Your Writing Does Not Suck

Today the gang ends their two-year run talking about Rebirth – the moment when characters face the death of old identities and must forge on with new, enlightened versions of themselves. Jess speaks about the successful elements of a character's rebirth, Tracey delves into the key moments of Star Wars and other stories, and Anne speaks about nuances and shifts in character before signing off the podcast one last time.   QUOTE: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” – A snappy paraphrasing of Leon C. Megginson who was snappily paraphrasing Charles Darwin    CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by the individual participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.  

Many things can and will kill your motivation. Not just in writing, but throughout life in general. And when that happens, you might stop doing Your Thing, which leads to guilt which leads to Darkness Brain and less motivation and the vicious cycle is in full swing. So what do you do when you feel stuck? What do you need to pop you out of it? Jess talks about the persistence of famous names in the industry, Tracey talks about giving yourself grace and time, and Anne finds a reason to talk about BTS again (as well as other things). At the end, the group has an important announcement.   QUOTE: “Some days are better, some days are worse. Look for the blessing instead of the curse. Be positive, stay strong, and get enough rest. You can't do it all, but you can do your best.”  -- Doe Zantamata   LINKS: Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull The Winner's Curse Marie Rutkoski   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by the separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.        

The second half of this discussion uses first lines and openings from different books to demonstrate the myriad ways of entering your story. Tracey proves her love of horror, Anne proves that she is pretty random, and Jess makes a bid to usurp hosting powers.   QUOTE: “If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough.” – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf   LINKS: Harlan Coben – Don't Let Go Stephen King – It and The Stand Paul Coelho – The Witch of Portobello Franny Billingsley – The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and Chime Sarah J. Maas – Throne of Glass Kim Harrison – The Outlaw Demon Wails Tracey Shearer – Entwine and Raven   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by the individual participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Hey, look, more rules for us to ignore! In Part One of this topic, the group chats about the “dos” and “do nots” of novel openings and when to pay more attention to them. Tracey talks the importance of getting that character “feel,” Anne explains her dislike of opening dream sequences, and Jessica rounds it out with her editorial overview.   QUOTE: “Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward.” – Oscar Wilde   LINKS: Franny Billingsley   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its individual participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.  

Who are you as a writer? What can people expect from you when they pick up your book? Today the group discusses the importance of keeping your branding simple and focused. Jess breaks down some of her many projects, Tracey discusses rebranding and pen names, and Anne talks about both of their successes with pulling people toward them at events through their smart choices.   QUOTE: Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you is your trademark. – Jay Danzie (disappointingly, not Wayfair)   LINKS: Your Book, Your Brand by Dana Kaye   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Shannon is back again answering more questions about industry and agenting expectations. We hear about some dos and don’ts of queries and manuscripts, as well as learn which fruit Shannon believes to be the root of all evil.   QUOTE: “Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.”  -- Bill Bradley CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded on a less-janky-than-last-time ZOOM call and was edited by Anne M. Belen.

It’s happening. The day has come for Anne to put her agent in the hot seat to discuss the road to agenting, the agency itself, and the all-important question of who her celebrity crush is.   LINKS: - Victress Literary - @VictressLit   QUOTE: “The world breaks everyone but afterward many are strong at the broken places.” – Ernest Hemingway   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded on a janky ZOOM call and Frankensteined into coherency by Anne M. Belen.

