Guest Post: Erica Cope & Giveaway of LARK!

Erica Cope, author of Lark, is taking over my blog today and talking about critique partners. I love her and her debut novel so much that I'm also giving away 3 Kindle copies of Lark, so don't forget to enter the giveaway for your chance to read this amazing book!

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When Komal asked me to do a guest post for her, my mind sorta just went BLANK.

Nothing.

Nada.

Nothing but air up there.

I couldn’t come up with anything for the life of me that I thought would be of some interest to ya’ll.

I thought about writing about the inspiration behind my story. But I already posted about it over on my blog so I figured that would be cheating.

Then I thought maybe I’d write about how I handle bad reviews (because you know, everyone gets them sometimes) but that’s been done too.

 (P.S Even though they say NOT to read them, I read them anyway. But I do make sure I always read the positive reviews afterwards to remind myself that there are people out there who DO like my story.)

So then it came to me! I’d do a post about the importance of Critique Partners because this is a topic I have a lot of thoughts on.

Ding ding ding! My brain is working again!

First, I just want to say that I think that Crit Partners are very important, special people. You are trusting them with your book baby so they have to be!

Sometimes as a writer you may think you are conveying what’s in your head on to paper but that doesn’t mean that the reader is “getting” it. I saw the entire kingdom of Álfheimr in my head, but I did not describe it very well in my first draft.

Maybe it was just an amateur move, but surely I’m not the only one who has made that mistake. (Right?) I just assumed the reader could see what I saw (as if they magically had access to my brain or something) and focused more on the flow of the story at first.

Thank goodness for Crit Partners!

One of my Crit Partners was especially good at pointing out when I left out important details. She asked me questions about what things looked like, what they sounded like and what they smelled like. Everything. So I would sit back and picture it all in my head again and then instead of focusing on the “what’s happening” part, I’d focus more on the sensory aspect. Another one helped make my dialogue more realistic (contractions!). The others helped me with the consistency of the story. Everyone who read my story helped me make it better in one way or another.

That is one of the best things about Crit Partners. Not only can they help you develop your story into what you want it to be, but they’re also good for bouncing some ideas off of. Good ones can keep you on track which is especially valuable for Indie Authors.

But on the other hand, when having people read your story before you publish, I think it’s important to remember that just because they suggest something, doesn’t mean you have to change it.

I think it’s important to make sure that you stay true to YOUR characters and YOUR story.

Sometimes people forget that everyone responds differently to different situations. Someone reading your story might offer suggestions on how THEY think your characters would respond to certain situations and while sometimes you may agree, don’t be afraid to say “no”. Because at the end of the day, you know your characters (you invented them!) and you know best.

So moral of the story?

Critique Partners are great, but don’t forget to TRUST YOURSELF too.

Thank you Komal for having me as a guest on your blog!

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Erica Cope lives in Missouri with her husband, three kids, two dogs and a partridge in a pear tree. Okay, so maybe not the last part.

You can find more about Erica in the following places:

Facebook
Twitter - @EricaCope3
Blog
Goodreads

For the chance to win one of three Kindle copies of LARK, please enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

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Guest Post: Nadja Notariani

Fellow writers, you are in luck because the fabulous Nadja Notariani has stopped by my blog today to do a guest post!
I want to thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule (she is currently getting ready to release her third novel, The Third Fate) to talk to us about writing. I'll let her get to it!
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writ·ing

n.

1. The act of one who writes.

2. Written form: Put it in writing.

3. Handwriting; penmanship.

4. Something written, especially:

a. Meaningful letters or characters that constitute readable matter.

b. A written work, especially a literary composition.

5. The occupation or style of a writer.

6. Writings (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Bible The third of the three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures, composed of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles. See Table at Bible.

writing [ˈraɪtɪŋ]

n

1. (Linguistics / Letters of the Alphabet (Foreign)) a group of letters or symbols written or marked on a surface as a means of communicating ideas by making each symbol stand for an idea, concept, or thing (see ideogram), by using each symbol to represent a set of sounds grouped into syllables (syllabic writing), or by regarding each symbol as corresponding roughly or exactly to each of the sounds in the language (alphabetic writing)

2. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) short for handwriting

3. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) anything expressed in letters, esp a literary composition

4. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) the work of a writer

5. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) literary style, art, or practice

6. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) written form give it to me in writing

7. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) (modifier) related to or used in writing writing ink

writing on the wall a sign or signs of approaching disaster

[sense 8: allusion to Daniel 5:5]

Writing.

So many emotions conjured with that single word. In some, it inspires dread, sweaty palms, palpitations. In others, it awakens the joy of exploration, the release of expressing freely, expertly. Some authors claim writing a necessity, an embedded need which must be granted release. Not so, for me. Writing is something I enjoy, a pleasure indulged.

Warning! Harsh truth ahead...

The act of writing is but one step in the marathon of crafting your novel. Enjoyable as this step may be, it is neither the first, nor the last in this wonderful, liberating, frustrating, drawn-out, satisfying process we call writing. You are probably wondering why I'm raining on the parades of eager storytellers everywhere, but I insist; I'm not. I am offering a safety net, of sorts, for when the process becomes overwhelming. Proper preparation is half the battle...

Insert disclaimer ...I'm sure there are those gifted few who 'wing-it' and find success dropping into their laps with a thud of satisfactory glee. It happens. The rest of us will have to mire through, taking the war on increasing word counts, plot decisions, adding tension, cutting unnecessary words, or finding the perfect adjective just as a battalion of soldiers must advance one hill at a time. It's a messy business. There are word casualties.

