10 Things NOT to do Now That You’ve Finished NaNoTryMo VOLUME IX, ISSUE 1 January, February 2010 By Deb Courtney it. If this is difficult for you on an ongoing basis because of other commitments, consider what kind of writer you CONTENTS t Pikes Peak Writers, our Top 10 lists are typically are, and how to meet that need. For some, a few pages written in the positive sense...things to do or try. every day suffices; for others, several hours in a large chunk From the Editor Here’s a slightly different tactic, which we hope will are better. Ask your family to support your goals as a writer, page 2 A even though it may mean some sacrifices for everyone. help you as you rejoice in your accomplishments post NaNoWriMo NaNoWri—or—TryMo. page 3 7. Don’t...Start a new writing project. Do’s and Don’ts 10. Don’t...Stop writing because you’ve So, you have ideas. Lots of them. So many that you’re of Query Letters earned a break. afraid you’ll never have time to write them all. Writers page 3 Yeah, 50,000 words is a lot to accomplish in 30 days, but Block? Meh. However, do not get sucked into an entirely The Business of you proved you can do it, or come close to it. What do new writing project now. This is not the time. A bad habit Writing many would-be novelists have is to start a project, then page 4 writers do? Write. So use the discipline it took to get through NaNo, and keep going. Set a new goal and knock careen on to the next project, and what they end up with is December Write a stack of partially completed projects. You can’t get Brain that one down too. page 5 published if you never complete a manuscript. So, stick Two Young Writers 9. Don’t...Take up that other hobby you’ve with this one until you are done. Even if it doesn’t get page 5 been putting off. published, you will know what “finishing” feels like. This is What You Know Creative people often feel pulled in several directions a good thing. On the other hand.... page 6 with regards to expressing themselves. Coming off the 6. Don’t...Keep yourself from writing notes Write the Fight high of writing 50,000 words in one month, now is NOT for future projects. page 7 the time to bead that bracelet, or to start that watercolor As a writer, you do not want to be the written equivalent Taming the Beast class...unless you can manage those AND keep up the page 8 writing. of a “one-hit wonder”. Making notes for future projects is BeckyLand part of the business of writing—it is your product devel- page 9 8. Don’t...Give into family demands to opment phase. So, while you don’t want to distract yourself To All Members spend more time with them—well, not from completing your current manuscript, do make the page 9 entirely. time to write notes and capture your ideas for future Upcoming Events Writing takes some solitude, and chances are you projects. A “future” file is an important part of being a page 10 managed to carve some out of your schedule in order to working author. Sweet Success meet the demands of knocking down that hefty page 11 5. Don’t...Lose momentum. NaNoWriMo word count. And it might be that your family An object in motion tends to remain in motion unless PPWC 2010 “wants you back.” Well, to be a successful writer, you need page 11 acted upon by an outside influence. This is a paraphrase to continue to carve that time out of your life—and maybe Opportunities for continued on page 2 Writers out of theirs. This is not always easy, but is definitely worth page 12 “A novel rough draft is like bread dough; you need to beat the crap out of it for it to rise. ” —Chris Baty me to take a fresh breath, and pushes me exactly the sort of hands-on tool that I need From the Editor to start something new—or at least restart to push forward with this new year—I have something old with a bit more gusto. a mess of a manuscript, written largely over I’m not entirely sure the course of the past two NaNoWriMo why, but I seem to view As you bid farewell to 2009 and look forward to 2010, I hope you’ll be ready to challenges, and I’m desperate for some the end of one year and help with my second draft. the start of another as a tackle something new in your writing, sort of hinge. In truth, of whether it’s a brand new idea or a renewed If what you’re really looking for is a bit course, New Years Eve determination to finish and perfect your of hope as you look at the seemingly sad is simply one more current manuscript. The wonderful writers state of publishing today, take a look at night of sleep (though of this NewsMag have certainly put Linda Rohrbough’s column on how e- perhaps not much of it, together enough tools and inspiration to books will likely change the industry. depending on your help you. And don’t forget to sneak a peek at the celebration!). It only Whether or not you participated in fabulous PPW upcoming events—including really differs from the other 364 because NaNoWri- or Try-Mo, you’ll enjoy reading the 2010 PPWC. we wake up to fresh numbers at the tail end about the trials and triumphs of some who Enjoy this of the dateline. did. And please make sure to read (and issue, and But there’s something about looking at perhaps memorize) the Top Ten list—what then get back this time of year as a hinge that encourages NOT to do now that it’s all over. to it: Happy Fleur Bradley’s article on editing tips is Writing! lose momentum, some writers need some Top Ten time away from their work in order to be able to approach the editing process with new continued from page 1 eyes. In other words, if you are so close to Bimonthly NewsMagazine of the Pikes Peak of the Law of Inertia, and it is applicable in your own words that you can’t bear to part Writers, a 501(c)3 non-profit with members with any of them, it might be time to put the across the United States many areas of our lives, in a figurative sense as well as a literal, physical one. You spent the manuscript in a figurative drawer for a few 427 E. Colorado Ave. #116 weeks and approach it when you are in a Colorado Springs, CO 80903 entire month of November gaining (719)531-5723 momentum (even if you are not aware that’s more critical frame of mind. However, E-mail: [email protected] what you did); do not let an outside force keep beyond making notes for future projects, Web site: www.pikespeakwriters.com you from maintaining that momentum. Writers don’t get completely pulled away from this write...so keep doing it. one. Stay with it until you’re done. PPW Officers President Conference 4. Don’t...Stop refining your 1. Don’t…Send your NaNo Ron Heimbecher Co-Directors craft/learning new things. project to an agent or editor Vice President Deb Buckingham You. Are. Not. Done. Yes, you finished of Programming Laura Hayden So, one manuscript drafted. Feel good Barb Nickless Contest Director about it. But you are far from an industry NaNoWriMo. You have a manuscript. But the Workshops Director Dawn Smit Miller professional—now might be a good time for unfortunate fact is: you are not finished Maria Faulconer Faculty Director some refreshers on editing, or story arc, or on writing. For one thing, a typical novel has Susan Mitchell Secretary anything which you know gave you trouble as about 80,000 words, not 50,000. But more Bonnie Hagan Member at Large you were finishing your draft. Anything which than just adding words, you need to edit and Treasurer Chris Myers Charlie Rush Editor will help you in the editing/rewriting/refining refine until you have a tight, gorgeously Community Mandy Houk process will be a good use of your time right crafted story. Until you have that, do not send Ambassador now, as long as you are willing to put what it to an agent or editor. You will likely just get Chris Mandeville Graphic Design you learn to work on this project. it back, and you may burn your “in” with that Martha Lancaster publishing industry professional in the Contributing Editor 3. Don’t...Think you are done. Deb Courtney process. I have it firsthand that some industry Writing a novel is hard work and it takes a professionals wish December would be desig- Pikes Peak Writers operates as a nonprofit, tax long time, and there are several phases nated as NaNoEdMo (National Novel exempt organization incorporated in November 2001 as between first draft and final version. Editing Month), which would help them the Pikes Peak Writers. PPW NewsMagazine is a However, by achieving first draft you have avoid a desk full of partially completed bimonthly publication serving members of Pikes Peak managed something few would-be writers Writers group. The opinions expressed in PPW manuscripts of 51,267 words, and would NewsMagazine don’t necessarily reflect those of the ever will.