By Elizabeth Lyon, available from Penguin books.
ISBN 978–0–399–53395–2 $14.95

Reviewed by Nanci Race, Pro Liaison

Manuscript Makeover is a comprehensive book that offers revision techniques for writers whether beginning or multi-published. According to Lyon, revising fiction involves skills apart from writing. By learning and applying the techniques found in Manuscript Makeover, novels will be greatly improved. The revisions skills can be used on future stories to break into fiction or increase sales. Lyon says the book is designed to help the writer develop a system for finding and correcting errors.

Lyon has created a significant resource for fiction writers. She begins with the basics of preparing to revise, sentence structure and types of sentences and moves forward in the revision process until the last chapter, which deals with copyediting, synopsis preparation, query letters, and polishing one’s work for marketing.

The format is easy to follow and one need not read the book from cover to cover to take advantage of the tips and techniques. Manuscript Makeover is broken down into Four parts; Style Speaks, Craft Works, Characterization Endures, and Marketing Pays. Each of those sections has separate chapters pertaining to that particular topic. It’s easy to pick a section and its subsequent chapters and target specific aspects of a manuscript whether it’s completed or a work in progress.

I applied many of Lyon’s techniques to my own work in progress. I found the manuscript revision checklists at the end of each chapter to be particularly helpful. Using them helped me pinpoint weaknesses in my book and fix them. Lyon uses examples of published works for emphasis of her techniques. This helped to see how well known authors used power words for greater impact and imagery to evoke emotion, setting or deepen the meaning of their work. There are many practical suggestions, which are useful in guiding writers to writing a stronger more marketable book. I highly recommend this book for established as well as beginning writers. For beginners it offers a no-nonsense approach to a polished piece of work. For published authors Manuscript Makeover is a handy refresher to make their work even better. Manuscript Makeover contains revision techniques no writer can afford to ignore.

Kudos to Glen Ebisch on his reviews for Grace Justice:

Grave Justice by Glen Ebisch “Ebisch is fun to read.readers will look forward to the next mysterious tale from New England.” — Nina C. Davis, Booklist, April 1, 2008   Read the review “…this fine mystery…will capture most readers’ imaginations.” — Library Journal, April 1, 2008   Read the review

by Thomasine Rappold

This month marks my 10-year membership in RWA.  While I’d prefer to be acknowledging this milestone as a published author, unless I get “the call” in the next few weeks, celebrating a first sale before my ten-year mark is highly unlikely.  

Although I didn’t start writing seriously (with any real discipline) until my youngest headed off to college in 2005, when I’d realized ten years had passed since I’d joined RWA and decided to try my hand at writing romance, I couldn’t believe it.   I didn’t want to believe it.  How could I be working so hard for so long and still be unpublished?  The answer is simple.  Getting published is difficult.  More difficult than I had imagined years ago when I completed my first manuscript and received my first rejection letter. 

Understanding and accepting that the romance market is tight and fiercely competitive doesn’t make me feel better.  However, after looking back to those early days in which I knew nothing about writing and publishing, I’ve managed to find consolation in all that I’ve learned and accomplished during the ten-years-and-counting pursuit of my dream. 

The road to publication is littered with obstacles.  Look past them and you’ll see that this same road is also lined with crumbs of encouragement—little bits of validation that whet your appetite to succeed and keep you moving forward.  With each step of this journey, I’ve snatched up and stashed in my pockets all I could along the way.  Although these rewards don’t come in the form of advances and royalties, I’ve earned and value them just the same.  

• Charter membership with CRRWA
• PRO Membership with RWA
• Completed three full-length manuscripts
• Finaled twice in the Golden Heart
• Won and finaled in several other RWA contests
• Attended 15 Writing Conferences and 5 Writing Retreats
• Joined a wonderful Critique Group
• Met dozens of talented writers and many of my idols, including Eloisa James who judged my work in a contest, chose it as the winner, and was sweet enough to tell me that my writing reminded her of LaVyrle Spencer’s.  (One of my all-time favorite crumbs)
• Met several editors and agents and survived pitching my work to them at conferences
• Learned a lot about the craft of writing
• Learned almost as much about the business of writing
• Receiving “good” rejections—but that’s a subject for another blog

But most importantly, to me, anyway, I’ve learned that I love it.  All of it.  (Okay, except for the dreaded and hugely disappointing “Dear Author” rejections, but as I mentioned above, the topic of rejections is a blog for later.)  Writing is the most challenging work I’ve ever done.  I can’t quit.  My drive and my stubbornness won’t let me.  My family gave me a plaque that reads, “The world is waiting to hear your story.”  Until then, I’ll keep trudging along, collecting crumbs as I go.  And if it happens to take another ten years to get published…My pockets runneth over.

by Roberta C.M. DeCaprio

In my travels, I’ve accumulated lots of web sites for writers. Since I believe passing on helpful tips and supporting other writer’s in their craft is good karma, I’d like to share a few I found in the June issue of Writer’s Digest magazine that writer Brian A. Kelms was so nice to include in an article.

