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UEWorkshop — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 12:10:07 CST

Unique Enterprises is the parent company of By Grace Publishing and Moonlit Romance. By Grace and Moonlit Romance both publish quality romance e-novels and print-on-demand novels.

We are planning the end of January/beginning of February 2007 Workshop. Stay tuned for all the details.

Check out our October 2006 workshop pages.

Topics From our October Workshop: Characterization, Self-Editing, and Writing Techniques. Come on in. (Gum chewing is allowed in this classroom, we just ask that you don't stick it under the moniter when you're finished.)

This interactive website is our new Writers' Workshop home. We will hold romance writing workshops here on a quarterly basis.

Our next workshop will be scheduled for the end of January/beginning of February, 2007.

By Grace Publishing's Submission Guidelines
Moonlit Romance's Submission Guidelines

Writing Techniques Practical Application Page

UEWorkshop — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 08:15:57 CDT

Write and post a balanced short scene (6-8 paragraphs). OR, show us a "before" and "after" from your WIP. Post it in the comments section.

Characterization
Self-Editing
Writing Techniques

Writing Techniques

UEWorkshop — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 08:14:06 CDT

Writing is more than just putting the words together on a monitor screen. As we’ve seen in the self-editing checklist, there are many aspects to take into consideration. For today’s Writing Techniques Workshop, we’re going to take a look at point of view (POV), word choice, and balancing narrative, exposition and action. Links follow each section. Comments and links are welcome. Don't forget the Writing Techniques Practical Applicationi Page.
POV: Point of View. View is the key word. POV refers to the character through whose eyes the reader sees the action unfold. If the character can see it, taste it, smell it, touch it, experience it, know it, then you may describe it.

"Headhop" refers to a sudden switch in POV. The general rule of thumb is to stay in one of the main character’s POV throughout a scene.

The Writer’s Writing Guide: POV by Rachel Simon: http://www.rachelsimon.com/wg_pov.htm
Point of View by Lori Soard: http://www.theromanceclub.com/writers/articles/art0005.htm Perspective Vs. Point Of View © By Leslie King: http://www.rrrw.org/pvrsp.html
Whose Point of View is That by Beth Anderson: http://www.bethanderson-hotclue.com/workshops/whose-point-of-view-is-that/
SERIES 2, TIP SHEET #7: VIEWPOINT
Copyright 2003, by Linda Hope Lee
http://www.lindahopelee.com/tip7.html

WORD CHOICE: Instead of relying on weak, wimpy nouns and verbs, go for the gusto. Vague nouns and weak, passive verbs necessitate (over-using) adverbs and adjectives. Strong, clear nouns and vivid, active verbs will boost the impact of your writing and strengthen your voice.
1000 Verbs to Write By by Deanna Carlyle: http://www.deannacarlyle.com/articles/verb.html
The Writer’s Writing Guide: Structure by Rachel Simon: http://www.rachelsimon.com/wg_structure.htm
BALANCE

Story elements are communicated through the narrative elements and include: character, setting, conflict.
NARRATIVE ELEMENT:
Narrative elements are unique to written storytelling and are the way we categorize the words on the page. These generally don't translate to other forms of storytelling. Or if they do translate, they are mutated in the process -- interior monologue in a book, for example, might be translated into a narrative voiceover in film.
1. Dialogue 2. Description (and, point of view) 3. Action 4. Interior monologue 5. Exposition a. narrative summary (compressing the story) b. backstory (outside the strict chronology of the story) How to craft a narrative.... Dialogue: "The ear part of the story." This is how characters reveal info to each other. The 3rd person in this is the reader--how does the reader process? Reader needs more info besides the dialogue... Dialogue can be used to reveal conflict, setting. CONVERSATION reveals info. DIALOGUE reveals info + conflict, setting... Remember, endless dialogue weighs the story down. DESCRIPTION--visual --Grounds and orients the reader --Creates a visual cue --Not active 3 Strokes: 3 descriptive details for new characters/setting--if they're the right ones. You want the descriptions to STAND OUT. Description is static. But can be evocative and precise. Use more description at the beginning of the novel, rather than at the end. What the character notices of their environment is telling about the character. As a general rule, description will slow the pace down. Description is driven by the importance of the setting. ACTION--the kinetic part What the characters do on the set you've created. Set action with dialogue (like stage direction). A true action scene needs to be tightly focused on the action. Don't forget cause/effect, sequencing, chronology. The hidden layer between cause and effect is EMOTION (the connective tissue). Filter action through point of view. Passive voice and misplaced modifiers can kill the action. The Glue: Interior Monologue is what's going on inside the character's head/heart. Thoughts, feelings. Allows us to more fully "get into" the character. It's how we bond with the character. This is subjective and view-point driven. Socratic interior monologue: the Q and A format. Be sure if you're asking the "Q" that you "A" the "Q". Character pep talks--is an effective use of 2nd person interior monologue. EXPOSITION: time line manipulations 1. Narrative summary. Can be cut if it's unimportant Compresses unimportant info and allows us to pick up the pace. Don't want to create the wrong impression. 2. Backstory ("had" conjugated to show the past) Will weigh down pace. Use sparingly--when totally necessary. Do it quickly and get back to the action. ~From notes on a Narrative Elements workshop given by Theresa Stevens

