Arlene asks: One of my problems in writing my scenes is showing my Point of View Character's emotions. After writing my story, I tried using Dwight Swain's Motivation, Reaction Units to edit my story, but I have a difficult time doing it. He mentions the motivation comes from someone other than the P.O.V. character, but the story doesn't always go back and forth like that. Is it possible that the motivation comes from the P.O.V. character at times? Also, in P.O.V. Character's conversations with others or in narration, how does Motivation, Reaction come in? It seems to fit the parts of the story when action scenes are happening but I'm not too clear on how to use it on parts of story where no action is happening.

Answered by Pam McCutcheon
author of Writing the Fiction Synopsis
on 5/11/2008

I'm a bit confused by your question. Showing your characters' emotions doesn't necessarily have anything to do with motivation-reaction units, except that the reaction often is the emotion. Think of how the character feels in reaction to what is going on in the story, then show that. Show, don't tell. In other words, show us the visceral reactions of your character (cold sweat, gut clenching, dry mouth, etc.), don't just tell us that they feel fear or sadness or whatever.

As for scene structure, you might want to read Jack Bickham's Scene and Structure (he was a student of Dwight Swain). And, for a much clearer explanation of motivation, read Debra Dixon's Goal, Motivation, and Conflict.

Jennifer asks: Greetings to all fellow authors! My question is one that I cannot seem to get from any book, nor any website. It is simply about the presentation. I will be submitting my proposal next week, and I would like to know what type of packaging is best to send it in. I will be submitting the book in it's entirety and, of course, a SASE. I should probably also let you know that I am submitting to an American publisher, but I live in England. Any opinion will be greatly appreciated.

Answered by Robin D. Owens
author of Heart Dance
on 5/3/2008

I have a preference. First, rubberband the ms at least once. Don't make that too tight, use a large band so it doesn't break whenever someone is taking it off. Then I like to put it in a BRIGHTLY COLORED expandable folder, with title/author on front, back and bottom. That way if they leave it in the folder, it may be sitting there on bookshelves with a lot of white paper (think I used red for HeartMate). If they take it out of the folder, they may keep the folder around to use for something else and will still see your title/name. Note, I am NOT an insider so I may be WRONG about all of this, but I like the idea ;) Also using the expandable folder minimizes scruffiness. I like to use TYVEK envelopes to send them in because they are very strong, but thin. The US Post office has free ones, I don't know about GB. Thanks! Robin

Answered by Robin D. Owens
author of Heart Dance
on 5/3/2008

I have a preference. First, rubberband the ms at least once. Don't make that too tight, use a large band so it doesn't break whenever someone is taking it off. Then I like to put it in a BRIGHTLY COLORED expandable folder, with title/author on front, back and bottom. That way if they leave it in the folder, it may be sitting there on bookshelves with a lot of white paper (think I used red for HeartMate). If they take it out of the folder, they may keep the folder around to use for something else and will still see your title/name. Note, I am NOT an insider so I may be WRONG about all of this, but I like the idea ;) Also using the expandable folder minimizes scruffiness. I like to use TYVEK envelopes to send them in because they are very strong, but thin. The US Post office has free ones, I don't know about GB. Thanks! Robin

Answered by Pam McCutcheon
author of Writing the Fiction Synopsis
on 5/2/2008

Writers tend to loooooove office supplies, but you're better off using as few as possible in this case. It's best just to print the manuscript, wrap a rubber band around it, slip it inside a tyvek envelope, padded envelope, or box, and mail. Maybe a simple layer of bubble wrap to keep it from sliding around in the packaging.

The key is to make it easy for the agent or editor to open without having to resort to the jaws of life to extricate your manuscript. I've also heard some editors complain about those type of padded envelopes that are filled with little shredded pieces of paper since they have a tendency to fly out when opened and create a mess. Hope that helps!

Mark asks: This might be a dumb or obvious question, but how do I NOT worry about whether or not what I am writing is irredeemably bad, boring, uninteresting dreck and just write it all? How do I know that anyone is going to want to read it? How do I know someone hasn't written the same thing before me, albeit a million times better? Is there some technique for putting aside these feelings? Because I'd be writing a ton more if I had more confidence that it was worth the effort. I want to be realistic about it, you know. There's a million people on this planet trying to write and publish something. My drive is being hacked at by these feelings, and I'd love for them to go away so I can just burn.

