FORGET THE WRITING ‘RULES’

I think one of the hardest things about being a writer is that you have to trust your gut. For most of us aspiring authors, it’s a tough thing to suss out the productive from the non-productive. We, as a species—writers—are inundated with info and workshops and literary journals/magazines, critique groups, conferences, editors’ opinions, professionals’ opinions, etc. And ALL THE TIME.

One thing I have come to realize over the years as a published writer is that, at some point, you have to let go of what others think, to a certain extent, and accept who and what and where you are as a serious writer.

The hard truth is that most people, especially people in critique groups, don’t know what’s going to truly make your book, short story, etc, better. They can help you figure out where your story starts and they can help you find your voice, etc, sure, but that helps only to a point. Really, you have to accept that the best way to learn is to WRITE and write a lot. And, as King says, read a lot as well. Study what the masters did, then study what the contemporary commercial and literary writers are doing in 2015. Read popular books and ask yourself why they might be appealing to a mass audience (even the books you don’t like).

I recently read (finally) the first Hunger Games book. I know this is an incredibly popular YA dystopian novel. I could see why. Frankly, I feel that this is not the best written book, for many reasons. But it has sold tens of thousands (if not hundreds) of copies worldwide. There are reasons for this. For one thing, the narrator’s empathy and emotional understanding of that particular age group is off the charts; the author really recalled that time in life well. For another thing, there is tension from the very beginning; we are placed in a high-stakes, can’t-go-back type of situation and readers LOVE this kind of thing. They want to be hooked right away and pulled in.

Plot is super, super important, especially for commercial books in 2015 that sell. We need to see the who, what, when, where, and why. Move the story forward using action and dialogue. Use empathy and a strong emotional connection to hook in the reader and make sure it’s authentic. That’s key. Readers are smart and aware and no-bullshit people; they’ll smell a rat from a million miles away. It’s like acting in a film; if we notice even for a split-fraction of a second that you ARE acting…well…the jig is up. And actors only get stronger by practice. Our practice, as authors, is writing every single day. I don’t care if it’s for half an hour. Do it. No excuses.

Anyway, back to the critique groups, etc. Lots of people will tell you lots of things. Everybody has an opinion. You can’t shut everyone out and some people have wonderful points to point out; listen to these ones. But there is often a LOT of white noise. Tune these ones out. If you feel you need a group, fine. But you don’t necessarily need one. It’s the truth. Stephen King warns new writers against the potential pitfalls of creative writing college programs and workshop/critique groups. Why? Because he knows the secret to becoming a good writer: Write and read as much as possible and find an editor and ideal reader (just one) that you trust. The rest, frankly, is all trimming the top of the grass. The root comes from the work done on your own. Remember: creative writing teachers and workshop instructors have to make a living. That may sound…irreverent…but it’s true. Sorry.

So my point here is: Think for yourself, listen openly and respectfully but with common sense and self-awareness; read and write a heck of a lot (every day if possible); research all this publishing/writing stuff via Google; ask questions; join a workshop if need be to experience it; and rock on. Get your work out there to the great big world! Oh, and get a darn editor you trust!

I am a freelance developmental book editor. Formerly I was a literary agent’s assistant. I received my BA in writing from SF State. As a published writer myself, I love to edit other peoples’ books; it gives me an electric thrill.

If you have a novel or memoir you’d like me to look at, email me at: michaelmohreditor@gmail.com. I look at anything other than children’s, middle grade, or picture books.

Write on. "You said it. Let's edit."

Michael Mohr

THE 22ND ANNUAL BOOK PASSAGE MYSTERY WRITERS CONFERENCE

I want to talk about writing conferences in this post, specifically The Mystery Writers’ Conference at Book Passage in Corte Madera. It’s the 22nd annual conference they’ve had at the internationally known bookseller and it’s a big deal. And if you’ve never been to a writing conference before, let me give you some tips.

First off, there are some fantastic authors who are going to be there, like Cara Black (the Aimée Leduc mysteries), David Corbett (The Art of Character), John Lescroart (The Fall), Joe Clifford (Junkie Love, Lamentation), Don Winslow (The Cartel) and many more. In addition, there will be literary agents such as local Bay Area legend Andy Ross (former owner of Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave) and Elizabeth Kracht (senior agent with Kimberley Cameron & Associates, a classic Bay firm). Also, in the case of this conference, there will actually be district attorneys and judges and ex FBI members and private eyes. So, in other words: It’s going to be intense.

So, if you’re new to this—and especially if you’re a new writer—here’s the scoop: Don’t trip. Stay calm, drink a lot of water, take a deep breath, bring a lot of business cards and some of your best written material with you, and make sure you have some fun! Because this IS supposed, believe it or not, to be fun. Trust me. I have been to conferences in San Francisco, New York City and Canada, as well as other parts of the greater Bay Area, and it’s always the goal to have fun.

But on the flip side of that coin, if you are a serious writer, and you’re trying to make connections, this is the time to be prepared. Editors of big magazines and potentially of publishing houses will be there (though I’m not sure they will be at this particular conference), as well as agents and big-name authors. In other words: people with power. You never know who you’re meeting, sitting next to at dinner, or bumping into in line waiting for your next session or class, so try to be careful. Don’t insult anybody, be polite, and try to smile as much as you can. Stash the lonely, bitter writer inside of you as deep as you can and allow the open-minded, sunny, happy social animal to come out and say hello for a few days. Again: trust me.

