Protecting Your Writing

March 19, 2024/0 Comments/in The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tricks/by Angela Lano

Protecting Your Writing

In this day and age, it is very easy for a hacker to break into your Amazon, Lulu, or another print-on-demand self-publishing account. When this happens, it is very difficult for a writer to control their emotions.

The writer panics and worries about their stolen manuscripts. How are they going to recover them? What if the hacker breaks into their social media platforms and steals all their information? Their followers, their contacts, etc?

It is very scary for us to think about. But this type of thing does happen to writers, publishers, and, yes, even literary agents. Stealing information from people is a very common thing among hackers. The scary part is that it can affect a person’s career.

Why am I writing about this topic? The main answer is that I’m very concerned about this issue. This issue is growing, and it is not going away! It is very important, especially nowadays, for a new writer to think about how he or she can protect his or her writing.

No matter if a person is a self-published author or a traditional published author, they must put a plan into action!

I suggest:

Write down your story in a notebook. Make sure that it is in a safe location inside your house.
Download an extra copy of your manuscript or sample illustrations. Store them on your computer.
Don’t respond to the hacker! Sometimes a hacker might try to send you an email or a message on your social media page. Delete the email or the message right away. Even if the hacker tries to pretend they are your friend or a family member.
Keep a list of your email contact information on a piece of paper. Place it beside your computer or your smartphone.

It s a very good idea for any writer, whether they are a new writer or an experienced writer, to do these things. Just in case a hacker breaks into their account. In the meantime, keep on writing! Continue your career! Don’t let a hacker ruin it for you.

Scripture as a Writing Prompt

January 12, 2023/4 Comments/in Catholic Writing and Publishing, Writing Tips and Tricks/by Allison Gingras

Scripture as a Writing Prompt

Here’s an idea that works fabulously for me, and I pray for you as well! Need help with writer’s block? Try using scripture to break through that blank page; this strategy is also handy for anyone facing spiritual dryness. The Word of God, living and dynamic, connects us to our Lord in a mystical and remarkable way. Since it is God who endows us with our creative gifts, gifts we long to utilize well, why not turn to Him to uncover what to write next?

How well do you know the Bible? How often do you interact with the scriptures? When did you last genuinely encounter the Word made Flesh—Christ himself—within its pages? Here’s how I proceed, especially when I’m feeling uninspired.

First, I pray to the Holy Spirit (this is a crucial first step), then I flip open the Bible, and begin to read. When I feel that spark from the Spirit (trust me, you’ll recognize it), I stop and focus on that verse (or verses). I re-read it slowly and then ask myself questions about what I’m reading—either the questions posed in that particular scripture or any questions that arise within myself as I read.

In discovering what the Lord wants to say to you, perhaps you’ll unlock something He wants you to share with others.

Nonfiction writers may feel called to explore the scripture and its interpretations; however, fiction writers might wish to dig deeper into the characters, the scene, or the emotions invoked in the verse. Honestly, that latter suggestion is not a bad tactic for nonfiction writers, either. Even if you’re not writing about the Catholic faith specifically, it is good for us to know the Word. As St. Paul teaches us, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16), including writing!

Here are a few verses to explore to get you started. Note: I’m using the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE). I find sometimes it is helpful to look at different versions of the same scripture and find that easiest to do with BibleGateway.com.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Question: Whatever is true, just, pure, and pleasing to you at this moment?

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Question: How have your experienced this truth in your life?

Luke 10:33-35

But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’

Activity: Contemplate this scene. What emotions are evoked? What does it teach you about the character of the Samaritan? Can you imagine the dialog between the Samaritan and the beaten man?

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Branch Out: Have You Considered Writing THIS?

October 20, 2022/1 Comment/in Encouragement for Writers, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tricks/by Anjanette Barr

Branch Out: Have You Considered Writing THIS?

A few years ago, while I was going through the discernment process to find my charisms, I was challenged to test my “writing charism” to see how I could live into it more fully. I’ve always been a writer, but I didn’t feel like I had ever found my niche in the writing world. I’d worked hard to identify my voice and hone my craft, but I still had work to do to determine where I really fit in this world of books and publishing.

Before I could narrow down the type or types of writing that felt both fulfilling and impactful for me, I needed to branch out and try some brand-new methods and projects. The result was that I not only understood myself and how God created me uniquely to touch the world much better, but I also felt invigorated and creatively inspired!

