The HEA Cafe

Publishing is a relatively small world, especially in the confines of RWA. Even though there are upwards to 9000 members in our community, chances are you “know” many of the membership, whether it be through the online world of the RWA yahoo groups, online chapters, or live chapters. Most of the active members have “met” one way or another.
The sense of community we have is very strong, but like with any close-knit family, our closeness can also be our weakness.

We’re only human, after-all.

We’re not only human, most of us in RWA are also women.

Women are funny creatures. I’ve had (almost) 39 years to study them, me being a woman and all. On the whole, we are fiercely loyal, hardworking, supportive, and creative. I wish I could stop with our positive traits. I do. Because our positive traits are what make us such good mothers, wives, friends and employees.

Unfortunately, being human and all, we women also have a set of negative traits we carry around. Most times, we keep them buried because they directly interfere with the very things that make us so awesome.

Sometimes we have no choice but to be ugly. It’s a part of who we are. Something important in our life is threatened and Katie bar the door, we come out bearing our claws and fangs. We do what we have to do to make things right for those we love.

But in our little family of writers, I’ve noticed another kind of ugliness. Not the kind that comes out when someone you love is threatened, but the kind that rears its head for no reason other than pettiness. Ugliness. Bitterness.

Some people (mostly women, though I have heard a few things from some men in the industry as well) will badmouth anyone, whether they know them or not. It makes them feel better about their own mediocrity to bag on the successes of others—who happen to be mostly women. Funny that.

In a community built for women, by women, I am constantly surprised at the sniping and backbiting that goes on here. Are we adults? Because after some of the things I’ve heard, I have to wonder.

Publishing is constantly changing and you either change with it, or fade away. Nobody is successful because of pure luck. Sure, luck has something to do with it, but their success was built on the back hard work. They write, sweat, toil, and bleed over their manuscripts. Oftentimes they sign with their perfect agent who works, sweats, toils and bleeds over the negotiations. As a new writer, we want to take the first offer given. We have to leave it in the hands of our agent who work hard at getting us the best deal possible.

I’m almost amused by the whisperings I hear. Instead of genuine happiness, you hear things like “I bet that was a small deal. Probably just the basic. No negotiation there. She’s wasting commission with that agent.” Or “She’ll never sell through that advance.” So, damned if we do, damned if we don’t?
It’s hard work. All around. And in this world, the only way to succeed is to continue working hard. Badmouthing others might serve as temporary lidocaine to the bitterness in your gut, but it certainly won’t get that book written. Or more money in your pocket. Or make you happy with your career or lack thereof. And it won’t make those who are happy and successful any less so.

I guess all in all, this post boils down to choice. We’ve all had these feelings; it’s how we choose to act on those feelings that matters.

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” Willie Nelson

I was introduced to the magic that is Michael Hauge in 2006 while attending the RWA National Conference in Atlanta. I didn’t get a chance to see Michael speak in person because I was sick as a dog. But, Maria Geraci, my best friend and critique partner was able to attend his workshop. The Michael Hauge kool-aid was so tasty that she promptly ran upstairs (took the elevator), woke me from my nap and delivered the workshop verbatim to me and my other crit partner, Louisa.

Fast forward to Dallas in 2007. I was not sick as a dog and was able to worship attend Michael Hauge’s workshop. The information he delivered was familiar (thanks to Maria’s delivery the year prior) but I still gained something new from him. Plus he’s just plain entertaining. I love it when he cracks himself up.

Anyway, Michael joined our table and chatted us up on the final night of the conference. He was very warm and friendly and totally enjoyed our company. (I mean, who wouldn’t, right?) I am a huge fan of the man and am still drinking the kool-aid.
So, what’s my point?

Well, I’m a pantser. It’s very difficult for me to plan a story in advance. But in order to make writing my career, I need to sell on proposal…and to do that, well, I need a strong plot up front.

