Writing Poll: Crossing Genres

This month's question is one that comes up pretty often in writing circles. It's two-fold - can you write, and write well, in multiple genres, and if so, how do you pull it off when it can mean different agents, pen names, etc.?

I'm not anticipating writing in completely different genres (I'll stick to fantasy), but I've definitely written for multiple sub-genres and age groups. It's never bothered me as a reader when writers skip into several genres. In fact, I love that they're able to be so versatile, and if it's an author I like, I'll usually follow them across a genre jump.

How about you? Do you write in multiple genres? Are you worried about how to balance it from the publishing side?

  

Do you write in more than one genre?

Do you anticipate that being messy with crossover between agents, publishers and readers?

Writing Poll: Cover Designers

I've seen SO many great covers out there recently! So, you tell me, how have you developed your book cover? Or, how do you plan to do it?

I've designed some covers and advised on art direction for others, working with talented graphic designers. That's definitely the way I prefer to go!

 

Cover designers

Writing Poll: Printing Your Manuscript

You did it! You finished your manuscript and typed those two elusive words -- The End. Now what? When in the editing process do you hit print, or do you prefer editing on-screen?

I typically print a manuscript after doing a couple rounds of edits on the full draft, then plan for one final pass based on my hard copy edits.

 

At what point do you print your manuscript?

Writing Poll: What's Your Crit Group Style?

We all know crit partners are worth their weight in gold (Need more proof? Read this). People find their critters in so many different ways. I'm lucky enough to have a core group of four buddies who meet every other week to review, edit and critique each others' work. 

It is FANTASTIC - they're all so talented, and I continue to learn so much.

How about you guys? What does your crit team look like?

Crit partners

Writing Poll: Biggest Fears...Also, Cookies!

Fears. We all have them. Especially when it comes to our writing. 

What's yours? 

I'm mostly in the second and fifth categories myself. The important thing to remember is that we can overcome any of these with a little gumption and hard work.

What's Your Biggest Writing Fear?

I always love hearing from other writers, and I've got a few poll ideas in mind, so I'm thinking of making it a monthly thing on the blog. And, just for fun, I'm pairing it with a cookie prize. Share your thoughts in the comments trail and a lucky reader will get a cookie - yes, a real, delicious, you-can-actually-eat-it cookie sent to you (folks outside the US, we might have to get creative on this one).

Starting....Now!

Beating Time

© Tiberius Dinu | Dreamstime Stock Photos

It’s so tricky to squeeze in enough time for it all, isn’t it? Seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day! I try to carve out about an hour a day for pure writing, and at least an hour on one weekday and on weekends for other miscellaneous writing things like blogs, queries, etc. It’s not a perfect system but works pretty well for me.

How about you? How do you manage your time?

How Often Do You Write?

How Much Do You Write in a Typical Day?

I’m between "At least a little everyday" and "Multiple times a week," and I usually get to 500-1000 words. No matter where we fall though, the best we can do is try to move even the teeniest bit closer to the dream each day. That's all any of us can ask.
 

Wicked & WIP Polls

Wicked is back in Milwaukee!! And, in honor, I thought I’d throw out one of my favorite quotes as it always reminds me a bit of writing.

Getting your dreams, it’s strange but it seems a little, well…complicated.
There’s a kind of a sort of a…cost

(Long hours spent typing, editing, banging your head against a keyboard)

There’s a couple things get…lost

(Sleep, sanity)

There are bridges you cross you didn’t know you’d cross until you crossed

(I wrote a query! I pitched an agent in person!)

But then you reach the end, and you really and truly “Couldn’t be happier!”

If you've seen Wicked, what's your favorite part? If you haven't, do you want to?

In Other News...

How do you celebrate the end of a WIP?

Week #4 Giveaway Winner

And the winner from last week's comments is Kimberly from Meetings with My Muse!! Congrats! Send me an email to let me know which prize you prefer.

 

Thanks again to everyone who made this giveaways so fun throughout the month!

Friday Poll: Your Fave Part of the Story

What part of a story do you most like to write? I tend to gravitate toward the high-tension moments myself. They're always the ones that are most clear in my mind and the most fun to write.

I'm guessing we're all a little different, so you tell me - what's your favorite part?

Your Favorite Part to Write

Editing Encouragement

Editing is never an easy process, so I thought I’d share some tips. If you're anything like me, you're always trying to whip one MS or another into tip-top writing shape. 

Supply list: Get together your printed MS, notebook, highlighter 

My own process:
It's different for everyone, but here's how I go about it.

• I do a first draft, often re-reading sections and editing as I go (Draft one).
• I set it aside for about a month, then go back in and smooth everything out. At this stage, I read it through chapter-by-chapter, and jot down areas I want to improve, questions, etc.
• Then, I share it with my crit group (We do 20 pages/week, so I also edit each section again prior to submitting it for critique).
• I do another draft that incorporates any appropriate edits from the crit group (Draft 2).
• Let it sit for about two months and work on other stories.
• I go back through it again, mostly focused on tightening (Draft 3).
• I send it out for another beta read among a small group of critters who have never seen it before.
• By the time I get it back, about 4 months – I read through it again for a final edit (Draft 4).

Be patient: It’ll take several drafts to get it right, and it should. You change, your perspective on your WIP changes. 

Layer it: Trying to edit the entire manuscript at once can be overwhelming. Edit in layers, focusing on one thing at a time (by chapter or the entire book) so you can focus and not get distracted.

More advice and encouragement: The woman who owns my local writing studio likes to say, “The second draft grows…because you’re adding information you’ve now realized you need, worldbuilding, character details, add’l scenes to fix plot holes, etc. The third draft begins to shrink…because you now have all the info you need, and you’re just focused on presenting it at its very best, in powerful, streamlined language.”

Good luck everyone!