So you think you can Tweet? Twitter 101 for writers

Getting involved on Twitter can be scary. When a critique partner suggested I participate in a Twitter pitch contest, I didn't even really understand what Twitter was. It took me a while to figure out what I was doing, but once I did, I was hooked. It has been a fantastic tool for me as a writer. The writers' community on Twitter is huge, helpful, and active. If you use it right, you will make more industry connections than you could in person at a conference.

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark 

The first thing you need to do is create a Twitter account and profile.
A really good idea for your handle is: YOUR NAME.

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

You'll want to add a catchy profile picture (a nice head-shot) and an interesting background. No one wants to follow the ugly egg default. Using your actual photo makes you seem like a real person. Because you are a real person, right?

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark 

I recommend keeping it professional. Agents will look you up on Twitter if they are interested in your query. Make sure the face you put forward is the one you want to reflect. Link your website or blog if you have one.

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark 

As for your bio, it will help you network if you put "writer" somewhere in there. If you have special interests or experience you can add that. Add something professional, something personal, something that others can relate to, and something that makes you stand out or sets you apart.

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark 

Once you've got your profile all set up, you'll want to start following a few people. It's a good idea to follow agents you are interested in subbing to. You can get a feel for their style and personality by the things they tweet. They also tweet important things like #MSWL (manuscript wish list--things they would like to see come across their inboxes), new clients, book deals, and query inbox updates. They may also post a #querytip (things to do or not to do when querying) or even just fun facts about themselves.

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark 

And then, of course, you'll need to start getting some followers. But HOW do you get them?

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark 

You can scroll through some writer feeds. Some of the most common are #amwriting, #amediting, #amquerying (not sure why the am, but it's there.) #writerslife, and #bookconnect. Try connecting with people there. Follow a few and see if they follow you back.

But the best way to meet other writers, I have found, is by playing a hashtag game. Yep. Games.  There are all sorts of writers' games on Twitter. Several any day of the week. Mica Scotti Kole has put together a great list of them here. But I think by far the most popular is #1linewed.

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark 

Here's how it works:

Open up your shiny new Twitter account. Look for the user @RWAKissofDeath to find the week's theme. (You'll see it--it should be pinned at the top of the feed.) Go ahead and follow. It's a nice thing to do.

If it is Wednesday, mosey on over to the #1linewed feed and have a look. You'll see many people have posted lines from their WIP (work in progress). Once you see what they look like, make your own post. Search your document for the theme word and when you find a particularly good line that goes with the theme, post it. Just make sure you leave enough space for the hashtag. You must include #1linewed in your post or it won't show up on the feed for others to see.

Once you've thrown a line out there, go sift through the feed. If you like someone else's line, go ahead and hit that heart button. If you really like it, retweet the line. Then follow the writer. Keep reading. There are enough lines, you could scroll all day and find amazing lines. Keep scrolling and liking and retweeting and following. More often than not, writers will follow you back. And they will like your lines. And they may even retweet them.

And it will make you happy.

Don't be shy about liking or retweeting! And don't feel guilty for playing games. I have found that playing the weekly theme helps me find all my overused words, really dumb sentences, and typos. Also, it helps me hone my good lines, (sometimes you have to edit them to fit.)

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

A few tips for playing these hashtag games:

• The more you interact with others, the more they will interact with you. 
• Don't tweet every single line in your manuscript that has the theme word in it. There's value in quality, not quantity.
• Choose a handful of really good lines and stagger tweeting them. Tweet one, read the feed for a while, then tweet another.
• It's also good to tweet when the feed is busiest, which is usually around 8:00-9:00 AM Eastern, at lunch time, and around "quitting time."
• If your line is too long, see if you can edit. I don't recommend doing a screen shot or a fancy picture. A good line will stay within the character limit and stand on its own.

Now get out there and start tweeting. (I'll talk about Twitter contests in another post.)

Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, Germany 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

*This post is one in a series: "So You Wrote a Book! Now What?" Click here to view more topics.*

Finding Feedback

So what happens when you're finally brave enough to open up that manuscript to eyes other than your own? Who should you get to read your manuscript?

Who would have time to read your *gasp* whole book and give you actual feedback on it?

It may be tempting to have your mom, your spouse, your best friend, your roommate, your grandma, or your sister read it. 

Trust me on this one . . .

DON'T DO IT.

Amalfi Coast, Italy, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

They all love you too much to give you the kind of feedback you need. And unless any of them are seasoned writers, you may not want to take critical advice from them even if they give it.

What you need are objective critique partners--people who are also building their writing careers and who have some (even if limited) understanding of the industry. As a bonus, it's always great to find people you don't know in real life. They will give you the down and dirty criticism your book really needs to be the best it can be.

