Show and Tell

If you want your writing to get to the next level, concentrate on "show and tell."

"Show and tell" is like being an eyewitness to a scene. In other words, the writer is using "real time."

"Not showing but telling" is like writing a secondhand report.

You want to draw your readers into the world you've created, make them a part of it, make them forget where they are. You have to take your readers into your world. You want your readers to be so wrapped up in your world that they're not even aware that you, the writer, exist.

But how? For example, are you describing your characters' feelings? Have you told us they're angry? irritated? morose? discouraged? puzzled? excited? happy? elated? suicidal? Then cut, cut, cut and start again. Re-write it into the dialogue, not outside it.

Keep an eye out for any places where you mention an emotion outside of dialogue. Chances are you're telling what you should show.

Source: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King (Collins)

Writing Routines

Happy 2009!

As I think about the year ahead, I know a few things for certain and one of them is that I want to fine-tune my writing routine.

Due to the holidays and then a long bout of flu, I've been out of routine the last three weeks but today, I'm going to get back to business and get down to writing.

My routine in the past has included way too much procrastination. I'm going to delete that from the process.

Of course, I won't go without a yummy cup of steaming coffee to sip on as I stare at the computer screen.

I'm going to set some writing goals to meet. They say that written goals are more likely to be achieved than unwritten goals. So I'm going to write my goals down. And, I'm going to increase the likelihood of accomplishing them by sharing them with you.

Goal number one: my routine will include at least five hours of real writing time each week. Nothing will interfere with that writing time (not much for you full-timers, I know!)

Goal number two: I will finish the DJ article and send it by January 23.

After that, I'm going to write ambitiously on a novel that just won't go away...

And most of all, I'm going to write what I enjoy writing this year.

This Writer's Journey (continued)

This week has been a frenzy of answering responses to the Tampa Tribune article that came out Sat. A lot of people simply wanted to say they were inspired by the "Make a fresh start in 2009" concept and others wanted more information about the writer's workshops mentioned in the article. I directed them to my newly updated website.

And one contact was certainly unique. Would you believe there is a multi-level "healthy" chocolate company out there? A sales rep wanted me to recruit me and have me promote his product through my book, "Mom Needs Chocolate," releasing in March. I thanked him but declined, citing conflict of interest. Yeesh.

Then after all that "successful" promotion, yesterday I drove for two hours, lugged my heavy books and props about a half mile (spilled one box of books all over the sidewalk in the process), and then shouted for two hours to nearly 100 people (they didn't have a microphone and the room was large. All this effort resulted in two - count 'em - TWO book sales.

Ah, the mind-numbing roller coaster life of an author.

Do you think that will stop me? Well, maybe for a moment. Just for a good eye roll. Then it's back to the salt mines. Win a few, lose a few, but keep on digging.

Tips about Christian Publishers

• Know what a publisher publishes.


• Remember that Christian publishing markets are not open to stories that include
... profanity or minced oaths
... characters who engage in unscriptural activities without a biblical consequence
... magic
... witchcraft
... time travel


• Submit appropriately. Most publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts by
... phone
... fax
... e-mail
... audiocassette
... computer disk

Source: Bethany House Publishers

Is Your Book Ready to Submit?

• Is the theme strong enough to support a book-length manuscript?

• Are the facts carefully researched?

• Is the point of view consistent?

• Are your characters fully developed?

• Does your main character have a clearly defined goal he or she is trying to achieve?

• Is the plot organized, building to a natural, effective climax?

• Is your plot or theme unique?

• Is the language appropriate for the age of the intended reader?

• Are there books in the market similar to yours?

If you answered no to any of those...your book isn't ready. Still needs tweaking and editing and jazzing up. But if you said yes to those...all of those questions...you're good to go!

Tomorrow: tips about Christian publishers.

Source: Bethany House Publishers

Tampa Tribune Article about ...ME!

I took a bite of breakfast cereal as I rubbed my sleepy eyes and turned the page of the Tampa Tribune. Whoa, doggies! I almost spewed my Wheaties as my own life-sized face smiled back. Well, it wasn't quite life-sized but it was sure big enough to show the crows feet and under-eye luggage. Wouldn't you think they might have magical picture putty for that?

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/03/na-author-enjoys-a-do-over/news-metro/
or go to tampatrib.com, scroll down under Local News (1/3/09) and see the second item, "Author Enjoys A Do-Over." It's also on my website, www.DeboraCoty.com (The online picture is different than the printed monstrosity.)

Anyway, I was completely shocked at the full-page article on page 6 of the main section (I thought it would be much smaller and tucked into a back page somewhere). But at the same time, I felt completely blessed that God had arranged the details of my life to start the new year out with such a lovely plug to my writing ministry.

He's the Lord of details, you know.

One of my favorite stories to prove this has always been when Jesus' disciples were sent to search for a place to have the Passover dinner (Last Supper)and found that Jesus had pre-arranged all the details down to the man meeting them with a pitcher of water on his head (Mark 14:12-16).

It came to my attention this Christmas season that the same was true of the Wise Men who followed the star to find Baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1-21). God had pre-arranged all the details. Daniel was captured and taken to Babylon 500 years before; the Magi, descendants of Daniel's people (at least they were remnants of his faith), traveled 900 miles for more than a year to arrive at just the right time to offer their costly gifts to Mary and Joseph. The gold, frankincense and myrrh funded the family's emergency flight to Egypt (just after the Magi's last camel disappeared over the hill) to save Jesus from the death raid of jealous King Herod.

Wow! It's humbling and incredibly encouraging to know the Creator of the Universe somehow finds the time to manage even the smallest details of our lives. It makes it much easier to trust Him with the big stuff, doesn't it?

-Deb Coty

Handy, Helpful Hints for a Successful One-page Query

1. Address your query to the appropriate editorial department—Adult Fiction, Adult Nonfiction, Young Adult/Children.

2. Review a publisher's guidelines carefully. Does your book idea match its areas of interest? Are you familiar with the kinds of books it publishes? If not, take some time to peruse the books listed on the Web site.

3. Read one of the publisher's books in the same genre as your own to familiarize yourself with its line.

4. Explain why you chose that publisher. Show that you know its needs and are aware of what it publishes. For example, you might lead with something like the following: "Because of the success of your highly acclaimed author Janette Oke, I know that historical novels are a core part of your publishing program. I feel my novel, (title), would fit nicely into your historical fiction line."

5. Present your "sound bite" statement about your novel or nonfiction book idea in 40 words or less. "My book is about _______," will identify its most unique, compelling feature.

The fiction sound bite should focus on the story, and might include the heroic character, the central issue of the story, the heroic goal, the worthy adversary, action, the ending, a grabber, or a twist.

The nonfiction sound bite should include the main focus or topic. One suggestion is to describe the Problem, Solution, and Application.

6. Tell why your book is distinctive. What’s fresh, new, or different? Who will read the book (women, men–adult, teen, child)? For Young Adult/Children, specify the age group of your intended audience (7 – 10, 8 – 12, etc.).

7. Include pertinent manuscript details: a) Is the manuscript complete? b) How long is the finished book (approximate word count)? c) Give brief pertinent biographical information, including published works. d) Is this proposal a simultaneous submission?

8. Tell how to contact you to pursue further information/sample chapters.

Source: Bethany House Publishers