Here are my notes from a session taught by Michael Hauge, consultant, screenwriter, industry expert, and author. His newest book is Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read
The basic element of a good story, the primary goal, is to create an emotional experience for the reader. As a writer, it is key for you to know how to elicit emotion.
The three basic elements of a story are Character (Hero- person driving the story,) Desire, and Conflict.
There are four key desires in movies:
- To Escape (escaping from a bad situation)
- To Retrieve (go out and get something/ rescue)
- To Stop (to stop something bad from happening/ stop a killer)
- To Win (winning the love of another/ winning a game or competition)
These desires satisfy the need for a goal that is visible. Along with the main desire are invisible goals (ie: subplots) but the main desire is the driving force.
Readers must identify with your heart. A good question to ask is “Why will the reader empathize with my hero?”
Five immediate ways to have readers identify with the character are:
- create sympathy for your hero
- put your character in jeopardy
- make your character likable (one way to do this can be opening the story with close friends or other people who like the character – the reader will then like them too.)
- make your character funny (example: Wedding Crashers)
- make your character powerful and good at what he/she does
Readers must identify with the characters up front, and your challenge as a writer is to do this immediately, not half-way through the book.
Ask… what does my hero long for? Is there a deeply held desire that they are paying lip service to because to go after it would be too frightening?
Ask…What is your character’s wound? Is there an unhealed source of continuing pain? Is there something in the past that the character has suppressed?
What is the source of the wound?
Then as a result… what is the character’s fear? (example: If they get too close to someone, they run the risk that the person will leave them.)
Fears can turn into beliefs. For example, a man who was beaten as a child may have difficulty letting anyone see who he truly is because then they will believe he should be beaten. This is his fear, but also his belief.
Ask… What is your hero’s identity? The person we present to the outside world may be a false front to protect us from our emotional fears.
Ask… What is my character’s need? The need is something the hero cannot necessarily express. Often, it is the need for connection.
A trick for figuring out a character’s identity is to determine how your character would answer this:
“I’ll do whatever it takes to achieve my goal, just don’t ask me to ____________”
A spin on the sentence for Romance might be “I’ll do whatever it takes to find the man of my dreams, but ____________” or “I’ll do whatever it takes to find the man of my dreams, just don’t ask me to __________________, that’s just not me.”
What is your hero’s essence? If you could strip away beliefs, things they fear, etc. – what would you have? These are the deep down qualities.
Asking all of these questions, and having a full understanding of the hero relates back to your primary goal- to create an emotional experience for the reader… eliciting emotion.
If you have defined the character and desire, the conflict creates the emotions and the emotions grow out of the conflicts.
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Showing posts with label RWA National Conference 2007. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RWA National Conference 2007. Show all posts
RWA Nationals - Borders/ Sue Grimshaw
Here are my notes from a session with Sue Grimshaw of Border Group (this was a seperate session from her Passionate Ink Luncheon speech listed earlier this week.)
Book store Managers love to have ARC's.
Borders has an experts list available to authors of stores who are most familiar with or most supportive of a particular genre. General contact information for Borders may be found here:
http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/about/contact.htm Borders will be providing a list of Romance expert stores for the PAN website.
Borders has a limit on bookmarks they can accept. Please do not send more than 15-20 bookmarks for distribution.
Author shelf talkers are provided by publishers, they are not accepted from authors, so please do not send these.
As mentioned, ARC's are always welcomed and often what the management is looking for in order to be familiar with a new release.
The Border's email newsletters have a large circulation. The popularity of book trailers in the My Borders Newsletters is increasing. Book trailers are now 3rd on the list of things newsletter readers click thru.
Sign up for My Borders newsletters at http://reg.cheetahmail.com/regp?aid=266588556&n=100 and be sure to select the special Romance section.
Replenishment of books is automatic, however some buyers do request higher runs from publishers based on previous sell-outs.
Multi-author book signings work the best for promotion and traffic.
.
Book store Managers love to have ARC's.
Borders has an experts list available to authors of stores who are most familiar with or most supportive of a particular genre. General contact information for Borders may be found here:
http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/about/contact.htm Borders will be providing a list of Romance expert stores for the PAN website.
Borders has a limit on bookmarks they can accept. Please do not send more than 15-20 bookmarks for distribution.
Author shelf talkers are provided by publishers, they are not accepted from authors, so please do not send these.
As mentioned, ARC's are always welcomed and often what the management is looking for in order to be familiar with a new release.
The Border's email newsletters have a large circulation. The popularity of book trailers in the My Borders Newsletters is increasing. Book trailers are now 3rd on the list of things newsletter readers click thru.
Sign up for My Borders newsletters at http://reg.cheetahmail.com/regp?aid=266588556&n=100 and be sure to select the special Romance section.
Replenishment of books is automatic, however some buyers do request higher runs from publishers based on previous sell-outs.
Multi-author book signings work the best for promotion and traffic.
.
