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Why Prologues Should Be Banished
Look, I know most readers can probably think of a famous author who has used a prologue. But until you have mastered the rules, you aren't allowed to break them. So novice writers, here's the reasons you shouldn't write a prologue:
1. Backstory Dumping: You can't dump backstory in your manuscript so some writers get the idea that it's acceptable to do it in a prologue. It isn't. Editors will nail you for it. Publishers won't be impressed. Please, please, please don't have a prologue fifty years in the past, and then never allude to it until Act Three and then expect readers to be surprised / impressed. It won't work.
2. Inciting Incident Confusion: I used to judge writing contests and I've been critiquing work for many years. The sure way to tell someone you're a novice is to misplace or incorrectly identify your inciting incident. A prologue will do this. Usually, the catalyst for the story is mixed somewhere in the prologue when it should be in Act One. And when the prologue is misplaced, the action, tension, character development all stumble to line up before Act Two. It isn't pretty.
3. It's Lazy. Seriously. I know I'm being harsher in this post than others, but I have very strong feelings about this topic as someone who has been subjected to reading them for so long. A prologue just says, "I couldn't figure out how to incorporate this into the body of the manuscript so here you go!"
4. Readers Skip Them. And if they think the information can be skipped (and honestly, most of the time it can be) then it isn't worth including. Most people see a prologue and think, "Ugh...why do I have to read it?" After all, if it wasn't important enough to include in the bulk of the book, who cares?
5. Black Moment Issues. If the prologue isn't dumping background, confusing the inciting incident or putting readers to sleep, then it's revealing the protagonist's black moment. And who doesn't love to know the protagonists deep dark secret before even officially meeting him or her? I mean, it's not like that secret is the driving force of the character, the reason that character is partaking on his journey. So what if the reveal would have been super dramatic if it were placed in the end of Act Two or beginning of Act Three, where it should be placed. Let's go ahead and spoil all the fun before we officially get started.
Okay, you get my point.
I've argued with so many writers over this point, but please...do your readers a favor and get to the story as fast as possible. No prologues!!
For the love of all the is good, STOP GENETICALLY ENGINEERING DINOSAURS!
Friend: Are you gonna see the new Jurassic Park movie?
Me: How many Jurassic Park movies is too many? At what point do we destroy the park, once and for all, and annihilate all the remaining dino DNA. Or what if we offered an incentive to NOT scrape some old dino cells together, whip them in a centrifuge and spawn a carnivorous prehistoric monster? Like, if you make it to the age of thirty-five without bringing back a t-rex, you get a million dollars? Or maybe just the assurance you won’t become dino breakfast. Surely, you’d think that’d be enough.
But nooooooo.
We have another Jurassic Park movie.
Because no one has learned their lesson.
Look, I loved the original. The sequels…Eh. And I actually really enjoyed the latest Chris Pratt installment, but can’t be leave well enough alone? When can a classic just remain a classic?
Friend: ……
Me: ……
Friend: So…..
Me: Yeah, of course I’m going to see it. Obviously.
Incredible Medical YouTube Videos You Have to See
I'm a science nerd.
The human body fascinates me. It's complex yet runs like a perfectly put together machine. Each little cell playing it's role, contributing to the larger system for which it was created.
Kinda like humans in the universe.
My fascination often leads me to science fiction books based within medical settings, and I love writing books about these sorts of subjects. So I was working on a short story about a surgeon, and of course I needed to do research, which led me down the rabbit hole of YouTube and to these videos. Which I just had to share.
So enjoy. And for the love of God, don't do any of these at home.
This open heart surgery.
Dr Pimple Popper "A Mother of a Lipoma Part One"
Does an Unpublished Writer Need a Website?
Yes.
Thanks for visiting!...No, wait! There's more!!
Yes, I am of the firm belief you need a website even if you're not published. Why?
1. To build a platform: Platforms for the unpublished writer run the risk of becoming a Catch 22. You need a platform to get published, but you can't build a mega platform unless you are published. Okay, true, but that doesn't mean you can't get started and show publishers that you have what it takes to connect with potential readers. If you're not on social media, it's time to suck it up and get an account. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram are the holy trinity of social media, at least for the time being. As the times change, make sure you do to and get your name out there.
