Writer’s Serenade
May 2013
Our Next Meeting
May 11, 2013 10-1pm
PCC Sylvania Campus, Room ST 101 MAP
JESSICA GLENN
BOOK PUBLICITY: THE LOWDOWN
B
ook publicity is different than any other type of publicity and often seems
to authors like an option rather than a necessity. Whether you already
have a publisher, are looking for a publisher or plan to self-publish, you
will need a watertight marketing and publicity plan. Without it, statistically, you are highly unlikely to find receptive agents, publishers and ultimately readers. If you have a publicist through your publisher, they act on behalf of a large
number of authors, and do not have time to create and follow up on a completely
customized publicity plan.
In this class, Jessica Glenn will lead you through the phases of book publicity from
six months before the release date to three weeks after the launch. Learn how book
publicity can make the best use of bloggers; how to use radio, print, and TV to your
advantage; and why and when to organize book tours. This class is best suited to
authors with finished or close to finished manuscripts who plan to pitch and authors
who already have publishers or who are independently publishing and need to plan
their release.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Letter from the Board ..............................2
Book Promotion ......................................3
PRO Corner..............................................4
PAN Corner..............................................5
Board of Directors ...................................6
Grandmother/YA .....................................7
Jessica Glenn is a book publicist, manuscript shepherd, musician, inventor, writer,
locavore and mischievous at times too. MindBuck Media is a natural extension of
her work as a freelance writer and development designer, as well as her former
employment with Web 2.0 savvy Electric Artists Marketing Services Company in NY.
On The Shelves ........................................9
Writing: Science or Art……...………………....10
Golden Rose……………………………………...….13
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST
Our Board meetings start at 8:30am, morning social is from 9:3010, and the general meeting starts PROMPTLY at 10am. After our
meetings, many members adjourn for lunch at Applebee’s in
Lake Oswego. Everyone is welcome!
Rose City Romance Writers, Chapter 157, Portland Oregon Romance Writers of America
 Can a Grandmother Write YA?
 Five new books On the Shelves this
month
 Writing: Science or Art?
 Post your comments, welcome new
members, say Happy Birthday here…
MyRWA RCRW Blog
Letter to our Chapter
Dear Roses,
cover art for the next newsletter.
I want to thank everyone for their generous support of the new
chapter newsletter. Our purpose is to be sure everyone, not just
those who can attend meetings, is kept informed of what is going
on, who’s publishing what, and generally keeping everyone connected. Whether you live in Idaho, California, or Bend, or hang
out in PDX and can’t attend meetings, hopefully this monthly
newsletter will give you just a bit more support for your writing.
We have two new features starting this month– A PRO Corner
and PAN Corner where our PRO Liaison , Judith Ashley and PAN
Liaison Jessa Slade will be writing monthly.
This month I want to especially thank Maggie Lynch and Collette
Cameron for writing two articles to share with us. It is this sort of
support that is critically necessary for our newsletter. And as an
added bonus, their articles will be forwarded to all the other RWA
chapters for inclusion in those newsletters. It’s a great way to get
some exposure for that new book release! Articles can be any
length up to 1500 words. If you have a new release coming out, or
have a great idea you want to share, please consider writing an
article for the upcoming issues.
Please subscribe to our MyRWA RCRW Blog for articles of interest,
as well as updates. You can subscribe by marking our blog as a
‘Favorite.’ It will then ask you how often you want to be notified
of updates. Thank you to Danielle Barriga and Sarah Raplee for
helping to figure out how to make this work. Text versions of the
newsletter will be kept on the blog, along with program updates
and schedules.
If you have any thoughts about
chapter communications, not just
the newsletter, please feel free to
contact me directly. We are really
working to make sure we are communicating everything you need to
know!
