Outlines - A Necessity or a Distraction

I have heard a lot of different takes on the need to prepare an outline when writing a novel. Joe Konrath has said he spends a full week preparing a 40-page outline. Robert J. Randisi, who has written over 500 novels, doesn't use them at all. M. Louisa Locke adopts a more nuanced approach.

Since I'm accustomed to a task-driven environment, I find that the outline is somewhat helpful while writing anything longer than 10,000 words. Here are 5 tips that I've found beneficial to speed up the writing process and to get my own ass in gear:

1) The Initial Brain Dump - In the last few months, every idea for a novella/novel has come to me while on my commute to work. My neighbor takes me on the back of his motorcycle every morning to the BTS station down On Nut road. For some reason, this harrowing 15-minute journey every day through Bangkok's notorious traffic really stimulates the mind. So that I don't forget what I thought about, I try to write the major theme and idea of the book, the motivation behind the protagonists, and how the story will end on my iPad as soon as possible after the commute (usually on the 10-minute Skytrain portion of the morning commute). The entire idea for a novel comes to me in about 2-3 minute bursts. Of course, every schmuck in the world has "great ideas", but it takes hard work to turn ideas into something tangible that others can enjoy.

2) Character Development - Since no one likes one-dimensional or inconsistent characters, I keep a separate Word document with all the major characters and their attributes and flaws.I list their names and qualities to maintain continuity during the writing process and indicate whether they have some kind of secret that needs to come out later in the book. Typically, I just list two traits and the characters name (e.g. one of the secondary characters a novella that I'm working on is just listed as "Intelligent, but Naive")

3) Chapter by Chapter Outline - I've heard that you shouldn't worry too much about word count and that you should write as long or as short as you need to. Unfortunately, I need clear objectives and guidelines, and I can't just get the muse in me and start writing 10,000 words a day like some writers can. Therefore, I usually lay down each chapter and what the major plot points will be for the protagonist, and I estimate what the word count should be. This gets built from the Initial Brain dump. By having a clearly defined agenda, it helps me stay on track and make steady progress.

4) Scene Setting, Metaphors, and Zingers - Once in a while, I'll have a great idea on a metaphor or a snippet of dialogue that needs to go into the piece somewhere. Since I'm a very forgetful person, I make sure to write it down into the outline.

5) Keep it Fluid - Despite the estimated word count and chapter breakdown, I try not to be too restrictive with the outline. The content of each individual chapter is pretty open, and the Chapter by Chapter Outline just lists the big ideas and tasks that the characters have to accomplish. I've found that not being too specific in the outline allows the story to flow better and be more exciting.

All in all, the outline ends up being only 2-3 pages. Now it's just a matter of finding time to turn the damn things into a real story instead of just a bunch of notes.

Outlines - A Necessity or a Distraction

Dealing With Rejection as a New Writer

Everyone knows the axiom that it's better to try and fail than to not try at all. However, Nathan Bransford recently had a post about how to deal with rejection letters. Granted, I've never submitted a novel to an agent or publisher, but I was really surprised at the comments from other writers. They said when they got rejected they would do everything from gorge themselves on ice cream to getting in a drunken stupor. It's like their cat got AIDS or something.

Perhaps it's because I was a junior officer in the US submarine force that I'm accustomed to having heaps of scorn and ridicule given to me, but sometimes you have to roll with the punches. This first month in this new found activity, I've been trying to shop around some short stories and flash fiction pieces. I have received two acceptance emails (here and here) and three rejections. One of the editors was even kind enough to tell me why he thought my story was lousy. This is actually tremendously beneficial for me, because it's more helpful to get negative feedback than no feedback at all.

It might be my day job as a personal assistant creeping into my life, but I'm a total ass-kisser when I get these letters (yeah, yeah, there's not a lot of men in my profession). Here's how I have responded:

Dear xxx,

Thank you kindly for your consideration, and I look forward to seeing the future works of fiction you publish on [xxx].

Sincerely,

Paul Salvette
http://paulsalvette.com  <---Never hurts to include the URL in your sig!

In my mind, it's the only way to be professional. I'm new at writing, but I know that being a likable and decent person always pays off in long run.

