Today is Father’s Day. I realized in romance writing, the sexy, alpha hero is not usually a father. Oh, he may become one by the end of the book, but he doesn’t start out that way. Yet fathers figure prominently in many romance novels as minor but pivotal characters.
In historicals, for instance, fathers are passing their titles and estates to their sons or arranging marriages for their daughters. In contemporaries, fathers usually show up to interfere, provide comic relief, or the backstory to a hero or heroine. But they are there — quiet, strong, lurking in the background, much as real life fathers do.
How do fathers figure in your writing? And how does that special dad figure in your life?
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Tags: fathers, historicals, romance, writing
Laura Hitchens has been writing since she was eight years old! A writer by trade, Laura has written non-fiction articles, papers and websites. Now, she's excited about writing fiction! Follow her adventures as she pens her romance novels on her blog
http://www.onceuponaheroine.blogspot.comThis past weekend, members of Dunes & Dreams RWA got together to discuss putting your best foot forward at conferences and other networking events. Here are a few tips for anyone who couldn’t or didn’t attend:
1. Dress in business casual wear. Sure, it’s fun to dress up like your character at a costume party, but if you want business professionals to take you seriously, you have to dress the part. Skip the lace-up corset and red cape. Don the outfit you’d wear to have lunch with the president or even your grandparents. Wear comfortable shoes; you’ll be doing a lot of standing. Clothes have a definite effect on the wearer’s attitude. Choose something that makes you feel smart, successful, and secure. Your self-confidence will bloom.
2. Editors and agents are people, too. Don’t pounce on them in the ladies room, when they have a mouthful of lunch, or if they’re on the phone. Be chatty, but not a pest. Ask them how they’re enjoying the conference, compliment their outfits (if you genuinely like something they’re wearing), share an amusing anecdote, or give them a tip on a local restaurant before launching into your pitch. Everyone likes to feel that they’re more than just their job.
3. Rest whenever possible. There’s no crime in skipping one session of workshops to steal a quick nap in your room.
4. Absorb. The creative energy in a room full of writers is electric. Be sure to take advantage of all those positive ions.
5. Break out of your comfort zone. Don’t be shy about sitting at a table with people you don’t know. Sit down and introduce yourself. Start with your name and where you’re from. Ask your tablemates what they write. Exchange business cards.
6. Be sure to have different versions of your pitch on the tip of your tongue at all times. A quickie elevator pitch: high concept, one line. A more involved pitch that adds your characters’ GMC to the high concept. A more involved version that highlights how it all ties at the end for those magical opportunities when you’ve piqued a target’s interest.
7. Be prepared for yes and no. Not everyone will be interested in what you write. One editor’s house might be inundated with vampire books and be under strict direction to steer clear of anymore. Another might crave them. It’s easy to get excited and gush appreciation when someone is eager to see your work. But it takes a lot more class to be graceful if your target says, “No thanks.” And you never know when that editor or agent you insulted because (s)he said no might become the only one who might have said yes.
8. Be professional at all times. Sure, you want to be remembered after the event is over. But you don’t want to be remembered for your drunken antics, your rudeness, or a diva moment. From the restroom attendants to the waiters to the other attendees, always be courteous, polite, and gracious. Romance readers come in all genders, all sizes, all shapes, all walks of life. No one can afford to lose fans, but everyone wants to gain a new one or two.
9. Love your work. The more excited you are about what you write, the more enthusiasm you’ll show when talking about it. That kind of fervor is infectious and will carry over to your pitches.
Good luck, have fun, and may all your publishing dreams come true!
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Tags: Conference, how-to, pitching a manuscript, RWA National
Gina Ardito writes lighthearted contemporary romance. Her alter ego, Katherine Brandon, writes sweeping historicals. While Gina is the co-founder and current President of Dunes & Dreams, Katherine avoids politics and maintains a low profile. Find out more about both authors by visiting their respective websites: www.ginaardito.com and www.katherinebrandon.comI want to thank the chapter for having me visit today. Whether I am working with a chapter in person, or via the internet like this, it is always a pleasure.
