Bad to the Bone...bad guy hints

Another word about bag guys or antagonists in your story. Just like your hero/heroine needs goals, motivations and conflicts....so does your bad guy or girl.

So here are some ideas:
Romance
Revenge
Justice
Greed
Acceptance
Respect
Fear
Desperation
Anger
Hurt
Escape
Achievement
Persecution
Rivalry
Discovery
Ambition
Survival
Love
Hate
Hope
Conspiracy
Honor
Grief
Loss
Rebellion

And this list could go on and on. So jot down your Villians goals, Motovation and Conflicts in your planning book. For everything your hero has to go through your villian should not have things easy at all. 

 Build up the Conflict for your bad guy all through the story because as your hero's struggle ramp up you csn add to the story more by giving your bad guy just as many troubles. 

Read up on villians and story arc...this will improve your story by leaps and bounds.

Time to Write Week 48

Group 1: Edits chapter 28 and chapter 8

Group 2: Writing Chapter 48

Group 3: Writing Chapter 28

5 weeks remaining in our writing journey

As we move ahead to finish a rough draft let's talk more about how to create conflict. 

So I have talked over and over about GMC. Who is your hero, what does he want, why does he want it and what's in the way.....

So the first rule. Don't give your characters what they want so easily. Make it nearly impossible. 

At every turn make things harder and harder for your characters. Toss in the crazy and worsening thing to the point a normal person would give up and walk away defeated. Increase the conflict of failure for your hero. Make it impossible but make if where your hero can't walk away. 

Conflict between characters need to grow. Conflict in story needs to increase. Don't make it easy on anyone. 

Work on this once you are editing your story. I sometimes add in more as I rewire when ideas hit me. Always worth it. 

Now it's time to Write.

A bit more on CONFLICT>>>

No matter the Genre you write it's important to push the story forward. We keep hearing this same theme regarding character goals, motivations, and Conflict. Deb Dixon's book on this is a Must. I think I have mentioned that a lot. Conflict should be at the center of every story.

No matter how many obstacles are characters face it's why we cheer and fight with them. Seriously if you don't have enough conflict there is no story. So what are the conflicts we can have our hero/heroine face? Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. Self I remember clearly learning about these three conflicts when I read Call of the Wild by Jack London when I was about twelve. So this has been around for a long time. Man vs. Man is your hero must fight against a person or people in an effort to meet his goals. Now, this fight doesn't have to be a physical fight. It can be any kind of conflict that occurs to keep him from his goals. Man vs. Nature I'd your hero in some kind of survival situation against the elements. Man vs. Self is where the hero must fight against his own convictions to reach his goals. These three conflicts above are the main ones mentioned in most studies of conflict but many more can exist given the genre written.  Man vs. Gods/spirits/supernatural/alien Man vs. Some new or different society or nation Man vs. Unknown Man vs. Technology And this list is just about things that can occur to create conflict for your hero. I heard a well-published author once say to put your hero through hell from the beginning until the end of the story. Multiple conflicts can add to a story if done well. Progressive complications, something more added around every corner to upset the hero's journey to his goals makes for better reading. So up the stakes which builds tension. And each bit of tension should be worse and worse for the hero. When tension and conflicts increase it is easier to see how a character is growing. They make it through one thing to only reach another. Raising the stakes can keep readers turning the page. Remember though each conflict should be related to blocking the hero's goals in some way. The best way to add conflict through a story is to escalate it bit by bit until it seems all but overwhelming for the hero to ever overcome it. Each conflict should threaten the hero's goals more and more. And each conflict should show more and more threats to your hero overall. All the conflicts should be worth it. In other words, adding ten minor discomforts to a hero's goals doesn't make for a good story but adding five major conflicts that have layered effects on the hero's journey will keep the reader turning pages. Up the antenna every scene you can. Complications if major can take the hero to a turning point that changes character. Because this is where the hero realized he isn't going to be able to overcome the conflict and so the story turns. These are where you can toss is Twist of plot too but this is where your hero might think all is lost. Write it out which will help you see what is happening to your character. Add this to your notebook. Who is your character? What does he want? Why does he want it? Now list all the conflicts in order or easy to hard. They might be best written in that order leading from smallest to largest. That can head up the crescendo of your story and heighten reader interest. Use some time in your planning book to see if conflict is placed all through your story...jot down where more should be added or how you can ramp up what you do have. If you are pretty far in your story and think conflict is lacking then all is not lost. As you edit your first draft you can begin writing in more conflict. Making it tougher on your character. Off to it! Time to Write.