I want to congratulate Collette Cameron, Maggie Faire, Heather
Heistand, and Elizabeth Parker on their book publications this
Thank you again,
month! This is Elizabeth’s very first book and we are really excited
for her! If you have book releases upcoming in June/July, please
Renee Quattromani
plan to submit a blurb (100-120 words only please!) and your
Communications Liaison
Romancing the
Genres
Blog-O-Versary
Sarah Raplee and Judith
Ashley are pleased to announce Romance Around
The World is the theme for
Romancing the Genres’ 2nd
Blog-O-Versary Celebration
the month of May. In addition to our regular line-up of
Genre-istas, on the weekends we've visiting romance
writers from India, England,
Canada, the US, Australia
New Zealand and TrinidadTobago! Come celebrate
with us at
www.RomancingTheGenres.
blogspot.com
BOOK PROMOTION FROM A PUBLICIST’S PERSPECTIVE
BY JESSICA GLENN
I
f you’re working with a publisher, you might have noticed that everything in publishing from finding an agent, to submissions to acceptance
to editing to interior design to cover design seems to be measured in
eons rather than days or weeks. I hate to break it to you, dear writer, but
book publicity relies on the same geologically based calendar.
Whether you are releasing your book through a publishing house or selfpublishing, you need at least four months with the advanced review copies
(ARCs) in your publicist’s hot little hands before the book release date to have
the best coverage for critical reviews. The reason for this inefficient seeming
system is that in order for reviews, interviews and news items to be optimum
PULL marketing strategies, they have to be newsworthy in some way.
There is a reason you don’t see a lot of Charlotte Bronte books reviewed by
critical newspaper reviewers. Unless a book is externally newsworthy
(celebrating an important anniversary, referential for a political reason, etc),
it’s not going to be news. And, when an older book is news, it’s not reviewed,
2
JESSICA GLENN, CONTD
it’s connected in the context of an interview or other mention. For fiction, being
newsworthy is a whole lot harder than it is for non-fiction. In fact, the prime
newsworthy element of a fiction book is that is has been published. Period.
W
ith this in mind, nearly all reviewers want to review a book
around the time of the book release in order to be doing the
literary equivalent of the journalistic “scooping a story.” Review outlets (Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus, BookPage,
Library Journal, etc), receive a lot of books and need a minimum of 3-4 months
with the book in order to decide if they want to review it, assign a reviewer,
have the reviewer read it and then review it, send it to the editor and format it
into the publication.
What this means to a writer is that all of the work of writing, editing, formatting, etc. must be done about 5 or 6 months before the book release. I
strongly caution all of you to not rush the release date however tempting, because you could sabotage your chance to publicize your book with little chance
to make up the difference in critical reviews after the release.
In terms of the advice that marketing is a marathon rather than a sprint, I would
somewhat disagree when it comes to traditional publicity. It’s more like a
loooong sprint! Most important to remember, traditional publicity is over after
the book is released. After the book release authors do their previously scheduled book readings and signings combined with publicity aimed to target the
news of the events rather than to generate reviews.
All that said, web 2.0 media is fair game for continued promotion post book
release. While personally, I like to see most of the blogger reviews around the
same time as the book release, it’s great to keep getting your book mentioned
by new blogger reviewers each month. Some of the best internet promotions
I’ve seen are as follows:
 Goodreads giveaway contest. This is free other than the books you are
contributing and the contest generates a ton of reader interest.
 Focused release day internet push. Make your release day an international event on FB, google+ and other social media sites and invite people and
follow up with them.
 Buy Day. A couple of weeks after your book release, organize a Buy Day.
The idea is to spike sales rankings and create a post release event. To do it,
send a message to all of your contacts with a simple, specific request such
as “Please post this link to my book on your Facebook on Oct 28th saying
3
CONTD PAGE 7
PRO Corner
by Judith Ashley
H
ello and Welcome to PRO Corner. I’m Judith Ashley, Rose City Romance Writer’s PRO
Liaison. I’ve been writing romance since 2001 but until 2008 I hadn’t completed my
first manuscript. Sound familiar?
Now I’ve three! So, it can be done.
Two of my goals for our pre-PRO and PRO chapter members are:
 Provide support and encouragement for non-PRO chapter members to become PRO. In a per-
fect world, we’d have a retreat (all expenses paid) someplace wonderful and brainstorm ideas. Oops! In this not so perfect world, please share what You Need to move forward with your
writing. Ideas I’ve gleaned so far include: mentors, a place to post goals, coaching groups
(having trouble with dialogue? Spend a few hours with the ‘Dialogue Coaching Group). What
would help you? While I can’t promise RCRW can deliver what you need, I know we can’t if we
don’t know what it is.
