Teaching an Online Class

I took a class a while ago and it’s really been bothering me. Let’s just say, it did not go smoothly. Or well. Nor do I think anyone learned anything. And so, in this world where online classes pop up everywhere, I have a few things to say. (I know, you’re shocked.)

First off:  There is more to teaching than dumb luck.

Just because you were successful at something, doesn’t mean you can teach it. I’m begging you. Please. Don’t.

That said, let’s look at some of the things that make a successful Online Class:

1. Clear Description — The description of the class before students register should be clear enough that they know what they’re paying for… And what they’re not.
2. Class Syllabus –  Cut down on worry and questions by having an outline of what’s covered when. Often people are anxious to get to their own questions. If they know the section they signed up for is coming, they can relax and wait…and not get the class off topic.
3. Introduction– Introductions need to go both ways.
   1. Be clear during introductions who you are, what you bring to the table, and how you work
   2. If you’re doing group introductions (and I really think you should), be clear what you want them to tell you
4. Schedule — Classes should happen on assigned days by a certain (pre-stated) time. Remember, if you’re on the west coast, east coast people are up waiting to get the class. Please be considerate. Also, when you miss the deadline, part of your credibility disappears.
5. Ground Rules — You are the moderator as well as the teacher. In your first post (with the Syllabus and Introductions) set up ground rules of how the class will function, how/when input can be given, privacy rules and treatment –as well as consequences. Yes, most of these shouldn’t even need to be said, but say them.
6. Posting the Classes –Most online classes are still being done on loops. There are a couple ways to make this work:
   1. Send the class in an email and post it in the files section
   2. Send a notice that the class is posted in the files section
   3. Yes, always post the class in the files section – You don’t know what it’s going to do in email AND the participants paid for the class. They should be able to download them.
7. Numbering — Make sure the class & homework numbers match up. So, Class #1 and Homework #1 go together. If there’s not going to be homework for every class, think about coming up with titles instead of numbers.
8. Number of Students – Limit this. Know how many people you can juggle, how much homework you can read, how many people giving input you can handle…and what’s best for the class. Be ready to say no. This class had over 60 people in it. The teacher regularly responded to 6. Others were out-and-out ignored. Questions went unanswered. When one person asked something, the teacher actually said, “I answered a similar question for (one of the blessed 6) yesterday. Please go find it and review”… The person’s question was actually a follow-up to that. Needless to say, participation plummeted after that.
9. You’re available — For goodness sake, do not agree to do a class while you are on deadline, vacation, moving, changing jobs, or any other pre-calendared thing. Telling the class does not make it okay for you to be unavailable. These people paid money to learn from you.
10. Listen to the Question — Don’t just give the answer to the question you want them to ask. Answer the question they actually asked. Yes, there might be follow-up. But you’re there to teach. Not to humor people…which brings us to #11
11. Leveling — Understand people are at different levels, be prepared to talk about different levels of your topic.

Almost all of this can be planned and taken care of before the class even begins. If you’re writing the classes as you go (I don’t mean tweaking them for clarity. I mean writing them.) you’re already behind. Go in planning for success.

Remember, not only is your name on the class, but whichever group you’re giving it through. I know I’ll never take another class through this chapter — I don’t believe they have the discernment to pick good teachers. So, don’t be that teacher.

kk,
Bria

 

FWIS: How To Make A Hero

FWIS (From Where I Stand) is a monthly piece I’m collaborating on with Abby Mumford & Jessica Corra… all three of us are YA writers in different places in our journeys. Check out their links for this months FWIS from their point of view!

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Everyone loves a hero. I mean, seriously – who doesn’t? Women love to swoon. Guys love to fist-bump over some hero’ish move. Kids plaster posters on their walls. Old men talk about the heroes who shaped them.

But, writing one? That’s another story.

You see, something I learned right away (well, right away from readers) was that, your hero can betooperfect. I think as women, we often go that route. We create what (to us) is the perfect man. Even the “flawed hero” is often times too perfect. His flaw even adds to that.

So, let’s take a look at a couple things you may need to consider to make your hero truer (that’s a word. seriously. it is.)

ONE: Perfection!

Come on. We’ve all done it. We’ve created the perfect guy to be our hero. Only, a hero who is perfect is not a perfect hero.

The perfect hero is someone we believe could be real. He’s wonderful because there’s a chance -not matter how slim- that he could walk through that door at any second.

*glances at the door*

Ok, well… Maybe tomorrow.

A real guy doesn’t do all the right things. He doesn’t show love in every way possible.

To break this (not so) vicious cycle, I implemented the TL3 (Two Love Languages Law). If you don’t have the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, you need to pick it up. At this point, there are so many copies out there in the world, you can grab it for a buck or two at most used bookstores.

