Where the Action Happens

As technology has advanced, writers have changed how they write. With the advent of the typewriter, writers could decide whether they preferred clicking away at first drafts or scrawling them out by hand. When the computer came along, some purists still preferred the typewriter. Indeed, some writers have strong, and strange, relationships with theirs. (For example, Hunter S. Thompson used to shoot his in the snow.)  But even for those who ventured into the new digital age, word processers, such as Word Perfect and Microsoft Word, still ruled.

But, these days, we have an abundance of tools to get those words on the “page”! From Scrivener, to yWriter, to Writer’s Cafe, to Get Yarney, to Gingko, to….well, I could go on and on.

However, even with all those options, I still work in Microsoft Word. I’m the equivalent of the writer who clanks away at the typewriter while everyone else has personal computers. But Word seems to work for me. I use the headings and the comments to organize my scenes, random thoughts, and research. I’ve written three novels this way.

And yet, I constantly think, there has to be a better way. I love task managers (like Toodledo and Trello) and I’d love a platform that combines a good writing interface, organization/outlining, and a task system. Ideally, I’d open it up, and there would be a little message for me saying here are the four things you need to get done today. (e.g., write a first draft of scene 5, jot down thoughts on this character, swipe/revise scene 2, etc.) And, it must work easily across computers. But, alas, I haven’t found something like that yet. 

Maybe I need to come around to the fact that there isn’t a dream tool for me. Maybe I’m just looking for a platform that will make writing “easier,” when I have to just suck it up and realize sometimes writing is hard, regardless of where it happens? 

What are your thoughts? Where does the action happen for you? Have you found your dream writing tool? (And, most importantly, do you know of a tool that’s “in the cloud” that combines writing, outlining, and tasks…if so, tell me about it! :))

Dan: There do seem to be a lot of writing tools out there, and more crop up every day. It would be completely feasible for me to do almost everything in Word, particularly because that's how most people in publishing exchange documents and the Track Changes features are unparalleled. However, I've found a few other tools to be useful:

• Scrivener is my main writing/editing tool. I keep my projects in a Dropbox folder so that they're backed up and accessible on all my devices.
• Google Drive is useful for keeping shared documents in the cloud. I use the spreadsheets more than any other feature, to track things like submissions and deadlines.
• TextWrangler is a plain-text editor. I'm a huge note-taker, and I keep all my notes in Dropbox folders, too. It's also useful to strip the formatting from text before pasting elsewhere.
• Google Tasks lets me maintain checklists and sync them across devices. I love a good to-do list!
• Scapple is a mind-mapping tool from the makers of Scrivener for jotting down and connecting ideas. It's fun to use, but has yet to become critical for me.

I'dd add to the wishlist for a perfect writing tool that it should leverage the cloud, but also maintain functionality even if you don't have an internet connection.

Lisa: You've stumped me. I don't have a "tool" that helps me with writing as far as programs, etc. goes. I outline on MS Word and write on MS word as well. Different stories have different folders for the various needs - character interviews, research notes, outlines, etc. I write and outline in a notebook too. So, I may be behind the times, but it keeps me afloat.

Karlie: I use mainly Microsoft word as well. I tried Scrivener for awhile, but found it didn't work as well for me as I had hoped. Caitlin, when you find a tool like the one you described, please let me know! :) I've tried several things but always ended up coming back to Word. I tend to do all my outlining, story planning, and character interviews on paper (such cave-like behavior, I know), but that's the way my thought processes work. 

The most important thing I've "discovered" as a writer

Hi, everyone. It's Lisa on the spot today.

There are some invaluable things writers have discovered, lessons we have learned. I believe we should share with some of our less experienced writers, or even the experienced ones who just haven't had the fortune to stumble upon the "great thing" that you have.

For some people, it's a certain outlining software. For others, it's a valuable lesson learned about plots. We might like to hear your very valuable lesson.

My most important thing is meditating. It slows your brain, makes you see clearer. Makes you understand things about your characters/story that you couldn't understand before.

What is your most important thing? Why?

