| janfields |
September 22, NIGHT
OPEN FORUM begins in five minutes. Tonight the sky's the limit --
ask about any writing question you have and I'll do the best I can
to answer. Chat begins in the Auditorium in five
minutes.
|
| janfields |
September 22, Night
Open Forum begins in 2 minutes.
|
| janfields |
Welcome to Night Open
Forum. Our only topic is writing so any questions you may have about
writing -- feel free to ask.
|
| janfields |
It's nice to see y'all
seems like we haven't chatted in a while.
|
| janfields |
We're actually going to
be cutting down on forum chats
|
| janfields |
We're going to cut back
to only the Open Topic Open Forums...
|
| janfields |
One afternoon and one
evening per month.
|
| janfields |
No more lengthy Jan
Pointificating sessions.
|
| janfields |
And we're going to let
the guest speakers handle the expert issue stuff.
|
| janfields |
Yup, we'll still have
guests.
|
| janfields |
I love y'all
too.
|
| janfields |
Hey, you guys know I
love to pontificate.
|
| janfields |
Well, summer tends to
overwhelm me
|
| janfields |
But I'll certainly get
to pontificate in these open forums open topics
|
| janfields |
And in the
newsletter.
|
| janfields |
Now, before I answer my
qued question...I want to let y'all know
|
| janfields |
that on September 28,
Deborah Lynn Jacobs will be talking about writing the multi-voice
novel
|
| janfields |
Which should be
great.
|
| janfields |
And on October 12,
Bonny Becker will be talking about Birthing a Book
|
| janfields |
And on October 26...we
have something really amazing
|
| janfields |
Terry Whalin is going
to be talking about book proposals
|
| janfields |
And Terry is a book
proposal WIZ...he even has a book about it.
|
| janfields |
Which I'm reading now
and really enjoying.
|
| janfields |
So...we've got some
great stuff ahead.
|
| janfields |
Now...here's our
question for the night ...
|
| janfields |
Wee Willie Winkie: Do
you have to writing anything different in a writing contest cover
letter then you would if you were sending it to a
publisher?
|
| janfields |
Contest cover letters
are very short
|
| janfields |
But they really serve a
slightly different function than
|
| janfields |
cover letters for
manuscripts.
|
| janfields |
The cover letter for a
manuscript has ONE job of luring editors to read the
manuscript.
|
| janfields |
But you don't need to
lure anyone in a contest entry -- they HAVE to read
it.
|
| janfields |
So contest entry cover
letters basically identify the manuscript
|
| janfields |
As fiction or
nonfiction -- age group -- and genre.
|
| janfields |
Now, you might be
thinking...yeah, but it's a contest for middle grade fantasy so why
should I say that in the cover?
|
| janfields |
It's because half the
entrants will actually be WRONG
|
| janfields |
for the
contest.
|
| janfields |
So...they like seeing
that you actually know the contest you're entering.
|
| janfields |
But beyond that...you
really don't need to put much of anything.
|
| janfields |
I sometimes mention
where the story idea originated...
|
| janfields |
or if it's tied to real
life.
|
| janfields |
Or what my sources
were...if it's a nonfiction contest.
|
| jan_fields |
Cathie: I've never heard
of a cover letter for a contest. Do you only give one if requested
in the rules?
|
| janfields |
I've entered contests
held by magazines...
|
| janfields |
When I do...I ALWAYS
add a cover
|
| janfields |
to identify it as a
contest entry
|
| janfields |
And what the manuscript
type is.
|
| janfields |
But for contest held by
say...arts leagues...if they don't ask for the cover
letter
|
| janfields |
they don't get
one.
|
| janfields |
They usually just want
to see an entry form.
|
| stretch |
IF you follow contest
rules, why bother with a cover letter?
|
| janfields |
Magazine editors like
cover letters...they
|
| janfields |
are
polite
|
| janfields |
Some of them don't read
them actually
|
| janfields |
but they all say they
feel a little miffed it there isn't one.
|
| janfields |
So I include them
always if entering a contest held by a magazine.
|
| coloradokate |
My 14-year-old main
character (a boy) wants me to start his story with "Holy crap." If I
let him do that, have I blown any chance of selling the story?
