EPISODE 17 - MISTAKES WRITERS MAKE

EPISODE 17
THE TRICK IS TO RECOGNIZE BLOOPERS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT

Sometimes it’s what you AREN’T doing, rather than what you ARE doing. On this show we’ll discuss both. Pitfalls  could become prat- falls -- you know those dramatic, stumbling falls actors sometimes take in comedies, which is something we definitely don't want to do. We'll talk about mistakes in the craft - things like grammatical or punctuation errors, and mistakes in the business of writing. 

EPISODE 16 - FINDING YOUR IDEAL FIRST READER

WHO SHOULD YOU ASK 

 TO READ YOUR MANUSCRIPT?

Feedback from“first readers” is extremely helpful. They generally aren’t professional editors. Some may be published writers and it is good for the group of first readers to also include readers who are not writers.

 Like most things that involve someone’s opinion, however, there is a hitch. Morgan St. James, Dennis N. Griffin and Eric James Miller will delve into things that make an ideal first reader...and it isn't your Aunt Agatha who thinks everything you write is a masterpiece. What do you need to consider?

EPISODE 15 - DON'T GET STUCK IN A WRITER'S RUT

BREAKOUT! HABIT CAN BE YOUR WORST ENEMY

Upcoming broadcast - June 10, 2015

Did you know that habit can be your worst enemy? It doesn’t matter if you write fiction, nonfiction or poetry—writers pretty much base everything upon their own imagination and experiences. Our imagination is triggered by things we’ve seen, learned or actually lived through. In the beginning, we have a basket full of ideas just waiting to be developed, but eventually we work our way through most of them. Then what? How to come up with fresh scenarios and characters? 

Are you a creature of habit?

Do you take the same route from place to place whenever you travel between certain destinations? Do you have favorite restaurants and limit yourself to what you know and love on their menu? Is there a style that defines you? Do you only read favorite authors?

Authors Morgan St. James, Dennis N. Griffin and Eric James Miller offer tips and techiniques to break out of your rut.

EPISODE 14 - USING CHARACTERS PROFESSIONS IN UNUSUAL WAYS

HOW CAN A CHARACTER'S PROFESSION WORK FOR ME AS A WRITER?

Selecting professions for your characters, and deciding how they would act under a given set of circumstances, is one of the most important decisions a fiction writer can make. 

• Will they respond in a way normally expected of someone trained to do what they do? 

• Will they go “over-the-top” or perform in a scared or devious manner? 

Each reaction might become the basis for an entirely different story. However, once the theme choice is made, even if they act strangely, unexpectedly or inappropriately, the character still operates under the umbrella of their profession, whether it is positive or negative.  

EPISODE 13 - MARKETING YOUR SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK WITH GUEST JON D'AMORE

HOW DID JON D"AMORE PROPEL "THE   BOSS ALWAYS SITS IN THE BACK" INTO A BEST SELLER?

"Actually I’d known for more than two decades that I had the desire and ability to write...it’s just that New Jersey wasn’t the place to do it. So, I drove to L.A.—and stayed. As soon as I got there, I began to write. I didn’t stop until the manuscript and screenplay for “The Boss ALWAYS Sits in the Back” were finished. With manuscript and screenplay in hand, it was time to decided what to do next. Should I query agents, hope a publisher would snap it up, then maybe see it in publication within three to five years? Or, do what so many were doing at that time, and become my own publisher? That’s the route I chose." 

EPISODE 12 - F is for FACTS

 HOW MANY FACTS DOES YOUR READER REALLY WANT TO KNOW?

In the old Dragnet show, Sgt. Joe Friday used to say, "The facts, ma'am, only the facts." But when a writer is creating a book or story part of their process is making sure to check facts,particularly when they are setting out a particular set of circumstances. If you get it wrong, some of your readers will know and possibly spread the word. 

