Kevin Weiss issues challenge to RWA, MWA, SFA

Last Friday, Kevin Weiss, CEO of Author Solutions, asked executives at  Science Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America to “engage in a direct conversation with me and some of the other folks at Author Solutions at their convenience.”

Author Solutions recently partnered with Thomas Nelson and On Demand Books to provide online tools for authors to publish, print, distribute and market self-published books.  The decision has created controversy with the big three authors guilds, and Mr. Weiss has invited them to discuss what Author Solutions does to advance the cause of their membership on a daily basis, and how Author Solutions “can improve the opportunities for their writers and the choice for readers.”

Becoming a better anything is easier if you expose yourself to the best.  Brian Tracy encourages this in his 21 Secrets of Success.  Join the groups.  Go to seminars.  Go to workshops.  Read the how-to books.  Get advice from the best in the field.

I resisted this one for a long time.  Workshops, retreats, and everything that goes along with them cost a lot of money, and I didn’t want to spend it.  I thought that a lot of retreats were little more than a reason for writers to escape their families, and I like my family.  I didn’t need to escape.

But, according to Tracy (yeah, the guy who studied what successful people have in common), people who do these things grow to be the best in their field much faster than those who go it alone.   And I believe him.

This spring there will be a whole new crop of conferences to attend.  Find one you can afford, and attend.  Talk to the writers you meet there.  Listen to the speakers, and learn everything you can. 

This sounds simple, and it is.  It will take resources.  It will take time.  But if you’re serious about writing, it’s a great key to faster success.  And, while you’re there, have a good time.  It’s okay.  Really.

All the best,

Mary

How to crack open writers block

In Monday’s post, I talked about killing your inner editor, but once in awhile, pushing through word count can lead t0 a box you can’t open.  You’re stuck.  The words won’t come.  You have no idea where to go next.

Creative daydreaming leads to new ideas

I’m not a big believer in muses, in literary fairies sprinkling magic inspiration over your keyboard.  What you type comes from you.  Occasionally, the creativity dries up.  Some writers swear that taking a long walk helps re-energize their imagination.  Others get inspired by doing dishes (yeah, go figure) taking a shower or driving.  They all involve a form of daydreaming.  Wikipedia says “Research with fMRI shows that brain areas associated with complex problem-solving become activated during day dreaming episodes.”

Talk to your characters

Another way to break the bonds of strangled imagination is role playing.  Sit down with your character and interview them.  This is different that the character profile you may or may not have written while plotting your story.  By this time, you know your heroine’s eye color, height, favorite food and family history. It’s time to dig deeper.

Pretend you’re Larry King

You’re on one side of the desk, your hero is on the other, and his latest transgression became public yesterday.  You have the first interview with him.  The whole world is watching.  Why did he act the way he did when X happened?  Who is he, really?  What is his secret desire/flaw/strength?  How is he going to get out of the situation?  Go for the jugular and don’t let up until you get an answer.

By immersing yourself in this role playing exercise, you’ll learn more about your character.  The blocks will break apart and you’ll be in control of your story again.

On Monday, we’ll review more ways of making your hero/heroine come to life.

Cheryl