During the journey of creating, you'll laugh, you'll scream, you'll rant, you'll thrill. You'll make it. Believe it. But do yourself a huge favor first....Prepare.

When did you first know you wanted to write a novel?

I've always wanted to, but I didn't actually begin until I was 39 years old. Really. And I wish I knew then what I know now. (I'll probably say this same thing again in a year or two and think back on my naivete and lack of knowledge at this point in my writing career with a wistful smile...) So, if any of what I'm about to share helps even one writer...I'll be a happy Nadja.

Well Begun Is Half Done... (Has Mary Poppins ever been wrong?)

* Take the necessary time to plot and plan. K.M. Weiland's book, Outlining Your Novel, is a wonderful resource that I highly recommend. Keep a notebook, a file on your computer, sticky-notes, whatever works for you, tracking all the details of your story. Trust me...You'll be sooo glad you did when you think, 'Now where did I have those characters meet? Was it _____ or ______? Was she wearing green or blue? Did I name that servant/neighbor/teacher Betty or Angie?' Having to go back through chapters and search for some minute detail is a real pain. Believe me...I've been that girl.

* Make a character profile packet on each major character. Rebecca Sinclair over at Eclectics has a fine example of a thorough 'vetting' of your hero/heroine, your protagonist, your side-kick. Have some fun with it! Crafting personality is so important to the likability/emotional availability of your characters. Add quirks, habits, likes/dislikes, mannerisms, and humor to your peeps. Readers will thank you.

* Find an HONEST, but POSITIVE group of writers/friends/readers and surround yourself. I need honest feedback as a writer. It's not always what I want to hear, but needful if I'm to craft the best novel I can. However, negativity is an entirely different matter. Mojo stealing, inspiration swiping, and confidence busting, this irksome trait is one I recommend you distance yourself from.

* Start shopping for a cover designer early. There's more to a cover than the image(s). You'll need a clear idea of what your characters look like, your setting's details, and a blurb written for your designer to create the best cover he/she can. Create a folder to store images you like during the build-up. Don't limit yourself to a couple, a setting. Think details! Text colors, fonts, unification between the different elements you want to showcase in your cover. Whether we agree or disagree, the fact is, an unattractive cover can inhibit sales even if a jewel of a story resides underneath.

* Seek out beta readers. Take your time. Read writing samples if they are a fellow author, and don't be afraid to ask questions. No matter how you respect someone, if they don't enjoy the genre you are writing in, they aren't the beta reader for you. Also, beta for fellow writers. Even if you don't have the confidence to line edit, you can offer ideas and thoughts on storyline, pacing, flow of dialogue, etc. It will help your writing, training your eye and ear to discern what you like - and don't within writing style, aid you in identifying plot holes/weaknesses, and sense where a story lacks that special something that Wows readers.

I had the fine opportunity to beta for a writer I didn't know well last summer - and it was incredibly satisfying. That main character is still in my heart - dark and humorously wretched as she was. While not my favored genre, I went into the challenge with an open mind. I offered honest opinions - commenting on the things I loved as well as those I didn't. It was an extremely positive experience, and promoted growth in me as a writer.

* If you aren't a grammar queen, hire an editor. Look at local universities, or ask around at fellow writers' blogs. Someone is sure to make a recommendation. Request references and/or samples of their work if they are unknown to you. A true professional won't be offended. Better to find and eradicate those errors before your publish date!

* Set goals. Break your work into tasks.

A) Loose plot details

B) Character development

C) Research

D) Outline

E) Chapter Content

F) The Writing

G) Cover/Blurb

The above is a quick breakdown to illustrate my point. Now, allow yourself so many weeks per task. Set those goals. Post them on your blog and ask your friends to hold you accountable. Push yourself. If you struggle with motivation, joining a group may be a good idea for you. Checking-In with A Round Of Words In 80 Days is a fabulous tool which encourages scheduled and regular posting, re-assessment of goals, and honest evaluation of progress. It also offers us community with fellow writers, encouragement, and opportunities to learn about upcoming classes, great new craft books, and 'exponential reading power' - (Fellow bloggers will link to interesting articles, highlighting those 'gems' we might otherwise have missed out on).

* Celebrate along the way. Wrote the first chapter? Celebrate.

Named your characters?

Completed that daunting outline?

Nailed a scene that had been giving you fits?

Captured an elusive emotion in smart dialogue?

Found that perfect image for your hero?

Celebrate. Share your joy. It encourages others.

* Relax.
Achieve at your own pace. Push, but don't get anxious. Strive, but don't compare yourself with others. Dig deep. Skipping/skimping steps may get you to the finish line more quickly, but is that your true goal? Your heart's desire? Or is it crafting the best possible novel you can?

With hard work, dedication, persistance, and faith, you can craft your novel. Here's to success! ~ Nadja
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Nadja Notariani (1971- Current)

Nadja Notariani was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania. Her upbringing included very diverse environments, affording wide and varied richness of ethnic and religious tradition. Raised in both an Italian/Mediterranean American home and a traditional German household, Nadja gleaned the unique benefits of viewing the world through two widely different lenses.

Nadja currently resides in Northeastern Pennsylvania and published two novels in 2011, Claiming The Prize and Her Dark Baron. The Third Fate, a paranormal romance is due out in spring, 2012.
The author can be found at her website, on facebook, or through email, and enjoys hearing from readers.

You can find Nadja at her home on the web at nadjanotariani.blogspot.com.