The Mystery Starts Here

I decided to write about contests because I just finished judging 15 partials for my RWA chapter. I’ve judged for the past five years and enjoy judging because I learn from the exercise. The thing that I don’t like is – I keep seeing the same mistakes over and over. For some reason people think that because they went to school and learned the basics of English, they can write a novel. My favorite analogy is: I can cut up meat, but would never set myself up as a surgeon. You need training! Take a class! Couldn’t hurt – might help.

So, what are some of the mistakes? Passive writing. “After he left the house, he walked down the street.” No – “He left the house and walked down the street.” Poor example, I know – but I hope you get the drift. Please do a search for “as” also very passive. AND my least favorite word, just. It’s an adverb and usually not needed. Most new writers also take TOOO long to get into the story, they’re too wordy. You don’t have to tell us the entire back-story on the first few pages – leave that information and integrate it later.

My second most dreaded mistake is attribution. Hemingway never used anything but said and asked, and he did pretty well for himself. So why do I still see, “I hate you,” he growled. People can’t growl, giggle, gasp, laugh or hiss (my favorite) words. People say words. Or better yet – try to make plain who’s speaking without attribution.

Okay, here’s my biggy. Most if not all contests have a copy of the score sheet for you to see before entering. So why, then, don’t writers read them? I had a couple of entries this year that were near perfect and could have been ready for publication but….the hero and heroine didn’t meet until too late or not at all! In our romance contest, they have to meet early. That is very apparent if you read the score sheet.

I may continue this thread on Thursday because it’s important for writers of every genre. Do I know everything? Far from it – that’s why after 25 years of being a writer, I still take classes too.

Right now my head is filled with the vision of MY car! I saw it yesterday but some man was driving it and wouldn’t give it to me! How rude! It was a brand new, purple Lamborghini! Sigh – I want that car!

I had another topic in mind to write about, but got rejected by another agent today so decided on this. That’s number 10 out of 30, so far. I decided to be depressed for a half hour, then start querying again. Actually, it was a nice rejections, if there is such a thing. She said the novel was, “well-written and entertaining, but not something that would fit my list.” Hmm. I knew this would happen. Why? This novel is a humorous paranormal mystery with romance! Kind of hard to categorize. Maybe I should have added some sci-fi-western-porn.

It’s never easy to be rejected but if you write, you’ll be rejected. Well, other than Robert Parker, of Spenser fame. I heard him speak at a seminar back east many yeas ago, and he told the crowd he’d never been rejected! I guess I have to believe him. Would Spenser lie???

I read once that Agatha Christie was rejected over 500 times before she got published. Jack London racked up 600 rejections before he sold a story. One agent told Tonly Hillerman to “get rid of all that Indian stuff,” and he might get published. So, how do you all handle rejection? Champagne? Chocolate? Uncontrollable weeping? Chime in and let us all know. Misery loves company. But, always remember, the difference between an amateur and a professional is persistence, so never quit. I’m going to send out more queries now…and eat some chocolate. Until next time….