The good news? I've been busy editing the 4th draft of the women's fiction I started last November during NaNoWriMo.

The borderline scary news? This week, it's leaving its safe haven on my computer and falling into the hands of my beta readers.

Yikes.

Pretty sure I'm going to hear some things I don't want to hear about my work-in-progress, but using beta readers at this stage, though scary, will likely make the difference between a completed manuscript that does justice to its characters/plot and an unpublishable story that just barely scratches the surface.

I'd prefer to take the extra time to get input from beta readers, rather than rush to submit to agents without proper feedback. Although I am a member of two writing critique groups and have had many sets of eyes on my writing for months now, beta readers, of all kinds, are what I need to keep me honest and true to my story.

For me, a beta reader is all about the big picture.

My writing critique partners look at my work 1-2 chapters at a time, but with a monthly gap and always with a writer's eye. Beta readers fill a different need. I treat them as exactly what they are ... READERS. I ask my beta readers to pretend they've pulled my book from a library or bookstore shelf. I encourage them to read my work as seamlessly as possible, only jotting down general notes, as needed, while they absorb the story as a whole.

Big picture. 

​Ultimately, it is a beta reader who will be able to give me feedback on story cohesion, character depth, pacing, content accuracy, etc., because my beta readers won't be focusing on the sentence structure and grammar, but looking at the story with a wider lens.

Choosing beta readers, however, can be a tricky thing.

"Charlotte's Choice," now dubbed "Sutton's Choice," is about a 28-year-old writer, Charlotte Sutton, who learns her estranged father Chuck, a famous sports writer and community news publisher, likely has early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Charlotte must return to Lakeside, Ohio, her small Lake Erie hometown, to take on responsibilities she never expected, never wanted, and never asked for. In addition to facing her father, and all the emotional baggage that comes with their rocky relationship, she must also face the locals she avoided all through her growing up years. Add in a failing community newspaper, an almost defunct marina, and a teenage sibling Charlotte didn't know existed, and "Sutton's Choice" becomes a minefield of medical, legal, and emotional content.

There's the rub. I'm no doctor, no lawyer, no counselor.

Did I do my research well enough when setting up all these plot points? That's something my beta readers may be able to help me with, if I've chosen them wisely. 

To put a face on my ultimate beta reader for "Sutton's Choice," I need:

• a reader who is a doctor/caregiver of Alzheimer's patients
• a reader who has personal knowledge of Alzheimer's as a family member, spouse, or friend of a patient
• a reader with general dementia knowledge
• a reader with professional grief counseling knowledge or professional experience with teen depression/bullying (such as a school counselor)
• a reader the same age as my main character—about mid to late twenties
• a reader with intimate knowledge of Lakeside, Ohio and its surrounding areas
• a reader who grew up in the Lakeside, Ohio area and went through its school system, just like Charlotte
• a reader who was an only child all through the growing up years, just like Charlotte
• a reader who is from a split family, just like Charlotte
• a reader who is a parent with teenagers in the house
• a reader who is knowledgeable about sports, in all forms
• a reader who is a writer
• a reader who has working knowledge of a small, family newspaper
• a reader who has legal/personal knowledge of Ohio family law & estate planning
• a reader who has guardianship of a younger sibling
• a reader who loves women's fiction
• a reader who has a literature or English background
• a reader who is my #1 fan (my spouse) and/or a "Brenda Supporter," because every writer should have at least one of those
• MOST IMPORTANT, a reader who will be brutally honest if my manuscript sucks in certain places, but not as a whole, because a true Negative Nelly beta reader should be avoided, if at all possible

And the list could go on and on.

I was selective about who I asked to be my beta readers, but I didn't scrimp. Total, I asked 26 people, for very specific reasons, to help me with this project. Because being a beta reader is a time suck on other people's lives, I expected only about half to respond with a "yes," and I was spot on. Of the baker's dozen of confirmed beta readers, about half came from those with personal Alzheimer experience. My writing friends have a lot going on with their own work, so I was pleasantly surprised by the couple with interest. Some of my readers definitely fall under the "Brenda Supporter" category, and that's okay, because a pat on the back is always welcome. A couple lawyer friends and two educators are joining the fray. Many of the readers fill more than one bullet on my list, and most are intimately familiar with Lakeside.

All in all, I'm thrilled with the diversity of my beta readers.

Tips for working with beta readers:

• When initially asking for beta readers, send a "query-like" request giving a short synopsis of the story, what is expected of your beta readers (notes on each chapter, weekly updates on progress, or whatever you set as a goal), and why that person is qualified to help. To give them a glimpse of what they will be reading, include a PDF of the first chapter.
• Give very specific guidelines regarding the timeline of when readers can expect to receive the full manuscript and what deadline you have set for a return of materials and/or feedback. Give your readers at least a month to complete the reading. I usually allow 6-8 weeks.
• ​Ask all confirmed beta readers for an email address, so you can easily communicate with the group as a whole during the process. 
• If possible, give your readers various format options. Some readers prefer a hardcopy they can hold in their hands and make notes in. This may be an added expense, but worth every penny in copy costs and postage, if it means you get concrete feedback. Some readers want a digital format for their computer (Give as a PDF, instead of Word doc, so changes cannot be easily made). Some readers want a download for their Kindle reader. Depending on how you've set up the initial format, you may have to experiment with PDF and Word files, to find the option that reads best on Kindle. I usually download the manuscript to my own Kindle first, so I can see what the doc download will look like. Check your Amazon Prime directions for personal doc downloads, but I've usually had the most success with a Word file.
• On both hardcopy and digital formats, include a date and your contact info. Also note in the cover sheet and/or on each page footer that all versions of the document are your property and may not be distributed elsewhere in any format without consent.
• Provide each beta reader with a general guideline sheet (no more than one page, so so as not to overwhelm them) of what you want them providing feedback about during the reading. In my case, I'm looking for fairly general input about plot viability, but beta readers can be used to watch for very specific things, depending on their background. Some beta readers can be broken into specific groups such as Grammar Police, Legal Eagles, Character/Setting Developers, etc. JUST BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS for each, individual beta reader.
• Don't be a hound, but DO follow up about two weeks after providing readers with the manuscript, just to touch base. It can be as simple as a group email asking if anyone has any mid-read concerns or questions. This way, any reader who hasn't started will get a polite nudge to do so, and anyone who is deep into the manuscript will know you haven't forgotten them.
• Don't be a hound, but DO contact all readers about one week before the deadline you've set for return of materials/feedback, so your readers know their time with your manuscript is nearing an end. 
• Determine how you wish to receive feedback and be clear to your readers about this process. Will you require all hardcopies returned to you (at your own postage expense, of course) or may they keep them and submit comments via email? 
• Don't be surprised if not everyone finishes your manuscript or even responds with comments at the end of the process. Life gets in the way, and even the beta readers with the best intentions can have something interrupt their participation. Sometimes your manuscript is also just not their "cup of tea." And that's okay. That is why sending to a large number of readers is necessary. Of my baker's dozen of confirmed readers, I'll be happy if I receive constructive comments from half. 

And, now I wait. Will my beta readers like it? Will they hate it? Whatever the answer, at least I know I have done everything I can to further my manuscript.

Thanks to my beta readers, I am looking at the big picture and taking "Sutton's Choice" one step closer to submission and—hopefully—publication.

#BetaReaders #WIP #AmWriting #AmEditing #WritingCommunity #NaNoWriMo #Editor #Fiction #WomensFiction #NovelIdea #MotivationMonday #MondayMotivation

My women's fiction work-in-progress, "Charlotte's Choice," is nearing the final draft stage. I've been working on honing a short pitch, so I can start submitting to literary agents this winter. 

For those of you who just went "lights out" with that phrase, think back flap paragraph of a novel. In a nutshell, it is the most basic summarization of a story and typically a single sentence of about 25-35 words.

The short pitch is gold when it comes time to submit a query to an agent. It can be one's best friend or worst enemy, depending on how well it is written. 



artwork by Instagram @mhaas_art

​A short pitch is also sometimes called the premise, or central idea, of a story.

Without a central idea, a story may become just a series of rambling scenes with no point. Identifying the premise BEFORE diving into a new story can help focus the project from day one and keep a writer on track with a concrete purpose. If, however, a writer chooses to formulate a premise after the first draft, the writer may discover the plot has more holes than Swiss cheese (This was the case with the very first novel I attempted to write. The first draft required major revisions to fix central idea problems. I wish I'd recognized the importance of a premise before beginning my novel). 

A premise should contain five elements: character, situation/setting, "oh, crap" moment, goal/objective, and an opponent. Basically, the premise explains who has a problem and what the main character must do to solve the problem before something seriously bad happens.

Sample Premise Formula: When (opening conflict/disaster) happens to (character or characters), he/she/they must (action to overcome conflict/defeat opponent) to (obtain objective/complete quest).

Example: When a tornado whisks Dorothy off to a magical land, she must enlist the help of new friends and a lovely pair of ruby slippers to defeat a wicked witch and find her way home to Kansas.

Have fun Googling premise formulas. There are a gazillion versions, and, depending on what you're writing, it may take some time to find the formula that best suits the project.

Below is the working short pitch/premise for the women's fiction novel I started last fall during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

Charlotte's Choice
By Brenda Haas

When 28-year-old writer Charlotte Sutton's estranged father Chuck is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, the dutiful daughter must return to her small, Lake Erie hometown to face her father and the past she'd run from 10 years prior.

Still tweaking. Not 100% happy with the wording yet. It's not quite ready to put in an agent query letter, but I'm getting close. 

Charlotte's Choice Premise Analysis --

Character: Charlotte, a 28-year-old writer (strong)
Situation/Setting: small, Lake Erie hometown (strong)
Oh, Crap Moment: father Chuck is diagnosed with Alzheimer's (strong)
Goal/Objective: face father and past she'd run from 10 years prior (somewhat weak, too ambiguous)
Opponent: Chuck? Alzheimer's? Past? Charlotte herself? (somewhat weak. I think the primary opponent is Charlotte herself, because it's Charlotte's flashback memories of her past that create an internal conflict ... a personal, mental opponent).

I'll keep working on this until I'm comfortable reciting it in my sleep, or it sounds right the next time someone asks me what I'm working on:)

​For more info on premise, check out the Novel Factory for some great free handouts.

Good luck and pitch on, my writerly friends!

#amwriting #amediting #amquerying #WIP #writingtips #writingtip #writetip

artwork by Michelle Haas

This is not my usual writing blog. I'm not going to provide the top 10 best ways to bring realism into your writing. I'm not going to tell you how to write a query letter with step-by-step instructions, wax philosophic about overused tropes, or provide any other listy, writerly tips.

Today, I want to talk about fear and butterflies and taking chances.

Angelica, Conqueror of Fear
I am a member of a local Rotary club, made up of various business owners, school district administrators, government officials, and other past and present professionals who see the benefit in staying connected and helping the community. At a recent meeting, I sat next to Angelica, a woman who had been in Rotary for many years, had worn many hats, and had just agreed to take on a somewhat lofty regional position.

Angelica and I hit it off right away. I congratulated her on her new role and asked if she was nervous about her extended duties, which would require her to step beyond her local, friendly group of peers and reach out to and speak in front of other groups - strangers, really - from the outlying areas.