Not every endeavor was a success. I’m not good at every kind of writing that I attempt. But the process was absolutely worth it, so I thought I’d share some of the different writing styles/activities I tried. Use these as a way to spark your own creativity or embark on a new writing venture. I’d love for you to brainstorm even more ideas in the comments.

Writing Adventures to Consider:

- Volunteer to write for or edit the newspaper for your diocese. You could cover a local event or group, write about something on the liturgical calendar, share a story about how a Saint has touched your life, etc. I was on the editorial board of my diocesean newspaper for a year, and I wrote on a variety of themes.
- Try poetry. Even if you’ve never written poetry before. You don’t need anyone’s permission to enjoy writing or reading poetry, and it’s a style of writing that lends itself to experimentation and growth. If you’re new to poetry, here’s my guide to getting started.
- Offer to critique a friend’s work. This activity flexes different writing and creative muscles and can be a great learning experience. Challenge yourself to write out your thoughts in a cohesive critique letter, and remember to sandwich your negative feedback between words of encouragement. We’re all in this together!
- Submit to a magazine or literary journal. There are monthly, quarterly, and annual journals and magazines for every interest you can imagine. Brainstorm about your areas of interest and expertise. Don’t limit yourself to theological or writing craft topics. Do you enjoy talking about parenting? Fine art? Gardening? Outdoor sports? If you’re looking for Catholic resources, check out Dappled Things or Parables Magazine. Many periodicals pay for chosen submissions, so that’s a nice perk!
- Review a book or movie. You could do this just for yourself and post it on your blog, social media, or YouTube channel, or you could submit it somewhere. But challenge yourself to write it out so you can organize your thoughts.
- Try a completely different genre. Every genre has a unique set of tropes, themes, and reader expectations. Studying a new one may lead you on a surprising adventure. And even if it turns out to be just a writing exercise, deconstructing and learning the ins and outs of a new genre might get your wheels turning.
- Write a short story. For even more of a challenge, write flash fiction! Shorter isn’t easier! Being forced to choose words economically for the greatest impact is often maddening, but it can lead to other things like…
- Copywriting. A learned skill, for sure. Think about well-written book blurbs, social media posts, and marketing campaigns. Some people get good at capturing attention with concise, descriptive sentences. Listen to some online lectures or take a course to hone your copywriting skills.
- Write a personal essay. Penning a mini-memoir is a great way to process your thoughts. Consider taking a theme or issue and sharing your experience with it in a way that connects to your readers (rather than just recounting events sequentially). In that case, you have great material for a personal essay that you can try to get published in a relevant periodical or online.
- Participate in NaNoWriMo. November is National Novel Writing Month. Writers from all over the country choose to try and “win” the NaNoWriMo challenge by writing 50k words in one month. Usually, people choose to draft a new novel, but you can use the resources, and community NaNo provides to knock out any project you have on your plate. 1,667 words a day… and go!

You don’t have to wait until you have the dreaded writer’s block to give something from this list a try. Consider it creative procrastination—I mean, a brain break! And keep an open mind to what you may learn about yourself and your writing affinities.

Three Different Types of Editing (and why the title “Editor” is confusing!)

July 21, 2022/2 Comments/in Catholic Writing and Publishing, Editing, Encouragement for Writers, fiction, non-fiction, Self-Publishing, Writing Tips and Tricks/by Anjanette Barr

“I sent it to an editor and it came back with so many errors!”

“My beta readers said I really need an editor, but I had it proofread,
so I don’t understand what they mean!”

“My manuscript is completely finished and now
I just have to get it into the hands of an editor who will publish it!”

Maybe you’ve heard writer-friends say things like the above? If you’re thinking that it sounds like these hypothetical authors all have different concepts of what an editor is and does, you’re spot on, and if you are new to writing and publishing, it can be very confusing! Before I started working at a literary agency, I worked for an editing and design company, helping authors take the necessary steps to self-publish or find a publisher for their books. I received emails all day long from people who needed help sorting through their editing options.

I’m going to outline the primary types of editing for you below, but if you’d rather listen to me speak on this subject than read about it, you can also find a loose reproduction of the text here on my YouTube channel, The Book Barr.

THREE TYPES OF EDITING

Developmental Editing

Most manuscripts need to start here. Developmental editing can be formally done by an industry professional or informally by a critique group or beta readers. This type of editing looks at the big picture — plotting, organization, pacing, dialogue, character development, worldbuilding, etc.