(magazine market?)
|
| janfields |
You can say
it
|
| janfields |
And if the editor
doesn't like it
|
| janfields |
She'll make you change
it
|
| janfields |
I would change it if I
planned to send to Highlights
|
| janfields |
They wouldn't touch
it...but they're too young for your character
anyway
|
| janfields |
But just
saying
|
| janfields |
But Boys' Life wouldn't
mind it at all
|
| janfields |
They are far less
conservative
|
| rainchain |
Highlights liked my rebus
but it one thing wasn't quite righ
|
| rainchain |
she said it was
interesting and she'd like to see more of my
|
| rainchain |
work. What should I say
when I send more? Should I mention
|
| janfields |
Rainchain, right
mention that you appreciated the editor's remarks about your
rebus...
|
| janfields |
and that you're sending
a new story that you think she'll like.
|
| janfields |
If the editor said
anything nice
|
| janfields |
Like...I like your
humor
|
| janfields |
Or I like how active
the story was
|
| janfields |
Then you might mention
that with the new submission
|
| janfields |
I think you'll like
this piece as it has the same kind of lively main character you
mentioned enjoying
|
| janfields |
That shows you paid
attention
|
| janfields |
And are specifically
trying to send something the editor will like.
|
| janfields |
They really really
REALLY like authors who seem to be paying attention and noting
specifics.
|
| stretch |
I thought tonight's chat
was going to be about Scenes and Chapters, is that another
forum?
|
| janfields |
That's Tuesday
afternoon of next week, stretch.
|
| janfields |
Though if you have a
question you want to hit me with tonight...I'm
open.
|
| minkadoo |
ask, I am writing an
article using cereal as a party plan.
|
| minkadoo |
ask,Can I use brand
names, or make-up goofy ones?
|
| janfields |
Usually
|
| janfields |
you try to think of a
descriptor that matches the cereal
|
| janfields |
And you don't use the
brand name or a made up one
|
| janfields |
For example, if you're
using Rice Krispies...you can say "crispy rice
cereal"
|
| janfields |
If you are using Fruit
Loops...you say colored fruit rings
|
| janfields |
something like
that
|
| janfields |
everyone KNOWS you mean
Rice Krispies and Fruit Loops but you don't do the brand
name
|
| janfields |
Some magazines don't
mind using the real brand name
|
| janfields |
And you might check to
see from past recipes
|
| janfields |
But many perfer a more
generic substitute term.
|
| stretch |
I usually write one scene
at a time, and don't overload in the same chapter. Like chapters are
a natural break. Does this make sense?
|
| janfields |
If you can "feel" a
natural break for your chapters
|
| janfields |
then you are always
better off to go with that.
|
| janfields |
In any novel...chapter
lengths can be all over
|
| janfields |
As well as number of
chapters
|
| janfields |
So you just write until
you feel that "natural" break
|
| janfields |
Often at a scene
change
|
| janfields |
And often at a point of
revelation or surprise
|
| janfields |
Now if you're doing a
younger reader chapter book
|
| janfields |
Most publishers DO like
chapters of similar length
|
| janfields |
And for chapters to be
single scenes
|
| janfields |
That's not a
requirement of novels
|
| janfields |
And it's not a
requirement of every chapter book publisher
|
| janfields |
But I do find that MOST
chapter books for younger kids have chapters of nearly the same
length...and usually from 8 - 10 of them.
|
| minkadoo |
ask,That works through my
whole article Jan, except for the
|
| minkadoo |
ask,riddles. The answers
are supposed to cereals.
|
| janfields |
You can try selling
riddles that need brand names for answers
|
| janfields |
And that will work if
you're doing "plays on the names"
|
| janfields |
For example, it would
be fine to say -- What's a Penguin's Favorite
Cereal?
|
| janfields |
Ice
Krispies
|
| janfields |
That would be just fine
and an editor wouldn't have a problem with it.
|
| janfields |
But if it's like "What
kind of ghost eats Cheerios?"
|
| janfields |
That wouldn't fly with
an editor because it actually includes the brand
name
|
| janfields |
Does that make
sense?
|
| janfields |
Do you see the
distinction?
|
| minkadoo |
ask,Can I leave a letter
out, like:What does the butler say
|
| minkadoo |
ask,when he leaves a
party? Cherrio
|
| janfields |
Only if you're leaving
out a letter to make the riddle work...not just to change the brand
name.
