Word Counts

When writing for children, the issue of word counts can be an issue.

Personally, I think of word counts as scales, not containers. It can be a useful tool in evaluating your story. But you don’t have to reach the “limit” and/or sometimes there is room for overage. It is definitely important to know where your story falls in comparison to others.

Here’s a cool tool to use in figuring out word counts for published books. When using the advanced search tool on this site, you can type in the name of a book and then you receive information such as the word count, reading level, and age interest level, among other things. So now you can search for a book you feel is similar to your own and see exactly how many words it took that author to tell that story.

Use it for good, not evil!

http://www.arbookfind.com/advanced.aspx

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Book Thoughts: The Mythic Guide to Characters by Dr. Antonio Del Drago

Title: The Mythic Guide to Characters

Author: Dr. Antonio Del Drago

Publisher: Mythic Scribes 2013

Review Source: Review copy provided by author

Book Description: 

How do you create characters who are so compelling that they hook readers from the start?

As a professor, writer, and philosopher, Dr. Antonio del Drago has immersed himself in the literary and mythological traditions of the world. His search for answers led him to uncover the common elements behind all great myths and stories.

Applying this knowledge to the writing of characters, he has developed a layered approach to character creation.

In this guide, you will discover:

• The secret to writing multidimensional characters
• How to develop your character’s unconscious motivations
• Four ways in which characters interact with their worlds
• Five formative relationships that shape your character
• Nine mythic archetypes and how to use them
• The difference between proactive and reactive protagonists
• Ways to define a character through dialogue and physicality

The guide also includes a detailed worksheet that walks you through the stages of character development.

This is more than a book on how to write characters. This guide offers a practical, step-by-step approach to character creation that is sure to take your writing to the next level.

Book Thoughts:

When I was approached by Dr. Del Drago to review this book, I was unsure of what I would find. But I decided to give it a chance and I am glad that I did. The Mythic Guide to Characters is a well thought out and interesting book. Using simple every day language, Del Drago introduces theory and process, as well as the various types of characters useful examples and explanations.

 

Here are some of the things I found helpful:

• Real world examples are taken from work that most people are familiar with, the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter Series,  Jurassic Park and The Godfather.
• The theories explained in this book can be used by beginners as well as experienced authors.
• While written with a fantasy writer in mind, The Mythic Guide to Characters can be used to help other authors develop well-rounded and interesting characters.
• The handy character sheet at the end of the book helps you apply all of the principles learned throughout the book.

Please note this is not a step by step guide but is more of a theory book that can be especially helpful for newer authors.

Happy Writing,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

 

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Do You Only Get One Chance to Make a Good First Impression?

Last weekend our critique group gathered for a “Writers Spa” day. It was a day to forget about everyday hassles and simply focus on writing, crafts, food, and talking …lots and lots of talking.

One of the more interesting topics we discussed was the first impression and whether or not someone should re-submit their work to a critique group. In my research, I discovered that it takes the human brain just one-tenth of a second for us to judge someone and make our first impression. Once we have made that impression it will be more difficult to change our mind.

In a critique group such as ours, when someone submits a piece of work we all carefully read it over and make corrections and suggestions for changes. But what if the writer doesn’t take those suggestions? What if they decide to take a different path? Will the writer get an unbiased second reading?

According to our discussion, the answer is …probably not.

It is much more difficult to read a manuscript a second time without noting that those changes weren’t made. If we saw a problem in the first submission and it is still there in the second submission, we are not going to look at the manuscript the same way. We’re only human after all.

So, I open the question to our readers.

Do you think a writer should re-submit their work to their critique group? I’d love to hear your opinion.

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

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How Have You Built Your Platform?

If you asked me five years ago what a platform was, I would have replied a raised horizontal area used for a stage or bed. Today the word platform is used to describe a layered approach to help you get the word out in a noisy world. Whether you use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin, Instagram, Google +, a blog, website, or any others I have failed to mention, the purpose is the same– to communicate with people. But which one should you choose? Any of them? All of them? Just one or two?

I honestly don’t know.

In my research I have found that opinions vary so widely and change so quickly, that what is expected now may be passe next month. I tend to follow the maxim “Less is More.” If the ultimate goal in platform building is to communicate with others, how can I possibly find time to use them all? When would I find time to write? Or spend time with my family?  I am already a bit of a procrastinator, if I spend hours working on my social media, I’ll never get anything done.

So I turn it over to you, dear readers. How have you built your platform? I’d really love to know.

