Amanda Hough's Blog: Writing and Editing Fiction

I’m not sure how many female readers will admit this but, when they read a romance novel, they want to see themselves as the lead female protagonist. In fact, I would argue that it is the single most important point in engaging the reader. Well, that and a hero she can look toward to make it all better. That’s where C.W. Lemoine’s Cal “Spectre” Martin comes in. I will get to that in a moment.

Find the rest of the blog post at http://cwlemoine.blogspot.com/2014/11...

Difference between less and fewer

I recently had an author reject my correction of the word less. I explained the correct usage, but she was adamant that she’d heard it used her way.
Writers often use the words fewer and less interchangeably, but each word has its own place in language. Consider this: Less is for objects that can’t be tallied. Fewer is for objects that can be tallied.

After we’ve worked with one another on a project, I will find fewer grammatical errors in your writing.
After we’ve worked with one another on a project, I will find less grammatical errors in your writing.

Which one is correct?

Whose and Who’s

This is really easy. Just say it in your head as you write it.
Who’s is the contraction for “who is.” Period. That is all it is.
Whose is the possessive of “who.”
Writers get confused is because they think all possessives need an apostrophe. Not true. Possessive pronouns don’t have apostrophes (mine, its, theirs, whose for example). So just learn it. Who’s zooming whom? (Yes, I know that’s not the title but has always irritated me. Whose Diet Coke is on my desk? (Mine! So back off!.)

http://www.progressivedits.com

A lot of writers, both the traditional and the independents offer newsletters to readership. However once they get a mailing list, they do not know what to do with the newsletter.

First let’s state one thing for the record — If you are an author and you don’t have a mailing list— GET ONE! You need a means to communicate with readers, bloggers, editors, publishers etc. Don’t pay for a list. Just start building one immediately—if you haven’t.

Now, what do you put in the newsletter? It doesn’t have to be complicated. One page is good. It will highlight your writing and offer updates through photos and text, plus links to sites that are relevant to you. So, you have a list. What can you include?
What more? Visit my blog at https://www.progressivedits.com/Blog/...

Interior monologue is the literary term for a character's thoughts in a novel.
And using interior monologue (direct speech) in fiction can be a fantastic literary device to gain insight in a character. Fiction readers getting to hear a character's thoughts directly is one of the joys of reading books.
To read more, visit my blog at https://www.progressivedits.com/Blog/...

Find my latest post at
https://www.progressivedits.com/Blog/...

"Read, read, read. Read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out the window." -William Faulkner
I recently read an article highlighting an author who was being interviewed by a reporter. When asked what she is currently reading, the writer’s response floored me.
“I don’t read,” she said. “Just don’t have the time. Not my thing.”
How, on Earth, can a writer not read? Reading is an apprenticeship for all writers. Reading inspires writing. Not the other way around. Would a plumber plumb without months, years of practical application through study and practice?
I read every day. I do it because I love it. Reading is a therapy, an escape and a lesson. Admittedly there are times reading is a lesson in what not to do. It is still a lesson.
How does a nonreader build a robust vocabulary? How does one create a technique to translate the fiction in your head to the screen or paper? Most of us are not born naturally gifted storytellers. We need to learn and refine our skills. We can do this by reading, writing, talking about our craft and then writing some more!
I’d love to hear what you do to get inspired. Share in the comments.

Number one…Never Respond to Reviews

If you are satisfied with the product you have put in the marketplace, reviews shouldn’t matter (sales matter). Reviews can be very exciting. Seeing the stars, reading the accolades. But, what if you get a bad review? What if you get a lot of bad reviews? What if the reviewer didn’t even read the book? Who cares! If you truly did the best you could, move on with the next book. When writers say, my book isn’t selling because of the bad reviews, I shake my head. Maybe the manuscript simply wasn’t ready for publication. Just because you can publish on Amazon or Smashwords in minutes, it doesn’t mean you should.
The bad reviews could be….just hear me out, because the novel isn’t that good. Yet!
Readers don’t care that you worked hard on it. That you stayed up late at night to finish it. It doesn’t matter that you read all the most successful authors of the genre. It doesn’t necessarily follow that you can write a bestseller. Yet! They want to be entertained (in popular fiction-generally speaking). The reader wants a few hours of escape. Readers don’t owe you anything. You owe them. If you didn’t give it to them, they have a right to share their opinion. You have the right to keep writing!

Next week’s topic…
Number two of the Five Things Writers Should Never Do!