|
| janfields |
If you're needing to
use the real brand name...then you need to spell it
right.
|
| janfields |
So you can't
say...Froot Loops in an effort not to say Fruit Loops...that is
actually MORE of a violation of trademark.
|
| janfields |
But you could
say...What did the bunny make after eating all the
apples?
|
| janfields |
Fruit
Poops
|
| janfields |
Because that change is
necessary to make the joke work.
|
| janfields |
Hey...kids would love
Fruit Poops
|
| janfields |
But, granted...some
editors might be a little leary.
|
| janfields |
Actually my 6-year-old
loves making up riddles
|
| janfields |
So I get lots of
practice
|
| dragonlady |
could you explain to
others here how to plan in advance for a writing
conference/WOTS?
|
| janfields |
There are two rules I
live by in any writing/book function...
|
| janfields |
1. be
comfortable
|
| janfields |
2. be
interested
|
| janfields |
I don't try to sell my
work...I try to learn more about the folks there.
|
| janfields |
And it's had an
interesting side effect.
|
| janfields |
Because I ask questions
about the people...what books they like...
|
| janfields |
what's the weirdest
thing a writer ever sent them
|
| janfields |
how did they get into
publishing
|
| janfields |
stuff like
that
|
| janfields |
the editors actually
REMEMBER me
|
| janfields |
by
name
|
| janfields |
for a long
time
|
| janfields |
Which I don't think
they do so much if you hit them with a pitch
|
| janfields |
Because that happens
all the time.
|
| janfields |
So...the key is to do
something unusual...but not annoying.
|
| janfields |
And folks never seem to
get annoyed with telling office tales.
|
| janfields |
Also...always take a
nice big bag because I've never seen any book function that didn't
give you tons of freebies
|
| janfields |
And you want to be able
to tote them.
|
| janfields |
And note...you will be
on your feet a lot...make sure they're going to be happy in the
shoes you choose
|
| janfields |
I have never known a
publisher to pick someone based on her shoes
|
| janfields |
But if you have a
pinched, pained look on your face...
|
| janfields |
or can't concentrate
because you're in pain
|
| janfields |
if doesn't make a good
impression.
|
| janfields |
Now at my last
conference...turns out I had strep throat
|
| janfields |
So I bet I made an
impression on all the folks who took home my germs.
|
| janfields |
Good thing that didn't
come with my name!!
|
| janfields |
Oh..speaking of name,
bring business cards.
|
| janfields |
They just needs your
name/email on them.
|
| janfields |
Then if someone says
something about getting in touch with you
|
| janfields |
You have something to
give them
|
| janfields |
Sometimes I go through
a whole event and give out none
|
| janfields |
Other times I find tons
of folks ask for them
|
| janfields |
So it's worthwhile to
have a dozen
|
| janfields |
And have
fun.
|
| janfields |
Really.
|
| gonewest |
I'm adding a puzzle to an
article - do the empty spaces have
|
| gonewest |
to be just a few
inbetween blocks or can it be more?
|
| janfields |
I'm so sorry but I have
no idea what you're asking.
|
| janfields |
Could you tell me what
kind of puzzle it is?
|
| janfields |
Cryptogram?
|
| janfields |
Crossword?
|
| janfields |
Something
else?
|
| janfields |
Oh...I usually create
those on graph paper
|
| janfields |
but as long as all the
words connect
|
| janfields |
the spacing inside the
figure doesn't have any real rules
|
| janfields |
You don't want it to
get too big for the page
|
| janfields |
But I've seen all sorts
of crossword puzzle shapes and spacing.
|
| janfields |
By the by, speaking of
puzzles...
|
| janfields |
A VERY popular puzzle
right now is the logic puzzle.
|
| janfields |
Teachers are really
liking logic puzzles these days.
|
| janfields |
And anything that
teachers like, editors like.
|
| janfields |
So, if you find them
fun to solve...you might want to try some.
|
| coloradokate |
There used to be
shareware computer programs for making xword puzzles, too--maybe
still available?
|
| janfields |
I think there are
programs for making crossword puzzles
|
| janfields |
And they are still
available
|
| janfields |
But the puzzles tend to
be a little uniform looking
|
| janfields |
So if you're trying for
a more high-end publication like one of the Cobblestone
group
|
| janfields |
You might want to do
them by scratch in graph paper because
|
| janfields |
you can make more
interesting forms.
