tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52205884435450072382024-03-15T21:09:24.086-04:00Adventures in Writing: One Woman's JourneyLife is an education, whether I'm struggling to keep up in college as a non-traditional student or trying to make sense of it all in my writing. This is my journey.
~Victoria MarieVictoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-85223742197695419582021-08-21T15:30:00.000-04:002021-08-21T15:30:12.823-04:00Victoria Marie Lees [dot] Com is Live<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hello
Dear Readers of Adventures in Writing!</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 152.45pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My new
website is live. Please visit </span><a href="http://www.victoriamarielees.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">www.victoriamarielees.com</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> to
find any future Adventures in Writing blog posts. Feel free to look around the
website. Tell me what you think.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discover
writing tips for memoir and fiction. You can find all my previous posts at </span><a href="http://www.victoriamarielees.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">www.victoriamarielees.com</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">.</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 152.45pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank
you so much for always reading about my writing adventures and leaving a note.
Have a beautiful day! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri3R79ecj6n8hZCAzznVM7R-3Vr4TwLSmyNPrmSCE8PzX9yFsF7GlX7sL7-5i7nUJtVUORrKo667kkD57Frwqeg2v711FLEIQFBsOt9WZz2Riqu2734qo0PNHTb2k3zNbA_P-WSvkyFUN/s2048/Novels+made+into+Christmas+Tree+at+Pocono+Library.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri3R79ecj6n8hZCAzznVM7R-3Vr4TwLSmyNPrmSCE8PzX9yFsF7GlX7sL7-5i7nUJtVUORrKo667kkD57Frwqeg2v711FLEIQFBsOt9WZz2Riqu2734qo0PNHTb2k3zNbA_P-WSvkyFUN/s320/Novels+made+into+Christmas+Tree+at+Pocono+Library.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-54074702585438944172021-08-03T07:00:00.014-04:002021-08-03T07:00:00.219-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: What’s your favorite writing craft book? And why?<p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Writing
craft books! I love them. Every time I read them or glance through them; I learn
something new. Every time. I highlight. I write notes in the margins. I place
colored tabs on pages. I didn’t realize how many different genre, and different
technique writing books I had on my shelves until you posed this question. </span><span style="color: red; text-indent: 0in;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7CkhqSUV2jXjo9LuilcXUEv43Ka209mJv1C6o07JU93PTz6u5-M9Twz8HwIadhx9BUIFItFs91O0O2I2pDKCPFIwgX7L_FFt4Xa63K2ABgeSZpTRJXtYSQmnaC_AuHDZ3rZdIcpjuHAU/s2048/Vic%2527s+Writing+Books+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7CkhqSUV2jXjo9LuilcXUEv43Ka209mJv1C6o07JU93PTz6u5-M9Twz8HwIadhx9BUIFItFs91O0O2I2pDKCPFIwgX7L_FFt4Xa63K2ABgeSZpTRJXtYSQmnaC_AuHDZ3rZdIcpjuHAU/w150-h200/Vic%2527s+Writing+Books+.JPG" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="150" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
interesting thing about writing books is that the general story telling is the
same. For children. For mysteries. For memoir. Story is story, no matter the
conventions needed to place it in a genre. There’s a beginning, middle, and end
to the story. There’s tension. There are well-rounded characters that readers
need to care about. There should be internal and external forces compelling
characters to make choices. And there are consequences for the decisions made. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes.
There are specific genre conventions. The story needs to do what the genre
readers expect of it. But they are still stories. Even memoir is a story.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3rpGIZuP94OAQbUyYkkKgPxyT0RnsuSzOLaKLNuSWZmzzHrmjd-bXjZnJMDB2RtmkDtNX30hxvj7CsfcdwUvGCaGnLq4dqiunsWrQSwWuzdfhaQIxsonaypNEmZ82eFZtVXxsorDis7V/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3rpGIZuP94OAQbUyYkkKgPxyT0RnsuSzOLaKLNuSWZmzzHrmjd-bXjZnJMDB2RtmkDtNX30hxvj7CsfcdwUvGCaGnLq4dqiunsWrQSwWuzdfhaQIxsonaypNEmZ82eFZtVXxsorDis7V/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></div><br />So
many writers have tweaked the genre to create something just a bit different,
just a bit unique. I remember finding romance stories with vampires or aliens. Mysteries
in outer space or with magical creatures. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
don’t think I have a specific writing book I refer to always. I read them. I
continue to learn something new. There are so many resources for writers now. I’ve
added blog and newsletter readings and podcasts to my writing/story education.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Do you
listen to <a href="https://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/" target="_blank">Joanna Penn</a>? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://selfpublishingformula.com/spf-podcast/" target="_blank">MarkDawson</a>? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/should-you-edit-as-you-go-2/" target="_blank">K.M.Weiland</a>? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Or
<a href="https://jennienash.com/podcastsposts" target="_blank">Jennie Nash</a>? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://writerfiles.libsyn.com/how-to-finish-your-big-scary-book-with-jennie-nash-part-one"></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">These
are my weekly listening programs. I learn lots. One thing about writers, we are
always learning. But then again, aren’t all humans constantly learning?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Please feel free
to offer any insight on this.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">It will be
interesting to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s wonderful
having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for
all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and
publishing journey.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thanks for
visiting! And be sure to stop by Adventures in Writing again.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">This post was
written for the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ " target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for August: <a href="http://www.pkhrezo.com/blog%E2%80%9Dtarget="><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">PK Hrezo,</span></b></a><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cathrina Constantine,</span></b></span></span><b style="text-indent: 0in;"> </b><a href="http://www.pjcolando.com/" style="text-indent: 0in;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">PJ Colando,</span></b></a><b style="text-indent: 0in;"> </b><a href="http://kimlajevardi.com/" style="text-indent: 0in;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kim Lajevardi,</span></b></a><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> and </span><a href="http://sandracox.blogspot.com/" style="text-indent: 0in;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sandra Cox!</span></b></a><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Please visit them if you
can.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Our group posts
on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the
group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-33846552370847655832021-07-06T07:00:00.002-04:002021-07-06T07:00:00.211-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: What would make you quit writing?<p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Friends,
I’m still developing my website at </span><a href="http://www.victoriamarielees.com/" style="text-indent: 0in;">www.victoriamarielees.com</a><span style="text-indent: 0in;">. I’m
hoping to have the site live by August 2021. My <a href="https://campingwithfivekids.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Camping with Five Kids blog</a>
will be located at <b>victoriamarielees.com</b> as will my Adventures in
Writing blog. One site to find Victoria Marie Lees and all her adventures and
writing endeavors. Thank you all for your continued support!</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 152.45pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And now
onto my July 2021 blog post.</span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtKEX2K1GOkMPL453UxlLJvdV4DFDcGZdMtcXG3M-5B2juVrWu8A8ZYxkVmg_3f72UwyWHfbXOSAara6GxUU7MPamCE1FygqVFdwInRWmmrJr2xgeo5ERo7BvW2ciIRU12OVXa4QMqDPI/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtKEX2K1GOkMPL453UxlLJvdV4DFDcGZdMtcXG3M-5B2juVrWu8A8ZYxkVmg_3f72UwyWHfbXOSAara6GxUU7MPamCE1FygqVFdwInRWmmrJr2xgeo5ERo7BvW2ciIRU12OVXa4QMqDPI/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I’m co-hosting
this month for Insecure Writers Support Group! I’d like to thank my fellow co-hosts
for July: <a href="http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/%E2%80%9Dtarget=">Pat
Garcia,</a> and <a href="http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Louise – Fundy Blue!</a> <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Please visit them if you
can.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
question asks what would make us quit writing. This brought to mind whether my “quit
writing” would be temporary while I get my act together—again—or permanent.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
think storytelling’s in my blood. Why would I quit? I mean, I’m not making much
money. I fight with the family to find time to create stories. I drive myself
crazy trying to create an online presence of who Victoria Marie Lees is, a
platform in which to celebrate my writing. I don’t sleep.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Wait…
Hmm… Maybe these are reasons to quit writing. After all, no one is waiting for
the next YA short story by Victoria Marie Lees. No one is waiting for the next
blog post by Victoria Marie Lees. No one is waiting for the college memoir by
Victoria Marie Lees.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ahem!
Excuse me as my insecurities show.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If
money and fame are the only reasons to write, then yes. I should quit writing.
But let’s consider other reasons to write and create with words.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">With
fiction, a writer can live vicariously through her characters. Create
adventures and danger and love and possibilities, all from the comfort of our
writing space.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Social
media posts and blogs offer friendship and advice to others. Connections. They
say: “you are not alone.” And: “we are here to help each other.” This is why I
so need you all at Insecure Writers Support Group!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Memoir
can open up understanding within the writer and the reader. Offer help to
others as the words offer support for the writer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">With
poetry, as in all creative writing, places, ideas, and beliefs are scrutinized
and explained; given validation and imagery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In
prose, images are created, visualized in words, and explained.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes,
this is why Victoria Marie continues to write and create. Not for the glory,
although that would be nice. Victoria is trying to understand herself and her
world better. She’s trying to assist others to find solace through story,
memoir, or poetry. Maybe even blog posts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So I
guess the answer to this month’s question would be: No. I don’t think I’d ever
quit writing. Even if I can’t support myself with my writing, I may find the
meaning of self.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Please feel free
to offer any insight on this.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">It will be
interesting to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s wonderful
having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for
all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and
publishing journey.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thanks for
visiting! And be sure to stop by Adventures in Writing again.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">This post was written for the
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ " target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn
more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-37695997042276678592021-06-01T07:00:00.002-04:002021-06-01T07:00:00.214-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: How long do you shelve your first draft before you begin revising? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal;">Always good questions to contemplate each month with
IWSG. The only book-length manuscript I’ve ever created is my college memoir. I’ve
taken a few months before revising and creating yet another draft. The book is finally
being beta read now. Yay!</span></strong><b style="text-indent: 0in;"> </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0893p6wqqLLjmRHgig8oc9sAT7wd9uT-g4MFQco51FJnIu90I6NNs0yPSeERszagjNVhIMlGfO44JDbqxEXAZOFFaJRqNErMrD7c3fSJfYxVtnEPz31_In8gRUCNKAgMNQwV90fECgA7f/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0893p6wqqLLjmRHgig8oc9sAT7wd9uT-g4MFQco51FJnIu90I6NNs0yPSeERszagjNVhIMlGfO44JDbqxEXAZOFFaJRqNErMrD7c3fSJfYxVtnEPz31_In8gRUCNKAgMNQwV90fECgA7f/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></b></div><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="MsoHyperlink">When I create short stories, however, I usually wait a week
or two before revising. I request a few writer friends to offer critiques to
help in revision. Then after revising the story and making it the best I can, I
swallow—hard—and send the story out. Praying all the while that I have
something marketable in the eyes of the gatekeepers.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="MsoHyperlink">As a writer, I need to be careful not to get stuck in the
vicious cycle of constantly revising my manuscripts. Has this ever happened to
you?</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="MsoHyperlink">I was concerned that my problem with constant revision was
happening with my college memoir. I was hooked on all my funny anecdotes. I loved
them. I still do! They make me laugh in all the right places. But memoir needs
to be more than a collection of funny anecdotes. People look to memoir to learn
something about the writer/protagonist as well as themselves. Universal themes the
editors call it.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="MsoHyperlink">I didn’t wish to “use up” my generous beta readers’ time by
sending them a lengthy manuscript that needed a lot of work. That’s why before I
sent the whole manuscript out to beta readers, I had an editor help me finetune
it. Have you ever used a developmental editor or book coach to help you write a
strong draft of your story?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I’m
also in the process of getting my website together. Victoriamarielees.com
through hover. I hope to have it ready by July 2021. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">It will be
interesting to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s wonderful
having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for
all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and
publishing journey.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thanks for
visiting! And be sure to stop by Adventures in Writing again.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">This post was
written for the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ " target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for June: <a href="https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com/%E2%80%9Dtarget="><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">J Lenni Dorner,</span></a><strong><span style="background: white;"> </span></strong><a href="http://thefauxfountainpen.blogspot.com/%E2%80%9Dtarget="><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sarah Foster,</span></a><strong><span style="background: white;"> </span></strong><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Natalie Aguirre,</span></a><strong><span style="background: white;"> </span></strong><a href="http://leelowery.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee Lowery,</span></a><span style="background: white;"> and </span><a href="http://rachnachhabria.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rachna Chhabria!</span></a><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong>Please visit them if you can.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Our group posts
on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the
group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html " target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><p><br /></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-42085079746434265172021-05-04T07:00:00.001-04:002021-05-04T07:00:00.208-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: Have any of your readers ever responded to your writing in a surprising way?<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Wouldn’t
that be nice to have readers reach out to me personally about my stories. You are