Angelica gave me a Mona Lisa smile and said, "Of course. That's why I did it."

Her comment surprised me a bit and struck a chord.

Angelica went on to explain.

When a person is asked to do something outside his or her comfort zone, fear may create an actual physical response or that well-known butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling. When presented with that feeling, Angelica says one is also presented with two very different choices.

"Yes."

OR

"No."

Fight or flight.

Often a fearful person will choose "no." Not Angelica. It is that butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling that makes her sit up and take notice. She seems to thrive with a few butterflies. They allow her to grow as a person. When she feels the fear, she usually chooses to say "yes," because she expects to become a better person for it. Her fears push her to stretch her own boundaries.

I love that.

I reeeeallllllly love that.

As a writer, I question myself ... a lot. Should my character have black hair or blue? Should I set my story in my real hometown or fictionalize it, so as not to offend one of my many home-grown characters? Should I have my protagonist go down this path or that?

Should I? Should I?

Should I take my beta reader's advice or stick to my guns? Should I proofread one more time? Should I nix an entire subplot? Should I send my query out yet? Is my manuscript ready? Should I re-write the whole darn thing from a completely different point of view?

I don't know. Maybe?

Maybe not.

There really aren't any right or wrong answers. These are my characters, my settings, my paths. I created them. This is MY choice. Still, taking the safe route — sans butterflies — will not likely stretch me to be a better writer. Or, as Angelica would say, a better person.

To sum this up, as writers and as individuals it is always a challenge to meet our fears, recognize them as such, decide if we can (or even SHOULD) overcome them, and choose.

Yes?

No?

The key is to remember it's our choice. And our choice may help us grow or stagnate. 

Fight or flight.

From now on, I intend to choose butterflies in my stomach as often as possible. No idea if this will truly help me grow as a writer (and person). It's possible those butterflies will give me a serious case of indigestion. I suspect, though, my writing will be infinitely more interesting with a few butterflies flitting about. Seriously.

Maybe?

Maybe not.

Yes or no, I'm willing to give fear (and butterflies) a chance.

#MotivationMonday #amwriting #WIP #WritingCommunity #writer #writingtip #SCBWI

It started with a LinkedIn connection and questionable, late-night text.

I'll back up a bit.

I was a reporter for a suburban Pittsburgh community newspaper. The publisher/editor, a sweet but salty woman named Georgia, was the 70-something daughter of the original owner. Paid at a weekly rate, I was supposed to work about 15-20 hours covering three school districts, local government, arts/entertainment, etc.

I often worked a lot more, because Georgia was awesome. She was committed to the community and her father's legacy, Penn Franklin News Publishing Company. Often seen on the football sidelines with her camera, she put in crazy long hours getting her hands dirty, writing her own stories, editing mine, and generally being the paper's face. Georgia was professional, kind, and recognized my 100% effort to help her put out a quality paper. She never devalued my time or worth as a writer. I was part of her team. Although she couldn't pay as much as she probably wanted to, Georgia's paychecks were on time ... her praise always generous. I often wrote well over my allotted 20 hours a week, for no additional coin, because she made me care about her business, and community, as much as she did.

Flash forward.

Recently, I moved and gave up my job with Georgia. Finding another small town newspaper to call my professional home made sense, so I updated my LinkedIn profile and connected with "Richard," one of several local publishers in my new area.

Through the locals, I'd heard some flattering and not so flattering (red flag) things about Richard. Still, I figured I'd give him a chance. I was pleased when he almost immediately sought me out, via a LinkedIn message, asking to meet. We exchanged information. I gave him my email address and cell number.

Then things got weird.

He quickly requested to become my Facebook friend, sending me an instant message wave (red flag). That Saturday night, after 11:00 p.m., I was woken by a text message on my cell. "Hey," said my new friend Dick (blazing red flag).

I ignored the message, hoping he had pressed the wrong contact number. On Sunday, Richard messaged me, asking what I was doing (red flag). What does one say to that? I again ignored him and discussed this with my husband, wondering if I'd somehow sent the wrong vibe. Richard's communications were just odd/vague enough to make me question ... a lot.

On Monday morning, I sent him a LinkedIn message indicating I'd be happy to meet to discuss my writing between 9 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday. I should have dropped Richard at this point. But I'm ever the optimist and perhaps a wee bit naive.

I emailed him some writing samples.

Not long after, Richard invited me in for a real meeting, in a real office at a real desk during real business hours. He presented me with a real business card. We discussed my real skills. It seemed I was a good fit for the real needs of his real company.

I was real(ly) relieved. The meeting righted the ship, putting this new LinkedIn connection back on a more professional footing.

Richard's editor, a grizzled reporter with tons of experience, contacted me about my first project ... two 500-word articles. Months before, Richard had asked what I'd charge for a 300-word article. When I emailed my invoice for the 500-word articles, the rate reflected the longer length. Being generous, I added only one extra hour to each project.

My invoice was due 30 days from receipt. 30 days came and went (red flag). I sent Richard a reminder. 60 days. No payment. No communication (red flag, red flag).

I was eventually told Richard wasn't thrilled with my rates (red flag), something he'd never bothered to discuss with me. Oddly, I was asked to meet about additional work. At the office, I made it clear I'd not discuss anything new until Richard dealt with the old. And I'd need something in writing for any future projects ... assurances, shall we say, that we were all on the same page about rates AND I'd get paid in a timely manner going forward.

There was much apologizing. Richard scurried off to get me a check.

I was to work just a few hours a week, Girl Friday to the grizzled reporter turned editor. A kind man. A professional. He reminded me of Georgia. From what I could tell, he worked harder than most anyone else in the room. He said he liked my writing, and I liked him.

