Category: Uncategorized

Over a week ago, I wrote a post about figuring out what your specialty is as a writer—realizing what you’re especially good at writing and then writing it.

But I think it’s also helpful to be able to look at our story with enough objectivity to determine the strengths within a manuscript, too. That requires us to narrow it down even a little farther than our general strengths.

I know that my characters are my strengths.

But which characters are strongest?

Early in a manuscript, I look really hard at my characters and seen which are stronger than others…just naturally stronger. They seem to always get the best and funniest lines. They steal the spotlight.

I’ve upgraded some characters to more important roles. Once I even took a less important character and turned her into my protagonist because she was stronger than my protagonist—and I “got” the character. I nailed the character automatically—the kind of person she was, her sense of humor, what she liked doing in her spare time….I knew it all intuitively.

My latest project, I even brought a character back from the dead.

She was supposed to be my second victim in the mystery. But she hung on with tenacity to every scene. My editor loved her and heaped praise on her (not knowing from the short sample I’d sent that she was going to die later in the book. ) She wouldn’t die. And, honestly, she was such a strong character that she didn’t need to die—she was going to be a selling point for readers to read the next book in the series. Why would I kill her—for shock value? And then I’m stuck—a charismatic character would be dead and she could have helped me out with future plots.

So she was only assaulted, not murdered. And I gave her more lines and built a subplot for her, too.

The same holds true for other manuscript strengths. Is the romantic element in your book making the project strong? Increase it. Is the page-turning suspense the strongest element in your manuscript? Increase the suspense. Is conflict driving your plot? Add more conflict.

What’s making your manuscript strong?

When I’m working on a book, I spend a lot of time in the story’s world.

I hang out with my imaginary friends. I think about what they’d do in different situations. I wonder what makes them tick.

I frequently think about my storyline and characters’ personalities as I drive the car around town, brush my teeth, or run the vacuum.

To come up with a good story, we do have to immerse ourselves in it. It takes a lot of time to think about all the different aspects that make up the book.

But then, even though we’ve put a lot of thought and emotion into the story, the time comes to back off a little bit and look at it objectively.

I’ve been working on revisions on one manuscript that have been fairly extensive, compared to the revisions I usually get. I’ve gotten requests for changes for both the manuscript’s editor and my agent…different ones, too—for different issues.

That’s where the distance comes in. My agent had a real problem with one of the minor characters in the story, but was trying to work with me to fix the issues. “I just don’t understand why he’s doing this. How about if we have him do this because ______. Then you can have his ex-wife to do _______ instead, then the woman he was seeing could do _______.”

I looked at her suggestions and the domino effect of changes that the motivation change would make. Then I thought about the character himself. Was he pulling his weight? Was he doing his job in making the story work? Clearly he wasn’t.

“How about if I just get rid of the character?” I asked Ellen. “If he’s making problems, then I’ll just ax him.” Not literally, though—I already had my victim. :)

That worked out just fine and I went through the book purging out all references to the character. But then both my editor and agent had a problem with a separate character in the story. And they wanted another suspect more deeply fleshed out.

So I looked at the story again. Counting my characters, I had a pretty good-sized cast. “How about if I fuse this character into the one who needs more development? I could tinker with the personality a little when merging the two characters into one. Then I’ll have a pared down cast, I’ll have gotten rid of the unlikeable characteristics of one of the characters, and I’ll have more deeply developed the one that needed work.”

It worked out pretty well as a solution.

It wasn’t always this easy to make really radical changes to a book for me. I think now, though, I subscribe to the idea that it really does take a village to write a book. It’s a collaborative effort and the more collaboration that I accept, the stronger the story gets.

I think, now, that once I hit “send” on that email with the story as an attachment, that I’ve lost some of my attachment to the book. It’s like the child that leaves the nest—you still love the child, but it’s time to back off and let the child grow up.

It helps that my editor and agent care just as much about the book as I do—they need for it to be successful, too.

How do you pull away from a project enough to get some objectivity?

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.

