A WRITER’S TOOLS: Knowing IF “You’re Just Not That Good” at Writing March 10, 2009

Recently, while watching the movie “He’s Just Not That Into You”, I had one of Oprah’s Ah Ha Moments. In the very beginning of that movie, the narrator discusses the concept of how women comfort each other when men go M.I.A. They tell each other, “It wasn’t you; he just wasn’t ready for a serious relationship,” “He’s just intimidated by what a strong woman you are,” and “He’s mean to you because he likes you.” Yet, what they should be saying to each other is… “Run!!! Run for your life!!! He is not worth it!”

This kind of lesson has a crossover into our lives as writers. Unpublished writers often wonder, “Why am I not getting published? Why do I keep getting rejected?” Yet your friends and family tell you, ““OMG, this is so good; it is the next bestseller.” People closer to the industry will tell you, “That type of book is no longer trendy,” and “Publishers are no longer buying your genre.” What they should probably be saying is, “This piece just isn’t good enough…but it could be with more work.”

So the question becomes, can you really trust your friends and family to give you the cruelest, most honest opinion possible? Or are they more likely to tell you words that comfort, like the women in “He’s Just Not That Into You”?

If you really want an answer to the question “Am I good enough”, there is a place online where you can go and get your work judged: You need Helium…dot com. This website has four different ways of telling you if your writing is good enough. Those ways include:

1. Judgment by your peers. In this writing community, you pick a topic you want to write about and submit your work. Other website writers on the website will then judge whose work they think is best without any fore knowledge of author identity. On a day-to-day basis, you can see where your articles rank among your peers and which pieces could have benefitted from more revision. Furthermore, other writers can provide comments on your work, which can be valuable feedback should you wish to update and improve your article.
2. Payment for your work. Whether your article becomes number one, or number twenty, you still get paid for each article. However, due to the variation in article payments, you will soon see which of your topics did best, and which ones did nothing. In a very short period of time, you will be able to determine where your expertise excites readers, and where it is ignored.
3. Weekly Contests on a variety of topics. Each contest offers $25 compensation for winning articles. The winner is chosen by the anonymous ratings they get from other writers, the number of high ranking articles they write in a specific category, and being in the top 55% of the ratings. Again, your work is judged by writers making the feedback impartial, and any victory sweeter.
4. A Writer’s Marketplace where you can sell your articles. At Helium.com, there is a Writer’s Marketplace where magazine companies post assignments and compensation amounts. Like the contests, writers compete, and then the magazine company purchases and publishes the article they like best. This is a great way to know if your writing is magazine-worthy or not.

So what are you waiting for? If you this is a question that’s been plaguing you, sign up for a profile today and begin e-publishing your own work. In no time, you’ll have an answer.

My NaNoWriMo Experience December 10, 2008

“Kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me…”

That’s how I got through NaNoWriMo. I just wrote that single phrase over and over until I hit 50K words.

Just kidding. That is specifically NOT allowed in NaNoWriMo. (I checked.) You are also NOT allowed to work on a previous work in progress, and you don’t get to count words you quoted from other writers.

So, now that you have an idea of the basic rules of NaNo, you may be wondering how “I survived.” How did I make it to 52K words in 30 days while also taking care of my family, cooking Thanksgiving dinner, going to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, putting together the LARA newsletter, and working a full time job. Well, it wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either. It was doable. And here’s how I did it.

When I first committed to NaNo, I was terrified. I thought to myself, “This is an impossible task for me. The most I have ever written in a month is 20K words. Heck, I can’t even get through SPEW week without perpetually falling short. What on earth makes me think I can succeed at this HUGE goal?” And then I realized, what I was feeling was F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real), and I can’t live my life that way.

So I signed up and set up my NaNo profile. I added my LARA friends, and I began right around midnight on November 2nd (a day late and a dollar short, as usual). And guess what happened. I immediately fell behind. I don’t mean I fell behind on my writing goal…not at all. I fell behind Christine Ashworth, and Christine London, and Donna Reynolds. I fell into “last place” on what soon became a race to the finish.

