Writers Online Network
Table of Contents
Executive Director: Jennifer K. Taylor Executive Producer of WON Radio: Wt Prater Marketing Director: Melanie Fountain
3
The Editor’s Pen
4
Writer’s Guide to Success
6
Importance of Historical Research
9
Identifying Your Writing Personalities
10
It’s Never Easy
12
When Reviews Sting
14
The Producer’s Desk
A Special Thanks to Our WON Radio Hosts and Support Staff This edition is dedicated to everyone who has put forth so much effort to make the first year of WON Radio successful
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Disclaimer: Writers Online Network is published quarterly. The ar cles published in WON do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. All ar cles are intended for informa onal purposes only. Adver sers are solely responsible for the content and validity of informa on published within their ads and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. Decep ve or misleading adver sing is not knowingly accepted by the publisher. Adver sing is accepted with the understanding that all liability for copyright viola ons is the sole responsibility of the adver ser. All material submi'ed for publica on is considered to be the intellectual property of the writer/creator. Writers Online Network publishers, staff, and other persons involved in the crea on, produc on or distribu on of the magazine (in whatever format) or its content, do not assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any informa on provided in the magazine, nor shall they be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, subsequen al, or puni ve damages arising out of the use of the magazine.
The Editor’s Pen... I have been involved in local writers groups
it’s an amazing feeling to look back on where we
for nearly five years. I’ve learned so much from the
came from. Once a dream, WON Radio hit the air
writers in my community. We are all on different
in July and we’ve not stopped growing thanks to
levels—some have published books, others are
the pioneering efforts of our Execu ve Producer,
trying to make a career out of wri ng, and some
Wt Prater, and his WON Radio staff. We have
are wri ng simply as a hobby. But no ma'er
grown from two weekly shows to over eight shows
where we are in the process or what our end goal
all airing at various intervals. We average fi2y live
is, we’ve become a close group.
listeners and hundreds of people are listening a2er
I’m raising my children with the love and joy
the shows air!
of reading—I believe there’s no greater gi2 to a
In this first issue of Writers Online Network
child than to teach them to love reading. It frees
Magazine, you’ll find many nota ons about the
the mind and opens new doors and possibili es. It
current shows, ar cles from some of the Radio
promotes crea vity and a thirst for knowledge.
staff and see the talent behind the mic for what it
One of our bed me rou nes is to have “book
is—beau ful.
me” before bed, and my girls get upset when
I want to take the opportunity to welcome
they don’t get book me each night. This was the
Melanie Fountain to our staff. She’s joining us this
first sign I knew my girls were really watching me.
month as our new Marke ng Director. You may
The second was last year when I didn’t have
have already seen her pos ng on our Facebook
anyone to watch the kids during one of the writers
page, but she’s only ge?ng started. She has a
group mee ngs, so I took them with me. Rather
wealth of knowledge that is invaluable to our
than the usual coloring book and crayons rou ne,
network. Melanie, we are very glad to have you on
my girls sat at the next table and copied out of
board!
their favorite books. They called it “writers club” and have been playing it ever since.
I also want to take a moment to personally thank Wt Prater for everything you’ve done this
Don’t worry, I’ve moved them away from
past year. You are a wonderful partner to work
plagiarism and they are now wri ng their own
with, and I love you dearly. Thank you from the
stories, but they sparked something in me last year
bo'om of my heart—this dream never would have
and that was how WON became a vision. You see, I
taken flight without your passions and endeavors.
believe in “passing it on” and giving back to a
And, of course, a huge thank you to my
community that has supported and encouraged
family who have sacrificed me and energy to help
me. I didn't realize un l then that I was already
me devote me to WON, this magazine, and my
doing so. But WON became a passion, and I’m
networking endeavors. You may never know how
thrilled to look at it now forming and taking shape.
much this means to me!
We are ending our first year of WON, and
Jennifer K. Taylor Editor of Writers Online Network Magazine www.writersonlinenetwork.org | Page 3
Writer’s Guide to Success
I
n a world full of advice, these are merely my
completely ignored me. These days, when it takes
thoughts on how I try to conduct myself. Take
five seconds to respond to a message, why not do
what you will, leave what you may. Be direct. I don’t respond to manipula on or passive aggressive behavior. Just state what you
it? My philosophy is make sure you are doing as much as you can first, before you ask anyone to do anything for you. Period.
want or need as directly as possible and I can tell
If nothing ma+ers, everything ma+ers. I am
you yes, no, or maybe. The quickest way for me to
very careful how I represent myself. I choose to
decide to whether or not I want to help is to
treat people with respect, dignity, and posi ve
determine how straigh@orward someone is being.
energy. I don’t always get the same back, and those
Let’s face it, in a world of fake friends and the
are the mes when I am tested in the public eye.
