tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.comments2021-10-09T16:48:32.388-07:00Sam Reeves Writing Advicesamrvs2@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-13021007292526122832015-04-26T22:06:59.496-07:002015-04-26T22:06:59.496-07:00Well, for the most part, how readers perceive your...Well, for the most part, how readers perceive your book is going to be out of your control. The same is true for every author.<br /><br />However, is the real question whether the readers will hate the book or hate the character? I don't see anything wrong with them hating the character's cruelty and still enjoying to read about him. Think of Hannibal Lecter and Dexter. Both are the central characters of their stories, and their acts are reprehensible. Yet audiences loved the stories and held a morbid fascination for the characters.<br /><br />Will readers sympathize with a heinous protagonist? That depends on how you justify his actions. Maybe he is damaged goods and can't help his acts. If that is made clear, he will seem tragic, especially if he shows remorse. Maybe, like Dexter, he is aiming at the greater good (a true good, not just something he has labeled as such) but from a warped angle. samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-90637780466068387092015-04-26T12:18:44.268-07:002015-04-26T12:18:44.268-07:00I have a character whose father was killed when he...I have a character whose father was killed when he was 5. He saw him die. He grew up and became a serial killer during World War 1. He is a despicable character all in all. I don't really know how to make sure that readers will not hate the book for his cruelty. What can I do about that? I can't change his character or anything, but I don't want the book to be despised.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-13716564857338428012013-02-20T19:16:32.605-08:002013-02-20T19:16:32.605-08:00I'm at that precipice myself, as I approach my...I'm at that precipice myself, as I approach my 43rd birthday next week. I feel pulled in different directions, but when someone asks what I do, I still say, "I'm a lapsed writer." It is still the writing I want to identify with most.<br /><br />Recently, I sat down with one of my novels which is incomplete (but, I thought at least what I had was well-polished and just needed that ending to be ready to send out). As I read, red pen in hand, I found so many things I didn't like, things which bugged me, things which jarred me out of the story. And now I question myself. Do I keep trying? Why?<br /><br />When my husband and wife ask me why I want to write / be a writer, I stumble with my answer. Because I've wanted it since I was a teen? Is that enough? Because I want to see good books on the shelves? Because I don't want science fiction or fantasy to go the way of the dodo bird? Are these enough to have a "calling" to write? My wife mentioned an author who feels like she's losing pieces of her soul when she doesn't write. That's not me. <br /><br />Or is it? I have been most happy with *me* when I was actively writing, when the ideas were coming faster than I could write them down and I couldn't wait to finish one project so I could move on to that new idea. I wish I could get that person back, be immersed in my writing again, pouring over the pages for edits or writing new chapters.<br /><br />I fret about the money question being so important to the answer for "should I / shouldn't I". I've taught my son his whole life not to choose a career based on how much money he makes. Doesn't that mean I shouldn't walk away from writing, just because of the (lack of) money? Just because I've gotten rejection after rejection with no sign I'm getting closer?<br /><br />Struggling to get back up on that horse,<br /><br />Anne.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07485537085139255830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-53410222861349901902013-02-10T10:23:19.098-08:002013-02-10T10:23:19.098-08:00With regard to painting a story from the antagonis...With regard to painting a story from the antagonist's point of view, the anti-hero, the key is flipping perspective 180 degrees. Shifting your viewpoint from the hero's skull into the villains skull. But the thing is, once you do that, you have to shed the rules that make what their doing wrong. You don't have to make them likeable or acceptable, you just have to make that villain accessible. And even then, you don't have to make them completely open because that is what becomes boring, all you have to do is add a tiny element of accessibility... introduce a fraction of doubt in the reader that speaks to "I would never... well maybe I might"... and everything else will grow from there when you can put yourself in that mindset.