Fifty Shades of Red Revisited

Several months ago when I mused that due to the Fifty Shades phenomenon erotica would be the next big genre, an interesting conversation ensued here and I finally had to confess that I would never be able to write it myself. Several readers left comments echoing those sentiments.

But I’m always up for something new, and having written some fairly steamy scenes in my first novel, I decided to try my hand at full on erotica. Just to see if I could do it. Just as an experiment. A challenge if you will.

As I was considering possible storylines I recalled a conversation I’d had with a friend some time back. Something this friend had said struck me as a wonderful title for a book, and I’d filed it away in my memory for ‘someday.’ I had never thought of it as an erotica title, since I was never going to write erotica, but now it sounded like the perfect title for an erotica novel. However, the very title itself required the story to include an element of infidelity, and I quickly discovered, by perusing some erotica publishers’ websites, that infidelity is verboten. Back to the drawing board. (My friend and I were disappointed—it could have been a good story.)

So I came up with a new idea and got to work. I soon discovered that writing erotica is rather fun—quite a bit of fun actually. And the only person I’ve allowed to read it, my Dear Husband, has been impressed. But there’s the crux of the matter. I can write it. I just can never let anyone read it. Ever. The thought of anyone I’m not married to reading my erotica writing is horrifying. You talk about Fifty Shades of Red—fifty wouldn’t even begin to cover the shades of red I’d be if someone else read it.

Or is what I actually fear the idea of allowing someone I KNOW to read it? Could I let perfect strangers read it? Something new to ponder. In the meantime I look on it as a good writing exercise. An exercise which most likely will stay hidden away on my flash drive.

Happy Writing!

Young Adult vs. New Adult

As recently as a month ago I had never heard the term “New Adult”, but now it seems to be cropping up everywhere. As a writer trying to finish a couple of YA novels the new designation intrigues me. And after I read New York Times columnist Leslie Kaufman’s article “Beyond Wizards And Vampires,To Sex” (December 22, 2012) I realized I needed to do some serious critical thinking about my WIPs.

For the one person left in the universe who has not yet heard of this new term, New Adult is a category aimed at 18 to 25 year olds. The characters are older, and apparently have a lot of sex. Parents also tend to be much less visible. While there has long been a cross-over appeal to YA books, with older adults also buying YA books, publishers are seeing greater cross-over numbers with the New Adult books.

As with other current publishing trends, New Adult got a foothold with self-published books. According to Kaufman’s article this is, in no small part, due to the fact that brick and mortar bookstores haven’t had a place to shelve New Adult. That concern isn’t a problem online and especially not with ebooks, with which the targeted audience is very comfortable.

When Kaufman mentions that some authors and publishers are now publishing two versions of books, one for the YA crowd (less graphic sex) and another for the NC-17 group (more sex), I sat up and paid attention. The WIP I am currently focusing on would lend itself well to this treatment. As I mentioned in my last post, When Ignorance WAS Bliss, I may choose to self-publish this particular novel. There is a fade to black scene when the female protagonist loses her virginity to the male protagonist who is a redeemed ne’er-do-well boy with a lot of sexual experience. I could keep the fade to black version for the YA market, and include a more graphic version of the scene for the New Adult market. There is another pivotal scene in which the redeemed protagonist is seduced by a demon straight from hell, which could also be given this treatment. Doing so would be rather simple and wouldn’t change the story at all. But it could open the book up to a larger market.

I know it is hard enough for experienced authors to keep up with the fast changing trends in publishing, but for the fledgling writer it can be a bit overwhelming and daunting. I think, though, that this is one trend I’m going to have to keep my eye on.

Happy writing! And Happy New Year!

Ignorance WAS Bliss

Every writer has experienced the moment when a heretofore unheard of, unknown character has appeared from the creative ether fully formed, fully voiced. These moments usually occur in those quiet in between times when our brains are uncluttered and open to the voices of characters, both known and new. (For me it is in the shower.) Sometimes the voice may be a gentle whisper introducing itself, other times it is loud and nagging: “Write my story! Write my story!” We ignore them at our own peril. Angie introduced herself to me loudly and insistently.

I put aside my WIP, and set to taking dictation from the seventeen year old who seemed to believe her story was unique and the true path to finding an agent. Yes, I believed this was the one. This was the story that would put me on the Young Adult map. Novel, original, Angie’s story would certainly lead to that coveted agent contract. And it was going to be so much fun to write.