Tips to streamline your writing: http://dld.bz/tBwU

Idea resources for bloggers: http://dld.bz/uuKA

We Regret to Inform You: The Form Rejection: http://dld.bz/tBwQ

Great list—this week’s best articles for writers (9-3-10): http://dld.bz/uuKc

Spy novels by spies: http://dld.bz/tBwP

Looks and personality–how they can affect life for our characters: http://bit.ly/9PR1Gd

How to read a publishing contract (20): http://dld.bz/tBwG

Using Plot Points for Character Development: http://dld.bz/tBwC

Working in Small Steps But Seeing the Big Picture: http://dld.bz/tBw6 @JodyHedlund

Research – When to Stop: http://dld.bz/tBw5

How many definitions of science fiction are there? http://dld.bz/tBwy

Finding a Literary Agent: http://dld.bz/tBwp

When A Query Letter Goes Wrong: http://dld.bz/tBwb

Online Video Can Kill Your Credibility: http://dld.bz/tBvQ

How to Make a Pitch Deck for Your Book (GalleyCat): http://dld.bz/tBvN

5 Tips to Increase Brain Power: http://dld.bz/tBvF

Ten of the best railway journeys: http://dld.bz/tBvE

Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Double-Chocolate Hurricane Muffins by Cleo Coyle http://bit.ly/8Zpxbf @CleoCoyle

Penguin Great Ideas: the pick of the covers: http://dld.bz/tBvD

How To Title Your Story – Or Not: http://dld.bz/tBvs

The Package of Services Publishers Provide Authors and How This Is Changing: http://dld.bz/tt5E

How One Hour a Day Can Change Your Life: http://dld.bz/tt57

The Inigo Montoya Guide to 27 Commonly Misused Words: http://dld.bz/tt55

5 grammar resources: http://dld.bz/tt52

The 5 best ways to meet a book editor: http://dld.bz/tt5p

How Poetry Can Inspire Your Writing: http://dld.bz/tt5e

On Queries, Part 1: http://dld.bz/tt4S

An Agent On Relationships in Publishing: http://dld.bz/tt4H

7 ways to navigate the middle of your novel (and maybe your life): http://dld.bz/tt4x

Show and Tell: http://dld.bz/tt4t

How can agents help editors? : http://dld.bz/tt3N

On Writing Fantasy: Setting & the Five Senses: http://dld.bz/tt3D

Elevator Pitch: An online writing club? What a Quilliant idea! http://dld.bz/tt34

10 Mistakes Authors Make that Can Cost them a Fortune (and how to avoid them): http://dld.bz/tt2N

How to start a writer’s group: http://dld.bz/ttzT

Building Character: Know More Than Your Reader: http://dld.bz/ttzp

The organization of a fledgling idea: http://dld.bz/ttyW

The Three Key Elements of Irresistible Email Subject Lines: http://dld.bz/ttxR

In Defense of MFA Programs: http://dld.bz/ttyw

Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Even More Bacon and Tomatoes http://bit.ly/bHV29T

Why This is a Returnable Business: http://dld.bz/ttxk

Should Writers Pay for Book Reviews? http://dld.bz/ttwF

How a Freelance Writer Prepares for Vacation: http://dld.bz/trMn

No, NY Times, reading is not a social event: http://dld.bz/trMf

The Writer’s Toolbox: Walking: http://dld.bz/trJY

Tips on novel writing: http://dld.bz/trJV

An editor on writer responsibility: http://dld.bz/trJH

16 Manuscript Format Guidelines: http://dld.bz/trJA

8 Things You Need to Know Before Guesting on Talk Radio: http://dld.bz/trJm

Telegraphing (and other pace killers): http://dld.bz/trHF

11 tip-filled articles about marketing and promoting your nonfiction book: http://dld.bz/trHx

The Glamorous Life? (Notes from the Indie Trenches) Part One: http://dld.bz/sNZG and two: http://dld.bz/sNZH

Ten of the best pigs in literature (Guardian): http://dld.bz/sNZ9

The Season of Censorship: http://dld.bz/sNZ3

Novel Advertising (on ads in books): http://dld.bz/sNZy

Metaphors, Similes, and Analogies, Oh My… http://dld.bz/sNZv

Nice tips on action through dialogue: http://bit.ly/9wymlC @writingagain

On character flaw: http://dld.bz/sNZt

Writer’s guide to reading people–writing focus and boredom: http://dld.bz/sNZq

Linguistic chaos and Starbucks (Guardian): http://dld.bz/sNZh

How to Really Make an Editor Mad: http://dld.bz/sNZb

Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Welcome Karen E Olson! http://bit.ly/dCtxw8

Blogging Advice for More Prolific Writing: http://dld.bz/sNYP

Writing Royal and Nobility Titles: http://dld.bz/sNYK

A Guide To Writing A Book Pitch For Penguin Books: http://dld.bz/sNYE

Subtitle-O-Matic: (Publishers Weekly) http://dld.bz/sNYx

Samuel Johnson, star of Twitter: http://dld.bz/sNY9

The Evolution of Rejection: http://dld.bz/sNY3

How to Write a Novel: http://dld.bz/sNYr

AS Byatt says women who write intellectual books seen as unnatural (Guardian): http://dld.bz/sNYk

