by Annette Young 

When I’m writing fiction, I often try to conjure up exciting and intricate plots that will captivate my readers from start to finish and also keep my own interest in the developing plot throughout. One way that I have found that works for me- especially if my story is character driven, is to add in a little romantic suspense.  We all enjoy a little romantic indulgence in our lives from time to time, it lifts the spirits, motivates us and life becomes fun and let’s be honest, those who are experiencing the romantic joys become almost transparent  as their eyes shine and sparkle and they send out an intense happy vibe.

Transfer your own experiences of any romantic interlude to your characters too and this will increase their capacity to evoke emotion within your readers and this naturally adds an extra layer to their fictional make-up.

Fiction after all, works best if we use everyday experiences so that our readers can relate to events and character growth. I find that romantic suspense adds new elements to the mix because intrigue and suspicion can bring gripping  tension to the storyline.

 There is nothing so emotionally distressing in real life  than when those rose-coloured spectacles become suddenly tainted with fears and doubts about that loved one. Probably most of us have experienced betrayal in our lives, I certainly  have and the fear is often worse than the reality and this can really hook the reader if written with conviction. When I use my personal experiences, I find it adds confidence to my writing and it also makes it easier to write about those situations or emotions if I have already experienced them. 

 Romantic suspense breeds intrigue and couple the uncertainty and doubts with a few carefully placed red-herrings and you will have the reader wondering just what is going to happen next. You might experience a temptation to make the plot too complicated, resist that urge, it really isn’t necessary. By adding in romantic suspense, you will be naturally exposing the characters weaknesses, fears and making them sometimes react in an ‘uncharacteristic’ way. Providing you have a clear vision of your plot, the uncertainty of the characters will simply add depth to the story.

 To make your fiction work, put a little of yourself  into your story and capitalise on your own romantic suspense experiences for greater impact.

Annette  Young

Freelance Writer/Editor:

http://creativecompetitor.com

http://annettejyoung.com

We continue new author and Creative Competitor subscriber Judith Barrow’s journey to publication……..

Land in sight

by Judith Barrow

 It’s now three months on. The first commercial editor (the best) has succumbed to maternity leave. The one who was finally chosen by my agent (the second best?) has had my script all this time. I’ve already paid her.

 You’re now wondering what kind of credulous idiot is this, yes? Well, let me say here that this saga (an apt word as my book is actually a saga!) has been going on for over eighteen months and I’m desperate.

 All creativity has gone. I can’t write anything but emails – and believe me, there are plenty on this subject. The commercial editor’s reasons (excuses) for the delay are numerous: an urgent journey to Europe to do research for a project, a family crisis (alright, I’ll believe that one) she’s ghost writing a celebrity’s autobiography (how can it be an autobiography if someone else is writing it? That always puzzles me. Surely then, it’s a biography?) Okay, okay, bitterness is creeping in.

 We were supposed to be having a meeting to discuss the way forward with my book. It didn’t happen.

Now a friend, a successful and published author herself, is concerned I’m being conned. I feel foolish. I’ll work with her when I get the editing back, I assure her (fingers crossed), it’s only a few things that need tweaking.

 It’s back! I read it in disbelief; if I follow all the ‘suggestions’ it will change from being a saga into romantic fiction.

 I ring my agent,

 ‘Yes,’ she says, ‘it is a little more drastic than I expected but go with it.’

    ******************

I tried- really I did. For four weeks I worked. With less and less interest. In the end I stopped. I didn’t recognise my story; I had no empathy with the characters. It wasn’t my book anymore.

 I made a decision, one of the biggest I’ve ever made. A week before the first anniversary of my contract with the agent I sent the letter terminating our contract. Despite persuasive tactics from her I didn’t waiver; I’d lost faith in her.

In trepidation I email the first publisher. Luckily we parted on good terms; I’d thanked her for all her past help and encouragement. I explained what had happened and asked if she would reconsider my manuscript.

 She will, we’ll meet. No promises.

 Fast-forward another year. The editor of my publishers and I have worked well together; it’s still my story. Set in the North of England, Pattern of Shadows is published and on the shelves. Pre-ordered by a well-known bookstore for their chart list I’ve carried out booksignings at every branch of their shops within a hundred miles. The Welsh Books Council employed a PR company to promote four books of their choice and, unbelievably, mine was one of them.

