Posts Tagged With: how to get published

Electric Spec Interview on Writing Short Fiction

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Laurence MacNaughton

Wait, are these stories AC or DC?

It was a real honor to have the chance to sit down and talk with Electric Spec about what makes short stories so relevant today. As writers, short stories give us the opportunity to connect with readers in ways that novels don’t. Besides, talking about how to write short stories is just plain fun.

Also, for probably the first time ever, I talked about the science fiction stories I discovered when I was 12 years old that made me decide to become a writer.

If you enjoy an engrossing science fiction or fantasy short story (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), then you need to check out Electric Spec. For over a decade, these fine folks have been putting out some of the best speculative fiction out there. Give them a shot.

Click here to read my Electric Spec interview.

And speaking of short stories, don’t forget to subscribe to my author newsletter to get a free Dru Jasper story. >

Categories: For Writers | Tags: fantasy, how to get published, how to write, science fiction, short stories, short-shorts | Leave a comment

The Simple Secret to Fixing Ugly Story Problems

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Laurence MacNaughton

When you’re in the middle of writing, don’t stop. Except for coffee.

It happens to every writer: you’re writing along when suddenly you need to go back and change some fact or detail.

Because if you don’t fix it, the story won’t make sense. Should you stop writing at that moment to go fix it?

Nope. That could kill your momentum.

Here’s a better idea. It’s called a retcon, and comic book writers have been using it for decades.

Retcon is short for “retroactive continuity” and it means that you’re stating a new fact that changes what’s come before.

In other words, you’re changing the past.

This is a term I first encountered in the massively entertaining and informative book Writing for Comics with Peter David. (Mr. David, by the way, has an impressive list of comic writing credits, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Supergirl, Hulk, Star Trek, and tons of others. He knows what he’s talking about.)

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Categories: For Writers | Tags: aspiring writers, how to get published, how to write a novel, Story Coach, Story Editor, writing a novel, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

How to Make Writing Your Career: Word Cafe Interview with Yours Truly

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Laurence MacNaughton

Just for the record, the lace doilies were not my idea. Now you know.

Hey, this is cool. Join me over at Word Cafe for an interview where I reveal everything I know about:

• Building a full-time career around writing, as a novelist and a copywriter — and what a copywriter does, exactly.

• How my first book from a New York publisher actually started out as a short story — and how I grew it into a novel.

• The pros and cons of being a hybrid author (both traditionally published and self-published).

• What my fiction writing process looks like. (It’s both crazier and more straightforward than you might think).

• And, of course, my top piece of advice for writers.

Read the complete interview here. >

P.S. Also, I’m giving away a few autographed paperback books to my newsletter subscribers. Don’t miss out. Click here to subscribe to my author newsletter. >

Categories: how to write a novel, The Writing Life | Tags: Anita Mumm, author interview, behind the scenes, copywriting, for writers, how to get published, how to write a novel, It Happened One Doomsday, writing a novel, Writing Tips | 1 Comment

What an Editor Really Does — and Why You Need One

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Laurence MacNaughton

I first met Anita when she worked with my literary agent, Kristin Nelson. Anita is a freelance editor who helps writers bring out the very best in their novels. She was kind enough to share her editing insights, including why you should never let a rejection letter get you down, and why joining a critique group can not only improve your writing, but also save you money – and help you get published. Here’s Anita with all the insider info about editors. –L.

Anita, can you tell us what a developmental editor does, exactly?

Anita Mumm, founder of Mumm’s the Word Editing & Critique Services

The easiest way to describe a developmental editor’s work is that it focuses on the big picture: Does the plot work? Are the characters the kind of people readers want to spend an entire book with? Is the dialogue smooth or stilted? Is the voice appropriate to the genre and audience?

Developmental editing means making sure the foundation of the novel is sound, and that all of its parts come together in a meaningful whole.

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Categories: For Writers | Tags: Anita Mumm, behind the scenes, editors, getting published, how to get published, how to write a novel, who, writing a novel, writing advice, Writing Coach, Writing Tips | 3 Comments

6 Easy Steps to Planning Out Your Novel

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Laurence MacNaughton

Useful advice for writers, brought to by Fiction University.

Attention writers:

Even if you hate the idea of writing an outline or synopsis, you can still figure out a plan to help you finish your novel fast, avoid major revisions, and beat writer’s block forever.

It’s surprisingly easy. And I’ll show you how.

Click here to read the free article on Fiction University.

Categories: For Writers | Tags: Fiction University, how to get published, how to write a book, how to write a novel, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

6 Secrets of Successful Critique Groups

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Laurence MacNaughton

Are you hearing the Jaws theme in your head? I am. And now you are, too. :)

Critique groups: best thing ever for writers? Or soul-crushing pits of despair?

Here are my 6 secrets for spotting a top-notch critique group — or assembling your own.

Connect with other writers and get the feedback you need to finish your book, publish it, and write the next one.

