The Phantom Stallion

FA (Writing) Q's

Q: I just finished writing something I think is pretty good. Can you please read it for me and tell me what you think?

A: I am so, so, sorry, but I can't. HarperCollins discourages its writers from reading any unpublished manuscripts outside of an organized workshop, for liability reasons. Apparently it's amazingly common for unpublished authors (not you, I'm sure!) to accuse published writers of stealing ideas, so they don't like us to take the chance.

Q: I keep starting books and stories, but I never finish one. What can I do that might help me keep going so I can write THE END and mean it?

A: Pick the one idea which feels most irresistible to you, then start a notebook for it. What goes into the notebook? Almost anything. Magazine pictures which resemble your settings or characters. A diary written in the first person of one of your characters, maybe even your villain. Why? They say each character is the hero of his or her story and that includes the villain! Maybe your notebook will have research, too. Mine always do -- on cougars, on hoof injuries, on unusual horse markings or ancient legends...and don't limit yourself to the Internet. Other resources like books and talking with real people are much better because you veer off on interesting tangents.

Q: I kind of know my plot, but where do I start my story?

A: I think it's fun to start your first page in the middle of an exciting event.

Q: I keep forgetting what was going to happen next and I really hate outlining. What should I do?

A: I get a big piece of butcher paper and write down main events I Absolutely want in my story (even if I don't know how they'll be connected) and write them in order (that can always change) and tape it to my office wall. That's the big version on a story skeleton. I also do the same thing with index cards.

As for outlining -- I have many writer friends who say written descriptions kill their enthusiasm for a project. If this approach has already failed, try more right hemisphere techniques -- pictures, memories, emotional character diaries -- or, just plunge into the story and every time your excitement flags, create a huge conflict. Your main character doesn't give us much to admire if she only overcomes a broken fingernail, right?

An example I heard from writer Robin Hatcher is this: your heroine must make a life or death phone call (she has no cell phone), but there is a gorilla in the only phone booth for miles around. What your heroines does next tells us who she is and propels the story's action.

Q: Is it best to start a new series or write a book by itself that is not part of a series?

A: My recommendation is to start small and do a fantastic job -- like polishing a small rock into a jewel instead of turning a slab into a table for twelve. You might begin with a short story or a novella or even a poem and see if the idea needs to stretch out into a book. My first two published works were short stories because my skills were best suited for that length. As I gained more experience, I began to write longer, more complicated storylines.

Q: How do you know what to write about?

A: In searching for Writer's Corner activities, I ran across Writingfix.com , a site sponsored by the Northern Nevada Writing Project and the National Writing Project. It features Daily and Random Writing Topics, a community for student writers, games for writers and the Web master is starting to assemble a list of contests. Check it out.

Q: How much should I pay to have my work published?

A: Not a penny! As you search for places to share your writing, be alert to scams. Be very skeptical of publishers asking you for money to print your work, to give you classes to improve your work or to pay an editor to improve your writing. Before you send anything anywhere it is a good idea to thoroughly check it out.

Q: How do I get a publisher to take me seriously if I'm a kid?

A: Here are four things which really helped me:

Make your work perfect on the page. In other words, grammar, spelling and mechanics count on your final draft. (First drafts can be as messy as you like!)
Select the publication carefully. For instance, don't send a horse story to your local newspaper unless they've asked for fiction submissions.
Collect credentials. Starting now, look for opportunities to compete with other student writers. Be alert to essay contests, magazine contests asking for your written opinions, scholarship opportunities which require you to write, etc. Then keep proof of your honors, so you can mention them when you submit your work.
Real life experiences can be credentials, too. Keep track of things you've done which make your work unique. When I submitted the first "Phantom Stallion" book, I mentioned riding on cattle drives and wild horse gathers. Those details probably earned my work attention it wouldn't have received otherwise.

Happy trails.


	Writing Tips \| Playing With Plots \| Workshops \| FA (Writing) Qs Page
	FA (Writing) Q's Q: I just finished writing something I think is pretty good. Can you please read it for me and tell me what you think? A: I am so, so, sorry, but I can't. HarperCollins discourages its writers from reading any unpublished manuscripts outside of an organized workshop, for liability reasons. Apparently it's amazingly common for unpublished authors (not you, I'm sure!) to accuse published writers of stealing ideas, so they don't like us to take the chance. Q: I keep starting books and stories, but I never finish one. What can I do that might help me keep going so I can write THE END and mean it? A: Pick the one idea which feels most irresistible to you, then start a notebook for it. What goes into the notebook? Almost anything. Magazine pictures which resemble your settings or characters. A diary written in the first person of one of your characters, maybe even your villain. Why? They say each character is the hero of his or her story and that includes the villain! Maybe your notebook will have research, too. Mine always do -- on cougars, on hoof injuries, on unusual horse markings or ancient legends...and don't limit yourself to the Internet. Other resources like books and talking with real people are much better because you veer off on interesting tangents. Q: I kind of know my plot, but where do I start my story? A: I think it's fun to start your first page in the middle of an exciting event. Q: I keep forgetting what was going to happen next and I really hate outlining. What should I do? A: I get a big piece of butcher paper and write down main events I Absolutely want in my story (even if I don't know how they'll be connected) and write them in order (that can always change) and tape it to my office wall. That's the big version on a story skeleton. I also do the same thing with index cards. As for outlining -- I have many writer friends who say written descriptions kill their enthusiasm for a project. If this approach has already failed, try more right hemisphere techniques -- pictures, memories, emotional character diaries -- or, just plunge into the story and every time your excitement flags, create a huge conflict. Your main character doesn't give us much to admire if she only overcomes a broken fingernail, right? An example I heard from writer Robin Hatcher is this: your heroine must make a life or death phone call (she has no cell phone), but there is a gorilla in the only phone booth for miles around. What your heroines does next tells us who she is and propels the story's action. Q: Is it best to start a new series or write a book by itself that is not part of a series? A: My recommendation is to start small and do a fantastic job -- like polishing a small rock into a jewel instead of turning a slab into a table for twelve. You might begin with a short story or a novella or even a poem and see if the idea needs to stretch out into a book. My first two published works were short stories because my skills were best suited for that length. As I gained more experience, I began to write longer, more complicated storylines. Q: How do you know what to write about? A: In searching for Writer's Corner activities, I ran across Writingfix.com , a site sponsored by the Northern Nevada Writing Project and the National Writing Project. It features Daily and Random Writing Topics, a community for student writers, games for writers and the Web master is starting to assemble a list of contests. Check it out. Q: How much should I pay to have my work published? A: Not a penny! As you search for places to share your writing, be alert to scams. Be very skeptical of publishers asking you for money to print your work, to give you classes to improve your work or to pay an editor to improve your writing. Before you send anything anywhere it is a good idea to thoroughly check it out. Q: How do I get a publisher to take me seriously if I'm a kid? A: Here are four things which really helped me: Make your work perfect on the page. In other words, grammar, spelling and mechanics count on your final draft. (First drafts can be as messy as you like!) Select the publication carefully. For instance, don't send a horse story to your local newspaper unless they've asked for fiction submissions. Collect credentials. Starting now, look for opportunities to compete with other student writers. Be alert to essay contests, magazine contests asking for your written opinions, scholarship opportunities which require you to write, etc. Then keep proof of your honors, so you can mention them when you submit your work. Real life experiences can be credentials, too. Keep track of things you've done which make your work unique. When I submitted the first "Phantom Stallion" book, I mentioned riding on cattle drives and wild horse gathers. Those details probably earned my work attention it wouldn't have received otherwise. Happy trails.