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How I Write: Tracey Lyons

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All writers dream of getting published, but not everyone realizes that getting that first book published is just the start of the journey. Staying published is hard work. Author Tracey Lyons shares some of her insights from her years of experience as a successful novelist.

Thank you for being here! Let’s start with talking about what you write.
I write Amish fiction for Harlequin Love Inspired. My agent suggested I try to write in the genre because the historical market was fading. I’m previously published in historical romance with several different publishers. She felt my voice would be a good fit for the Amish genre.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre?
I have to say the most difficult part of writing in the Amish genre is there’s so much to learn about the culture. They are a fascinating group of people. And every single community is different in how they dress and the things they are allowed to do. I also struggle with being authentic to the culture.

How do you work through those challenges?
I do my best to research the area where my books are set. In this case, I traveled to Clymer, NY and drove around the area taking pictures and visiting shops along the way.  I try to put myself in the world of being Amish so my characters come across as the real thing.

How long does it take you to: write the book?
It usually takes me two to three months to write the book.

Edit the book?
The editorial process is shared with my agent and the editorial staff at my publishers. And that takes another two to three months. There are a lot of phases a book goes through. You have your copy editor, your content editor and a line editor.  The final process is exciting because I get to see the effort of my team come to fruition in the finished product. So overall from start to finish it’s about a 9-12 month process, give or take.

Which was harder to write: the first book or the following books?
 The first book is fun to write because let’s face it, what do we know about writing when we first start out? LOL! We have a story we want to tell and that’s pretty much all we know. There’s a sweet innocence to that first book. But I would have to say the next book I write always seems to be the hardest. When you’ve become multi-published and hit a few best seller lists, the expectation that my next book has to be better than the last one is always in the back of my mind.

What’s your writing day like?
I’m for the most part a morning writer. I start my day with my mug of tea and I find my favorite chair to sit in. I look out the window while I’m drinking the tea and think about what I’m going to work on that day. Then I get to work. Sometimes I write in my office, but most times I sit downstairs in the kitchen or in front of my fireplace and work. Then around noontime I take a break. I might nap after lunch. And then I do edits and work on marketing. Nothing too exciting!!

How do you combat writer’s block?
Let’s face it, writer’s block sucks. And even the most prolific authors suffer from it at one time or another. This past year I had it the worst it’s ever been. I decided to think outside the box. Instead of beating myself up every day sitting at my laptop, staring at that blinking cursor on the screen, I took some in-depth writing classes. One was on strengths for writers. I have to tell you it was so refreshing to look at my career from a different angle. And it really bolstered my confidence as a writer and now I’m back at my work, writing on a daily basis. This is a tough business, but if it’s what you were born to do then you will find a way to make everything work and to find happiness in putting those words on the page.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser or plotter?
I’m a bit of both. I usually start with a seed of an idea. Like a movie clip, it plays over and over in my head. Then I write the first three chapters and a synopsis. If that makes sense, I then move on to a plot board. This is something I’ve done the past few years. Prior to that I was doing outlines and timelines. But I really like to be able to move my ideas around. And post-it notes on a tri-fold project board work best for me. I also love to do research. So, I have to throw in time for that. I do a combo of books, internet and traveling to the places where the book is set.

If you have an agent, how did you find/pick your agent?
Believe it or not, my agent and I first met years ago when we were both starting out. At that time, she rejected me. Then over the years I published without an agent. Then I went through three agents and kept querying Michelle. She rejected half a dozen projects of mine. When my former agent and I parted ways, I sent Michelle Grajkowski an email telling her I’d left my current agent and would she be interested in repping me? She said yes and the rest is history.

What tips do you have for others looking for an agent?
Know what your writing style is. Have a clear concept of where you want your writing to go. Don’t ever discount a lunch where you’re chatting at a table with an agent because you never know when the timing will be right and you’ll end up working together.

