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You have just entered room "Writers Workshop" HOST WRTR WYates: Hello, all! HumngbrdDB: Hi bill! HOST WRTR WYates: Welcome, ABlackC! Thanks for coming! HumngbrdDB: Hey, if I'm trying to invite someone here, how do I do it? Is there a link or something? HOST WRTR Peg: Not any more, Hum... go to Keyword: wcchat and click on The Workshop HOST WRTR WYates: IM them Keyword=wcchat. Then they click the "workshop" link. HumngbrdDB: Hi everyone :-) ABlackC: Thank you for inviting me HumngbrdDB: okay, that's what I'll tell her :-) HOST WRTR Peg: Hi, everyone LeeHargusHunter: Hello room. HOST WRTR WYates: Hello... HumngbrdDB: :-) ABlackC: So how do we start? HumngbrdDB: wow, look at this group! :-) HOST WRTR WYates: If anyone would like the newsletter, let me know. HOST WRTR WYates: We'll get started in just a few minutes. HumngbrdDB: I don't know if my friend will come in or not, she's not responding to my IMs HOST WRTR WYates: I'll start it off, introduce you, and discuss protocol. Then, I'll turn it over to you if you want to say something. Then we go to Q&A. I keep track of whose turn it is and call on them. ABlackC: Okay! Sounds good to me. HOST WRTR Peg: Cindy may not get here, or if she does, she'll be late. LeeHargusHunter: Please send me newsletter and drop HJL114. I have now split my mail. HOST WRTR WYates: OK HOST WRTR Peg: HJL114 was a lot shorter, Lee <G> LeeHargusHunter: But Lee is having a book out soon!!! HOST WRTR WYates: Very good, Lee! HOST WRTR Peg: Great, Lee! HOST WRTR WYates: Bush is announcing his stem cell decision... HOST WRTR WYates: OK... Here we go... Welcome to the Christian Writer's Workshop! We will be under protocol tonight... Type a "?" to ask a question... Type a "!" to make a comment (does not require a response) Please type a / or ge when you are done. I will call on you in turn. Our guest tonight is Eric James Fullilove whose third novel, a thriller, will be published soon. Thanks for coming! HOST WRTR WYates: We'll begin with a short prayer... Peg,.. HOST WRTR Peg: Father, we thank you for bringing us together again. We pray you will be with us and Mr. Fullilove as he shares his writing experiences with us. In Jesus' name, Amen. HOST WRTR WYates: Amen! HumngbrdDB: Amen :-) HOST WRTR WYates: Welcome, Eric. Would you like to make some opening comments?/ ABlackC: Sure HOST WRTR WYates: The floor is yours... ABlackC: I think the most important thing to remember is that advice is advice - but you have to follow what's in your heart and follow your dream - even if some "expert" disagrees./ HOST WRTR WYates: Thanks... The floor is now open for questions... HOST WRTR WYates: ? HOST WRTR WYates: WTYates... HOST WRTR Peg: ? HOST WRTR WYates: How did you get started in writing? Have you been interested in writing for long?/ ABlackC: I've been interested in writing my whole life but only got serious about it in 1990./ HOST WRTR WYates: ? HOST WRTR WYates: WTYates... HOST WRTR WYates: I'm just full of questions... Did you get much encouragement?/ ABlackC: No - but I made any encouragement seem like it was the greatest thing since sliced bread./ HOST WRTR WYates: :) HOST WRTR WYates: Good attitude! HOST WRTR WYates: ? HOST WRTR WYates: WTYates... HOST WRTR WYates: If nobody else asks, I will.. Why mysteries and thrillers?/ ABlackC: I started off in science fiction because it was a way to get published. Mysteries and thrillers have a larger audience and are what I currently like to read./ HOST WRTR WYates: HOST WRTR Peg... HOST WRTR Peg: Eric, I'm not much for sci-fi, but I do love techno-thrillers. How are you it? ga ABlackC: The way anyone does these days-the internet, and keeping abreast of current events... HOST WRTR Peg: ? HOST WRTR WYates: Clay4by... ABlackC: Most story ideas start off with a "what if" and in thrillers, your "what if" can center around current events./ HOST WRTR WYates: ? HOST WRTR WYates: WTYates.. HOST WRTR WYates: Eric, your protagonist is a rare character... a blck man. What has been the reaction?