Constructing Your Story: Guest Blog by Tracy Krauss

I'm sure if you asked ten different authors how they construct their stories you would get ten different answers. Here’s how the 'story construction' process works for me. This does not mean that it is the 'right' way, or the 'best' way, but just that this is what works for me.

First, of course, is the inspiration. This can be as varied as the world around us. Inspiration can be almost anything and can come from anywhere, but once that initial spark has been ignited, the next step for me is making an outline.

My outlines tend to start out as lists and then grow to become paragraphs as I flesh out the story line. This first stage is very loose, and I try to keep things flexible. I usually find that once I start writing, the story inevitably changes as the characters surprise me with their dialogue or another idea pops into my head. 

My next step is developing detailed back stories for my characters. I love this part. I often write several pages about each character, which does not always become part of the story itself. This includes family background, siblings, place of birth, key childhood experiences, likes, dislikes, schooling, etc. I find this really helps me in terms of motivation and even dialogue. I love to know my characters inside and out. I usually keep both of these items handy as I begin the next stage. 

The next thing I do is write a detailed outline, chapter by chapter. Inevitably, this changes as the story changes and I often have to move certain events (or eliminate them altogether) but it allows me to make sure my chapters are flowing into each other and that each has a specific purpose, along with an opening hook, mini climax and something to maintain a sense of anticipation leading into the next chapter. If I think of some good dialogue, I insert it, but I don't worry too much about details. I just want to get the basic story line worked out. I also find that this really helps me to work out things like foreshadowing and flashbacks. Of course, this stage is often very expository in nature, but it is simply to make sure that the ideas themselves get put on paper before they get lost.

Now, the 'real' writing begins!  I begin slogging through my outlines and fleshing out the ideas with description, dialogue etc. I find I often labor over the first few pages for DAYS. (Or longer) It is difficult to establish the voice, a hook, introduce the main character, setting and problem within the first few paragraphs without becoming too descriptive or expository. Even after I think I've got it, I usually come back to the beginning again and again and rework it - sometimes once the entire manuscript is finished. 

I tend to rewrite and edit as I go, and I usually find I need to reread at least part of what I wrote the day before in order to get back in the 'zone'. However, I don't sweat to much over the first draft. My goal is to get the story written. Once the bones are there, I will go back and rewrite several times, adding, changing, or eliminating as I see fit.

For those who are frightened by this prospect, let me just say that I usually have more than one project on the go at once. If I get bored with one, I move to another. Also, because of the nature of my outlines, I can move to a scene that I 'feel' like writing and come back to finish one later that is stalling me.

I now use a program called Scrivener, which fits in well with this system. Of course, there is a whole editing process that comes next, which is enough for another entire post!

 If you would like to read more of Tracy's thoughts or buy her books, go to http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com

The Writer's Life: Guest Blog by Tracy Krauss

Today I am handing over the blog to a guest blogger and author, Tracy Krauss. Her topic for the day is "What writers have in common with Cirque du Soleil." I think you will find it most interesting. I know I did.

Writing can be a circus act and writers need to become world class jugglers and fearless trapeze artists. The juggling act for most writers is obvious. Most of the writers I know also hold down other jobs. Unless you are one of the famous few, you probably have to supplement your writing income with some other employment.

These are the things that make the writer's task even more challenging, because writing in itself is its own juggling act. Of course, at its base level, there is the 'writing' - the creative act of turning an idea into a full fledged story. This takes time, planning, rewriting, editing, critiquing, and more rewriting, until the finished product emerges and you are ready to share it with someone. But consider all the other tasks a writer must do beyond the creative act itself.

Sending out queries and pitching your work to agents, publishers, and periodicals is another whole category fraught with its own set of rules to master. If you are fortunate enough to find an agent or publisher, this does not guarantee they will take on subsequent work. Each manuscript, play or poem is subject to this same process unless you sign a multi book deal or become famous along the way.

Also, if you do sign a contract with a publisher, the work of editing, re-editing and editing yet again is another task that demands your time and attention - often on a strict timeline. Add to that other concerns like approving cover art, cover copy etc. etc. etc. and another 'baton' (plate, knife, flaming torch ...) has been added to your growing menagerie.