How do you self-edit your manuscript? 
I don’t have a huge process, but here it is. I write the first draft as free flowing as I can. However, I tend to edit as I write. Meaning when I sit down in the morning, I look at what I wrote the day before. I make adjustments where needed and then I write the new pages. After the book is complete, I do a read through to make sure it all makes sense. I look for grammar issues, and plot points that might not make sense. I also want to make sure I have clear goal, motivation, and conflict for both the plot and the characters. Then I have a beta reader go through it. My agent reads through it and then off it goes to my publisher for their editorial process.

A Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author, Tracey sold her first book on 9/9/99! Tracey’s books have been translated into several languages. She holds membership in American Christian Fiction Writers and Novelists Inc. A true upstate New Yorker, Tracey writes small town, sweet and inspirational historical romances. She is a National Excellence in Romance Fiction, The Greater Detroit Booksellers best, and OKRWA’s Reader’s choice awards finalist.

Learn more about Tracey and her books by visiting her website at www.traceylyons.com. Or by
following Tracey on social media at:
https://www.facebook.com/TraceyJLyonsAuthor,
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tracey-j-lyons

How I Write: Jo Ann Brown

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Publishing has changed a lot in the past twenty years, and those who are willing to adapt are continuing to succeed and thrive in the new market. Jo Ann Brown has made some changes over the years, so she’s enjoyed a long, successful publishing career. Here’s how she does it:

Thank you for being here! Let’s start with what you write and how you picked your genre.

I write Amish inspirational romances. I’d been writing other types of inspirational fiction for several years, including cozy mysteries, when an editor asked me to do a story with Amish characters. Because I have lived (and now again live) near the Amish, I was excited to try. That was several years ago, and now I write exclusively Amish books for Harlequin Love Inspired and Annie’s. My next book will be the launch book for the new Love Inspired Trade line, and it will be an Amish inspirational romance.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first book or the following books? Why?

The first book was the easiest to write and the toughest to sell. I came into the project with unbridled enthusiasm and incredible naivety. I didn’t know the “rules” so I could break them. POV, what was that? Or maybe it’s because I typed it on a standard typewriter (all 500 +pages). Seriously, when I move from one genre to another, I find it so much easier to write the first book in the new genre because all my ideas are new and there wouldn’t be any chance I’ve used them before. I’ve been known to spend hours looking through past files to see if I’ve used a phrase or a plot twist before. I didn’t have to do that with the first book. Also I’m not much more conscious of how story structure and other writing skills work, and I use them to enhance my book.

What conference do you most want to attend? Why?

Any in-person conference at this point! I love the energy that comes from being in close proximity with other writers. The shutdown hasn’t been that bad for me because I’m accustomed to working by myself. Yet, I need those times when I can be with other authors to talk business, to talk ideas, to talk life. Zoom just isn’t the same!

I hear you! I can’t wait to meet in person again.

What’s your writing day like?

I’m a night owl. I start my day (around 10 am) with writing that doesn’t have anything to do with the work-in-progress. I answer emails, check Facebook and do any other tasks. After lunch, I go to work on my current manuscript. I work for about four hours, then take a break for supper and spending the evening with my husband. I go back to work after the late news, which is my best writing time because nobody interrupts.

How do you combat writer’s block?

When I get blocked on what comes next (usually a comeback to a comment the hero or heroine have made), I just move on to another part of the book. I’ve got a structure for the book in mind, so I go to the next spot where I know what’s going to happen. I’ll always jump ahead or back when inspiration hits and I see a better way to do a scene. This way, I’m always writing a scene that I want to work on instead of slogging through one that I’m not interested in at the moment.

If you have an agent, how did you find/pick your agent? What tips do you have for others looking for an agent?

I’m currently working with my fourth agent. I’ve been with her for almost twenty years. For my first agent, in 1985, I selected six agents from a list in a guide by Writer’s Digest, three from the beginning of the list, three from the end. Fortunately one was interested in my work, and he did go on to sell my first six books. But that’s not the right way to find an agent. With my current agent, I got to know her through workshops and through conversations at writers’ conferences before I thought about changing agents. I like her market savvy and her sense of humor that fit with mine. I also liked her no-nonsense point of view on what makes a manuscript marketable. When the time came to change agents, I contacted her. We had a long conversation about what I wanted to do and what she could do for me before I hired her.

