Real Life Diagnostics: Are You With Me? Show, Don't Tell, in Your Opening

Critique By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Real Life Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and I diagnose them on the blog. It’s part critique, part example, designed to help the submitter as well as anyone else having a similar problem.

If you're interested in submitting to Real Life Diagnostics, check out the page for guidelines.

Submissions currently in the queue: Six

This week’s questions:

Does this feel like a good opening image for a fantasy novel (potential series)?
How's my showing vs. telling?

Market/Genre: Fantasy

On to the diagnosis…

The Spit Shine: Things to Check Before You Submit

I love checklists, especially ones that I can use to easily improve my manuscript. My master editing list is always a favorite, and I like to bring it out at least once a year for the new readers. For long-time readers, I've added a few new words as well.

One of the last things I do with a novel before I call it "done," is to go through a list of words I know I overuse (or misuse), words I shouldn't use many of, words that often spell trouble, and words to avoid. I check each one and decide if I really need it or if the sentence would be better without it. It's boring and tedious, but it does force me to focus on those little edits that can really tighten a manuscript.

I call it the spit shine.

This long list has developed over years from various books, posts, conferences, etc on how to write and edit. I've found it very helpful in cleaning up those little stragglers and tightening my prose. 

Have a Happy Fourth

Taking a blog day off today (because I'm still recovering from FandomFest this past weekend, and yes there's a story there I'll share this week). So for my fellow American pals, Happy Independence Day! Go be independent and revel in it. For my non-American pals, have a great day and chuckle at the high number of folks who will no doubt do really dumb things with matches and fireworks this evening.

And to celebrate in style, here's Cadaver Dan...

Going Both Ways: Outlines for Plot, Pantser for Character

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

I’m an outliner all the way when it comes to crafting the plots in my stories. But for my character arcs, I’m a total pantser. I always know where my characters are going, but rarely how they’ll get there.

To me, this is the best of both worlds, especially since I write science fiction and fantasy, which tends to be fairly plot-focused. I can devote as much time as I need prepping my story framework, then turn my characters loose and see what happens. Not only does it allow me to spend more time developing those characters as I write, it keeps the story fresh for me. I never know how things are going to unfold.

Real Life Diagnostics: A Historical Beginning: Hooking the Reader

Critique By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Real Life Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and I diagnose them on the blog. It’s part critique, part example, designed to help the submitter as well as anyone else having a similar problem.

If you're interested in submitting to Real Life Diagnostics, check out the page for guidelines.

Submissions currently in the queue: Four

This week’s question:

Is the opening scene working?

Market/Genre: Historical

On to the diagnosis…

Kill Them All: Does Killing Off Characters Make Readers Care Less?

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

The hubby and I were watching Game of Thrones recently, and I was so worried my favorite character was going to die he looked it up for me. If the character was doomed, I didn't want to get any more attached to him. I wanted to start preparing myself for his demise.

Then I realized how whacked this was.

Not caring about a character because he might die? Isn't the whole point to make readers care?

Are You a Fan? A FandonFest Reminder

Hi all! Just a reminder that I'll be in Louisville, KY this weekend at FandomFest. If you're a fan of the science fiction, fantasy or horror in all its shapes and forms, and you're looking for something fun to do, come on over/down/up and join in the fun.

Here are the panels I'll be on. (Yep, they're keeping me busy)

FandomFest
June 28 - July 1, 2012
Louisville, KY
Friday:
5:30pm - Zombie Apocalypse
For those in the know, it is not a matter of “if”, but rather “when”.  Yes, the Zombie Apocalypse that is coming!  Come and get some insights from writers who have a keen interest in this area. Who knows? Maybe the things they discuss will help you survive the age of the undead!

Guest Author Kristen Callihan: Taking the Road Less Taken (With Your Characters)

By Kristen Callihan, @Kris10Callihan

I'd like to welcome paranormal romance author Kristen Callihan to the blog today. I first met Kristen at an RWA (Romance Writers of America) conference several years ago. We share the same agent and she was sweet enough to introduce us. (And she has a very inspiring post about Kristen's publishing journey) Kristen is here to share some thoughts on taking risks with your characters.

Kristen is a child of the 80s, which means she's worn neon skirts, black-lace gloves, and combat boots (although never all at once) and can quote John Hughes movies with the best of them. A life long daydreamer, she finally realized that the characters in her head needed a proper home and thus hit the keyboard. She believes that falling in love is one of the headiest experiences a person can have, so naturally she writes romance. Her love of superheroes, action movies, and history led her to write historical paranormals. She lives in the Washington D.C. area and, when not writing, looks after two children, one husband, and a dog—the fish can fend for themselves.

Her current manuscript, FIRELIGHT, is a gothic retelling of Beauty and the Beast set along the shadowy lanes of Victorian London, published by Grand Central Publishing.

Take it away Kristen...

On the Road: Choosing Your Point of View

Double the fun today, with an extra post on choosing your point of view over at Donna Galanti's blog, Writing From the Dark Places. So if you're wondering which point of view style to go with in your next story, you might want to pop on over and join the fun. Or just come over to the dark side and say hi.

I Have a Message for Ms. Reader: Are You Telegraphing Your Plot?

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Have you ever watched a TV show or movie, and someone says something that you know is going to come back later and be the key thing that saves the day? "Well now, we haven't use that road since a big old sinkhole opened up ten years ago." And you know that sinkhole is where the hero is going to lead the horrible monster or bad guy chasing him at the climax.

Kinda takes all the fun out of it, right?