Answered by Ann Roth
author of The Pilot's Woman
on 4/30/2008

Mark- I feel your confusion. Your inner editor is giving you a really tough time with all that doubt. I'll pass along a great technique given to me by Elizabeth Downes, a creativity coach: When the doubts get you, say to that little voice, "Thank you sooooo much for sharing. I'm working at something I love to do right now. It brings me fulfillment and purpose. So long." Even if you are dealing with a theme that's been dealt with many times before (and really, there are only a certain number of them), your take is different from any others-simply because we are all unique. If you're enthusiastic about what you're writing, the excitement will shine through. Here's a question for you: so what if you get a rejection? Lord knows, we all have. I have a thick file folder of them. Once you send out your baby, start a new project with the same energy. Before I sold, that's what I did. When I got those rejections, I'd think, my current project is so much stronger. Just wait 'til they read IT. Hang in there and remember that the only sure way to fail is to give up. Ann

Answered by Charlotte Maclay
author of Make No Promises
on 4/29/2008

Oh, man, we all need to listen to Deb Smith and Carolyne. If you can't stop writing, no matter what anyone says, then you're a storyteller. Doesn't mean you'll ever sell. But it does mean there's a 'genetic' thingie going on that you shouldn't ignore. Good luck! Charlotte Maclay

Answered by Carolyne Aarsen
author of Finally A Family- June Love Inspired
on 4/29/2008

There isn't an author out there who doesn't have the same feelings. I am working on books number 24 and 25 and each time I start I wonder what I'm doing. I think you just have to forget about NOT thinking that, but just figure, okay, it's boring, but I'm going to get it down. I'm going to work my way through this story. Embrace the insecurity and recognize that EVERY author feels this way. Doesn't matter how many books an author has published, how many awards, how many copies sold. EVERY author feels this way. So okay. Get on with it. Write the boring story. Think of it as gathering clay. You need something to work with, something to shape and mold. Often, as you write the boring, dull, plodding story, as you work with your characters and plot, you will find the gems, the story. The inspiration. And realize that no matter how many times this story has been written, you will have your own take on it, you will bring your own experiences and passion that no one else has.

Answered by Deb Smith
author of A Gentle Rain
on 4/29/2008

A young man loved playing violin. He went to a great violin master. The master listened to him play then said, "You may never become a master of the violin." So the young man, devastated, put the violin away and never played again. Years later he met the great master a second time. The master said, "So, let me hear you play now." But the man said: "You told me I might never be a master of the instrument, so I quit playing. Isn't that what you intended?" The old master stared at him sadly. "If you were meant to be a great violinist you would have kept playing no matter what I said." Obviously, the point is this: you have to write because you want to write, because you need to write, because writing is important to your soul. No matter what anyone says about your work, no matter how many times you're rejected, no matter how many great writers you see around you. It isn't about them. It's about YOU. Every writer, no matter how successful, battles self-doubt and endures many cruel rejections, bad reviews, etc. In the end, all that matters is how much the act of writing gives you. That's what you take away from it. If your entire focus is worrying about what people will think of your work (and hardly anyone can predict what the reaction will be to a finished novel)then you'll freeze and never accomplish much. Free your mind. Real writers write. Sometimes they write crap, and sometimes they write what they believe to be beautiful stories only to have other people criticize them. But they don't stop writing. Best wishes and stop worrying. Just write.

nizanth asks: I'm 18 now. I've written stories since I was 10 simply for the sole pleasure of writing. I even joined a writers club at my primary school which had just 2 other members but a very supportive teacher. I am a fantasy/magic type guy. I am currently planning a huge story set to take place over at least 4 books. I have a lot of time on my hands. My question is this: How much planning should you do before you actually start writing a story? Since this is fantasy, quite a lot is needed. This may be a difficult question to answer but please tell me what you can. I don't like having to go back repeatedly editing what you have already written multiple times. It sort of ruins the fluidity of the story.