Growing your own passion (and talent) even if you don’t think you have any: http://dld.bz/sNYh

Social Media is Bringing Sexy Back to Branding: http://dld.bz/sNXX

Mr. Rochester is a Creep: A List: http://dld.bz/sNXT

Tips for talking to book clubs: http://bit.ly/biQrah

Don’t Blame The Editors or Agents When We Reject You: http://dld.bz/sNXQ

Can you have your cake and eat it too? (on word count) http://dld.bz/sNXK

Four Crucial Steps to Avoid Procrastination: http://dld.bz/sNXF

On Getting Your Name Out There: Author Blogging: http://dld.bz/sNXB

Getting a Head Start on Holiday Sales (Huff Post): http://dld.bz/sNX9

Just tell the story! Preventing overwriting: http://bit.ly/ck32BV

“Five Ways Blogging Has Made Me A Better Writer”: http://dld.bz/sNX2

How To Write The Ending Of Your Novel: http://dld.bz/sNXg

3 Ways to Get to Know Your Characters: http://dld.bz/sNW5

Building a Case for Translations, Part 2: http://dld.bz/sNWJ

Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Ollie’s Apple Tart… And Sheila’s coming! http://bit.ly/9gg64i

When Life Gives You Writer’s Block, Build With It! http://dld.bz/sCcY

Why publishers drop writers: http://dld.bz/sCcT

Is the pen name mightier than the sword, or just a modern writer’s flimsy foil? (Wash Post): http://dld.bz/sCcG

Ten of the best wicked uncles in literature: http://dld.bz/sCcA

The Real Secret to Twitter: http://dld.bz/sCcc

The greatest literary love affairs (The Daily Beast): http://dld.bz/sCbM

Why there’s more to cookbooks than recipes (Guardian): http://dld.bz/sCbw

On Snark and Self-Deprecation: Or Why the Pie Needs to Be On Your Own Face, First: http://dld.bz/sBYU

On the value of networking: http://dld.bz/sBYJ

7 Powerful Success Principles: http://dld.bz/sBYE

How to write when the world’s against you: http://dld.bz/sBYC

How to Ensure 75% of Agents Will Request Your Material: http://dld.bz/sBY7

Show, don’t tell: http://dld.bz/sBYu

What is the Role of an Agent? http://dld.bz/sBYr

Writing a Page Turner: Cliffhanger Practice via Flash Fiction: http://dld.bz/sBYn

Writers, Embrace Your Passion! http://dld.bz/sBYc

Questions for a Writer: http://dld.bz/sBYa

Starting out as a writer–sharing your work : http://dld.bz/sBX7

Write what scares you: http://dld.bz/sBXy

Our science fiction isn’t your father’s SF: http://dld.bz/sBXq

Myst. Lov. Kitchen: Chicken Parmesan with a Twist http://bit.ly/bHh4zH

How to Build Furniture Out of Books: http://dld.bz/sBWQ

8 tips for freelancers to stay busy in the dog days of summer: http://dld.bz/sBW8

15 Interesting Motivations for Villains and Heroes: http://dld.bz/sBW7

Superheroes, please, not positive role models (Telegraph): http://dld.bz/sBWz

Do You Want to Live a More Inspired Life? http://dld.bz/sBWj

Tips for blog and Twitter headline writing: http://dld.bz/sBWf

How to Edit Another Writer’s Writing – 7 Editing Tips: http://dld.bz/sBVB

What To Do When You Get Bored With Social Media: http://dld.bz/sBV7

4 Ways to Improve Narrative Drive in Your Story: http://dld.bz/sBV4

Texting 101–it’s here 2 stay: http://dld.bz/sBVy

Ten Tips for Blog Tours: http://dld.bz/sBVu

When literary authors slum in genre–http://dld.bz/sBVg

Show up As a Writer and You’ll Achieve Success: http://dld.bz/sBVb

Nice list of links for crafting dialogue: http://dld.bz/sBUH

What are the Best Apps for Book Inventory on the Droid? http://dld.bz/sBUr

How To Improve Your Blog: Lessons Learned From The Problogger Event: http://dld.bz/sBUa @thecreativepenn

Revising a novel: how baby steps helped one writer take giant strides: http://ht.ly/2wbdt @dirtywhitecandy

Rejected? Just Shut Up! http://dld.bz/sBTV

An agent on revision letters: http://dld.bz/sBTQ

Critiquing voice: http://dld.bz/sBTC

Finding your plot: http://dld.bz/s6d7

Rebel With a Cause: Rule-Breaking: http://dld.bz/s6d3

When to let go of your book: http://dld.bz/s6cV

Breaking Up With Your Agent: http://dld.bz/s6cz

The Art of Self-Assertion: http://dld.bz/s6cm

Revision… Lessons Learned: http://dld.bz/s6ce

When description goes too far: http://dld.bz/s6cc

Are you creative in lots of different ways? Or is your creativity specific to writing?

