Comments on: Saturday Chit-Chat (Plotting With Your Pants On, Part Two)

By: Board « Anna Jarzab - The Lightning and the Lightning Bug

Board « Anna Jarzab - The Lightning and the Lightning Bug — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:12:21 +0000

[...] to be found on the internets: Diana Peterfreund has a whole series of posts on the subject, as do Julie Leto and Rachel Vincent, who plot boards on a white board and not by chapters or scenes. There are also [...]

By: Patricia

Patricia — Thu, 10 May 2007 15:06:19 +0000

Julie, I’m not a writer, but, am enjoying these *industry* discussions, so thanks for including them.

Patricia A.

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Wed, 09 May 2007 14:28:53 +0000

Nina, I don’t do it for every book…I sort of know what my average is, but when I start something new, I re-evaluate. This was my first paranormal and I wanted shorter chapters, so I wrote the proposal to see how the pacing would work. I’m always trying new things.

By: Nina

Nina — Wed, 09 May 2007 14:08:05 +0000

Julie - I had to decide how many pages I needed for this book, as that determines how many chapters I need. First, I wrote the proposal, which was about 50 pages. From this, I determined the average number of words per page that I was putting out

Do you do this for every book? I just assumed that you would use a standard estimate of words per page depending on the font, format that you use. Thanks for the helpful hints for those of us still struggling out there!

By: Leslie

Leslie — Sun, 06 May 2007 14:01:49 +0000

Julie, sounds like you’re having a marvelous time! Hope you have a safe, smooth trip home.

And Jeanie…lolol…go you! Books are always a wonderful purchase!

By: Vicki

Vicki — Sun, 06 May 2007 12:35:36 +0000

Hey Julie,

I’m with Kelly R. I loved the workshop at our meeting but this is a great recap and I know I’m getting more than I could write that Saturday.

I hope you’re having a great time. I wish I was there as well. I love Chicago. Love the food and all the things to see.

No worries about blogging and then leaving. We know you’ll be back. and also needed some family time.

Can’t wait to see the pictures.

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Sun, 06 May 2007 12:30:07 +0000

Lynn, congrats on entering the TARA!!! The trick to contests is to remember that this is a first IMPORTANT step–getting feedback–to being published. The grain of salt rule applies–it’s just the opinion of two trained judges–but I’d be shocked if you didn’t receive some feedback that wasn’t really, really helpful. I entered contests way back when and I did learn a lot…including how not every comment someone makes is valid, but that some can be incredibly on-target. Thanks, too, for telling your chapter about the posts…the more the merrier!

As for the cooperating child…remember, I only have one and she’s been trained as an intrepid traveler. She took her first trip with us at six months and we probably go about four-five places a year because of my husband’s job. We’re planning a jaunt to San Antonio in a few weeks…that one should be lazy, because we won’t actually be in the city (darn it, I love San Antonio) but at a resort.

Jodie, thanks for understanding! I know you all understand, but well, the Catholic girl in me is very good with guilt.

Patty, I’m glad you’re enjoying the posts! I don’t know what I’d do without my bag of tricks. Every single book, no matter how many you’ve written, is a different challange and requires new or tried and true techniques. Like I said, not every one will work for everybody, but it’s good to have a bag ful just in case.

Jeannie…your tale cracked me up. I’m a bibliophile myself and can’t pass up a bargain. Kim Harrison’s books were just released again with a low price and I bought the first one in her series because I’ve been dying to and couldn’t resist…which, of course, is the publisher’s point of re-releasing with a new lower price! Of course, I have no time to read…

See y’all later…it’s time to get out and about in the city!

By: Lynn Matherly

Lynn Matherly — Sun, 06 May 2007 04:14:44 +0000

Julie:

I hope Sunday goes smoothly. I couldn’t get my kids to cooperate and get all of those activities in in time to make a flight! Thanks so much for the posts! I let my RWA chapter know about it in case anyone else wanted some “free” advice.

I’ll check out Micheal’s for the science board. The last time I bought one was for my daughter’s science project. I bet they were cheaper then…

Oh, I got brave. I entered the TARA contest. It is my first real venture into the land of romance writers (aside from writing the actual book). I’ll probably regret it, but maybe someone won’t think it’s the garbage I’ve decided it probably is… But then again, maybe I’ll learn something.

Safe trip home.
Lynn

By: Patty L.

Patty L. — Sun, 06 May 2007 03:01:50 +0000

Hey Julie, I didn’t get to comment last Saturday, so I wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your blog. As an aspiring writer I love to hear all of the published authors tricks. I recently took a class on writing a synopsis and I learned so much about getting a rough draft down to give you a guideline to keep you on schedule. I think that your story board is the same type of idea. I will be trying your techinques as soon as I can make a trip to Staples or Michaels. Thank you for your wisdom.

By: Jodie

Jodie — Sun, 06 May 2007 00:05:54 +0000

Oh, Julie, please don’t feel bad about posting and then being gone. Are you kidding? I’m thankful you post in the first place. I sure don’t, and I doubt very seriously anyone, expects you to be on call 24/7.

Glad you’re having a good time. I’m worn out just listening to all you’re doing in 3 days!!