Ho-ho-ho, Well, wouldn't you know the BIG Day is finally here!
You've shopped and wrapped, baked and frosted, and decorated everything in sight.
The time has come to rest and relax, so rush to your couch, because here's a Holdiay book to ease your Silent Night. Please welcome Paige Ryter and her festive Yuletide yarn, THREE MINUTES BEFORE CHRISTMAS to the Lovestruck Novice spotlight!
Grab your Wassail and get comfy cozy, because giddy-yap, giddy-yap and away we go!
1) If you were a book, what would your blurb be?
Paige Ryter is fun, looking at life from the positive side of things. ‘If life isn’t fun, then why bother’ is her motto. She can write serious things, as well, but there will always be a happily-ever-after moment, just because she loves happiness.
2) Using three words, describe your voice.
Fun, happy, upbeat.
3) From Newbie to Published- How have you grown as a writer?
Keep it simple and build the tension. When I first started writing, I tried to overwrite emotions. Every character had ‘desire’ and ‘passion’ words associated with them, even when characters first met. Now, I make the heroine and hero not get along at first, then realize they do enjoy each other’s company, then work up to the first kiss. I don’t write erotica, so a kiss or a massage might be all that I have the characters do. Not all couples are into lust, and I’ve found that some readers are actually looking for couples that truly get along, something they’re striving for in their own lives.
4) What advice would you give an aspiring writer looking to submit to publishers?
Get someone to look over your manuscript before you send it, just to make sure it’s what they’re looking for. Make sure the format is followed to the letter, with page breaks between chapters and one inch-margins all around. Put the chapter heading about a third of the way down on the page and use auto-indents if possible, so all paragraphs don’t have tabs, but indents. Many publishers want things sent in Microsoft Word or RTF…so make sure you follow their rules.
5) Give us a sneak peek of a typical writing day? What kind of goals do you set?
My goal each day is to lose myself in the story I’m writing. I get up early to get my family off to where they’re going, then work on my things. To come up with new scenes, I lie down, close my eyes, and let my mind wander. That’s why most days, I take a nap after falling asleep thinking of scenes. HA!
6) Any tips on promotion? What works for you?
Promotion is all about getting your name out there, whether it’s to talk about your writing or even getting to know other people. I’ve found the nicer you are to others, the more likely they’d consider buying my books. I’ve made more great friends this way, and some of them even help me with promotions. I’ve joined yahoo groups, which helps, too. There’s also a yahoo loop about marketing for romance writers, and they have some great ideas as well.
7) What can Paige Ryter fans look forward to in 2010?
I have a book that released with Red Rose Publishing on December 10, 2009 entitled ‘Three Minutes Before Christmas’. I have a few plans for sending things out, but nothing is on the horizon at this time.
How about a sizzlin' samplin' of how THREE MINUTES BEFORE CHRISTMAS will heat up your night!
Blurb:
When Sydney White is hit by a huge roll of Christmas wrapping paper at her mall wrapping job, sexy pediatrician Colin Taylor rushes to her rescue. Unable to find her purse or keys, Sydney can’t even recall the phone number for her brother’s new home, so Colin offers his home as a place of refuge.
While there is a physical attraction, Sydney knows their worlds are far apart and it’ll only be a matter of time before he finds someone else in his own social class.
Can a Christmas miracle save their love? Check the clock because they’ve only got Three Minutes Before Christmas until the magic is lost.
Excerpt:
What a treat, what a treat! Just like a box of chocolates, Paige just keeps on giving!
Article on the craft of writing:
Ten tips for better writing:
10. Show instead of telling. For example, instead of:
She went to school and sat in her seat.
Try:
Alice stepped off the last step on the school bus, seeing all the other students wearing uniforms. She wished she could afford a uniform, but knew every penny her parents made went toward living expenses. Lowering her eyes, she walked to her class, smelling the scent of lunch cooking as she passed the cafeteria. The scent made her empty stomach churn before she reached her class. Easing the classroom door open, she saw Miss Nelson smiling as she walked to her seat. Putting her books away in her desk, she fell into her seat and put her chin in her hands, with her elbows on the desktop.
9. Take out as many –ly words as you can. Describe instead of using these types of adverbs.
8. Start off the first chapter with a huge hook, making the reader unable to put the book down. They should be asking questions like ‘why’ and ‘what happens next’.
7. Make sure your terms aren’t colloquialisms. For example, I once wrote ‘You can’t go steps?’ My line editor had no idea what I was writing and asked me what I was trying to say. I changed it to ‘You can’t walk up steps?’ and it made sense to me. Somewhere in my life, ‘can’t go steps’ was acceptable. That’s why having someone look over your work is a great idea.
6. Use ‘said’ instead of synonyms whenever you can. Readers have a tendency to ignore ‘said.’ If you use other words like ‘remarked,’ you’ll slow the pacing. Slowing the pacing will make a reader unhappy.
5. Watch how many times you use words frequently. For example, I have a tendency to overuse ‘obviously,’ ‘actually,’ ‘very,’ and ‘really.’ I have to go back through and take out words like those whenever I can.
