POINT OF VIEW

An essential part of writing a novel is the point of view selection.  This is a choice that a writer makes which will define how your reader will get their information. There is no single way to determine the most effective point of view for a particular story but to me, the essential question is, whose perspective would provide the most interesting window into your story?

There are a number of different possible points of view and this post is not meant to provide an exhaustive summary of these options. A beginning writer should be familiar with the basics of the two most often used POVs, the 1^st and 3^rd person.

The 1^st person occurs when a character is the narrator. In most cases, this is limiting the window to the world to the one mind whose narration we are experiencing. To some extent, when using the first person, we are acknowledging there is going to be some difference between the narrator’s perception and the ultimate truth, as none is ever able to grasp the absolute truth. With a more “official” Unreliable Narrator, the difference between the narration and the reader’s perception is noticeable. With Peripheral 1^st person someone other than the protagonist is serving as the narrator. In that way, the narrator is telling someone else’s story. Finally, there is a version of 1^st Person POV referred to as Multiple Vision POV, where there are a number of different first person narrators each telling their story in their own voice.

The 3^rd Person POV is when the narrator is detached from the story. There are a number of 3^rd person perspectives. Single Vision POV is when the narrator is not a character in the novel and only enters the mind of one character. While it is possible to use a Multiple Minds 3^rd person, it is important to make sure you spend enough time in each of the different perspectives. Multiple Vision, also referred to as serial limited, occurs when the narrator gets into the minds of two or more characters. In this case, the writer only accesses one mind at a time and makes it abundantly clear whose mind is being accessed at a given time. 3^rd Person Omniscient is when the narrator is Godlike, able to enter the minds and experiences of all the characters and can see what the characters cannot, including the past, the present, and the future.

When I first began writing I did not make a conscious choice about POV but just let it flow from my first draft. I found I could more easily get away with such an approach with short-stories but not so much with a longer work. One of my goals has been to develop a greater structure around my writing and found that one of the first steps is making a conscious choice about POV early on. One of the fascinating experiences of writing has been that even when choosing a POV more consciously, once the story begins to develop this initial choice may change. My mentor always said to me a great deal of writing is about choices, and when it comes to POV choosing the right one makes all the difference in the world!

SELF-PUBLISHING

One of the goals of the blog is to share information that would be useful to new and emerging writers. I attended a workshop at a Writer’s Conference that focused on different publishing options. One of the areas of focus was on self-publishing. While in the past, this option was viewed from a completely negative perspective, it seems that some of that stigma has faded.

There are different self-publishing options. The most traditional of these is the good, old-fashioned print run. Typically, this means the author will pay a company a sum of money for a set number of books that are printed. A second option revolves around a print-on-demand book, where, actual books can be printed as they are ordered. Technology has also given us the option of an e-book, which looks like the most cost effective of these options.

While more in-depth analyses of these different options will be left for future posts, it is worth mentioning a few points. While major goal of publishing one’s work is to have it reach readers, the explosion of options for publsihing makes accomplishing this more difficult. There is no question, whatever route one takes to publishing their work, a major part of the process will be playing an active part in the marketing/promotional aspects of publishing. In self-publishing, this falls almost totally on the author. Those that are more successful at self-publishing tend to have an entrepreneurial spirit, so they can deal with the various challenges associated with this option. It also is helpful if one is familiar with technology as so much can be accomplished using it these days. Successful self-published authors also tend to enjoy connecting with people, both through social media as well as offline.

One of the major complaints regarding self-publishing is the stigma that the quality of self-published books is not the same as those published via more traditional means. Such stigma exists because unfortunately, in many cases, there is some truth to it. However, any author who feels they want to try this route as a way to get their work out to a readership, insuring it is as high quality as possible is essential.

One question that came up is what defines a “successful” self-publishing endeavor. The answer to that question clearly depends on what the author’s ultimate goal is when pursuing it. If it is simply to provide a vehicle to gain greater exposure for ones’ work absent what seem to be the insurmountable  obstacles of the traditional publishing world, then so be it! From a more practical perspective, one number I have heard is that if a self-published book sells 5000 copies an editor might be more interested in it.

From my perspective, keeping all options open remains the best approach of all! 

THERE IS HOPE!