a very lucky author indeed to have readers actually respond to your writing,
besides just leaving reviews. This is what I hope for once I publish books or
story collections. <span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAydTcDmcS5hKAu1Qf1NqqU7egYYdhpaYEvuvacAOC7CKxDh1_PQysGbZ0QX0SeVoEHlP9t1FgAywGIRuE_PnxWHkvgORvn1PU4fjzr70spC721OYmaXA47XM4hATBN6C03F3EoqGT4zF/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAydTcDmcS5hKAu1Qf1NqqU7egYYdhpaYEvuvacAOC7CKxDh1_PQysGbZ0QX0SeVoEHlP9t1FgAywGIRuE_PnxWHkvgORvn1PU4fjzr70spC721OYmaXA47XM4hATBN6C03F3EoqGT4zF/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">At
this time, I’ve published essays in a few anthologies and published young adult
adventure stories in magazines. I’m assuming some of the stories connected to
readers because Cricket Magazine has put out a few e-book and audio book collections
with several of my stories in them. I do not receive any royalties on those
collections, however, as Cricket pays first rights and may use the material again
with no further payment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">But.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I get
my publishing rights back. I’ve checked on that already. I may use my stories
again to sell them myself after a certain period of time. Now…I just need time
and experts to show me how to put together an e-book or two or maybe package a
few stories, both previously published and not, for a collection of YA stories
to sell online.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Which pushes
me to get my website together. Victoriamarielees.com through hover. I still
need to do this. I will tell you all when it is live.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">My college
memoir is about 55,000 words now. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Do you know of
any small presses who publish memoirs? They don’t require agents, correct? I may
be trying small presses to publish my college memoir. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Does anyone have
experience with P.O.D., print on demand, publishers? Could you share some
insight with me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Please feel free
to offer any insight on this.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">It will be
interesting to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s wonderful
having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for
all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and
publishing journey.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thanks for
visiting! And be sure to stop by Adventures in Writing again.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">This post was written for the
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for May: <a href="https://erikabeebe.com/%E2%80%9Dtarget=">Erika Beebe,</a> <a href="https://pjcolandoblog.com/%E2%80%9Dtarget=">Pat Garcia,</a> <a href="https://tonjadrecker.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tonja Drecker,</a> <a href="http://sadirastone.com/" target="_blank">Sadira Stone,</a> and <a href="http://cathrinaconstantine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cathrina
Constantine!</a> Please visit them if you can.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Our group posts
on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the
group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span> </p><p><br /></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-66894174749607239132021-04-06T07:00:00.005-04:002021-04-06T07:00:04.868-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: Are You a Risk-taker When Writing? Try Something Different in Style/POV? Add Controversial Topics to Your Work?<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Who me? A risk
taker? I’m a big chicken, remember? But you know, if we really dive deep into
this question. Aren’t all writers risk takers?<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9LxiSMeifEk7ZIdcH9EdGQBsN9oXSmiDuOy8Lw2VFYfTVb_W1C29_TJeBCgNTmpw1U2rBxBtOLZvQPYNfoHOX9DRYl9I4nbzl8ka3EKUEFg_wJMCiMPairpzMAdxLycjk7YYuZI2FoHg/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9LxiSMeifEk7ZIdcH9EdGQBsN9oXSmiDuOy8Lw2VFYfTVb_W1C29_TJeBCgNTmpw1U2rBxBtOLZvQPYNfoHOX9DRYl9I4nbzl8ka3EKUEFg_wJMCiMPairpzMAdxLycjk7YYuZI2FoHg/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">We risk sending out our
tender new stories—our babies—to strangers in order to be published. To see
if gatekeepers feel our stories are good enough to be out in the world. We send
them to agents or editors, small presses and publishers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Or -</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">We risk
publishing them ourselves to see if others feel our stories are good. We take
on the personal responsibilities of editing and revising them, laying the
stories out, spending our hard-earned capital for book covers and publishing methods.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">So maybe the
answer is yes, I’m a risk taker of sorts, when it comes to my stories. To getting
published. To getting out there in the world with my voice, my themes, my
morals. No matter which publishing method I try. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">As for trying
something radically different in style or POV or adding controversial topics to
my work, no. I haven’t tried any of this in my creative writing. Not yet! How about
you?<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">It will be
interesting to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s wonderful
having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for
all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing
journey.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><u>A small
update about my college memoir</u>:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->It’s about 60,000 words. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My current title choice is The Courage to
Believe – One Mother’s Journey Through College.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->This is a story about a mother who learns to
believe in herself and her dream of college after someone tries to rip the same
dream away from her daughter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->How many beta readers do you usually have?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Please feel free
to offer any insight on this.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thanks again for
visiting! Be sure to stop by Adventures in Writing again.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">This post was written for the
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for April: <b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.pkhrezo.com/blog/%E2%80%9Dtarget="><span style="color: #0b0bc3;">PK
Hrezo,</span></a> <a href="http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/%20%20target="><span style="color: #0b0bc3;">Pat Garcia,</span></a> <a href="https://sewhitebooks.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b0bc3;">SE
White,</span></a> <a href="http://www.lisabuiecollard.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b0bc3;">Lisa Buie Collard,</span></a> </span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and <b><a href="http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b0bc3;">Diane Burton</span></a>. </b>Please
visit them if you can.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Our group posts
on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the
group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-78496376954202542802021-03-02T07:00:00.013-05:002021-06-01T02:41:22.310-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories? What motivates your reading choice?<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Hello
and welcome to Adventures in Writing! I’m so glad you are visiting. I have the
honor of being one of the IWSG co-hosts for March. My fellow co-hosts are <b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://thefauxfountainpen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen</a>,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></b><a href="https://worddreams.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jacqui Murray,</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></b><a href="http://hogwartssabbatical.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chemist Ken,</span></b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></span><a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Natalie Aguirre,</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> and </span></b><b><span style="color: #0b0bc3; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.jqrose.com/" target="_blank">JQ Rose!</a> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2aYBeWWR1hbxHk1AfyfneWPSAgCdV5xio5DcmpmgCIDnIrUHS3-RKksUu8fQfr74DN6OOGMXxoqgFZ_ZnHMh9MnFabvalCyqwy7DUy_xvw4YB-s93UbJw_EpZlKR9CL_W1fsNJ8_BYQ9/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2aYBeWWR1hbxHk1AfyfneWPSAgCdV5xio5DcmpmgCIDnIrUHS3-RKksUu8fQfr74DN6OOGMXxoqgFZ_ZnHMh9MnFabvalCyqwy7DUy_xvw4YB-s93UbJw_EpZlKR9CL_W1fsNJ8_BYQ9/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="MsoHyperlink">Please feel free to
look around my blog! You can find writing tips and topics in the tab sections along
the top of the blog. Check out the About Me section to see what I’ve been up
to. Kindly follow me on social media if you haven’t already. </span><b>Leave your blog link in your comment</b> so
I can be sure to do the same for you. <span class="MsoHyperlink">Thanks so much. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Now as
far as this month’s question goes, I think every writer has a favorite genre to
write in. My favorites are adventure stories and memoir. I need lots of action.
To make a memoir story interesting, it needs action too, be it external or
internal action.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">But my
reading preferences are wider. I feel writers should read widely in order to grow and see how the story structure matters to each genre. I read cozy mysteries or suspense and romance,
and of course, adventure and memoir. But I can enjoy any story where I get lost
in the plot and care about the characters. I can’t do horror, though. I’m a big
chicken who has too many nightmares already.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">On a different note, I just
purchased a domain name through hover.com! victoriamarielees.com</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Do you
have a domain name? Through whom did you purchase it? Has it benefited your
searchability online or with your social media? Do you use it as a landing page
or as your blog address?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I do
not have a website online, only two blogs: <a href="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/">http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com</a> about
my writing adventures; and <a href="http://campingwithfivekids.blogspot.com/">http://campingwithfivekids.blogspot.com</a> about
my family’s camping adventures. I’m hoping to bring the two blogs together at
one place on the web at victoriamarielees.com.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I’m trying
to understand if the domain name is just the spot on the web where visitors can
find all the links to my work through tabs on the victoriamarielees.com page and
how to connect with me or contact me <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">OR <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">does victoriamarielees.com
BECOME my blog address(es) and I forego the blogspot.com web addresses.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-indent: 0in;">There is
no one correct answer, I’m sure. Please offer
any insight you may have about this.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I’d love to hear
about your experiences buying a domain name and then setting up your own
website or blog with the new name. Sharing experiences helps us all to learn.
That’s what makes IWSG a great group to belong to.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">It will be
interesting to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s wonderful
having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for
all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and
publishing journey.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thanks again for
visiting! Be sure to stop by Adventures in Writing again.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">This post was
written for the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> We post on the first Wednesday of every month.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html " target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-2079842044117885412021-02-02T07:00:00.004-05:002021-02-02T07:00:00.234-05:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: Blogging is more than sharing stories. It can be the start of special friendships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"> Blogging
through Adventures in Writing has brought me all of you, true relationships and
even true friends. For that, I am forever grateful. I can’t thank you enough
for sharing all your experience and knowledge in the writing field with me. Your
generosity has helped me move forward on many writing projects. Seriously,
thank you!<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9dZk4uSBwxFbJalg030KqyK6Q_TMTQbvAgPXddy9zryGAqJofaorSGWUD-IfOlAddCDNc7SMKv713pWUYbMAvvrBrK6dGMkI-uzFIT5jcISX-_t4wV4T7vkxl_E4yZ3rbPnXvssgU4l_/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9dZk4uSBwxFbJalg030KqyK6Q_TMTQbvAgPXddy9zryGAqJofaorSGWUD-IfOlAddCDNc7SMKv713pWUYbMAvvrBrK6dGMkI-uzFIT5jcISX-_t4wV4T7vkxl_E4yZ3rbPnXvssgU4l_/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"> That
being said, I realize how small—incredibly small really!—my social platform is. </p>
<p style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">Writers need to build their
online platforms. This is what I’m hoping to achieve through my
connections with you, fellow writers, at Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
I try to help my friends in the blogosphere by joining or following their
blogs and connecting with them on facebook, Goodreads, and twitter. <span style="color: #4f81bd; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<p style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">May I please request that if
you have not “followed” my blog, please do so now. And if you could,
please connect with me on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Victoria-Marie-Lees-117126664970485/" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext">facebook author page</span></a>, my <span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank">Goodreads
page</a>,</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext">and my twitter</span></span> page @VictoriaMLees. Thank
you so much. If I haven’t connected with you on social media, please feel
free to give me the links in the comments section of my Adventures in Writing
blog.<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But what about
an e-mail list? Do you have one?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How did you
start your e-mail list? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Can you only
solicit an e-mail list through a website? Can I do it from my Adventures in Writing
blog?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you need to
solicit e-mail addresses separately for list purposes and offer a free…what? Possibly
a writing tips sheet or a short story piece in order to get the e-mail
addresses?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Could the
document you’re giving away be a PDF document or does it need to be an e-book?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do I need to
tell readers that I’m soliciting e-mail addresses for a list? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do I need to
offer a newsletter to the e-mail list at regular intervals? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What do you
write about in any newsletter you might offer to your e-mail list?</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How difficult
are the e-mail marketing services to use? Which one do you use?</span><strong style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I’d love to hear
any comments you may have on the topic of an e-mail list and how you do it. I
would truly appreciate it.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I’ll be
interested to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a
topic to share our thoughts on each month. As I’ve said, I am extremely
thankful for all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this
writing and publishing journey. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thanks so much
for visiting! Remember, please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already
and connect with me online. <b>Leave your
blog link in your comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">This post was
written for the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> We post on the first Wednesday of every month.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-18329283433503089752021-01-19T07:00:00.025-05:002021-01-19T07:00:00.444-05:00Don’t Interrupt Opening Scenes with Unnecessary Details <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I hope your 2021 is starting off right, fellow Writers.
