All posts in category Writing

The Waiting Game: Making the Meantime Meaningful

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” — Carl Sagan

If only there was an app to expedite the process.

Ever feel like this?

During one of my first writers’ conferences, a featured speaker said it took him ten years of writing daily to complete his first novel. Some days he sat for hours, only to produce a single sentence. Another author shared that after each agent query she sent, she’d awaited a response before submitting to another.

AGH!!!!!! Just hearing the scenarios was enough to make me want to pull my hair out or run sprints. I wasn’t  yet done with my first novel, and it took strength not to contact every agent in the Writer’s Market—twice. (Emails get missed, you know.) Of the virtues I was born with patience, isn’t one of them.

All creative artists face the waiting game. We hear good news, then wait until it comes into fruition, hoping it won’t dissipate in the meantime. We submit for great opportunities, then wait to learn if we’ve landed them. It can take days, weeks or months for responses from agents, publishers and reviewers. And sometimes we can’t share awesome news bubbling up inside us until negotiations have been signed and sealed. Not easy! But that doesn’t mean we have to suffer.

5 Ways to Make the Meantime Meaningful:

1. Create. Nothing makes time fly, or have more value, than submerging ourselves in creative work we enjoy. By the time the goofy old watch-pot boils, we can have other works on-deck. If you don’t have another project at the ready, come up with something new.

2. Distract.  Poor Richard (aka Benjamin Franklin) knew that pots of water boil, whether one watches the brew or not. His point was simply that time seems longer when we sit around, observing time passage. Watching too long may prompt us to pass out or give up from sheer boredom, making ‘never’ inevitable. So do something else. Switching gears to focus on other tasks can be the best patience-inducing medicine.

3. Act as though ____ has already happened. Before I moved from Miami to Los Angeles, I acted as though I already lived here, submitting for auditions and networking via the web. Those behaviors, though I was really just impatient and obsessed, helped get the ball rolling immediately once I arrived. If you’re waiting for good news from a publisher, act as though you’re a published author. Network. Produce even better work for your readers. Organize your professional life.

4. Celebrate. Good news and results typically evolve from hard work. You’ve finished your novel, screenplay or portfolio. If you’re a performer with a call-back, you had a great first audition. So, celebrate! The “prize” you’re awaiting isn’t the biggest accomplishment; the work you did to get there is, in my view.

5. Rest. If there’s one thing we creatives tend to lack, it’s rest. If you can, fill some of the meantime with a pedicure, a movie or venture off on a mini road trip. Rest enhances our creativity, productivity and work quality more than most of us realize.

While we can’t make time move faster or force desired outcomes, we can make the meantime a lot nicer. ;) From my experience, it’s well worth the effort.

Are you patient? How do you deal with the meantime? What’s the toughest wait-time you’ve had to endure? 

45 Comments
by August McLaughlin on October 22, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on October 22, 2012

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How Pseudo-Marriage Prepped Me for Career Decisions

In my early twenties, I had a pseudo-marriage that started with an official wedding and ended in concrete divorce—all because I wed for the wrong reasons.

“Marry you? Hmm… Will I get cute shoes?”
(Photo by Alice Hu; Dress by Dolly Couture)

Okay, I was never that snobby. That’s my alter-ego Cru-Bella de Pill, a persona I took on for particular photo shoots. But she supports what I’m about to share…

If you caught my last post, you know that I’m facing an important and increasingly common decision in my writing career. Though I haven’t officially decided, I feel confident about where I’m headed, much thanks to Professor Pseudo-Marriage.

(I use the term pseudo out of respect for my current marriage, which holds no comparison. If my marriage were a celebrated film, my first would be the reject auditions from American Idol—largely because of me…)

Reasons I Took the Pseudo-Marriage Leap:

Boredom, impatience and the bandwagon. At 22, I was pre-”old maid” by the high-fashion world’s standards. After working internationally and enduring serious hardships, I was taking a hiatus in Minnesota when my adventurous spirit returned. I sat twiddling my thumbs in classes I’d lost luster for and therapy I no longer needed. Meanwhile, many of my peers were married. The totally single me decided it was time. The next person I dated, I would marry.

Stubbornness. That decision stuck. My next beau became my fiance in a snap. We discussed marriage within hours of our first kiss. One year from that day, we agreed, we’d wed. And we did. It wouldn’t have mattered if friends, family, the president and Oprah called to dissuade me (well, Oprah may’ve gotten through…). My mind was made up.

