| janfields |
August 11, NIGHT FORUM
will begin in 5 minutes. Today we're flying without a topic so come
and ask those burning writing questions that are on your mind. Join
us in the Auditorium in five minutes.
|
| janfields |
AUGUST 11 NIGHT FORUM
begins in 2 minutes. Bring your questions about anything writing
related...in two minutes.
|
| janfields |
Welcome to NIGHT FORUM:
WRITING OPEN TOPIC! What do you need to know about writing
tonight?
|
| janfields |
If you want to ask a
question and be sure it has a chance to be posted, you'll need to
use either the "ask a question" button on the bar across the middle
of your screen. OR type /ask...then space once and type your
question. That passes the question to me and I can post it for
answer. If you type the question in the bar at the bottom of you
screen, I may not see it.
|
| janfields |
Hi Writers all...I'm
glad some folks popped in tonight.
|
| janfields |
I actually have quite a
question que already...so I'm going to jump right
in.
|
| janfields |
LINDA: Do you have any
concerns about the use of critique groups? What should one
consider?
|
| janfields |
First, it's worthwhile
to know that critique groups are going to consume a certain amount
of time...
|
| janfields |
and creative
energy.
|
| janfields |
They offer valuable
input, but it's a give and take...
|
| janfields |
to get from others, you
need to critique for them also.
|
| janfields |
If it's a big group,
that can sometimes be tough to keep up with.
|
| janfields |
I was in a group once
where folks turned in work EVERY week.
|
| janfields |
And there were about
ten people and all were expected to turn something
in.
|
| janfields |
I couldn't keep up with
that crit demand.
|
| janfields |
It's totally OPEN
tonight, dragonlady -- questions about anything.
|
| janfields |
Other than that,
really, critique groups have been fine.
|
| janfields |
People worry about
things like people copying your work.
|
| janfields |
But that happens in
infintesimally small numbers.
|
| janfields |
Basically most writers
want to pursue their OWN ideas.
|
| janfields |
It does help if the
crit group has clear guidelines
|
| janfields |
So you know what to
expect and how to critique.
|
| janfields |
Some groups want to
focus on the positive.
|
| janfields |
So if you give a
"tough" critique, you'll be seen as a big meanie.
|
| janfields |
Some groups want you to
start with the good, then give the corrections and
suggestions.
|
| janfields |
So, it helps to
ask...find out what the group requires and how it's
run.
|
| janfields |
And don't be afraid to
leave if it doesn't work out.
|
| janfields |
Groucho79: What is the
best to do to describe without using thesaurus?
|
| janfields |
Hi Groucho, I use the
thesaurus about twice a year.
|
| janfields |
Usually when a word in
on the tip of my tongue and I can't remember it.
|
| janfields |
I don't use it to find
new ways to say things, because words comes with
nuances.
|
| janfields |
You really need to know
a word and know the baggage it brings to the table before you use
it.
|
| janfields |
So, it's better to work
with the vocabulary you have, that you use daily, that you are in
control of.
|
| janfields |
And then just dig into
the thing you're describing.
|
| janfields |
Try comparing it to
something -- She had a face as warm as buttered
toast.
|
| janfields |
Remember, the reader
wants a sense of people more than they want a mug
shot.
|
| janfields |
They want the mood and
basics of setting.
|
| janfields |
But don't need a
map.
|
| janfields |
MELISSA: I have had 3
stories accepted by the Cricket magazine group. With the first two
stories accepted (one has already appeared in the March '06 issue) I
agreed to their terms of "All Rights". I am currently responding to
their most recent acceptance letter from the editor of Ladybug. My
question is this: Do I have any options other than giving them all
rights, and if so what could I hope for?
|
| janfields |
The other package
Cricket MAY accept...if you have been published with them before --
as you have --
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| janfields |
is "FIRST RIGHTS"
matched with "NONEXCLUSIVE REPRINT RIGHTS"
|
| janfields |
That means you retain
copyright but they have permission to use the piece as much as they
want.
|
| janfields |
And they have the SOLE
right to publish it FIRST.
|
| janfields |
But after that first
publication, you can sell it again (if you can find someone who will
only buy one-time rights)
|
| janfields |
And you can use it in a
short story anthology or in a book or as a basis for a book without
getting permission from Cricket.
|
| janfields |
That is the ONLY
alternate rights...unless you're Dave Berry or someone like
that.
