How can we convey a sense of place to our readers—help them feel like they’re actually visiting the region we’re writing about–without overdoing it?
Hope you’ll join me on Margot Kinberg’s blog, Confessions of a Mystery Novelist, where I share some tips for writing your region.
People sometimes think of writers as being sensitive types.
I have to snort when I hear that. Writers can’t be sensitive types. Oh, I think that we’re naturally pretty emotional people.
But to make it in the publishing world and not completely have a breakdown, we have to develop a really, really tough skin. And lose a lot of the sensitivity.
Criticism starts early in the process: from us. We’re sometimes our own worst enemies—comparing our writing negatively to others or telling ourselves that we don’t know what we’re doing.
Then comes our first readers or critique groups. This is where we first hear that the manuscript we’ve slaved over has some problems.
Then come agents or editors or both—either we’re getting rejections from them or we’re getting editorial change requests (something wasn’t right.)
Then comes reviewers—both print and online. And readers.
All the criticism or rejection can feel pretty overwhelming, if we let it.
What I try to tell myself is that everyone is entitled to their opinion. There are plenty of great books out there that I’ve heard friends rave about that I actually didn’t enjoy—and it wasn’t the book, it was me. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood to read something serious/silly/thoughtful. Or maybe the narrative voice just didn’t resonate with me.
This past week, an article from The Morning News got a lot of buzz. The article listed some of Time Magazine’s picks for the 100 best novels from 1923 to the present day—and gave their 1-star Amazon reviews.
Here are a couple of excerpts to show that if you’re getting reader criticism (from crit groups, agents, editors, or readers), you’re not alone:
The Grapes of Wrath (1939)
Author: John Steinbeck
“While the story did have a great moral to go along with it, it was about dirt! Dirt and migrating. Dirt and migrating and more dirt.”
The Lord of the Rings (1954)
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
“The book is not readable because of the overuse of adverbs.”
Mrs. Dalloway (1925)
Author: Virginia Woolf
“The only good thing to say about this “literary” drivel is that the person responsible, Virginia Woolf, has been dead for quite some time now. Let us pray to God she stays that way.”
The Sun Also Rises (1926)
Author: Ernest Hemingway
“Here’s the first half of the book: ‘We had dinner and a few drinks. We went to a cafe and talked and had some drinks. We ate dinner and had a few drinks. Dinner. Drinks. More dinner. More drinks. We took a cab here (or there) in Paris and had some drinks, and maybe we danced and flirted and talked s*** about somebody. More dinner. More drinks. I love you, I hate you, maybe you should come up to my room, no you can’t’… I flipped through the second half of the book a day or two later and saw the words ‘dinner’ and ‘drinks’ on nearly every page and figured it wasn’t worth the risk.”
How do you handle criticism? Any tips to share?
Hope you’ll join me later today/tomorrow when I guest post on Margot Kinberg’s great blog, Confessions of a Mystery Novelist.
Hi everyone! Hope you’ll pop by and join me today at Hey, There’s a Dead Guy in the Living Room where I talk a little about social media—how different forms of social media differ from each other and how we can keep track of and limit the amount of time we spend online.
And today at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen, my funny mystery writing friend Deb Sharp (who guest posted here a couple of weeks ago) is sharing her recipe for Mama’s Nuptial Nectar Punch—and a really interesting picture of herself in a wedding veil. :)
Here are writing links that I’ve posted to Twitter for the past week. If you’re looking for a particular topic, just plug in your keyword into the search box at the top left-hand corner of the blog (on the black header right above my blog name…next to the Blogger symbol…the small search window is next to the magnifying glass) and the roundup with your subject will come up. To narrow your search down on the page, do a CTRL+F, type your subject, and hit enter.