Fear and insecurity. Stubbornness can be blinding. It took me over a year to realize that the decisions we’d made to marry, move across the country to a place we’d never been with virtually no money or belongings had little to do with love and adventure, and everything to do with fear and self-doubt. The last time I’d ventured out on my own, I’d ended up sick and terrified. Fearing a recurrence, I didn’t believe I could reach the “something more” I desired on my own. I and pseudo-hubby could do anything together, I presumed, giving us and our union entirely too much credit.

As in relationships, career success often requires willingness to carve our own paths, look past right now, listen to our instincts, ask difficult questions, maintain individuality and understand ourselves. 

Ten years have passed since my pseudo-marriage. While I’m still adventurous, I haven’t taken blind, un-investigated leaps—in love, life or my career—since. Tough lessons run deep.

So when my agent presented self-publishing as a potentially useful next strategy for me, I began researching like crazy—even though my gut had strong inclinations promptly. I’ve answered the important questions, analyzed the risks versus benefits and gained insight from professionals and loved ones I trust. (Thanks, all who’ve weighed in!) I have plans for my worst-case-scenario, and my best. And unlike the pseudo-married me, I have self confidence and a happy real-marriage and life to show for it.

While it’s seldom simple, we’re all capable of making the best possible decisions for ourselves. There always unknowns and people attempting to steer us in opposing directions, but I believe our instincts know best. Every step in the right direction, feels right—even when resistance rears its head. Once we sort all the variables out and stand firmly in our decisions, a sense of euphoria sets in. And there’s little better dream-pursuing fuel than that.

How do you make major career decisions? What related lessons have you learned the hard way?

54 Comments
by August McLaughlin on October 18, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on October 18, 2012

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Self-Publishing with an Agent: A Viable Option?

As many of you know, I’m not skilled at keeping my mouth shut. (This is the point at which my loved ones cringe. Don’t worry, guys. This isn’t going to be a saucy tell-all. Sorry, everyone else. ;) ) While I’ve learned to temper my blurt-y nature with reason, this case calls for outage. Or so says my gut.

I’m about to make a decision many authors face: to self-publish or not to self-publish. No, I’m not firing my agent, and he hasn’t kicked me to the curb. In fact, he brought the notion up—not as a last resort, but as a viable strategy.

“The times, they are a changin.” — Bob Dylan

After 14 passes from publishers, most offering positive feedback—some very—I’m wondering if I and my book seem too risky for the current thriller market. (My words, not my agent’s.) I suspect that unique and risky are synonymous for new authors, in some publishers’ views. Or maybe they dislike my novel, writing or heck, me, for other reasons. Regardless, my novel’s not yet found a home. And I’m far from alone.

Newbie thriller authors are seldom seen in Publisher’s Marketplace nowadays, I’m told, a significant shift from mere months ago. Meanwhile, many self-published authors are having significant success. Numerous have self-published their way to publisher recognition and sizable contracts—some have been taken, others turned down because the author makes more money independently. When it works, I’ve been told, it works well. Really well.

And yet, there are risks.

  • Self-publishing still carries some amount of “amateur” stigma. (Blech, I know.)
  • Getting self-published books into bookstores can be difficult.
  • Some upfront costs are involved, and there’s no advance unless a traditional contract formulates.
  • If sales are low, authors don’t make much money, publishers aren’t interested and bridges could be burned.

I have a hard time seeing any of these risks as insurmountable. Self-published authors and books are gaining continually more respect. E-books have surpassed bookstore sales. Sales risks affect traditionally published authors, too. And I have more than a few friends who’ve been grossly disappointed by their experiences with unenthusiastic presses.

If I go the indie route for now, I’ll be expected to do more marketing and promotional work than a traditionally published author. But honestly, I function as an indie anyway. I worked my butt of with modeling and acting, even with the best of representation, and feel all parties benefited as a result. Most successful authors I know operate similarly, regardless of their publishing style.

We’ve got to work our butts off if we want to make the most of our careers, no matter what, in my opinion.

Aside from the obvious benefits of self-publishing (greater control, quick turn around, etc.) some of you may be wondering about the benefits of self-publishing with an agent, versus on your own. I’m still learning, and am sure situations vary, but here’s what I’ve gathered so far.

Agents seem to offer self-published authors:

  • Teamwork. I’ve always preferred having a qualified advisor looking out for me legally and professionally.
  • Future contracts. Agents seek and secure traditional publishing contracts if or when it makes sense.
  • Rights shopping. Agents shop additional and subsidiary rights, such as audio, film, and foreign.
  • Help with grunt work. Agents often handle copy editing, book formatting, cover design, jacket copy and proofreading. They may also guide or facilitate marketing strategies.
  • Learning. I personally believe that ideal agents help us become stronger writers, and our work more marketable.