Not read books

I had a lengthy conversation with one of the novelists with whom I work last night. It was a good chat. Her next manuscript is progressing nicely. The characters are, for the most part, doing as they are told (writers out there know that sometimes characters zig when you thought they were going to zag). Then she said something that got me thinking. She said, in celebration of her 20th book in print, she was making a radical change to her platform.

First, I was surprised. She is one of those writers who floats with languid repose in the familiar. But after a little push from her publisher, she agreed to a book tour in Eastern Europe.

It was this decision that made me wonder. Do writers, sometimes, stick with the familiar because there is comfort in it? This has to be even more intimidating for indie and self-published writers. You have spent weeks, maybe months, on a manuscript. You fine tune it, read, re-read and dream about it. Then, once it is published, you have to get people to buy it. Where do you start? The safe bet would be to call every relative you have. Right? Nope…

So, I have compiled a list (not comprehensive) of things to consider before your book is complete and what to do after it is complete. If you want the big list I give my clients who use my developmental editing services, send me a PM or email. You will see that your editor can help along the way.

• Most important-Have a strategy before the book is complete and follow it after you publish.
Three points to a marketing strategy
1. Identify your audience. Ask yourself—to whom does your book appeal? Get to know where they are in cyberspace and in real life
2. Establish a budget. How much money are you able and willing to spend marketing and promoting your book? Include everything!
3. Create a marketing plan. How much time can you dedicate to launching and continuing your strategies? What are your goals?
• Create your summary with a good hook. Ask your editor to proof if for you!
• Use your author website-Oh, you don’t have one…get one!
• Link your book to trends. Write articles that tie your book topic or genre to current popular interests.
• Promote the book. Goodreads obviously—but there are many other sites. Send me a PM if you want a list. I have no idea if I would be booted for promoting other sites.
• Create a press release. If you employ an editor, ask them if a press release can be written for your latest work. Many manuscript editors have degrees in English and/or Journalism. Most of us could write a press release in our sleep. And there are many free sites that can help.
• Get early reviews. Make a list of bloggers and reviewers in your book’s genre, read their guidelines on what and how to submit, and start sending your manuscript out for early reviews. Ask your editor if they have a list already compiled.
• Advertise your previous novels in each book you publish. One of the best places to advertise your previous work is at the end of your current book.
• Design a book cover that doesn’t suck. Use a professional to design your cover. There are a number of experts I recommend to my clients (when asked). Just because your nephew loves to draw, it does not mean he should design your cover.
• Be a writer, NOT a hobbyist. You are an author. Do write anything you don’t want linked to your work. If you review novels you read, be nice.

In my mind, there are two primary kinds of writers—intuitive and meditative. George R.R. Martin describes it another way. Intuitive writers are like gardeners- Dig a hole, drop in a seed and see what grows. Meditative writers are the architects. Meditative writers are planners. Down to the last detail, a meditative writer maps out the narrative from start to finish. I am a firm believer that there is no right or wrong path to writing. The key is to write. No matter what, write. When you do not want to…when you are blocked…write. When all else fails, read about writing.

There are many great books out there but here are three I recommend.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynn Truss
A wonderful choice when you want to get down and dirty with punctuation. And who doesn’t, right? It is urbane and utterly English.

Elements of Style by William Strunk
The definitive guidebook on American English writing. It has its detractors but a writer would be remiss to ignore this book.

And finally…
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
My absolute favorite book about writing and the process by one of my favorite authors. One needn’t be a fan of his work to appreciate this book.
Starting in March I am going to begin offering one of these books (and others like them) to one of my blog readers. Stay tuned and visit my website for updates.
Amanda
http://www.progressivedits.com

Use your Editor—Many new authors are unfamiliar with the relationship between the writer and the editor. Some writers, more seasoned novelists, may not need the feedback that a good editor can offer. Alternatively, a new writer may not know they can ask for more. Have a discussion with your editor to see what works and does not. A good editor is happy to adjust.

Take advantage of your editor’s view of the market—Your editor is paying close attention to what is selling. When we are not editing, we are studying the market.

Marketing the book—Encourage your editor to promote the book too. A successful book for you, is success for her too.

Trust each other—Your editor wants the best for you. Good partnerships require faith in one another.

Do not leave the party too early—Once the book is done and sent off to greener pastures, take a breath and consider what is next. No one is more in tune with your work than your editor.
Discuss what ideas are in your head. Together you can start building the framework for the next great novel.