Respected him.

I typically work for people I respect.

And for people who respect me.

But I'd need something in writing, I told Richard. I again gave him my rate sheet, and told him to come up with something he felt was fair. Richard sent me a boilerplate contract, with my lowest acceptable rate. My attorney husband took a look and made a few adjustments. I sent it back, approving the rate and asking Richard if he had any concerns. Richard said he'd print it, and we could sign when I started the next week.

Week one, no contract (red flag). Richard said he'd get on it. I was a ghost in the office, only really acknowledged by the editor sitting across from me (red flag). I did my work and tried to ignore the shouting coming from the adjoining office, as an employee yelled at a disgruntled subscriber who had repeatedly requested the paper stop delivery (red flag).

Week two, I brought in my own copy of the contract. I handed it to Richard, my signature already on it. He abruptly left the room and dumped it on the manager's desk, visible from my office. He chuckled, his laughter ricocheting like gunshot through the cubicles. He told the manager to look over my contract and write in the margins as needed. He said it was just his luck his "new writer has an attorney for a husband" (ginormous red flag).

Week three, no contract. Richard unavailable. Manager said nothing (red flag, red flag, red flag). I presented accounting with my first invoice. I emailed Richard a copy.

Week four, I emailed Richard, asking if there was anything wrong with the final contract. No response (red flag). I showed up to work. Still no contract (red flag). Richard didn't make an appearance (red flag). Manager said nothing (red flag).

Week five, I sent my resignation letter, effective immediately. I included an invoice for my final hours. Richard immediately sent an apology email. Asked me to reconsider. What if he put the signed contract on my desk tomorrow?

Really?

I sure miss Georgia. She was a great boss. A kind boss. A true professional.

After (too many red flags to count).

Richard's office left a message. The check for my first invoice had been "returned to sender." I'd have to come pick it up. I called back. They had mailed it to a non-existent address ... not remotely close to my address clearly printed on the bottom of my invoice.

I was told they were waiting for my W-2 form. Interesting. More likely, they needed my W-9. No one had given me any form during my month of work. The form was supposed to have come from the manager. Perhaps he was still busy looking at my contract?

The woman had no record of the final invoice I sent to Richard with my resignation.

Really? REALLY?!? Get real.

I gave the woman the invoice specifics. I also told her she was welcome to send me any form she'd like via email as a PDF. I'd get back to her with a signed copy just as quickly as they got back to me with a signed contract.

Even sooner.

Possibly later.

Freelance writers, beware:

• Toxic clients are NOT worth the frustration.
• Don't allow someone to disrespect you as a professional.
• How a client treats his clients reflects how he will treat you.
• Your time and talents have a value. Know it. Stand firm.
• Be willing to lower your rate for a good client you know you'll enjoy working with. They will appreciate your flexibility and likely hire you again and again.
• Don't let a toxic client talk you into lowering your rate, just because you need the writing samples. They may ask you to work again ... or they may not. These bargain shoppers may not be as loyal to you as you are to them. If you allow them to treat you like the deal of the day, they will ... until they find a better deal.
• Protect yourself. Try to get it in writing.
• Know when to cut your losses and run.
• Trust your gut. Don't ignore the red flags.
• Go find a Georgia ... not a Dick.

REALLY!

#freelance #writing #WritingCommunity #WritingTip

I didn't realize the term procrastiwriter was a thing.

I thought myself very clever when the word popped into my head this morning, my first day back to work after a two-week beach vacation. My little bloggy light bulb, dim for many weeks now, burst into magnificent brilliance. Bam, I thought, I'll do a blog about writing procrastination ... something I struggle with every year, right about this time when I'm packing my bags for somewhere relaxing.

Alas, when I googled procrastiwriter (while putting off actually writing the blog post) it was already in the urban dictionary. I didn't come up with anything original. I guess there are plenty of us.


Anywhoooo ... back to my beach vacation. Summer is about sun and surf and swimming. During vaca season it can be harder than ever to commit to writing every day. The three weeks leading up to my beach trip were spent scrambling to complete several freelance projects, including a walking tour script for a new tourism business, Walk Erie Tours, in the Marblehead/Port Clinton, Ohio area of Lake Erie. My brain was filled with historical data and lighthouses and interesting characters from our past. Along with my sunglasses, I packed my final edits for the script, which I did turn in within a couple days of my beach arrival. Good for me! I'm proud to say I never procrastinate when my writing includes a paycheck.

On the other hand ...

In addition to an obscene number of swimsuits, I ALSO packed the second draft of my current women's fiction work-in-progress, "Charlotte's Choice." Ambitious, I know. I had the perfect excuse for putting off another edit. I was on vacation. There were sandcastles to sculpt. Tan lines to cultivate. Cocktails to drink. Sunsets to enjoy. My brain, I told myself, needed a break. A chance to re-charge.

I could have left the manuscript at home but didn't want my personal writing to come to a complete standstill. I was in the zone in May, you see, tweaking my plot and trying to get my most recent draft revised so my husband Mike, always my most loyal fiction beta reader, could experience "Charlotte's Choice" for the first time. I envisioned me completing an almost clean draft, printing it (yes, I packed my small inkjet printer and a ream of paper), and presenting it to my hubby in a 3-ring binder (yes, I packed that, too). I pictured him reading it by the pool, so engrossed by his first exposure to my twisty plot and quirky characters that the cool depths of watery goodness would go un-rippled.

Honestly? That would have taken a miracle.

Procrastiwriters, listen up ... this is what happened instead.

I didn't touch my manuscript for more than an hour or two in the first week.

BUT ...

- I read a women's fiction novel with a similar style to my own writing.