The Writer’s Writing Guide: Exposition by Rachel Simon: http://www.rachelsimon.com/wg_exposition.htm Effective Narrative by Dr. Vicki Hinze: http://www.fictionfactor.com/guests/narrative.html

Writing Techniques Practical Application Page

Characterization
Characterization Practical Application Page

Self-Editing
Self-Editing Practical Application Page

Characterization Practical Application Page

UEWorkshop — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 08:07:53 CDT

Pick one of the following vague character descriptions, and create a believable, vibrant character, or create your own! Post in the comments section.

A high-powered business woman, out to prove herself to the world.

A garbage man, proud of what he does for a living.

A school teacher who’s tired of teaching.

An enthusiastic, high school football coach.

A young woman who was just jilted at the altar.

Characterization
Self-Editing
Writing Techniques

Characterization

UEWorkshop — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 08:05:59 CDT

Characters are, next to the plot, the most important part of any novel. Without characters, nothing would happen— there would be no one to move the plot forward. To keep the reader’s attention, we need to create believable characters. Characters who jump off the page and come to glorious life.

If you’re having difficulty bringing a character to life, take a look at their Goals, Motivation and Conflict (internal and external). Do you have these well-defined for your characters? Are your characters actions logical to their GMC, or at odds with their GMC? Have you studied your character’s archetype? How well do you know your character overall? The following links are terrific resources to learn more about characterization.

Don't forget to check out the Characterization Practical Application Page when you're finished here. Comments and more links welcome!

SERIES 2, TIP SHEET #1: HOW SECONDARY CHARACTERS CAN HELP TO DEVELOP MAIN CHARACTERS Copyright 2003, by Linda Hope Lee
http://www.lindahopelee.com/tip1.html
SERIES 2, TIP SHEET #2: DESCRIBING YOUR CHARACTERS
Copyright 2003, by Linda Hope Lee
http://www.lindahopelee.com/tip2.html
SERIES 2, TIP SHEET #3: CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH THOUGHTS
Copyright 2003, by Linda Hope Lee
http://www.lindahopelee.com/tip3.html
SERIES 2, TIP SHEET #4: CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH ACTION
Copyright 2003, by Linda Hope Lee
http://www.lindahopelee.com/tip4.html
The Writer’s Writing Guide: Character by Rachel Simon: http://www.rachelsimon.com/wg_character.htm
Putting Your Characters in The Driver's Seat June 2003 HODRW Meeting Recap
by Maggi Landry: http://www.hodrw.com/puttingcharactersindriversseat.htmFour Steps to Characterization: Showing Personality to the Reader by Tami Cowdenhttp://www.hodrw.com/fourstepstocharac.htm
Crafting Compelling Characters
by Christine Pacheco aka Christy Lockhart
http://www.hodrw.com/craftingcompellingcharacters.htm

Characterization Practical Application Page

Self-Editing
Self-Editing Practical Application Page

Writing Techniques
Writing Techniques Practical Application Page

Self-Editing Practical Application Page

UEWorkshop — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 07:55:49 CDT

Practical Application of Self-Editing

Below, you'll find a scene in desperate need of editing. Do all or part, and post in the comments section.

SELF-EDITING

Practice your editing skills. Use the self-editing list on from the main Self-Editing Page to edit this paragraph this scene.