/ ABlackC: Very negative when I was trying to get new representation. Now, we'll just have what happens...but there are lots of black characters Clay4by: ? ABlackC: in best selling fiction-James Patterson's Alex Cross, for example.Just not as the main character in a thriller. LeeHargusHunter: ? HOST WRTR WYates: Clay4by... Clay4by: Was it negative because you are black, or because they didn't think it would sell? ga ABlackC: Because they didn't think it would sell. / HOST WRTR WYates: LeeHargusHunter... LeeHargusHunter: Do you feel there is too much violence in today's literature? ga ABlackC: Interesting question. I'm not sure what's more damaging-gruesome violence or Stephen King that scares you to death.../ However- if I can continue. There isn't enough reference to anything outside of self unless you are looking at religiously themed work. I think that novels where the thrust isn't religion should make some reference to God because that's what normal people do when they are in dramatic situations - whether they are deeply religious or not./ HOST WRTR WYates: (Good point!) HOST WRTR WYates: HOST WRTR Peg... HOST WRTR Peg: Will *Blowback* in any way compare with, say, Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy? ga ABlackC: Tom Clancy - yes. Clive - no. But I'm not yet the master of the big international plot that Clancy is. My books are shorter and designed to be rapid fire page turners- tough to do when you're putting out 700-1000 pages./ HOST WRTR Peg: <But GOOD reads... :)> ABlackC: Yes-absolutely HOST WRTR WYates: ? HOST WRTR WYates: WTYates... HOST WRTR WYates: When is your book coming out?/ ABlackC: September 18/ HOST WRTR Peg: ? HOST WRTR WYates: Getting close!! HOST WRTR WYates: Peg... HOST WRTR Peg: Who is publishing it? / ABlackC: Amistad press - A division of Harper Collins.../ HOST WRTR WYates: ? HOST WRTR WYates: WTYates... HOST WRTR WYates: Did you have an agent? If so, how did you get one?/ HOST WRTR Peg: ? CHICKY11: ? ABlackC: This is the age old question. Yes I have an agent. But it's not easy to get one that's good. / HOST WRTR WYates: Peg... HOST WRTR Peg: I've visited your web page and am impressed with your educational history. How did you get from MIT to writing? :) / ABlackC: I'm just a guy who couldn't decide what the heck to specialize in. So if I can get published anyone can!/ HOST WRTR WYates: CHICKY11... CHICKY11: Hello! So, happy to see you here. Have we covered plot development? HOST WRTR WYates: (Nope) HOST WRTR WYates: (Ask away... ) HOST WRTR Peg: <take it away, Cindy!!> lol CHICKY11: Do you have an idea then go for it or do you follow an outline? CHICKY11: <---hates outlines ABlackC: I start with an idea for a story, what I think would be a cool beginning and a cool ending, and then outline the stuff in the middle. My first two novels were written without outlines, but Blowback was written with an outline. The first draft of Blowback took a long delirious weekend to do. The first two books took six months to a year each. You want to plot in an action oriented story particularly, such that you are mindful of "reveal points" and such that you keep increasing the pressure. This isn't as easy as it sounds,and it isn't quite like going step by step./ HOST WRTR Peg: ? CHICKY11: Is this how you follow a plot? Step by step? Ga HOST WRTR WYates: Peg... HOST WRTR Peg: Titling, or naming books can be a frustrating part of writing. Without giving anything away, how does *Blowback* reflect the story itself? ga ABlackC: Blowback is an espionage term that means the unintended results of covert operations that come back to haunt you. And that's what happens/ HOST WRTR WYates: ? HOST WRTR WYates: WTYates... HOST WRTR WYates: Who critiques your manuscript? Friends? other writers? Editors?/ CHICKY11: (Chicky??) ABlackC: Good question. Now, it's my agent. I never let friends or other writers look at my work before it's pretty much done./ HOST WRTR WYates: ? HOST WRTR WYates: WTYates... pvogelbacher: ? HOST WRTR WYates: What has been the biggest help for you in getting to where you are in your writing career?/ ABlackC: The research I did about writing itself - particularly through Writers Digest and their book clubs./ HOST WRTR WYates: pvogelbacher... HOST WRTR Peg: ? pvogelbacher: you answered my question i was going to ask if you ever share your work as you wrote. HOST WRTR WYates: Peg... HOST WRTR Peg: Did you, or have you, ever taken a writing course?