The Last Post: Completing Your Manuscript

with Dee Scully

The Last Post is traditionally a bugle call signalling the end of the day but over the years it has become better known as a farewell to departed servicemen and women. As writers we have no such farewell for our manuscripts. Often it’s difficult to know just when a manuscript is finished; so how do we know when to call it a day, to stop polishing and submit the work and move on to the next manuscript? What is our Last Post?

Breathless’s own Cassandra Samuels, author of A Scandalous Wager, doesn’t feel she’s ever ready to let go. “I know I always feel I can do more…but eventually you have to look at it and say to yourself [that] you have done the best you can with it and now it is time to let some fresh eyes see it. That’s when I send it to my editor."

Multi-published author Nikki Logan says much the same. “I don’t think you’re ever ‘done’ revising. Polishing. Tweaking. Second-guessing. Angsting. After a few books, you come to realise the signs of over-working—not necessarily in the finished product but in your own processes. If I catch myself spending a whole day on a single scene in the final stages of editing I know I’m going too far. That late in the process I should just be flying through the work, buffing a few rough edges. Not reworking.”

Alli Sinclair, author of Under the Spanish Stars and the May 2017 release, Beneath the Parisian Skies, agrees with Cassandra and Nikki. “I’m a perfectionist. In my eyes, a book is never completely finished. There will always be something I want to change, so I’ve had to learn to let go.” 

Alli suggests using the following three-point checklist:

*Have I done structural and copy edits to the best of my ability?

*Have I given it one last read through to make sure it holds together and there are no dangling thread storylines?

*If I read it again, will I vomit? (This is a very big sign that I have read and reread and revised so much that I just can’t stand the sight of it anymore!)

But what is our Reveille, our Last Post, the one thing to tell us our manuscript is ready to submit for publication? All our authors agreed, our Last Post is tweaking. If you’ve structurally edited your story, revised the copy, and made sure there are no plot-holes, then you’re done. If you tweak much more you run the risk of tweaking your voice right out of the manuscript. So, if you’ve done all the above and are just tweaking, stop and heed your writer’s bugle call. The day is done. Your manuscript is finished. Time to submit and move on.

How do you know when your manuscript is ready to submit?

I love to love:  our servicemen and women.  I have them to thank for my freedom.

I love to laugh:  at my iPhone's autocorrect.  Does it really think I don't know how to spell duck?

I love to learn:  new things about writing.  It helps me grow as a writer and as a human being.

Sadly, this will be Dee's last post for Breathless in the Bush. We have loved having her as part of our team and hope to welcome her back at some time in the future. We're sure all her loyal supporters will miss her as much as we will. We wish you well, Dee, and a heart-felt thank you for all you have done for us. xx

REVISION COMPULSION

with Dee Scully

Dee Scully's Revision Checklist

Are you a plotter? An obsessive organiser? Do you struggle to move on from one chapter to the next because you just know there is something that “needs to be tweaked” in the words you wrote yesterday?

I am a plotter and an obsessive organiser who is currently struggling to finish my manuscript because I can’t let the last chapter go. I spend most of my time revising what I wrote yesterday or making copious notes about what needs to be fixed at the earliest convenience (usually at the most inconvenient time), because somewhere in the dark recesses of my subconscious, doubts creep in and niggle at my confidence, eroding any possibility of moving on! A little voice inside my head tells me that my character isn’t being true to herself, or the GMC for my villain is weak and dragging my storyline down, etc…

I know what you’re thinking. “Wow! She’s nuts.” And yeah; you’re right. I am. Being obsessive is keeping me from finishing my manuscript and ultimately keeping me from submitting my work and moving on to the next story percolating in the back of my head.

A half-dozen or so published authors have also told me to move on. (Michael Hauge, James Scott Bell, Cherry Adair—I love and admire you all). I’ve tried to comply. I’ve even tried a 12 step program for alcoholics (even though I’m not an alcoholic) and numerous self-help websites for obsessive compulsives (such as Psych Central). They’ve all been very informative and have helped me outside my writing life.

So far, though, nothing has penetrated the thick carapace of my skull. (I’m so sorry Michael, James, and Cherry. I have listened and I am trying.)