I’ve been asking trusted authors what they’d advise, given my situation. The consensus seems to be “Go indie!” with a couple of exceptions. I’ll learn more regarding my options this week, including whether another round of submissions is wise, and plan to make a decision soon. One thing is for certain: I’m going to keep writing regardless.

In the meantime, I’ll open the floor up to you. How do you feel about self versus traditional publishing? Or going indie in collaboration with an agent? Have your views changed with the changes in the industry?

101 Comments
by August McLaughlin on October 15, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on October 15, 2012

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Rejection and a Teflon Mind

I was sixteen when I went on my first modeling casting. For days afterward, I waited–and waited–for the phone to ring. When my agent finally called, I held my breath. Had I done wonderfully? Horribly? Booked the whole compaign? I pictured myself in a photo shoot on some tropical island, far far away from high school…

I had another casting to go to, he said. Huh? What about my first audition? Minutes later, I comprehended what “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” and “NEXT!” actually mean. Booking work wasn’t my job; bringing my best game was. Soon, my brain became like a Teflon pan to rejection. It’s not grown sticky since.

Once I started acting, my agents–I had a pair–in L.A. phoned me after my first few major auditions, sounding like heartbroken dads about to tell their daughter that her dream Sweet 16 B-day bash was a wash. After nervous-sounding small talk, they’d break the news: “They… [deep breath] Uh… really liked you, but… They went another way.” “Great!” I’d reply. And meant it. I was grateful for a phone call period. And positive feedback? That was new. Once they understood where I was coming from, we all felt calmer. I gradually booked work–steadily, for an actress. Even so, I had many more nos than yesses.

If there’s an honorary masters degree in rejection, I’m pretty sure I’ve earned it.

So when my literary agent told me this week that more publishers passed on my manuscript, the “rejection” slid off my Teflon mind, not allowing me, or my hopes, to get burned. I walked away from the news excited, eager to cook even more.

My agent no longer hustling on my behalf would burn. Me not working my butt off would burn far worse. But every ‘no’ is progress toward that invaluable ‘yes.’ All writers continue progressing, as long as we don’t give up. Our job is to be ready for the doors that swing open when they do, to seek those doors and just…keep…writing.

Rejection may not always feel like positive news, and it’s normal and reasonable to vent, whine, cry or feel sorry for ourselves when it strikes. (I embrace rejection nowadays, but trust me, I’ve had my moments…) What’s important, I believe, is forging on. Rejection is simply part of the job, and if we let it drag us down, we might rob ourselves from incredible opportunities. I’ve seen it happen time and time again with models and actors. Those who see bookings as frosting eventually book work, often loads of it. Those who dwell on undesirable feedback jump ship too soon.

We’re aren’t meant to book every gig, land every opportunity or even accept every offer that stands. If I’d have taken my last television opportunity, I would have been in Sweden the day I ended up meeting my agent. If I’d have stuck with acting when my heart was no longer in it, I wouldn’t have progressed as far with writing–or, God forbid–been pulled away from it.

Landing an agent or publishing contract is a lot like finding the love of your life. Most people experience heartache along the way. But the most happy, in-love couples refused to settle or stop believing in something more. That thought helped me when relationships and acting work fell through.

Next time you hit a perceivable bump in your career, or face the rejection monster, I hope you’ll give yourself a pat on the back, treat yourself to dinner and some quality writing time and start dreaming and working (even) harder. That’s what I’m doing tonight, sitting in my hotel room in Cleveland awaiting room service–totally stoked about Bouchercon. ;)

How do you deal with rejection? What has it taught you?

65 Comments
by August McLaughlin on October 4, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on October 4, 2012

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Daydreams Really Do Come True

If dreams are wishes our hearts make, daydreams are plans our brains make.

At least that is what I’ve come to believe.

Long before I moved from Miami to Los Angeles, my heart had flown west. A slew of hurricanes hit coastal Florida, putting a huge damper in my Get-me-there-now! plans. While the city was shut down, I daydreamed like crazy. I imagined myself booking enough fashion or film work to make X-amount of money, taking the funds to the bank then flying to Tinseltown, ready to take it by (no pun intended) storm. Two months later, I booked a job that paid the precise amount I’d set my sights on. I’ve been trusting my daydreams ever since.

Dreaming of Los Angeles…

A little daydreamy background

For years, daydreaming was considered a major drawback—a failure of mental discipline by scientists and the gateway to psychosis, according to psychological texts. A growing body of research has revealed the near opposite: Daydreams aren’t only common, but frequently beneficial.

