have sex?

The characters in the games are also quite interesting. Dr. Vahlen, Dr. Shen and Central Officer Bradford help you run the base. Each one of them has a different philosophy when it comes to fighting the aliens. While I could find some character-related jokes (“Do you two ever agree on anything?” Asks Officer Bradford when Dr. Shen and Dr. Vahlen represented their findings for recent research) I found myself asking questions about them. Where is Dr. Vahlen from, if to judge from her accent? If Dr. Shen is such a humanist who states that that “if this is what we are to become in the future, then I want no part of it,” how can he allow for such terrible surgeries to take place under his observation? What wars was officer Bradford part of, being so capable commanding other soldiers and stand up to a base invasion by the aliens? And where is the damn cook who feeds all these people anyway?

As a video game, Xcom Enemy Unknown does not concern itself with such questions. I assume most people who play the game would not care anyway, but I felt it was unfortunate that cliches such as aliens who pass as businessmen in black and speeches about the darkness of human nature keep the game at a shallow level of “let’s kick some alien ass.” There’s a potential for a deeper story here.

As a matter of fact, I feel many video games I played have such potential. Most writers get inspiration from books and maybe movies, but I think video games can be a wonderful source of ideas. XCOM is the first game I’m reviewing in this certain light, but not the last. As I play more interesting games in the future, I hope to share my views and ideas with you… so stay tuned.

Filed under: FanFic, Guest Posts

Life Update

Hello all!

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, my posts have been dwindling bit-by-bit, week-by-week. While I usually would chalk it up to laziness, I do have a few things to share with you all that might reveal a few things. Onward to the list.

The Snowpocalypse of Alabama

If you’ve read my about page, then you’d know I’m from Alabama. The South was hit by a snow storm that no one expected to be more than a light dusting. And if you’ve ever been to the South, we don’t do snow. However, we underestimated this one and were ill prepared to handle it. 150 accidents in my city, me being stranded on campus for hours, then being stuck in traffic for five hours, after abandoning my car, then finally getting home only to be snowed in later. I’ve been a little “blah” where writing and posting is concerned.


School, work, school, work, school

Need these be explained?


Anxiety

This has been an awful month, in general. Not to say there weren’t good parts, but there has been far more wrong than right. I have major anxiety problems, and this month has been the worst for them. Anxiety leads to depression, and depression leads to a lack in motivation. It’s not an excuse, but I’m hoping it’ll at least clarify a few things.

 

That’s really all I have for you all today, and I’m sorry there hasn’t been more writerly nonsense to talk about. Hopefully, now that the snowpocalypse has ended, life can start back and I’ll get back to my regular routine. In the meantime, please check out my interview at Crack the Spine and be prepared for a guest post from a good friend of mine on Monday.

Thanks for reading.

-Lissy

Filed under: Personal Posts

Self-Publishers Beware, Some Deals ARE Too Good.

With the rise in self-publishing, traditional publishers are scrambling to keep their side of the market afloat. They’re beginning to approach self-publishers, presenting them deals they may not have received otherwise. Self-publishing has opened doors for creative minds. With the addition of #pitmad and #askanagent on Twitter and G+, self-publishers and aspiring authors are able to pitch directly to the people in the business without forking over loads in travel costs and convention fees.

But writer beware, publishers and agents aren’t the only ones drifting through the waters.

There’s a separate sect of publishing known as:

Vanity Publishing

*cue hisses and dramatic music*

In the past, they’ve masqueraded themselves as traditional publishers, offering their services to every writer they come across. Now, with the increase of self-publishing, they’ve morphed into new and improved self-publishing facilities. They offer you professional-grade covers, editing, and even offer both paperback and eBook to all major retailers, all royalties earned included, but there’s a small catch.

There’s a nominal fee. And when they bring up that fee, you better turn tail and run. A fee is the key in distinguishing a real publisher or publishing house from a vanity publisher. Don’t let your excitement of FINALLY getting published cloud your judgement. And believe me, what they call a “nominal” fee turns out to be a small fortune. And while this may seem common sense, their new platform as “self-publishing service” costs much more than the average self-publishing platform. To put it in perspective, I’ve made a list, detailing the many differences between the three publishing options and how to spot the dreaded vanity publisher.

Real publishers get paid when YOU get paid

Never. Never, never, never, never will a traditional publisher ask you to pay for their services. They take their money from your royalty payments. Same goes for self-publishing services. Use your best judgement. $100 for a cover design is one thing, $5000 for the whole pie before you even get to taste it sounds like a bad deal to me. Don’t confuse actual services with the over-inflated scam artists.


