| guestspeaker |
guess I'm
here
|
| guestspeaker |
so I'll be known as
guest speaker?
|
| guestspeaker |
so will I go by my own
name or gs?
|
| janfields |
Right...and everything
you say will broadcast across all the rooms.
|
| kdkd1965 |
This is a
test
|
| janfields |
Did you see that
post...the this is a test one?
|
| janfields |
Join us today in the
AUDITORIUM-Scheduled Events Room for an "Open Forum" with Web Editor
Jan Fields. I have over 20 years experience in freelance writing and
nearly as much in teaching how to write for freelance markets. I
welcome your questions on any area of writing or publishing, with
today's special topic being: credentials and how to show them. Bring
your QUESTIONS to this open forum—in five minutes.
|
| janfields |
The Afternoon "Open
Forum" will begin shortly. While you wait for the "Open Forum" to
start, feel free to use your ASK A QUESTION button RIGHT BETWEEN THE
YELLOW “MAP” AND THE RED QUESTION MARK IN ICHAT to post some
questions for the discussion group—two minutes from
now.
|
| janfields |
Good afternoon! Welcome
to the "Open Forum" session. I’m your moderator, Jan Fields. This
will be an informal time of answering any questions you might like
to ask on resumes, credits, tearsheets -- any of the weird little
bits guidelines sometimes ask for. So feel free to ask what's on
your mind--and I’ll tell you what’s on mine!
|
| janfields |
Hi Writerfolk, welcome
to today's open forum...
|
| janfields |
I was originally going
to really focus on credentials...
|
| janfields |
but I've gotten
questions on general weirdness that confuses
folks...
|
| janfields |
so we've got a bit of a
mixed bag.
|
| janfields |
I know guidelines can
be very confusing.
|
| janfields |
Especially because
there is no standardization...
|
| janfields |
One publisher wants one
thing, another wants something else...
|
| janfields |
And sometimes two want
the SAME thing but call it by different names...
|
| janfields |
Just to keep things
exciting for us writers peering at it with our secret decoder rings
ready.
|
| janfields |
So...let's talk
weirdness...
|
| janfields |
Mia: What does it mean
to send a manuscript etc. "on spec"? How should this be
formatted?
|
| janfields |
"On spec" just means
"without a promise...
|
| janfields |
When you send a
manuscript "on spec" the editor will read it...
|
| janfields |
but isn't promising to
buy it...
|
| janfields |
unless he/she likes
it.
|
| janfields |
Most unsolicited
submissions are "on spec" automatically -- much as I wish I could
get all editors to promise to buy what I send...
|
| janfields |
But sometimes even in
response to a query...
|
| janfields |
and editor will say,
"Sure, send that piece...I'll look at it 'on spec"
|
| janfields |
Then you get to write
it but you have no promise of a sale...just a very mild
interest.
|
| janfields |
There is nothing
special about the manuscript format of an "on spec"
piece.
|
| janfields |
By the way...manuscript
format isn't an exact science.
|
| janfields |
The keys to manuscript
format are...double spacing for all printed
manuscripts...
|
| janfields |
Or manuscripts sent
electronically as an attachment...
|
| janfields |
Always include you
contact information ON the manuscript -- top of the first
page.
|
| janfields |
I always put mine on
the left...some folks put it on the right.
|
| janfields |
Editors don't care that
much.
|
| janfields |
Always start page
numbering on the second page and put you name on all
pages.
|
| janfields |
It helps when they get
scattered around.
|
| janfields |
DON'T STAPLE...some
editors get positively livid about staples.
|
| janfields |
Make sure you have
plenty of white space...at least one in margins on sides and
bottom...
|
| janfields |
I use an inch and a
half all around.
|
| janfields |
And drop down 1/3 or
1/2 on the first page.
|
| janfields |
You don't have to
measure...just drop down a LOT on the first page and it'll
count.
|
| janfields |
Cover letters are
single spaced.
|
| janfields |
Query letters are
single spaced.
|
| janfields |
Synopsis are single
spaced...(unless guidelines ask for different -- some
do)
|
| janfields |
Outlines are single
spaced
|
| janfields |
Bibliographies are
single spaced.