Happy Surfing:

www.brainyquote.com – Is a list of famous quotes and words of wisdom.

www.dictionary.reference.com/translate – Will help you change an English phrase into Spanish.

www.thestorystarter.com – Will give you random sentences from 340 million choices to help you start your story.

www.agentquery.com – Is a free agent database to help you find the agent that fits your genre.

www.duotrope.com – Is a list of 200 markets for short fiction, poetry, novels and collections.

www.firstwriter.com – Is a list of 750 literary agents and 900 book publishers.

www.forwriter.com – Is an online source for market, event listings and writer organization groups that span the world.

www.publicityhound.com – Consultant Joan Stewart shares tips on self-promotion and free publicity.

www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com – Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares cheap ways to promote your book.

www.writing.showguides.com – Is a database of writing conferences near you.

www.editorandpublisherjobs.com – Classifieds of writing-related jobs.

www.freelancewritinggigs.com – Is a list of available freelance writing and blogging jobs.

www.mediabistro.com – Publishing news and networking opportunities with other writers around the globe.

www.publishersmarketplace.com – Job board filled with writing positions.

www.groups.msn.com/RomanceWritingTips - This site showcases tips for romance writers and other related links.

www.mywritingcircle.com – Job board, resource center, writing games and an active critique section are on this site.

www.oncewritten.com – Book reviews, contests and other features for newly published and aspiring authors.

www.wordtrip.com – Is a writer’s forum.

www.writing.com – Welcomes writers of all levels to network with other writers.

www.erotica-readers.com – Tips, stories and other randy stuff for erotic readers and writers.

www.fictionfactor.com – Tips on improving your writing, getting published and promotion.

www.jakonrath.blogspot.com – This site provides publishing information, links and writing-related resources.

www.fundsforwriters.com – Jobs, contests, fellowships, grants and markets that pay are on this site.

“Empowering Charaters’ Emotions by Margie Lawson, Central New York Romance Writers, March 28 and 29.

Patty Otto, Heather Rosman, and Jo Piraneo.

Chris D’Allaird, President, Linda Bleser, in back between Patty and Jo, Bonnie Hazard, Past President, and Colleen Reilly, Secretary.

Time to spring back into writing.

by Roberta C.M. DeCaprio

I am a reader . . . always was and always will be. As a child, what I read within the pages of a book, took me on adventures my physical ability denied me. Getting lost in a book on a summer’s day took the sting out of the fact I couldn’t ride a bike or roller skate as the other neighborhood children were able to do. It passed the time, appeased an active imagination and later on in years fueled a writing career.

Now, as a writer I read books differently. Grant you, getting caught up in the plot is still first and foremost, but I like examining sentence structure, how the writer moves the characters within the scene, and especially how the character’s point of view is expressed in dialogue, thought and action. Studying the facets that make a good novel has helped me to polish and fine tune my own writing….but so does watching television.

Watching the boob tube as of late is not as lame as one might think. I don’t sit and watch television all day (if I did I’d never get any writing done), but I do tune in to a few shows each evening that have stimulated my imagination and given me many ideas.

Television shows throughout the decades seem to go in themes.

During the late 50’s and early 60’s the westerns ruled. I remember watching such shows as Gunsmoke, Maverick, Cheyenne, Rifleman, Wagon Train and Bonanza with my father on the weeknights. On Saturday mornings the children’s old west line up were such shows as Roy Rogers and Dale Evens, The Lone Ranger, Wild Bill Hickcock, Hop-a-long Cassidy and Annie Oakley. I was in love with Fess Parker’s portrayal of Davy Crockett and had a Davy Crockett coon-skin hat, leather jacket with fringe and a watch I wore constantly. Recently I found a vintage Davy Crockett watch on EBay and bought it…keeping alive a childhood memory. Remembering the way the characters dressed, how they lived, the Indian and cowboy conflict and even the way they rode their horses across the sandy desert, have all helped me in writing my first historical western.

