Get to know Danielle Darcey on Facebook and be her friend.
I’m starting new things to promote my books, and Facebooking the characters is one of them. Next will be new cover art and book trailers in the next few weeks. I’ll keep you posted.
Writing for a wide audience.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Here’s one thing I learned at the writer’s conference. In truth, I already felt this way, but it was nice to hear it from someone else’s mouth. Dave Farland taught this and here is how I understood it in my own words....
There are two lines of thought authors have: One that says their characters tell them what they do, even if they do something so offensive the readers are turned off by it.
And the other: You need to be true to your characters, HOWEVER you are the author and if you expect to actually sell books then you control how you draw your characters so more readers can relate to them.
I know that this sort of thinking is viewed as major taboo to many authors. But it makes total sense to me. It’s not to say your characters can’t make mistakes or can’t do bad things. Dave Farland told a story that helps illustrate this. He said there was an author who wrote a book, this book was picked up by an agent and sold to a publisher. The publisher asked for some edits. Then the author made changes the publisher did not ask for. Basically, they made the MC, who was a child around the age of 13 sleep with an adult. This author used the excuse of—Well, my character said they would do it....
Oh, please! Of course the publisher was not pleased either because the book was then not what they’d purchased. And no reader would accept something like that either, at least none that I know of. Readers don’t care what authors seem to think the character said. They’re still characters in your head and YOU, as the author, control how you draw them, they don’t control how your write.
Yes, writing is an art form, and authors tend to know their characters better than anyone else. But writing is, well for most authors, also a business. If you expect to make money and write something which appeals to a wide audience then it’s really not best to offend the reader.
There are two lines of thought authors have: One that says their characters tell them what they do, even if they do something so offensive the readers are turned off by it.
And the other: You need to be true to your characters, HOWEVER you are the author and if you expect to actually sell books then you control how you draw your characters so more readers can relate to them.
I know that this sort of thinking is viewed as major taboo to many authors. But it makes total sense to me. It’s not to say your characters can’t make mistakes or can’t do bad things. Dave Farland told a story that helps illustrate this. He said there was an author who wrote a book, this book was picked up by an agent and sold to a publisher. The publisher asked for some edits. Then the author made changes the publisher did not ask for. Basically, they made the MC, who was a child around the age of 13 sleep with an adult. This author used the excuse of—Well, my character said they would do it....
Oh, please! Of course the publisher was not pleased either because the book was then not what they’d purchased. And no reader would accept something like that either, at least none that I know of. Readers don’t care what authors seem to think the character said. They’re still characters in your head and YOU, as the author, control how you draw them, they don’t control how your write.
Yes, writing is an art form, and authors tend to know their characters better than anyone else. But writing is, well for most authors, also a business. If you expect to make money and write something which appeals to a wide audience then it’s really not best to offend the reader.
LDS Storymakers Writer’s Conference Report:
Monday, May 10, 2010
So I loved the LDS Storymakers Writer’s Conference. I will definitely go back next year. I hope to meet up again with the many authors I met while there: Tamara, Joyce Dipastena, Sarah Eden, Rachel Rager, and Kristine Tate.
At Bootcamp I truly enjoyed getting to know the other authors in my group. I did feel a little silly being the only author who wrote historical fantasy romance instead of just historical romance. And I’m really not a morning person, so I don’t feel like I helped much in the critiquing aspect of it, but I tried....
My pitch with Covenant went really well. Kirk even compared me to Lynn Kurland, which I was super flattered by. He has FAIR MAIDEN GHOST right now. We’ll see if Covenant can fit a fantasy romance in their list. They don’t normally do much of that, but I’m hoping.
Going to Dave Wolverton’s (AKA - David Farland’s) “Writing for the Masses” workshop was certainly a highlight, and worth every second. The man is brilliant, if you asked me! I recommend signing up for his “Daily Kick in the Pants” or attending any of his workshops. The man has taught authors like Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Mull, Brandon Sanderson and Jessica Day George—just to name a few.