|
| dragonlady |
I have a question
regarding pen names... and how to go about getting (creating) one -
as well as the pros and cons of it
|
| janfields |
Okay...how to create a
pen name...pick one.
|
| janfields |
Make it something you
can spell on the fly.
|
| janfields |
Make it something
READERS can spell on the fly.
|
| janfields |
Consider making the
last name start near the beginning of the alphabet to improve your
shelf space.
|
| janfields |
Beyond that...all you
have to do is start using it.
|
| janfields |
On your manuscripts, in
the "BY" slot, put your pen name.
|
| janfields |
On the cover letter,
tell the editor you want the piece published under your pen
name
|
| janfields |
During editing you
MIGHT want to remind the editor of the pen name thing...sometimes
they forget.
|
| janfields |
But the PUBLISHER will
have to know your real name
|
| janfields |
As your real name will
appear on all your checks.
|
| janfields |
Creating a TOTALLY
secret identity with bank accounts and such is a pain ...a huge
legal and paperwork and expense pain.
|
| janfields |
But just creating and
using a pen name is easy.
|
| janfields |
It's just a matter of
doing it.
|
| janfields |
Now, the possible
issues -- people won't necessarily be able to search out your WHOLE
body of work.
|
| janfields |
At signings you may get
"outed" unless you give bookstores very clear
directions.
|
| janfields |
Pluses, sometimes you
don't want YOUNG children seeing your WHOLE body of
work.
|
| janfields |
But ultimately, it's a
personal choice...but really not hard to do.
|
| janfields |
Don't do it whimsically
though because in many ways, it's like ghost writing, folks won't
associate the finished product with YOU
|
| janfields |
XU LI: Do mystery
stories have to including crime?
|
|
|
| janfields |
Nope, mysteries just
need to have a puzzle and a compelling reason to solve
it.
|
| janfields |
In fact, stories for
young children rarely have a crime...or even a bad
guy.
|
| janfields |
They are just about
solving an unknown.
|
| janfields |
I just read a "mystery"
to my daughter tonight about a COW who lost her jelly
donut.
|
| janfields |
She thought it might
have been stolen, but it turns out she sat on it.
|
| janfields |
So she had jelly donut
butt.
|
| janfields |
Groucho79: Should
writers try sending stories to magazine to get the hang of being
published before sending manuscripts to book
publishers?
|
| janfields |
Nope
|
| janfields |
You don't have to be
published in magazine first.
|
| janfields |
The good points to
being published in magazines is that assuming you write well, they
are a bit easier to sell to.
|
| janfields |
Not because they don't
use good material...
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| janfields |
but because there is
actually slightly less competition.
|
| janfields |
Book publishers get an
amazing OCEAN of submissions.
|
| janfields |
If you have some
magazine sales behind you, it can help carry you through emotionally
when you start hitting book rejections.
|
| janfields |
Sales to magazines can
remind you that you really can write and write
well.
|
| janfields |
Plus, the type of
writing that magazines require -- high action, fast pace, lots of
dialogue, lively, crisp
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| janfields |
Those are skills that
can help you write better books.
|
| janfields |
But book plots are so
different so not all skills carry over.
|
| janfields |
However, unless you're
selling to American Girl, the Cricket Group, Highlights or Boy's
Life -- magazine credits have limited "impressions" on book
editors
|
| janfields |
Except to show that the
book manuscript isn't your FIRST effort.
|
| amoi |
How do the magazines pay
? By checks? do they have forms?
|
| janfields |
Most pay by
check.
|
| janfields |
A few foreign tiny
magazines do paypal, I think.
|
| janfields |
I am not sure what the
larger magazines do about sales outside of the country of the
magazine.
|
| janfields |
I know it can be tough
to get banks to accept checks from magazines out of
country.
|
| janfields |
Oh, yes, magazines keep
a record of sales so they can let the IRS know.
|
| janfields |
And you'll need to keep
a record of your income for IRS too.
|
| janfields |
If you only make bucks
or so...the IRS basically doesn't care, but once you start selling
regularly, they quickly sit up and take notice.
|
| groucho79 |
I'll tell you I have a
lot of book rejects in my closet.
|
| janfields |
Yeah, I have a file
drawer full.
|
| janfields |
Sigh
|
| dragonlady |
I have experience with
Explore magazine - they do cheques, but ou have to
invoice
|
| janfields |
Some magazines require
you to invoice, others do not.
|
| janfields |
It's always okay to ASK
...most that require you to invoice do let you know right
away.
|
| janfields |
But once you sell to a
magazine once...keep a record.
|
| janfields |
Magazines assume you
remember the drill every time.
|
| janfields |
And if you have a
memory like mine...sometimes you end up with the magazine editor
sending an email saying, so are you going to invoice or
what?
|
| dragonlady |
it's important to read
the contract!!!
|
| janfields |
Yes, for many reasons.