During the middle 60’s medical shows took over the air waves. I remember watching Ben Casey, Doctor Kildare, Medical Center, Marcus Welby, M.D., and Trapper John, M.D. These male characters….strong, intelligent, gentle, caring and wanting love have been the catalyst for many of my heroes.

The 70’s brought sit-coms like Happy Days, Lavern and Shirley and All in the Family. These were light hearted, feel good shows that made you laugh as well as drive home a motto here and there. These shows have well seasoned the dialogue I use between friends or the funny moments I place my lovers in from time to time.

In the 80’s we had the night soap operas like Dallas, Knots Landing and Dynasty. I loved the characters, the way they dressed and their ever-scheming points of view. A treasure chest of plots came from these shows. Everyone was so wonderfully dysfunctional and diabolical.

The 90’s gave way for the many legal, crime scene investigation and drama type shows, challenging us to think. Oh, the wonderful villains they helped me to create.

Currently we have tons of reality shows, but paranormals are sweeping the time slots too. With such shows as Lost, Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Supernatural, Moonlight, Journeyman, Smallville, The Sara Connor Chronicles, and now New Amsterdam we’ve got quite a pick.

The motion picture industry has also cashed in on the paranormal craze. Within the last few years alone, either in a theater or rented on DVD, I’ve seen What Lies Beneath, The Witches of Eastwick, Death Becomes Her, Lord of the Rings series, Stardust, The Legend of the Water Horse, The Lady in the Water, Signs, Sixth Sense, The Village, The Golden Compass, The Chronicles of Nardia (The Witch, the Lion & the Wardrobe), all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies….love that Johnny Depp, Beowulf, War of the Worlds, I Am Legend, Premonition, Lake House, the Harry Potter series and in theaters now, Spiderwick and Jump.

It seems demons, time travel, aliens and visitors from beyond the grave make for fascinating amusement. Looking back I realize paranormal shows were always of great entertainment and peppered throughout the decades.

The first one that comes to my mind is Topper….the story of a man who was constantly being visited by his deceased relatives and their dead dog. I loved the Outer Limits and the ingenious minds of Rod Serling (Twilight Zone) and Alfred Hitchcock. These shows added suspense and horror to the paranormal twist.

The science fiction and fantasy shows like Lost in Space, Its About Time, I Dream of Jeanne, Star Trek, Batman and Quantum Leap opened up a wealth of legends, myths, mystical enchantment, magical scenes and special effects to draw from in just about every aspect of the supernatural realm.

Walt Disney made his fortune from the enchanted with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and Beauty and the Beast. His theme parks all over the world do nothing but cater to the fantasy realm.

So don’t feel guilty to turn on your television. And you don’t need kids or grandkids to take in paranormal movies….just the desire to be swept away.

Look, listen, and learn, then go to your computer and write!.

This is a cool opportunity to introduce your blog to blog readers.

It’s a weeklong (March 7 through 14) blog party for women bloggers. You put up a post introducing yourself. Tell a little about yourself and go back over to the 5 Minutes for Mom blog and add your link. Check it out and meet some new-to-you women bloggers! 

by Ursula Bauer  

Mad Jack Madden, the man from Immortal Illusions (available February 26, Samhain Publishing) was a great hero to write. Balls to the wall, a sinful, sexy rouge who never said ‘die’. He talked trash, played the game like a master, and knew his way around women. My modern rake, he really showed me a good time. And Gideon Sinclair, from Immortal Protector? Dark, daring, and dangerously hot. My first hero, he was a challenge I’ll never forget.

You’d think I could show some loyalty, but right now I’m too busy wondering about that next man. Call me fickle, and you might be right. But you must admit, there’s something to be said for the novelty of masculine mystery, the allure of enigma, and the certain promise of passion found on untried ground.

I think that’s one of the things I really enjoy about reading, and writing romance. Love abounds. Over and over, you get to relive the thrill of the hunt, and savor the bliss of the fall. Each time from a new angle, with a fresh twist.

You wonder: who will he be, this new hero of mine?