In any field, it is important to become educated about how it works. New authors have a host of resources to do so as there are a vast amount of websites, magazines, and online programs dedciated to helping with this process. When I first decided to get back into writing I started by taking an online course at Gotham Writing school. One of the themes that emerges with clarity from all these sources is how difficult it is to get published in today's ultra competitive market.

Gotham was an excellent experience and I met a number of great people whom formed a facebook group through which we still have contact (I have not been as consistent in this as I want, I must admit). It had been a great place to share hopes, frustrations, and information with such support being invaluable for emerging authors. One of the main themes has been the pursuit of being published and/or an agent.

Recently, one of the writers whom is part of this group reported she secured an agent for a book she has completed. It is important to mention that she did so by submitting unsolicited manuscripts. It occurred to me that it is important to keep in mind that while at times such success seems an infinite distance off, it is important to realize successes do happen. As we all struggle to keep ourselves moving forward, often with vast amounts of time between concrete successes, highlighting such successes hopefully will reinrfoce the fact that there is hope.

GUEST CORNER

I am pleased to announce the first official posting in the "Guest Corner" section of the website. One of the goals of the website is to offer emerging authors resources to help them with their pursuit of getting published. This article was written by "Writer's Relief" and talks about the length of a piece in relation to publishing. it gives a glimpse of some of the thought processes of an editor who is reading a story and food for thought in terms of the importance of considering length when thinking of publication. I hope it is helpful!

A GOOD REJECTION

Any new author who sticks with it must come to terms with rejection. Without question, sending your work out there in the slim chance someone will deem it "worthy" for publication is one of the biggest psychological challenges we face.

I had mentioned in a previous post how some have suggested that it takes 100 rejections before a story can be published. In that post, I talked about putting the numbers on your side by readying yourself for rejection. My recent experiences have brought to mind something else I remember reading about rejection. Two recent rejections I received included a few encouraging words from the editors of the publication. It struck me how amazing it is for a few words from a complete stranger can invigorate one.

While all this has been occurring, I am readying my next story to enter the numbers game. A few weeks ago, I was where I thought I needed to be in terms of sending it out. My mentor, on the other hand, felt it needed a bit more tweaking before I did. Although my initial response was frustration, I have learned to let her feedback sink in before I make a decision and has been the case most times, she was right.

Receiving the rejections with the comments made me realize that the editors reading my submission to notice when one takes the time to get their submissions in the best possible form. I am becoming better, as most new writers must, at managing my impulse to send out a story and move on to the next, before making sure it is as close to done as I can bring it. As I move through this process, it is becoming increasingly clear that revision, revision, revision is key.

Thanks to all those editors out there whom do take the time to make comments on a manuscript they are rejecting. It turns one of the more difficult tasks a writer faces, having their work rejected for publication, into a better experience. Back in high school, I never thought I would get to the point where I could experience a good rejection. The fact that I have now makes me believe that I am still moving forward....

A WRITER’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTION

Why not jump on the New Year’s Resolution bandwagon? One of the most difficult things for most new writers is finding ways to keep writing in the forefront when one is being pulled in so many different directions. To be successful, however, it is important to keep the process moving.

The number one resolution for all writers must be, of course, WRITE! We must find ways to keep ourselves moving our work forward. There are two aspects of writing I intend to emphasize this year. The first is focusing attention to the craft itself. Setting concrete, reachable goals is important. I have been focusing on revisions recently and intend to continue to do so in 2012. In addition, I will research some books on the writing craft itself and read at least two of them. Educating oneself in the craft is extremely important. The second aspect of writing is the one that is the most fun, the one that draws us to it, producing our work. More specifically, I am going to try and have five stories completed by the end of the summer. In a previous blog, I mentioned having a book of them completed, but I am becoming more accepting of the fact, it is not going to happen. Resetting deadlines is something I struggle with but it is a necessity.

Another major goal for 2012 is to attend a few local writers’ workshops. I have already completed preliminary searches on Long Island and will attend a few in the hopes of getting more involved. It is important to become a part of the writers’ community and this will be my first foray into it.