RWA Nationals - Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jane Anne Krentz
Here’s what I learned at a workshop delivered by Jane Ann Krentz and Susan Elizabeth Phillips:
Thoughts On Query letters…
Query letters are easy vehicles for rejection. Send your first three chapters (or 30 to 40 pages of the manuscript) along with a cover letter.
Try sending your work to an Assistant Editor, who is probably fielding most of the editor’s slush pile anyway and would love to discover you.
Thoughts On Voice…
Your style may change, but your voice stays. Voice is not style. Voice is connected to your world view.
Your voice reflects your values and your view of relationships. It’s your sense of ethics, morals, values, and world view.
Your voice is your accent.
Stick to the stories you can tell. Trust your gut and your voice.
Thoughts on simultaneous submissions…
It’s often harder to find an agent than an editor. Go after both at the same time!
Submit multiples. This is your career, don’t sit back and wait for answers.
Quote “What’s the worst that can happen- you get two offers on the same day?”
Thoughts on writer’s block…
Writers block probably means you lost interest in your own book.
The story has to excite you. Tell the story for yourself. This may mean you have to deprogram yourself for a while and ignore advice you’ve been given.
Also, consider whether you started the book in the right place. Begin it from a different place/time/etc and see if you can regain the energy of the story.
Write your way into the characters. You write and you write and you write.
This is a self-taught business, only you can teach yourself how to write.
Thoughts on finding time to write…
Set a kitchen timer for one hour. Only write during this time, nothing else. You may get one session in per day, you may get seven or eight, but you will at least get in one.
Susan Elizabeth Phillips said she averages three sessions per day.
Thoughts on edits…
Both authors had different styles. One writes all the way through the rough draft and edits only after the rough draft is done, the other edits all the way through when writing. What is important is to find your own style and not to let edits or the fear of edits bog you down.
Plough through to find the vision—then rewrite.
Thoughts on what they wish they knew in the beginning…
That no matter what you write, there’s someone who will not like it.
Realizing that I had to write the book for myself first.
Thoughts on category/starting in category…
There is an enormous amount of freedom in writing category as the publishing house does not stand or fall based on one author. Category can experiment more.
Working in category is a great place to learn craft and writing discipline. Ie: writing to deadlines.
The hardest part can sometimes be getting out of category. It is sometimes best to write your breakout book, rather than proposing it… then go with it!
Thoughts on promotion…
Building an online presence is important and establishing an internet mailing list of readers.
The key is to not over-use the list. Stick to a monthly newsletter, etc. Establishing a good mailing list of readers can make a significant impact by getting fans out to bookstores for new reads.
Random notes I took…
Separate the core story from the landscape.
Stories can start with character, conflict, or a plot idea. Use whatever works for you and then keep developing books around the idea.
Hardcover is dependent upon paper back prints. The decision is made by the publisher.
Make your own definition of success and follow it!
Jane Ann Krentz at Publisher book signing.
You'll find more information, including speeches by Jane Ann Krentz (aka Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle) at http://www.krentz-quick.com/
You'll find more information, including tips from Susan Elizabeth Phillips at http://www.susanephillips.com/
.
Thoughts On Query letters…
Query letters are easy vehicles for rejection. Send your first three chapters (or 30 to 40 pages of the manuscript) along with a cover letter.
Try sending your work to an Assistant Editor, who is probably fielding most of the editor’s slush pile anyway and would love to discover you.
Thoughts On Voice…
Your style may change, but your voice stays. Voice is not style. Voice is connected to your world view.
Your voice reflects your values and your view of relationships. It’s your sense of ethics, morals, values, and world view.
Your voice is your accent.
Stick to the stories you can tell. Trust your gut and your voice.
Thoughts on simultaneous submissions…
It’s often harder to find an agent than an editor. Go after both at the same time!
Submit multiples. This is your career, don’t sit back and wait for answers.
Quote “What’s the worst that can happen- you get two offers on the same day?”
Thoughts on writer’s block…
Writers block probably means you lost interest in your own book.
The story has to excite you. Tell the story for yourself. This may mean you have to deprogram yourself for a while and ignore advice you’ve been given.
Also, consider whether you started the book in the right place. Begin it from a different place/time/etc and see if you can regain the energy of the story.
Write your way into the characters. You write and you write and you write.
This is a self-taught business, only you can teach yourself how to write.
Thoughts on finding time to write…
Set a kitchen timer for one hour. Only write during this time, nothing else. You may get one session in per day, you may get seven or eight, but you will at least get in one.
Susan Elizabeth Phillips said she averages three sessions per day.
Thoughts on edits…
Both authors had different styles. One writes all the way through the rough draft and edits only after the rough draft is done, the other edits all the way through when writing. What is important is to find your own style and not to let edits or the fear of edits bog you down.
Plough through to find the vision—then rewrite.
Thoughts on what they wish they knew in the beginning…
That no matter what you write, there’s someone who will not like it.
Realizing that I had to write the book for myself first.
