Wednesday 18 January 2012

Novelist's Survival Tip and Hello from Margaret River.



Hi all!



I'm actually relaxing in Perth and Margaret River at the moment, but being the super duper organised freak that I am I got all my posts written and scheduled before I flew away - and I'll tell you, it's one long flight from the east coast to the west coast of Australia, over 5 hours. I'll actually be jet lagged when I get back, so I've certainly got my RFWer story written and scheduled for the day after.





But this post is about writing our novel, right? As an avid reader of Writer's Digest, I thought I'd do my take on a  recent article I read in the January 2012 issue.

I'll just bring up one of the 7 tips WD offered:

DON'T TAKE SHORTCUTS

  • Anyone can be published nowadays with the boom in e-books, so now you don't have to bother writing a novel worth reading, right? Wrong! If you think whatever you write is worth publishing, think again. If you write a poorly-written self-published book, you may sell some books the first time round, but no one will come back for more.
  • Don't think of editors as nasty creatures if they reject your manuscript, preventing you from rushing ahead and 'being published'. You can recover from the blow, and learn from rejection and use it as motivation to write better. Sure, we all know rejection hurts, but it's part of the process. 
               - Let it hurt for half and hour then get back to the keyboard.
                      - Learn from the critique if there is one. The publishing industry actually wants new authors.

Here's a couple of quotes - 
"Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go." 

"If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it."

  • Is this the year you're going to find a publisher? It's one of my goals for 2012.







22 comments:

Trisha said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, you're here! I love Margaret River. I'm in Perth (closer to Freo really) but love to get down to the southwest when I can.

Enjoy the wineries :) And how about Margaret River Chocolate Co.?? :)

Michael Di Gesu said...

HOW GORGECIMO.... YOU are a lucky woman. I hope you're having a BLAST!

What a great tip... I couldn't agree more. IT is SOOOOO important to edit, edit, and edit so more. I know I am...

Thanks again for the time you took on BG. I see what you mean in many of your suggestion. Thankfully it is not a MAJOR reconstruction. I can gently modify what needs to be done.


Loved the quotes. If you have a chance drop by, my post is geared toward advice for new writers. I was nominated for the TOP WRITING BLOG award fro College Finder also.

Have a wonderful vaca....

Michael

Sarah Tokeley said...

When I saw the title, I thought you were going to introduce me to someone new. Geography isn't my strong point :-)

That Margaret River, she sure is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, Margaret River looks awesome. Enjoy, enjoy! Loved the quotes. Yes, look for that publisher. Short cuts won't do. (I need to get super organized like you, sis!)
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Editors help us to be better writers!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

So, so true! Editors are there to make us look good, but they need something worth working with first. It's a hard lesson, but worth learning.

I'm so jealous re your trip to Margaret River. I'd love to return there one day, despite the long flight hehehe.

Francine Howarth said...

Hi,

Lovely pic! Doing the vineyard tours! Great way to relax... Amazing how many Aussie vineyards have (employ) snake dogs.

Margaret River, Alice Springs: so what's the story behind MR? Named places usually have a link to someone... ;)

best
F

Francine Howarth said...

Damn, meant to say I always had complimentary letters from editors when I subbed in the old days, and of course one phone call and I was in. But when I fell out of the publishing saddle due to a riding accident, the being published before didn't made it easier to get back in. If anything I think it was tougher. Managed it in the end, but I'm now getting a bigger kick out of Kindle and self-pubbing than I will from being published!!!

Carol Kilgore said...

I'm officially jealous. Margaret River looks totally awesome! Have fun :)

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

First off I am playing tag and you have been tagged by me go to my blog to check out the rules: http://jo-annemotherandnanna.blogspot.com/

Secondly I hope you have a fantastic time in Perth never been there myself but it is one of the many places I would like to visit

J.L. Campbell said...

Good advice,Denise! Wishing you success with your goals.

Denise Covey said...

Hey all! Am having a fabulous time. Spent all day yesterday on a wine, cheese, beer, chocolate and olive oil tour. Amazing!

I'll get back to you when I can but I'm off to the beach today.

Denise

Southpaw said...

Have a great time! Woohoo! And, of course, best of wishes in your publishing endeavor. - But enjoy the beach today!

Nas said...

Awww...wish I was there! Looks awesome! Enjoy your time away Denise!

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Denise
5 hours! I didn't realize it was so far. I think it is 5 hours from the east coast to the west in the US. But really, I have no idea. I don't fly often and I'm 3/4 in the middle.

I agree with this advice. If you want to be around for long you'll pay your dues. What is really scary are the number of people who have rushed into e-publishing and are getting great reviews. I know two of them who asked for my help. I can't understand it unless their readers are very young. Time will tell if they last.

Cheers,
Nancy

Anonymous said...

I hope you're having a great time, and you are organized.

I've learned a lot from rejection. And I'm glad I didn't take any shortcuts, because I was published when I was ready, not when I thought I was ready.

Beth3seven said...

http://laussieswritingblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/midwinter-blogfest-entry-interlude-of.html

This story is my fav! I especially love the photos! EVERYONE should read this one!

Theresa Milstein said...

I hope you're having fun!

Thanks for the advice and the quotes.

Kiru Taye said...

Hi Denise,

Thank you for sharing the great tips. I certainly wish you the very best of luck in getting published. 2012 will be your year!

I noticed your blog was nominated for the eCollege Finder Writing Blog Award. Congratulations! I voted too.

Cheers,
Kiru

Unknown said...

Denise, I have the Murray River on my must-see list. Regarding your novel tips - I hear what you're saying with 'take your time' - it's so easy to rush nowadays, spurred on by all the writers who talk about building a large portfolio of works.

Talli Roland said...

Hope you're having loads of fun and relaxing! I love the quote about not taking short cuts. Very very true.

Elizabeth said...

I would have done the same with my posts. Lol. That is the business teacher in us.

Elizabeth