When the time comes and your manuscript needs some hard truths, who you gonna call? This time around Anne and Tracey talk about helpful beta readers and what to ask of them. Anne discusses the necessity of asking readers to get brutally honest, and Tracey goes over a very…unusual first kiss scene.   QUOTE: “One kind word can change someone’s entire day.” – currently Anonymous             ` CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by the separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen   BETA READER QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER OR ALTER AS NEEDED: (Courtesy of Anne Belen who stole it from Tracey Shearer and altered it after she stole it from Stacy Claflin and altered it)   MAIN STRENGTHS: 1) What kept you coming back to read (if anything?) 2) Other comments:   MAIN WEAKNESSES 1) What is the first thing someone would complain about in a review for this current version of the story? Remember, you’re looking out for me! So, scale of 1-10, how badly did that thing you just wrote down bother you? 2) Other comments:   TITLE: 1) Did this title work for you? If not, any thoughts on a better one?   OPENING: 1) Were the first paragraphs and first page compelling? If not, where did you stop and why? 2) Did you get oriented fairly quickly as to: whose story it is, what’s going on, and where/when it’s taking place? If not, what was confusing? 3) Did the story continue to hold your interest through the first few chapters? Is there a point where your interest started to lag (at any point in the book, really)? 4) Opening -- other comments:   PLOT, PACING, SCENES: 1) Was the overall story interesting to you? What plot/subplot(s) kept pulling you through? 2) Where there any parts that confused, frustrated, or annoyed you? 3) Which scenes/paragraphs/lines did you really like?   4) Which parts were exciting? Should they be elaborated on? 5) What parts resonated with you and/or moved you emotionally? 6) Were there any scenes that you knew were “big deals,” but you felt “meh”? 7) Which parts bored you and should be compressed or even deleted? 8) What parts or plotlines did you dislike? Is there a plotline you think doesn’t even need to be in the story? 9) Did you understand every phrase/term? If not, which ones needed clarity? 10) Did you notice any discrepancies in behaviors and decisions (not later explained)? 11) Were there any logic issues with the plot? 12) Was the social conflict between characters understandable? Could you see all sides’ opinions clearly? 13) *Was the ending satisfying and believable? 14) Did major plot points feel appropriately timed? 15) Plot/Pacing—other comments:   DIALOGUE      1) Did the dialogue sound natural to you? If not, whose dialogue did you think sounded off and why? 2) Dialogue—other comments:   CHARACTERS: 1) Could you relate to (the main character)? Did you feel her pain, joy, fears, worry, excitement? 2) Could you relate to (the male lead)? And (the secondary characters)?   3) Was (the antagonist) fully realized and believable? Could she be more interesting and connect more for the reader?   4) Could the threats to (the main character) be nastier or more interesting?  On the flip side, did anything feel like too much? 5) Were there characters that needed development or focus? 6) Which characters did you connect to and like? (Or like to hate?) 7) Are there any characters you think could be made more interesting or likeable? 8) Did you get confused about who’s who?    9) Did (the two main leads) have chemistry and did their relationship make sense? 10) Did (the MC and antagonist) relationship feel fully realized and make sense? 11) Which side characters are you curious to know more about after reading this installation? 12) Character—other comments:   THE GOOEY STUFF: 1) Did you have to reread any part of the romantic scenes or interactions for clarity? 2) Did any of the romantic dialogue or interactions make you cringe?   3) How well did you think the relationship developed between the couple and did you feel it served the story? 4) Romance—other comments:   VISUAL: 1) Could you see every action clearly? 2) Did you have to reread any of the action sequences to understand who was doing what? Did any of it feel “cardboard” or mechanical? 3) Did you get a good idea of what the characters looked like in your mind? If not, what was missing? 4) Visual—other comments:   WORLD-BUILDING AND SETTING: 1) Did this feel like a fully-realized world? Did you think anything was lacking or logically implausible within the rules of the world? 2) What (if anything) stood out as a cool concept or idea? 3) Did anything feel particularly cliché or were there missed opportunities to do something unique? 4) Were there any missed opportunities for world-building in general? 5) Were you able to visualize where and when the story took place? 6) Did the setting pull you in, and did the descriptions seem realistic? 7) Was there logic to the world? If not, what felt off? 8) Did the societal/government details make sense? Were their aspects of it that felt unaddressed in order for the story to work (as opposed to things that can wait for later books)? 9) World Building/Setting—other comments:   WRITING STYLE/TONE/VOICE: 1) Did the “feel” of the Point of View character work? Did it feel appropriate to the story type? 2) Did any of the writing feel jarring or awkward in places? If possible, can you cite where? (Saying “the whole thing” is perfectly acceptable.) 3) Did the promise of the story type (established in those opening scenes) feel consistent until the end? Or did the ending feel like it belonged to a different genre or story? 4) Were there certain scenes or paragraphs that felt out of place or like a “different writer” had stepped in? 5) Writing Style/Tone/Voice – other comments:   GRAMMAR AND TECHNICAL 1) Did you catch any editing blips? Please (if you can) note where and what. 2) Did you notice any continuity issues? 3) Were there inconsistencies with italics or other formatting?   OTHER: 1) Would you be interested in reading the next story in the series? 2) What things would you like to see explored in subsequent books? 3) Other comments:  

Tracey’s still out and Anne is a bit under the weather, but we are here for you, talking Character Goals! Anne brings up the “goal underneath the goal” and Jess talks about the importance of changing and conflicting goals. There is also a quest for a hotdog.   QUOTE: “Put your hand on your heart and ask what your dream was. What it really was.” – Kim Namjoon, speech at the United Nations 2018   LINKS: Zombieland John Truby -- Anatomy of Story The Winner’s Curse   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by the individual participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

We need tension and conflict in our stories, but what exactly do these words mean and how do you harness them in your story? Tracey is out for the day, but the remaining duo trudges on. Jess compares these concepts to dissonant musical notes and Anne talks about re-evaluating scenes that are not doing your story any favors.   QUOTE: “Happiness is not something that you have to achieve. You can still feel happy during the process of achieving something.” – Kim Nam Joon   LINKS: Margie Lawson Academy Donald Maass writing books   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Planning a series can be daunting. Realizing that you’re writing a series *after* you’ve already written the first book can be an even bigger Oh, Boy. Today the group chats about tips and tricks to organize your game plan so you can give the readers what they want from your future genius works. Tracey talks about leaving loose threads, Anne discusses theme confusion, and Jessica reveals her unabashed dislike for duologies.   QUOTE: “When you arise in the morning, think what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius   LINKS: Robin Hobb - Realm of the Elderlings   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recording by the individual participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The ladies finish off the list of what NOT to include in your query and then dive into a fake query that Anne made up. Included are some obvious and not-so-obvious mistakes to consider. ___________ TERRIBLE FAKE QUERY  To Whom It May Concern: I have been told I write like Stephen King. My 20,000-word romance novel takes place where everything is not what it seems. For instance, old Mrs. Spencer is a former Nazi sympathizer who washes dishes at the local café. The friendly hairdresser, Milo Meester, is a former enforcer for the mob boss Vinny Vito. And polite, sweet librarian Agnes Boyd is really in hiding from her abusive ex-boyfriend. Agnes’s already complicated life get worse when she stumbles across a murder scene. Afraid of how this murder connects to her ex-boyfriend, Agnes turns to Chase McChase, the mysterious new detective in town. But Chase is hiding secrets of his own. Will they solve the murder before everything in town gets turned upside down? This is my first attempt at writing a novel and I have been told I have a knack for it. This story was a finalist in the Obscuro County Book Contest in 2007. I have included the full manuscript for your consideration.   Thank you,    Writer McWriter   ________ QUOTE: “Forget all the reasons why it won’t work and believe the one reason why it will.” – currently Anonymous   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The gang tackles another large topic with query letters and has to break it into two chunks. In this episode they cover what to include and a taste of what not to include. They home in on the business aspect and the need to show that you’re serious about your craft. They also discuss the “why-what-who” of a query and talk comps.   QUOTE: “Don’t downgrade your dream just to fit your reality. Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny.” – Stuart Scott   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded separately by its participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Part 2 of Lazy Words continues to dissect the smaller moments in our writing that can lead up to big issues. This time the ladies explore harmless little words like “of” and “that.” Then Jessica chips away at the word “said,” Tracey clarifies the different ways that adjectives can bog down your work, and Anne has another game for them that incorporates information from both Parts 1 and 2 of this conversation.   QUOTE: If you want to fly, give up everything that holds you down.” – Buddha   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recording separately by each participant and edited by Anne M. Belen.

