Jan
Taking on the Craft
I was slow to catch on. Wanting the dream and doing it are two different things. For the first couple of years of my writing I wanted it. It was that simple. I didn’t work for that dream. I ran towards it with no plan. I just sent my books out there. Thinking that was enough. Ha!
Well, those editors who were lucky enough to open my proposals were nice enough to let me know my strengths and weaknesses. Which they finally pounded through my head after manuscript four.. or was it five?
I’m taking a break from sending my stuff out there. Some think I have potential… I just need to understand that potential is not it. I can’t just go on potential.
So, finally I’ve decided to learn something about writing. The basics. The things I need to make my dream come true. Stuff like grammar… characterization… plotting… world building… and so on…
Yes, to answer that question I had no idea what I was doing before this. I learned as I wrote that things weren’t quite right. Four very important manuscripts later I am starting over…
I am now a craft junkie and will continue to be one for the rest of my writing career. I started “bugging authors”. Robyn DeHart, Susan Mallery, and Loribelle Hunt to name a few. (Those are just the recent ones… in the past I have bugged Victoria Alexander, Julia Quinn, Julie Garwood, Shana Gallen, and so on… All of them are fabulous and have wonderful advice.)
I am going to sun up a bit of it here.
Here are some of my must haves that came from this bugging of the authors:
Everyone agrees on: Goal Motivation and Conflict by Debora Dixon.
Creating Unforgettable Characters by Linda Seger
I’ve had a bunch of recommendations on Alicia Rasley.
http://www.sff.net/people/alicia/
I plan I taking one or a few of her classes very soon!
There are workshops for sale on www.rwanational.org I can’t wait to tap into.
I found some excellent resources on www.HollyLisle.com. I bought three of her workshop manuals and I love them. They are easily downloaded from the site.
Also, Robyn DeHart, as well as many other authors have excellent resources right on their websites. I printed out all of Robyn’s articles at http://www.robyndehart.com/for_writers.html. You’ll also see that she is one of the many authors who suggested Alicia Rasley.
Everyone says to join RWA. I have. I was in a local chapter once. I LOVED it. PLRW was the best. With life being so buys now, I am coming up with other ways to learn and be a part of the RWA community.
Online Workshops! They are the best! Instead of being in one RWA chapter I can be in many temporarily when they offer these courses taught by the giants of the game. I recently took one offered by RWA OnLine… Shana Gallen is one heck of a workshop giant. The course was fabulous.
I plan on taking many more. The next time I send something out there I want it to be something I’m proud of, something that I’ve worked harder on than anything ever before, and I want it to be right.
So, I know there are many of you out there who love craft as much as I do. Since I am new to this craft world are there any must haves that I am missing or haven’t found yet? Any more author websites like Jenna Peterson’s? Any more online workshops like Shana Gallen’s? What about more books on craft?
Oh Laura,
great mind not only think alike, but also they go through the similar things, LOL.
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:43 amAlthough I have not sent out any MSs out there - have just completed a very rough draft of a first book - I have been obsessed by the writing craft. I’m the one who opens the manual and reads cover to cover - including the intructions in French, after four years of HS I’d like to think I remember more than just “Vive la Liberte”, I digress - before I even
attempt to operate anything.
The same thing happens in writing. I’ve spent the better part of a year - just about- “learning” the craft. From taking workshops online - Shana Galen is an awesome teacher - to visiting writer’s sites like the Passionate Pen, and Robyn D.’s site. To collecting books like Debra Dixon’s GMC and others.
I have joined the RWA - finally - and I’m just now beginning to understand the wealth of resources that are now available to me.
I have another book that I recommend - that I always have with me - Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell. It’s money well spent. I also recommend Julie Beard’s Idiot’s Guide to Writing Romance - sadly this invaluable book is now out of print. I was lucky enough to secure the last new copy at my local bookstore last year. Another book I keep by my side and it’s a must, Elements of Style by Strunk & White.
More websites like Passionate Pen? Try Charlotte Dillon’s Resources for Romance Writers. More online workshops? Try Eastside RWA’s Year of Craft. Need help with titles and rank? Try Laura Chinet’s Title Page.
And I’m best friends with my thesaurus. He’s a cutie
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:33 amLaura, thanks so much for recommending me. I’m glad to hear you’ve found my articles helpful. I know I still troll the internet looking for helpful tips. Once you get bitten by the craft bug, it’s hard to shake it loose.
Great post!
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:27 pmLaura, good luck with your learning sabatical. I still like to take time every once in awhile to find new books on craft, take a workshop or talk to other authors. Everyone has their own way of doing things and you’ll build your way from taking what works for you from other authors and the various materials you find. If I can add a book to your list it would be The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler. I find it simply the best plotting tool out there. It can be a little daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it you’ll never plot another book without consulting it!
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:03 pmThe Writer’s Journey, I checked it out from the library and it is, like Kate said, a good book to have.
I’d like to also thank Robyn for introducing me to Debra Dixon’s GMC.
January 23rd, 2007 at 3:59 pmI’m currently using both Debra Dixon’s GMC and Chrisopher Vogler’s A Writer’s Journey for my characters and plotting. I’m enjoying both immensely…both are very helpful with lots of information.
Thanks for the links, Laura! And good for you for taking on the craft!
January 23rd, 2007 at 5:37 pmLaura, I know you write historicals, right? What time period?
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:22 pmI second the recomendation for Strunk and White. I keep mine close at hand.
Also Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Brown and King.
Kathy Carmichael has some good articles online. And also, Deborah Hale.
I keep meaning to find a copy of Deb Dixon’s GMC.
January 24th, 2007 at 8:06 amThanks for all of the suggestions everyone! I have a huge list now.. and I am studying hard!
Isabel, I write regency, contemporary, and paranormal romances. I have 2 regencies, one contemp, and one paranormal manuscript… the 5th one was the first and it was so bad I don’t even think it has a genre… hahaha.
January 24th, 2007 at 10:14 am