Recap on Sola's November Meeting with author, Robin Wells

Robin did a excellent job at our last month Sola-RWA meeting. She went over a lot of things that are so important to all writers. Here is a recap on a "few" items she mentioned.

Significant Details is something that reveals characters, such as, tapping fingers, rolling eyes, blinks too much. There are a lot of other details you can add to your story such as something that illustrates a theme to the book (symbolism) like, the weather, mountains, a streetcar, etc. or you could add something that means a lot to the character, ex: a ring the characters mother gave her. This item could trigger an emotional response.

Details can be: A thing, a person, a action or a place. But, make them important to the character. Something emotional will go a long way.

Details should be strong verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs.

Robin gave us an assignment as well, you might want to try it out.
Your character opens a closet. What does she or he find? What does it mean to them?

There are tons more details that power the significant details, but this will get you started. If ever you have the chance to buy Robin Wells books, she will give you many examples, and a enjoyable read too. Her next book I believe is How To Score.

TIPS FROM THE SLUSH PILE by Sara Megibow

I love Sara's tips (agent with Nelson Literary Agency) on query letter submissions, so here is her November tip. I hope you aspiring authors/authors learn as much as I do from her.

TIPS FROM THE SLUSH PILE by Sara Megibow Happy Thanksgiving!

I’ve been reading the query inbox for almost four years now. Hard to believe isn’t it? In that time, there is one trend that I can count on - the days right after any holiday tend to see a huge influx of query letter submissions. That’s exciting — it means there are tons of great projects on their way to my desk in the next two months! Really, it also means that writers are taking their holiday time to polish up their manuscripts, put together their agent list, and submit their work.

So, with that in mind, here’s my radical query letter suggestion for the month. Try preparing two or three different versions of your query letter. Maybe one has a lighter tone to it, maybe one includes more detail on the plot. Spend some time getting query letter help where you can (I tend to recommend evileditor.blogspot.com). Then, send the most compelling version to your top ten agents. If you are getting 2-3 requests for sample pages per 10 submissions, GREAT! If not, send version two of the query letter to your next ten top agents. See where I’m going with this? It’s a way to gauge what works best for your story.

Now, here’s the super secret insider tip that makes this exercise really worth it. If you’re not getting requests for sample pages from version one or version two — pull out version three and resubmit it to some of your top agents again. Resist the temptation to open your resubmission with, “I submitted this project to you a month ago, but I’ve revised my query letter and I would like to submit it again.” Simply resubmit it as if it were the first time.

Trust me, with 200 query letters coming in per day, I’m not likely to remember your first query letter. Also, it’s totally professional and appropriate to approach us again if it took that extra step to perfect your craft.Happy Holidays! If you choose to use the holiday breaks to write, then I look forward to seeing your work in 2010!

Sincerely,Sara Megibow

Thanks for allowing me to post this Sara.......and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!! Gobble Gobble...

Hugs,
Dawn Chartier
Not An Angel, coming out soon with The Wild Rose Press
www.dawnchartier.com

Author Robin Wells at Sola's November Meeting

This Saturday, author, Robin Wells presents: "Under The Skin and Straight to the Heart--Touch Your Readers' Emotions with Significant Detail."

Here is Robin's Bio:


When Robin Wells sold her first romance novel in 1995, her family celebrated at a Chinese restaurant. Robin’s fortune cookie read, “Romance moves you in a new direction.”

And it certainly has! Robin has since written sixteen critically acclaimed romantic comedies that have been translated into seventeen languages. Her books have won the National Golden Heart Award, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Award of Excellence, the Golden Quill, and the Holt Medallion. In addition, her books have been listed on Waldenbooks’ Top Ten Bestseller List.


Robin’s latest book, How to Score, was published last June and was a finalist for another Readers' Choice Award and Holt Medallion. Her next book, Still the One, will hit bookshelves in May 2010.


Robin was born in Waco, Texas and holds a B.A. in liberal arts from the University of Oklahoma. Before becoming a full-time writer, Robin worked as an advertising and public relations executive for a major hotel chain. She lives with her husband, two daughters and a dog named Winnie the Poohdle in Mandeville, Louisiana.


Come and learn from Robin's presentation on Saturday November 21st. 11:00am at the East Bank Library on W. Napoleon Ave.



See ya'll there,

Dawn

My favorite Louisiana TV commercial

I just wanted to share my favorite Louisiana cajun commercial. I love this man's voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyssygCAV90

Hope it works.
Enjoy!
Dawn Chartier