Monthly Archives: June 2012

It. I Really Hate It.

Posted on June 9, 2012 | 66 comments

I have a new word to add to my hate list. It’s “it”.

I am trying to hand my publisher a clean manuscript. The analyzer asked me the remove 5 cases of “there” (no problem) Once case of something else (it was easy, so I don’t remember). It told me that I had 109 uses of “it” and I should remove 52 of them.

This task was definitely a little more daunting. In the end, I was able to get it down to 77 cases. The analyzer is still telling me to remove 20 cases, but these are all in dialog. If you haven’t noticed, people use “it” in dialog, and if you try to remove “it” your characters start to sound like Robots… so my “its” are staying. If the living breathing editors want to mention it, I will deal with it then.

One thing I did learn though, is that narration can be stronger without the word “it”. Here are a few real case examples from LAST WINTER RED

In this first example, I took out both “it” and the second reference to the basket:

She raced past the death and decay and threw her arms around his neck, tipping her basket to the side. Lori grabbed it before the vials spilled. Her eyes narrowed disapprovingly as she set the basket on the table beside them.

This paragraph always bothered me, but I couldn’t put my finger on why. Now it flows much better… The revise, without the “it” and the second “basket”

She raced past the death and decay and threw her arms around his neck, tipping her basket to the side. Lori grabbed the wicker handle before the vials spilled. Her eyes narrowed disapprovingly as she set the precious parcel on the table beside them.

Here’s another one. Same as before, it wasn’t reading well. We will be removing two occurrences of “it”. I changed “the well” because I used the word “well” in the previous paragraph

He pulled on the strings, and a bucket rose from the well. He tipped it to fill her pail and handed it back to her.

Changed to:

He pulled on the strings, and a bucket rose from the ground. He poured the water into her pail and passed the handle to her, balancing the container with his other hand.

When you pull these examples out of the text, these changes almost seem obvious, but believe me, all my betas read right over this, and I need to admit that the sentences are richer without that annoying little “it”.

How do you feel about “it”?

66 Comments

Posted in General Writing Tips, Senseless Ranting

Tagged annoying words, editing, editing for a publisher, using autocrit, Words you hate, working with an editor, writing

Biggest Mistakes New Writers Make #3: Nope, you can’t explain yourself. Sorry, not allowed!

Posted on June 8, 2012 | 34 comments

At a recent Author’s panel discussion, Jonathan Maberry, Mike McPhail, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Jon Gibbs, Jennifer R. Hubbard, and Kristin Battestella discussed the biggest mistakes they believe writers make.

Mike McPhail commented that you CANNOT explain your novel to people.

Think about that.

What Mike said is that you are not going to be there to explain anything about your novel. It needs to stand on its own with no questions. If it can’t stand on its own, you are not going to find a publisher (and remember, he’s a publisher as well as a writer)

I recently read a review from a “self-published” author that said: “Just get through the first few chapters… you’ll be glad you did.”

I can’t help but wonder if they asked a friend to say that… This is probably why they self-published. Why would you start your novel out weak? Personally, if I’m not engaged in the first few pages, the book goes back on the shelf.

I wonder if this person ever had beta readers.

Note: I would never let a beta-read pass with a bad first page, let alone a bad first few chapters. That’s like literary suicide in my book.

Make sure your novel can stand on its own, and for goodness sake, if you feel like you have to apologize for your first few chapters CHANGE THEM!

Jonathan Maberry: www.Jonathanmaberry.com

Mike McPhail: www.mcp-concepts.com

Danielle Ackley-McPhail: www.sidhenadaire.com

Jon Gibbs: www.acatofninetales.com

Jennifer R. Hubbard: www.jenniferhubbard.com

Kristin Battestella: www.jsnouff.com/kristin

Why Books Fail (cultofajracewood.wordpress.com)

34 Comments

Posted in Author Advice

Tagged and Kristin Battestella, Arts, Book, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Fiction, Jennifer R. Hubbard, Jon Gibbs, Jonathan Maberry, Literature, Mike McPhail, Publishing, self publish, Shopping, Writers Resources, writing, Writing and Editing, Writing help

Review Of Percy Jackson #3 — Titan’s Curse

Posted on June 7, 2012 | 13 comments

The Monomaniacle Middle Grade Reviewer Takes on Percy Jackson #3 TITAN”S CURSE — in the middle of the night.

Yes, he woke me up. That’s why I sound like that.

At 2:35 No, I didn’t drop the camera. He kicked me.

At 4:02 — The dog wanted to go back to bed, too.

13 Comments

Posted in Book/Movie Review

Tagged Annabeth Chase, Greek mythology, Grover Underwood, Middle Grade Review, Percy Jackson, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Review, Rick Riordan, Sea of Monsters, Son of Neptune, titan's curse

Hey! Look at me! I’m a ROW 80 Sponsor!

Posted on June 6, 2012 | 35 comments

Wahoo! We are well into Round 2 of Row 80, and I am proud to be one of the sponsors helping out the lovely and talented Kait Nolan on her ambitious endeavor to keep writers writing.