Dean Wesley Smith has a helpful and detailed post for new writers, and he advises to never stop learning and to keep at it. Besides, the worst that could happen is I end up getting zinged in Slushpile Hell.

Dealing With Rejection as a New Writer

5 Places to Submit Short Stories About Thailand

Unless you are some kind of literary genius or annoying celebrity, your probably not going to submit your first novel to the Big 6 publishing houses and turn it into a best seller. Luckily for the rest of us, there is a smorgasbord of options to submit flash fiction and short stories to build your brand name and help improve your writing. Writer's Relief provides some guidance on getting noticed as a new writer. Occasionally, the editors of these anthologies, e-zines, and journals will be kind enough to provide some constructive criticism if they turn you down. The best website to find comprehensive listings of calls for submissions is Duotrope's Digest.

Unfortunately, Thailand is a much smaller market with English only being spoken by the expat community and the educated elite and some of the middle class. Therefore, finding an outlet for your work can leave you with some limited options. However, I have a bit of faith that the demographics of Thailand are shifting in a way that will be beneficial toward writers in the English language. More and more younger Thais are eagerly trying to learn English, and it has been noted by many Thais I have talked to that the expat (or "farang" population) is shifting from the stereotypically repulsive sex tourist to a more professional group. Although, I'm not sure how my Thai colleagues arrived at this conclusion after meeting me.

The Thailand Top 100 blogs indicates that there is a lot of international interest in the happenings of Thailand. So how do you get the word out if you have a story with a Thai flavor?

Here are some good resources I found for submitting:

1) New Asian Writing - This is an excellent literary anthology that posts short stories online as well. The stories come from readers all over Asia, but is Bangkok-based. New Asian Writing is taking submissions until November 31st, 2011 for the 2011 Anthology. When I submitted work to them, I had a reply in 15 days - not bad! The popular Thai-themed blog New Mandala has a guest post about this publication.

2) Thailand Stories - A virtual clearing house for all works fiction and non-fiction. All you have to do is register an account and start posting. It kind of gets crowded out by excerpts from published books and poorly written "My stupid Thai girlfriend from the bar" stories, but there's some gems on there if you look around. I'm also amazed at how much traffic the site gets. Many stories get >1,000 views within the day that they are published.

3) Asia Writes - An excellent aggregator for calls for submissions and job opportunities for the writer. While not Thailand-specific, you can find a lot of small press publications that are looking for work with an Asian theme (both fiction and non-fiction).

4) Freedom Fiction Journal - Based in India, they have Asian-themed speculative fiction with an edge. This is great, because there is a serious lack of genre fiction outlets for Asian writers. The stories are very interesting, and my only complaint is that they should publish more. They take submissions between 1,000 - 3,000 words.

5) Asian Literary Review - If you have an MFA, studied abroad in London, and are smarter than me (which ain't saying much), the Asian Literary Review may be right for you to submit. The availability for reading the published fiction online is a bit disappointing, but I've seen their periodical on stands at places like Asiabooks. They take submissions between 3,600 - 8,000 words.

5 Places to Submit Short Stories About Thailand

Angry Readers are the Best

So, my wife runs two internet cafes in Bangkok (one on On Nut 44, and one on Udom Suk).  Our customer base is about 40% Thai kids, 40% Thai teens/young adults, and 20% members of the African community (primarily from Nigeria, but also some from Cameroon).  Occasionally, I help her in these small business endeavors, and I've learned a few things about doing business in Thailand.  1) It's a bad idea to have an internet cafe open on Songkran, 2) Thai teenagers with goofy haircuts and souped-up scooters may be not liked in the neighborhood, but they are welcome at our place (assuming they have at least 15 baht), and 3) Nigerians are the best customers.  Why are the Nigerians that live in the eastern part of the city the best, you ask?  Because they tend to complain about everything.

I realize I am making some broad generalizations here, but Thais usually do not complain to my wife or our staff, as Thailand is a culture known for its modesty and respect.  While this makes it a pleasant place to live and have a family, it is absolutely detrimental to business.  If a customer is pissed off about something and they take their business elsewhere, you will never know how you can improve and you just lost money.  However, if a customer makes a big stink about the headphones being screwed up or Skype not having the latest update on computer #14, then you can fix it and similar other problems with your business.  The customer becomes gratified that you have addressed their complaint, and they recommend their friends to you.  In essence, you have to kiss a lot of ass when it comes to small business.

