Besides my own fiction, I'd like to interact with readers and writers about what interests me the most: those moments of transcendence, the Aha! moments when all becomes clear.
That's really why I'm writing fiction.
The new site is live: www.storysilence.com
Quite basic. And probably will continue that way until I meet my self-imposed deadline for Seeking Sirius (lots of SS's)
On the StorySilence site (ssssss), I finally got up a way for people to share their favorite books or stories or movies or music, that include strong moments of silence.
By Laure Edwards Reminick
Monday, May 27, 2013
Integrate wisdom from the editor, and keep marching towards publish date
I received feedback from an editor (I paid him), who is a published author with a "shelf full of books." And the verdict is: a saleable novel. (Wheeeeee!)
I asked for what would be necessary to take the story to its next level. And the gentleman provided me with basically, these suggestions:
Give the protagonist more attitude. so the reader can know what she's thinking and feeling
Also for the antagonist, (though in the 17 chapters I sent in, the REAL bad guy is not yet clear)
More description of the characters, then include periodically as markers along the way
At the beginning of each scene, give the reader more of a clue, where is the action and what's going on
Can do this, with more description -- include random but specific details (but not too much)
Use more of the senses (but not too much)
In a scene: first three paragraphs, establish the setting
then the meat of the scene, with minimal frills, except more experience through the senses
Dialogue: give the reader some anchor, especially in a long dialogue, by a note of how the speakers are interacting or reacting -- other than what they're saying.
IE: Run hand through the hair
caress the stone column
gaze out over the ocean
I've been working like that irritating bunny in my garden, integrating all this. And no doubt, it makes the story come alive. Someday, I'll get to that bunny.
Still have a ridiculously close publishing date (to self-publish). But this is an "auspicious time." So, it's worth it to push.
By Laure Edwards Reminick
I asked for what would be necessary to take the story to its next level. And the gentleman provided me with basically, these suggestions:
Give the protagonist more attitude. so the reader can know what she's thinking and feeling
Also for the antagonist, (though in the 17 chapters I sent in, the REAL bad guy is not yet clear)
More description of the characters, then include periodically as markers along the way
At the beginning of each scene, give the reader more of a clue, where is the action and what's going on
Can do this, with more description -- include random but specific details (but not too much)
Use more of the senses (but not too much)
In a scene: first three paragraphs, establish the setting
then the meat of the scene, with minimal frills, except more experience through the senses
Dialogue: give the reader some anchor, especially in a long dialogue, by a note of how the speakers are interacting or reacting -- other than what they're saying.
IE: Run hand through the hair
caress the stone column
gaze out over the ocean
I've been working like that irritating bunny in my garden, integrating all this. And no doubt, it makes the story come alive. Someday, I'll get to that bunny.
Still have a ridiculously close publishing date (to self-publish). But this is an "auspicious time." So, it's worth it to push.
By Laure Edwards Reminick
Monday, May 13, 2013
2nd Draft Completed: Publish this Puppy
It's been more than two months since I've published a post. Besides life, I've been working, working, writing, writing on completing the second draft of Seeking Sirius. Ta Daaaaa! Done!
In the first half, about 85% of the scenes are brand new. That took three and a half months.
Second half, not one new scene. But everything had to be integrated with the new scenes and characters from the now vastly improved first half.
Overall, I'm happy with it.
The beta readers are happy with it.
Maybe tomorrow, or soon after, I'll find out if the freelance editor I hired for a review recommends A LOT of improvements. Or just a few. I can't wait to see that input.
Anyway, June is a very good time to publish, according to my brilliant husband (expert at forecasting the future, we call him swamiji)
So, I'm working on the websites, designing a book cover, and hoping I can get the manuscript to the publisher I've chosen with enough time to get it all done for publishing on June 11.
I'm vibrating, like a sheltie dog on first sight of a new flock of sheep.
By Laure Edwards Reminick
In the first half, about 85% of the scenes are brand new. That took three and a half months.
Second half, not one new scene. But everything had to be integrated with the new scenes and characters from the now vastly improved first half.
Overall, I'm happy with it.
The beta readers are happy with it.
Maybe tomorrow, or soon after, I'll find out if the freelance editor I hired for a review recommends A LOT of improvements. Or just a few. I can't wait to see that input.
Anyway, June is a very good time to publish, according to my brilliant husband (expert at forecasting the future, we call him swamiji)
So, I'm working on the websites, designing a book cover, and hoping I can get the manuscript to the publisher I've chosen with enough time to get it all done for publishing on June 11.
I'm vibrating, like a sheltie dog on first sight of a new flock of sheep.
By Laure Edwards Reminick
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