tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post6038257833491410010..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Christie Craig on Writing AdviceBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-91157930231254522722010-06-19T19:56:03.365-04:002010-06-19T19:56:03.365-04:00Thanks for this post! It really made me feel bette...Thanks for this post! It really made me feel better to my core. I'm glad I had started by learning something different for #5: "Learn the writing rules, and THEN you can possibly bend them".<br /><br />I was especially happy to hear your opposite take on sticking to the same thing, and that you've written some (pretty interesting sounding) non-fiction as well. I was wondering how my desire to write travel articles would mesh with my novel-writing, but I'm hoping it will go well together!Jessica Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719861048029304778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-15589678312547721552010-06-19T12:43:47.749-04:002010-06-19T12:43:47.749-04:00Amen on every single count! Great post.Amen on every single count! Great post.Annette Lyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12493583432919249814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-22611348175934571492010-06-18T04:29:33.168-04:002010-06-18T04:29:33.168-04:00i agree about not rewriting too much. i have done ...i agree about not rewriting too much. i have done both - rewriting a lot and rewriting not too much, and i have to say that rewriting a lot really doesn't help with things. <br /><br />it is far better to embrace your own style and words than to resist them. moreover, once a writer finishes, they should try to move on to the next thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-84569555831254722282010-06-17T10:42:08.984-04:002010-06-17T10:42:08.984-04:00So glad you dance to the beat of your own drum, Ch...So glad you dance to the beat of your own drum, Christie. You're an inspiration for all aspiring writers.<br />RavenSheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00888540708798155667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-84166619566164507232010-06-16T21:18:59.628-04:002010-06-16T21:18:59.628-04:00On the other hand, the hours I've spent washin...On the other hand, the hours I've spent washing dishes at Subway have been very good hours for mentally fleshing out characters and scenes._*rachel*_https://www.blogger.com/profile/03293167107180931700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-72296272149250498652010-06-16T08:39:15.447-04:002010-06-16T08:39:15.447-04:00Hi Emily!
So good to see your smiling face here. ...Hi Emily!<br /><br />So good to see your smiling face here. "Stay Published!" I love it. Thank you so much for sharing.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62183826968826144972010-06-16T08:37:43.399-04:002010-06-16T08:37:43.399-04:00Hi Katrina!
Thank you so much. Here's hoping...Hi Katrina!<br /><br />Thank you so much. Here's hoping we run across each other on the trails!<br /><br />Happy writing.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-27188143235276295492010-06-16T08:36:07.166-04:002010-06-16T08:36:07.166-04:00Hi Meika!
Let me tell you, waitressing is a great...Hi Meika!<br /><br />Let me tell you, waitressing is a great place to study people. I think my ten years of working either behind the counter or taking orders at tables helped me with my characterization. Oh, and the dialogue you hear is awesome. For some reason when you wait tables, people never think you hear them when they're talking about discovering their husband with his mistress. LOL.<br /><br />I'm crossing my finger that you make that big sale. Thanks so much for stopping in.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-16223643407240517822010-06-16T08:32:50.294-04:002010-06-16T08:32:50.294-04:00Hi Christie! I know the subject of this post is ig...Hi Christie! I know the subject of this post is ignoring writing advice, but I have one piece I received from Bobbi Smith when my first book came out that has become my mantra:<br /><br />"Stay Published."<br /><br />I'm so glad you talked about how to shoehorn the book of your heart into a marketable commodity. As writers, we have to be realistic about what it is we're doing. And we need to be flexible about meeting the demands of the market.<br /><br />Excellent advice, girlfriend!EmilyBryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542349086762747179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-47706574660592414822010-06-16T08:28:11.555-04:002010-06-16T08:28:11.555-04:00Thanks Sharon!
Good luck making all your dreams c...Thanks Sharon!<br /><br />Good luck making all your dreams come true.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-8737414332087848322010-06-16T08:27:18.428-04:002010-06-16T08:27:18.428-04:00Hi Rowan,
This business is hard. Ahh, but I woul...Hi Rowan,<br /><br />This business is hard. Ahh, but I wouldn't want to do anything else. And while I think a lot of get frustrated, it's that passion we have about telling a story that keep working. <br /><br />Good luck with your career.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-70023512075976650742010-06-15T23:03:21.153-04:002010-06-15T23:03:21.153-04:00Loved this post, Christie! Thanks for being a trai...Loved this post, Christie! Thanks for being a trail-blazer and showing us the way to blaze our own trails. <br /><br />Your point about making sure your writing doesn't suffer from the usual pitfalls of breaking the rules (you put it much more eloquently) really opened my eyes. I'll be listening for the reasons behind the rules from now on.Katrina L. Lantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06871272394922775923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-64831313120304676862010-06-15T22:50:04.048-04:002010-06-15T22:50:04.048-04:00I am currently serving up burgers and fries for a ...I am currently serving up burgers and fries for a living while I write and dream on the side. Thanks for your advice! Nice to know it's possible to go from fast food to successful author!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11952125198101179121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-46141185713851190592010-06-15T22:28:50.750-04:002010-06-15T22:28:50.750-04:00Thanks, Christie! Great advice...Thanks, Christie! Great advice...Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-50160722391309269762010-06-15T22:05:24.691-04:002010-06-15T22:05:24.691-04:00I really like your advise about modifying your wor...I really like your advise about modifying your work and the trend to blend, as opposed to worrying about just one or another. It's so hard to be both unique enough to be different from the other books in your genre, while a part of the current trends to be marketable.<br /><br />Thank you!Rowan Spencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13063629620416663699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-74256756771724588162010-06-15T21:19:47.142-04:002010-06-15T21:19:47.142-04:00Sheila,
Thanks for dropping by.