Is he an All American blonde with a killer smile and bedroom eyes, or the dark man of mystery hell bent on seduction? Will he sear your soul with a single, inescapable glance that melts you where you stand? Is his voice rough, or smooth, or a pleasurable mix of both? When he stands beside you, does the air charge? Can you feel his heat wash over you as he lingers, just inches away, far closer than is proper for people who are not intimate? You’ll wonder: does he realize he’s in my personal space? Is he doing this unknowingly, or by design? Did he hold my gaze, my hand, a bit too long, or did I imagine it all because my libido is torqued to the max and ready to snap me in two?

You won’t get the answer directly, his eyes are inscrutable, his actions quixotic and mysterious. Maybe he’s doing it, knowing he’ll pay a price later on, but he just can’t resist. Even if he can’t touch, it’s so close, it might as well be skin to skin. And when he can touch, he takes his time even though convention dictates otherwise, because it feels so damn good.

He’ll make your breath hitch in your throat. Sometimes, he’ll catch you with that stare, and you’ll wonder, where could this go if I let it? And is hell to pay too big a price? You start out thinking yes, but the more time you spend in his deliciously wicked company, the more you think, sure, I’ll pay hell, I’ll give up the world, chuck everything I own out the damn window, if it ensures that toe curling kiss is followed by more of the same. So close for so long, you can’t help but give into the attraction and all else falls away.

Is he laconic, or mouthy? Mad cap, mad, maddening? That kiss: was it lazy, demanding, tender, possessive? And what kind of lover will he be? Slow, and sure, taking his time to make time, knowing things about you even you didn’t know? Or will he come on strong, and fast and hard, burning every well planned defense to dust, pushing you so beyond every wild limit you’re consumed and reborn a thousand times in his blaze? Either way, he’ll blow your mind, so everyone wins.

Yes: Everyone wins.

That’s the best part. No matter who he is, what skin he walks in, how he deals out that first kiss, and every one there after, we all go home happy.

And some people think romance sucks.

Weenies.

by Jean C. Gordon, Certified Financial Planner® 

Make Writing Your Business 
As a romance writer, you’re not alone in taking advantage of a special interest, skill, or talent to make some money. Many people decide to give self-employment a try, often on a part-time basis while they hold down another job or after their formal “retirement.”

For tax reasons, it’s important to approach these types of ventures in a businesslike way. If you end up losing money for the year, you must be able to show you were operating a “for profit” trade or business — not indulging in a hobby — in order to deduct the loss against other income, such as wages or earned interest.  Losses from “hobby” activities, on the other hand, cannot be deducted against other current-year income and cannot be carried over to future tax years in which the hobby activity produces a profit.

Generally, the IRS will presume an activity is a “for profit business” if your gross income exceeds your deductions in at least three of the last five consecutive tax years (two out of seven for horse breeding, training, or racing). Otherwise, if you want to deduct your losses, you must prove under a facts and circumstance test that you are writing with the intent of earning a profit.

Facts and Circumstances
The IRS normally considers the following nine factors in determining your profit motive. No one factor is controlling and other factors also may be considered in judging whether you have a profit motive. The determination isn’t made on the basis of whether the number of factors indicating a “for profit” activity exceeds the number of “not for profit” factors — or vice versa.

The manner in which you carry on your writing activities. Keeping accurate records, as well as, separate checking and savings accounts for your writing demonstrates businesslike intentions.

Your writing expertise. Your background and willingness to acquire the knowledge to become successful is important in this area.

The time and effort you spend on your writing. Finish and submit your manuscripts. Business loss deductions will almost certainly be denied where you have little or no involvement in the activity.

Your success in carrying on other similar or dissimilar activities. It may be easier to justify losses in a profit-seeking activity, if you have had experience carrying on a similar type of business.

Your history of income or loss with respect to the activity. Significant losses extending beyond the start-up stage are a very negative factor. However, courts have been very sympathetic to taxpayers whose losses were attributable to illness or other forces beyond their control.

The amount of occasional profits, if any. This factor will be of little assistance if your writing has had very modest and infrequent profits as compared to industry averages. 

Your expectations that assets used in the business may appreciate in value. In certain activities, this can be a major factor.

Your financial status. Financially successful people are more likely to run into hobby-loss trouble than those without substantial income or capital from other sources due to the potential tax advantages of characterizing a hobby loss as a business loss.

Whether elements of personal pleasure or recreation are involved. You can overcome this factor if you undertake your writing in a businesslike manner and devote a considerable amount of time, energy, and money to it. (And it’s okay to like your job.)

These factors are simply a guide. If you have any general questions, post them as a comment. Specific questions about claiming a deduction for your writing expenses should be addressed with your professional tax advisor.