Writing Contests--blah!

The phrase Writing Contest brings to mind one word: Argh!

Let me explain.

My writing time is precious. So when a contest wants me to take time away from my novel to write a short story, it's asking a lot. Plus, I must admit, I can't write short stories. I've tried, but they always end up turning into a novel. I keep coming up with more plot twists and depth. I just can't stop at 20 pages.

When they ask for the first 20 pages instead, I'm not so disinclined, but . . .

You don't get much for your effort. I won 2nd at a local Writer's Conference, and I received 1 basket of books I never would have read (I gave all of them away), and a gift certificate for a local movie theater--even though I live 3 hours away from the location (Michelle--maybe I should mail them to you. I think you're closer).

Now, I figure I spent more money on printing and postage than I received from the contest.

This is not to say that contests are totally w/o merit. If you place, it can increase your confidence. IF the judges are competent, you will have some helpful feedback (I say if because some of the feedback I've received was downright wrong--or even marked as wrong when it was a matter or "taste." For instance, one judge corrected grammar "problems" that were correct the first time. Another docked me 20 out of 100 points because she didn't think my MS "fit" in the genre (It did. You just didn't see the paranormal aspect in the 10 pages she reviewed).

Anyway, my experience, at least with the smaller contests, has not been positive.

Hopefully, you've all had much better experiences.

Writing, at its essense, is a balancing act.

First of all, you must have the ability to craft a powerful/exciting/engaging plot.

I can teach grammar. I can teach writing. But at the essence of every writer, there has to be a natural storyteller. Because I can't teach it.

I tried. But saying, "Your story sucks," even as nicely as possible, doesn't usually get you very far.

Neither does, "Don't write again. Ever. Really."

Okay, I'm kidding. I would never say that to someone. But I have seen people that really didn't have the talent. They were like the awkward kids in gym class who couldn't even even run without falling, and yet they tried out for the sports teams.

Can they get better?

Yes.

Can they ever reach a competitive level/publishable?

Probably not for 20 or so years.

So what separates the "best" writers from the "average" ones?

Balance.

Like so many things in life, the best authors craft a story that is strong in ALL these areas:

1. Story--compelling storyline. This is what keeps the reader turning pages.
2. Grammar--when done right, this facilitates the reader's understanding and DOES NOT distract from the story.
3. Characters--balanced, real (as opposed to perfectly good or evil), and individual (as opposed to cookie cutter or indistinguishable)
4. Exposition--the story is revealed neither to quickly, leaving the reader confused, or too slowly, leaving the reader bored.

I could go on with this list (and feel free to add something you think of). Even expand on the ones already written, but I think this explains my point. Have you ever read a story that lacked in one of these areas? Or where one trait excelled to the point that it distracted from the others (the characters inner thoughts dominate to the point where you forget what the story is about).

Some authors, like my absolute favorite--Shannon Hale, are great writers that excel in one area . Shannon is a master at creating similes. BUT she's great at all the rest as well.

She's an example of a balanced writer.

And just in case your wondering, that's how you know if you've reached a publishable level.

If it's balanced.

Double spacing after periods and other random info

Michelle had some great tips on her post: http://theinnocentflower.blogspot.com/2009/01/sounds-of-silence-almost.html

I'm posting my thoughts here.

She mentions that double spacing after a period is old school. We just do one now. If you've made the mistake of doing it throughout your novel, just do a find and replace. In the find type two spaces. In the replace type one. It will fix the whole thing with minimal effort. And you will type faster. Always a plus.

She also has the great idea of making a location Thesaurus--a first hand account of certain locations for use in our novels. I think it's a great idea. Head over to her blog if you have any first hand experience with certain places. For instance, my sister-in-law has lived in Spain, Columbia, Brazil, Boston, and Washington DC. She'd know if the city was noisy, dangerous, dirty, poor, sprawling, tall, etc.

This is why we don't have parties after my kids go to bed.

So my husband and I are relaxing on the couch, watching The Guardian, when my kids, who should have been asleep by now, are screaming.

I sit there, hoping it will go away. Magically resolve itself, like the clutter in my garage--if I ignore it, it will go away.

I hear 3 year old screaming, "Moooommmmaaa. Brover's gooot maaaaaa cappppppe" Translation: "Momma, brother's got my cape."

In yet another attempt to avoid moving my behind from it's rather soft resting place, I holler back, "#1, leave your brother alone!"

I wait a few moments. Something crashes. Wails increase. I think something just fell down the stairs. I'm pretty sure it wasn't one of my kids. Too much banging.

Untangling myself from my warm, softy, oh so comfy blanket, I stomp up the stairs.

The sight that greets me is a ball of rolling arms and legs entangled to the point they are indistinguishable.

Grabbing one batman collar, and one superman one, I pull them apart. "What's going on?"

3 yr old, tears streaming down his face, cries, "Brover stoooole my caaape!" (I won't retranslate here).

I level a "give me the truth" look at 6 yr old.

He refuses to meet my gaze. "I wasn't stealing it. I was taking it from so he wouldn't play with it anymore and go to sleep." All of this was delivered in one breath.

I take a deep breath and jerk the cape from 6 yr old's clutchs. "Leave your brother alone, or I'm shutting your door." This is of course, the ultimate punishment because it blocks the hall light (they take apart nightlights to "see how they work"--we gave up years ago) from my children's bedrooms (all of their doorknobs are of course reversed so we can lock them in "time out.")

This is, of course, a typical night at my house.

Wanna come over for game night?

I'm a writer, not an editor.

I've been trying to get The Last Witch completely edited so I can turn it into my agent. Thing is, I'm easily obsessed with writing the new story. It's exciting, intense, and raw.

Kinda like making a baby versus raising one. It's still fun to raise them, but man, they are a lot of WORK.

Umm . . . sorry, but that's the analogy I came up with (probably because I'm really tired of being pregnant).

Each of my stories has been like raising a child. They say the first book is the hardest. And so far that's been true. I've learned a lot and been able to steer clear of some of the mistakes made in my early writing.

But unlike a baby who vocally insists on being fed every three hours, my finished story sits silent on the computer while the new story beckons. Urging me to give its characters a voice, to unearth their tale.

But I told my agent I'd have the MS to him in a month (trying to give myself a deadline--what the . . . um, heck, was I thinking).

Somebody kick me in the butt to get going, eh?

Anybody want to trade pages?