But once a potential reader has your name, they'll naturally want to know everything about you. That's when they'd go to your website where they can read your background, your blog and exciting news about upcoming publications. If you don't have one, it's harder for a reader to connect with you. And with so many new and promising writers, they'll put you aside and move on.
2. Branding : Social media allows us to give snippets of information, show tiny pieces of who we are and what we're all about. A website expands on that and allows the opportunity to really deliver authentic content to an audience. It's a chance to show your creativity through not only content, but the design of your site, photographs, videos...even the colors you pick say something about you. A website delves into your brand, who you are, what you have to say about yourself and to your audience. And a bad website says a lot. Someone who doesn't even have a website...well, I think that says something too.
But you may be asking, why should I invest money and time into a career that may never take off?
This is the question the majority of unpublished writers ask, and I'm sure the majority of published authors have asked at some point in their past. Simply, you don't have to be a published writer to write. Do what you love and what works best for you. But if you want to be published, whether traditionally or self-published, you need to invest in yourself (perhaps even more if self-published). Think of writing as a job, even if you only have an hour every other day to invest. And money? You don't need to pay for a website if you don't want to. My first website was through blogger.com and I didn't pay a dime.
BUT...you might be saying you don't know how to run a website!
Unless it's your job to make websites, you're not going to know what you're doing. And that's okay because there are tons of tutorials, plus companies like blogger.com or Squarespace make it very user friendly.
BUT BUT...you may just be scared.
Okay, this one I totally understand. Putting yourself out there is scary. You basically are opening a vein and being like "Judge me!!". But remember, you're in control of your website! So if you don't want to mention the time you got drunk at your work party and tripped into a koi pond, don't. And really, why would you? It has nothing to do with writing...unless you have a character who did a similar thing, then I could see why you'd include the anecdote. But really, it's up to you.
I mentioned "bad" websites earlier. I'm of the opinion that there are no perfect websites. We can all use some edits, so don't worry about striving for perfection. When I say "bad", I really mean bad content. Or if you never update it. Just think of website you've been on that left you unimpressed and do the opposite. Easy, right? :)
Now get started and enjoy!
The Rise of the Writer: Two Up and Coming Writers
Writer’s Interview Questions
I'm so excited to introduce two up and coming writers! If you're interested in being interviewed, email me and you can be featured in an upcoming blog!
First up, Bo Boswell from Nashville
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
The starting point was probably in 2008, when I had my first child. Before that, I wasn’t a big reader. When my son was born, I spent a lot of time reading to him, and I realized how important books and stories were to all of us on many levels. It was around that time that I realized I’d fallen in love with the art.
What is the greatest tip you’ve received as a writer?
Without a doubt, the advice that has made the biggest impact on me in the past ten years came from Stephen King’s book, On Writing. “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut.”
What was your favorite childhood book?
One book that had a huge impact on my young imagination was A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle. It was the first book I read that dealt with time travel, which became an interesting topic for me and was a motivating factor behind my book, The Century Cube. It’s such a happy coincidence that my book came out around the same time as the movie version of A Wrinkle in Time was released.
If you could give up one thing to become published, what would it be?
I imagine that if I were to become traditionally published, it’d require me to commit more time to writing and relinquish some degree of creative control over the content and length of my books. Both of these suppositions make me uncomfortable, but I would be willing to accept these terms and try my best to adapt to them.
Where do you do most of your writing? Alone at a desk? Sitting at a coffee shop?
I’m typically most comfortable writing in the mornings on my couch. My dog is usually there with me, resting his head on my legs while I fire up my “Writing” playlist and start typing away on my laptop.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
I sometimes get carried away with research. If I interrupt my flow of writing to look up something, I often get sucked in and spend more time reading about the topic than writing. It’s even more frustrating if the subject I’m researching has little impact on the story. At those times, I try to remain hopeful that if a topic is that interesting and compelling to me, then it will be the same for my readers.
