Writing Resolutions

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Do you make New Year's Resolutions? If you make them, do you keep them? Besides the usual promises to lose weight, be a better person, or follow a budget, why don't you make a resolution to pay attention to your writing life.

Perhaps you need to finish your first novel. Or finish that series you've been working on. Perhaps you have twenty novels but your sales are dwindling. Here are some ideas to help you make this year more creative.

• Write it down. Put pen to paper and describe your goals for the year.
• Make it simple. Complicated goals almost guarantee failure.
• Be specific. Do you want to write every day? Is that possible? Be truthful with yourself.
• Place your goal somewhere you will see it. On the wall by your writing desk is a great location.

Here's to a new year and a rejuvenated writing life.



 

Tips Of The Trade

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I shared this on my personal blog and thought I would re-post it here.

I recently spent some time beta reading a writer friend's new book. For those who don't know, beta reading is one of the first steps you should take after writing a novel. You give it to people you trust, to read and tell you what they think. I usually go a bit further and do some editing suggestions. Just because I like that part of it.

If you're ever asked to beta read here are a few rules:

1. Make sure the book is ready to read. The writer should have done all the editing they could on their own before they ask for your help. You definitely don't want to read a first draft.  I highly recommend The Frugal Editor  -  an easy to follow process for self editing -  http://amzn.to/2aEoydz
2. Be kind, but honest. Most writers really want to know what needs improvement. If they don't, then they shouldn't be asking for your input. If you know the person well enough to believe they may be offended, think about politely turning down their request. Better to keep a friendship than make an enemy. 
3. Try to point out things like POV (point of view) mistakes, inconsistent characters, plot holes, or anything that just doesn't make sense to you as a reader. Let them know if the beginning captures your attention or if perhaps they might want to start the story at a different spot. 
4. Don't make any changes yourself. Use Word comments to make your suggestions. You are not the author and they will not appreciate your corrections, no matter how well intended. 

Beta reading can be fun. After all, you get the first look at a new novel and maybe your suggestions will help the author craft an even better story. 

Almost Over

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JANO 2016 is almost over. Thirty-one days go by so fast. Some of our participants made the goal of 50,000 words. They have a novel under their belt. Not a polished, ready to publish novel, but a great start. Others are still typing their fingers to the bone trying to reach the end. And still others have thrown in the towel.

But, no matter where they ended up this month, they are all winners. They took the challenge to write a novel. Lot's of people say they want to write a novel, but never do. 

As chairperson, I want to thank you for signing up and writing your stories. I also want to thank the volunteers who set up virtual write-ins and donated prizes (see our donor list to the right). It takes a village. 

Don't stop here. If you are done with your novel, put it away for a few weeks, then pull it out and start polishing it. Fill in those plot holes, take out those repetitive words, add description. Repeat. Then, don't let it sit in a drawer. Submit it. Yes, you'll probably get some rejections - we all do. But, who knows, you could be the next J.K. Rowling. 

JOIN US FOR JANO 2016

JANO 2016

About JANO

During January, 2010, Sleuths’ Ink held it’s first-ever JANO challenge. Modeled after the popular National Novel Writing Month in November, JANO begins in, you guessed it, January.

Participants are challenged to write a 50,000-word novel during January. Join us and kick off the new year with a novel in progress! 

Two good reasons we picked January: 

1) You get an extra day to write. To complete 50,000 words during January, you only need to write 1,613 words a day.

2) The holidays are over. Winter has set in. What better way to spend a long, dreary month than writing a novel?

Over the past few years, participants from across the nation entered our challenge. Many of them reached their 50,000 goal, with a few actually receiving a contract for their completed JANO project.

JOIN US FOR JANO 2016!

Sleuths' Ink will hold its Seventh Annual JANO beginning January 1, 2016. Please join us and kick off the new year by writing a new novel or adding new words to a work in progress. And it's free! 

Rules: There may be no actual writing on your new JANO novel until January 1. If you are going to  add words to a work in progress, we can only count the words added after January 1. It is up to you to keep those word counts separate. You may plot your novel and create character sketches before January 1, 2016. On that date, write like mad (no editing) the entire month in order to reach the 50,000-word goal.  

To celebrate JANO members’ successes, Sleuths’ Ink will sponsor a party February 5, 2016. Details are forthcoming. As always, during the party, prizes will be awarded to our JANO 2016 participants.  See categories below.  In addition, we're giving away a $100 grand prize to one lucky JANO participant at our annual December holiday party.  The winner of this grand prize must be a Sleuths’ Ink member in good standing as of February 1, 2016 and must have written a minimum of 25,000 words in 2016.

PRIZE CATEGORIES FOR JANO:

1. First to 50,000 words in January
2. Second to 50,000 words in January
3. Third to 50,000 words in January
4. Best Title
5. Best First Paragraph 
6. Most Unique Character Name
7. Best Blurb – 100 words or less　　

KEEP IN MIND: a Blurb is often used in your query letter to sell your story to an editor or what is found on the back of the book to grab your potential reader’s attention.

　Participant MUST have written at least 10,000 words to be eligible for prizes

• Must be on the janowriters yahoo email loop. (see below)
• No acceptances after MIDNIGHT January 31, 2016 deadline. NO exceptions!!!

Attendees of the Wrap-Up Party judge the last four categories on February 5th, 2016 and prizes will be awarded accordingly. You do not have to be in attendance to win, but we encourage everyone within driving distance to come join the FUN!

JANO is sponsored by Sleuths’ Ink, a mystery and suspense writers’ non-profit organization in Springfield, Missouri. JANO 2016 Chairperson: Wanda Fittro

SIGN UP AT:   jano2016-subscribe@yahoogroups.com