Thoughts on category/starting in category…
There is an enormous amount of freedom in writing category as the publishing house does not stand or fall based on one author. Category can experiment more.
Working in category is a great place to learn craft and writing discipline. Ie: writing to deadlines.
The hardest part can sometimes be getting out of category. It is sometimes best to write your breakout book, rather than proposing it… then go with it!
Thoughts on promotion…
Building an online presence is important and establishing an internet mailing list of readers.
The key is to not over-use the list. Stick to a monthly newsletter, etc. Establishing a good mailing list of readers can make a significant impact by getting fans out to bookstores for new reads.
Random notes I took…
Separate the core story from the landscape.
Stories can start with character, conflict, or a plot idea. Use whatever works for you and then keep developing books around the idea.
Hardcover is dependent upon paper back prints. The decision is made by the publisher.
Make your own definition of success and follow it!
Jane Ann Krentz at Publisher book signing.You'll find more information, including speeches by Jane Ann Krentz (aka Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle) at http://www.krentz-quick.com/
You'll find more information, including tips from Susan Elizabeth Phillips at http://www.susanephillips.com/
.
RWA Nationals - Borders/ Sue Grimshaw
At the same Passionate Ink Luncheon, Sue Grimshaw, Romance Buyer from the Borders Group addressed the group. Here’s a few tidbits I picked up from her speech:
Borders is currently allocating more space to the romance genre.
In Spring of 2008, Borders will also be launching a new website with special attention to the romance category.
A great program to join is the Borders Rewards Program. http://www.bordersrewards.com/landing.aspx The program is free to join.
Borders also has an email romance newsletter. This is part of the My Borders monthly newsletter grouping. Sign up here: http://reg.cheetahmail.com/regp?aid=266588556&n=100
Generating the highest click-thru in the romance newsletter are:
1) Dollar off coupons
2) Links to author newsletters or other newsletters
3) Special author click-thrus such as book trailers
Promotion in Borders stores include:
1) Top picks
2) Shelf talkers
3) Samplers
Book-signings are welcomed at Borders. Erotic Romance group signings have been successful. Signing in a group can generate a bigger crowd and can be better for the authors and the store.
Romance is ever-evolving, and Erotic Romance has now come into its own.
Reader favorites overall in Romance are books with steamy sex and sexy covers. Quote “A good torso goes a long way!”
Anthologies are popular with Erotic Romance readers. Anthologies are a great way to introduce readers to the genre and are sometimes all the reader needs/is looking for.
Also popular in all areas of Romance are paranormals. Studies show readers love paranormals because of:
- the strong tortured heroes
- alpha males
- uniqueness of the stories
- hero is invincible
- attraction is unbreakable and almost supernatural
Overall, a great story with great characters sell books.
Borders is here to support, and proud to support the romance and erotic romance industry.
More information about Borders Stores may be found at http://www.bordersstores.com/index.jsp?tt=gn
.
Borders is currently allocating more space to the romance genre.
In Spring of 2008, Borders will also be launching a new website with special attention to the romance category.
A great program to join is the Borders Rewards Program. http://www.bordersrewards.com/landing.aspx The program is free to join.
Borders also has an email romance newsletter. This is part of the My Borders monthly newsletter grouping. Sign up here: http://reg.cheetahmail.com/regp?aid=266588556&n=100
Generating the highest click-thru in the romance newsletter are:
1) Dollar off coupons
2) Links to author newsletters or other newsletters
3) Special author click-thrus such as book trailers
Promotion in Borders stores include:
1) Top picks
2) Shelf talkers
3) Samplers
Book-signings are welcomed at Borders. Erotic Romance group signings have been successful. Signing in a group can generate a bigger crowd and can be better for the authors and the store.
Romance is ever-evolving, and Erotic Romance has now come into its own.
Reader favorites overall in Romance are books with steamy sex and sexy covers. Quote “A good torso goes a long way!”
Anthologies are popular with Erotic Romance readers. Anthologies are a great way to introduce readers to the genre and are sometimes all the reader needs/is looking for.
Also popular in all areas of Romance are paranormals. Studies show readers love paranormals because of:
- the strong tortured heroes
- alpha males
- uniqueness of the stories
- hero is invincible
- attraction is unbreakable and almost supernatural
Overall, a great story with great characters sell books.
Borders is here to support, and proud to support the romance and erotic romance industry.
More information about Borders Stores may be found at http://www.bordersstores.com/index.jsp?tt=gn
.
RWA Nationals - Bookends LLC/ Jessica Faust
Here’s a few tidbits I picked up from a speech delivered by Jessica Faust, co-founder/agent of Bookends LLC. at the Passionate Ink Chapter Luncheon:
Jessica Faust primarily reps Erotic Romance, Mystery, Self-help Nonfiction, and Romance.
With Erotica booming in the publishing industry, it has changed the landscape via allowing editors and agents to push the boundaries in everything they do.
Romance everywhere is getting hotter.
Now that Erotica is more mainstream, the industry is looking for new and different styles. Think outside the box. Blend genres within the Erotic Romance.