- I finally breezed through about half a dozen back issues of Writer's Digest and The Writer magazines I'd received in recent months. Granted, they got a little soggy. I did most of my reading in the hot tub.

- Enjoying some ocean breezes from a deck chair, I critiqued several fiction pieces for members of my monthly critique group. Reading their work always gives me ideas on how I can improve my own writing. Doing this on vacation allowed me to absorb their submissions more fully and provide them with a thoughtful critique. I had nothing else on my usually full calendar to take priority.

- I read back through comments I'd received from those same critique partners, over the course of several months. I'm usually so busy, I don't always grasp the little details or intent of what my partners say during our monthly sessions. SOMETIMES I don't even agree with them in that moment. By stepping away and coming back to those comments, weeks later, their valuable input is clearer to me. Doing this on vacation allowed me to absorb their comments, digest them, analyze them, and better decide what suggestions I wish to implement in my manuscript.

- I pulled out my story board, with a title and description of each chapter, and spent some quality time re-arranging the order of my chapters, so when I was ready to commit to another manuscript edit I'd be better prepared to tell the story in the best possible way.

- While digging my toes into the sand, I watched my "characters" pass by in the form of a tall, young woman looking for seashells, a sun-burned dad playing catch with his son, a young couple on the next towel over, clearly in the early stages of their relationship.

Week two of my beach vacation ...

I was so re-charged and ready to get back to work on my manuscript, I got up early one morning and dived right in. I spent an entire rainy day re-reading the first 100 pages of "Charlotte's Choice." I made changes as I went ... shuffling the order of my chapters, honing my characters' voices, implementing changes my critique partners had suggested (only the ones I truly agreed with, mind you).

I may be a procrastiwriter, but sometimes it's during the procrastination stage that I actually ... subconsciously ... get a heck of a lot done. As a result, my rainy day edits were some of the easiest, clearest edits I've ever done to a manuscript. My ideas had solidified during my brain break. Intentional or not, my summer vaca became my writing friend instead of stalling my writing progress.

I feel invigorated. Excited. Determined. I'm back in my little office, typing away at my bloggy blog about writing procrastination (perhaps avoiding editing the other 200 pages of "Charlotte's Choice" still remaining?)

This morning I also organized a kitchen drawer. I'm pretty sure one of my characters loves to cook.

This is research, my fellow procrastiwriters. Research. ;)

#amediting #amwriting #WIP #writingblog #blog #fiction #procrastination #procrastiwriter

I haven't been to a writing retreat for many years, but I highly recommend the experience. Typically held over a weekend and with a much smaller number of attendees than a writing conference, the retreat atmosphere lends itself very well to getting to know your fellow writers (and their writing) on a much more personal level. It can also provide a more intimate, focused critique opportunity, as most retreats provide critique sessions and/or "down time" to create your own sessions in a cozy corner with other writers.

Lakeside, OH—near and dear to my heart and the Lake Erie setting for my current work-in-progress NaNoWriMo 2019 project "Charlotte's Choice"—is just about the most beautiful location I can think of for a writing retreat. I have debated coordinating one of my own retreats in this quaint, step-back-in-time Chautauqua community, which sports cottages of climbing ivy, a sailing club, shuffleboard courts, and a stretch of waterfront dubbed the "most beautiful mile." Until I get my act together, I would be remiss to not blog about the upcoming Word Lovers Retreat, May 31 - June 2, to be held at the Idlewyld Bed and Breakfast.

WORD LOVERS RETREAT—LAKESIDE, OH

Claudia J. Taller, coordinator of Igniting Possibilities, stages the 23rd Word Lovers Retreat at Lakeside, OH. Held May 31 - June 2, at Idlewyld Bed and Breakfast, the event welcomes two Columbus writers, Trudy Brandenburg and Sandra Gurvis, as presenters. According to Taller, Trudy created the successful Emma Haines Kayak Mystery Series, teaches writing classes, and writes for magazines and newspapers. Sandra Gurvis is the author of sixteen commercially published books and hundreds of magazine articles. Her titles include Day Trips From Columbus, 3rd ed.; Ohio Curiosities, 2nd ed.; Careers For Nonconformists, which was a selection of the Quality Paperback Book Club; and America’s Strangest Museums.

Weekend Lineup

(per Taller's website)
Creating Fictional Characters: In this fun and interactive class led by Trudy, you’ll use a simple magazine picture to create your fictional character. This easy technique helps keep your characters true to themselves. You’ll craft a bio, complete with background, personality traits, and unique quirks that will bring your character to life. You’ll leave this class with a useful writing tool and the zeal to write! No writing experience necessary.

Bird Walk: From her kayak and on walks, Trudy’s an expert at hearing and seeing birds. Lakeside is on the Lake Erie migratory route, and attendees will take advantage of her expertise and love of birds on a walk around Lakeside.

Turning Personal Experiences into Viable Prose: “Everything is material,” or so the saying goes. But how can you turn life experiences into salable writing that readers can enjoy and relate to? This workshop with Sandra will focus on using anecdotes, memories, and observations to craft salable stories as well as how to distance yourself to avoid losing perspective and to protect yourself legally as well as the privacy of others.

Inventing (and Re-Inventing) Yourself as a Writer: No matter how many years you’ve been at it, writing is a continual process of discovery. Aimed at both novice and experienced writers, this workshop with Sandra helps explore the many ways you can use your skills and experiences to boost your career. Participants will get a chance to evaluate their present and future aspirations, along with finding new ways to earn income as a freelancer.

Critique Session: In small groups, participants will discuss what works and what doesn’t work in participant's work.

Open Microphone: With wine in hand, attendees will be entertained by fellow writers.