 We have PRO members who are published (self or small press) who are not-yet RWA PAN eli-
gible because they have not earned the required income from their writing. What can the
chapter do to support them? PRO member, Sarah Raplee McDermed, suggested social gatherings where, as a group, we’d talk books, write reviews, and tweets. We’d bring our laptops,
tablets, and smart phones. If a member didn’t have one of those techie gizmos but wanted to
participate, we’d work something out. Some members, for a variety of reasons, do not write
reviews (I’m one of them) and we hope this idea would lure them into doing so (I’ll be there).
How cool to gain knowledge and skills from others who are more knowledgeable!
However there is something more important than my goals? What? Why your goals and ideas of
course.
In my ideal world, Go-PRO and PRO Support are available to members living outside the Portland
Metro area. If you are willing to help with the logistics, let me know. I'd love to provide these opportunities to all of our members.
Comments and suggestions are welcomed!
Volunteer offers accepted.
Questions? Please email me at JudithAshley@comcast.net
4
Pan Corner
by Jessa Slade
A
s we’ve all experienced, the publishing world is in a state of bloody flux (“a state of flux”
meaning merely a time of change, but “bloody flux” being a historical term for dysentery
which seems more wonderfully evocative) so this column will attempt to curate news and
links from the past month that might be of interest to published writers.
For our first column, a potentially scary lawsuit that ended well for the published writer. A Texas district court dismissed with prejudice a plagiarism case brought against a Harlequin novel with a greeneyed, red-haired beauty and a tall, dark, handsome, wealthy man. Shocking, yes? Not shocking that a
Harlequin novel would have a green-eyed, red-haired beauty (I mean, what other color would her eyes
be if she has red hair?) and a tall, dark, handsome, wealthy man (I mean, what other size checkbook
would he have?) but shocking that anyone would think such similarities would be actionable.
While the court agreed there were a number of similarities between the published Harlequin novel and
the plaintiff’s unpublished partial that had made the contest rounds, none of the similarities were protected.
For a legal document, the court opinion is very clear and worthwhile reading, with some perhaps
squinty-eyed commentary on romance novels, including “The book also describes how the couple overcomes a series of obstacles to their love that the ends with the couple . . . the sentence need not be
completed.” Oh, funny law clerk! Methinks you read romances! Also, the “finding that pregnancy is ‘a
condition that seems inevitably concomitant to the romance in romance novels of this genre.’” From
now on, I’m going to tell my skeptical relatives that my six-pack heroes and heroine f-bombs are
“inevitably concomitant to my romance.” You can read the opinion for yourself at:
http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/texas/txsdce/4:2012cv01135/967642/20/0.pdf?
1361981911
Also interesting was the discussion following from authors who proclaimed they would no longer read
unpublished works for fear of being sued. However, the author of the published work hadn’t ever read
the plaintiff’s contest entry and still managed to get embroiled in the nastiness.
With our own Golden Rose contest now soliciting judge volunteers, I hope published and PRO writers
will remember that while bad things do happen, living under a rock will not truly protect us. So let’s
walk tall, volunteer, and remember justice prevails. At least in romance novels!
5
Board of Directors
JESSICA GLENN, CONTD.
that it’s Buy Day and encourage people to share.” Don’t ask
for this more than once or it will quickly become ineffective.
 Kindle Nation. Kindle Nation is not connected to Amazon and
features free and new Kindle releases. You can sponsor these
posts for around $150-$300. It usually causes at least a bit of a
rankings spike and you can do it a month or so after release.
 KDP Select. I realize that Amazon is a polarizing company in
the publishing world, but if you chose to use the Kindle Select
program, you agree to have your ebook exclusively on Amazon (not B&N or iTunes) for 90 days. In turn they promote you
and there is a 3-5 day free book giveaway period. If you time
the free 3 days to around 2 or 3 months after your release
release, you can get a last engineered spike in rankings.
It is possible to organize all of the above internet strategies in advance of the release. I would suggest authors do that so at the
time of the release authors are focused on their book tours, topical interviews and... the next book!
