Writing Craft

Setting Your Setting

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 4, 2014

Avid readers know that some stories seem to rely more on setting than others. Sometimes, the setting is so prominent it feels like a character. In other books, the setting is a bare-bones backdrop to the story.

But no matter how subtle, the setting has more impact on your story than you may realize because it’s where your characters live. They must act within it and react to it regardless. These factors range from everything from geography, to the current events of their time to available technology.

Can you imagine Scarlett O’Hara reacting to World War I rather than The War Between the States? Or the Crusades? Of if she lived in Ohio instead of Georgia?

What if Batman lived in Mayberry, North Carolina, instead of Gotham? (Today’s photo is proof that it could happen!)

While a great romance, mystery or other timeless story will touch hearts regardless of the setting, I would still caution writers not to be too cavalier when choosing settings. Not only do your characters have to live in your setting, but you also have to live with it. Be sure you love the place and time period you choose.

Your turn:

What is your favorite setting to write?

What is your favorite setting to read?

What setting would you find most difficult to write?

[Today’s photo found at http://forums.officer.com/t118008/]

Synopsis Made Easy – I Promise!

By Karen Ballon September 3, 2014

Okay, fellow proposal peeps, it’s time to jump in and work together on crafting a perfect proposal. Many of you echoed what I’ve heard over and over through the years: “I hate writing the synopsis!” This is especially painful because you need a short synopsis/summary that runs around 50-60 words—but still gives the gist of your story, mind you–and then a more detailed synopsis that can run a …

Category: Book Proposals, Craft, Creativity, Get Published, Marketing, Writing CraftTag: book proposals, Get Published, synopsis

Who is Your Audience?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 21, 2014

Recently I went shopping for a new watch. Thankfully, I later discovered I could have the old one repaired and am taking that route. However, since I’m a literary agent, I can relate everything to books, so here goes. At high end stores a salesperson was immediately available. While I was trying on watches, I was given statistics such as, “This watch is Swiss made. The band is solid 18 …

Category: Book Business, Branding, Craft, MarketingTag: Audience, Branding, Marketing

Writer, Know Thyself!

By Karen Ballon August 13, 2014

I recently spent four days with a wonderful group of writers. We meet every year to pray together, brainstorm each other’s books, and laugh uproariously. I always come home feeling like I’ve had a major ab workout from all the laughter! In the course of our discussions, I realized that with publishing changing in so many ways, writers can sometimes lose their focus on what they’re really …

Category: Branding, Craft, Creativity, Genre, Writing CraftTag: Branding, Craft, Genre

Creativity I Enjoy

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 7, 2014

Last week, I promised to share with you how I am creative other than writing. Well, I don’t write much now except for this blog. If you see a “new” book with my name on it, at this point in time, it’s a repackage. I am grateful for repacks! I appreciate the creativity of my writers. I can’t think of a better career than being a literary agent! But as for my …

Category: Creativity, Writing CraftTag: Creativity, Writing Craft

Creativity

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 31, 2014

We are so thrilled to have our family from overseas visiting with us this week. Our son-in-law brought us a gorgeous vase made by hand from a solid piece of Korean oak. His sister, Jung Im, took three months to fashion it, and modeled it on a vase from the Choson Dynasty. Although Jung Im is not a writer, her care and craft made me think of how writers are creative in many ways. Not only do …

Category: Creativity, Writing CraftTag: Creativity, Writing Craft

The Morals of the Story

By Karen Ballon July 30, 2014

As promised, here are the morals—and names—of the story of our young writer from last week. If you missed the post, please go back and read it. The young writer? None other than the gifted Lori Benton. Her second novel, The Pursuit of Tameson Littlejohn, released in April 2014. The first editor, who read her story from far, far away, and then became friends with Lori? Yours truly. But Lori isn’t …

Category: Awards, Career, Conferences, Creativity, Get Published, Writing CraftTag: Career, Get Published, Writing Craft

Naming Names

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 24, 2014

We recently received several excellent questions that I would like to answer: 1.) Should (you) repeat a book name and how old should it be? I believe you are asking if it is okay to use the same title for your book even if it has already been used before. And if so, how many years should pass before using that previously used book title. What you are trying to avoid is having your book mixed up …

Category: Book Proposals, Writing CraftTag: Characters, Craft, Titles, Writing Craft

One Author’s Journey: A Tale of Publishing

By Karen Ballon July 23, 2014

With all this talk of publishing and where it’s been and where it’s going, I thought I’d tell you a story. One that happened not years ago, in the much ballyhooed Golden Age, but recently. So gather round, settle in, and listen… Once upon a time, there was a young girl who wanted to write, who grew up to be a young woman who did write, creating stories she loved. Stories that made her heart soar. …

Category: Career, Conferences, Creativity, Get Published, Writing CraftTag: Get Published, perseverance, Writing Craft

When Your Agent Appointment Flops

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 17, 2014

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In keeping with my conference posts, I want to talk a little today about agent appointments. I’ll use agents as the example for brevity but this post can also apply to editor appointments. That is, what if the agent or editor doesn’t like your work? Don’t despair. Seriously. Here’s why: 1.) If you feel you stuttered or stammered, or otherwise weren’t at your best, …

Category: ConferencesTag: Agents, Appointments, writers conferences