Write Now Editing

How I Write: Cindy Ervin Huff

by 1 Comment

Author Cindy Ervin Huff and I go way back. I can’t tell you how far back because, honestly … I can’t remember! We’ve known each other online for years, and recently we’ve had the pleasure of meeting IRL at writing conferences.

Today, Cindy’s here to talk about her writing and editing processes, challenges, and more!

Thank you so much for being here! What do you write? How did you pick that genre?

I write historical and contemporary romance. I could say I write it because I love Hallmark and Mary Connelly, but the truth is I love history. Plus, I care about the struggles people have that can make a relationship challenging. I address things like PTSD and abuse in a fictional setting. I’ve had readers tell me my characters are relatable and that I handle the sensitive subjects authentically without excessive details.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre?

There are tons of romances out there, and they range from very erotic to no touching at all. The hardest part of writing a romance is to produce believable characters—flawed not only on the inside but also imperfect on the outside—that readers are drawn to. It is so cliché reading about the guy with the ripped body and the girl with the perfect shape. That isn’t realistic. Most of my heroines don’t believe they are beautiful, but their love interests see them differently.

Romance is one of the biggest selling genres and finding the audience who loves to read my style of clean romance is the biggest challenge. But once I find my gals, they are so loyal and anxious for more.

How long does it take you to: write the book? Edit it? Finalize it?

I’d love to say a few months, but I’m not that energetic, and I want to produce something that is publisher ready. It takes three to six months to get the story written (I get interrupted, okay?) and the first two rough drafts finished. Then another couple months to edit it. I have three critique groups I run it through and my hubby. Then after I’ve corrected every typo, grammar error, and writerly mistake I can see before I become blind to them, then I’m ready to create a proposal and pitch it.

If you have written multiple books, which is harder: the first book or the following books? Why?

I have two series I’m working on now. I found the next book in the Healing Heart series easier to write until I got to the end. Then I struggled with providing the damsel-in-distress a totally different ending than the previous book. I’ve started the second book in the Village of Women series, and it isn’t flowing smoothly yet. The first book in a series sets the tone and then you have to keep the same standard or up your game so the reader wants more. I hate reading a series where it feels like the second novel is the same as the first novel’s storyline but with different characters.

For sure! What’s your favorite Writers Conference? What do you like about it?

I love Write to Publish. I’ve attended it for years because it’s right in my backyard. It is well organized and gives off a warm, friendly vibe. And not having to spend money on housing is a plus. I love the Florida Writer’s Conference, which I attend when I can afford to. It has great teachers and that same warm feeling being around fellow writers.

If you’ve ever worked with a freelance editor, how did you find that editor? How would you describe the experience?

I love working with a freelance editor. When my debut novel Secrets & Charades was contracted, I enjoyed working with the editor they provided. I hired her to work with me on another manuscript. I learned more about editing and writing craft while working with her than I did reading craft books.

How do you self-edit your manuscript? 

I run ProWriting Aid as I create to catch typos and grammar as I go along. Then when it is finished or at the minimum, a chapter is finished, I turn on the Read Aloud tab in word and listen to a monotone male reader as I follow along. It’s amazing the errors you still find.  Even in a monotone, a terrible sentence can be caught, because a terrible sentence stands out when read aloud. Then I’m ready for my hubby and me to go over it together. I print out the manuscript, and he takes the seat at the keyboard. I read it out loud and find dialog, etc. that needs fixing.

What does your revision process look like?

While hubby and I go over the manuscript, I delete lots of unnecessary things, shorten sentences, and aggressively tighten scenes. Then I send the manuscript to one of my critique groups and revise according to their suggestion. Then I clean it up again.

Cindy Ervin Huff is an Award-winning author of Historical and Contemporary Romance. She loves infusing hope into her stories of broken people. She is addicted to reading and chocolate. Her idea of a vacation is visiting historical sites and an ideal date with her hubby of almost fifty years would be live theater.

www.cindyervinhuff.com
https://www.facebook.com/author.huff11
https://www.instagram.com/cindyervinhuff/
https://twitter.com/Cindyhuff11Huff
https://www.tiktok.com/@cindyehuff?lang=en

To Be or Not to Be: Writing Subplots by James R. Callan

by Leave a Comment

Recently, I was giving a talk on plotting. When I came to the topic of subplots, a lively discussion ensued. Some felt any book called a novel had to have a subplot. That was countered by some who felt that you should avoid subplots altogether. A few felt that subplots were there to beef up the word count. And others felt that was exactly why you should avoid subplots: they distract from the main plot.

I called a halt and offered these guidelines for sub-plots

  • It is a sub-plot. Therefore, it is sub (subordinate to, under, below, beneath) the main plot. It is second fiddle. So on all levels, it must remain secondary.  It must not crowd the main plot for space or attention. 