Happy Writing,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

 

 

 

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Keeping It Real

I thought today’s post – which was going to be yesterday’s post – was going to be my thoughts on Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. In short: Like so many other people, I loved it. But really, if you need convincing, you should just read John Green’s review for the New York Times. I agree with him. One thing I’ll add is Eleanor and Park helped me realize why I can’t stand the 80′s music I hear on the radio – my oldest boy-child thinks I’m a traitor to my generation. But it’s because it’s not the ’80s music I was listening to.

Today I’m thinking about realistic fiction. It’s absolutely my genre of choice, and always has been. There have been fantasy/magical/paranormal books that have captured my heart, but, in the way that the masses love non-fiction that reads like fiction, I prefer fantasy that feels real. (To the point of looking up the possibility of carnivorous horses after reading Scorpio Races.)

Why do I love realistic fiction?

• The best books help me get to know people better. By getting inside the head of one specific character, I feel like I learn to better understand people in general. I gain new insight as to why someone might make a certain choice. 
• Conversely, I often feel better understood. I see that someone else feels and thinks like I do. I’m not alone in the universe.
• In my opinion, I think authors of realistic fiction have to work harder to be compelling and memorable. The writing has to shine – the story can’t rely on a cool premise alone.
• Realistic fiction is more likely to be a stand-alone story. At this point in my life, I am realizing I will never be able to read every book that I’d like to. Trilogies and series are such a commitment. And, quite honestly, even when I’ve loved a first book in a trilogy, there have been very few second books that are good enough to make me want to read the third.

Keeping it real.

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Wind, Walks, and Water

Story ideas are a funny thing. Sometimes they drift by and catch my eye. Other times they have to smack me upside the head a while before I latch on. Some ideas I carry with me, tucked into a safe place, even though I’m not ready for them yet.

I have a couple of test phases that an idea must pass. 

There’s the initial okay, but what would it look like? That’s usually a pretty quick pass, a lot of whimsy entertains me a moment, then floats away to someone else.

Once an idea starts following me around, it’s harder to ignore. It starts bumping into songs I hear on the radio, nudging me while I’m reading, sitting on the counter while I make dinner. Once it’s taken on that kind of gelatinous shape, I’ll play with it a bit. Try to get it to firm up.

I may or may not be actually writing at this point. Sometimes an idea never gets past the mulling. Sometimes I go with it and write, then stop to test.

Eventually, if there’s something shiny enough, it moves into the walk test-phase. If an idea comes on a walk with Luna and me, it gets a lot more undivided attention. It gets to explore and try various forms and costumes. I almost always head straight to my notebook the minute I walk in the door. But sometimes I invite an idea along and it doesn’t show up. Or, it wanders away when Luna stops to sniff. Or maybe it gets thrown away in the plastic bag. All I know, is it isn’t with me when I get home.

But if it kept my attention during the walk, then usually I have some questions. Some reason I’m still doubting its staying power. Or my ability to do something interesting with it. Or why it’s not that great, really. That’s when the shower test comes in. Whether it’s a metaphoric washing the sludge away or some other kind of magic, the shower is often my fix-it place. There’s a reason Eureka was born in the shower. That’s when I get really excited.

At some point, a story has to pass the telling test. I avoid this stage for a while. I know how deadly it can be. But eventually I imagine telling various people in my life what I’m writing about. My writer friends will go along with most anything. What about the other important people in my life? This is a hard line to see, sometimes. And sometimes I’ll pursue something I can’t imagine anyone – or a particular someone – knowing that I’m writing. Because I have to. But, for me, at some point, if I’m going to spend a lot of time with something, I need to know I’m okay with sending it out into the universe. Even if it never gets read, I need to know I’m willing for it to exist.

I recently had to banish something new. I’d spent a lot of time thinking and I had a lot pages written. It had passed a lot of tests – but, if I’d been honest, it was always just barely squeaking by. I just wanted it to work. I was going to will it into being the right thing. It was a hard letting go. I worried I’d never have another idea again.

As soon as I mentally threw it away, something new drifted in.

Hmmmmm…

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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!!!

It’s official!

I’ve received the signed Agency Contract to prove it: Catherine Drayton of Inkwell Management is now my literary agent!

I will try to restrain the explanation marks, but I could not be more thrilled and amazed. (!)

I had to get my nerve up to query her. Not because she’s rumored to be scary or rude. She’s definitely not. It was because of the authors she represents. Her client list is made up of authors I admire, who write books I adore - writers I would be tongue-tied and fan-girl goofy to meet. She represents awe-thors.