Last week, I ordered Michael’s audio book, Screenwriting for Hollywood from audible.com. I am not a screenwriter, but this lecture really focuses on the necessary elements to have in your story and how to make a story more commercial. Which, in turn, helps me write a stronger proposal.

One thing I’ve always had trouble with is figuring out the real definition of High Concept. Diana Peterfreund defined high concept on the Knight Agency blog back in 2005, and it helped some. But even after Diana’s explanation, I was still somewhat confused. I needed it broken down in a simpler form–because well, I’m just a simpleton sometimes.
But thanks to Michael Hauge, I think I get it now.

To make a story more commercial, to give it a “high concept” feel…a story must be both familiar and original. It’s a bit of an oxymoron, I suppose, but if you think about it, that’s exactly what makes a story commercial. It’s what makes your story salable. If your story is too original, it will be a hard sell–where will they market it?. If your story is too familiar, it will be a hard sell–the market is glutted romantic suspense, how is this different?

What can you do to make your story more commercial? Is your story both familiar and original?

I highly recommend checking out Michael Hauge’s website or listening to his From Identity to Essence workshop from Dallas 2007. He knows how to break down a story in a way that makes sense, even to someone as unanalytical is myself. If he can help me turn into a plotter, he can help anyone.

I wish I had something brilliant to say today, but I don’t. I’m sick. This is day two of the stomach flu and I’d actually forgotten it was my day to blog.

I got the call 1 year ago today. I was getting ready to leave work when Deidre called me with the news. I squealed and ran out of the building. I think within 5 minutes, the entire office knew what was happening. It was the most exhilarating and overwhelming feeling.

It’s 365 days later and there are only two things that are different now. 1) I have deadlines 2) I can judge the RITAs. Which I guess I better get to since I’m sick and it’s the perfect time to read…

Sorry it’s so short and sweet, gang. Maybe next month I’ll be all insightful and stuff.

I swear, it was just summer and I was just in Dallas hobnobbing with my close friends and hanging out with Michael Hauge.

And didn’t I just return from my beach vacation yesterday? Hmmm. Well, if by yesterday I mean August, then yeah.

My how the time seems to fly. It doesn’t help that I’ve just moved, then Monday we added to the family and got a new baby Pug (everyone say hi to Ruby) and now I am trying to get my revisions done by December 21st. Oh and Christmas is coming and I’ve only bought 2 presents. Of course, the one present both boys want, I can’t get anywhere. (I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday, for a Nintendo wii today!) I wake up and before I know it, it’s time to go back to bed.

I realized this morning that I have to stop and take a breather. I have to prioritize and get my revisions done and take care of my family. If a box doesn’t get unpacked or the dining room table doesn’t get cleaned off, the world isn’t going to end. If the boys have to wait until January to get their wii, then there is nothing I can do about it. It is out of my control and I shouldn’t stress. My writing will suffer if I don’t just chill out.

So today, I chill. And tomorrow, I chill. I chill here; I chill there; I chill everywhere.

Are you stressed? Would you like to come chill with me? Ruby and I will make room on our couch.

I had hoped to be finished with my first draft of Bite Me! by the time I posted this blog–alas, that was not to be. Not quite. I’m about 30 pages from being finished.

I should’ve written this weekend, but life got in the way. Instead of writing, I went house hunting and put an offer in on a new house.

You see, these past few months, my family and I have been living with my parents while we relocated from one state to another. And I’ve put my writing on hold because of that. Which is understandable, however, I’m under contract now, therefore my writing responsibilities have changed. Even though I know this, it has taken me a while to really absorb this…therefore, when my deadline shifted, I was caught off guard.

Writing is a lot like dodging wrenches. If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge whatever life decides to throw at you.

Sometimes it’s hard to find the “muse” during stressful times. But as creative people who have decided to write professionally, we not only have to find our muse, but we have to beat her into submission and make her work for us. On our terms. It isn’t easy, but it has to be done. So start now. Write a little every day…even if it’s only a sentence or two. I promise, you don’t wanna get hit in the face by a life wrench.