Then there is the whole marketing and promotional thing. Think of it as a large living organism thrown into the mix - perhaps a puppy, (or even a small whale!) This aspect of the 'performance' is a living thing. It is constantly changing, growing, adapting - and you better be too! No matter how much you want to, there is no avoiding it and you better be on your toes or it could send everything else crashing down. It can be fun, but if you let it, it can also take over the other, equally important things (like the writing itself ...)

Sometimes we get burned (we drop the flaming torch) such as when we spend money on a promotional 'opportunity' that turns out to be a dud. Or we get cut by one of the 'knives' (negative criticism, a bad review or a rejection letter ...) We miss opportunities, fumble, recover, drop a baton or two ... maybe even that cute beluga falls right on top of us and we get buried.

And I haven't even started on the trapeze analogy yet! I think you get the picture, though. Writing isn't easy. I inwardly chuckle when people say, "Maybe I should write a book!" as if it is some simple task. Yeah, I'll just skip home, glibly knock off several hundred pages in a week or so and then sell it for a tidy six digit figure to the highest bidder. They don't understand that writing is not something I do because it is easy. Far from it. Writing can be agonizing at times. Beyond the plain hard work, you've got to be willing to bare your soul to the world and keep smiling when it gets kicked around a bit.

Writing is, indeed, a circus act, but like any 'performance art' (and make no mistake, many aspects are 'performance' oriented...) there is often no greater thrill. Nothing beats the sense of satisfaction you get from hammering out that last chapter, receiving a positive review, or holding that newly published book in your hands for the first time. And, like anything else, the more you practice, the better you get.

What are your thoughts on this balancing act we called 'the writing life'?

If you would like to read more of Tracy's thoughts or buy her books, go to http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com

Interview with Author, Tracy Krauss

My interview today is with Tracy Krauss who has published two books and has another one in the process. She describes herself as a writer, an artist, a teacher, and a director/drama enthusiast. She currently is a High School teacher of Art, Drama and English. Like many of us, she dreams of some day having the freedom to write full time.

I see you have two books that you have published that are quite different from one another. The first one is My Mother the Man-Eater which is about a self proclaimed “cougar,” her adult daughters and her quest for love. What was your inspiration?
I love characterization and I spend a lot of time developing my characters and their back stories. For this particular novel, I was actually inspired, if you can call it that, while playing the Sims. No, really. I know that sounds rather shallow, but after I had developed these characters and they started ‘interacting’, a whole convoluted story began developing in my head. Of course, things mushroomed from there and I saw the potential for a really great story full of murder, mayhem and (dare I say ‘sex appeal’) while leading to the ultimate climax of God’s redemption and grace.

Cougar Town is a popular TV show now, how is your story different or similar to the show? What would you like your readers to take away from this story?
I’ve never actually watched ‘Cougar Town’, although I have heard of it. I think this book is rather timely in that regard, however. Let’s face it. People are interested in this topic right now. (The Drama-Queens-slash-housewives-of-where-ever …) I think it’s a really fun and fast paced story that is not typical for the Christian market, but, in the end has a strong and moving message of redemption. God can take anyone – even a former prostitute – and use him or her for His glory.

Your other book is entitled And The Beat Goes On which is a tale of intrigue with an archeologist and his discoveries deep in the mountains of Zimbabwe. This sounds like it is a total opposite from the Man-Eater book. Which style is your greatest strength?
Despite what seems like differences on the surface, both books are classified as ‘Romantic Suspense’. Man-Eater has a lot of action, intrigue, murder and mayhem, as does And The Beat Goes On. As well, The Beat has a healthy dose of romance, although not the ‘sappy’ variety, if I may say so, which is actually also the case for Man-Eater (despite the subject matter!) So, stylistically, they aren’t that dissimilar. I like to classify myself as ‘Edgy Inspirational with a twist of romance’.