Debora wanted me to take some time today to discuss two different issues. The first being things to consider when pitching and the second is to talk about what Greyhaus Literary Agency is looking for in writers. Actually, her list was reversed but I wanted to answer the questions in this order.
When it comes to pitching to editors or agents, the success comes, not so much from the pitch, but the work you do before the pitch and before you even get there. No, this is not a matter of memorizing the things you want to say, it is about research. This is one thing I am always pounding on when I talk to new authors. If you are familiar with the movie, WALL STREET, Gordon Gekko comments that “information is power.” This is so true. The more you know about the business, your writing, the editor or agent, their publishing house or their pool of clients will get you a long way. When those editors say “read what we publish and you will know what we want” they really mean it. This is not about the topics though, but about the voice of that publisher or agency. We all have different likes and dislikes. You job is to make sure your writing really fits there.
Knowing your story is the next element. You have to be able to look at that project with an objective eye and really determine how it meets the criteria that publisher or agent has for new projects. Your goal is to make me clearly see that you and your writing are the exact thing I have been looking for. This is not wishful thinking.
The last thing you need to do is to examine your own life as a writer. You need to see this as a huge career move. Remember, pitching to an editor or agent IS A JOB INTERVIEW! This is a career, not a hobby. You’re not just selling us one book; you are selling a complete package of you and your career. Are you honestly ready to make the jump? Do you have a plan of where you want to go and how you are going to get there? Do you have the support of your family? Of your work? Do you have additional projects that are finished, currently in the works or in the planning stages? There is a lot to consider here. Show us you are ready.
As for getting ready for the pitch session, think through all of the potential questions we might ask you. Obviously you need to know the basics of this book (title, genre, word count) and the plot. Please don’t memorize it. Be confident and talk. Besides this, remember to consider other things we might ask. Do you know why your story is unqiue? Do you know how that paranormal element in your story really works? Can you justify why the characters do what they do? What are your future plans? Just be prepared for everything.
On the day of the pitch, it is time to be professional. Again, I want you to think that this is a job interview. You dress the part and you act the part! In an interview, do you sit down and had the future employer candy or treats and say things like “I thought this would help you like the story more?” NO! Do you just charge at them throwing your business car? NO! Be friendly. Be Professional and Be Ready.
So, on to question #2. What am I looking for? I am not going to bore you with my list that is on the website. Go check it out! What I do want to stress is what I look for in a writer.
I want someone who knows the business. That writer needs to understand where he or she stands in this whole publishing world. You can’t act like a DIVA until you are granted that title.
I want someone who is a team player and ready to learn. You will still be pitching with me and if I say the story needs to be changed, you need to be ready to do so and know how to do it. This is what the editors want and this is what I want.
I want someone who is professional. I represent you but you represent the agency and the other writers. You are now a public image.
I want someone who can produce. Greyhaus authors ALWAYS meet their deadlines and frequently have the work in early.
I want someone who is in it for the long haul. This is not a temporary gig.
I want someone who wants to be at Greyhaus. If you pitch to me, it means you want to work with the agency. I don’t want to hear that you want to hear from some other people first before making that decision.
I think that about covers it. Any questions?
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Sorry for the delay.
Will have the post up shortly. I have it all written up on another computer and am currently in the process of getting it to this computer!
Scott
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Not only am I new to Dunes & Dreams, I am new to the world of fiction writing. At least when it comes to the the writing that I have been doing for the last fifteen or so years.
After more than fifteen years of writing articles for magazines and newspapers, I had lost my joy for writing. The excitement I had once felt when chasing down experts and getting the ‘perfect quote’ was gone. Try as I did, I could not muster up any enthusiasm. I stopped writing, buried myself in stacks of books and wondered if I had come to the end of my writing career.