Quote: “As long as it’s not illegal in all states- go for it!”
Paranormals: Vampires, Werewolves, etc. are all selling well in the Erotic Romance genre, as well as in mainstream Romance.
Urban Romance is a new trend that is becoming more popular in all areas of Romance.
Throughout the industry, each publisher has variant needs for their Erotic Lines. For example, Avon Red is tamer than the other Erotic Romance lines, calling more for very, very sexy romance. Kensington’s Aphrodisia line is much hotter. Read what the publisher is publishing to see if your book is a good fit.
Bookends LLC website: http://www.bookends-inc.com/
.
Jessica Faust primarily reps Erotic Romance, Mystery, Self-help Nonfiction, and Romance.
With Erotica booming in the publishing industry, it has changed the landscape via allowing editors and agents to push the boundaries in everything they do.
Romance everywhere is getting hotter.
Now that Erotica is more mainstream, the industry is looking for new and different styles. Think outside the box. Blend genres within the Erotic Romance.
Quote: “As long as it’s not illegal in all states- go for it!”
Paranormals: Vampires, Werewolves, etc. are all selling well in the Erotic Romance genre, as well as in mainstream Romance.
Urban Romance is a new trend that is becoming more popular in all areas of Romance.
Throughout the industry, each publisher has variant needs for their Erotic Lines. For example, Avon Red is tamer than the other Erotic Romance lines, calling more for very, very sexy romance. Kensington’s Aphrodisia line is much hotter. Read what the publisher is publishing to see if your book is a good fit.
Bookends LLC website: http://www.bookends-inc.com/
.
FTHRW Meet n Greet At Nationals
FTHRW is my favorite RWA group and online family, so much so... that I've served in a number of positions over the past four years now, this year as Pres. :-)
Here's a few pics from our FTHRW meeting in the sky! (Thanks to our fab Treasurer, Kristi, we had the Lookout room in the Reunion tower- gorgeous!
FTHRW Board Members (from right to left) Helen, Marie, Janice, Marlene, Cathy, Denise, Shoshana, Nikki, and Mona.
Me, applauding Cathy who is one of the recepients of our 2007 FTHRW Cyber Rose Awards for her excellence in service to the chapter.
Our PAN Liason, Janice, presents corsages to our FTHRW Golden Heart and RITA finalists.
Our VP, Marie, presents a gift bag to one of our raffle winners. Thanks to very generous donations from our authors, nearly everyone at the party won a gift!
Our excellent guest speaker (thanks Marie!) Deidre Knight of The Knight Agency, spoke about the romance market and answered group questions. She graciously accepted our invite, in spite of the fact that it was her birthday! Deidre, we think you totally rock!!
The famous (or is that infamous LOL) Playground group snaps a pose!.
Speech on Erotic Romance Genre
To the best of my ability, I have pieced together my speech for those of you who have requested it. I'm pretty sure I've very close to being spot on with what I said. I apologize for the delay, some of my notes were on route to my home last week via UPS :)
Addressed to the RWA Board of Directors on July 12, 2006 at the RWA General Meeting.
Barb Webb, Region 3, President of From The Heart Romance Writers, Chapter 177, and general member of Passionate Ink, Chapter 207.
First, I would like to thank the board for all your hard work. Please know that we appreciate all you do, and realize that you do not often get enough “thanks.” Particularly, I’d like to thank you for your ability to listen, and take into consideration the needs of the general membership, as you appear have done on a number of issues recently.
Second, I’d like to call for you to listen a little bit more, and to bear with me as I call upon you to re-evaluate your stance on the following topic:
In the RWA Hot Sheet distributed on July 11, 2006, regarding decisions made during the RWA Board of Directors July Meeting, I quote “After extensive discussion, the Board decided not to add an erotic romance category to the contests due in part to the inherently indefinable nature of erotic romance.”
You can imagine my surprise to find out that one of my chosen genres is now deemed indefinable.
I’m not exactly sure what to tell my readers.
Nor the editor who is currently reviewing my entry that finaled in a recent erotic romance contest.
In the spirit of our Dallas setting- I say, bull! I respectfully disagree with your statement.
Erotic romance is a category.
It is definable.
It does have different characteristics.
It is a style of writing that differs from contemporary romance. (or historical, for that matter.)
I’d like to read you a definition from the Merriam Webster Dictionary, if I may:
“Erotic. (noun) Of, devoted to, or tending to arouse sexual love or desire. Strongly marked or affected by sexual desire.”
The erotic writer writes in accordance to the definition.
Yes ladies… it is about the sex.
To take it a step further, erotic romance is about the sexual journey, not only for the characters, but for the reader, too.
A pretty definition for erotic romance might read, “A sexual journey between adults where romance is present, and the words are written to entice the reader to enjoy a sexual journey of their own.”
We won’t stop there, though. I did a little research to determine how “indefinable” this genre truly is.
I didn’t have to search very long. Publisher’s Weekly dedicated their most recent edition entirely to “Erotica.”
