I'll say it for as long as I am a part of the publishing industry, and probably beyond: there is no one way for someone to get published. (Likewise, there is no one way to right a book, or come up with ideas, and so on.)
But there is a fairly general process that most people go through from getting an idea to getting published. Luckily for all of us, former literary agent and now author, Nathan Bransford has shared that process in gif form on his blog.
It is hilarious. Please, go read now.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
The Beauty of Genre
You might think that Cracked.com is only all about the snarky, funny articles about how the earth wants to kill us or :::, and you'd be close to that.
But that doesn't mean the authors aren't doing their research, and it doesn't mean you can't learn something from a Cracked article (beyond the snark and tidbits of trivia).
I am currently reading (meaning I paused in my reading just to share this with you) an article titled, "4 Things Science Fiction Needs to Bring Back" and the author, Robert Brockway just mentioned something that struck a chord. he's discussing the current trend of genre, and how sci fi is seeing an increase lately. The article is what he thinks is leading to that, such as the optimism in sci fi (true, not all sci fi), and it's focus on the future of mankind rather than navel-gazing.
He says, "Great sci-fi isn't about a person; it's about people."
I would generalize that too, to say that "great genre isn't about a person; it's about people", or even "a great story isn't about a person; it's about people."
Telling a story, especially in genre writing, can't be about focusing on one person and their internal struggle to the exclusion of all other people. It can't be about every other character's actions, dialogue, thoughts and feelings revolving around the protagonist. There has to be interaction, and it strengthens the story when that interaction involves people with opposing goals and motivations, and not necessarily those people being the "good guy" and the "bad guy".
Think about the bigger implications of the story. Think about the plot beyond the protagonist's needs and wants. Think about the people of your story, not just the person.
But that doesn't mean the authors aren't doing their research, and it doesn't mean you can't learn something from a Cracked article (beyond the snark and tidbits of trivia).
I am currently reading (meaning I paused in my reading just to share this with you) an article titled, "4 Things Science Fiction Needs to Bring Back" and the author, Robert Brockway just mentioned something that struck a chord. he's discussing the current trend of genre, and how sci fi is seeing an increase lately. The article is what he thinks is leading to that, such as the optimism in sci fi (true, not all sci fi), and it's focus on the future of mankind rather than navel-gazing.
He says, "Great sci-fi isn't about a person; it's about people."
I would generalize that too, to say that "great genre isn't about a person; it's about people", or even "a great story isn't about a person; it's about people."
Telling a story, especially in genre writing, can't be about focusing on one person and their internal struggle to the exclusion of all other people. It can't be about every other character's actions, dialogue, thoughts and feelings revolving around the protagonist. There has to be interaction, and it strengthens the story when that interaction involves people with opposing goals and motivations, and not necessarily those people being the "good guy" and the "bad guy".
Think about the bigger implications of the story. Think about the plot beyond the protagonist's needs and wants. Think about the people of your story, not just the person.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Reading: Not Just For Boys
I've mentioned before that I have a writing blog, yes?
Generally, my intention is to keep the two separate, but I wanted to link to my most recent post over there. It's my analysis/reaction to an article about the lower number of teen boys reading as compared to girls.
I posted it on Coffee Quill because I found myself responding to it as a writer, rather than an editor.
As an editor, however, let it be known I am looking for any story that is interesting and written well, and if it geared towards teens, I don't mind whether it's "for" girls or boys, as long as it is good and get people to read. That said, a story that appeals to both is even better.
My original post: "Demystifying Books"
And another article that poses a few good questions about this same topic: "How can we get boys to read?"
Generally, my intention is to keep the two separate, but I wanted to link to my most recent post over there. It's my analysis/reaction to an article about the lower number of teen boys reading as compared to girls.
I posted it on Coffee Quill because I found myself responding to it as a writer, rather than an editor.
As an editor, however, let it be known I am looking for any story that is interesting and written well, and if it geared towards teens, I don't mind whether it's "for" girls or boys, as long as it is good and get people to read. That said, a story that appeals to both is even better.
My original post: "Demystifying Books"
And another article that poses a few good questions about this same topic: "How can we get boys to read?"
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