 I’ve had the launch and held talks and readings in any and every venue that would have me. I’ve been interviewed by the local radio and BBC Radio Lancashire. Next week I’ll be going to the North of England where the Pattern of Shadows is set and having a launch there.

 It’s wonderful. The reviews are brilliant. There’s only one drawback – the daily email from the publishers; ‘where’s the first draft of the sequel?’

It’s been a long haul but I’ve finally landed. Hope you, too, win your race.

Judith Barrow

www.judithbarrow.co.uk
www.judithbarrow.com

Annette Young

There is no doubt in my mind that writing short fiction accelerates the learning curve for writers when it comes to wordiness. We are all guilty of it,  expanding our thoughts by adding in an extra little word here and there, padding out a story line to make the required word count or to describe a person, place or thing just that little bit more. But when writing short fiction, the luxury of additional words is eliminated because the stringent requirements of the short fiction word count does not allow for waffle, therefore our writing must be tight. If writing short fiction has appeal, then be sure to establish what you are trying to achieve first of all, otherwise, your word count will meander aimlessly resulting in mass editing at the end, and no one likes to cull a perfectly good story.

A tight focus and a clear aim is a necessity when writing in this genre and the plot must be firmly embedded in  your mind before even typing those first few words. When writing short fiction, you need to establish the desired word count first of all and then consider your starting point fully. If you only have a few hundred words to introduce the plot, characters and to have that dynamic finish, then you can’t afford to start at the beginning and build up slowly.

Teasing the reader en-route is one fun aspect of writing short fiction. The first short fiction competition that I entered was using a given photo for inspiration and I choose to write a story with a twist ending, (trust me to add to the pressure)it was very successful, ok, forget modesty, I won the competition and I was hooked on the delights of short fiction thereafter. Having such a reduced word count made me think carefully about what I was trying to achieve and yes, it took a bit of editing because I was determined to not ruin my chances by going over the word limit.

 Try deliberately misleading the reader although it must be in context and use my personal favourite for inspiration….. ‘what if’s’,  as this will help you to look at the story from different angles.  Writing short fiction that keeps the reader guessing will be an exciting writing project to immerse yourself in,  but don’t cheat the reader, hook them and keep them dangling.  When you are writing, think about your aim but then subtly push the reader in another direction. Having a surprise ending, really adds to the impact and  it only takes a little careful thinking and you will have a story that is well written and appeals to many.

Annette Young

Editor/Freelance Writer

http://creativecompetitor.com

http://annettejyoung.com

by Judith Barrow

 Part Three of Judith’s journey towards novel publication………

At this point I have to admit a thought creeps unwanted into my mind. If the publisher had only posted that envelope a couple of days earlier I wouldn’t have needed an agent – or, speaking truthfully, I wouldn’t need to pay an agent.

It’s a fortnight since I signed contracts with her. Carried away with her enthusiasm for my writing, her promises to make me into a ‘brand name’ and her assurance that she had many contacts in the publishing world that would ‘snap her hand off for my novel’, I had signed on the dotted line.

Now she telephones, summarily dismissing the offer. ‘We can do better than this.’

What? What’s better than getting this novel published? Than seeing, holding, a book in my hand that I’ve actually written? I get an offer, perfectly acceptable to me, but according to this agent, it’s not enough.

‘Tell them no,’ she says.

So I email the publisher and explain; I now have an agent, she’s suggested we try other publishers, bigger publishers.

I’m worried. But she knows the business.

 Doesn’t she?

 I’ve now been waiting a month. So far, four rejections from publishers. Couched, mind you, in encouraging remarks:

‘Believable characters … strong and powerful writing … gripping story … Judith has an exciting flair for plot … evocative descriptions.’

And then the death knell on my hopes:

‘Unfortunately … our lists are full … we’ve just accepted a similar book … we are only a small company … (what? The agent rejects one small publishing company but then sends the manuscript to another?) … I’m sure you’ll find a platform for Judith’s work …’

Yes, yes, we did, we did find ‘a platform’, as they put it. Or rather I did. I found a company, one I was happy with.

The self-doubt, the frustration, floods back. I’m never going to get the (bleep, bleep) book published.