Included in this edition are a number of articles. I’d like to read a quote from one, if I may, right now:
Cindy Hwang, executive editor at Berkley is quoted as saying, “we’ve really seen the erotic romance take off. This isn’t to say these books aren’t as sexy as other erotica—just that there’s an emphasis on the character development and emotional connection between characters.”
Berkley, Kensington, Ellora’s Cave, Harlequin, NAL, Pocket Books- to name a few- book stores, readers, and writers have the ability to define and distinguish what erotica and erotic romances are.
Why can’t we?
To say there is no definable nature of erotic romance that separates it from a traditional romance is no different than suggesting that there is no need for a Romantic Suspense category.
Give us the opportunity to directly compete with our peers.
Give us a recognized voice.
We are not indefinable.
Erotice Romance pre-dates RWA and now we are here in a BIG way.
I ask you, as a board to revisit this topic, and to educate yourselves on the erotic romance romance genre, before making a concrete decision on this matter.
Thank you.
Well, folks, that was my speech and I’d like to thank:
- those who graciously applauded my efforts to be heard on this subject
- those who offered me such great support and kind words
- and those who offered debates in response too, for it is always enlightening to "see" the full spectrum of an issue.
I would also like to take a moment to address a few common comments that I did not allow for in my response for the board:
Erotic Romance varies by Publisher, so how can it be defined?
Publishers may prefer different heat levels, story length, or packaging, but in the end, in erotic romance – the story centers on the sexual journey with the intent to arouse the reader. I would hedge a bet that the editors of the publishing houses know exactly what they are publishing and why it falls in the erotic romance category.
Erotic Romance writers say it’s not about the sex.
I heard this from a few people, though, when I asked them, they admitted they do not write or read erotic romance and had heard this from a friend/critique partner/etc.
One thought I had was that perhaps they or their friend/critique partner/etc. possibly thought erotic romance was simple a romance with a few hot sex scenes to spice it up. (A common misconception.) I encouraged them to experiment a little and to read an erotic romance or two, then get back to me on whether their opinion is still the same… and of course, I gave them a list of some of my favorite erotic romance authors.
In closing of this post, I’d like to ask the same thing I asked of the group at nationals attending the meeting:
If you are a member of RWA, and you would like to see the erotic romance category added to the Golden Heart or RITA competition, please take the step to petition the board to re-address this matter.
A full list of board members and email address may be found here http://www.rwanational.org/cs/about_rwa/board_of_directors
Best Regards,
Barb
.
Addressed to the RWA Board of Directors on July 12, 2006 at the RWA General Meeting.
Barb Webb, Region 3, President of From The Heart Romance Writers, Chapter 177, and general member of Passionate Ink, Chapter 207.
First, I would like to thank the board for all your hard work. Please know that we appreciate all you do, and realize that you do not often get enough “thanks.” Particularly, I’d like to thank you for your ability to listen, and take into consideration the needs of the general membership, as you appear have done on a number of issues recently.
Second, I’d like to call for you to listen a little bit more, and to bear with me as I call upon you to re-evaluate your stance on the following topic:
In the RWA Hot Sheet distributed on July 11, 2006, regarding decisions made during the RWA Board of Directors July Meeting, I quote “After extensive discussion, the Board decided not to add an erotic romance category to the contests due in part to the inherently indefinable nature of erotic romance.”
You can imagine my surprise to find out that one of my chosen genres is now deemed indefinable.
I’m not exactly sure what to tell my readers.
Nor the editor who is currently reviewing my entry that finaled in a recent erotic romance contest.
In the spirit of our Dallas setting- I say, bull! I respectfully disagree with your statement.
Erotic romance is a category.
It is definable.
It does have different characteristics.
It is a style of writing that differs from contemporary romance. (or historical, for that matter.)
I’d like to read you a definition from the Merriam Webster Dictionary, if I may:
“Erotic. (noun) Of, devoted to, or tending to arouse sexual love or desire. Strongly marked or affected by sexual desire.”
The erotic writer writes in accordance to the definition.
Yes ladies… it is about the sex.
To take it a step further, erotic romance is about the sexual journey, not only for the characters, but for the reader, too.
A pretty definition for erotic romance might read, “A sexual journey between adults where romance is present, and the words are written to entice the reader to enjoy a sexual journey of their own.”
We won’t stop there, though. I did a little research to determine how “indefinable” this genre truly is.
I didn’t have to search very long. Publisher’s Weekly dedicated their most recent edition entirely to “Erotica.”
Included in this edition are a number of articles. I’d like to read a quote from one, if I may, right now:
Cindy Hwang, executive editor at Berkley is quoted as saying, “we’ve really seen the erotic romance take off. This isn’t to say these books aren’t as sexy as other erotica—just that there’s an emphasis on the character development and emotional connection between characters.”
Berkley, Kensington, Ellora’s Cave, Harlequin, NAL, Pocket Books- to name a few- book stores, readers, and writers have the ability to define and distinguish what erotica and erotic romances are.