The most important tip I can give to anyone looking for an agent is to make sure the agent has read your material before offering representation. This has happened to me and other writers.  I insisted the agent read my published work and the proposals I had to market before I’d talk with him. He did, and I hired him. On the other hand, I know authors who’ve signed the agency contract without pushing for that, especially when they have an offer on the table. When things hit a bump (as they inevitably do in this business), the agent stopped returning the author’s calls. The agent had gotten the 15% commission from a quick sale, which was all the agent was interested in. You want an agent as invested in your career, both short-term and long-term, as you are. Don’t settle. A bad agent is worse than no agent.

If you’re self-published, why did you decide to go that route? If you’re traditionally published, why did you decide to go that route?

Deciding to become traditionally published wasn’t a real choice. I sold my first book in 1987 when that was the only route (other than vanity presses) to publication. As I’ve gotten the rights back on my earlier books, I’ve placed them with other publishers rather than publishing them myself. There is a whole, huge learning curve to self-publishing, and it involves a lot of self-marketing. I learned a long time ago that my talents were writing books, not promoting them, so staying with traditional publication has been the best choice for me.

How do you self-edit your manuscript?

The most vital aspect of self-editing is being able to see it in a different way, a true “re-vision.” I don’t begin editing until I’ve finished a first draft. I print out a copy of the ms, so I can see it differently than I do on the screen, and get out my red pen. As I overwrite, it’s cut and burn time. Every book, I have a word that I use over and over, so I’ve got to look out for that. Fortunately, it becomes quickly obvious. Less obvious things like pacing and POV need to be checked as well. If I start getting bored with a scene, I know readers will, too. Then I look to punch up the emotion wherever I can.

Publishers Weekly best-selling author Jo Ann Brown has created characters and stories for as long as she can remember. After college, serving as an US Army quartermaster officer, getting married, and increasing her blessings with three children, she sold her first book in 1987. Since then, she has sold over 100 titles. Romantic Times called her “a truly talented author.” She loves teaching and established the romance writing course at Brown University. She lives in Pennsylvania Dutch country with her husband of over forty years. Find out more about Jo Ann and her books at:

www.joannbrownbooks.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100023928423266

How I Write: Shannon Vannatter

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What do agents do, and how do you find a good one?

Which is harder to write–your first or seventh book?

How do you combat writer’s block?

Shannan Vannatter is here to help!

Thanks for being here today! Let’s start with what you write — how did you pick your genre?

Contemporary Romance. I started out trying to write Romantic Suspense because I’ve always watched detective shows on TV. But my books were always heavy on the romance, light on the suspense. Finally, at a writer’s conference, I had an epiphany when the speaker said you should probably write what you read most. I read Contemporary Romance. After that epiphany, everything fell into place.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?

In romance, the reader knows how it will end. It’s about how they’ll get to their happily ever after. Keeping readers interested and creating believable conflict to keep the characters apart until the end is hard. You can easily write yourself into a corner if you throw so much conflict at them that they can’t possibly overcome it. It’s a delicate balance.

I make sure their GMCs are rock solid before I ever start writing the book. Debra Dixon’s GMC: Goals, Motivation, & Conflict has saved most of my books from the cutting room floor.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first book or the following books? Why?

In some ways the first book was easier because I had years to perfect it. But it was also harder since I’d never worked with an editor. The following books were easier because I’d worked with an editor and knew more about what needed to go in a book and what didn’t. But they were harder because I had deadlines of three to five months. My 2nd contracted book was the hardest. It was the first time I’d ever had a deadline. I learned writer’s block was a real thing.

What’s your writing day like?

I’m an acquisitions/content editor for Scrivenings Press now too. I work from about 11 am to 5 pm and then from 11pm to 2 am on weekdays. I juggle. Most days, I work on editing and do my writing at night. The hours in between, I spend time with my husband and son and do church-oriented things since my husband is a pastor. Weekends are for family and church.