|
| janfields |
Be sure to put contact
information on all that stuff because it OFTEN wanders off
separately once it reaches an editor's office.
|
| omalizzie |
What is the difference
between synopsis and outline?
|
| janfields |
I find outlines are
asked for only with nonfiction.
|
| janfields |
At least ...that's the
only folks who've asked ME for one.
|
| janfields |
But I am sure someone
somewhere out there asks for them with fiction.
|
| janfields |
Because someone
somewhere asks for all kinds of irritating stuff.
|
| janfields |
An outline for fiction
is written like this...
|
| janfields |
Opening paragraph given
as a whole paragraph.
|
| janfields |
Then double space and
give your first paragraph's subject...some folks use the first
sentence...
|
| janfields |
then under that, hit
all the points in that first subject.
|
| janfields |
You can list the points
with bullets or number or whatever you like that makes them a clear
list.
|
| janfields |
You don't have to use
high school perfect outline format.
|
| janfields |
Then after you've made
your list of points for the first subject, double space and give you
second subject
|
| janfields |
And then list points
under it.
|
| janfields |
Continue until you've
covered the whole article.
|
| janfields |
I usually put my
closing graph at the bottom of the outline.
|
| janfields |
Since editors like to
see that you're closing with a zip.
|
| janfields |
NOW...a
synopsis.
|
| janfields |
This is REALLY REALLY
not an exact science
|
| janfields |
There are as many
different styles as there are stars in the sky...well, not
quite.
|
| janfields |
They are nearly always
written in present tense as though the story is unfolding before the
rsynospsis reader's eyes.
|
| janfields |
The names of the
characters are BOLDED or written in ALL CAPS on first
reference.
|
| janfields |
The synopsis is written
USUALLY in chonological order, even if you book/story is
not.
|
| janfields |
Now...for children's
writing and YA...the sysnopsis is SHORT.
|
| janfields |
Even if your book is
long.
|
| janfields |
It hits the high points
of action and theme.
|
| janfields |
It tells about the
story.
|
| janfields |
It highlights the most
interesting points and shows the progression of character growth and
change.
|
| janfields |
An ideal synopsis runs
no more than two pages.
|
| janfields |
If you are sending
sample pages -- keep your synopsis short...because your writing will
carry more weight.
|
| janfields |
The synopsis shows that
your plot makes sense, flows logically and that you know how the
book ends.
|
| janfields |
And that it ends
sensibly.
|
| gladys1 |
in a chapter by chapter
synopsis is each chapter reduced to one sentence or a
paragraph?
|
| janfields |
A chapter by chapter
synopsis is ideal ONLY if your book is strictly
chonological.
|
| janfields |
With a single viewpoint
character.
|
| janfields |
But, yes, if you are
doing chapter-by-chapter, you'll reduce the chapter to a paragraph
telling what HAPPENS...editors/agents want to see
action.
|
| janfields |
They want to know
something is happening.
|
| janfields |
So don't make your
synopsis full of "Jane realizes she loves Scott" and then "Jane
finds out she needs an operation."
|
| janfields |
Instead hit the action
that made Jane realize or Jane find out.
|
| writersblock |
How do you make your
synopsis exciting and not just a chronological list of things that
happen?
|
| janfields |
Action is
exciting.
|
| janfields |
And how the action ties
to the character is exciting.
|
| janfields |
A synopsis can be very
revealing of a plot with problems
|
| janfields |
If the action doesn't
make sense...doesn't sound exciting...you have to look at whether it
makes sense and looks exciting...really...when it's
expanded.
|
| janfields |
You can get bogged down
in trying to list EVERYTHING that happens.
|
| janfields |
This really is a
possible trap in a chap-by-chap synopsis.
|
| janfields |
You only want to hit
the major things, the things that are essential and life changing
for the characters.
|
| janfields |
Now...right now in
YA.
|
| janfields |
It is becoming popular
to write synopsis in first person if the book is in first
person.
|
| janfields |
So it's your main
character boiling down her "life" in the book into a few
graphs.
|
| janfields |
Which can be great for
voice but it's daring because some agents/editors HATE
it.
|
| writersblock |
So in a synopsis, do you
leave out the subplots and only focus on the main
plot?