What are you currently working on?
Currently, I’m knee deep in writing the sequel to my first book, The Century Cube. It’s been tremendous fun to continue working with the same familiar characters on a new adventure.
Bo Boswell is the Director of IT at Warner/Chappell Production Music in Nashville, TN. He used to enjoy lots of free time before starting a daily writing practice, which quickly absorbed all of that respite and resulted in The Century Cube, a time travel science fiction book meant to entertain young folks and warn adults about what might happen if kids found a magical Rubik’s Cube.
Bo lives in Brentwood, TN with his wife, two sons, and a smallish, rescued dog. Aside from reading and writing, he enjoys photography—he’s meticulously taken a photo every day since 2004 and has posted them on his website—and being in the outdoors, whether going for a walk, riding a bike, throwing football at the park, watching the sunset, or relaxing on the screened porch.
Next up, Hue M. Flex
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I think I always enjoyed telling stories, but I think I realized I wanted to be a writer sometime in my teens. At that time I had no idea what that meant. I think it was something like over a decade latter that I began to take it seriously. It’s only been for about a year that I’ve been trying to write every day, read everyday, write reviews and have begun to build a platform. I don’t think people realize just how much goes into being a writer. I’m probably only doing 10% of the things I should be doing.
What are you currently working on?
Currently I’m editing a manuscript I finished last year. I’m hoping to send it out to beta readers in summer and start sending out queries in the fall. What I’m writing right now is Novelettes. I read them on amazon and love them. Ideally I’d like to set up an ongoing series of novelettes on Amazon.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
My writing kryptonite is self discipline. I’ve done 20,000 word weeks and I’ve gone a week where I can’t force myself to write. It’s something that really bothers me and makes me feel amateur. If I was to ask a jeanie for anything it would be for the self discipline to carry out my convictions.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Some are the nicknames of friends they remind me of, most are just pulled out of nowhere. Most f them don’t really have any significance.
What was your favorite childhood book?
Maybe the Iron Giant by Ted Hughes. Ironically as a child I had real difficulty reading. This book was the first chapter book I had ever read. I remember really feeling the passion to read after reading it.
Shit…
I owe a lot to Ted Hughes now that I think about it. It was that book that sparked the passion to read.
If you could give up one thing to become published, what would it be?
Hmm,
This was really important to me six months ago. At that point I would have told you almost anything. At this point the more I read about getting traditionally published the less it feels like “making it.” I’m not really sure what making it is now. I’m lucky that I really love my current occupation. If I could figure out a way to earn 20K a year by putting stories together I could retire early and I’d consider that making it.
What tips would you give a rising writer?
Get a planner (the kind where you make goals and schedules).
Set up a word count goal, set up a reading goal, hit both of these goals daily.
HIT BOTH OF THESE GOALS DAILY.
Join either an online writing group or an actual writing group where you critique each others work.
IF you set goals every day, week, month, year and continue to hit these goals; then you’ll get somewhere eventually.
(At least thats what I tell myself at night)
Where do you do most of your writing? Alone at a desk? Sitting at a coffee shop?
I have an office at home with a nice wooden desk and chair. Sitting at the desk lasted less then one day. I sit at my chair with my laptop in my chair to do most of my writing, but I try not to let routine rule me. If I can’t find time to sit at my desk, then I’ll write on my couch while my girlfriend watches TV, I’ll write in coffee shops sometimes when i’m feeling stir crazy, but wherever you can grind your words out is a good place in my opinion.
What is the toughest criticism you’ve received as a writer?
Being told to grow up.
I think every writer feels some kind of guilt or shame for writing or wanting to “be a writer.” The best way I’ve heard to deal with that, is to be a professional about it. You don’t need to be paid to act like a professional.
Write when you say you’re going to write, finish projects when you say you're going to finish them. Most writers will probably not see any real commercial success; I will probably not see any real commercial success, but just living in this routine of regularly fishing projects has made me feel like “a real writer.” I think that might be enough.
What is the greatest tip you’ve received as a writer?
