My On-Again, Off-Again Obsession - Wattpad

I'm usually the friend who claims electronic books are for suckers. Nothing beats browsing the bookstore for hours on end, sipping a cup of coffee and choosing which books to bring home. And let's not forget the smell. The aroma of a fresh-off-the-print book is pure bliss. And sure, I'm most likely inhaling the mesh of chemicals used to treat paper, but who stinking cares?

Anywho, I have a confession to make.

I possess an on-again, off-again obsession with Wattpad - a site featuring electronic books.

Yes, I know. I can't smell the pages, but I deal.

I say on-again, off-again because every few months I simply forget about the site and become caught up in the tangible books I can actually add to my collection.

Nonetheless, if you've unfamiliar with this site, although I highly doubt you are, it's an online writing community to post stories, poems, and fan-fiction. And many of these stories are the real freaking deal. These writers have huge followings, millions upon millions of readers, tons of reviews, awesome covers, YouTube trailers and some even go on to be published! There's even online awards for the best books called "The Wattys."

I don't care if these writers are considered "undiscovered" to the publishing world, they are hot shots on Wattpad.

When I first discovered Wattpad, I didn't think the original stories would be all that read worthy ... but I was proved wrong. Granted, every now and then you must sift through stories to find the true gems, however it isn't that difficult. You're able to filter your selections.

Sometimes you'll run into the Christian Grey wannabes or smut filled novels, but if you're not into those stories just keep on scrolling, my friends. Also, you may become invested in a book and find out the author hasn't posted in ages!! That's why I search only "completed" stories. Just a heads up there.

Still, don't worry. There's something for everyone on Wattpad. However, I'm not going to lie, I'd never post a story on there. Why?

• Thieves Do Exist. 
• Literary Agents Aren't Too Thrilled About Stories That Have Been Posted Online. But I've Heard Many of Them Read The Stories Too ... HYPOCRITES! ;-)
• Some Criticism from Reviewers are Unnecessarily Harsh and Can Discourage You. 

So, if I were you, I'd just READ ... NOT POST!

Still, I love Wattpad.

*Swoon*

How to Cut Your Novel--Five Steps

Your Manuscript Is...

--Way too long
--Contains too much filler
--Extremely wordy
--In dire need of cutting
--Overly descriptive
--Has unnecessary backstory
--Full of unneeded adjectives

Folks, this is normal. If you're a writer then you've definitely heard at least one of these statements before. Whether it's from a critique partner, literary agent, editor, or even your dear old mum; believe me when I say they are correct. This sort of revising is simply part of every writer's life. It's just something that has to be done. About a year ago literary agent Vickie Motter told me to cut 60k of my book (I know. I was way over the limit) and it was the best advice I ever received. She didn't have to tell me that. Initially she rejected my query. I politely asked for feedback and she promptly responded to my email. She took the time out to address the concerns of a young novice. Not all agents do that. It rarely happens, really. It took me a bit of time, but this five step process below really helped me clean up my manuscript. Check it out.

Step One: Consult the Experts
- Don't be afraid to raid your bookshelf. Pick up some of your favorite books you share the same genre with and skim through them. Discover why you adore the book so much. What is it about the characters, wording, premise, and so on that keeps your eyes glued to the pages. Simply jot down some notes regarding what those books contain that perhaps yours doesn't. It's very simple, this step, and I find it extremely helpful.

Step Two: Read, Read, Read
- Read over your own manuscript and MAKE NO CHANGES YET. Highlight possible problem areas. Make short notes in the review/side margin.

Step Three: *Rubs Palms* Now Down to the Nitty Gritty
-Look for adverbs, mainly those ending with "y" and determine whether they're necessary.
-Were, That, Was....believe me, most of the time you don't even need those words. Passive=Ugh.
-Watch out for too descriptive paragraphs. The sort readers tend to skip or skim.
-Get those unnecessary adjectives under control. They can turn a really good line into an annoying one and even confusing one.
-Backstory--I guarantee you, nobody likes it in a book...unless it's like totally awesome though.

Step Four: Tell the Readers Something they DON'T KNOW
-Writers tend to give information the reader already knows. This is extremely annoying.
-Characters' thoughts can get really annoying, especially when they are repetitive and ridiculously long. This goes for monologues as well. Those can get boring very fast. And most of the time I find them unnecessary. Show the reader a story; provide a clear picture. Don't just tell them a tale.
-Don't let dialogue go on and on and on and repeat the same old information "just to make sure the reader understands." Believe me...they get it. They got it the first time.

Step Five: Perhaps I Missed Something
-Repeat the above at least 3x before handing it out again. You want to make sure the person who told you to cut your novel sees a major difference. Give them a Book Hangover. ;-)

Two Week Read #1

So I'm doing something new here on Rissa Snepp Wreck! Two Week Reads!

Every two weeks I will pick a novel to read. Initially I will post a summary of the book and encourage others to read it as well. Two weeks later I will hash out a short review on the book--why it's so awesome or why it isn't so awesome (honestly, honesty is a beautiful thing). Then I will randomly choose one of my followers/subscribers to receive the book!

