The Process Project: Meet Talia Vance!

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Meet Talia Vance!

This week I am so incredibly excited to share my interview with Talia Vance. Last summer I read Talia's Silver (ripe with Irish lore and handsome boys and tons of drama to boot....I am holding off reading the sequel, Gold, until this summer).

Talia Vance is a practicing litigation attorney living in Northern California with her real life love interest, two-point-five kids, and a needy Saint Bernard named Huckleberry. Talia has been writing since she could talk, making up stories for every doll, stuffed animal and action figure she could get her hands on. She grew up hoping to write the great American novel, but her life ran more along the lines of tortured romance and fast paced thrillers, so that's what she writes. (From TaliaVance.com)

And now, onto the juicy stuff....!

JB: What is your main genre?

TV: I write Young Adult novels, both contemporary and fantasy, but all of them have a touch of romance to them.

JB: ​What is your writing routine like? Do you have any writing rituals?

Talia: Since I work during the week, my writing time falls on the weekends. I spend most Saturday and Sunday afternoons curled up on my couch with my laptop and a latte (or two). I’ll write for hours at a time, shooting for 2500-4000 words a session if I’m working on a first draft. If I’m revising, I don’t have specific word count goals, but I do try to set a goal, such as finishing a new plot outline, or working setting details into the scenes.

I often listen to music while I write, creating a playlist for each manuscript. Once I find a song that fits a character or mood I’m trying to create, I listen to it while brainstorming or editing, although I don’t really “hear” it unless I stop to think.

JB: When you are preparing to write a new story, what kinds of techniques do you use to organize your ideas?

Talia: My pre-writing process has always been short, because I love to discover characters and plot points while I write the first draft. However, this leads to a lot of stops and starts (and LOTS of revision), so I’ve expanded it for recent books, taking a couple of days to formulate scenes and plot points, so that I have a fairly complete outline of the story before I start.

I use a corkboard and stack of index cards to brainstorm ideas for scenes. There are usually four or five big scenes that I already have in mind, so I start with those, and then fill in the scenes that happen in between. Once I have the scenes in an order that makes sense, I start to write.

I’ve noticed that I almost never go back and look at my corkboard once the work is done, but doing the work ahead of time helps me to keep the entire plot trajectory in mind while I’m writing, so that even when the story deviates from the initial plan there is a structure there.

JB: While you are working on a piece, do you have any particular way that you structure your work?

Talia: Every book has been a little different, but I usually start one Word document and write scenes in chronological order. I don’t outline scenes in advance, and often have only a vague idea of what happens. The scene prompt might be as simple as “A and B go out on a date.” I let the scene unfold as I’m writing, and often the characters and situation will supply the conflict without my having to think about it too much about it. Since I’ve already done my plot outline, I know where the scene fits into the overall story structure. This helps with making sure the scene moves the story forward, but I don’t worry about that while I’m writing. That is something that can always be fixed in revision.

My favorite scenes are usually the ones that surprise me while I’m writing them, when a character does something that reveals a layer I wasn’t aware of, or the story takes a compelling turn I hadn’t yet thought about. One of my favorite plot lines in the BANDIA series is Brianna’s time travel scenes with Austin and the way those scenes bring us full circle. Those scenes weren’t in my outline, but flowed organically during the writing.

​JB: When it's time to revise, do you have any particular methods that you use to help you through the process? ​

Talia: My revision process works from the outside in. I start with a big picture plot overview. After the first draft is done, I take down my corkboard and create a new one, using cards for each chapter in the book and pinning them to the board to give me a visual representation of the novel. Recently, I’ve added a calendar, which I create from a Word template, which gives me a visual representation of the story’s plot points in relation to each other on a timeline. From there, I figure out where there are gaps in the plot (scenes that need to be added) and scenes that aren’t serving the story (things that need to be cut). I’ll also move scenes around on the board, experimenting with different plot structure before making any changes in the manuscript. Once I’ve determined what to cut, add and move, I create a third corkboard, which serves as the outline for the next revision. Then I go into the manuscript and cut, add and move as needed.