This episode focuses on words and phrases that indicate a potential problem with your prose. The group stresses that this is a late-in-the-game editing concern, but it is helpful to practice recognizing these as you go along. Tracey and Jess compete to explain their ‘as’ problem, and Anne brings the word "when" onto the chopping block. The group also discusses the problems with "started to" and "decided to," and plays a game of Shrink That Tautology.   QUOTE: “Life is ten percent what happens to you, and ninety percent how you react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded individually by the separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The gang gathers around the cyber fireplace and trade opinions, tips, and considerations about crafting a mystery. Anne talks about Lurkers, twists, and red herrings, Tracey talks mystery subplot and mixing up your professional and amateur sleuths, and Jessica breaks down what makes a mystery versus a thriller or suspense.   QUOTE: “You can get bitter, or you can get better.” – Josh Shipp   LINKS: - One for the Money by Janet Evanovich   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recording by its separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Since the beginning they’ve said, “Your writing does not suck. You’re just not done yet.” So, when is it done? Today the group discusses the importance of getting down the core of your story, the dangers of never-ending edits, the pressure to create the never-before-seen premise, and making sure your pivotal moments get the bulk of your critical eye. They also quiz Jess on what sort of fact-checking, if any, an editor will do.   QUOTE: “Two things you are in control of in your life are your attitude and your effort.” – Billy Cox CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M Belen.

We’re heading into the holiday season and talking a bit more about character backstory! Tracey debates developing backstory before writing -- as opposed to during, Jess talks about creating and holding on to character secrets, and Anne makes the group do a real-time backstory exercise. QUOTE: “Ten years from now, make sure that you can say you chose your life, you didn’t settle for it.” – Mandy Hale   LINKS: Anatomy of Story by John Truby The Plot Whisperer   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

In a shorter episode, Anne and Tracey chat about character names, inspirations, and whoopsies. They discuss considerations for fantasy names, names drawn from different cultures, and the universally-accepted truth that Google is a writer’s best friend.   QUOTE: “No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.” – P.T. Barnum   LINK: “Little circle people” books. To prove Anne is not just making stuff up.   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The group discusses the scary idea of reading your work out loud to other humans. Focusing on both raw work and formal presentation, they discuss tips, tricks, and handy reminders to get through the various types of readings you may find yourself in. Anne confesses to a childhood aversion to speaking at all, Tracey reveals her lifelong love of oral storytelling, and Jess notes that even a background in theater does not always save her from succumbing to the nerves.   QUOTE: “Focus on the step in front of you, and not the whole staircase.” – Currently Anonymous   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen

The group comes to you from their annual autumn retreat and swaps out Jessica with another member of the critique group. This time they’re twisting a little more into the idea of worldbuilding through the use of your character. They discuss the learning curve of the POV character (newbie versus seasoned), visual aids, when and why to describe the world, and thinking about the soundtrack of the setting. Tracey and Anne chitchat about making conflict particular to your world, while their guest Troy puts up with an impromptu jingle.   QUOTE: “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you’ll never ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey   LINKS: Scrivener Inkarnate   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

From the climax of your story to those final words, what’s an author to do? The group talks about wrapping up plot lines and reminds folks about keeping your promise to the reader. Tracey points out how to end a novel within a series versus a stand-alone, Jess cautions against letting subplots fizzle out, and Anne laments the curse of Episode Fourteen.   QUOTE: “The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon.” – Robert Cormier   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.  