President
Nancy Brophy
president@rosecityromancewriters.com
VP Programs
Terri Patrick
vp-programs@rosecityromancewriters.com
VP Membership
Jessie Smith
vp-membership@rosecityromancewriters.com
Treasurer
Linda Paul
treasurer@rosecityromancewriters.com
Secretary
Laurel Newberry
secretary@rosecityromancewriters.com
PRO Liaison
Judith Ashley
pro-liaison@rosecityromancewriters.com
PAN Liaison
Teri Brown & Jessa Slade
pan-liaison@rosecityromancewriters.com
PR Liaison
Viola Cross
publicrelations@rosecityromancewriters.com
Communications Liaison
Renee Quattromani
publicrelations@rosecityromancewriters.com
Newsletter Editor
Renee Quattromani
editor@rosecityromancewriters.com
Golden Rose Contest Co-Coordinators
Cheryl Kennedy, Gina Fluharty, Ellen Russell
contestcoordinator@rosecityromancewriters.com
Critique Partner/Cold Read Services
Mae Penn
MyRWA Webmistress
Sarah Raplee
Webmistress
Ellen Russell
66
webmistress@rosecityromancewriters.com
CAN A GRANDMOTHER WRITE YA? MAGGIE FAIRE
W
hen I first conceived my YA Fantasy series almost four years ago, I
had to look hard at whether I could pull it off. The good news was
my roots were in SF and Fantasy—even if my short stories were
published 30+ years ago. Though I’ve been writing and publishing
adult romances for the past decade, I’d also begun reading scores of YA books in
2009 and found I loved the genre. I loved revisiting the complexities of deciding
who you are and what you want to do with your life. In many ways, looking toward retirement after a long career in Academia, I was doing that again myself.
The question that loomed in my mind was “Is there a YA Voice and, if so, can I capture it?” At that time, there were a lot of first person, snarky, mean girls kinds of
novels and first person, snarky, fantasy kick-butt (read mean girls) kinds of novels.
Hmmm…I don’t write snark and I don’t write mean girls. Is this really the only YA
voice?
I started building my fantasy world anyway. Maybe I could be the first successful
non-snark, non-first person, non-mean girls grandmother to debut in YA? I knew I
had the ultimate coming-of-age story—a girl who is born a human chameleon. If
she looks at you, she completely turns into you. Male, female, young, old—it
doesn’t matter. She turns into you. It is frightening both for the protagonist and
for those who see it happen. Hence she is raised in isolation. What better foundation for being totally confused about your identity and unaware of the world? Add
in a save the world aspect and an entire forest peopled with fantasy characters
and I loved it.
In 2010 I pitched it as Avatar meets Wicked Lovely at a Michael Hauge workshop
given by the Rose City chapter. After reading my two-line high concept pitch, the
best part of that day was he really liked the idea and encouraged me to move forward. That told me I was on the right track. Now all I had to do was write the darn
thing.
When I finished the first book, I knew it was a series. I began pitching it to agents
at conferences. Though almost everyone liked the idea and asked for the first
three chapters, the first question they asked me was: “Why do you think you can
write YA at your age?” I have to admit I stumbled on that. It had never occurred
to me there was a perceived age limit for writing YA. One agent tried to be kind
when I stumbled, but it didn’t quite work. She offered: “Perhaps you’re a kid at
heart?” Well, no, not really. But I do believe the experience of deciding who you
are, what you want, and forging your independence is a universal experience that
is shared at many stages of life. Of course, I didn’t say that then. It’s taken me several years of pitching agents and editors to come up with that response.
So, why should grandmothers consider writing YA? Honestly, I think we are the
MOST qualified. We have years of life experience through lots of ups and downs
and have often repeated in some fashion that identity seeking experience. As
women we seek identity in our teen years, after college (or whenever we choose a
career), after marriage, during motherhood, after the children leave the nest, and
again when we contemplate and enter retirement. Women, especially, seem to be
in a constant search for identity that is separate from all the other people in their
7
lives.
MAGGIE FAIRE, CONTD
A
dd to that, as grandmothers we can’t get pregnant, hopefully don’t live with teenagers
who might drive us to writing a mean girls novel, and most important we are at the most
knowledgeable time of life to be able to rewrite being a teenager. I don’t think anyone
looks back at being a teenager and says “Wow! That was the best, most confident and
amazing time of my life” If you do, please DO NOT contact me! I prefer to believe that everyone else
was devastated by their teen years.
What better way to rewrite that experience than to become the teen you wished you had been: confident, kick-butt, learns from mistakes and gets better, has pithy come backs to boys who drive her
crazy, always brave, and of course can absolutely save the world!. And of course, my protagonist is
beautiful. After all she’s a chameleon, she can look anyway she pleases.
