• About
  • Books
  • Events
  • Rutger Hauer Starfish Association

Author Roberta Trahan

~ Murder, Mayhem, and Mystical Mystery

Author Roberta Trahan

Tag Archives: editing

How to Grow Writer’s Skin

08 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by robertatrahan in Miscellaneous

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

editing, Fiction Writing, Inspiration, publishing, Roberta Trahan, submissions, writers, Writing, writing community, writing life, Writing tips

Image“A Writer’s Ink” by Norman Duenas

Years ago, in a Twitter exchange, writer Kevin R Hill commented that many great books might never see light of day because the authors were not tough enough to stand against years of rejections. How true, I replied, and the idea of “writer’s skin” came up. We should coin a phrase, Kevin said – writer’s skin, the thick layer that protects tender hearts.

If only one could buy writer’s skin ready-made, I said, like a magical cloak or suit of armor, instead of having to grow it from the inside out. Yes, if only. But as it turns out we all must cultivate our own thick layer of protection.

Today, like that day, I happen to be suffering from some of the soul-wounding that all writers must endure. Although knowing that this ritual scarring is an unavoidable test of author-hood helps you prepare for the battle, it does nothing at all to stop or even slow the blood-letting. Kevin’s tweet reminded me then and now that this uncomfortable truth was universal – that I was not alone. And neither are you.

To help you get a good start, here are some tips for growing a healthy, hardy sheath of writer’s skin:

Start with a Rich Growth Medium that has been fortified with equal measures of patience, persistence, and perseverance, and is resistant to infiltrations of noxious weeds like self-doubt, jaded perspective and bitterness.

Sow Only the Highest Quality Seeds by selecting the most unique and well-formed ideas for cultivation. This will help to ensure that your writer’s skin is fashioned from the strongest creative fibers.

Water Frequently from the deepest wells of knowledge and most trusted fountains of inspiration. Avoid shallow, stagnant ponds and shark infested pools.

Fertilize As Needed with only the highest quality, well-credentialed experience you can find. Choose carefully – there are a lot of low budget brands out there that promise plenty but deliver little results.

Be sure to harvest your writer’s skin before the beginning of the submission season, and wear it whenever you venture out. This should help to shield you from the harsher elements.

Remember, writer’s skin is susceptible to normal wear and tear and that frequent use will erode its protective qualities. Therefore, it must be replaced periodically. While writer’s skin tends not to flourish in intemperate climates, it is a self-sustaining renewable resource and can be grown almost anywhere and at any time by constructing a green-house like environment that recreates the favorable conditions mentioned above.

Advertisement

The Week in Review

31 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by robertatrahan in The Week in Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Amazon Publishing, Author Branding, author marketing, editing, Lit Chicks Editorial, publishing, Roberta Trahan, Writing, writing life, Writing tips

A return to some forgotten routines this week, including everyday writing. I might not have managed much in the way of word count, but I kept my pledge to myself and spent time with my work in progress each day. It was good to get reacquainted with the story and I even found some new inspiration.

I also completed my Marketing Monday task list, and put the finishing touches on an exciting new blog feature for readers that will launch next week.

You writers out there should also check out the FB page for my sister project, Lit Chicks Editorial. for resources, contest announcements, and calls for submissions. We also offer editorial services for fiction writers working toward publication.

That’s this week in review. See you all next week on Marketing Monday!

Skill Building Workshops for the Determined Writer (Seattle Area)

17 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by robertatrahan in Conferences & Workshops

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

editing, Fiction Writing, Jennifer McCord, Novel Writing, Roberta Trahan, Scott Driscoll, Skill Building Workshops for the Determined Writer, Writing, Writing tips, Writing Workshop

I’ll be hosting a series of single session focused workshops with my long-time writing/publishing friends and colleagues Jennifer McCord and Scott Driscoll. For more information, or to register, contact me via email at info@robertatrahan.com –

Seattle Area Writer Friends!

Are you a fiction writer envisioning publication and struggling to make sense of editorial notes or reader feedback? Hearing that your story lacks a sense of urgency, a call to action, or that it falls a bit flat? That your main characters are unlikable or uninteresting? Not sure how to turn things around? We can help.

It’s all about story. Publishing and readers expect more from writers than ever before. Every writer must carefully consider how they are inviting the reader into their novel, and then deliver an experience that hooks them and doesn’t let go. There are no secret keys to success, but there are some skill sets you can hone to get your book on track.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest differences. Feedback is essential, but it can also be difficult to know how or where to start. Rewrites and revisions don’t necessarily mean a major overhaul of your book. Often all that’s needed is a closer look at one or two critical story elements, such as impact, pacing, or character motivation.

Knowing what those areas are is one thing – figuring out how to work around them is another. Ready to tackle the tough job of addressing agent/editor notes or early reader response? We are now offering a series of single focus workshops that address some of the most common trouble spots in any manuscript:

The Inciting Incident: A successful novel opens with a “hook” – a call to action or specific event that launches the protagonist into the central conflict that propels the plot. In this session, you will learn how to identify, assess and refine the inciting incident in your story to create a stronger sense of urgency and ramp up the tension from the very first scene.