4. Vary your sentence structure. Instead of all sentences having a noun-verb construction, start about every other or every third sentence with a clause.
3. In the United States, all ‘ward’ words do not end in a final ‘s’. In the U.K, they do end in ‘s’. So in the US, words like toward, backward, forward, afterward, downward, and upward don’t end in a final ‘s’.
2. All right is always all right, never ‘alright.’
1. This one might get me in trouble, but I’ve spoken to two major publishers about this. Use two spaces at the end of sentences, not one. It makes it easier on the eyes to read, and if you have to format it with one space, it’s easier to go from two sentences to one, then vice versa. E-book publishers want one space, but usually, major publishers want two. So keep it at two and then decrease it if you need to. If you still think one space is the way to go, take a look at this sentence:
“I want money!” Kim screamed.
With one space, is it two sentences or one? Does she scream, “I want money!” or does she say, “I want money!” then scream? We don’t know. But if there are two spaces between the quote and ‘Kim,’ then we know she wants the money, then screams.
You've shopped and wrapped, baked and frosted, and decorated everything in sight.
The time has come to rest and relax, so rush to your couch, because here's a Holdiay book to ease your Silent Night. Please welcome Paige Ryter and her festive Yuletide yarn, THREE MINUTES BEFORE CHRISTMAS to the Lovestruck Novice spotlight!
Grab your Wassail and get comfy cozy, because giddy-yap, giddy-yap and away we go!
1) If you were a book, what would your blurb be?
Paige Ryter is fun, looking at life from the positive side of things. ‘If life isn’t fun, then why bother’ is her motto. She can write serious things, as well, but there will always be a happily-ever-after moment, just because she loves happiness.
2) Using three words, describe your voice.
Fun, happy, upbeat.
3) From Newbie to Published- How have you grown as a writer?
Keep it simple and build the tension. When I first started writing, I tried to overwrite emotions. Every character had ‘desire’ and ‘passion’ words associated with them, even when characters first met. Now, I make the heroine and hero not get along at first, then realize they do enjoy each other’s company, then work up to the first kiss. I don’t write erotica, so a kiss or a massage might be all that I have the characters do. Not all couples are into lust, and I’ve found that some readers are actually looking for couples that truly get along, something they’re striving for in their own lives.
4) What advice would you give an aspiring writer looking to submit to publishers?
Get someone to look over your manuscript before you send it, just to make sure it’s what they’re looking for. Make sure the format is followed to the letter, with page breaks between chapters and one inch-margins all around. Put the chapter heading about a third of the way down on the page and use auto-indents if possible, so all paragraphs don’t have tabs, but indents. Many publishers want things sent in Microsoft Word or RTF…so make sure you follow their rules.
5) Give us a sneak peek of a typical writing day? What kind of goals do you set?
My goal each day is to lose myself in the story I’m writing. I get up early to get my family off to where they’re going, then work on my things. To come up with new scenes, I lie down, close my eyes, and let my mind wander. That’s why most days, I take a nap after falling asleep thinking of scenes. HA!
6) Any tips on promotion? What works for you?
Promotion is all about getting your name out there, whether it’s to talk about your writing or even getting to know other people. I’ve found the nicer you are to others, the more likely they’d consider buying my books. I’ve made more great friends this way, and some of them even help me with promotions. I’ve joined yahoo groups, which helps, too. There’s also a yahoo loop about marketing for romance writers, and they have some great ideas as well.
7) What can Paige Ryter fans look forward to in 2010?
I have a book that released with Red Rose Publishing on December 10, 2009 entitled ‘Three Minutes Before Christmas’. I have a few plans for sending things out, but nothing is on the horizon at this time.
How about a sizzlin' samplin' of how THREE MINUTES BEFORE CHRISTMAS will heat up your night!
Blurb:
When Sydney White is hit by a huge roll of Christmas wrapping paper at her mall wrapping job, sexy pediatrician Colin Taylor rushes to her rescue. Unable to find her purse or keys, Sydney can’t even recall the phone number for her brother’s new home, so Colin offers his home as a place of refuge.
While there is a physical attraction, Sydney knows their worlds are far apart and it’ll only be a matter of time before he finds someone else in his own social class.
Can a Christmas miracle save their love? Check the clock because they’ve only got Three Minutes Before Christmas until the magic is lost.
Excerpt:
The electricity pulsing through her fingertip was incredible, making her heart race and her breath quicken. "I'm seeing how crazy you are," she whispered, moving her finger along his jaw line.
"No, you're playing chicken to see which one of us gives in first. I think it's going to be you."
"Really?" she whispered in a low tone. She inched closer so she could feel his hot breath on her face, melting her from the inside, then shifted in her seat to get as close to him as she could. "How long can you hold out?"
"I'm not sure. It's tough, because you're beautiful and such a fun person. You have no idea what you do to me, which I find very interesting."
Her voice was just a whisper. "Just don't lick my nose, or I'm outta here." She threw her left foot over the gearshift and onto his right leg, stroking his thigh with the inside of her knee.
He grinned and began massaging the inside of her upper leg, inching higher and higher. "Your nose was the last thing I was thinking about.
