"The Creative Process of Writing
is a Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"
www.virtualwritingcoach.com
December, 2009
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. The Novel Writer's Toolkit
4. Helpful Hints
1. Preview
The Writer's Connection explores the creative process
of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings,
and actions. We are an interactive community of authors
and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge,
skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre,
but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips
for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing
information.
Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton
and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript,
and are provided to the general public. Because we are
an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints
are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters
with permission from Keith Barton.
2. Publisher's Note
December, 2009
Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,
This month's newsletter features:
The Novel Writer's Toolkit
3. The Novel Writer's Toolkit
For my December newsletter I return to my first writer's book by Bob Mayer,
The Novel Writer's Toolkit:
A Guide to Writing Novels and Getting Published.
It's been ten years since my first novel which remains unpublished except for POD and available on Amazon.com
and BarnesandNoble.com. When I re-read the book years later I agree with the fifty agents who rejected the
manuscript and refused to represent me as I was and remain a writer with a dream, but still perfecting my craft.
When I get dejected I return to Mayer's book to remind me that writing is as much a discipline as it is an art.
His book is a must for first-time novelists who want to perfect their craft.
A review of the TOC reveals:
internal characteristics of a writer, writing tools, research, narrative structure, plot, pacing, character
development, point of view, dialogue, setting subplots, writing cycle, editing, the reader, your submission,
publishing process, marketing, and book options for the author. His appendices give examples of chapter outlines,
cover letters, synopses, resources, story grid and plot line.
The simple truth is: If you don't write, you won't get published. Many writers have great ideas and story lines
but refuse to learn how to write. They view writing as an art that cannot be cultivated or learned. They embark
on a chapter, only to realize they don't know what they want to say, where the story is going, and who their
audience is. I've heard many writers say "I write for myself." Fine, it's okay to write for yourself; that's why
we have journals and diaries. But if you write for someone else, then you are held to a higher standard and must
follow certain rules. A few follow.
- Patience and self-discipline: Set aside two hours daily or commit to writing two to four single-spaced
pages daily. Pick a time when you are more alert and committed.
- Set objectives and write an outline of your book. Any good story has a beginning, middle, and end. Don't
take the reader on a wild goose chase.
- Use Google to map places, street names to give the reader a realistic sense of place.
- Visualize your story: who are the main characters? Where and when is my setting? What is the climax of
my story? How do I maintain reader interest throughout the novel?
- For narrative structure, create an incident or crisis. Avoid hooking the reader too early.
- Show don't tell. This is the most important admonition to early writers. Show action; don't describe it as
back story. Don't do information dumps; avoid too many flashbacks.
- If writing a mystery or thriller go with one main plot and no more than two subplots which should come
together at the climax.
- Point of view (POV). This is the number one problem with first-time writers. Like a director, you must know when
to cut to another point of view. Who is seeing the scene? That is the POV. Sample POVs include: first-person,
second-person, omniscient observer, third-person.
- Avoid trite dialogue or exaggerated tags such as "he exclaimed, gasped...
- Do your own rewrites and editing. Learn the craft from books, other authors, workshops.
- Learn how to write a one-page query letter for an agent. Research agents to see what kind of projects they
are accepting. Jeff Herman's guide to agents and publishers is a good resource.
- Publishing guidelines are important. Pay attention and stay on task. Do not procrastinate.
- Be careful about publishing contracts. Read a book on writer contracts. Pay attention to secondary rights
and other media outlets for your work. Review multiple printing options and payment for such. If this is your
first book contract, find an entertainment attorney to review your contract.
- Be available for marketing your book. If you're lucky enough to have a book tour the publisher should provide
you with a lead person to make arrangements for you to handle your schedule.
- Use POD options as a last resort if an agent cannot sell your manuscript to a publisher. Most POD companies
will allow for publishing contracts and do not insist on a "no compete" clause.
- Learn the publishing business. Advances for first-time authors are the exception. The formula for advances
is Dollars Advanced = ˝ no. of copies sold; thus a $10k advance means the publisher expects only 5k copies sold.
Keep your day job.
Finally, Mayer ends with the simple rule: Write, write
some more...write some more...
Helpful Hints:
- Buy Mayer's book, The Novel Writer's Toolkit, Writer's Digest Books, 2003.
- Take out that old manuscript and rewrite it after reading Mayer's book.
- Begin writing and don't stop.
Subscription
The Writer's Connection
SM is a free publication.
If you want to continue to receive this Newsletter, you
can
SUBSCRIBE by clicking here or by sending a blank email
message to
keith_barton@att.net
with the words SUBSCRIBE TO THE WRITER'S CONNECTION
in the subject line.
To UNSUBSCRIBE click here or send a message to
keith_barton@att.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE THE
WRITER'S CONNECTION in the subject line.
Be assured your name and email address are confidential.
We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.
Contact Information
Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-583-5005
Fax:281-583-5008
Web: >
http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E-Mail:
keith_barton@att.net
(c) Copyright 2009 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.
Distribution Rights
The Writer's Connection
SMis copyrighted, but
you may retransmit or distribute it to whomever you wish
as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted,
including the contact information. However, you may not
copy it to a web site.
Republication of The Writer's Connection
SM
in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals,
organizations and associations, as long as the issue is
reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes
the contact information.
With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue
to fit your space requirements. Republication also is
encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance
permission of A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained
in the event that changes in the text are desired.
The Writer's Connection SM Mission:
The Writer's Connection
SM is dedicated to
helping first-time authors create their first manuscript
for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and
opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming
authors.
The Writer's Connection is a publication of The Virtual
Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered
trademark.
We would like The Writer's Connection
SM to
be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments,
topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional
resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time.
Send your e-mail to
keith_barton@att.net.
Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find
The Writer's Connection
SM interesting and
beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing,
and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.
Archives
You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection
SM in our
archive section.
About Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University
of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist
for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach
and is accepting new clients.
He has been an adjunct professor at the University of
South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in
executive development, founded and managed Texas Community
Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home
services to persons with mental retardation. Keith founded
and has been running a clinical practice in Northwest
Houston since 1990.
He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel
a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate
interest in helping others become attuned to their creative
powers of storytelling.
Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family
therapy and health psychology. He has published articles,
made presentations and conducted workshops about:
Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality
