Lexicon: Cozy

·         Cozy: a mystery novel generally set in a small town following an amateur sleuth who just happens to get involved with a current police case. 

      Usually not very graphic about the crime/murder and often humorous. 

      Examples: Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie, Body Movers by Stephanie Bond, and Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates.

Suggestion: Web Presence is Mandatory

I am very much a follower of "do only what you can maintain" but, at this point in civilization, if you are an author, you must have a website (Jeff Vandermeer's Booklife exemplifies this principle).

This includes four key items:

Author Bio - can be exactly what it says inside your books.

Book Blurbs - can be exactly what it says on the back of your book. Right after the title of your book, make sure to mention if it is part of a series and what number it is.

• If this character has had a major role in a different book, you must put a footnote at the bottom of your blurb. (Ex. If you're character would not be who they are now without the scene you've written in a different character's book - the reader has a right to know that, and read your series in order. If you don't tell the reader, you risk losing them because they didn't have the opportunity to live that moment with your character.)
• This information needs to be upfront for the reader, but not spoil the plots of the books, which is why I very strongly suggest a Book List.

Book List – a published order of your books is sometimes helpful, but the chronological order for your series is more important. Make sure to mention in which books important characters appear.

Upcoming Releases - you want the reader to know you have plans to keep writing. Even if you only know that the next book will be released in Fall of 2017 - put that down. You can always change it later if need be.

You don't have to start blogging or tweaking your page every week. Having a website that displays these four key items will make your writing more accessible and that always leads to more satisfied readers.

With the internet so easily accessible today it is ludicrous to think you don't need your own website. Just because Amazon and Barnes & Noble sell your book, does not mean they are displaying all the information your reader needs.  You can hire someone to make a website, or take a week to make your own through places like Weebly. Who knows, you might even find you like having complete control over your site.

In short: you can make a website because you already know all about these four key items (and have probably already written them).

Books: The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference

The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference
My Verdict: Skim It

If you've ever wondered how to start researching a fantasy novel that you want to set in the medieval ages then The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference: An Indispensable Compendium of Myth And Magic from the editors of Writer's Digest Books is a good place to start. If you are not concerned about politics, clothing, and creatures from the Medieval and Middle Ages, don't bother reading this book. This collection of essays is meant to give you a historical approach to accurate settings for fantasy writers.

This reference book focuses on Europe, but Chapter 2 takes a brief world tour of other cultures that might inspire your own story (one culture per continent). 

Most of the book is bulleted with lists of professions, titles, clothing, anatomy of a castle and much more. If you are planning to use the right names for such details, this will be an indispensable book.

Personally, I feel you can skim or skip Chapters: 3, 4, 6, and 7. 

• Chapters 3 & 4 record the pagan magics in a very dry format. They don't evoke the wonder of using magic, instead they state historically when and where certain cults and societies developed. 
• Chapters 6 & 7 list different races of creatures (ones that obtained societies and civilizations) and monster creatures (horrors to be defeated or understood). If you are unfamiliar with fantasy, the chapters will be helpful. If you've grown up reading fantasy, you will find the lists too short (there are entire dictionaries of fantastical beasts and their origins).

If you'd enjoy a history textbook trimmed down to the essentials for historical world building, this book is for you (and I'd bump the rating up to Read It). It was published in 1998, but is still a good place to start your research because it explains so many terms.

Homework: decide how detailed you want your story to be. Will it be filled with lots of attention to detailing proper names for everything or only a few details sprinkled in to make it faster paced? (Always think back to the audience you are writing for: if you need more than one page to define new terms to the reader you are writing for a smaller more specific audience [perhaps people who have studied or previously enjoyed reading about Ancient Egypt].)


Rating Scale: Keep On Desk, Own it, Read it, Skim it, Don't Bother

Books: How to Write Dazzling Dialogue

How to Write Dazzling Dialogue 
My Verdict: Read It

How to Write Dazzling Dialogue: The Fastest Way to Improve Any Manuscript by James Scott Bell is a quick, satisfying read. This book definitely has a few things every writer should know and a number of different exercises that you can try with your current work.

Most of the exercises are editing/review techniques:

• Pick a scene heavy with dialogue and randomly replace one of your lines with a random line from a published book. (Ch 6)

There are also a few which would help in plotting character relations:

• Character Web - bubble map the relationship between all characters [everything from lover, sibling, coworker, to don't know him]. (Ch 6)

And everything has examples, either short crafted sentences or from well known scripts and books. 

Pick up this book if you want a concise review about dialogue and exercises that you can try with your current work.

Homework: start two lists, exercises you have tried that succeeded/were helpful, and exercises that failed.


Rating Scale: Keep On Desk, Own it, Read it, Skim it, Don't Bother

Books: Wired for Story

Wired for Story
My Verdict: Don't Bother

If you want to read about scientific "proof" that just relates common writer advice, then this book is for you. Otherwise, skip it.

Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron attempts to give scientific reasons why you should follow particular story advice. All of the story advice I've heard before, and agreed with, so the scientific proof is unnecessary.

If you do pick up the book, try to:

• Skim through the chapter for the bold print: MYTH vs. REALITY (usually one or two in each chapter). If it makes sense to you, skip ahead to the next bold print.
• Read the checkpoint list at the end of each chapter. If something in one of those doesn't make sense, go back and read through the chapter. These lists could be helpful for reviewing your novel.

Homework: make a list of all the things you should check your novel for during revisions.

(Examples:

• Weather consistency [doesn't change from winter to summer accidentally],
• side characters don't change names or features [do you have too many side characters when one could do the work of all],
• too much/little dialogue in a chapter,
• too much/little scenery [blank room syndrome], etc.)

 Rating Scale: Keep on Desk, Own It, Read It, Skim It, Don’t Bother

Books: The Emotion Thesaurus

The Emotion Thesaurus 
My Verdict: Read It

Have you ever wanted a list of ways a character can express emotion so you can pick out what’s right for your character? The list exists. The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi is a catalog of over fifty different emotions. Each emotion is detailed on two pages consisting of: definition, physical signals, internal sensations, mental responses, cues of that emotion when acute or long-term (also what the emotion may escalate to), and cues of that emotion when suppressed.

Reading this book cover to cover is not helpful (but it is a little enlightening about which emotions have cues that overlap). You should use this book either:

Before you do the majority of your writing (while you are plotting out your character’s traits)

or

After you write (so you can fix all the clichés you had to leave in your first draft just so you could finish writing the whole story).

I do not suggest using this book while you are writing your first draft because it is more important to get the whole story written down instead of written beautifully (that’s what revision is for).

Maybe you’ve got your three main characters completely mapped out without this book, but what about your side characters? While you’re revising you should decide what motivation each side character has for being on stage. If they aren’t earning their keep, you’ll have to give them the hook. Skim through The Emotion Thesaurus’s Table of Contents as you consider each character. They’re a side character, so they have a life we don’t care about that happens off stage, but how does that affect them while they’re on stage? If your character is in the ER does the Reader care about a boring helpful doctor or one who is angry that his wife just left him? Side characters are an opportunity to up the tension of a scene, not just a means to getting to the next scene.

If you do read this book cover to cover I’d suggest reading one entry a day. Let the ideas for each emotion really sink in. As you read the suggested phrases you might be reminded of the last time you read/heard those words used. Take a moment to note now how you felt about them. Was the phrase used well or did it stick out like asparagus in chocolate pudding? If it was from a book, did you end up enjoying the book as a whole? Reviewing what works for you, and what doesn’t, is a great way to think about what will, and won’t, work for your readers.

As a separate activity set aside some time to flip to the end of each entry and review the Writer’s Tip in the grey box. They’re a good review.

After you try this book out, definitely consider owning it.

Homework: pick a chapter of your novel at random and identify what words or phrases you might be overusing. Spend time figuring out what you really want your character to display and think of alternative ways to say it.

Rating Scale: Keep on Desk, Own It, Read It, Skim It, Don’t Bother

Books: Write Your Novel in a Month

Write Your Novel in a Month
My Verdict: Skim It

In Write Your Novel in a Month: how to complete a first draft in 30 days and what to do next by Jeff Gerke attempts to tackle a lot of information. He purposefully chose to summarize a variety of topics in order to fit everything into one book, because other books have gone in depth on individual themes (some of which he has written). If you want to write a novel or have gotten lost somewhere on your path, this book might be able to point you in the right direction.

Please note that the title says “first draft”. The “thirty days” mentioned throughout the book is meant only for writing your first draft. Not thirty days to conceive your idea, write your novel, and be able to send it to publishers in thirty days. The book is split into three sections: Planning Your Novel (before the thirty days), Writing Your Novel (in thirty days), and Publishing Your Novel (takes place after the thirty days and includes several more revisions of your draft).

Gerke returns to one piece of advice over and over as he covers different topics: “One commandment for fiction…You must engage your reader from beginning to end.” (p. 14-15) As with all writing books you can pick and choose which advice fits for you and what doesn’t.

The most important thing in picking out any writing book is to read the first twenty pages. If the author’s voice, opinion, or structure doesn’t align with what you enjoy – don’t read it. Some people need a casual voice that speaks directly to them. Others want a lecture that’s boiled down to almost no personality. Keep in mind which one you need before spending time trudging through a book you can’t stand.

As a closing note: Gerke states in the introduction, "Film is the highest, most powerful form of storytelling in our culture today, in my opinion, and the principles that make for strong cinema also make for strong fiction." (p. 9).

Take that opinion as you will.

Your homework: spend at least fifteen minutes objectively thinking of your skills as a writer. Pick out the top item you do best, and the worst. Then find a book for each that specializes in that topic. (The best will either confirm or deny your expertise and the worst will help you improve on something you already know is a problem).

Rating Scale: Keep on Desk, Own It, Read It, Skim It, Don’t Bother

Guest Aileen Erin (Shameless Plug or Useful Advice)

Today’s Guest at Wordsmith’s Key is Aileen Erin! 

     Aileen has five novels published through Ink Monster (http://inkmonster.net/) and more coming soon.

Below she has answered questions relating to her:

• personal & professional life,
• writing/editing & web presence tips,
• and of course a shameless plug. (Shameless because in order to get your writing out there in the world you have to talk about it with everyone).

Personal Questions

If you ever suddenly made plenty of money what would you do?

     Put it all in savings and keep writing! I know, I know. Most people would say they’d quit their day jobs and follow their dreams. But if I’m writing, I’m already doing that. So, I get to just keep doing that. Maybe I’d go write in a fun location. Stay for a couple of months in a castle in Ireland while I write a fantasy book or something. But writing is my passion. So, if I manage to win the publishing lotto, I’d just keep writing.

How much of your life goes into your books?

     Every character I write has a little bit of me in them. For example, in the Alpha Girl series, Tessa has my love of electronic music and romance novels, Meredith has my love of crazy hair colors, Claudia has my love of classical music and classic books, and Chris has my love of art. But as for how much of my actual life is it in the books—none of it. Thank God! There are no crazy witches coming after me. I’ve never had a vampire attack or bite me. And—unfortunately—I can’t shift into a werewolf. Reality bites sometimes. ;)

Recent Favorite Book

     This is a hard one because I read so many books. I’m a book a day reader! But I just finished The Leveller by Julia Durango, and thought it was a really fun read. I was hooked in from the beginning. It’s about a not-too distant future where video games are so immersive that you go comatose while playing. Nixy is a leveller—meaning she goes in and finds kids her age whose parents want them to stop playing the game and kicks them out of the virtual world. Pretty neat! Really dug all the gaming stuff, and Nixy was a strong female protagonist—which is essential for me.

[The Leveller by Julia Durango: http://juliadurangobooks.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-leveller.html ]

Professional Questions

What was the best thing you ever did to get published?

     Decide to do it on my own. Okay, so I know that’s not the usual route, but starting my own publishing company was the best decision I ever made. I knew if I went the traditional route I’d make very little money—if any—for years. So, after graduating with my Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, I did the opposite of what I was supposed to do. I never sent a query anywhere. I never submitted chapters or my manuscript. I didn’t contact any agents or editors. Crazy, right?! But I’d been researching the business of writing and publishing for years, so I took my career into my own hands. Since then, Ink Monster—the publishing company that I co-own with fellow author Christina Bauer—has moved a combined 500K+ books. I’m cool with those numbers. ;)

[Seton Hill University: http://www.setonhill.edu/academics/graduate_programs/fiction]

What was the hardest thing about getting published?

     Since I didn’t go the traditional route, the hardest thing is to keep all the publishing balls in the air while writing. I have to split my days—mornings for publishing work and afternoons for writing. Being the publisher and the author means much more work. But the reward of having control over my career is more than worth it.

Tips for Writing

What is the number one thing that keeps you writing?

     Having a deadline. So many distractions can get in the way of writing, but if there’s a deadline, I don’t like missing it. So, I’ll do anything to hit my word count goal in order to make sure that doesn’t happen!

What gets in the way of writing?

     Literally anything—from family to a good book to social media and marketing my books.

What is the easiest part to write?

     The first act! I love writing a first act. The second act is usual a bear to get through. Then, the third act usually comes quickly. But I love setting everything up. I love a new idea and a new book. Everything is all fresh and new and shiny. It’s my favorite part to write.

What is the hardest part to write?

     The second act. It’s as long as the first and third acts combined, and can be the trickiest. It’s where all of the “work” of the story gets done. First act is fun because it’s setting up the book, and the third is just the climax and wrapping everything up. But the second…it can be a slog sometimes.

Tips for Editing

Weirdest advice you’ve ever heard?

     I don’t know about weird, but I know some people who edit with all kinds of crazy systems involving multiple colors of highlighters, post-it notes, and scissors. The idea of doing all that makes my brain hurt. I send my chapters to my editor every week, and revise each one per her notes. Much easier and no highlighters involved.

Most useful thing you’ve heard?

     You’re not writing in stone. Everything can be polished and made better. I learned that in a general writing class in my undergrad. It was the first time I realized what revision and editing was. She would give us a grade on our first draft; one that would change as we revised. She would give a ton of notes to help us turn that grade into an A. The first paper I turned in came back with a C. I’d never gotten a C on anything before. I nearly flipped! But then she explained revision to me, and I turned it into an A. Seeing the grade change in such a significant way really fueled my love for editing. Now, I don’t mind writing a shitty first draft, because I know I’ll only improve it from there. It’s just something to get me started so that I can start polishing and make it shine.

Tips for Web Presence

How much web presence do you think is necessary (how much do you do)?

     A lot. Unfortunately. This is why I spend half my day on publishing stuff. Readers really want to know you as a person. Not just what you’re writing or when your book is on sale—they want to know YOU. What are you doing today? What’s for lunch? It seems silly, but it’s true! I recently did a photo-a-day challenge, and had a reader reach out and say, “I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing your posts daily. I feel like I know you as a person, not just an author and makes reading your books all the better!” I feel like that sums it up pretty nicely. Knowing you—as a person—makes them like your books more. Crazy, but true! So, over the past few months, I’ve been making more of an effort to reach out and talk about my daily life. Hopefully, it keeps readers more engaged! Fingers crossed!

What are the three most important things to do?

• Be consistent.
• You don’t want to disappear for three months, and then post every day for a week. You want to stay consistent with when you post. It doesn’t have to be every day, but it should be at least a few times a week.
• Be honest.
• You have to be true to yourself. You don’t want to lie about who you are or what you like/dislike. The truth will shine through. So, be honest about who you are, and trust that readers will like you for you.
• Only use tools that you feel comfortable with.
• If you don’t like twitter, don’t use it. If you like Instagram, use that. You have to find what works for you. And then be consistent and honest.

What is the most important thing not to do?

     Don’t ever, Ever, EVER respond to negative reviews. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If they don’t like your book—even if they turn it into a personal attack—don’t engage. It never goes well, and you always end up looking bad. I’ve seen a number of authors—even very famous ones—do this, and it’s just always a train wreck. Stay far, far away from your negative reviews. Just take heart in the positive ones and turn a blind eye to the rest. Keep going. You’re not writing for the people who don’t like your book. You’re writing for the people who love your book.

Shameless Plug Time!

What would you like to talk to us about?

     The final book in this arc of the Alpha Girl series, Alpha Unleashed, is coming out September 29^th! Tessa will be back, but I’m taking a wee break to write something in a new series (more on this when I have a cover finalized) after Alpha Unleashed. But I’m super excited for what’s in store for Tessa and Dastien. I think readers will be happy with where this series arc will end. ;) ;)

     If you haven’t read it, there are four other books in the series. They’ll be on sale the month of September, so you can catch up before Alpha Unleashed comes out!

[For more on Aileen's books: http://inkmonster.net/authors/aerin]

Thanks so much for visiting Aileen! I’ve added your next release to my calendar so I don’t miss it.

If you want to ask questions of upcoming guests fill out a quick form at: http://www.wordsmithskey.com/survival-guide.html

Books: You Can Write A Mystery

You Can Write A Mystery by Gillian Roberts
My Verdict: Own It

If you have a mystery idea spinning around in your brain, but aren't sure if you've thought it all out, this book is extremely helpful. Take out a notebook, and, as you read through, pretend that every segment is a question directed at you, about your idea. When you finish reading you'll have all the bare bones of your novel assembled (and maybe some organs you fleshed out because you couldn't put down your pen).

Roberts covers:

• Mystery Sub-genres (noir, humorous, hard-boiled, cozy, puzzle, and suspense [psychological, thriller, romantic])
• Seven C’s of basic story elements (Characters, Conflict, Causality, Complications, Change, Crisis, Closure)
• How to choose between: Amateur Sleuth, Semi-Professional, or Professional
• How to choose between: Series or Stand-Alone novel

And all the other basics to writing a good novel.

If you are ever going to write a mystery – Own this book.

If you are ever going to write – Read this book.

If you've never written a mystery (or any genre) this is a nice book for beginners. It keeps on point and wastes no words.

If you want to remind yourself about mystery (because you've been writing other genres) this will be a relaxing refresher course.

If you are a published mystery writer, you might be bored (unless you like remembering the basics).

Your homework: pick out your favorite mystery novel and decide why it is the best you've ever read.

Rating Scale: Keep on Desk, Own It, Read It, Skim It, Don’t Bother

Books: Booklife

Booklife by Jeff Vandermeer
My Verdict: Keep on Desk

Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st-Century Writer by Jeff Vandermeer is a great resource for understanding how technology has changed the public's view of an author. Vandermeer states, “The perfect writer exists between imagination and discipline.” This is completely true and if you need a guideline for how to discipline yourself, this is your book.

The book is divided into two sections: Public and Private.

Public deals with issues like social media, options for your own web platform, networking, PR, dealing with Editors, Agents, and Publishers.

Private is more about understanding what you need as a writer and finding a balance between what the public needs from you, and what you need for yourself.

He goes through a number of Internet platforms, but states that above all you must choose your own level of involvement. If you try for too much you can’t keep up, if you are not consistent people will lose interest, if you are aggressive or nonresponsive you might turn off viewers. Yet, at the same time, you are able to reach out to many people through the internet - often those you wouldn't see at conferences or book signings. You can even guest blog for people that are outside your normal audience in order to gather more followers. Above all: only do what you are comfortable with.

The main advice that he really lays down: be the same person online that you are offline. Otherwise, when people meet you in the real world, the effect can be jarring/upsetting.

Also, networking isn't just about you telling other people what you've been working on, you have to go out there and listen to what others are saying and see if you can help them out.

This is not a book you read cover to cover in a few days. At most read a chapter a day so that you can really digest and think about the topics he discusses. Each section requires you to make an opinion on the subject, and, if a lot of this is new to you (or challenging your preconceptions) it will require your time and effort. It’s also a great book to pick up every couple weeks and skim for advice.

Vandermeer advocates persistence, imagination, discipline, and gives you permission to fail. No one can be perfect, but you can always strive to be better.

Your homework: write up a list of Career and Creative Goals, both short term and long term (plus dates to finish them by). Make sure to include: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years down the road.

Rating Scale: Keep on Desk, Own It, Read It, Skim It, Don’t Bother

Suggestion: Know Your Genre

As a writer, you strive to be a genius. You want readers to walk away thinking your novel was the best they've ever read. One way to do that is to know your genre. 

Anyone can change the setting to Ancient Egypt, 1900's London, or Outer Space 3030, but the setting is not the only thing that defines a genre. There’s also:

Pacing

Characters that are not cliché stereotypes

Theme (example for Scifi: what does it mean to be human?)

Historical events

Objects (like technology)

Culture

Your job is to make the world Engaging and Fun, even though many other authors have dealt with these topics. You must read enough in the genre to know how your story is the same, or different from, what your readers have read before. Twilight fans will think of vampires very differently than fans from Sookie Stackhouse, or Dracula. 

Pick out three contemporaries that your fans will probably also read. By knowing them, you can set yourself apart, but not so different that you lose readers. You might realize you can cross genre to pick up new readers (like Young Adult or Romance). 

Finish your first draft, find your genre comparisons, then revise with confidence and think about PR and Networking opportunities.

Why do this after your first draft? Because you might start out by writing a fantasy, but by the end of your first draft (and genre research) discover that it would be better suited as steampunk. Examine every choice you make and spend time deliberating if it is the best choice for your story and the message you want to get across.

In short: read more books in the genre you are currently writing.

Books: Bird by Bird

Bird by Bird
My Verdict: Don't Bother

If you want to read about the personal woes of being a writer, then Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is the book for you. Otherwise, skip it.

The title comes from some short advice early on which can also be conveyed as "take it one step at a time". Most of the book, when not relating personal stories (which is often), is spent on lengthier (and I suppose to some people funnier) ways to convey normal advice.

Such as:
Perfection will drive you crazy.
Treat others as you wish to be treated (especially critiquing).
The difference is in the details.
No one wants to spend time with a boring narrator.
Be mean to your characters (to watch them grow).
Make sure your characters fit your plot.
Write passionately or you'll never bother to finish it.
Write what you know (how people act, not necessarily their jobs).
Imagination is just as necessary as rational plans.
Perseverance is the only way to finish your novel.

Instead of being in the editing section at Barnes and Noble it should be in the biography area.

Your homework: decide which beginning writing book is your favorite.


Rating Scale: Keep on Desk, Own It, Read It, Skim It, Don’t Bother

Lexicon: Save the Cat

      Save the Cat: is a book (by Blake Snyder), but also a term relating to the moment the reader connects with the main character. Maybe they literally save a cat, or just try to do the right thing, either way the reader is now rooting the main character on for the rest of the book. 

      This is your moral gut-check. Most readers want a main character they can understand (and doesn’t bore them). If you’re more than five to ten pages into the story and can’t decide if you like the main character, then the gut-check didn’t work (some people will argue this gut check should occur in the first two pages).

Lexicon: Synopsis

      Synopsis: a summary of a narrative. This details the entire plot and does not hide anything (it should answer questions, not pose any). 

      

      Most often you will need to have three kinds ready for your book at any given time (memorized would be helpful for the first two): Log Line, Back of Book Blurb, and a One Page Synopsis. Yes, by writing a One Page Synopsis there will be details that are left out – but all the beats necessary to accomplish your major arc should be in there, and most minor arcs. 