The internet is a wonderful source of information, but if you can't find what you want, let your fingers do the walking. Once you've figured out who might have the information you need, pick up the phone and call. It might be a friend, or the public relations division of a police department, hospital, public entity or any number of possibilities. When Morgan St. James was writing "Betrayed," she needed to know what would happen in the late 1950s if an inmate in an Illinois prison was beaten to a point where they had to be on lifesupport. The information was not readily available on the internet, so she called the public relations department at the prison in Illinois and discovered her answer, The Public Relations officer researched her and called back with the information that the policy had changed over the years. What would have happened now, wasn't the caSe then. Back then the inmate would have been kept in the prison infirmary. So, St. James was able to portray the scene correctly for the era.

Okay,let's assume you've got the facts, details and any other pertinent information. How much does your reader REALLY want to know? Are you overwriting and boring them with details fans of your genre really are not interested in?Is the technical information much more than they care to read? Do they want the story to just keep moving?
In a lively discussion authors Morgan St. James, Dennis N. Griffin and Eric James Miller will share their knowledge and experience when it comes to, "Just the facts, ma'am."

EPISODE 11 - USING YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES AND EMOTIONS

 THE SITUATIONS MIGHT NOT BE THE SAME, BUT THE FEELINGS ARE

One of the most important qualities a fictional character can possess is to seem real to the reader.
Forget just stringing together a series of words describing physical attributes and how the character carries out routine or off-the-chart situations—perhaps spiced with inner thoughts. 

There is more to creating someone with feelings and emotions and a physical presence. Doing that doesn’t have to be daunting. Because the reader sees events through the eyes of these players in the story, at all costs avoid moving paper dolls or overblown figures through the scenes.

Authors Morgan St. James, Dennis N. Griffin and Eric James Miller share their techniques for transferring their own experiences and emotions to the characters they create. 

EPISODE 10 - FROM IDEA TO BOOK

DARRAH WHITAKER TURNED HIS "GREAT IDEA" INTO A HILARIOUS BOOK

 
How do you go from the great idea to a published book. 

Do you search for an agent and publisher, or follow the growing trend of self publishing? 

Darrah Whitaker is the author of the book "My Life as a Sperm," and is also the conference coordinator for the Las Vegas Writers Con-
ference. 

Listen as Darrah shares his journey from concept to comple-
tion, capped off with a fun reading of a passage from his book.

EPISODE 9 - EDIT YOUR WAY TO PUBLICATION

 EDITING IS THE FROSTING ON THE CAKE WHEN PRODUCING A GOOD BOOK

Words have always been a passion for Cindy Davis who has been a freelance editor since 1998.
Cindy says, "I have loved every minute of guiding my authors toward publication," and now she will share tips and techniques with authors at all stages of their careers. Cindy's credentials include:

• Written eighteen novels: thirteen mysteries, one women's fiction, one romantic suspense, and a young adult fantasy trilogy
• Two regional self-published books (both have sold more than 4000 copies locally)
• One humorous non-fiction
• One self-help for writers
• Fifteen years editing for eight publishing houses
• 170+ articles and stories in national publications
• Two years penning a humorous newspaper column
• Instructor for WritersCollege.com
• Over 550 edited novels to date. Most all have gone on to publication

EPISODE 7 - THE IMPORTANCE OF WRITERS CONFERENCES AND GROUPS

WHY JOINING A WRITERS GROUP AND ATTENDING CONFERENCES SHOULD BE HIGH ON YOUR AGENDA

Writers Tricks of the Trade welcomed Guest Tony Todaro, Founder of Greater Los Angeles Writers Group and the CEO of West Coast Writers Conferences. Tony  discussed the benefits of attending writer's conferences and belonging to writers groups for writers at all stages of their careers. Many writers who attend conferences have evolved to guest speakers or give workshops themselves, but there is always something to be learned. The next Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference is June 26-28. The co-host of the Writers Tricks of the Trade Show, Morgan St. James, will be presenting a workshop for that conference and participate in panels. For details on this outstanding conference, visit http://www.wcwriters.com/bigstory/program.html