The Why

So I'm a reading another manuscript for this agent and so far I like it. I'm about 24k in and really I have no complaints, except one thing. The writer does a great job at setting up the premise, keeping the reader interested, and getting straight into the action. The problem is the writer throws their characters into the scene as if it is their job to beat the bad guys. Thing is...I want to know why they should even care? Why are they in this position? Sometimes writers are so concerned with writing a compelling and intriguing plot and starting right where the action is that they may forget a loose end or two, like the why.

Characters need a reason for doing what they do. It's that simple.

Classics Turned Into Comics?

I was reading a Publishers Weekly article about Classic books like Pride and Prejudice, Macbeth, and Beowulf being turned into comics in order to "promote literacy". I wonder, is this helpful to those reluctant readers? In all honesty I have yet to read any of these novels. Although, next semester I will be reading Beowulf in English Lit class, but I'll admit I'm curious and the thought of reading a classic in comic form sounds appealing. I'll also admit that I've never considered classics as leisure reading...probably a bad thing since I'm a writer. Any one have an opinion on the subject?

Writer's Block-Talk to Your Characters

So I was talking with an author friend, Nazarea Andrews, and she gave me a great idea for getting to know my characters. I'm in a bit of a writer's block rut at the moment.

So I sat down with one of my characters and took her to lunch. She was soooo mad at me. She knew what I had planned for her and she wasn't happy about it. She tried to dodge every question and plea for help with the story until finally I got pissed at her and told her what I had planned was for the better. After she struggled I promised she would mature, unfortunately she took it as an insult. And her love interest well...let's just say he now thinks he's a killer. Great right? Well at least now I've got some ideas.

May be something fun to try :]

Avatar-My New Favorite Movie

Avatar was amazing! I promise go watch it. It's unlike the normal sci-fi movie, instead it incorporates fantastical elements, a great message/theme and a sweet love. Truly it was magical and the creatures and animals will shock and amaze you. As will the realistic animation. This $500 million movie was directed by the same man responsible for Alien, Terminator 2, and the oh so memorable Titanic. This movie put a unique spin on the usual sci-fi story and it worked out immensely. Trust me, I'm not much of a sci-fi fan. Fans of fantasy will definitely love it. This is an example of great writing. :]

I urge you all to watch it!

What Young Adult's Want

This is a must read post by the 8th grade daughter of author Allison Brennan. This is the kind of post that you should bookmark and save whenever you are about to start a new YA project or just want to see how your current project compares to what your audience really wants.

If you really want to know how your target audience feels then click here.

Awesome job Kelly Brennan!

You Can't Read Em' All

I was emailing with an agent the other day. I'm reading manuscripts to gain some experience in the field. I feel that if I don't finish a manuscript I'm not doing the author or the manuscript justice, but sometimes a work just doesn't grab your attention or its just not quite ready and you can see it without finishing it. Whether its because it drags in the middle or the beginning is just riddled with backstory. I understand how tough the decision can be for an agent. Basically, you know saying "no" could crush a writers dream (Have any of you noticed how nice some are when they reject you? It's as if you can't be mad because they were so nice.)

My advice: Work your ass off until that manuscript is more than ready. Let it be immaculate and don't forget to revise, revise, revise, and then revise again. Make sure your plot is going somewhere because you can be a good or decent writer, but that won't matter to an agent if your plot falls flat or is going no where. If an agent can see such blatant flaws, I'm sure that the writer can as well. They just don't want to admit it. If you want to be published then create a story worthwhile then revise the crap out of it. Seriously-revise!

Harlequin and the Self-Publishing Endeavor

I'm sure everyone has heard of the whole deal about Harlequin creating a self-publishing branch. There is an article on Jackie Kessler's blog you HAVE to read. It's great and explains it all in an easy way. Don't be fooled just because of the name-empty promises is what you'll get.

Click here to read it.