What's Your Writer Personality Type?

Starting a novel is different for everyone. Some find the freedom of a new story thrilling, others might be daunted by the amount of work ahead. Whatever the case, at some point the new idea must be transferred onto the page. There are all kinds of styles for beginning a brand new novel... where do you fit in? 

The Goldstriker

Description: I start my new novel when inspiration strikes!

You wake up after the most incredible dream, and you know it’ll make an amazing story. Or you’re putting the dishes away, when you’re struck with a brilliant new idea. Maybe inspiration hit after reading an article, or hearing a song-- whatever the case, as soon as you have the chance, you sit at the computer and start writing. Sure, you don’t really know the characters yet, and maybe you’ll need to cut some things, but it all works out in revisions. A true pantser-- when the muse calls, you listen!

The Character Stalker
Description: I start my new novel after I’ve established who my characters are.

You have an idea in mind, but the characters are what really bring out your creativity. You spend long hours daydreaming about them find out every last detail of their past. You know their favorite color, the name of their first pet, and how they would react to nearly any given situation. You are your characters most diligent stalker. You might make character sheets to keep all your info in order, write up character resumes, or have files on each of your main characters, complete with playlists and celebrity look-alikes. And once you know your characters inside and out, you're ready to take them into their story.

The Hash-It-Outter 

Description: I start my new novel after talking out my ideas with a trusted writer buddy.

The first thing you want to do when you get an idea for a new novel is hash it out! You email or call a writer friend and bounce off ideas with him or her. You explain backstory, delve into the heartwrenching dark moment and come up with a glorious ending-- all the while, your writer buddy cheers you on and offers insight on every angle you come up with. 

The Plotting Schemer

Description: I start my novel after I’ve outlined the plot of the story, chapter by chapter, from beginning to end.

A plotter through and through, your story idea is only the beginning! You work out the entire story, making sure each chapter has a setup, scenes that move the story forward, and endings that setup the chapter that follows. You know everything that’s going to happen, from the inciting incident to the final resolution, and when you sit down to write, all of that preparation pays off.

Maybe you've found yourself in one or more of these writer personality types. Or maybe you have a style all your own.

~ ~ ~

Diana Paz is a web content writer and aspiring YA author. She grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she's a beach bum, but she did graduate from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a caramel frappuccino. Find her at her blog: dianapazblog.blogspot.com or on Twitter @dianapazwrites

Book Recommendations

Sorry for the short post this week, but I'm knee-deep in revisions on a manuscript that my agent is waiting for. So instead of sharing my writing journey wisdom (or lack thereof in my case :) ), I thought I'd tell you about a couple of incredible books that just came out that I recommend buying.

Please know that these are MY opinions about these books, and in no way represent the opinions of any of the other contributors to the DNA Writers blog.

INVINCIBLE SUMMER by Hannah Moskowitz

BN.com Synopsis:

Noah’s happier than I’ve seen him in months. So I’d be an awful brother to get in the way of that. It’s not like I have some relationship with Melinda. It was just a kiss. Am I going to ruin Noah’s happiness because of a kiss?


Across four sun-kissed, drama-drenched summers at his family’s beach house, Chase is falling in love, falling in lust, and trying to keep his life from falling apart. But some girls are addictive....

Why I recommend it:

Hannah manages to capture that fleeting feeling of summer, that feeling of never wanting the summer to end, that feeling of the sand between your toes, the hot sun on your skin and the smell of sunscreen in the air. I could almost hear the waves crashing on to the beach. And set against that amazing backdrop Hannah weaves the lives of Chase, Noah and their family into a tense, tangled, heart-wrenching mess. I ended up reading IS straight through because I couldn't put the book down. It was THAT good. Do yourself a favor and go buy this book. And some kleenex. You might need it. I sure did.