After weeks of introspection, it occurred to me that I had strayed from my original dream. I had been writing since I was a preteen. But it was in the sixth grade that a teacher named Mrs. Bruder introduced me to the magic of story telling. I began to write short stories. I fell in love with the creative process. I had even tried my hand at a few YA novels. In high school I dreamed of becoming a famous novelist.
What had happened?
I think that many of us often trade our dreams in for the practical path. Instead of pursuing careers in dance, music, art or writing we let others convince us that it’s best to be practical. Knowing even then how long it might take to ‘make a living’ writing novels I turned to feature writing. Nonfiction writing brought in a steady stream of money and the satisfaction of seeing my name in print. Satisfying until the last year or so.
When I joined the RWA it was like a light had switched on. Authors shared their writing techniques. Stories of success inspired me. It made me realize that my writing career had not ended, but taken an unexpected turn. And finding the camaraderie of the members of Dunes & Dreams confirmed that I was heading down the right road. Granted, I have much to learn but for the first time in a long, long year when I pick up a pen or put my fingers on the keyboard there’s a tingle of excitement as an old dream comes back to life!
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Christina Lorenzen is an award winning journalist turned wanna be novelist. She has been a member of the Romance Writers of America since 2008 and is counting down the days until she can join the ranks of the published Dunes & Dreams members.Another great day spent with members of Dunes and Dreams! May 15, the first WIP: Writing in Pajamas mini-retreat day was a huge success. Imagine coffee and chocolate (lots of it) and romance writers in their comfy “work clothes” all together for a day of productivity. Thanks to Kathy G. for hosting a wonderful day. There was writing, critiquing, brainstorming, talking, laughing, and new directions set for the Dunes and Dreams chapter. Girl power, the power of the collective mindset, whatever you want to call it, cannot be underestimated. There is nothing sweeter than those further along in their writing journey (i.e., having published multiple times) sharing with those of us eager to join the ranks. As much fun as it was, there were also some valuable lessons, too:
- Promotion presence, especially online, is important even if you are not published. Why? Building promotion skills takes time, effort, and a learning curve. You don’t want to wait until your book is published to have the right outlets for its promotion. You need to start now.
- Critiques — both giving and receiving — are essential to improving your work. Being critiqued helps you flex those character muscles necessary to weather rejections. Doing a critique allows you the privilege of reading a work near and dear to another, develops your own sense of editing, style, and what you like in a story. If you don’t belong to a critique group, consider joining one.
- Brainstorming with other writers allows ideas to flow and may help unstick you if you’re stuck. It can also be silly and a good laugh in the midst of all this SERIOUS WRITING.
Don’t forget to sign up for the June online workshop, Basics Bootcamp with Gina Ardito. To register go to http://dunesanddreams.org/writing-workshops/2010-june-workshop/ See you at the next Dunes and Dreams meeting on June 12 (but don’t come in your pajamas!).
Happy Writing!
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Laura Hitchens has been writing since she was eight years old! A writer by trade, Laura has written non-fiction articles, papers and websites. Now, she's excited about writing fiction! Follow her adventures as she pens her romance novels on her blog
http://www.onceuponaheroine.blogspot.comThanks to all the authors and Dunes & Dreams members who came out to Pindar Vineyards yesterday for our second annual Booksigning for Literacy Suffolk. The weather started out dicey, but soon the sun was shining and the sunlight brought out the customers. With several parties in attendance in the tasting room, there was no shortage of people checking out our books, speaking to our authors, and donating to our cause.
At the end of three hours, The Second Annual Multi-Author Booksigning to Benefit Literacy Suffok had managed to raise $464.00, almost one hundred dollars more than last year! Thanks again to our hosts, Pindar Vineyards, our authors, and all those who came out to support us!
I hope we’ll see you next year.
