SFWritersU

In addition to being a literary agent I am also a writer. I've written three novel-length romance and fantasy manuscripts with a fourth half done. I've written short stories, novellas, podcasts and oodles of publicity materials. So when we created SFWU, I came at it from a writer's point of view. What did I want in an online university targeted solely towards writers? I wanted affordable, easily accessible classes that were both deep and broad enough to help me through plot, character and pacing problems at the exact moment I needed assistance; give me inspiration when writers block hit; educate me about the publishing process; provide short tips on using social media and the new technology that is transforming the publishing industry; and more benefits like these.  I wanted a community of other writers and publishing professionals to network with and learn from.  I wanted a hub that I could return to time and time again to improve my craft, explore my writing world, create a writer's community and maybe someday sell my work.

I think we've succeeded in phase one.  The university is live.  It has a lot more than classes.  You can create your own profile and explore the profiles of the other members.  You can comment on classes, blog about anything having to do with writing, post topics to the forum and join in discussions surrounding topics posted by other members.

In phase two we'll add more live events, video classes, online multi-week classes.  In phase three we may even become an eBook publisher of tools for writers.  The sky is the limit.

What do YOU want from San Francisco Writers University?

Hi Laurie!  For me, what I'm seeking is how to get that hook.  Perhaps once we get through all the "How To Write" stuff, you can offer "How To Sell" stuff.  Hands on with feedback on how to hook with the first five pages, query letters and synopses.  There are books and books on the subjects and I own  most of them (LOL) but if the SFWU can do a limited number of attendees (because your time is extremely valuable) or have us able to post with feedback for each other, it would be immensely helpful.  I am thrilled to have an opportunty to attend the how to pitch class at the conference, but this sort of class would at the SFWU be helpful as a quarterly offering perhaps?

I want simple lessons.  How do I hone my craft?  What are the techniques other writers use to elevate their writing and skills?  I aspire to write clean but powerful paragraphs.  Steinbeck and Hemingway did not start out as amazing writers but went thru a process to develop their skill.  If one person has walked down the road then others can follow in their footsteps. 

I read many books about great ideas and powerful characters but have found few that focus on the basic art of writing.

Hi Laurie! I would like to know when do you let go of your manuscript? Being a perfectionist I feel it is never good enough to send out into the world. My danger is I can overwork it to death. Also (this is a silly question) since I get only one shot at an agent, do I query the not-so-good ones (level two)  first, get more clued up on where I stand, hone my Query and then pitch the ones I really like. I don't want to mess up with good ones.

Wow, Jonaki! I had the same problem for the longest time, and then about 1 month ago, it hit me.  I finally got my MS in a place I was happy with it.  Now that I got the last feedback from my final beta reader, I can make the changes I see fit and then let my baby go.  It's a process.  I know I will always find something to fix or improve, but if I keep changing it, it will never be published.  It takes as much nerve to let it go as it does to post your work for the first time for others to read.  All I can say is 'you'll know' when it's ready.  As to the query, I sent mine into an agent before it was ready to get feedback, which was awesome, by the way.  She knew straight up what I was doing and she didn't mind at all.  Lately I have been entering contests that award a critique of query and maybe even first 10 - 20 pages of the ms.  This have proven to be an excellent way to hone that query and to see where I stand.  I like it because the contests are not considered (at least none of the ones I've entered) as submitting your work to an agent.  However, if you are able to pitch to an agent that is not accepting queries and she/he asks for a full, wow... all I have to say is congrats!  Good luck!!

Jonaki - I have to second Jenmich. At some point, you just have to send it. I have a story that has been a semi-finalist in Writer's of the Future and made it past the junior editor at Baen's Universe (before that market died). Every time I get it back from a market, I look at it and realize it can still be better. So I make changes and send it out again. It's that way with every story/book I write. At some point, you have to say this is the best I can do. I spend a lot of time trying to improve my craft and it seems that the best I can do keeps getting better. Which is good, I suppose, just frustrating when I wonder if I will ever be good enough not to feel like the work I just sent out is going to seem substandard by the time I get it back again. However, I have been published with work I did several years ago, so sometimes you just have to go for it. Happy writing!

Thanks Jenmich & Neyska - I am beginning to get the hang of it as this manuscript comes together. I am prepared to let it go. Will send out to Beta readers in a day or so. One agent asked for full, which put me in panic mode. Overall I think my story and subject is strong, so I hope it will fly. I will keep honing my ms in the meantime and shoot a few more agent darts and see what happens. Just packing up after a day of writing. The first I have had (uninterrupted) in a long time. Thanks much ladies. You rock!

Hi Jonaki - something else to consider is that even when your work is accepted by an agent and publisher, you will have more opportunities to work with an editor and polish it even further. Don't worry about perfection...just enough to get their attention and hold their interest. Even if you self-publish like I am, working with an editor is the best money spent. You assure yourself that your "team" of professionals have done their best and made your work as amazing as possible before it goes into production. Best of luck to you!

Jonaki, if the agent asked for full, you're halfway there. Celebrate. Pour the champagne. Relax and work on something completely different. If the agent likes it, you'll get professional level critique far beyond your own skills and any further bashing wouldn't be as good as it will be after the agent sees it. Ditto for editors that want full.

That's the big golden chime that says the door's open. Relax and write another one. Working on a completely different project may help soothe your nerves and give you distance from what's obviously a winner.

It's possible in writing just as in art to overwork something. I know that without critique friends I've gotten into a bad, self-conscious state of mind where I toned down the best bits in the book and noodled around expanding the fat instead of actually improving it, just on a feeling it could be better. Send the full, wait for a response and then really listen to any critical comments in that response, whatever it is.

I am currently waiting for editorial feedback from my agent with who I signed up. Working on shorter pieces in the meantime. Come November I am going to do the Nanowrimo - one month of solid writing to kick start the second novel. That is how I got my first one going. Otherwise I would be hemming and hawing with no goal in sight I need strict deadlines. Thanks for all the pearls of wisdom guys. Hope your writing is going good.

Nanowrimo rocks for that. Even when I was too sick to do anything else all year, I'd manage to pull myself together for Nanowrimo and write at least one novel. There's nothing like the world's loneliest art form turning into something like the Boston Marathon to get me going!

Moxiemuse/Robertsloan let's exchange notes during Nanwrimo. My Nano name is Jonaki as well.  What was your first novel about? Who else is doing Nanowrimo? Busy outlining my novel and getting research ready.

I'm doing NaNoWriMo this year.  I will be writing the second novel in my YA fantasy saga, the Chronicles of Fallhollow.  It should prove to be interesting as I'm doing some major edits for a publisher who is considering publishing my  1st novel in the saga, and I've signed up for Row80, too.

My handle on NaNo is Slavandria.  Hope to see you guys there.  Good luck and happy writing!

Yo Nano Amigos! I went into to Nano to find the menu all changed. Did not know how to send buddy requests  (*sigh*) Bear with me till I figure this out.

Neyska, I am in same boat. First book is with agent & publishers. It has been one week. No yas and no nays so far.

I submitted my novel to a publisher in August and waited 3 weeks to hear from them.  I got my MS back in September completely red-lined with so many points and suggestions all over it.  they really liked what I had and told me they would be willing to look at it again if I made the changes they wanted.  I have been working on it ever since with my trusted beta readers.  I should have it ready in the next couple of weeks to send back.  I hope they like it and say "yes!"  What an awesome Christmas present that would be to have a signed contract by then.  *sigh*

To attend someof the workshops!

Sorry, I didn't get a space between some and of! Right now I feel so stretch by writing assignments for freelance sites and a Hiring Handbook I need to complete for an employer.