Once I have the plot where I feel comfortable with it, I will start working on the scenes within the story. First, I’ll go through and note where certain plot points need to be expanded or dropped within the scenes themselves. Once this is done, I’ll do a revision where I focus on conflict within scenes, then one pass for setting, one pass for dialogue and one for voice. Once those are done, I’ll send the word document to my Kindle and do a read through. This is my favorite part, because the manuscript looks like a real book, and both the parts that are working and the parts that still need work are easier to spot.

JB: And most importantly....why do you write?

Talia: I love to discover characters and stories. There is nothing like the excitement the comes with an idea you can’t shake, the need to get it all down and see where it leads, and the satisfaction of watching something rough develop into something you love.

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I want to extend a big giant THANK YOU to Talia for participating in the Process Project. I hope you enjoyed her interview as much as I did. You should go out and get a copy of her books now! You can purchase Talia's books on Amazon.  And you can check her out on the web in these spots!

TaliaVance.com | Twitter @TaliaVance | YAMuses | Goodreads

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Read more about her books below!!!

SILVER 

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"As I step into the room, a silver flash blurs my vision. Before I can take a breath, the world falls away."

Brianna has always felt invisible. People stare right past her, including the one boy she can't resist, Blake Williams. But everything changes at a house party when Brianna's charm bracelet slips off and time stands still. In that one frozen, silver moment, Blake not only sees her, he recognizes something deep inside her that she's been hiding even from herself. Discovering she is descended from Danu, the legendary Bandia of Celtic myth, Brianna finds herself questioning the truth of who she is. And when she accidentally binds her soul to Blake, their mutual attraction becomes undeniable. But Blake has his own secret, one that could prove deadly for them both. Bound together by forbidden magic, Brianna and Blake find themselves at the heart of an ancient feud that threatens to destroy their lives and their love.

Read SILVER: Amazon | B&N | BAM | Kindle | Nook

GOLD 

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Descended from an Irish demigod, Brianna has fled to Ireland to escape destruction at the hands of her sworn enemies, the Sons of Killian. Taking refuge at the estate of her former nemesis, Austin Montgomery, Brianna discovers a rift in time that opens to an era before the feud began.

Wrestling with her newfound feelings for the more innocent Austin, Brianna begins to wonder if she can alter the past. But when Brianna and Austin learn that the Sons are raising an army of mythical beasts, the pair will need to use their magical strength in the present to avoid a tragic end.

Read GOLD: Amazon | B&N | BAM | Kindle | Nook


SPIES AND PREJUDICE

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Fields' Rule #1: Don't fall for the enemy.

Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She's busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she's sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.

So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her "nothing amazing," it's no loss for Berry. She'll forget him in no time. She's more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother's death.

But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can't Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?

With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.

Read SPIES AND PREJUDICE : Amazon | B&N | BAM 

The Process Project: Meet Justin Sloan!

Welcome to week eight of the Process Project!! If you don’t know about us already, please visit The Process Project page to find out more about this project, and read interviews with other authors.

This week I am really excited to share an interview with one of my fellow classmates. We met virtually through the Johns Hopkins MA program, as he was taking classes remotely from across the country. I’ve had a chance to read some of his work and also receive feedback on my own novel from him. He’s a terrific writer, and I’m so excited to share this interview with you!

Meet Justin Sloan!!

Justin Sloan is a video game writer, novelist, and screenwriter. He studied writing at the Johns Hopkins University MA in Writing program and at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Professional Program in Screenwriting. Additionally, he has published short fiction and poetry.

Justin was in the Marines for five years and has lived in Japan, Korea, and Italy. He currently lives with his amazing wife and children in the Bay Area, where he writes and enjoys life.

And now...on to the questions!!

JB: What is/are your main genre/field of writing?

JS: Many of the panelists at writing conferences and speakers on podcasts and whatnot recommend we find our niche, or focus on a genre of writing so as to meet our readers’ expectations or give our agents a way to sell us. To this end, you could say I write middle grade and young adult coming of age fantasy (urban and epic). My novels on Amazon certainly match this (Back by Sunrise, Teddy Bears in Monsterland, and Falls of Redemption), as does my novel that will be published in the next couple of months, Allie Strom and the Ring of Solomon (a MG urban fantasy).

