Holly Lisle's Writers' Boot CampsHolly Lisle's Writers' Boot Camps

The Thrill of Victory

Pearannoyed — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:31 +0000

Being published or seeing their name on the best seller list are the things that every aspiring writer dreams of. Those are the dreams that all of us share. But they are far from being the only measure of success for writers.

Being a successful writer begins with the daily victory of putting your butt in the chair and getting words on the page. And one of the most important milestones is completing your first first draft. Anyone who has finished a novel-length draft – overcoming fear, doubt, writer’s block, hand cramps, and, occasionally, the ridicule of those who ought to be supporters and armor-bearers – has achieved something great. They have gotten to the end.

Two of Holly’s students have announced the completion of their first novels recently. If you want to share in the celebration, offer congratulations, or just soak up some inspiration for your own writing, you can find one thread on the Short Course Eureka! Board, and the other on the HTTS Eureka! Board. Both boards can be accessed by all members, and read by the public.

Chocolate, champagne, and confetti for everyone!

How many words are too many?

Texanne — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:09 +0000

Traditional publishing is very serious about word count. If the maximum for the genre you’re writing is 95,000 words, you shouldn’t expect to place a first novel that weighs in at 140,000 words.

How do you find out or figure out the desired length for the various genres and publishers? How do you figure out what your manuscript’s word count is? Hint: the handy dandy word counter in your word processor might give you a very wrong guess.

How do you proceed if your novel is too long and you can’t cut it? Hmm?

HTRYN members, log in and go here to get in on the discussion.

Why Everyone Shouldn’t Like You

Texanne — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:00:50 +0000

It’s about integrity.

Who are you? What do you love? What do you believe in? How do you see the world?

Are you writing stories that are true to you, to your understanding of the world, to your ideals?

Then some readers are not going to like you. But the ones who do will be the readers worth keeping. Changing yourself, writing what you think will appeal to “a broader audience,” is a sure-fire recipe for Writer Unhappiness.

Members log in and go to Mugging the Muse to join the conversation. Sometimes seeing another writer’s list can inspire you to understand your own.

What’s in a Theme?

marti-v — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:26 +0000

Are you struggling with the theme of your novel? You’re not alone.

The definitions I’ve found all feel a little slippery, so maybe it’s not surprising that there are so many of us with questions.

According to Terry Bain, theme “is the container for your story” and likens it to a cup or vessel that shapes the plot, characters, dialogue, setting, voice, and everything else. Is that a helpful metaphor?

Members log in and check out the HTTS discussion on this topic. You can get some good insights here.

Why note the non-sucky parts of a first draft?

Texanne — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:26 +0000

The first week of How to Revise Your Novel is one of many weeks of triage. In addition to finding and noting passages that disappoint in terms of character and plot, the reviser is required to find and note passages that perform well.

What? Why bother to make a note of the good stuff?

Why, indeed? Sounds like nothing but busywork.

Still, there must be a reason, because Holly included it. Turns out, there are more reasons than you might think.

HTRYN members, log in and go here to see and respond to this discussion.

Learning is a Writer’s Process, Too.

Texanne — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:00:33 +0000

Here at Holly Lisle’s Novel Writers’ Boot Camps we are all writers and we are all students.

Writers need to pay attention to their processes, so they can reproduce the successful parts of it and leave behind the parts that didn’t work so well.

Students, also, must form processes for learning. In this discussion, one student shares her process for exploring and working through the lessons in How to Think Sideways.

HTTS members, log in and go here to join the conversation.

Are you a thin drafter or a thick one?

Texanne — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:00:10 +0000

Some writers blaze through a first draft, setting up dialogue and action, barely noting scenery or emotion, while others mosey through their first draft, paying close attention to everything.

Both have to hit specific word counts for the genre they’re writing in.

The ones who write thin have to add words during the revision, while the ones who write thick have to turn loose of same.

Which is the more efficient process? Can you switch your draft process just because the other way looks easier?

HTRYN members, log in and go here to join the discussion.

Tell-Tale Signs of the Writer

Texanne — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:00:48 +0000

You know you’re a writer when:

It’s easy for a visitor to spot your favorite chair–it’s the one with multi-colored ink stains on the armrests.

You stare into space and have silent arguments with people no one else can see–yet.

Or–

Go here and get the best “You know you’re a writer” story in ages.

How Much Is Enough?

marti-v — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:00:50 +0000

HtTS students want to know: How many projects could (or should) a writer have going at once? The responses are varied and interesting.

And it’s the usual answer : it all depends … Take a look here.

Bucket Full of Goals

Texanne — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:00:49 +0000

What do you want to do before you die? Visit Poe’s grave, see Gutenberg’s press, travel Steinbeck country, write enough poems for a book, write fifty notable short stories, go through astronaut training?

Think of 20 things that would add value, sparkle, depth, or just plain old fun to your life–things that are special to you because you’re a writer.

HTTS members, log in and go here to chime in.