But, it is a plot.  Therefore, it needs the elements of a plot.  It must have a beginning, a middle, and an end.  It needs an arc.  It cannot coast along at the same level from start to finish.  And it is an important part of any plot, sub or main, that someone (or more than one) must change.  Keep in mind that person could be the reader. If you can change the attitude or mindset of the reader, that is a change, and much more difficult to achieve than changing a character of the book.

  • It must satisfy at least one of these two criteria.
  1. It must add to the reader’s understanding of the setting, the surroundings, the texture of the story. In my book Cleansed by Fire, the subplot involving a mysterious character close to the drug scene gives the reader a feel for the texture of the town, that is, the drug problem in the small town. Without my preaching about the problem, the Earl subplot makes it clear.
  2. It must give the reader a clearer understanding of one or more characters in the story, preferably the protagonist.  A well crafted subplot can allow the author to define the protagonist without “telling.”  It is an excellent vehicle for “showing” the reader the true nature of the protagonist without “telling.” Using the same example above, Earl allowed me to bring out a number of characteristics of the protagonist without “telling.”

So, in the example I have given, a subplot served two important jobs.

But what about the question: subplot or not. Subplots can improve a book. Subplots can help the author with two important areas: help define the texture of the story, and help the reader better understand certain characters – and in a way that works well for the author.

If you can use a subplot to accomplish one or both of the two conditions above, then by all means add a subplot.  If the subplot is used to simple bulk up the book, add words, get in something that you the author wants to say that is not necessary to the story, then leave it out.

Rod Granet, award-winning novelist and womanizer, is the main speaker at a writers conference. But after the opening session and in front of a crowd, Maggie DeLuca, Father Frank’s sister, accuses Granet of stealing her story and says he will pay for it.

That night, Granet is killed.

The sheriff quickly zeros in on Maggie and she is hauled off in handcuffs. The sheriff is convinced he has the murderer and threatens Father Frank not to get involved in this case.

But the sheriff is not the only one threatening Father Frank.

Can Father Frank stay out of jail and alive, and find the real killer?

After a successful career in mathematics and computer science, receiving grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and being listed in Who’s Who in Computer Science and Two Thousand Notable Americans, James R. Callan turned to his first love—writing.  He wrote a monthly column for a national magazine for two years. He has had four non-fiction books published.  He now concentrates on his favorite genre, mystery/suspense, with his sixth book releasing in 2014.

www.jamesrcallan.com/ 
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1eeykvG

How to Write a Swoon-Worthy Sweet Romance Novel by Victorine E. Lieske (book review)

by Leave a Comment

Romance novels aren’t like other genres and hitting all the things that romance readers want can be tricky. How do you make your readers believe your characters are falling in love? How do you show that sizzle of attraction?

How do you write a good kissing scene? How do you bring in the much-needed tension but still have your characters flirting and getting closer?

In this book I take one of my romance novels (Acting Married) and I go through the entire novel with you, basically interrupting myself to tell you what I was thinking as I was writing the novel. It’s like watching a movie with commentary. I pull back the curtain so you can see why I started it the way I did, why I decided to put certain scenes in, and what pushes the romance forward in the book.

I preface all this with what I consider the essentials of a good romance novel, and I end with my list of well-loved romance tropes that you can draw from in order to write your own bestselling romance novel.

On my continuing quest to learn everything I can about writing and editing romance and women’s fiction, I picked up this book without knowing anything about the author. It was NOT what I’d expected, but it’s a great book.

This is NOT your typical craft book. Lieske only gives 25 pages of description regarding the romance genre (meet cut, attraction, repelling, dark moment, etc.). Then, there are a few pages at the end of the book where she lists and explains a bunch of romance tropes. The rest of the 320+ pages are actually her novel (Acting Married) which she interrupts to point out all of the things she described in the first 25 pages. She not only points out moments of subtext, she explains why she put it in that spot. It’s very much a hands-on learning experience.

If you’re looking for a how-to-write-fiction book, this isn’t for you. If, however, you have a good understanding of fiction-writing basics (showing; voice; characterization; pacing), this book is excellent for showing you how to take the fundamentals and put them into a romance novel. If you’re interested in writing romance, I highly recommend this book.

Rate PG for some drinking. Get your copy here!

How I Write: Judy DuCharme

by Leave a Comment

Across Lake Michigan in the land of delicious cheese (a.k.a. Wisconsin), Judy DuCharme writes award-winning fiction from her home in Door County. Today, she gives us a look at her process, her experiences, and her latest release.