That said, I would argue that we are artists and therefore should not limit ourselves. If you are angry one morning, work on that thriller or epic sword fight in your fantasy story instead of the cute children’s book you have been focusing on. Are you feeling fancy? Put your mind to work on a literary novel. I have written one literary novel and have outlined a second, and find it to be a rewarding experience that uses a different part of my brain than my typical stories. My short stories are all over the place, and my screenplays tend to be half in the fantasy realm and half in the comedy genre. Luckily, Telltale Games seem to fit right into my genre, as we are doing a Minecraft game, Game of Thrones, and Tales from the Borderlands.

The Process Project -- More from Louise Lindley!!

Welcome to week seven of the Process Project!! If you don’t know about us already, please visit The Process Project page to find out more about this project, and read interviews with other authors.

Today is a continuation of yesterday’s interview with the lovely Louise Lindley (like that alliteration there? ;)). To read the firstpart of her interview, click here! Today we are going to talk to Louise about how she writes! On to the questions!

JB: When do your best ideas come to you? What are your best brainstorming times?

Walking the dog and in the bath! Occasionally, last thing at night when I get into bed. When I was at the end of Bruises, about to write the last chapter, I knew how it was going to end but I couldn’t figure out what the order of events would be. I also wanted to give you something that would make you want book 2. I was lying in bed one night staring at the ceiling, my mind turning over. My husband was in the bathroom and walked out to me all of a sudden saying ‘OMG, that’s it, that’s what I have to do…’ He gave me that ‘she really has lost it this time!’ look, and offered to go back into the bathroom and come out again. I had the perfect ending…

To be honest, inspiration can come from anywhere, often when you’re least expecting it.

JB: What is your writing routine? Do you have any writing rituals?

LL: As a busy mum of boys who are now 6 & 8, I can’t be too choosy about where, when and how I write. I pick up whatever I’m working on in the oddest of places: while watching swimming lessons; in the school playground; the doctor’s office. I’ve been known to sit with a head full of foils under the dryer, tapping away!

When I’m at home I can get a little carried away if I’m really into a story. I might be sat at the table I use, overlooking the garden, in the afternoon, or I might be sat on the couch in the evening, after the boys have gone to bed. I can fully absorb myself in my work wherever I am, especially in the busy coffee shop where I wrote most of my first (& second) novel. I nearly always have a large bottle of water on the go, but as a dedicated caffeine addict I love to sip a latté too. One thing I do like to do is spread myself out, but then I do that with everything -cooking, crafting, sewing, putting my makeup on, getting dressed… I like space so I can access all my iThings, notebooks, pen case etc. easily. When I tie my hair back I have a habit of ramming a pencil into the ponytail for easy access, often forgetting it’s still there when I leave wherever I am!

JB: When you are preparing to write a new story, what kinds of techniques or methods do you use to organize your ideas?

LL: I love notebooks! I have at least 3 or 4 on the go at one time, one of which is currently my 365 journal that I write something in everyday. I also have a quote journal, and I’m tweeting a quote every day. When I first began writing I had no idea where my story came from, it just kind of evolved while out walking the dog and listening to music. I then threw down all my ideas for characters and story line in a battered old notebook I found on a shelf in my husband’s study (I think his tax receipts were supposed to be recorded in it but it was empty!). In no particular order, anything and everything I thought of became notes. Then I broke it down into sections, a summary of each character – what they looked like, personality, family history, work history, etc.. The story became mind maps in the form of rough chapters. I have known the ending of each novel before I began to write; my story might have changed slightly along the way, but essentially I always knew exactly where it was going to end up. Then I started to write, working through the notebook, ticking off the bits I’d used. I recently got to know a mum at my boys’ school, who is also writing her first novel. She has a background in animation scripts, so she showed me how she organizes her thoughts, and it was interesting to learn that a more professional approach was actually a similar process to my more amateur attempts that I’d developed naturally. The most useful thing I learned was that she used Post-It notes in her notebook, so she could move them around her story board. I am in the process of trying this myself now with my fourth novel, and so far I like it.

JB: When you’re on the road and ideas come to you, what do you usually do?  

LL: I always have a notebook… always!

JB: While you are working on a piece, do you have any particular way that you structure your work?