Theme. For many people -- like, say, Anne – they cringe at the word and have flashbacks of English 101 in-class comas and literary snobbery. Others – like, say, Jess – have always relished the ideas of sussing out a good theme and having drawn-out discussions of the author’s intention. Others – like, well, only Tracey – have theme flow through them without a single thought. We do not talk to those people unless we have to. But cultivating a theme doesn’t have to be painful, and often, you’re playing one out whether or not you realize you’ve written it into your book. The group talks about themes within their own work and the best method of introducing and maintaining one.    QUOTE: “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” – Sylvia Plath   LINKS: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty Franny Billingsly   CREDIT: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

This time around, the ladies dive into what makes a scene successful. From the nuances of beginning, middle, and ending (just like a mini-story of its own), to the storytelling foundations of plot, theme, character. Then they dig into story obstacles and revelations. Anne talks about filler scenes, Tracey emphasizes the importance of setting the right tone, and Jess unveils a “not-template” employed before starting scenes that she is (shock!) pantsing.   QUOTE: “Books don’t change people; paragraphs do. Sometimes even sentences.” – John Piper   LINKS: The Scene Book by Sandra Scofield   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

This episode focuses on Tracey’s road to self-publishing, but also discusses small-press contracts and the wonky roads that authors may face on their journey. Anne interrogates her about such things as ISBN numbers, editing, and the decision to form an LLC, then gives her own cautionary tale about cover art.   QUOTE: “Life is like making tea. Boil your ego, evaporate your worries, dilute your sorrows,  filter your mistakes, and get a taste of happiness.” – currently Anonymous   LINKS: - Bowker - Independent Book Publishers Association - eBook Launch - Ingram Spark   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

From shattered expectations to joyous surprise, the group discusses things they wish they had known starting out. Tracey discusses the importance of remembering it’s a business, Jess stresses the need to cultivating reasons for writing other than fame and glory, and Anne notes that just because you know some people in the industry doesn’t mean you’re gold.      QUOTE: “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” – Roy T. Bennett   CREDIT: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The middle of your story is the biggest chunk and, for many, the most challenging. The group discusses ways to tackle this section through different approaches that ultimately come down to the same principles. Anne talks about chopping it up into two sections, Tracey discusses the importance of getting the story all down to see where you can tweak structure, and Jess invents yet another word/definition for them to torment her with.   QUOTE: “Worrying won’t stop bad things from happening. It just keeps you from enjoying the good.” – currently Unknown   LINKS: - The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski - Mabel Opal Pear by Amanda Hosch - Save the Cat by Blake Snyder CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

In the second half of this discussion, the group talks about word-count issues, when to employ or disregard Show vs. Tell, and what to do when you’re sick of looking at your manuscript. Anne and Tracey discuss methods of shrinking or expanding the manuscript to fit your genre, and Jess discusses strategies for chapter breaks versus scene breaks.   QUOTE: “If you feel like you’re losing everything, remember that trees lose their leaves every year, and still they stand tall and wait for better days to come.” – Currently unknown   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The group tackles some general editing questions, fully aware that it will take more than one episode. They stress the importance of finishing your draft to know what you’re working with, as well as discovering your theme and intentions as you write (no matter what those intentions were when you began). Anne mentions seeing it as an opportunity to write new, improved fan fic of your own stuff, and Tracey and Jess discuss ways to ensure continuity throughout your story.     QUOTE: “Be silly, be fun, be different, be crazy, be you. Because life is too short to be anything but happy.” – currently Anonymous   LINKS: Scrivener   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Today the group takes a closer look at different antagonists – from mustache twirlers and teenage-stalking mouth-breathers, to complex bad guys and tortured souls, to antagonistic societal structures and Mother Nature herself.   They talk about subplot and temporary antagonists, and then dish on methods of fleshing out a deeper kind of bad guy.   QUOTE: “What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.” -- Buddha   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

