Aspiring Writers

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFCC80" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="1328e8e3.jpg"> <div> <IMG SRC="13395810.png" border=0 width="149" height="129" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Come take my FREE writing workshop at </B><A HREF="http://voice.gather.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://voice.gather.com"><U><B>Voice.Gather.com</B></U></A><B>! Join the group Getting Better All the Time! Invite me to be your friend!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I'll also be teaching writing workshops on Cape Cod, in Portland, Maine, in Freehold, New Jersey, and in Atlanta! Click </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events"><U><B>here</B></U></A><B> for info. I hope you'll come see me -- and spread the word! Thanks!</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FF9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="13800c82dwnjbj.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336699" FACE="Arial" ><B>ClaireCook.com      </B></FONT>   |  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Comic Sans MS" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ClaireCook.com "><U><B>home</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blog and Photos"><U><B>Blog and Photos</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SUMMER BLOWOUT GIVEAWAY"><U><B>SUMMER BLOWOUT GIVEAWAY</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events"><U><B>Events</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Novels"><U><B>Novels</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stay in the Loop"><U><B>Stay in the Loop</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Aspiring Writers</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="QA with Claire"><U><B>Q&A with Claire</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="For Book Clubs"><U><B>For Book Clubs</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Buy Books"><U><B>Buy Books</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Claire"><U><B>About Claire</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Translations"><U><B>Translations</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Voice Books"><U><B>Voice Books</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Info"><U><B>Contact Info</B></U></A></div> <div> Aspiring Writers</div> <div> <I>(keep scrolling down...)</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7rk62G1WyG8"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7rk62G1WyG8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>  </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" >To watch this video at YouTube and post a comment:</FONT> <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rk62G1WyG8" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rk62G1Wy"><U>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rk62G1WyG8</U></A></div> <div>  <object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gauWzPc5l-8"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gauWzPc5l-8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>  </div> <div> To watch this video at YouTube and post a comment: <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gauWzPc5l-8" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gauWzPc5l"><U>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gauWzPc5l-8</U></A></FONT></div> <div>  <object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PWQTC3VWTlo"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PWQTC3VWTlo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>  </div> <div> To watch the video at YouTube and post a comment: <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWQTC3VWTlo" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWQTC3VWT"><U>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWQTC3VWTlo</U></A></FONT></div> <div>  <object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7p6pvmH9_rE"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7p6pvmH9_rE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>  </div> <div> To watch this video at YouTube and post a comment:<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" > <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p6pvmH9_rE" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p6pvmH9_"><U>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p6pvmH9_rE</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <I><B>Claire Cook's thoughts on…</B></I></div> <div> <B>HOW TO THRIVE IN THE PUBLISHING WORLD </B></div> <div> <B>(or anywhere else, for that matter)</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>WORK HARDER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE</B></div> <bR> <div> When people comment about what a great ride I've had so far as an author, I usually say I've been lucky, because it sounds humble. I AM humble, and with every good thing that happens, I get humbler and even more grateful. But, if I'm really honest, I'd have to say it's more than luck. I WORK MY BUTT OFF. Sometimes seven days a week. I make it a point always to do more than the situation requires. I did this when I was trying to break in to the publishing biz, and I continue to do it on a daily basis. I meet every deadline. I dive back into a manuscript again and again and again - whatever it takes to make the book as good as it can be. People in the publishing world know this about me, and it's a good reputation to have earned.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>REMEMBER GRACE AND COURTESY</B></div> <bR> <div> Talent being equal, people would much rather work with a nice person. Period. Instead of whining about not getting what you deserve, ask what you can do to help the other person. <I>Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to consider my book</I> goes over much better than <I>my book is so brilliant you'd be crazy to miss out on it</I>. Be generous with your thanks.