It’s the first Wednesday of March (don’t forget to spring ahead this Sunday) so it’s time for Alex J. Cavanaugh’s IWSG. BTW, his new book, CassaFire is now available–can I get a woot, woot!?! It’s on my TBR list for Spring Break next week:)
So I have plenty of insecurities about my novel going out to 3 editors this week, which is a first, well the fact that it’s actually requested is a first. HA! But I don’t want to talk about it and jinx anything, so instead I’ll share some more conference notes from where the 3 requests came from.
THE ART, CRAFT, AND BUSINESS OF WRITING FICTION By: Linnea Sinclair (AWESOME workshop teacher- if you ever get a chance to take one of her online classes, you should! And her novels aren’t too shabby either!!)
- Never forget that writing is an art and a craft but also a business.
- The art of writing comes from the muse that drives you. It’s what demands you write the story when you could be watching TV.
- Far too many writers rest on their art alone. This is why they’re writers and not authors. *Can I get an Amen!?!*
- The craft of writing is the process that fine-tunes what your muse gives you (Grammar, Sentence Structure, Pacing, Vocabulary, POV, Conflict). It helps you present your writing so that it’s not only interesting to your readers, but saleable to an agent or editor (who you MUST REACH FIRST before you’ll ever reach readers). *shrugs, maybe not with the E revolution*
- The business of writing is the most forgotten part of writing. It’s what all writers must keep in mind as they balance their art and their craft. The editor or agent who reads your work is very aware of the business of writing. They have to justify their purchase/expenditure. If you understand the business of writing as well as you understand the art & the craft, you can increase your chances of publication. Business consideration includes genre, current market sales, proposed market trends, author’s experience in self promotion, author’s willingness and ability to self promote, the uniqueness of the author’s voice, and the cleanliness of the manuscript.
Questions every writer who wants to be an author must answer:
1. Why should someone read my book?
2. What’s my book’s tag line?
3. Am I willing to make the commitment of time to become a published author?
So how about you friends . . . what are your answers to these interesting questions? Inquiring minds want to know:):):) Only need 15 more followers to reach the 300 milestone & host another contest . . . just saying;)
This book by Rita award winning author, Linnea Sinclair, is being made into a movie!
Jamie Ayres 
Sounds like you came away from the conference with a lot of good information. I admire your dedication to becoming a published author. Good luck Jamie, I love you! Mom
Too tired to answer #1 & 2. 🙂 The answer to #3 is easy. Yes.
Like you I hope to become a published writer, oops, I mean, author. LOL!
Glad you came away with some expert advice and inspiration. All the best.
Everyone needs to read my book because it would make me happy. Yes, I am willing to spend time promoting. I’m doing it before it’s published! My book’s tagline? Ummm…..
It keeps changing, but the shortened version is “Magellan Talbot is destined to save the galaxy. Too bad no on told him that.”
Those are awesome questions! I need to ponder all of that and more for sure. Thanks for your support on my blog. My IWSG post is finally up, I was too insecure to post it earlier. 🙂
Great notes! Luckily, I have my artistic writery side to birth creativity and my businesswoman side to keep me motivated 🙂
Questions! It took me a bit, and it’s my first experience with writing a log line, but I’m here with answers:
1. Gifted guitarist pursues the angel who haunts him.
2.Why read it? If you insist that love still means something, if you’re fed up with apathy and cynicism, if you believe in magic…you’ll find a refuge in this story.
3. Definitely yes. How much time do you need? I’ll make more.
Online classes?! I’m there! Thanks for the tip. 🙂
I like how Linnea Sinclair makes the distinction between an author and a writer, and how she clearly delineates the difference.
I’m so excited for you about your editor submissions! Go Jamie!
Great questions to explore, Jamie! As I’ve been reading more YA of late, I think another thing to consider is, “What makes your novel stand out from the rest?” After reading agent-interview upon agent-interview, I’m finding some common themes about what they don’t want to see anymore…There are lots of good books published out there but the GREAT ones usually introduce something “fresh” in their story. Best of luck on your submissions, J! 🙂
Sounds like you have no reason to be insecure at all this month! I’m so jealous!!! Good luck with those requests. Did they come from pitch sessions at that conference? Just curious. I’m going to my first one this fall but there not be any pitch sessions, but there will be lots of agents.
Yes, they came from pitch sessions at the conference:):):)
1. Because it was written by me, and is different from other books. Name one other book set in India about a girl being forced to marry a guy then running away and the girl is also an untouchable. Also while running away her and her sister are separated. Name one book like that written by a great writter like me? *no one replies* Exactly!
2. ‘Would you lose your family and friends for a chance at a better life?’ or, ‘How far would you go to make a diiference?’ or, ‘Would you save your life if it meant ruining someone’s life?’
3. No duh yah or I wouldn’t have come this far!
One more thing I would like to strike a deal how would you feel about writing a book together? Email me at the address above for details about the setting, subject, and characters. Get back to me ASAP!
Oh, thanks for visiting ‘famous author’ *who looks a lot like my kid, coughs* . . . I’ll write that email right away:)
Definitely a commitment. SO many things I’ve sacrificed to take writing seriously… including my dress size. lol 🙂
Some more wonderful advice from the conference! Thanks! And I am still rooting for you with those fulls!!!! But I won’t jinx you either:)
Great pointers from the conference… thanks for sharing… Love the 3 questions..
Oh hey, Jamie! I’m back because…you’ve been tagged!
Go to my blog to check out the details!