Cara's Cabinet of Themes and Curiosities
Best of AAC. A collection of ravels and unravels, combed feed, and worthwhile nuggets plucked from many sources here at AAC. Cara carefully selects only the best and presents them in an array certain to illuminate and entertain... Cara comments also. We can't get enough!
Ready to Get Published? Part I
Ready to Get Published? Part II
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The last three weeks have been interesting for sure. I took my kids on vacation, which resulted in me taking a vacation from writing. I enjoyed being unplugged from my keyboard and so did my kids. In this newly found freedom from the keyboard, my wife approached me with, “Hey, I need some help at work. Do you want to come?” My wife is a paranormal investigator and works for a company that runs ghost hunting events. I have gone with her before but this time it felt different. My creative juices started to flow. So, we left to first stay at an abandoned asylum and then at a historical landmark on the East Coast. For those of us who have experienced an unusual or …
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As writers, we all know the tried and true formula for building protagonists. We also know that the story is driven by choices the protagonist makes and their consequences. But how does the protagonist make those decisions? How do you depict the internal struggle of choice? It is important for readers to not only recognize these transformations but also understand how the story's events affected the characters. The writer must make the implicit explicit otherwise the reader can not infer character traits or recognize a character's growth across a story. The reader must be aware of the underlying reasons of why the character changed. Of course, there is a formula for that…
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A villain, or as writers say, the antagonist, has goals and actions which challenge the protagonist, the hero. Together, the hero and the villain drive the storyline. A villain, unlike a hero, is frequently driven by a desire to perform acts of cruelty and depravity. They are the story's hostile force, challenging your hero and creating the tension. But what does it take to make a great villain? Most great villains have a set of features. First, a villain must have a strong bond with the hero. Their innate antagonism to them aids in the development of the hero's character. Second, every villain must have his own set of morals. If a villa…
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When writing your manuscript, you are supposed to write it in chronological sequence, right? The events of the narrative are retold in the sequence in which they occurred in the story. We trace the cause and effect of each event and the results of each event until we get to an endpoint that leaves the reader satisfied. But what if you want to modify the timeline of a narrative and retell the events in a different order than they occurred in the original story? Hmmm…a nonlinear timeline? Preposterous! But there are a variety of reasons why a writer can choose to narrate a narrative out of chronological sequence. Let’s look at them. Nonlinear timelines s…
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"Third-person point of view" refers to the way we describe events in a work of fiction or nonfiction through the use of third-person pronouns such as "he," "she," and "them." Third-person point of view may be divided into categories: 1. Third-person objective: The facts of a story are conveyed by an observer or recorder who seems to be unbiased and impersonal in his or her reporting. 2. An omniscient third-person narrator not only provides the facts, but he or she may also interpret them and describe the thoughts and feelings of the characters. 3. A narrator who provides the facts and analyzes events from the perspective of a single character is referred …
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Recently, I wrote about log lines. Remember those? The one to two sentence summaries that draws the reader in and describes the major tension of the tale? I’m sure you do and if you are like me and the rest of the writers out there you know that the finest loglines stand out, grab our attention, and are brief. I am placing emphasis on brief because it’s the most significant portion. Why? Because, it's crucial to focus on the key elements that make your characters and story unique. Not only that, but since your story only exists in your mind’s eye, you must set up the goal and how your character will achieve it. Did I mention you should do it in two sentences? C…
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With the seasons changing, I have started to emerge from my winter routine and return to my porch sitting and coffee drinking in the mornings. This morning there was a fox in my yard. He was happily frolicking until he saw a bunny. Then, to my surprise, he played with the bunny. I thought to myself that the bunny would surely hop away, but it didn’t. I thought he would run under the eight-foot monstrous fence my neighbor put up to keep the fox, deer, and other woodland creatures out, but he didn’t. Instead, it stood there, while the fox swatted it and sniffed it. He was passive about the entire situation and resided on whatever was to happen would happen. There was no ac…
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If one of your objectives is to begin submitting your masterpiece to the marketplace, you'll come across terms like "hook," "logline," and "pitch" along the way. The terminology originates in the film business, but we use them in the book industry as well. So, what are they? Are they're catchy phrases for a synopsis? No, not at all. Although the lines between the two are frequently blurred, these are the fundamentals: LOGLINE is a concept that was traditionally reserved for scripts, but has recently begun to make its way into the literary realm. It comprises of one or two phrases stating the story's premise. That's it. Short sweet and to the point. A HOOK, on the othe…