When reality fails to intrigue us, we begin exploring our connectedness to the world and ponder imaginary scenarios. Unlike multitasking, which is literally impossible, daydreaming allows our thoughts to escape reality while our physical self stays present. (This is one reason phone use while driving is highly dangerous, but daydreaming while cleaning is not.)

I’d venture to guess that many artists knew daydreaming was beneficial all along. What writer doesn’t spend ample time “zoned out” or “in the clouds,” right? It’s practically a prerequisite. ;)  The import thing, according to experts, is recognizing when we’re daydreaming and embracing the epiphanies when they arise. Then we can reap a variety of benefits, including:

Relaxation. Ever noticed the way time goes faster while you’re stuck in traffic or enduring a lengthy flight once your thoughts take over? Rather than feeling bored, daydreaming can instill a sort of meditative respite. And since stress can hinder creativity and overall brain function, daydreaming for R&R is invaluable—especially for non-nappers.

Maintained relationships. ”We daydream about the people we love,” said James Honeycutt, PhD, professor and author of Imagined Interactions: Daydreaming about Communication in an interview with WebMD. ”We imagine sharing good news with them, along with our successes and failures.” In other words, we need not be physically absent for our hearts to grow fonder.

Conflict resolution. Ever hit a roadblock in a creative project only to come up with a solution seemingly at random? You’re folding laundry when a-HA! The answer illuminates. A study conducted at the University of British Columbia in 2009 showed that the brain recruits complex regions of the brain associated with problem solving during daydreams.

Increased productivity, creativity and success. A wandering mind is crucial to creativity, says researcher, Jonathan Schooler. If we spend all of our time focused on reality or working without respite, our creativity and productivity suffer.

There’s a reason athletes visualize gold medals; it works. We have to do the footwork, of course, but imagining successful goal-reaching increases our odds of stepping toward them.

How important do you consider daydreaming? Any daydreams-come-true stories to share?

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by August McLaughlin on September 13, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on September 13, 2012

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Social Media Fitness for Authors: Happy Findings

Before August of last year, social media seemed like a chore I didn’t have time for. Between novel and article writing, I figured, how could I possibly squeeze it in? Thirteen months later, I consider it not only vital, but fun. What a difference a year makes.

After signing with my agent, I wanted to know what I could do to enhance my career—aside from revising book one and writing book two. The web is chock-full of resources on writing, agent-seeking and book promoting. Information on the in-between time, however, is scarce. My agent sent me a marketing packet which described active blogging, Facebook and Twitter as essential tools for authors. Fine, I thought. Whatever it takes… But I didn’t expect it to be fun.

I zipped over to Amazon and came across Kristen Lamb’s books, Are You There, Blog? It’s Me, Writer and We Are Not Alone: The Writer’s Guide to Social Media. I took one to the gym, gulping down every word at rapid stairclimber speed. About a zillion lightbulbs went on and for the first time, social media excited me. I starting blogging the next day. It’s ironic that this all went down during exercise; the parallels between physical and social media fitness are near perfect.

Meeting Kristen Lamb and other writer friends at conferences rocked my year.

Physical Fitness and Social Media Fitness: (Practically) The Same Darn Thing

Many of us start exercising to lose weight and look better, and because we believe we “should.” Getting started can be tough and intimidating. We might fear looking like fools at the gym in a sea of svelte bodies, dread waking up early or hitting the trails after work; it’s not how we want to spend our time. At first, it HURTS. Every step feels difficult and exhausting as we struggle to adapt physically and to balance our new habits with other aspects of our busy lives.

Over time, though, we start looking and feeling better. Pretty soon, aesthetic reasons aren’t what drives us. We’re happier. We make better friends and partners. We sleep better at night, wake up refreshed, experience less stress and perform better at work. We even start enjoying exercise. If we don’t, we make it enjoyable—that is if we want to continue reaping benefits. Physical fitness becomes the byproduct of a healthy lifestyle.

Many authors join social media to gain readers and sales and because we feel we “should.” But if we approach it properly, those benefits become a byproduct of a healthy, happy writer’s lifestyle—minus the hamstring aches of lunges. ;) 

Social media helps break up my day, makes me feel part of a supportive community, introduces me to fantastic friends, takes up far less time than I feared and even strengthens my writing. And I’ve been thrilled to learn that yapping our heads off about ourselves and our work doesn’t help. The keys are supporting and interacting with others and sharing content we feel passionate about—whether we strive to educate, entertain or inspire. Chances are that content will strike a chord with others.