|
| janfields |
Not necessarily. It
depends upon how long you have (sometimes guidelines will demand a
one page synopsis). But if the subplot is essential to the
book...
|
| janfields |
and if it's not...why
is it there?....
|
| janfields |
you need to put it in
the synopsis...
|
| janfields |
but keep it
brief.
|
| janfields |
I'll see if I can score
some synopses to put into a piece for the Rx for
writers.
|
| gladys1 |
in sending sample pages
which is better to send beginning middle or end.
|
| janfields |
Agents and editors want
to see the beginning.
|
| janfields |
But if you have a
prolog...
|
| janfields |
skip that and send the
first pages AFTER the prolog...
|
| janfields |
because agents/editors
hate those things...so you don't want to draw
attention
|
| janfields |
to one in the sample
pages.
|
| caq |
Would taking a small book
that has been published and creating a synopsis or outline help us
understand?
|
| janfields |
It might be a
worthwhile exercise to try to write a synopsis for your favorite
book.
|
| janfields |
Or were you asking if I
would do that?
|
| janfields |
I could...but then we'd
have to have all read the same book.
|
| janfields |
Sarah Plain and Tall,
for example, would be easy to synops because it's short and have a
strict chronology.
|
| janfields |
Anyway, it's easier to
do it for someone else's book...
|
| janfields |
because you aren't in
love with every word of their book...
|
| janfields |
and you're better able
to see the most important parts.
|
| janfields |
You could try getting
together with a friend and doing a manuscript
swap....
|
| janfields |
and writing each other
a synopsis...
|
| janfields |
It would be very
revealing...
|
| writersblock |
My favorite books (yes, I
admit it) are the Harry Potter books. On her Web site JK Rowling had
an easter egg that was a synopsis of Sorcerer's Stone. She said it
kept coming back . . . rejected. If she couldn't write a synopsis of
her book, how can I? LOL!
|
| janfields |
Writing a synopsis for
a Harry Potter book would be hell.
|
| janfields |
They aren't exactly ...
logical in the plotting.
|
| janfields |
And they have so many
characters...
|
| janfields |
Some of whom seem to be
doing stuff just to foreshadow future books.
|
| janfields |
I would have a twitchy
fit writing a synops for that..no wonder the poor woman had a bad
time of it.
|
| dawnlee71 |
couldn't you do that for
Criss Cross or the other book?
|
| janfields |
Okay...confession time.
I haven't read Criss Cross...
|
| janfields |
Or Looking for
Alaska...though I do plan to read that one.
|
| janfields |
You could do a decent
synopsis for Alaska (from my understanding of it)
|
| janfields |
but Criss Cross would
be another tough one to synops since
|
| janfields |
it would look very
illogical and random in a synopsis
|
| janfields |
Because...well...it is
a little random.
|
| janfields |
Literary novels can be
a bear to do.
|
| janfields |
I would recommend
practicing on a much more clearly plotted book.
|
| writersblock |
LOL! Neither is my novel.
It too has many characters and stuff they do foreshadows future
books. Maybe I should just toss it out the window!
LOL!
|
| janfields |
Well, skip any action
that's in the book to foreshadow...
|
| janfields |
Don't put it in the
synops
|
| janfields |
And tease out the most
obvious plot line...
|
| janfields |
The one that ties all
the rest together...
|
| janfields |
Then synops that and
...well...pray a lot.
|
| janfields |
But don't try to put it
all in...you'll make an agent/editor think your novel's a
mess...
|
| janfields |
or the next big
blockbuster.
|
| caq |
Okay, say you are a good
writer and you actually sell books but have problems with the
outlines and synopsis. Are there people out there, like grammar
editors, who will do a synopsis or outline for a price after they
have read it? Not that would want to pay for that.
|
| janfields |
None that I've heard
of...
|
| janfields |
Cause I would probably
pay someone to do mine...
|
| janfields |
miserable things
synopsis...
|
| janfields |
I can't imagine doing
it for a living. It would be like having pointy things stuck into me
for money.
|
| janfields |
If you know someone who
writes them really well..you could try kidnapping their cat or
something.