And then, pick two. If you pick Gifts and Words of Affirmation, every time your hero does an Act of Service, delete it. If your hero is to perfect, don’t replace it with something else. Just delete it.

Trust me. I’m not kidding. It works.

Let’s just say, in my first book, the hero drugs and kidnaps and underage girl (he’s just of age, she’s just under) and all my readers thought this was acceptable because he was So Great. No. Don’t lose your powerful moments and chances for redemption because your heroes romantic actions outweigh his life actions.

TWO: What’s the Problem, Joe?

The hero needs a problem. (I mean, any protag needs a problem, but really. The hero needs one.)

How many times have you read a romance and the heroine was  a complete mess and the hero was perfect. No issues. No problems with her mess. Handled everything perfectly.

That’s not a good read. That’s annoying. At the end of those books I wonder why he’s with her. The problem has got to come out soon because no guy is going to put up with all that crap. I’ll admit, I’m sick to death of the heroine being unemployed, stupid, confused, lost in life, having family issues, in debt, living out of her car, etc and this wealthy, successful, handsome, kind, generous, funny, smart, rescues-kittens-from-trees on his way to a business meeting hero is like, OH! Yes! HER! The woman who can’t even drive to the grocery story without having an emotional breakdown. I’ll take her.

There needs to be some balance. Make sure both sides of the relationship have something to over come.

To me, the formula should be: (Hero + His issues) + (Heroine + Her Issues) + Something They Over Come collectively = Strong Romance.

THREE: He’s Hot

Some of my favorite heroes are hot in surprising ways. It’s not how they look, it’s how they are. You know that saying, “Beauty is skin deep” – well, make sure with your hero hot goes all the way through.

FOUR: Growth

All of those add up to a hero who comes out better ont he other side. If he doesn’t, you need to go back and look at the first two. He needs to grow. He needs to be more than just the prize.

Hey, women don’t want to be the prize, they want to be a partner. Don’t flip the stereotype. Keep your hero on an upward momentum of awesomeness. Keep the challenges coming (and him overcoming) and keep the heroine forcing him to stay on his toes.

There you go, you just deleted all the cookie-cutter stuff and made a hero who will win hearts.

kk,
~Bria

10 Minute Mentor: Learning How to Write

I was a member of RWA since the second I decided to start writing. Ok, the day after the second I decided to start writing. It’s a funny story. It’s on the blog somewhere and one day I’ll dredge it up again.

But, not the point.

The point is, as soon as I decided to start writing again, I joined one of the most reputable writers’ groups out there.

RWA immediately started giving me the tools I need to get to the next level (and helped me define “the next level”) as well as the support to get me there. I did a fast list once on what I got from RWA HERE. That’s the off the top of my head list, but you get the point.

I just started listening to the RWA 2011 conference MP3s. I thought there’d be a lot there for me to skip. I mean, I’ve heard it all before, right? It’s stuff I’ve learned. Those first, entry-level talks that I thought I could skip? Well, they’ve been gems. Amazing.

I find myself saying, I knew that. I knew that, right? a lot. Some of it I’m already doing and hadn’t realized it had become second nature. Some of it I’d started doing and forgotten. Some of it had never penetrated this thick skull of mine.

And so, as you grow, do not forget that no level is behind you. When you climb that ladder to the next level, every wrung you climb is held together by the one below it as much as the one above it. By looking back, you’re making a stronger base. By looking forward, you’re making a stronger plan.

You can’t move up without both.

Writing Your Query

This is often the last step before your manuscript goes out the door.

Let’s be honest, by the last step of anything you’re typically ready to be done with it. Because of this, when you hear people talk about query (and synopsis) writing, the conversation typically sounds more barrier focused than marketing focus.

And that’s exactly what your query is: The first step in your book marketing.

With the whole re-boot of the 10 Minute Mentor, one of the suggestions was to discuss query letters.

Last year I did a blog on the similarities between reading cover letters/resumes and query letters/partials. If you ever follow my twitter #getthejob hashtag, you know I’ve got this down to a science. I trust that agents have their sourcing down to a science too. The secret is to getting past the first two glances (which studies on the resume end show are typically done in under 6 seconds. I assume it’s pretty darn close for agents as well) and into the third look.

Here are my suggestions:

ONE: Content

Just like the book, info dumps are bad. When people ask me to look at their query before they send it, that’s typically the first thing I notice. It’s also typically the first thing I do when writing my own.

That’s 1000005.7% okay for the first draft. You need to get it all out. But, it’s not going to fly for the final query.

After writing the info dump, I put each piece of information on an index card. Then I play the hierarchy game. Cards get weeded out as “secondary” or “important, but not a selling point” or “detail” — that’s my own personal demon. The Detail. And I see it in a lot of queries too.

