Write Your Heart Out Wednesday - January 4, 2017

Write Your Heart Out Wednesday

January 4, 2017

Scrivener:

Well for this week’s topic I thought I’d share all about Scrivener. As many of you might know, Scrivener is a writing program that one can download and use for free for 30 days. The great thing about this is that it’s not a continuous 30 days as most trials are. If, for example, you download the program and don’t use it for two weeks, well you still have it for 29 more days. I would highly suggest that every writer out there at least download it for the 30 day trial. You’ve got nothing to lose and if you don’t like it, well after the 30 days you have no obligation to keep it or owe anything.

I absolutely love it! I especially love it thus far for outlining. Now, I’ll still be using my good ol fashioned pen and notebook for note taking and rough outlining, but I will be using scrivener for character sketches, scene sketches and in-depth outlining. I also will be writing my book in Scrivener as opposed to word. The way it’s set up makes it so much more organized and easier for authors to write chapters broken down into scenes. I also love the corkboard view that Scrivener provides! Then the best thing is one no longer has to spend lots of $$$ for formatting, the Scrivener software does this all for you. So for us self-published authors, this is a Godsend! I have yet to format a book and actually upload it to Kindle, but I will keep you updated on when I do this and what my thoughts are on the process. For now, Scrivener is a winner for me!

Outlining:

Another topic, I’m working on studying my writing craft course that I’ve created and just yesterday I finished the book: Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker

You can purchase this from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Take-Off-Your-Pants-Outline-ebook/dp/B00UKC0GHA/

This book is excellent! I still prefer K.M. Weiland’s outlining process; however, Hawker’s is another great outlining format and is very easy to follow. The book goes into great detail all about outlining and breaks down the outlining process and even goes into outlining your book according to story beats. For any author who is looking for a thorough, yet simpler outlining format, I’d definitely recommend Hawker’s book.

Happy Writing!

Marie

Write Your Heart Out Wednesday! -November 30, 2016

Write your Heart Out Wednesday!

November 30, 2016

So it’s Wednesday and that means: Write your Heart Out! This is my first official post of this kind. Be looking for these each week! As you all know, I’m still learning and studying writing craft and I must say I’m learning quite a lot! 

A book I came across some months ago and have now purchased, that I feel will be very helpful, is called Plot Perfect: How to Build Unforgettable Stories Scene by Scene by Paula Munier. 

You can learn more about it and purchase it on amazon at: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PMIGWKC/ref=pe_385040_118058080_TE_M1DP

On amazon, it gets a ton of 5 star reviews. Here are just a few:

I am a voracious reader of writing books, and can say that after awhile they all seem to be conveying much of the same advice. In Plot Perfect, Paula Munier touches on many of those same topics (show, don't tell: kill your darlings: ect.) , but manages to present them in a fresh new perspective. Her brilliant case studies of published novels makes everything she teaches easier to understand. I was extremely pleased to find that among the case studies is The Maltese Falcon, which in my opinion is one of the best novels ever written. In Plot Perfect, Paula disects each of these case studies and explains, not only how the author moved the plot forward, but how any writer can do it. The techniques that she teaches are invaluable to any writer at any level of experience. If you only have time to read one writing book, I highly recommend this one. 

~ Pamela Anders

I received this book as a gift, and found it interesting, and extremely useful for new, and established writers. In fact, I'm also sharing this reference with some of my new writing friends, who are searching for writing reference books specifically designed on how to create plots that will not only grab the reader's attention, but also the publisher's attention.

Agent, editor, and author Paula Munier, delivers a very useful guide as she directs the writer on the right road in creating an extraordinary plot that will make the difference between boring or transforming your manuscript into a page-turner.

The author shows you how to create a compelling story with solid structure, through a step-by-step approach that works. In addition, she teaches how to organize, and how to captivate, by setting the right atmosphere. This reference shows you how to improve fiction, and how to also polish your manuscript, before submitting your work.

This writing reference will improve scenes and is useful for not only novels, but also for screenplays, memoirs and basically all types of writing, and all genres. Extremely helpful for all writers. Highly recommended! 

~ Author/Reviewer Geri Ahearn

When I heard Paula Munier speak at a writer's conference last summer, I knew I had to get her books on writing. I have not been disappointed. I only wish I’d read them before I started writing seven years ago! I now believe her wise, clear, detailed and no-nonsense advice (both in Plot Perfect and Writing with Quiet Hands) has given me the information I need, not only to be a better writer and craft a quality story, but to get published. 