Good critique partners are a pillar of successful writing. 

Athens, Greece, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

So how do you find these people? Where are they hiding? And will they actually read your manuscript?

Until I got into this whole crazy writers' world, I didn't know it but they are literally . . . 

EVERYWHERE.

Ephesus, Turkey, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark  

There are so many places to find critique partners. So instead of giving you a list, I'll give you a link. 

Kathy Yardley already compiled a great list of places to look for critique partners on The Write Life.   

I can tell you that I have found solid critique partners through several venues. 

Sometimes you can find real life friends who just happen to be writers as well. I have one such friend. We used to meet every two weeks at a lovely cafe in Germany and share comments on swapped segments of our current projects while snacking on heavenly Bavarian pretzels and hot cocoa. 

What I appreciate most about Britta is that she always gave it to me straight. She told me what she loved about my work and didn't hesitate to cross off whole chapters of my story when they needed to be pruned. But she always built up my confidence and believed in me. (And even though I moved back to Texas, we still swap via email. She's my first line of defense on a new story.)

Ephesus, Turkey, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

I have also found two great partners via the Ladies who Critique website. The site is free and easy to navigate. I found CPs within 24 hours of posting. Linda and Giff have been invaluable to me in helping me hone my skills as a writer. They've both contributed to my work in tremendous ways. They had amazing patience with me when I was first starting out, and I've learned so much from both of them.

Athens, Greece, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

I was lucky enough to find Andy during Megan Lally's #CPMatch last year. I can't wait to pass the next draft of my current project to Andy, who gives me such a great perspective on my own work. He really stretches me to take my writing beyond what I expected it to be. (Not to mention, his work is really fun to read!) 

Sorrento, Italy, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

The next round of #CPMatch is on January 22, 2017, so don't miss out! 

I have plans to swap with other CPs and beta readers I've met through Twitter contests, Facebook writer's groups, and workshops. It's good to mix it up with trusted tried-and-true partners and fresh, new eyes. 

It's not always easy to know when you're going to find a good match. And it's okay to go your separate ways if you try a sample chapter and know you're not going to mesh well. 

Having a bad critique partner can be just as detrimental to your work as a good one can be helpful. 

Don't let a bad critique partner be the death of you.

Pompeii, Italy, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Susan Crandall has a fun 3-part article called Finding a Critique Partner, It's Like Dating, Only Harder.

Being a good critique partner in return is just as crucial to the success of any critique partner relationship.

The Wise Ink Blog has a great article on how to be a good critique partner.

Amalfi Coast, Italy, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Find solid critique partners, and before you know it, you'll have amazing feedback you can use to bring your story to the next level and get yourself that much closer to your goals.

Ephesus, Turkey, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

*This post is one in a series: "So You Wrote a Book! Now What?" Click here to view more topics.*

A Time to Rest

One of the most important things you can do after you've written a manuscript is give it a rest.

Andalsnes, Norway, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Chances are, you just spent an intensive month or so working, climbing, writing and falling head-over-heels into your newly created world. Writing sprints such as NaNoWriMo are great to get the creative juices flowing, and the complete immersion in your story helps get it all down on paper.

When you finish that climb, put your story away.

Give it some space. It wants to be alone for a while. 

Bergen, Norway 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Just like all good things, your manuscript needs time to percolate.

For good bread, you must let the dough rise.

For good tea, you must let the leaves steep.

For good stew, you must let the flavors simmer together.

And for a good book, you must leave it alone.

When you're too close to your story, things start to get murky and you don't even realize it.

Bergen, Norway 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

The good news is that there are many things you can do while you give your manuscript a “rest.”

The two most important things you can do are READ and WRITE. 

Trinity University Library, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

READ

Reading recently-published books in your genre will give you a taste of what agents and publishers are championing. It's like an odd form of osmosis. It will simmer in your brain. 

A good way to find out what is selling in your genre is to watch for new book releases on Tuesdays. (If you follow agents, they will usually tweet about their clients' book releases, too.)

You can also keep an eye out for which books make the NYT bestseller's list.

Up-and coming writers sometimes offer ARCs (Advance Reading Copies) of their books as giveaways on Twitter or their blog. These copies are available before the book is actually printed, and you might score one for free. This is a "fresh" as it gets.

The more you read, the more you will learn about how to write a good book. As you read, pay close attention. Read as a writer. Look at last lines of chapters. Look at first lines of chapters. Read the opening page of as many books as you can. Pay attention to how characters drive the plot. Note their character flaws. Watch how they change and progress through the novel.

Nothing improves your basis for sound writing and storytelling than reading.

Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore, Scotland, 2015, Photo by Erik Lundmark

WRITE

Another thing you should do is start a new project. Make an outline for your next story and start writing. Never stop writing! The more you write, the more you'll develop your voice. It will help you when it comes time to edit your manuscript.

Your writing project doesn't have to be a novel, either. Short stories, poetry, magazine articles . . . It's all writing. It's a creative process. It's how you hone your craft. Don't stop, even if you are "resting" a story.

I recommend taking at least a month away from your project--perhaps more. When you return with fresh eyes, you'll have a much clearer picture, and you'll be ready to edit.

Andalsnes, Norway, 2014, Photo by Erik Lundmark

*This post is one in a series: "So You Wrote a Book! Now What?" Click here to view more topics.*

So you wrote a book! Now what?

So you wrote a book! Now what?

Whether you just completed your first NaNoWriMo, or you’ve been dabbling in stories for a while, there comes a time when you ask yourself: Now what?

You’ve just done this wonderful, amazing thing. You’ve created. A world. Characters. You’ve breathed life into them and they are your babies. You love them and you want to share them with the world!

But how to do that?

You’ve reached the first fork in the road: Do you self-publish or try to get traditionally published?

Edinburgh, Scotland, 2015 Photo by Erik Lundmark

There are pros and cons to both routes.

(If you want to weigh your options, here’s an excellent article written by Joanna Penn on her website, The Creative Penn.)

My advice applies to both options, but is targeted toward the end goal of successfully querying agents and ultimately, a traditional publishing deal.  

Warning: I’m not an expert. I have not been published yet—and I still don’t even have an agent, but I am so much closer to those goals at the start of this year than I was last year, or even two years ago. Publishing is a constant upward climb. So, take this information for what it’s worth: the advice of someone who has come before you.

While you're still here at the start of the trail:

Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, 2015, Photo by Erik Lundmark

I've already climbed ahead. And the view from where I stand looks like this:

Holyrood Park, Edinbugh (view from Arthur's Seat) 2015, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Over the next few weeks I’ll post—starting at square one—what you can do to further your writing journey.

Today I want to talk about patience. 

Raasay, Scotland, 2105, Photo by Erik Lundmark

You’ve written an amazing book. Your mom loved it. Your roommate thinks it’s the next best seller, and you are sure that your dream agent is just waiting to hear from you. You are READY to send your book out in to the world.

WRONG!

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, 2015, Photo by Maya Lundmarak (No photographers were harmed in the taking of this picture.)

Don't be a casualty of novice writer pitfalls! Follow these guidelines for a better experience!

Isle of Skye, Scotland, 2015, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Today is the great day when you will learn patience. Take all that excitement and funnel it into . . .

PATIENCE

There are plenty of things you need to do before you send that query letter.

I’ll be honest.

You probably should not start querying for about a year.

A year?!

But I’m ready now!

Nope.

Kilchurn Castle, Scotland, 2015, Photo by Maya Lundmark (No writers were harmed in the taking of this picture.) 

Trust me on this one, you don’t want to start querying too early or you’ll burn your bridges and kick yourself for not waiting.

There are so many things you need to do before you query, and instead of being so eager to fall on your face, take my advice. I’ve got a checklist. If you can master all these things in less than a year, more power to you.

For each bullet on the checklist, I’ll be writing a detailed post. Subscribe. This is going to be fun! I promise. You'll be so busy climbing, you’ll almost forget how anxious you are to get that manuscript under agent noses.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, 2015, Photo by Maya Lundmark

My Checklist

*If there is a live link, it means the post has been written. If not, wait for it! I’m still writing.*

·        Give your manuscript time to “rest.” Put it away for a month or two. Then read, read, read. When you come back with fresh eyes, you’ll see your flaws.

·        Get on Twitter! There’s a fabulous, supportivewriters’ community on Twitter. You will make friends, improve your craft, andget to know what’s happening in the publishing industry.

·        Find experienced critique partners who will give you honest feedback.

·        Consider hiring a freelance editor.

·        Improve your craft—learn how to avoid commonpitfalls of novice writers.

·        Research agents that will be a good fit for yourmanuscript. The better your research, the more likely you are to find a goodmatch. It’s a subjective field, and approaching the right people is key.

·        Write something new. Never stop the creative juices flowing. Chances are, your next book will be the one that nets you an agent.

·        Learn how to pitch your book in 140 charactersor 35 words.

·        Learn how to write the query letter that will get you interest instead of getting you deleted.

·        Write the dreaded synopsis.

·        Master your first page.

·        Master the important pacing structure of a good novel.

·        Know your age category, genre, and respective word count expectations.

·        Choose comp titles—or not.