LL: I write each chapter as a separate file, but save them to one folder – in more than one location, my hard drive & in Dropbox. I try to keep my notes together as much as possible, but honestly if anyone looked through one of my notebooks they would never believe it was turned into a novel. I was much clearer in my first two novels (which are essentially one story I cut in half) where it was going & how I was going to get there, so it was fairly easy to structure. With my third, I tried out some different approaches: I wrote in in the first person; I started the book at the end of the story and then took you through the events that led up to the main character being in the situation she was in… it felt odd at first and took some planning, but once I was into it, it was fun to write!

JB: When it's time to revise/edit your work, do you have any particular methods that you use to help you through the process?

LL: I always read a chapter through when I’ve finished it, just to correct my dyslexic fingers and make sure what I’ve written does actually make some sense. I find I can read something a gazillion times before I notice something so obvious. I failed English at school, my grammar and punctuation is appalling (& don’t even get my husband started on my spelling!), as far as I’m concerned as long as my imagination and basic story structure is there, I let the professionals (i.e. my husband!) worry about the rest. I always read the ‘finished’ work from beginning to end before I start any sort of editing, and nearly always on my phone so I’m not tempted to correct any minor mistakes, I just read it like a book and make notes of any major changes I want to make. I have a very supportive group of close friends who love to read my work and give honest feedback. One of my biggest critics is my mother-in-law, who can look beyond all the bad bits and constructively criticize the deeper aspects of the book. I changed the story slightly in my first novel as a result of this and it worked much better. Essentially, editing for me is just going back over it enough times that I’m happy it works.

JB: Is there any advice you can give to writers struggling to get the words flowing?

LL: You have to believe in yourself and write what you want to read. Don’t write what you think people want you to write, write it for yourself, the way you would want to read it. We all have our own styles, it will make you more comfortable and confident with your work and hopefully encourage the words to flow better.

Write something everyday, doesn’t matter what it is, the shocking weather… what you had for breakfast… the fool who thinks he can still get through the closing doors on the Skytrain...what your kids said when you told them they’re going to Legoland on vacation (mine don’t actually know yet so don’t tell them!)...or just simply how you’re feeling that day. WRITE. IT. ALL. DOWN. You never know when you might want to go back through all that nonsense and use it.

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I want to extend a HUGE thank you to Louise for providing such rich answers to our questions! I hope you enjoyed her story as much as I did! Thanks Louise!!!!

You can follow her on the web here!

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Wordpress

And you can get your copy of her debut novel, Bruises!

Louise grew up in the North-East of England. In 2004 she moved to Canada with her husband, for what was supposed to be one year. Ten years, two children, two cats and a dog later, she appears to be staying. She worked as a registered nurse until giving up her career to raise her family. When she was diagnosed with a chronic disease, she turned to writing, combining her knowledge of the medical world with personal life experiences. She currently lives in Vancouver with her husband and two boys. Bruises is her debut novel. 

The Process Project: Meet D.D. Syrdal!

Welcome to week five of the Process Project!! If you don’t know about us already, please visit The Process Project page to find out more about this project, and read interviews with other authors.

MEET D.D. SYRDAL!!!

D.D. Syrdal lives just outside Portland, Oregon, where her yard is frequently visited by deer, raccoons, skunks, pheasants, and neighborhood cats. You can purchase her latest release, Revenants Abroad, on Amazon and Smashwords.

And now, to the questions!

JB: Why do you write?

DD: Mostly I just keep getting ideas. I can be watching the most banal show or movie, and something a character says or does will trigger something. I never know.

JB: What do you write?

DD: Science fiction and fantasy are my main areas of interest in writing. I have also written a couple of ghost stories, and would like to do more.

JB: Do you have any writing rituals?

DD: I really don’t have any rituals. Mostly I’m just plunked down either in my living room or bedroom with my laptop on my lap. A few years ago during NaNoWriMo I discovered I can really crank out the words at a write-in (we were meeting at a local Panera Bread) and I’d like to go to cafes more, but in the interest of saving money I usually just work at home.

JB: Do you have a particular time of day you like to write?

DD: Nope, whenever something pops into my head. It could be in the middle of the work day at the office, and I’ll get a couple lines and quickly type them into a Word document. Now, that said, despite the fact that I am and always have been a morning person, I generally get no writing done in the mornings. I tend to find it easier to get into ‘the zone’ in the evenings, which is tough. I have to get up very early for my day job, so I can’t stay up at night writing. It’s very frustrating!