Fast forward about 25,000 words. I’m perusing the YA section of a local bookstore and my eyes light on an attractive book cover that seems to be rather evocative of Angie’s story. My hands are shaking as I take it off the shelf and read the inside flap. Stomach flops. I flip to the first page. Yes, this book has eerie similarities to Angie, though there is plenty that is different, I tell myself. Ten minutes later I see another book with a similar theme. Gulp. This bookstore visit is no longer any fun and I turn and leave.

Shaken, but undaunted, I continue to plod away on Angie. Day job and life keep me from writing at the pace I’d like, but forward progress is made.

Fast forward another 20,000 words. I follow the blogs and tweets of several agents who represent children/YA writers. I open the blog of one especially prestigious agent to read that if she sees one more manuscript with the XXXXXXX theme (Angie’s story!) she will go crazy. She, and every other agent in the world, receives at least five such manuscripts daily. Oh dear. Oh dear. I had no idea. Truly, though I read YA, I had never read anything like my book. How and when and why had this happened?

And what to do now? Abandon the story I’ve enjoyed writing? Continue on just because? Continue on and self publish, since obviously there’s a reason these books are being written and catch that wave while I can?

Any long time reader of this humble blog knows by now I don’t easily give up. So I chose to finish the first draft of Angie, and am now working on the first rewrite. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I finish, but at least I will have finished another book. I’ll make my decision when that time comes. And if you have any advice, please leave a comment. I welcome any suggestions.

By the way, I know I disappeared from the radar for an unprecedented length of time. Between the day job and a long and nasty bout of pneumonia I fell behind on everything in my life. But I’m back and ready to forge on.

Happy writing!

On Reading Stephen King's On Writing

Dear Mr. King,

Okay, so first off I should probably tell you I’ve never been a big fan of yours—I am sorry. It isn’t so much you, as it is your genre. I read Carrie as a teenager and it scared the living bejezzus out of me, so I never read anything else. Everyone I know loves your books, so this is really all about me, and not about you. I know you are a very talented and imaginative writer; your work simply gives me nightmares.

So, when I finally started writing after a lifetime of saying “one day”, everyone recommended I read your book on the craft, On Writing. I kept putting it off, because, well, sorry again, you wrote it and it might scare me, and give me writing nightmares, where pens and paper and computers come after me wielding axes and are covered in blood. Ewww.

But I finally decided to bite the bullet and read it. What a fabulous surprise when I could not put it down! The memoir half is riveting and one thing in particular became obvious to me as I read that section: I sadly did not live a painful enough childhood to render me a talented writer. Like Frank McCourt in Angela’s Ashes, you suffered some fairly grueling experiences and were not a robust, healthy lad. I had scarlet fever as a very young child—does that count for anything? I still remember the hallucinations, all these decades later—surely that should count for something!

But of course the reason for reading your marvelous book is for the insights into the craft. I’ve read numerous books written on the subject, but yours is the most helpful, straight forward, and most  enjoyable to read. If it is alright with you Mr. King I would like to share with my readers some of the wisdom I’ve learned from your book.

Oh, and I’ve decided to give a book or two of yours a try. But if they give me nightmares you’ll be hearing from me again. Oh yes…you’ll be hearing from me…

Sincerely,

Monica Knightley

Some of the stand-out bits of Stephen King’s wisdom, as in ON WRITING: A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT:

1. 1. “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” This is my favorite, because I’ve been doing this all my life. Easy. He adds, “Reading is the creative center of a writer’s life.”
   
   
   2. King isn’t a plotter. He puts characters in a situation and begins to narrate, allowing the characters to do things THEIR way. I’m not sure if this can work for all of us, after all he’s brilliant and can pull it off. I would love to write like this, and maybe someday I will be able to, but I’m not there yet.
   
   
   
   
   3. Dust off that copy of Strunk and White’s ELEMENTS OF STYLE! (Strunk and White would tell you there is an error in that sentence- let’s see if you can find it.)
   
   
   4. “Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.” Writers must be vigilant against overdescribing and underdescribing. I’m working hard to master this one.
   
   
   
   
   5. Use passive tense verbs sparingly. Active verbs are king.
   
   
   6. “The adverb is not your friend.” And “…the road to hell is paved with adverbs.” I know this. I’ve read this so many times. So I want to know this: Why am I teaching adverbs to my second graders?
   
   
   
   
   7. Avoid dialogue attribution whenever possible, and never, ever use adverbs in those evil attributions. “…while to write adverbs is human, to write he said or she said is divine.” So simple, so clear.
   