Why can’t we?
To say there is no definable nature of erotic romance that separates it from a traditional romance is no different than suggesting that there is no need for a Romantic Suspense category.
Give us the opportunity to directly compete with our peers.
Give us a recognized voice.
We are not indefinable.
Erotice Romance pre-dates RWA and now we are here in a BIG way.
I ask you, as a board to revisit this topic, and to educate yourselves on the erotic romance romance genre, before making a concrete decision on this matter.
Thank you.
Well, folks, that was my speech and I’d like to thank:
- those who graciously applauded my efforts to be heard on this subject
- those who offered me such great support and kind words
- and those who offered debates in response too, for it is always enlightening to "see" the full spectrum of an issue.
I would also like to take a moment to address a few common comments that I did not allow for in my response for the board:
Erotic Romance varies by Publisher, so how can it be defined?
Publishers may prefer different heat levels, story length, or packaging, but in the end, in erotic romance – the story centers on the sexual journey with the intent to arouse the reader. I would hedge a bet that the editors of the publishing houses know exactly what they are publishing and why it falls in the erotic romance category.
Erotic Romance writers say it’s not about the sex.
I heard this from a few people, though, when I asked them, they admitted they do not write or read erotic romance and had heard this from a friend/critique partner/etc.
One thought I had was that perhaps they or their friend/critique partner/etc. possibly thought erotic romance was simple a romance with a few hot sex scenes to spice it up. (A common misconception.) I encouraged them to experiment a little and to read an erotic romance or two, then get back to me on whether their opinion is still the same… and of course, I gave them a list of some of my favorite erotic romance authors.
In closing of this post, I’d like to ask the same thing I asked of the group at nationals attending the meeting:
If you are a member of RWA, and you would like to see the erotic romance category added to the Golden Heart or RITA competition, please take the step to petition the board to re-address this matter.
A full list of board members and email address may be found here http://www.rwanational.org/cs/about_rwa/board_of_directors
Best Regards,
Barb
.
View from the 20th Floor
As the famous saying attributed to Laotzu goes "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
So too began my journey in Dallas, with a single, wonderous view from our 20th floor hotel room.
Spectacular, aye?
I think downtown views are neato- even though I'm a country bumpkin now- the city still speaks to my soul.
On the way into the hotel, the very nice doorman asked me a little bit about writing and wanted to know where we find our inspiration for stories.
I think all he really needs to do is look at the view from the 20th floor, and he may understand.
What's your 20th floor view?
Write on, sisters, write on!
.
RWA Nationals - Kensington / Kate Duffy
At a Session with Kate Duffy (Kensington,) I learned:
Quote "Get off the Internet and write books!!"
Writing Myth #1: After you sell the 1st book, your life is easy.
Truth: Not so. Sometimes the second sale can be harder than the first.
Writing Myth #2: Editors are over-paid with corner offices, and frequently have two-martini lunches.
Truth: The industry, as a whole, operates without a huge profit margin. This is a competitive market place for editors, as well.
Writing Myth #3: Grammar and Punctuation won't count. Someone will fix it for you.
Truth: First and foremost, the craft has to be there, including good grammar. If this is not a strength for you, get someone to help you fix it prior to submitting your work.
Writing Myth #4: Such and such (insert line) is not selling.
Truth: Don't believe anyone who isn't with a New York Publisher about what is and is not selling.
Focus on your book.
Focus on what you like to write.
Do not write to what you believe are trends.
There is no way to write yourself into publishing.
Writing Myth #5: Some secret is not talked about by authors and editors.
Truth: There is no secret. The only secret is there has to be a collaborative effort between writers and editors. There's no secret path to publication.
Writing Myth #6: Editors take advantage of you (ie: pick your pockets.)
Truth: It is not in the best interest of an editor who wishes to stay in the industry to do this. If you do not have an agent, it's in the editor's best interest, as well as yours, to help you and guide you.
Writing Myth #7: People don't buy books in the summer or December.
Truth: People buy books all year.
Other Info:
In regards to self-promotion: your best weapon is your book.
The cover, in particular, is very important.
The impact of e-publishing on a career is neither negative nor positive. It is taken by a case by case impression. It may be to your advantage as you may grow as a writer, develop a following, etc.
Delivering books on time is important. Do not miss your deadlines. Missing a deadline causes huge problems for the company.
In regards to editor response time:
No response is not necessarily a bad thing, it may mean your work has not been looked at yet. At Kensington, there is no committee meeting holding things up. Kate Duffy typically has a 6 month response time.
Submit your work one time to one editor. Do not submit to a different editor if your work has been rejected. That basically means it was not right for Kensington to begin with.
If you are asked to revise a work, then a contract should accompany it.
Make friends with a bookseller. Find people who can tell you if you are commercially competitive. Not people who are invested in your feelings like family and friends.
DO's and DON'Ts for AUTHORS:
Don't email a manuscript (unless requested to do so.)