Let’s all hope for a healthier and safer New Year. And an end to this pandemic! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ8BjeuUqx9eqe6JvYWgmKWKWmMIe4UTVVAuHy4Q84SBCtEozn7Bx-4n_nBRH6sVGkKhfnF_zIXRulLHA_WBY-76dEsYvcuK7zzL224W4pOBB2q_yMy-qOE4H-yHaw2f5GHmIwl_g_26h/s2048/Laurel+Lake+after+snowfall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ8BjeuUqx9eqe6JvYWgmKWKWmMIe4UTVVAuHy4Q84SBCtEozn7Bx-4n_nBRH6sVGkKhfnF_zIXRulLHA_WBY-76dEsYvcuK7zzL224W4pOBB2q_yMy-qOE4H-yHaw2f5GHmIwl_g_26h/w200-h150/Laurel+Lake+after+snowfall.JPG" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wonder of Winter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Now let’s get to the meat of the post.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Writers shouldn't interrupt opening scenes with unnecessary details. As writers, we need context in the opening scene of our stories. We want
readers to know what our book is about. Specifically.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Readers come to story to see how what happens in the plot affects the
characters, or rather, a particular character—our protagonist. People connect
to people. We want the readers to care for our protagonist. And to do that, the
reader needs to know why what happens in our story matters to our protagonist.
What’s the protagonist up against in this story? What does she want?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">We need to be in the scene with the protagonist and see how she’s making sense
of the story/scene action. That being said, we shouldn’t constantly interrupt opening
scenes with too much backstory or description. Writers need to stay in the
moment in the opening scene especially.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">But that doesn’t mean there is absolutely no backstory. We are inside the
head of our protagonist. If our character would think of a prior life
experience because of what’s occurring in the opening action, we need to show
that to our readers. But we should keep it short. Only a reference to the
character’s prior experience. We can elaborate later in the story.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">We are enticing our readers to follow our story journey in order to
understand situations in our protagonist’s life, why she acts as she does and
why it’s so important to her.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">The reader needs to know what’s at stake in the story for the
protagonist.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I recently printed out and read aloud the opening scene of my college
memoir. Printing out pages helps a writer to actually see what is in a scene,
and reading aloud helps the writer hear what happens to be sure it flows
smoothly. Well this time, the scene didn’t flow smoothly. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">While I am in the head of the protagonist and making sense of her
thoughts in this scene, I interrupt the scene with too much backstory about my
special needs daughter—my impetus to begin college when I do. It’s just too
much information too soon in the memoir story. It literally stops the forward
motion of the opening scene.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">My daughter’s struggles in elementary school sometimes mirrored my own. They
explain to the reader why the protagonist feels so inferior to those who went
to college. However, they don’t need to be fully explained in the opening scene
interrupting the action. <span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Where will I put this information in the memoir story? I’m not sure at
this time. Nor am I sure if I need all this information to show the reader a
mother whose lack of belief in herself affects her ability to assist her
children.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Writers shouldn’t interrupt the flow of their opening scenes with too
much backstory or description. We should offer any important information in
small doses when the character would be thinking of that information within the
context of the scene being portrayed.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I hope you’ve found some insight in what I’ve written. Please offer any tips
you may have about opening scenes. It would be truly appreciated. And p<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">lease ask any questions you may have about my college
memoir in the comments section of Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much!</span></strong><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please follow my blog if
you haven’t already and connect with me online. </span><b style="text-indent: 0in;">Leave your blog link in the comment</b><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> so I can be sure to do the same
for you. </span></p><p> </p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-84142857226852908682021-01-13T08:00:00.072-05:002021-01-13T08:00:07.711-05:00A Fighting Chance Blog Tour with Chrys Fey<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hello
fellow bloggers and writers! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Today
at Adventures in Writing, I am happy to welcome Chrys Fey as she launches her
new book <b>A Fighting Chance</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlkpu1Bxlt7vhDzv-NGkBjyS9hZjGxqLeDivhl0S1GopXh9Zc6p8lZkJQkFDS03GLJuue7hySk1hHt0waivUQicNNXtr4vjjnOwSCXg42h82lcYDw13qfpbNRkpk-njHtLsoFXWZXs2Qm/s750/AFightingChance_+bk+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlkpu1Bxlt7vhDzv-NGkBjyS9hZjGxqLeDivhl0S1GopXh9Zc6p8lZkJQkFDS03GLJuue7hySk1hHt0waivUQicNNXtr4vjjnOwSCXg42h82lcYDw13qfpbNRkpk-njHtLsoFXWZXs2Qm/w133-h200/AFightingChance_+bk+cover.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="133" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I
asked Chrys to share her marketing</span><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> plan and how she came up
with it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Chrys Fey: </span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh boy, a marketing
question. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">First, I came up with my marketing plan after years of
experience and testing out all different kinds of marketing techniques. The
thing is, you can never know what’ll work. What worked once, may not work so
well a second time. What works for one book, may not create the same outcome
for another book. What one author says worked for them, won’t work for every
author. Publishing and marketing and social media, etc. are changing
constantly. So, those are all things to keep in mind.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Victoria
Marie Lees</span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">: Great advice, Chrys!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Chrys Fey: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">With that said, my marketing
plan looked like this:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- I did a cover reveal in December using Xpresso Book
Tours’ cover reveal service. I also shared the cover across my social media, on
my blog, and in my newsletter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- I approached ten specific bloggers to host me for 10
specific guest posts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- I put a Google form up on my blog and asked bloggers in
my community if they’d like to take part in my 3-week long blog tour. Victoria was
one of the bloggers who signed up. </span><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">
Thanks, Victoria!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Victoria
Marie Lees: </span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">My pleasure!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Chrys
Fey: </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I didn’t have any other guest post ideas in mind, but I
did have a list of pre-made questions I wanted to answer about my book/series.
Participants could choose one of those questions or ask one of their own. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- I also signed up for a blog tour through Silver Dagger
Book Tours. Those posts didn’t have a guest post of any kind, just my book’s
info. With this book tour service, you decide how much to pay, which I found
interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, I really did use a blog tour service while
orchestrating posts at the same time. I did that because the blogs that sign up
through that service are book blogs with different audiences. Plus, the more
eyes on your book, the better. I’m also testing out which method is better for
me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- My blog tour includes a free (for a limited time) eBook
and a giveaway, two incentives for readers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- I gave out advanced reader copies (ARCs) to reviewers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- I recorded YouTube videos for my channel where I talked
about the book, read an excerpt, etc. Those will be posted during the release.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- I also recorded a couple of videos to post to IGTV on
my Instagram.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- I promoted the cover reveal and the release in my newsletter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- I created teaser images for Instagram using Canva. Each
image has the cover art and a quote from the blurb or story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- Scheduled tweets and Facebook posts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- Updated my website and press kit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">- Finally, something very different…I launched a new
website that was inspired by the Disaster Crimes series and <i>A Fighting
Chance</i>, but it is NOT about promoting my books. More details below.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Victoria
Marie Lees: </span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks so much, Chrys, for sharing your
insight into marketing with the followers of Adventures in Writing. And here’s
what we’ve all been waiting for, friends, the peek inside <b>A Fighting Chance</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFC79qnq3x1SH2rYj9w7SV_U0mbyq1hZMwKntedNS0csXtdyXipGFu3LFxgktaYsVhZXlbIMTZnF14BQKyV1xJC7y0yHszYbuBvV32gqxXk-5UEDvIZJl27PxZXpEHmY3UNvvGte5IjqOL/s750/AFightingChance_+bk+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFC79qnq3x1SH2rYj9w7SV_U0mbyq1hZMwKntedNS0csXtdyXipGFu3LFxgktaYsVhZXlbIMTZnF14BQKyV1xJC7y0yHszYbuBvV32gqxXk-5UEDvIZJl27PxZXpEHmY3UNvvGte5IjqOL/w213-h320/AFightingChance_+bk+cover.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="213" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Pages:</span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> 154<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Genre:</span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">
Romantic-Suspense<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Heat
Rating:</span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> Hot</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">BLURB:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">*<i>A FIGHTING CHANCE</i> is Book 6 in the <i>Disaster
Crimes</i> series, but it’s a spin-off featuring a new couple, so it can be
read as a standalone.*<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Thorn has loved Amanda from afar, giving her whatever she
needs as a survivor of abuse—space, protection, and stability. He yearns to
give her more, though, to share his feelings, kiss her, love her, but he's
worried the truth will frighten her away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">And Amanda is afraid. She’s scared of her attraction for
Thorn. Most of all, she’s terrified of her ex-boyfriend, who is lurking nearby
where no one can find him. When she grows closer to Thorn, Damon retaliates,
jeopardizing their happy ending.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Up against an abusive ex and Mother Nature, do Thorn and
Amanda have a fighting chance?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Book
Links:</span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NP9VKKM/" name="_Hlk60829344" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-fighting-chance-chrys-fey/1138220153" name="_Hlk60829365" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-fighting-chance-31" name="_Hlk60829389" target="_blank">Kobo</a> / <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/a-fighting-chance/id1541255964" name="_Hlk60829404" target="_blank">iTunes</a></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">EXCERPT:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Amanda looked up from the current list of up-to-date
payments for classes. A movement outside the glass storefront caught her eye.
She tilted her head to see a man coming up the sidewalk from the side where the
picnic bench sat. Through the vertical blinds, she glimpsed a square face—a
short, rugged beard and long, dark hair pulled into a man bun. Her breath fled
from her lungs. Her body went from icy cold to flaming hot in the span of a
millisecond. She dropped to the floor and slid under the counter, beneath the
ledge where they put their purses and cell phones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“What—” Beth peeked at the windows. Then she snapped her
fingers at April and pointed at the stools.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">April jumped into action. She pushed the stools in so
they blocked Amanda. The bell attached to the door jingled as April removed the
jacket she wore and draped it across the stools, creating a curtain to shield
Amanda.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">From a crack, Amanda watched Beth move to stand in front
of the twins, who were in their walkers playing peacefully. “I’m sorry, but
we’re going to be closing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“I don’t give a shit. I’m here for Amanda.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The sound of Damon’s voice had her heart beating even
harder. That voice had haunted her nightmares, had come back to life in her
memories.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Beth cocked her head to the side. “Who? There’s no one by
that name here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“Don’t bullshit me. I know she works here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">His voice was closer now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">***FREE
FOR A LIMITED TIME***<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">THE
DISASTER CURSE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvthWpo-xKCHI3Lcut7vp0dDUi8vN76kbzOT3oKckKwSmuLIPyyopYbK3HHuGESPFprMTksEWpxZUx3wFikEQtWY5t6NyHdys2lsira2zQ72txH7bnYLXYz6V4coKtgwws_7WV5FBV8YM/s1080/FREE+FOR+A+LIMITED+TIME%2521+Disaster+Curse+Short+Story+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvthWpo-xKCHI3Lcut7vp0dDUi8vN76kbzOT3oKckKwSmuLIPyyopYbK3HHuGESPFprMTksEWpxZUx3wFikEQtWY5t6NyHdys2lsira2zQ72txH7bnYLXYz6V4coKtgwws_7WV5FBV8YM/w320-h320/FREE+FOR+A+LIMITED+TIME%2521+Disaster+Curse+Short+Story+pic.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Book
Links:</span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R7TTNNM" name="_Hlk60829433" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-disaster-curse-chrys-fey/1138517448?ean=2940164765972" name="_Hlk60829461" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-disaster-curse-disaster-crimes-book-7" name="_Hlk60829477" target="_blank">Kobo</a> / <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/the-disaster-curse-disaster-crimes-book-7/id1546275224" target="_blank">iTunes</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Author’s
Note:</span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> I wrote <i>The Disaster Curse</i> to answer a few
lingering questions readers may have after reading <i>A Fighting Chance</i>,
and to tie the whole series together with a neat, shiny, perfect little bow.
Plus, there was one disaster that I hadn’t written about yet. *wink*<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqfBdkCTtfHkP79wYpCJGzWfQWJFEWGMiRx3V15H0oIBmFws_a65aOexUjOINhrMpPdzPcZdYK4ionDDdrn-DKi42WMWYgXeg4EczgpGJGthop0g6jU5p_y58hXr9pJGfqLBdur3loLtv/s2050/The+Disaster+Crimes+Series+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="2050" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqfBdkCTtfHkP79wYpCJGzWfQWJFEWGMiRx3V15H0oIBmFws_a65aOexUjOINhrMpPdzPcZdYK4ionDDdrn-DKi42WMWYgXeg4EczgpGJGthop0g6jU5p_y58hXr9pJGfqLBdur3loLtv/w320-h122/The+Disaster+Crimes+Series+%25286%2529.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Disaster Crimes Series:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">*The
Crime Before the Storm (prequel)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Hurricane
Crimes (novella, #1)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Seismic
Crimes (#2)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Lightning
Crimes (free short, #2.5)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Tsunami
Crimes (#3)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Flaming
Crimes (#4)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Frozen
Crimes (#5)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">A Fighting
Chance (spin-off, #6)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Disaster Curse (short story, #7)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">*Free
exclusive story to newsletter subscribers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">***LAUNCHING
A WEBSITE***<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU-kxnuxXu3vnQ1UNuj3xzizpzWagiAi_id0bDh7Yu6acuPMgILNaxVi-22sP1Xa8SCfwCm3VeZSeom5MB52EZBzjCaewfzwMOxw_fo_GpglX0NILoUE33V5AY8EEDDLhQ1DN8Tpn3v3h/s2030/TheFightingChance.org+Domestic+Violence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="1575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU-kxnuxXu3vnQ1UNuj3xzizpzWagiAi_id0bDh7Yu6acuPMgILNaxVi-22sP1Xa8SCfwCm3VeZSeom5MB52EZBzjCaewfzwMOxw_fo_GpglX0NILoUE33V5AY8EEDDLhQ1DN8Tpn3v3h/w248-h320/TheFightingChance.org+Domestic+Violence.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="248" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://TheFightingChance.org">TheFightingChance.org</a>
is a website dedicated to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.