Registration

For cost and additional information, visit the Word Lovers page on Taller's website, www.claudiajtaller.com. To register, send an email to Claudia.taller@yahoo.com. 

#writer #amwriting #WIP #SCBWI #writingtip #writingretreat #Lakeside

The resources available to those of us clicking away at the keyboard, as we write the next great American novel, are, frankly, a little overwhelming. A writer could spend a month of Sundays exploring writing websites (some more reputable than others). I'm grateful Writer's Digest magazine does the legwork for me and puts out an annual spring issue featuring "101 Best Websites for Writers," which I lap up like a thirsty dog every year. There are websites that offer support, that provide information, that challenge us to push our limits, and so on.

Of the Writer's Digest offerings, below are my favorite baker's dozen of new finds I'll personally be utilizing a lot in 2019.

1. blog.NathanBransford.com - Previously a literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd., writer Nathan Bransford provides tons of free advice on everything from getting an agent to self-publishing.

2. FightWrite.net - If you're a true crime/mystery/thriller writer, or the like, this website is seriously helpful. With hands-on information provided by paramedics, a Justice of the Peace, coroners, gunshot victims, etc., the website gets down to the specifics — the blood, guts, and gore — of crime scenes and weaponry. It may be just what a writer needs to make that murder scene more realistic.

3. LanguageIsAVirus.com - Great for fiction writers and poets, this site provides writing prompts, games, and other writing exercises to get those creative juices flowing. Excellent resource for Language Arts educators.

4. CareerAuthors.com - "write. sell. repeat." is the tagline for this resource for writers wishing to make a career of words on the page. There are helpful tabs about specific genres, marketing, craft, publishing, etc. I find the Young Adult tab particularly useful.

5. Aliventures.com - Ali Luke's blog posts are for all writers and specifically hone in on both novelists and freelancers. With lots to look at for free, she also offers purchasable online/self-study courses.

6. Well-Storied.com - Kristen Kieffer, author of fantasy fiction and creative writing resources, offers a wealth of bloggy writing information and even a number of free e-courses on her Well-Storied site (formerly She's Novel). I love that she even includes tips/tricks for using Scrivener, a writing app that takes a bit of a learning curve to master.

7. WriterUnboxed.com - In my opinion, the big draw is the number of industry professionals and published authors who offer advice, posts, etc. An "UnConference" is also sponsored through this site, and the WriterUnboxed Facebook page is self-promotion free, so it's a very uncluttered writing community resource.

8. AAROnline.org - Association of Author's Representatives, Inc. - Provides a database for writers looking for an agent who represents what they write. Agents who are members of this professional group must meet high standards and follow a canon of ethics. The site is very easy to use, allowing searches based on name, genre, etc.

9. JetReidLiterary.blogspot.com - Literary Agent Janet Reid, the Query Shark, will chew up your manuscript query and spit it out ... all while giving great advice on the query process. Soooo many good things about this site. Personally, I go straight to the query pitfalls section and Query Letter FAQs.

10. BehindTheName.com - spend hours researching names for your characters/places. Offers a cool lesson on literal meaning, history, etc.

11. Archive.org - The Internet Archive is like a mashup of Wikipedia and Pinterest. Plug in any topic and a slew of pictures and articles pop up. This is a great resource for anyone who needs to travel back in time to a different era so that story set in the 60s-70s really rocks those go-go boots with realistic details.

12. SwoonReads.com - Macmillan Children's Publishing Group provides an opportunity to upload a young adult novel manuscript and have the readers decide what grabs their attention enough to publish. Writers wanting a chance for reader feedback and shares ... this could be the ticket.

13. TheFreelancersYear.com - Freelance writer Lindy Alexander blogs about everything freelance, including travel writing, corporate writing, writing about writing, etc. Being a freelance writer myself, I expect this will become one of my favorite go-to sites for inspirations in 2019.

Hope these websites help! Now, go explore ...

#lindyalexander #macmillan #queryshark #janetreid #kristenkieffer #writerunboxed #aliluke #nathanbransford #amwriting #amquerying #writertip #WednesdayWisdom #WednesdayWriter

As writers, how do we find our people?

Writing is often a singular existence. It's just me and my computer, most of the time. Although I've been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for many years, connecting with my peers beyond an annual writing conference and my intimate monthly critique group wasn't something I thought much about prior to January 2018, when I decided to up my digital game.

Over the years, it's become clear a web presence is almost a requirement, if a writer wants to be taken seriously when querying agents/editors. Though many writers cringe at the idea of using social media (I feel your pain), the Internet is a fabulous source of information and support from other writers.


Want to skip my ramblings? Jump down to "Writing Organizations."

A history lesson

My Facebook account has, for years, allowed me to keep up with high school/college friends and distant relatives, some strung from coast to coast. Prior to 2018, my posts usually centered around my private life. Early on, it didn't dawn on me Facebook could provide writers (me) with a web-based "tree house fort" where minds could meet like minds.

Then came Twitter. I made fun of it when my children, in their teens at the time, started tweeting. My youngest daughter's senior year, I created my @HaasBren account ... with plenty of grumbling. One of my teen's activities required a parent join, as group announcements would be Twitter blasted to the masses. Within minutes, a surprising number of my housewife peers friended me. I laughed ... and promptly tweeted that no one should get too excited. I swore I wouldn't be tweeting. Despite my pronouncement, I ended up with 14 followers. That number didn't budge for over a year, nor did I expect it to. I hopped on Twitter rarely, NEVER tweeted (as I had promised), and never explored what the platform had to offer.

In 2018

I began regularly blogging on my website. I also added a dedicated writing Facebook page (@writerbrendahaas) and started sharing my blog on specific writing Facebook pages. Breaking my promise to never tweet, I dived into posting my blog on Twitter using writing #hashtags. I also added an Instagram account (@writerbrendahaas), which points back to my website.