If the detail isn’t going to sell the book, set it aside.

This might be something you do in reverse. Don’t know how to start the query? Grab those index cards (or if you’re a plotter, your summary/outline) and start highlighting!

TWO: Process

After working your content, set the query aside just like you would a manuscript. You need fresh eyes for this just as much as you need it for any other writing.

When you come back, you’re definitely going to tweak it. If you don’t, question that.

Then ask people who have read/discussed this project to read it. Incorporate any feedback.

This last step is one I think too many people skip: Have at least 2 people who have not read or discussed the project read the query. Remember, agents won’t have sat around sipping coffee and discussing your work with you. They come in blind.

Good questions to ask those blind readers:

• What do you think the hook is?
• What do you think the book is about?
• Is there anything that was confusing or unclear?
• Do you think I should play something up more?
• Did it flow?

These are your most valuable readers. Listen to them

THREE: Set up (not the blind date kind)

LEVEL ONE, the open: Make sure you have your salutation correct. The name is correct. It’s spelled correctly. If you’re doing Mr./Ms. you have the right gender.

LEVEL ONE-A, the secondary open: In the opening paragraph, I’ve heard a lot of agents say “personalize it so I know why you’re querying me.” A note about this: Unless you really have a reason to personalize it, I’d jump right to the good stuff. Also, be careful how you personalize it. This can bite you in the bottom. If you never met the person, don’t claim you did.

Whatever you do, do not invoke one of their writer’s names (see #AgentRec). Trust me, if the writer gave you a recommendation, the agent knows before your query hits their in-box.

LEVEL TWO, The previously mentioned “good stuff”:  Dive directly into your query. Don’t ask a question, or soft step into it. Line one: Your Hook.

Agent’s know why they’re receiving your query. You don’t need to tell them. It’s like pulling up to the Wendy’s drive-thru speaker and saying, “I’m here because I know you make and sell cheeseburgers. I’d like to purchase a cheeseburger. Here is the cheeseburger I’d like to purchase” before telling them your order.

LEVEL THREE, the bio: Yes. Have a bio. Include any pertinent information, writing group memberships, previous writing experience (You’re querying a YA but you used to write for a newspaper? Still valid.) This should be one paragraph unless you a previously published author.

If you are previously published also include links to your listed books’ sales sites. Save them the google.

LEVEL FOUR, the sign off: Thank them for their time. Don’t make any assumptions you’ll hear from them. Make yourself easy to contact:

Sincerely,
Real Name
Writing as: Pen Name (if applicable)
Website
Phone Number

They have your email (they’re looking at it) and they’re most likely not going to snail mail you anything. Leave the sign off looking clean.

FOUR: Mailing it

Follow the directions. Follow the directions. Follow the directions.

If you set it up ahead of time and it’s been awhile, recheck the directions.

Then follow the directions.

Don’t attach anything unless your query is in response to a pitch request and they ask you too (or, if that’s what’s in the directions.)

Also, follow the directions.

Personally, I BCCd myself on all my queries and put them in a special folder. This allowed me to check things quickly if I was somewhere I couldn’t get to my tracking spreadsheet but needed to respond to a follow-up question. It helped twice.

FIVE: Forget about it

Work on the next thing. This will keep you from being Crazy Refresh Woman. It will also be awesome when an agent calls you and one of  the questions she asks is, “What else do you have” and you can honestly answer that you’re currently working on ABC.

Remember, querying is just the first step. You’re going to get a lot of No Thank Yous. I hear about people giving up all the time after a small number (like 7 or 8). Start preparing yourself to not care. Yup. Do Not Care. A no is someone saying you aren’t a good match. That means, she’s not a good match for you either.

Wanting one of those agents to sign you is like wanting to marry that guy you’re really, really glad broke up with you…but you only realized it a year later.

So, good luck and don’t panic.

kk,
~Bria

Recommending a Writer to Your Agent

I’m not going to do the double work, but it was so popular on twitter that I thought I’d put a little post here too.

Today I tweeted about what it takes to have me recommend your work to The Laird. I’ll be honest, it almost never happens, but if you want to know what writers think about before taking that step, check out #AgentRec on twitter.

What started as 9 “quick tweets” turned into a little bit of a Q&A. I’ll take follow-up questions on twitter if anyone has them tonight.

 

Pen Name PSA

I’ve been to 7 writerly things in the last 1.5 months. At every event I’ve seen the same thing happen — and it shocked me every single time.

Sometimes it came from readers or bloggers, but sometimes it came from other writers *who should know better.* It’s a question that is not only rude but can put an author’s livelihood at jeopardy:

Is that a pen name?