   
   8. When you rewrite you’re taking out all the things that are not the story. I’m posting this in my writing space. (see 9)
   
   
   
   
   9. A writer needs a writing space and it needs a door the writer is willing to shut, thus telling the world you mean business. Most important, this space should contain nothing that can distract the writer. He obviously (adverb alert!) wrote this book before the dawn of social media.
   
   
   10. “Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference.” Thank you Dear Husband for believing in me!
   
   
   
   
   Happy Writing!

Inception to Rejection or The Education of a Fledgling Writer

Long time readers of this humble blog know that once upon a time I had a great idea for a young adult historical novel that was going to require a substantial amount of research. Not wanting to wait to begin writing something and thus practice my craft I began writing what would become known as The Practice Novel while I worked on the research for the other. It turned out that writing TPN was great fun. I quickly finished the first draft and started working on the rewrites, because after all, this was to be a Learning Experience. Many rewrites later the editing began. When I finally had a finished, polished manuscript the next obvious lesson for me would the query process. As I shared in recent posts, I learned how to write the dreaded synopsis and query letter, picked three publishers to send this package off to, and with shaking hand pressed the SEND button. I had almost accomplished the full Learning Experience. Only one experience was left to be checked off the list, and I was looking forward to it: the rejection letter. I had queried with the goal being a nice form rejection letter. Then I could consider myself a real writer. But the great writing gods had different plans, and their sense of humor is quite twisted.

Four days after I hit that send button I received a request for a partial. Surprised and delighted I sent it off, knowing that the rejection was that much closer. How thrilling. I wouldn’t allow myself to get too excited about it because after all this was all being done in the name of education. My education as a writer. Just another step along the way. When the kind editor emailed me a week later to tell me she had enjoyed the first 50 pages and asked for the full manuscript I had a significantly harder time staying in my Happy Place of ‘this is all nothing more than a learning experience.’ I foolishly allowed myself to begin thinking that maybe, just maybe, The Practice Novel had a chance.

Of course the inevitable rejection arrived less than two weeks later. However, it wasn’t a form rejection, but a nice, long email explaining exactly where I had gone wrong. I learned a lot from that email, and I will treasure it always. Sure it smarted a bit for a day or two. Yes, I Googled ‘famous rejection letters’ and found great solace in reading rejections of what are now considered classics. (And you really have to feel awful for those twelve publishers who turned down Harry Potter.) But it is pretty exciting to be in such great company!

I’ve been rejected! I’m a writer! 

Monica

Fabulous Futuristic Query Letter!

A week away from home, chores, errands, and weeds that keep screaming at me…ahhh I can rest, recreate, and write, write, write. Or so the plan goes. I’m hoping to find lots of lovely, uninterrupted writing time while Dear Husband and I enjoy our week here in gorgeous Sunriver, Oregon.

Last week I ran the red, hot query letter that landed Cathryn Cade her first book deal, and today I’m posting Kylie Wolfe’s successful query. Though Kylie eventually won her book deal with publisher Lyrical Press through a contest, (Yay Kylie!!!), this query letter resulted in two requests for full manuscripts, making it quite successful by any measure. Her debut novel has a tentative release date of December 2012, and she tells me she is currently spending every spare moment working on the edits her editor loves to send her. I can’t wait for your book Kylie! Thank you so much for sharing your letter with us.

Here’s that successful query letter:

Dear Submissions Editor,

I have attached a synopsis and the first three chapters of my 80,000 word futuristic romance, Rayven's Keep, for your consideration.  It is the first book in a series of stand alone stories that follow four men who survived the devastating war that destroyed their home world.  Below is a brief summary of the story requested in your submission guidelines.  

All Tru Creighton wants is to be taken seriously by her wealthy and powerful family.  Restless and determined to prove herself she makes a bold move.  Thinking she is investigating a possible embezzlement of company funds and shipments that have mysteriously vanished, she unwittingly uncovers something darker and much more sinister.  It isn’t until it is too late that she realizes she has put herself in serious danger. Desperate for help she turns to the one man she hopes can rescue her.

Nick Rayven knows all about survival.  A former soldier, a refugee from a world destroyed by war, he has seen the dark side of human nature.  Trying to put his shattered life back together his focus is solely on carving a new place for himself and his growing business. Emotionally numb, the last thing he wants is to find his life again in turmoil. 

Running from an unknown enemy, tasked with protecting Tru, Nick discovers keeping her safe is anything but simple.  His hard won, ordered life is turned upside down by murder, drugs and an interplanetary conspiracy neither expected.  To complicate matters more, her very presence awakens emotions and feelings he long thought suppressed. 

