Dear Rocky...

Writing is hard. Getting published is a challenge. And after you’re published? Unfortunately, the rocky road often continues.

Being a writer takes determination, endurance, a good helmet, and a wee bit of support from colleagues, family, and friends. Okay, make that a lot of support, and with the publishing industry in constant flux, it’s hard to keep up. Sure, there are countless chats and loops and blogs, but sometimes there’s a certain comfort in posting a question without your name popping up for the entire world to see. Or you might not have a specific question, but instead yearn for the opportunity to share tales of your writing travails.

This is why we added “Dear Rocky” to our Chiseled in Rock line-up.

Think “Dear Abby” for writers, where you can ask questions, share lessons learned, receive a pat on the back, or suggest topics for future blogs. If "Rocky" or other members of our Chiseled staff are unable to answer to your questions, we’ll ask some of our friends in the publishing industry to share a few words of wisdom.

Rest assured, if your question or tale is posted, your name will be changed.

We invite you to email your tales, questions, or suggested topics to:

We look forward to hearing from you!

Rocky

Dear Rocky: Beware of Flying Body Parts!

Dear Rocky,

I was studying a blog on deep editing and this made me laugh out loud, so I thought I would share.

Beware of flying body parts!

No: Her eyes flew across the room.

Yes: Her gaze flew across the room.

Regards, Parts is Parts


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Dear Parts is Parts,

Ha!  You've reminded me of my first manuscript draft.  I believe I had eyes crawling around a dungeon.  Eew.  Oh, the things we learn!

Thank you for an excellent and funny reminder.
Rocky


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We invite you to email questions, share your writing tales and travails, or suggest blog topics to:

The Dear Rocky column is published on the last Monday of the month.

Dear Rocky: The Flashback Kid

Dear Rocky,

Most of the members of my critique group continue to tell me to “kill the flashbacks.” (Yes, they say it in a much nicer fashion than that.)

I LOVE my flashbacks and I think they move the story forward. I want to keep them in my manuscript but I’ve grown weary of this oft repeated criticism.

Thoughts?

The Flashback Kid

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Dear Flashback Kid,

This is interesting on several levels.

First, the general “rule” is to avoid flashbacks and back story as much as possible. Less is more so that the current action moves the story forward. Pacing can be killed by flashbacks. Of course, rules are made to be broken if you do it really well.

Second, critique is subjective. It sounds as if you’re listening to your critique partners and then deciding whether to accept and utilize their comments, which is as it should be. However, if you’ve been in critique for a length of time and “killing the flashbacks” is such a regular comment, it might be helpful to sit back and be slightly more analytical.

Perhaps you could take fifty pages of your current manuscript and highlight each flashback. That would provide a visual of how often you’re using them and possibly an illustration of why your critique partners continue to make this comment. Can you then drill down the importance of your very first flashback into a sentence or two, and insert that into dialogue or your character’s thoughts? Then read the original version and the edited version aloud. You might love the new pacing!

It’s hard to kill our darlings and your darling flashbacks are no exception. It’s up to you to decide what’s best for your writing and manuscript, but I’ve always found my critique partners to be an invaluable part of the writing process.  I don't accept and use every one of their comments, but I always take their comments seriously.

Best of luck and thank you for writing!

Rocky

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We invite you to email questions, share your writing tales and travails, or suggest blog topics to:

The Dear Rocky column is published on the last Monday of the month.

 

Dear Rocky...

Writing is hard. Getting published is a challenge. And after you’re published? Unfortunately, the rocky road often continues.

Being a writer takes determination, endurance, a good helmet, and a wee bit of support from colleagues, family, and friends. Okay, make that a lot of support, and with the publishing industry in constant flux, it’s hard to keep up. Sure, there are countless chats and loops and blogs, but sometimes there’s a certain comfort in posting a question without your name popping up for the entire world to see. Or you might not have a specific question, but instead yearn for the opportunity to share tales of your writing travails.

This is why we added “Dear Rocky” to our Chiseled in Rock line-up.

Think “Dear Abby” for writers, where you can ask questions, share lessons learned, receive a pat on the back, or suggest topics for future blogs. If "Rocky" or other members of our Chiseled staff are unable to answer to your questions, we’ll ask some of our friends in the publishing industry to share a few words of wisdom.

Rest assured, if your question or tale is posted, your name will be changed.

We invite you to email questions, tales, or suggested topics to:

The “Dear Rocky” column will appear on the last Monday of every month.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Dear Rocky: The thought of public speaking terrifies me

Dear Rocky,

I'm a writer. I enjoy being alone with my stories. And I'm delighted to report that my my first book will be released in about eight months. All good, right? Wrong!

I listen in awe to so many authors speaking in public, whether at conferences or book signings, and I yearn to emulate them. Comfortable, casual, knowledgeable, best selling (Ha!) - all that and more. But, and believe me, it's a BIG but, the thought of public speaking terrifies me.