First off, if I had a pen name, I’d have a REALLY good reason for it. Life is too complicated to balance multiple personalities. I never know how to introduce one of my friends. After those awkward, I’ll just let her introduce herself moments got out of hand, she finally said, “If the person is a friend, feel free to give them my real name.”

I hate having to make that call for something she feels strongly about. I finally just decided to introduce her to everyone as her pen name.

Beyond that, people have pen names for very real reasons. We’ve all seen it in the writing community and in the news: Writer’s who have lost jobs, their standing in their community, their place in their church, the respect of the peers because they write (typically Romance, Erotica or Fantasy)… all because people are nosy.

So it comes down to this: Everyone at these events claims to love books and writers. If you do, you won’t put them on the spot. You’ll respect them and their privacy. You won’t share if you overhear a name slip. You will be in on the secret and respectful of it.

Please, don’t make me stand next to a friend who is trying to keep her real life separate (typically for important reasons) and by utilizing a pen name and make her squirm. It’s uncomfortable, embarrassing and unfair.

If you love writers, protect them.

For the first time ever on the blog I’m going to ask you this: TELL OTHERS! Tell others how awkward, embarrassing and unfair that question is.

kk,
~Bria

FWIS: How to be the In-Between Girl

FWIS (From Where I Stand) is a monthly piece I’m collaborating on with Abby Mumford & Jessica Corra… all three of us are YA writers in different places in our journeys. Check out their links for this months FWIS from their point of view! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This month we’re doing a What Do You Really Want To Tell People month.

There’s a lot I want to tell people. If you follow me on twitter, you’ll see that’s really true. I chit chat about a lot of diverse things. But, when I thought about FWIS and being the ‘in-between girl’ I figured maybe I should write a little bit about what it’s like here in the middle. To be the In Between Girl.

When you first start writing, the goals are really tangible. Finish the first book. Edit the first book. Find critique partners and beta readers. Polish. Polish. Polish. Query. Query. Query.

And then, if you stay focused, keep polishing your craft, and work hard, you’ll sign with an agent who will then work with you.

But, no one tells you that’s often a weird place.

You’ve signed and you’re doing more revisions on a book that had felt done (they never are) and learning to put aside your own thoughts to work with someone new and then…when that is all set… your agent will start pitching you to editors.

If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you’ve heard me say it: Always write like you’re going to sell tomorrow. You want as much of your work good-to-go as possible.

And that’s still (and always) right, but…

You knew there was a but, right?

For the first time, your work is out of your hands. You’re partnering with someone and part of the future rests on them. Sure, it’s someone you completely trust and have built a strong relationship with, but still.

It isn’t like when you’re writing and you can keep working on your ms until it’s just right.

It isn’t like when you’re getting feed back and implementing it until everything si smooth.

It isn’t like when you’re querying and ever rejection or R&R or request is something you have an action item for (send more, work out the notes, send the full).

There’s no action item during “waiting to hear” from your agent. Really. Trust me. As someone completely goal oriented, I’ve looked. There aren’t any.

But (of course, another but) there are things you should be doing.

You should be compartmentalizing or you’ll go crazy.

You should be writing the next thing or you’ll be dead in the water.

You should be building your brand and following the plan you built with your agent.

But most of all, you shouldn’t be waiting. Not only is waiting bad, bad, bad (and evil) it’s also exhausting.

You will never, ever find anything as exhausting as hitting the refresh button every five minutes and focusing on just one house or one editor or one plan.

It’s hard, but the In Between Girl needs to learn to put that all aside, trust her agent and forget she’s the IBG.  They say every step of the journey has it’s own struggles, but I’ll admit, this is my kryptonite. Not being able to act to move toward the goal right now is hard…. it’s more than hard.

And that’s why, all this waiting will have to be put in a box under the bed in the backroom of a deserted house on the other side of town. No matter where I am, I’ll keep working toward the next book, because that’s not only easier than waiting… It’s smarter.

So, don’t be the IBG… and ignore me if I occasionally cave and hit *refresh* when I go on submission.

kk,
~Bria

UPDATE:  To everyone reading this and nodding along… I’m getting DMs and emails telling me they were surprised and happy to read this post. That they didn’t know anyone else was feeling this way. Let’s change this post to: YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Who You Write With – Reboot

In redoing the blog’s look, I had to create a new room for my writing group. It’s really obvious. It’s right there, the bottom page. But the problem is, this is for a specific group. Not just anyone — no matter how obvious the link is.

About a year ago, I had someone yell at me on twittet. Someone I didn’t even know asked where The Secret Room (TSR) was so she could come write with us. I’m not kidding when I said I had no idea who she was. Neither did any of the Roomers.

