Mysteries with a Southern Accent
Crazy for Words is mystery author, Heather Weidner's blog on writing, reading, and anything that catches her interest.
How good are you at self-editing? I'm a great editor for others, but I don't see mistakes in my work. That's why my critique group is invaluable. Each member has his/her own specialties. When my stories or manuscripts make it through this group, I know they are ready for the next steps.
I've learned from this group that I have some crutch words. I've created a list, and when I'm editing, I go back and look for ways to remove these.
Here are my biggest offenders...
I also tend to overuse names and colors.
Now that I've stared my list of things to look for, my writing is tighter before it gets to the critiquers.
Happy writing.
It's raining here in Central Virginia. It's a good day to work on my manuscript. I'm editing chapter thirty-one. I also made a gift basket for Virginia is for Mysteries for the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC). It's full of mugs, hot chocolate, chocolate candies, other goodies, and a copy of our VIFM anthology.
Disney and Riley also tried on parts of their Halloween costumes. They were not that enthusiastic about the entire ordeal. They only hung out because they were promised treats.
I hope you have a great weekend. Happy writing and reading!
This month, I'm participating with other bloggers in the Sisters in Crime Blog Hop.
What are some things that new writers need to know?
1. Good writing is work. If you want to be a writer, you need to make time to improve your craft. This means writing and rewriting.
2. Write. Write. Write. Keep writing. Dreaming about being an author doesn't cut it.
3. Spend time proofreading and editing. If you're not good at it, find someone who is.
4. Find a good critique group. You need people to read your draft and provide constructive feedback. I love my mystery group (SinC-Central Virginia). It's made up of readers and writers. They don't pull punches, and that's what I need to improve.
5. Use social media to network with other writers, agents, and readers. Build your platform. But balance your networking and writing time.
6. Be strong. There are going to be rejections, bad critiques, and not so favorable reviews. Learn from them and move on. It stings, but take what you can, and don't dwell on them. And don't obsess about your number of followers, sales, and reviews. It will make you crazy.
7. Have fun. Enjoy what you do and every step in the process. I can't explain the joy that comes when you see your author's copy or your name on the cover.
For more writing blogs, check out Maggie King's site. Also see #SinCBlogHop and #SinC-Up.
You can find me on Twitter @CrazyforWords13 and on Facebook.
I love music, and it's a part of just about everything I do. I even have a "Play it Loud" list for driving on the interstate in the red Mustang.
I was asked recently what's on my playlist for writing. And it depends...
With fifteen different, themed playlists with hundreds of hours of music, I usually listen to rock or country with a fast pace and uplifting words. I write and edit better when there's a beat. These are my favorites right now:
But, I also often go back to old friends:
And if you're a mystery writer who's stuck, put on Train's "50 Ways to Say Goodbye." He offers a variety of ways to get rid of that annoying character.
What do you listen to when you write? Is there a specific genre that works best for you?
For more blogs about writing, check out author, Maggie King.
#SinC-up and #SinCBlogHop
My nieces introduced me to Catch Phrase this weekend. It's a timed game where you have to describe a word or phrase without using any part of it. So, not only do you have to know what the thing is; you've got to find a way to communicate it to your team in a way that they will understand. It's frustrating when your team doesn't get what you're describing.
It's the same with basic business communications. To pass on a idea to your readers, you need to:
Best wishes with your writing. It's often harder to write in a plain, clear fashion. It often takes several revisions and some editing.
Front: Maggie King and Vivian Lawry Back: Heather Weidner, Fiona Quinn, and Rosemary Shomaker
Rosie and a Friend
We had a really nice time at the Hanover Book Festival yesterday. Rosie Shomaker and Fiona Quinn led our workshop, "Anatomy of a Mystery," and we signed lots of copies of Virginia is for Mysteries. It is always nice to talk to so many mystery readers and writers!
Anatomy of a Mystery with Rosie and Fiona
I work full-time, and I have several volunteer projects. Sometimes, it's hard to find time to write. Here are some ways that I've been able to squeeze in some time.
1. Make an Appointment - When you have time off, reserve some of it for writing. If you're serious about writing/editing, you need to make the time. I've had to jettison a few things too.
2. I use my lunch hour for writing time. That gives me an extra five hours a week.
3. Join a Critique Group - Your group will keep you motivated. You need to have new samples to submit, so it gives you a schedule and a deadline.
4. Keep Score - Keep a count of your writing progress. You will quickly be able to see the peaks and valleys. It is also another good motivator. I keep a work count in a spreadsheet. I started last June when I did an online challenge with my group. At the end of the month, I was amazed at the progress I had made. A little competition helps too.
5. Get up Early - Get up an hour or two earlier and devote the time to writing. If you wake up in the middle of the night and can't sleep, write.
Best wishes with your work in progress!
Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather Weidner has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She currently lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.
Heather writes the Delanie Fitzgerald mystery series for readers who like humorous mysteries with a strong, female sleuth.
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