Glenda slammed the trunk closed. "Burt, you redy to go," She hopped this hike would be a fun way to reconnect with her husband of five years. Burt stared at her, thinking his wife had lost her mind. Glenda didn’t like hiking at all. That was his thing. What was she up to? He guessed he’d find out soon enough.

Glinda was bending over to tie her loose shoelace. The cross trainers she was wearing had been Burt’s weeding gift to her. She should have realized then that their wildly divergent interests might cause problems For the most part, Glenda was mostly happy to putter around her lovely home, garden. Solitary pursuits.

More gregarious and active, Burt allways had to be busy. He couldn’t stand being idle for very long, and he always liked to have people around him at all times. Glenda drove him crazy. If he wanted to spend an afternoon snuggling her on the couch, they sure as heck wouldn’t be watching one of those chick flix she liked.

Look, I don’t know why we’re doing this. burt admitted. Last thing he wanted to do was coach his unathletic wife up a trial on a hot summer afternoon. "Because, Burt. I love you and I want to save our marriage," Glenda replied. feeling exasperated. She reached out to touch his arm. Burt flinched, not wanting any contact with her.

Stung, Glenda drew her hand back as tears filed her eyes. Burt shoved his hands in his pockets. Darn it all anyway, he could remain strong in the face of anything but her tears. Glenda batted big tears out of her eyes, feeling ashamed of herself for such theatrics.

Self-Editing

UEWorkshop — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 07:50:03 CDT

Comments are most welcome. Post your own self-editing checklist, or make suggestions to be added to the example below. Don't forget to check out the links---excellent online resources. And don't forget to go try your hand at editing on the Self-Editing Practical Application Page.

Self-Editing 101

You don’t have to be a Mensa candidate or an English professor to self-edit your own work. There are many tools available to writers these days to help you pull your manuscript together and present a polished, professional document when submitting. Before we get into that, however, let’s talk for a few minutes about why self-editing your work is important.
Why Self-Edit
Self-editing is essential if you want to present a professional manuscript. Editors aren’t going to care that you’ve written the Next Greatest Novel Ever if they have to plod through a manuscript rife with mechanical, spelling or technical problems. You may have a wonderful story to tell, but if you haven’t taken the time to present it in the best light possible, your wonderful story won’t get the attention it deserves. It’s true that first impressions are lasting impressions, so your ultimate goal is to make a good impression.

How To Self-Edit
The first line of defense is built right into your word program. Everyone has a spell check and a grammar check. These are quick and easy to use.
Make yourself a checklist that consists of items you know you personally need to address in your work, as well as the more usual items. See the example below.

Self-Editing Checklist

1. Spelling. Check for those pesky words that are words, but not the right words.
2. Capitalization
3. Punctuation
"I'll eat later," Mom said. --notice the comma.
"I'll eat later." Mom dashed out the door. --PERIOD, because the tag is an action, not a dialogue tag like said, ask...etc.
4. All paragraphs are indented properly.
5. You’ve followed the format set forth in the guidelines of the house you’re querying.
6. Active Voice: Do a search for the verbs was/were and had/have. If there is an -ing verb following, delete the was/were and conjugate your verb to -ed. Double check your "had" formations, so you don't overuse those in a flashback type situation. As you read your manuscript the final time, make sure you've used strong verbs whenever possible and shows the action being performed rather than the action happening to someone or something. Be sure you SHOW more than you tell.
7. POV: remember that if the POV character can't see it, you can't describe it. This includes the POV character's eyes and facial expression. Watch out for omniscient POV. This is where you're in the POV of all the characters, main and secondary alike. This is unnecessary, and makes it difficult for the reader to connect with "The Stars of the Show"--your hero and heroine.
8. Check for repetitive words and phrases.
9. Strong, vivid verbs. Did you use the best verb you could? Did you feel the need to qualify it with an adverb?
10. Adverbs. Look for -ly clusters.
11. Balance. Is your narrative, exposition and action well-balanced?
12. Did you tie up all the loose ends?