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JB: Do you listen to music when you write or do you prefer silence?

DD: Sometimes I get ideas from music, whether it’s the title of a song, a single phrase, or a whole song, but usually for the actual writing silence is best for me. I can listen to soundtracks sometimes, but anything with singing is too distracting.

JB: Do you drink or eat something special when writing?

DD: No, not at all. I nearly always have something to drink, either water, tea, or coffee, but there’s no magic elixir. Just stay hydrated.

JB: How do you prep your ideas for writing?

DD: I have a couple of little notebooks that I scribble ideas, scenes, bits of dialog as they come to me, but I have no formal method of organizing. I don’t use index cards, or storyboard. Maybe I should, maybe I’d get more done!

JB: While you are working on a piece, do you have any particular way that you structure your work?

DD: I have never been an outliner, total pantser all the way. I used to (and still do when I have to) open a new Word document for each new scene, but I started using yWriter a few years ago and really like it. I got Scrivener a few months ago, but it’s not portable the way yWriter is (I have it on a thumb drive that I take with me to work) so I haven’t used Scrivener as much. yWriter is simple, free, and it’s easy to create new scenes and chapters which is very helpful instead of having everything in one big file.

JB: When you’re on the road and ideas come to you, what do you usually do? 

DD: Oh, I wish I had a good answer for this. I try to remember it long enough to write it down at the first light I get stuck at. I did finally buy a digital voice recorder, but if you do that, be sure you know how to operate it without fumbling for the ‘record’ button while you’re driving. This of course only works if you remember to bring it with you.

JB: ​Do you have any techniques you use while revising?

DD: Read it out loud. It’s also crucial to set something aside for a while, and come back to it fresh so you can hear where the rhythm is choppy or awkward. I also like using the “search” and “replace” functions in Word to zap my problem words. I have a few that I overuse and that’s a great way to get rid of them. Also I love editminion.com to catch things. Using that really helps me tighten the writing and clean up junk words and phrases, repetitive phrases.

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JB: Is there any advice you can give to writers struggling to get the words flowing?

DD: Just start writing anything. I know everyone says that, but honestly it works. It doesn’t matter what. “My cat is weird today.” “I wish I didn’t have to go to work tomorrow.” Anything. Get outside and go for a walk, or pull weeds. Watch a movie that you’d normally never watch. Read something you wouldn’t normally read. The point is to pull yourself out of the pattern that’s keeping you stuck.

I want to thank D.D. for taking the time to share her answers to these questions, and to shed a little more on her writing process with us fellow writers. Want to read more by D.D. Syrdal? Check her out on the web here! Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Wattpad | Smashwords | Amazon

The Process Project -- More from J.C. Davis!!

Welcome back to Week 2 of the Process Project Blog series! Today is a continuation of yesterday’s interview with J.C. Davis. Click here to catch up on the first half of our interview where we talked about how and why she writes. Today, we will find out a little more about how she writes and revises!

J: When you are preparing to write a new story, what kinds of techniques or methods do you use to organize your ideas?

JC: When I first get an idea, I jot it down on anything close to hand: the computer, a random bit of paper. At the first opportunity, I go into my computer, start a new Scrivener project and jot down everything I can about the idea. Later I'll flesh out details, but in that initial phase it's all about getting ideas on paper as quickly as possible. As other tidbits of info come to me, I'll add them as well. When I feel like I have enough of a story to go somewhere, I create a loose outline and start working from that. I'm a bit of a pantser but I still need a vague idea of where I'm headed and what's happening along the way. My initial story outline and ideas are usually wildly different from the end product, but the basic germ of the idea is there. My process is continually evolving as well so I try different techniques with each story and novel.

J: While you are working on a piece, do you have any particular way that you structure your work?

JC: I tend to use a rough outline. I use Scrivener for all my writing and I love, love, love the corkboard view with its little virtual note cards. I often create a bunch of blank note cards, jot scene ideas on them and then drag them around and fill in the gaps with other scenes until I've got a semblance of structure. Despite how organized that sounds, quite often while I'm writing a scene it may twist in a completely different direction and I follow wherever my fingers lead and worry about cleaning up the narrative later.

J: When it's time to revise/edit your work, do you have any particular methods that you use to help you through the process?