Still not convinced age is no determiner for writing your first YA novel? Here are just a few of the popular YA writers who are over 50 (whether they are grandmother’s or not), successful, and still writing.
Tamora Pierce -59
Cynthia Voight-71
Suzanne Collins-50
Lois Lowry-76
Susan Cooper-77
Julia Alvarez-63
Lois Duncan-78
Jane Yolen-73
Cornelia Funke-54
Rachel Caine-50
Ursula Le Guin-83
And the men too!
Terry Pratchett-64
James Patterson-66
Michael Grant-58
Jerry Spinelli-72
Orson Scott Card-61
Soon I hope we can add Maggie Faire, age 59, to the list of popular YA writers. When I see writers like
Ursula LeGuin, Lois Lowry, Susan Cooper and Jane Yolen still at it, I have great hopes for a full and
wonderful YA career.
If you love reading YA and have been thinking of writing it, but wonder if you are too old. I say
“Pshaw! Give it a try.” You are never too old to live your dream. You are never too old to rewrite that
teen experience and make it everything you wanted it to me and more. More than that, who better
than someone with maturity to capture not only the coming-of-age experience, but add some depth
to what it means in the longer view.
Have fun and happy writing!
About Maggie Faire
Maggie Faire is the YA pseudonym for RWA member Maggie Lynch. Maggie also writes adult romances and currently has four books available under the name Maggie Jaimeson. Her goal is to pursue
both an adult and YA career well into her 80’s and longer if possible. The first two books in her YA
Fantasy series will be released May 30, 2013 through Windtree Press. The series contains a total of
seven books, the rest to be released over the next two years. You can contact Maggie under either of
her author personas at her websites: Maggie Faire | Maggie Jaimeson The websites also contain links
to all her social media sites.
8
ON THE SHELVES THIS MONTH
WEAR BLACK, HEATHER HIESTAND
Death did not end his service to the British Empire
Beneath Windsor Castle, a shadow network of immortals keeps the British Empire safe. Army captain Lucas Fitzrobbins becomes one of them when the cure for his mortal wound turns out to be a
vampirism potion. He is abruptly inducted into the secret St. George Protector Society…and it’s not
long before the Society’s newest recruit discovers it has dark mysteries as well…
Marked as a target.
Hampering Lucas’s efforts to adjust to his after-life is An Tighearn operative Nellie Clifton, a beautiful and enigmatic assassin, who has marked Lucas as her latest quarry. But then…
Secrets are threatened to be revealed.
A brutal killer stalks the seamy underside of London. Protectors and assassins alike must leave the
shadows to find the fiend before their existence is revealed to the world. Tasked with the job of
tracking down the murderer, Lucas discovers that the crazed butcher may have connections that
go to the heart of the British Empire. One thing is certain:
The Queen must never know.
Ebook, 4/16/13.
HIGHLANDER’S HOPE, COLLETTE CAMERON
Yvette Stapleton is an heiress, disdainful of marriage and fleeing for her life.
Lord Ewan McTavish is a War Office agent determined to make her his own. On
a mission to catch a traitor, Ewan unwittingly draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. They clash head-on, when to keep her safe, he exploits Scottish
Canon law and claims her as his lawful wife—without the benefit of a ceremony.
Yvette is furious when she discovers the irregular marriage is legally binding,
though she never said, "I do." Ewan's manipulation may cost him her newfound
love.
Soul Mate Publishing, May 2013
CHAMELEON: THE AWAKENING (BOOK 1 OF THE FOREST PEOPLE), MAGGIE FAIRE
The freak with no identity. That’s what it’s like to be a human chameleon, and sixteen-year-old Camryn Painter wonders if she'll ever figure out
who the real Camryn is. Her parents called it her gift. She calls it her
curse. Ohar and Dagger wish to bind the Chameleon, each to their own
tribe. The prophecy says she alone can save the Forest People from the
scourge. Either one can help Camryn control her identity, but who can
help her control the darkness inside her? Every decision Camryn makes
puts someone’s life in danger. Camryn’s gifts have the power to save
both worlds, but in the process she may end up destroying everyone and
everything she loves.