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>FOCUS ON THE WRITING</B></div> <bR> <div> I think you have to write because you love it, not for fame or fortune. I meet lots of aspiring writers who are so focused on seeing their book on the shelf, they're not putting the time in on the important thing -- the writing. It has to be about the writing. And the rewriting. Not just little tweaks, but lots of hugely painful slashing and cutting and letting things go and digging deeper. And then fine-tuning some more. I'm grateful that I don't have to, but I would absolutely sit at the computer all day long and write my next novel for free. Each book teaches me so much, about the characters, about the world they live in, about myself. My goal in all this is simple: to become a better writer with each novel.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>LEARN TO RECOGNIZE AND WELCOME CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM</B></div> <bR> <div> Back in the days when I still had time to read for aspiring writers (Now I can barely get my own writing done, so please don't ask!), I was amazed at how often I'd give someone some good advice, and instead of taking it, they'd just go looking for someone else to tell them what they really wanted to hear - that it was brilliant. Perfect. Well, it wasn't, and a year later I'd hear that this person had queried a whole bunch of jerky, tasteless literary agents and editors without success, and so s/he'd decided to self-publish. Criticism is tough to take, but if you can't open yourself up to it, you'll never get better. That being said, be careful whom you listen to. Is this person qualified to give you advice? Is the comment just a subjective opinion reflecting one person's taste? Are ulterior motives involved? (See negativity below.)</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>PROTECT YOURSELF FROM NEGATIVITY</B></div> <bR> <div> I'm always stunned when people aren't happy for me. But sometimes they're not, so I try my best to rise above other people's negativity. People told me you can't get published without connections. I didn't know a soul. Lots more people told me the <I>Must Love Dogs</I> movie would never be made. Ha-ha. Long shots happen every day. Believe in them. Believe in yourself. And if there are people in your life who aren't supportive of your dreams, dump them if you can. Or at least stop sharing your dreams with them.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>PICK ONE THING</B></div> <bR> <div> Creative people are good at lots of things. But if you choose one and focus all your energy and creativity on it, you'll go from good to better. I can't tell you how many times an aspiring writer has told me about her partially completed drafts of two novels and three short stories, not to mention that screenplay, all of which she's abandoned because she just got a great idea for a children's book.</div> <bR> <div> Been there. And still, halfway through every novel, I struggle not to jump to a “better” idea, because the grass is always so much greener in front of the book I'm not really writing. I think some of it is fear. Once you finish something, you have to put it out there and hear what the world has to say about it. That part never gets any easier. But you do it anyway, because that's how you learn and grow, and how you get better at that place where your urge to create and your ability intersect. And even on your worst days, you'll be lucky enough to be living your dream.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>FACE IT: IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU</B></div> <bR> <div> It's a buyer's market. The agent you just queried can pretty much pick anyone, as can that books editor you're hoping will review your latest. These people are BUSY, and they're probably not going to lose any sleep if you're not in their lives. How dare that agent not take you on when your book is brilliant? How dare that books editor pass on your book and review another? It happens more than it doesn't, so get ready. (See grace and courtesy above.) It's a small world, and word gets out there fast when authors don't behave well.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>BUILD YOUR KARMA</B></div> <bR> <div> Support other aspiring writers. Cheer them on, and be happy for them when they get published before you do. Write letters to authors whose work you admire. Support their careers by buying their books. Do nice things for established authors who have shared what they know with you. You'd be surprised how few aspiring writers think to do this, and how it'll make you stand out in the LONG line of people asking for favors. In fact, here's what you can do for me: Tell a friend about <I>Life's a Beach </I>and<I> Summer Blowout</I>. Hell, tell all your friends. And then, write a nice review about it at bn.com. Copy and paste the same review to amazon.com. Then post it on the message boards at everywomansvoice.com. <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Info"><U>Email me</U></A> and let me know you did this. Finally, tell some more friends, because word-of-mouth makes the literary world go round. When you get published, remind me. I'll do the same for you. After all, karma is a boomerang. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Good luck! </B>(See working your butt off above.)<B> </B></div> <bR> <div> Q<FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>Should you let other people -- relatives or friends -- read your writing and react to it while you're writing? Would that help you?</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> A<FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >It depends. First of all, everybody's an expert, but what do they really know? To tell you the truth, when I first started writing, I probably showed too many people early drafts, and then I'd rewrite to please them, instead of listening to myself. I've gotten better at trusting myself with each book, I think.