Comments on: Basic Training - For the Unpubbed - Part 1 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/ Testing the Plot Monkey Blog Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:03:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Lori & Tony http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25152 Lori & Tony Mon, 21 May 2007 22:26:19 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25152 :party:Woohoo! Ahem. Sorry. I saw the six groovin' dudes and couldn't help thinking that's how I felt when I came over here today. There's the four incomparable Plot Monkeys...and us! Hmm...that would make five dudettes and one dude, wouldn't it? Karen, thanks so much for the heads up on posting the Basic Training workshop here. I was so glad to see the first part still holds water. A little on the brief side (I know, I know), but hey. If one person gets use out of it, then our time was well spent. Well, it looks like Jodie and Robin already received sound and sage advice, so we'll just add this..:thumbsup: and pop up now and again throughout the week. Thanks, Plot Monkeys!!! Not just for being such talented writers, but for being special friends. (Yikes, why did Mr. Rogers just come to mind? RIP) xoxo Lori & Tony aka Tori Carrington http://www.toricarrington.net * http://www.sofiemetro.com Woohoo! Ahem. Sorry. I saw the six groovin’ dudes and couldn’t help thinking that’s how I felt when I came over here today. There’s the four incomparable Plot Monkeys…and us! Hmm…that would make five dudettes and one dude, wouldn’t it?

Karen, thanks so much for the heads up on posting the Basic Training workshop here. I was so glad to see the first part still holds water. A little on the brief side (I know, I know), but hey. If one person gets use out of it, then our time was well spent.

Well, it looks like Jodie and Robin already received sound and sage advice, so we’ll just add this.. and pop up now and again throughout the week.

Thanks, Plot Monkeys!!! Not just for being such talented writers, but for being special friends. (Yikes, why did Mr. Rogers just come to mind? RIP)

xoxo

Lori & Tony aka Tori Carrington
http://www.toricarrington.net * http://www.sofiemetro.com

]]> By: Jodie http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25094 Jodie Sun, 20 May 2007 13:30:06 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25094 Thanks so much for the help and answers. I understand what you're saying and I think I've got it going in the right direction. I say, "she shuts him down" and for the most part she does, but she also shows that she's softening toward him and she can see that he's not like...she just has to work past her fear. Do we have Hot Property yet? (thinking out loud, I'm off to your website to find out because if so, how'd I miss it?) Thanks so much for the help and answers. I understand what you’re saying and I think I’ve got it going in the right direction. I say, “she shuts him down” and for the most part she does, but she also shows that she’s softening toward him and she can see that he’s not like…she just has to work past her fear.

Do we have Hot Property yet? (thinking out loud, I’m off to your website to find out because if so, how’d I miss it?)

]]> By: Robin http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25091 Robin Sun, 20 May 2007 07:13:03 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25091 Thanks so much Carly! I really appreciate your advice and guidance! Thanks so much Carly! I really appreciate your advice and guidance!

]]> By: Erica R http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25089 Erica R Sun, 20 May 2007 02:44:20 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25089 Thanks Carly--this sounds like it'll be a great series! =) Thanks Carly–this sounds like it’ll be a great series! =)

]]> By: Carly http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25088 Carly Sun, 20 May 2007 01:56:23 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25088 Jodie you said: << Your answer was exactly what I wanted to hear!! :happy2: I was afraid the internal conflict he got from her shutting him down every step of the way wasn’t going to be enough. <<' MAKE SURE that you don't get repetetive in what happens btw hero and heroine so reader gets annoyed by what she's reading and frustrated at the character's inability to grow each time she shuts him down. This is the hardest part about one stronger internal conflict than another. I'm sure you can do it! AND YOU SAID: <<’ve been really stuck - for days - not sure how to get from A - C until I remembered something Carly had said one time about when she gets stuck its sometimes because she’s going at it from the wrong POV. That was it - as soon as I came at it from his POV instead of hers it all fell into place. You guys are awesome!! >> WELL WOO HOOO! I hope it didn't take weeks for you to figure out as it sometimes does for me. :doh: Jodie you said: < < Your answer was exactly what I wanted to hear!! I was afraid the internal conflict he got from her shutting him down every step of the way wasn’t going to be enough. < <'
MAKE SURE that you don't get repetetive in what happens btw hero and heroine so reader gets annoyed by what she's reading and frustrated at the character's inability to grow each time she shuts him down. This is the hardest part about one stronger internal conflict than another. I'm sure you can do it!

