RWA DAY TWO
Day two of RWA started with a lecture on how to add a bit more thrills and chills to your writing. Three key elements to a good thriller/suspense are pacing, stakes, and character.
Pacing
- put the character in the middle of the scene (think Law & Order) and don't 'wrap' the scene
- nix most of the description to keep the pace moving
Stakes
- Must be deadly
- What does the character have most to lose?
Character
- Pick three things in a scene that particular character would notice the most (this helps define the character)
- Try writing a scene from a different character's POV to help the reader understand context; a different interpretation of the scene
My next class focused on Print Disabled Readers. There are approximately 30 million PDRs and they read 5x the number of books non-PDRs do. 5X!!! The presenters keyed on the amount of money they are willing to spend to get a book and the amount of money authors can make if they market to PDRs. For example, a blind person can read a 400-page book in three hours. After that, they need another one. And the genre they are most hungry for? ROMANCE.
This class was eye-opening for me. My books are available in epub digital format which is exactly what is needed. With a little bit of marketing, I can let Print Disabled Readers know that my book is available to them.
Before lunch, I sat in a session where two bestselling authors offered their secrets to creating bestselling books. A few of them are as follows: develop a thick skin (for reviews), ask your critique partners to look for specific things in your manuscript--not an overarching impression, research as you write--not before so you don't waste time researching things you may not even use (I already do this)
--Side Note: I've come across blogs where authors talk about how they are almost finished with their month of research...you can have half the book (or even the whole book) written in that time so I agree with this tip--
Be prolific to build a backlist, have a platform, and submit to the assistant/junior editors who need to build their careers--they are hungry for manuscripts.
The Goodreads session was literally standing-room only. Goodreads is a website for readers to find books, discuss them, and for authors to join in the fun. Both my books are listed on Goodreads so you can search for them and add them to your To-Be-Read list. The key to Goodreads is getting involved in the discussion. Building relationships helps name recognition and expanding customer base.
Secrets to Epublishing Success was a refresher for me. Tips given were what I've gleaned from scouring various websites and blogs. Write a great book (obviously), publish another one, patience (sells grow slowly), create a great cover image (makes a promise to the reader about the material inside).
--Side Note: The cover image is key. I've heard authors complain about the lack of sales, despite the good reviews, and I have noticed their cover looks like they drew it themselves. The cover always draws me in first, then the blurb. If your cover looks unprofessional, 99% of the time I won't even read the blurb and I doubt others will either.--
Another tip I've heard before is not worrying about piracy. Not many people pirate books and if you price the book well, they'll buy it.
Whew. I hope you enjoyed Day Two. Have you learned anything yet? Stay tuned for Day Three!
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I didn't go to RWA, but I find that writing is always a process of discovery. For the first time, I'm writing and feel completely comfortable with my story. Spent a lot of time on synopsis before starting out. Refer to it as needed, but I pretty much know my story. Still there are surprises, like the fact that my heroine is clumsy on occasion (that came out in draft 7 of synopsis) or that the hero runs to clear his head. Things like that. As far as research, I've had to look up what athletic tracks are made from, eligibility rules for the Olympics, types of specialty coffees, Tampa weather...things like that.
You draft your synopsis??? Have you finished your manuscript?
No, I have to write the other way. Need to know where my story is going. I refer back to it when I write, although I'm flexible enough to let the story veer off on occasion. Cuts down on unnecessary chapters/scenes/words.
I write a short paragraph of what GMC and whose POV I want for each chapter and then I launch into the manuscript; if it changes it changes. I've never heard of multiple drafts of a synopsis...that's the last thing I write when the story is finished because it will, in all likelihood, change.Do what works for you, as long as you are completing manuscripts. Looking forward to what you are going to show the world! :-)
Many writers write their synopsis first, then use it as a roadmap. It's a way to work out the kinks and even some of the GMC issues before writing. It's supposed to make the writing go faster. Can't say I can swear to that last part, but it definitely keeps me from wondering where my story is headed next. No writer's block over here.
I've started researching instream as well. Keeps things moving.