In a previous blog I mentioned the fact that new writers need to approach their pursuit with some recognition of the business side. A small budget is essential if one is seriously considering pursuing the profession of writing. Within my resolutions for 2012 are goals requiring some capital outlay. One major one is attending a writer’s conference. One impetus for this blog was attending the Writer’s Digest conference last year. Since I don’t have the funds to attend that one and another, I will spend time researching one that would make sense and attend it. Another goal on the business side is continual update and development of this site. I can’t emphasize enough what a great experience developing it has been and I can already see why so many people emphasize having a platform as integral part of the beginning writer’s learning experiences.

Here are some of my main New Year’s Resolutions for 2012. If you are a new writer and trying to figure out what yours are, consider a few of the following:

·         Spend time learning the craft

·         Make sure you move your work forward

·         Get involved in the local writing community

·         Consider attending a Writer’s Conference

One of the benefits of setting goals is to keep you focused on what you need to do. In future posts, I’ll report back on how I am doing with reaching mine. Feel free to do the same!

REJECTION: Half Full or Half empty?

           I received two more rejection slips the same day this week. One of the greatest challenges for new writers is the sure string of rejections certain to appear in the mailbox or inbox of your email.  Without a doubt, managing this aspect of an emerging writer’s career is the most daunting.

The immediate visceral response to these tends to be it as a confirmation of one’s greatest fear; that is, having embarked on what amounts to an impossible journey. It results in once again analyzing the wisdom or sanity of trying to write for publication. This includes a deep consideration regarding whether or not all the time, effort, and energy spent producing our work would be better off spent on other things.

The story I received the rejections for, You Look Like My Daughter, ultimately is about how we choose to interpret things. A key to surviving as a new writer is in understanding the need to interpret rejection in the context of one’s chosen goals.

Writer’s Relief, the research group I used to help determine where to send out Daughter, and whom I will blog about as I am sending out my next, says it takes at least 100 rejections before one is successfully published.  Using this as a guide, I can also think of it that I am 1/10 of the way there. The rejections I received this month were for a story sent out in July. That is why having multiple works out is so important. The steady feedback that your work is out there and you are increasing your chances by these numbers is imperative. Because one of the thrills of being a writer is the potential to have your work read by a wider audience I am realizing that while I am making progress in the numbers game, I need to get more work out there.

To me, at least this early in my excursion into the world of writing fiction, a rejection means I actually have met the goal of getting some work out there. It also is a good checkpoint for me to update my plan. Since it happens to be close to the New Year, it is a perfect opportunity to incorporate my interpretation into my writing resolutions.

Is the glass half full or half empty? Half full definitely works better to keep one going. For now, I think I’ll stick with this one!

Coming soon: A writer’s New Year’s resolutions.



REVISIONS

How do you know when a story is really done?

For me, this is the hardest skill to learn. One thing I now know is the process of revision is far more extensive than I initially thought.

As part of my plan to return to writing, I want to do some market testing. There is no question that the ultimate goal for most writers is publication. I decided to complete three stories, send them out, and see if I get any feedback that suggests my writing is at a publishable level. As I worked with my mentor, it became apparent that my belief in a few revisions was way off. As I work to complete the second and third stories, I am in the midst of revising theme each twenty times.

A key part of the revision process is finding people whom can give you feedback that is valuable. I have learned to give the feedback time to enter my mind. An interesting phenomenon has been my initial response of frustration when I send off what I think is my final draft and it comes back with numerous suggestions. After the obligatory response of wanting to quit and deciding I just am not going to succeed at this, I force myself to sit down at my desk and work on them.

Each time, the next draft is better.

As a general rule, I find my characters to be interesting and am drawn to them. I am starting to realize as I get close to the final version I am actually getting sick of them! In sending off the latest revision of one of the stories I am currently working on, I realize I am close.

Everything I have read says that it is best to have your work in the best form possible before sending it out for publication. Be forewarned, extensive revisions are a major part of that process. Find someone who can give you valuable feedback and make sure you take the time to give your writing the support it needs in the revision process. In the end, it will be worth it!  

The Basics

So, what exactly should be in the plan for a new writer?

Where to begin?

Well, although it seems obvious….writing! A major part of successful planning is the development of specific/concrete goals. I am also a strong believer in developing goals that one can be successful in reaching, as this makes it easier to stay motivated. The key is making a specific commitment to writing; one that you can attain. I know some writers who simply make a commitment to writing a certain amount of time per day or week. Others will set their goals related to completion of a certain story or chapter within a particular timeframe. The bottom line is to become successful at anything, putting in the time is essential.