Time to Write Week 47

Group 1: Edits chapter 27 and chapter 7

Group 2: Writing Chapter 47

Group 3: Writing Chapter 27

6 weeks remaining in our writing journey 47 weeks behind us and 6 ahead of us. Have you mapped out where you should be in your story planner? Are you gonna be able to make it? Of not plan for it. Map it out and work hard to achieve it. Here is an idea if you can afford the ink. When your rough draft is complete print it out. Take a day off work or use a weekend to sit in the quiet and reading your story. Use a red pen and a highlighter. Scribble all over the changes you need make or the things you need to add. The different view off your laptop can help you find things you have not found whole using your computer or laptop. Seeing your story on paper opens your eyes to things you haven't seen. If you are not finished or nearing your completed first draft I encourage you to keep going. You can print it out later when you are done. Those of you working on edits can print a chapter at a time to review with your red pen and highlighter. Go to it!

Other things to think about

It's hard but don't spend time comparing yourself to other writers.

It's OK to break a writing rule. 

If you feel strongly about an edit argue your point. 

For every scene or chapter you finish get up and walk outside or around the house. 

Mint tea supposedly helps your written better. 

Every thirty minutes do stretching while you are writing. I keep a resistance band at my desk at work and home.

Plan what you are gonna write prior to writing. 

How about putting your phone away from where you are writing so you won't be tempted.

Is writing bringing you joy? I'd not ask yourself why. 

Set deadlines on your writing for yourself. 

All your chapters should answer who, what, how, when, why....

Do a weekend writing marathon for 48 hours of writing. 

Keep a notebook close by your bed and in your car or purse...

Listen to writing podcasts daily. You'll learn something on most. 

Identify where your writing is weak and spend time studying on it. 

Find your creative hours.

Write from the heart. Draw from your own past emotions. 

It's OK to be a novice for a while. Learn while at it. 

Be discipline and follow your daily writing schedule not matter what. 

Go forward and write!!!!

Time to Write Week 46

Group 1: Edits chapter 26 and chapter 6

Group 2: Writing Chapter 46

Group 3: Writing Chapter 26

7 weeks remaining in our writing journey

So what makes a good story? We have been Writing for months now. Are you starting to think about what will make your story stand out? What will make you story different or special when it's time to share it out there. 

No matter the genre you are writing you gotta jump through the hoops that will catch the readers and keep them in the depths of your story. 

Add drama. Put your hero/heroine through heck. Mystery is great. Tension should hook readers. Secrets are fun. Suspense keeps the readers on their toes. As you are maybe approaching the ending of your story...UP THE STAKES. Up the conflict. Toss in an unexpected twist. 

On your read through when you are finished with your first draft...that reading out loud part should help you see where your story flows. If it reads Rocky and broken your readers may lay the book down. Give them some smooth and orderly reading with cadence that flows. 

Grow the characters that are believable. Their struggles should be real. Their conflicts should be big. The goal should be even bigger. I have mentioned this but giving your character flaws can add to the story. Make sure each character is an individual and not like any other. KNOW YOUR CHARACTERS. As I have mentioned. Who is your hero? What do they want? Why do that want it? Whats the conflict holding them back? How?

I know some authors who complete questions on the characters and if you are not sure...search online for a character sheet you can print out and complete and add to your writers notebook. 

Ever chapter and scene in your story should matter enough that if you removed it, your story would not be complete. All those boring sections...beef those up to matter when you get to your edits. 

Take time to deepen back story but tell more in less sentences. As I have mentioned background dumps are not good but some things are important to tell. Do it by telling a little at a time throughout the story. 

Subplots are the smaller stories going on while your main conflict grows. Deepen those to matter and don't add them for filler. They need to add to the story and be connected somehow to the main plot. So pay attention to add why they matter. 