“using then discarding people” mentality, why not
Be wary, when you think no one is watching;
just be direct and say what you want?
everyone is. We all have bad days, but those are
Follow through. Don’t make promises you
the days I stay offline or fight to be more posi ve.
know you can’t keep. And if you find you can’t
That’s my choice. Grumpy Cat is popular for a
fulfill an agreement, be honest and apologize.
reason.
Don’t disappear. That is one of the best ways to
Be afraid, but then do it. I recently watched
gain a bad rep in any business. I’m not saying I’ve
the movie “We Bought a Zoo” and one of my
always kept my end of every bargain, but I have
favorite quotes is, “All you need is twenty seconds
tried to be honorable and communicate as much as
of courage.” I love that! Right before I started a
I could.
conversa on with Sherrilyn Kenyon or Gena
Communica%on is Key! Talk, talk, talk, talk.
Showalter, before I sent an email to Bruce Coville
Message, email, text, call; I would rather someone
or Christopher Golden, before I asked Brent Spiner,
over communicate and bore me than ignore me. I
Jonathan Frakes, or Ron Glass a ques on, I got
build rela onships based on communica on. If
scared. But then, I got over it. We each have a
someone consistently proves hard to reach, I move
limited me to do what we want and while fear can
on. Invest in those who invest in you.
stop us from doing monumentality stupid things, it
Give as good as you get, and then some.
can also stop us from living a full life.
Every day I need something; whether it’s a hug, a swi2 kick in the rear, or a guest on one of the shows. How dare I ask anyone for anything if I am not willing to give as much as I can first! I get notes and invites from authors all the me that I simply delete because every me I have asked them a ques on or offered them something, they have
Page 10 | Writers Online Network | August 2014
Wt Prater is considered by some to be an Author Wrangler, but in real life, he's just that friendly. He is co-founder of Writers Online Network (WON) and serves as Execu ve Producer of WON Radio. He writes in his spare me, having published four short stories and has fi2y six works in progress. Check him out at www.wtprater.com
The Importance of Historical Research the aristocracy isn’t royalty. Secondly, while a Duke is the Duke of Someplace (Duke of Wellington,) as is a marquis and an earl, a viscount is known as Viscount Wellington. I am o2en shocked at the lack of knowledge when I read Bri sh based historical fic on. Many ques ons arise about aspects of a period—clothing (what did they cover bu'ons with?), food (varied greatly within the social classes), hairstyles (women wore their hair up for a
A
s a writer of historical novels, I prepare well in
reason), customs, expecta ons of various social
advance of wri ng, by doing my research.
classes, etc. Look up contact informa on for
Research is a must in wri ng, which blows the lid
museums, galleries, genealogical and historical
off the old adage “write what you know.” None of
socie es, and drop them a le'er or an e-mail. Be
us knows it all, and we all want to “get it right.”
concise in your ques oning. I’ve received genial
I started out wri ng Regency romance. This is a fascina ng period which began in 1811, when the King of England grew too ill to rule. His son, the Prince
of
Wales,
assumed
the
help from places such as the Bri sh Library and many genealogical socie es. For historical medical ques ons, books are
obliga ons,
the best resource. Medical prac ces and curing
becoming the king’s regent or subs tute. When the
abili es varied throughout history. In the past,
king died, the Regent became King George IV.
childbirth o2en resulted in death for the mother
There is no extended Regency period, as some
and/or the child, and required confinement of a
purport. The Regency era ended when the regent
month or more.
became king.
In medieval mes, surnames weren’t used.
The rules and social mores of the 19th
Rather, a person was referred to by their first name
century didn’t change during the Regency. They
and the town where they lived. Surnames in
were staid and completely unfair to women,
Scandinavian countries are tricky. For instance,
homosexuals, the poor, and to men, who, should
even today, a boy child, whose father’s first name
they answer their natural inclina ons (bedding a
is Mar n, would have the last name Mar nson,
lady), they had to deal with the strict views on
while his sister would be Mar nsdo?r.
honor and marry the lady, no ques ons asked. Research tells us these things, in great detail.
Specific given names came into and went out of favor throughout history. You must know
If wri ng about Bri sh aristocracy, the
what names existed in a par cular period. Online
writer must consider proper forms of address. First,
census records are wonderful for that purpose, but
Page 4 | Writers Online Network | August 2014
you can also search “men’s first names in 1815 in
Research is fluid and never ends.