Inspired by the <i>Disaster Crimes</i> series.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">***GIVEAWAY***<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxHZNiBgBizEdEvnsR43eEntcZLMmQFBOMJiJR7EohI9wHt-FfHkL73yBuUCSMNwGLHBjFeVjpN2hByorG7auNZmv6E4wxgcRzJ_UfQQMQf7RbMG2qmJOtUJmfoPNqClzU5pbn0u_PoIm/s400/Giveaway+Chrys+Fey+Girl+Boss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxHZNiBgBizEdEvnsR43eEntcZLMmQFBOMJiJR7EohI9wHt-FfHkL73yBuUCSMNwGLHBjFeVjpN2hByorG7auNZmv6E4wxgcRzJ_UfQQMQf7RbMG2qmJOtUJmfoPNqClzU5pbn0u_PoIm/s320/Giveaway+Chrys+Fey+Girl+Boss.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Prizes:</span></b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">
Hurricane Crimes (Disaster Crimes 1) and Seismic Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2)
eBooks (mobi or epub), Hurricane Crimes Playing Cards, Girl Boss Sign, and a
Volcanic Blast Scented Candle<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Link:
</span></b><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a92670/">https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a92670/</a></span></span><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: red; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: red; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXM360LZbyiVAlnkmSgzDbHxtkx3EhDQxYMJMVtS7kkfvoWJeS3_uwsVuvSnlgPBBtamFj21JyjJRdZwLLGN5w7CphbOg8XA2mfAAIYqldjeLe2DFSE2ujH1IMm3okFzmXBkpvC4cJvCw/s492/Chrys+Fey+Author+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXM360LZbyiVAlnkmSgzDbHxtkx3EhDQxYMJMVtS7kkfvoWJeS3_uwsVuvSnlgPBBtamFj21JyjJRdZwLLGN5w7CphbOg8XA2mfAAIYqldjeLe2DFSE2ujH1IMm3okFzmXBkpvC4cJvCw/w260-h320/Chrys+Fey+Author+Photo.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="260" /></a></span></b></div><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: red; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a
unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing
Lemur Press. </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Author Links:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.2in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/2UlZjU0" target="_blank">Newsletter</a> / <a href="https://www.chrysfey.com" target="_blank">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/900647503417657" target="_blank">FacebookGroup</a> / <a href="http://www.writewithfey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> / <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/chrys-fey" target="_blank">BookBub</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.2in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chrysfey" target="_blank">Instagram</a> / <a href="http://www.facebook.com/chrysfey" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrysFey" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/ChrysFey" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chrys-Fey/e/B00GWLZJ8O/" target="_blank">Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span> </p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-29974188760746190712021-01-05T07:00:00.007-05:002021-01-05T07:00:00.385-05:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: As a Writer, what throws you out of a story you are reading?<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What a
great question. Every writer needs to pay attention to any story she reads to
see if anything is not working or throws the reader out of the story to be sure that the writer doesn’t make the same mistakes in her own manuscripts. This is why
it takes me longer to read a book. I’m basically studying how the author
created the story and kept the pace moving forward. </span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANVav3JQWALjTTbnX60YpIdZ3juzW6eKxSElXp38bISwHL-WAaXr9ZK8AguKRTbKNzxncxbz1EEKMvYE2DJDpalWVEyNtEdaLSXq8D7bVghmQOP6iYxXDZSuZ5eVEKROYsXlumEggVcgz/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANVav3JQWALjTTbnX60YpIdZ3juzW6eKxSElXp38bISwHL-WAaXr9ZK8AguKRTbKNzxncxbz1EEKMvYE2DJDpalWVEyNtEdaLSXq8D7bVghmQOP6iYxXDZSuZ5eVEKROYsXlumEggVcgz/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></strong></div><strong><br /></strong><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As to
what makes me question my belief in a story, one thing can be errors in a sense
of place. Time. Seasons. Weather. If I know the setting where the story takes
place, simple errors in where real businesses lay or the direction of streets can
be troublesome for me. Like if the sun sets over the Atlantic in New Jersey in
a story, I know that can’t be true—except for the tip of Cape May where the Atlantic
meets the Delaware River at Sunset Beach. The writer needs to prove his or her
story logic to me for me to be immersed in the story.</span></strong><strong style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">One thing
that can actually throw me out of a story is if the characters are wooden or not
acting logically to themselves. We need to give characters reasons for their
actions. We need to dive deeply into the psychology of our characters to see
what makes them tick and help the reader to care what happens to them, to
connect with them. A story can be filled with action, one harrowing escape or
war after another, but if I’m not invested in the protagonist, there is a disconnect
between the story and me. </span></strong><strong style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This especially
holds true in memoir. If the reader does not care what happens to the
protagonist, the memoirist, then no one cares about her story. No matter what the
action is. We need to have the reader rooting for the protagonist in either memoir
or fiction.</span></strong><strong style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">If I say
my memoir is about a woman who finally learns to believe in herself through
attending college. Good for her but who cares?</span></strong><strong style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But if I say
the memoir is about a mother whose lack of belief in herself affects her ability
to assist her children, the memoir becomes specific. It becomes personal. It becomes
real.</span></strong><strong style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hopefully,
the memoir becomes a story readers will want to read to see how she does it. Seriously,
here’s hoping!</span></strong><strong style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I’d love to hear
any comments you may have on these two statements of what my college memoir is
about. It would be greatly appreciated.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I’ll be
interested to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a
topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of
you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing
journey. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thanks so much
for visiting! Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and
connect with me online. <b>Leave your blog
link in your comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">This post was
written for the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> We post on the first Wednesday of every month.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><p> </p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-39560666765045357902020-12-01T07:00:00.014-05:002020-12-02T16:04:33.630-05:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: Are there times of the year when you feel more productive with your writing? Why?<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><b> </b>It’s probably
the time issue, but I feel more productive in my writing in the winter months
AFTER the holidays. Having a large family, I’m usually up to my eyebrows with
family obligations, preparing meals for an extended gathering—although I’m not
sure this will happen this Christmas. It didn’t happen for Thanksgiving, due to
an increase in coronavirus cases in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We had a quiet
Thanksgiving, but we still used the good china, silverware, and wine glasses. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5TaATYCPGKaOKZp5SvBtDIJMUOzWU61RM2MiqaLMlMCShG1-qAJn6Zinn7U7U5WcQLyqcdQ20GAmc36uPE8407yl9MXxG4WhWcxOfumbOufWEW3X6p4tHhkjtP1TDDMyvGB2SZHduKoi/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5TaATYCPGKaOKZp5SvBtDIJMUOzWU61RM2MiqaLMlMCShG1-qAJn6Zinn7U7U5WcQLyqcdQ20GAmc36uPE8407yl9MXxG4WhWcxOfumbOufWEW3X6p4tHhkjtP1TDDMyvGB2SZHduKoi/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"> For me, productive writing happens
without constant interruptions from family or friends. Beautiful weather can be a problem for me, too. I love
the outdoors. When beautiful weather hits—and snow counts as beautiful weather
in my book—I need to get outside. My new writing room has large windows onto a
wooded lot. Yep! It’s a problem. I’ve faced my desk toward the wall to help a
little. I use the opportunity to “go outside and play” as a reward for a good
writing day, or for a chance to think things through if I’m having problems
moving forward in my writing.<span style="color: red; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’d like to switch gears here at Adventures in Writing and
tell you about a wonderful writer you may know. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Liesbet-Collaert/e/B073C9F8TW?ref=dbs_t_r_fta_b073c9f8tw" target="_blank">Liesbet Collaert</a> has had the most extraordinary life. She’s sailed the world on Irie, a
beautiful sailboat, and continues her adventures on land, camping all over North America
in her camper van Zesty. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzFBpRmGoZ0iCf8LKhXgh18uPxOX03kHr_LNU5w-TA4v71FKeYQafILXbO66plcTLY_NuxKajlvbVkCgRJmB19koJIRZE-3VvsOI_JD3ywh2wvgeTLp-W0TTA39nYnqLLxFNFpoeqPHQS/s545/Author+pic+Liesbet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzFBpRmGoZ0iCf8LKhXgh18uPxOX03kHr_LNU5w-TA4v71FKeYQafILXbO66plcTLY_NuxKajlvbVkCgRJmB19koJIRZE-3VvsOI_JD3ywh2wvgeTLp-W0TTA39nYnqLLxFNFpoeqPHQS/w184-h200/Author+pic+Liesbet.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="184" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: red; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">Her new travel memoir, <i>Plunge: One Woman's Pursuit of a Life Less
Ordinary,</i> launched recently in eBook and paperback and is already the
#1 new release in sailing on Amazon. The global link to order <i>Plunge</i> is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NHP3NHC/ref=cm_sw_su_dp" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #222222;">.</span><span style="color: red;"> </span>I’ve purchased
a copy a few days ago and am enjoying her adventures so. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Here’s
the enticing book blurb for Liesbet’s book:</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSbh6s3S4V1pC_E5K5RuCLg03qW18LqFle0b7VqbfCD0J1GLPvrPM9OdhAcsqoviOe3DyFc6tQ3yuAlPzPir-O0IGkhi2YE3KFEIYro-XCJdv6W55ND09f11XNLKe87YcIs9bNwWvo0sz/s906/Vic+use+THIS+one+bk+and+ebk.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="906" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSbh6s3S4V1pC_E5K5RuCLg03qW18LqFle0b7VqbfCD0J1GLPvrPM9OdhAcsqoviOe3DyFc6tQ3yuAlPzPir-O0IGkhi2YE3KFEIYro-XCJdv6W55ND09f11XNLKe87YcIs9bNwWvo0sz/w200-h182/Vic+use+THIS+one+bk+and+ebk.png" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tropical waters turn tumultuous in this travel memoir as a
free-spirited woman jumps headfirst into a sailing adventure with a new man and
his two dogs. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Join Liesbet as she
faces a decision that sends her into a whirlwind of love, loss, and living in
the moment. When she swaps life as she knows it for an uncertain future on a
sailboat, she succumbs to seasickness and a growing desire to be alone.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Guided by impulsiveness
and the joys of an alternative lifestyle, she must navigate
personal storms, trouble with US immigration, adverse weather conditions, and
doubts about her newfound love. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does Liesbet find
happiness? Will the dogs outlast the man? Or is this just another
reality check on a dream to live at sea?<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">You can keep up with Liesbet’s present
adventures at her blog <a href="https://www.roamingabout.com/" target="_blank">Roaming About</a>,</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span>where s</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext">he </span>shar</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext">es excellent photos</span>
and the good, bad, and difficult about living life in a camper travelling from
campsite to campsite. I’ve learned lots, and I’ve camped across the United States
and up into Canada with five children in a pop-up camper. You can read of my
adventures at <a href="http://campingwithfivekids.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Camping with Five Kids</a>. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"> You can connect with Liesbet on
<a href="https://twitter.com/LiesbetCollaert" target="_blank">twitter</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="NL"> </span></span>and
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/liesbet.collaert" target="_blank">facebook</a> and follow her <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Liesbet-Collaert/e/B073C9F8TW?ref=dbs_t_r_fta_b073c9f8tw" target="_blank">Amazon author page</a>.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Writers helping writers! That’s
what Insecure Writers Support Group does. I’ll be interested to see how you’ve
tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to share our thoughts
on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my sounding
board and advisors in this writing and publishing journey. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks so much for visiting!
Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me
online. <b>Leave your blog link in your
comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p>This post was written for the
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. We post on the first Wednesday of every month.