Don't worry about your release date. (ie: the most lucrative release date is any one that Nora Roberts is not in!)
Do send in the full manuscript when you have it. Queries are not necessary. Editors care about the book, the more they see of the book, the better.
People who get published, it is inevitable, and editors are lucky to have them land on their desk.
Kate Duffy primarily accepts romance, mysteries, and thrillers. She says she reads 3-5 pages before she gives up reading a manuscript.
Special Note: In January 2008, every Barnes & Noble will have a Brava display!
.
Quote "Get off the Internet and write books!!"
Writing Myth #1: After you sell the 1st book, your life is easy.
Truth: Not so. Sometimes the second sale can be harder than the first.
Writing Myth #2: Editors are over-paid with corner offices, and frequently have two-martini lunches.
Truth: The industry, as a whole, operates without a huge profit margin. This is a competitive market place for editors, as well.
Writing Myth #3: Grammar and Punctuation won't count. Someone will fix it for you.
Truth: First and foremost, the craft has to be there, including good grammar. If this is not a strength for you, get someone to help you fix it prior to submitting your work.
Writing Myth #4: Such and such (insert line) is not selling.
Truth: Don't believe anyone who isn't with a New York Publisher about what is and is not selling.
Focus on your book.
Focus on what you like to write.
Do not write to what you believe are trends.
There is no way to write yourself into publishing.
Writing Myth #5: Some secret is not talked about by authors and editors.
Truth: There is no secret. The only secret is there has to be a collaborative effort between writers and editors. There's no secret path to publication.
Writing Myth #6: Editors take advantage of you (ie: pick your pockets.)
Truth: It is not in the best interest of an editor who wishes to stay in the industry to do this. If you do not have an agent, it's in the editor's best interest, as well as yours, to help you and guide you.
Writing Myth #7: People don't buy books in the summer or December.
Truth: People buy books all year.
Other Info:
In regards to self-promotion: your best weapon is your book.
The cover, in particular, is very important.
The impact of e-publishing on a career is neither negative nor positive. It is taken by a case by case impression. It may be to your advantage as you may grow as a writer, develop a following, etc.
Delivering books on time is important. Do not miss your deadlines. Missing a deadline causes huge problems for the company.
In regards to editor response time:
No response is not necessarily a bad thing, it may mean your work has not been looked at yet. At Kensington, there is no committee meeting holding things up. Kate Duffy typically has a 6 month response time.
Submit your work one time to one editor. Do not submit to a different editor if your work has been rejected. That basically means it was not right for Kensington to begin with.
If you are asked to revise a work, then a contract should accompany it.
Make friends with a bookseller. Find people who can tell you if you are commercially competitive. Not people who are invested in your feelings like family and friends.
DO's and DON'Ts for AUTHORS:
Don't email a manuscript (unless requested to do so.)
Don't worry about your release date. (ie: the most lucrative release date is any one that Nora Roberts is not in!)
Do send in the full manuscript when you have it. Queries are not necessary. Editors care about the book, the more they see of the book, the better.
People who get published, it is inevitable, and editors are lucky to have them land on their desk.
Kate Duffy primarily accepts romance, mysteries, and thrillers. She says she reads 3-5 pages before she gives up reading a manuscript.
Special Note: In January 2008, every Barnes & Noble will have a Brava display!
.
RWA Nationals 2007 - State of the Industry
At a “State of the Industry” workshop, I learned the following:
Industry trends are hard to predict as new technology continues to develop
Example: i Phone
XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a hot topic in the publishing industry. The discussions regarding electronic publishing and having a standardized format are on the fore-front.
Technology dominates discussions on book industry changes. Publishers are spending mass dollars on digital avenues. Landscape of publishing is changing dramatically.
A caveat from the instructor “The only constant is change.”
The publishing industry will continue to change and evolve over time to meet the demands of readers and to keep up with the changing technologies.
Some interesting statistics in relation to how the book industry has already evolved and the impact of technology on the industry:
Sixty years ago there were 350 publishers producing 85,000 books annually.
Today, there are 70.000 publishers producing 175,000 books annually.
In the competitive landscape, editors no longer have time to languish on new authors. There is intense competition in the marketplace.
On a different technology front, the blogging industry is getting biger and bigger and more influential. Blogging is prominent now in the publishing world and one can only guess how it will develop, grow, and open up new opportunities in the future.
A few more stats from The Book Industry Study Group:
For 2006, publishing net revenues for all books = 35.68 Billion (this represents an increase over 2005) Estimates for 2011 = 41.84 Billion.
For 2006, Mass Market (most popular for Romance) net revenue = 1.89 Billion. Projections for 2011 = 2.2 Billion.
While the growth predictions are modest, the fact is, it is projected to grow.
Advice from speakers: “Write the best book possible.” “Be a smart, savvy promoter to give your book its best chance possible.”
The romance category represents 55% of paperback sales and 40% of all fiction sold.
Current top sellers in romance are Paranormal, Inspirational, and Erotica.