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The final step towards obtaining literary representation is – you guessed it – obtaining literary representation. Once you've completed your writing project and wrote up your query letter, the next step is to seek the elusive agent. Querying agents is when you send an email with your pitch to the people you believe will be the best representatives of your work to the publishing industry. The procedure should not be nearly as intimidating as writing the manuscript itself – but it does not imply that you should rush through it without giving it careful consideration. Initial impressions are extremely important, and the agent querying procedure is the greatest illustrat…
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Last week I talked about a book pre-launch and some of the recommended steps for making it a success. So, let's have a look at a few ideas for putting together a public book reading that will truly impress your audience, so when it comes time for the reading, not only will you be well-prepared and find it more pleasurable, but you will also be able to really shine! https://algonkianconferences.com/authorconnect/index.php?/topic/19691-event-tips-n’-tricks-for-the-vain-shallow-andor-insecure/#comment-27894
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Whatever year it is, what's going on in the world, or what the latest marketing fad is, your book launch has just one genuine goal: to sell books. The goal of your book launch is to reach the readers who will gain the most from it. Why? Because those are the people who will be interested. They'll be the ones talking about it, reviewing it, and sharing it. Those readers are crucial in ensuring that your work receives the attention it deserves. Cool new marketing tricks and sponsored advertising have their place, but the best—and most effective—promotion you can ask for is word-of-mouth advertising from your own readers. That's why the most successful book launches focus on…
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I am not a football fan. I don’t understand it. To me, it looks like a bunch of people mottled together on a field chasing a brown fly. I am not like that with all sports. I am an avid wrestling and MMA fan, but football never spoke to me the way wrestling and MMA did. So while other people are preparing platters, trays, and snacks for parties, I am typing away honing my thoughts on why I never joined in the football fanaticism. Much like authorship, I realized that it had to do with how I perceive individualization and relevance. As authors, we strive for both. We want our unique voice and to persevere over time, just like wrestling and the martial arts have. …
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The construction of a romantic suspense book is key to keeping readers engaged. In a romance book, the protagonists' emotions, wants, doubts, and personalities are the building blocks of the love tale. Conversely, a suspense novel builds tension piece by piece by using facts, innuendo, atmosphere, and action. When you combine the two, you get a romantic suspense novel. Sounds easy,? Not so. The blending of the two must yield a multi-layered tale in which seemingly unrelated threads are intertwined, not just two storylines running parallel. Readers expect a romance novel to have a continuous, evolving relationship between the covers. Between the pages of a suspense story, …
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I was sitting at home during our Blizzard of 2022 in the Northeast channel surfing. I got bored of hearing the hazardous conditions, so I moved on. This time I found a channel talking about hazardous conditions that affect writers, readers, and society in general. The surge of book banning for objectionable content. It appears that people abandoned their pretensions to be protectors of free speech in the wake of the rush to suppress “alternative agendas”. It was startling. Further, most people interviewed in the segment felt that some required school reading was part of a bigger campaign against them meant to degrade their child’s moral fabric. I was blown away. Now, this…
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Wrestling season is in full swing. If anyone out there lives with wrestlers, you would know it takes commitment, discipline and a huge support system. I have two wrestlers in my home and have been there for every weigh-in, win, loss and injury. Recently, I was at one of my son’s tournaments and I watched him on the mat. He pinned the first match, loss by decision the second, then loss by pin in the last. Afterward, we packed up and went home for a steak dinner because win or lose; he wrestled his heart out, and he had to do it again this week. As I drove home, I thought about how my boys’ wrestling career was like writing. Where else do you voluntar…
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My last post was my take on revision, but what's the difference between revising and editing, exactly? "Self-editing" is a term used to describe the process of revising. When you sit down to review your first draft, you will make a list of the things you would like to modify. This is referred to as the revision process. Editing is the process of hiring someone to provide a professional viewpoint to a piece of writing and ensure that it is clear and accessible to others. You must understand the distinction in order to know what to do and in what sequence to do it. Initially, you revise (work on it yourself until you've made it as excellent as you possibly can), and then yo…
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It’s done. You finally finished that first draft after weeks, months, or even years of work. It was certainly difficult, and you probably pulled out your hair a few times, but it’s done. Hopefully, you took the time to rejoice, because now comes the unpleasant half of the process. The revision. If you are like me, then the purpose of the first draft of your story is to finish and complete the story arc. It won’t be perfect because, by definition, it’s a draft. The characters need to be developed some more, and the world building needs tweaking, but the bones are good. With a revision, your aim is to produce the best version of your tale im…