<br /><br />When it comes to drawing the line, I like to follow one rule: does it serve the story? Some times more graphic is better. Often times less is more. Let the reader play with the negative space and use their own imaginations to flesh out what touches nerves. However, sometimes more is more. This is when having a good editor or letting something sit for a few days and coming back to reread it is a very good thin. In the moment a scene can sound pitch perfect. Wait a while, come back to it, reread it and ask yourself "what part of the story is this helping push forward?" If that question has no answer then you've got dead weight on your hands and it's time to restructure or cut altogether. <br /><br />Just my thoughts ;) Hobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03492859978611924255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-37214008938242154402013-01-04T12:16:57.145-08:002013-01-04T12:16:57.145-08:00You are very welcome. I am glad the post helped.You are very welcome. I am glad the post helped.samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-19806247000043835142013-01-04T12:01:32.173-08:002013-01-04T12:01:32.173-08:00Of course! It so obvious! After reading your bril...Of course! It so obvious! After reading your brilliant article, I think I understand now why some of my posts felt too abrupt. In my mind, I knew what the next sentence should be, but I gave no thought to questions raised by the previous sentence. I assume that the reader would go along. <br /><br />Time for some rewrites. Thanks for this post, Mr. Reeves!Anon A. Mushttp://sprezzaturarrd.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-21546119638244488792013-01-02T17:26:55.161-08:002013-01-02T17:26:55.161-08:00Depends on the market. You'll probably get awa...Depends on the market. You'll probably get away with more in Cemetery Dance than in, say, Reader's Digest. I would not gut a story (pun only slightly intended) in an attempt to fit a certain venue. When an editor requests a rewrite, that's one thing, but it's entirely something else to cripple a story so as not to offend someone. Good fiction makes us uncomfortable and encourages us to reexamine habitual thinking. If Anthology A isn't a good fit, move to the next target on the list.<br />That said, gratuitous gore, violence, or sadism is just as bad (and eventually as boring) as sanitized storytelling.<br /><br />But, your question is where to draw the line. This is largely a matter of your personal tastes and what you feel is artistic. My metric is "Can I remove the horrific elements and still retain the story?" If the answer is "Yes," I would cut the scene as I would a deadweight adjective. The story will be tighter and more interesting as a result. On the other hand, if the story begins to unravel, keep the scene. It belongs just as it is.<br /><br />If you are concerned whether you might have wandered off into excessive melodrama, remember that characters must be larger than life if their traits and actions are to translate well to the reader's imagination through the written word. Jack Bickham said that reading is like looking at someone through a frosted window. The makeup, colors, gestures all have to be exaggerated to come through. Write hot; edit cold.samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-10211087266277396742013-01-02T15:03:27.312-08:002013-01-02T15:03:27.312-08:00Welcome back to writing, Anne! About a decade ago...Welcome back to writing, Anne! About a decade ago, I took one of those hiatuses myself, which I recount in “Writing: Don’t Waste Your Time.” At least for me, it has taken a while to get the engine turning again, writing every day, but I’m working on it. Good luck.<br /><br />Yes, ebook publishing is opening a new world for writers. I feel as if we are entering a new Golden Age. Kindle is not the only outlet. Others are Nook, Smashwords, Lulu, Kobo, . . . the list is huge. Kindle it still dominates, though. <br /><br />As far as cover designs, there are many services on the Web. I can’t personally recommend any, because I really have little experience with them. My first choice would be a local graphic designer or good digital artist. If you know any personally, you would be helping out a friend as well as your local art community. Just about any book or SF convention will feature such artists, as well. If you see or know someone whose work you like, talk with them. Artists are usually very approachable and eager to toss around ideas. <br /><br />Also, I have spoken with a novelist friend of mine, Deborah Cota, who has quite a bit of experience with e-publishing, including cover design. She has agreed to write a future guest blog about her experiences as soon as she gets a break in her schedule. I am sure she will offer lots of valuable information that we can all look forward to.<br />samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-51692946166053835582013-01-02T04:35:23.840-08:002013-01-02T04:35:23.840-08:00I've got a killer-type character who is rather...I've got a killer-type character who is rather awful to read. I have sympathetic heroes for the reader to bond with, so I think I can get away with the vile killer concept. I'm not sure whether I should trim back on his point-of-view (subject the reader to less from him) or to tone down his horrific aspects some. Just because I created him to be so awful doesn't mean the reader needs to be dragged through the blood with him. How do I determine where to draw the line -- what to show, what to tell and what to allude to?<br /><br />Anne.