Image courtesy of Dee Scully

I’ve recently decided (as of right now) to embrace my nuttiness. Instead of obsessing over my obsessing, I’m just going to go with it…sort of. I’m still going to write my lists and revise every day. After all, what I’ve been doing—trying to follow the path that everyone else has taken—is not working. While I am decidedly nutty, I am not insane.

From here on out I will write a list at the end of each writing session of what I need to work on. The next day I will spend a portion of time working on it, marking off the list what I’ve achieved. When my allotted revision time is up I will move on to the next chapter.

This may not be the best way to write. It may not be the way the greats do it. But it’s the way I will do it. In the end, how I write doesn’t matter. It’s that I do write and that I eventually get to THE END.

Do you follow 'the rules' of how you should write?  Are you hung-up following the rules, or have you learned to follow the beat of your own drummer?

I love to love…myself. It’s not always easy to love me, but who will if I don’t?

I love to laugh…at all the mistakes I’ve made in the past and how I’ve grown from them.

I love to learn…ways to make me a better person. Self-help books like The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman have helped me personally and professionally and even improved my writing!

*For anyone needing help with alcoholism or obsessive compulsion, please check out these websites for more information:
Alcoholics Anonymous
Australian Psychological Society 

Check out my weekly Write NOW memes on Instagram.  Created for writers new and old!

Dee Scully

Historical Romance Author

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/deescullyromanceauthor/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/deescullyromanceauthor 

Twitter:  @DeeScullyAuthor

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DeeScullyRomanceAuthor/posts/p/pub 

The NOT Writing Habit and How to Break It

by Dee Scully

I gotta be honest. I’m struggling.

Image courtesy of Write NOW http://instagram.com/deescullyromanceauthor/

For a while now I’ve had little to no time to write. At first it frustrated me, because of all people, I should be able to schedule time to write. I mean; I’ve blogged about goal setting and committing to those goals too many times to count and I truly believe in what I wrote, but…

Over the last few months, I’ve come to accept the lack of time as the norm and now, now that I actually have a few moments to write, I don’t even know where to begin.

Worse yet, is the fact that I’m actually a little afraid to open my work-in-progress (wip) and get stuck in and I don’t even know why!

What’s wrong with me? 

 I seem to have lost my mojo.

While trying to figure out why I can’t seem to get stuck back in to my wip, I’ve found ten tips that may help others find their lost mojo.

TIPS TO FINDING LOST MOJO

Image courtesy of Google Images

1. Write anything. Write a letter to a friend or to one of your characters. Write a hook to an upcoming chapter end. Write your train of thought. Just get writing. Once the proverbial writing ball is rolling, you’ll find it a lot easier to get stuck into your wip again.

2. Be honest with yourself. Why aren’t you picking up that pen or opening that laptop? Figure out what’s mentally barring you from writing and make the necessary changes to get yourself writing.

3. Review your writing goals. Be SMART about it—are your writing goals:  Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, AND Timely?  You might find that one of these was lacking and threw you off-track. Revise your goals with SMART in mind and it will be a lot easier to not only get stuck back in but to keep going in the first place.

4. Imagine your story. Find a comfortable place and let your mind roam around the crevices of your imagination. Really visualize your characters and your story. Feel what they feel. See what they see. Hear what they hear. Make your story real inside your mind and it will seep into your muscles and get those fingers tapping on the keys in no time.

5. Remember why you write. Is it your passion? Do you have stories that need to be told? Do you just like the freedom of putting your thoughts on paper? Has your reason for writing changed?

6. Think about the consequences. What would happen if you never wrote again? How would you feel? What would happen to your story, to your hopes of publication, to your self-esteem?

Image courtesy of Write NOW http://instagram.com/deescullyromanceauthor/

7. Engage in story housecleaning. Get your house, or in this sense, story in order. Review your story outline. Revise your synopsis. Outline an upcoming chapter. Re-engage with your story by cleaning up the story basics.

8. Change where you write. Change is as good as a holiday. Ok, so that may not necessarily be true but it can sometimes be motivating. If you usually write at your desk, go to your kitchen table. Maybe go to a café or write at the park. Change your scenery and you just might change your perspective.