JC: I make a new copy of my file before I begin revisions so I always have that first copy to refer back to. Then I sort of dive into revisions. I make several passes, each focusing on different areas: plot consistency, sub-plots, foreshadowing, character development. As I go along I do line edits as well, tightening words and scenes as needed. I run a small writing group off of Scribophile.com so I actually post chapters after I finish them. Which is helpful for keeping my momentum going and having critique partners point out errors as I go. It helps my first draft stay fairly clean - though structurally it may be a mess. It also means my poor initial critique partners get to see my story waffling all about as I find my place. After I've finished the entire novel and my first revision I send it off to a different set of beta readers and wait for their feedback. Then revise. Resend. Rinse, lather, repeat until the manuscript is in good shape. With my current novel there have been half a dozen different revision passes.

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I want to thank J.C. for taking time from her writing, work, and family to answer these questions for us! Reading her answers can help all of us with our own writing processes. Thank you, J.C.!

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What to read more by J.C.? Her short stories have appeared in Bastion Science Fiction Magazine, Writing Tomorrow, and Spark: A Creative Anthology among others. You can find links to all of her work here: J.C. Davis. A programmer by day, J.C. Davis writes Young Adult & Middle Grade fiction, the occasional short story and has far too many hobbies to keep up with. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, two kids and a hedgehog named Percy Jackson. A second-generation book addict, she has piles of books in her house and a serious picture book habit that's transferred to both of her kids. Family visits to the library are a frequent and necessary thing in her household. She adores Doctor Who, Harry Potter and has an unnatural affinity for Monty Python skits.

Check her out on the web here: Website/Blog || Twitter: @JCDavisAuthor || Goodreads

The Process Project -- More from Amanda Pate!!

Welcome back to Week 1 of the Process Project Blog series! 

Today is a continuation of yesterday’s interview with the lovely Amanda Pate. Click hereto catch up on the first half of our interview where we talked about why she writes, what she writes, and how she writes. Today, we will find out a little more about how she writes and revises!

J:  When you are preparing to write a new story, what kinds of techniques or methods do you use to organize your ideas?

A: For the most part, it doesn't matter what genre I'm writing, I generally tackle the brainstorms and preparation in the same way. I allot at least a week for an idea to percolate. I make notes on my phone, in my journal, or anywhere I can keep track of what I write, and save it for a later time. During that week, I mull it over, think about it, try and discern the characters, what their basic personalities will be, etc. And after a week, or sometimes two, I can start my brainstorming process.

Some Ideas for your Revision Process

So, I'm writing a Young Adult Trilogy, and it's been in process for almost six years (with nearly three years of character development, brainstorming, co-writing, and planning before that). I know, I know, it's taking me a long time just to get through the first book (in my defense, I also have about 75% of book two written in first draft form...) And so frequently I get the question, When are you going to be done? I wish I knew! But I have to keep revising, until it feels right (or right enough that I need a new set of eyes). And I understand, there is a point when you just have to let go, but not until it's ready...

So, what is it that's taking so long, huh? Why so many revisions?? Well, revision is really a process, and maybe I go a little overboard, but if you read early drafts of Part I, and compare them to now, it's practically unrecognizable.

My revision process is one big "mess," literally, a big mess all over the floor of my bedroom (see photo!). After the first draft, I go through many different revisions, let me share a few of the techniques I go through that may help you in your revisions.

Handwritten Revisions: 
So, once I have a full draft that I feel like "might be ready," I print it out and read it all the way through. During a printed read through, things that don't jump out at you on a computer screen now become easier to see. I recommend printing it in a Serif font like Times New Roman or Georgia. This is easier on the eyes than trying to read Arial or Verdana. Use a color pen that will stand out as well -- pink, green, red. Once you've read through, you'll have to go back and enter everything back into the computer. This is a good exercise because it helps you to review everything once more as you enter them into the computer.

Electronic Device Revision:
Another way to read your book for revisions is to send your book to a device like a Kindle, or nook, or iPad. Reading this way gives you another perspective, and a new way to see errors; you can generally get the feel for your book in a different format. It's a little more difficult to notate errors/changes you'd like to make with these devices than by just writing a note with your pen. However, (at least on the Kindle) you can add notes digitally, and these notes will be saved in a separate "Notes" file on your Kindle that you can reference later, and if you click the notes,  the device will take you right to that spot in your document. Also see Kindle Text-to-Speech. 