~ Amazon Customer

What drew me to this book was first and foremost, it’s a book that will help me delve deeper into story structure. I’m still learning more about story structure. When I was in school, I learned about a story having a beginning, middle, and end. Having a protagonist, antagonist and a climax and resolution. That’s it! Not much else was taught and when I was in high school and college, the English courses revolved more around academic writing rather than creative writing. My college offered 1 creative writing course and once the professor who taught that class moved onto another college, guess what, that class went with her. So for those of us wanting to learn how to write were out of luck. However, years later, I’ve found some wonderful books on writing craft and have learned there’s a WHOLE lot more to do with story structure than what I was taught in school. For example the inciting incident; plot points; character arc; show, don’t tell and a whole lot more! So I feel this book will be a good resource and help me to understand story structure even more and begin to give my story some concrete structuring and pinpoint where I’m going wrong. So in the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing with you my thoughts on this and many other books on writing craft that I’ve picked up.

Love,

Marie

Writing Craft Study Guide

Writing Craft Study Guide

Ok friends, below is my tentative writing craft study guide. I’ve created this myself utilizing books and other resources available to me. I've already been studying for a few months now, but due to illness I had to take a break. So I'm now back to it full steam ahead and I thought I'd share with all of you my attentative guide. 

Each week on what I will call Write Your Heart Out Wednesday (as this will branch into posts about my writing and well anything about writing), I will be sharing with you an update on what I’ve studied thus far and just anything about writing that I feel might be helpful or of interest.

Some of the books and resources I’ve chosen are garnered toward my particular genre and my particular series that’s coming up. Once I’m done reading a book, I will post a review on it and give you all a little more in depth info on what I really felt about the book. I will also share my honest thoughts on whether the book helps or doesn’t help enhance my writing. So, my study guide is as follows and of course, always subject to change.

November 27 – 3

-        Nail Your Story (Finish reading)

-        Writing Active Hooks: Book 1

-        Writing Active Settings: Book 1

-        Writing Active Settings: Book 2

December 4 – 10

-        Find your Story

-        Slow Your Prose

-        The Art & Craft of Writing Secret Advice for Writers

December 11 – 17

-        No Plot, No Problem

-        Start Writing Fiction - +Possible Online Course

-        Techniques of the Selling Writer

-        Understanding Show, Don’t Tell

December 18 – 23 (Break the 24^th & 25^th for Christmas)

-        Writing the Bestseller: Romance and Commercial Fiction

-        Everything Guide to Writing a Romance Novel

-        Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure

-        Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting

December 26 – 30 (Break the 31^st and 1^st for New Year’s)

-        Write Great Fiction: Characters, Emotion & View Point

-        She Sat, He Stood

-        1001 Questions to Help Flesh Out Your Character *Begin to flesh out your                     characters for first Wexford Sister’s Book*

-        Write Great Fiction: Dialogue

January 2 - 7

-        From Where You Dream + Youtube Videos

*Monday January 2 watch Episodes 1 – 3

*Tuesday January 3 watch Episodes 4 – 6

*Wednesday January 4 watch Episodes 7 – 9

*Thursday January 5 watch Episodes 10 – 12

*Friday January 6 watch Episodes 13 - 15

*Saturday January 7 watch Episodes 16 – 17

-        The Regency Companion Book

-        Jane Austen’s World

-        Jane Austen & Food

-        What Jane Austen Ate & Charles Dickens Knew

January 8 - 13

-        McGraw Editors, Writers & Proofreaders

-        McGraw Proofreading Handbook

-        Perfect English Grammar

-        Editing Course

January 15 - 21

-        England History From Charles II to James II

-        England a History (have to get)

-        Research several YouTube history of England & Regency Period                              Documentaries

January 22 - 28

-        2000 Words to 10,000

-        Outlining Your Novel (Begin Outlining)

-        ABC of Self-Publishing

-        Successful Self-Publishing

-        Author Platform Building Blocks

January 29 - 4

-        Take Off Your Pants (Structuring Your Novel)

-        Structuring Your Novel *Begin structuring your novel*

-        Building Your Book for Kindle

-        Write, Publish, Promote

-        Self-Publishing with Amazon Box Set (Have to get)

February 4 - 11

-        Catch up on any leftover reading

-        If all reading is done, review and touch up outline.

-        Begin rough draft

Writing Craft: Part 3 - Writing Books & Resources: Part 1

Writing Craft: Part 3

Writing Books & Resources: Part 1

Friends, first a brief update. I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather the past week or so and so I didn’t get as much writing done for NaNoWriMo. However, I’m feeling a bit better and intend to get back to writing. I don’t know if I’ll get to the 50,000 word count goal, but that’s OK. I’ve got a good start to this book and intend to just keep on writing.