You see, what you don’t know about NaNo is that you can see everyone else’s progress through your profile. For someone as competitive as myself, this was the kick in the arse that I needed. Every time I sat down to write, I would check “My Buddies” progress and see who was just ahead of me. Then, I would think “I only need to write 500 words tonight to beat Christine Ashworth” and I would make that my goal. As soon as I passed her, I would look to see who was next, and then think “Okay, now I only need 700 words to beat Christine London.” And so on and so forth. And that was how I did it. I was no longer staring at the big “50K” at the finish line; I was focusing on the baby steps of annihilating someone else in my own personal vendetta race. Did the other writers know I was doing this? Probably not. But I have a feeling they were doing the same thing. Everyday I turned on my computer, they would have passed me…no matter how far ahead I had gotten the day before.

So after about three weeks of baby steps, I suddenly realized two things. 1) I could write 5K words in just a couple hours. It was easy to do, and my scenes seemed more realistic when I focused on producing a huge number instead of “just writing a quick scene.” And 2) I wrote 50K words in 18 days because I took 12 days off to do my own thing. So if my goal is so doable in such a short period of time, why aren’t I doing it everyday? What was I really afraid of?

The answer to that last question is: I was afraid of the thought of 50K words. I was afraid of committing and failing. But now that I’ve accomplished NaNo, I’m no longer afraid. I now know that I can write 50K words, and my confidence has doubled. After more than ten years of feeling like a “wanna be,” I finally feel like a writer in truth. It was liberating, and I definitely plan on doing it again…and again…and again.

I hope you join me next year.

(This article was published in the December 2008 edition of LARA Confidential, the newsletter for the Los Angeles Romance Authors Chapter of the RWA.)

How to Make Money with Your Blog November 20, 2008

For anyone who loves to blog, here are a few tips on how to turn that past time into a paying gig. These five tips are easy to do and implement, and can really make a difference in what you blog.

Whether you are blogging for fun or for your future career, you can turn a profit on your blog right now by following a few simple steps. They are easy and free, and it only takes a few extra minutes each time you blog to supplement your income. These tips will help you get money month after month, even long after you’ve stopped blogging. Go to these websites today and get started making money now.

1. If You Don’t Have a Blog Already, I Highly Recommend WordPress

   Although there are many great blogging sites, WordPress makes it so easy to share your blogs and cross promote, it will instantly make you feel like a Blogging Pro. As an added bonus, anytime anyone mentions your blog, it shows up immediately in your comments section. It’s a great way to see who is marketing you as an expert while also receiving sweat-free access to a potential audience.

2. Next, Go To Helium.Com

   Helium is an excellent tool for any writer. Not only does this fabulous site give you hundreds of ideas on what to write about, but you can also have other writers rate your articles thus giving you an idea of how talented you may be, or how much harder you may need to work. Offering paying jobs and contests on a weekly basis, this website can actually grow your income quickly while also supplying much needed inspiration.

3. Now Go To Triond.com

   One of the best things about Triond is that this website publishes dozens of websites for all types of writing genres. Whether you want to publish a basic How-To blog, submit a poem, or even just post a picture, you can send it to Triond and they will find the right website for it. Then sit back and watch those same articles make money month after month, even when you’re sick of blogging and would rather shoot yourself then write one more word. (Just remember, if you are going to submit the same article to both companies, alter it so that you will not have to worry about copyright issues.)

4. Once You’ve Submitted Your Blog, It’s Time to Digg It

   At Triond and Helium, you make money when people read your blogs at their sites. The best way to get your readers to those sites is to create links from your personal blog. Digg.com takes all of the guesswork out of this step when you submit it to their website. All you have to do is click on the Digg link at the bottom of your newly posted article and follow the posting steps, the last being to post the article to your personal blog. Then just copy and paste the first couple paragraphs into the description, and your work is done. As an added bonus, you can also promote your blogs by sending them to your Digg-friends and asking them to “Digg It,” thus increasing your readership and income potential.

5. Lastly, Stumble Your Article

   Sign up for a Stumbleupon.com account and be sure to download their handy toolbar. Then, whenever you post a new blog, just give that blog a “thumbs up” and ask your Stumble friends to do the same. For each thumbs up you get, Stumbleupon will direct approximately 200 people to that posting. (Just be careful when using Stumbleupon since it can be a highly addicting website.)

In the beginning, you will only earn pocket change for each blog. But, blogging in this fashion will soon have a snowball effect. Every blog you write will intrigue your readers to look at other blogs. The more people read and return to your blogs, the more money you make. Your articles will keep making you money for years as long as you are a busy blogger. This is how many bloggers on the Net make six-figure blogging incomes. Think about it. How lovely would it be to supplement your income while waiting to finally make the National Bestsellers list? You’ve got nothing to lose, and huge profits to gain.