*This episode was recorded before the tragic death of George Floyd and the ensuing events that unfolded. Please know that the topic was not intentionally ignored.     Writer’s block happens to everyone, but not all writer’s block is the same. The group discusses ways to overcome these rough moments, as well as methods to avoid them in the first place. Jess discusses the difficulty of writing through uncertain times like the COVID pandemic, Anne encourages people to replenish their creative well, and Tracey gives us more inspirational quotes than usual.   QUOTE: “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” – Victor Hugo   LINKS: The Artist’s Way Ira Glass and The Gap SCWBI Highlights Foundation   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The group talks about knowing where your characters stand -- primary level, secondary, or tertiary -- as well as what to do when you have too many cluttering up your work. Anne shakes her fists about some stereotype pet peeves, Tracey discusses when to reduce, reuse, or recycle your characters, and Jess reminds folks of the importance of a sensitivity reader.   QUOTE: “We rise by lifting others.” – Robert Ingersoll CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

What’s the difference between a wound and a flaw? What’s a good flaw versus one that is predictable or easy or, egads, unforgiveable? The group discusses all that, as well as ways to integrate the two within the structure of your plot. Tracey and Anne discuss some flaws that are deal breakers and then heckle Jess mercilessly about waffles, John Truby, and getting “remotional.”   QUOTE: “A little progress every day leads to big results.” – currently Anonymous   LINKS: Franny Billingsley John Truby   Waffles   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

*Please forgive the audio. We’re working on smoothing out the remote recordings. Coming at you from the lockdown in Seattle… Part Two of Online Promo. In this chunk, the group talks about self-promotion through guest blogging, author pages, newsletters, entering contest, hosting contests, and using the member benefits of your local writing organizations. Tracey chats about her first author interview and Jess makes the mistake of trying to do Anne’s hosting job.   QUOTE: “We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” – Max Depree   LINKS: - Rafflecopter - Author giveaway tips and considerations (RaffleCopter blog) - Social Media promotion rules (easy-to-read, but first published in 2011 – you will want to confirm recent updates) - GDRP explained - Mailerlite -- Jessica’s current email host   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Modern folks spend hours and hours interacting through the internet -- specifically, your readers spend hours and hours. So, time to meet them where they are. But where are your connecting points and how to do you grow a network from a seedling to a sturdy presence? The group discusses organic methods of getting attention and how to make a good impression once the spotlight is on you. Jess outs herself as an expert on yet another topic *shocking* and Tracey discusses her take on the much-desired word-of-mouth spread. This Part One episode also touches on cover art and deciding what your readers are going to experience when they choose to interact with your brand.   QUOTE: “Be stronger than your excuses.” – take on a Bryant McGill quote   LINKS: BJ Novak book reading/trailer Indy Quillen author website   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Modern times require modern connections, especially in a time when Zoom has become the national pastime. Tracey and Jess share their thoughts, failures, and victories about using online platforms, and Anne pretends to know anything about Instagram. They discuss the benefits of using different sites, as well as the necessity of knowing what you’re going to use it for before you dive in.   QUOTE: “You are the artist of your life. Don’t hand the paintbrush to anyone else.” – Iva Ursano   TWITTER MENTIONS: #writingCommunity #amwriting #writerslife #writingtip   LINKS: Janet Reid, Literary Agent Jolie Stekly   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Writing Romance as a plot or subplot can be a lot trickier than people think. The group discusses methods to make a believable and satisfying romance, as well as the importance of keeping the promise to the reader about the type of romance they’re getting into. Jess points out that a love interest can often be seen as the antagonist to a lover’s union, Tracey discusses how friendships  often mimic romantic connections, and Anne stirs the pot by bringing up toxic love in a #MeToo era.   QUOTES: “Without struggle, there is no progress.” – A take on a Frederick Douglass quote   LINKS: John Truby’s Story of Anatomy Johny Truby’s website Save the Cat by Blake Snyder   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen. She also gets to decide the titles and inserts subliminal BTS content as she pleases. 