Genre: YA Fantasy Format and Cost: Ebook $4.50 and Print $14.00
Publisher: Windtree Press Release Date: May 30, 2013
9
ON THE SHELVES
The ‘GREAT GATSBY’ MOVIE PREMIERE PARTY
& AUTHOR APPEARANCE AT
PROGRESS RIDGE
Movie Premiere
Party on Friday
Night, May 10th
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Party and screening in GRAND AUDITORIUM at CINETOPIA THEATRE
Bee’s Knee’s! Grab your fedora, spats,
feathers and roaring twenties gear to
dress up for an event you won’t want to
miss.
Guests can purchase a ticket package
for entry to the movie and premiere
party for thirty ($30) that includes; one
movie ticket for that evening’s premiere
of the Hollywood blockbuster, “The
Great Gatsby” starring Leonardo de
Caprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan; a copy of local author, Anna Brentwood’s riveting twenties novel, “The
Songbird With Sapphire Eyes’; and a
goodie bag full of coupons and promotions provided by various business
sponsors within the beautiful, new
Progress Ridge Shopping Center.
Guests are encouraged to dress up in
roaring 20‘s style and there will be
prizes awarded for the best costume,
male and female.
Delicious hors d’oerves are included in
the ticket price and will be served in the
reserved auditorium. Beverages can be
purchased and there will be a no-host
bar serving wine and beer inside for the
convenience of the guests attending this
very exclusive and private party.
“Full of art deco glamour, romance,
and dramatic action, SONGBIRD hypnotizes.” Sandi Gelles-Cole,
author THE MEMOIR OF MARILYN
MONROE
Dedicated award-winning author, Anna
Brentwood’s novel takes readers on an
unusual journey that began for her with
a series of strange dreams. Haunted by
visions of a ghostly and persistent
heroine, Anna tells the story of Hannah
Glidden, a cabaret singer, flapper and
gun moll who lived and died during the
very roaring and dangerous 20’s.
For more information about ‘The Songbird with the
Sapphire Eyes’ visit www.annabrentwood.com or
Email at annabrentwood@ymail.com; Facebook.com/
annabrentwood & Twitter @annabrentwood
CHAMELEON: THE CHOOSING (BOOK 2 OF THE FOREST PEOPLE), MAGGIE FAIRE
Having survived the Kintala and liberated her father, Camryn knows two
things: 1) her feelings about Ohar or Dagger can't be trusted; and 2) her
newly found magical powers are darn scary and out of control. The first
step is to bond with the most powerful creature in the universe, a thunder dragon. The choosing is never easy, and only the worthy are chosen.
In her first battle with the Agnoses, Camryn must first face her own inner
demons in order to save the Forest People. She must learn to resist the
call of the Abaddon, or risk the price of letting it take her. Death.
Genre: YA Fantasy Format and Cost: Ebook $4.50 and Print $14.00
Publisher: Windtree Press Release Date: May 30, 2013
RAYVEN’S KEEP, KYLIE WOLF
Tru Creighton wants is to be taken seriously by her
family. When she discovers inconsistencies in a family
holding, she decides to investigate. Stranded on a foreign planet and her life in jeopardy, she puts herself in
the questionable care of Nick Rayven.
Nick knows all about survival. A former soldier and
refugee from a world destroyed by war, his focus is
solely on his growing business. Stuck with Tru, his life
is turned upside down by murder, drugs and an interplanetary conspiracy. To complicate matters, her presence awakens emotions he thought long dead.
Nick's sense of duty prevents him from acting on the
growing attraction, but Tru doesn’t have the same
qualms. She willingly follows where her heart leads.
June 3, 2013 Lyrical Press
WHAT IS WRITING-SCIENCE OR ART? BY COLLETTE CAMERON
True ease in writing comes from art, not chance,
As those move easiest who have learn’d to dance.
~ Alexander Pope
I
n my other life, I’m a teacher. I cannot count the number of times
I’ve heard and answered this question: Is teaching a science or an
art? If you’re a teacher, you’re nodding your head right now.
Been there. Done that.
My answer has always been both.
10
WRITING– SCIENCE OR ART?, CONTD.
ou see, the very best teachers are those that are creative
and have a natural gifting and talent for teaching. But— and
this is a big but, no pun intended— they have also studied
the science of teaching. They’ve learned the best practices
and methodologies and know how to implement them in the classroom. They also know when to disregard those so-called best practices
and do what comes naturally to them.
