How to Beat the Rejection Blues #Wwow #writingtip

Face it! Rejection and writing go hand in hand, be it with a publisher, an agent, or from a bad review. 

Having just lived through another rejection last week, Here's what I did (and normally do.)

1. Cry. Yep, I'm a sap.

2. Play computer games... to hell with that manuscript waiting for me.

3. Put my Kindle in the drawer... why did those authors make it and I didn't?

4. Drink some wine... and more wine... and WHINE.

5. Wake up and try it all again.

I've had to rethink about how to get past those rejection blues. If I could skip the whole day of feeling blah, I would, but I personally think it's good to get it out of our system.. Then what? What can we do? Here's my advice.

1. Let it sink in, sit there for a few minutes and then move on. If you dwell on the pain for too long, it will destroy your motivation, will power, or kill off your muse. We don't want that!

2. Learn from your rejection. Sometimes an editor/agent will give you advice in their rejection letter. Use these suggestions to improve your manuscript. It's all a learning experience!

3. Review a publisher/agent guidelines carefully. Sometimes your manuscript can simply be rejected based on not following directions.

4. Know you're not the only one. We all face rejection. Check out this great blog post. 50 Iconic Writers Who Were Rejected

5. DON'T STOP WRITING! If you stop, they've beat you. You are a winner. You can do it. Fix it. Make it better.Move on.

Some great author's advice:

“I tell writers to keep reading, reading, reading. Read widely and deeply. And I tell them not to give up even after getting rejection letters. And only write what you love.”
—Anita Diamant

“Every rejection is incremental payment on your dues that in some way will be translated back into your work.”
—James Lee Burke

Chin up! Keep writing! Move forward!

Follow along and read all this week's posts.

Tammy Dennings Maggy http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com

Lacey Wolfe http://laceywolfe.com/blog.html

Paloma Beck http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com

You can follow us on twitter at #WWoW. Or find us on facebook at Words of Wisdom. And soon we'll be opening our official WWoW blog - details to come!

Why Authors Should Use Google Plus #Wwow

Last week I gave a tutorial on how to use Google Plus. This week I will focus on the WHY. 

Google Plus is another great resource/tool for authors. Each day, more and more people are signing up. Those that do use Google Plus rave about the benefits and the future potential.

What a writer can do on Google Plus to make your profile more appealing:

• provide links to your blog, websites, public profiles, online book store
• Share information. Write posts of interests for your fans, fellow authors, blogs you follow to establish yourself as an expert and to build up your "brand."
• Add photos of anything author related: cover photos, conventions you attend, etc.
• Upload videos: book trailers, author introductions

Here is what makes Google's social outlet a great resource for authors: 

1. Google Plus is part of the Search Engine Google which makes your posts public, and ultimately brings more traffic to your site. Connecting your Google profile to your blog provides more search results.Check your stats! The proof is there.

2. It's all about "CIRCLES." Adding your followers/friends into specific titled circles aids in who you send posts to, and who sees your posts. Here are some good suggestions for authors: Authors, Reviewers, Bloggers, Editors, Publishers, Family, Friends, Triberr. 

3. Use hashtags in your posts to make it search-friendly. I've used the regular hashtags we use on twitter: #amwriting, #amediting. You can also tag people in your post (similar to Facebook). 

4. Each post has a "comment" option. This is easier to follow than, say, Twitter where comments are all over the place. It is one centralized place.

5. Wanna hangout? Google Plus has a "hangout" feature. I haven't used this much, as I'm still learning, but it's the big hype on Google Plus. It's a group video feature where you can interact with a "Circle." This is ideal for writer's conferences, writer's conferences, an online event such as book discussion, giveaway party, book reading sessions, interviews. The list is endless. I'd love to hear from anyone who's experienced this. 

With all the wonderful features Google Plus offers, I think a writer must add Google Plus to their platform of social media. Take the plunge and join the network. Don't forget to follow me at: https://plus.google.com/u/1/100956716011590449582/posts

WoW is a Smart & Savvy Group of Authors who write this weekly feature for their blog each Wednesday. While we don't claim to be experts, the goal is to impart what we've learned about writing, editing, getting published, book promotion, and more along the way. 