To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </p><p> </p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-5679378816263359932020-11-03T07:00:00.001-05:002020-11-03T07:00:02.974-05:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: Why Do I Write What I Write?<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Albert
Camus is right that many essays and stories are used to “keep civilization from
destroying itself.” Documenting past atrocities is important to keep
civilization from repeating the same mistakes. I think science fiction,
fantasy, and horror genres can depict the downfall of civilization, too, by
showing what would happen if mankind became too aggressive or too obsessive or
too cruel. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J8Mfj9S3oKL3z90PvanIOQQYkzRKZn-bGAM3dRTW9TdggbzGH2XnbaBzEjImcV7Qbw7g2V8FIu0y8xdU112Zn7gXaveKYfaaEl0gs3WpNv4a43SSoIfmAiPsXwNMTGmF2kJorzXs-R5C/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J8Mfj9S3oKL3z90PvanIOQQYkzRKZn-bGAM3dRTW9TdggbzGH2XnbaBzEjImcV7Qbw7g2V8FIu0y8xdU112Zn7gXaveKYfaaEl0gs3WpNv4a43SSoIfmAiPsXwNMTGmF2kJorzXs-R5C/s0/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">By the
same token, Flannery O’Conner and many writers “write to discover what [they]
know.” Of course the writers then need to revise what they have written to be
sure they make a point.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I feel
F. Scott Fitzgerald sums up the question of why we write what we write best:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">“You
don’t write because you want to say something; you write because you’ve got
something to say.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">I
would like to add to his quote: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">That
“something” you have to say, needs to matter to the world—both the real world
and the world of your story.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Why do
I write what I write? I like to create stories to give people courage; courage
to stand up for themselves, courage to attempt something difficult, and courage
to finally believe in themselves. The theme of courage can be demonstrated in
any genre, fiction or nonfiction.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">To show
courage through story, fiction or memoir, a writer needs to offer readers a
fully fleshed out character. Someone the reader can connect to and care about. In
my YA fiction, the protagonist is always the underdog, the one who needs to
believe in himself enough to stand up to a bully or accept a new situation she
can’t change. My protagonists need to accept the challenges that come with
every new situation. They need to come to grips with their past to be able to
live their present.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">In my
college memoir, Victoria needs to accept the challenges she can’t change;
waiting to begin college until after having a family, and find the courage
needed to face a classroom filled with students half her age and deal with her own
struggles to learn. She needs to stand up for herself, both in the classroom
and at the college, day after day, year after year, until she receives her
degree.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">With a
courage theme, I’m still trying to come up with a title for my college memoir. Would
you kindly offer your input on these two suggestions? They state what the story’s
about, but I think they’re too long. Any suggestions to tighten them up?<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">Power to Believe in Yourself: One Mother’s Journey Through College<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">Or<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">The Power to Believe: From Community College to the Ivy
League – [The Story Behind] A Mother’s Journey </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thank you for
any assistance you may offer on the title of my college memoir. I’ll be
interested to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a
topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of
you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing
journey. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Thanks so much
for visiting! Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and
connect with me online. <b>Leave your blog
link in your comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">This post was
written for the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> We post on the first Wednesday of every month.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html " target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-69772586226655452722020-10-20T07:00:00.001-04:002020-10-20T07:00:03.321-04:00Truth in Story for Memoir or Fiction #AuthorToolboxBlogHop<p>Life is
messy. Very messy. Things don’t make sense. Sometimes we can’t figure out why
someone does something. As humans, we want reasons for actions. We want order.
And we want resolution to life stories.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">Enter - the
value of truth in memoir or fiction. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNkmwhWBitLu0dS0QRoB_BATeydLQ50rAHGZQqT68yfs5qh6eLb0Zmed0IU94Yb9sGBFhM2pYwLtPnyZ_wuYjRs_d20J6AP8rglbDkOeM-fjuHGA5Xvz7fdJJP725UQB7bDqzoKfhGb_A/s440/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="440" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNkmwhWBitLu0dS0QRoB_BATeydLQ50rAHGZQqT68yfs5qh6eLb0Zmed0IU94Yb9sGBFhM2pYwLtPnyZ_wuYjRs_d20J6AP8rglbDkOeM-fjuHGA5Xvz7fdJJP725UQB7bDqzoKfhGb_A/w320-h160/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">Our job as
writers of memoir or fiction is to find the orderliness in story; the reasons
for actions; and of course, the resolutions found at the end of the tale we
tell. Make no mistake. This is difficult work. Especially for memoir.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Memoir
needs to be true. Absolutely. No question there. If you change the setting
[where things happen], you are writing fiction. If you change the timeline of
events [what happened first, etc.], you are writing fiction. Dialogue needs to
be something that the real person would normally say. Don’t worry about exactly
what the person said on October 15, 2004. You will drive yourself crazy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">Memoir is
your truth, your belief of what really happened in a scene. I’ve read that it
is okay change people’s names, but you need to place a disclaimer in the front
matter of the book to say the names have been changed. Has anyone received
different advice on using real names of NON-famous people? Please share what
you know here at Adventures in Writing.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Fiction, on the other
hand, can be based on a true incident or real facts and real people, but the
writer doesn’t need to stick to the facts as she would in memoir. Think of
historical fiction here or real murders or kidnappings. Many great story ideas
come from factual events. A writer begins with fact and then fictionalizes what
happens, what the characters think, why they behave the way they do. Sometimes I
get tied up in the facts; like the fact that a rip current has never happened
in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, that I know of, yet that’s where I placed my most
recent story sold to Cricket Magazine where a rip current was the major action
in the story. </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">But if we get back to
that “messy life” and truth that I started the post with, the biggest job of
the writer is to write a story that seems truer than life, whether it’s memoir
or fiction. People read to discover the reasons for actions. And except for some
literary stories, readers want closure at the end of the tale. They want
resolution because life doesn’t always offer that resolution.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">This is
extremely difficult in memoir because, like me, you may not exactly know the reasons—and
feelings—for every event you include in the memoir. How many times can I say I felt
insecure; felt like an imposter or worried that I’d fail and that would be the
end of my college career. Too many, according to my editor. And I agree with
her. Of course, that leaves me staring at the computer screen and the scene I’m
working on to discover “what else” Victoria could have been feeling at the
time. It’s about going deeper into the emotion of the scene and not just
relying on the surface emotion – insecure, imposter, worry. This is what
writers need to do in memoir as well as fiction.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">I hope you’ve
found some insight in what I’ve written. Please offer insight of your own. It would
be truly appreciated. <strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Please ask any questions
about my college memoir in the comments section of Adventures in Writing.
Thanks so much!</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">And thank you
for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please follow my blog if you haven’t
already and connect with me online. <b>Leave
your blog link in the comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. To
continue hopping through more amazing blogs or to join our Author Toolbox blog
hop, click <a href="https://raimeygallant.com/2017/03/22/authortoolboxbloghop/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-30830478319454190172020-10-06T07:00:00.001-04:002020-10-06T07:00:01.102-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: What does the term Working Writer mean to you?<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"> I’m not sure if I’m blending two
different terms here. Am I a working writer? Absolutely! I am forever writing
and creating new short stories for market and blog posts and writing
presentations and editing fellow writers and revising my college memoir and
trying to keep up with social media. I so admire all of you who can keep up
with the image of what I think a working writer does. Bravo! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvounHUaK9f-KIeapDTU6DzX5eAaTcQBWv5IJXOIlJnR9aXzX0lxljbjVKTV2ovg-JWD_jTR9Uzk0zWeJ3RKQaAEbgXxoRylrf2WQ5ocSGPerR0T2xEoZzqEdkSWF18Ft-HxYBdYw221O/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvounHUaK9f-KIeapDTU6DzX5eAaTcQBWv5IJXOIlJnR9aXzX0lxljbjVKTV2ovg-JWD_jTR9Uzk0zWeJ3RKQaAEbgXxoRylrf2WQ5ocSGPerR0T2xEoZzqEdkSWF18Ft-HxYBdYw221O/w200-h197/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"> But if we interpret working writer
to mean a successful writer, I am probably not the true working writer. I’m
certainly not making enough money through my story sales and presentations and
editing to pay the bills. That’s where the day job comes in, or in my case, my
part time position as a substitute teacher—which is non-existent at the moment
because of Covid-19 and the need for online schooling. <span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I think of the term working
writer, I think of writers in their home offices, pitching ideas to agents and editors.
I picture someone actually waiting to read what I create next. Many of you have
a faithful audience who can’t wait for your next installment of stories or
articles or blog posts. To me, that’s the mark of a true working writer. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m more of the hopeful writer.
I write constantly. I brainstorm scenes, inner dialogue, character motivation,
and insight. And then I pray, hoping some publisher will be interested in my
creation, will care about what I have to say to the world. I strive to create a
following, people and readers who care about what Victoria Marie has to say
through story or memoir or poetry. My values are family-centric. My YA stories
deal with teens trying to help others understand them and their hopes and
dreams. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That being said, I realize I need
to go out and find my audience, my followers; people who are eager to see what Victoria
Marie creates with words. I look to you all, my faithful blog readers, as a
source to help me explore the thick forest of publication and social media. I absorb
your posts and newsletters, gleaning how you became published and successful
writers; how you found the time to keep up with social media and still write
your stories.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ll be interested to see how
you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to share our
thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my
sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing journey.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks so much for visiting!
Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me
online. <b>Leave your blog link in your
comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">This post was written for the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> We post on the first Wednesday of every month.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html " target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-53002605616284808272020-09-30T09:00:00.009-04:002020-10-01T13:13:53.212-04:00A Frozen Crimes Blog Hop with Chrys Fey<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Writers helping writers. This is
how life should be. We should help each other when we can. It is a privilege to
help Chrys Fey with her new book launch and blog hop.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Frozen Crimes Blog Hop Prompt: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whom would you want to be stuck with during a blizzard, and
what would you do?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oooo! A blizzard. Yep! It’s true.
I love snow. As long as I don’t have to drive in it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We must have all the needed amenities
of course: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a warm fire <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">running water <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">plenty of delicious food prepared
by an expert chef <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">dark chocolate.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Okay, so maybe chocolate isn’t considered
a “needed” amenity for you, but it sure is for me.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now we’re not permitted to use
family, so whom should I be stuck inside with during a blizzard?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m always looking for peace and
quiet and uninterrupted writing time with my family of seven always around.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe I should be stuck inside
with <a href="https://jennienash.com/" target="_blank">Jennie Nash</a> of Author Accelerator. But in order to have her undivided attention, the internet must be down. She is
an extremely successful Book Coach and I want her to focus on me and my college
memoir. She’s from Santa Barbara, so she probably wouldn’t like to go out in the
snow anyway. We’d have that expert chef and plenty of chocolate to keep our
energy up. And someone to keep the fire going. A fresh pot of hot tea and some
scones. Hmm … this sounds good to me. What do you think? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hop around to the other participants to read their answers:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href=" https://www.writewithfey.com/2020/09/whom-would-you-want-to-be-stuck-with.html" target="_blank">FrozenCrimes Blog Hop</a></span><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When
disasters strike around every corner, is it possible to have a
happily-ever-after?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9zJFjeKcbIfbRJWMTwxJRMHyRnU_PSelNibCDEou8Fas79sSt6AidTeIcyuq5rihqt8EioNq9DRHCuDyVRrxkTkbk0dcoGuyUGI7zKnlwjvp6xOirNOvfJw5-ho5hAqPvZJgcMMMe-sA/s2048/FrozenCrimes_w14767_ib.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9zJFjeKcbIfbRJWMTwxJRMHyRnU_PSelNibCDEou8Fas79sSt6AidTeIcyuq5rihqt8EioNq9DRHCuDyVRrxkTkbk0dcoGuyUGI7zKnlwjvp6xOirNOvfJw5-ho5hAqPvZJgcMMMe-sA/s320/FrozenCrimes_w14767_ib.jpg" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BLURB:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Beth
and Donovan are expecting their first child. Life couldn’t get any better…until
a stalker makes his presence known. This person sends disturbing messages and
unsettling items, but it isn’t long before his menacing goes too far.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hoping for a peaceful Christmas, Donovan takes Beth to
Michigan. Days into their trip, a winter storm named Nemesis moves in with the
goal of burying the state. Snowdrifts surround their house, and the temperature
drops below freezing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Except, the storm isn’t the only nemesis they must face.