Today, you can find me ranting about how to get started on a new work, or how to write your way out of writer’s block over at the Row 80 site. (Just scroll down after Kait’s Wednesday check-in to see my words of wisdom) Hop on over and give a look.

As for me? Where am I?

I am struggling to keep my head above water… that’s where I am. I was hoping to have a sports-free spring, but that didn’t work out. Why do parents suffer when kids want to do sports? My goodness… I want to support my kids, but what a time suck! Don’t these other parents have writing to do after their normal workday? Blogging? Publisher’s deadlines? Critiquing? Oh… I’m the only one who does that. Ergghhhh.

I am sticking with my one goal for 2012.

And guess what? If you haven’t heard… YES! I am getting published!

See that pretty little book cover to the right? Yep, that’s my name!

But signing the contract does not mean the work is done. I’m busy editing and reworking right now, and working through my marketing plan. It’s tons of work.

I’m also playing around with a new idea in my head. I need to get it outlined so I can start the fun of exploding things writing something new. I guess that is my short-term goal… get through the outline so I can get to the fun part.

How are things in your writing world?

3 Ways to Head Off Writer’s Block Before You Get Halfway through Your Manuscript! (christinalibooks.wordpress.com)
How to become a successful writer: Setting goals (ncpendergast.wordpress.com)
To Outline or Not to Outline, That is the Question (thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com)
It’s that time of the month to set up your writing goals. (writingthroughmyeyes.wordpress.com)
Habits of highly effective freelance writers (clurradonald.com)

35 Comments

Posted in Road to Publication, Row 80

Tagged Arts, Book Writing, Chats and Forums, FAQs Help and Tutorials, Goal, Mailing Lists, Row 80, Writers Resources, writing

National Tattoo Day with Special Guest “Tattoo Guy”, Jord Fox

Posted on June 5, 2012 | 16 comments

Okay, so, it was like this: I am standing in line at the coffee shop, and I see this guy in front of me covered with tattoos.

After he gets his double mocha latte, I say, “So, Dude, what’s up with all the tattoos?”

He looks up, laughs (spitting out about $2.00 worth of his latte) and after we grab some paper towels to clean up the mess, we start chatting.

Okay, well, it didn’t go 100% like that, but we were in a coffee shop, and we did chat about his tattoos. Guess what? He’s a writer. A songwriter, but hey, that counts.

He showed me his tattoos (Half of you just giggled. Let’s be G-rated, people!! He rolled up his sleeve!)

Anyway, he explained them all, and I thought it was pretty neat. I asked him if he’d like to do a guest post on my blog, and – you guessed it, or I wouldn’t be writing this post – he agreed.

So please welcome Jord Fox (AKA Songwriting Tatoo Guy) to chat with us all about tattoos.

June fifth is National Tattoo Day, and I was asked to write about the tattoo topic. I had previously posted about why I got mine, so I think I’ll cover some other, broader aspects.

Tattoos, of course, have a negative connotation due to various cultures using them to mark criminals, the times criminals (or would-be criminals) marked themselves as a status symbol, and the fact that anything that breaks the norm is usually scorned.

However, in today’s world, the tattoo taboo isn’t as great. Tattoos are actually fairly commonplace, and are seen everywhere. Many women have them on ankles, shoulder blades, or have the infamous lower back “tramp stamp”. Men get them on arms, legs, backs, and chests. But why do they do this?

Well, starting with the criminal element, tattoos can mark loyalties (especially to gangs) and acts committed. I don’t think I need to cover this realm further; I’m sure you get it.

Members of the military have gotten them to show loyalty as well, or pride in their service. Tattoos have also been done to honor fallen comrades. One of the coolest tattoos for military (and sailors in general) is a pair of birds. I believe the birds are swallows. My understanding is that when one is sent overseas. they get one swallow to mark that they arrived safely there, and get the matching piece done when they arrive home. I think it’s an awesome tradition.

Many get representations of loved ones and pets. And some cultures, such as the Samoans, are tattooed as a right of passage.

Of course, a lot of people in the Western World get inked because they’re trying to be cool or present a certain image, but this should not be allowed to take away from the millions of works of art created every day that have legitimate meaning, if only to the person bearing them. And this is indeed an art form. One apprentices before they can get a regular gig as a tattoo artist. They have to earn their dues. And even the finest graphic artists would have a hard time doing what they do via a vibrating needle and oft-times moving, wincing, flinching canvasses.

I realize some may think of me in a certain light because I would have to wear long sleeves and pants to cover all of mine, but every tattoo I’ve gotten had thought put into it and means something to my life. And this is the last reason I’ll give as to why people get work done: For many, including myself, these works of art are landmarks. They signify where we’ve been, what we’ve been through, and where we want to be. The only one that brings me a twinge of regret is my ex-wife’s initial on my shoulder. It happens, but I could always cover it up if I choose to do so.

I hope this was informative. And maybe you’ll get one of your own now if you haven’t already–welcome to the establishment!