I tried to explain nicely that this was a writing circle and not an open room. <insert explosion here>

So, in response I wrote Who You Write With.

Since it was on my mind, I thought it could be our first Reboot. So, here it is, Who You Write With… My own commentary included in blue (how often do you get to do commentary on yourself!)

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When I first started writing, everyone I met talked about their CPs (critique partner) and how they were so great and saved their writing and kept them sane and fixed the small things and held their hand and every other great thing you need when starting this crazy writing journey.

I looked everywhere for one of these groups or just that one person {{Even now I remember this. That desperate search to find someone to walk the writing-path with. Don’t give up! You’ll find not only partners, but friends and peers and magic.}}  A few horrible matches later, someone said, why don’t you try Romance Divas. There I met several other newer writers who wrote in a chat room. We were great together. Without telling you the long story, the group became known as the FlanTastics and everything was good in the world. {{Meeeemmmmorrriiiess}}

{{Deleted Backstory — Man, I was wordy that day!}}

We talk about the room. The Secret Room isn’t a … um, secret. We talk about it on twitter, we call each other out publicly if there’s been no writing lately, we make sure people are knowledgable about who comes in when to write.

I understand everyone wants to find a good group. I also understand that twitter makes everyone feel accessible.

We’re not. You’re not either (protect your writing too). The virtual world is the same as the real world. Unfortunately, we don’t get to go everywhere we want. {{This is true of a lot of online situations. Remember, at the end of those words is a real person. If you wouldn’t do/say/etc something in person, maybe you should think twice about doing it online.}}

Now, I can hear the “that’s not fairs” (which I got one of also) and the You’re being snobby and the Does this mean she doesn’t like me’s…

I’m going to say a couple harsh things here and I’m typically not a harsh speaker.

1. It isn’t about you. It’s about me/us and our writing. We’ve been burnt, that’s why we went rogue.  {{To be more clear: We say no to everyone. It’s not a judgment. Most groups only function at a certain size. Once you find what works for you, keep it working.}}
2. You can go rogue too. {{And you should! Every writer needs tofigure out what’s going to work for her. Worldbuilding doesn’t just happen in your writing. It happens in your writing life. Build the structure you need to get it done. Groups, friends, partners, etc are great! But they don’t get your words on your page – you do!}}
3. There’s nothing wrong with asking for an invite to writer’s events:
   1. ASK being the operative word
   2. Graciously accepting whatever the answer is makes you look… um, gracious
   3. {{I’ve seen people get turned down for an opportunity and handle it with such grace that it made me want to work with them. Don’t burn bridges. I’ve had doors that were closed open up again later by having good relationships with people.}}
4. Writing groups have zero to do with liking people. I have tons of people I adore that I wouldn’t let near my writing or writing group. {{This. So much this.}}
5. If you’re pushy, that’s going to not be a good sign. See #3

So, basically, I felt horrible protecting the room. I thought “Oh, should I stop talking with my writing group publicly? Do I need to lock down my twitter account and unfollow people so I can have a friend-to-friend conversation? Am I just going to have to play the bad guy all the time?”

But then I realized — we all go through this. {{This is something that’s never going to change. Every new writer is going to struggle to look for her place in the world. And let me tell you something else, as your friends get published or stop writing or change genres or have anyone of a bazillion other shifts in their lives, you’re going to go through this again… That search for where you fit. But, remember: your writing isn’t about where you fit. Your writing is about the work you do. And you can do that anywhere.}}

PROTECT THE GROUP/PROTECT THE WRITING – all of us, every day, every time. Yes, that means you too.  Protect (find) your group/Protect your writing. {{Yes. Again. This.}}

Oh, and the other thing we learned, Yes, I do have the chutzpah to block someone. I didn’t think I did. BWAAHHHAAAA

REBOOT!

Check out my new look! Cute, huh? Anything missing you wish I’d figure out how to get back on the page – let me know!

To go along with my new blog look, I’m doing a whole blog reboot!

Glancing through my old posts I realized they fell into three groups:

• Wow, this is still viable!
• Beginner thoughts, I’ve grown since then.
• What was I thinking?

So, here we are -a couple years later- and I thought, “Why not take a look back.” There will be ah-ha’s and mocking and notes about growth.

But, let’s all see how far you can come in 4 years of writing.

Make sure to stop back by Monday to see the first flashback.

#WordFool – Last Challange Weekend

I hope everyone’s #wordfool writing challenge goals are going well. We’re 2/3rds of the way to our April Fools Day deadline!

This weekend, we still have the Up the Ante challenge, but instead of doubling your pages on ONE day, this weekend’s challenge is to double it on BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. Yes, I know the goals end on Saturday, but if you push thru, add one more day, and double up both BAM 3 more points.

