A Winner announced and more on imagery and characterization through imagery.

Imagery is a wonderful subject in writing and so much is accomplished when taking one's time to paint a picture through the perfect combination of words. Don't you agree?

I'd like to explore using imagery to further 'show' your character's personalities and individualities. Ways of branding them so the reader knows exactly whose POV we are in without being told 'so and so' said this or constantly naming characters to 'remind' the reader who is doing what.

But before we go too far into this discussion, I'd like to announce the winner of a free .pdf copy of Curse of the Marhime from the April Blog Event, A Tisket, A Tasket, put Romance in your Basket.

And the winner is...

Luanne!

Congratulations, Luanne:)
Please email me at www.gothscribegirl@aol.com for your free copy of Curse of the Marhime at your convenience.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on the subject of imagery in writing. I hope you will enjoy this next discussion, as well, and I look forward to hearing more of your comments.

Stay tuned. I will continue the above mentioned topic in my next post:)

D~

Author Loops: How useful are they?

Has anyone had the embarrassing experience of posting to an author loop and being virtually ignored? Have you felt maybe these loops are no more than who can schmooze who the best? Has anyone found any particular value in spending hours reading and answering posts just so maybe someone will by chance respond to yours?

I have good reason for asking these questions. I have delved into introducing myself on several author loops for marketing/branding purposes and found that aside from being mainly a popularity contest much like the high school cheering squad but mainly in effective, as it would take more time to schmooze some responses from these very motivated individuals than I have to donate to the loops.

I am truly not being mean but what does it take to get a response on those loops? In my experience and talking amongst some of my author peers/friends, I have heard similar thoughts about the loops. The same people respond to the same people day after day.

Has anyone actually experienced any marketing value from bouncing around these loops? Are other authors buying and reading your books? What about reader loops? Where are they? Anyone know? In my opinion, I would think visiting 'reader' loops would be much more rewarding. Putting up release announcements, blurbs, excerpts for peer authors other than for support (of which I've experienced shall we say the cold shoulder) doesn't seem the least bit fruitful.

Okay, on this point, I am not saying that authors are not readers because many of you and other authors who I don't even know on a personal level have supported me throughout my career. I just question the value of trying to 'join' in the buzz on the loops. It seems a waste of valuable marketing time to me. I work a full time job, a home business, and write. Marketing is very important and personally, I am not in a position to waste time on non-productive marketing venues.

Any opinions out there? What has your experience been with these loops? Anyone have any hints on 'fitting in?' On making these loops advantageous?

I'm curious. Please pipe in and give your thoughts. I have teetered on the fence for a long time as to whether I should continue to try to get some 'notice' on these loops or just leave well enough alone.


D~

Good Morning! Ima Rose has made it over from The Wild Rose Press garden!

Oh, dear.

I suppose after Dayana’s explanation as to my absence, if I said I was coming in late, it would just have too many naughty connotations.

Sometimes a girl just can’t help herself.

Today’s post has special meaning to me as it is, in a way, my swan song to you, my dear readers. With the birth of my niece, time is no longer mine to command. As such, my cousin Anita Rose will take over In The Garden.

Before I leave, I want to share a few insights I’ve learned about rejection from my time tending the roses and the editors (the hunks, of course, have tended me).

To all those writers out there, let me encourage you to keep writing. Never mind the rejections (J.A. Konrath was the proud recipient of over 450 rejections before his book, Whiskey Sour, sold for six figures). Rejection is a part of life, darlings.

We are rejected by paramours, job possibilities, why should writing be any different?

Sometimes, we need to take a step back and be objective about our stories. I often hear writers refer to their stories as ‘their babies’ or ‘their children.’ I admit, it’s a reference that sends cold shivers down my spine.

While I am cognizant of the affection involved in the sentiment, too often writers continue a form of ownership or possession with their work that, if they did it with real children, would be...how shall I say this...unseemly.

Your writing is your brain child. But in the same way we raise our offspring, then send out our flesh and blood children to make it in the wide world, so too, authors need to do with their literary progeny, as well.

If Lucienne comes home with a note from the teacher saying she’s falling asleep in class, we don’t yell at the teacher. We make sure sweet Lucy gets the rest she needs. In the same way, if an editor tells you that your middle sags, put the book on a diet, but don’t get angry at the editor, and truly darling, don’t doubt your story.