On scenery and area your characters are located. Do your homework. Make sure your research is correct. Make sure to describe concise settings so the reader can see them as they read. 

Use dialogue to move the story forward. If you just have characters chatter back and forth for not providing story information then you have work to do. Every bit of dialogue should be to share more story. It should matter. Not just add to word count. 

Go back this week and read your opening paragraphs. Does your story start with a bang sending your main character into a point of no return. Make your flow of opening this story capture your readers wiry happenings they cannot put down. 

And on your ending. Leave the reader not hanging nut so satisfied and in love with your characters they hate to leave behind. 

Give you reader and ending that will hold them for a long time. And you know what. They will read your next story too. 

Now work hard on giving your readers a worthy story.

Notes from an Editor. Welcome once more Nicole D'Arienzo

 Repeating a previous post as a reminder of things from the editor's side of things!

Welcome to Nicole D’Arienzo, senior historical editor for The Wild Rose Press! So glad you could take some time out to answer these questions and tell us about the life of an editor.

So first tell us about you and how you got into editing?

 Hmmm …I honestly don’t remember. I had a lot of positive feedback from judging contests and a lot of really nice thank you notes telling me that the way I explained things made sense for the first time, or they appreciated my gentle touch in making suggestions.  When TWRP was just starting out and looking for editors, it seemed like a good fit.  It just sort of fell into place.  Of course, it helps when your sister is the co-owner of the company and you are the only person she knows who knows anything about historical romance LOL.  I honestly only came on board to help set things up and get the department going.  I fully intended to return my focus to my own writing.  It’s been twelve years and I’ve yet to do that!

Do you write as well? (We can post your books covers and links if you want? Your choice whether or not you want to answer this one.)

Yes. I write as Nicole McCaffrey and am published with TWRP. I don’t get much time to work on my own writing these days, but I have five books out with them. 

Tell us why you enjoy editing historical stories and do you edit other genres?

I have edited—and still do edit-- other genres, but I have always been a student of history, have always been fascinated by the way the past shapes the future.  And who doesn’t love the romantic image of the Old South, the adventure of the Old West, or those elegant Lords and Ladies of the Ton?  That’s my kind of escape from the busy lives we all lead.

What do your editing duties with The Wild Rose Press encompass? (What is the typical day in the life of an editor?)

Once I land at my desk for the day there are emails to answer, of course.  New queries to be reviewed and assigned, contract requests from the editors who work with me to review and approve (or not 😊 ), and then there are emails from the authors I work with, returned edits, or blurb changes, etc.  And somewhere in there I still need to edit! LOL.  I’ve gotten very good at compartmentalizing my day, certain times to answer emails, certain times to edit, and so on. Otherwise, my head would be spinning. 

What are the three tops things you look for in a query letter?

As I’m reading a query, three questions are going through my mind:

1) How serious about writing, are you? This goes hand in hand with number two, but I’m looking for things like: published elsewhere, even if it’s self-published (that tells me you can finish a story—not every author can), how long you’ve been writing, etc.

2) What, if any, are your professional affiliations? (i.e., RWA, or other writing organizations. These aren’t necessary in order to be published with us, but if you belong to a group like this, chances are you are a step ahead of some of the other authors in my query inbox on any given morning. J )

3) Can you write? Yes, I am going to look at those sample pages we request and see what you can do!

Simply put, a professional query that follows our submission guidelines and contains minimal punctuation or typing errors is always a breath of fresh air. 

How many stories do you edit per month?

It varies.  Some months I schedule more projects than others. It all depends on the way things fall, if I have a lot of things wrapping up (i.e. galley stage, or near galley stage) I won’t schedule quite so much because I know I will need time to finalize those.  And sometimes authors return their edits later than planned, which necessitates moving things around in my schedule again, or I’m asked to work on a special project that I have to squeeze in somewhere.  So there really is no way to give it a set number. 

What are some of the things you look for right off to know a story is one you are interested in contracting?  

That’s actually a two-part answer.  First of all, I’m looking for the basic writing mechanics—good control of viewpoint, active versus passive writing, showing rather than telling. Seeing that definitely gets my attention. 