WITHER by Lauren DeStefano

BN.com Synopsis:

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Why I Recommend It:

This book is absolutely amazing. I'm a sucker for anything dystopian, so when I got the chance to read WITHER, I jumped at the chance. The cover alone is what sold me. Like IS, I read WITHER in one sitting, which is saying a lot, because this book is really long. But it didn't feel long reading it, as the pace was perfect. I didn't want to put it down, so I didn't. (And I ended up with a reading hangover the next morning because I stayed up until two a.m. reading it!). I CAN NOT WAIT for book two to come out.

~~~

  Shelley Watters writes romance for young adults and adults. She lives in Arizona with her husband, two kids and two dogs. She loves listening to music, reading good books and letting her imagination go wild as she creates new worlds and torments her characters in delicious ways. She is an active member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is represented by Mark McVeigh of the McVeigh Agency.

Motivated or What?

Hi Everyone!
It's Friday. Finally! Whew, that took way too long. Did ya know it snowed this week. Yeah. So that about sums up how I feel about that. On to more happy non-snowy topics.

Motivation.

It comes, it goes, it stays. For me? Real and true motivation happens about as often as the sun shines in Michigan. I'm kidding. Sort of. Well, I, like so many others, need a push every once in a while. When I read a good book or see a great movie it happens more. Recently, I've been in a book coma with every novel Jennifer Echols has written. Yes, I get a little obsessed. Big surprise. She writes great romance, so vivid and real. I flew through her books and am eagerly awaiting the next one in July! Yes, the title of this post is a shout-out to Adam from Echols' The Boys Next Door *swoon*

I'm going to go ahead and admit something.

I am not a romantic writer. My characters are snarky and have attitudes. They are not romantic. So reading Jennifer's books really helped me see the distinction. Now, I feel like I could write snarky romantic characters at least. It [word of the day] MOTIVATED *scream real loud Pee Wee* me! I was like, Oh, I can use this in my story!

This happens when I watch a good show or movie. I pick up little tid-bits I can use. No, no, not ACTUAL dialogue or scenes, just feelings that spark my own ideas. I'm sure this happens to you, too.

Things that motivate me (in no particular order)
Music, a good conversation, talking with other writers. Food Network (don't laugh), Playing my guitar, driving. Basically anything that can get me thinking. My mind is always creating new characters and storylines. I was talking to a guy I work with recently and somehow we got on a subject of stem cells and what they would do to a body if injected. I was like *ding* story idea!

I know. I'm strange.

What about you? What motivates you?

erica m. chapman is a YA writer by night, workin' for the cause by day. Fan of football, especially Lions and Michigan. She loves alternative music, Foo Fighters, animals, reading, golf and playing her guitar. She resides in Michigan where she sits quietly typing her next story on her macbook in her Detroit Lions Snuggie. You can also find her at ericachapman.com.





Pic credit: georgiatechdopp.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/m...

Writers and Taxes

For those of us in the US (and the expats around the world) tax time has just come to a close. Some of us celebrated book sales and article placements by having to pay taxes on our earnings. But even if you didn't make any money writing last year, you might still be able to write off your expenses as a writer.

Here are some things to keep in mind for NEXT year.

• If you buy a new computer this year, you may be able to write it off on your taxes. If you make a lot, you can write the whole amount off or you can spread the cost over 3-5 years (depending on state). This also goes for eReaders like the Kindle, Nook, iPad, Kobo, or Sony Reader. If you read books on it, or can write with it, chances are that it can be counted as a necessary expense and you can write it off.

• If you host contests on your blog, you can write off things like packaging, postage, and even the prizes themselves. So if you give away a book, you can write off the book, the box you ship it in, the postage to send it, even the tape you use to hold the box together. 

• If you're actively pursuing a writing career, you can write off the cost of your website, URL's, email hosting, etc. Blogger's URL service is only $10, but that $10 will add up over time. You might even be able to write off the cost of your internet service if you actively use it for networking, promotion, etc. 

• Going to conferences and book fairs can also be written off. That includes gas, parking, public transport, lodging, meals, and the cost of attendance. Yearly membership fees (like those to SCBWI, etc) can also be taken. You can't deduct the cost of nice clothes or shoes (writers don't technically have a uniform) but you can deduct the costs for dry cleaning.

• If you've got a local writers group, the costs of travel can be deducted, so keep a record of when and how far you drive.

• Late fees for library books can be written off as well. I don't think you can write off the renting of DVD's, but book sales, book replacement fees, etc, can be taken off. This also includes the costs of using the internet at the library.

• If you've got a home office, you can write that off too, everything from decor and office supplies to heating and cooling costs for that percentage of your home/percentage of your rent. Rules vary, but usually if it's used solely for writing/reading (ie, research) and has a door that closes, you can write it off. There's some rumor that if you write off a large amount for a home office you'll get audited, but it's hit or miss. Most of the stuff in my home office I already had so there wasn't much to write off. Be careful with record keeping and be honest and you shouldn't worry about being audited.

• Books. Yeah, you can write off the cost of books. It can be considered 'research' and 'keeping up with the industry' and that's totally awesome. Also, subscriptions to writing or literature/review magazines count too. How-to writing books and market guides are also game.

• You can write off the costs of hiring a freelance editor (like me!) or if you're self publishing, all that design work, cover art creation, the costs of getting an ISBN, printing costs, all of that can be written off. Books given away to reviewers can also be deducted at full retail value.

• Promotional materials like business cards, bookmarks, posters, postcards, gift baskets, and other tchotchke's you may give away can all be written off. The costs of signings, author appearances, or other speaking engagements (and Skype fees) can be taken too.

• Making copies, a printer, paper, ink, all of that can be written off too. The costs of sending paper queries can also be deducted, including the return postage for SASEs.

• If you make long-distant calls to your agent or editor, those calls can be deducted. 

• If you pay a babysitter to watch the kids while you work, you can write that off. This could also including housekeeping fees depending on your local rules.

• If you take a family vacation, visit museums, local writers groups, libraries, local media/celebs/writers/agent/editors, and collect business cards as proof that it was a "working" vacation and you can write it off.

• And here's the kicker, you can even write off the cost of getting your taxes done. Tax lawyers, accountants, and other professional services are writeoffable.

It all varies state-to-state and you should consult a certified CPA to be clear about the rules for your area. Tax laws change from year to year so pick someone that is active in the field. If anything, H&R block do a free chat and you can make a free appointment with a tax consultant to figure out the answers to your questions.

If it falls under "Necessary Business Expenses" it's deductible! Claiming you bought a private plane to learn how to skydive so that you can write about skydiving won't cut it, but if you took a lesson or two or did a jump while on vacation, you should be able to write off that.

It's never too early or too late to get organized for tax season. Visit the IRS website @ www.irs.gov or call them toll free at: 800-829-3676 and request publications such as # 334 (Tax Guide for Small Businesses and Individuals who use Schedule C or C-EZ), #535 (Business Expense –this guide tells you what you can and CANNOT deduct), and #552 (Record keeping for Individuals).

So save those receipts and have a happy writing year!