AND YOU SAID: <<’ve been really stuck - for days - not sure how to get from A - C until I remembered something Carly had said one time about when she gets stuck its sometimes because she’s going at it from the wrong POV. That was it - as soon as I came at it from his POV instead of hers it all fell into place. You guys are awesome!! >>

WELL WOO HOOO! I hope it didn’t take weeks for you to figure out as it sometimes does for me.

]]> By: Carly http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25087 Carly Sun, 20 May 2007 01:53:10 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25087 Robin, HUGS on the rejection. Ugh. But as they say what doesn't kill us makes us stronger and I PROMISE you this is true! You asked: <<So I have a question: Can I resubmit to them again after making changes to my story according to thier reasons for rejecting it? Or should I send them a query for my second manuscript so they see my name again on something different? And what if I send something to another area of Harlequin (I’m not positive I’ve targeted the right line)?>> Definitely query Harlequin on manuscript 2. Mention they just read ms. one and thank them for their time in that letter. Use the rejection letter's comments to tweak manuscript # 1 if appropriate and yes query another pub house! I'm not up on the current policy on sending/querying same ms. to another Harlequin line, I'm sorry. The policy changes back and forth over the years! AND THEN YOU ASKED: <<Or should I try another publisher all together? I started writing with Harlequin in mind (their word count guidelines the most influential) and just told the story that was in me rather than trying to conform exactly to thier requirements, thinking maybe there’s a little breathing room if the story is really good.>> NEVER conform, as Julie said. You can tell the story of your heart and write a better story than what is currently "hot" at the moment. So I'd query another house where appropriate. Harlequin isn't asking for conformity, they are asking for what they call the Harlequin Promise - the happy ending. The way you get there is uniquely you. If it fits their particular line or they can work with it, they will. Brenda is an expert at that ... GOOD LUCK! Robin, HUGS on the rejection. Ugh. But as they say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger and I PROMISE you this is true!

You asked: < >

Definitely query Harlequin on manuscript 2. Mention they just read ms. one and thank them for their time in that letter. Use the rejection letter’s comments to tweak manuscript # 1 if appropriate and yes query another pub house! I’m not up on the current policy on sending/querying same ms. to another Harlequin line, I’m sorry. The policy changes back and forth over the years!

AND THEN YOU ASKED: < >

NEVER conform, as Julie said. You can tell the story of your heart and write a better story than what is currently “hot” at the moment. So I’d query another house where appropriate. Harlequin isn’t asking for conformity, they are asking for what they call the Harlequin Promise - the happy ending. The way you get there is uniquely you. If it fits their particular line or they can work with it, they will. Brenda is an expert at that …

GOOD LUCK!

]]> By: Carly http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25086 Carly Sun, 20 May 2007 01:48:37 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25086 Jodie - you asked: <<’ve got a question that has come about because of the 3 Act Workshop. Do both the H/h HAVE to have some sort of internal conflict going on or does it just make for a stronger story?>> Answer: what Julie said. I know that sometimes I read a book that I love that feels like one character only has internal conflict and why can't the other just go after what they want in my books? And the truth is, you lose something in the story. You lose depth and you lose character. BUT that doesn't mean both characters have to drag around such heavy baggage that you are banging the reader over the head with it page after page. There is a delicate balance and it's tough to find! My characters tend to have past stuff going on but in HOT PROPERTY, neither have heavy duty pasts, just present junk going on, and something in the heroine's past that makes the hero's celebrity / press freak her out. Julie's an expert at giving good conflict without delving into the past. I am not. I usually build character based on past history. Each to his own. Julie's books are amazing done her way! Good luck and I hope this helped! Jodie - you asked: < <’ve got a question that has come about because of the 3 Act Workshop. Do both the H/h HAVE to have some sort of internal conflict going on or does it just make for a stronger story?>>

Answer: what Julie said. I know that sometimes I read a book that I love that feels like one character only has internal conflict and why can’t the other just go after what they want in my books? And the truth is, you lose something in the story. You lose depth and you lose character. BUT that doesn’t mean both characters have to drag around such heavy baggage that you are banging the reader over the head with it page after page. There is a delicate balance and it’s tough to find!