In the library world: Today’s library wants to grow the technology, but libraries are still widely known for housing print publications.
The Library Journal Magazine publishes a romance section six times a year. (aprox. 170 books reviewed.) In the past year, Historicals represented sixty of the 170 titles reviewed. 35 were Contemporary, 9 were Erotica, and 35 were Paranormals.
Libraries buy mainly through wholesalers, spending millions of dollars each year. They are definitely an audience and more and more publishers are recognizing the library as such.
A famous quote, “Libraries do not sell books, but they peddle them.”
Libraries maintain archives of books. A great place to find back lists. More and more libraries are developing websites with reader lists and search engines.
50% of library book budgets are spent on fiction. This is an increase, non-fiction title purchases used to be higher.
Fiction categories with the largest circulations are Mystery, Romance, and Christian Fiction. Growing in popularity are Multicultural, Urban Fiction, and Erotica.
Libraries love to sponsor book programs, talks, and other activities. Do not discount this avenue when exploring ways to gain readership.
I hope you find some, or all, of this information helpful to have. I'll continue to post learnings from the conference over the next few weeks.... Enjoy!
Hugs,
Barb
.
Industry trends are hard to predict as new technology continues to develop
Example: i Phone
XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a hot topic in the publishing industry. The discussions regarding electronic publishing and having a standardized format are on the fore-front.
Technology dominates discussions on book industry changes. Publishers are spending mass dollars on digital avenues. Landscape of publishing is changing dramatically.
A caveat from the instructor “The only constant is change.”
The publishing industry will continue to change and evolve over time to meet the demands of readers and to keep up with the changing technologies.
Some interesting statistics in relation to how the book industry has already evolved and the impact of technology on the industry:
Sixty years ago there were 350 publishers producing 85,000 books annually.
Today, there are 70.000 publishers producing 175,000 books annually.
In the competitive landscape, editors no longer have time to languish on new authors. There is intense competition in the marketplace.
On a different technology front, the blogging industry is getting biger and bigger and more influential. Blogging is prominent now in the publishing world and one can only guess how it will develop, grow, and open up new opportunities in the future.
A few more stats from The Book Industry Study Group:
For 2006, publishing net revenues for all books = 35.68 Billion (this represents an increase over 2005) Estimates for 2011 = 41.84 Billion.
For 2006, Mass Market (most popular for Romance) net revenue = 1.89 Billion. Projections for 2011 = 2.2 Billion.
While the growth predictions are modest, the fact is, it is projected to grow.
Advice from speakers: “Write the best book possible.” “Be a smart, savvy promoter to give your book its best chance possible.”
The romance category represents 55% of paperback sales and 40% of all fiction sold.
Current top sellers in romance are Paranormal, Inspirational, and Erotica.
In the library world: Today’s library wants to grow the technology, but libraries are still widely known for housing print publications.
The Library Journal Magazine publishes a romance section six times a year. (aprox. 170 books reviewed.) In the past year, Historicals represented sixty of the 170 titles reviewed. 35 were Contemporary, 9 were Erotica, and 35 were Paranormals.
Libraries buy mainly through wholesalers, spending millions of dollars each year. They are definitely an audience and more and more publishers are recognizing the library as such.
A famous quote, “Libraries do not sell books, but they peddle them.”
Libraries maintain archives of books. A great place to find back lists. More and more libraries are developing websites with reader lists and search engines.
50% of library book budgets are spent on fiction. This is an increase, non-fiction title purchases used to be higher.
Fiction categories with the largest circulations are Mystery, Romance, and Christian Fiction. Growing in popularity are Multicultural, Urban Fiction, and Erotica.
Libraries love to sponsor book programs, talks, and other activities. Do not discount this avenue when exploring ways to gain readership.
I hope you find some, or all, of this information helpful to have. I'll continue to post learnings from the conference over the next few weeks.... Enjoy!
Hugs,
Barb
.
DART Escapades in Dallas
[Names have been withheld here to protect the innocent LOL]
Lesson #1: When you are not a native of Dallas, and you decide to take the DART back to your hotel at night, it is best to check with the conductor to find out where exactly your train is going.
Lesson #2: When you ignore lesson number one and you (along with other confused passengers) embark upon your second train ride, singing songs like "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" will add a lively jovial note to your adventure-gone-astray. Pardon me boys...
Lesson #3: It works well and gains lots of attention from other weary passengers, who are also in need of a good chuckle, to keep up said music and merriment on the third train.
Lesson #4: Forty minutes later when you have arrived six blocks from your original starting point, you may decide, without question, that this is the most fun you'll have ever have for a buck!
To the best train riding mayhem buds in the business- these DART memories are for you!
.
.
RWA Nationals 2007
Last week, I attended the Romance Writers Association National Conference in Dallas and I'll be sharing bits and pieces on my blog with you over the next few weeks.
Stay tuned for the fun!
Hugs,
Barb
.
Stay tuned for the fun!
Hugs,
Barb
.
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