|
| janfields |
But I don't know of
anyone who does it for money..it would be hard to make it cost
efficient since you would have to read novels more than once to do a
good one.
|
| gladys1 |
Jan what is a tearshee?,
Something to wipe the tears away when we get a rejection
hehe
|
| janfields |
A tearsheet is a
photocopy of your published piece.
|
| janfields |
It shows the
article/story as it appeared in the publication...
|
| janfields |
with any
illustrations.
|
| janfields |
It's a sneaky way to
make you prove you really got published.
|
| janfields |
And it let's the editor
read something you wrote in the past before committing to reading
something you wrote now.
|
| eggamy |
What's the standard for
bibliography?
|
| janfields |
Again, MAGAZINE
publishers aren't that picky.
|
| janfields |
Pretty much the format
you find in any college handbook is fine.
|
| janfields |
Sometimes I use...hmmm
... easybib.com ... I think that's right...
|
| janfields |
Anyway I use them to
make mine frequently.
|
| janfields |
You just type in the
sources and it puts it in a nice format.
|
| janfields |
For any magazine I've
ever sold to -- that would be fine.
|
| janfields |
If you're selling to a
scientific journal...you'll want to use the
|
| janfields |
format described in
their writer's guideliness...
|
| janfields |
they can be anal about
things like that...but most of us won't write for
|
| janfields |
scientific journals
because...well...yuck
|
| janfields |
And they pay lousy if
at all.
|
| janfields |
Now for a bibliography
to send with a book manuscript...
|
| janfields |
I would score one of
the publisher's other books and check which of the formats they
use.
|
| janfields |
KAREN: If a piece is
entered in a contest and then also submitted to a publisher, would
that be considered by the publisher to be a multiple submission?
|
|
|
| rules say that if
you find a home for your contest entry with a publisher, just let
them know it needs to be withdrawn from the contest. That would
imply that -- so far as Smartwriters is concerned -- it's okay to
submit a contest entry to publishers while waiting to hear if you
are a contest winner. I'm curious to know whether it would also be
okay for the publishers -- particularly those that frown on multiple
submissions |
|
| janfields |
Here's a
longie...
|
| janfields |
Submitting to a contest
doesn't interfere with submitting to a publishing market
unless...
|
| janfields |
(1) the contest
requires only unpublished/un contracted work...
|
| janfields |
in which case..if you
get a contract on the thing, you have to pull it from the
contest.
|
| janfields |
Which can annoy the
contest if they were going to make you a winner.
|
| janfields |
It can also interfere
though is PUBLICATION is part of the contest...
|
| janfields |
Smart Writers doesn't
publish winners, so they wouldn't interfere with a sale to another
publisher...
|
| janfields |
and the publisher would
not consider it a simultaneous submission.
|
| janfields |
But if you submitted to
say..Highlights contest and also submitted to
Cricket...
|
| janfields |
the would be a
simutaneous submission because all
|
| janfields |
contest entries to
Highlights are considered for publication.
|
| caq |
If you are writing a
story, you usually have a "map" of some kind (either words or some
people draw images) you use to write your story, isn't that a tool
you would use to do a synopsis?
|
| janfields |
I have no idea...I
don't use things like that.
|
| janfields |
I do something do a
loose outline of my plot in the early stages of
writing
|
| janfields |
and that can help me
later with the synopsis...
|
| janfields |
though my character
never want to follow the outline.
|
| janfields |
Which can be a real
pain in the butt when you're following an outline given you by a
publisher.
|
| tkat_2 |
I just relearned how to
use the header function on MS Word. If I were able to I would kick
myself for it being so easy.
|
| janfields |
Yes, I love that
thing.
|
| janfields |
For those who don't do
their contact information with the header
function...
|
| janfields |
you should try it...in
Word, on the menu bar across the top...
|
| janfields |
it's found under "View"
which is a stupid place to put it.
|
| janfields |
Took me FOREVER to find
it when I switch from Wordperfect to Word.
|
| janfields |
Anyway...it'll let you
do a different header for the first page (where all your long
contact info goes)
|
| janfields |
than for all the other
pages (where it will number pages automatically).
|
| janfields |
Wonder
goodies.
|
| janfields |
Wow...ten til and I'm
out of questions.
|
| janfields |
Anything you want to
hear me pontificate on?
|
| janfields |
Want me to tell you
about my daughter?
|
| janfields |
My love life
(ha)!
|
| janfields |
Oh...my daughter is 6.
