Insecure Writer's Support Group- March 2013 edition

03/05/2013

A Teen Asked Me for Writing Advice

I had the chance to talk to some high school classes in January. Several students asked questions after the class ended. I gave the students my email address in case I didn't get to answer their questions.

One student emailed me asking for advice. I sent an email with lots of blog links and online resources. This student writes science fiction/fantasy. Here is the first response I sent:

DEAR (omitting his name),

It sounds like you have a good grasp of your genre. First, let me commend you for wanting to learn more about how this works. It's what I wish I had done many years ago instead of blindly sending a manuscript out to agents.

If I am not giving you the answers you're looking for in this email, feel free to ask specific questions. It might be good to know several things. I'm going to list some online resources:

I love the resources at Writers Digest and this page of links is for the sci-fi/fantasy author http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-genre/science-fiction-fantasy
I realize your story isn't children's fiction, but this is a website with worksheets and advice that is fantastic: http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/ . There is a specific plotting worksheet that I've used many times to see if I am on track: http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2010/03/plotting-made-easy-complications.html I also like this one about concept: http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2012/09/concept-begins-from-line-one-or-whats.html
Also, do you use Microsoft Word? Most publishers and agents require a document formatted a certain way according to guidelines they will post on their websites.
This guy named Nathan Bransford used to be an agent. I got rejected by him. :( Nevertheless, I think he is awesome. His blog has lots of good information: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/
So, the last thing is to submit to a publisher or agent. This website is free and has listings: http://www.querytracker.net/ . You want to find a publisher who publishes what you write. You might look at some authors you admire, find his/her book on Amazon, and see who the publisher is for that author.

This young man emailed me again to thank me for the links. Then, he asked, "Is there anything you can personally advise?"

I must admit that I sat there for a minute, scratching my head. Hmm....what exactly should I say? You'll want to quit but don't. This is harder than it looks. There will be days when you want to throw the manuscript in the trash and go back to watching television and hanging out with friends and doing nothing.

I didn't want to say all those things.

Instead, my second email response advised him to join a writing and/or critique group. I told him that family, friends, and teachers may be supportive, but other writers are the best support system you can have for this journey. I offered to help him find one. Maybe I'll get to do that. I hope so.

I'd like to give a special shout-out to all the writers who have helped me along the way. I appreciate you all.

Today's post is a regular one that you see the first Wednesday of each month. It's part of the Insecure Writer's Support Group founded by Alex Cavanaugh. If you'd like to find out more about joining, click HERE to visit Alex's blog. He's the author of Cassa Star and Cassa Fire as well as being a super-nice blogger.

Comments

Alex J. Cavanaugh link

03/06/2013 5:51am

That was great follow-up advice, Brinda! I don't belong to a group, but my critique partners rock. Hope that young man takes all of your advice to heart.

isis rushdan

03/06/2013 9:06am

Trying to post comment from my phone. Fingers crossed it works. You are a great role model. Smart to give your email in case someone was too shy to ask in front of everyone else. Wonderful advice and links.

E.J. Wesley, aka "Brinda Fan #30025-27" link

03/06/2013 9:14am

Such an honor to get to guide a young writer like that, Brinda! I think your help was spot on. Although, I think the thoughts you reserved would've served him well, too. Especially the, "This is harder than it looks." & "You'll want to quit. Don't." bits.

Wish I'd have been as focused on writing at that age. Alas, the proverbial 'wine, women, and song' had me in its grasp. :-)

Jai link

03/06/2013 12:58pm

I liked your advice very much. How wonderful for that student to have someone to ask advice.
Jai <a href="http://jaileenq.blogspot.com/">Visiting from IWSG</a>

Carol Kilgore link

03/06/2013 1:10pm

Great information you shared with him. I hope you get to help him find a writers group, too. Let us know!

nutschell link

03/06/2013 1:14pm

Those are all awesome tips and wonderful advice, Brinda. He'll learn eventually how difficult it is, but he's light years ahead of all of us Thanks to you
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Sherry Isaac link

03/06/2013 2:48pm

What a wonderful coach and mentor you are, Brinda. I probably would have said all those things, but I think, too, that I'd have followed up with the advice you went with. Becoming part of a writing community gets us through those days when we want to give up, toss the ms, and bury our sorrows at the bottom of a potato chip bag.