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Since the beginning of the pandemic, the coronavirus has put important life events such as weddings, anniversary celebrations, rites of passage, family gatherings, graduation ceremonies and retirement parties on hold. This holiday season, even though the nation was open for business, people were sick, parties were canceled, and businesses shuttered due to lack of staff. In my area, 30% of Broadway plays are closed due to illness, subway lines are shut, and so are some big box retailers. I was in awe of the lines of people attempting to get a COVID test and even more in awe of the fact emergency medical clinics were closed due to COVID outbreaks within the clinic itself. M…
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Everyone has a point in time where advice was bestowed upon them, and they never forgot it. They refer to it and pass it on and on. To me, the best advice ever given was when I asked for someone to give me an opinion about a manuscript chapter and they uttered, “So what?”. I remembered my reply too. “I beg your pardon?” To write a compelling novel, you must not only come up with an intriguing idea, believable characters, high stakes, and conflict that propels the protagonist toward his objective, but you must also understand how to create a scene that compels readers—and fill your book with them. That is far more difficult than many people believe. When creating a scene, …
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I have been working closely with a lot of aspiring writers and when we get down to the nitty gritty of their writing, the fundamental question I ask them is “What is driving your main character?”. Why? Because the notion of a protagonist originates in Ancient Greek theater, where the phrase originally meant "the performer of the first part or the principal actor”. Today, we define a protagonist as a character who drives the story's plot, pursues its principal goal, and changes or grows throughout the course of it. By the start of each novel, the protagonist sets out to attain a certain goal; at the conclusion, they have either accomplished their objective or failed to do …
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I caught myself committing the cardinal sin of writers. I said, “I’m about 25K words away from finishing my novel.” YIKES! I have no idea what possessed me to say that. Maybe I was tired. Who knows? Everyone knows that your novel is never done. The arc may be complete, the tale could be concluded, and the characters' journeys have been completed. Everything could fit in together like a beautiful tapestry; however, the novel hasn't even begun yet. I have to edit and polish it until it is ready to be given to at least two no-nonsense beta readers who will tear it apart. Only for me to start the process all over again. But for those of us, including myself, who have m…
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As if turning fifty wasn’t bad enough, a friend I have known for decades asked me to read her manuscript and give my opinion; at my birthday celebration, no less. If it was anyone else, I would not have thought twice about it, but I know my friend is not open to feedback. The only reaction she expected from me was positive and she would meet anything that was remotely constructive or critical, with defensiveness and a subsequent line of questioning that would attempt to dismantle my recommendations. Alas, my friend is a thin-skinned writer, but I hesitantly agreed. I hoped for the best but prepared for the worst and I’m glad I did. As I ran my hand through my h…
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This month I had a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful for individuals who wanted to read my work and provided ideas that I am most grateful for as a writer. I am thankful for the extra sets of eyes that went over my manuscripts. Their feedback made all the difference. I appreciated all the positive comments from others. I even appreciate the criticism. The criticism allowed me to see a tale or poetry in an altogether different light than I would have without it. My readers have helped me view the world in a way that allows me to see beauty in everything, even the most mundane events of life. I am grateful for that ability. I am mostly thankful because I'm writing—that…
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It is almost here. Winter. I don’t know about you but winter effects my writing and not in a nice way, either. There are more reasons to stay indoors, and I should be grateful that it is finally getting colder, and those temperatures are no longer in the 80s or higher. At the very least, I would anticipate that they would be my ideal writing conditions. However, once winter has maintained its chilly hold, and summer appears to be a distant memory I wonder if I will ever make any progress toward my writing. If you’re anything like me I’m here to tell you to please, don't quit. Just keep writing! Hey, we are all writers and I know I'm exhausted. I don't want t…
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When you hear from a critic or agent that your characters do not feel 'real' or 'genuine', it is a strike to the gut that sits with you for a long time. It can be one of the most heartbreaking criticisms you may get. It's possible that you haven't noticed it in your own work, but as a reader, you have definitely come across characters that are completely unreal, and not in a good manner. It’s the difference between keeping a book on your nightstand or shoving it way in the back of your bookshelf. If you're a fiction writer, you want your work to be as true to the source material as possible. While there are many different definitions of "authenticity," we define it as the…
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