If you manage this, you get 3 more points for you and your team.

So, this week, you have the opportunity to earn 4 points:

1 for hitting your goal
1 for making the weekend Up the Ante challenge
3 for doubling your pages one day

Not a bad opportunity!

Don’t forget, there are still tons of prizes. They’re listed on the #WordFool page.

Here’s to our last week of the Race to April Fools!

How To Final – Getting the GH Call

A week from today the Golden Heart Finalists for 2012 will be announced and, if they’re anything like me, they won’t be ready.

It is one of the biggest finals - and honors - an unpublished author who writes romance or books with a romance can achieve. 

For those of you who don’t know about the GH, it’s sponsored by RWA. The material judged is the first 50ish pages and your synopsis in specific categories (Young Adult, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Elements, etc).

Every year roughtly 1,200 writers enter. Every year no more than 80 people final.

Last year, there were 68 finalist… and I was one of them.

Before I finalled in the GH, I had a lot of preconceived ideas about what it meant. I’d had very good friends who had finalled in several different categories over several years. I’d seen what it was like from the outside and thought I knew what that meant.

I had no idea.

First off, when you get the call you will have no idea how you’ll react. I’m not a crier. Not really. I started sobbing like a baby and had to ask the woman to repeat herself 3 times. Don’t worry. You’re not the only one. Peoples sob, scream, go dead silent. I heard about a woman who passed out and her husband had to take the call. Urban Legend? Maybe, but to be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me.

After I made the inner-circle-and-agent calls, I posted it on twitter.

The initial bombardment of incoming email is INSANE. You’ll hear from people who you hadn’t heard from in years. You’ll hear from people you would have thought didn’t know your name. Other writers will be extremely kind and supportive and excited for you. It’s totally overwhelming. Plan for that day to just be gone… in the best possible way.

Get on social media. Like, today. If you’re not on either facebook or twitter now, if you don’t have a blog – do it. People will want to follow you on this crazy ride.  Don’t waste this opportunity.

If you don’t know this, there’s a yahoo loop. Ours is 2011GHFinalists. Go look for the loop. The veterans will start one pretty quickly and you’ll want to be on it for info and support. It’s fun and exciting. Even if you’re just going to lurk, get on there.

Don’t underestimate how much time being a finalist will take. There’s a lot to learn and 80 women to get to know. You may or may not do a group blog or have a name. I recommend taking your time on both of those. Just like any group of women you need to get to know one another and see what works for you. On top of that, people will ask you to blog and do interviews.  Don’t feel like you have to say ‘yes’ to everything right away – make sure you have a reasonable timeline for everything you commit to.

Professionally, this is the biggest time consideration: Is your manuscript 10000% done? About a month after the finalist are announced, the Final Judges (editors in your genre) have the opportunity to request your manuscript.

No, you won’t know who they are.

No, you probably won’t find out later unless they’re interested.

The only thing you need to do is be ready.

Do you have an agent? If not, this is the time to query. Make sure to put in your subject line that you’re  Golden Heart finalist. Agents want the opportunity to sort these out and look at them to see if they’re interested. There’s going to be a rush on finalists before the conference. Don’t miss out on this. Don’t feel bad or like you’re jumping the cue. Here’s why: THE GH IS NOT A MAGIC BULLET. Agents aren’t going to blindly offer to rep you because that manuscript finalled. I watched GH sisters broken-heartedly get rejections every week.

It wasn’t that their manuscript wasn’t great… but agents know what they’re looking for, what they can sell, and how they want to grow their list. Those two little letters don’t mean that you fit their list.

Which brings me to the next point…. THE GH IS NOT A MAGIC BULLET. I know, that looks really similar to the last point, right? This doesn’t mean your book will sell.

Before you get annoyed or discouraged, let me say this… It’s not a magic bullet, but it is a great weapon. It’s a machete that will help cut you through slushpiles. It will be the extra stone that may weight on the “read or pass” scale. It may make the difference between requests and form rejections. If you are rejected, it may mean the difference between a form letter and some words of advice. It will probably get you on editor and agents internal lists.

I have several friends who didn’t sell their GH manuscript, but because their name was familiar, they did a second look… send us what you’ve got or maybe you’re next project.

Do not underestimate the power of moving forward.

For all those GH sisters I watched pulling in rejections every week there’d be a big success story. Agents signed. Books sold. Contacts made. It is amazingly exciting to watch it all happen and to get to be part of it.

Don’t miss it. Get involved. I treasure so many of the friendships I made and wouldn’t trade them for anything. (Dear Editors, I would totally trade them for a great book deal. Just kidding… maybe…um, yeah.)

