Comments on: What’s All This Nonsense About Craft?

By: Jennifer Hayward

Jennifer Hayward — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 16:43:37 +0000

In reply to Jackie Ashenden. You have to do what works for you! I've heard Deb speak too and she is amazing!!

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 20:00:38 +0000

In reply to Jennifer Hayward. Hi Jennifer, you know I've never actually read it. I find reading craft books doesn't work for me but having someone explain it does! Weird...

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 19:59:36 +0000

In reply to Jill Q.. Jill, a lot of what I do is instinctual but I DO love writing alpha males. I shall do a post! They are a most misunderstood kind of beast IMHO...

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 19:55:34 +0000

In reply to Erica Hearns.

Hi Erica, ugh, yes, I break out into a cold sweat when I think of synopses and pitches etc. I don’t know of a single writer who doesn’t to be honest. But sure, I can do a post on synopses/pitch writing – at least share what I’ve learned. 🙂

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 19:52:44 +0000

In reply to Jan Vanengen.

Hey Jan, yeah, those organizations can give you lots of support too, not just craft stuff. Definitely re the character stuff – in fact for me, that’s the most important part. You’re amazing, btw. Keep writing!

By: Jennifer Hayward

Jennifer Hayward — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 17:33:42 +0000

Great post Jackie! I don’t ever start a book without Deb Dixon’s Goal Motivation and Conflict by my side 🙂 I would feel naked!

By: Jill Q.

Jill Q. — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 18:08:59 +0000

I have a love/hate relationship with the Alpha hero! I’m always worried mine aren’t Alpha enough. I think I’m starting to get better and learn little tricks (change his questions into definitive statements, have him be decisive instead of waffling on a decision), but I think I still need help. ;=)
Maybe it’s hard to give advice on something that is more instinctual, but I’m always interested in what writers have to say about their take on the Alpha male, especially when it seems to come naturally to some people where truthfully, I think I tend to write women in pants and have to go through the book and give them a sex change 😉

By: Erica Hearns

Erica Hearns — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 16:40:51 +0000

Thank you so much for this! As a former pantser who is writing her first novel using an outline for NaNoWriMo, I feel your pain. I am not looking forward to doing a synopsis or query letter, either. I’ve taken classes and have a good foundation in basic crafting, but those things that are necessary to sell a manuscript–query letter, synopsis, pitch, etc.– make me break out in a cold sweat. Explaining my hooks, trying to mask a lack of publishing credentials, and having to outline exactly what I’ve done from start to finish is more than a little intimidating. It’s kept me from submitting for years. Any resources on these areas is greatly appreciated.

By: Jan Vanengen

Jan Vanengen — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 06:04:29 +0000

Thanks Jackie I am beginning to see what I need to do is learn my craft, joining a writers’ group, joined RWA and you are so right, I have ideas and just write but you do need to know your characters inside out, where they are going and why. I am learning, it has taken my brain this long to catch up and finally feel I could go somewhere with this something I have been doing since 16 which helped with my dyslexia etc, however most of all I love writing. 🙂