At Bootcamp I truly enjoyed getting to know the other authors in my group. I did feel a little silly being the only author who wrote historical fantasy romance instead of just historical romance. And I’m really not a morning person, so I don’t feel like I helped much in the critiquing aspect of it, but I tried....
My pitch with Covenant went really well. Kirk even compared me to Lynn Kurland, which I was super flattered by. He has FAIR MAIDEN GHOST right now. We’ll see if Covenant can fit a fantasy romance in their list. They don’t normally do much of that, but I’m hoping.
Going to Dave Wolverton’s (AKA - David Farland’s) “Writing for the Masses” workshop was certainly a highlight, and worth every second. The man is brilliant, if you asked me! I recommend signing up for his “Daily Kick in the Pants” or attending any of his workshops. The man has taught authors like Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Mull, Brandon Sanderson and Jessica Day George—just to name a few.
Going to a Writer's Conference!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
LDStorymakers Writer's Conference
If there are any fellow writers attending, I'd love to see you then!
If there are any fellow writers attending, I'd love to see you then!
I must recommend two authors...
Friday, March 12, 2010
Brandon Sanderson and Joyce Dipastena, but obviously not for the same reasons, because they both write in completely different genres. I’ve chatted personally with both of them, and have read both of their works.
Brandon is one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met and talked to. Out of all the classes at the BYU writer’s conference I went to, his on creating your magical world was my favorite! I recently read “Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians” and laughed all the way through it. It was fast-paced and absolutely hilarious.
Joyce is a romance writer like me, but she sticks mostly in the medieval era. Her writing is rich, romantic and incredibly accurate. I recently read “Illuminations of the Heart” and loved it so much I couldn’t put it down until I’d finished.
Brandon is one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met and talked to. Out of all the classes at the BYU writer’s conference I went to, his on creating your magical world was my favorite! I recently read “Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians” and laughed all the way through it. It was fast-paced and absolutely hilarious.
Joyce is a romance writer like me, but she sticks mostly in the medieval era. Her writing is rich, romantic and incredibly accurate. I recently read “Illuminations of the Heart” and loved it so much I couldn’t put it down until I’d finished.
"Dear Lucky Agent" Contest: Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Fans of FATEFUL, I think I'm going to enter this contest. Wish me luck even though I never win these sorts fo things...sigh...
"Dear Lucky Agent" Contest: Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance
"Dear Lucky Agent" Contest: Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
As many of you know, I finished FAIR MAIDEN GHOST a while back and have been diligently hunting for a publisher or, more preferably, an agent. From the publishers I’ve been getting some really great feedback. Shadow Mountain said this:
“We’ve had a chance to read your manuscript, and we’ve discussed it with our review committee and many others in our publishing department. The writing is very well done and the story is intriguing. Unfortunately, we are not in the position to pursue this project with you at this time. Although we are not able to publish your manuscript, it is so well done we would suggest submitting it to other publishers if you have not found one already.” (I do know they had layoffs at the end of 2009) : (
I’m hopeful someone will soon “be in the position” to pursue this project. And to make my loyal fans happy, I’ve begun the sequel for it already! Not to mention I’m also only 3-4 chapters away from finishing the sequel to FATEFUL, which has been simmering on the back burner while I wrote FAIR MAIDEN GHOST. I’ve finished three novels so far with many more spinning around in my head. Keep watching, and hopefully in the near future I’ll have more good news....
“We’ve had a chance to read your manuscript, and we’ve discussed it with our review committee and many others in our publishing department. The writing is very well done and the story is intriguing. Unfortunately, we are not in the position to pursue this project with you at this time. Although we are not able to publish your manuscript, it is so well done we would suggest submitting it to other publishers if you have not found one already.” (I do know they had layoffs at the end of 2009) : (
I’m hopeful someone will soon “be in the position” to pursue this project. And to make my loyal fans happy, I’ve begun the sequel for it already! Not to mention I’m also only 3-4 chapters away from finishing the sequel to FATEFUL, which has been simmering on the back burner while I wrote FAIR MAIDEN GHOST. I’ve finished three novels so far with many more spinning around in my head. Keep watching, and hopefully in the near future I’ll have more good news....