Y
I bet you can mentally tick off a list of teachers who perform their duties with skill and excellence, but there is no pizazz, no oomph, no Ican’t-wait-to-see-what-Mr. Ducky-will-do-today kind of eagerness
from their pupils.
Then there are teachers who can make even the most tedious assignments and boring subjects exciting—images of Miss Frizzle from the
Magic School Bus spring to mind—but those teachers have no classroom management or organizational skills. They are perpetually behind on grading—if they grade anything at all. Gasp, say it isn’t so!
It’s the teachers that can do both that truly impact students’ lives and
are remembered long after they leave the teaching arena.
I believe the same is true of writing; it’s science and art.
Give me a second to duck for cover. Okay, I’m safely ensconced behind my computer.
I can see your faces as I peek over the top of the monitor; the frowns
of disapproval; the rolling eyes; the head shaking. The, What does she
mean, writing is a science and an art? looks of astonishment. She
doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Writing is pure creativity, the
flow of imagination recorded on a page. There’s nothing scientific
about it. Writing is a compulsion, an obsession even, and writers are
the instrument for the words. The writer imparts the magic and artistry into prose.
Writing is an art. Period. End of discussion.
Nonetheless, I would argue writing is also a science. Isn’t that why we
study writing so much? Telling versus showing. Plot and structure. Dynamic and believable characters. Tone and pacing. Do a quick search
on Amazon and literally hundreds of books on how to write pop up.
There’s a veritable smorgasbord of literature pertaining to writing. It’s
not enough for a person to want to write, or even to have some degree of talent, if they don’t know how to write and the how is the intricate meshing of science and art.
Do I dare come out from behind my computer yet? No, not yet?
11
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WRITING– SCIENCE OR ART? CONTD.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
This guy has a PhD and he says writers are scientists so it must be true,
right?
Monica Knightley
5/1
Mike Garzillo
5/10
Deanne Wilsted
5/15
Jenna Bayley Burke
5/16
Terri Patrick
5/20
Nancy L. Ray
5/22
Linda Kearney
5/23
Remy Stone
5/27
Tammie King
5/28
Sarina Dorie
5/28
Writers are the true scientists of our age, of every age.
~Robert Maurer, Phd
Okay, safely hidden behind my computer, I’ll continue our … ah … discussion.
I
don’t care how much you’ve studied writing, how proficient you are at
mechanics, grammar, syntax, punctuation, organization, deep POV, telling versus showing—that’s the science bit—you’re writing will never
have that extra something without he artistry element. It’s the difference between an okay read (maybe even every author’s nightmare … a boring read) and an I-can’t-put-this-book-down-it’s-so-amazing read.
Writing, like teaching, is both a science and art.
You have to have an innate gift for writing, and you hone it via techniques and
guidelines. Talent and flair alone are not enough to create a fabulous piece of literature and conversely, mastery of and proficiency in writing techniques may get
you an A on an essay, but it will never raise you to the ranks of a best-selling author.
Wish a Happy Birthday or Welcome New
Members here MyRWARCRW Blog
In all likelihood, it won’t even get you published.
T
rust me. As a teacher, contest judge, and editor, I’ve seen immaculate, pristine writing that was dry as
white toast and just about as exciting. I’ve also seen fabulous story ideas that were so poorly written, they
were nearly impossible to decipher. The first group has a firm grasp on the techniques and mechanics but
lacks the level of aptitude needed to be a truly successful writer. The other group has some genuine artistic ability, in fact, in some cases, a great deal of talent. But their work is so unorganized and sloppy, so lacking in
conventions and mechanics, it isn’t publishable. Unfortunately, it might never be.
Before I go, I’ll stop cowering behind my computer and will qualify my argument with this.
A writer can learn the science part. I’m not sure the same can be always be said for the talent and creativity aspects—the artistry half.
I realize that’s a generalization, and of course, there are exceptions. But the truth is, though I’ve taken drawing classes, I am not artistic, and it wouldn’t matter how many techniques I learned, or how much I practiced, I will never be
a great painter … or even a mediocre one.
Hey, I’m so unartistic, my first grade teacher made fun of my stick people. Really.