Like physical fitness, gimmicks and shortcuts (endless auto-tweets, buying followers, having others blog for you…) don’t work. Neither does fixating on “the numbers.” Authenticity rules, and if we don’t have fun, we won’t be successful. As a girl who wrote papers to get out of phys. ed. and struggled with food, weight and dieting issues for years, trust me—I know.

I’m grateful every day for the supportive readers and friends I’ve gained. Success is no longer my driving force, but I believe it will come—as it has for many authors.

Key findings from a Neilsen report published in 2011:

  • Social networks and blogs dominate Americans’ time online, accounting for nearly a quarter of total internet time.
  • Nearly 4 in 5 active internet users visit social networks and blogs routinely.
  • Americans spend more time on Facebook any other U.S. website.
  • Nearly 40 percent of social media users access social media from their cell phone.
  • Internet users over age 55 are driving social networking growth through the mobile Internet
  • Many women view online video on social networks and blogs, but men are the heaviest online video users overall. They stream more videos and watch them longer.
  • 70 percent of adult social networkers shop online—12 percent more than the average adult internet user.
  • 53 percent of active adult social networkers follow a brand (such as authors) and 32 percent follow a celebrity.
  • Based on 10 major global markets, social networks and blogs reach over three-quarters of active internet users.
  • Blogs and social networks rule American internet time—more so than email—accounting for 23 percent of time spent online.

Fabulous related links:

Lisa Hall-Wilson: 6 Social Media Platforms – Which is bight for you?
Kristen Lamb: Everything We Need to Know About Social Media Success, We Learned in Kindergarten

How does social media influence your writing life, craft or career?  Any tips to share with newbies? 

Thank you for your ongoing support. You’ve helped me grow and brightened my days more than you know. 

52 Comments
by August McLaughlin on September 10, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on September 10, 2012

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Carving Out Alone Time: 10 Tips for Creative Artists

“The best thinking has been done in solitude. The worst has been done in turmoil.”

— Thomas Edison

I first learned the value of alone time while living in New York City with an apartment-full of models with whom I shared little in common. If I woke up at 6am, I had the place to myself. I’d sit on the patio, writing on journal pages and postcards, savoring the peaceful morning air and freedom from voices, cigarette smoke and personalities and appearances I found intimidating. No matter what happened the rest of the day, I could rest easy. I’d fueled up on me-time—the ultimate preventative medicine.

Now as a writer, that solo time goes far beyond helpful. It’s as necessary as food and sleep.

One of my favorite thinking spots in LA, where even the traffic is silent.

To be successful as artists, we’ve got to not only embrace alone time, but protect it. That’s not always easy in our hussle-bustle, multi-tasking society, but I believe it’s worth the effort.

Here are just some of the reasons solitude is important:

We get more done independently. It’s fun and healthy to interact with others. When it comes to getting things done, though, solo seems best. A large body of research shows that individuals perform better quality and quantity-wise compared to collaborating groups. In other words, working alone even trumps working with a group of others toward the same goal.

Distractions can keep us from working, period. Some amount of distraction can stimulate creativity and keep our minds fresh. Constant bombardment of online chat messages, phone calls, visitors or favor requests we have trouble saying “no” to, however, says “yes” to everything but our creative work.

Solitude reduces stress. Quiet alone time, devoid of distracting TV shows, phone calls and visitors, promotes a state of mindfulness. We’re more aware of the present and our place in it. Studies also show that mindfulness reduces physical stress. And the less physically and emotionally stressed we are, the more likely we are to thrive as artists.

We become stronger socialites. Though it’s not as important as our primary work, interacting with others is important emotionally and career-wise. Ongoing research at Harvard shows that blocking off sufficient amounts of alone time improves social function. And whether we’re introverts or extroverts, we tend to form longer lasting, more accurate memories and deeper interpersonal connections after alone time.

10 Ways to Savor Solitude and Get More Done

1. Eliminate distraction from your work time and save social media checkins, phone calls and texting for breaks.
2. Learn to say “NO” to unnecessary obligations that interfere with your work.
3. If carving out large blocks isn’t an option, work in shorter spurts, whenever you can.
4. If you have a day job, carve out solo time before or after work. Even 10 minutes a day goes far.
5. Take breaks and aim for balance. Working without respite is a great way to work our brains into a gluey haze, not to forge ahead with gusto. We need solo time, but we need interaction, too.
6. View alone time as essential, rather than optional.
7. Choose friends wisely. Supportive friends respect your need for solo time.
8. Set boundaries. Telling someone to take a step back isn’t easy, but what’s more important—your work or seeming “nice?”
9. Eat mindfully—with awareness and without distraction. When I teach nutrition classes, I often suggest candlelit dinners for one. The mindfulness gained carries over into other parts of life, and is a powerful form of self nurturing.
10. Don’t feel guilty for prioritizing private time. If you do, remind yourself that we’re only good for others and the world if we take care of ourselves first. As artists, that’s particularly important; our readers and fans—current and future—deserve it, too.