Both fiction and non-fiction authors need developmental work, and they need it long before they are ready to move on to the other types of editing that focus on more minute details like spelling and grammar. So much can change in a manuscript during developmental editing! The goal is to take a step back and look at the work as objectively as possible to increase readability and maximize impact.

People often assume that when you “hire an editor,” you’ll get both high and low-level help, but commonly, you’ll find editors gifted in one or the other, but not both, types of editing. Most of us are either concept people or detail people, right-brain or left-brain thinkers, highly creative or highly meticulous. Editors are no different. I’m sure you can think through the wide range of personalities and giftings God has given us and see why some people are going to lean more toward proficiency in developmental editing than what comes next, which is…

Line Editing

This kind of editing is also sometimes called copyediting, though there are subtle differences between the two. Because these terms are used interchangeably, it’s very important to determine what exactly you’re paying for when you hire any editor.

Line editing looks at grammar and syntax, line-by-line. A line editor looks at each word used and whether it conveys the intended meaning, is redundant, or sometimes even whether or not it’s offensive or archaic. A line editor may make suggestions about the paragraph-level organization, but not usually on issues that span the whole chapter or manuscript.

If a line-level editor makes a distinction between line editing and copyediting, what they usually mean is that copyediting is where very specific mechanical rules are examined. This is especially important in non-fiction when academic style guides like MLA or the Chicago Manual of Style are used. Fiction authors have a lot more leeway, and a line editor will be the one to make sure house-style (the preferences of a particular publishing house) is followed and grammar rules are consistent—whether or not to use an Oxford comma, for instance. (The answer is yes, by the way.)

Proofreading

Proofreading is the very last (and usually the cheapest) step. A manuscript should be as “done” as an author can get it before it goes to proofreading. Proofreaders look for misspellings, repeated words, missing words, incorrect punctuation, and other things that are easy to pass over when you’ve read something many times.

Proofreading is not the discount version of line editing. Proofreaders can get justifiably frustrated when they are paid a lower rate to clean up a very messy manuscript. Most of us in this industry love words, and no one wants to see a book go out into the world unpolished. So be kind and hire the right kind of editor to ensure they are getting paid to do the job they signed up for.

PUBLISHING HOUSE EDITORS, BETA READERS, AND BEYOND

To further add to the confusion, the primary contact for authors at a publishing house is also called an Editor. These are not freelancers that you hire, though they may be talented as developmental or line editors and may even do some of that work on the side. These Editors are the professionals who see books through from acquisition to publication. They are the ones you have to impress with your polished manuscript – which very well may mean you need to hire an editor before you can approach an Editor (capitalization is mine, but useful for thinking about these roles).

And as I touched on before, there are other ways to approach editing. You may have a group of writer friends read and give you feedback or hire someone for a brief manuscript critique. Your literary agent (I wrote a post about who needs one here) may also act as an editor to get your project as ready as possible to land that book deal.

Writing is usually done in solitude, but really good writing almost always involves a team. Don’t be afraid to add editors to your roster!

Do Catholic Authors Need Literary Agents?

June 16, 2022/0 Comments/in Catholic Writing and Publishing, Marketing Your Work, Writing Tips and Tricks/by Anjanette Barr

The publishing world is constantly changing. It responds to new technologies (ebooks, print-on-demand), new cultural norms (demands for equal representation, trendy subject matter), and new opportunities for growth (higher literacy rates, more affluent readers, more authors to choose from). The status quo is never static for very long.

The role of literary agents continues to flex and change as well, and most writers are aware that, in some cases, agents are left out of the publishing process altogether. However, when you attend larger writing conferences or read writing advice, it might sound like a foregone conclusion that all authors desire or even require an agent to be traditionally published. What about Catholic authors? Is this true in our little corner of publishing?

What Literary Agents Do

Let’s begin by clarifying the role of a literary agent. Simply stated, a literary agent is an advocate for authors who assists them in securing advantageous publishing deals for their books in exchange for a percentage (usually 15%) of the profits. An author who is “represented” by an agent can expect to receive support in the form of career coaching, developmental editing, a foot in the door at publishing houses they plan to pitch to, help with contract negotiations, and management of financial and legal issues related to publishing.