The best thing you can do as a writer is to continue to learn about the craft, and grow from the knowledge you gain. If you aren’t teachable; if you don’t take what you’ve learned and apply it— you are doing yourself a great disservice. Find yourself a good, honest critique partner. Not someone who’s going to blow smoke up your skirt, but someone who will tell you the truth about what you’ve written. You won’t benefit from a crit partner who only tells you how wonderful you are. Grow a thick skin. Rejections hurt, so wouldn’t you rather hear it from a cp than an editor? There are so many resources for writers out there on the internet; so many articles written by authors for authors. Links are provided below.

Barbara Dawson Smith’s Self-Editing Checklist: http://www.barbaradawsonsmith.com/selfedit.html

Self-Editing by Stephanie Bond: "Self-Editing Checklist Series." http://www.stephaniebond.com/writers'_articles.htm)

Self-Editing Practical Application Page

Characterization
Characterization Practical Application Page

Writing Techniques
Writing Techniques Practical Application Page

WIP Workshop Page

UEWorkshop — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 11:53:35 CDT

Do you have a scene you'd like help with, in regards to the Workshop's topics? (Self-Editing, Word Choice, and Writing Techniques-- POV, balance of narrative, exposition and action.)

Please ask a specific question, or explain what you'd like help with.

By Grace Publishing Submission Guidelines

UEWorkshop — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:41:03 CDT

There are three main categories; Inspirational, Tender (secular,) and Chick-lit (Women's Fiction with a fun twist.) Our guidelines are simple:

Sexual tension should be kept to a minimum.
No doctrinal issues should be covered in your story.
No violence of any sort, unless it is integral to the story.
In Inspirational Romances, Christian characters, though not perfect, should not engage in alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking. Secondary non-Christian characters may engage in these activities, but they should not be viewed as positive.
Contemporary or Historical Romances will be considered. If you are submitting Historical Romance, include the period in your query.
Point of view can be first or third person, but only from the hero or heroine.
Sub-genres like mystery, suspense and comedy are encouraged. We want a mix of styles and stories.
No simultaneous submissions, please. If you want to submit to this company, do not submit the same story elsewhere.

Word counts and imprints are listed below. Word count is figured as 250 words per page for 25 lines per page in Courier New 12 pt. Please submit your query, first three chapters and brief synopsis by email (uniqueenterprisessubmit@yahoo.com). You may attach RTF files only. Your query should include the word count and category you wish to submit to. Please do not submit unfinished manuscripts. The subject of your email should be "BGP Query: The Title of Your Manuscript." Read our sample query for an example.

Moonlit Romance Submission Guidelines

UEWorkshop — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:33:37 CDT

ATTENTION SUBMITTERS Please follow all submission instructions. We have made changes in our process to streamline the turn around of submission.
Welcome to the Guidelines page for Moonlit Romance, a division of Unique Enterprises. All books will be published in ebook format, and full length novels will be available in print on demand. We are currently accepting submissions of manuscripts. Our guidelines are simple.

We are looking for contemporary AND historical romantic fiction.
Sensuality levels should fall between PG and soft R for our regular lines.
There will be three divisions for length, ranging from 5,000 to 60,000 words.
Paranormal, and time travel will be welcomed under a yet to be named imprint.
Heterosexual, monogamous couples only please.
Also seeking hard R stories for our new Moonlit Madness line. These will be released once every quarter.

Sensuality Levels

We define our sensuality levels as PG, soft R, and hard R.

PG contains sexual situations, but no actual sex is described. We pan away from the scene to return later.

Soft R stops the scene just before the act of lovemaking, or moves from the physical aspects to the mental/emotional.

Hard R describes the sexual act, but the focus is still emotional. There must be an emotional attachment before sex can occur, and language must never be crude. We do not publish "erotica."

Our Categories

5,000 to 10,000 words-- Sub-Light Speed Read
10,025 to 20,000 words-- Light Speed Read
20,025 to 35,000 words-- Moon Glimmer
35,025 to 50,000 words-- Moon Glow
50,025 to 60,000 words-- Moon Beams Email your query, synopsis, and first three chapters in an rtf file to uniqueenterprisessubmit@yahoo.com. The subject of your email should be "MR Query: Title of the Book," unless you are submitting for the new Moonlit Madness line, then use "Amy Query: Title of the Book." Manuscripts should be double spaced and in Courier New 12 point. Editors are Sheila Holloway, senior editor and Laura Hamby, Catherine Saydlowski, and Amy Edwards assistant editors. Executive Assistant, Laura Hamby