Which brings me to my next one: While you’re balancing getting all this don’t forget to be working on the next thing. Not only in case you don’t sell, but because everyone will ask,what are you working on now.Be ready to tell them.

I highly recommend going to the conference. There are tons of opportunities to network and to introduce yourself to people who you otherwise wouldn’t have an excuse to approach. Do it! The worst that happens is they smile awkwardly and then you walk away. Because of the GH excuse (and often a brave GH sister) I got to meet several editors and some very, very famous YA writers. Consider the conference your party and don’t miss out on anything.

Also, have a plan. Know what you want to talk about when given the opportunity. If you have an agent, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to pitch. I did… over and over again. People will ask you constantly about what you write and what your GH book is about. Be a pro! Talk about your stuff with easy and confidence. If that takes practice, make every person you know listen to you for the months leading up to the conf. Leave a great impression with everyone you talk to.

Know what’s right for you.

What I mean is, I’ve watched a bunch of my GH sisters have great successes — but those successes aren’t the same for everyone. Some have sold, some have gotten agents and are working their business plan with them, some have self-published, some have put that book aside to work something else. Success means something different to everyone. Know what it means to you… be ready for that to change.

No matter where your GH Final Path takes you, it can only be good. It’s an exciting time so make sure to hold onto every second of it.

This is one of those times you have to stop and remember: Life has given me something good, I’m going to enjoy it for all it’s worth!

kk,
~Bria

For A Limited Time Only: The CVS Incident

So, I wanted a soda at lunch today and decided to run into CVS and get one.

When I got to the in there was one cashier working, a 90 year-old woman at the register and one person in front of me.

Unfortunately, the 90yow was writing a check. She had really shaky hands and it was obviously hard for her. But, when she was almost done. She realized she forgot to ask for cigarettes. So then she had to pull the check out and tear it up. This physically looked painful. Then she had to start the new check. At this point I’d probably been waiting about 7 mins. But what are you going to do? That’s going to be all of us some day (sans the cigarettes).

The cashier called for help about 4 times as the line behind me grew. The line was up to 6 people when a new register opened at the other end. I tapped the woman in front of me on the shoulder because she didn’t notice and pointed her down.

She had about 10 items and as she was wrapping up a huge man walked up behind her and went next.

There are now about 8 people in our (apparently invisible) line.

The woman behind me says, “Looks like you’re not next.”

The woman behind her says, “Figures.”

I say, “Nope. I’m not next. But there’s always one.”

The man doesn’t glance our way. The poor 90yow is still trying to write check number 2.

A third register opens up at about the 11 minute mark and I go to it.

The giant of a man comes over to me and says (very aggressively), “I was in the cards. How was I supposed to know how this works.”

SERIOUSLY? NO. REALLY. SERIOUSLY?

ME: “Well, just in case you ever have to go into a CVS again, if there are people standing in a straight line at the front of the store. It’s called a line and you’re supposed to wait at the end of it.”

Keep in mind, at this point there are like 10 people in the line. There is ZERO chance you could over look it. You know the saying, “A blind person would notice it” – well, they would, because you had to walkthroughthe line to get to stuff…which he did.

He starts yelling at me: “Yeah. I heard you talking about me (from the line he didn’t notice apparently) and you look like someone who goes in a lot of CVSs.”

I turn and look at him. WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN???

ME: Well, this is good for you, because I’m sure you’ll end up somewhere else where there’s a line one day. And maybe you’ll get at the end of it.

At this point, I hear quiet applause from behind us, but when I turn around, everyone is looking away.

HIM: Yeah. I’m sure you stand in a lot of lines.

Again, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN????

So, he say, “I don’t have time for you. I’m in a rush.”

Obviously this is why he has jumped the cue. So he heads out the door.

Only when I get out there, he’s sitting in his car glaring at me come out. So great. Now I’m driving back to work with my finger on the last 1 in 911 and watching my rearview mirror.

So, whatever you do – do NOT mess with me.

I’m someone who has been in A LOT of CVSs.

#WordFool – Upping the Ante

So, you dove in and you’re writing to hit goal every day. Things are going pretty well… But that Bria, she’s evil, right?

I warned you all yesterday something was coming and you weren’t going to like it *evil laughter*

I’ve been talking to several people about the Used’taBeen of writing. When we first started and people were constantly in different chatrooms throwing down in challenges. I began to wonder why that wasn’t as much the case any more.

So I’ve asked people how writing in an online community has changed over the years. I had some thoughts of my own and what I heard reinforced those ideas.

Before twitter and all the other social media we use constantly, chatrooms were one of the few places to meet-up with other writers. And when you went in them, it was typically to write (and if it wasn’t, someone would say, hey. Aren’t we going to write?)