Next Session: January 29, 2017 / 7-9:30 pm

The Desire Quest: Once an inciting event throws the protagonist’s everyday world into chaos, how he or she responds becomes the foundation of the plot. But what is it that drives the protagonist to accept the challenge? In this session, we’ll delve into the complex traits that define a multi-dimensional protagonist who is not only capable of carrying weight of the story, but also of fulfilling your reader’s expectations.

Next Session: February 12, 2017 / 7-9:30 pm

The Point of No Return: Plot is essentially a sequence of events that confront a protagonist with obstacles they must overcome in order for the story to move toward its climax. How these obstacles are presented determines a novel’s pace and should naturally create the escalating tension that keeps readers captivated. This workshop will help you analyze and assess your book’s major plot points and the protagonist’s progression toward the story’s proverbial point of no return.

Next Session: March 19, 2017 / 7-9:30 pm

Reserve your space today!

  • Affordable Customized Instruction & Support – Attend only the workshop/workshops you need – sign up for individual sessions or all three at a special discounted rate.*
  • Small Groups Sessions: Class size is limited to 7 student to allow for more in-depth presentation of the course material
  • Proven Techniques & Tools: Developed specifically to meet the expectations of today’s publishing world
  • Professional Teaching Team: Work closely with three respected publishing industry professionals, experienced instructors and published writers.

The fee for each individual workshop session is $125.00. Space is limited and offered on a first come/first served basis. Workshops will be hosted at a private North Seattle area residence (address provided upon registration).

 Register now and receive an early-bird enrollment discount or purchase all three sessions at a special package price of $300.00. 

About the Instructors: 

Scott Driscoll is an award-winning instructor with an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington, has taught creative writing for the University of Washington Extension for twenty years and makes his living as a freelance writer and teacher. Scott’s debut novel, BETTER YOU GO HOME (Coffeetown Press 2013) was selected as the Foreword Reviews First Book Contest winner, March 2014. Scott has also been awarded nine Society of Professional Journalists awards, most recently First Place in the Western U.S. in 2014 for arts and entertainment reporting. For more about Scott, visit www.scottdriscollwriting.com

Jennifer McCord is a 30 year veteran of the publishing trade. Throughout her career, Jennifer has worked in nearly every aspect of the industry—as a writer, editor, instructor, and consultant. Jennifer lends her expertise in the book business to writers and publishers through her consulting and coaching business, Jennifer McCord Associates. Currently, she is also an Associate Publisher for Camel Press and Coffeetown Press. Jennifer can be contacted at www.jennifermccord.com

Roberta Trahan is the best-selling author of THE WELL OF TEARS and THE KEYS TO THE REALMS, the first two books in her quasi-historical epic fantasy series from 47North. Her post-apocalyptic science fiction novella AFTERSHOCK is also available through Amazon Publishing’s digital-first short fiction imprint, StoryFront. She is also a frequent guest at SFF fan conventions and writing events. For more about Roberta, visit www.robertatrahan.com.

 

There’s a Change in the Air

20 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by robertatrahan in Life in A Coffee Cup

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Camille Griep, editing, Editing Services, Fantasy, Lit Chicks Editorial, Roberta Trahan, Writing

Autumn is all about change – and every time the season falls, I feel a niggling urge to re-evaluate, re-vamp, and re-direct.

One of this year’s fresh starts is a creative collaboration with my colleague and friend, author Camille Griep. We’re both always looking for ways to reinvest our artistic efforts in the writing community. Lit Chicks Editorial Services gives us both an opportunity to share what we’ve learned on our professional paths.

If you’re a writer looking for editorial support, we hope to provide some helpful resources, as well as developmental and copy editing assistance:

Lit Chicks Editorial Services

Developmental and Copy Editing for all genres

We Read Books. We Write Books. We Edit Books.
Let us help make your book the best it can be.

37145696 - two fashion girls chatting at a cafe. vector illustration

For All You Editors Out There

08 Thursday Jan 2009

Posted by robertatrahan in Deadlines & Other Demons, The Power of Prose

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Cats, editing, Roberta Trahan, writers, writing life

This was sent to me by a colleague and it gave me a smile, so I thought I’d share.

image001

Best-selling author of the quasi-historical epic fantasy and post-apocalyptic science fiction. Dragon Seeker, Myth Maker, Coffeechocoholic & Antique Jewelry Hoarder.

THE KEYS TO THE REALMS (The Dream Stewards #2)

THE WELL OF TEARS (The Dream Stewards #1)

AFTERSHOCK (A Short Story)

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Roberta’s FB Fan Page

Roberta’s FB Fan Page

Previous Posts

  • 47North Authors (19)
  • Blooded (3)
  • Book News (31)
  • Book Reviews (2)
  • Conferences & Workshops (2)
  • Creature Features (4)
  • Deadlines & Other Demons (29)
  • Guest Blogs (15)
  • Life in A Coffee Cup (27)
  • Marketing Monday (34)
  • Miscellaneous (16)
  • The Dream Stewards (11)
  • The Goddess In Me (18)
  • The Power of Prose (19)
  • The Realm Wraith Trilogy (2)
  • The Week in Review (4)

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 806 other subscribers

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

RSS Feed RSS - Comments

Search

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Author Roberta Trahan
    • Join 114 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Author Roberta Trahan
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...