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Gina Ardito writes lighthearted contemporary romance. Her alter ego, Katherine Brandon, writes sweeping historicals. While Gina is the co-founder and current President of Dunes & Dreams, Katherine avoids politics and maintains a low profile. Find out more about both authors by visiting their respective websites: www.ginaardito.com and www.katherinebrandon.com.jpg)
Don’t forget to join the published members of Dunes and Dreams and their friends for The Pindar Vineyard Multi-Author Booksigning to Benefit Literacy Suffolk on Saturday, May 8 from 12-3 pm (that’s tomorrow!). For more information about the event and a personal glimpse of our featured authors, visit the official blog at http://vineyardliteracy.blogspot.com/
What could be better than an afternoon of great wine and great books and the chance to meet the authors who wrote them? Come join us for a relaxing day out or to pick up that special, personalized gift for Mom. You’ll have a great day and you’ll be supporting a worthy cause, too — keeping Suffolk’s literacy programs alive.
See you there!
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Laura Hitchens has been writing since she was eight years old! A writer by trade, Laura has written non-fiction articles, papers and websites. Now, she's excited about writing fiction! Follow her adventures as she pens her romance novels on her blog
http://www.onceuponaheroine.blogspot.comHow much fun is it to know that whenever you walk into a Dunes and Dreams meeting it is never, ever, dull! The excitement level varies from week to week, but there is always camaraderie and a few good laughs. What was exciting about this meeting was welcoming several new members — it is great to see the ranks growing! There was also a fabulously fun presentation by Monica Randall on Gatsby”s Long Island, and lovely pictures of manions of a long ago, gilded age. We learned alot and we laughed alot, and even came up with some ideas for new ventures and romance novels.
But I think truly the most exciting thing that happened was connection. As we went around the room to introduce ourselves, report any news or just generally say how it’s going, a vast array of resource began to open up. One member said she was a librarian and offered to help with research; others offered their teaching backgrounds, another offered her expertise in healing arts, yet another her experience in paranormal studies. By the end of the meeting, I realized I had a dynamic resource compendium at my fingertips, and I needed to look no further than the room I was in.
How many times have you gone to Google or the internet and spent countless unproductive hours searching when one quick call or e-mail to a colleague would have given you the answer? Maybe you just never knew where to look or who to contact, or you didn’t want to be a bother. Well, I say, go ahead and bother! People want to help and are glad to share their knowledge, and you’ll never know unless you ask. How many of our heroines go searching for Mr. Right when he’s right under her nose? The same goes here. What resource gems are hiding in your backyard?
Dunes and Dreams is in full bloom in May! The annual Multi-Author Vineyard Booksigning to benefit Literacy Suffolk will take at Pindar Vineyards on Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 12-3. Enjoy an afternoon of wine, books, meeting some of your favorite authors and contributing to a worthy cause. Visit the official Vineyard Signing for Literacy blog or find more details on the Dunes and Dreams website.
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Laura Hitchens has been writing since she was eight years old! A writer by trade, Laura has written non-fiction articles, papers and websites. Now, she's excited about writing fiction! Follow her adventures as she pens her romance novels on her blog
http://www.onceuponaheroine.blogspot.comToday, one of our newer members, Jeannie Moon, celebrates her big day. And what better way to celebrate than with a chapter meeting with Dunes & Dreams? Jeannie also shared her exciting BIG NEWS with us and we’re wishing her the very best possible outcome.
Happy birthday, Jeannie! We see big things in your future and we’re so glad you’ve decided to join us. All the best for the coming year. Look out NYTimes bestseller list! Jeannie’s on her way!
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Gina Ardito writes lighthearted contemporary romance. Her alter ego, Katherine Brandon, writes sweeping historicals. While Gina is the co-founder and current President of Dunes & Dreams, Katherine avoids politics and maintains a low profile. Find out more about both authors by visiting their respective websites: www.ginaardito.com and www.katherinebrandon.com
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