For writers in particular, some of our solo thinking and work time has to take place around others. For such cases, I’ve been considering a shirt that looks something like this.

How do you protect your alone time? Any areas you’re struggling with? Any tips to add? I love hearing from you.

55 Comments
by August McLaughlin on September 7, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on September 7, 2012

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Plotting, Pantsing and Plantsing: Finding What Makes You Tick

Why did Polly Plotter cross the road? Because her well-laid plans said to.

Why did Pantser Pete cross the road? Because he felt like it. And heck, life’s short.

Why did Plantser Pat cross the road? Because it felt right, and no cars were coming.

I’ve been using the term ‘plantser’ since I first heart the plotter versus pantser debate in the writer-sphere. Though I’m by nature a pantser, flying free can come with a price. We can write ourselves into a web of unresolvable conflict, in several different directions, or realize on page 299 that the antagonist isn’t who we thought. That’s all fine, if we don’t mind going back to revise our…well, pants off. I learned these lessons while freewheeling my way through draft one. With my second novel, my strategies are a bit different.

First, they exist. My only “strategy” with book one was to write and keep writing. Boy was that ignorance blissful… *sigh* This may work for some of you brilliant folks, but I’ve learned that I need a few guidelines.

Second, I’m outlining—sort of. I can feel you pansters cringing. Well, un-crinkle your face. I outline after writing. I get inspired by writing, so after sitting down to get paragraphs and pages out, I add another chapter or note to my outline. This helps keep perspective of the whole story, as I write it. I also jot down notes and questions to address later. (Should “Fred” be female? Add car chase? etc.)

Third, I’m writing slower, but moving ahead faster. I’m no longer fearful of taking breaks or pausing at a game changer moment if I’m not certain how I want the next bit to go. I take my idea to the gym or to dreamland, where I do some of my best thinking. Rather than aiming to write as much as possible, I’m aiming for higher quality. Some days this means revising the last chapter until I dig it. Others days it means a bunch of chapters at once. I’m pretty sure that the revision process this round will be more like spreading smooth peanut butter than using PB to get gum out of my tangled-up hair.

Fourth, I’m letting myself pants more. After the intense revision process for my first novel—a bit like turning a turnip seed into an igloo then into a turning plant—I though I might turn into a plotter. Well, I tried, and was relieved to learn I’m not. I also learned that I had far too many cooks in my fiction. This time, I’m letting the story evolve and flow until I have a solid, confident draft. Until then, I’m not allowing others’ thoughts or opinions keep my pants from flying.

Last, I have a wicked-smart talk show host angel on my shoulder. Let’s call her Hope-rah. ;) She continually asks the tough questions—the very questions my agent asked about my first (well, first he read) draft. Does this scene matter? Is so-and-so significant? Can you take this bit further? How is that even possible? Many times, I know the answer. When I don’t, I jot the question down on my outline-in-progress or take a break. And wouldn’t you know, the answers soon come.

The lightbulb moments happen if we let them.

I’d venture to guess that most writers fall somewhere between plotter and pantser. Most plotters I know allow themselves to change their outlines as they go, and fresh ideas to crop up while writing. Many pantsers know the direction they’re headed, and some make mini outlines, a few chapters at a time. Both methods are creative, exciting and challenging. What’s important is finding what works best for us personally.

To Plot, Pants or Plants? 5 Steps Toward Honing Your Style

1. Start with what feels most natural. If you feel most comfortable doodling in a notepad for a while before writing, do it. If sitting down and diving in seems preferable, go for it. You can always shift courses along the way.

2. Experiment. You’ll know pretty quickly whether outlining works for you if you write the outline then have no problem diving in and following it. Ask writer friends what works for them. Check out tips in craft books. Consider online support networks, like ROW80 or Fast Draft. If one sounds intriguing, try it. (Again, you can always stop.)

3. Get enough sleep—and observe what happens to your writing when you don’t. Yeah, sort of out of left field, but here’s the thing. I’ve noticed that I can write articles and blog posts somewhat sleep deprived. But my creativity and sharpness for novel work tanks quickly post-insomnia-fest. We can’t know what methods work for us if our brains aren’t working well period. (The same can be said for healthy eating habits.)