When I became serious about writing the need to speak in public never crossed my mind. Now what do I do?

Trembling

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Dear Trembling:

First, congratulations on your book sale! Well done!

But to the point of your letter. You're not alone in your fear. Public speaking terrifies many folks, especially those who're shy or reclusive, such as writers.

Early in my “day job” I tackled my fear of public speaking head on, and while I still get hit with a case of dry mouth before an event, my heart no longer tries to climb out of my chest.

A number of lessons learned have stayed with me from the Dale Carnegie classes I attended, the primary one being practice, practice, practice. If you're giving a speech or even a brief presentation, beforehand, retreat to some silent haven to practice your speech out loud. Over and over again. The point isn’t to memorize what you’ll be saying, but rather to wrap your lips and tongue around the words and concepts so you know your material and don’t have to read your speech, which is boring to an audience.

Speaking of your audience, remember, they're on your side. They want you to succeed.

You’ll also find that the more often you speak in front of a group, the easier it becomes.  So before your big solo events are scheduled, you might want to consider speaking on several panels, so that the focus isn't entirely on you.  Or offer to speak at a school, where you might be more at ease.  Again, practice, practice, practice.

Since you're looking forward to book signings and accepting writing awards for many years to come (I hope!), you might want to consider a class on public speaking. Two options are Dale Carnegie and Toastmasters, though there are many other choices.

Best regards,
Rocky

Dear Rocky: No More Whining

Dear Rocky,

Months ago I was whining about how I couldn’t find enough time to write, and a friend, who is really organized, said I should keep track of what I do all day for a couple of days – minute by minute – and that she’d help me set up a schedule. She nagged me every time I complained (we’re good friends, really!), and so I finally did it. For three days.

OMG! I spent at least two hours fooling around on social networking every morning, just chatting or looking at photos and videos. I couldn’t believe it.  Not to mention the time I spent in the afternoon.

So I promised myself and my friend that from now on, before I do any surfing, I have to write at least one page. And it’s WORKING! I’m really making progress on my book! And I’m still having fun on the net.

I know this is pretty basic, but I wanted to share in case it might help someone else stop and think.

No More Whining

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Dear No More Whining,

Thank you for sharing an excellent lesson learned.

This is a timely reminder for us all!

Rocky





We invite you to email questions, share your writing tales and travails, or suggest blog topics to:

The Dear Rocky column is published on the last Monday of the month.

Dear Rocky: Absolutely Crushed

Dear Rocky,

I’m absolutely crushed and I just want to share. 

Last year I finished polishing my fifth YA manuscript (a previous contest finalist!), and in February an editor requested a full.  Elated doesn’t even begin to encompass my joy at sending her the manuscript. 

In April she let me know how much she liked my voice, but she saw a few areas in the pacing and plot that could be improved.  She told me that she would take a second look at the book if I wanted to make those changes, but that it was just her opinion and that others might like the book as written.

Did I want to make the changes?!  Yes!  I’ve been trying to sell a book for years!

It took me about four weeks to finish the edits and once again, off went my hopes and dreams.

I recently heard from her, and while she was very kind, I was absolutely crushed.  She’s accepted a job with another publisher where she’ll only acquire and edit non-fiction.  No offer to forward my book to another editor at her old house.  No comments on my changes.  Nothing.

Writing this was painful, and while I know there’s really nothing to be done, I thought sharing my tale of woe might make me feel better.  I think it did.  Thanks for listening.

Absolutely Crushed

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Dear Absolutely,

I feel your pain.  Truly.

But I also feel the need to put on my “positive-spin” hat and encourage you to get multiple queries out the door as soon as possible.  That way, you’ll once again be filled with hope, which might help offset your crushed emotions.

The editor liked your voice and thought your book deserved consideration.  Remind yourself of that.  Often!  And get those queries out the door so another editor or an agent has the opportunity to enjoy your voice.

CIR recently interviewed Debra Dixon, Editor at BelleBooks and Belle Bridge Books, and when asked what she would like to see more of, Debra said, “Amazing voices.  That answer makes writers want to stab themselves, but we are looking for strong voices.” 

They are looking for strong voices, as is every editor.  Your voice, perhaps.

Thank you for sharing your tale.  Hopefully, someday soon, we’ll receive a joyful, follow-up email from you, one that shares your tale of success.  

Best regards,

Rocky

We invite you to email questions, share your writing tales and travails, or suggest blog topics to:

The Dear Rocky column is published on the last Monday of the month.

