Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers Workshop

Self Editing For Fiction Writers
How To Edit yourself into Print
 A six week course by award winning writer and editor, Gloria Nye of Spiral Press and Eve Publishing. Writing and editing are different skills requiring different mind sets. In this course, you will learn specific principles of editing to apply to different sections of your writing: show and tell, characterization, point of view, dialogue mechanics, character’s voice, and interior monologue. Improving these six important areas of your writing will dramatically increase the effectiveness of your short story or novel and give your writing a professional edge.  Participants will bring two pages of their writing each week for constructive critiquing and feedback.  
Victoria Centre in Fergus,  Sept 11 - October 18, 2014, Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30am (6 weeks) Cost for the course is $69 for members, and $75 for non-members.

How To Get Published Workshop

Writing! Writing! Writing!


How Can I Get My Book Published?
In this six week course, as a writer, you will discover what courses and preparation you will need to become a published writer. Learn how to uncover the options of obtaining an agent, self-publishing, using a small independent publisher, or being lucky enough to find a large established publisher. You will also be given information to be able to figure out the costs of getting your book to the public, and what marketing decisions will serve you best. Instructor Marilyn Kleiber, Acquisitions and Marketing Director for Sun Dragon Press Inc., has herself been writing since childhood. She has attempted all the things that she discusses in her courses. She has written magazine and newspaper articles, newsletters, online blogs, and recently had her first book published. She also won a prize in the 2013 Alice Munroe short story contest. She belongs to writing groups, and spends much of her time coaching authors in the vagaries of book marketing. Pre-register. by contacting
  

This course take place at the Victoria Centre in Fergus,  Sept 11 - October 18, 2014, Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30am (6 weeks) Cost for the course is $ 69 for members, and $75 for non-members.

Constructing a Story from the Bones 

In this six weeks we will cover the creation of a story from beginning to end, and will include a fairly in-depth look at the basic starting point of the premise. 
We will then cover the following:  

- the seven major bones of any story, beginning with the premise
-designing the characters -- hero, opponent and all the allies to create the web of the story, creating the world,
-the ups and downs of conflicts and resolutions, and at the end, how and why has the hero changed.

This story skeleton will enable the beginning writer a jump start in their skills, and allow the established writer to discover new abilities to add to their writing prowess. The instructor for this course is Marilyn Kleiber and you can see her bio in the course on publishing.

This course take place at the Victoria Centre in Fergus,  October 23, to November 27, 2014, Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30am (6 weeks) Cost for the course is $ 69 for members, and $75 for non-members.

You will need to pre-register for the above courses by calling 519-787-1814 between 9:00am and 4:00PM, Monday to Friday.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Thank you

For those of you who don't know, I've had an amazing, busy year so far.

I have a contract with Books We Love and have written 3 books for them so far with plans for 2 more next year. The Bookstore Lady, The Mystery Lady, have been released and will soon be available in both e-book and print. The Bakery Lady will be released this November, hopefully in both forms as well.
                      

This past week, I also received a contract from Gemma Halliday Publishing for 2 books in a martial arts series. The first of these is Death of a Jaded Samurai.

In addition to my day job, I am taking on two new tasks. One as an Author Liaison at BTS e-Mag.
The second as an Editor working from home. More information is available on my website Diane Bator, Editor.
I am also all over Facebook and Twitter for those of you on those social media sites.

So why is my blog post titled "Thank You"?
It all goes back to April 2007 when I walked in to my first meeting of the Headwaters Writers' Guild. In those seven plus years, I've become a better writer, editor and person. I have found the courage to write and submit many novels and even greater courage to be proud of my accomplishments. For those of you I've traveled this dusty road with, I thank you for sticking with me, supporting me and helping to teach me that time waits for no one. To those we have loved and lost in our group, Len & Janet, you are guiding angels to those of us who knew you.

Nancy had a great quote on her page of prompts today that I shared with her years ago. It's one I live by and love:  "I am not afraid. I was born to do this." ~ Molly Anderson-Childers



Sunday, July 20, 2014

HWG Meeting July 20, 2014


Clare reminded us that Richard Scarsbrook's last workshop in the current series is tomorrow, Monday, July 21st, at the Orangeville Public Library.

Clare also shared two books he feels are excellent writing aids. "Outlining Your Novel" by K.M. Weiland is the best he has ever read. "Structuring Your Novel" is the second from K.M. Weiland that he shared. Our Facebook page features K.M. Weiland's blog posts on a regular basis.



June told us about a writing contest from Chatelaine Magazine, a short life story contest due August 15th. For more information check chatelaine.com/writingcontest.

Cassidy shared a pamphlet on the Caledon Public Library Writing Contests they are holding for Adult Short Story, Teen Short Story, Children's Short Story, Adult Poetry, Young Adult Poetry, and Photography. Submissions are due September 6, 2014. Check this website for details: contests@caledon.library.on.ca.