Back to the Computer/Reading Aloud:
So, once you've done revisions on paper and device, returning back to your computer for another read through, checking the basics (as you know, one product of revision you'll find a lot of dropped words or repeated words), and making sure everything reads smoothly. Another good technique at this point is to also read aloud. You just want to be sure you are reading each word aloud, and not "filling in" any missing words. You may even want to record yourself reading, so you can hear what it sounds like back. This helps you to hear things you wouldn't normally register as you're reading on the page.

I hope some of these techniques help! Good luck with your revisions! I better get back to mine...!

"Madman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge"

So for today's entry into the blog challenge, I have to admit that I am going to have to cheat a little. I came down with some kind of a virus last night that involves severe dizziness, and the inability to type up a blog entry. So, for today's entry, I am actually referring you to another article you MUST read. It is called Madman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge and it is written by Betty Flowers. It discusses the revision process and is a must read for all writers: http://www.ut-ie.com/b/b_flowers.html thank you.

Michelle Madow, Author of The Secret Diamond Sisters, Talks Process and Publishing!

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

Read my interview with the author herself, Michelle Madow!

Listening To Your Novel (or Having a Conversation by Yourself)

Want to feel crazy? Become a writer. I frequently have conversations with “myself” aloud or on paper. For this entry, I’m going to talk a little about these conversations we writers have aloud.

Revision Series: Stepping Back

So, to continue from my previous entry, let me recap: my twitter buddy, Trisha Schmidt, suggested I talk a little about my editing/revision process. Because I have a short attention span, and I don’t like reading long blog entries, I am posting this as a series of blogs.

Reading your own work as an impartial, unbiased reader.
Hahaha. Yeah, I know. Right? That’s impossible.

I’m sure all of you understand where I’m coming from when I say this, but trying to step back from your work is one of the most difficult things to do when writing. Though I’m telling you “try it!” I’m not even sure I can fully manage this unless there’s a year or more between my writing the words on paper, and the revision. And let’s be honest, if you’re excited about a project, you don’t have that sort of time.

However, in theory, if one was able to step completely back from his or her writing, this is the ideal mental plane to be on when approaching revision. Sometimes stepping away for a little while, even just a few weeks, can be beneficial.

The times when I have had the most successful revisions have been when I didn’t let my emotions get in the way. If you are close in on your work, it's really hard not to get attached.

Kill your darlings.....

“Kill your darlings,” they say. Kill them I did. In my most recent revision, one of my favorite scenes that I have literally been clinging onto for years as a prologue finally had to go. It bogged down everything. I love the idea of a prologue, it seems fancy and fun and unique. It leads you into a story with some pre-knowledge so you feel privileged - or that’s what I thought from an author standpoint. Maybe that’s how it is, but from my reader standpoint, they’re not that unique, fun, or fancy, and sometimes they can be disconnecting, and you just want to skip them and get to the start of the story (there are always exceptions, of course! David Benioff’s City of Thieves prologue is perfect, please read that book). But remember, you're getting this opinion from one of those annoying lazy readers who doesn’t want to put the work in (sorry guys, can’t change who I am. Grip me from the beginning and I’ll keep reading. But this is why when I write I try to accommodate lazy readers as well).

How to think about stepping back...?
I feel that lately this stepping back idea has been working for me. Here’s what I try to do: I pretend I’m reading this story from a workshop standpoint. Someone who is looking to improve their work - how can I help them? Just like I would do when I look at another person’s work, I first look at the big things like:

• Setting (where and when is this? on a smaller setting scale - am I describing enough? can I visualize where everything important is?)
• Characters (can I see and hear them? do I know their names and relationships? am I getting an idea of their personality yet?)
• Events (are they clear/blocked out in an understandable way)
• Dialogue (is what being said necessary? natural? fit the character speaking?)

These are just four examples of big scheme things. As you hone things down, you will get into more nitty-gritty items. I plan to later include entries with more in depth about individual aspects of writing.

