Finding the Right Critique Group

Recently, I decided to pursue a local critique group.  It is not the first time I've been down this road.  Finding the right group can be compared to finding the right partner; a good fit can be priceless but a poor one, destructive and emotionally draining.

For me, the members of my group need to understand my intended market.  A person could have their masters in creative writing and have stories in multiple publications, but if every time they critique me they try to make my work into an abstract literary masterpiece, then they've missed the point.

I write YA which means the vocabulary and sentence structure needs to be accessible to a teen audience.  It means there's a line that can't be crossed when it comes to sex, violence, or language.  And it means that my story has to connect with people at a certain stage in their psychological development.

I believe that this knew group knows what YA is and isn't and will help me write for this market.  I'm so happy to have found them.

As a bonus, the pastries they served at my first meeting convinced me that if I do not become a better writer for meeting with them, I will become a fatter one.  It's the little things in life.

Formatting a YA Manuscript for Submission

In the process of formatting my work for submission, I've come across several resources that claim to be authorities on the subject.  Most of the basic advice is consistent but each source seems to have it's own pearls of wisdom, as well.   If you are a new writer, preparing your first manuscript, I’ll save you the work and summarize what I found most helpful.  If you are an experienced writer, please let me know if anything here doesn’t mesh with your professional opinion!

Do’s

• Check the specific publisher or agent’s guidelines first
• Print on 8 ½" x 11" white (20 lb) paper in black ink (I pity the fool who tried pink, scented, legal size)
• Left justify
• Use 12 point Arial or Times New Roman font (although I found one source that specified Courier)
• Double space
• Indent first paragraphs
• Number pages consecutively 
• Use 1-inch margins all around (although I found a source that said 1.25)
• Print personal info (name, address, city state, zip, etc) in the upper left corner of first page
• Place the title, centered in all caps, halfway down the first page
• Include your by line under the title
• Begin the manuscript on the first page, two returns under the by line.
• Start new chapters halfway down the page

Don’ts

• Include pictures or cover art
• Include a table of contents
• Use three hole punched paper
• Bind the manuscript in any way
• Use colored paper or colored fonts
• Use faded ink (WARNING: I had a draft printed by Kinko’s that had faded ink in the middle.  Always check the quality of the print.)
• Send in a manuscript with crinkled or stained pages
• Put an extra space between paragraphs (unless it is a formal break)
• Put a copyright on every page
• Send the MS in an envelope lined with bubble wrap or a box
• Use “The End” at the end

Other Stuff

• If you want a word italicized in the final version, you should underline it in your manuscript.  
• You can separate breaks within chapters by using extra lines, centering a series of asterisks, or centering a series of pound signs.
• I found two different recommendations about page numbers.  The first was a right justified header containing title/last name/page #.  Other sources simply recommended a page number in the footer.  I decided to go with the first way.  
• A couple of resources recommended having exactly 25 lines per page.  I did not do this because I think this was old advice that had something to do with word count in pre-computer days.  I have a gorgeous Mac who counts my words for me, so I hardly feel this is necessary.

Happy Formatting!

Is Membership in a Writing/Illustrating Organization Right For You?

About a year ago, when I finished the first draft of my YA novel and was enjoying some minor success with freelance non-fiction, a friend suggested I join a writer’s organization such as the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).  At the time I didn’t join because I thought:

• It’s too early; my novel isn’t finished.
• I’ll have to pay dues and won’t get anything out of it.
• I will embarrass myself because I don’t know what I am doing.

Boy was I wrong.  In November, I attended the SCBWI Regional Conference in Palatine, IL.  For a couple hundred bucks, I received 10 hours of detailed information on writing and publishing for children and young adults.  This information came not from academic types but from actual published writers, agents and editors!  They talked about picture books, middle grade, young adult, and non-fiction markets, what sells and what doesn’t. 

I found myself wishing I had joined earlier.   Changes I had made to my writing based on hard knocks and sheer dumb luck, were laid out for the taking for the smart folks who had joined during revision one.   Fortunately for me, the lectures validated my story and helped to give me the confidence to take the next steps toward submission.

When I came back from the conference, I joined and am now a card-carrying member.  Guess what?   Included in my membership packet was a publication guide filled with targeted advice on writing query letters and formatting manuscripts, and a listing of editors and agents that are looking for YA --just what I needed.