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How to be a Good Critique Partner (Without Getting Indigestion) November 12, 2008

Being someone’s critique partner can feel like a nightmare, especially if you are a writer also. You worry that your comments may be too harsh, your partner too angry, and the whole scenario could blow up in your face. Check out these six tips that will make any critique partner situation easier.

As an RWA member, I am always surprised to hear other writers complaining about their critique partners. These writers are hurt by cruel comments, uncalled-for changes, and inappropriate behavior of a person they thought they could trust. The writers become tense and angry, and they make a personal vow to never speak to their critique partner again.

On the flipside, the critique partner honestly believes they are doing what is best for the writer and they don’t understand why the writer is hurt. “This was supposed to be a partnership,” they think. “Why is the writer offended?”

The simple answer is: the critique partner is probably making some simple, honest, and easily-rectifiable mistakes. Therefore, if you are the critique partner who fears criticizing someone else’s work, or just wants to be better at critiquing, try digesting the following edible advice and see if you don’t suddenly become their delicious new best friend.

It’s Nacho Book!

When I was younger, I was a nosy child. (Heck, what writer isn’t nosy as a child?) But when I became too nosy, my daddy would turn to me and say, “It’s nacho business.” Roughly translated, he meant “It’s not your business.” This applies to anyone critiquing someone else’s book. You need to remember, “It’s Nacho Book…it’s theirs.” They will never write like you, sound like you, or think like you. They will write the best book they can. So, begin by keeping that at the forefront of your mind when critiquing, and don’t try to turn their book into your book. (Also, do not be offended if they ignore some of your suggestions completely, because they will.)

Ask Them What They’d Like with Their Eggo

(Okay, I really mean Ego, but I’m going for a food theme, so I’ll say Eggo for now.) Every writer is at a different stage of their writing career. They might only be writing for fun, and too much negativity can stop their writing dream like a waffle iron to the head. Others may actually be working towards getting published, and those writers will want you to dissect their work like a frog in science class. Finally, the ones who are already published probably won’t give a fig for your opinion because they will have a really mean editor in the background whose opinion will count more. So ask ahead of time: “Do you want syrup with that, or would you like it served plain?” Then, critique according to the level of honesty they want.

Also, make sure it’s the right time to critique someone’s work. While having an Eggo for dinner may be fun, it has always been intended as a breakfast food. In the same way, make sure you are in the right state of mind because, quite frankly, a bad mood is like “too much salt.” It will overpower everything.

Start with the Leftovers

By leftovers, I mean a copy. If you are receiving their work in a computer file, then make a copy of it, change the name, and add your initials to the title. This way, when they move your file back to their computer’s desktop, they won’t accidentally erase their original. (Of course, if you are receiving a paper copy to mark up, have at it.)

Next, be nice and “Track Your Changes.” If you have Microsoft Word, there is a lovely little option called “Track Changes” that will allow the computer to highlight any adjustments you make to the file. This makes it easier for the writer to find your suggestions without having to read every word, and accept or reject those changes individually. If you do not have this option, then highlight your suggestions yourself as you make them.

For paper copies…don’t make any markings on the first read through. Put your pen down and read everything at least once. On the next go round, utilize your pen, but go easy and use colored ink
(it is easier for the writer to see than black ink).

Serve up a Compliment Sandwich

Recipe for a Compliment Sandwich: Two slices of Compliment Bread, a Garnish, and one slice of Cold Cuts. Take one slice of bread and layer it with mayonnaise (or butter if you’re English), add the cold cut, and finish off with another slice of bread.

Translation: When you are criticizing (aka, the cold cut) don’t just throw your criticism out there all alone. If you do, a defensive writer may very well get hurt or angry at being served “sans flavor.” Begin by pointing out what you did like so the criticism will not leave a bad taste in the writer’s mouth. Then, finish off by reiterating your compliment or by adding a second compliment. This way, the writer will be left feeling fulfilled and thinking that maybe they “don’t completely suck at this” (even if you think they do). After all, nobody likes to receive all insults and no compliments, which is exactly what too many criticisms feel like.