·        Stay positive. Carry on. Don’t get discouraged. Develop thick skin. Don’t quit.

Hopefully that’s enough to get you started!

Subscribe below by entering your email in the box. (Be sure to click on the verification email to successfully subscribe.) Or check back for posts on the topics above.

I’ll share little tips I’ve learned from personal experience as well as links to great resources that will help you put your best foot forward.

Now . . . let’s get started!  

Kilchurn Castle, Scotland, 2015, Photo by Maya Lundmark

Running and Writing

A new year means time for making goals.

Many of us hit the gym, re-evaluate our routines, and set our sights on things we want to accomplish during the year.

This past year, I've learned and accomplished unexpected things, and so much of that is due to the Twitter writing community. So I've set a goal to give back to the community and compile the amazing things I've learned so that anyone just starting out on their writing journey can benefit from my successes and failures, just as I've benefitted from those who have gone before me.

As an introduction, I'd like to tell you my story: How I began writing. It's a story full of goals and accomplishments.

Two years ago, I went running a few times a week with a couple good friends. Now, when I say "running," I use the term loosely. We are all thirty-something moms with various mid-life handicaps: lower back pain, tingly feet, wonky hip. Really, we sort of "shuffled" through the forests of rural Germany, often crossing paths with local octogenarian "Nordic Walkers" whom we waved at and exchanged pleasantries with in our meager German, pretending to understand the comments they volleyed back.

Reichenbach, Germany 2012, Photo by Erik Lundmark

One day, my very ambitious friend, Maratee, suggested that we set a goal to run a half-marathon. In fact, she said there was a half-marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland, in about six months.

"Yeah, that sounds like fun," I said. But really, I just laughed inside. There was no way our rag-tag running skills could ever be enough to complete a half-marathon. The most we'd ever run was five miles.

Eschenbach, Germany, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

But one spring day I was out running all by myself (my friends had both cancelled on me), and I decided to take an extra lap through the forest trail. Hmmm... I was tired, but the sun was shining. I made ten miles and figured I couldn't stop. I needed to try for 13.1.

No one but the squirrels would know if I failed.

The last mile I felt like my legs would fall off and my guts would spill out and I would die an agonizing, thirsty death in a remote Bavarian forest. But I figured at least the Nordic Walkers would find me the next day and carry my dead body back to the local Polizei.

Netzaberg, Germany, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

To my utter surprise, I completed the 13.1. And, more importantly, I didn't die.

After taking a long, hot shower and lying in a state of vegetation on my bed for a few hours, I called my friends and told them we were definitely running that half marathon.

We roped a few more women onto the bandwagon. My friend, Anna--who was not a runner--even committed to run with us.

Eschenbach, Germany, 2013, Photo by Erik Lundmark

Maratee's ambition turned into a reality. We flew to Scotland, rented a vacation home, and enjoyed a whirlwind trip that culminated in our race.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 2015, Photo by Erik Lundmark

We ran. I ran faster than I ever ran before. People cheered. (Okay, they golf-clapped and said, "Well done!" in adorable Scottish accents.) Onlookers played uplifting music along the course. The sun peeked out from the clouds and warmed my back.

And when the end drew near and my energy was almost spent, complete strangers lined the road with bowls of jelly-beans. And I took candy from strangers. And it was delicious. And it gave me the energy to carry on.

And as I got even closer to the finish line, I began to see people running back toward me: Finishers. People who had already finished the race and were coming back to encourage the rest of us not to give up!

And I did not give up.

And I finished the race.

We all did. Even Anna, the non-runner (who had trained like a champion), completed all 13.1 miles.

They gave us t-shirts and medals at the finish line.

It was awesome.

And on the train back from the race, with the adrenaline still pumping through my veins, Anna said these fateful words:

"Hey--so, now that I ran a half-marathon with you, how about you write a book with me? You see, there's this thing called NaNoWriMo..."

Huh. What's 50,000 words? If I could run a half-marathon, I could do anything.

"It's a deal."

And so, I wrote a book.

And I liked it.

And then I wrote another one.

I learned about the industry and what it takes to land an agent and get published. I worked my butt off, and wrote some more. And edited. Deleted. Killed my darlings. Re-wrote and learned some more. This writing business was turning out to be much harder than running a half-marathon...

But total strangers on Twitter offered me encouragement. They played proverbial uplifting music. Those running beside me smiled and shared my pains. They offered sweet nourishment when I thought all was lost. In my darkest times, those "finishers"--agented and published authors--have rallied back into the race to give encouragement, advice, and support.

I'm still waiting to cross the finish line, but I've trained like a champ, and maybe this will be the year I get my medal and my t-shirt.

They do give t-shirts, right?   

Musselburgh, Scotland, 2014