Often, we need fresh eyes to read out work to see the holes and bumps in the plot. Just because you get a rejection, does not mean you have no talent or that writing isn’t for you.

If you are counting on others to justify and give worth to you book, then my darling, your book has no worth. YOU must be the one who sees the value in it because in this industry, too often you will be the only one who does.

The number of authors who get the contract on the first attempt are small. While stories of multi-million dollar book sellers make for inspiration, it should not be the standard by which you judge yourself.

Value yourself by the effort you put into your story and the feeling writing gives you.

To do otherwise is just madness.

Oh, Miguel the fireman has just informed me that he has a four-alarm blaze I need to help him extinguish.

A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.

To you, my darlings, I thank you for a wonderful time in the garden. I enjoyed the time I spent with you and will miss our chats.

Until next time, keep reading, writing and living.

Forever with hugs and kisses,

Ima

Oh Look! A Hummingbird! Please welcome Natasha Bacchus, Senior Editor of the Hummbird Dept, The Wild Rose Press

From an Editor’s Perspective
“Don’t die with your dreams crumpled in your back pocket.” I don’t know who said that, but he was right. If you want to be a writer, then start now, and start writing...

When it comes to being an author, there are two steps, “Write the book and get it published.” Of course, it’s not that simple. Consider 85% of the people who begin writing a novel never finish. Add to that, the statistic which says only 20% of the people who try to get a contract are successful. It means of 100 who start writing, only 15 finish their story, and of that 15 only 3 of those people will get a contract, and that sounds damn depressing...but is it, really?

Nope.

It’s hard to get published, but not impossible. To that end, here are five tips from me. Take and leave them as you will, bearing in mind these are just my observations from working in the industry. The tone of these tips is blunt. I’d rather tell it to you straight, than try to be politically correct. I don’t think PC behaviour helps people, and I for one, would rather hear the unvarnished truth than not.

Tip #1: You don’t need mega talent to be published.
It helps, don’t get me wrong, and certainly, your readers will thank you if you have some skill. In truth, however, talent is the smallest piece you need. What you really need in order to be published is perseverance and persistence.

So what if you get rejected? Do you get every job you apply for? Do you win every race you enter? Do you find love every time with every partner or date? Of course not. So if you get rejected, (and let me say this with love) suck it up.

Dean Koontz was rejected 75 times, Stephen King 96. Janet Evanovich wrote for 10 years before getting her first contract and her Stephanie Plum series didn’t even make it to the big time until the 5th book. John Grisham had to self-publish A Time to Kill, and Dr. Seuss knocked on over 30 doors before finding someone who offer him a contract.

What does this mean? It means that while talent plays a role in getting published, what really matters is perseverance and the willingness to keep trying.
Reading about authors who hit it big with their first story, get the multi-million dollar contract with the first book can inspire at the same time it leaves you depressed. But bear in mind that we each have our own journey and our path is not the same as another’s. Andrew Davidson, made news with his 1.2 million dollar advance for his first book, Gargoyle. His first book. Sounds like magic until you realize he tried for over 15 years to get his work published. Overnight success? Nope. But he IS a success, not because of the huge advance, but because he kept trying. He believed in his story and that was what mattered.

Tip #2: It’s not about you.
Yes, folks, despite what your mother and children’s programming taught you, your existence does not create any obligation in anyone. Too often, I meet writers who feel that somehow, because they’ve written a book, the rest of us should bow down in awe and wonder. And while we may be on bended knee, I assure you, it’s because the air is cleaner down here on the ground. I’m not saying this to be rude or obnoxious. Rather, I’d like to see some of you take a look at yourselves and put your life into perspective.

Is writing a book hard, thankless, and soul-searing? Yes. Is it more of a challenge than someone else’s pursuit of their dream? No. You’re pursuing your dream. It’s no better or worse than the person who’s chasing after that law degree or who wants to be a veterinarian.

Do the work necessary to keep yourself in the game, and keep your attitude in check.
I met a multi-published author at a conference. She was furious at an agent she’d met. Here’s the background. She pitched her story to the agent, who said, “I like your story, I like the idea of someone killing off wildlife, but I’m not sure about using the scientific name. If you’re willing to change the book, so the animal is called by its generic name, I’d like to take a look.” And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what set this writer off. Never mind that no one would have known what animal she was talking about because no one really speaks Latin anymore, never mind that the change the agent asked for was minor and did nothing to change the organic structure of the story, she was mortally offended by the request.