I’m running Twitterific a day early this week because I’ll have a guest post on Hey, There’s a Dead Guy in the Living Room tomorrow. :)
The basic short pitch format: http://dld.bz/nye2
The Process of Working with an Editor: http://dld.bz/nyet
Some Writing Wisdom: http://dld.bz/nyeq
How To Give Your Blog Visitors More: http://dld.bz/nyec
Myst. Lov. Kitchen: His and Hers No-Fuss Summer Pies http://bit.ly/93Pj9S @kristadavis
24 Surefire Ways to Get Your Mojo Working: http://dld.bz/nydV
In Praise of Reading Slush: http://dld.bz/nydS
The 5 Most Annoying Questions Freelance Writers Get Asked: http://dld.bz/nydF
Setting as a part of world building: http://dld.bz/nydA
What to Do If Your Blog Is Dropped from Google Search: http://dld.bz/nyd7
Everything I Need to Know About Writing I Learned From My Six Year Old: http://dld.bz/nydz
How to think more creatively and come up with better ideas: http://dld.bz/nydt
On revise and resubmit requests: http://dld.bz/nydq
Middle East Graphic Novelists Push Boundaries, Challenge Taboos, and Pay a Price: http://dld.bz/nydj
Robot is the new vampire: http://dld.bz/nycY
The 5 stages of querying–denial: http://dld.bz/nycU
Tips for getting headshots taken: http://dld.bz/nx4M
Uncovering Some Crime Fiction Truths: http://dld.bz/nx2X @mkinberg
How to take control of your Facebook and Twitter followers: http://dld.bz/ntE7 @bubblecow
WriteOnCon – Free, Online, Lots of Industry Names: http://dld.bz/ntEx
Building a writer portfolio: http://dld.bz/ntEt
Are your characters in a rut? Try throwing an “opposite day” for them: http://dld.bz/nx4g
Novel approach: reading courses as an alternative to prison (Guardian): http://dld.bz/ntDZ
Top 10 Worst Self-Publishing Mistakes—Explained! http://dld.bz/ntDV
Tips on promoting your book on Facebook with a fan page: http://dld.bz/ntDU
Time flies…or crawls…in a series: http://dld.bz/ntDv
Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Cleo Coyle’s Copycat Frapp and Latte Cup Giveaway! http://bit.ly/9SCzle @kristadavis
Getting the most out of your time and money at a writing conference: http://dld.bz/ntCH
The imposing “write tight” rule: http://dld.bz/ntC9
On writing fantasy: a timeless style: http://dld.bz/ntC6
Seven Writing Sins: Greed: http://dld.bz/ntCg @catwoods
The Anatomy of a SHORT Synopsis – Pt 1: http://dld.bz/ntBm @chrstinef
20 Strategies to Defeat the Urge to Do Useless Tasks (and maybe fit more writing in): http://dld.bz/nmn8
The Writer’s Obsession: http://dld.bz/nmn4 @RebHargreaves
Who deserves the titles of author and writer? http://dld.bz/nmnv
yWriter outlining software (video): http://dld.bz/nmnn
Not everyone breaks into publishing the traditional way. ElizabethSCraig’s publication journey: http://dld.bz/ntza
How to be the Life of the Social Media Party: http://dld.bz/nmhH
Carpal tunnel and writers: http://dld.bz/nmng
10 Kindle Cases You Can Build For Free: http://dld.bz/nmhA
A simple tip to help you build your online community: http://dld.bz/nmg3 @AlexisGrant
The top 10 memento mori (Guardian): http://dld.bz/nmgy
Writing about coincidences: http://dld.bz/nmgj
4 Great Reasons Why You Need an Editor: http://dld.bz/nmge
Should unpublished writers blog? http://dld.bz/nmfS
How To: Write To Be Read: http://dld.bz/nmfM
The Foolproof Cure for Weak Content: 4 Ways to Get Some Perspective: http://dld.bz/nmhB
Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Potato Salad http://bit.ly/d3HDyv @kristadavis
8 Essential Ways to Spread Word-of-Mouth through Social Media: http://dld.bz/njEk
Self-Publishing, Self-Promotion, and the Dunning-Kruger Effect: http://dld.bz/njDz
A Geek’s Guide to Design-Oriented Writing: http://dld.bz/njCP @stevenkgriffin
The Care and Feeding of Metaphors: http://dld.bz/njDv
Do you know the real reason not to use passive voice? http://bit.ly/3iOFTj @p2p_editor
Freelancers–tips for writing quickly under deadline: http://dld.bz/nj9X
New Tools: Read Twitter Like a Newspaper (Writer’s Digest): http://dld.bz/njC6
Pitching: What they want to hear: http://dld.bz/njDm
How to Back Up Your Blog and Save Content: http://dld.bz/njAq
73 Ways To Become A Better Writer (Huff Post): http://dld.bz/nj9z @HuffingtonPost
Tips on infodumps: http://dld.bz/nj8Z
How to get the most out of the SiWC conference: http://dld.bz/ndwY
5 Things No One Tells You about the Writing Life: http://dld.bz/ndwR