Lexicon: Indigenous Fantasy

      Indigenous Fantasy: a real world setting that has unexplainable elements (by scientific methods). 

      Elements like species (werewolves, vampires, faries) or magic (incantations, wands, places of power). Indigenous Fantasy is the opposite setting of High Fantasy and often confused with Urban Fantasy (which takes place in cities, and the city itself must play a role in the story [as in, it could not be just any city]).

      Examples: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs, Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin, Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, and Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

Lexicon: Back of Book Blurb

     Back of Book Blurb: a paragraph (maybe two) that sets up your main character, interior and exterior conflict, and setting (hint at genre). 

      This crucial paragraph often holds the fate of whether someone will or won’t buy your novel. Make sure every word counts. You have to capture the reader’s interest and cause doubt as to how everything will turn out for your character. 

Lexicon: Cold Read

Cold read: to read without prior knowledge of the contents.

After all your rewrites, how can you be sure that crucial information is not missing? Ask friends to cold read your novel.

Shameless Plug or Useful Advice Section: Upcoming Guest - Aileen Erin

Wordsmith's Key First Guest will be Aileen Erin!


Hugely successful writer Aileen Erin has published five novels with Ink Monster and has another coming this fall. Her Alpha series (four books and counting) is heartfelt and tension packed. Cipher is the first in the Shadow Ravens series and a thrilling page turner. Check out where to buy these and more at: http://inkmonster.net/books

Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd—from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

 Ask her your own questions by filling out a form here: http://www.wordsmithskey.com/survival-guide.html

Suggestion: Create Character Profiles.

Even if you are not writing a series, a character profile is a great way to get to know your characters. Why bother? To make your characters more alive and it will be easier to crawl back into your world.

Keep it digital or go old school by making a folder or shoe box full of mementos and lists.

You can use anything to make up the profiles, but here are some suggestions to get you started:

Name
Age
Appearance
Job
Goal in life
Biggest Fear
Talents (good at talking to strangers)
Hobbies (plays an instrument)

Family
Friends
Rivals
Pets

A music playlist
Photos of favorite things or places

List Favorite:
- band, tv show, movie, book
- meal, candy, drink
- makeup, clothes, hats, shoes
- phrases or words

In short: spend time day dreaming and brainstorming about all your characters.

Books: Save the Cat

Save the Cat 
My Verdict: Keep on Desk

Save the Cat by Blake Snyder has been one of the best books I've read about writing because of just one chapter, focused around one idea: The Beat Sheet. Yes, this book is technically for screenwriters, and yes, the author talks a little too much with the audience, and sure, most of the rest of the book I don't bother with, but the beat sheet is gold.

Everyone will talk about how the character arcs in your novel need to unfold, and how to make your characters real, but this book will tell you when. He names each stage, gives you a paragraph to understand what that stage should be doing, and gives examples from different movies. At the end of the chapter, he beats out the entire movie Miss Congeniality.

Each part of the beat sheet is important, but let me pick one at random to examine: #8 Fun and Games - nearly 30 pages of a 110 page screenplay. It's honestly one of the easiest things to pick out in a movie (or notice when it's done wrong). This is mostly where the preview clips come from. Your main character is trying their hardest to fit into the new role they've been given and figure out how everything works. Even when it's a tense, serious movie, it's the part where you really start cheering for them not to mess up. In most cases it will also be one of the most memorable moments.

I am not saying that the Beat Sheet is easy. While this is a formula, all rules are meant to be broken, and I'll be honest, when you're writing your novel you might have two different scenes that seem to apply to "Fun and Games" in opposite parts of the novel. But, maybe, there's a reason you're still trying to figure out how to finish your novel - maybe the beats aren't hitting at the right time or with enough impact.

Your Homework: go watch Edge of Tomorrow and beat it out.

Rating Scale: Keep on Desk, Own It, Read It, Skim It, Don’t Bother

Lexicon: Log Line

Log line: a one sentence summary of your novel.

Often compared to an elevator pitch, which is a quick and simple description that anyone can understand.