The Writing Show 2007 Archives

A brief First-Chapter-of-a-Novel Contest update.

On June 17th, Mark Putnam told us that he wanted to write a novel but couldn't decide what to write about. He had too many ideas. So, he asked for your input, and you responded. The voting is over, and Mark is now working toward completion of his first draft by the end of the year. How did the voting turn out, and how is he coming along? Join Mark and Writing Show host Paula B. for this surprising update on Mark's progress.

I'm beginning to see that as much as I like to ask questions about structure, characterization, plot, and other elements of fiction, many writers don't plan those things: they just let them unfold. Yet despite the fact that this week's guest wrote his story pretty much as he went along, everything came out beautifully. How did that happen? Listen! Tony Williams has spent his working life in education, initially as a teacher, later as an administrator, and finally at a university. He took early retirement a couple of years ago to focus more on his writing and editing. He works from home editing Jane's Ammunition Handbook for Jane's Information Group. He is also editor of The Cartridge Researcher, the monthly bulletin of the European Cartridge Research Association. He collects and researches ammunition, especially of the military variety. Please join Tony and Writing Show host Paula B. as they discuss: * How the idea for Scales came to him (it's unusual!) * How he turned the idea into a complete book, and why it took him so long to do so * Why he structured the book the way he did * What type of narration he chose and why * What drives the story forward * Where Scales falls in the science fiction continuum * How this book fits into his overall writing career * Why he writes science fiction.

We've had a lot of requests for a show on point of view, so I've been researching the topic, and despite the fact that I majored in literature in college, I've been surprised by almost everything I've discovered! In this solo show, I'll share with you what I've found so far, including: * What point of view is * What the function of the narrator is * What types of narration there are * When to use the various types of narration * How to decide who should be a viewpoint character * What to watch out for when switching between points of view. I'll be illustrating my findings with lots of examples.

I've recorded a special podcast explaining how you can get involved with this year's Writing Show holiday programming: our short story celebration and our New Year's poetry slam.

In episode 4 of "Getting Published, with Mark Leslie," we learned that Mark was taking a detour from his horror story A Canadian Werewolf in New York to publish a picture book for his niece and work on some other projects. We also dug into a critique of one of Mark's chapters from Writing Show guest host Mick Halpin. In episode 5, we find out whether Mark has indeed returned to writing his horror story. We also go over another entertaining Mick Halpin critique and hear a fabulous reminiscence about clove cigarettes (inspired by one of Mick's critiques) from Writing Show listener Mark Herbst.

The Web has created dazzling new opportunities for writers. Today's guest, a former writer for iTunes and other Apple projects, explains how you can get involved. For the past decade Karen Anderson has been involved in writing, designing and producing user-friendly Web content for consumer audiences. From 2000 to 2006 she worked for Apple as a writer for iReview and the iTunes Music Store and as the managing editor for the one-million-member .Mac Internet services Web site. Karen currently writes content for commercial Web sites as part of a Seattle search engine optimization team. Please join Karen and Paula B. as we surf our way through: * What opportunities there are for writing on the Web * How search engine optimization affects Web writers * What "chunking" is * Why it's so important to get "signup pathways" right * What white papers are and why writers should care * What it was like evaluating sites for the Webby awards * What it was like writing for iTunes and other Apple projects * Why she left Apple to go out on her own * How well Web writers can do financially * What qualifications you should have to write for the Web (and get paid for it). Following Karen's interview we have a quick chat with author Bob Andelman about his new interview podcast and blog, Mr. Media, and get a Jeff's eye view of the perils of narrow-focusing from author Jeff DeRego.

We've heard a lot of positive buzz about self-publishing here on The Writing Show. But not everyone thinks that's the best idea for authors. Today's guest has some strong words for self-publishing companies and some food for thought for those considering using them. He also has some choice words for Writers Digest regarding a recent article about how to get out of the slush pile. Jeffrey R. DeRego is a "know it all loudmouth" currently living in Derry, NH. Jeff is the author of the Union Dues series of stories, among others, available for free download from Escape Pod. He also writes under the pseudonym Big McLargehuge for Horrorview.com. Jeff is an instructional designer and editor for a telecommunications training company. Join Jeff and host Paula B. as they wrangle over: * Why Jeff isn't exactly gung-ho about self-publishing * What other routes to getting published he recommends * Why some Writers Digest-approved branding and marketing techniques don't help you get out of the slush pile * How to get out of the slush pile.

Mark Putnam wants to write a novel, but he can't decide what to write about. He's got too many ideas. One day he thinks he's writing a thriller, the next day a satire. He needs motivation. Mark has created a survey, called Plotastic, which asks for your vote on what he should write about. Once the voting is over on July 1st, Mark will write his novel. There's no turning back now: he's committed to finishing the first draft by the end of the year. Will he make it? What will this fantastical manuscript look like? Cast your votes at Plotastic.com. Mark Putnam is a professional fundraiser and amateur writer of fiction. He has a BA in English from Angelo State University and worked in the technical and freelance writing fields prior to entering the fundraising profession. He has completed and submitted for publication several short stories over the past ten years but has never been published. His freelance and technical work has been published in various trade newsletters and online publications. Mark is a native of Houston, Texas. He and his wife have twin three-year-old sons. Join Mark and Writing Show host Paula B. as they explore Mark's brainchild, including: * How he came up with the idea * How he plans to reconcile all the individual elements of the story when he sits down to write * What he'll do if this project doesn't solve his problem * What sorts of feedback he's been getting on his blog. We'll also go over Mark's ballot and discuss its implications.

