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Comment by Danielle Boonstra on February 19, 2012 at 7:39pm

Thanks Dana! That website is awesome...I've bookmarked it :)

Yes, my grammar and spelling are fine.  The thing I need the most help with is structure.  I have never written fiction before (not since high school) and so while I really believe in my story, I know that I will need to be open to changes.

Comment by Judith Marshall on February 19, 2012 at 6:35pm

Boy, are you opening up a can of worms, Karen.  There are so many opinions about flashbacks (just like prologues) that it's hard to get a straight answer.  They're in; they're out; they're poison, they're fine.  My novel is written in the present day about a group of women who grew up in the 1950s.  Obviously, flashbacks to their growing-up-years are critical to the story. Yet, several writing teachers, agents, and the like told me not to use them.  Bottom line, I did.  And now the book has been optioned for the big screen and the screenwriter who adapted it into a screenplay include some of the flashbacks.

My advice, if the flashbacks are critical to the story and your transitions are smooth, use them.

Judith Marshall

Author of "Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever"

 

Comment by Karen Scott on February 19, 2012 at 6:26pm

Wondering (on my blog and in my head) about using flasbacks in my WIP YA novel. http://carpekeyboard.blogspot.com/

I'd love your thoughts on Flashbacks as a literary device.

Comment by Dana Alexander on February 19, 2012 at 5:28pm

Congratulations, Danielle!  It's a huge sense of accomplishment.  Now the real work begins in revisions!  :)

I found a content editor was extremely useful.  But that was after several edits I did to revise.  For me, grammar and spelling were pretty clean.  It's smart to edit and polish it before pursuing agents.  Query letters are no easy task (a whole different ballgame, in fact), but there is a lot of good info out there.  Nathan Bransford (former agent) has an excellent site for tips:  http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2009/06/writing-advice-database.html

Best wishes!

Comment by Danielle Boonstra on February 19, 2012 at 5:07pm

I just finished the first draft of my very first novel. It's kind of a surreal feeling.  I'm going to hire an editor.  What you ladies suggest?  One for grammar/structure and one for more creative issues?  To be honest, I'm hoping the person I have in mind can do both!

Am I attempting this too soon?  I want to try going the traditional publishing route, but I'd also like to cover my bases as I go along.

Tomorrow I'm going to write my first query letter....  Any advice?

So grateful for this site!

xoxo

Comment by Regina Y. Swint on February 19, 2012 at 4:51pm

Hi, Carol!  Welcome.  :)

Comment by Carol Hand on February 19, 2012 at 1:53pm

Hi, I wish I had more time for an intro, but my name is Carol, and I have two young children arguing right now. :o) 

I'm just beginning writing. I have an idea, and here it is - Trying to Find My Beginning.

Comment by Regina Y. Swint on February 18, 2012 at 10:16am

Thanks, Dana.  :)

Comment by Dana Alexander on February 17, 2012 at 9:18pm

Wishing you the best too, Regina. 

Comment by Regina Y. Swint on February 17, 2012 at 5:36pm

Thanks, so much, Judith.  I'm trying to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  The attorney is earning every penny.  He'll probably regret taking on a client who has questions about EVERYTHING, but then again, if I'm a success, he's a success, right?

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