Dan: I'd say the most important thing I've learned is the importance of building relationships with other writers who are near your level. This is different from networking or building a following, but rather a handful of close writer confidantes. Writing is a tough business to be in, and there's always a temptation to shout your discontent from the mountaintops of blogs and social media. That's rarely a good idea. If you have close writer friends who understand the struggle, you can talk (rant) to them in private channels without the worry of a PR fallout. If and when you finally do have some success, your close writer friends will also become your staunchest supporters. In short, a good friend is worth his or her weight in gold.

Caitlin:  Both good points! I think the most important lesson to learn, and that I still often need to remind myself, is that every writer has to find and then follow his/her own path. Sure, a famous author got that way by doing X, Y, Z. Or maybe one of your Twitter friends is having success with A, B. and C, etc. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to do A, B, C, X, Y, and Z. Some or all of those letters might not be right for you, and that's okay! :)

When You Have No Time to Write

I’ll admit, life has been throwing me a few curveballs lately! They aren’t necessarily bad curveballs (and could even be great curveballs) as long as I can hit them correctly. But, hitting them just right requires a lot of time, energy, and focus. (And I’ll also admit that I don’t know much about baseball, so I hope that analogy works!)

While those curveballs are taking a huge toll on my writing time, I’ve also realized that it’s during the somewhat tumultuous times that I need writing the most. The creative release helps me refocus and re-energize.

But where to fit it in amongst all these other tasks and concerns? I usually type, but I’ve since bought a small notebook that I carry everywhere so I can write whenever I’ve got a moment. Just this morning, on my commute, I sketched out a new outline (which I fleshed out in my head while falling asleep/taking a shower/walking around, etc.) that I’m pretty excited about! So even if I haven’t been able to get lost for hours in a world (something I love doing), I still have ideas percolating and I’m getting things down.

What do you do to fit in writing even when the rest of life demands a lot of you?

Dan: Finding time to write got more complicated when I had kids, which should surprise exactly no one. Now, I usually make time first thing in the morning or after they've gone to bed. It's tough, because the morning time is limited and the night time has me fighting against the urge to sleep. But I agree, it's good to keep going even when life gets crazy.

I'm a big fan of the notebook and pen method. Not only can you carry a notebook and pen just about anywhere, you can often get away with using them to write/outline/plan without being obviously-on-the-computer. It's useful for finding little moments of downtime and getting down ideas when they strike.

Lisa: This is the prompt I needed this week. Your notebook advice is most welcome, Dan and Caitlin. I've been so sad and disturbed about my lack of writing time lately, and I was just trying to figure out how I'm going to juggle it all. And the "all" I'm talking about are very necessary and desired parts of my life. I've nearly cut out all of television, though I could finish cutting the rest of that out. It does nothing for me, not even in the storytelling/research department. I am realizing I'm no longer taking anything in, just entertaining myself. And really, it'd be so much better (and efficient) to entertain myself in my own stories. So, that's my advice, cut down on television and the time you cut will surprise you as far as how much you can put toward your writing. And I'll use the above advice - take a notebook with me. Which I do already, but it had become more of an inactive object rather than an active writing device. It was for "if I think of something" instead of "so I can think of something." Also, I've been wasting a lot more time on social media than I used to. I realize that writers need to stay involved in that department, but if I'm not writing anything, there'll be nothing for followers to read eventually. Writing is more important.

Book Covers

Caitlin here. Writers hear it all the time. This business is subjective. One person’s favorite book may be another person’s most hated book. And yet another person might shrug and think that book was just okay.

Well, the subjectivity doesn’t stop with just the finished book; book covers can also entice love/hate/eh reactions. This can be frustrating as an author because book covers are one of the most important elements in getting readers to say “hmmm…I want to check that out.”

I like to say I’m drawn to anything that’s stunning or quirky. But, hell, I’ll also go for a sexy cover, or a mysterious cover, or a humorous cover. So, really, I’m a horrible test subject. 

I even like these covers, which just use fonts and colors!

So, what about you? What kind of book cover piques your interest?  