~~~

 

C.A. Marshall is a freelance editor, lit agent intern, YA writer, and loves to play with her dog Mollie. She dreams of one day owning a small house near the water, preferably in England, with a shelf full of books she has written and has helped others to write. She is currently single. And unagented. She can be found in Emmett, MI, at camarshall.com for writing, editorcassandra.com for editing, and on twitter @CA_Marshall.

WRITING JOURNEY TOURNIQUET - Organizing your time

Time. It's a slippery bugger, isn't it? Since I've been back to work, I have a new view about time. There never is enough of it. I seem to be harried for every little second of the day. When I do get the time to just sit and write, my head is full of all the other things I should be doing that I can't focus on the task at hand. And it is in this moment of my life that I realize that I must learn to control the clock.

So I decided, for the first time in my writer life, to create a schedule. Every morning I wake up at 7am, throw on my sweats, grab a cup of coffee, and read blogs. I then go for a hike, and when I return, the race to get ready and get to work starts. At my part time temporary position, I get buried under a ton of work that should be done by a full time employee, which I must complete within a limited time. I return home, make dinner, eat, and then sit down to write, or rather stare at the screen, my muse held under arrest by my tired brain. After hours of, um, writing, I snuggle in bed and read. Sometimes I wonder when one of the eggs in my basket will fall to the floor and break (cue cool picture with broken egg).

Of course, there are the times when family and friends come into play. I just release the schedule and give that time to those I love who need it. My weekends are basically a free for all. I just go with it, taking every minute I can to write and visit friends on the social networks. Mine is a very loose schedule, but I hate having constraints and I can't wait until I"m finished working and back at home with more time for writing and reading.

So, help me out. How do you schedule in your writing time?

That's it until next time.