Everyone’s lives are at stake—especially that of their unborn child. Will they
survive, or will they become a frozen crime?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BUY LINKS:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Frozen-Crimes-Disaster-Book-ebook/dp/B08DZCQVBR/" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> / </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/frozen-crimes-chrys-fey/1137427199?ean=2940162697701" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> / </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/frozen-crimes/id1526066708" target="_blank">iTunes</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">EXCERPT:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The crunch of the shovel pounding into the snow and ice
filled his ears. It was all he could hear. The rest of the street was silent
beneath its wintry blanket. Breathing was difficult with the icy air clogging
his lungs. His nose burned. His throat was dry and on fire. But he ignored it,
focusing on his task.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Crack, crack, crack</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He jabbed the shovel into a hunk of snow. On the third hit,
it shattered into several pieces. He scooped them up and flung them to the
side. He surveyed what remained. There was one big ball in the middle of the
path that needed to be dealt with next. He moved over to it and struck it. That
one impact had it severing in two. He was about to hit it again when something
crashed into the back of his head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Explosions of white light danced over his vision. Pain
enveloped his skull. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The shovel slipped from his fingers. Blackness cloaked
his mind, coaxing him into its depths.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beth</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Her name
was a whisper in his head, as if his thoughts were being sucked into a
wormhole.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His legs collapsed under his weight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cold. It seeped into him, consuming him. And then his
consciousness fled down that same void that ate his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">***HUGE DISASTER CRIMES
GIVEAWAY*** </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy97jt9sfhlpokuTSnYHx4rSkPeXo2w2br-EyXjkA1wb1OTjDzZWUdcUxmN8GzZ4iOA0tAWLj6ckfOw3hBFY2VLIwPif2F4PMM9UHEvLQpeMwuzr78IGSIrlL_7eseEufvYQEvk_jzQtnj/s500/GIVEAWAY+-+FROZEN+CRIMES.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy97jt9sfhlpokuTSnYHx4rSkPeXo2w2br-EyXjkA1wb1OTjDzZWUdcUxmN8GzZ4iOA0tAWLj6ckfOw3hBFY2VLIwPif2F4PMM9UHEvLQpeMwuzr78IGSIrlL_7eseEufvYQEvk_jzQtnj/s320/GIVEAWAY+-+FROZEN+CRIMES.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prizes:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> 4 eBooks (Disaster Crimes 1-4: Hurricane Crimes,
Seismic Crimes, Tsunami Crimes, Flaming Crimes) + Girl Boss Magnets (4),
Inflatable Cup Holder (1), Adventure Fuel To-Go Cups (2), Anchor Fashion Scarf
(1), Mermaid Nail Clippers (2), Citrus and Sea Salt Scented Candle (1),
Snowflake Handmade Bookmark (1), Insulated Cooler Bag (1)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eligibility:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> International<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number of Winners:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> One<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Giveaway Ends:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> October
30, 2020 12:00am EST<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LINK:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="about:blank">http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/76132e0221/</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">***FREE EXCLUSIVE EBOOK***</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnfsaghniNGkvCrq7FEhHykBX8jFBI98Aj8RH-njIGMp8HoSYnyjZvkvL1uTNlsgxhqXyoQZZl1tVoaa-Prizny-BI-5eW2t9g19NHYs2C095ACA0m-CaOfTQenTKhawH9NxHYR4ihv9U/s1080/THE+CRIME+BEFORE+THE+STORM.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnfsaghniNGkvCrq7FEhHykBX8jFBI98Aj8RH-njIGMp8HoSYnyjZvkvL1uTNlsgxhqXyoQZZl1tVoaa-Prizny-BI-5eW2t9g19NHYs2C095ACA0m-CaOfTQenTKhawH9NxHYR4ihv9U/s320/THE+CRIME+BEFORE+THE+STORM.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To get the exclusive prequel to the
Disaster Crimes series, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="about:blank">sign
up for Chrys’ newsletter</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
By signing up, you agree to receive Chrys Fey’s newsletter. After you confirm
subscription, you will receive an email (so check your inbox and spam folder)
with directions on where to snag your eBook copy of THE CRIME BEFORE THE STORM.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="about:blank">Click
here to sign up and get The Crime Before the Storm FREE!</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3wxjpuJpvuASL5f-VJqh2LplKaWOPB3HJt1pzPt-ajnv0RKO8MzdeOCWoedlhI0bz4Kbx4gP8qkO7cOXBs6U2cEw9OsoVzcdftBJ-FJwNzalHdrp2K7U7yadyGK-__0LDcT_-_JpjQ3R/s492/Chrys+Fey+Author+Photo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3wxjpuJpvuASL5f-VJqh2LplKaWOPB3HJt1pzPt-ajnv0RKO8MzdeOCWoedlhI0bz4Kbx4gP8qkO7cOXBs6U2cEw9OsoVzcdftBJ-FJwNzalHdrp2K7U7yadyGK-__0LDcT_-_JpjQ3R/s320/Chrys+Fey+Author+Photo.jpg" /></a></b></div><b><br />ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique
concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure
Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur
Press. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="about:blank">https://www.chrysfey.com</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Author Links:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="about:blank">Website</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> / </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="about:blank">Blog</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> / </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="about:blank">Goodreads</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">/ <a href="about:blank">Facebook</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> / </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="about:blank">Twitter</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> / </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="about:blank">Amazon</a></span> </p><p><br /></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-73452173821543038492020-09-15T07:00:00.030-04:002020-09-15T07:00:01.174-04:00Imposter Syndrome in Fiction or Memoir #AuthorToolboxBlogHop<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Imposter Syndrome. Is it real or
not? I’d love to hear your take on this topic. However, for this #AuthorToolboxBlogHop
post, I’d like to focus on making it real for your story. An author’s job is to
make his or her story world and characters real to the reader, <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">whether
fiction or memoir</span>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_J0-E0Y8eAHaxYb09FWH-eCMqL__1ysoWCWaRzL4-zi3iHwjW1jn5yFK_o4r9GxyuqySnsM38Uybp26GhUvniaDSCZDNIQ1DgNyaHeMXpQG4fQv7UGQC9T0rtbgxkcYN2xRl3RwbeGvy/s440/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="https://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="440" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_J0-E0Y8eAHaxYb09FWH-eCMqL__1ysoWCWaRzL4-zi3iHwjW1jn5yFK_o4r9GxyuqySnsM38Uybp26GhUvniaDSCZDNIQ1DgNyaHeMXpQG4fQv7UGQC9T0rtbgxkcYN2xRl3RwbeGvy/w320-h160/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" title="https://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Let’s begin with a definition. <a href="http://Dictionary.com">Dictionary.com</a> defines Imposter
Syndrome as:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">anxiety or self-doubt that
results from persistently undervaluing one’s competence and active role in
achieving success, while falsely attributing one's accomplishments to luck or
other external forces. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I don’t know about you, but in some
instances, this defines me. Inferiority grabbed ahold of me and hung on with
both hands for most of my college journey—especially at the University of Pennsylvania.
I couldn’t get past the fact that I lacked the foundation the other students
received to prepare for the Ivy League. I felt I got lucky receiving the Phi Theta
Kappa scholarship to attend Penn. This brings on the feeling of being a “fake”
IL student; the “oh-my-gosh what if they find out I’m not as smart as the other
students” feeling. This is what I’m getting as part of the Imposter Syndrome.<span style="background-color: #fffcf4; color: #545454; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I’ve talked about Character Arcs and
the need for progression of the character in the story before in an Author Toolbox
post. You can read it <a href="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-transformational-arc-of-protagonist.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">To make our characters believable
with whatever syndrome we want to give them, we need to look closely at the
character as a whole person. We need to know what goes on in his life, on the
outside, yes, but also what it means to him on the inside, why he feels so
strongly about what is happening. Again, it’s the why of the story. Why does
what happens on the outside of the character, the plot, matter to the character
personally? Story is about how what happens in the plot affects one specific
person—our protagonist. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We can give our protagonist all
sorts of disorders and problems. But we need to thoroughly understand both the disorder
and the inner problem and how they manifest in this particular character. Many
real people feel inferior to other highly accomplished people. I believe Imposter
Syndrome is alive and kicking. I am a highly insecure writer; hence my
connection to <a href="https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support Group</a>, a great group to find support and security by the way.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I hope these few suggestions help you to understand the
need to know your protagonist intimately to create a character the reader will
truly care about, whether it's fiction or memoir.</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Please ask any questions about my college memoir and share
any insight you may have about the use of Imposter Syndrome in writing your
story in the comments section of Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much!</span></strong><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p>And thank you
for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please follow my blog if you haven’t
already and connect with me online. <b>Leave
your blog link in the comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. To
continue hopping through more amazing blogs or to join our Author Toolbox blog
hop, click <a href="https://raimeygallant.com/2017/03/22/authortoolboxbloghop/ " target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p><br /></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-76222825247067037362020-09-01T07:00:00.002-04:002020-09-01T07:00:12.701-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: If you could choose one author to be your beta partner, who would it be? Why?<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"> First, I’d like to thank you, my
fellow Insecure Writers, for your patience while we moved. In that short space
of time, we moved our oldest daughter in with her sister and her family. My
husband and I packed up our home of 36 years, sold it, and moved three hours
away. And finally, we moved my 96-year-old mother-in-law into a nursing home. Sheesh!
I’ll be going through boxes forever looking for what I need at the moment. You
can read a short post with photos about our moving adventure at <a href="http://campingwithfivekids.blogspot.com/">http://campingwithfivekids.blogspot.com</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAZttYH3LJvnC3CVx6bB0t_R-YOjWej8SwBD5shP4i1rCo0cqlgxB4fFX9tMNeBXwy1D0u34LoK-06fYbayEnyAF1nNibOr-9sjdyTo82XEXlEip8ceFOY_bi2w1QJjU60aATJtdRyiAf/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAZttYH3LJvnC3CVx6bB0t_R-YOjWej8SwBD5shP4i1rCo0cqlgxB4fFX9tMNeBXwy1D0u34LoK-06fYbayEnyAF1nNibOr-9sjdyTo82XEXlEip8ceFOY_bi2w1QJjU60aATJtdRyiAf/w160-h158/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"> Now let me think…the perfect beta
partner for me, if I could choose anyone, would have to be the writing teacher
and author <a href="http://bethkephartbooks.com/" target="_blank">Beth Kephart</a>. Kephart has the ability to look at themes and characters
from many angles. She sees the story beneath the plot. This is a gift for any
writer. <span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"> Kephart is a memoirist as well as a YA
writer and poet, and it never ceases to amaze me how she can uncover such deep
emotional truths in life through story, in both fiction and memoir.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;"> I write both YA fiction and memoir and
would love to hear her feedback on whether I have reached the inner core of the
story I’m trying to visualize for the reader. However, being that highly
insecure writer that I am, I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to hear it. Of course
this is why writers need to be brave in order to improve their writing. We must
learn from each other. Share ideas and methods. Choose the ones that will work
for us to make our stories the best they can be. And then we need to be brave
enough to let the stories go and send them out into the world for others to
judge whether we have accomplished our goal of creating a great story.<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ll be interested to see how
you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to share our
thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my
sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing journey. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks so much for visiting!
Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me
online. <b>Leave your blog link in your
comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p>This post was written for the
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. We post on the first Wednesday of every month.