Yayyyy! Let the Giveaways begin! Prizes! Books! BOOKS AS PRIZES! Yippie!

Moving right along....

The book will mostly come from various sorts of Young Adult or New Adult genres. The novel will, of course, be a good read but I also want it to be a novel that can help writers cultivate their own craft. I don't think I've ever stressed the importance for writers to read, read, read! But folks, it is a MUST. There is nothing wrong with learning to perfect your own writing skills while studying successful (Not just PUBLISHED, but SUCCESSFUL-there is a huge difference) authors too. How else did you learn how to write so well? Where did your love for books come from? Reading! Duh!

So whilst browsing the lovely Barnes and Noble this weekend I found myself searching for a novel with some effective world building, a well done complicated plot, innovative concepts, and well developed characters. After reading the summaries and flipping through the pages of a few books I came across All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill.

Below is a short summary from Good Reads of the book.

****"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. 

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. 

Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.****

People Watching and Character Development

I like watching people. It helps with character development. Let me explain how.

So everyone is different, right? Right. And oftentimes our external appearance reflect our internal self. The clothing we choose to wear. The hairstyles we don. What we carry in our bags. The amount of makeup we use (I should really tone down the blush). How we walk and talk. The company we keep. Our posture and stance. The length or color of our fingernails. It all says SOMETHING about who we are as one individual in this massive world.

Now as writers we can look at complete strangers and develop an entire list of challenges, insecurities, pet peeves, family members, mind-blowing secrets they're harboring, and other scenarios for that person. It's just what we do. We have some of the more creative and brilliant imaginations on the planet (toot toot)...simultaneously however we just have one mind--bummer, I know. There are so many diverse personalities, attributes, bad habits, behaviors, hobbies, pet peeves, and so on floating around this world and its perfectly fine to discover those facets from simply watching regular day folk.

Honestly, it's not as weird as it sounds. Although some folks make deem me rather nosy, eccentric, or downright stalker-ish, it actually aids with character development and expanding your scope in regards to human personality. Our experiences in this world and simply what we capture with our eyes help form our characters, it's just that watching people can aid in shaping and perfecting that character too.It can also help with showing and not telling, knowing how to give brilliant detail, how to focus in on what's important about the character and so on.

So, what I like to do is go to the bookstore and take notes on my laptop or iPad (the one my father allowed me to "steal" from him as he likes to put it). I may drink a cup of coffee or have a glass of hibiscus tea with my earphones in, pretending to listen to music (s/o to Mike--one of my superdy duper awesome best friends!) but actually eavesdropping--I'm a mastermind at this, mind you. And I just watch people's mannerisms, demeanor, quirky little habits, and so on. And from what I capture of them I form it into a totally new idea.

This is what I saw yesterday at Panera.  This is the character I immediately thought of.

• The fancy girl constantly tugging her sleeves down and steps back when someone inches too close.--Her speech is polished. Her walk is poised. She is as posh as can be. Her entire demeanor screams that of a wealthy daddy's girl who lived a life so charmed that growing up her elegant and jeweled hands couldn't even hold a broomstick properly. But what outsiders don't know are the amount of doctor visits she's had, the countless pills she's nearly choked on, and the number of hours she's laid awake, her eyes tracing the swirls on her ceiling, hoping the childhood memories in her dreams won't haunt her sleep. Praying she won't have to see the broad and shadowy figure of the familiar man who slipped into her bedroom every night. That's why the scars trail up and down her arms like a second skin. She's so angry about her weakness. She wants to stab it. Kill it. Quickly get rid of it. Just like she can her skin. But she can't cut her memories. Cutting the memories would mean cutting her skin deeper. What would her daughter do without her? That would just be downright selfish and even wicked considering...leaving her with daddy would be unthinkable. He would just find a way to enter her bedroom too. 

•  A ragged looking woman toting three toddlers -- She's so annoyed with her life right now. She should have listened to her parents. Her father begged her not to do it. And now running to the courthouse with the first guy to say "I love you" and knock her up was the biggest regret of her life. But who would have thought she'd pop out triplets? And don't even let her really get started on Bill. His five-year plan was totally a five-year and everything goes kaput plan. Whenever she looks in the mirror she can't help but reflect on the broken promises, flawed plans, and the size 4 she once was. She curses, as usual, as she plucks yet another gray hair from her scalp. And good Lord she's not even 25! Who grays before 25? And when was the last time she went to church? Oh yeah, Bill is an atheist. He doesn't want to force a so called false God onto his children. She wish she'd found that out before having his babies...the jerk.

See what I'm saying?! And those are just my random notes on the folks I saw. I haven't even worked them into complete characters or anything. I just compiled a short little summary and that was it. You can easily build off it or work it into current characters. I call the first lady the Unlucky Princess and the second...I don't know, The Drowning Mother or something. I didn't like that chick too much (lol).

So that's why I people watch. It's entertaining, it's helpful, and it really gets you thinking about the various types of people in this world. Good luck with your stalking! ;-)