Some people may say that writing is an art and above all this sort of petty service provider - consumer relationship, but I don't see it that way.  So, if something is messed up with my writing, I hope that someone will raise hell about it so I can adjust my technique.  Both Stephen Knight and Stephen Leather have advised not to write shit, but it's helpful if you could get an idea of what readers think is "shit".  If the world of e-publishing is as big a revolution as some are saying, then the only thing important is whether your readers like you or not.  Nothing else matters.

I was a JO in the Navy for close to 7 years, and I am already familiar with all the sorts of abuse people can heap upon each other.  So, please, feel free to be angry.

Angry Readers are the Best

Editing - Because You're Not a Genius

Wayne From The Wonder Years (in case you missed the reference)

Despite years of inflicting psychological torture, I have convinced my little brother to help me edit some of the work I'm trying to crank out.  He's got a full scholarship to law school, so he's no Billy Carter or anything. My initial hubris led me to believe that editing your own work was the way to go.  I do it at my job all the time, so what's the big deal. 

However, one peril of the self-publishing industry is that you don't have teams of poindexters to read over your manuscript before it goes to print.  Stephen Knight found this out the hard way, when one of his readers notified him of a typo (apparently it pisses people off and makes you look like a rube).  I'm reading his book The Gathering Dead right now (which I recommend), and it is page-to-page action.  I guess when you're reading your own work, you're looking more at the big picture and overall themes rather than a comma being out of place or whether each sentence is comprehensible.

So, thank you, little brother, for helping me stay on the straight and narrow and not look like an imbecile.

Editing - Because You're Not a Genius

Writing A Short Story - Like a Virgin

I'm trying to put together a decent 3,000-5,000 word piece to submit to New Asian Writing.  It is about a Bangkok cop who has a girlfriend addicted to meth that he loves and the problems that ensue. My Thai colleagues have informed me that writing about her stabbing him would be too cliche, so I put in an different kind of ending that I thought might be interesting.

The problem I'm having is that there's too much setting up the narrative through the initial action and conflict, and then it just ends rather quickly.  So, it's kind of like getting laid for the first time - all the build up and excitement, and then two seconds later the whole thing is over.

If it was a novella (~20K words), it would be no problem, since you always have some space to throw in some new characters, more dialogue, different situations, or more backstory.   Flash fiction (<1,000 words) is also easier, in my opinion, because you only have to explain one moment in time followed by a zinger at the end. For short stories the reader, at least when I'm reading, wants a little bit of plot development, more than just a one or two interesting characters, well-explained conflict, and a good ending.  It's hard to do in under 5,000 words.

Hopefully this story will come together by the second edit.  Guidance is much appreciated.

Writing A Short Story - Like a Virgin

Baby Needs a New Pair of Everything

The Bosswoman's Village Upcountry

So, the wife is pregnant, I have three boys already, a little sister-in-law that wants to go to nursing school next year, plus aunts and uncles from my wife's village that think I'm a walking ATM. To get a bit of extra income last year, I helped the bosswoman get her two internet cafes up and running, but a little bit more cash flow would always be nice.  I currently have a day job in the non-profit sector that is enjoyable and allows me the opportunity to meet a wide variety of interesting people (from the very rich to the very poor).  What the hell, that's enough life experience to become a writer, isn't it?  At least I'm not living in my parents basement.

I've always enjoyed writing, but I never thought about actually trying to publish something.  After reading a few helpful websites, especially from Joe Konrath, I figured that I'd give it a shot.  Information is so easy spread in this day and age that the traditional barriers between the writer and reader have totally collapsed.  It is best to enjoy it while we can and try to publish some mid-level fiction for $0.99/e-book before the elites figure out how to take it all away from us.  Like any new venture that provides a service, there will be a lot of trying to figure out what it is readers want.


Thanks for reading, and I welcome any feedback, kudos, criticism, questions, hatemail, and even crazymail.

Baby Needs a New Pair of Everything