What drew you to write this story?
As far as the inspiration for And the Beat Goes On, it came out of my interest in what I saw as the discrepancy between evolutionary theory and what the Bible had to say about the origins of the universe. When I first got saved, this was a big issue for me because I had been ‘schooled’ into thinking that the evidence was actually in favor of evolution and that as a Christian, I was just supposed to blindly follow the Creation model without asking any questions. I ended up reading anything I could get my hands on that had to do with the topic. I soon discovered that the so called ‘evidence’ for evolution was iffy at best and often skewed to fit the model – not something proponents want you to know.

This story is actually a sequel to another book I wrote called Play It Again (which is not published yet) in which the main character from The Beat was a child. He was kind of quirky kid who liked rocks, arrow heads, and things. When I started thinking about And The Beat Goes On, I decided to make him an adult. Other than that, the two books stand alone, so nobody needs to worry about reading the first one before the second. It’s also where I came up with the title. I thought it would be neat to continue the ‘musical’ theme. Unfortunately, some folks think it’s a tribute to Sonny and Cher …

I see both books are published by Strategic Book Publishing. I am not familiar with them, though I see their sister imprint Eloquent Books have somewhere around 2000+ authors. Could you tell me how you first heard about them?
I did a ‘blitz’ while trying to find an agent/publisher and ended up with several offers. I liked their contract the best, so I signed with them.

What has your experience been like in working with them?
I have had a very positive experience working with Strategic. They have had some bad press in the past, apparently, but I have found them to be very professional, helpful and forthright in all their dealings with me. Initially, it took several months before I heard anything back from them. Once I signed with them and got the ball rolling, it was probably six months before the first book was released.

Did you contact any other publishers before you got a contract with them?
I looked into straight up self publishing, but decided I didn’t want to go that route. I also had a couple of offers from publishers that were ‘joint venture’ but the cost was really high and I didn’t see it as an advantage over self-pubbing. I have also had some interest and ‘requests for more’ from several agents, and even one of the big publishing houses, but nothing came out of those.

Strategic offers full contract (you pay nothing), ‘joint venture’ (you pay some) and self pub (you pay - period) so they are quite versatile in that regard. Does that mean I am going to stick with them and only them? I’m still in the process of submitting to other agents and publishers. I think it is smart to ‘play the field’ and keep one’s options open.

In working through your first book, what surprises, if any did you encounter in working with your publisher?
I was such total rookie, that pretty much everything was a surprise. I would say my best advice for anyone is to do your homework. I thought I had, but it turns out I only scratched the surface. You really need to take the time to research the publishing industry in general and decide what is best for you. There are so many options out there now from e-pubbing to self-pubbing to how to acquire an agent to publicity … it’s overwhelming at times.

What advice would you give about promoting and marketing an author’s books?
Again, I had no idea what I was getting into so it’s been a very steep learning curve. Strategic has been good about helping with promotions, but gone are the days when you could just sit back and write and let your publisher do all the work of promoting. Unless you’re a million book seller, it just isn’t going to happen, no matter who your publisher is. It is crucial these days to develop an online presence, even before you sign a contract or get published. I didn’t know this and so I have been doing a lot of ‘catching up’, so to speak. You need a website, you should be blogging, and you should be interacting on social media sites. This helps develop an audience and a platform. There really are no shortcuts. It takes a lot of effort.

What do you know now about getting published that you wished you had known earlier in your writing career?
What I said in the last question about building a platform. I was kind of sitting around waiting to be ‘discovered’, but this is not reality for most authors. Self-promotion goes against the grain for most of us – especially those of us that are Christians who have been told we need to be ‘humble’.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given on writing?
My best advice is to LISTEN to what others are saying – even if it hurts. Often we are so emotionally invested in our own writing that we don’t see the flaws until someone else points them out. I’ve had many ‘ah-ha’ moments where I couldn’t believe I missed some flaw that, as soon as it was pointed out, became glaringly apparent. Having a trusted critique partner or group is a really good idea. This doesn’t mean we bow to every suggestion. At some point you have to know your own voice and go with it. But accepting criticism and constructive feedback is crucial if we’re ever going to get to that place.

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