Follow along and read all this week's contributors' posts. 

Tammy Dennings Maggy http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com/ Trying out Scrivener

Lacey Wolfe http://laceywolfe.com/blog.html Marketing/PR for beginners

Paloma Beck http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com List Yourself at AuthorsDb.com

You can follow us on twitter at #WWoW.

Or find us on facebook at Words of Wisdom.

Google Plus for Newbies #Wwow

With all the social media out there, it's hard to keep up, but I found one place that ties in a little Facebook with Twitter -- Google Plus! I'll admit that when I first tried it, I was overwhelmed. But after spending a little time navigating through Google +, I found that I actually like it a lot. 

So, I will try to make a quick basic tutorial for newbies out there. Next week I will share why I think authors should use it for promotional purposes.

First, you will create your profile. Here is mine.

It's much like the timeline wall on Facebook. Your personal information, a picture of yourself, a cover picture, friends (who you follow) and your posts/wall. This is also where you can post your blog links or other information you want to share. Here is an example of my last post:

Here you can see my post titled "Book Spotlight Only You by Lorna Peel". You can write as much as you want about the post/link, add a link (or not) and a picture from the post will appear. You can choose from as many pics as you provide on the post. Also see the empty box at the top. This is the square where you can insert a new post. What I like is that you can choose which "Circle" you want to send the post to. You can also add a picture, video, file or link. 

Next is the HOME screen where you see the "Newsfeed" from the people you follow.

Here you will see posts, links, pictures, follower suggestions, trending hash tags. You can also post on this page. 

How do you find people to follow? There is an icon for FIND PEOPLE. Google will suggest people via your email or with the same interests.

Once you add friends to follow, you can place them into specified CIRCLES. You have the liberty to name your circles whatever you want (Authors, Publishers, Reviewers, etc.)

One last favorite aspect of Google Plus is the Communities section. You can find other people/groups with similar interests. You can even start your own community. 

There is so much more to the Google Plus Network, be it games, hangouts, exploration, events. Too much for a newbie, so I started with the basics. Try it out today, if you haven't already, and you won't be dissapointed. I can be found at: https://plus.google.com/u/1/100956716011590449582/posts

Next week, I will discuss why Google Plus is an important social network for authors. 

WoW is a Smart & Savvy Group of Authors who write this weekly feature for their blog each Wednesday. While we don't claim to be experts, the goal is to impart what we've learned about writing, editing, getting published, book promotion, and more along the way. 

Follow along and read all this week's contributors' posts. 

Paloma Beck http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/search/label/WoW#.UN348m_AeSo

Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn:  http://wp.me/p1e7XX-PS

Lacey Wolfe: www.laceywolfe.com/blog.html

You can follow us on twitter at #WWoW.

Or find us on facebook at Words of Wisdom.

6 Tips to Improve Edits

Six Important Tips I've Learned During My First Content Edits

I thought I’d share some of my content edits trials and tribulations. Some of these tips may seem simple. Some may seem like common sense. But we’re all different and you never know until you have to sit down and edit.

 

1. A major weakness for many writers is the “passive voice.” Words to avoid: was, were, is, are, be, been, have, do, show, feel, realize, saw. Here are two great web sources to check your own exceprts: Writer’s Diet http://writersdiet.com/WT.php and Autocrit http://www.autocrit.com/ Also, I suggest doing a search through your manuscript for the key “passive” words.
2. All authors tend to favor particular words repeatedly. Again, you want to search for these words in the manuscript and pull out your thesaurus to choose better word choices. My favorite words in my latest manuscript have been: glance, look, shrug
3. Use exclamation points sparingly. It was suggested to me to use one every three chapters, if at all.
4. You’re going to have to cut or change your darlings. Stephen King said, “kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.” No matter how much it hurts, you will have to do it.
5. Head hopping hurts the brain. When the author jumps from one point of view to another in the same scene, it distracts the reader and pulls them from the story. Keep your scenes in one point of view.
6. Get up and move. I had a month to edit my manuscript, so every free second I had, I found myself slumped over my computer. Boy, did I regret it later. I had major back pain (writer’s hump). My advice is to have a good chair, sit straight and get up to stretch. Sounds silly, but your back will thank me.