She says I would have more books published if I put unicorns in all
of them.
|
| eggamy |
Does that also work in MS
Works?
|
| janfields |
I haven't the faintest
idea...does anyone with works know if you can do
header/footer?
|
| janfields |
I just don't know
Eggamy...but I'll find out and get back to you.
|
| dawnlee71 |
Would it be possible to
do a forum on characters
|
| janfields |
Sure...you mean
creating them?
|
| janfields |
We can do
that.
|
| janfields |
I love making
characters.
|
| janfields |
I've never interviewed
my characters...I know some folks do.
|
| janfields |
They tend to interject
what they think I need to hear whether I want to listen or
not.
|
| janfields |
If you want to read a
GREAT book on characters...read Mulberry Project by Linda Sue
Park...it's a novel
|
| janfields |
Where she chats up her
character between chapters.
|
| janfields |
Funny and very
revealling.
|
| gladys1 |
does anyone here know
about poetry.com and if they are reputable
|
| janfields |
Poetry.com isn't really
reputable, no
|
| janfields |
They pretty much print
everything submitted in an anthology
|
| janfields |
And then try to sell it
to you.
|
| janfields |
And they'll try to sell
you conferences and cruises and all kinds of stuff.
|
| janfields |
Not
good.
|
| eggamy |
is an ms still unsolisted
it if it's written a mag thame lis
|
| janfields |
Yes, it's still
unsolicited unless an editor asked YOU to write it.
|
| janfields |
But theme lists do
increase our chances of sales...because they tell us what the
editor's looking for.
|
| caq |
Jan, for eggamy, I just
checked Microsoft Works, I don't use it, but it does have a header
option, just not a detailed as WORD.
|
| janfields |
OH...good. I don't know
where it is...poke around your menu bar, eggamy...
|
| lilyphenix |
How do you make the most
out of a writer's conference?
|
| lilyphenix |
how to efficiently
prepare for that?
|
| janfields |
It helps if you go to a
conference prepared to learn
|
| janfields |
And to be friendly to
everyone you meet.
|
| janfields |
Writers (and
illustrators) can be very shy in person.
|
| janfields |
So if you're shy...you
can end up all just staring at each other.
|
| janfields |
I find the outgoing
folks (or the shy ones who push themselves) tend to get the most
from conferences.
|
| janfields |
Because they are a
great place to connect with folks who really know what you're
feeling.
|
| janfields |
Also...collect all
goodies -- many conferences have tables with guidelines and sample
magazine and catalgoes from publishers.
|
| janfields |
I am very shy (not that
you can tell here)
|
| janfields |
And I would connnect
with no one if I didn't push myself.
|
| janfields |
It helps that I tend to
get mobbed because I have such an online "presence"
|
| janfields |
I don't have to
initiate contact that way...I just have to try not to be knocked
down.
|
| janfields |
It impresses the heck
out of my husband too.
|
| janfields |
He thinks I'm
famous
|
| tolkienlvr |
Jan, how about a forum on
plot. Beginnings and endings I can do, but if there are any tips on
creatinig interesting "Middles" in novel lenght works I could sure
use them - LOL!
|
| janfields |
I think that's a great
idea...I'm writing it down.
|
| lauriet |
Do you think a conf is
worth the if you don't have a ms?
|
| janfields |
Oh yes...a conference
might be worth the MOST then
|
| janfields |
Because you're so open
to hearing everything.
|
| janfields |
While people with
manuscripts tune out things that don't pertain to the story in
hand.
|
| caq |
How about a topic on
writng NF for mags that don't come out encyclopedic? How do you pass
along info without it being ocnsidered
encyclopedic?
|
| janfields |
Good one...okay...it's
down too.
|
| janfields |
Okay guys...hate to
bail but I have to collect my wee girlie from the bus
directly.
|
| janfields |
But I had fun today...I
always do.
|
| janfields |
Be sure to come to
THURSDAY night chat with Linda Joy...she's a
sweetie.
|