Answered by Geri Krotow
author of A Rendezvous to Remember
on 4/24/2008

Hi Nizanth--my suggestion is to just start writing! I've found that my characters often "set up" the story for me, then I go back and do a lot of research as needed. The research also reveals more scenes and plot structure for me. It's all a process, and if you have the time (which you said you do), enjoy it! Peace, Geri

Answered by Rebecca York
author of Ghost Moon
on 4/24/2008

Since you don't like going back and changing stuff in a manuscript, then my advice is to do as much pre-planning as you can. (I am with you. I think it's a heck of a lot easier to change something major in a 25-page outline than it is to change it in a 400 page manuscript.) But really, each writer has to figure out how he or she works best. Some people just want to sit down and write--with no planning at all. When I write a 70-100,000 word book, I've already written a 15 to 25 page narrative outline. Actually, I like to do as much of the outline as I can. Then I write the first few chapters of the book, to get to know my characters better. Then I go back and fill in episodes in the outline. If you're planning a four-book series, you probably want to write down what's going to happen in each book--to make sure it's all logical and it all works. Although I want to plot out the story in advance, I know that what I've written will never entirely work out the way I thought it would. I will always get better ideas as I get into the story. And I will always come to places where I wrote something in the outline that simply doesn't work when I try to write the scene. I would have trouble planning a four-book series, though. The task would feel daunting to me. The series I write are more loosely constructed. I'm currently writing a werewolf series for Berkley that I didn't know was a series until my editor asked me to write more werewolf books. After several books, I knew I had to expand the concept to keep the stories fresh, so I came up with an alternate universe that runs parallel to ours. (and characters go back and forth between these two worlds.) Life there is very different because many people have psychic powers. I began writing the book, with a lot of background about the world. I knew some event had changed that time line, but I didn't know what the event was until I'd written most of the book. Then I got out my U. S. history books and started looking for something I could use. When I came to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, I thought, "Ah ha. That's it." I had a guy come to the fair in that time line and set up a tent where he said he could give people psychic powers. It worked, and that completely distrupted society because the people without powers were afraid of the ones who suddenly had them--and the two groups began fighting. This has turned out to be a major element in my werewolf books. But I didn't think of it until late in the game. And I didn't try to "force" it, if you know what I mean. So--back to my original advice. Plan as much as you can, but be prepared to make changes when they will benefit your story. Rebecca

Naomi Fieber asks: I am writing a novel right now, and I was curious as to whether or not, when one screams, you are supposed to actually put, 'AAAAUUUUGGGGHH', or just, 'She screamed in terror.' I am writing a fiction novel, and was wondering about this. Thanks a lot; I really appreciate it.

Answered by Jacqueline Diamond
author of May, 2008, The Family Next Door, Harlequin American Romance
on 4/11/2008

I think if I saw "Aaauugghh" written on the page, it would look humorous. Actually, I wouldn't recommend writing "she screamed in terror," either. This comes across as telling rather than showing. Showing means allowing the reader to experience the emotions rather than simply telling her (or him) about them.

An example of showing would be to say, Her throat tightened around a scream. The only sound she heard was the runaway beating of her heart.

Hope this helps!

Answered by Robin D. Owens
author of Keepers of the Flame
on 4/11/2008

Either or both. ;) It depends on where you are in the story, whether it's an action scene, and whether you've used it before. ;) Personally, I found "Aaaarrrrrgh," better, faster, BUT I, as a reader, think of Aaaarrgh as more irritation and anger. That's it's connotation to ME. If it's really horror, I, as a writer wouldn't even use "scream." I'd use "shriek." Again, it's the connotation. "Scream" is more common to me than "shriek." To me, "shriek" is a harder word with the r and k and the eeee. It's more piercing, rises higher, more shocking. But, as I said, you can do either or both. Now that I've totally befuddled you and added more mess to your question and confusion, I'll step out. GOOD WRITING! Robin

Rene asks: I got a response back from Charlotte Gusay Literary agent asking me to send my manuscript. I sent the 3 chapers and synopsis and the representative liked it and now wants the entire manuscript. But...I have seen negative things on the internet about Charlotte Gusay. What do you think? I only saw one recent book published under this author for 2007 on her web site. I need some help. It is a young adult / adult arena type book that is fiction. I am looking for an agent to help me shop our book.

Answered by Laura Hayden
author of AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
on 4/9/2008

Well, the place to start ANY inquiry concerning a literary agency is Preditors and Editors (http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/) which in this case, says "Charges fee. Not recommended." This should make you strike her off your list because repeat after me, AUTHORS DON'T PAY AGENTS. Agents earn their 15% fee from the advances and royalties received from the sale of your works. If her purported reading fee doesn't stop you cold, go to the agent's website. There, she says she is a signatory of WGA. However, the WGA website (http://www.wga.org/agency/agencylist.asp#top) doesn't show that the agency is a signatory agency with WGA. Draw your own conclusion. Plus, on the agency website itself, there's no list of clients and the most recent book she has featured on the site was published April 2007. Either she doesn't keep up her website (not a good sign) or she has no new client publishing credits. (A bad sign) Ask yourself--why would you want to hire someone like this to represent you? Simply because she's interested?