|
| stretch |
Thanks for indulging the
uneducated, WOTS sounds like fun, do we have anything like it in
USA?
|
| janfields |
I've seen some town
festivals of books that are probably similar but not as
nifty.
|
| janfields |
I've actually gotten
invitations to take part in a few of these in New
England.
|
| janfields |
They often have
storytelling, author visits, and lots of book
selling.
|
| janfields |
And some give away
stuff from publishers.
|
| janfields |
But it sounds like the
WOTS is cooler than the little ones I've heard of around the east
coast
|
| jan_fields |
I'm going to the
children's authors' bootcamp in Boston, anyone know what to
expect?
|
| janfields |
I really haven't heard
a lot of specifics about the bootcamps
|
| janfields |
I'm assuming you're
talking about the ones Laura Backes does...from Children's Book
Insider
|
| janfields |
I have heard folks say
they found them very helpful
|
| janfields |
and interesting...and
info packed
|
| janfields |
But I really don't know
much. Sorry.
|
| janfields |
You'll have to let us
know if it was fun
|
| whiteout |
I need a technique to
help my protagonist to problem solve.
|
| janfields |
I usually try to get
the problem solving to grow out of my protag's
personality
|
| janfields |
and
gifts
|
| janfields |
So that means I build a
protag specifically for the problem.
|
| janfields |
The problem and the
character need to be well matched so that it's challenging but not
impossible
|
| janfields |
You don't want to have
the character "pop up" with some unexpected talent.
|
| janfields |
There's a YA book I
read some years ago where a minor character JUST HAPPENS to be like
superman
|
| janfields |
a Rambo kind of
guy
|
| janfields |
But up until then he
was just a nice normal suburban step-dad
|
| janfields |
Suddenly he's kicking
psycho butt...that just annoyed me.
|
| janfields |
Because the author did
NOTHING to prep for that.
|
| janfields |
So make sure your main
character's personality, and the gifts you created for him/her are
what save the day/solve the problem.
|
| rainchain |
What is a logic puzzle?
Where are examples?
|
| janfields |
A logic puzzle is one
where you have to figure out the answer from a set of
clues.
|
| janfields |
For example, I might
say...there were five writers in a chatroom.
|
| janfields |
Rainchain likes to
write stories set in schools.
|
| janfields |
Dragonlady never writes
about animals.
|
| janfields |
One writer only does
sports stories.
|
| janfields |
And on and on...then at
the end of the clues...you ask the big question
|
| janfields |
Like...which writer
does picture books
|
| janfields |
And you can figure out
the answer...by logically relating the clues to
gether
|
| janfields |
These are very popular
in schools because it's a kind of reasoning that helps kids work out
all kinds of problems.
|
| stretch |
ANd find out how we could
be invited to bootcamp, plesze
|
| janfields |
I believe you don't
need an invitation...you get in like a conference or
retreat.
|
| janfields |
You pay and maybe
apply.
|
| janfields |
You can find out a lot
about them at Write for Kids...hmmm...anyone know the url off
hand?
|
| janfields |
Ahhh....http://www.wemakewriters.com
|
| janfields |
They do a kind of
tour...different cities.
|
| minkadoo |
ask, about mysteries. Do
you have to follow the rule of 3 or
|
| minkadoo |
ask, the little guys, can
you use less. 4-7 years
|
| janfields |
Well, mostly you don't
have to worry so much about the three-thing
|
| janfields |
as about making the
mystery unusual
|
| janfields |
but age
appropriate
|
| janfields |
You want it to be
something young children can understand
|
| janfields |
but you don't want it
to be one of the "cliche" mystery things
|
| janfields |
that editors see a
lot
|
| janfields |
Like the "scary noises
that turn out to be a wild animal"
|
| janfields |
thief that turns out to
be a racoon
|
| janfields |
It needs to feel like a
true mystery...just young-i-fied.
|
| minkadoo |
ask, Would it bad to use
just one. My protag. thinks its one
|
| minkadoo |
ask, and of course it
turns out to be something different.
|
| janfields |
It really depends...if
you do the story really well
|
| janfields |
then probably yes, you
would be fine.
|
| janfields |
Okay guys...that brings
me to the end of the que and about the end of the
hour.
|
| janfields |
Thanks for coming to
play
|