Welcome! Thank you so much for being here today. Let’s start with the nuts and bolts: how long does it take you to write the book? Edit it? Finalize it?
That has varied quite a bit. My longest book, Blood Moon Redemption, took only 9 or 10 months to write, but 3 years to find a publisher. Lainey of the Door Islands was written over a period of 3 years but was published very quickly. It’s sequel, which I just finished, was written in about 9 months. It depends on time available with life interruptions, the anointing/inspiration, the need for research, and many other variables.

Editing takes time. The one I just submitted took me a month to edit. Of course, editing is done all along in the writing process. It’s good to let the book sit a while between edits and then give it fresh eyes. A publisher friend told me once, “Editing is never done, you just finally quit.” And you’ll edit more with your assigned editor from the publisher.

4If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first book or the following books?
Each is unique with its own difficulties and fun. My books are in several genres, so each one is an adventure.

I think the sequels are difficult as I feel I must write them to level of the first one or beyond. In the first in the sequence, I simply marched forward. In the second one, I needed to be careful to tie it to the first and continue.

My fiction sequel was fun and flowed, but I had to doublecheck times and places and names from the first one to make sure all fit. Then it went in a different direction than I expected, so that was interesting. My Cheesehead Devotional sequel required a lot more research and I had to make sure I wasn’t making the same point or drawing the same principle as I did in the first one.

What’s your favorite writers conference? What do you like about it?
I’ve enjoyed many conferences and they all have a special aspect though very similar. I loved Blue Ridge and would like to go again. The Florida (FCWC) is one that I’ve attended several times and really enjoyed. I’ve been to both the Philly and the Wheaton (Write to Publish) ones, and they are great as well. Each one offers timely instruction and connections.

What’s your writing day like?
Very undisciplined. For a season, I may find that 10 a.m. – noon is a great time to write. Some days that’s not possible. I may write at night. I often intend to write several hours or at a specific time, but those goals rarely work for me. I’ve learned, for the most part, to grab times when I can. I’ve found that even 45 minutes is helpful. I know many authors write 4-8 hours a day, but that rarely happens with me.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different?
I’m definitely a panster. Inspiration, anointing, and ideas that won’t leave are what get me writing. Deadlines keep me going. I have had times where it seems I’m watching the characters decide the direction and action and I just try to keep up. Other times I pray and write as best I can, knowing I can go back and change it if it isn’t that great. And I do my research, whether its books or online, visiting the location, or interviewing people that have knowledge of the necessary info.

What’s surprised you the most about the publishing process?
That I’m expected to do most of the marketing, a completely different skill than writing.

What advice do you have for new authors?
Go to a conference. That’s where you meet publishers, agents, editors, and other authors. You’ll be able to pitch your piece and have it critiqued. You’ll also have several workshops to improve your craft—and we can always improve our craft. And do your research.

What does your revision process look like?
It has evolved as I’ve gone through the editing process with my publishers. I’m also in a critique group, Word Weavers. I’m learning to look at the story and recognize areas that can be eliminated. So often we feel that every word we write is inspired and it’s very difficult to cut some of those things. But it gets easier as time goes by.

I usually print my manuscript and go through and edit. Then, I go back to the computer and do those corrections and more as I go through online. Then I go through again and am always amazed at how much still needs edited. I know when the publisher assigns an editor, there will be more edits.

Walk with Lainey into the world of Door County and its islands in the late 1800s, a time of shipwrecks, lighthouses, and strong individuals who never gave up. Lainey becomes one of those rugged individuals as she faces tragedy and hardship. Her aunt and uncle, the lighthouse keepers on tiny Pilot Island, demonstrate the toughness needed to survive, but Lainey takes it a step further with her spunk and grace and becomes a shining light to all those around her. With humor, faith, close friendships and the young man who interferes with her ability to function, Lainey of the Door Islands will capture your heart, and she’ll inspire you to know that no matter what happens, God has a plan to prosper and not to harm.

Judy DuCharme grew up with Lake Huron next to her back yard and has always loved the water. She, her husband, daughter, and son moved to Door County in 1984. After teaching 5th Grade at Gibraltar School for 22 years, Judy followed the calling that tugged at her all her life to write. She has 7 published books, one more to be released this summer, and another one submitted to the Publisher. She also writes for Guideposts Magazine. Her awards number near 20. If you visit Door County, you may find her hiking in the woods, jet skiing on the bay, worshipping at her church, teaching a Bible study, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, playing with her amazing grandson, or sitting outside enjoying the beauty around her.

https://www.judithducharme.com/
https://www.facebook.com/judy.ducharme.18
https://www.facebook.com/Judy-DuCharme-Author-1360359084069983
https://twitter.com/PackerJudy 
https://www.instagram.com/author_jducharme
tiktok.com/@judyducharmeauthor

How I Write: Valerie Goree

by Leave a Comment

Do you lose your writing inspiration during the summer? It can be hard to focus when there are so many things going on and the beach is calling your name. You still need to write, though, and today Valerie Goree is going to talk about her publishing experience to help motivate all of us to keep writing!