England,” for example, and you’ll find databases
One of the silliest places I’ve seen people try
filled with names. There were no Biffs or Buffys
to research is on author loops. I wouldn’t
then.
recommend that at all, not when you can search Consider the social status of the characters
just about anything you can imagine and get scads
and fashion speech that takes into considera on
of viable webpages. At the bare minimum, check
modern impa ence. Less contrac ons and clichés
Wikipedia. I’ve found great accuracy there, despite
help. Refrain from using currently popular phrases.
a prior reputa on to the contrary.
I read in a Regency once, where the writer had a
require a commitment and the readers expect and
character say, “I’ve got your back.” While that is a
appreciate the effort.
viable statement, we use it today, so it sets the wrong tone.
Historicals
One last note. Even contemporaries require research. Anything worth wri ng is worth the
The best way to get a grasp of historical
research. If you want your reader to care about the
speak is to read books wri'en in the period. Also,
book, care enough to put the effort behind ge?ng
movie adapta ons of books from the period.
it right.
Contrac ons came into usage at different mes. There are online resources to discover when. Modes of travel varied greatly in mes past, as did travel mes. Certain rules applied to the care and treatment of horses. For instance, a responsible rider wouldn’t push their horse much past fi2een miles a day. If horses drew a carriage, the coachman traveled only five to six miles a day. Travel required frequent stops at coaching inns to change horses. Jane Austen’s wri ngs are a wonderful resource for this and other subjects.
Brita Addams’ Tarnished Gold, the first in her Tarnished series for Dreamspinner, was a winner in the 2013 Rainbow Awards, Historical Romance category. It also received nomina ons, from the readers of the Goodreads MM Romance Group, for Best Historical and Best Book of 2013. You can learn more from Brita by listening to her new WON Radio show And the Rest is History on the last Tuesday of each month. The show airs at 3pm Eastern2pm Central. Her show includes deep discussions with other historical wri ng authors about heir books, research, and the genre’s popularity among readers.
To write a historical, the writers should immerse themselves in the period. I spend months researching before I ever write a word. For my novel Tarnished Gold, set in Hollywood during the early 19teens through 1935, I spent a solid six months absorbing everything I could. Then, as I wrote, I researched things as they came up. www.writersonlinenetwork.org | Page 5
Identifying Your Writing Personalities
A
s a new writer, you need to know that there are three responsibili es in the wri ng
process—research,
wri ng,
and
edi ng.
By
iden fying these responsibili es, I have given each one a voice in my wri ng process. There is no oneway-fits-all in the wri ng process. What works for me will not work for everyone. However, the informa on I’m about to give you will help you determine your own wri ng process and what works best for you.
freedom to develop the process that works best for
The Researcher—Research is very important you. Whether you write in pieces or straight and you must make me for it, especially if you are through, do what works best for you. wri ng about an established topic or a historical
The Editor— You will hear this referred to as
event. Research gives you a founda on and the “inner editor” in many wri ng circles. This is the credibility. You cannot write about vampires and not one that wants to correct all your mistakes and include the fact they drink blood. That is a fact of interrupt your wri ng process. Personally, I try to who they are, and without that fact, no avid reader put the editor on mute un l I have a full first dra2, will take you seriously.
but it is nearly impossible. Some mes I have to let
The research doesn’t stop once you start the editor out of the box to fix a few things to make wri ng. As you write, you may have a couple more my wri ng process easier. ques ons and need more informa on. Take notes
If you’ve not yet discovered your own wri ng
and go back to research it later, but my advice is to process, take the me to analyze your process the not stop wri ng un l you get to a stopping place. next me you are wri ng. Pay a'en on to what you Finish your thought otherwise you may not do and if you believe you are making progress. If remember where your thoughts were taking you.
not, change up your process and see if that helps. It
The Writer—Wri ng is what we desire to may take me, but it’s me invested in your cra2, happen; this is where the ideas and notes take form and it’s worth the effort. Your ul mate goal is to on the page. All the knowledge becomes words on a have a quality dra2 that doesn’t need months of page that should have an impact on your readers.
edi ng and flows well.