Then the call from the agent; ‘I think it’s time to re-evaluate the comments we’ve had so far. Parts of the storyline need tweaking. I’ve negotiated a deal with a commercial editor. It’s a realistic charge by today’s standards,’ she says. ’Think about it. In the end we’ll have a book that will take you to the top of your field.’

I think about it. Reject the idea. Listen to advice from my various acquaintances. Think about it some more.

And then I ring the agent. ‘Okay,’ I say, ‘I’ll do it.’

I feel I have no choice; after all she’s the expert. What do I know?

I feel like I’m paddling like mad and getting nowhere.

www.saddleworth-house.co.uk
www.judithbarrow.co.uk
www.judithbarrow.com

We all know the scenario, after fighting tooth and nail to find time to write, we sit down in front of our PC’s and ……nothing! The brain dries up, creative stimulation flies out of the window and we are left fighting frustration as the precious available minutes tick away. Sound familiar?

If this happens to you, you are not alone, it is the age old curse of the ‘creative’s and it strikes at the most inopportune times.

So when does writing with ease and creative flow coincide? Sometimes rarely, unfortunately and this is why every opportunity that we have to write should be taken advantage of. Writing with ease on a regular basis can be as simple as setting aside regular blocks of time and sticking to the schedule irrespective of which little problems crop up, if we can only focus on the goal at hand and work through the brain fog, our ability to make the words flow on demand really can improve.

If writing with ease is consistently elusive, then in addition to setting aside some regular times, it might be worth planning the projects a little more in-depth the night before. If planning is insufficient to get those words flowing, then start your projects off so that you are merely picking up the threads and your train of thought will kick back into gear- essentially becoming more obedient to your demands and I have to say these tips work for me. Ensuring that you have a definite idea of which projects will have your complete focus can also make a big difference to your productivity and if you’re anything like me, without that idea firmly cemented in my mind, I would procrastinate like an expert.

Writing with ease does come, but we have to tease and coax our creativity into submission so that we decide when and where we are going to write and the creative process then starts on cue.

by Annette Young

Freelance Writer/Editor

http://creativecompetitor.com

http://annettejyoung.com

 You are watching Creative Competitor Editor – Annette Young

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Enter our Free Mystery Writing Competition and win either our fantastic ‘Write, Enter and Win Writing Competitions’ course worth £80.00 or our ‘Creative Inspiration for Writers’ course worth £65.00. Both courses will inspire and teach key techniques to take your writing to a new level.

Entry is FREE to all.
Simply complete the story in a maximum of 1000 words. (not including the supplied opening paragraphs).
Send your completed story to info@creative-competitor.co.uk and add video mystery to the subject line.

Closing date is: September 5th 2010

Here is the opening paragraphs to your mystery story.

It was cold and the shadows were steadily encroaching on the decaying summerhouse which had once added splendour to her family home.

She shivered as the cool breeze played with her hair and the ivy rustled with malice as it scratched against the aging wood.

The note had said to meet at 6pm. It had said to come alone.

And now she was here, obedient, alone and nervous, just waiting and wondering what was going to happen next……

Part Two of Judith’s blog about getting her novel published..

So – I’m back to square one.
For a month I hibernated (my family and friends call it sulking but I prefer to think of it as re-grouping). I have a brilliant manuscript that no one wants ( at this point I think it’s important to say that, as an author, if you don’t have self belief how can you make anyone else believe that.) – no agent, no publisher.
 
So there are moments, days, of despair.
I wrote for years without ever sending anything out in case my work was rubbished. Then, finally persuaded that rejection was part of the process, I grew resigned (well almost) to those A4 self-addressed envelopes plopping through the letterbox. The weekly wail of ‘I’ve been rejected again,’ has been a ritual that my long-suffering husband has also grown resigned to.
 
Right, deep breath – make a resolve – time to get out there again.
I print out a new copy of my novel, ignoring the ‘printer low on ink’ sign during the last thirty pages (from experience I’ve learned it will do ten more copies before it finally gives up the ghost). In the meantime I trawl through my list of possible agents.
 
And then, out of the blue, a phone call from the editor who resigned from that first agent to tell me she has set up her own agency, is still interested in my novel and could we meet in London in a week’s time. Could we? Try and stop me. ‘We’ll meet at Waterstone’s Studio Lounge and go for a meal,’ she says, ‘I’ll text you.’
 