Literary agents are go-between support, not affiliated with a particular publishing house. They are not paid up-front for their services but rather on commission. (Some agents have side jobs in other areas of publishing, and just recently, the industry rules changed to make it easier for them to make money as freelance editors and the like, but you should never pay for representation.)

Catholic Publishing

In the publishing world, the majority of titles that come out each year are considered “general market.” Publishers in this category have fairly standard expectations and procedures that include the use of literary agents. There are smaller niches within the larger market with slightly different needs and rules.

Religious publishing is a niche that runs the gamut from “Big Four” deals for titles that make it to the shelves at every Barnes & Noble to tiny presses marketing only to clergy. Catholic publishers are on the smaller end of the spectrum and, like many small presses, have a wide variety of acquisition methods that are not always aligned with the standards of the rest of the industry.

Who Needs an Agent?

These days, all but the smallest imprints of Big Four publishing houses require agent representation for their authors. Publishing houses like Simon & Schuster, Little Brown, St. Martin’s Press, and even Tor Books do not allow authors to pitch them directly. They would receive so many manuscripts that they’d never see the bottom of their pile if they didn’t use agents.

Editors at these big houses value literary agents as scouts who send them only quality manuscripts that fit their brand and who will help with communication and managing expectations with their authors so that everything runs smoothly. Catholic authors who write (fiction or non-fiction) for a general audience may very well find that getting a literary agent on your side is a necessary first step.

However, many independent publishers and most religious publishers, including all the Catholic publishers that I’m aware of, accept unsolicited and unagented manuscripts. Their submission load is small enough that they do not need agents to filter the flow, and they publish only a few titles per year so that contract negotiations aren’t a huge burden.

So does that mean anyone publishing with a Catholic publisher should keep their 15% and do away with literary agents?

Not a Need, but Maybe a Want

When I decided to pursue a career in literary representation, it wasn’t because the pay is lucrative (did I mention agents aren’t paid until after the book sells?) or because I’m power-hungry and want to decide who gets published. Agenting appeals to me because I love the process of book creation. I love seeing ideas fly out into the world and seeing readers and authors find the soul-deep connections that books magically facilitate. And, I know books.

All of the literary agents I have met are quintessential “book people.” Like editors and almost everyone else in this business, agents absolutely love coming alongside authors and helping them get polished manuscripts into the perfect reader’s hands. They are also serious about standing up for the rights and benefits of their authors. This service isn’t necessarily needed because publishing houses are exploitative (though there are some bad apples out there) but more so because publishers have their bottom line to consider and may not always offer their best deals to authors without some back-and-forth. Having an agent handle the gritty details spares the editor and author from uncomfortable conversations and helps ensure everyone is happy at the end of the day.

And even if having an agent doesn’t end up meaning a better deal (some smaller houses may not have the resources to compete for a title but might still be the perfect fit), it does mean having a partner. In a vocation that can feel isolating, having someone rooting for you can be priceless.

Treatments for Books

June 9, 2022/0 Comments/in Writing Tips and Tricks/by Maria Riley

Film treatments are detailed summaries of scripts typically used to sell screenplays. They include all of the main characters, scenes, actions, and implications of what goes on in a movie or tv show. Treatments are significantly longer and more specific than a summary, and can be anywhere from ten to fifty pages long, depending on the film/show.

Treatments aren’t limited to film, though. Creating a treatment prior to starting the first draft of a book can have many advantages. By writing a thorough treatment, you can be sure to know exactly where your book is headed. This gives you a chance to flesh out all of your characters and explore exactly what will happen and in what order. As you write the treatment, you will have the chance to figure out how you will incorporate all of those random ideas that keep floating around in your head.

With a completed treatment, writing your first draft will be smoother and quicker. Instead of stopping every few pages to try to envision what should happen next, you will already have a specific plan to follow.

Treatments can also be used to overcome writer’s block if you’ve already started your manuscript. Even if you have written a significant portion of the book, you should write a complete treatment from Chapter 1. Often, once you have written the treatment, the path to the ending will be clear.

A treatment can be immeasurably helpful for the first stages of editing and rewriting. Once the entire story is written in a detailed summary format, it becomes clear which parts can be removed or where additional details or scenes can be added if you need to adjust the length of your book. It will also be easier to find a friend willing to read a 10-20 page treatment and give feedback rather than asking them to read the entire manuscript.

Next time you are stuck, whether you have started or not, try a detailed treatment to get you on the path to a completed book!