/ ABlackC: No, although don't let that discourage you from doing so. If you can learn about the craft, then it always helps take your talent and enhance it./ Clay4by: ? CHICKY11: ? HOST WRTR WYates: Clay4by... Clay4by: When you do have someone critique do you find they criticize because they think it's expected of them to find fault. / ABlackC: I think professional critics expect to look down their noses and find fault. However my point is that the level of criticism and assistance you get is directly related to the ability of the source of the criticism. Someone who can't write a lick and who doesn't want to get published will never see one of my manuscripts-because there's nothing that person can help me with. An editor or a professional writer - then the feedback has more meaning. Friends - even if they mean well, can potentially destroy a great idea- so just be very selective about who you ask to read your stuff./ HOST WRTR WYates: CHICKY11... CHICKY11: How do you come up with ideas for fiction, such as Blowback? And, I absolutely agree with your last statement :) ABlackC: Overactive imagination and real life. Remember, my plots start with a "what if " in this case, it was about an international incident./ HOST WRTR WYates: ? HOST WRTR WYates: WTYates... HOST WRTR Peg: ? HOST WRTR WYates: What has been the reaction of your family, friends, and co-workers to your forthcoming book? HOST WRTR WYates: / ABlackC: Depends upon whether they're in my corner or jealous. Family that have read it think it's awesome. Everyone HarperCollins has let read it think it's awesome. Co-workers- "oh, yeah, he's a writer. Did you do that report I asked for??"/ HOST WRTR WYates: Peg... HOST WRTR WYates: :) HOST WRTR Peg: What does your workplace/desk look like?/ HOST WRTR WYates: (You have the right to remain silent...) HumngbrdDB: lol ABlackC: Messy-but I know where everything is...honest!/ CHICKY11: (LOL) HOST WRTR Peg: ? HOST WRTR WYates: Peg... HOST WRTR Peg: What advice would you give to new writers?/ ABlackC: This is going to be a long answer - HOST WRTR WYates: Go right ahead... ABlackC: 1) There are no failed writers. There are just writers who quit before they found their voice. 2) The hardest thing/duality in being a writer-the thinnest line between success and failure is knowing not to give up on something you believe in versus not wasting years on something that will never work. 3) Hone your craft. Study the literature about writing. Take the good advice and leave the bad advice alone. 4) Remember - Just because you're tired of working on it doesn't mean it's "done." 5) Remember - Just because you've invested blood sweat and tears in it doesn't mean it's good. CHICKY11: :( 6) lastly - find stories that people want to read, and publishers want to market. When you're John Grisham you can write whatever you want./ HOST WRTR WYates: Great advice! HOST WRTR WYates: Thanks, Eric!! Great session! We wish you much success! HOST WRTR WYates: Thanks to all tonight. ABlackC: Thank you! Clay4by: Thanks, Eric. CHICKY11: Thank you for being here Eric! HOST WRTR WYates: Remember, if anyone wants the newsletter, let me know... HOST WRTR Peg: Dear Lord, thank you so much for this informative workshop. Bless Eric's writing, and bless us as we learn from this night. In Jesus' name, Amen. CHICKY11: ? pvogelbacher: enjoyed the session, thanks HOST WRTR WYates: AMEN!! Clay4by:and Thanks to Bill & Peg KYWRITE: Amen. HumngbrdDB: goodnight everyone :-) Thanks Eric :-) CHICKY11: Amen KYWRITE: Bye DiagoCat: Amen ABlackC: Amen! Clay4by: Amen LeeHargusHunter: Goodnight. CHICKY11:? pvogelbacher: amen HOST WRTR WYates: Thanks, Eric... WIll be looking for your book! CHICKY11:? HOST WRTR Peg: Eric, thank you so much! It's been a great workshop! HOST WRTR WYates: CHICKY11.. CHICKY11: Bill, I want a newsletter, and you said..... HOST WRTR WYates: (The poets are coming...) CHICKY11: some things never change!!! LOL HOST WRTR WYates: You got it!! ABlackC: Can I have a newsletter too? CHICKY11: Oh, yeah HOST WRTR Peg: Cindy, you're Baaaaaaaaaaad! HOST WRTR WYates: Yes, indeed! pvogelbacher: me as well? HOST WRTR WYates: Yep! pvogelbacher: OK thanks, good nite CHICKY11: Bye all HOST WRTR WYates: Next issue is Monday evening. HOST WRTR WYates: Bye! HOST WRTR Peg: Good night, all, and God Bless! |
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