Teen Author Challenge, Week 18 – The “So what?” factor

We’re halfway through NaNoWriMo month and, if you’re like many NaNo-ers, you may be in need of some inspiration. Happy to oblige.

Exclusive TAC Quote of the Week

“Here’s my favorite quote that I always refer to when I’m feeling like I might believe in writer’s block:

‘“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.’
– Jack London”

~ Josie Bloss
Band Geeked Out
(Flux, 4/09)

Teen Author Challenge

We’ve talked about the power of playing the What if? game to jump start your story (and take it to the next level). Next to What if?, my other favorite thing to ask is So what?

So what? is, in my opinion, one of THE most valuable things you can ask yourself about any scene or plot point or character reaction. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve used it this week alone as I work on TCS book 2. I lay out the next scene I’m going to write and ask myself “So what, Kay? How does this matter in the greater scheme of things in the book?” If I can’t give a rockin’ answer to that question, that scene doesn’t get written until I’ve answered it with a bang.

I also used it last week when I pitched my agent a new book idea. I was writing up my pitch blurb and when I got to the climax, I sat back and asked So what? And I realized there was nothing huge or unique about that climax. So I toyed with it until I came up with a really cool way to twist the climax to make it really matter.

So what? is a great way to make sure the stakes are high enough in your story. Because readers? They ask themselves that question all the time.

– The heroine is faced with a big test that she’s stressing over. So what? That happens to kids all the time. What so big about this one?

– The hero’s girlfriend just broke up with him. That stinks, to be sure, but So what? He’s not the first person to ever go through that. What was so special about this girl and this relationship? What makes this breakup story memorable?

So what? is my friend. It should be your friend too, especially for those moments in the story when you need to pull out all the stops and make your readers go “OMG, no WAY!!!”

If you don’t have a good response to the So what? question, do what agent Donald Maass suggests. Ask yourself, “What could make this matter even more?” You’ll never be sorry you took the time to flesh out bigger, more memorable stakes for your characters. I promise.

Buzz Tip of the Week

Have you ever wondered what happens when an editor likes a book? There are quite a few hoops that an editor must jump through at many big publishers before a contract can be offered. The fabulous Harold Underdown wrote this terrific article about the process to take you behind the scenes. I wish I’d seen it when I was out on submission that first time. My poor agent had to answer a dozen questions from me about how all this works.   Smaller presses don’t usually have quite as extensive a process as Harold lays out, but many of the large publishers do.

http://www.underdown.org/acquisition-process.htm

Your Weekly Challenge

How did you do on your writing last week? Comment below with your weekly results from last Tuesday through today so we can cheer your progress!

The Teen Author Challenge Contest

Throughout the year-long Teen Author Challenge (TAC ends June 2010!), I’ll be giving away a book of the winner’s choice from my personal writing shelf. Why am I doing this? Because becoming a skilled writer has two important parts: learning about your craft and practicing your craft. That’s why active participation in each weekly challenge is so important!

So what can you win? Books to choose from include:

1. The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
2. The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall
3. The Career Novelist by Donald Maass
4. Writing Dialogue by Tom Chiarella
5. Creating Characters Kids Will Love by Elaine Marie Alphin
6. Building Believable Characters by Marc McCutcheon

Everyone who participates via the comments on the Teen Author Challenge posts will be entered into this monthly contest.

Go forth and be creative!

Entry Filed under: Paying It Forward, Teen Author Challenge