Are you a newbie writer thinking about taking your passion to the next level?  If so, here are some links to organizations that can help you get there.  Don't be afraid!

• http://www.scbwi.org - Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators
• http://www.rwanational.org/ - Romance Writers of America
• http://www.sfwa.org/ -Science Fiction Writers 
• http://www.mysterywriters.org/ - Mystery Writers 
• http://www.thrillerwriters.org/ - Thriller Writers 

Books On Writing

“You can’t teach someone to write fiction.” 

-- Comment made by an experienced author when asked if they could recommend a good creative writing course for aspiring writers.  

After I poked pins into the doll I made in his likeness, I read these books on writing.  They’ve served me well. 

On Writing by Stephen King

As entertaining as it is educational, contains excellent info on the mechanics of writing as well as encouragement on enjoying the journey.

The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman

Written by a literary agent in New York, outlines the common mistakes that get manuscripts rejected.

The Plot Thickens by Noah Lukeman

This one is less about what not to do and more about breathing life into your manuscript.

The Romance Writers Handbook by Rebecca Vinyard

Explains what makes a winning romance as well as info on archetypal characters, subgenres, contracts, queries, synopsis writing and more.

Self –Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne & King

After I finished the first draft of my novel, this book gave me some priceless advice on fixing it up.

Eats, Shoots, & Leaves by Lynne Truss

This book is the equivalent of mixing medicine in applesauce.  No one likes grammar but Lynne Truss makes it as palatable as possible.

The Elements of Style by Strunk and White

Everyone should have one.

Do you have a favorite book that has improved your writing?  If so, I would love to hear from you.

The Psychology of Creativity

            In the August 2009 issue of Psychology today, Jonah Lehrer reveals some interesting things about the human mind.  At first glance, his revelations seem to apply only to the visual arts but take his suggestions a step further and it’s easy to see the application to the written word.

            Picasso once said, “Art is the lie that reveals the truth.”  He didn’t know it at the time but the scientific reality is that the part of the brain involved in facial recognition responds more eagerly to caricatures than to real pictures. The phenomenon is called “Peak Shift”.  In fact, John Lehrer lists 10 perceptual principles of great art.  Here are the other nine.

1. Grouping – The brain loves a good pattern.
2. Balance – Good art makes use of the entire canvass.
3. Contrast –The brain likes thick outlines and sharp contrasts.
4. Isolation – The brain likes reality reduced to it’s most basic features.
5. Perceptual Problem Solving –The brain loves to interpret the abstract.
6. Symmetry –Symmetrical things are more appealing than asymmetrical.
7. Repetition, Rhythm, Orderliness – Beauty is inseparable from order.
8. Generic Perspective –The brain prefers things that can be observed from multiple viewpoints.
9. Metaphor – Encourages the brain to view the world In a new way.

Clearly, these revelations are as important for the written word as for visual art.  Take Stephanie Meyer for example.  The character of Edward in Twilight won over millions of readers.  Her writing isn’t superior for it’s grammar or craft.  It is not overly creative.   But, Meyer’s ability to tap into the instinctual desires of the female brain make it impossible for women to put her book down.  Edward is stronger than strong, the ultimate protector, smart, rich, doesn’t need to sleep, lives forever, always smells great, and his whole world revolves around his woman, Bella.  Whether she knew it or not, Stephanie Meyer was tapping into the instinctual part of the woman’s brain, wired to search for the ultimate provider and protector.

What features does your character or story have that will connect with the human psyche? I believe a book doesn’t necessarily need to be "perfect" to sell.  It just has to push the right mental buttons.

Need a New Catalyst for Your Superhero? Try Nanobees!

Radioactive spiders are so passé! Due to the miracle of medical science, writers everywhere now have nanobees. These wicked marvels are nanoparticles,tiny man-made vessels that can carry--well--anything you can think to fit in there. Currently, the nano vessels, which measure just three millionths of an inch across are used by medical researchers to deliver bee toxin, mellitin, to skin tumors. The nanobees literally sting the tumor to death, injecting the poison into the cell and changing the structure. Pump your wimpy protagonist up with these bad boys and the possibilities are endless.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/18/nanotech.cancer.nano.tumors/