And so, here’s the challenge. You don’t have to take it up, but I’m daring you

There are three weekends in WordFool. From Friday at 7pm thru Monday 1am, anyone who stays off extraneous gets one more point.

Yup. One more point for you (and your team) for prizes.

What is “extraneous” you ask? Well, let me give you an idea:

• Twitter. Oh, my beloved twitter. You are extraneous.
• Facebook. We don’t hangout that much, but you won’t be seeing me on you for the next few weekends
• Forums. Yes, even “lurking”
• Chats. I know this sounds backwards, but I’m talking about those “chatty, we don’t do anything but be social” chats. Not working chats.
• IMing, DMing, OtherMing I don’t know about…anything that drags your attention away
• Pinterest *sobs*
• ADDS TO THE LIST AS YOU GUYS OWN UP TO THINGS

You get the idea, but we can discuss things further.

This is obviously an honor system thing. But all of #wordfool is.

And, don’t worry – there’s more torture to come

EDITED TO ADD:

I’m posting a chat challenge schedule on the #wordfool page. Please comment on that page if you’d like to:

• Volunteer to whip during a time listed
• Want to set up a different time.

Keep in mind: You can use the chat room ANY TIME YOU WANT. But we’re just putting some times out there that people will be guarenteed to find others to write with.

NEVER DONE A CHAT CHALLENGE? NO PROBLEM!

We’re going to go old-school on this:

• Some one sounds the *whip* to start.
• The *whip* sound happens again after 20 mins to signal the end
• There will be 3-5 min break to share snippets or run to the bathroom
• No one HAS to share a snippet – it’s completely voluntary.
• All snippets shared must stay PG13. This is non-negotiable.
• Everyone will crit politely. CRIT. If you post something, be prepared to get some gentle comments.
• If people’s comments are not gentle, they will get an email from me… please be kind

REVIEW: A Week to Be Wicked, Tessa Dare

I was lucky enough to have a magic ARC of Tessa Dare’s A Week to be Wicked appear in my email box. BAM! Magic.

Let me start by saying, Tessa Dare is one of my go-to authors. In a time when I’d started to overdose on historicals and was feeling the burnout of repetition, I picked up Tessa’s first book… and never looked back.

WICKED continues her run of strong stories that suck you in on page one and keep you laughing with (and sometimes at) the characters.

Strong hints that aren’t quite spoilers below.

WICKED is the story of two people who are completely different and utterly the same.

Geologist Minerva Highwood loves rocks. Men, not so much. It’s more that she doesn’t like one specific man – the rake who has been sniffing around her stunningly beautiful sister.

Lord Payne – Colin – is, well he’s a mess. A really adorable, loveable, hot, sweet mess. You can’t help but love him even as he continues to mess up. He’s also one of the best Damaged Heroes I’ve read in quite awhile.

But, Minerva has had enough. She’s going to stop Lord Payne from proposing to her sister, even if it means facing him down in his room at midnight. And to make sure he won’t, she has a deal for him: Help her get to Edinburgh to present her geological findings with a fake elopement and she’ll give him 500 Pounds from her earnings.

Unfortunately for Colin, he says the wrong thing…of course. Who would believe plain, over-looked, bookish Minerva would catch his eye. But Colin shows her just how he’d convince them – every look, every word, every thought. Minerva, just that moment, falls under his spell. But when the spell is broken, it leaves them even further apart than when she’d stormed in.

The beautiful thing about Colin is he truly does manage to see the beauty in Min. Even in the beginning when he’s playing a part he’s being as seduced by his own words as she is. It left me thinking, when? When did Colin’s lies become the truth?

And once Colin falls, he’s done for even if he doesn’t realize it. But there it is. The lies have become truth and the problem is, does he understand that? Maybe.

The bigger problem: Does she?

After falling in love with Colin and Min, I’ve created a new category for all those year-end awards lists: Best Marriage Proposal in a Historical. Let’s put it this way: A Week to be Wicked would be competing against itself in the character – One to make you laugh and one to make you cry.

Which pretty much sums up Min and Colin’s entire love affair.

A WEEK TO BE WICKED is out March 27th 2012. Final say: Pre-Order it now.

#WordFool – And So It Begins

Starting something – anything – is scary and exciting and invigorating and paralyzing. beginnings can mesh into every emotion and confuse the heck out of us.

For me, personally – I find them exciting and energizing. A new goal — a shiny, happy, nothing’s gone wrong yet goal – is like an adventure that I haven’t opened the map on yet…anything could happen.

So, as we kickoff WordFool, tell me: How do you feel? What’s a beginning to you? One day in, how are you looking at your goal?

Any way you look at it, we’re all one day closer to meeting it!