But I heard she sometimes gives nice rejections.

She also gives the absolute nicest knock-me-over-and-make-me-grin-for-days calls if she’s interested.

I’m not any kind of expert in this process, but here’s my advice to those of you looking for an agent.

Find out who represents the books you love. The books you can’t imagine not being in this world. The books that make you want to write better. Query that agent.

!!!!

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Embracing Imperfections

Every two weeks I meet with my critique group to review my current WIP. It always amazes me that no matter how perfect I try to make my draft, they always seem to find some error I have made in my story. I know in my work as a graphic artist, that it is important to have a second set of eyes double check a project. When you are working too closely on a job it is very easy to over-look sometimes the simplest error.

Author Jody Hedlund recently did a blog post discussing the shame and embarrassment that authors feel when they get feedback on their manuscripts. In her post she reminds us:

Every writer needs outside assistance in making a book worthy for readers. There’s no shame in admitting we make mistakes. It’s natural and normal for our books to have flaws, sometimes many.

Jody lists three truths she has come to accept:

1. No writer can get a story perfect the first time.

2. Writers can’t see their story the way the audience does. 

3. Writers need to love the vision they have for their stories and not the words.

These are wise words and make me feel a little better about those pesky mistakes I always seem to make.

Be sure to check out the rest of Jody’s post, it is filled with great information and insight.

Happy Writing,

Suzanne Santillan

Writing on the Sidewalk

 

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It’s My Mother’s Fault

I bought a bottle of moonshine last October.

It’s sitting on my kitchen counter, unopened. I haven’t quite had the nerve to drink it. But I like that it’s there to greet me every morning.

I picked it up when I, along with my sister and one of my brothers, went to visit my mother for her birthday. So what did we do for Mom’s birthday weekend? Well, what every grandmother of a certain respectable age wants to do for a significant birthday. We drove a few hours in order to tour Stillhouse Distillery at Belmont Farms, where they make and sell “legal moonshine.” Besides the fact that the terms legal and moonshine contradict each other, they run a pretty nifty tour of their operation. We were able to see all the necessary bits of equipment, including peeking in and smelling the gigantic vat of liquor.

I’m sure Mom had a wonderful time. 

Okay, so maybe that’s not really what she wanted to do for her birthday, but she was willing, even though I’d already toured Ballast Point brewery and distillery here in San Diego. (They don’t claim to make moonshine as they’re sticklers for accuracy, but they make an assortment of spirits – whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, etc.) Although I was pretty sure I had a fair grasp of how to make whiskey, I wanted to see it done, Virginia-style.

I even met Moonshiner Tim, star of the Discovery show, Moonshiners. 

My mother played along because she’s a good sport. But, after all, it’s her fault that I’ve been obsessed with moonshine whiskey production for the last year or more.

She’s the one who said something along the lines of “Why don’t you write about your high school adventures?” My sister and I had one of our hysterical laugh moments over that idea. (Sorry, Mom.) But then, all of a sudden I was writing about a small town in Virginia. And a girl who wanted to leave.

And yes, eventually moonshine seeped in too.

Not that it’s a true story. At least, not all of it.

Thanks, Mom…

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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Are We Breaking Up Already?

I love hearing all the ALA Awards news! It’s exciting to hear what books stood out, which ones are the shiniest and brightest for the moment. I’ve actually read quite a few of the 2013 winners – well, more than any other year – but I still have lots of new ones added to my to-read list.

…

And then there’s the thing staring at me from my desk.

I’d forgotten how hard it is to get through a first draft. What a mess it is.

And, how much writing is like dating.

Starting a new WIP is like meeting someone new and interesting. There’s the spark, the allure. The thrill of what might happen.

This new relationship started well. Our banter and flirting has been fun. I’ve been daydreaming about handsome, mysterious, oh-so-intriguing Mr. WIP.

But now we’re kind of getting past that everything-is-perfect stage. We have to actually hang out together. To ask the hard questions. To spend lots of time together. I’m starting to suspect those nagging doubts are there for good reason. I’ll have to dig deeper, see if I like what I find behind the shiny facade. See if I’m willing to put the time and effort in to actually making this work.

I think we’ve had our first fight.

All of a sudden those old WIPs – the ones I’d said goodbye too are looking pretty good again. Maybe I should give one another go. For old time’s sake.

But there’s a reason we broke up. I have to remember that. Take the lessons learned as I move on.

I guess I’ll go on another date with the new one. Fingers crossed it’s not like *****.

 

Sarah Wones Tomp

WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK

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