In this longer episode, Anne interrogates Jessica about the expectations of YA and Children’s books. They discuss how these books are not “adult light,” talk about considerations made for kids who “read up,” and explore the spectrum of “heaviness” within even the same reading level. Anne outs herself as That Mom who wants warnings on books that contain sensitive topics, and Jess notes the importance of kids seeing literature that reflects their own experiences, both positive and negative.      QUOTE: “Let’s put it this way: if you are a novelist, I think you start out with a twenty-word idea, and you work at it and you wind up with a 200,000-word novel. We, picture book people, or at least I, start out with 200,000 words and I reduce it to twenty.” -- Eric Carle   LINKS: - Writing Rhyme and Meter - Josh Funk’s Guide to Writing Picture Books - Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

This is a two-for-one episode, as it’s hard to talk about writing contests without bringing up the synopsis. So how do you find a good contest, how do you submit, and is the final prize worth it for you? Anne and Jess carry the episode while Tracey is away (sigh), talking about tips and tricks of entering contests as seen from both sides, as well as some ideas for whittling down your synopsis.   QUOTE: “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” – Douglas Adams   LINKS: Writer Beware Writer’s Digest Contests: Pacific Northwest Writers Association Pike’s Peak Zebulon Daphne du Maurier (Kiss of Death) Killer Nashville   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Like the rest of a novel, successful dialogue needs balance for it to work. Aside from an accurate dialogue tag, it should try to include plot-relevant information, character dynamics, and/or characterization in general. The group ponders the influence of texting and emoji shortcuts when writing effective dialogue, and discusses the “deadly sins” of using adverbs and exclamation points. Are they as big a no-no as we think for all books? Jess once again tries to convince the others of something they’re pretty sure she made up, and Anne and Tracey prove they are terrible at British accents.   QUOTE: “You will never always be motivated. So, you must learn to be disciplined.” – currently Unknown   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Police ride-alongs, Renaissance festivals, courtroom hearings, and science expos are all examples of where to go for insider knowledge that can elevate your fiction. Anne and Tracey debrief their own experience at the Port Gamble Ghost Conference, where they mingled with both skeptical investigators and psychics alike. They talk about the benefits of this kind of approach, including the opportunity to overhear several expert opinions throughout the course of an event.   QUOTE:  Be scared and do it anyway. – Take on a Susan Jeffers quote   LINKS: Port Gamble Ghost Conference Killer Nashville   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Like many other aspects of novel-writing, Believability affects several areas and must be woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. The group discusses manufactured drama versus “digging deep” to create a more believable story. They also talk about the danger of accidentally creating predictability in the quest to make things realistic. Anne battles a cold and tries not to sound like Porky Pig when saying believability, and Tracey and Jess dish on stories that have set up realistic twists and character reveals.   QUOTE: “Prove yourself to yourself, not others.” – currently Anonymous   CREDITS: Your Writing Does Not Suck is recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Whether you’re published or not, indie or traditional, setting goals is important for focusing your writing time. The group talks about big goals (like completing a book by X) versus small goals (like organizing your writing space), and how deciding which goals to set depends on where you’re at in your writing career. Jess talks about different tools to motivate you, while Tracey and Anne troll her hardcore about…pretty much everything.   QUOTE: "It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you aren't." -- Denis Waitley LINKS: Task Heroics   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Anne is back with Sven, this time talking about his progression into undercover work. We hear about his favorite disguise, his least favorite incident, and some rookie mistakes during his patrol years.  * Some sensitive information has been edited out.   HOMEWORK: Write a scene where the character has to do something particularly gnarly or nasty to achieve their goal.   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

