Questions Fiction Writers Have

I read everything from Nora Roberts through Dean Kootnz.  I profile my characters, but don’t have a good grasp on minor characters and how to know when you have too many details.  How detailed should I get before the actual writing begins?

You can get as detailed as you want with any character before you put them on the page.  But, never let the minor characters out shine your main character.  The minor characters should always show off the main character and bring out that main character’s traits by interacting with them on the page.  You might not even use all the character traits you’ve given the characters and that’s all right, because you’ve taken the time to get to know them before the story you’ll know how they should react in a setting.  Let the plot dictate how your characters, main and secondary characters will react and that comes from detailing your characters off the page.

1. Should I always stick to the outline I write?

Sometimes the characters come to life on the page and you’ll find that the original outline just doesn’t seem quite right.  That’s okay; plots are not carved in stone and should be flexible.  If you try to force the original outline and you don’t feel it fits, don’t force it, let the story flow where it will.  An outline is useful if you’re a beginner and not quite sure how to write a story.  It’s useful if you suddenly have ‘writers block’, it’s useful when you really don’t feel like writing but are compelled to do so and it’s useful to see how the outline changed once you got into writing the story.  Some authors use an outline with every book they write, others don’t.   If you know how to start a story and know where you’re going, maybe an outline is what you need for the middle.  You do need a story outline ready when you query an agent or an editor.  I can tell you it’s like pulling teeth to write an outline after the book is done, but its good exercise in patience and for marketing your manuscript.

 Trends

 After spending the past year reading each issue of Publisher’s Weekly, I realized just how useless this expensive trade magazine can be for some, while enlightening for others.  Agents can get an overall picture of the publishing industry…if they read it faithfully, as well as keep track of the ever-moving editors.  Nonfiction authors can get an overall guess as to which publisher is publishing what.  Fiction writers throw their hands up in the air and wonder how ‘that’ book ever saw the light of day.  But what’s most confusing is actually spotting a trend.

Graphic novels have made their way into mainstream and I’m still dumbfounded as to what they actually are.  A pop culture that became so big it slid right in under the radar and has grown to giant proportions.  Manga says join the Manga revolution but for us over the hill authors we wonder just what that revolution is.  What we once considered mere comic books…although we all loved them growing up, has suddenly flooded the market in virtually every genre.  Graphic novel sales are reported to be better than ever.  And we all know…once that happens, the market gets saturated.

It was bound to happen.  Even though my children are grown, those pesky Saturday morning cartoons have a habit of being on every channel.  That’s when I noticed the distinct Japanese influence in the character drawings.  The characters have sharp angles and big rounded eyes, and these same characteristics are carried over into the graphic novels.  Now, it seems Disney is even getting into the phenomenal craze with a new science-fiction comic magazine for teens.  Marvel Comics has come alive with movie tie-ins and reprints from the “golden age”, 1938-1956, are making a strong comeback.

I have yet to find out exactly how you go about writing a graphic novel.  My queries to the publishers on the matter have gone unanswered.  I do know they cover many genre.  Religion is now into graphic novels for adults and kids.  Confirming, according to Publisher’s Weekly, that God can be found in unexpected places. 

All I can say is more power to the publishers if it will get every generation to reading.

More Questions

#1 Why can’t I get an agent?  Every agent I’ve sent my material to sends it back rejected.

Since the downsizing of the publishing houses and less money spent on advances agents know that unless you’ve got a sure fire manuscript there is little chance he/she will make any money from a first time author.   Of course authors think they’ve got the perfect novel but agents often times have other ideas.  And too most agents are not writers and can’t tell you what’s wrong with your novel so instead they ship it back saying it’s not what they’re looking for at the moment or that you should do some re-writes.  The bottom line is that fiction is a hard sell in the industry.  If an agent thinks they can make money on you they will ask for your material.  If not they send it back.  Don’t get discouraged.  If you’re lucky enough to have some solid critique from the agent think about what they’ve said and get busy with re-writes but don’t send the manuscript back to them unless they encourage you to do so.

#2  I sent my manuscript off to a publisher how long should I wait to hear from them?  Should I call and see if they got my manuscript?

You should never send your manuscript before you query an editor.  If the editor asks to see your material and you haven’t heard from the editor in six months then I’d say give them a call.  If your manuscript isn’t what they are looking for it will be returned almost immediately.  Be patient!  Start another writing project while you’re waiting to hear about the current one.  In the business this is known as the working manuscript.  In my opinion you should have something out there circulating at all times.  They may not all sell but your name will become familiar with editors and soon they will take your writing seriously.

Critique groups

To join or not to join that is the question.

Writing is a lonely profession.  This is something every writer has to understand before they decide to become a writer.  When you sit in front of that blank white screen it’s just you and your imagination.  But when those words and plots are finally pouring out every once in a while writers think they should share with others.  So why join a critique group?  Because at least in the beginning of a writer’s career a writer needs to know there are others out there who can encourage them to continue.

Before joining a critique group check it out sit in on the meeting.  Does the potential group read only fiction?  Or is it a mixed group?  Usually fiction writers critique fiction and so on.  Are any of the members published?  Have any of the members had classes?  Do the members of the group read all types of fiction?  Do the members understand the craft of writing well enough to help to you as a writer?

In reality fiction is fiction…if you know the elements that go into creating fiction.  Even if you don’t read horror and are a writer of category romance if you know the elements of fiction you can still critique that genre.  Try not to join a group for the sake of joining a group of writers.  All too soon you’ll simply be stroking each other with how much you like their story or hear things like ‘if it appeals to us it’ll appeal to an editor.’  Dead wrong.

Professional authors don’t let just anyone and everyone read their manuscripts because in the end it would only hurt them.  Very few authors allow other authors to read their manuscript unless they need some sound advice.  Even the best of writers sometimes need help.

There are critique groups that click and produce selling authors.  That’s because these people are serious about writing and know writing is a business like any other business.

To this day I remain friends with my original critique group of 28 years ago even though we’ve all gone our separate ways.  This group produced selling authors because we came out of the same writing classes early in our careers.

And when you are ready to present your material to an agent or an editor don’t brag don’t quote rave reviews from friends relatives or anyone you’ve paid to read your manuscript.  Your writing has to stand on its own.  So believe in yourself and your writing and you will no doubt become a selling author.