Self-Publishing services offer you services, you don’t pay for them immediately

This goes along with the first point, but I feel it needs its own separate bullet. Createspace offers cover designers, formatters, and bells and whistles ALONGSIDE their free, do-it-yourself services. Never will a self-publishing service only allow you to pay for things you could do yourself. If the self-publishing service is asking you to pay for something and is unwilling to give you the chance to do it yourself, then that isn’t a self-publishing service. You’re being swindled into a vanity publisher.


Most vanity publishers will actively seek you out

Most traditional publishers ask you to send things to them for consideration of publication AFTER you’ve already contacted them. Only special circumstances will dictate a traditional publisher contacting you without former inquiry on your end. If you haven’t been doing the #pitmads and you haven’t been shopping your work around for a while, but end up getting contacted by a “publisher,” a little red flag should go up. It’s not unheard of to be contacted if you have previously published before, but to have never been published, self or traditional, and you’re getting contacted, is something to be wary of.


A publisher won’t advertise to you

If you are contacted and are given a whole list of pros and services if you choose to publish with them, then you’re probably looking at a vanity publisher trying to con you. A traditional publisher would give you the minimum of what they have available, such as:

eBook publishing,

Paper/Hardback

And that’s basically the gist of it. You may also see awards and authors they have published. A traditional publisher will want to advertise their prestige to you, so that you may send your work in. A vanity publisher will tell you that you will get all your royalties and will have all these pretty shiny things given to you if you’ll just send your work to them. They will also guarantee publication to every manuscript sent in. You know why? Because they’re going to take your money first. It doesn’t matter if the book sells. You’ve already sent them $1,000+ to them. What do they care if it sells or not?


If it makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it

Like I’ve said before, never let your excitement of being published cloud your judgement. If you notice certain things that make you question the integrity of a publisher, whether they’re vanity or not, don’t publish with them. You’ve worked too hard to just sell your work to a crap publisher.

Be careful with your work. Love what you do, keep trying to publish or publish yourself, but be smart.

Have you ever been in contact with a vanity publisher? Have you published with one? What are your thoughts? Let me know, and comment below.

Thanks for reading.

-Lissy

Filed under: Marketing Tips, Writing and Marketing Tips, Writing Tips

How to Map Your Plot

As we all know, I’m a huge proponent of outlines, lists, etc. including during the writing process. As such, I thought it would be cool to take it one step further and let you all in on a new process a friend of mine has for mapping out her stories.

Unlike me, she is a pantser, one who couldn’t give a crap about lists, especially when it comes to writing. She finds them stifling to the process, and would rather be shackled and chained than to be stifled by a list of plot points. However, she is like me in that she craves organization in her stories, and she’s actually quite good at keeping everything in line as she writes. As such, I asked her how she did it, and this is the “list” she gave me.

Write the chapter first

Despite my need for outlines prior to writing, she demands letting creativity take its course however the characters see fit. Write it out chapter-by-chapter and let the natural plot and characters lead you.
Once you’ve completed a chapter, write a short synopsis

This would be a great time to use my notecard method, especially considering what will be done with the notecards afterward. Once you’ve completed a chapter, write a synopsis for that particular chapter. Mark down every important event, any new characters and any information pertaining to plot movement. Write it down on a notecard, then move on to the next chapter. Do the same for every subsequent chapter.
Every time you finish a synopsis, tack it on the wall

Wherever you do your writing, or if you have a place you come back to, to write your synopsis, go to that place and stick your notecards somewhere they are in plain sight. That way, you’ll have a visual representation of your book. Somewhat of a storyboard, if you will. This will help you visualize pace, plot devices, and major events you have going on and allow you to move forward in a way that follows the storyboard.
Use the storyboard for organization and plot editing

Once you’ve finished writing the book, look at your synopsis wall. Maybe synopsis #2 (Chapter 2) would be better after synopsis #3 (Chapter 3), etc. It makes it much easier to just select notecards and move them about than digging through your document and deciding which should go where.

All-in-all, I think this is a great method for pantsers and planners alike. And while she didn’t want me to use her name, as modest and shy as she is, I will say that all these ideas came from her. I only take credit for my posting of them. Thank you so much, friend, and thank you so much reader for taking the time to read this. I hope it helps you just as much as it has helped me. Anything you see here that you’ve used before? Anything you plan on using? Let me know, and comment below!

Thanks for reading.

-Lissy

Filed under: Writing and Marketing Tips, Writing Tips