Don’t Forget the Main Course

Once you have read whatever you received, dish up the main course. By main course, I mean a neat, concise summary of your overall opinion. If you felt there was not enough setting description or too much head hopping, let the writer know in a few final paragraphs. Just don’t forget to season your main course with some positive comments as well, such as if you liked their dialogue or pacing. Just keep in mind, their manuscript is akin to “their child”…so don’t overcook their baby.

Be Choosy About Who You Eat With

Just because you like to throw dinner parties, doesn’t mean you have to invite your obnoxious neighbor to the table. In the same way, be choosy about who you become critique partners with. You wouldn’t serve up filet mignon to a vegetarian; so don’t give your romance novel to someone who reads and writes only murder mysteries. Stick with someone who writes in your genre and whose writing you admire and respect. After all, that critique partner will make suggestions based on what they like. So be sure you like how they write before you take their opinion or you may find them pushing you in a direction you do not want your book to go. And if you really are having a hard time finding a critique partner you like or trust, don’t be afraid to dine alone. You can always send your manuscript to a contest or an editor where you can get plenty of feedback.

Oops…my timer just went off and my manuscript is done. So, bon appétit…and good critiquing.

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Everything I Learned About Blogging I Learned From Triond November 6, 2008

There is so much great content on Triond to read, but what I’ve learned about blogging has been invaluable. Here are five notable writers and their articles that have taken my writing to a whole new level.

I have to say, without a doubt, I love writing with Triond. Having never even known that I could create such a thing as a Blog, I have to say that I owe my success thus far to Triond and it’s awesome community of writers. Here are a few writers who have especially impacted my career, and what I’ve learned so far from their articles relating to freelance writing.
Anne Lyken Garner

• Get a Blog to Promote Your Work

In Anne’s article “10 Reasons Why You Should Have Your Own Blog,” I learned that having a blog is an essential tool for any writer that wants to become a successful freelancer. Not only will it keep you writing, but it makes it easy for your readers to find all of your work no matter where you write. It can also act as a Writer’s resume when you are trying to find that “Big Break”…getting paper published as well as web published.

Darlene McFarlane

• Use Sub-Headings to Make Your Work More Interesting to Internet Users.

In her article “How to Get Your Articles Read,” Darlene lists six great ways to get people interested in your work. While I love all of her suggestions, I found that using sub-headings in my work to make my points up front actually made my articles more popular. In particular, when I wrote for Helium’s website where other writers rate your work, articles that had sub-headings moved quickly to the premiere positions. When you consider that the average Internet surfer will spend an average of nine seconds browsing through a website, I found this advice to be ingenious and invaluable.

ICYCUCKY

• Other Writers Can Be a Valuable Tool in Regards to Your Writing Career.

In IcyCucky’s article “Five Powerful Reasons to Write for Triond,” I learned that Triond does have a really great community of writers, which can be beneficial to any writer. Not only can another writer’s comments guide you to write better each and every time you sit at your computer, but through the My Community tab, it is now easy to communicate with the other writers on the site and really get to know the people you admire so much. Plus, writers can actually help each other market their articles and work their way to writing success. I, personally, have been humbled at how many of my favorite writers are willing to e-mail me and offer advice.

Jared Stenzel

• Stumbleupon is a Great Way to Get Your Articles Viewed by Thousands.

In Jared’s article, “How to Effectively Increase Traffic Through Stumbleupon,” I learned that not only is Stumbleupon easy for submitting your work, but it’s actually fun to use. You simply add their toolbar and you can give a thumbs up to all of your friends work as well as your own. Within hours, you can have hundreds and even thousands of people see your work. In addition, you can get more people to give your articles a thumbs up if you include an interesting title that catches Stumblers’ attention right up front.

Louie Jerome

• Digg Can Be a Great Tool in Making Your Articles a Huge Success.

In Louie’s article “How to Succeed on Digg: A Simple Step by Step Guide,” I learned that Digg is an invaluable tool in promoting articles, and that it is highly addictive. It’s easy to add friends, and you should make comments on the more popular articles to get your name recognized and have other people add you as a friend. Since reading her article, I’ve also learned that you can easily “Share” your articles with as many as 100 people at a time, which many other sites will not allow you to do. (Also see her article about “How to Get More Reads with Stumbleupon.”)

To all of the other writers at Triond, don’t think that I don’t love and reference your articles over and over again. I just found some of these tips to be the most useful when it comes to blogging.

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