9. Connect with a writing friend. Write, email, text, call, do coffee with a writing friend and talk about your struggles. Getting it out in the open might be what you need to move past it and who better to discuss it with than someone who’s probably been in a similar position at some stage in their writing career.

10. Compliment yourself. Yes, you heard me. Compliment yourself. You are a writer. You create stories in your head and commit them to paper (often but not always) in order to share them with others. You are creative and hardworking and generous. Breathe that bit of honesty inside you and let it refresh your writer’s soul.

Funny…after writing this blog article (TIP #1) and being honest with myself (TIP #2), I realize that my writing goals weren’t completely SMART (TIP #3). So, I’ve sat myself down, revamped my goals and really visualized my story (TIP #4), which has reminded me of why I write (TIP #5) in the first place and what the consequences of not writing would be (TIP #6). I’ve engaged in a bit of story housecleaning (TIP # 7) to refocus and re-engage with my characters and story. I’ve changed up my writing space (TIP #8) and here I am…connecting and commiserating with you, my romance writing/reading friends (TIP #9).

Thank you for allowing me to share my frustration and struggles and for helping me to find my writing mojo again.

I love to love…finding inspiration in the world around me. The cockatoos that frequent my front yard inspire the characters that populate my books.

Image courtesy of Google Images

I love to laugh…at the things that I used to think were difficult. With time and experience, they don’t seem so large or painful.

I love to learn…from my friends. They have taught me so much! (LOL—yes, even some things that they shouldn’t have!)

What do you do when your mojo seems to be lost?  Do you have any tips or advice to share?

Until later...happy writing/reading!

D

Dee Scully

Historical Romance Author

Breathless Blogger

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/deescullyromanceauthor/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/deescullyromanceauthor

Twitter:  @DeeScullyAuthor

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DeeScullyRomanceAuthor/posts/p/pub

The Not-So-Dreaded Synopsis and User-friendly Template

with Dee Scully

Question: What beginning writer hasn’t heard, spoken or at least felt these statements before? 

Answer: Not many.

Synopsis writing has become the stuff of urban legends.  Writers only whisper the word, shrinking away from it, pushing it down into the subconscious recesses of their minds where it lies in wait for just the right moment to emerge and wreak havoc with the delicate balance of a daily writing schedule.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

Picture courtesy of Picture Quotes

Yeah, it seems hard. Somehow we have to whittle our 65,000-100,000 word manuscripts down to a meaningful 2-3 pages, encapsulating not only the whole story, including the resolution, but also the voice used when writing it! But what venture worth anything was ever really easy?

I’m not going to profess to be THE BEST SYNOPSIS WRITER OF ALL TIMES. Nor will I say that I’m any good at it, but I will share my template for honing synopses down to the requisite number of pages. My hope is that it will help you to become THE BEST SYNOPSIS WRITER OF ALL TIME.

Dee Scully's Synopsis Template

Don’t get me wrong. This template isn’t going to do the work for you. You still have to get stuck in and do it yourself, but it will give you a base to build on and hopefully at the end you will say, “Synopses aren’t so hard. They lighten my soul. I know my story and can sell it even better now that I’ve written the synopsis!”

Give it a go and let me know your thoughts. If you’ve got any brilliant ideas on how to easily write a synopsis share them in the comments below.

Until later…happy synopsis writing!
D

I love to love…deeply. I don’t ‘fall’ into relationships. I make conscious decisions to always be present to those I love and care for. It’s not easy, but it’s who I am.

Image courtesy of Picture Quotes

I love to laugh…out loud. Those who know me, know this to be true…and usually get caught up and laugh out loud right along with me!

Image courtesy of Pixaby and Dee Scully

I love to learn…new ways to make writing easy and Google always has a ready answer!

Image courtesy of Google

Breathless Places

By Cassandra Samuels 

I love to know where writers and readers spend their time, don't you? The places where they dream and are inspired. Whether it is reading or writing, we all have a place that makes us feel empowered so as a fun post for this week I am revealing our very own Breathless places.

First up is Dee, who loves to have her furry friend Rosebud by her side while writing.

