So You Want to Write a Novel?

Thoughts on Getting Started
by Rick Bylina

Short of a long class, spending lots of money, and time (months, not the three day or week long classes that will blow a gasket in your cranium with too much material too fast), my ultimate suggestion for someone starting with a blank slate and trying to organize and frame a story is as follows:

1. Bring a large notepad and buy a cup of coffee in your favorite bookstore and read THE MARSHALL PLAN FOR NOVEL WRITING by Evan Marshall. Okay, everyone stop snickering. I mean it! Right now! No snickering! Yeah, it's how to do genre fiction, but if your goal is to get a grasp over the entirety of writing a novel in a nutshell, this is a good place to start with many practical pieces of information and many of the "writing rules."

2. Buy, read, and digest STORY by Robert McGee. It is the kick you in the groin version of "this is what you need to know and damn it you better listen to me." Because, well, he's right about most of it.

3. Buy and mark-up SCENE AND STRUCTURE by Jack Bickham. This gives you some of the nuts and bolts necessary to nail down how scenes and chapters are pulled together at a more detailed level.

4. Watch very carefully the following movies:

• The Fugitive
• Casablanca
• Adaptation
• Memento
• Double Indemnity
• The Sixth Sense

5. Write, write, write. Read, read, read.

6. Many very good books can help you edit your story, but I would recommend using MANUSCRIPT MAKEOVER by Elizabeth Lyon to fix what you broke along the way and tighten what you've learned in steps 1, 2, and 3.

7. Now that you have all the rules together -- Break them! Bend them! Stomp on them! -- like some Friday night wrestler pouncing on the dancing baby from Ally McBeal.

8. Supplement your learning with a good workshop...one that focuses on your material (not one that makes you write a lot of useless writing exercises about the last time you wet your pants while in the first grade). I recommend Writers Retreat Workshop in Erlanger, Kentucky. Ten days of hands-on with incredible exposure during the workshop to the staff, agents, and editors, and ongoing support after leaving the workshop.

9. Remember:

• Character is plot.
• All the main characters need a motivation and goals for their actions; otherwise, you get meaningless action and stereotypes.
• Less is more.
• "To be" verbs are not evil, but need to be sprinkled lightly.
• If you are bored with what you are writing, so are your readers.
• Adjectives and adverbs are not the enemy; they just aren't your friends.
• Whenever possible, drop "said" and use some action to indicate who the speaker is.
• Eat more chocolate.
• Remember the four firsts: sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter. They must grab the reader to keep them interested in reading on.
• There are an infinite number of stories to be written.
• Literary fiction is a title conferred on your work, not something you write. Write what you want, but "understand" the marketing and story-telling reality behind the genres.

10. Don't be afraid to write crap (see BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott or ON WRITING by Stephen King). All writer's do it, but then they move on. And that is the entire key to writing, because in the world of writing, there is only one rule.

Writers write! Everything else is a guideline.

How I Found the IWW

• How I found you: Google.
• I was referred to the workshop through a fellow Writer's Guild member.
• I found your website while searching for a writing critique group that could offer advice.
• I found you through an online nature writing class I've taken with Wendee Holtcamp.

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

The great Ernest Hemingway once waxed poetic about such a place, and, as one of the administrators of The Internet Writing Workshop, I can attest to the benefits of its virtual equivalent -- the critique lists of the Workshop.

An incident last week reminded me that the critique lists of the IWW are monitored groups where administrators work hard to provide a safe, friendly, supportive environments for writers to improve their craft.

Reasons?

• We don't allow personal attacks.
• We demand that people critique writing rather than indulge in personal opinions.
• We keep all list traffic on point.
• We have material to help members with formating and posting issues.
• We work hard to see that members post cleanly formatted and readily legible posts.
• We encourage good karma -- "Want critiques? Do critiques!"
• We follow up if a submission receives no critiques.
• We take action when things go wrong.

Know someone seriously interested in improving their skills. Send them to the Internet Writing Workshop.

