 Fantasy: May 16, 2007 Issue [#1707] |
  Fantasy
This week: Edited by: rose_shadow
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
"Nitwittery abounds."
--Miss Snark |
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Hook Me
This month we're taking another break from the Hero's Journey for a contest exclusively for Fantasy Newsletter readers. Many of you may remember the interview I did with Rebecca J. Anderson (in the "Fantasy Newsletter (February 21, 2007)" newsletter) who hopes to have her fantasy novel published. One of the blogs she reads is that of the infamous Miss Snark , an anonymous literary agent in New York City who dispenses blunt, curt advice about the publishing/writing biz. Awhile back, she ran what she called the "Crapometer" where she accepted query letter "hooks" to critique.
A "hook" in this sense refers not to the first line of your novel but a quick summation of your novel that you will use in your query letter to an agent. If the hook "hooks" them, then you've got a request for a full ms (manuscript) and a potential foot in the door. You may write the best novel in the world, but if your hook doesn't hook, then your novel's going nowhere fast.
What does this have to do with the fantasy newsletter?
It's my opinion that fantasy novels are the hardest to write hooks for. You, the author, have to explain a strange world without boring anyone in 250 words. Even if you don't participate I think learning how to write a hook will be a good exercise for all of us who want to pitch our novel to listening ears in the publishing biz. What you will do is write hooks based on rules found at the following forum (sci-fi novels welcome as well):
The passkey is 7950.
What do I get out of this?
If your hook "hooks" me then I will read and review your novel. Or, if for some unforeseeable reason I cannot do that, I will award a GP prize. You will also get a featured spot in an upccoming newsletter for your novel. So this means only one winner right? Wrong! This will be a continuous contest for as long as I can keep it running.
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Call for submissions!
The debut issue of Staffs & Starships Magazine will be put to print this summer. We are looking for short fiction in the science fiction and fantasy genres.
Here’s what we want:
1. Fiction of literary quality that leans towards the traditional
* No space opera, no cyber punk, no urban fantasy
* No horror, supernatural, psychological thriller
2. Fiction with strong characters and sound plots
3. Fiction that raises a question – whether explicit or implicit
Read this post for more info: "Invalid Post"
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 Bonus items!
 Erin's Fantasy Book of the Month
If you have a published fantasy novel you would like to see featured here, email me with the ISBN number and a brief hook, and I'll plug it here for you on my next issue.
ISBN 0-910609-11-X
Alyndoria:Tales of Inner Magic by Fyn 
ALYNDORIA- TALES OF INNER MAGIC is a book of three fairy tales written with wit and imagination. The book is made up of three complete stories: "The Crystal Tear," "The Golden Flame," and "The Emerald Heart." Each of these stories fosters ideas gifted children will not find in other books. The stories are thoughtful and engaging; gifted children will find these tales of friendship, love, loyalty, and wisdom are of interest because they address themes of greater understanding directed towards their sensibilities.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
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From: arwyn_ali
Hey there,
Is there any way that each week you could give the readers an idea of what the next letter will be about? This would give the readers time to submit items and suggestions that relate to the topic.
I was also wondering - Do you look at a new list of submitted items each week? Or do you look at a compiled list of all items ever submitted?
I love this newsletter; I have learned a lot from it.
Thanks and Keep up the good work!
I'm not sure what the other newsletters are like but Fantasy newsletter editors generally do solitary work. We pick our topics independently, write about them, and when the newsletter comes out it's a suprise to every other editor. Some editors will tell you what their next newsletter will be about if they know, but some, like myself, don't work that far in advance  .
The list of submitted items is a compiled list of all items ever submitted, with the newest submissions at the top.
From: likenion
wow, great newletter! i'll make sure to check out some of the previous letters to get informed about the other stages of character development! this is very informative and helpful! i have been wondering about big battle scenes! i know that they are the hardest to describe, because of the various characters and enemies and events! if you can give out some tips on how to make the battle scenes a bit less strenuous without trying to avoid them would be great!
Hi there!
I think I've avoided big battle scenes exactly because of the reasons you describe--it's so complicated! I think, however, that the easiest way to keep your reader on task is to keep your focus on one character at a time. This will be easier if you're writing from a third-person limited point of view, but if you're writing from third-person omniscient, you can stick with jumping from one character to the next. For example:
Jaris shifted his stance in the soft soil of the battle field which had quickly become a mire of blood and splattering mud. In the brief pause he saw that the King's banner to the south was gaining ground. It was hard to see how many of his people were still alive, but the enemy was falling back, so that must be a good sign.
If you're writing from third person omniscient, you can then jump to another character in another part of the field. However, these can get tricky and can easily overload the reader with too many details. A good rule of thumb to remember is that when sticking with one character, you're going to see from his or her eyes and what they can't know the reader can't know. If you need the reader to see the overall progress of the battle, then choose a character who will have that kind of viewpoint, perhaps a general on a nearby hill, observing everything and giving orders like a player directing chess pieces.
From: billwilcox
I used to live in the belly of a whale, but it got overly crowded when this boy made of wood and his dad showed up. |
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