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I would like to help answer questions that you have on HOW. How do I...? SO, the best (judged by moi) how or why question in the comments section by this time next week will win a first chapter critique by yours truly. Keep in mind my forte is YA, but I will also look at MG. This way the contest is open worldwide. Oh heck, Aliens are invited too, but it has to be in English if you want comments because that's all I speak!
If it's a great question but I don't know the answer? I will FIND SOMEONE WHO DOES and still get the answer. If I get more than one? I'll give away up to three critiques, but potentially use more questions. And don't forget I'll link back to those who asked them.
Good luck! Can't wait to see what you come up with. ;D
How do you find that balance between emotional motivation/inner conflict for your main character and not going too emo? I know it has to do with story tone and genre too but do you have any tips?
ReplyDeleteAwesome question Laura. Talk about setting the bar on these. And darn it. Her brillance has caused my brain cells to short.
ReplyDeleteHow do you find that balance between (yeah, yeah, I know i'm stealing the first part of Laura's question) inner thought and action when revealing emotion? So many writers use action and visceral responses, but agents and editors are saying they want more inner thoughts.
I love both Laura and Stina's how questions. Would love to see posts on that, and they relate.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: How do I create a character whose story arc is to discover and own her inner power without making her come across as too passive in the beginning?
How do you reveal a key clue to the mystery in your story, without letting the reader know it's a clue until later, when everything finally clicks into place?
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, Laura sets the bar pretty high!
You're a pantser, so how do you know when you've got the pacing right, and where you need to insert plot points?
ReplyDelete(Excellent idea. This is fun!)
Darn it! My question was the same as Julie's...oh well, let's try this one:
ReplyDeleteA character may be likeable to the author - and that's mostly because they're the one who created them - but how do you know you have a character that the reader will like just as much as you, the author?
OMG! You guys are coming up with some AMAZING questions! I feel like the Oracle or something though... I better do my homework!!
ReplyDeleteThis is fun! Here's a tough one:
ReplyDeleteHow do you know when a book is 'done' enough to start sending it out on submission?
Ohhhh Lisa you have opened up a can of awesome! How can I resist? (No that's not my question)
ReplyDeleteMy question deals with your genre, how do you balance adult interaction with teens without having the adults become underdeveloped absentee people?
What an awesome idea! Hm...
ReplyDeleteHow do you know when too much is too much? Descriptions, characterization, dialogue... how do you know when you're boring the reader? (If that counts as two questions, take the second one.) :)
Great questions so far - can't wait to see the answers!! I'll have to go put on my thinking cap! :)
ReplyDeleteHow do I get my alien co-author to keep the story in and earthly time zone, and also quit drooling his snarfly-slime all over the pages?
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS.
ReplyDeleteHow do you skate that fine line between having a strong character with many, many flaws and having a character who's unlikeable?
Impressive questions. Mine would be how do you avoid a "saggy middle" in your story?
ReplyDeleteHow do you know when a story just isn't going to work, give up and move on to a new project?
ReplyDeleteI want the answers to all the questions! But you know me, curious and a tad greedy.
I love these comments--wow! Your readers are genius! Unfortunately, my brain is not functioning, so all I can come up with is--how do I meet my word goals without drowning in coffee? :)
ReplyDeleteSome of these questions are so good, I'm going to write them down and ask agents and editors at my next conference. I especially like Stina's question.
ReplyDeleteMy question: How do you slow down an action paced novel with internal thought and do so seamlessly?
Amazing questions. So amazing that I'm a little intimidated. But anyway, here's one that I wrestle with too often: What is the best way to set up a twist at the end of a novel that readers do not see coming, yet makes perfect sense once they read it. You know, that slap the forehead "but of course" sense that we get when we've read a really great twist. Hmm.
ReplyDeleteHow do I present myself as normal when there are so many voices in my head?
ReplyDeletelol.
How do you prevent yourself from going back and editing parts of a draft when your still drafting? It's such a time suck, but I itch to do it. I'm getting better at not doing it, but I can't help but go back.
ReplyDelete