Have a good even...Sheila,<br /><br />Thanks for dropping by.<br /><br />Have a good evening.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-81039583310196292692010-06-15T21:08:09.803-04:002010-06-15T21:08:09.803-04:00Stephenia,
Great advice, girl. I actually wrote ...Stephenia,<br /><br />Great advice, girl. I actually wrote a short article on thinking outside the box. We have to be creative in both writing and marketing.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-72562694958699938092010-06-15T19:46:12.955-04:002010-06-15T19:46:12.955-04:00Nice advice:) Thanks.Nice advice:) Thanks.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-28516641759592764502010-06-15T18:51:10.428-04:002010-06-15T18:51:10.428-04:00Great advide! I think to really be successful in ...Great advide! I think to really be successful in most things you have to learn to think outside the box. Life just isn't black and white. But at the same time, you can't be too weird or no one is going to get it!Stephenianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-60629883716095032542010-06-15T17:44:02.561-04:002010-06-15T17:44:02.561-04:00Donna,
Yup. It's a balancing act. Polishing...Donna,<br /><br />Yup. It's a balancing act. Polishing, but not polishing the voice out of it. Listening to other's advice, but still following your own gut. Writing your story your own way, but making sure it fits into genre. Writing the story of your heart and finding a way to make it fit the trend.<br /><br />I don't think anyone will tell you it's easy, but I've always thought it was worth it. And that was even when the money wasn't rolling in near as much as I'd liked. If you love writing, you just keep doing it, because quitting isn't an option.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping in.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-7764795090512988182010-06-15T17:37:18.561-04:002010-06-15T17:37:18.561-04:00JDK,
Thanks! I hope it gives you several hours o...JDK,<br /><br />Thanks! I hope it gives you several hours of chuckles.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-39426405634035011872010-06-15T17:36:12.515-04:002010-06-15T17:36:12.515-04:00Kristen,
You are right. I think completely chasi...Kristen,<br /><br />You are right. I think completely chasing a trend is worse than ignoring them. It really is about trying to find a way to make your voice and your story stand out in a more marketable way. Like I did by adding suspense to my stories. My first draft of Divorced, Desperate and Delicious had very little suspense in it and because of the trend of suspense, I went in an beefed up the suspense, added almost twenty thousand words to it, even added the villian's POV. I think it was what helped it sell. And one should always be aware that what you see on the bookshelves was sold two and sometimes three years ago. So chasing trends is not only not recommended it can be difficult. I'm sure you know this, but for those who don't. . . A good way to stay on top of what is selling "right now" is Publisher Marketplace. I think it's like $20 a month. There's also the free, less-detailed version of Publisher's Lunch. If you have an agent, she is also a great source of what's selling. They may not know what the next trend will be, but they should know what's selling right now.<br /><br />Thanks again, Kristen. Your point is very wise.<br /><br />CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-52549959072612413052010-06-15T17:05:26.432-04:002010-06-15T17:05:26.432-04:00A lot of it is really a balancing act, isn't i...A lot of it is really a balancing act, isn't it? I especially struggle with knowing when book is polished enough to let go. Have I gotten too many critiques? Not enough? Great advice in an easy, no nonsense format.Donna Hatchhttp://www.donnahatch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10423844300810915512010-06-15T16:59:17.626-04:002010-06-15T16:59:17.626-04:00Christine, you are amazing answering everyone and ...Christine, you are amazing answering everyone and I love your advice. <br />I have placed your book in my cart to buy the next time I order something from Amazon.<br /><br />JDKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-18578691682473132122010-06-15T16:55:56.085-04:002010-06-15T16:55:56.085-04:00It's good advice, but I think one has to be ca...It's good advice, but I think one has to be careful, especially when writing for trends. They can change pretty quickly, and your book might be old news by the time it is polished and ready for submission. But if it's a long-running trend (like paranormal anything), then trying to embrace it is just smart!<br /><br />Fully agree on re-writing, though. I've found that work that's been too polished just seems lifeless. Same thing with work that follows the rules with no room for deviation, actually. It's good to look at the rules as guidelines, but sometimes you have to take a risk or do what feels right.Kristin Laughtinhttp://kristinlaughtin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com