The Writer's Connection, SM
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach SM


"The Creative Process of Writing is a Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"

www.virtualwritingcoach.com

December, 2009

In This Issue:

1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. The Writer's Toolkit
4. Helpful Hints

1. Preview

The Writer's Connection explores the creative process of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are an interactive community of authors and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge, skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre, but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.

Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing information.

Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript, and are provided to the general public. Because we are an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.

2. Publisher's Note

December, 2009

Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,

This month features John Mayer's book, The Writer's Toolkit, which gives advice to first time novel writers.

3. The Writer's Toolkit

For my December newsletter I return to my first writer’s book by Bob Mayer, The Novel Writer’s Toolkit: A guide to writing great fiction and getting it published.

It’s been ten years since my first novel which remains unpublished except for POD and available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. When I re - read the book years later I agree with the fifty agents who rejected the manuscript and refused to represent me as I was and remain a writer with a dream, but still perfecting my craft. When I get dejected I return to Mayer’s book to remind me that writing is as much a discipline as it is an art. His book is a must for first - time novelists who want to perfect their craft. A review of the TOC reveals: internal characteristics of a writer, writing tools, research, narrative structure, plot, pacing, character development, point of view, dialogue, setting subplots, writing cycle, editing, the reader, your submission, publishing process, marketing, and book options for the author. His appendices give examples of chapter outlines, cover letters, synopses, resources, story grid and plot line.

The simple truth is: If you don’t write, you won’t get published. Many writers have great ideas and story lines but refuse to learn how to write. They view writing as an art that cannot be cultivated or learned. They embark on a chapter, only to realize they don’t know what they want to say, where the story is going, and who their audience is. I’ve heard many writers say “I write for myself.” Fine, it’s okay to write for yourself; that’s why we have journals and diaries. But if you write for someone else, then you are held to a higher standard and must follow certain rules. A few follow.

1. Patience and self - discipline: Set aside two hours daily or commit to writing two to four single - spaced pages daily. Pick a time when you are more alert and committed.

2. Set objectives and write an outline of your book. Any good story has a beginning, middle, and end. Don’t take the reader on a wild goose chase.

3. Use Google to map places, street names to give the reader a realistic sense of place.

4. Visualize your story: who are the main characters? Where and when is my setting? What is the climax of my story? How do I maintain reader interest throughout the novel?

5. For narrative structure, create an incident or crisis. Avoid hooking the reader too early.

6. Show don’t tell. This is the most important admonition to early writers. Show action; don’t describe it as back story. Don’t do information dumps; avoid too many flashbacks.

7. If writing a mystery or thriller go with one main plot and no more than two subplots which should come together at the climax.

8. Point of view (POV). This is the number one problem with first - time writers. Like a director, you must know when to cut to another point of view. Who is seeing the scene? That is the POV. Sample POVs include: first - person, second - person, omniscient observer, third - person.

9. Avoid trite dialogue or exaggerated tags such as “he exclaimed, gasped. . . .

10. Do your own rewrites and editing. Learn the craft from books, other authors, workshops.

11. Learn how to write a one - page query letter for an agent. Research agents to see what kind of projects they are accepting. Jeff Herman’s guide to agents and publishers is a good resource.

12. Publishing guidelines are important. Pay attention and stay on task. Do not procrastinate.

13. Be careful about publishing contracts. Read a book on writer contracts. Pay attention to secondary rights and other media outlets for your work. Review multiple printing options and payment for such. If this is your first book contract, find an entertainment attorney to review your contract.

14. Be available for marketing your book. If you’re lucky enough to have a book tour the publisher should provide you with a lead person to make arrangements for you to handle your schedule.

15. Use POD options as a last resort if an agent cannot sell your manuscript to a publisher. Most POD companies will allow for publishing contracts and do not insist on a “no compete” clause.

16. Learn the publishing business. Advances for first - time authors are the exception. The formula for advances is Dollars Advanced = ½ no. of copies sold; thus a $10k advance means the publisher expects only 5k copies sold. Keep your day job.

Finally, Mayer ends with the simple rule: Write, write some more . . . write some more . . . .

Helpful Hints:

1. Buy Mayer’s book, The Novel Writer’s Toolkit, Writer’s Digest Books, 2003.

2. Take out that old manuscript and rewrite it after reading Mayer’s book.

3. Begin writing and don’t stop.


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Contact Information

Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281 - 583 - 5005
Fax: 281.583 - 5008
Web: http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E - Mail: keith@virtualwritingcoach.com
(c) Copyright 2003 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.

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Republication of The Writer's Connection SM in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals, organizations and associations, as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes the contact information.

With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication also is encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance permission of A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired.

The Writer's Connection SM Mission:

The Writer's Connection SM is dedicated to helping first - time authors create their first manuscript for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming authors.

The Writer's Connection™ is a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered trademark.

We would like The Writer's Connection SM to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e - mail to
keith@virtualwritingcoach.com.

Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find The Writer's Connection SM interesting and beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing, and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.

Archives

You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection SM in our archive section which is located at the top right section of this page.

About Keith Barton, Ph.D.

Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach and is accepting new clients. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home services to persons with mental retardation, and for the past 13 years founded and runs a clinical practice in Northwest Houston. He writes part - time with the goal of completing one novel a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate interest in helping others become attuned to their creative powers of storytelling.

Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. He has published articles, made presentations and conducted workshops about:

Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self - esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality

Copyright by Virtual Writing Coach (SM) and Keith Barton, 2001 - 2008.