Always know what you're signing.
|
| janfields |
XU LI: Should adventure
stories be non-realistic like Unicorn’s Secret (by Kathleen Duey)?
|
|
|
| janfields |
Actually realistic
adventure is the NUMBER ONE request of many many school aged and
teen magazines.
|
| janfields |
Some want true
adventure, but even those buying fiction want realistic
adventure.
|
| janfields |
The number buying
fantasy are decidely smaller than those buying realistic
adventure.
|
| janfields |
And adventure is
becoming increasingly popular.
|
| janfields |
I suspect, it's going
to be the new phenomenon in middle grade/YA novels.
|
| rainchain |
do you know if know
accepts non canadian submissions?
|
| janfields |
Yes. I have an
interview with the editor of KNOW available on Kid Magazine Writers,
by the way.
|
| gonewest |
What does "invoice"
mean??
|
| janfields |
An invoice is just a
short note telling the magazine's finance department what they owe
you, why, and when. Easy to write and simple.
|
| janfields |
XU LI: What is the
popular topic for 6-7 years old (CW mentioned Highlights needs
stories for
|
| careless,
especially in that grade. Is that a good topic?)? |
|
|
|
| janfields |
Well, if carelessness
resulted in some huge story problem that needed to be
solved.
|
| janfields |
And the character had
to overcome his natural carelessness to solve the problem -- then
sure, that would work great.
|
| janfields |
Just remember, stories
aren't about things kids need to improve about
themselves.
|
| janfields |
We all have flaws and
out flaws do often lead to problems, conflicts, even
adventure.
|
| janfields |
But the story isn't
about our flaw...it's about the STORY that results from the
flaw.
|
| janfields |
But, for young children
-- school stories are popular
|
| janfields |
New sibling is pretty
popular but you need to find a novel approach.
|
| janfields |
School stories are just
stories that take place at school instead of home.
|
| janfields |
Focusing on peer
relationships rather than parent/child which is the primary focus of
much of very young fiction.
|
| amoi |
How do we submit poetry?
What do we say in the cover letter?
|
| janfields |
In any cover letter, I
try to do the following...
|
| janfields |
1. Show why kids would
want to read my piece.
|
| janfields |
What is the most fun
thing about it?
|
| janfields |
What is the most
interesting thing about it?
|
| janfields |
I try to make it sound
entertaining
|
| janfields |
2. Then, I show why is
will benefit the reader.
|
| janfields |
This is the point where
I might mention that a poem introduces children to the water
cycle
|
| janfields |
Or that a poem lets
them look at dandelions in a new way.
|
| janfields |
Those two points make
up the first paragraph of EVERY one of my query
letters.
|
| janfields |
For prose and for
poetry.
|
| janfields |
The poem itself, is
written double spaced, just like a regular manuscripts but with the
line breaks required for poetry.
|
| janfields |
Sometimes a send a
couple poems but since I am not really much of a
poet...
|
| janfields |
I usually only pump out
about three poems a year...
|
| janfields |
so I don't really need
to double them up.
|
| janfields |
Lizziegirl: Can you
suggest a mag that publishes disability fiction?
|
| janfields |
If you mean fiction
designed to teach us about disabilities...I don't know of
any.
|
| janfields |
If you mean fiction
that includes characters with disabilities, most of
them.
|
| janfields |
Magazine editors LOVE
to get a good story with a strong plot and lively action and a great
character who has a disability.
|
| janfields |
They want kids to know
disabilities don't stop kids from being kids.
|
| janfields |
So, if you have a great
story that you've used a character with
disabilities...
|
| janfields |
especially if the
disability is somehow influential in solving the story
problem.
|
| janfields |
Hey, editors WANT to
hear from you.
|
| janfields |
Now, if you like doing
nonfiction about disabilities...
|
| janfields |
the September issue of
Children's Writer (the print newsletter) has a great article about
that.