The Booming Tatooing & De-Tattooing Businesses (wallacegsmith.wordpress.com)
#AtoZ : Tattoos (joycelansky.blogspot.com)
Gettin inkd (ask.metafilter.com)
The Thinking Behind the Inking: Can You Guess the Celebrity Tattoo Quote? (bellasugar.com)
Why Does Everyone Have Tattoos? (mishie1.wordpress.com)
The No-Regrets Tattoo is On Its Way (bellasugar.com)
Question: If tattoos only lasted for one year, would you want one? (deaconjohn1987.wordpress.com)
Want to Have a Tattoo But Still Hesitate? You Can Try Temporary Tattoo First! (machinemakers.typepad.com)
Tat tat tatted up! (brunchwithamber.com)
7 Places Women Should Never Get Tattoos (hellobeautiful.com)
Jobs Down, Tattoo Removals Booming (abcnews.go.com)

16 Comments

Posted in Senseless Ranting

Tagged Arts, Bodyart, national tattoo day, Samoans, songwriter, Tattoo, Tattoo artist, tattoo guy, tattoos, Western World, what do tattoos mean, why get a tattoo

The Road to Publication #4: Meeting Other Authors

Posted on June 4, 2012 | 18 comments

When the gads of information started coming in from my publisher, one of the “neat little perks” was the key to the background of J. Taylor Publishing’s Website.

No… not the part where I can re-program it, silly… the password protected part. Grooving around there, I found a forum… and low and behold I saw “Welcome new Author Jennifer M. Eaton”

Hmmmm…

Of course I opened it up, and there was an email string of all the other JTP authors congratulating me and welcoming me on-board. [[Grins]]

It’s pretty neat, having informal conversations with authors whose novels I have read. I’m also getting to know the other authors in the anthology pretty well: (Lynda R. Young, Kelly Said, Terri Rochenski, and Jenny Keller Ford (Who I already knew) not to mention Headline Author J.A. Belfield.

Getting to know them is nice, since we are all “in the same boat” at the same time, struggling against exactly the same deadlines to get our anthology out on time.

Right now, most of us have done the required final author edit on our manuscripts and handed them in for review by the J. Taylor editors. I can’t wait for the flurry of chatter when the editors’ comments come back.

Cover Reveal: Make Believe (Various Authors) #CoverReveal #eBook #Anthology (rebeccahartwriting.wordpress.com)
Cover Reveal: Make Believe (Various Authors) #CoverReveal #eBook #Anthology (bexbooknook.wordpress.com)
Cover Reveal: Make Believe anthology (bookarooju.wordpress.com)

18 Comments

Posted in Road to Publication

Tagged anthology, Arts, author, jennifer M. Eaton, Kelly Said, Literature, Meeting Authors, Romance, social networking, Terri Rochenski

The Art of Procrastination: Isn’t Writing Still Fun?

Posted on June 2, 2012 | 58 comments

I did something for the first time the other day. I procrastinated.

Now, I’m not talking about the laundry, or doing the dishes—I procrastinated about writing.

Editing to be more exact.

Believe it or not, I have NEVER procrastinated before when it had to do with writing. Never Ever. Writing was always my escape. What better way to get away from the world than with characters that I love.

So here I am, vacuuming, and actually shaving the dog (which I had been procrastinating over for three months.) Now, I’m not talking about a little procrastination. This dog was on the grooming table for a full two hours straight. (No, she does not look like the same dog anymore.)

And it was all because I didn’t want to edit. So, why is that?

I think it is because I have a list of things from the publisher to make sure that are not in my novel. I think it is because I need to dig in and perfect it. But wasn’t it perfect already?

Well yes, and no. There’s nothing like pasting your novel into a manuscript analyzer if you want to make yourself run and hide.

By now, yes, I have started editing. I am fixing and sculpting, and despite my initial hesitation, LAST WINTER RED is actually getting better.

Hmmmm. Maybe these publishers actually know what they are talking about 🙂

Procrastination Queeen! (lisawifemom.wordpress.com)
Procrastination (aloudhush.wordpress.com)
Progress in Procrastination (unnecessarypoetry.wordpress.com)
Mitigating Procrastination (cardseyeview.wordpress.com)
Want to Stop Procrastinating? Just Forgive Yourself [Mind Hacks] (lifehacker.com)
The Struggle with Procrastination [George Wallace] (ecademy.com)
Overcoming Procrastination (councilblogs.wordpress.com)
Formal Sweatpants Procrastination Comic (youarenotsosmart.com)

58 Comments

Posted in General Writing Tips, Senseless Ranting

Tagged author, editing, getting published, jennier m. eaton, Motivation, Procrastination, revising, Short Stories, Short story, shortstory, Time, time management, Writer Resources, Writing and Editing, Writing help

Biggest Mistakes New Authors Make #2—Jumping the gun- Writing Non-linearly

Posted on June 1, 2012 | 40 comments

Mistake number two was not writing linearly, which means not writing your story from start to finish, beginning to end, without jumping around.

Everyone gets great ideas while they are writing. When you get one that happens later in the story, do you stop and write it? I admit, I do this all the time.

To keep yourself moving, have a folder called “revision notes”. Rather than jumping back to something you wish you wrote, or hopping forward to a great idea you have… place the idea in a “notes folder” so you don’t forget it, and then keep writing. This will keep you focused on where you are.