Of all those arts in which the wise excel,
Nature’s chief masterpiece is writing well.
~Andre Breton
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WRITING– SCIENCE OR ART? CONTD.
About Collette Cameron
Collette Cameron is the pen name for RWA member Wendy Herrington. Wendy writes Regency romanced
with a dash of suspense and a pinch of quirky humor. She takes her readers beyond the typical Regency by
tossing in a brawny Highlander or two. She doesn’t ever plan on retiring from writing, though she may slow
down a bit to travel under the guise of conducting research for her novels. Her debut novel releases from
Soul Mate Publishing May 15, 2013. The second book in the trilogy releases next fall. You can contact Wendy
at her author website: Collette Cameron. The website also contains links to all her other social media sites.
Eligibility: Any non-contracted author of romantic fiction (RWA or non-RWA member) unpublished in book length (40,000 words or more) in the last three years and any member
of RWA who is not eligible to join RWA-PAN.
Preliminary Judges: Published, PRO and unpublished authors.
Final Judges:
Novel With Romantic Elements—Emily Ohanjanians, Harlequin
Romantic Suspense—Eric Ruben, The Ruben Agency
Historical—Jennifer Udden, Donald Maass Literary Agency
Paranormal—Amy Boggs, Donald Maass Literary Agency
Contemporary Single Title—Rebecca Strauss
YA- TBA
Contemporary Series- TBA
Not PRO? Not PAN? Enter the damn contest!
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ROSE CITY ROMANCE WRITERS
We are RCRW, the Portland Oregon
chapter of the Romance Writers of
America. We meet monthly on the second Saturday of the month on the PCC
Sylvania Campus. Please check our website for the most current room meeting
details. Our meetings begin at 10am with
initial board/chapter business and then
our programs commence immediately
following. Our meetings end around
1pm and many members meet up for
lunch at the nearby Applebee’s.
Meetings are at no-cost for RCRW chapter members. There is a $5.00 guest fee
for non-members. Visitors are welcome
to attend our meetings, up to three
times, before they are required to become RCRW chapter members. Membership information can be found on our
website at http://
rosecityromancewriters.com/. If you
have any questions, please email Jessie,
VP of Membership, at vpmembership@rosecityromancewriters.com.
Leave comments on the newsletter, birthday wishes, welcome new members, or just
chat with us by clicking here:
MyRWARCRW Blog
Writer’s Serenade is the monthly publication of RCRW. We accept contributions pertaining to romance and fiction writing, including
articles, tips, upcoming event announcements,
etc. All information is presented in good faith.
RWA affiliated chapters are free to reprint
articles as long as they give credit to the original
author and chapter newsletter. Non-RWA affiliated organizations must obtain written permission
from the author. An email to this editor referencing the reprints from this newsletter are always
appreciated. Publication of market news, contests, seminars, classes, etc., does not imply
endorsement or recommendation by RCRW, or
its Board or members. Accuracy of market and
contest information is not guaranteed. Articles
for submission by RCRW members is encouraged
and are due to the editor by the 20th of the
month preceding the month of publication. All
submissions are used at the discretion of the
editor, who reserves the right to edit for style,
content, and length.
Mark Your Calendars!
May 4, 2012
Encouragement Day Happy Gustav’s Clackamas, 12605 SE 97th Ave/(503) 6531391, Map
Hour 3pm
May 11, 2013
RCRW Monthly Meeting
Sylvania PCC, ST 101, Map, 10-1:00
Sketch a Character presented by Cathy Lamb
May 11, 2013
Lunch immediately following Meeting
Applebee’s
6325 S.W. Meadows Road/503.968.8040
Map
Upcoming Programs
June 8, 2013
Jennifer Connor
The Long on the Short of it: Becoming a Better Writer through Crafting Short Stories
July 13, 2013
Terri Patrick, Cheryl Kennedy
Push, Pull, POP - Seamless Self-Promotion
August 10, 2013
TBD – submit workshop proposals to: vp-programs@rosecityromancewriters.com
September 14, 2013
Tentative :Character Conflict presented by Elizabeth Boyle
October 12, 2013
TBD – submit workshop proposals to: vp-programs@rosecityromancewriters.com
November 9, 2013
TBD – submit workshop proposals to: vp-programs@rosecityromancewriters.com
December 14, 2013
Holiday Party
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