How I Found the IWW

• I learned of your group through Writer's Digest.
• As I browsed through the internet, I found the site, and I am very interested in joining. I believe that through this group I can learn more about writing.
• I found out about this list from a lot of people on the other mailing list I'm on - the "Writing in India" mailing list.
• I typed in "Online Writing Groups" in Google and your site was one of the first ones to come up.
• A friend recommended this mailing list (she's a current member).
• I found your website through the writingtime.net website.
• I found you via a posting by a fellow writer on another writing list.
• I found you from an acknowledgment made by Robert Tacoma in one of his
• books.
• Diane Faulkner recommended me to this site, so if I'm accepted and I enhance the group in any way, then you can thank her. If I don't enhance it, don't blame her.
• I found you surfing the internet for on-line critique groups and stopped when I found Terry Burns name.
• I was browsing on the web. At a site that I found in one of my school books from Long ridge writers group. "Searching" A Research Guide for Writers.
• I was recommended to this site by a friend.
• I remember the workshop from years ago. I think I originally found you through a Yahoo search.
• You did not ask, but my interest in joining your group stems from a desire to become a published author and to help others realize their writing dreams. A friend who belongs told me about the web-site. She currently has two books under contract and credits her experience in this work-shop for her success.

How I Found the IWW

The Internet Writing Workshop continues to attract new members, thanks mostly to desire plus impulse followed by a trip to the world's most reliable search engine, the one named for the number one followed by a hundred zeros, or the illustration of "the difference between an unimaginably large number and infinity."

New members and old should remember to promote this creative cooperative known as The Internet Writing Workshop. We who voluntarily administer the IWW appreciate every individual who links to the workshop or to this blog. And, if you like, we can forward an IWW logo for your to display.

• I found your site when I did a Google search for online writer's groups.
• My cousin told me about The Internet Writing Workshop.
• I found IWW as a Google search: 'free novel critiques' or some such.
• Yahoo search.
• There's a woman, Sussana I believe, whose real-life writing group I joined. She told me to sign up, so I'm here.
• Where I heard: I've run across references to IWW in several other places, mostly online. I can't recall the exact sites (other than Google searches).
• I don't remember how I found you. Sorry!
• I found your site through a google search.

How I Found the IWW

• I came across IWW while visiting the blog site Murder She Writes thanks to a post from author Natalie R. Collins.
• I found your organization on "Other Kidwriting Resources."
• I heard about the workshop through Wendee Holtcamp while taking her Nature Writing Course. She recommends it for all her students who are serious about writing.
• I found out about the workshop randomly while reading news stories on the web. I found the blog first and then the actual workshop site.
• I found the information about this group on www.BobSanchez.com.
• was exploring Writers Village University (Bob Hembree) and found Carter Jefferson who in turn, linked here.
• I learned about IWW at the web site of Bob Sanchez. (http://www.bobsanchez.com/)
• I was a member several years ago.
• Natalie R. Collins mentioned this site in her blog on Murder She Writes.
• I heard about this one from a member on another writing oriented mailing list.
• I discovered this critique group through the Writer's Digest online.

How I Found the IWW

... Or "Another Love Letter to Google"

• I found you via the internet and have been on an off some lists for the last couple years.
• To be honest, I think I was just googling away with no specific destination in mind. Luckily for me I stumbled across this invaluable site. I'm new to the craft and so don't think I have much to offer in terms of critting others, but will certainly try my best anyways. Am looking forward to honing my skills though.
• I was looking for critique groups and fell upon Miss Snark the literary agents blog which numerous writers listed good sites to visit- this was one of them.
• I've researched several forums through Google - this site appears the best.
• The Writer's Network Blog.
• I found this by reading a quilting book by author Jennifer Chiaverini. She gives this site credit for her beginnings in her acknowledgments.
• I found your group by making a general Internet search for writing critique groups.
• I found your website by using a google search.
• I was introduced to this site by a former member the old AOL writer's site by Wvcheers known to me by first name Wayne.
• I was directed to this group by Julie Vogt whom I've been discussing writing with.

