Tips for Writers
Writing Resources
TIPS FOR BEGINNING WRITERS
Below is some writing
advice:
little things I've learned along the
way,
a few links I've found and resources I've
used.
I hope it's of some help to you . .
.
LOVE THE PROCESS
You have to love the process. Because it's a very, very long process in most cases. For the average writer it takes approximately 7 years of hard work before their first acceptance. When submitting, it can take from 3 to 8 months and sometimes longer before hearing back from the editor. Once your book is accepted it can take from 1 to 4 years before you hold it in your hands. Be prepared to love the process . . .
or as Jane Yolen has said: Love the writing, love the writing, love the writing . . . the rest will follow.
READ, READ, READ
Read the genre you're writing for. Read the new releases. Read old favorites from your childhood. Read aloud to children. This will give you an idea of what's being published NOW. Some writers will even take a picture book or a chapter and type it on their computer, just to get the feel of it.
You absolutely, positively can't write for children without knowing what they are reading.
WRITE, WRITE, WRITE
Sounds silly, I know. But it'll take more than one picture book manuscript or novel to get the ball rolling. I have a little more than a dozen early manuscripts still sitting in my file cabinet. I don't consider them wasted time . . . that was practice. Every now and again I'll pull one out and rework it. But less than half of them are (in my opinion) any good.
And once you begin to submit, don't send out your "baby" and then sit around for 3 to 8 months waiting for a response. Two things will happen . . . you'll either chew your nails down in anticipation, or you'll begin to get on your postman's nerves. And by the way, the postman is your friend! Never, never get on his nerves!
Once you send a manuscript out, begin a new project. I admit I'll usually take a little break first, give my kids some extra attention or read a new release. But then I get right on a new project. The more manuscripts you write, the better writer you will become.
REVISE, REVISE, REVISE
Before sending your manuscript out into the big, beautiful world, put it away. Yep, put it away. Let it simmer and stew in a drawer for at least two weeks. The urge to send it out right away is strong, but fight it you must. I admit to having a hard time with this rule, but every time I do it, my story comes out stronger.
When the two weeks is up, pull it back out and read it again. Read it out loud. Read it to your kids. Read it to your dog. And if you still don't feel that it needs any changes, go ahead and send it out. I usually find at least a typographical error, if not more.
Sometimes I hit my hand to my head and wonder what I was thinking when I wrote it.
The Three Grumpies was rewritten five different ways inside of four months before I sent it out. It was rejected by four different editors, so I rewrote it again. It was after that revision that it finally sold.
Oh, and by the way, while your story is simmering and stewing, guess what you should be doing? Writing, writing, writing.
JOIN A CRITIQUE GROUP
This is one of the best ways to get feedback. I spent the first 5 years without one . . . I will never do that again.
It may take time to find the right one . . . and you'll have to decide if you want a face-to-face meeting with your fellow writers or would prefer to work by e-mail in your pajamas and bunny slippers. Some writers belong to several groups.
There are crit groups that specialize in one genre, some will review anything. Most critique groups have rules such as the number of times you can submit work, or a specified length of time to complete your critique. Some groups may only be looking for published writers, others may be willing to take newer ones. Of course there's always the option of starting your own.
Receiving critiques takes a hard shell and an open heart all at the same time. You're asking for advice and advice is what you shall get. Not the hand-holding, everything is wonderful advice, because that won't do any good. You want a meaty critique . . . one that will look at your story from all angles and tell you exactly what the first impressions of the reader are. A good critiquer will tell you the truth . . . but will also do it in a tactful, helpful and positive way. That said, you can take the advice or leave it . . . just be sure you're deciding what's best for your story.
And if you're doing the
critiquing . . . use the sandwich method. Always begin with
something positive, something that stood out in the story as being
exceptional to you. Then you can tactfully, and helpfully list the
things you believe need to be improved or tweaked. Always end by
saying something positive too. Treat the author as you would want to
be treated.
SCBWI has a list of critique groups looking for partners. Or you can post on a writers group to see if there are any critique groups in your area. Some bookstores host them as well . . . search them out! Lifelong friends are made this way.
GO TO CONFERENCES
If at all possible, go to conferences. Here in Maine we have the Maine Publishers and Writers Alliance. They have wonderful workshops, retreats and events. The SCBWI - Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators also has conferences and workshops and as a member you would receive discounts to attend. Each of these is full of information for new and published writers. Joining is well worth the expense.
I'm afraid I don't get to attend as many conferences as I would like. But when I can attend, I come home full of current information, new friends, new contacts and recharged to write! The only thing better than writing is to be able to talk to your peers ABOUT writing.
