Writing Quirks

I thought that since you put up with all my other rants about writing, you might like to get to know me a little better. 

Here goes (no judging)

One thing I've discovered about myself during all my years of writing, is that I have developed some quirks that I don't think one would consider...normal.

I'm sure we've all got things that we do that we don't realize we even do. I'm sure I have some I still don't know about.

My First Quirk: 

When I'm editing, I liked to read out loud (it helps you catch your mistakes). But that's not the quirk...wait for it...Not only do I read out loud, but I usually end up going into a British accent...I am not British, but that doesn't stop me from fluxing my voice like i'm from London.

Second Quirk:

I read voices...or I should say "in voices".

While reading in a British accent, I lower or raise my pitch as if I were doing all the different character voices. 

Imagine how you would read a picture book to a child and you've got it, only I'm just reading it to myself. Haha

Third Quirk:

When I write longhand, I write sideways. As in, when I place a piece of paper on the desk, it is not facing vertical; instead, it is turned onto its side (horizontally) and I write from bottom to top.

Yet, when you straighten the paper, my writing is straight across and perfectly legible. 

(I've got skills)

Fourth Quirk:

When writing by hand, typing or editing, I end up tilting my head to the right; so much so that I've earned myself an impressive knot in my shoulder that I like to call Javier.

I have to catch myself and consciously think of keeping my head straight. 

Another Quirk:

My characters control the story. I just try my hardest to get it all down before they throw another twist at me. In fact, I wrote an entire blog post about it. Read it here.

Yet Another Quirk: (I know, I know)

While editing, I like to have something noisy in my hands. For example, a clicky pen or something with a snap on it; basically something to keep my hands busy with something that gives me the satisfaction of clicking. 

The sound doesn't register with me, after all, I'm editing, but it is not a lot of fun for anyone who happens to be around me. 

Last Quirk: (I promise)

And finally, I cannot sit in a computer chair like a normal person (with both feet on the ground and back straight). I prefer to type with one leg tucked under my other, until I can no longer feel it. Then I switch, having to bounce my foot up and down to regain blood flow, all the while squirming in my chair as i'm trying to edit.

Every time.

Well there you have it, a little glimpse into the chaos that is my mind.

Like I said, I probably have more quirks that I haven't realized yet. I think they are funny because I catch myself doing them all the time!

And I know I'm not the only one, so let's hear one of your quirks!

"Not what we're looking for..."

How to Deal with Rejections to your Queries for Publishing.

After hours of writing and editing, grooming and beefing up your story (essentially, your baby), naturally the next step is to put it out there.

It's a little nerve-wracking to trust your baby to take its first steps and be criticized and judged by perfect strangers who hold the potential to publish you and help you achieve your goals of becoming a world renowned author!

But what happens when that perfect stranger reads your queries or even your story and casts it against the rocks, turning their nose up at it and walks away?

Well, before you go postal, take a deep breath and realize that every big name author also started out as a nobody and went through countless rejections before their story fell into the perfect hands. 

As an aspiring author myself, there are a lot of things that I've had to come to terms with when my first query response returned as a "NO".

First of all, I had to accept that I might not be "The Shit".

After all the work I had put into my writing, I was positive that it was GOLD! Everyone who had read it agreed with me and my head was approaching astronomical proportions.

There was no doubt in my mind that I would be picked up immediately and by the end of the year, signing my second contract with my agent begging me to write a sequel (I know...).

The simple, heartless line, "Not what we're looking for", brought my Cloud 9 dreams to a screeching halt!

Surely this agent was out of their mind!

And then I received my next rejection...and then the next.

It's sad when your dream has to come down from naivety back to a reality based foundation. The magic of it all sort of dims.

"Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely."

-Henry Ford-

So, after a few days of wallowing in self pity,

I reevaluated, brushed myself off and realized that just because they said no didn't mean there was anything wrong with my story.

It wasn't that my story and I were "Not what we're looking for"; 

It was now, that publisher was "Not what I'm looking for".

Which brings me to my second point, just because one publisher didn't like my story, doesn't mean they all feel that way.

Agencies are bombarded by queries, so its easy to see why some publishers only want whats "hot". But who's to say you're not holding the next flame?

What may be less than entertaining to one may be gold to another!