Some of the most dreaded words I hear are “Let’s ask Elizabeth, since she’s the creative one.”

Ack!

Because, really, I’m creative in only a couple of ways. I don’t come up to creative solutions for problems. I don’t have creative ideas for crafts. If you’re designing a bulletin board for a classroom I have absolutely no suggestions for you. I can’t come up with creative decorating ideas for your living room. I’m not going to be the creative person who invents the better mousetrap.

But if you need an excuse for why you’re late to work or what happened to your homework, I’m your girl. :) Need to write an important complaint letter? I’m the resource you’re looking for. Other than writing, I’d say I have a good eye for photography. But other that that, I think I’m mainly a huge appreciator and fan of other creative forms.

Am I the only one who’s like this? Because I think that most people assume that if a person is creative, they’re creative in a multitude of ways. But for me, it’s very specific.

Creativity has always really fascinated me and I admire it whenever I see it—especially when it’s exhibited in really unusual ways.

This might be why I’ve bookmarked a bunch of articles lately on creativity. :) If you’re like me and are interested in the subject, take a look:

Surprising finds on neurochemistry and creativity—Why sleep nurtures creativity, why there’s no such thing as multi-tasking, etc.

Creativity Reloaded: Why You Should Try New Creative Activities—Fighting creativity exhaustion

Unplug to improve creative flow—

201 Ways to Arouse Your Creativity—Tips from experts

The Creativity Crisis (Newsweek’s look at the decline of American creativity)

Tips for fostering creativity: This post quotes the Newsweek article, but also gives tips like the importance of failure, arts cross-pollination, and the non-herd mentality.

Hope there’s something in there for everyone. I enjoyed the ideas about exploring creativity in different ways—maybe I’ll be able to end up revising my assessment of my creative limitations. :)

How does your creativity work? How do you foster it?

Yesterday a good friend of mine flew into the Charlotte airport with a short layover. I figured it would be a great time to catch up with her in person while we had a cup of coffee (there’s a Starbucks right outside of the security check-in.)

While I was waiting for my friend’s plane to land, I was milling around in front of the security checkpoint. I must have looked like I was up to no good at all because a security guard kept leveling suspicious looks at me. Of course, I did carry my huge pocketbook which probably looked like it could house a whole arsenal of weaponry.

A very attractive, well-dressed woman in her twenties with fluffy, blonde hair came hurrying up to the checkpoint. She clutched her boarding pass and the paper shook in her hands.

She was apparently very close to missing her flight and went straight up to the security guard (the one who kept looking at me so suspiciously.) The guard was unwavering and pointed to the end of the long line waiting to go through security. And I thought—well, that’s a missed plane. Because there were at least thirty people in that line waiting to to be checked.

Well, darned if she didn’t go up to each one of those people, sidle by them, asking each time if she could pass them. She had a big, panicky smile on her pretty face.

Every single one of them, man or woman, old or young, beamed back at her and motioned her to pass them with a please pass me! expression. So she ended up as the very first person in the line in slightly over a minute.

Lucky for her, I thought, that she was a very attractive, clearly distraught, well-dressed young woman.

But what if she hadn’t been? What role did her looks play in passing everyone in the line? What if she’d been an unpleasant-looking, scruffy, unattractive man? I’m thinking she’d have missed her plane.

And what role did personality play in that? An equal percentage to looks? Less or more? She caught a whole lot more flies with honey than if she’d used vinegar. I think, honestly, if she’d been a pushy, unpleasant woman with a sense of entitlement for getting to the front of the line, that she never would have made it to the front, pretty or not.

My protagonists are just ordinary-looking people, but they have the ability to fly under the radar. They’re successful at sleuthing because they look so completely innocuous that suspects open up to them and give them clues to solve the cases. And their personalities make them easy to talk to.

How do your protagonist’s looks and personality make a difference in your story? Or…do they make a difference?