Everything you need to know from Yours Truly is right here on author Patricia Stoltey’s blog:

Click here: http://patriciastolteybooks.com/2016/01/6-secrets-of-successful-critique-groups-by-laurence-macnaughton/

Categories: For Writers | Tags: aspiring writers, getting published, how to get published, how to write, how to write a book, how to write a novel, writing, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

The Short, Sad Saga of Mississippi Jones

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Laurence MacNaughton

Scary. Freakin’. Fish. That is all. Move along.

Some names stick with us.

Bridget Jones, Holden Caulfield, Nero Wolfe — these names are all indelibly stamped into our literary consciousness.

Those names are evocative. Memorable. Unique.

Some writers are incredibly good at coming up with names.

I am not one of them.

Continue reading →

Categories: For Writers, how to write a book, how to write a novel, Uncategorized, writing, writing a book, writing a novel | Tags: aspiring writers, behind the scenes, how to get published, how to publish a book, how to write, how to write a book, how to write a novel, writing a book, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

BookGoodies.com: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Laurence MacNaughton

Cure for writer’s block: nude finger puppets.

I once got to hear Orson Scott Card talk about his writing method. He went on at great length about how the voices of his characters talked to him.

The voices told him to do this, he said, the voices told him to do that.

As he droned on endlessly, a friend leaned over to me and said in a stage whisper:

“My voices are telling me to kill!”

The audience cracked up. Orson Scott Card was not amused.

But the thing is . . . that really is how it works. You hear the characters in your head, the same way you can hear the voices of your parents or your friends.

You know what they would say in a certain situation. And when you’re writing a book, you can turn that into the story.

Read the rest of the interview on BookGoodies.com >

Plus, you can sign up for free cool stuff when you join my author newsletter. >

Categories: book business, writing a novel | Tags: author interview, how to get published, how to write a novel, Hugh Howey, Kristin Nelson, Orson Scott Card | Leave a comment

Help Fight Diabetes and Win a Critique!

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Laurence MacNaughton

That’s right, folks. You already know you can write a novel — and now’s your chance to prove it. Thanks to the heroic efforts of Brenda Novak and her elite team of auction experts, you have a chance to help a great cause AND win a personal manuscript critique from Yours Truly.

And of course, there are plenty of other great prizes to be won, too! Especially in the section conspicuously called Kristin Nelson Literary Agency Presents. Who could pass up a 30-page read from veteran agent Kristin Nelson? Or a 30-page evaluation from literary agent Sara Megibow? These are top-notch opportunities, my friend. Don’t miss out!

You could even win a personalized love scene written by author Tiffany Reisz! And yes, it’s just what you think it is: a ten to fifteen page personalized fantasy love scene between you and the celebrity (or two) of your choice. If that doesn’t give you an incentive to help out a good cause, I don’t know what will!

So do yourself a favor and check out Brenda Novak’s 2011 Online Auction to Benefit Diabetes Research. You can help a much-needed cause, get a chance to score incredible prizes and maybe even give your writing a boost. No matter what, you come out a winner!

Categories: writing a novel | Tags: Aspiring Authors, aspiring writers, Brenda Novak, Charity, Diabetes Fundraiser, Erotica, how to get published, Laurence MacNaughton, writing a novel | Leave a comment

Aspiring Writers, Take Notes!

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Laurence MacNaughton

You can write a novel that seems absolutely perfect to you: the dialogue is tight, the characters are richly layered and the plot crackles with energy. But you’ll still get notes, I guarantee it. And that’s a good thing.

Notes, by the way, are the comments you get from decision-makers (mostly literary agents and editors) about things that they want you to change in your writing. They can be about anything. Description (“Where’s Joe standing, exactly, when the frozen turkey falls on him?”). Continuity (“I thought Joe suffered a concussion in the last scene. How can he sing the Star Spangled Banner?”). Characters (“I don’t like Joe as a short-order cook. How about we call him Bob and make him a rodeo clown instead?”)

Some notes are pure genius, and following them will improve your story in ways you never imagined. Then there are those rare notes that seem like they’re from outer space. One of the most memorable notes I’ve ever heard was to an animation writer: “When the monkey takes off his underwear, please make sure he’s wearing another pair beneath them.”

Because the alternative, I suppose, is just too horrible to contemplate. The truth is, every note is a creative challenge. It’s an obstacle that you need to find a way to overcome. And that, I think, is the best way to look at notes: not as criticism, but challenges.

It’s not that much different from the sorts of story challenges you face while you’re writing a novel. How do I show this character’s true nature? How do I plant this information without being too obvious? How do I make this scene scarier? Or funnier? An editor once gave me this note: “Sorry, this just isn’t funny.” Yowtch!

But after I was done pouting, I sat down and brainstormed a dozen or so new jokes for that part of the story, and guess what? I came up with something better. In the end, I was proud of the job I did, the editor was satisfied, and I’d long forgotten the tiny sting of that note by the time the piece got published.

Notes force us to grow — or at least to think fast on our feet. They’re not exactly fun. Not even if your best friend in the whole world tells you as gently as possible while handing you a giant plate full of chocolate cake. But it does give you an opportunity to tackle a new challenge, think of a way to satisfy the note-giver while being true to your story, and come out a winner.

And then, by golly, you deserve that cake!