You can find Brenda on her blog http://brenleedrake@blogspot.com or on twitter here http://twitter.com/#!/brendadrake

The Waiting Game

I've heard the old saying 'publishing moves at a glacial pace', and I never understood it until I started writing. The entire process, from idea to completed manuscript to printed book on the shelves can take over two years. On a good day (or year).

One of the hardest things for me to learn was to be patient. (I'm still learning...) I slaved over my book, revised and revised and revised. Then I sent my manuscript to critique partners and betas. And waited. My poor email inbox refresh button broke from the constant refreshing. I wanted to know if they liked it. If they hated it. And then I waited some more. And once I started getting their comments back, I revised the heck out of it again. And again.

Then I started querying. That process, in and of its self, feels like it takes forever. You hit send on that query, and if you're anything like me, immediately start refreshing your in-box. Mercifully, some agents have lightning fast response times. The bad part is, if you get an immediate response, it's usually a rejection. I got my fair share of those before I finally got the "I love it! Let's talk." email.

Then once I signed with my spectacular agent, more waiting. At least I was on the other side of the fence, where the grass was greener, the sun was brighter, the air was cleaner. But I still had to wait. And wait. And wait some more.

I haven't gotten to the submission process yet, but I know that I will have more painful waiting ahead of me. I'm sure I'll crash gmail more than once from my constant refreshing. Bring it on baby! :)