Besides, the way I see it (and yes, I am selfish), I poured my heart, soul, time, blood, sweat and tears into my work. If that wasn't enough, it took every ounce of bravery to put myself out there enough to allow others to read it once it was finished and finally I believed in myself enough to attempt to publish it; therefore, I deserve an agent who will fall head over heels in love with my idea and characters. I deserve a coach who I can trust not to swindle me for a pretty penny, but to be excited about every new adventure.

So, I may not be "The Shit", but I do believe in myself and my passion for writing.

And with every rejection, it's one step closer to finding the right publisher for me.

Third thing that I've realized, I'm not gonna lie, those positive vibes are hard to keep up some days.

Especially on days when I am sick and tired of my 9-5 job and I know that writing has the potential to offer me a sense of freedom if I got good enough.

On those days, when I shake my fist at the Publisher Gods for not dubbing me their golden child yet or when I read a particularly horrible book and the "how did THAT CRAP get published when I cant?" jealousy chokes me, I have to ask myself, why do I write?

(This is actually a really good question to ask yourself when you find yourself at a tough point in your writing process and you're thinking about quitting.)

Why do I write?

If the potential for money was no longer there, would I write?

If I did not receive complements or praise for my work, would I write?

If there was no possibility for popularity or fame?

If there was no one else to read my stories, would I still?

Even if I could somehow tell the future (just go with me here) and I knew that I would never get published, ever, would I still write?

The answer is...yes. Always YES.

I started writing purely because I enjoyed it. Creating worlds, manipulating fates, watching a hero find himself, developing a bad guy, impossible love...it all makes writing worth it to me.

When I first started writing, I would have kept all that magic to myself, only my best friend in middle school encouraged (cough...cough...blackmailed) me into letting her read my first story (that I never finished by the way), and I've been sharing ever since.

So, when the jealousy or bitterness is on the rise, I remind myself that I write for ME, because its FUN and I will continue to do it...probably until my fingers fall off.

The last thing that I've realized about dealing with rejection is to never give up!

Never. Give. Up!

I tried for three years and was just about to give up just before I got my first legit publishing offer for an e-book contract. Of course, I grabbed it with both hands.

When the contract fell through less than a year later due to reasons out of my control, I picked right back up and did it myself.

For now, I am self-published with two amazingly awesome books available on e-book and I have their sequels on the way! I love it!

Does that mean that I've stopped fishing for an agent or publisher?

No.

I continue to query. I continue to write and edit and better myself, 

because writing is what I love to do!

And one day, when the stars align and the Publishing Gods call my name, 

I will be ready!

Now Available on E-book

"There is no Prince Charming"

Jennifer Carmichael, a lowly secretary and cynical romance novel addict, is ripped from her dull life when she wakes up to find that she is no longer in New York City, but held captive in a fictional world found within the pages of the strange book she discovered on the subway; a Medieval world where women do as they are told and all the men look sexy enough to eat. Jen's sharp attitude and fierce independence immediately attracts the attention of the Prince. He is everything any woman could ever want, a real Prince Charming. However, things are not always what they seem. Desperately trying to find her way home, but flung head first into the middle of a brewing war between the King and the Rebellion, Jen must choose what to fight for: the Prince, the People, or her heart.

Nook Link 

Kindle Link

"Arranged"

With an uncle determined to control her life and more importantly, her inheritance by arranging her marriage, Alison Forbush sees no choice but to run from the life she knew. 
Her rebellion would spark a chain reaction that would not only change her life, but effect an entire kingdom.
Discovered, captured and imprisoned by strange creatures that inhabit an underground world where every shadow holds danger, Alison struggles to maintain her independence, especially when their fierce King takes an interest in her. 
She must ask herself if this strange world could hold everything she'd been looking for or, following her uncles example, was all of this Arranged from the beginning?

Nook Link

Kindle Link

Where does the work end and the FUN begin?

I find myself asking this question a lot, these days.

It's hard to make sure that the things we love best don't became like "work".

After all, we loved them because they took us away from work and transported us to a happier realm.

I have a confession to make...writing, sometimes, feels like work. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about.

There is so much time and tears that go into a good book.

Research, writing the dang thing, editing, editing, editing.

So how can we turn this from work back into fun?

1- Write about something you like!
If you like it, the process becomes that much easier!
If you like Fantasy, go ahead, write about a three headed dragon!
 If you're into mystery, think of an ending you would never see coming and then WRITE ABOUT IT!

2- Look for inspiration everywhere.

I like to do this when I'm having a hard time coming up with Characters.