Rosebud Poppimonster Scully

Dee says: My writing place is anywhere my dog is. I’ve tried cafes and the library but I can never really focus. Maybe too much is happening around me. I even struggle when I’m sitting at my desk sometimes, but if my Rosie is sitting near me when I start to lose concentration I reach over, give her a cuddle and I’m able to get right back to whatever I’m working on. Distraction averted!

Miranda, our very own book reviewer, has her favourite reading place. It is her comfy pink recliner. No wonder. How inviting does it look? Miranda  says it is perfectly situated for her in this nice sunny spot near the fireplace with her current To-Be-Read pile at arm's length. Now you know why she can bring us such a fantastic array of wonderful book recommendations.

Miranda finds reading bliss in her comfy recliner.

Our newest published member, Marilyn (author of The Farmer's Perfect Match), tells us why she loves her writing space: Although it's not particularly clear in this photo, my writing cave is painted a beautifully serene peacock blue. At my corner-nook desk I'm surrounded by books (reference), pens and paper (for when the words won't flow on the computer), a citrus candle (ambience), my honey bear (to remind me to write every day), and other things I love (like my mini Jamie Fraser cutout - thank you, Cassie.)

You're welcome Marilyn. Every desk should have a pop-up Jamie! . Can you spot him?

Marilyn loves her writing cave.

Enisa describes her breathless place: Ideally surrounded by glowing candles and powerful crystals, I sit in a rustic cabin by a river in the midst of a forest and type away. The soothing sounds of nature enhance rather than disturb my creativity and my muse is happy.

Photography courtesy of Mark Lafontan

In reality, I type on my desktop computer in my home office (when writing time is abundant), or on my netbook in the living room (if time is sparse). I write in silence (music and chatter distract my creativity far too much). Inspirational quotes and precious crystals are scattered about. I'm big on positive energy. And the words flow.

Enisa Haines' writing space is surrounded by some of her favourite writing inspirations.

Karen M Davis shares with us her Breathless place: This is my messy study. I love writing here because it is my space. I close the door, put earplugs in so I don't get distracted by outside noise and start writing.
I hear you Karen. A lively house can be very distracting. I use headphones.

Karen's desk shows she is busy creating.

Sharon Burke's dream writing space.

'I have always wanted my own writing space. I have written two non-fiction books, one work of fiction, and several short stories and articles on a shared family computer. Earlier this year, I was given a laptop. I have just managed to acquire a roll top desk - something I have always wanted. My own writing space - finally!
I am so excited. Looking forward to restoring the desk, putting it in our study nook and enjoying the privilege of writing in my own space.'

Imagine how good this desk will be for Sharon's creative pursuits once it has been restored.

As for me? My writing space is lucky last. As you can see I like to have lots of things on my desk; it's in a corner of my bedroom so I don't really have anywhere else to put these things. I love being surrounded by some of my favourite reference books and notebooks. My desk is guarded by my Game of Thrones boys (Tyrion, Jon Snow and Rob Stark), and Loki also causes mischief here. My RWAust First Sale Ribbon has pride of place, as well. You might even see a pop up Jamie somewhere there.

When I am not writing at my desk I write in bed on my laptop, especially in winter. You have to keep the muse warm, you know.

Where do you love to write or read? What is your Breathless Place? Let me know in the comments.

Love to Love... my headphones. They are the most comfortable set I've ever had and are noise-cancelling as well. They let me escape into my Regency world and forget about reality.

Love to laugh...  at the new Bridget Jones movie trailer. Are you planning on seeing it?

Love to Learn...  about other writers' creative spaces and processes.

Writing Gaols…er, um, I mean…Goals

by Dee Scully

It’s February. Where are you at with your writing goals? 

Yep, we’ve already flipped over two months of the 2016 calendar. Poof! Two months gone. Just like that! 

Image courtesy of YouTube

It’s amazing how time clicks by, isn’t it? One day you’re making goals, the next you’re breaking them.

Ever noticed how close gaol is to the word goal? 

Even with the best of intentions our writing goals get pushed to the side and are all too often forgotten. Every now and again you think of them. Your shoulders slump and you look surreptitiously behind you. You’re certain the goal police are about to nab you. They know you’ve broken the promises you made to yourself at the end of 2015 and they’re just ready to pounce and put you in the shackles you deserve. 

