Tag Archives: What Not To Do Wednesday

A Wednesday’s What NOT To Do, Courtesy of Chuck (And Wheee! Romance!)

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ImageApparently, I am not the only writer who employs the “What Not To Do” construct. Apparently, Chuck Sambuchino thought it was a fine idea as well. He used it over at Writer Unboxed (where he’s one of the monthly contributors) to present his article, What NOT To Do When Beginning Your Novel: Advice From Literary Agents.

Okay, fine. I suppose great  minds think alike and all that. And it’s a fine article, too, that also proves that many agents think alike when it comes to novel beginnings. Certain openings come up again and again–and that, my writer friends, is not a good thing. You want an agent to read page one and find something different and engaging. So if your novel opens with an agent’s pet peeve, I’d strongly recommend that you revise.

Of course, there are exceptions. And maybe you’ve written the exceptional trite beginning that works. Submit at your own risk, friends.

Which brings me to my next topic. When I read Lovely Lisa’s post today about romance, it reminded me that I’d come across a romance opportunity that might appeal to my readers/writers who haven’t written novels but who have (or could whip out) a romantic short story.

Crimson Romance (an imprint from F & W Media) is looking for stories in the 5,000 to 10,000 word range on holiday themes and sports themes. I know a couple writers who were published in the romance anthology, Fifty Shades of Santa. But for those of you whose stories weren’t accepted, here’s a great opportunity to try again for publication.

Or maybe you want to try your hand at romance-writing for the very first time. A short story is a good place to start. Just don’t start with one of those bad beginnings that agents don’t like.

I mean, it’s not called Wednesday’s What NOT To Do for nothing.

What Not To Do Wednesday: Let Writing Books Lie

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ImageSo, January, 2012. I made a resolution to read my books on writing instead of letting them sit there on the shelf, collecting dust, giving me that look.

Not that “come hither” look, either. More of that “you know if you’d read me, you’d be a better writer, but okay. You know better than me, the expert and successful writer. So just keep typing away and ignoring me” look.

But did I read them? No, I did not.

Now it’s 2013–and I’m an older and wiser writer, grasshopper. Because (and here’s a novel idea) I’ve started reading my books. And occasionally, I’ll order a book or two. Especially if a. a book is recommended (like Save the Cat. Read it and learn, grasshopper) or b. I can get it cheap (like when the Writer’s Digest Shop runs a sale event).

So I’m reading The Writer’s Little Helper by James V. Smith (He wrote the Delta Force best-sellers). Now, honestly, I’m not a big fan of those kinds of thrillers. But what James V. Smith says, in a simple and engaging style, can be applied to whatever genre you write–and make you a better and more successful writer.

And I’m a big fan of that.

So, don’t be a foolish little grasshopper like me and let your writing books lie unopened. Read them! And make 2013 the year of writing success!