There are interesting people EVERYWHERE! Sit somewhere and people watch for a minute. Yes, sounds creepy...just tell them you're doing an experiment or something.

If your story needs a little UMPH, watch youtube or read about people doing amazing things or even natural disasters; that's always a fun twist!

Enjoy yourself in the moment and plug that into your writing.

3- Give yourself some slack.
I used to write with goals of 10-30 pages per day, no excuses....yeah, that didn't work out too well.
Life tends to throw curve balls at you.
If you miss a few pages (or days) don't beat yourself up about it, just pick up where you left off and try it again.
Deadlines are great things, but if it's too tight, your writing will become WORK (and we don't want that).
If you've got writers block, try writing about something else for a while. There are a lot of fun writing prompts out there to get your mind off of things.
Taking a break does wonders to an overworked mind.
Most of the time when you come back to your work, the inspiration is waiting.

4- Book Talk

This step is a pillar in my writing life!

Find someone who also has a passion for writing and just chit chat about your story ideas.

Two minds are better than one; that person may just be the answer to your prayers.

I can't tell you how many times I have been so stuck on a plot point with no idea how to get from point A to point B then I chatted it up with one of my writing friends and BOOM floods of ideas!

Besides, it's fun.

Generally, people don't understand the natural high that comes when you're "in the zone" or when you've completed something you can be proud of. That's why having other writer friends in imperative!

Get with people who are on your level.

5- Sleep on it.
Still stuck on an idea, have lack of motivation or are super frustrated? Try this.
When you're ready to go to bed, lay there and think "I will have an awesome dream with the answer and my problems will be done."
I bet you really think I'm loony now. Don't dog it until you try it!
I have a friend who does this and when he wakes up, he has fresh inspiration.
Your subconscious will work it out for you.

6- Love that you do what you do!

I used to be afraid to tell people that I was a writer. I felt like I wasn't really qualified for that title...

I mean, I didn't have a degree in English or anything, but then I realize that all the work and passion that goes into my work DOES make me a writer!

When I started to tell people that I loved to write, it amazed me how impressed they were. 

Writing was just something I did...but when they wanted to read my writings and actually LIKED it, well, I was on cloud 9.

Begin to introduce yourself as a writer. Don't let everything you've strived for, sit on the sidelines; it doesn't matter if you've been published or if you have notebook after notebook with stories written in them.

Love that you write and let others in on your passion for it.

There are many more tips and tricks, I'm sure; however, I think I've ranted long enough.
Let me know if these help you like it helps me.

The Joys Of Editing...NOT!

If you are a writer, you know what it is to edit.

Yes, I am talking about that dreadful phase of your story where it's nearly impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel (especially during your first draft).

Unfortunately, that's where I'm at now, first run through and everything. 

I can see the long, treacherous road stretched out before me and just thinking about it makes me tired.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

You may say, "Crystyl, why not have someone else edit for you?"

I know there are countless sites where you can pay someone to edit for you or if you have an agent, they can find an editor for you.

That's all good; however, I prefer to do a much as I can myself.

If you're like me, your first draft is hardly comparable to your final edit.

Though painful, I feel like the editing process is as much for me as it is for the story. 

It helps me refine my characters to be more believable and relatable. It gives me opportunity to beef up the drama where I may have skimmed over it at first because I was just trying to get everything out.

Editing "my way", allows me to catch the small things I may have forgotten 100 pages in (I do that a lot with injuries).

If I paid someone else to edit for me, it wouldn't grow in character and I wouldn't be proud of it. The paid editor is not in my head and therefore cannot know what I actually meant for that character to do or say.

Now, that being said, having someone else edit and read through it essential...but only after you've done four or five drafts...or even the tenth!

I can't tell you how many times I've been helping out a friend and have made suggestions and by the time I give them back their story, they've already made a bunch of changes. 

I feel like editing early drafts is a waste of time. (Everyone is not like me, but no one likes to edit anyway...well maybe if you were paid to do it!)

How I edit is when I feel like I've done as much as I can do, I hand my manuscript over to a few trusted friends: I choose some that are good at grammar and spelling and others that are good at catching story flaws. Both are very helpful.

After I've collected all of their opinions (good or bad), I do yet another run through until I fall in love with it!

I would loose all of that if I just simply handed my story over after a few drafts.

So, you can see, I have a very long road ahead of me. Caffeine and music will help me through!

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can!