|
| janfields |
Amoi: Do we query for
poetry too.
|
| janfields |
No, if a magazine
accepts poetry at all, they do it directly.
|
| dragonlady |
Spider mag recently ran a
story about a deaf child using sign language while playing baseball
:) great story
|
| janfields |
Terrific...I also saw a
great Pockets story once with a child who was deaf.
|
| janfields |
It was a "new kid in
the neighborhood" story.
|
| janfields |
Just be sure your story
goes beyond the disablity to be a good story.
|
| janfields |
XU LI: Does someone
want to a story with other countries background (I was born in
China, and so was my son. We had done a lot of interest things in
China.)?
|
| janfields |
Yes...magazines
actually LOVE that.
|
| janfields |
The Cricket group is
especially happy to get stories like that.
|
| janfields |
Highlights likes them
also.
|
| janfields |
But many other
magazines do as well...it's a great way for kids to read an exciting
story AND learn about a new place.
|
| janfields |
Cheryl: I've got my
first picture book coming out and want to have a party (of
|
| party work? Do
books get sold at such an event? Or |
|
| in advance and
then bring it to be signed? Or should I just have a big poster of
the book cover, with takeaway bookmarks and have it be a "regular"
party? Some of my friends want a book, others just want to share in
the excitement. Ha! I feel like a social oddball for even asking the
question. |
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|
| janfields |
Ah, ha
|
| janfields |
I have now asked around
about launch parties.
|
| janfields |
Many of the authors I
asked had their launch parties at bookstores (thus simplifying the
selling of books)
|
| janfields |
You do sell books at
launch parties...most of the authors sold a lot...over
40
|
| janfields |
It's also a lot like a
"regular" party with snacks and decorations .
|
| janfields |
There are usually give
aways of something small.
|
| janfields |
People send out
invitations...usually lots of them, like 100 +
|
| janfields |
If you have your party
somewhere besides the bookstore, you may have to supply the books
(or rather your publisher will)
|
| janfields |
and you'll need to rope
someone into selling them.
|
| janfields |
You can talk to your
publisher about the specifics if you decide to do a nonbookstory
book party.
|
| janfields |
All the publishers can
guide you in that.
|
| janfields |
CHARWEB: I'm writing an
article about Snake Boat races in India. My recent visit and
personal presence during these races helped me a lot to write this
article. But, as far as I'm concerned, there is no printed(except
for the travel guides) sources to include it in the bibliography. I
also used many websites for thorough research. I just wanted to know
whether it's must and important to include the printed sources on
the subject. If don't have anything available, can I go ahead and
submit the article to the publications?
|
| janfields |
If you are writing a
personal experience article, the magazine will ask you only very
minor verification questions...and guide books are likely to be fine
as outside sources.
|
| janfields |
If you are writing it
NOT as personaly experience, then you're likely to run into some
problems since you aren't saying "I saw this" which is subjective
and instead saying "this happens at snake boat races" which is
objective and must always be true
|
| janfields |
Without outside
sources, it's hard for you to separate what you saw that might have
been an aberation
|
| janfields |
from what happens
always.
|
| janfields |
So...I would write it
as personal experience...you'll sell it easier
|
| janfields |
Mara: I love to cook,
and have lots of recipes (maybe around 2000!) from my mother and
other people, including from magazines and cookbooks that are
decades old. I dont
|
| do play around
and |
|
| I have.
|
|
|
|
| I wish to have my
own cook book published, do I have to be an 'inventor' cook or
qualified chef? Also, how does one 'write' a cook book? How many
testings have to be done of each recipe |
|
| how should I
approach |
|
| have a cook book
published |
|
| janfields |
I know this question is
going to get scrambled in the transcript
|
| janfields |
But it's basically
about creating cookbooks.
|
| janfields |
No, you don't have to
be a qualified chef.
|
| janfields |
Or really an inventor
cook.
|
| janfields |
You need a novel voice
-- since the cook book will have more than just recipes...it will
have your voice in introductions
|
| janfields |
and in suggestions of
variations
|
| janfields |
and in the overall book
into.
|
| janfields |
and in breakout
sidebars.
|
| janfields |
Plus, you'll need a
theme that unifies all the recipes.
|
| janfields |
There are incredible
numbers of cookbooks published every year.
|
| janfields |
So they are in vicious
competition with one another. Your book would need something to make
it toally novel.
