Submissions- Advice for Success

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 9 Comments

Day 19: #atozchallenge

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As a writer, we all enjoy sending our words out into the universe and, particularly, achieving recognition. Submitting work takes careful consideration and time.

Success can be yours if you do these four basic things:

  1. Research the journals appropriate for your genre.
  2. Spend time reading the journals as well as the winning stories.
  3. Write a good story.
  4. Follow the guidelines of the journal in which you are submitting.

The article, 10 Observations from the Slush Pile by author and editor, Suzanne Vincent, is an excellent resource for the do’s and don’t of submitting your work. Check it out and take note.

Success is in the details.

When was the last time you submitted?

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood,  Pinterest,  Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.

My Top 15 Research Resources for Writers

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 24 Comments

Day 18:  #AtoZchallenge

Researching a novel doesn’t have to be difficult but it is necessary. Research can be as easy as typing a question in Goggle for information, looking through old photos, sitting down with an expert, or actually visiting a facility or locale.

If you’re writing about a time other than the present, the research can be more difficult. In my current work in progress, I originally set the time frame in the mid 1980’s and quickly discovered the need to do more indepth research. For example, cell phones weren’t available until the late 80’s. Different airlines operated than the ones flying today and only a handful made flights to the area of the country in which my novel was situated.

My research took me inside the airline industry, including the lay out of the inside of a plane, the cell phone industry, and to historical registries. Other works have led me to reserach arson and forensics.

So, to make research easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of my 15 favorite research resources.

  1. Infoplease – covers anything from current events to historical timelines.
  2. The Library of Congress – the world’s largest library with millions of items in it’s collection.
  3. Refdesk – referred to as the “Fact checker for the Internet” this online reference site provides links to headlines news, current events, and any imaginable question you might like to pose.
  4. Google Scholar – a specialized search engine providing information on academic research.
  5. Encylcopedia.com – offers 100 trusted sources.
  6. GoPubMd – your source for all sceince and medical research.
  7. Godchecker – your God and Goddess resource.
  8. Writing World – for a primer of historical research.
  9. Find articles – offering more than 500 print periodicals covering present to 1998.
  10. Kiosko.net – a daily press directory with access to the world’s largest news sites and displays a readable image from today’s frontpage cover of each newspaper.
  11. InterFireonline – the complete resource for fire services, fire insurers, law enforcement and others whose duties involve arson investigation, fire investigation safety and fire scene training.
  12. The Writer’s Forensic Blog – forensic information for writers from D.P. Lyle, MD.
  13. Mystery File – the crime Fiction research journal.
  14. MooseRoots – research tool covering census records, imigration, military, death, marriage & birth records.
  15. Writers Helping Writers – all about characters including the character profile questionnaire and the emotional thesauraus.

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So tell me, how do you start your research? Do you have a favorite site? I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood,  Pinterest,  Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, and Contently.

 

Queries Can Make Your Knees Shake

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 17 Comments

Day 17 :  #atozchallenge

Writing a query for the first time can make your knees shake and tremble, or so I’ve heard.

What is a query?

It is a letter of communication pitching either a short form or long form manuscript to a publisher or agent. Short forms include magazine articles, short stories, or poems. Long form – novels, screenplays, non-fiction books, or a collection.

What does a query include?

Essential components of a successful query should include these three things.

  1. The hook – a one-sentence summary of the book.
  2. The pitch – 2 to 3 paragraphs which support your hook and should include who (the protagonist), what (the conflict they face), where (setting), when (time frame), why (stakes) and resolution.
  3. A bio – one paragraph or less, to describe your writing credits and platform.

I had the privilege of working on the query for my first novel with Luke Reynolds, author of Keep Calm and Query On (perfect title). His input and direction were invaluable. 415aJ0aVUiL

Where to send it:

Finding the correct agency to send your query will take some research. You want to make sure you’re sending your query to the correct agency and agent. Visit Barnes & Nobles, the library or Amazon and check out books similar to yours. Knowing the competition is key to getting your query and book to the right person and place. And remember, always address the agent by name, never “To Whom it may concern.”

To find the agents best suited for your book, check out Writer’s Market and Land a Literary Agent

Are you ready to query? Want to know more about writing the perfect Query? Stay calm and check out these resources.

If you want to know more about Luke , check out his guest blog for the Cow Pasture Chronicles. You can check it out here: Walking the Walls of a Writer’s Life.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood,  Pinterest,  Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, and Contently.

 

Pinterest for Writers

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 22 Comments

Day 16: #atozchallenge

If you’re like me, keeping up with all the social media sites is a daunting task, and it’s difficult to know where to spread the time and effort.

PinterestOne website worth paying a bit more attention to is Pinterest. When I began checking out this site, it was more about finding design tips, funny quotes, or recipes. I had no idea it was something I could utilize as a writer. Setting up an account is easy, and it’s free.

Here are a few pointers:

  1. Use the same name for you account and user name. The URL will look like this – https://www.pinterest.com/sheilamgood/
  2. Use the same photo you use on other sites; this helps with reader recognition.
  3. Create a short bio. Link other social networks to Pinterest.
  4. Download the Pinterest browser extension – when you see something Pin it.
  5. Add a Pinterest widget to your blog. Go to settings and click widget.
  6. Create boards:
    • Your interest
    • Tips for writers
    • Services you may offer – freelance writing, editing, reviews
    • Your products: Books, etc.

Advantages of Using Pinterest

  1. It’s another avenue for bringing recognition to your blog or writing.
  2. Provides the opportunity to promote your books.
  3. A place to showcase your area of expertise.
  4. Opens doors for paid writing gigs.

I have some reorganizing to do on my own, but what about you? Are you on Pinterest? Has it been beneficial to you as a writer? Want to know more about Pinterest? Check it out here.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story and look for me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, and Contently.