But that’s not a guarantee the story won’t fall apart halfway through or that the hero or heroine won’t be so unlikeable our preliminary readers can’t relate to them or that the conflict doesn’t end in chapter four and the rest of the story is just filler.  We see these things all the time. 

Basically, if the storytelling is great, I can work with the author on cleaning up the mechanics.  But if the mechanics are solid and they still can’t create characters or a story readers will care about, I’m not sure I can help with that.

So what are some of your pet peeves when reading a manuscript? Well since I’m a historical editor, I have to admit I hate it when authors try to get by without researching. For some reason, they think if they skimp on details or are vague with descriptions, we won’t be able to tell they didn’t research adequately.  But it always shows.  I’m not saying you must go into full detail over every teeny tiny thing, but if you haven’t done your research… trust me, we can tell. 

What is the hardest thing about being an editor?

Probably when you have tried repeatedly to explain something to an author, like viewpoint or active writing and they ignore what you’ve said and continue to write the way they always have.  Sometimes they just don’t understand what it is you’re trying to help them learn. You want them to succeed, you want their “good” story to be “great”. But sometimes it just doesn’t happen.

What is the best thing about being an editor? 

The relationships I’ve developed with my authors over the years.    It’s wonderful to see their writing grow and change with each book and to see their confidence grow. Some authors I have more personal contact with than others, they share news about college graduations, weddings, the birth of a grandchild.  It’s wonderful to share those moments with them, even if only via Facebook or email.  After twelve years of this, we’ve been through a lot with some of our authors!

What advice would you have for seasoned authors submitting to The Wild Rose Press?

Take time to learn from your edits.  If the edits in your last MS focused a lot on cleaning up passive writing or showing rather than telling, please make sure you’ve addressed that in your current MS before you submit.  I think there is a school of thought that “my editor will fix it” or that it needs to be submitted right away so you can get the ball rolling toward the next release.  In truth, the process goes much faster when you submit your cleanest possible work, it can be the difference between needing only one round of edits.  Or several. So, if your editor is giving you the same edits time after time with every story it’s probably a sign that you need to brush up on those areas.  And you will undoubtedly make her entire week if you address them in your next MS before submitting LOL. 

What advice can you give to aspiring writers?

A couple of things. First, take the time to make a good first impression when submitting.  Be polite, be courteous and make sure you have checked our submission guidelines and followed them to the letter.  I’m amazed sometimes by the number of queries that lack the necessary details we require (detailed synopsis and first five pages of the MS.)  We see a lot of submissions from retirees and new writers and I must say, starting your email with “my son is sending this from his email account because I’m not so good with computers…” is probably not the best way to get my attention.  If you’re submitting to an electronic publisher, it’s probably best to brush up on your computer skills first. 

Second. Take your time.  Writing is a process we learn by doing, but it’s not something you can learn overnight.  The biggest mistake I see from new authors is being over eager.  We’ll send a nice rejection letting them know what they need to work on if they want to be published by TWRP, including links to articles, books on craft, etc. only to have the manuscript resubmitted in a matter of days, sometimes less than 24 hours. I can’t think of too many instances in the past twelve years where someone resubmitted a manuscript that fast and actually focused on everything they needed to. Rushing usually leads to a second rejection and, depending on how well the author did with the revisions, we may not ask to see it again. I promise, there is no expiration date on revising your manuscript after a rejection.  Take the time to be thorough.  The goal, after all, is not simply to be published, but to write a story readers will love.   

Time to Write Week 45

Group 1: Edits chapter 25 and chapter 5

Group 2: Writing Chapter 45

Group 3: Writing Chapter 25

8 weeks remaining in our writing journey

Week 45! Seriously we have been at this for 45 weeks. 45 chapters...who is doing it? Have you made 44 chapters completed??? It's time to display your bragging rights this week and next. Tell us where you are. 

So this coming week if you can work it in, scan through your entire novel and make note of things you need to address once you finish. 

This is not a hard edit or time to go through your work with a file tooth comb. It just a glance to make sure of what each chapter contains so you can make sure you writing planning notebook is in order. This is most important as you are rounding the corner to finish your novel. Get it all in order. This will make it easier to wind down things to the big happenings of the ending. 