Read Stephen Kings On Writing. It’s all gold. The advice I gave above on treating it like a job even though you’re not getting paid is pretty much stolen from there. Fall in love with the day to day of writing, reading and editing. If you don’t love doing those things you probably won’t find any joy in writing.
Favorite "How To" Books for Writers
I have three favorites:
Susan May Warren writes contemporary Christian fiction, romance and suspense. Since I started writing in that genre and Susan May Warren is one of my favorite authors, I gobbled up this book as well as other "how to" workbooks she's published. I still have her resources on hand when I sit down to write a horror story. The building blocks you learn from her will stick with you no matter your genre.
This is a must read, one that will help not only in writing, but in life. Not a traditional "how to" book, but one that gives wisdom and insight.
It's a classic in the writing world for a reason. Stephen King knows his stuff and the tips are valuable, but he also gives insight into his own process, his journey and how he managed to become a legend. A must read for any budding author.
How To Get Started In Writing
My best friend challenged me to write a book.
I'd just started my junior year of college, pretty miserable in my current field-of-study, and longing for the days when I fiddled on my computer and created epic tales of romance and seduction.
I dreamed of writing for Harlequin. I joined their online community, read every Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel book I could get my hands on, and decided that the only way I'd make it through those last difficult years of college were through following my childhood dream.
I'd write a book.
So I spent every spare moment for three months, locked away in my room, creating what I'm convinced is the worst romance novel ever.
Forbidden love, deception and clones. Yup. That's what it was about.
It was horrible. And I loved it.
But I'd always loved to write. Since third grade, I wanted to be an author. Life, unfortunately, had other plans and it wasn't until much later, years after my clone romance, that I made the final decision to pursue writing as a career. Even if I never got published. Even if I never made a single penny. At that point, I simply couldn't avoid it anymore.
I was a writer who wasn't writing.
But how does a writer get into the industry?
1. Pick a genre and find a community: While I currently write dark fiction and horror, I started in Christian fiction and Romance. I became a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, which allowed me to access tons of critique groups based on various sub-genres. I plugged into a group, stuffed my doubt and insecurities deep down, and hit the ground running. These individuals molded and guided my words, allowing me to gain confidence and deepening my passion for writing. Now that I'm in a different genre, I had to find another community. For me, the amazing group of writers at Litreactor have swooped in and taken those roles. But whatever your genre, find a group of folks and start working with them.
Photo by portishead1/iStock / Getty Images
2. Read and Write. Everyday. Like it's your job: Every writer says this for a reason. It's absolutely vital. You simply can't be a good writer, and you certainly can't be a great writer, if you aren't reading and writing. Start with your genre and then branch out. I suggest keeping a journal and making notes while you write, things that work and things that you found disconcerting. Read, read, read. And then write, write, write.
3. Research the Industry and Learn Key Players: You don't want to sit across the table from your dream agent and fumble over basic industry knowledge. A little studying can go along way. Know the top publishers, the editors and agents you want to work with. Finding these people is easier than you might think. It just takes a little effort and Google. A lot of published authors thank their agents or editors in their book's acknowledgements. Start there. Keep a list. Follow publishers and key members in the field on social media. Stay up to date on publishing news and events. Sign up for their newsletters and read their blogs. It takes time, but it's worth it.
4. Figure out how to properly write a book: Here's the biggest thing I see with new writers. They sit down at their computer, start writing without any prep, and come out with a manuscript riddled in purple prose, "telling" not "showing", adverbs galore, incorrect spacing and formatting, head hopping POVs, and possibly some sort of "experimental" form of narrative that is supposed to be literary. First, know that none of this is wrong in the a rough draft. In those early stages of writing, you can break every rule in the world. Just get the story on paper. But when you're ready to submit to an agent or editor, you need to follow the rules. "But what about (fill in the blank with an award winning writer)? That person doesn't follow the rules." Sure, we can think of plenty of writers that blend genres, toss out the basic outline and structure to storytelling, use dream sequences...but these are the authors that have earned that right. They mastered the rules, so they know how to properly break them. You, my friend, simply do not. And it's better to realize it now and learn how to properly write a manuscript then embarrass yourself later. Trust me. Been there, done that. There are tons of resources on how to write a manuscript, from broad info you can find on writersdigets.com, or more specific that your favorite author may blog about. Find it, read it, digest it, then do it. I find that Susan May Warren has incredible tips. In fact, even after all these years, every time I sit down to write something new, even if it's a 500 word piece of flash fiction, I have her resources handy. Just in case I need a refresher. It's that important.