Bring a yellow legal pad or something to write on. Bring extra pens (though often this stuff is provided at conferences and might be this time as well). Take copious notes, but listen, too. Ask questions that have been bugging you for months, years, decades, a lifetime, about writing or about crime or mysteries. Challenge yourself to start engaging, interesting conversations with new people you normally wouldn’t start conversations with; be bold and brave. Get out of your comfort zone. Take social risks. After introducing yourself to people and talking constantly and hearing “So what do you write” 85 times in one day you’ll be so wiped out after 72 hours that you’ll nearly want to weep. But you’ll be inspired, as well, and ready to finally tackle that Great American Novel, whatever it may be, no longer so elusive or scary, because you’ve now met others who are in the same literary boat, floating in the ocean, alone, afraid of the same waves you are.

So take my word for it. Show up, bring that notepad, that pen and those cards, and that smile, and be ready to listen and learn, and you’ll get the feeling that you’re not so alone after all, that maybe, just maybe there are others out there who feel just the same way as you do, and knowing this is freeing, it allows you to move easily through the rest of your life because now you know, at least in terms of writing, there are others like you out there.

That’s why conferences matter. That’s why they work. That’s why people keep coming back to them year after year after year. Because they hook and hold and caress, just like your first fiction sentence should do.

Know what I mean? See you at the conference. If you see me, come say hello. I’m hard to miss: 5’7, 32 years old, tattoos down my arms, shaved head.

Write on.

“You said it. Let’s edit.”

Michael Mohr

I do developmental book editing. If you want a free test edit I can do that. Have an adult novel (no sci-fi please) or memoir? Email me: michaelmohreditor@gmail.com.

Also, check out my client Christian Picciolini’s book: “Romantic Violence: Memoirs of an American Skinhead.” True tale of a neo-Nazi who got out and became an activist for love and positive change. Great read. Buy it on Amazon (click here).

For 66 cents each, you can buy my stories at Alfie Dog Press, A U.K Publisher online.

WRITING AS PROFESSION

Writing is something, in my opinion, that you should only pursue if you absolutely love to do it and you feel like you have to do it. Seriously. I mean, I’m talking about for those of you who want your books to get published and to be taken seriously by the writing and reading world out there. If you’re one of those struggling artist types in your twenties who is taking an MFA program or a middleclass mom who writes on the side, that’s fine but just be aware: This is a full time job. This isn’t some side gig you can do here and there and expect to ‘make it.’ You’ve got to work and hard.

I am not saying this to be judgmental or critical or out of fear or resentment. I am saying this because, during my time ‘in the industry,’ I have found it to be fundamentally true. For myself, I have written five (count ‘em five) full-length novels. None of them, thus far, have been published, but I’m working on this latest suspense novel and it is definitely (I can feel it in my bones) going to be The One. My “debut.” I am very excited about putting it out there and trying to hook an agent. I am fully confident that it will happen for me. I have faith.

I have gotten 15 stories published at this point, in various lit journals and magazines. I have a decent blog following. I am on Twitter (@Michael_Editor). I was formerly a literary agent’s assistant so I know the industry from an insider perspective. And I have been a freelance developmental book editor for a while now.

I mention the above paragraph not to pump myself up or to be self aggrandizing or shamelessly promote myself (but I am, let’s be clear and honest here); I mention it because I have a ‘platform’; I have built a solid infrastructure unto which I can create the buzz for my debut novel. This is critically important when an agent is deciding on whether or not to represent me and my book. They look for a career not a one-night-stand, so to speak. They want someone who looks good to a prospective publisher and who will turn out more books, ergo more profit for a publishing house and for the author and, ergo, for the agent themselves who takes a [usually] 10-15% cut out of the advance and royalties.

Anyway, the point here is: If you love to write and you want to do it for a living, if you’re that passionate about it, then do The Work. Don’t slack; an agent can tell immediately who is serious and who is half-assed. Edit your own book, then show it to a critique group, then make changes and take suggestions, then edit it again, then take it to a professional book editor/doctor (like me) and have it looked at and diagnosed. Then work on it some more, making logical changes. Then, when it’s ready, do tons of research on lit agents. Do your query, synopses, etc, and put that puppy out there. Then stand back and let go. If you have a current full time job as well then this process could take a year, easy. Or two. Or three. Etc.

This is not a short, quick, easy process. We’re talking about a career.

Writing is just like anything else; it requires due diligence and hard labor and going back to it again and again and again. Trust me; if you aren’t in it 100% you might as well stick to your day job and just write for fun here and there on the side. I only say that because many people have said it to me on my journey and frankly, I needed to hear it. This is a hurdle (among many) along the way of trying to get published and become a ‘successful’ writer. Of course, we all have our own view of success and there is self publishing now, vanity publishing, small presses, etc. There are many avenues. This is only one. And this is only my own opinion, based on my experience.

If you need a book editor now, send me your first chapter. No Children’s, middle-grade, picture books, poetry, short stories, or Sci-fi/fantasy please. I do not work with nonfiction other than memoir. Please send a query and a first chapter to: michaelmohreditor@gmail.com.

I look forward to reading your work! Right now I am slightly booked ahead and would not be able to begin a new project until probably September. I can do a one-time free “test edit” of 5-10 pages to give you an idea of my editing style and approach.

Write on!

“You said it. Let’s edit.”

Michael Mohr