Whilst I’ve been under the weather, I’ve had time to read and study writing craft. I’ve come across some wonderful YouTube videos and I highly recommend them for both aspiring and seasoned authors. The first bit of videos I’ve been watching are from author Stefanie London. Until I’d happened upon her video, I’d not yet heard of her. So not only have I found some great resources and information, I’ve also been introduced to a new author (to me, at least) and will now be looking into purchasing some of her wonderful books. Thus far, I’ve gained some wonderful information on writing craft and the publishing world. I’m still contemplating whether to self-publish or go the traditional route. I must say, just from gut feeling, right now I’m actually leaning toward both. I’d like to try my hand at some publishing companies but I’d also like to self-publish as well. However, more on that at a later date, I’ll be sure to keep you posted! Back to Stefanie, I highly recommend her videos, she provides some wonderful advice, but also shares some of her top reads and some fun videos such as makeup tips; she was a professional makeup artist. Please check out the links below to learn more about Stefanie.

You can find Stefanie’s videos at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChnunTDE2_5Zeq-am7goYmw

To learn more about Stefanie visit her at:

Website http://www.stefanie-london.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StefanieLond...

Twitter https://twitter.com/Stefanie_London

Instagram https://instagram.com/stefanielondon/

I also have been reading some wonderful writing craft books and well I must admit, some I’ve read just aren’t working for me. Doesn’t mean they are poor or won’t work for you. They just weren’t what is best for me and my career. Or perhaps, right now just isn’t the time for them at this phase in my career too. I’ve held onto them and will revisit them at another date. In the coming days, I will be sharing with you more about those I have found helpful thus far. Right now, the book I’m finishing up reading is entitled Nail Your Story: Add Tension, Build Emotion, and Keep Your Readers Addicted (Growth Hacking For Storytellers #2) by Monica Leonelle. I will be having a complete review and my personal thoughts on it coming later this week. However, thus far it is awesome and a great resource for both aspiring and seasoned authors!

So, although I haven’t been able to write much later, I have been continuing to delve into writing craft and what a wonderful venture it is, I absolutely love writing and am enjoying all of the information out there on writing. I must admit, at first it can be a bit daunting as there is just SO much info out there and sometimes it’s hard to weed out what’s helpful and what’s not (each person is different, as are their careers, genres, etc.) So I hope my sharing what’s been going on with my journey will be able to help others.

Thanks so much for all of your support and for now, I’m back to watching some more videos. I’ll be back with some more updates later this week!

Love,

Marie

Writing Craft: Part 2 - Online Courses: Part 1

Writing Craft: Part 2

Online Courses – Part 1

Friends, as mentioned before at this time in my life, I can’t go back to college due to medical issues to get an English and/or Literature degree, nor even take a creative writing course. So I’m doing my own self-study course. While cruising the net yesterday for writing information, I happened upon a website that offers online writing courses at very affordable prices. They even have a three-day course free of charge, to try it all out. In addition to books I’ve purchased on writing craft and online groups for writers, I think this is a wonderful resource and investment over time.

I think as future writers, it doesn’t hurt to learn as much as we can on writing craft, marketing, publishing, etc. So in the coming months, I will be taking these courses and sharing my experiences with all of you. I’ve already signed up for the free three-day course and have already found my first lesson to be beneficial. This free course is about Endless Story Ideas. For many authors, it may be difficult to come up with story ideas and this course gives plenty of advice on how to get our creative juices flowing and let those ideas come to life.

Website: Creative Writing Now

Link: http://www.creative-writing-now.com/free-online-writing-courses.html

I hope some of you find this resource helpful and I’ll be back with information as I go through the courses.

Love,

Marie

Writing Craft - Part 1: Facebook Writing & Critique Groups

Writing Craft: Part 1

Facebook Writing & Critique Groups

Friends, I’ve found some wonderful writing and critique groups on Facebook that I feel would be very beneficial to any blossoming or professional writer. I feel it’s very important, especially those beginning a writing career, to connect with other authors and individuals on the same path. We can share ideas, gain advice and especially a world of wisdom from seasoned authors. We also gain support and understanding from those who are walking the same walk. We can give encouragement to others and receive encouragement in return.

I also feel it’s very important to connect with a critique group and share those stumbling blocks and wobbly first steps of ones writing; you will gain a world of advice but also positive criticism. Let’s face it, friends and family are wonderful. However, in giving true honest opinions, they may be lacking, for fear of hurting our feelings or us losing heart and giving up our goals of writing. So getting advice from seasoned authors as well as those who are new to the field, but also outsiders who give fresh eyes to our work. Not family/friends, nor ourselves as we too are not the best critics of our own work. We get lost in it and overlook errors and also we either want everyone to love our work as much as we do and we see nothing wrong with it or we are so hard on ourselves, that we avoid seeing the good and ultimately the growth within our writing. If you are fortunate enough to find a good critique group in your local area, that’s awesome. However, if not, there are online groups that are beneficial.