WWoW is a Smart & Savvy Group of Authors who host this feature each Wednesday.

While we don't claim to be experts, the goal is to impart what we've learned about 

writing, editing, getting published, book promotion, and more along the way.

Follow along and read all this week's contributors' posts.

Paloma Beck

Lacey Wolfe http://laceywolfe.com/blog.html Tips on getting your links noticed on Facebook.

Tammy Dennings Maggy http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com/ Can Pen Names Go on Vacation?

You can follow us on twitter at #WWoW.

Or find us on facebook at Words of Wisdom.

Participating in Blog Hops: Author Promotion #Wwow

Promoting yourself takes time, so why not have fun while doing it? One way I promote my blog and myself as an author is to participate in Blog Hops. Where and how do you do that? 

Here is a list of places to find specific types of blog hops:

Carrie Ann Ryan Blog Hops - http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/
Hops are focused on romance. She is very organized and there are many participants. You can't go wrong with this one!
Also, there is a facebook group to help with the organization: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarrieAnnBlogHops/

The Blog Hop Spot - http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/
Only a few a year, but worth checking out.
Also on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/367868446563993/?fref=ts

Under the Covers Book Reviews - http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/current-giveaways/upcoming-blog-hops
Adult-centered blog hops. Upcoming hops include Naughty New Years Blog Hop and Fools for Luv Blog Hop. 

Romance Reviews - http://www.theromancereviews.com/romancehop.php
Upcoming Romance Hop and Erotica Romance Hop 

Reading Romances - http://reading-romances.com/
You can also friend this blog on Goodreads and get updates of upcoming blog hops.

I am a Reader, Not a Writer - http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com
Although I am a writer, I know other writers do participated in these hops. Family friendly and lots of YA book hops coming up!

How does it work? Usually the hosting website has a linky sign up. You enter your blog address and name. Then you will be added to the list. Next, the hosting site will send an email with instructions, if there are any special materials or directions.

Write your blog post. Schedule it to be posted early that morning. 

Most bloghops have a giveaway. This is an ideal time to giveaway a copy of your book!If you have a giveaway, use rafflectopter or another useful tool. See my previous post on Rafflecopter use.

Promote  the blog hop on twitter or facebook. Warning: Don't overpromote! You want people to visit your blog,  not throw it out the window.

If you know of other blog hop hosting sites, please let us know in the comments below! 

It's that easy! 

Visit other Writer's Words of Wisdom authors for great advice!

Paloma Beck: http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/search/label/WoW#.UMXrW4fAeSo

Lacey Wolfe: http://laceywolfe.com/blog.html

Tammy Dennings Maggy http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com

Road to Publishing: Major Newbie Author Fail

Have you heard of Track Changes editing? You probably have, but little old me hasn't. So, when I got my first edits back from my awesome editor, she used "Track Changes" in MS Word. Pretty simple.

Here's what it looks like:

What did I do? I printed out the edits, put them in a binder, opened up my manuscript in my writing software, WriteWay Pro (see post about this awesome software) and got to work. Little did I know, I made a huge error. I should have edited in Microsoft Word which tracks my changes. Then, the editor can see the changes I made. Ag! I'm sure she is cursing every word she can think of in English (and French, because she's fluent in French, of course). I just hope she is patient enough  to go through the motions with me being a newbie author. 

Me. Right. Now.

Palm to forehead as I read up on Track Changes and how to use it. Here is a great tutorial I found: www.geoff-hart.com/resources/Using-revision-tracking.pdf

My problem now is my MS Word program is in Spanish. Yuck. This is why I like to use my writing software. My whole computer system is Spanish since I bought it in my little country of Guatemala. I will have to buy the English version of MS Office or teach myself all these Spanish editing words that I never knew existed. What do you think? Que piensas? 

Now after deep breaths, I can only hope that you learn from my mistakes. I know I've learned my lesson. Just remember to...

Thanks for Stopping By,

Melinda

Don't Forget to Laugh at Yourself!