Dear Rocky: Nearly (Un)done

Dear Rocky,

I am nearing a moment I never thought would arrive: querying agents. I've finally completed multiple drafts of the novel-I've-incessantly-talked-about-for-years. I've had volunteer readers go over it with permission to shred. I've given it to family members; I've pitched it to complete strangers on subways and beaches. I've even signed up for a pitch appointment with an agent at the upcoming Colorado Gold conference! In other words, I've never made it this far. Not even close. Countless other stories and novels sit in drawers around the house. But this one has gone the distance. And I thought I knew how this moment would feel. I'm supposed to feel excited, exuberant, creatively sated as I lean into a Cheshire-cat smile of completion . . . right?

Um, not so much.

Instead, I'm gripped with terror, angst, sleepless nights! I've even started to resent this novelist dream that has dogged me since the age of six. Meeting with an agent? Facing the prospect that my first novel may go nowhere? That maybe my second will be "the one." Oh, no. Or maybe the third, fourth, fifth? Or maybe none of them! Can I hold on to the joy of writing even if I never sell a word? Or is this writing-thing I've done my whole entire life been one big bark up one big wrong tree?

My question is this: Is this Completion Anxiety common? I've always heard about the fear of beginnings and middles. But ends? Any experience you have to share would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Nearly (Un)done in Boulder

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Dear Nearly (Un)done,

Years ago an agent suggested to me that every writer has to go through an apprenticeship, and that writing the equivalent of a million words wasn’t unusual before achieving that longed-for first sale. Let me further reinforce her theory by mentioning that many of my friends who’ve been published didn’t sell their first manuscript. Or their second. Often not even their fifth. I sold my third but it took years and many revisions. I mention this because it sounds as if you’ve been serving your apprenticeship, though I notice you didn’t mention whether you were in a critique group. In my experience, regular critique by writers who also study the craft of novel-writing provides an in-depth perspective, more so than beta readers.

Now to the real question at hand. Being gripped with terror is not good. Anxious? Yes. Hopeful? Absolutely. But sleepless nights? I’m concerned.

This question of angst and whether it's common leads me back to critique groups. Part of their value is the mutual support that's created by meeting regularly with your peers. You can also experience that feeling of camaraderie at conferences, though a monthly or weekly meeting is far more energizing and might alleviate some of your anxiety while also generating motivation and renewed joy in the actual writing process.

I also suggest you start writing your next book. Get those creative juices flowing so you're enjoying world-building, as opposed to fretting about whether you're this close to landing a contract. Yes, you might capture the attention of an agent or editor at Colorado Gold - a number of writers have done exactly that. I hope you would then stop and have a party, but soon after you will experience the fact that virtually every part of the business side of publication is slow-moving.

Let’s talk about rejection for a minute. I know some amazingly talented writers who’ve thrown in the submittal towel. They’re still writing, but their souls are simply too fragile to handle repeated rejection. So do your research. Make certain you’re increasing your odds by querying agents that represent your genre. Remember, rejection is part of this business and repeated rejection is the norm. While repeated rejections for similar reasons may mean you need to edit your manuscript yet again, rejection often means that your book isn't quite right for that particular agent.

Enjoy the conference. Network. Let your enthusiasm show during your pitch meeting. Remind yourself that you’re progressing on your apprenticeship and that if THIS agent doesn’t want your book that the NEXT ONE might. Hold onto the dream. There are numerous agents and many reputable presses out there. Visit querytracker.net and search for matches, then send out more queries. Persistence is imperative.

Keep writing and improving your craft. Send out even more queries. Attend another conference or workshop. Read, read, read. Keep writing. Join a critique group. Read some more. And keep on writing.

Rocky

We invite you to email questions, share your writing tales and travails, or suggest blog topics to:

The Dear Rocky column is published on the last Monday of the month.

Dear Rocky...

Writing is hard. Getting published is a challenge. And after you’re published? Unfortunately, the rocky road often continues.

Being a writer takes determination, endurance, a good helmet, and a wee bit of support from colleagues, family, and friends. Okay, make that a lot of support, and with the publishing industry in constant flux, it’s hard to keep up. Sure, there are countless chats and loops and blogs, but sometimes there’s a certain comfort in posting a question without your name popping up for the entire world to see. Or you might not have a specific question, but instead yearn for the opportunity to share tales of your writing travails.

This is why we’ve decided to add “Dear Rocky” to our Chiseled in Rock line-up.

Think “Dear Abby” for writers, where you can ask questions, share lessons learned, receive a pat on the back, or suggest topics for future blogs. If "Rocky" or other members of our Chiseled staff are unable to answer to your questions, we’ll ask some of our friends in the publishing industry to share a few words of wisdom.

Rest assured, if your question or tale is posted, your name will be changed.

We invite you to email questions, tales, or suggested topics to:

The “Dear Rocky” column will appear on the last Monday of every month.

We look forward to hearing from you!

by Janet "R" Fogg

Janet Fogg is the author of Soliloquy, an award-winning historical romance, and co-author of the military history bestseller, Fogg in the Cockpit.