Lisa: It's hard to say what makes me actually like a cover. I just know it when I see it. I have done tests on myself in book stores. Here's what happens: I keep my eyes down as I'm walking to a book shelf, then I look up and quickly note the books that catch my eye. In doing this, I've noticed that my eyes are drawn more to covers that have a dark color scheme. A lot of the time it's a darker scheme then a splash of bright color - it could be the title in bright yellow or  simply a white tree. As far as font, I tend not to be drawn to titles done in a script. Other than that, there is no rhyme or reason as to which book I end up purchasing. Sometimes the book I buy ends up not being one of the covers that caught my eye. Upon second or third look (and reading the back), I decided I'd rather have a different book with a less "popping" cover.

Dan: This is sort of embarrassing, but I do pay attention to covers. Especially when picking out a fantasy (big colorful scenes, with weapons and horses and possibly some kind of military banner) or a sci-fi (absolutely has to be a star-field background with exploding spaceships and "lasers"). It's not make or break, because I'll read the jacket copy and possibly check out reviews online. But covers matter, and I like the eye-catching ones.

I just learned recently that European releases often have different titles and different colors than we get in the U.S. Which I think is awesome -- I want the European version of all of my favorite SFF novels.

Karlie: I love covers with a steampunk element, and I also love black and white. I do prefer them to have a more modern look, like the first example featured on this post. Prime examples of my favorite covers ever: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and Cinder by Marissa Meyer.

I tend to not go for simplistic or clunky covers, but honestly, as long as the plot looks interesting enough, I'll pick them up too. :)

Dear Me

Hi! Lisa here.

There was a recent movement on Twitter for people to message their younger selves bits of advice, notes of encouragement, etc. I loved it, and decided that we writers should have one that pertains more toward our craft. What would you like to say to your younger, blossoming writer self?

Dan: I'd actually go back farther, and tell myself to get into writing sooner. I was always interested, but never buckled down and got serious until my late twenties. I didn't know how important it would become to me, nor did I recognize how long it would take to get to where I am now. Which, admittedly, is not really that far. I wish I'd started sooner.

The other bit of advice I'd offer my former self concerns critique partners. Now, I fell into an excellent writing group when I started out (the members of my fiction writing classes). We still critique short fiction for one another. But it took me a long time to realize that my novels could benefit from that kind of feedback, too. It's a lot more to ask of someone. It also requires finding the right partner for you and your writing. But CPs, once you find them, are worth their weight in gold.

Karlie: I would definitely tell my younger self to lay off the drama - looking through old manuscripts of mine always makes me cringe. Most of my stories read like soap operas then! Thankfully, with great advice from awesome betas like Lisa, I learned to tone it down and make it fit the story. Like Dan, I would also tell myself to write more. It took me awhile to really appreciate the wisdom of writing every single day, even if it was just a sentence or two.

Caitlin: I think it would be to tell myself to not be so afraid of being a bad writer. I've been into writing for a long time, but I think I could have been more prolific (and still could be), if I allowed myself more freedom to just "play." We all have limited time to devote to writing, so I never want to "waste" it, but I think that pressure of trying to only work on "worthwhile" projects actually hurts my productivity level. If I had figured this out a long time ago, maybe I would have written more.


Tell us what you think of our advice to our writerly selves. What's your advice to yourself?

The Value of Twitter Pitch Parties

Caitlin, here. Back when I was querying, I remember getting super excited about Twitter pitch contests!!! Here’s a rough re-enactment of a twitter pitch day:

Me: “I want lots of agents and editors to favorite my pitch!” *bounces like a bunny around the apartment*

Husband: “What happens when they favorite your pitch?” *holds out hands as if calming a wild bunny*

Me: “I get to query them!!” *excited jazzy hands!!*

Husband: “But couldn’t you query them anyway? Aren’t you already querying agents?” *raises eyebrow*

Me:  “Huh? What did you say?” *stares at screen and refreshes twitter notifications*

But, um, my husband had a point. Aside from the occasional agent who’s closed to submissions but partakes in twitter pitch contests, getting a “favorite” doesn’t move the ball forward much. So, does that mean you shouldn’t do it? NO! But I do think writers should realize the real benefit of Twitter pitch parties.

Connections.

Yeah, I know. Today especially, right after #Pitmad,  your feed is probably filled with tweets saying it’s okay you didn’t get any favorites because it’s all about the connections! And you’re thinking that’s a load of crap. That’s just something people say to losers who didn’t get the coveted gold stars. :(

But, it’s not crap. It really is (or should be) about the connections! 