Interlocking dialogue: http://dld.bz/ndwN
7 Tips for Writing Interesting Newspaper Articles: http://dld.bz/ndwJ
Five Essential Books for The Critic (Paris Review Daily): http://dld.bz/ndwr
Can we be just as passionate and write for the market? http://dld.bz/nhPe @alanorloff
An Agent Answers the Tough Questions about Agents and Authors: http://dld.bz/ndwd
15 tips for book cover design: http://dld.bz/ndgN
Breaking into print–yes, Virginia, there is a magic bullet: http://dld.bz/ndgg
8 New URL Shorteners for Quickly Sharing Links: http://dld.bz/ndgB
What an outline really is: http://dld.bz/ndgK
Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Pasta salad http://bit.ly/dASQNL @kristadavis
How to Boost your Income and Popularity by Giving Stuff Away: http://dld.bz/mNqJ
No sex, please, we’re mystery writers: http://dld.bz/ndfN
Don’t Marry Your Writing: http://dld.bz/ndfC
Sex in a Series: http://dld.bz/mNqE
How do I check out electronic books from the library? http://dld.bz/mNpG
Secret Emotional Triggers for Your Writing (Capitol City Writers Recap–Writer’s Digest): http://dld.bz/mNqB
When you’re paying too much attention to the *craft* part of writing: http://dld.bz/mNq7
“Ten Things I Don’t Want to Read About” : http://dld.bz/mNqn
Olympic Blogging: Running your race: http://dld.bz/mNqe
How to intertwine a plot and a character arc: http://bit.ly/4mIPdu @p2p_editor
Reversing the effects of Adventureland syndrome: http://dld.bz/mNqa
Time Mag’s list of the 100 best novels–and their 1-star reviews on Amazon: http://dld.bz/ndeQ
Why your character’s motive matters: http://dld.bz/mNpK @KMWeiland
Has Your Writing Routine Become A Writing Rut? http://dld.bz/mNpD
Misplaced modifiers: http://dld.bz/mNpA
What to do when our writing routine gets disrupted: http://dld.bz/mNnH @JodyHedlund
Looking for ways to fit your writing into your day and family life? Some ideas: http://dld.bz/mNnq
If You Love Scrivener So Much, Why Don’t You Marry It? http://dld.bz/mNnc @lizczukas
5 things your hero/heroine need to capture a reader’s emotions: http://dld.bz/mNmX
8 Things no one told me about being a writer: http://dld.bz/mZSP
Word of Mouth Beginnings: Your Proposal and Your Agent: http://dld.bz/mNmT
Marketing Your Book is In Your Hands –http://dld.bz/mNmB
Career Killers: Playing Around the Edges: http://dld.bz/mNm6
A Filter for Your Writing Well: http://dld.bz/mNmD
Top 10 Secrets of a Super Blogger: http://dld.bz/mNmx
Don’t Write a Novel, Write a Story: http://dld.bz/mNms
Resources for writers: http://dld.bz/mNmr
Query Problems: The letter itself: http://dld.bz/mNmn
7 deadly writing sins–pride: http://dld.bz/mSWY
World-Building From The Inside Out: http://dld.bz/mNmk
Twitter Does Not Sell Books. This 5-Point Plan Does (Huff Post): http://dld.bz/mNme
Are you sure you want to reject that interview opportunity? http://dld.bz/mNkF
Elevate awareness to elevate descriptive skills: http://dld.bz/mNkz @ClarissaDraper
E-readers are on the rise thanks to older readers: http://dld.bz/mNku
7 Social Marketing Strategy Mistakes That Cripple Your Reputation: http://dld.bz/mNks
6 tips for writing dialogue: http://dld.bz/mV6N @elspethwrites
7 deadly writing sins–envy: http://dld.bz/mSWU
On pitching: http://dld.bz/mNkn
How to Get Things Done When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed: http://dld.bz/mNjX
Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Sneak Peek at Some Hummus http://bit.ly/9zA2tL @kristadavis
Four Ways E-Books Will Change Your World: http://dld.bz/mNjR (Writer’s Digest)
Strengthening Your Character Arc: http://dld.bz/mNj6 @HeatherMcCorkle
7 deadly writing sins–gluttony: http://dld.bz/mSWw
Beach Towels and Manuscript Revision: http://dld.bz/mNjn
On-again, off-again relationships in crime fiction: http://dld.bz/mSUT @mkinberg
Homework time–research the unfamiliar: http://dld.bz/ @authorterryo
Drive a stake through your character’s heart–but in a good way! http://bit.ly/vb2QS @p2p_editor
How To Deal With Quirky Writing Rituals: http://dld.bz/mNjk
When Writing a Novel, Details Do It.: http://dld.bz/mNhV @CPatrickSchulze
Twitter’s #dearpublisher hashtag takes off (Guardian): http://dld.bz/mNhJ
The 8 Elements of a Nonfiction Book Proposal: http://dld.bz/mNh8
The elements of life changes: http://dld.bz/mNjz
