Writing tips from a writers conference notes by Leanne Dyck

A generous publisher, a knowledgeable panel and an inspiring author were the magic ingredients that made this Crime Writers of Canada (B.C. branch) mini conference a 'must attend' event.

Ruth Linka

Associate Publisher

Rapid Reads

Orca Publishing

Ruth Linka spoke candidly about a diverse list of topics--what she expects from authors, the steps after your manuscript is accepted, and what type of work her publishing house (Rapid Reads imprint of Orca Publishing) is seeking.

Here is what I heard her say (which might be slightly different from what she actually said)...

-stressed that it's important for authors to connect with their (potential) readers through social networking

-when a publisher sends you a personalized rejection letter it's because they want to see more of your work and that they hope you will continue to submit your work

-after the manuscript is accepted the contract is signed, editing starts, book cover ideas are discussed as well as how to promote the book. This usually takes about a year. Although some publishers may reduce the time to six months.

-Rapid Reads is looking for short work (15 to 20k words) and are focusing on mysteries 

-Ideally the author would have the next book in the series ready so that when the first book of the series is published the first chapter of the second book can be included at the back (Louise Penny does this)

-Ruth likes to see good writing, an interesting plot and characters--and for the protagonist to have a side kick

-most Canadian publishers take a manuscript without an agent

-search title to make sure it isn't being used

-catch the publisher's interest in the cover letter

Conference organizer Phyllis Smallman introduces the panel

Left to right:  Lou Allin, Benni Chisholm, Kay Stewart (moniator) and Stanley Evans

When writing a mystery what should the author focus on?

Lou Allin:  Is the crime going to be solved? What other problems will be encountered?

Stanley:  Think in terms of 'must' and 'cannot'--as in, the protagonist must solve the crime because... but cannot solve it because...

How do you make a book suspenseful?

Benni Chisholm:  wrote one of her books in the first person that way the reader only knows what the protagonist knows. She wrote another book in the third person and she wrote it in such a way that the reader knew who the antagonist was. This made the reader worry.

Lou Allin advised against starting chapters with the character getting up or end with the character going to bed.

Lou Allin advised sharing the same thought on every page.

Writing tips?

Stanley:  no outline--writes a detailed synopsis, instead

-all crime books begin with a murder

 -more challenging to write a novel in the lst person so he recommended that beginners write in the 3rd person

Benni:  likes to end each chapter with a cliff hanger. 

Lou:  it's okay to have an unreliable narrator, it's okay to lie to your reader. Even though, the reader has been educated to trust the narrator.

Kay:  get me on the first chapter and flow forward

Phyllis Smallman

Phyllis Smallman began her talk about how to write a best-seller by saying, in order to be a great author you need to be a great reader--learn form the masters.

She recommend that we read best-sellers and study them to determine why they are best-sellers.

Start with a great opening paragraph

Vary the length of your sentences

Recommended writing craft books:

Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass

Write Away by Elizabeth George

A Passion for Narrative by Jack Hodgins

Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose

For Writers Only by Sophy Burnham

An Exaltation of Larks by James Lipton

The Describer's Dictionary by David Grambs

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Brown & Dave King

The Art of Fiction:  Notes on Craft for Young Writers by John Gardner

Much thanks to the organizers and presenters. (Oh, yes, and to my friend Amber and her husband for making room in their van for me.) I for one, and I know I'm not alone, was brimming over with information and inspiration. And I can't wait until next year...

Sharing my author journey...

I've been giving a lot of thought to what I want to accomplish this summer. 

Writing Comedy for Rapid Reads -- a Perfect Fit! by Melodie Campbell

“I had the flu once.  It was terrible.  I couldn’t eat a thing for three hours.”

I hope you giggled at that line.  I think it’s one of my best.  And yes, I am a tad fond of eating.  In fact, you could list it as my major hobby.

My name is Melodie Campbell, and I write comedies.  I got my start writing stand-up, and that led to a newspaper humour column and then fiction.

Sure I’d like to kick the habit and write a ‘real’ book with literary merit.

Okay, so that’s a lie.  Leave The Goddaughter behind?  Not write a sequel?  I’m starting to hyperventilate.  Actually, I love writing comedies.  It’s in my blood.

BREVITY IS THE SOUL OF WIT

It’s true, usually.  Smart comedy is quick – it dashes in and out and takes you by surprise.

My latest book, The Goddaughter, is a Rapid Read from Orca Books.  Topping out at 19,000 words, it is technically a novella. 

Rapid Reads are a new and innovative line of paperbacks.  These are short novels for adults with specific guidelines: plots must happen in a linear fashion with no flashbacks. Language must be accessible - in fact, ‘plain language.’  This makes Rapid Reads perfect for adults who are learning English (ESL), reluctant readers, or anyone who wants a fast read.

Don Graves from The Hamilton Spectator calls the Rapid Reads line, “Go-train books.”  Other people take them on planes.

So when Orca publishers decided they wanted to add comedy to the line, I was invited to submit.  I had a reputation for quick, fast comedy that turned out to be perfect for the Rapid Reads guidelines.  I wrote several chapters of The Goddaughter and sent them in to the editor.  He came back with a contract, and I completed the book by last December.

Rapid Reads are books with a lot of plot.  It was a perfect match.  Why?

Comedy writers take a situation, and ask themselves ‘what’s the worst thing that could happen now?’  And then, what’s the funniest?

What’s the worst thing that could happen to The Goddaughter when she is recruited to carry hot gemstones over the border?  Predictable would be: she gets caught at customs.  But I don’t want predictable.  I want funny.

Instead, they get stolen. By a complete amateur! It’s embarrassing, that’s what it is. What the heck is she going to tell her uncle, the crime boss?

Nothing, of course.  She’s going to steal them back.  Or die trying.

And hopefully the audience will die laughing.

Melodie Campbell has over 200 publications and was a finalist for the 2012 Derringer and Arthur Ellis awards. She is the Executive Director of Crime Writers of Canada.

Library Journal says this about Melodie`s third novel, The Goddaughter (Orca Books):

``Campbell`s crime caper is just right for Janet Evanovich fans.  Wacky family connections and snappy dialogue make it impossible not to laugh.``

THE GODDAUGHTER

Gina Gallo would like nothing better than to run her little jewelry shop.  Unfortunately, she’s also The Goddaughter, and, as she tells her new friend Pete, “you don’t get to choose your relatives.”  And you can’t avoid them when you live in Hamilton, and they more or less run the place.

When Gina is reluctantly recruited to carry hot gemstones across the border, the worst happens: they get stolen.  By a complete amateur!  It’s embarrassing, that’s what it is.  Pete and Gina have no choice but to steal them back, even though philandering politicians, shoe fetishists and a trio of inept goons stand in their way. 

It’s all in a day’s work, when you’re The Goddaughter.

Short Excerpt from THE GODDAUGHTER

We got through the border with no problem at all.  Of course, it`s much easier to get through borders without a semi-frozen dead body pretending to be asleep in the back seat.

THE GODDAUGHTER is available in Chapters/Indigo stores and on Amazon http://ow.ly/dnObH

Follow Melodie’s comic blog at http://funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com/

Website: www.melodiecampbell.com