The Headwaters Arts Festival's annual Authors Night will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014. Doors open at 6:30, tickets are $30 and include refreshments. Tickets went on sale this week and can be purchased at BookLore. Scheduled authors are returning authors Terry Fallis promoting is new book "No Reflection" and Joseph Boyden and his new novel "Orenda"; and new to the event Eva Stachniak promoting "Empress of the Night". Tickets for this popular event sell out quickly so get to BookLore and purchase your's today. http://headwatersarts.com/annual-festival/festival-2014/authors-night-2014/

Our next meeting is Sunday, August 25th.

Have a great summer!

Monday, June 2, 2014


Hi all.  On Sunday, June 22nd at Soulyve Caribbean Kitchen in downtown Orangeville, Story451 will be hosting SO LIVE SUNDAY, an evening of poetry, music, spoken word, and open mics, featuring Colette MacDonald, Erin Bolton, Richard Sitoski, Anthony Carnovale, and Harry Posner. $10 admission includes nibbles by chef Phil Dewar. 7-9 pm. Tickets available at Booklore and Soulyve. Seating is limited, so get your tickets now. Click on the link below to see the poster:

Story+451+presents+POSTER.tiff

Story451 is an organization created by Anthony Carnovale and Harry Posner, whose mission is to foster community through storytelling. Come out and support a new cultural endeavour in the heart of Orangeville.


Monday, May 26, 2014

Good Publishing News


Hi all. Tomorrow (May 27th) head on over to http://commuterlit.com/ to read my short story SITSHIASHUN. It's one of the stories from my new in-progress collection entitled AND MAYBE YOU FLOAT AWAY.

Also, more good news on the publishing front. My story NO LOITERING IN THE MUSEUM has been selected for inclusion in Commuter Lit's annual print anthology ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES. Watch for it this summer.

As the young folks like to say, "It's all good." And so it is.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Editing Woes

This week I've had the honor of taking on a new critique partner who works with my agent, Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary. Being partners, we've given chapters back and forth and, in a fit of frustration, she asked if I'd have a look at her manuscript. I agreed and was treated to a fun cozy mystery that I would love to curl up and read one day!

Over an intense weekend of editing, a few things jumped out at me that I'd love to pass along. Things that make me cringe and, if I ever catch myself doing them again... Well, I'll have to come up with a suitable punishment later.

One of the things that bothered me was those pesky -ly words. Yes, I've had my knuckles rapped by many an editor about overusing these babies. Slowly, cheerfully, graciously, respectfully, annoyingly, etc. While a writer might think they help convey a mood or a feeling, they're annoying when overused. Which means maybe one per chapter. Tops. That's it.

Another one that got me:  dialogue tags. (I have many bruises over these too!) Rather than piling on mounds of description, spread it out through your dialogue. Example from The Mystery Lady/

Her neighbor could have been sympathetic. He could have even offered to make peace. Instead, he winked and asked, “But aside from that, how are things going?”
“You’re not funny. I have two deadlines, three bored kids, and a flat pool in my yard.” She stopped ranting and pasted on a fake smile. “Other than that, things are wonderful. Thanks for asking.”
He narrowed his lime green eyes. “Was that sarcasm?”
She stared hard. Nope. No way he was her type. Too rude. Too...glistening with sweat and easy on the eyes. When her knees wobbled, she thought about her three kids. “Yeah, that was sarcasm. You’re not the brightest bulb in the string, are you?”
He grinned then studied her. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure. Clancy Davidson. Mel and Daisy’s son. I’m watching the house while my mom’s in the hospital.”
“Sorry to hear that.” She folded her arms across her chest, aware he was checking her out inch by sweaty inch. “Lucy. Lucy Stephen. Hot and cranky mom of three.”

!!! Exclamation marks!! One good guideline is only use a handful per manuscript!!! Not a handful per sentence!!

If you don't outline your book, something I rarely do until the bitter end, at least re-read it line by line or have someone else read things over to make sure you have flow and continuity. Your character shouldn't be a blond at the beginning of the book and a brunette halfway through then a blond again at the end without a very good reason. Or suddenly in Chapter 23 a dog appears that they've had forever but the reader had no idea existed. 
Or a spouse who teleports out of nowhere. 

Over the course of three books, I've learned about all these annoying habits by having someone (agents, editors and critique partners) tell me the same things over and over and over. All I want to do is share the things I've learned.

Diane is an avid hiker, Reiki Master, and martial artist, who loves to make a mess in the kitchen and put in the garden. Joining a writing group was the catalyst for coming out of the creative closet and writing her first murder mystery series, Wild Blue Mysteries. She lives in Southern Ontario with her husband, three kids, and a cat who thinks he's a Husky.

Website: http://penspaintsandpaper.com
Blog: http://dbator.blogspot.ca/