How I Found the Internet Writing Workshop

• I found your page through a link from Other World's Writer's Workshop. As someone who wishes to move outside the fantasy genre I feel that your site is more appropaite to my needs.
• I searched on Yahoo for writing workshops and came across yours. It was listed on the first page and I liked the concept.
• I used to be part of the list 3 years ago, but due to time constraints I had to quit. I’ve recently decided to focus on my writing and have decided to join again.
• I found your site as a search on the Internet by looking for writing groups online.
• I was referred by a friend on another web critique site, EditRed.com.
• I heard about the IWW by searching Google for the phrase "online writing groups." From there, I went to Writing-World, where I found the link to IWW. I was formerly a member of the Fiction and Novels lists on IWW, but felt that they were too advanced for me right then.
  
• I found this site during my search for a workshop ... pushed to work on my craft.
• I found you by surfing.
• forwriters.com listed you as a resource and I was lucky enough to try you out!
• I read about you two years ago, while reading "The Writer." A woman had mentioned the I.W.W. as a source of assistance for writing her book. She described the entire process and I was "hooked" -- and overwhelmed.
• I found the group through Google, after having some sudden motivation to get some writing done over the summer.

Safe Writing

Recently, someone asked IWW administrator Greg Gunther a question that should come to mind before a person joins the Internet Writing Workshop.

"I was discussing this list with a friend of mine today and he asked me if the writers' work is protected in some way. In other words, is it safe from theft? ... out of curiosity, I thought I'd ask about it anyway."

Greg directed the person to the IWW's Web page where the facts are outlined, as well as other good information.

Q: What if someone steals my work?

Unfortunately, plagiarism can occur anytime writers share their writing with anyone else. Writers have had their works plagiarized by family members, friends, or writing instructors.

However, plagiarism is not as common as some people believe. Remember also that a similarity in ideas or plots does not automatically indicate plagiarism — there are only so many ideas and plots around, after all.

That said, the IWW offers these safeguards against plagiarism:

• Membership to the critiquing lists is restricted to active members (no lurkers).
• List postings are not archived. The only people who see them are the list members who receive the posts.
• Anonymous or hidden members are not allowed.
• Since several people will see any given submission, this increases the chances any plagiarism will be discovered.

In the end, each writer must weigh the risks and benefits before sharing work with anyone else, in the IWW or elsewhere.

From personal experience, as a member and an administrator of the IWW since the last century, I can remember only one instance hinting at possible plagiarism. As writers on the Internet, however, we must understand we have opened a window to the world. We can pull the shade. We can lock the window. We can do everything right, and be harmed.

Every sophisticated and rational person realizes the world is not a safe place, and copes.

Every member of the IWW should realize IWW administrators work hard to keep the lists as safe as possible, and we believe we're doing the best we can.

---

"If it wasn't for faith there would be no living in this world; we couldn't even eat hash with any safety."
Josh Billings, Irish playwright & critic

How I Found the IWW, or One More Love Letter to Google!

• I found you guys because I typed in "Writer's group" in google, and you were the first I clicked on. Hooray!
• I typed in Poetry Workshops and your entry there on Google looked the most promising.
• I found out about this site through google search engine.
• I really don't remember how I found the workshop - I've participated sporadically on critters.org for several years, and when I went to re-activate there recently, I found that I also had IWW bookmarked in the same folder. I think someone from critters must have given me the link originally, but it's been ages.
• Found you while surfing.
• Google is how i found ya'

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR MAKING MEMOIR CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITING

This summer, the Creative Nonfiction Foundation will launch a new educational series, the Creative Nonfiction Writing Institutes. The Institutes are short, intensive programs focused on various aspects of the craft of writing creative nonfiction. The first Institute, MAKING MEMOIR, with courses and workshop opportunities for writers of all levels of experience, will be held in Pittsburgh July 13-14, 2007.