“It’s my art,” she said, with a sniff, “And I won’t change it for anyone.”
Then she wonders why her readership is low. Gee, let me think. Could it be because you’re writing for yourself and not for the average reader? Hey, we’re all impressed that you know Latin, we’re all thrilled you can wield four-syllable words, but give me a break, lady. This isn’t about you. It’s about the readers. If you’re writing to show them how smart you are, they’ll return the favour, put down your book, and go to an author who knows how to treat them with respect and dignity.

Tip #3: Explanation will kill you.
You’ve written your book, you’ve polished it until it gleams—the very shine of it is causing eye damage and the sun is complaining that “it’s just too bright.” And now, having printed off every precious page, you hand it over to a trustworthy friend. They sit down and begin to read. You sit beside them, watching their every breath, tracking every movement of their eye. Their brow furrows and your heart stops, your breath ceases.

“Wait a second,” says your friend. “This hero is coming across like a jerk. He’s totally rude to the heroine when he doesn’t need to be.”

“Well, yes,” you answer, “but there’s a reason. See men in his generation weren’t touchy-feely.”

“Yes,” says your friend, “but he’s really coming off like an ass.”

“You just don’t understand.”

No, sweetheart, YOU are the one who doesn’t understand. Heroes are heroes because THEY ARE HEROIC. Can you have an unsympathetic hero? Of course, but here’s the catch, HE STILL HAS TO BE A CHARACTER READERS CAN IDENTIFY WITH.

Look at television shows: House, Stargate Atlantis. Both feature protagonists that aren’t stereotypically heroic (House= Dr. House, Stargate Atlantis = Dr. Rodney McKay). If you watch these shows, then you know these guys won’t win any congeniality awards, never be the Boy Scout of the group, but, BUT, people LOVE these characters. Why? Because, despite their arrogance, brittle personalities, superficial nature, they are heroic. They show their humanity, they are capable of being vulnerable, caring, and that speaks to readers.

They are honest about who and what they are, and when push comes to shove, these are guys who will do the right thing/stay true to their driving desire. Viewers know this within 5 minutes of watching the show.

If your reader can’t pinpoint that your hero will be the hero, you need to rewrite. Or else, what are you going to do? Put a note in your book explaining your character’s background? Sit down with every person who reads your book and justify why this guy is being such a jerk when there’s no need to be?

I know that sounds so rude, but it’s the truth. If your character is inconsistent or faulty, dear heart, the problem isn’t the reader, it’s the way the character’s been written. Being a writer means being able to go back to the page over and again, and making your characters multi-dimensional and ensuring they come across they way they need to.

Tip #4: Be Strong in Yourself
Tip #3 said to listen to your readers’ comments. Tip #4 seems conflicting: stay strong in yourself, but as crazy as it sounds, you need both to be a successful writer.

If your character really IS a jerk and his redemption is what the story is about, then yes, stick with it. But if he’s supposed to be swoon-worthy and your readers seem to be suffering from nausea rather than fluttering hearts, then go back to the drawing board.

Successful writers know how to evoke the right emotion in their reader. It takes time, patience, writing and re-writing, but it’s what you need to do if you want to make it in this industry.

Tip #4 means knowing your story inside and out, knowing every nuance and twist. If it take your 3 years to write it, then so be it. Don’t rush, don’t force it.

Tip#5: Educate Yourself
Know how to do more than turn on your computer; know what grammar is, and the difference between effect and affect.

I wouldn’t trust a carpenter who only knew how to use his hammer, and I don’t trust an author who doesn’t take the time to educate and continually educate him/herself in their industry.

Part of this tip is knowing what works for you as a writer. Don’t force a story voice. Readers can sense it. So, even though you’ve heard erotica is all the rage, if it doesn’t feel right when you’re writing it, and a sweet sensuality is more your style, stick with that.

Integrity always sells.

Ladies, gentlemen, writing is hard work. This isn’t for the faint of heart, and this isn’t a job for wusses. When you encounter a setback, whether it’s a blank page, a rejection or a bad review, pull yourself up and keep going. Like the man said, “Don’t die with your dreams crumpled in your back pocket.”

Natasha Bacchus
Senior Editor, Hummingbirds
The Wild Rose Press