When looking at these big scheme things, try really hard to focus only on what’s on the page, not what you already know. Remember, you have an unfair advantage - you know your characters already, you hear their voices, you can see the settings in your head, but you have to get your reader to that same place. That’s the point of a writer: ....You have a story in your head that you love enough to share with others, and in order to get them to really understand the story to it’s fullest, you have to portray it for them, the way you see it in your head.....

So, to sum up this revision series suggestion: cutting and changing things is the heart of revision, so try to step back from your work during this process, it will make your life a lot easier. 

If you have any suggestions or questions about things involving my/your revision process, leave me a note or a tweet @jacquelinebach and I will try to talk about it next time! 

Thanks for reading.

Revision Series: Setting Up Camp

So, my twitter buddy, Trisha Schmidt (@seeredwrite), suggested I talk a little about my editing/revision process because she's interested in how others handle this. Because I have a short attention span, and I don’t like reading long blog entries, I am going to post this as a series of blogs over the next few days. So keep checking back!

Why I feel like I can discuss the revision process:
I am not an expert on revision, but I have to say my workshop this week, which was of a revised chapter that has been previously work-shopped at varying stages (the first being unrecognizable when comparing to the last) in FIVE separate classrooms. That’s right, five. Four different teachers, two different educational establishments. All in all, I believe that the transformation of this piece has been amazing (so maybe I’m propping myself up here, but I’m proud!) Some of the comments I got from students who read my piece in previous workshops still have me smiling, and most important to me was my teacher’s comment saying that I’ve found the opening of my novel. This is not to say that it’s done and ready, it still needs some edits, but this meant A LOT to me.

Anyway, all of this is to say I do have experience with revision. And what I can say right off the bat is that there is no set process, everyone has their own way. You have to figure out what works for you.

Setting Up Camp:
Here is how I generally get set up for a day of revision (this can also apply to writing for the day as well).

• Sit in the car on a drive to the shore (because that is the only place I can get work done - my recommendation, for writing or editing, find a place that you love to write in).
• On the drive (I get my best ideas in the car, in the shower, and right before I fall asleep), watch your book in your head. See if you can watch the scenes clearly. This is a fun way for me to write new scenes too. If I have good ideas, I jot them down or text key words to myself that will remind me of the idea.
• Once in my "zen place," I sit down, open up the file that I want to work on. No distractions. No TV. No music. No people or pets.
• Then, I open up Twitter...or Facebook...or my e-mail...or real estate websites....or websites about horses...or websites about dogs....or my pictures/video from the Taylor Swift concert we went to...or a youtube video of a horse cantering where the rider almost falls....oh how traumatic watching that video was. I must take a break...So I watch an episode of VEEP on HBO go (since I don’t have a TV because I was avoiding distractions).... Already on the iPad, I switch over to a game of Matching with Friends, while you’re at it, you might as well check Hanging, Words, Scramble, and Gems with Friends too, I tell myself. 
• Then I realize several hours have passed and it’s 2am...and I should go to bed. Tomorrow is a new day.
• Next day. Get up. Make some coffee (very important step). Get back in my "zen place," open up the file. Sign on twitter. Announce to everyone that I’m revising because I am an attention hog and need twitter cheerleaders. Oh no! You just told 4500 people you’re revising. You better do something!
• Now it's time to get down to work.

Sadly, though I’m taking a stab at being comical, the above is typically how it goes when I set out to revise. Until I give myself some pressure - ie: announcing things on twitter (which, let’s be honest, nobody cares if I’m revising or not, it's really for yourself, but it helps when your buddies jump in and say something like 'good job!' or 'me too!'), again, until I have that pressure, I don't usually get anything done.

However obvious the following items are, I guess what I'm trying to say with this entry is that revision or writing in general, I suggest the following:

1. Find a place that makes you write - Be it a quiet coffee shop, your basement, a park, the beach, wherever you feel best.
2. Find some sort of pressure that keep you working- Deadlines. Social network announcements. Time yourself. In writing this bullet point, I realized I can do a whole blog on creating pressure for yourself, so check back for this one!
3. Figure out a way to eliminate distractions. For me? I have to be away from a television set and the internet...thankfully, I have this nifty little button on my computer where I can turn the wi-fi off. It helps. Have it? Use it. 

So there. You're ready to get started. In my next entry I will talk more about the actual revision process. Thanks for reading!