Lain and I attened the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival this weekend in Detroit.  What a fun time it was!  It was great to meet such wonderful and like-minded people.  We saw the latest technology (not that I as allowed to touch it...for the safety of everyone there and in the surrounding area) in film editing. It's simply amazing how far along programs have come to make the lives of directors easier!

They had workshops on acting, scoring music and various other classes.  There were opportunities to meet and talk to those ambitious folk who are shaping the entertainment industry here in Michigan.

We'd like to thank everyone who attended Lain and I's workshop on screenwriting.  We had an awesome group of people with tons of great questions.  Next time we'll have to aim for a longer workshop to be more direct and encompassing.

We met people there who I'm sure will become enduring friends and co-conspirators.

We'd also like to thank Scott for his fortitude in putting the Festival on and making sure everything went smoothly.  Great work Scott!

And a big thanks to Billy who not only intruduced us but suggested that we do the workshop.  He was lurking around the festival too, keeping everything on task and running.

Thanks guys!

To become a published author in today's market a writer must not only study how to write excellent fiction (and apply what they learn!) but also learn how to write for the business side of the profession.

This week I'll focus on writing the query letter.  I see you out there, trembling in fear...just wait until I get to the synopsis  :D  hahaha then you can run for that is the source of true dread.

Anyway, query letters are simple things but often fouled up by writers.  Why?  Mostly because they spend so much time writing fiction that they don't research into what else is involved in the profession.  When they find out they need a query letter to approach agents and editors - they just toss a letter together.

Here are some of the top mistakes to avoid:

1.  Queries that run over one page.  When an agent/editor asks for a query, they mean one (as in single) page.  No more.  Don't annoy them by sending a mini-book describing your entire novel and life.

2. Telling them what your mother, brother, sister, aunt, best friend etc. thinks of your writing.  Usually family and friends are bias and heck, most moms would say your novel on odes to toenail clipping was pure poetry.

3.  Telling the agent/editor how much they'll love your work.  No one likes others making assumptions about them and their tastes -- agents/editors are no different.

4.  Lavishing praise on your work.  This is closely related to 3.  Few people enjoy a boaster and agents/editors are people too (honest they are).  At best they'll ignore the horns and whistles and at worst, cringe every time they see your name and run with their ears and eyes covered.  Save them the bruises please.

5.  Telling them how hard the novel was to write.  The odds are they don't care how hard it was for you to pull that nagging story out of your head and pound it into the keyboard.  Being that they work with authors they're used to a certain amount of insanity...but talking about how your characters so insisted that their story be told and kept you up for nth nights in a row...well...lets just say that doesn't strike a good note. 

6.  Cutting down the genre(s) they represent or publish.  I never thought I'd be adding this to my list...but I recently saw a query that did just that.  Something akin to "Imagine me, an adult woman writing a paranormal young adult book.  I mean, come on, I'm a level headed lady..." Paraphrased, but you can see the tone.  This writer obviously has no respect for the genre she's writing nor the other authors in the genre who work very hard to get their 'stuff' out there and in turn, no respect for the professionals - like agents and editors - who represent and publish that genre.  Don't get me started on the insult to the readers of the genre!  There would be brimstone and the blog would reek for weeks.

7. Being flippant about writing.  This is another I didn't think I'd need to add.  But again I was made witness to one such query, that paraphrased was roughly - "I just threw this together and decided to try my hand at publishing."  Yeah.  I don't think I really need to go into what sort of tone that sets.

8.  Giving out your resume.  Agents and editors don't want to hear where you went to school nor how many jobs you've inhabited throughout your life.  Nor your divorce or kids or...you get the point.  Unless it directly relates to the book at hand - say, if you're a police officer with background in criminal investigations and you just wrote a crime fiction novel - then leave it out.

9.  Being overly friendly.  By all means, please be nice and genteel.  However, skip the "Hey Jude, want to take a look at my new novel?" type wordings unless you personally know and are on a friendly basis with the said agent/editor.

10.  This is what I call writers writing smack.  My kids love to do it on video games, that's annoying.  Getting it in query letters from adults well...wow.  What is this smack?  The "I'm the next (enter any well established author out there - King, Rowling etc.)" or "My series is the next (Harry Potter or enter any well selling series here)."  First it's pretentious.  Do you like pretentious people?  I didn't think so.  Secondly, no one wants another King or Rowling or...whoever.  Agents and editors want new voices, strong voices that will build an audience because the story is so darn good and unique.  They don't want remakes.

*breathes*

So, there's the top ten Refrain from Doing list.  The next installment will be what agents and editors DO want to see!  Stay tuned and hey, aren't you supposed to be writing?  Or reading?  shoo.  ;)

One would think, logically, that if the weather for tomorrow cannot be accurately predicted that the weather 100 years from now cannot be accurately predicted.  Yet, these Global Warming Alarmists keep gaining ground by playing on emotions.  This is a technique we fiction writers use to gain reader sympathy...it belongs in fiction NOT in the news or in reality.

Before you jump on the Global Warming Alarmist band wagon and abandon logic and reason - do some research people.  Think a bit please.  The world is a natural thing, not a computer.  It has natural warming and cooling trends that we cannot do a thing about besides accept and acknowledge them for what they are.   The theories and 'science' behind this farce is so flawed it blows my mind that they're able to connive so many.

I suggest starting your research with this article and then look further before believing all the hype you hear on TV and radio.

Join me on Sandy Lender's blog - Today The Dragon Wins

We're talking about the use of pen names and why some authors, like me, use them. It's been her topic for the month so please browse through the other posts and discover the shadowy world of...Pen Names!

The stories are fantastic! There are glimpses into each author's life and reasoning. Drop on by!

To add to the fun, Sandy is running a contest! Post on her blog during this month and get entered to win a FREE e-book of her fantastic fantasy novel - Choices Meant for Gods

I felt I had to put this up even though Malkin is on the Pens team and not the Wings.

Out of all the Pens, I enjoyed watching him.  He's young yet and you could tell he was under pressure.  Still, I think there's a lot of talent there.  I doubt the Pens coach can bring him to what he needs to be (again, I don't like the Pens coach...did I mention that before?).  I think he needs to be elsewhere to really shine.

Just my two cents that needed to be said.

After a fabulous and exciting season - the Detroit Red Wings have won the Stanley Cup!!!  Go Wings! 

They played very well and I'm proud of all of them.

If any of you missed the game... (ahem...and just what excuse do you have for THAT?) you can check out more at the NHL website.

You can also read how this is the 4th...yes 4th Stanley Cup for the Wings in 11 years here.  It also has some interesting numbers.

The Pens played a good game, can't say I care overly much for their coach...he's more than a tad rude.  But still they gave the Wings a run and did well.

And alas Hockey season is now over and I must resign myself to EA Sports (it's in the game -- sorry...that's so engrained in my head) on the PS...

Thanks Wings for a great season and all the hard work you put into game!