RESEARCH THE MARKET BEFORE SUBMITTING
This is sooooo important. Every publishing house has different needs and tastes. Publisher Q, may only publish picture books, so submitting your Young Adult novel and letting it sit in their slush pile for 8 months would be a waste of your time and the editor's. (note: a slush pile is a tower of unsolicited manuscripts, waiting to be read)
Publisher K may publish picture books, but their current need is for Middle Grade chapter books and early readers. Publisher O, is looking for board books, and they are a religious publication. Publisher M, is in need of fantasy/sci fi books for young adults.
How do you navigate the needs of publishers and the likes/dislikes of editors? First, go to a bookstore or library and find books that are similar to yours in genre and style (meaning humorous/quiet/edgy/ect) Write down those publishers and the editors if you can find them. You can also search Amazon or Barnes & Noble on-line.
Next - go to those publisher's websites (or order their catalog) and review the books on their list. Would yours fit in? Do they have one similar (if so, you'd want to skip that one as the books would be competing against each other).
Check for submission guidelines on their website or through the CWIM - Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market.
AND FOLLOW THEIR GUIDELINES EXACTLY.
KEEP YOUR SUBMISSION PROFESSIONAL
Yes, there is a proper way to submit. Editors expect it. Nothing says amateur like a submission about flowers reeking of perfume or a manuscript about dogs accompanied by dog bones. Submissions are no place for gimmicks. It doesn't matter how many chocolates you send . . . if your story isn't right for the publisher, the editor is not going to accept it. Although, I wouldn't count on getting those chocolates back . . . .
Let your writing do the "convincing" for you. If it's good, the editor will sit up and take notice.
Do not use a colored font. Black, 11 or 12 pt type is the standard. Double space the body of your manuscript and cover letter, it's much easier on the eyes. Only submit one story at a time unless you've been invited by an editor to send more.
If a publisher is asking for queries, honor that request. Do not send the entire manuscript. Otherwise, you've wasted your time and postage, as it will be sent back to you with a form letter stating they only accept queries. Which you knew to begin with.
To see proper formatting for a manuscript, a cover letter, or a query, read either The Idiots Guide To Publishing Children's Books by Harold Underdown and Lynne Rominger or CWIM - Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market. Both of these are excellent resources. They should be available in your library, and most definately could be ordered from your bookstore. Take some time to research basic submission etiquette and you won't be sorry.
RECEIVED A REJECTION?
Take time to mope, groan and raise your fist in the air. Perhaps you'll even shed a tear or two. And after an hour of this, be done with it. I challenge you to see it in a new light . . . You've received a rejection!!!! You're a real, honest to goodness, submitting writer! And now it's time to get your story back out there into the big, beautiful world of publishing!
I've received more rejections than I can count and have saved them all in it's story's folder. Some writers toss them. Some have even framed their favorites. Some have covered a wall with them. I consider them a badge of honor . . . it takes courage to send your "baby" out to be reviewed and critiqued by strangers.
Most writers spend the first few years with "form letter" rejections. Nothing personal about them. Just a generic form attached to your manuscript and the whole package returned to you.
After awhile (because you've been writing, writing, writing, and improving) you'll receive rejections with a handwritten "thank you" or a smiley face. That means someone noticed, and perhaps even read it a second time. Then one day, you'll receive the Personal Rejection Letter . . . addressed and hand written specifically to you. They're still saying "no", but they saw something they liked and they want you to know exactly what it is. Editors don't do this, unless they've really been sparked to do so.
So hang in there!
RECEIVED FIVE REJECTIONS?
Okay . . . so perhaps it's time to take another look at that manuscript. Go back to revise, revise, revise. Is there a way to change it? Is it too wordy? Does it need more depth? Run it through your crit group again . . . or perhaps your marketing it to the wrong publishers.
At any rate, you need to look at it with new eyes for awhile. Let it simmer and stew. Read it out loud. Read it to the kids. Read it to the dog. Then if you still feel it's as good as it's going to get . . . by all means, research the market and send it out into the world again.
A FEW RANDOM THOUGHTS
Always be professional with editors. This is a business . . . if the response time to a manuscript is six months, don't start calling and e-mailing after two or four. But DO send a brief status letter after seven.
Ideas are all around you . . . sometimes they come at you fast and furious . . .and other times you'll be darned if you can think of even one. Keep an idea box, or a notebook. Write them all down and file them away . . . even if it's just a brief description of the marvelous sunset you've just witnessed. You may be looking for those exact words two years from now.
I do believe in multiple submissions to no more than four editors at one time. And only if their guidelines specifically say they accept them. If your manuscript gets accepted by one of the four, be sure to advise the other three immediately! This goes back to being professional . . .
Don't submit your manuscript with illustrations unless you happen to be an illustrator. Editors (for the most part) prefer to pair up an unknown writer with a known illustrator or vice versa. There are exceptions to this rule of course, but it's rare.
Oh, and did I mention you have to write, write, write?