FabioM asks: I'm having problems with my hero's subplot. There's romantic interest, but it's accomplished right in the beginning of the novel, and survival of the lovers becomes the main plot. Since theyre almost all the time together, my viewpoint character2(the lover) doesnt make sense to appear. So im thinking of putting the antagonist as the viewpoint character2, and someone else as 3rd. will this work? Still, im having a little trouble having a subplot since the main one is so intense(there's no time for main char's subplots). Can i make the subplot the antagonist's subplot or the confidant subplot? or is it a big mistake? Also, making the antagonist as human and likeable as possible, to whom the reader can sympathize with, althought knowing that what he is doing is wrong(and the antagonist himself has the counscience that what he is doing is wrong, but he gradually loses it and becomes obcessed with his wrongdoing porpuse, and eventually he will see it as the only way- he believes himself to be a good person tho) is a good way to create an antagonist? sorry for so many questions! cheers

tasha asks: Which is better in the sense of selling and having the book most read, writing in first or third person.

Answered by JoAnn Ross
author of FREEFALL, a NYT bestselling High Risk romantic suspense
on 4/6/2008

Hi Tasha,

In many ways, that sort of depends on the genre. Mysteries, for instance, are often written in first person, as are many Southern novels (such as Pat Conroy's and Anne Rivers Siddon's), and literary novels, along with probably others that aren't immediately coming to mind.

Unless the book was amazing, in original story idea, structure, and voice, third person would be easier for a new writer to sell to an editor. And third person books garner more sales over all, because the majority of novels are written in third person, so there's already a built-in audience.

But what it really comes down, and what is always most important, is what's right for your story. And your voice -- what sounds the most natural when you write. If you stay true to your story, your characters, and your voice, a good book will find a home.

Hannia asks: I'm 16 years old and i'm writting a book. To start with i was only doing it for fun, but now i'm thinking about maybe having someone take a look at it. Problem is because this wasn't my goal to start with I don't really know anyhting about how to go about being published. Also, my book is part of a series i was thinking about having 4 parts to it. I already have the ideas jotted down so i know what is going on in all of them. But i never really thought about my market segment. Thing is as i'm only 16 i'm not really writting in the manner of having older people enjoy my book, I don't think so anyway. But in my book it has: Lesbians and one is sold into slavery. The scenes i am writing is of course very mild, but I don't think this is allowed to be aimed at teenagers and younger adults?

Answered by Melissa MacNeal
author of Only With a Cowboy--May '08
on 4/4/2008

Hi, Hannia!

I've written some lesbian scenes and some slave stories, but my books are definitely considered adult entertainment...and even so, not all editors and publishers will buy erotica with these elements. It's a pretty good bet editors in the young adult market wouldn't look at your stories.

Have you considered writing your book and the series for your own entertainment--and to prove to yourself that you can actually finish a book? To be considered for publication, you have to have your first book completed, anyway, and we're usually talking about manuscripts that run 300+ pages. Finishing at least your first book would be a good way to know if you have enough story--and it's an excellent way to learn how to write books! Most authors use their first book or two as "education" for becoming a writer, and meanwhile they attend writers conferences and read magazines like Writer's Digestto learn their craft. Knowing correct writing formats, and using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation--and knowing what makes a good story great enough that an editor will buy it--are important things to learn. Editors won't even look past your first page if your work needs a lot of correction.

Good luck with your writing, Hannia! A lot of writers I know started out at your age!

Shane asks: I am writing a book and I'm only 13, and I was wondering who can I send my manuscript to? I mean I don't know who's out there and I don't really want to pay loads of money to get my script edited. And also Rick Riordan inspired me to do books about Greek Myths and what not and I was wondering if thier has to be a time period? Mine is set in the present time america

Marie Davis asks: I want to write a childrens book that has real buttons in it. How do you submit your book with the above idea in mind? Do you make one by hand and send it or just tell them how you want it "illustrated"?