But don't let this quick read thru steal you hour a day of writing.  Mayne just read on your lunch break for several weeks to make sure you have things down. 

Onward.

Sexies, Curses and other things you don't want your mother to read.

Each of us have to write our stories the way we most feel comfortable. That being said I never hesitated a bit to toss sexies and curses into my first stories. I write rough cowboys...just sayin'.

Let's go back a bit. I was about twelve when I started reading romance fiction. I have always preferred historical and sexy reads. My parents nor my grandmother who had a shelf full of Romance novels she traded with her friends never said a word when I consumed novel after novel. But you know what. I have not sensored what my girls read either. I just don't believe in sheltering them from normal life things. They have always been able to ask me about sex or what a bad word is all about. But back to books. It's funny how I can sit at a conference book sale or at a table promoting my stories and some readers will steer a wide berth with a comment of "I don't read those kind of stories." Seriously this has happened and honestly if they have not read my stories then they were already biased long before they met me. But I always laugh and say, "why what are you afraid of?" Nope I didn't make a sale on that one nor another when I said. "Hey even Christians have sex too." After another comment of "I don't read smut. I'm a Christian." No matter the comments and unsolicited judgements you must be true to the Genre you choose to write and to yourself. I have a close friend who writes Inspirational Romance. That's a genre where kisses might be behind closed doors and swears are not utilized for the most part because religion is a key item in the story. She's an Amazing writer and I most admire she stays true to herself. Others write Sweet Romances. They most often hint at the sexies before the door closes or it isn't really assumed or mentioned that the characters have sex. Maybe all that happens is a nice sweet kiss. A lot of readers prefer books without sexies or swear words. That's fine. Other readers prefer full erotic romances with BDSM and a number of other unique lifestyles. Again stay true to what you are comfortable with and what your Genre expects. Some publishing houses want novels full of hot graphic sexies and some prefer the sweet. I kinda get a bit offended by people speaking they only write or read "clean" reads. That to me sounds as if what the rest of us write is dirty. Hey, my characters love each other and the sexies are few and far between. Romance even though it is the biggest seller out there still gets a bad wrap as does Women's fiction at times. I had a neighbor review my book and say it would have been a perfect story without the sex scenes and curses. I also had one of my mothers friends corner me and say something like "I read your book but I just didn't expect all that sex and cursing." Can I add here that the said book is 126K words and there are only 3 sexies of about 2 pages each. I politely let her know maybe my books weren't for her and she should choose nice Amish novels the next time she reads. I told her I write cowboys and cowboys toss back whiskey, screw the girls in the brothel and swear. It's what cowboys do. And by the way I like Amish novels too though I rarely read anything "sweet or clean." I have always thought the sexies were the reward for the characters. And then I have authors who say I can't write too sexy because my mother may read it. Uhmmm...isn't that your mother in her chair on the beach holding that latest romance or women's fiction? Did you know smart women read and write romance. Lexile levels on a lot of romance is high. And for anyone who thinks romance is a quick easy write....I beg to differ. So again just remain true to your genre and how far you are willing to go is up to you. My parents, aunts and uncles and friends read my stories and ya know when we discuss them the word steamy might come up but no one blew a gasket over the sex or curses. F word and other colorful swears. If you choose to write these type of words it's a personal choice. I have chosen not to use Jesus or God's name when my Cowboys are swearing but... I once had a very good friend who I lost several years ago. A nurse friend and I learned so many things from her about life and living. She always made me laugh and while we didn't start off as friends we ended the best of friends with a deep respect for each other. She use tell me that the F word was a good word but not to use it too often. To save it for when you really needed it. So yep I am giving you the same advice. Save that word or others of your choosing for when your characters really need them. But regardless of the sexies and curses my stories are just that. Novels readers have enjoyed. And if all a reader can take from my stories are a few pages of sexy and Cowboys with a potty mouth then I venture to say they sure missed a lot. I am not nor will I ever be ashamed of any of my stories. I am proud of them. You should be too. So write what you can be proud about and not what you must defend. Onward. Write on!!