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> But, then again, there's nothing like a good reader in your corner, which I think is a skill than can be unrelated to being a good writer. I'm not a great reader -- I just want to tell the writer how <I>I'd </I>write his or her book, which is so not the point -- it's not my book! But maybe that friend of yours who reads like crazy and is kind and generous and honest might be able to put his or her finger on what isn't working, and really help you out. </div> <bR> <div> It's definitely a challenge in the beginning. Now I'm lucky enough to have a fabulous professionals who are my support team, and I can count on them for brilliant suggestions and total honesty, but in the beginning you have to cobble that together. </div> <bR> <div> And making it even more complicated, sometimes sending some pages to somebody to read is a great excuse not to get any writing done -- because you're waiting to hear what they have to say first. Books don't get written if you're not actively writing -- I hate that!</div> <bR> <div> So, I'd say maybe keep it to yourself while you write the first draft, and then do what Stephen King suggests in <I>On Writing</I>: send copies of your rmanuscript to six of your friends and family members. If they all say the same thing about something, listen. If only one says it, ignore it and move on. </div> <bR> <div> Q<FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Courier New" ><I>What do your revisions generally entail? Does your editor send back a</I></FONT></div> <div> <I>stack of pages with red marks -- is it mostly line editing or a complete reworking of whole sections? And, as the writer of the original words, how do you feel about the edits?? I'm sure it's different for every author, but I'd be interested to hear about your experience.</I></div> <bR> <div> A<FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FF00FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Courier New" >Revisions are all of those things -- and then some! In the first stage, I receive an editorial letter that suggests more general changes. Maybe a certain character isn't working, or there could be too many characters, or something is boring or just doesn't work. Sure, it's hard to hear things like that, but if nobody tells you the truth, then the book won't get better. So that stage feels like a puzzle, and I mull and mull and try to figure out how I can fix these things, knowing everything I change might impact the entire book. It's a lot of work, but my editor and associate editor are telling me WHAT to change and not HOW to change it, so I still have all the creative freedom in the world. They might make a specific suggestion, and if it feels like a good idea I'll use it, but often the suggestion opens the door to another idea that makes more sense to me. It can feel collaborative, but in a good way, and if you have a good editor, it's not at all suffocating.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> I work really hard on this stage, so usually my second set of revisions moves on to line edits. Again, I feel free to deal with each point in my own way, and every single editorial comment helps the book, if only to tell me someone else might not understand what I was trying to do here either, so I'd better roll up my sleeves and do some more work on it. </div> <bR> <div> Then there's the copyedited manuscript, which involves more fine-tuning. Then the final stage is reading the galley proofs, which is the last time changes can be made, so that's a little scary, but at the same time, it feels good to know how far the book has come</div> <bR> <div> So it's all challenging, but if it were easy, who wouldn't want a book of their own on the shelf!</div> <bR> <div> Q<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#00FFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>At what point in your writing do you come up with your book titles? Is it easy to name-then-go, or have you written a book without ever knowing what you'd title it? I've actually 'shopped' by title, so I know it's important. </I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> A<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >What a great question! First of all, I totally agree that titles are so important when we're "shopping" for a book. And I know some authors who can't really get going until they have a title in place -- it seems to crystalize the idea for them and allow them to move forward in their writing. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> For me, the title just happens when it happens, and I'd never get a novel written if I waited around for a good title before I got started. So I dive right in to the book and brainstorm titles along the way -- sometimes hundreds of them! Many of them are awful, but lots of them could work. What it comes down to, in the end, is one question: Which title will make the most readers "shop" for your book? Titles, like covers, are essentially about marketing, and coming up with a good one is like coming up with a good advertising slogan. Some authors are good at it, and some, not so much! So, often a book that is sold with one title attached to it gets another title along the way, thanks to the smart people on the author's publishing team -- and it's a good thing! I've been lucky enough to title all of mine so far, but I'm always open to a better idea, and I'd encourage you to be, too.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Q<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#993366" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>I was wondering what software you use to write. Do you use Microsoft Word? What font and letter type do you use when you are writing a working draft?</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> A<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#993366" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Microsoft Word, 12 point Times New Roman. Double spaced. I think that's pretty much standard -- save your originality for the content, not the form!