4. Consider the rest of your life. I never wear a watch and love a lack of schedule. If you’re a spontaneous free-wheeler in life, there’s a good chance you’re a pantser regarding the page. (You’ve probably also learned the potential downfalls of freewheeling extreme…;)) If you make and follow to do lists and keep a well-planned calendar, you’re probably more geared toward outlining. There are, of course, exceptions.

5. Give yourself think time. Let your stories and ideas marinate. You probably know yourself better than you realize. Those lightbulbs can flash at any ‘ol time. If one of those flashes suggests a shift from pantser to plotter or vice versa, try shifting.

If we can create entire worlds and adventures in our books, I’m sure we can create writing methods worth keeping. I wish you the best of luck as you hone and savor yours. ;)

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are you a plotter, pantser or plantser in between? Have you changed your methods? What strategies work best for you?

**If you’re getting ready to pitch your novel, visit How to Slam Dunk Your 90-Second Pitch, by Debra Eve. I’m honored that she included bits from my experience in her terrific post.

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by August McLaughlin on September 3, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on September 3, 2012

http://augustmclaughlin.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/plotting-pantsing-and-plantsing-finding-what-makes-you-tick/

The Writer’s Golden Hour: Making the Most of Our Time

Ever been struck by ideas seemingly out of the blue? Or sat down to conjure up a brand new story only to draw a blank? Sure, you may hunker down and get words on the page—but dang, you wish you felt sharper. If so, you’re far from alone, according to recent research. Learning more about your brain’s “golden hour” might be just what you need to bolster your productivity.

In the film and fashion worlds, “golden hour” refers to the first and last hour or so of sunlight in the day. It brings softness, amber hues and warmth to natural light, making even the most ordinary of outdoor shots seem magical. It also makes having to wake at 4am to catch it worthwhile. ;)  In medicine, “golden hour” refers to a window of time following physical trauma during which the likelihood that prompt treatment will prevent death. Also pretty magical.

Though there’s no official “golden hour” for writers, I think there’s a lot of value in working when our energy and abilities most shine.

Early Birds Versus Night Owls

During college, I took a circadian rhythm test, which measures physical, mental and behavioral changes during a 24-hour cycle. All of the students in the 100-plus member class took physical and mental tests at various time intervals over the course of a few weeks. We woke during the middle of the night to take our temperatures and attempt word puzzles and math problems, tested our skills after a full night’s sleep and just before, and journaled about our thoughts and observations. Me and a 65-year-old were the only “ultra larks” in the class. (Most college students, apparently, function best late at night, and poorest during early morning.)

I didn’t need the test to realize my morning person nature; my brain is pretty much jelly after 9pm and sleeping in past 8 has always been a rarity—after 9am, I’m probably sick. It did help guide my study habits, however. I started waking up at 4am to write papers and study for tests. I ended up studying less and relaxing more at night while keeping my grades up with ease.

So if you asked me when I’m most creative, I would’ve yelped, MORNING!—before reading a recent study…

Proof in the Research-Pudding

The study, featured in the Washington Post last March, analyzed the brain function and creative capabilities of hundreds of students at varying times of day. Students who deemed themselves “early birds” were creative and experienced more “a HA!” moments during the evening. The night owls tested the opposite, experiencing revelations earlier in the day.

What does this mean? The researchers concluded when people feel most awake and energized, they can concentrate and produce work best. But when it comes to drawing up fresh ideas and trouble shooting, we fare best during our “non-optimal” times of day. It sounds contrary, but during these times, our minds work through issues and projects without pressure of working on them at the same time. And distractions actually boost creative thinking.

Since reading the study, I’ve realized that many of my best ideas really do come later in the day while I’m cooking, walking, driving or watching TV, or first thing in the morning—based on what my mind figured out during sleep.

You’re Golden, Now What? 

Many of us already realize when we tend to be most productive writing-wise—regardless of when revelations come. And perhaps none of this is news to you. In either case, I think we can all take steps to make sure that we make the most of our writing time.

10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Writing Time

1. If possible, write during your prime concentration time—early for larks, late for owls and mid-day for the bluebirds in-between.

2. If you can’t write during those times, find other ways to invigorate your brain, such as exercising or eating a healthy, carbohydrate-rich snack, before hitting the page.