Who said life had to always be serious? I know it’s easier said than done, but we need to have fun sometimes. I know life can get in the way, but we make life the way we want it.  As a mother, wife, teacher, friend, and writer, I have a busy life. I have to learn how to balance all the responsibilities and in the midst of it all LAUGH. Laughing is important to me. Luckily, I have a silly husband who is right there beside me, supporting me, pushing me and loving me. Yeah, sappy right? Laugh all you want! At least you’re smiling. J

My husband makes me laugh ALMOST every day. One of the best parts of our relationship is that we can be who we are and not be embarrassed. Silliness evades our household. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Reading a romantic comedy is a great stress reliever. And yes, I fit it in to my daily schedule. Two queens of romantic comedy are Jill Shalvis and Shannon Stacey. In fact, here are some fantastic quotes from their last two books I read:

“If I looked like him,” Tara said. “I’d want to have sex with myself. All the time.” 
― Jill Shalvis, Simply Irresistible

“Two of my fav pieces of wisdom from Phoebe:

- Men are like parking spots. All the good ones are taken, and those that aren't are inaccessible.

- Remember, it's always better to be the smartass rather than the dumbass.” 
― Jill Shalvis, Simply Irresistible

“Who’s there?”
“The scratcher of your itch,” he said.
She opened the door a crack and stuck her nose out. “Was that supposed to be romantic?” 
― Jill Shalvis, Instant Attraction

"Josh: Just because you’re not looking for something doesn’t mean you won’t find it. 
Sean: Well, aren’t you quite the fucking fortune cookie." 
— Shannon Stacey (Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family, #3))

"He could do this. He'd survived boot camp. He'd survived combat and the harsh weather of Afghanistan. He could survive broccoli. Probably." 
— Shannon Stacey (Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family, #3))

My last advice is to always make sure you laugh during the day. “A day without laughter is a day wasted. – Charlie Chaplin.”

What do you do to laugh each day? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Melinda

Be sure to check the other Writer's Words of Wisdom authors:

Tammy Dennings Maggy

Paloma Beck

Jessicca Collins

CREEPED out by a Critique Group? Try out @CritiqueCircle! #Wwow

Wednesday's Writing Tip is short and sweet writing advice. Grab your cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy!

Creepy? No! 

Cat's meow? Yes! 

You need a critique group or a critique partner!

 I cannot stress enough how important my writing partners have been. Here I am to share my experience and suggest the best critique group on the web, Critique Circle.

When I began to write Time Changes Everything, I decided that it would be a good idea to find a critique partner. Since I live in a Spanish-speaking country, it was impossible to find a support group here. I needed serious writers who could speak English and who were willing to help. So, I did a little research and found the website Critique Circle, and boy were these ladies and gentlemen a helpful group! 

I'm so glad I discovered this site. I have learned so much from the people I interact with. The biggest advantage to this critique
 group is the amount of people involved. You will inevitably find other writers just like you, with similar writing genres and a wealth of experience. 

Overall, here are the reasons why I love this place:

1) It's free! (Of course, there is a PRO version, which I pay for, but it isn't necessary) and easy to sign up.

2) You can focus on your genre of writing. Mine happens to be romance.

3) There are forums to discuss anything you wish. Most of it has to do with writing, but other times it can be off-topic.

4) A whole bunch of tools such as Storyboards, Outlining Templates, Name Generator, Submission Tacker and more!

5) The friendships I have made. Although I put this as fifth, I have to say this is actually the main reason I love Critique Circle. It's wonderful to live through the writing process with all my buddies. They are there to motivate me, inspire me, and to help me improve (with no hard feelings, either!) We share in our successes and mourn with our rejections. There's nothing better than seeing one of your partners publish a book! Although I haven't met any of my partners face-to-face, I can call them friends. They are valuable and a part of my writing life. 

So, my Wednesday advice to you is to find a critique partner, a local critique group, or one online. I know there are other groups online, but Critique Circle is a good way to go. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to check out other #Wwow authors:

Paloma Beck: http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/search/label/WoW

Tammy Dennings Maggy http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com

Jessicca Collins: http://thatsexactlywrite.blogspot.com

Melinda