Calling all writers!
Courtney C. Stevens, author of Faking Normal and the upcoming, The Lies About Truth (Out November 3) recently wrote this beautiful post that I can relate to so much right now about the stopgap in writing and moving past that… which has me itching to attend the MadCap Retreat this August which she will be leading with guest writers, Victoria Schwab (whose writing those familiar with my blog know I absolutely love and adore!), Tessa Gratton, and Natalie C. Parker. Talk about being in wonderful hands!
If I am able to go, I will be thrilled but if not, I’d like to talk about it now so that other writers are aware of this opportunity now and can look into it as I know many of you will be interested. I don’t want this opportunity to pass you by!
So you’ve looked over the MadCap Retreat website? Worried about finances for the retreat? Spread the word about the retreat and then enter this contest (which runs from June 15th-June 20th) to win a $300 coupon for the retreat! Three of these coupons will be given away! That is awesome! What a blessing. There are other prizes up for grabs as well! Check it out:
1- 50 page manuscript critique by Courtney C. Stevens
3- signed copies of Faking Normal (U.S./Canada Only)
1- ARC of The Lies About Truth (U.S./Canada Only)
5 – electronic copies of The Blue Haired Boy
Courtney was also so kind and donated her time to answer a few writerly questions for Hollywood the Write Way! Check it out!
1) What’s your advice when it comes to making your story complex but keeping it simple? For example, making sure there aren’t too many goals for each main character?
My editor and I talk about this all the time. She says I struggle from “Kitchen Sink Syndrome.” i.e. throwing in everything. One of the things I’ve worked on this year, with her wisdom, is to truly know and understand the characters wants and needs. If a section doesn’t pertain to either of those, it is probably extraneous and can be cut.
2) When do writers query the book of their heart when they’re told that their genre is dead and isn’t right for the market?
I believe it is Anne Ursu who said, “You can do whatever you want … as long as it works.” I believe this. A genre is never truly dead, but it can get crowded. I once heard an editor describe her reaction to receiving Carrie Ryan’s The Forest of Hands and Teeth like this … “I was sixty pages in and totally hooked before I realized I was reading a zombie book and I was absolutely buying another zombie book after I said I never would.” I think writers have to be obedient to the stories of their heart, and then get creative about hiding the genre within them (if that genre happens to be at an uphill moment.) How do writers know when it will be the right time for the market? In my opinion, there’s no way to know. You just have to write the best book you can write and then trust your agent to find it a home.
3) What writing process works best for you when building up and layering your ending?
I used to fast draft, not for speed, but for story immersion; so it was difficult to pull the process apart and analyze what I did in any particular circumstance. Now, I spend months in the development stage of writing, planning and getting immersed with the characters. I build lengthy character profiles and do multiple plot charts that I run by a handful of people before I ever start writing. So, by the time I’ve got the voice, character, and primary plot points secured, the end usually feels like a rolling snowball.
Great advice! Thank you so much, Courtney!
Finally, I will be giving away TWO Courtney C. Stevens posters featuring all of her books! One poster will be given to my local library and one poster will be given to a local writer! If you are a local writer (Tri-State Area) and would love the poster up for grabs, feel free to comment below, @ me on Twitter, or email me and the first person who does any of the above will get the poster!
What an amazing opportunity for writers and readers! All the best to those entering the giveaways and those who plan on attending the retreat!