And now comes the incredible bit – fifteen minutes ago an A4 envelope plops through the letterbox onto the hall floor. A white envelope, with an offer of a contract from the publisher who’s previously published my short stories
 
I phone the agent. ‘Send it to me, don’t sign anything,’ she says.
 
So for the last four days I’ve been waiting: I can’t eat, sleep or even write. I’m sick with excitement and trepidation.It’s like being in a tiny boat in the middle of a storm.
 
But – I’ve been given a lifeline.

www.saddleworth-house.co.uk
www.judithbarrow.co.uk
www.judithbarrow.com

Annette Young

I’m often asked how to become a writer and the answer is simple; dedication, commitment and passion. These are the key components but link those with a heightened sense of imagination, an ability to visualise and a great deal of enthusiasm and you are onto a winner.  If you really wish to become a writer, then you need to start thinking like one, allowing your life to change dramatically and also, by expanding your mindset so that you see a potential for stories in everything around you.

You can become a writer by thinking outside of the box, exploring opportunities, taking risks and by playing with the technical aspects of writing. It is only through a continued exploration of various writing genres and the practical application of your own creative skills that can make a difference to your writing future.

My writing journey began by reading voraciously (I was reading Agatha Christie novels at five years old) and although I didn’t know it at the time, even then I was trying to work out how a story was put together although to be honest, Enid Blyton was also a massive inspiration at that time. I loved her simplistic view of life and envied her characters that could explore exciting places and face hidden dangers because my own childhood was so restricted. She had the ability to be able to connect on the same level as a child and connecting with the reader is something all writers should aspire to do.  I also had a vague idea that I wanted to write exciting stories and I wanted to illustrate those stories too and as my two creative passions were writing and art, it made sense to me that I would use both..

To become a writer, you need to have a natural sense of curiosity, a need to be able to pick a successful work of creative writing apart, so that you can see just what the author has done and…why. Writing is a vast learning curve that never ends, especially not with publication. There are always better ways to write and to create but that is what makes it exciting and if you want to become a writer today, then get started.

Annette Young 

Writers block may be the curse of the creative but if you are a determined writer, you will always find ways to overcome it if you can understand why you are struggling.  

 To give you an example, writing has always been a passion of mine, even from an early age and words used to flow like the proverbial river  as I had so many ideas, thoughts and feelings and I never once used to suffer with writers block at all.

In fact, I couldn’t understand why those articles published in writing magazines seemed to make  such a drama about writers block. My views at that time were that surely if you wanted to write enough, then writers block must only affect those whose writing convictions were not as deeply embedded.

Of course, I was writing therapeutically, recording events that happened to me on an intrinsically personal basis (especially through my teenage years) and capturing all that angst on paper was a creative relief. When there is that much new and exciting emotion cursing through the veins, it is easy to channel it consistently.

 Years later when I was experiencing the break -up of my marriage, I suddenly realised that writers block was a REAL problem and for once, instead of being able to relinquish my pain through words, everything felt frozen inside. No longer a steady stream of eloquent words, they were disjointed, forced and there was no pleasure to be gained by trying even to link static sentences together to make a paragraph of sorts.

 I have to admit this went on for some time….a few years in fact, and deeply rooted inner angst is a powerful barrier against creativity. I was traumatised and numb. One day, the creative spark ignited again, ably abetted by my dreams and inspiration surged through me for days.  I then began to write feverishly to make up for lost time. The release from writers block is overwhelming and intensely pleasurable and when that frustrated state has been experienced for some time, it is like shedding layers of oneself, all those experiences come flooding out.

 Knowing that writers block was real, I learned how to avoid it as much as possible and to channel those days when writers block threatened to rear its head once more. It seemed that if I kept my mind open to fresh new writing challenges, I could keep writing even on those days when the words became slow.  I realised that if my mind became frozen due to facing difficulties on any one project,  I simply had to start something new and that project had the ability to overwhelm any inadequacies.  My brain would freeze and then relish the joy as new creative ideas would send any frustrations spiralling….

If you suffer with writers block, keep the brain open but allow it to flirt with as many new ideas that emerge, half formed and let them play with your subconscious mind until viable ideas take root. Most importantly, keep writing, the very act of capturing those words …whether good or bad….will keep writers block at bay.