When You’re Not So Prepared for a Portable Office: http://dld.bz/mNhE
Writer Jealousy: http://dld.bz/mJfy
Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Cheese to Die For http://bit.ly/cT5JRe @kristadavis
How to Use Scene Breaks to Cut the Fat (video): http://dld.bz/mJeR
A roundup of tips for self-editing: http://dld.bz/mJex
How can a busy mom make time for writing? http://dld.bz/mJev @jodyhedlund
Maximizing a Writers’ Conference Part I. Writing Craft Workshop or Agent Panel? Which should I go to? http://dld.bz/mJem
Why women find vampires hot: (CNN): http://dld.bz/mJeg
Blogging Part III: A 5-step guide to getting started: http://dld.bz/mJdT @alexisgrant
What’s Involved in Pacing? http://dld.bz/mJdE
How do agents and publishers make decisions? http://dld.bz/mJdC
A comic countdown to the SCBWI Conference: http://dld.bz/mNr8 @inkyelbows
Treading The Commercial Tightrope – The Writer’s Problem: http://dld.bz/mJd9 @BubbleCow
Sometimes It’s Okay To Judge A Book by Its Cover (Huff Post): http://dld.bz/mNru
With Change Comes… Anger? http://dld.bz/mNpW
The Creativity Crisis (Newsweek): http://dld.bz/mNpj
How to Make Replying to Comments Easier & More Enjoyable: http://dld.bz/mJdx
Series separation anxiety: http://dld.bz/mJby
6 Personality Types Who Will Succeed as Writers: http://dld.bz/mHZw @VictoriaMixon
The Trouble with Dialogue – Part 2: http://dld.bz/mHZf @wawriters
Why you should steal your character’s shoes: http://bit.ly/3zxWtU @p2p_editor
Sometimes it’s not about your book: http://dld.bz/myTa
Get Over Yourself: http://dld.bz/mySW
Growing up to be a short story writer: http://dld.bz/mySK
Writing Nowadays–Edit Smackdown: http://dld.bz/mySk
Minimize Time Maximize Online Presence: http://dld.bz/mySA
9 Expert Tips For Better Writing: http://dld.bz/msyX
I’m choosing “headshot” and sticking with it, since the phrase is turning into a word, apparently. Don’t you love it when language morphs? :)
I’d decided that I’d get an updated headshot every year and keep things fresh. Then maybe I can animate the pictures and we can watch me age over the years. :)
This particular picture appointment was cursed from the very start. Two days before I’d originally planned on having it done, I had a horrible haircut. Then, a week later, I got a really bad sunburn.
Finally the sunburn subsided (leaving lots of freckles in its wake) and I called myself “good enough.” I went to the portrait studio, feeling well-prepared. I’d brought the change of clothes they’d asked for, and a brush and some makeup (for covering up the darned freckles.)
The photographer took some pictures and helped me lose the deer-in-the-headlights look I usually sport in pictures. Then she asked me to change from the dress and put on one of the other outfits I’d brought.
Except…I’d only brought tops. No slacks. No skirt. :) Yes, I do have this little memory problem and the UPS truck had arrived with a package for me while I was trying to pull the outfit together. That’s my excuse, anyway.
So I had to put the top over the dress, for decency’s sake. And this was totally hilarious because the top wasn’t meant to go over anything. I felt like the Michelin tire man (left). The photographer swore she couldn’t tell (although she had to tuck in bits of my dress from time to time.)
And…it’s not a headshot. So I’m not really sure what to do with it. Things I’m not sure what to do with usually end up on my website, so that’s the likely destination. :)
Tips for headshots–
Make sure you go to a photographer who will release the copyright for the pictures to you. Otherwise, you can’t use them on your website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, or as an author photo. And then, really, what’s the point?
Ask for a “business photo” for clarity’s sake. Sometimes if you ask about headshots, they think you need photos for a modeling portfolio.
Get high resolution photos on a CD, if possible. It’s much easier to load on a computer and the quality is better.
If the photo is for a book, make sure you know the publisher’s guidelines. Some won’t want you resting your head on your hands, or looking off to the side.
Bring a change of clothes to change things up (and have different looks from the same sitting.) Bring a comb or brush, etc.
And, above all, remember to bring pants. :)