Every wri ng process is different. The Jennifer K. Taylor is the Execu ve Director of Writers Online
pla@orm (ar cle, blog post, book) determines the Network. She resides in the foothills of North Carolina with actual process you take. The process you create to her husband, two daughters, and their rescue dog, Lady. Jennifer draws her inspira on for her wri ngs from her
work through wri ng an ar cle may not be the same hometown. You can find out more about Jennifer on process you use for wri ng a book. Give yourself the Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenniferktaylor713
www.writersonlinenetwork.org | Page 7
It’s Never Easy
W
hat’s never easy you ask? Submi?ng your
days will get back to you in under 90 days
story to a publisher. Whether it’s your first
(some even under 30) so wait to hear back
submission or your hundred-and-first, you’re
from them – if you don’t hear from them, it’s
pu?ng part of yourself out there for someone to
perfectly all right to send a query email
judge. Now a good editor and publishing house,
regarding
whether they accept your work or not, will give you
submission (submi?ng your story to more
some feedback on your story. A blanket “no-thank-
than one publisher at a me) is a sure-fire
you” le'er is hard; you never know if it just didn’t
way to upset publishers and editors. We take
work for them or if maybe your manuscript needs a
the me to read your story and offer
rewrite.
feedback, but if you send the manuscript to
the
status.
A
simultaneous
Here are a few ps that can make the
more than one publisher at a me, it’s more
process a li'le easier on you and the reviewing
than likely you’re was ng someone’s me.
editor.
Everyone’s me is valuable.
1. Put together a complete submission packet which includes: •
•
•
4. If you hear back from the publisher and they’ve
opted
not
to
accept
your
the full manuscript (named the story tle not
manuscript, whether you agree or disagree
“dra2 one”) with your full name/pen name
with their opinion (and be realis c, it is an
and contact informa on on the front page
opinion), arguing with them about it is
a synopsis that doesn’t have a cutesy
uncalled for. Also, going on Facebook or a
cliUanger – one paragraph per major plot
blog and ran ng about the decision/opinion
point is good but really shouldn’t be over
is no ced by other authors/publishers/
three pages
editors. You can thank them for their me
a cover le'er/email that introduces you and
and leave it at that or just don’t respond.
your story.
Ge?ng into a disagreement over the
2. Make sure that you’re submi?ng the best
decision can be seen as unprofessional and
manuscript that you can. This doesn’t mean
you want to present the best image you can.
hiring a freelance editor to edit your
5. Remember that if a publisher accepts your
manuscript before you submit, but it does
manuscript, they are accep ng you into their
mean if you can find a good beta reader (not
‘family’. Editors/publishers do make note of
your bes e that will tell you everything is
how you present yourself online and at
great when it might not be) or cri que
conferences. We like when authors have
group, make use of them and LISTEN to their
personality and know how to present
feedback.
themselves well – means they’re an asset to
3. Be pa ent. Most publishing houses these
Page 12 | Writers Online Network | August 2014
the publishing house.
6. Read the submission guidelines for the house you are sending your manuscript to. Do your research on the publishing house and make sure that it’s the best fit for your story. Ask around about the publisher. Look online for any feedback on the publisher. Make sure that just because Publisher XYZ says they’ll publish your story that you won’t be caught in an unsavory posi on. These are just a few things to watch as you’re finishing up your manuscript and get it ready to face the world without you. Just remember, editors and publishers WANT your manuscript to be the best that it can be; they don’t want you to fail, they want you to succeed.
Kris Jacen is the Execu ve Editor and Forma?ng Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints. She was invited to join the MLR staff in 2008 and has never looked back. Working with the amazing authors at MLR has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. She also acts as editor, mentor, and sounding-board for newcomers which lets her "pay-it-forward" and help authors realize their dreams.
And the Rest is History
Inspira%on Call
The Write Market
Dominique Eastwick
Helen Hardt of Musa Publishing
Penny Sansevieri
Kim Fielding
Playing Ball
Write on the Edge
Ask the Editor
Kate McMurray
Jacob Flores
Ruth Taylor
Marguerite Labbe
Edmond Manning
Jerry Wheeler
Shae Connor
Lor Rose
Kenny Freeman
Zam Maxfield
Brian Kea ng
Taste Test
Wri%ng Real
Mica Rossa
Authors of Capes & Clockwork
April Fasino Lane
Freshly Booked
Aurora Zahni
Michael Fusco
Katherine Rhodes
www.writersonlinenetwork.org | Page 13
When Reviews Sting years, especially bad reviews, is that they're really not all bad. They hurt, of course, especially when that book is your baby, as Lotus Petals is for me. Put it in perspec ve, though: look up one of your absolute favorite books. I chose Jim Butcher's Proven Guilty, and then, just for kicks, I followed it with Harry Po!er and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Guess what? They both have 1- and 2-star reviews,
I
right along with all those bloody thousands of 4- and t is inevitable. No ma'er how skilled a writer you
5-star reviews.
are, you are one day going to run into the
So what do you do when someone brands
dreaded bad review. A public bashing. The "lone
you with that terrible single star? Or worse yet,
star". There's no way around it: it will happen.
lambast you with cruel words and call your talent
When it does, it's bound to s ng.
into ques on?