My Best Writing Advice

April 26, 2022/0 Comments/in Catholic Writing and Publishing, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tricks/by Sarah Anne Carter

Writing as a mother of four is hard. I was recently asked what my best piece of writing advice was and it took me barely one second to decide on what it was: Write consistently.

Consistency can be hard to achieve when you have a busy life, but it is truly worth making a priority in your writing life.

I learned this lesson the hard way. The very first book I wrote was written in bits and pieces here and there. Some weeks, I would open it up to write three or four times a week and then other times, weeks would go by between my writing sessions.

When the draft was done, it was a confusing mess of swirling timelines, inconsistent names, and repetitive sections. I had to edit and edit and edit some more to get it to a good draft. It took a lot of work – most of which could have been saved if I had been more consistent in my writing at that time.

Now, I write at least five times a week. I aim for about 500 words a session, but even if I only have 10 minutes to write and only add 173 words, I moved the story forward and – most importantly – I know where I am in the story.

If I take too much time off between writing, I lose track. If that happens, I make sure to take the time to read back and refresh my memory instead of pressing on.

I also now take notes as I go along, making sure to note the characters’ names, ages, physical traits, and any dates so I can keep the timeline straight. It’s much quicker to check those notes than to read back in the story and find those details.

So, how do I find the time with everything else on my plate as a wife, mother, homeschool teacher, and all the other things that crowd my attention?

I know I only need a 20-30 minute block of time to write about 500 words. I don’t consider my day complete until those words are written. I often look at my planner in the morning and pick a time where I will aim to do my writing.

(I’m writing this at the ice skating rink while my youngest has her weekly lesson. I wrote 739 words for my current novel and now I’m writing my draft of this.)

There are pockets of time in everyone’s day, and I make it a priority to take one of those pockets and use it to write. It’s not selfish, because I feel it’s a talent God gave me, and I want to follow His calling for my life in this area.

Your pocket of time may be in the morning before the work day begins. It may be at night as soon as the children are in bed. It may be during nap time one day and at the soccer field the next. It doesn’t matter how and where you write, but that you write.

How do you find time to write consistently?

10 Ways to Make the Most of an Online Conference

February 27, 2016/0 Comments/in Catholic Writers Conference Online, Catholic Writers Guild, Writing Tips and Tricks/by Karina Fabian

CWCOicon

The Catholic writers Conference is next week! Today is the last day for registering! If you’ve been putting it off, there may still be time. Go to http://catholicwritersconference.com for details and the link! In the meantime, here are ten ways to make the most of your online conference experience.

Clear your calendar. Turn off social media during the webinars, shut the door to your office, put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign. This is an immersive experience. Reduce your distractions to get the most out of the experience.
Get your manuscript ready. We have publishers ready to hear pitches. We’ll have pitch practices twice during the conference and pitch sessions the week following.
Meal Prep! This is one intense weekend of high-value presentations that you can apply to your writing immediately. You won’t want to miss any. While we’re providing half hour breaks between webinars, these are social times and time for asking questions not covered in the conference.
So get those crock pot meals ready or buy that oven lasagna. You can keep your family well-fed and not miss a thing.
Prep your questions. The list of workshops is at http://www.catholicwritersconference.com/workshops. Check them out and have your questions ready. If we have a full house, the quicker we can answer questions, the more we can answer.
Remember the hashtag #CWCO2016. Use it on Twitter and FB to track events, praise presenters and hook up with other attendees in social media.
Take Notes! Have a notebook handy, open a doc file on a separate window, or if you’re attending the CWCO, take notes right in the webinar software!
Stick around for the between presentations conversation. This is where you can ask questions not covered by any of the workshops, make connections, brainstorm with others. You can socialize, trade puns…it’s open chat, so have fun!
Use private chat. Like in a regular chat room, the webinar software allows you to chat privately with a single person. Use it to hold private conversations.
Follow up with people. Just like in a live conference, you want to make contacts, then follow up with them after the con. Use the private chat to exchange emails, Facebook profiles and other contact information. Then, in the week following, touch base with the people you met.
(Bonus Tip!) Practice! Pick a few things you learned and apply them to your work right away.