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07485537085139255830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-7217216465888755172013-01-02T03:59:51.566-08:002013-01-02T03:59:51.566-08:00I'm coming back to my writing after a long hia...I'm coming back to my writing after a long hiatus. My goal this year is to clean up the 3 or 4 novels I have in very incomplete states and see if I can get one or more of them totally and completely finished.<br /><br />I really liked your mention of the Kindle (and Nook by extension?) market. I've debated for a while now whether or not I should publish stories on one of the various "app stores". Could you suggest some resources I could tap for cover design, to look as professional and interesting as possible?<br /><br />Even though I shouldn't, I *still* judge a book by its cover!<br /><br />Thanks, from a new reader,<br /><br />Anne.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07485537085139255830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-44579702338404080532012-12-20T18:29:28.739-08:002012-12-20T18:29:28.739-08:00Sage words, sir. And, if anything I have written ...Sage words, sir. And, if anything I have written has helped you, I am glad to be of service.samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-80622556050559347032012-12-20T08:07:55.524-08:002012-12-20T08:07:55.524-08:00Amazing. Been there, done that, let writing slip, ...Amazing. Been there, done that, let writing slip, let something, anything get in the way, and then I met Sam through Twitter and he proved my pick-me-up. Where I lost track I don't know, nor does it matter, since our temporal sense, that which puts motion to the three dimensional snapshot that is physical space and makes a movie of every individual life is encompassed in a saying I crafted years ago for my website. I just forgot to live it. It is a personal thing, and it goes like this, "Anticipate your future, live your present and for the past gather memories, as they are the threads by which you will judge the real value of your life." Thanks, Sam.Dick Bentonhttp://www.richardobenton.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-64042971860918730332012-12-19T15:36:43.305-08:002012-12-19T15:36:43.305-08:00Sage advice. There are two schools of thought abou...Sage advice. There are two schools of thought about the opening hook. One says they are pretentious and the writer inevitably fails to live up to the promise. I on the other hand love a well-written hook. I look forward to the gooseflesh when I read something surprising and know this author just grabbed me by the collar and is going to drag me deliriously excited through his roller coaster.samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-90070077879698616812012-12-19T15:31:37.603-08:002012-12-19T15:31:37.603-08:00Yes, it is unfortunate that small press can be jus...Yes, it is unfortunate that small press can be just as shady as any other business relationship in which a person places her trust. I am glad that you dove back in with a new novel. I firmly believe that we create our own reality, so keep seeing yourself succeeding. As Edison said, "I didn't fail one thousand times. The light bulb was an invention with a thousand steps." Good luck.samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-16817366419024552752012-12-19T13:16:50.147-08:002012-12-19T13:16:50.147-08:00I'm not that surprised that "It was a dar... I'm not that surprised that "It was a dark and stormy night" is not considered an original story opener, it's very cliche. When writing a story or anything really you want to start it with a literary hook, and generally a cliche is not the best way to grab your audience attention.<br /> I prefer writing short stories, so I won't be needing an agent anytime soon.<br /> Also it might be a good idea to consider any entries, both winning and rejected, made into a writing contest as background experience in your writing portfolio.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-76528937222167845022012-12-19T10:41:19.177-08:002012-12-19T10:41:19.177-08:00Back in 2007 I published my first novel through a ...Back in 2007 I published my first novel through a shady small press. Still, sales for my first book were decent. Then, life happened, and my writing took a backseat for a long time. Earlier this year, I basically started over again, and self published a new novel. I consider it my first novel even though it's not. I'm more determined than ever now not to let my writing take a backseat anymore. I'm not quite ready to query an agent yet. But thanks for the advice! Great post!Sherri Lackeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12574448009541412249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-5841692222095459272012-12-18T18:12:39.676-08:002012-12-18T18:12:39.676-08:00Wow! Excellent comment, Tim. You've obviously...Wow! Excellent comment, Tim. You've obviously done your homework.<br /><br />The main reason an agent is unnecessary for a first novel is to give the fledgling novelist experience with the business side of the industry and how to approach publishers. An agent will take a lot that out of your hands, and this is an area where you want to be strong. Also, it is extremely difficult for an unpublished novelist to land an agent (a reputable one, at least), because he hasn't proven himself yet. If this was your first novel and you already had a contract in hand, this might peak some interest for representation.