I noticed a trend. I gained writing friends/followers and new website clicks almost daily.

Fast forward to 2019

Though I'm still not savvy at using Instagram (I find it cumbersome and inconvenient, as it doesn't allow adding a direct link to my blog posts within an Instagram post), I HAVE gone from just 14 Twitter followers in Jan. 2018 to over 1,000 Twitter followers just 14 months later. Modest, I know, but still a big jump for a writer who doesn't tweet more than a couple times a week and hops on Facebook communities only when there's a spare minute in the day. I have met SO many new writing peers and even picked up critique partners, through my social media use.

Below are a list of helpful genre-focused writing organizations, writing Facebook pages, and writing community Twitter/Instagram hashtags. No doubt, there are MANY great ones I don't know about or have neglected to include, but this is a jumping off point for those of you writers looking to use social media to improve your writing and "meet your people."

In a future blog, I will touch on my favorite writing websites of 2019.

Writing Organizations

• Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), for authors and illustrators of children's and young adult books.
 
• Mystery Writers of America (MWA), for published and aspiring mystery/crime writers, associated professionals, and readers of crime fiction.
 
•American Society of Journalists & Authors (ASJA), professional association focused on independent nonfiction writers.

• National Association of Science Writers (NASW), science writers, editors, educators, and students aiming to improve craft and promote good science writing.
 
• Poets & Writers (PW), resource for poets and literary writers ... includes magazine.

• Romance Writers of America (RWA), promoting professional interests of career-focused romance writers, through networking and advocacy.

• Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. (SFWA), for authors, artists, and allied professionals. Group deals with agents, editors, anthologists and producers in non-print media.

• Sisters In Crime, combats discrimination against women in mystery field and promotes professional advancement of women who write mysteries/crime.

• Western Writers of America, Inc. (WWA), organization of freelance writers of Western fiction and nonfiction.

Facebook pages worth checking out
(Barely scratching the surface here. Keep in mind, there are pages for just about any genre of writing)

She Writes
NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month ... and its plethora of subgroups)
Fans of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)
Writers' Group
Writers Helping Writers (and its "beta readers and editors" group)
YA Fiction Writers
How Writers Write Fiction Community Group
Writers Write

Popular Twitter/Instagram Writing #Hashtags
(# before just about any genre will help you find info & other writers. Examples: #romance #thriller #SciFi)

#WritingCommunity
#WritersLife
#MSWL (manuscript wish list used by agents/editors who post their "wants")
#WIP (work-in-progress)
#NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
#WriteChat
#AmWriting
#AmEditing
#AmQuerying
#AmRevising
#SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)
#WritingTip
#WriteTip
#PubTip
#AskAgent (if you have a question, you may get lucky and an agent will answer)
#AskAuthor
#AskEditor
#IndieAuthors (for independent authors)
#ASMSG (Authors Social Media Support Group)
#SelfPub (for/about self publishing)
#WriterWednesday
#WritersBlock
#WritingPrompt

NOTE - the following are particularly popular on Instagram, but many #hashtags are interchangeable between Twitter and Instagram.

#writersofinstagram
#wordporn
#writingparty
#writingsprint
#write
#writingblitz
#wordgasm
#writersnetwork

Good luck, my writing friends. Hope this helps. Maybe we'll chat on Writers Helping Writers!

Artwork by Michelle Haas, https://www.instagram.com/mhaas_art/

My daughters, now 20 and 22, used to love watching cartoons when they were young. Often, Kim Possible would end up on the screen. The titian-haired teen crime fighter with the bare mid-drift, and her naked-mole-rat-loving sidekick Ron, cared a lot about everyone and everything.

Kim and Ron had hope enough for hundreds.

Writing for the young adult market can be tricky, particularly if you're well beyond having that youthful optimism—that blossom of hope all teenagers have at the core of their being.

Yes, I said hope. If you're a parent with a couple of teenagers in the house, I apologize if coffee just spewed out your nose. Cough it out, dear. You'll get past it.

Despite what you may think, I am NOT crazy for believing teenagers have hope. I turn 50 on Wednesday, but I remember. When I was a teen, I cared about EVERYTHING. I usually tried to act like I didn't care about anything, but I cared. Almost as much as Kim and Ron.

Hope. Hope. Hope.

As a writer of young adult fiction, I do find myself writing grittier for today's readers. Death and sex and drugs and alcohol are no longer entirely taboo. Still, no matter how saucy or dark or dire the subject matter becomes, I strive to write with hope at the heart—the core—of my YA story.

But what's hopeful about teenagers? Aren't they angsty? Don't they get upset about everything? Aren't they prone to moodiness and indulge in end-of-the-world syndrome when they get a hangnail?

Perhaps. Some. But even those stereotypical teens who are angsty and upset and moody have hope. The best tip I can offer writers of young adult fiction is to remember that teenagers who see the world as conspiring against them HOPE there is something better just around the corner.

I may be turning 50, but I remember.

I hoped I'd get a prom date (I did, but my boyfriend broke up with me two weeks before the big day). I hoped I'd get a pony (I did, but he was a mean little thing and bit me). I hoped I'd get a lead in the school musical (I did, but I flubbed a song when the cute piano player in the pit smiled at me). I hoped the popular girls would accept me and stop making fun of my prominent nose (They did not. The pretty, little bullies called me Beaker).

I remember being very angsty and upset and moody. If Hal gets a zit on his lip and the entire football team dubs him Herpes Hal, it's a big deal. These are life-changing, world-crushing problems for a 16-year-old.