Since last September we've been following Jean as she attempts to find an agent to represent her intergenerational novel Karaoke Nights at the Twilight Lounge. So far, Jean has received a number of rejections. She's also started work on some new projects. In episode 6, we hear more atta girls from a Writing Show listener, find out what happened to two errant agent queries and learn what Jean plans to do about them, and discover that one of Jean's other projects seems to be getting some official interest.

We looked at the workings of online critique groups with author Sean Dent in February. This week, three writers join us to explore the ins and outs of in-person groups. Please join Gary Cheski, Sue Nading, David J. Roth, and host Paula B. for this exciting discussion, including: * What a critique group should do for its participants * How in-person critique groups work * What sorts of issues arise * How they've dealt with thorny issues * How to attract new members * How online and in-person groups compare.

The movie business is changing, and this week's guest has reinvented her business as a result. What inspired literary agent Candace Lake to become a literary manager, and what is a literary manager anyway? Candace Lake has represented writers and directors at Ziegler, Diskant Associates; International Creative Management; her own The Candace Lake Agency; and now Stone Canyon Media. Join Candace and Writing Show host Paula B. as they delve into the high-stakes world of writing for Hollywood, including: * What a literary manager does * Why she left agenting to become a literary manager * How writers get jobs in Hollywood * What she looks for in a writer * What qualities give screenwriters the best chance of finding and keeping work * What it takes to be a successful agent or literary manager * Which TV shows and movies she considers excellent * Whether screenwriters need to live in Los Angeles to be successful.

Jan Whitford's Mystic Island, a comic, romantic tale with historical overtones, unfolds from the perspective of a strong female lead. The author, a guy, says that the book even inches toward "chick lit." How did he write such a convincing woman protagonist? With a little help from his friends. Jan Evan Whitford originally hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico. After active duty in the Marine Corps Reserve, he got his B.A. at the University of New Mexico and moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he worked as a cartographer for the Defense Mapping Agency. Now semi-retired, Jan writes novels and pitches them as equal parts mystery, romance, and humor. Some of his short humor pieces have been published in magazines and newspapers. Mystic Fear, the second in Jan's Nikki O'Connor mystery series, follows on the heels of Mystic Island, which was released by Hilliard and Harris Publishing in June of 2005. Join Jan and Writing Show host Paula B. as we explore: * Why he alternates between third- and first-person points of view * Why he decided to make his main character a woman * How he manages to get inside a woman character's head so convincingly * How he choreographed his hurricane * How he was able to make every detail of the hurricane so realistic * How he dealt with the issue of putting words in a historical figure's mouth (or pen) * How he managed to surprise the reader at the end without contrivance * What "snake hands" are and why you should care.

A few lucky writers find their style early in life. This week's guest cut his teeth writing poetry as a kid, and you can tell. His novels reverberate with rhythm and dazzling imagery, as you will hear. Rahsaan Ali was born at Brooklyn Hospital in 1972 and raised in Saint Albans, Queens before moving to Suffolk, Long Island. His first novel, Nasty, originally titled Selfish Intentions, made Essence's bestsellers list four months in a row. His second novel, Carmello, will be out this June. Join Rahsaan and Writing Show host Paula B. as we discuss: * Where he got the idea for Carmello * How he creates such poetic dialog * Why he writes in the first person * Why he uses so many points of view in his writing * How he likes to surprise readers * Why he likes to write about lots of characters * Why we like flawed characters so much * What sex scenes should do * How his first experience with a publisher fizzled * What he thinks of the term "urban fiction" * Why he writes. Rahsaan also reads several selections for us.

You would not believe how good at marketing this week's guest is. Check her Web site under Archives and you'll see the dozens and dozens of interviews and book signings she's done, without the help of a publicist, mind you. In today's publishing environment, her accomplishments are nothing short of phenomenal. And she's going to tell us how she does it! L. Diane Wolfe's five-book Southern-based series, The Circle of Friends, centers on a group of college-age kids and portrays love and friendship overcoming all obstacles. Meant to inspire as well as entertain, Wolfe's books have been described as "encouragement personified." Traveling the East Coast to promote her series, Wolfe sets herself a heavy tour of book signings and speaking engagements. She averages more than eighty appearances and interviews each year. Join Diane and host Paula B. as they discuss the best and the worst ways to market your books, including: * Why she calls herself "Spunk on a Stick" * How she got the idea for her series * How she gets dozens and dozens of interviews and signings * How she gets her press releases noticed * What the secret to writing a great blurb is * What you should wear to a book signing * What you should always do at a book signing (and what you shouldn't) * How not to market your books * How to do a great interview.