I recently signed into Goodreads and no ced
First, take a moment to reassure yourself,
the dreaded 1-star ra ng from a reader who had
again, that every author has a li'le pile of rejec on
just finished my vampire romance, Lotus Petals.
le'ers and bad reviews in their desk drawer, no
Seeing that one lonely star hanging beside my
ma'er who they are (Stephen King talks about his
beau ful book cover hurt bad enough, but even
collec on in his book, On Wri%ng). Consider your
worse, the reader had le2 no review. I panicked.
book truly ini ated into the world of readership.
There was gnashing of teeth and tearing of hair,
Second, do take a moment to read the review
rending of my clothes and then small, sad sniffles in
and reflect on whether your reviewer has made any
the dark.
valid points regarding your work. This isn't to say
Okay, so maybe it wasn't quite that drama c,
you have to take every harsh word to heart, or start
but believe me, it did induce a bit of a frenzy for a
bashing yourself for missing a plot point or falling
few hours. Fran c thoughts of Why? What did I do
flat with one of your characters. Good writers,
wrong? Why didn't she like it? tumbled through my
though, must be open to self-examina on, and if a
head, u'erly useless of course because without an
reader has found fault with your work, you may find
actual review, there was no way I could ever know
some of it is valid—and, that you can grow from it.
what mo vated the reader to give my book only
Let's say for example, your cri c is poin ng
one poor star. As long as we're being brutally
out a lack of character growth. Take a moment to
honest, I have to admit I even avoided Goodreads
decide if this is really true. Be open to the idea that
for a few days, hiding from that star.
perhaps this is an area where you can learn and
What I've learned about reviews over the
Page 8 | Writers Online Network | August 2014
grow. If you decide perhaps your cri c has a point,
take it as a "point to grow on". Not an irreparable error; just something to help you learn.
Then get back to basking in the glow of the reviews that truly love you. Write on, my lovelies!
Once you've given the review one good look and considered whether or not it has any real merit (not all reviews will), dump it. Wash your hands of it: never look at it again. If you ďŹ nd that diďŹƒcult to do, tell yourself this: there's nothing more you can get out of it. The best thing for you to do with any bad review is to use it and kick it to the curb. It's
Brantwijn Serrah has had several stories published in anthologies by Breathless Press, including the 2013 Crimson Anthology and 2014 Ravaged Anthology. She's also had a short story published in the Cleiss Press Big Book of Orgasm and the anthology Coming Together Through The Storm. She hopes to have several more tales to tell as me goes on. She has author pages on GoodReads and Amazon, and loves to see reader comments on her work. Her short stories occasionally pop up at Foreplay and Fangs, her blog at brantwijn.blogspot.com.
not like a person: you absolutely have permission to take it home for the night without buying it breakfast the next morning.
www.writersonlinenetwork.org | Page 9
The Producer’s Chair So, anyone who really knows me, knows that
love, and comfort as possible. I am con nuing to
I have ADD. Severe ADD. Like I have tried wri ng
push myself to finish what I start and trying not to
this mul ple --- I want a sandwich. And for much of
beat myself up for failing to do so much of the me.
my life, this disease has worked against me.
I cannot say I have had much success in the
When Jennifer and I started talking about
last year with my wri ng, finances, or romance, but
WON a li'le over a year ago, I was mad excited. But
I am so proud of building this family: Jennifer, the
I was also afraid. Although I knew I had the energy
perfect “Chris na” to my “Meredith”; Vicktor, my
and lots of idea for the project, I was scared that
brother from another mother; Amanda, my heart’s
ADD would kick in and I would invest me and
strength; Kat and Elsa, Tricia and Heidi, beyond
energy in a project, in yet another project, that
words. Mary, Sarah, Melanie, and Jayden; you guys
would fall to the wayside because as much as I
give me hope as our family grows. To Fred, who has
wanted it to succeed… You get the picture.
saved me so many mes; Brita, who always gives
Well, here we are with WON to celebrate a
me truth; Julie, my support and without whose
year! And while my life has completely changed
guidance I do nothing. And to all the authors, I have
(and in a lot of ways for the be'er), I am s ll
become friends with and am passionate about,
completely, u'erly devoted to this idea. I love the
thank you. Everything I do, I do it for you.
thought
of
networking
with
other
authors,
publishers, readers, and everyone in the wri ng world, crea ng as many ways of providing support,
Page 14 | Writers Online Network | August 2014
Wt Prater Execu%ve Producer of WON Radio