How Do You Make a Good Story Worthy of Getting Past the Gatekeeper?

By Karen Cioffi

Just about every author knows about the "gatekeeper." The dreaded acquisitions editor who decides if your manuscript is worthy of her attention and the publishing house's backing. In other words, the editor who decides if your manuscript is worthy of a publishing contract.

To make sure your ‘good’ story becomes a 'worthy' story, the Writer's Digest article, "7 Simple Ways to Make a Good Story Great" gives excellent tips on just what it takes to create a 'worthy' story.

The author of the article, Elizabeth Sims, explains that "there are subtle differences between fiction that’s passable and fiction that pops—fiction that shows that you know what you’re doing."

So what are those 7 strategies or tips?

1. Well, the first tip mentioned is the five senses. Sims says writers have to go beyond what is expected. Editors and agents want more. "They want physical business that deepens not just your setting, but your characterizations."

2. Next on the list is the use of idiosyncrasies. Each of us has some idiosyncrasy, some weirdness, some form of irrational behavior that makes us unique and interesting. Using those characteristics deepens and broadens your characters.

3. Third up is realism. Sims says, "Forget about being pretty." Write it as it is. Don't worry about it being raw or dark or unpopular. Don’t go for the popular or expected, make it real.

4. The fourth on the list is to write without 'dumbing' down. Readers are savvy and most are educated. They don't want to be written down to, to be told what to think and when. Let them fill in the empty spaces.

5. Fifth on the list is to keep it focused and moving forward. I've read a number of manuscripts that had 'pausing' information - content that wasn't needed in the story and that would make the reader pause, wondering why it was in there. Causing a reader to pause while reading is never a good thing. Pausing causes distraction, which may keep the reader from turning the next page.

6. Next up is the use of laughter. Wit and understated humor goes a long way in increasing engagement in a story. And, even if your novel is on the serious side, there will be moments in it that you can lighten it up a bit of subtle humor.

7. The final tip is to "make them cry." Sims aptly notes that, "Lots of books make readers laugh and lots make readers cry, but when readers laugh and cry while reading the same book, they remember it."

The gatekeepers have keen eyes, looking for weaknesses in your manuscript. Use these seven tips to help get pass those gatekeepers.

Reference:
7 Simple Ways to Make a Good Story Great
http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/7-simple-ways-to-make-a-good-story-great

Original article source: http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/2014/05/how-do-you-make-good-story-worthy-of.html

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The Sound of Story

By Suzanne Y. Cordatos

www.suzannecordatos.blogspot.com

The cool music director of my daughter’s 5^th grade band goes for classic rock ‘n roll and traditional marches— the stuff that sounds good really loud. The young people haven't yet developed the ability to play a range of sounds through their shiny new instruments, so these pieces sound good the louder the better!

Does your work-in-progress sound too one-note?

• Is your writing packed with lightning-paced action?
•  Do you play tour guide for your readers, meandering through description (and avoiding nasty things like confronting your beloved character with bad guys and car chases?)
• Is witty, contemporary dialogue your thing?
• Do you stay in your comfort zone by relying heavily on one of these elements?

A radio hit tells us we’ll “miss the sun when it starts to snow” and we'll know you "love her when you let her go.” Without contrasts, it is difficult to recognize what is sometimes right in front of our noses. In a good book, readers are more compelled to turn pages when emotional highs and lows pull them along. Who doesn't like to cheer in the stands when a favorite character is the underdog?

Layer notes in your composition

•          Make satisfying “ups” by writing worst-case “downs”
•          If your story flies at a fast pace, how will the climax stand out?
•          If the characters don’t slow down to offer their thoughts, when will the reader identify with a character and process what is happening?
•     Talking-head characters need feet grounded in reminders of setting, so a reader can walk along. 

Musicians grow in talent when they add notes and technique to their repertoire. The conductor guides an ensemble through the score to convey the composer’s intended volume and feeling: soft pianissimo, loud forte, dramatic rhythm, or soothing flow. Music can play upon emotions like a dance, a falling in and out of love. My other talented daughter is singing this weekend in a production of Les Miserables with Colchester Community Theater. The music in Les Mis has the power to make one feel hope, anger, love, determination, longing and despair—and I’m probably missing another half dozen emotions in this list! Who doesn't love a good show (OR BOOK) that makes us laugh and cry, often at the same time?

Warning: One-note novels can be boring and exhausting to read.  

For a more interesting balance, alternate scenes with moments of contemplation—a quiet opportunity for your main character to reflect on what has gone down. More importantly, it will give your reader time to worry about what comes next. 

Have you enjoyed a book especially "musical" in its emotional complexity? When you read, do you like to feel you are in the competent hands of a good conductor? Share some titles!

The Spirit of Thankfulness Is Powerful

 The Spirit of Thankfulness Is Powerful by Joan Y. Edwards

Today is a great day to be thankful. Thankfulness brings you more of the good things you appreciate. A simple thank you lightens the heart and remains for a lifetime.  Thank you gives people reasons to do great things for you again.

It is a good idea to celebrate each day of your life. I believe that celebrating is a way to say thank you.

Celebrate when you get up each morning.
Be thankful when you eat every meal.
Celebrate when you learn new skills.
Be thankful for those who help you do things you can't do for yourself.
Celebrate the time you have with your family.
Be thankful for the leaders who truly care about the citizens they serve.
Celebrate the children and adults who brighten your day with a different way of looking at life.
Be thankful for the money you have.
Celebrate that you are willing to share a little of what you have with others.
Be thankful for the clothes you wear.
Celebrate that you teach others to be good stewards of every thing they own.
Be thankful that you have transportation to get where you need to go.
Celebrate the inventions of transportation that are friendly to our environment.
Be thankful for the words you write.
Celebrate the joy of hearing and reading a good story.
Be thankful that you are a part of a good story.
Celebrate the ability of a picture to be worth a thousand words.
Be thankful that you can teach others what you learned the hard way.
Celebrate the ability to laugh at your own mistakes.
Be thankful for life.
Celebrate the young, the middle-aged, and the elderly.
Be thankful for the life of your family and friends.
Celebrate you and the one who created you.
Be thankful.

Thank you to 4RV Publishing for believing in me and Joan's Elder Care Guide's with release date of June 2015.

Thankfulness doubles your power. What you give away in thoughts, words, and actions to celebrate thankfulness is returned to you. Then you will have twice as much as you had in the first place.

Thank you for reading this blog post. Celebrate you today. You are one of a kind. Why are you thankful? Count the ways and rejoice. Share them in the comment area. I'd love to read them.