</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Q<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#993366" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>After having dinner with some colleagues tonight and telling the story once again on how my husband and I met, I have been told, for the umpteenth time - "You have got to turn that into a screenplay - it's the stuff that movies are made of! It's like the Sleepless in Seattle kind of stuff!" My husband has started to try and write our story down, but we have no idea where to start (how to write it, how to maybe pitch it, etc). I was hoping that - given that you are a successful author and screenplay writer - you may be able to point us in the right direction. </I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" >A</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#993366" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>I’m a novelist, not a screenplay writer. Gary David Goldberg gets full credit for the <I>Must Love Dogs</I> movie, which he based on my second novel. You and your husband should probably take a screenplay writing workshop together, or get your hands on some books about screenplay writing. There are lots of websites out there – here’s one I just found for you that might help get you started: <U>http://www.writersstore.com/</U>. </div> <bR> <div> It’s also a good idea to read some novels that have been made into movies, to see how the stories were translated to the screen. This will help you figure out how to shape your own story.</div> <bR> <div> Movies are all about structure, and the format is very formulaic and specific. Once you figure out how to write it, there’s even a software program called Final Draft that will help you format it. Focus on finishing and polishing a script first – you can worry about pitching it down the road.</div> <bR> <div> Good luck! I hope you’ll come see me next summer if I’m on book tour for my new novel in your neck of the woods, and give me an update!</div> <div>   </div> <div> Q<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>I attended your seminar at the Pennsylvania Governor's Conference for Women. You were great and I really enjoyed your insights from the panel. I was wondering if you had any advice for someone who would like to write a memoir. I am a new writer but have always enjoyed writing and I feel I have a book burning in me. But, I don't even know where to begin because I haven't been an avid writer in the past. Is this a negative? Do you have any advice for a neophyte? I know this is a somewhat vague question but I wanted to keep the email short. Any insights you could provide would be most appreciated. </I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> A <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Thanks for your kind words. I really enjoyed being a part of the panel and I met so many great women there! </FONT></div> <div> As for writing a memoir, first read as many memoirs as you can get your hands on. This will help give you a sense of possible structures. I have a vague theory that if you read enough, a template will form in some mysterious part of your brain. Then just dive right in and start writing. Two pages a day works for me. Join a writing group (ask around at local libraries and bookstores) or sign up for a memoir class at a local college or adult ed program.  </div> <bR> <div> Who knows if you can do, or if you'll enjoy doing it, until you try. Either way, you'll learn a lot about writing, and about yourself. Good luck! </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Q<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>I think my writing is exactly like yours, maybe even better, and yet I've been rejected by over 35 agents. What am I doing wrong?</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> A<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Well, first of all, your writing shouldn't be just like mine (!), it should be just like yours. Try to find your own unique, authentic voice. And go back over those rejection letters -- maybe some of them contain some words of wisdom about your writing that you should listen to, even if they're difficult to hear. Also, you might want to consider taking your manuscript to a class or workshop for some specific feedback. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#990000" FACE="Arial" >Q</FONT> <I>I'm writing a novel. How will I know when it's finished?</I></div> <bR> <div> A <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Your book is done when you've finished telling your story. Or do you  mean, how do you know when it's ready to submit? If so, my advice is to polish, polish, and polish, then put it aside for a while, take it out and polish it again. When you get to the point that you feel you might be making things worse instead of better, get it out of your house quick! </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Q <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#993366" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>I saw you on the news last night and once again felt that familiar jealous pang I feel when I see another writer has made it. I have always dreamt the big dream. I don't know about you, but I can't seem to get past those feelings of insecurity and inevitable failure. Can you tell me what made you get through that? I feel like I'm in high school and the popular girls won't ever let me into the club. Thank you.</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> A<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#993366" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Well, first of all, I never compare myself to other writers -- there's always somebody out there doing something you can't or getting something you're not. I keep my focus on just getting better as a writer. That's what it's all about for me -- the writing, not the making it.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Everybody is insecure, but it's a choice what you do from there. I've chosen to be tenacious. Whatever comes at me, I just look at as a temporary road block between point A and point B. I can't control how long it'll take me to get there, but I can keep on keepin' on until I get there.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>