3. If you have a job that interferes with writing during your prime times, consider a different job.

4. If your partner or spouse interferes, consider a new partner or spouse. (Okay, or couple’s therapy. ;) )

5. Take breaks and/or avoid writing during your non-optimal times. I used to write late into the evening, to the detriment of my sleep, moods and writing. Remember, writing more isn’t necessarily better.

6. Eliminate distraction during writing time. Phone calls, texts and Facebook chats are fine, and potentially helpful, during non-writing time. We’re likely to have more of those “a HA!” moments. Mid-writing, though, try to keep distractions to a minimum.

7. Write where you feel most comfortable. In his book, On Writing, Stephen King talks about his fancy writing desk he purchased once he started gaining professional success. On it, he couldn’t write a darn thing. Choose a place you feel like writing in, not the place you feel you should.

8. Eat well. Our brains need sufficient amounts of calories and nutrients to function well. Aim for a balanced diet, containing mostly healthy foods. Emphasize brain-boosting foods, such as colorful fruits and vegetables, cold-water fish and whole grains.

9. Get enough sleep. Sleep challenges run rampant among writers, but we can all take measures to improve. The poorer our sleep habits become, the less sharp and creative we become.

10. Learn to say “no.” Not setting boundaries and saying “yes” to every needless outing and responsibility are surefire ways to kill our writing careers. (I talked about this in depth in this post.)

When is your golden hour for writing? For thinking? How do you make the most of your writing time?

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by August McLaughlin on August 23, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on August 23, 2012

http://augustmclaughlin.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/the-writers-golden-hour-making-the-most-of-our-time/

Too Many “Cooks” In Our Fiction: The Biggest Lesson I Learned From Book One

Ever try to cook with a group? As you chit chat away, it’s easy to get sidetracked. And dang it, salt looks a lot like sugar…

As some of you know, I’m working on my second novel while my agent markets my first. It’s an interesting position to be in. I’m no longer in agent-seek mode, don’t yet have a publishing editor to bounce ideas around with and have no deadlines looming. (I’m doing my best to savor that fact. From what I’ve heard, this can change quickly.) Gone is the blissful ignorance of writing book-one, when I had little clue as to what I was writing, much less how much improvement I lacked. But of the many lessons I learned from writing book one, this trumps all:

Trusting our instincts is as important as the writing itself.

Here’s an example.

As I finished my first-ever draft, I sought feedback from others—not just anyone, but reputable industry folk. And wouldn’t you know, I gained a slew of diverse opinions. I absorbed the information and did my best to stay true to my story while incorporating insight from trusted pros. One suggested I add a work crisis, another a bit of humor. Several suggested I switch to past tense. They’re experienced, I figured. Best I listen.

What I didn’t recognize then was that even brand-spanking new rookie authors know more about their stories than seasoned professionals. How can we write authentically if we’re peering through another’s lenses?

“Too many cooks in the kitchen” isn’t the pathway to success, but to a chaotic, if flavorful, mess.

Fast forward to last year. After signing with my agent, we discussed my draft in depth. He asked many questions, pointed out aspects he felt were strong or needed work, and which characters and plot points were necessary. The ending, he felt, was too abrupt. In order to flesh it out more (there’s a pun there you may get someday… ;) ) I’d have to make some significant cuts.

Once back at my drawing board, I was struck by the fact that nearly every change I made brought my novel closer to my original story. Scenes and characters I’d added based on others’ feedback were cut. My original ending had been longer. Even my original tense returned. This isn’t to say that my first draft was awesome and publisher ready; it was far from it. But the story born of my initial thoughts materialized, making for a stronger, more confident work. Finally I felt I was finding my voice.

Going forward, I’m committed to listening to and honoring my instincts. Only once I have a full draft I’m confident about will I consider seeking input. Even then, I won’t trust others more than myself. It’s not always an easy task, particularly when we’re newish to the game. But take it from one who learned the tough way: Your instincts are probably wiser than your realize.

There can be great value in beta-readers and feedback from trusted friends and colleagues. But the moment we put decisions in someone else’s court or go against our intuition, we run the risk of telling a weaker story. And it’s not the critic’s fault if we abide by his or her feedback and it doesn’t work out, but ours. The best beta-readers and editors will tell us this. Then it’s up to us to listen. As gifted editor and author Mike Sirota once told me, “You are the goddess (or god) of your book.” ;)

Do you rely on others’ feedback during the writing process? Have you learned to trust your instincts? What did writing your first book teach you?

75 Comments
by August McLaughlin on August 20, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by August McLaughlin on August 20, 2012

http://augustmclaughlin.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/too-many-cooks-in-our-fiction-the-biggest-lesson-i-learned-from-book-one/

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