How do you make the waiting less painful? Write. Write often. Work on that next book. Work on the one after that. Revise revise revise. Don't let your writing stall out because you are waiting on hearing from the publishing world to let you in. Don't be that one-hit wonder because you let the waiting take over your life, leaving little time for anything else. And by the time you've heard back on the one novel, you'll have one or more new novels waiting to go to work for you too!

~~~

  Shelley Watters writes romance for young adults and adults. She lives in Arizona with her husband, two kids and two dogs. She loves listening to music, reading good books and letting her imagination go wild as she creates new worlds and torments her characters in delicious ways. She is an active member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is represented by Mark McVeigh of the McVeigh Agency.

Kicking Your Inner Donkey

Critiques are a fabulous thing for writers, and though they can hurt, they obviously bring a lot to the table when done well. And yet, every writer also knows that your book is your book. You don't have to listen to your crit partners. You aren't obligated to make every change they suggest.

But to me, that doesn't mean you don't have to listen to any of it. Critiques sting. It's a fact. Even when nicely worded, it's still someone point out the flaws of something you've poured yourself into. And that's okay. It's allowed to sting, you're allowed to lick your wounds for a little. But I don't think you're allowed to keep licking those wounds and I am very much from the belief that why ask for a crit if you don't really want the crit?

One of the biggest writers need to be able to do is learn to take critiques. To be able to step back and see and understand why things are being pointed out. And even more, really, really think about where that person is coming from. Do they read a lot more of that genre than you do? Maybe they are your best source, because they likely know the current trends better than you. Have they had personal experience with some of the aspects of your book? Then they aren't talking just to talk.

There is a very big difference in wanting to keep something in your manuscript because you, the author, honestly think that's how it should be and can back it up, and keeping it there just because you like it that way. Does it make something seem out of character? Does it push the confines of your chosen genre just a little too much? Is it just not working for your beta readers? Then maybe they do have a point, and while it's going to stink, maybe you should let that bit go.

Because an honestly good crit partner is never going to be out to hurt you. They want to help you. Want to make you better. But if you just won't listen, then what good are they? Cheerleaders are your family and friends. The people who better you are the ones who aren't afraid to tell you when you have too many dialogue tags, or something doesn't flow, or gosh darn it a character just doesn't seem to have a purpose.

And while it is a clear red flag if more than one person make the same comment, having something come from only one person doesn't automatically invalidate it, even if you don't want to hear it. When your other readers are saying it's great, that doesn't instantly mean it really is great. Maybe they just aren't the readers for you, or maybe they don't care as much as they should to really tear it apart for you.

So open your mind and kick your inner donkey to embrace the crits. And look at every single comment, even if it's a ton, and really think about it. I bet, once the sting wears off, you'll start to see what they are talking about. And often times, I find that those unbiased readers are right.

~*~ 

Kari is a querying YA writer and book blogger who currently works a day job with a radiologist group and lives in Dallas. She enjoys badgering her dog Toby, meandering around the internet, and reading lots and lots of books. Currently juggling three manuscripts, she’s dreaming for the day she can stay at home and write full time, preferably with a charming boy to cook and clean. You can find her at http://agoodaddiction.blogspot.com/.

Kiss and Show, Don't Tell: Kissing With Purpose

I admit it-- I like books with the potential for kissing. I’m not saying it’s a requirement or anything, but the possibility for K-I-S-S-I-N-G is an element that adds to the page-turning-excitement, and often to the power, of an already awesome story.

But like any kind of scene, kissing for its own sake is a missed opportunity to enhance our stories. It's about more than the physical act, but the emotions, what's driving the characters to act, and just as importantly, how they REact.

Whether characters brush lips after stammers and blushes, or lock lips with intensity after a raging argument, kisses can (and should!) offer insight about the characters, highlight their strengths or even their flaws, deepen our understanding of who they are, and move the story forward. 

Here are some examples of kissing scenes that left me knowing more about the characters and the story... and OKAY, they're a lot of fun to read:

Sweet Kiss: ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss had one of the sweetest kiss scenes I've ever read. The romantic buildup left nothing rushed; every breathless, hopeful, will-they-really-kiss moment led to beautiful, generous description, and I love that the author wasn’t skimpy in the details, while Anna’s ever-humorous and adorable internal monologue ran the entire time. 

Passionate Kiss: GRACELING by Kristin Cashore

Graceling is one of my all-time favorite books. The first kiss was a long time coming, and after so much hesitation, denial, uncertainty, I was right there with Katsa when she finally moved forward and fully accepted her feelings. Like everything else between these two characters, they came together as equals.

Forbidden Kiss: CITY OF ASHES by Cassandra Clare

Mention the Seelie Court, and anyone who’s read The Mortal Instruments series will remember this infamous scene in City of Ashes. It’s one of the most intense kissing scenes I’ve ever read, not because of how they kiss, but because of the suppressed longing behind it. Emotion runs high, even if the kiss is achingly short.

Other books with well-done, meaningful kissing scenes include PERFECT CHEMISTRY by Simone Elkeles (for its intensity) and CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins (for the sadness behind it). 

Do you agree every kissing scene should have a purpose beyond just the act of kissing? I could be overthinking this... is kissing for its own sake worth putting in our novels? What books would you add to this list?

~ ~ ~

Diana Paz is a web content writer and aspiring YA author. She grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she's a beach bum, but she did graduate from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a caramel frappuccino. Find her at her blog: dianapazblog.blogspot.com or on Twitter @dianapazwrites

Weird Writerly Habits 'n Junk

Hi There!

It's Friday... Woooooo! So. How are y'all? Good I hope.
You know writers are a strange group. Yeah. I said it. I am definitely part of that group. So I wanted to share some of my own strange habits of the writerly kind. If only so I can hear the weird stuff you all do too. Side note: Don't ever google the word WEIRD. Trust me.

I had to represent my favorite Disney movie. Alice in Wonderland is just so dang weird, it's perfect. By the way, how awesome is Tangled? LOVE it. Had to get it the day it came out. I know. How old are you? Shhh, my secret.

I smell a bullet list coming!


My List of Weird Writerly Habits 'n Junk

• I email myself names for my characters when I see, hear, discover a strange name. I have a character named Zegerius (we call him Zege) which is actually a doctor in town here (it's his last name though). 