"She slightly licked her lips and narrowed her eyes in a seductive move. "You're still adorable, with your sexy eyes and strong cheekbones.
"He wrapped his arms around her and moved his face to within inches of her lips.
She touched his chin with a grin, then caressed his cheek with the back of her fingers, keeping her eyes on his. "You look like a model—"
He brushed his lips against hers then backed away.
"You just lost," she whispered.
"No, this is losing." He moved forward and captured her lips with a huge kiss. Their tongues entwined, the warmth filling her entire body. Her breathing grew shallow and she was sure he was enjoying it as much as she was just from his actions. She lost all sense of where she was, concentrating just on what was happening between them. Her stomach fell and she felt tingly all over, making her more than lightheaded. Thoughts of him in bed filled her mind, even though she knew it could never happen.
While he nibbled on her neck and ear, she threw back her head in enjoyment. "I think you're right. You lost. Feel free to lose any time."
What a treat, what a treat! Just like a box of chocolates, Paige just keeps on giving!
Article on the craft of writing:
Ten tips for better writing:
10. Show instead of telling. For example, instead of:
She went to school and sat in her seat.
Try:
Alice stepped off the last step on the school bus, seeing all the other students wearing uniforms. She wished she could afford a uniform, but knew every penny her parents made went toward living expenses. Lowering her eyes, she walked to her class, smelling the scent of lunch cooking as she passed the cafeteria. The scent made her empty stomach churn before she reached her class. Easing the classroom door open, she saw Miss Nelson smiling as she walked to her seat. Putting her books away in her desk, she fell into her seat and put her chin in her hands, with her elbows on the desktop.
9. Take out as many –ly words as you can. Describe instead of using these types of adverbs.
8. Start off the first chapter with a huge hook, making the reader unable to put the book down. They should be asking questions like ‘why’ and ‘what happens next’.
7. Make sure your terms aren’t colloquialisms. For example, I once wrote ‘You can’t go steps?’ My line editor had no idea what I was writing and asked me what I was trying to say. I changed it to ‘You can’t walk up steps?’ and it made sense to me. Somewhere in my life, ‘can’t go steps’ was acceptable. That’s why having someone look over your work is a great idea.
6. Use ‘said’ instead of synonyms whenever you can. Readers have a tendency to ignore ‘said.’ If you use other words like ‘remarked,’ you’ll slow the pacing. Slowing the pacing will make a reader unhappy.
5. Watch how many times you use words frequently. For example, I have a tendency to overuse ‘obviously,’ ‘actually,’ ‘very,’ and ‘really.’ I have to go back through and take out words like those whenever I can.
4. Vary your sentence structure. Instead of all sentences having a noun-verb construction, start about every other or every third sentence with a clause.
3. In the United States, all ‘ward’ words do not end in a final ‘s’. In the U.K, they do end in ‘s’. So in the US, words like toward, backward, forward, afterward, downward, and upward don’t end in a final ‘s’.
2. All right is always all right, never ‘alright.’
1. This one might get me in trouble, but I’ve spoken to two major publishers about this. Use two spaces at the end of sentences, not one. It makes it easier on the eyes to read, and if you have to format it with one space, it’s easier to go from two sentences to one, then vice versa. E-book publishers want one space, but usually, major publishers want two. So keep it at two and then decrease it if you need to. If you still think one space is the way to go, take a look at this sentence:
“I want money!” Kim screamed.
With one space, is it two sentences or one? Does she scream, “I want money!” or does she say, “I want money!” then scream? We don’t know. But if there are two spaces between the quote and ‘Kim,’ then we know she wants the money, then screams.
What a way to keep our writer's minds cheery and bright! If you'd like to learn more about the Fabulous Paige Ryter, click on over to her lovely website.
I'd like to thank Paige for helping us ring in the holiday mood. And THANK YOU, TLN'ers for hanging your stockings at the Lovestruck Novice's mantel tonight!! Here's Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen singing WHITE CHRISTMAS!! May your days be merry and bright!
10 comments:
Thank you, Sarah!!! And here's wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!!!
No, thank you, Paige!
Your book sounds like a fantastic read! Hope your holidays are full of love!
What excellent advice, Paige. Thanks for the tips.
Obe
Great blog! I do like what advice you've given for writers.
~Phyllis~
Excellent blog, Paige. I enjoyed reading your excerpt.
Thank you all so much, everyone! The kind comments are like a Christmas present all wrapped up with a bow!!!
Happy Holidays everyone, now that Christmas is over. :) I hope everyone got what they wanted!!!
Great writing tips and very nice excerpt.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Great interview!! Great tips too. I agree with the two spaces rule - its what I was taught for legal docs too! Nice excerpt... I'm ready to read more!
Hi Paige and Sarah,
I'm late as usual, but wanted to drop by and read the interview. Excellent one, by the way, and lots of fun to know more about Paige. Also thanks for the tips. These things are easy to overlook and can be the difference between a professional looking manuscript and a so-so one.
I was away for afew days and catching up on news here. Happy New Year to all of you and I like the answers here. susan L.
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