While quantity of writing time is extremely important in developing a plan to be a successful writer, another key component is developing the quality of your writing. I have found this part to be a lot less straightforward. There are the obvious paths of pursuing a formal degree through college. My experience however, is many people whom are interested in pursuing writing may not be able to pursue this avenue. When I first started writing again I did an online course at Gotham Writer’s School. There are plenty of these types of opportunities.  I have heard Writer’s Digest University offers good ones as well. I think the key is though, that part of any successful plan for a new writer needs to include a concerted effort to learn/improve the craft through some formal training.

While I found the online classes helpful, they did not provide me the degree of depth I felt I needed. I continued working on the quality of my writing by pursuing a one-to-one mentorship and have found it to be extraordinarily helpful. The added advantage of the mentorship is it focuses specifically on my work so it fits into being part of my commitment of time to writing. It is important to note that both of these require taking on some expenses, with the mentorship being more expensive. That being said, it is money I feel is well spent and the truth is it is very hard to develop any business without the investment of some resources.

As part of my “other” profession, I attend conferences as part of my professional development and continued education. I have always found these events helpful and stimulating. Thus, as part of my writing plan, I set the goal of attending a minimum of two writing conferences per year. So far, they have been very helpful in learning more about the field as well as learning the craft itself. One of the goals of this website will be to summarize what I learn as I continue to attend conferences.

 A final part of beginning your plan to be a writer becomes evident pretty quickly. As with any business, the business of writing requires a budget. Many of the activities I described above do require some expense and it is important to recognize and plan for this right at the beginning. It is important to think about how many resources you would like to put towards your writing career so you can begin to decide where they would be most effectively utilized.

So, if you are thinking of developing a plan for seriously pursuing creative writing, there are a few basics to consider right off the start. First, set concrete/specific goals for the quantity of time you are going to spend actually writing. In addition, pursue a professional development and continuing education strategy for learning the craft and improving the quality of your writing. Finally, develop a budget in recognition of the fact there will be some expense in the serious pursuit of a writing career.

The Next Level

So perhaps I have made it to the next level as a writer. At the 2011 Writer’s Digest Conference, a couple of the speakers talked about how the attendees, by virtue of the knowledge and experience they gained by attending, had taken a step to the next level. It got me thinking….so what exactly does it mean in the field of writing to be at the next level?

Is it the pervasive feeling I am in way over my head? That the business of writing is nothing like I imagined it to be? That perhaps I should forget the whole thing and focus on all the things I already have accomplished?

Then it hit me. I needed to do what I have done for the majority of my professional life. I needed a plan.

Yes, I said it. I needed to give up the fantasy that I would sit at my computer, type out the cacophony of thoughts and ideas percolating in my mind, and someone in the publishing industry would recognize their brilliance and pay handsomely for them. The reality, writing is a business and so, success would require the same approach as any business would. This blog and website represent one of the first steps of my plan to explore the writing industry.

Perhaps the next level is a recognition it is time to embark on a journey that will take me places I never expected to go. At the conference, a constant theme was the need to develop a “platform”. I made a commitment to invest in my writing career by developing a website which can be used as my platform. I am thrilled at the fact that as I write this it represents completion of one of the first major goals of my plan.

Even though I feel as if I am on this journey alone, I know there are many others on a similar one. As I was developing the idea of the website, it came to me to integrate the other areas of my life into my writing. Since part of my “full-time job” involves teaching, I decided a major theme of this site will be to chronicle all that I have learned about the writing industry as I go through it. My hope is that other beginning writers can benefit from the experiences and knowledge that ultimately will be the content of this site. I am excited to hear from others so please feel free to help by letting me know what you like, dislike, would like to see, and even contribute actual content.

So…perhaps I really have reached the next level. Not only have I developed a basic business plan to launch my writing career but I am beginning to meet some of the concrete goals I have set for myself. The funny thing is, typing this statement is not as painful as I thought it would be! It doesn’t mean I have given up the fantasy of my creative genius being recognized and sought, it means I am a step closer.

Next up: Other aspects of “The Plan…”