• I write with one song on repeat. A lot. One song can completely put me in a mood to write or not. It's a delicate balance. I get a little obsessive of my tuneage. Good thing my mind changes with my underwear ;o)

• I compulsively save my work, I mean like after every change. I push command S a lot. Even though it automatically saves it every few minutes, I believe. I'm paranoid about losing words, even though half I'll probably delete myself. Ha.

• I have to write with the tv on some random movie, headphones with iTunes blaring. I also twitter and facebook. Distraction much? I think so. How I've gotten anything done is beyond me.

• I record story ideas, plot holes, random scene issues I notice, on my phone to and from work (it's an hour drive) I have A LOT of them. I practically wrote my query letter on the way home one day a week ago. No joke.

• I save everything I delete, it goes in the "research" file in Scrivener (how awesome is Scrivener?) I rarely go dumpster diving into the "research" file but it's there in case.

• I write dialogue and plot first, adding description in later. I find I'm able to concentrate more on the surrounding when I've written what they're saying and doing already.

• I can only write alone. I realize I may have to get over this someday, but for now only George the Creeper (my cat who loves to lay on my arm, keyboard, whatever he can creep all over slowly and annoyingly while I'm trying to write) is allowed near me. Maybe the dogs, but they're usually asleep. The rottie snores loudly. Thus why headphones are a good thing.

• I read my stories out-loud to my little sister when she comes to stay. We both love it. For me? I get to hear it out-loud, for her? Well, I don't know... but it seems to work.

So there's mine. What about you? Any to add? Do you eat certain foods? Wear certain clothes? Drink somethin'? Turn around and clap three times before saving?

So. Guess what's coming out SOON! Like April 12th. Hint: it's the album to the right. My favoritest band in the world finally has a new album and of course I ordered the uber awesome CD, T-shirt, filmstrip of a video set thing. I'm a total fangirl for them and by the way the documentary and 3D concert - UNBELIEVABLE. It was like being in their studio.

Okay. I'm done. I'm sorry for the temporary fangirl outburst. Squeeeeeeee  *ahem* Now, I'm done.


Have a wonderful weekend full 'o exciting serendipitous events ;o)

erica m. chapman is a YA writer by night, workin' for the cause by day. Fan of football, especially Lions and Michigan. She loves alternative music, Foo Fighters, animals, reading, golf and playing her guitar. She resides in Michigan where she sits quietly typing her next story on her macbook in her Detroit Lions Snuggie. You can also find her at ericachapman.com.


Pic credit: wallpaperhd.net

Learning How To Be Professional By Watching TV

One of my guilty pleasures is America's Next Top Model (ANTM). Last nights episode was filled with all kinds of drama and I couldn't help but make the connection to the writing world.

You see, there's been some tension building up between Alexandria and Britanni.

Alexandria started out with major attitude issues, taking over photo shoots, even offending guest judges and photographers. She's basically spent every episode saying things like "The other models don't talk to me anymore, but that's okay, I don't need them." [Uh... If it didn't bother you, you wouldn't be talking about it in every freaking episode.] Anyway, she's shown some progress in that she keeps all the drama at the model apartment, and has even begun letting the professionals do their jobs and is sticking to her job: modeling.

Britanni's been watching Alexandria for weeks now, being "fake" to the judges in panel and "acting all sweet" during photoshoots and she's been the most outspoken about her feelings for Alexandria. In last night's episode, emotions were running high after a photoshoot about breast cancer and when Nigel picked Alexandria as the winner (she won a freaking car) Britanni snapped. She started talking about Alexandria in hushed tones to the other models, and when Alexandria said, "I can hear you, you know," Britanni lashed out with some hurtful words that Alexandria, Nigel, and even the Ford execs that were present picked up on. Britanni apologized profusely and seemed to learn her lesson after the panel put the smackdown on her.

So at panel (when they decide who stays and who goes home that week), the outburst was brought up and when asked about it, Britanni said... Well, actually, here's the clip: (start it about four minutes in for the real drama stuff.)

Nigel comes back to Britanni's comments saying, "As far as being a role model is concerned, to be that outspoken, at a photoshoot, in front of the photographer, in front of the clients by the way, Ford were there, was extremely unprofessional. There's a reason why we don't know all of Alexandria's business. It's because what you do at home, is what you do at home. It's worth bearing that in mind, cause now I have a different idea about you."

Ouch.

Then Tyra says, "In terms of sportsmanship, what you have done is probably one of the weakest things that a role model can do. No matter what you feel inside, if you think that somebody else is getting something that they don't deserve, you shut your lips. Especially in front of a client. This is a business. You have to respect the client, you have to respect your co-workers, and you have to respect yourself."

Without getting into the whole viewer drama about Tyra being hypocritical when it comes to second chances, what, as writers, can we learn from this?

Well, lets plug in a few new words to the two quotes from Nigel and Tyra from above:

Nigel, "As far as being a role model is concerned, to be that outspoken, on a blog, in front of the readers, in front of the publishers/agents by the way, they could have read the article too, was extremely unprofessional. There's a reason why we don't know all of Alexandria's business. It's because what you do at home, is what you do at home. It's worth bearing that in mind, cause now I have a different idea about you."

Do you see how that can have an effect on you as a writer?  Spouting off to reviewers and like this author did, isn't the way to go about doing things. Potential readers see those comments, agents and publishing professionals see those comments (especially when they go viral on GalleyCat and twitter). Every single thing you put online is there for the whole world to see, for practically forever. Just because you delete it doesn't mean it goes away. There are screen shots, caches, etc, ways of pulling those things back from oblivion. And those things can hurt you. They change the way the reader sees you, and could make some of them not want to pick up your book. Agents/publishers won't want to go into business with you when they see how combative you are.

Tyra, "In terms of sportsmanship, what you have done is probably one of the weakest things that a role model can do. No matter what you feel inside, if you think that somebody else is getting something that they don't deserve, you shut your lips. Especially in front of a client. This is a business. You have to respect the client, you have to respect your co-workers, and you have to respect yourself."

I didn't change anything in that quote because I think it can stand just the way it is, but a few lines stand out. THIS IS A BUSINESS. Your co-workers are your fellow writers, book bloggers, social media friends, agents, editors, publishers, etc. 

Leave the drama and mistakes to the TV shows. It doesn't matter who is wrong or right or unfair or undeserving. You stick to your job, WRITING.