<br /><br />Big publishers placing restrictions on writers moonlighting doesn't surprise me. I mean, you wouldn't expect Michael Jordan to suddenly start promoting Reebok. It protects the publisher from being auctioned off, as well.<br /><br />My advice for a first novel is to publish it through Kindle or a small press. (Some of the pros are going the small press route because they keep a higher percentage of sales.) Granted, the Kindle market is saturated, but that's where you learn everything you can about marketing. This will pull your book into the leader of the pack (with some luck too, as is always the case). The big houses notice high sales on Amazon. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me (sooner rather than later) that they don't start requiring new authors to provide a resume of Amazon sales to lessen the risk they are taking.<br /><br />Again, thanks.samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-57930765850916856652012-12-18T16:59:09.892-08:002012-12-18T16:59:09.892-08:00Why don't you need an agent for your first nov...Why don't you need an agent for your first novel?<br /><br />I may be ready to submit my novel in 2013, but I'm fortunate to have a few ins where I won't need an agent. One is from going to a writer's conference and getting a request to send, and the other is a place called Evolved Publishing, which doesn't use agents. It's "small press," but growing. Angry Robot Books also has a month where they accept unsolicited manuscripts, though I can't remember if that is recurring, or not. They've also gone from any genre, to fixed, with last year's being epic fantasy, I believe.<br /><br />All that said, I'm still not decided on agent or self publish. If it's good enough, I should be able to self publish and let word of mouth create a fan base that would garner the attention of a large publishing house once the right deal comes along (see Hugh Howey recently signing with Simon and Schuster).<br /><br />The question for me is whether I want to make an advance (assuming that would be it as a new author), or taking my chances self publishing and keeping all my rights.<br /><br />Have you heard about some of the restrictions big publishers put on your ability to write and sell other books while in their contract?<br /><br />The main draw to big publishing is the credibility inherent in their company on your title. You'd hope this means your book is on their website and newsletter, which may reach more readers than your circle of friends on Facebook.<br /><br />That's my two cents. Thankfully, I'm not at this point yet of needing an agent. Good advice, though, for someone who is.Tim Wardhttp://timothycward.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-87196777957321025772012-12-15T12:09:04.294-08:002012-12-15T12:09:04.294-08:00Thanks! My hope is that someone else will learn f...Thanks! My hope is that someone else will learn from my mistakes, see how dangerous procrastination really is. When I stumbled across your blog today, I thought it was really interesting. Some of those photos are breathtaking! I'll be back. :)samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-17970977709960771592012-12-15T11:53:31.640-08:002012-12-15T11:53:31.640-08:00You can't start over. Instead, you start from ...You can't start over. Instead, you start from this point and move forward. You definitely need to read more of my blog. LOL Seriously, I do write about how to start today and reach your dreams. I have always wanted to write and I wish I could go back and do LOTS of things differently, but we can't and...this is the biggie....We are who we are today because of what happened to us during all the yesterdays. Try not to be so hard on yourself. {{{hugsss}}}The Redhead Riterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15146525055317050737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-22793972887428690692012-09-30T20:15:53.220-07:002012-09-30T20:15:53.220-07:00Thank you, sir. I want to be just like you when I...Thank you, sir. I want to be just like you when I grow up.samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-41092029362834863132012-09-30T19:15:13.523-07:002012-09-30T19:15:13.523-07:00Sam is too hard on himself - he writes better than...Sam is too hard on himself - he writes better than a lot of people who have been paid to do it.<br /> ---the best friend.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00866018493316949448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-84561417320878503732012-09-16T06:34:59.348-07:002012-09-16T06:34:59.348-07:00Thank you, Danielle. And happy birthday!Thank you, Danielle. And happy birthday!samrvs2@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078782251545587807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-780366044814107349.post-21847508578703172762012-09-15T15:46:52.568-07:002012-09-15T15:46:52.568-07:00Awesome as usual! - DanielleAwesome as usual! - DanielleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com