|
| janfields |
Totally different from
any other cookbooks.
|
| janfields |
Amoi: Can the recipes
be ones that are modified from other cookbooks?
|
| janfields |
Yes and
no
|
| janfields |
There is no copyright
reason why not
|
| janfields |
But you won't sell it
if you don't have somethign no one else has.
|
| janfields |
And if you're using a
lot of recipes from other books...you aren't going to do that STAND
OUT thing that is essential.
|
| janfields |
So you need to ask
yourself...
|
| janfields |
what is the marketing
hook for my cookbook?
|
| janfields |
How is it TOTALLY
different from all the others?
|
| janfields |
Why will people see it
and want it?
|
| janfields |
If you can't come up
with definitive answers...you're going to have a really tough
time.
|
| janfields |
And cook books aren't
easy to sell even with a hook.
|
| janfields |
Scardycat: Maybe now I
can ask which websites pay for stories/articles?
|
| janfields |
I made a little
list.
|
| janfields |
Some I have worked
with, some I have not.
|
| janfields |
Many do content for
adult but related to kids because
|
| janfields |
you didn't specify and
there just aren't that many paying sites for kid
content.
|
| janfields |
Paying Markets Online
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|
| janfields |
There are probably
more.
|
| janfields |
I left a couple out
when I was pretty sure I had heard folks complain about slow
payment.
|
| janfields |
XU LI: .(Right now I
want to write for magazines, and I really enjoy reading as much
books which you mentioned as I can.) Would I be wasting my time to
read a lot of
|
| to write for
magazines? |
|
|
|
| janfields |
Reading books for kids
is never a waste...you can learn a lot about how kids talk in
stories.
|
| janfields |
Which is a bit
different from how kids talk in real life.
|
| janfields |
And you can learn how
to balance narrative and dialogue.
|
| janfields |
How to
show.
|
| janfields |
Books are wonderful
writing workshops.
|
| janfields |
But if you are writing
for magazines, you really need to read magazines.
|
| janfields |
So if you only have
time/money for one and you want to write for
magazines...
|
| janfields |
then it's best to read
magazines. Because there are things books can do (get away with)
that magazines cannot.
|
| janfields |
Magazines are rarely
"edgy" -- they tend to present things
conservatively.
|
| janfields |
While books can have
kids doing dangerous things without real consequence (besides lively
adventure)
|
| janfields |
Magazines will not
usually show that.
|
| janfields |
Though I've seen Boy's
Life go there...but usually in stories by big names like David
Lubar
|
| janfields |
Books can have kids
call each other names, get violent with one another and be
disrespectful to parents.
|
| janfields |
But most magazines
don't go there either.
|
| janfields |
So, magazines live in a
kinder gentler world.
|
| groucho79 |
What is the right way to
do your manuscript, page by page?
|
| janfields |
I actually have an
article about that
|
| janfields |
right
here:
|
| janfields |
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws04/goodlookin.shtml
|
| coloradokate |
Do you have any favorite
"How-to-write-for-children" books, besides the ICL ones, that you'd
recommend?
|
| janfields |
I love "Picture
Writing" by Anastasia Suen.
|
| janfields |
It's not just for
picture book writers.
|
| janfields |
If anyone has ever told
you that you need to show more.
|
| janfields |
That book will totally
change your writing for the better.
|
| janfields |
I love
it.
|
| janfields |
I love "Take Joy" by
Jane Yolen
|
| janfields |
If you like
inspirational books, it's outstanding.
|
| janfields |
I could read it over
and over.
|
| janfields |
I have a book called
hmmm...Worlds of Childhood, I think
|
| janfields |
Zinsser edited
it.
|
| janfields |
It's made up of
articles or speeches by different children's
writers.
|
| janfields |
It's a wonderful
book...really phenomenal.
|
| janfields |
ICL has a book by James
Cross Giblin, it's in the Bookstore on the site.
|
| janfields |
Really wonderful
book...for fiction and nonfiction.
|
| janfields |
Those are really my
favorites.
|
| janfields |
And...it's ten
o'clock.
|
| janfields |
I want to say...I'll
make a list of inspirational markets I like and put them in the
Monday newsletter, Dragonlady.
|
| janfields |
It's 10pm in
Janland.
|
| janfields |
And I think I answered
all my questions...with a IOU to Drgonlady...I'm so
proud.
|