~~~

 

C.A. Marshall is a freelance editor, lit agent intern, YA writer, and loves to play with her dog Mollie. She dreams of one day owning a small house near the water, preferably in England, with a shelf full of books she has written and has helped others to write. She is currently single. And unagented. She can be found in Emmett, MI, at camarshall.com for writing, editorcassandra.com for editing, and on twitter @CA_Marshall.

WRITING JOURNEY TOURNIQUET - Coming Out of Your Shell

Well, this time I'm going to talk about something truly scary that can paralyze a shy person just by mentioning it to them. After you've written your first novel and you've polished and had others read it, its time to venture out of your shell. As writers we are usually alone a lot of the time with the characters we've created and learned to trust. We're either shut up in a room or maybe camped out on a couch somewhere with our laptops writing by ourselves. We can get pretty comfortable in our own shells, away from anyone who we feel might judge our writing. But there comes a time when we have to come out of our shells if we want to grasp the success awaiting us beyond our protections.

I can remember when I was afraid to venture out. I started with baby steps, joining sites like Query Tracker and critiquing the work of others and having them critique mine. Then I set up a blog, not really planning on what I'd write on a blog, but I'd find something. Slowly, my follower list grew to ten. Then I came across a blog that was sponsoring a blogfest, so I participated in it and added more to my follower list. As time went on, I friended more writers and  followed them. I'd read my new friends' blogs and learn new things from them. Then I attended the online conference WriteOnCon and got more critiques and met more writers. And finally, I decided to join NaNoWriMo and met some of the best partners in writing--the lovely ladies who share this blog with me.

On twitter, I've found a few more friends, those who cheer me on during my highs and listen to my whining at my lows in 140 characters or less. It is moments in need that you find the best in people, especially the writerly types. We are there for each other, to bounce off ideas, complain about rejections, and just laugh at the silliness of it all. If I hadn't come out of my shell, I would never have found the treasures awaiting for me out there in the scary world. My friends. They are the ones I smile at each time I see their pictured faces scroll down my twitter feed or pop up in the comments of my blog. The ones who'll stay up till three in the morning helping me get my darn twitter pitch together so I can enter it in a contest the next day.

If I hadn't come out of my shell, no one would read this post, but as I write it, I know my friends will be there and I'm safe in their generous spirits. And the only way I know how to show my appreciation to each and every writer who makes this journey easier, is to give back. If ever you're in need and you just need someone, seek me out. I'll never let you down. Come on out, the light is better on the outside of your shell.

If you haven't checked out WriteOnCon, go here and join the next online conference August 16-18, 2011. 

That's it, until next time.

 

You can find Brenda on her blog http://brenleedrake@blogspot.com

 or on twitter here http://twitter.com/#!/brendadrake