Fortunately, I grew up and got over my seemingly minor life-changers. At the time, though, I was convinced everyone was conspiring against me. Secretly, I HOPED for better. Any day that didn't end in tears was a day of hope. One good day could lead to two good days, then three days, then four days strung together to make a good week.

We've all been there.

A YA writer must connect with teenage readers by stepping back in time to their own days of being angsty and upset and moody. Just like Kim and Ron and teenagers across the globe, we writers must have hope.

Lots and lots of hope.

###

Artwork by Michelle Haas.

#YAFiction #YAWriter #amwriting #WIP #fiction #SCBWI #WritingCommunity #MotivationMonday #WednesdayWisdom

For some, it is all about perseverance. Being your "personal best"—whether a writer, a dog walker, or an accountant—is about the choices you make and the ability to push through adversity.

Today's blog isn't about how to use "they're" or "their" or "there." It has nothing to do with setting or plot twists. It doesn't even have much to do with ability (or lack thereof).

It does have bunches to do with character, though.

I'm not talking, "Sally's raven hair whipped about her face, the scar at her temple a shadow of her past" character.

I'm talking about personal character—STRENGTH of character—the type of character in one of my favorite childhood stories, "The Little Engine That Could," by Watty Piper.
 
We'll call my writing critique buddy, Laurel Houck, The Little Writer That Could. She's not only little (cute as a button, really, and feisty as they come), but just about the most determined writer I know.

“I once had an agent tell me, ‘You’re persistent. I’ll give you that.’ It wasn’t meant as a compliment. But it has proven to be true,” says Laurel.
 
Laurel is talented. REALLY, really talented. I've been listening to her stories for years, always just a little envious of how effortlessly her writing seems to leap off the page. As a critique partner, it has been hard for me to find something, anything, to improve upon. Instead, I get so lost in her words that I forget to take notes. But, effortless as her writing seems, I know just how hard she works at it. She puts in the time. An incredibly prolific writer, over the years she's produced a historical YA mystery set in a graveyard, a snarky middle grade, beautifully lyrical picture books, a heart-wrenching story set in a Nazi concentration camp, an epic YA trilogy, and so much more. ALL of it ... great stuff.
 
It wasn’t easy for her to get here, but I am thrilled to see Laurel's first ghostly, romantic, angst-filled YA, "The Girl With Chameleon Eyes," now available for public consumption.
 
About the book:
Summer is “The Girl With Chameleon Eyes.” She knows that she’s a ghost, and that something in her past has prevented her eternal rest. But what she did and how to expiate that guilt is a mystery—one that must be solved by her seventeenth birthday or she will roam forever. Kota, unhappy and at odds with everyone, feels an instant attraction to Summer. She recoils at the mere sight of him. Yet they are drawn together in a dance of mutual need, choreographed by the ages. When both of their lives begin to unravel and intertwine, will love be enough to save them? Or will evil consume them both?

For Laurel, getting a novel published has been years in the making. Often, even the most talented of writers must face unexpected obstacles. The ins and outs, the ups and downs, of Laurel’s personal writing journey are not for the faint of heart.
 
“My first sale to a major publishing house, a YA trilogy, made me swoon,” says Laurel, who saw her dream turn south when the parent company overspent on a well-known author’s latest book. “We unknowns were cancelled because they needed to save money.”
 
Laurel’s next sale, again to a major house, was a co-authored MG series. When edits were almost complete on book one, the editor decided to remove Laurel from the project and retain the other author. Laurel’s partner, also a member of our writing group, refused. The two writers (both equally talented) sold it to another big house.
 
“Same scenario, except this time they wanted him off the project,” says Laurel, who also refused to leave her partner in the dust. The series has never found a new home.
 
Over many years of putting her work out there, Laurel has had the ubiquitous rejection letters and the increasingly popular no response at all. She has been agented and un-agented. She’s experienced hate tweets on what some considered non-PC subject matter. There have been promises made and broken and even a fellow writer who tore her work apart in front of an editor at a writing retreat.
 
“A rare occurrence,” says Laurel, “but there you have it.”
 
And yet, through it all, here she is. Still writing. Still doing her thing. Still putting out wonderfully crafted stories like, “The Girl With Chameleon Eyes.”
 
She is grateful to Melissa Keir at Inkspell Publishing for this opportunity. And for the many friends and family who have believed in her and been supportive since the beginning of the journey.
 
Every writer has a different idea of what his or her personal best can be. Anyone who wants to see success at the end of the journey may have some uphill battles to get there. And the downhill plummet from the top may not be as easy-breezy as one would expect. The key is to put in the time, work your way up that hill, and take the plunge. If it is something you feel committed to, persevere.

“I’ve had no special knowledge or thoughts that someday I would certainly be published. But for whatever reason, I simply kept on keeping on,” says Laurel.
 
Indeed.
 
Be Laurel. Be that Little Writer That Could.

Congrats, my friend.
 
Laurel has been writing since the age of six when Crawls the Caterpillar inched across her wide-lined yellow notebook paper. She has published magazine articles in Skipping Stones, Westsylvania Magazine, The Tribune Review, The Loyalhanna Review, and SEAPC magazine. Blog posts have appeared on All the Way YA and at seapc.org. In addition to The Girl with Chameleon Eyes, Inkspell will publish her next YA novel in March of 2020. She lives in the Pittsburgh suburbs with her husband and their fur baby, Mable. And she’s the world’s biggest fan of chocolate milkshakes.
 
Website:       laurelhouckpages.com
Facebook:     Laurel Houck
Twitter:        @laurelhouck
Instagram:   laurelscottage

Amazon link to order The Girl With Chameleon Eyes.

#MondayMotivation #WednesdayWisdom #SCBWI #WIP #YA #amwriting #amediting #writerslife #amquerying