Pitch parties can help you find writers who can

• give you advice
• celebrate with you
• commiserate with you
• swap work with you
• answer your questions about their agent or publisher
• meet up with you at conferences so you aren't sitting by yourself 
• etc. etc. etc.

General pitch contests supply these opportunities, and there are also more specific twitter parties based on a genre or age category than can really help you find the right writers out there to chat with depending on what you write. (Shout out for #SFFpit, created by our very own Dan Koboldt!) 

What do you think? Have you made any great connections through a pitch party? Are there other benefits outside of just getting a “favorite”?

Dan: I love this topic, and think Caitlin nailed it on the head about the true benefit of pitch parties. We organizers sell them as an event for matching up authors to agents/editors, and that does happen -- at least 3 authors found rep after the last #SFFpit. From the numbers I've seen, however, about 85% of authors who participate in these events won't get a favorite from a literary agent.

Nevertheless, they draw hundreds of other authors who, like you, are chasing that dream of publication. Who understand the endless waiting and constant rejections of the query trenches. You should make friends at this stage, with these kinds of peers, because you'll need them. Pitching events also are useful for getting an idea of what other people are writing, and for seeing what kind of pitches catch the attention of agents. Finally, they force you to write a concise pitch for your book, which is a useful exercise in itself.

Lisa: I've only done one Twitter Pitch Party and that was one from WriteonCon. It was a good experience, though at first I thought it was a waste of my time. Like Caitlin and Dan said, you make many connections that way. However, I've found that my lasting connections come from spending more time with people with such things as NaNoWriMo or WriteonCon, or the year-long writing community called Valorpen. Maybe one day I'll make a more lasting connection with Twitter Pitch contests - I certainly plan on continuing with them simply because they're fun. They're also great feelers for what stories people are desirous of, or what stories have already been written and yet to be published.

Karlie: While I have stalked a few of these events, I have to admit I haven't participated in one yet. They sound amazing and I agree about the potential connections one can make. I'm definitely looking forward to participating soon! And Lisa, I agree with you about places like Valorpen and NaNoWriMo - I still think it's awesome we met during a word war in November!

The length of blurbs

What I'm talking about is the summary on the back of your jacket - some call it a short synopsis, some a blurb, some a summary. But what I want to know is what are your thoughts on the length? Can a one-sentence blurb work? Two-sentence? Or should it be more normal or else people will turn away? What about a six-paragraph blurb? Too long?

Dan: I think that it's advisable to have at least two different lengths of pitches for your book. First, a brief pitch of 1-2 sentences that captures the essence of your book. These are tough to write for a variety of reasons, but you'll likely use this pitch more often -- on Twitter, on the elevator, or during in-person conversations when someone asks, "So what is your book about?" It might be at a party or in the elevator or during a podcast interview, but no matter the situation, you'll want to have this pitch in your holster.

The second pitch you'll need for things like query letters or cover copy probably runs longer: 2-3 paragraphs, maybe 250 words. The good news is that you can spend a bit more time on the essential elements: character, goal, conflict, and stakes. The bad news is that the length brings new challenges, because compressing a 75k or 90k book into a couple of paragraphs is (in many ways) harder than just a sentence. There's an art to this, and it probably comes easier with practice.

Caitlin: Like Dan says, one sentence pitches have their place, so, conceivably, they could work to sell the book. But, I think the point of those pitches is usually to get the reader to go to a "buy" page with the full blurb. Rarely am I set on buying a book after hearing a one sentence pitch, but there are many that make me think "that sounds cool, I want to know more!" And the "more" should be in the blurb. I, personally, get a little annoyed at super short blurbs, for example like the "We Were Liars" one. But...that books sold really well, so, I guess the lesson is yes, it can work! :)

Karlie: Those 1-2 sentence pitches really do help avoid awkward fumbling and lots of "um"s when someone asks you what you're writing - so I definitely do recommend having those ready. But when I pick up a book, the more information on the back, the better. I've read so much it takes a lot to catch and hold my attention (a sad fact, because I've become rather picky about what constitutes an amazing book) so I really prefer three-four paragraphs.