Writing Hints and Tips

As beginning writers, we all have some of the same questions, want the same answers, and are afraid we will look stupid if we ask.  So I thought I would try to provide what little bit of info I have.  There are tons of other sites that can provide you with more similar information, as well as stuff I didn't even begin to cover.  Check my links page for some of them.

What is a WIP?
A WIP is also known as a Work in Progress.  Something an author is presently working on.

What is an MS?
That is your manuscript. Whatever you have submitted, or are getting ready to submit.


What is a plotter vs pantster?
A plotter is someone who sits down and plots out every bit of their work.  They work from an outline and know where their story is going from beginning to end.  They will have their major plot points worked out ahead of time, and from what I understand, tend to have fewer “surprises” as they are writing, which can be wonderful.
A pantster is someone who basically flies by the seat of their pants as they are writing their story.  They know who the hero and heroine are, how they meet, what keeps them apart, and maybe how they get back together.  Other than that, they often have little idea of how the story it going to go.  Of course, all authors are slightly different, some pants more and some pants less.

Is either easier or better than the other?
Although most writers I have met prefer one style over the other, many of us use a combination of both.  I know of many plotters that swear it is the only way to go.  Of course, others will argue that.  I myself tend to pants it.  Dream Warrior started with an idea of a woman that dreamt of a man’s actions.  The rest just flowed out as I put fingers to keyboard.
Now flowing does not mean it all came out by itself immediately.  I still had to think about why things happened, or how they were to be resolved, but I let most of the story tell itself. 
My husband would often ask me questions like, “Well how do they meet?”  “How are they gonna destroy the bad guy?”  My answers would usually be, “I don’t know yet.” or “I haven’t found out yet.” Of course, pantsing leads to a lot more deleting, too.  You go somewhere, and realize 30 pages, or even 100 pages later that something just isn’t gonna work, and you have to delete/change most of what you have been working on for the last few weeks.
 
Do I need an agent to get published?
No.  There are many ways to get published with and without an agent.   If you go online or Epublishing, then most of them usually don’t require you to have an agent.  In fact, I don’t know of any online publisher that requires you to have an agent at this time.   Print publishing can be very different.  Harlequin and Dorchester publishing are just two examples of print houses that do not require agents, but many others do.  Your best bet is to visit the home page of wherever you are thinking of submitting and seeing what their submission guidelines entail.  They will tell you. 
It is often as difficult to get an agent as it is to get published.  To get an agent you need to go through the same steps.  Research agencies through the web and industry publications.  Make sure you know what types of books the agent represents.  Send out your MS again and again and again.  Prepare to be rejected.  A huge upside of an agent is s/he can prove invaluable especially after you do get offered a contract.  They are often able to get you a more positive contract than you ever thought possible.  If you do not have an agent, do not despair.  Like I said, many houses do still take un-agented authors, and it is often easier to get an agent once you have an editor interested in you.
 

How do I pick a publisher?
Research.  Plain and simple, research is the only way to go.  First and foremost you need to make sure that the publisher you are sending your MS to accepts your kind of novel.  Nothing guarantees rejection faster than sending a Sci-Fi novel to a non-fiction  publisher.  As to reputable publishers, that, also requires research.  Check into them.  Ask your author friends.  Check what each house publishes.  Read what they publish.  If you think what they publish is good, great.  If you think it is trash, do you really want your name to be associated with that publisher even if it is your easiest way to get published?  Check for complaints against them.  Check the web.  Preditors and Editors is a real good site to find recommendations or warnings about some publishers.  There are also many other sites which provide similar services.
 

What is the difference between an ebook/online publisher, a POD publisher and a vanity publisher?
 An online publisher goes through the same steps as a print publisher.  You submit, IF you get accepted, you go through editing, editing and more editing, and you eventually get published.  You get paid by royalties on a regular basis.  Many ebook publishers are not set up for print publishing, but some are.  If so, they often offer a POD (Print on Demand) service. 
It can get tricky here.  Some publishers require you to pay the set up fee for a POD service, IF YOU WANT paperback format. They don't require you to do this as a basis for publication.  This fee is less than $100 versus the $1250-$2000 charged by a vanity publisher.  Many of the more established ebook publishers don't even charge you that.
A vanity publisher is someone YOU pay to publish your book.  No matter how bad it really is, you can find a vanity publisher to publish it. 
Some will argue with you that paying a set up fee for POD books makes the publisher no better than a vanity publisher, but the key difference is that with one of those ebook publishers you will not get published just because you WANT to be published.  You still run the chance of being rejected, and you will go through the editing process.  A vanity publisher does not reject you on basis of how bad your book is, they just want your money.  You are hiring them to publish your book, regardless of how good it is.