Writing Books is Easy, Right?
by Kath Boyd Marsh
Ally is taking a break this week.
Here’s my chance to talk about how easy writing is.
Anybody can write a book. Right? Just scribble the story down and send it off to the publisher of your choice.
Not so much. But when I first started out, that’s exactly what I thought. Recently a friend sent the first un-proofread draft of his first book. Reading it brought back all the mistakes I made when I began writing. It made me think of the mountain of education I’ve acquired since.
Several weeks of silence from my friend tells me he didn’t really want the line edit I returned to him, or the suggestions I made. Mea Culpa.
But that is probably the first lesson I ever learned. Don’t send out your un-proofread first/rough draft. The phrase ‘rough draft’ is so important. It describes the first time I write out my stories, essays, whatever. It also refers to the second, third, and fourth time I revise that draft. When I share a draft, I only send what I truly believe is publishable. I’m at the stage where I need ‘fresh eyes’ to tell me what works and what needs work.
When I started writing, I was certain writing was natural and couldn’t be taught. I was wrong. I have gathered an education that turned me into a writer over the years. I found it at conferences, workshops, critique groups, courses run by writers, and the edits from my editors. While I learned, I submitted and got rejection after rejection. It took a long learning path to get me to a publishable manuscript.
Favorite Fun Fact for Fiction: An engaging protagonist is essential, whether likable or detestable. If the reader doesn’t want to know more about the protagonist, the reader will wander off and play video games. Giving the protagonist foibles and flaws is better than making her perfect. How else can she have a sense of humor or a terrible bad mood?
It’s a plus if your secondary characters are just as engaging. I love to make mine eccentric, really eccentric. In small doses, they don’t slow the action. And of course, they can add humor.
My favorite character fact: The antagonist needs to be as engaging as the hero. Years and years ago when I wrote the first draft of The Lazy Dragon, my villain was a cardboard figure, literally a shadow with no characteristic other than ‘villain.’ It took draft after draft to find the evil antagonist to drive my protagonists to their adventure and give them a real victory. Interesting and engaging adversaries make an interesting and engaging story.
I’ve rambled. I have a story to revise. Draft number: I’ve lost count. I promised to deliver this draft to my critique partner, because what else would she want to do when she's taking a break?
Not so much. But when I first started out, that’s exactly what I thought. Recently a friend sent the first un-proofread draft of his first book. Reading it brought back all the mistakes I made when I began writing. It made me think of the mountain of education I’ve acquired since.
Several weeks of silence from my friend tells me he didn’t really want the line edit I returned to him, or the suggestions I made. Mea Culpa.
But that is probably the first lesson I ever learned. Don’t send out your un-proofread first/rough draft. The phrase ‘rough draft’ is so important. It describes the first time I write out my stories, essays, whatever. It also refers to the second, third, and fourth time I revise that draft. When I share a draft, I only send what I truly believe is publishable. I’m at the stage where I need ‘fresh eyes’ to tell me what works and what needs work.
When I started writing, I was certain writing was natural and couldn’t be taught. I was wrong. I have gathered an education that turned me into a writer over the years. I found it at conferences, workshops, critique groups, courses run by writers, and the edits from my editors. While I learned, I submitted and got rejection after rejection. It took a long learning path to get me to a publishable manuscript.
Favorite Fun Fact for Fiction: An engaging protagonist is essential, whether likable or detestable. If the reader doesn’t want to know more about the protagonist, the reader will wander off and play video games. Giving the protagonist foibles and flaws is better than making her perfect. How else can she have a sense of humor or a terrible bad mood?
It’s a plus if your secondary characters are just as engaging. I love to make mine eccentric, really eccentric. In small doses, they don’t slow the action. And of course, they can add humor.
My favorite character fact: The antagonist needs to be as engaging as the hero. Years and years ago when I wrote the first draft of The Lazy Dragon, my villain was a cardboard figure, literally a shadow with no characteristic other than ‘villain.’ It took draft after draft to find the evil antagonist to drive my protagonists to their adventure and give them a real victory. Interesting and engaging adversaries make an interesting and engaging story.
I’ve rambled. I have a story to revise. Draft number: I’ve lost count. I promised to deliver this draft to my critique partner, because what else would she want to do when she's taking a break?
About the Author:
Before children's author Kath Boyd Marsh moved to Pennsylvania to write about dragons, wizards, and other fantastic creatures, she lived in eight states, Panama, and one very haunted house.
The Lazy Dragon and the Bumblespells Wizard (CBAYBooks.blog) was her debut novel. Visit her and the dragons at KathBoydMarshauthor.com.
Contacts:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmarshfen
Website: http://kathboydmarshauthor.com
Blog: http://Kath-LettersfromEarth.blogspot.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kath-Boyd-Marsh/e/B01LVUP8KU
Before children's author Kath Boyd Marsh moved to Pennsylvania to write about dragons, wizards, and other fantastic creatures, she lived in eight states, Panama, and one very haunted house.
The Lazy Dragon and the Bumblespells Wizard (CBAYBooks.blog) was her debut novel. Visit her and the dragons at KathBoydMarshauthor.com.
Contacts:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmarshfen
Website: http://kathboydmarshauthor.com
Blog: http://Kath-LettersfromEarth.blogspot.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kath-Boyd-Marsh/e/B01LVUP8KU
Kath's Books:
The Lazy Dragon and the Bumblespells Wizard-http://amzn.to/2c6IOH4,
Dragon Bonded- https://amzn.to/2MMNhhF
The Pendragon Crystal from the Dragons and Witches anthology- http://amzn.to/2nOX8tv)
Perilous Princesses- https://amzn.to/2In05gn .
Bubbles and Smush: Closet Monsters - https://amzn.to/2mW7OrJ
Bubbles and Smush: Trick or Treats- https://amzn.to/2mWjf2C
Bubbles and Smush: Dragon Rescue: https://amzn.to/2lQSRas
Dragon Bonded- https://amzn.to/2MMNhhF
The Pendragon Crystal from the Dragons and Witches anthology- http://amzn.to/2nOX8tv)
Perilous Princesses- https://amzn.to/2In05gn .
Bubbles and Smush: Closet Monsters - https://amzn.to/2mW7OrJ
Bubbles and Smush: Trick or Treats- https://amzn.to/2mWjf2C
Bubbles and Smush: Dragon Rescue: https://amzn.to/2lQSRas
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