After all breaking writing goals is one of the worst crimes you can commit (as a writer).

Well, never fear. I’m here to give you one last chance to get those goals back on track before the goal police throw you in the clinker for crimes against humanity. Yes, your unfulfilled goals are being likened to crimes against humanity because as long as you're not making those goals work, you’re not living a full and happy life. Further, you’re not blessing the world with the gift of your story! Now that’s a crime if I ever heard of one.

So...go, get your goals out. I mean it. Go get them. I know you’ve written them down somewhere or filed them away on your hard drive and probably not looked at them since, but now’s the time to get them out again.

A lot of us (and I do mean the you and me kind of “us”) have neatly typed them; colour coded them and set them in a pretty little frame. (See below, but…please, don’t judge me.) You might have even stuck them right beside your computer or on your bathroom mirror, somewhere you were sure to see them EVERY day. After all, breaking writing goals is one of the worst crimes you can commit (as a writer) and you wouldn't willingly want to do that!

But somewhere along the way they’ve been covered with a pile of work or splashed beyond recognition with toothpaste.

No matter. Push the books onto the floor and scrape that Colgate off and let’s have a look at them. Let’s remind ourselves what we wanted early in January (and maybe even what we’ve wanted all our lives).

Okay. Got 'em? Cool. Now read them. Read them again. Commit them to memory. Now tear them up. Yes, I mean it. Tear them up.

I’ve got the one sure fire way to get the goal police forever off your back.

No, it’s not a twelve-step program for writers or even a five easy steps to getting your goals back on track. I’m going to give you the one step—the only step—you need to get your writing done. And here it is: write.

Yeah. It’s that simple. Just write.

Now, go do it. Write NOW.

Image courtesy of www.livelifehappy.com 

Simple fact: writing just 500 words a day, for (any) five days of the week, will give you 130,000 words at the end of the year. We’ve lost two months, but that still leaves 44 weeks. Writing five days a week for those 44 weeks will give you 110,000 words at the end of 2016. That’s more than you need for most single title books.

Who’s with me? Who's ready to do the one thing you need to get your book finished? Who's ready to write?

Love to love…watching the beautiful (yet quite squawky) Australian native birds in my front yard.

Love to laugh…at the first writing goals I ever made. (I was going to complete my first manuscript in four months time and have it submitted and published within six months. That was before I knew anything about POV, active v. passive, character arcs and more.)

Love to learn…new crossfit routines. They keep my asthma at bay and push me to keep going even when everything inside me screams “Just quit.”

Google+ for Writers Part 3: Customising Your Profile

with Dee Scully

There are four simple profile customizations you can do to maximize your Google+ exposure… (Tweet this)

**To edit your profile page, you must view your profile as yourself.**

1.  Improve Your Profile Tagline

In your Google+ profile About page, scroll down to Story and click edit (near the bottom of the section). Write a tagline that captures what you, your voice, and your writing is about. This enables viewers to quickly see what you are all about. Be specific. This is not the place to be frivolous. 

2.  Include Key Words

Google combines your tagline and the first two sentences of your introduction for their metadata search, so make the first two lines about what you want viewers--again potential readers--to know about you and your writing.

Google+ allows you to keep your points clear and easy to follow with bullet points. Use them to list your published books or awards that you’ve won.

3.  Claim Your Custom URL

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DeeScullyRomanceAuthor/about

After you’ve had your Google+ page for a month and you have more than ten followers in your Circles, Google+ rewards you with a customized URL. Make sure to claim this URL and use it on business cards, on your website, your blog, and more.

4.  Add Links-To and From

When blogging or updating a webpage, be sure to add your customized URL. When inserting it as a hyperlink, tick the add ‘rel+nofollow’ attribute in the hyperlink box. This will enhance your posts search results and increase your click through rates.

How have you used this article to improve your profile?  Share your thoughts in the comments.  We love connecting with you!!

One lucky Australian commenter will win a writer's gift pack.  Be sure to check back next Monday to see if you're the winner!!

 I love to love...connecting with people through Google+!

I love to laugh...at all the funny pictures people Google+!

I love to learn...about others via Google+!