Karina Teaches Worldbuilding 201 – Final Lesson

December 12, 2015/0 Comments/in Writing Tips and Tricks/by Karina Fabian

Over this year, Karina is going to share some of her writing seminars on the blog, with the lessons and references for further study. We’ll be posting these once a month. There’s no assigned homework, but if you have questions, please ask them in the comments. Her first workshop is worldbuilding. This is Worldbuilding 201, Lesson 4 – the final lesson. Follow this link to Lesson 1 and Lesson 2, and Lesson 3. ere are the links to Worldbuilding 101 Lesson 1, Lesson 2, Lesson 3, Lesson 4, Lesson 5, Lesson 6, and Lesson 7.

Karina teaches monthly webinars as well. Please check out her current schedule, or if you’d like her to teach at your writing group or class, see what courses she can offer.

Ah, the age-old debate: Star Trek or Star Wars? The two have been compared for everything from entertainment value to plausibility, but I ran across an excellent article in Gizmodo that examines their conquest factor. It’s a fascinating analysis of the worlds from the point of view of which would fare better in an all-out war.

Nothing tries a city-state, a nation, a world as much as an outside threat. Some will topple after a valiant fight, some will splinter from within, making the invader’s job easier. Others will rally, persevere, and come out stronger. It’s not all about military might, either. Political, social, economic and geographic factors contribute to the success or failure. Just like your character reveals his true self when facing a huge challenge, so can your world.

For this last lesson, I invite you to read “Star Trek vs. Star Wars: Who Would Win?” http://gizmodo.com/who-would-win-in-an-all-out-battle-star-wars-or-star-t-1676075613

If you have two cultures or worlds, analyze them – who would win an all-out war and why? If you only have one culture, pit it against another from history or fiction.

Thanks for joining me in my worldbuilding lessons. I hope you’ve learned a little, maybe a lot, and that you go on to create amazing worlds!

Karina Teaches Worldbuilding 201 – Lesson 3

November 14, 2015/0 Comments/in Writing Tips and Tricks/by Karina Fabian

Over this year, Karina is going to share some of her writing seminars on the blog, with the lessons and references for further study. We’ll be posting these once a month. There’s no assigned homework, but if you have questions, please ask them in the comments. Her first workshop is worldbuilding. This is Worldbuilding 201, Lesson 3. Follow this link to Lesson 1 and Lesson 2. Here are the links to Worldbuilding 101 Lesson 1, Lesson 2, Lesson 3, Lesson 4, Lesson 5, Lesson 6, and Lesson 7.

Karina teaches monthly webinars as well. Please check out her current schedule, or if you’d like her to teach at your writing group or class, see what courses she can offer.

The best worldbuilding supports characters and stories, not the other way around. Otherwise, people revert to nonfiction, whether National Geographic or D&D manuals. So whatever your world is like, you need your people to be products of your world.

We’ve already seen some of this in previous lessons. In Lesson One, we saw that Team Leader Garsul was an alien with multiple stomachs which is probably a prey species rather than a predator species. In Lesson Two, we learned something about Rachel through how she saw her world. I’d like to give two more examples:

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

I remember him as if it were yesterday, as he came plodding to the inn door, his sea chest following behind him in a hand-barrow; tall, strong, heavy, nut-brown man; his tarry pigtail falling over the shoulders of his soiled blue coat; his hands ragged and scarred with black, broken nails; and the sabre cut across one cheek, a dirty, livid white. I remember him looking round the cove and whistling to himself as he did so, and then breaking out in that old-sea-song that he sang so often afterwards–

“Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest–Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!”

How could you NOT know we’re in a seedy dive near the docks where there be pirates, aarrrr?

When you read this one, ask what the world feels about its superheroes: Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

Damsel crosses through the computer room from the roof deck. “Are you really watching that thing? God, look at my eighties hair.” But she doesn’t hang around. I wouldn’t either, knowing what was coming.

I feel like skipping the wedding spectacle, but Lily makes us watch every treacly second of it. It was practically a national holiday at the time, but watching it now feels painful, the way the two of them glare at each other. CoreFire was the best man, Galatea the maid of honor.

At least we got to fast-forward through a compilation of painful Saturday Night Live appearances–there was no way to make Galatea funny. The best part was John Belushi in a red leotard and plastic cape, expectorating mashed potatoes all over a gamely smiling CoreFire. It think he was supposed to be Doctor Impossible.

As you write, remember: You did not build this world for yourself or even for your readers. You built it for the characters that inhabit it. If you want to entice your readers to be a part of it as well, then you need to make sure your characters are truly products of their world, and that we see the world through their eyes.