How do you combat writer’s block?

The one time I had it, with my second contracted book, I’d had to turn in a synopsis for the book to my editor. I’m a pantser, meaning when I start a book, I know the characters and the basic plot twists and the end. Having to write the synopsis before I write the book is like pulling teeth for me. Having to write that book according to the synopsis by a certain date gave me writer’s block. I had to put the synopsis away and work on something else until it was out of my head. Then I wrote the book. A few times I got stuck and had to look at the synopsis to get going again. That’s how I still do it. But writing the synopsis is still the hardest thing I do. And often when I write the book, it doesn’t exactly follow the map I laid out of it. I warn my editors that I’m a pantser and things change as I write the book.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different? Describe your strategy.

I come up with my heroine and hero first and give them baggage and careers or living situations that instantly force them to be together, but they mix like oil and water. I work their GMC out according to Debra Dixon’s GMC: Goals, Motivation, & Conflict. Once I have that formula, I work on plot. I use Randy Ingermanson’s snowflake method to write the synopsis. Once I get the proposal done, I submit it. If it gets contracted, I forget everything I knew about the synopsis and write the book. If I get stuck, I go back to the synopsis. But if my characters take me in a new direction, I let them.

Since I’m a pantser, in a perfect world, I’d sit down with the characters, a few twists, and the ending in my head and just write.

If you have an agent, how did you find/pick your agent? What tips do you have for others looking for an agent?

I’m actually between agents at the moment. My most recent agent’s contract was all inclusive. Meaning if I want to write something for my own company, I’d still have to pay her. I don’t need an agent to write for Scrivenings, so I basically would have paid her for nothing. I’m currently talking to an agent I’m excited about and going over my manuscript one more time before I send her the full.

I’ve had a bad agent and I’ve had good agents. My first one realized I wasn’t ready, so she cut me from her list. My second one lost a contract for me and is no longer in the business. My third one was great—it was just a contract issue.

I’ve found a few things that might be a red flag in finding an agent:

If they’ve only sold to one publishing company, they might have a friend there and that’s the only reason they’re selling.

If they own the agency and don’t have any other agents, they may not play well with others which is a bad thing in the publishing industry.

If an agency has only been around a few years, they may not be proven yet.

Trust me, a bad agent is worse than no agent at all.

To find a good agent:

Find an agency that’s been around for at least five years with lots of sales to multiple houses and employs multiple agents.

How do you self-edit your manuscript?

Even though I’m an editor, it’s hard to self-edit. I love my characters and my story, so it’s hard to see any flaws. I have a foolproof technique that makes sure I have the right mix of emotion, conflict, dialogue, setting, movement, and internal thoughts on each page, without too much of anything. I teach a class on it. On top of that, I eat sunflower seeds still in the hull while I edit. Someway, it keeps me focused, cracking those shells and digging out the seed with my tongue. My ankles are swollen the next day, but it works.

Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.

She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.

Connect with her: Shannon’s Website, Shannon’s Blog, Shannon’s Facebook, Shannon’s Goodreads, Shannon’s Pinterest, Shannon’s Twitter, Newsletter Archives, Shannon’s Amazon Author Page and Shannon’s Bookbub. Sign up for her Newsletter to get a free e-book, recipes, behind the scenes info, & enter exclusive giveaways: Shannon’s Newsletter

Recently, Shannon joined Scrivenings Press as co-owner/acquisitions/content editor.

He came to find the children…will he stay to win her heart?

Learning he’s an uncle shocks Ross Lyles—but after years of handling his brother’s bombshells, at least this surprise is a blessing. A pair of five-year-old blessings Ross is determined to meet, if he can convince their aunt to give him a chance. Fiercely protective, Stacia Keyes is worried he’ll try to take the children…and lassoing her trust is harder than he ever imagined.

Available at Walmart from mid-Feb to mid-March. Or online:

A Texas Bond – ChristianBook      
A Texas Bond – Amazon        
A Texas Bond – BarnesandNoble

ABOUT ME

Editor. Teacher. Novelist.
A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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