5. Be patient: Writing a book can take anywhere from a handful of months to a year. For me, it's a solid year including the editing process. So relax. Make yourself a lot of coffee. Break out the Hershey Kisses and get comfy.
Now you're book is done. Phew! What's next:
4. Learn how to Pitch: If you're going to go to a writer's conference and pitch in person, you need to know how to properly do so. Conferences are not mandatory to get published, but they are a lot of fun and a nice way to get face time with editors and dream agents. You need to be able to convey your plot in a very short amount of time. Here's a link to get your started.
5. Query and Book Proposals: After you write a manuscript, you need to be able to write a query and possibly a book proposal. Yup, it's time for more research. Ask your critique partners, search blog posts of your authors, look up examples and get to work. I find writing a query to be one of the hardest aspects of being a writer. Others love it.
6. Go for it: You've spend a year writing your heart on the paper. Now it's time to send your baby into the world. Here's where it helps to remind yourself that even the best authors used to get tons of rejections. You'll need a thick skin at this point because while most of the time, rejections come in the standard, "We're sorry to inform you..." format, some will take the time to crush your soul. But that's okay. Your writing won't be for everyone. Keep pushing forward.
Four Creepy Easter Movies
My first encounter with a creepy bunny came in the form of Frank from Donnie Darko. After that experience, I was determined to find more notorious bunny movies. So, here they are. Just in time for Easter...
Night of the Lepus (1972) : This movie is based off the book The Year of the Angry Rabbit (1964) by Russell Braddon. It's a science fiction / horror / thriller about a rancher who gets help from a college President to combat a growing rabbit population. They seek to interrupt the breeding cycle by injecting the rabbits with a serum, but end up causing a mutation resulting in man-eating rabbits taking over the town.
Peter Rottontail (2004) : A failing magician makes a dark deal to improve his career. It fails and he seeks revenge by dressing up like a rabbit and going on a killing rampage. Classic.
Bunnicula (1982) : Okay, this is kinda cheating. It's a cartoon that was on Cartoon Network, and it's based off the classic book. It's a kid's show, with black comedy, so it's not scary, but I love the book Bunnicula and had to include it in the list. For those who don't know the plot, it's about a vampire bunny and his shenanigans.
Serial Bunny (2005) : Pretty straight forward horror movie. Every year a serial killer dresses as the Easter Bunny and terrorizes the town due to their lack of spiritual awareness. Oh, and if you like this movie, check out the sequel, or the third movie...or fifth ...Yeah, they made a lot of these so it's worth checking out.
Five Incredible Dark Fiction and Horror Magazines
If you like the weird, the horrific, and the dark, these are five magazines you need to be reading:
cover art by Daniele Serra https://www.apex-magazine.com/issue-104-january-2018/
Apex Magazine : This is a monthly publication, available for sale the first Tuesday of every month. It features prose and poetry of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Get ready for stories about the weird, the twisted, and the beauty within the darkness.
Unnerving Magazine : While they lean toward horror, Unnerving Magazine also accepts works from the genres of dark fantasy, dark science fiction, thriller, crime and dark literature.
Lamplight Magazine : A quarterly magazine for dark fiction reminescent of "The Twilight Zone" or "Black Mirror". You can download a free edition from 2012
Nightmare Magazine : This is a magazine dedicated to horror and dark fiction. If you like zombies, ghosts, and haunted houses, check out this publication.
Black Static : This used to be called The Third Alternative, a magazine that included some science fiction and fantasy. But they are now exclusive to dark fiction and horror.
Of course, there's plenty more horror and dark fiction magazines out there. Which are your favorites?