MAKING MEMOIR features a special opportunity to learn the basics from an authority on the genre--writer and editor Lee Gutkind, a literary pioneer who has helped make creative nonfiction the fastest growing segment of the publishing industry. Lee will teach two courses:

• THE FIVE R'S OF MAKING MEMOIR will give an overview of the genre. In this day-long course on Friday, July 13, Lee will present the basic elements of the classic memoir, from scene-writing to using background information and descriptions, structure, voice and tone, while discussing the ethical issues inherent in memoir writing.
• WORKSHOP WITH THE GODFATHER will be a special, day-long workshop for advanced writers on Saturday, July 14. Writers may submit up to ten double-spaced pages in advance to share with other members of the workshop.

Two half-day courses for writers at all levels will be offered on Saturday, July 14:

• WORKING WITH FRAGMENTS OF MEMORY will consider how to capture memory; the function of distinctive voice as an organizing principle; the use of dialogue and scenes in fleshing out memory; the quest for truth; and the role freshness of language plays in being honest with memory. Instructor Floyd Skloot, the award-winning author of memoirs including In the Shadow of Memory, will focus the workshop on the elements that lend cohesion and structure to fragments of memory, exploring the writer's technical resources for such work. (9 a.m. to noon)
• THE ART AND CRAFT OF CHARACTERIZATION IN MEMOIR will enable writers to bring characters on the page to life--through their actions, reactions, dialogue, and intimate detail. Instructor Dinty W. Moore, the author of books including The Truth of the Matter: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction, will offer strategies designed to increase the writer's skill at transforming complex flesh-and-blood individuals into words, sentences, and scenes. (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

Class size will be limited to ensure personal attention from workshop instructors; pre-registration is required. Complete instructor bios and registration details are online.

All classes and lectures will be held in comfortable classrooms at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, 477 Melwood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

You must register by July 1. Please email any questions about the workshops or the registration process.

How I Found the IWW ...

• *I found you through Max Barry's website.
• *My English Professor ... told me about this workshop.
• *I found your Workshops by Googling "writing workshops."
• *My narrative nonfiction and fiction wasn't doing so well as I never made a complete study of my craft; my learning was sloppy and spotty and so was/is my writing. I got on the forum at www.writersweekly.com, and as I got familiar with the place asked for a critique.
• *I found out about this workshop through a friend.
• *I was recommended to the Internet Writing Workshop by the Writer's Digest.
• *I found you through a link on Forwriters.com web site.
• *I found this workshop via Google.
• *I found out about these workshops through a friend.

Why You and Any Other Writer Might Like the IWW

Long-time member Kate Reynolds reminded me recently why she values the Internet Writing Workshop. She referred to her article printed in the Writer's Digest Magazine -- "Improve your writing and expand your network of writing friends by joining a critique group you can attend from the comfort of your home."

There's good information in Kate's essay, but it was printed before the IWW administrators took the initiative to purchase a domain name and server space. The URL shown in the article's sidebar is incorrect.

We're here!

1st Annual Downeast Writers Conference

Charlotte Robertson recently announced word of a writers conference that she believes will be a both a pleasant and productive experience -- the 1st Annual Downeast Writers Conference.

Robertson notes, "We have taken out advertising, but I know all writers do not see the magazines."

Robertson is a former director of a public library, a founder and sponsor of a writer's public forum,a founder of a literacy council, a founding member of a state Center for the Book, a board member for the state humanities.

Read more about the 1st Annual Downeast Writers Conference on the conference's Web site.

Buried Gems on the Main IWW Site

Greg Gunther, the Internet Writing Workshop's chief administrator, said recently, "Our workshop's web site has a lot of useful information to help you with your email settings, such as, signoff, nomail, and others you might find interesting.

"If you have formatting problems with your posts to your lists, check out this page. Chances are your answers will be there.

"If you want to reach any of our admins, you can find their workshop addresses here.