Michelle D Evans link

03/06/2013 4:15pm

Yu gave him such a good reply. I love to encourage people who think they'd like to write. I always tell the to start now ... Because it takes longer than you think xx

florence fois link

03/06/2013 4:52pm

Brinda, that was wonderful advice you gave the young aspiring author. Not only the valuable links ... but to join a group and find a critique partner. This is a very lonely journey and if we can join hands with others along the way, it makes it easier to travel ... kind of like Dorothy on the yellow brick road :)

Sharon Clare link

03/06/2013 5:45pm

Wonderful advice, Brinda, and how nice to be able to not only connect but inspire students. One person can make such a difference in a person's life. Great links!

Jennifer Eaton link

03/06/2013 5:54pm

Very well done! I am sure that you had an influence on him. I wonder how many great writers there are out there who give up or go unnotced because they never ran into anyone who could help them... or were too afraid to ask. Bravo to you!

DL Hammons

03/06/2013 6:31pm

I think you mentored him well! Kudo's!! :)

Medeia Sharif link

03/06/2013 7:22pm

Excellent advice. I wish someone urged me early on to join a writing community.

Brinda Berry

03/06/2013 7:34pm

Alex- Thanks. I hope I gave him some resources that he can use.

Isis- Yes, I remember being that age. I was shy and probably wouldn't have asked a question.

E.J- You crack me up with that name you entered. I was definitely honored to be a guest speaker.

Carol- I hope he does reply. Or I hope he seeks one online.

Nutschell- I wish I'd had that initiative at that age.

Sherry- Thanks for the kind words. I've found myself at the bottom of an ice cream bowl. hehe

Michelle-"Longer than you think" is the truth!

Florence- I've often looked around to find my hand being held by a tin man and scarecrow. *grin*

Sharon- I love all those links and have used them many times.

Jennifer- I've certainly had help from other writers. Your blog is a great source!

DL- Thx. :) I hope so.

Medeia- Me, too. I needed one long ago.

Brinda Berry

03/06/2013 7:37pm

Jai- I've visited your blog and am cheering you on in your writing.

Celeste Holloway link

03/06/2013 7:39pm

Great post! I'd love to go to our HS and chat with the students! I think it's very cool that you took time out to help the kid and put so much thought into your answers. I don't care if I become a zillionaire, (wouldn't that be nice, lol) I pray I'm always humble and willing to lend an ear to others striving to get pubbed. :)

Elaine Cougler link

03/07/2013 7:12am

Brinda, that was a helpful thing you did for the class and for the individual student. Well done! Sorry, I'm a day late with my checking in. Sometimes all the emails just overwhelm. Maybe you could do a column on how to be social media savvy so that the emails don't spill off your screen onto desk and floor?

Sherry Ellis link

03/07/2013 8:31am

You have given some excellent advice here! It's the same advice I give to kids who ask that question.

Hildie McQueen link

03/07/2013 8:56am

When we help others it comes back to us, you are always so helpful to other writers that I know you will be a huge success! Thank you!

Tonja link

03/07/2013 4:47pm

That's so sweet that you helped him out.

Tami Clayton

03/07/2013 10:00pm

Such great advice and I'm totally going to check out some of those resources. I think it's so very cool of you to be mentoring a teen writer. I wish someone had done that for me. :)

Cherie Reich link

03/08/2013 10:28am

Such fantastic advice to give a young writer! :)

Michael Offutt link

03/08/2013 10:39am

That is great advice, Brinda.

tara tyler link

03/08/2013 12:00pm

i like what you didnt say... its truth he needs to hear!
tho all your links and advice to join a group are great too!

Nicki Elsoon link

03/08/2013 1:26pm

Excellent advice - and hey, thanks for the links! It's hare when someone asks for advice in general like that. Much easier when the questions are specific and it looks like you sent him to many great places to get him started on dredging up those specific questions.

Stephen Tremp

03/08/2013 4:19pm

Its great when peoplencome to you asking for advice. Or when they ask to be a guestnon your bog or for you to be a guest on theirs.

Mary link

03/11/2013 4:20pm

I can't wait to read Polar Night :) I often have to remind Nini about whose desk it really is she's trying to lord over... especially when she's sitting in front of the monitor.

Happy Monday, Brinda

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