The group talks about the importance of making new worlds make sense and discusses just how much worldbuilding a reader can digest all at once. They also caution against the extreme approaches of going into a story willy-nilly versus the endless rabbit hole of what-if questions. Anne reminds us that worldbuilding is not just for fantasy stories, and then unsuccessfully tries to get Jess and Tracey to fight over preferred writing methods.      QUOTE: "Create: Verb. The act of banging your head on your desk until something interesting pops out." – Currently Anonymous   LINKS: Brandon Sanderson Neal Shusterman   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

If you ever dreamed about running away from life to get your writing done, this might be the episode for you. This time the group chats about the do’s and don’ts of cobbling together your own writing retreat. No matter how big or small your group is, there are some factors and logistics to consider in order to maximize your writing time and experience. Jessica discusses the glory and the guilt of sleeping in the best room in the house, and Anne recalls a bathroom disaster that ended in an emergency handyman call.   QUOTE: “If Plan A doesn’t work, the alphabet has twenty-five more letters.” – Claire Cook   LINKS: Jolie Stekly – Speaker, writer, and coach VRBO – House rentals and vacations   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

011: SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview with a detective   Anne goes solo and chats with a burglary detective about the different periods of his career before he settled into his current role. It’s a looser episode that offers insider lingo and realities, including one of the cases-that-got-away and the realities of cop love.   *Some sensitive information has been edited out of the recording.     HOMEWORK: Write a scene where a someone has discovered a crime before the victim even knows about it, and they have to break the news.    CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Show, don’t tell is a meaty subject, but the group focuses on doing it through Symbolism and Subtext. They cover the idea of not overdoing either method, as well as how the techniques can be used as “shorthand” for what you’re really trying to convey. Jessica discusses her days as an English major, and Anne conducts a punishment exercise that backfires on her.   QUOTE: “Being a good writer is 3% hard work and 97% not getting distracted by the Internet.” – Kristen Houghton   LINKS: Fake Love by BTS. Snickers bar symbolism (and several other symbols in props/background and dance moves). Song is in Korean. Saving Mr. Banks Pear symbolism. Fly a Kite subtext. Inception Spinning top symbolism Entwine by Tracey Shearer. Lingerie symbolism.   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Conference?! What do I wear, what do I expect, what do I DO? This week, the group discusses conference insights from the viewpoints of being an attendee, a volunteer/organizer, and an agent/editor. Anne and Jess talk about navigating these functions as an introvert, and Tracey lists off opportunities found beyond the classroom sessions.   QUOTE:  “Don’t compare your lives to others. There is no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it’s their time.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam   LINKS:  SCBWI Books by Donald Maass Franny Billingsley   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M Belen.

There are so many approaches to plot and so much advice about what skeletal structure your book MUST have to succeed. But is it really that complicated? And are all these how-to books saying the same thing anyway? The group talks about favored approaches to plotting, and the freedom of omitting bones that don’t work for the body of your work. Jess claims loud and proud what her go-to book is, and Tracey talks about the beauty of recognizing plot structure in novels  you’ve already enjoyed.    QUOTE: “Be brave enough to be bad at something new” -  Jon Acuff   LINKS: The Anatomy of Story by John Truby Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson Save the Cat by Blake Snyder Story Engineering by Larry Brooks Story Genius by Lisa Cron The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler   The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins   Margie Lawson Academy   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M Belen.      

No matter how good your story idea, if your pacing is off, the story goes flat and your reader feels the real world pulling them out. In this podcast, the ladies talk about different levels of pacing – by sentence, by scene, and by act. They also discuss some of the different pacing aspects that are often key for the beginning, middle, and end of the book. Jess notes the similarities of writing fight scenes and intimacy scenes, as well as some of the common issues she encounters when getting a manuscript.    QUOTE: “It doesn’t matter what’s been written in your story so far. It’s how you fill up the rest of the pages that counts.” - Anonymous   LINKS: Margie Lawson Academy The Anatomy of Story by John Truby The Winner's Curse trilogy by Marie Rutkoski Entwine by Tracey Shearer   CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded and edited by Anne M. Belen.