"Please note that a message sent to these addresses will come back to you from listserv for authentication -- that is, it will ask you to click on a link it presents to you. That's to stop spammers, who never click on those links.

"Any of those choices are far superior to sending a help request to the Writing list."

Writing Chats on AOL: Obstacles to Writing, Rejection

By Mel DuVall, IWW Administrator

Always remember the knowledge and experiences of the host, presenters, and even attendees limit the content of chats and workshops. The publishing industry is large, complex, and changing to meet new challenges. New technologies make it easier for many to write, but don’t guarantee the works produced will be better than those of the past.

View chats and workshops and all self-help tools and books with a critical eye. Use what helps to improve your own work. Learn to judge quality over quantity. Honing one’s critical skills is an important writing tool.Two recent AOL chats point out this problem. One focused on Obstacles to Writing and another on Rejections. They illustrate the point.

The chat on Obstacles, a popular chat topic, identified some important elements, but also veered off in the later discussion to the experiences of two participants. Some of these latter points remained specific to the persons raising them.

Among the useful points: lack of confidence, overconfidence, lack of knowledge, trying too hard (straining for literary prose or the perfect hook), over-or underwriting of dramatic passages. The consensus: get the story down first and worry about the perfect metaphor later. Once you have a draft, you can revise it. Once the ending is set, the hook becomes much clearer. It also makes it easier to tell when and where to start the piece.

The chat on Rejections veered off into using Feng Shui to decorate a writing office. Useful points emerged, however.

Don’t agonize over rejection. Keep writing and reading books and market news of your genre. While rejection letters might help convince the IRS you’re a serious writer, file them away and move ahead.

In those few cases where an editor sends comments, do your best to understand what they mean. Sometimes, it’s just a way of letting you down easily, but most editors are too busy for idle comments, so read any such responses with care. They may point to needed revisions or story weaknesses. Most offer only a form-letter response or a scrawled ‘no.’

Participants deplored the mergers among publishing houses, but others noted new ones start up all the time. The host spoke highly of e-publishing and e-zines. More of them offer payment or royalties for longer works.

Resources For Writers

by Mel Duval

Resources for writers abound on the Internet. Email, bulletin boards have been with the Internet since its inception. Chat rooms soon followed. Any search engine will provide a long list of writing chat room, just be sure to eliminate sex, singles, and marriage from your search. Most ISPs offer a variety of chat facilities.

For a long time AOL provided chat rooms and host training. In an effort to reduce cost and add other services, AOL cut writing groups loose. Some floundered, some went elsewhere and others continued. The Children's Writing Chat continues on Thursday evenings and multi-published author Brenda Hiatt has her chat/critique group on Tuesday.

Most of the AOL writers wanted to continue and formed a new group AOL Writers and began chats again. They now have an extensive schedule that covers all most all aspect of writing. They have a website at http://www.freewebs.com/writersonaol/weeklychatschedule.htm. Two of the best chats occur on Friday evenings at 8 and 9 pm EST respectively, the Writer's Launch Pad, and the Commercial Novelists chat. They also have begun a new chat on Sunday evenings focused on beginners.

From time to time, I'll provide tidbits from various AOL chats that may interest others. The most recent Commercial Novelist chat covered creativity (or how to get rid of writer's block). Much of the formal presentation by Linda Vernon came from the work of Timothy Perrin with a nod to Writing the Natural Way by Gabriele Lusser Rico. Gary Provost's method using 3 x 5 cards for scene ideas also received mention. Anyone interested in the full presentation can contact Hillwithit@aol.com (screenwriter John Hill) for a log.

While useful for information, techniques, and market news, chats consume a lot of time, time I could spend on writing. Finding and selecting the most useful chats also takes times. I narrowed my list down to a few each week and sporadically add others when the topic interests me. Between my ordinary life and my writing, I haven't time to spend it all in chats, tempting though they may seem. So I share information with others on the chats I find useful, hoping to free some of their time for more writing. The next posting on chats will contain a more extensive summary of the chat content.