My characters tend to have past stuff going on but in HOT PROPERTY, neither have heavy duty pasts, just present junk going on, and something in the heroine’s past that makes the hero’s celebrity / press freak her out. Julie’s an expert at giving good conflict without delving into the past. I am not. I usually build character based on past history. Each to his own. Julie’s books are amazing done her way!

Good luck and I hope this helped!

]]> By: Donna M http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25079 Donna M Sat, 19 May 2007 17:24:21 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25079 Plotmonkeys, you give this reader, no writing for me, a healthy respect for all authors. It doesn't seem like it would be very difficult but the more I learn about writing a book the more I realize that it is a difficult job. Thank heavens there are a lot of talented people out there writing books for all of us that are avid readers. :love2: Julie, I'm glad your writing is coming together. Keep up the good work. :thumbsup: Everyone have a great weekend. :) :cheer: Plotmonkeys, you give this reader, no writing for me, a healthy respect for all authors. It doesn’t seem like it would be very difficult but the more I learn about writing a book the more I realize that it is a difficult job. Thank heavens there are a lot of talented people out there writing books for all of us that are avid readers. :love2:
Julie, I’m glad your writing is coming together. Keep up the good work.
Everyone have a great weekend.

]]> By: Robin http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25078 Robin Sat, 19 May 2007 17:14:19 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25078 Thanks Julie! No, they didn't ask for revisions so I will move on. "It's about giving the reader what they want" - thanks for that, I forget it sometimes and you've put the whole Harlequin thing in perspective. I would love to see your workshop on Targeting the Market. I hope the last 30 pages go quickly - glad to hear your lost scene is rebuilt and I'm sure it's great. And like Jodie said, thanks for being so generous!! Thanks Julie! No, they didn’t ask for revisions so I will move on.

“It’s about giving the reader what they want” - thanks for that, I forget it sometimes and you’ve put the whole Harlequin thing in perspective. I would love to see your workshop on Targeting the Market.

I hope the last 30 pages go quickly - glad to hear your lost scene is rebuilt and I’m sure it’s great. And like Jodie said, thanks for being so generous!!

]]> By: Jodie http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25077 Jodie Sat, 19 May 2007 16:49:58 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/445/basic-training-for-the-unpublished-writer/#comment-25077 Yeay - go Julie, go Julie!:cheer: Your answer was exactly what I wanted to hear!!:happy2: I was afraid the internal conflict he got from her shutting him down every step of the way wasn't going to be enough. There's a lot going on with him, he is a pretty deep character that has surprised me as he's evolved - not at all the shallow friend I thought he as going to be (he's a friend to the hero in my current wip) - and so I'm not concerned about him being cardboard. I was just worried about him having too good of a life in the past. I'm so excited about him that it's helping to push me to get through my current wip so I can start on their story. I've been really stuck - for days - not sure how to get from A - C until I remembered something Carly had said one time about when she gets stuck its sometimes because she's going at it from the wrong POV. That was it - as soon as I came at it from his POV instead of hers it all fell into place. You guys are awesome!! Thanks for being so generous in sharing your time and knowledge with us!:bowdown: Yeay - go Julie, go Julie!

Your answer was exactly what I wanted to hear!! I was afraid the internal conflict he got from her shutting him down every step of the way wasn’t going to be enough. There’s a lot going on with him, he is a pretty deep character that has surprised me as he’s evolved - not at all the shallow friend I thought he as going to be (he’s a friend to the hero in my current wip) - and so I’m not concerned about him being cardboard. I was just worried about him having too good of a life in the past.

I’m so excited about him that it’s helping to push me to get through my current wip so I can start on their story. I’ve been really stuck - for days - not sure how to get from A - C until I remembered something Carly had said one time about when she gets stuck its sometimes because she’s going at it from the wrong POV.

That was it - as soon as I came at it from his POV instead of hers it all fell into place. You guys are awesome!! Thanks for being so generous in sharing your time and knowledge with us!

]]>