Nick’s strong sense of duty prevents him from acting on the growing attraction between them, but Tru doesn’t have the same qualms.  She willingly follows where her heart leads and it is set on the enigmatic, honorable man fighting to keep her safe. 

I am an active member of RWA and was recently accepted for PRO status.  I also belong to both Rose City Romance Writers and Greater Seattle Romance Writer's chapters.  This manuscript is currently entered into the RCRW Golden Rose contest.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  I look forward to the opportunity to share the entire manuscript with you.

Regards,

Kylie Wolfe

And finally on a personal note, though I am loathe to jinx things, (I’ve suddenly become VERY superstitious-I’m knocking wood as I write this), a week after I sent out my first queries I received a request for a partial! I’m trying to stay very rational, remembering that this first novel was always meant to be a learning experience. And what a learning curve I’ve been on throughout this query process!

Thank you again Kylie, not only for sharing your letter, but also for being so supportive as I’ve been going through the scary query/partial request adventure.

Happy Writing! 

Red, Hot Query Letter!

When last we met I was experiencing great angst over writing a query letter. Well, that letter was written and sent out this past week! I immediately felt sheer terror and a lot of nausea. On the other hand, finishing final edits on my first novel, writing the required synopses of varying lengths as well as the query letter, were all must-dos on my summer task list and I’m thrilled to be able to make those check marks next to them. For the two weeks that remain of my summer break I’m turning my attention to my half-finished YA paranormal and am enjoying the company of my main characters, Angela and Aaron.

My last post also included a request for writers who would volunteer to share their successful query letters with my readers. Two brave souls came forward with query letters! This week I’m sharing Cathryn Cade’s first, last, and only query letter she’s ever written. Yes, she has been so successful for Samhain Publishing that she’s never needed to write another query. She writes red, hot romance in both her Orion Series as well as her new Hawaiian Heroes Series. The two Hawaiian Heroes books, Walking In Fire, and Rolling In The Deep are sexy paranormals set in the beauty of Hawaii. (All of Cathryn’s books are available at Samhain, Amazon, and BN.com and you can visit her website at cathryncade.com) Thank you so much Cathryn for sharing this query letter!

Cathryn Cade

Her address

August 1, 2007

Christina M. Brashear, Publisher

Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Dear Ms. Brashear,

I am seeking publication of my novella in your upcoming anthology, On the Prowl.

My story, ‘Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bryght’ is attached, complete at 25, 900 words. Attached also is the synopsis.

Tyger takes place in the future, in the far reaches of outer space. That is where the Tyger shape-shifters of planet Bryght exist. It is a sensual romance, set against a backdrop of adventure and intrigue. The space ship Orion is one of a fleet of huge cargo and passenger carriers that ply space between the galaxies. The crew is from such far flung planets as Earth, Indigo, Pangaea, Serpentea, and Bryght. This is the first of a series of stories about the Orion’s crew, and their sensual trials and triumphs.

Tryon Jag is a virile, successful Tygean, even owns his own firm, offering the prized services of his Tyger navigators to ships that wish to bring their goods to the remote planet of Bryght. He is returning home on the Orion when he is caught off planet at moon rise. This is when the males and females of Bryght go through their yearly mating shift. Jag is now a risk to himself and others on the Orion as he shifts into a dangerous, if gorgeous and sexy, half-man, half-cat, with the sexual needs of both raging in him. He needs a mate, to calm and soothe him so he can do his job, and get the Orion safely to port. Unless a female Tygean, preferably a young, and relatively innocent one, can be found among the crew and passengers to close herself into the ship’s jungle-like arboretum with him, the Orion may well be destroyed in the dangerous asteroid belt that surrounds Bryght. The fact that some eco-terrorists have smuggled a bio-bomb on board, intending to destroy the ships navigation system entirely unless their demands are met, only adds to the tension.

Calla Fellura, a lovely young crew member who secretly admires Jag, agrees to mate with him, and finds herself swept into a heated jungle of sensuality that she could never have imagined. Calla must surrender to triumph, and she does both.

I have been writing fiction for years, but only recently discovered the joys of reading and writing novellas – the perfect length of story for me, as I am also a busy elementary school librarian. I hope you will read Tyger, and consider it for your anthology.

Sincerely,

Cathryn Cade

As a post script I should add that Cathryn is now such a successful writer she has recently retired from teaching and is able to be a full time writer. Sigh…

Next week I’ll be sharing a query letter from Kylie Wolfe, whose debut novel will be released this fall.

Thank you again Cathryn!

Happy Writing everyone!