To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </p><p><br /></p>Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-85052719267867182502020-06-16T07:00:00.000-04:002020-06-16T07:00:08.092-04:00Let the Story Unfold #AuthorToolboxBlogHop<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Writers should not unload
all the information about their characters in one place in their stories. Readers
do not want to see a who’s who bio for every character lumped together in the
story. By the same token, writers should not pile on all the facts of their
story world at the beginning of their novels or memoirs either. You know; world
history, how devices are used, why things happen, and why it matters to the
world at large. Besides being info-dumps, these methods take away the pleasure
of reading a story. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnRqWuOo0X-LfYKPc746amLLKbdJ08inPriNOHYKnO9rY45LhBjUv8HfMXBy12NsSVJ4gs3gfdrL6x7_YEOTVOMqKL-p9oqJtAt9HNOVHEP6kuSVGNYmUVmsvCCg4NBRWTyXVpOb-kh4b/s1600/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="440" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnRqWuOo0X-LfYKPc746amLLKbdJ08inPriNOHYKnO9rY45LhBjUv8HfMXBy12NsSVJ4gs3gfdrL6x7_YEOTVOMqKL-p9oqJtAt9HNOVHEP6kuSVGNYmUVmsvCCg4NBRWTyXVpOb-kh4b/s200/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
Let the story
unfold naturally. Don’t answer all the reader’s questions on the first page or
even the first chapter of a novel or memoir. Let the reader care about a person
first. The story needs to unfold slowly as <a href="http://jennienash.com/" target="_blank">Jennie Nash of Author Accelerator</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"> </span>tells her coaching clients. Once the reader connects
with a character, then the writer can explain how the story world affects this
person or family. We are creating a character arc. Characters, especially the
protagonist, should change by the end of the story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
But where do
you place the important material in the story? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
The writer
shares the information about his or her characters or the story at large at the
time when those characters would be thinking about how things work in their
world or thinking about their past because it affects the story present, the
forward movement in the story. Many writers know this, but it’s very difficult
to do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
At one point
in my college memoir, the character of Victoria must face her fear of what
opportunity might bring if she wins two prestigious college awards. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
In allowing
this story section to unfold slowly, Victoria discovers that what she’s afraid of
are how her feelings toward her family might change if she is awarded an
opportunity to study away from home. This was a dream of Victoria’s when she
was younger. Now she feels she might blame her family, as if it could be their
fault she can’t study just anywhere. She worries about what regret could do to
her psyche. Regret from missed opportunities can be ugly. It makes people
bitter. And Victoria does not want to be bitter—especially toward her family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
This forces Victoria
to face the fact that she could never leave her family for semesters at a time;
never leave her husband with all the work of raising five children and helping their
special needs daughter with her education. Realizing her family comes first,
Victoria decides to apply for the awards, knowing she would only accept an
opportunity that she could use. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
This is part
of the character arc of Victoria. She will be forever changed from this point in
the memoir story. She will not sacrifice her family life to live a college
dream of studying away from home. She will find another way to complete her college
education with no regret. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Please ask any questions about my college memoir and share
any insight you may have in the comments section of Adventures in Writing about
how you allow your story to unfold naturally. Thanks so much!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: red;">Please note</span></u></b>:
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
I will <u>not
be posting</u> on Adventures in Writing in July or August 2020. I am moving and
have much to do, especially since I’m still trying to move forward on writing
projects. Don’t know if I’ll be able to keep writing during this time, though. Thank
you for your understanding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
And thank you
for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please follow my blog if you haven’t
already and connect with me online. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leave
your blog link in the comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. To
continue hopping through more amazing blogs or to join our Author Toolbox blog
hop, click <a href="https://raimeygallant.com/2017/03/22/authortoolboxbloghop/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
<br />Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-15512358978592914312020-06-02T07:00:00.003-04:002020-06-02T07:00:03.441-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: Writers have secrets. Share one or two of your own. Something readers would never know from your work.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>Oooo, secrets! Let me think. Something readers would never
know from my work. I don’t know if this counts as a secret, but I’m afraid of
edges. As in falling off of. Mountain edges. Jumping off cliff edges. Canyons. Water
fall edges. Even diving boards count here. Or maybe it’s that I’m afraid one of
my five children would fall off said edges because they’re being…well…children.
You know. Fooling around when we are close to edges; pushing and shoving each
other. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWeMMDbj3reOF25S15-VNFpw_evS3wJg-tUSOSn9XHsJSWBdkaz8BPMkjGQURZgnzJHpUrrzizGYJ8pczIFrxAV_LIYa1GP7TNyXjR3N5jPF8-dcCkUH6V58LqY_JJel9UiXgZtW_ke1b/s1600/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWeMMDbj3reOF25S15-VNFpw_evS3wJg-tUSOSn9XHsJSWBdkaz8BPMkjGQURZgnzJHpUrrzizGYJ8pczIFrxAV_LIYa1GP7TNyXjR3N5jPF8-dcCkUH6V58LqY_JJel9UiXgZtW_ke1b/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>Gosh! I worried about this each time we set up camp at national or state
parks. We’ve camped in deserts, on mountaintops, by canyons, and water falls. Our
children insisted the campgrounds have pools, and with those pools came diving
boards. And with diving boards came the children’s favorite phrase: “Watch
this, Mom!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>I think I closed my eyes each time. But don’t tell the kids.
They still think I saw everything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>We were camping at Arches National Park, when I finally
succumbed to this fear of edges with my children. I stopped our family hiking
expedition completely. I wouldn’t allow the children to go any farther along the
narrow orange sandstone arch we needed to cross on this trail. I turned us around.
They were not happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>I also have a terrible fear of wild animal encounters
too—especially snakes because you don’t notice them right off. Not until they
make a noise or strike! I’ve literally had too many encounters with wildlife in
my adventures camping with five children. Out of the seven people in my family,
I’m always the one who finds the snakes—and they are always ready to strike. I
follow our last child on the trail. And my family is not quiet when we hike,
which is why the snake is usually ready to strike by the time I reach him. Of
course, I still would rather find them than my children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>So no matter how many YA adventure stories I write where my
teenaged protagonists confront wild animals or tumble down cliff sides or
mountains, I am terrified until I finish my first draft of the story. I need to
be sure I can logically get the teen out of danger before I can revise—or sleep.
My protagonists are my children, too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="color: red;">Please note</span></u></b><span style="color: red;">:</span><span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>I will <u>not be posting</u> on
Adventures in Writing in July or August 2020. I am moving and have much to do,
especially since I’m still trying to move forward on writing projects. Don't know if I'll be able to keep writing during this time, though. Thank
you for your understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll be interested to see how
you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to share our
thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my
sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing journey. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks so much for visiting!
Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me
online. <b>Leave your blog link in your
comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post was written for the
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. We post on the first Wednesday of every month.<span>
</span>To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-66064928294789143952020-05-19T07:00:00.000-04:002020-05-19T07:00:09.036-04:00Tell Me a Story: The Voice of Narrators in Memoir #AuthorToolboxBlogHop<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When writing gurus talk about voice in a story, they are
referring to the narrator’s voice, the protagonist’s voice, the person telling
the story. And many times this has a lot to do with the author voice as well.
We tend to infuse our narrators with wit, poignancy, or anything needed to tell
our stories, whether fiction or memoir. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-a3Zat4DcNzIH5GC26y8ZMH-y9GDebyE_XdhJbegJbdudvsibzZK392rxhPbcIiz5tPuojIuLN5PQg8BrQT1pvlHmveO-IGLHzcy4i86SLww5rEYb6mm2HVVXayeC-YJTOhbSab9yyiz/s1600/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="440" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-a3Zat4DcNzIH5GC26y8ZMH-y9GDebyE_XdhJbegJbdudvsibzZK392rxhPbcIiz5tPuojIuLN5PQg8BrQT1pvlHmveO-IGLHzcy4i86SLww5rEYb6mm2HVVXayeC-YJTOhbSab9yyiz/s200/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" width="200" /></a></strong></div>
<strong><o:p></o:p></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There is so much to know about the different narrators in
story; omniscient, limited, first person, etc. For this post, I’d like to
concentrate on the voice of the narrator in memoir.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
There are two kinds of narrators
in memoir and the author needs to decide where she is standing when she is
telling her story. T<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">he importance in memoir is </span></span>“what
the narrator knows and when she knows it.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
According to <a href="http://jennienash.com/" target="_blank">Jennie Nash of Author Accelerator</a>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there are two narrators in memoir: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
the writer, the
person who lived the experience <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
and<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
the writer, the
person who is telling the experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
In story, it is who knows what, and
when they know it. In memoir, there is the narrator at the beginning of the
story arc and narrator at end of the story arc. In most stories, the character
needs to grow and change no place more so than in memoir. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
In my case, the narrator at the
end of the story arc is the Victoria after her experience of attending college
and graduating. What did she get out of it? Was it worth taking time away from
the family to obtain that diploma?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
But to tell this college story, I
needed to choose:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
Was I going to
tell the memoir story as a narrator standing in the present time <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">looking back on my college experience</b>?
Was I going to tell my college story as a narrator with the experience of having
gone through college?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
Or<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
Was I going to
tell the story as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">an unknowing narrator</b>
actually going through the college experience for the first time?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
Nash explains that a narrator in
memoir who<span style="color: red;"> </span>knows what she knows presently, after
her experience, looking back is a more powerful narrator for the story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
So as memoir writers, we have to
know:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who in the story knows what, and when
they know it. In memoir you have:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
The Narrator –
unknowing before the experience or knowing after the experience<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
The Character in
the memoir story<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
AND<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
The real Person
who lived the memoir story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
Three different selves the memoir
writer has to master. This is the difficult part of memoir story. If you don’t
know the roles those three different selves are playing, you’ll struggle. And
believe me; I struggled tremendously with this understanding. I still do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
As a writer of fiction, you have:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
The narrator and <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
The character<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
NOT the person who lived the tale. This
doesn’t come into play in fiction. But you still need to decide who in your
story knows what information and when do they know it? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
This is not an easy concept to
understand. I hope I’m making sense here for you. It's ONE narrator then in my
college memoir. I needed to choose how to tell the story; whether I was looking
at the experience at the time of attending college as an unknowing narrator <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
or <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
if I was telling
the story in the present time, after attending college with all the knowledge
and insight gained since, looking back at my experiences.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I chose to tell my college story as
a knowing narrator after my college experience looking back on my experiences. I
still have my character Victoria going through the experiences. I still have
the real person Victoria who actually lived the college experiences; how she
felt, what she did, how she coped. But my narrator is an experienced narrator
who can infuse the manuscript [story] with knowledge gained from college and
life experiences. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
I’d like to thank Jennie Nash of
Author Accelerator for helping me to understand the different narrators and
character selves in memoir. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Please ask any questions about my college memoir and share
any insight you may have in the comments section of Adventures in Writing about
the voice of the narrator in your story. Thanks so much!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
And thank you
for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please follow my blog if you haven’t
already and connect with me online. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leave
your blog link in the comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. To
continue hopping through more amazing blogs or to join our Author Toolbox blog
hop, click <a href="https://raimeygallant.com/2017/03/22/authortoolboxbloghop/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
<br />Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-84144150447790001832020-05-05T07:00:00.000-04:002020-05-05T07:00:00.780-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: Do You Have Any Rituals to Help You Get into the Writing Zone?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rituals
to help me get into the writing zone? I don’t know if these are rituals, per
se. But chocolate and a fresh hot pot of tea go a long way to help me write.
Now if they could only give me the structure of the story and the words, I’d be
good. To find those, I usually need to go for a walk in the woods. By myself!
That’s the hard part. Especially now with everybody home.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKspe_9uWu6B0qUhA7leS8d3NTRpRM-JYdaz_fvoLuDIH3v8slojuhMT2jfITc7x_lYJdubxmVZXyUo8hBJ9YQmPQqyHS6xTnTYo83SsUUfSTTGK481t7uI1tB1DtFh64ke711fSmn9IFg/s1600/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKspe_9uWu6B0qUhA7leS8d3NTRpRM-JYdaz_fvoLuDIH3v8slojuhMT2jfITc7x_lYJdubxmVZXyUo8hBJ9YQmPQqyHS6xTnTYo83SsUUfSTTGK481t7uI1tB1DtFh64ke711fSmn9IFg/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" width="200" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And even when I’m in the zone,
hammering away at a YA short story, hoping with all my heart this story might
bring in another published clip, Cricket Magazine cuts me down with a form
rejection email. Each time I think it will get easier to take, but for me,
rejection still stings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So another walk ensues to talk to
the Lord about why I try so hard and seem to get nowhere. It’s better than
yelling at my family. It’s not their fault no one’s waiting for my stories. But
I always come crawling back to my computer to begin again. That’s the courage
we writers need to find again and again. And it’s not easy to find! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6liwdNGBEhdFWNY3IBCXNOrxq_Qo_aAbT89-pGhIWXzZjoL9wyw7BkE68NXzhl8IBIc9gTt1yJn8i9coU3zwxgtsuKNleCRD-2bhAD7nCK24KxmzMBDSeVIeNiNQxs70dXMgtiJZLCNM/s1600/Teapot+and+chocolates+for+writing+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6liwdNGBEhdFWNY3IBCXNOrxq_Qo_aAbT89-pGhIWXzZjoL9wyw7BkE68NXzhl8IBIc9gTt1yJn8i9coU3zwxgtsuKNleCRD-2bhAD7nCK24KxmzMBDSeVIeNiNQxs70dXMgtiJZLCNM/s200/Teapot+and+chocolates+for+writing+blog.JPG" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hot pot of tea and chocolates!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>But if we’re lucky, we get a yes for
publication. I have a Cricket story coming out in the June 2020 issue, if they
can get the magazine out with this pandemic. Sometimes we may receive positive
feedback from editors or critique partners about our stories. This truly helps
to build our confidences as writers. At least it does for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My college memoir editor told me
I’ve found my voice in the story. When we speak of voice in story, we are
talking about the character’s voice, which shares much with its author—even in
fiction. I’ll talk more about voice and narrator in my Author Toolbox post
later this month. But for now, I wanted to mention what my editor shared with
me. She explained that my memoir character’s voice is how I would normally
speak, especially the wry wit part. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As a highly insecure writer, I needed my
editor to confirm--and she did--that my memoir story held:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">tension, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">obstacles, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">questioning of what I was doing,
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">wondering if I'll succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But it needed to be interesting,
and what makes it interesting, the editor says, is hearing me tell it in my own way—in
my voice, with all the funny parts with family and classes that made the editor
smile and root for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You see, I thought for a
book-length project [this is my first], I needed to fully paint a scene, to
delve deeply into the why of the story, to stress over the needed tension, and
worry that I’ve solved my problems too early. But my editor let me know it is
all there. Not perfect, but it is there. As I continue to revise, I hope to be ready
for beta readers by fall 2020. I’ll keep you posted! Let me know if you are
interested in beta reading for me. This is a short memoir. I’ll be lucky if it
is 60,000 words. Please contact me with your email address. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
As for now, I’ll be interested
to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to
share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of you for
being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing journey. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
Thanks so much for visiting!
Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me
online. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leave your blog link in your
comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
This post was written for the
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. We post on the first Wednesday of every month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-34796548235564068482020-04-14T07:00:00.000-04:002020-04-14T07:00:05.700-04:00How to Get the Reader to Care About Your Protagonist #AuthorToolboxBlogHop<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Getting<span style="color: red;"> </span>the reader to care
about your protagonist is important to the success of your novel or memoir.
Yes, the action of the story is important, but if the reader doesn’t care what
happens to your protagonist, the story falls flat. </span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q6dJARXPjAVT2WZk3Oet-pPWhX31XqLRmU2YgBrQm6FKItFTLZoGPQGiW-U2y1Vggdq5XUAOOK44GhPywUFlX-mmH42viPI-SAPOMtUrpd9438VYTlmRd343sWCLbL6cTVestLBBpHoe/s1600/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="https://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="440" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q6dJARXPjAVT2WZk3Oet-pPWhX31XqLRmU2YgBrQm6FKItFTLZoGPQGiW-U2y1Vggdq5XUAOOK44GhPywUFlX-mmH42viPI-SAPOMtUrpd9438VYTlmRd343sWCLbL6cTVestLBBpHoe/s200/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" title="https://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></strong></div>
<strong><o:p></o:p></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">People care about people or any thinking creature you
create. But they need a reason to care. Lots of things can happen in a story.
We as writers need to make the story personal by telling the tale of one
specific person. The reader needs to see how what happens in the story affects
one particular character. Make the story specific to someone the reader cares
about.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But how do we do that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How do we get someone who doesn’t know our characters the way we do,
care about what happens to them? Now I’m not saying that I have all the
answers. Wouldn’t that be nice? I wouldn’t need to struggle to get my own
stories down on paper if this were simple. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Let’s start by asking a few questions. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Who was this protagonist before the inciting incident,
before the story present? There’s a broad question. Rein it in and try and
think of answers, or scenes, that relate to your story situation or problem,
both internal and external. What type of family or friend relationships did she
have? Were these relationships important to her? Why? <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Think about your protagonist’s profession before the story
began. Why did she choose that profession? What were her beliefs at that time?
Why did these things matter to her? <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whatever the internal problem is in the story, how did the
protagonist come to deal with that problem? What happened in the first place to
make her believe in this internal problem?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And most importantly, how did those around the protagonist
feed that internal problem?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If we look at my college memoir, how did Victoria go from
having trouble in third grade to not going to college? <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Think in scenes or summary:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Victoria struggled throughout elementary school.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Victoria did better in middle school and wanted to sign up
for college prep in high school.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Victoria’s father didn’t think she was capable of college
work just because she was on the honor roll by middle school.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Victoria took secretarial courses in high school to be a secretary like Mom and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Victoria’s siblings did not go to college either.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">How did Victoria meet her husband? Where did she work after
high school? Did she consider going to college after getting married? <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">No. She still believed she was that girl her
father claimed was “not college material.”<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">How about after having a few children? Did she consider
college then? <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nope! She was knee deep in babies and running
the home to consider college.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Didn’t Victoria struggle with her inferiority before
attending college as an adult? <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">All the time. She saw herself in her learning-disabled first
born. Victoria struggled to help her daughter with her education and therefore
her younger children as well. But she felt totally inferior to those
college-educated people in the public education system. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There are more questions to ask to explain to the reader
who Victoria was; how she got that way; and why it matters in her life. When I started
writing my manuscript, I didn’t believe these questions were pertinent to my
college journey, my memoir story. But they are!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As a writer, you are looking for personal information about
your character to answer these questions. Readers are inquisitive. They want to
know what makes your protagonist tick. Why she believes and acts the way she
does in the story present. Good things, bad things. The reader wants to cheer
for your protagonist as the story moves forward. We want readers to care what
happens to her. Win or lose. Readers want to care about someone specific.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Please ask any questions about my college memoir and share
any insight you may have in the comments section of Adventures in Writing about
how you get readers to care about your characters. Thanks so much!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
And thank you
for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please follow my blog if you haven’t
already and connect with me online. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leave
your blog link in the comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. To
continue hopping through more amazing blogs or to join our Author Toolbox blog
hop, click <a href="https://raimeygallant.com/2017/03/22/authortoolboxbloghop/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-57381845900476904902020-04-01T04:00:00.000-04:002020-04-01T04:00:01.834-04:00Insecure Writers Want to Know: How are things in your world during this troubling time?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
In my
little corner of the world in my home, we are well. Thank you, God! I’ve had
four writing presentations at area libraries and assisted living homes
cancelled so far. My next presentation is scheduled on April 10<sup>th</sup>. Here’s
hoping life will be up and running by then. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">However as New Jersey shuts down
around us, my children are home. Once again, they turn to me for something to
do. I have always entertained my children in the past. But they’re grown now.
The ones who have left, bring their little ones home to visit. I adore them all. I
can’t resist my grandbabies. And my children know it. My husband is home, too. I
am extremely lucky.</span> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMjcQyGT05KHf1HeDH4ALGf538oBs5xUyMU2KBq62aW5Ho-Og8Rn4drMveT_GyY72RAa0AqhKWCsndk3_UpGELmW5GiynJh5yb8lFAK23sysXyicf7g_RyijV52yyxOBAs0dpUS9bN2xv/s1600/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="200" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMjcQyGT05KHf1HeDH4ALGf538oBs5xUyMU2KBq62aW5Ho-Og8Rn4drMveT_GyY72RAa0AqhKWCsndk3_UpGELmW5GiynJh5yb8lFAK23sysXyicf7g_RyijV52yyxOBAs0dpUS9bN2xv/s200/Insecure-Writers-Support-Group-Badge.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m searching for solitude to
write. To create. The state has closed my library. I hide in my room, with the
door locked. But everyone in my family still remembers how to giggle the
doorknob and call my name. It’s amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My oldest, who has learning
issues, is trying to sign up for unemployment. Yes! Like thousands of other
people in the United States. And guess what? She can’t do it alone, so we are trying
to assist. And we are having trouble getting through. No surprise. But another
part of her disability is no patience—and whining. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
With all the difficulties in the
world, it’s important to stay positive. So I’m starting with my thoughts. We
are healthy. We are together, for the most part. We share meals. We check in on
our friends and the elderly by phone. Flowers and trees are popping and spring
is here in the northern hemisphere.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And if the Lord blesses me with
a scrap of dialogue or a sentence of illumination for my memoir about attending
college as a mother of five, or if I have another short story idea, I write them
on pieces of paper and stick them in a binder with two labels: Memoir and Short
Stories. Then I shove the binder under my bed and lock my room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I truly hope you and your loved ones
are safe and well. How do you find time and space to write in these difficult
times? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
I’ll be interested to see how
you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to share our
thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my
sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing game. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
Thanks so much for visiting!
Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me
online. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leave your blog link in your
comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
This post was written for the
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>. We post on the first Wednesday of every month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To join us, or learn more about the group, click <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220588443545007238.post-14170610329935176782020-03-17T08:00:00.000-04:002020-03-17T08:00:00.348-04:00Developmental Editors and Beta Readers—the Need for Both #AuthorToolboxBlogHop<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Revising a manuscript
can be a nightmare, or it can be a calm reevaluation of your story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
I know, I
know. To combine the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">calm</i> with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">writer</i> in revision sounds like an
oxymoron. Like freezer burn or bittersweet. An oxymoron is a combination of two
contradictory terms. Or maybe I’m the only UN-calm writer. I’m usually
flustered about something. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16m44xQkKlbSAqclJ0m87cZpLwok4koCoueJ7PYGvkWBlQAov7b2tcoGfMQNgFN-UZ6I0AezK6sCFnHhFh85jYBO_4u_EbQQA7TvOJMIPKjsOu6R3Y6vpLdWrdocNKrTEt6mAZrMLSdLi/s1600/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="440" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16m44xQkKlbSAqclJ0m87cZpLwok4koCoueJ7PYGvkWBlQAov7b2tcoGfMQNgFN-UZ6I0AezK6sCFnHhFh85jYBO_4u_EbQQA7TvOJMIPKjsOu6R3Y6vpLdWrdocNKrTEt6mAZrMLSdLi/s200/USE+FOR+author-toolbox-blog-hop-tw.jpg" title="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com" width="200" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
But staying
calm during revision doesn’t need to be an oxymoron in terms. A solid revision
requires a good reader for your story. Someone who knows story and what makes
it work. This could be an editor, a book coach, or a trusted fellow writer or
two. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
This revision
reader looks at your story as a whole. This reader needs to make sure the story
holds together and the characters act consistently with the backstory you have
created for them. And it’s a good idea to allow this trusted reader in on early
versions of your story. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
What I’m
talking about is Developmental Editing. This should be the first step in the
revision process. It can be done by a professional editor or a book coach. And can
be helpful near the beginning of your story’s journey. Developmental editors or
book coaches are there to be sure your story has no major plot holes. They make
sure the characters are well-developed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
Developmental
Editing is very important to your story’s success and shouldn’t be left for
Beta Readers unless you have a trusted, accomplished story-writer friend who
can show you what’s missing in your story. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
Beta Readers
are a wonderful part of revision AFTER you have your story down. I can’t wait
to offer my memoir to Beta Readers. Usually writers want Beta Readers to address
specific questions in their manuscripts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
For example:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
Is the
timeframe and location clear in each scene? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
Where do you
lose interest? Why, do you think?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
What
questions remain unanswered about the plot or who’s who?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
Is the
emotion on the page?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
Do you get lost
anywhere?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
Beta Readers
offer their opinions on sections of your story. They are great to give feedback
from the point of view of an average reader to the author. This feedback is
used by the writer to fix remaining issues with plot, pacing, and consistency. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
I prefer an
open dialogue with anyone who reads my stories. If they have questions about a
passage, I like to have an opportunity to explain what I’m trying to say in the
scene. Then I ask the reader what his interpretation of the scene is. Only then
can I see what’s missing from the story. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
As writers,
we are very close to our stories, our characters. What we think is in the story,
may not be when someone who does not know the story reads it. And
yes—Developmental Editors tell you these things too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
You pay for
Developmental Editors. You shouldn’t pay for Beta Readers. You are paying for
the Developmental Editor’s expertise in the business of storytelling, of
creating viable books for sale. They are the more expensive editors, when
preparing a book for publication, as opposed to line editing—which is done at
the completion of all other revision work for the story. Another important step
to have completed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
I have used a
book coach, originally from <a href="https://authoraccelerator.teachable.com/" target="_blank">Author Accelerator</a>, to create a solid version of my college memoir. I took a few months off from my
memoir to create more YA short stories for the magazine market, to give myself
distance from the memoir story. Now it’s time to pick up with my editor, <a href="http://www.micheleorwin.com/" target="_blank">Michele Orwin</a>, and
finish a final version of this memoir story. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Has anyone ever added scenes to their stories or memoir
about what the protagonist was like before the inciting incident or before the
story present? I’m interested in how you set up the scenes and where you placed
them in your story. Please share any insight you may have in the comments
section of Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
And thank you
for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please follow my blog if you haven’t
already and connect with me online. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leave
your blog link in the comment</b> so I can be sure to do the same for you. To
continue hopping through more amazing blogs or to join our Author Toolbox blog
hop, click <a href="https://raimeygallant.com/2017/03/22/authortoolboxbloghop/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
<br />Victoria Marie Leeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.com30