What I learned in writing a book

Hey all!  Please welcome Vicki Batman as she shares with us what she's learned by writing.  Vicki, I'm a pantser too!  We rock!

In the beginning, I knew squat. I hadn’t studied creative writing or journalism. My parents didn’t work in the business. I did write poetry, but didn’t know if that was really any good. I did have a general idea from reading as I am a voracious reader.

From reading, I knew every fiction book has a:

Beginning

Middle
Black Moment
The End

And I like to add heart and spirit to flesh the story.

I learned how to write characters people want to read about, to give them a conflict so they grow and come to life, become someone a reader wants to follow. How to ground the book through setting and making description enhance the story and how to pare down description when necessary—

Okay, I learned HOW to write.

After my first critique, an author told me about a craft book, Write Tight. And this is where I really learned what was important to retain in a book: Eliminating over-writing. Making dialogue natural. Pacing a story. Dumping over-used words. The book is chocked full of helpful hints for the newbie, and I devoured it and went back to work, revising to make my baby better.

I learned about being a pantser which is someone who plots by the seat of their pants versus plotting—think outlining. I rejoiced when attending a workshop and many other writers, established and non, raised their hands proudly to announce they, too, are pantsers.

My work is known for humor. And I discovered how to use creative writing elements to make the work punchy. I even made lists of punchy words.

I work hard at writing. I revise and revise and still at the moment of letting go, I could be revising.  Yet, something will go Bing! in my head, and I will add that word or phrase because it seems fresh. And fresh is what I want to strive for.

New Job. New Love. And Murder.

Hattie Cook's dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a temporary job where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee--the very one she replaced.

When the police determine there's more to the death of a former Buy Rite employee, Detective Allan Charles Wellborn steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.

Purchase Temporarily Employed at http://www.amazon.com/Temporarily-Employed-Vicki-Batman/dp/1628304979/

About Vicki Batman: Award-winning author, Vicki Batman, has sold many romantic comedy works to the True magazines, several publishers, and most recently, a romantic comedy mystery to The Wild Rose Press. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and several writing groups.

An avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fn. Book devourer. Cat fancier. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby.

Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??"

Find Vicki Batman at:

Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1ipdLkv