The two groups I’ve found to be very helpful thus far in my writing are:

Writers United – Authors Club

Located at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/324655411074064/

About: (From their about section)

GROUP GUIDELINES FOR POSTING:

Welcome to the Author's Club! This is the place for writers and authors to get together to support one another, collaborate, ask questions, and to discuss just about anything writing related.

Please read the rules before participating:

***NO PROMOTION***

No promotions or selling of any kind. No posts highlighting your book title, no covers, and no sharing of excerpts within the main group. No links to your own work including novels, blogs, author pages, other groups, or any products/services with which you are affiliated. We want you to succeed in your writing but promos clog up the feed and hurt the overall focus of the community.

PARTICIPATE AND SHARE KNOWLEDGE -

Join discussions, ask questions, and give input wherever you can! Links to outside resources are welcome, especially if it is in response to a question. If you find a great link to an educational resource please share in a new post! In this group you may also share Calls for Submissions and Writing Contests being advertised online.

*Don't 'dump and run' when it comes to sharing links. Let us know what you think of the article and why you are sharing it with the group.

Youth Writers United – Author’s Club

A group just like the one above but for those under 18 years of age.

Located at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1408131406154270/

Writers United – Critique Group

Located at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/332213916977404/

About: (Taken from their about section)

Welcome to Writers United - Critique Club!

This group is for writers to share, get feedback, and ask questions on current Works in Progress (WIP), and practice the craft of writing.

Please read the rules before participating:

***NO PROMOTION***

No promotions or selling of any kind. No book titles, covers, or excerpts from published works. No links to your own work including novels, blogs, author pages or any products with which you are affiliated. We want your writing to succeed, but promos clog up the feed and hurt the overall focus of the community.

PARTICIPATE, SHARE, COMMENT-

We welcome excerpts from current WIPs, potential cover art of UNPUBLISHED work, and Poetry WIPs which have not been shared in completed form online elsewhere. We also encourage writing prompts/challenges for the creation or improvement of original creative works.

***We ask all members to reciprocate critiques. For each critique received, please seek out and critique a piece of that member's work. This way all members should get input on their work.***

*Please no serial posting one chapter after another. Absorb each critique and apply relevant suggestions to the rest of your WIP before posting another excerpt. Keep in mind this is a critique group, not an editing service.

*For privacy reasons, we no longer allow the uploading of WIPs through group documents. Please copy and paste all excerpts directly into a new post or as a Google Docs link. Try to keep excerpts below 500words (Remember: shorter excerpts get more response). If you have a larger excerpt, ask the group for Beta readers.

I hope that you enjoy the groups I’ve shared above and if you have any groups in mind, please comment or email me at authormariegreaves@gmail.com as I'd love to add them to this list.

Love,

Marie

Writing Craft: An Intro

Writing Craft: An Intro

Friends, I would like to begin going through my journey of learning and researching and ultimately mastering writing craft. I'd love to return to university and pursue a degree in English or English literature or even just take a creative writing course. However, due to medical reasons, right now that's not possible in my life. So I'm going to be teaching myself creative writing and ultimately working to publish my novels. Now, I do come from an academic background, throughout school I excelled in English and reading, actually measuring off the charts in linguistics and reading comprehension. Throughout my middle school and high school years, I was in Honors courses and continued to excel in English and writing in college. I have also been working in the field of publishing for some time. I'm a freelance editor and also an editor for a small publishing company.  It's just now that I'm finally embarking on the path to publishing the stories which have been living in my head for months and some for many years.

What I would like to do is share with you not only the titles of the books that I chose to study from but why I chose those particular texts, what I thought about them and in the end, how they have helped me in my writing or if they have not helped in any way. I will be brutally honest about the works I chose to study from, as not only do I want to produce high-quality work and stories for all of you, my dear readers. I also want to help other aspiring writers or folks who, like me, can’t afford a college education, to learn writing craft, to master it and ultimately to see our stories become true masterpieces that will touch the lives of so many.

To me, writing is not about making money or immortalizing my name (actually I’m using a pen name, Marie Greaves is merely a part of the real individual behind the words).  Writing is about creativity, telling stories, helping the characters that come to life so vividly in my head, to come alive on the page and most importantly alive in your hearts. Writing is about love, passion, strife, struggle, etc., it’s about coming into another world and leaving all of your troubles behind or just taking a break from the everyday life. To come into another individual’s life and finding yourself in that individual (the characters) and being able to relate to them. That’s just some of the reasons why I write and why I want to get my stories out to all of you.

So as I’ve said, I will share with you about the texts I chose to study from, I will also share any websites that I come across, YouTube videos or any and all sources that I come across during this journey. Also, keep in mind studying writing craft and perfecting one's skills does not stop once one has published a book, no it continues. This is a life-long journey, and I welcome you to join me, and I hope in some way my journey will help others.

Love,

Marie