What do you write? How did you pick your genre?
I write romantic suspense because that’s the genre I prefer to read. In writing romantic suspense, I create the level of suspense I’m comfortable with, and although I sometimes question law enforcement officers to make sure I get the details correct, I still control the action.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?
The most difficult aspect of writing romantic suspense is to develop a balance between the two elements. The romance must blossom alongside the suspense thread. Neither should overshadow the other. I create situations where the characters have to rely on each other to solve the mystery and so build the bonds that will lead to romance. All my novels have a strong spiritual thread, too, that has to be woven throughout the story.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first book or the following books? Why?
I think the following books were harder to write because by then I knew more about the craft of writing a good story. The first novel I wrote flowed freely, however, when I presented it for a critique at a conference, I was sadly disappointed that my book baby was no instantly snapped up by a publisher. So yes, it might have been easy to write but it was not a polished product. I have since revised it considerably, and now it is in print. Forever Under Blue Skies, available from Amazon.

What’s your favorite book on writing? What do you like about it?
My favorite book is The Emotions Thesaurus, by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, published in 2012. Authors are familiar with the “rule” Show Don’t Tell. This book lists a variety of emotions, then describes the physical actions or gestures that reflect that emotion.

For example, I can write: Rosa was anxious. (Telling.) Or, I could write: Rosa clutched her purse to her chest and blew out a serious of short breaths. Then she rubbed the back of her neck and glanced at the clock again. (Showing.) Naturally, I also rely on how I would act in a given situation, but the book delves deep into the emotion.

What’s your favorite writers conference?
My favorite conference is the Mount Hermon Writers Conference. They offered a plethora of workshops for fiction and non-fiction authors. The causal atmosphere in the lush forests near Santa Cruz, California, allowed want-to-be authors to visit with multi-published folks, agents, and editors. The website indicated the conference may be cancelled. Sad.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different?
I’m a pantser/plotter. I begin by completing background information for my major characters. What are their strengths and weaknesses? What happened in their pasts that makes them who they are today? What jobs do they have? What are their hopes and dreams for the future?

When I know who will star in my story, I outline the basic plot, especially the suspense element. I know how I want the story to end … and so the writing begins and the pantser takes over.

Quite often a character will “give” me details during a conversation with another member of the cast. My plan might be for the plot to veer left, but the character will say something that takes the story in a completely different direction. This may sound strange to some readers, but believe me, many authors will agree that if your characters aren’t “talking” to you, maybe it’s because you’re taking them in the wrong direction.

What advice do you have for new authors?
Read the genre you write, study craft books, attend conferences and workshops, but keep on writing. As with any other skill, you have to practice to improve.  If possible, join a critique group. You’ll be surprised by how much you’ll learn.

How do you self-edit your manuscript?
I edit as I write. Sometimes this interferes with the creative process, but my OCD tendencies usually won’t allow me to continue if I’m aware of mistakes or plot holes. Before I begin a chapter, I generally know what I want to cover and sometimes I jot down notes to remind myself. Many times throughout the process, I stop and reread what I’ve written. This allows me to spot inconsistencies or problems.

When the novel is complete, I search for weasel words and either remove or replace them. I’m always surprised at how often I use the word “just.”

American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.

After serving as missionaries in her home country of Zimbabwe and raising two children, Glenn and Valerie moved to Texas. She worked in the public school system for many years, focusing on students with special needs. Now retired in Washington, Valerie spends her time writing, and spoiling her grandchildren.

Novels include: Deceive Me Once; Colors of Deceit; The Stolen Lives Trilogy, Weep in the Night; Day of Reckoning; and Justice at Dawn, to be released July, 2021. Valerie’s latest novel Forever Under Blue Skies, is now available from Amazon.

https://www.facebook.com/ValerieMasseyGoree/
www.valeriegoreeauthor.com

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.

Connect

Copywriting

Karin understood my advertising and marketing writing needs and accomplished the project in record time. She asked all the right questions up front to equip herself with enough … [more]

Editing

Substantive Fiction Editing: A substantive edit looks at the big picture. Start here to tackle the big issues before moving on to the nit-picky details. Substantive edits not only point out … [more]

Author Page

Lover of all things fiction, I also love University of Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings, kayaking, gluten-free cupcakes, and my husband.

Resources

Press Release Tool Kit Stop waiting and hoping for people to notice you and your organization! With this Press Release Tool Kit, you’ll learn to apply the step-by-step process I use to … [more]