My webpage week

This is the umpteenth version of this webpage and I like the look but, what torture putting it together.

I spent Monday starting the page, all the search words, title, etc, the background and the banner up and centered. Then, moved onto the line of links that will be next.

I wanted to draw them myself and not use anything borrowed from a free site on the web. Geez, I painted portraits for a living for fifteen years, I should be able to do a colorful enough drawing to pass. Ya think????

I started a new sketchbook for this book and have pages of sketches I have started and discarded. That is nothing new. I have a reasonable set of sketches for the links, used Jasc Paint Shop to eliminate the background and put them up and guess what, the background showed. Did it again two more times and finally gave up and just blacked out the background.

I tried a little CSS again, went back to HTML. I tried using a template from HTML Editor, Flash & Web Design Software CoffeeCup Software, which I own, and have gone to using a table with two rows. I know there has to be a better way. I have always put the link list down the left hand side. My last version of Coffee Cup had a whole bunch of templates too, but I had to reformat and lost it all and, while I have upgraded, I have yet to find the long list of templates.

So, now I have a background, a banner, and a row of hand drawn icons to dress up the link buttons. As in all things with this webpage, it is all trial and error. Right now the buttons do not link. So, that is next.

In the meantime, I have entered the first 1,000 words of my novel in Miss Snark's First Victim critique. I could not find the complete rules, so here is hoping I did it right.

Down to webpage basics

While, I have designed webpages for years (mostly for my artwork), I wanted to make the new webpage do several things: be entertaining to children, be a place agents and editors can go to for information, throw in some of my art and comply with accessibility guidelines.

Hopefully, I am doing the accessibility guidelines properly. That was the easiest part to do. I did it first and now will redo some pages as I have totally revamped my idea. I am back to basics.

I am not a programmer. I know a smattering of html and can use HTML Editor, Flash & Web Design Software CoffeeCup Software. I am not going to try to learn CSS, but utilize CoffeeCup to the best of my ability. I have given up dreams of curling pages, swinging beads and items that move when you click them. That is programming a specialist can do when the book is a success (power of positive thinking!!!!).

Right now, I want a presence on the web that showcases my books in a simple direct manner. I have found a sample design I like, with nothing jumping, swinging or moving. It is all about information. And, isn't that what people come to the internet for?

I am still doing my own graphics, for the most part, but the only way to actually get this done is to simplify. So, I have diagrammed the pages I want, I have a layout for the pages and I am off to put it together, on this rainy Sunday. Wish me luck!

My webpage redesign. Send help!

I have started getting some interesting feedback and so must set aside the synopsis (The teacher in me keeps typing syllibus. ) and get to work on my Web presence.

Redesigning the webpage is something I have struggled with for several years now; a century in internet age. I am torn. I love the images I see that come out of Avalon Arts Studio of Graphic Arts and Web Design. They put texture on the internet. I love it.

However, I am going for fun right now (note to self, stop obssessing). I come from a line of Obsessive Compulsives and fight any hint that I am following in those footsteps.

In analyzing what is best for web design, I came across this great site. Actually, they found me from my Twitter. Thank you guys at The Pro Designer (theprodesigner) on Twitter. I have done webdesign for years, but you never stop learning, so I am off to redesign my webpage to make it bright and fun, easy to navigate and non-irritating. I come from dial-up and I do know irritating.

If you do not see me in seven days, send help!!!

My Logline is finished! Hooray!

After a week and a half solid spent rewording my logline, not counting all the odds and ends of hours I spent in the past, I finally had a logline. Sent this one to my Master's daughter and five minutes later she sent me back a logline I like a lot better.

Diplomatically, she suggested I was too close to it and that I am working too hard to follow all the rules I read on the net. I think she is right about the second one. I want to have everything just right and ready when I send it out and am spinning in circles from it.

As far as being too close, that might be correct also, but I think I am just not looking at it from the right angle.

So, here is my new logline, my original edition, with major revisions from daughter and with revisions from myself:

A neglected trio of brothers with the will to survive, journey to a land ruled by the Thunderer of the Iroquois nation and guarded by a fierce black dragon man. As they strike out on a quest for security and friendship, they find that learning can be full of magic, compassion does exist, friends come in all sizes, and some battles are worth fighting.

So, now you all know what my Advanced Middle Grade Fantasy Novel is all about, and I may move onto the various synopsis, bios, marketing plan, query letter, writing experience and education; oh, and I am doing the WebSite NOW. You just have to bite the bullet and do it.

Final Step before sending out Synopsis - #5

READ THE SYNOPSIS OUT LOUD, FROM A HARD COPY PRIOR TO SENDING IT OUT!

I could leave it at that but I do not wish to be hung.

Another option is you can check its plausibility by having someone, who has not read your manuscript, read the synopsis, then tell the story back to you. Even better, have them tell it to a third party who then tells it to you and a fourth party.

What you are checking is things like:
Have you mentioned too many names for people to keep straight?
Is it clear where the climax is and what is at stake for the protagonist?

QUESTIONS TO CHECK BY YOUR READING IT ALOUD:

1. Is my synopsis in the present tense and the third person, regardless of the tense and voice of the book itself?
2. Does the opening on my synopsis read too much like the book? Don’t forget, the same person is reading the first thirty pages of your book in the same sitting.
3. Does my synopsis read too much like a list of events? It should be like a story. Hey, it is a story! It should build suspense and give you quiet moments to recover inbetween.
4. If the reader had no information about my book other than the synopsis, would the story or argument make sense? Here is where those reading friends come in handy.
5. Does the synopsis make the book sound compelling? You definitely want that editor/agent eager to read your manuscript.
6. Does my synopsis present actual scenes from the book in glowing detail, or does it merely summarize the plot?
7. Is it clear who the protagonist is?
8. Is it clear what is at stake for the protagonist?
9. Is it clear what my protagonist wants and what is at stake for him/her.
10. Is it clear what obstacles stand in my protagonist way?
11. Does my protagonist come across as interesting, unusual person-involved in an interesting, unusual situation?
12. Have I mentioned too many characters in the synopsis? Are they each memorable?
13. Is it clear where the climax is and what is at stake for the protagonist? Or does it merely list all of the events in the book in the order they appear?
14. Does my synopsis make the book sound just like other books currently on the market, or does it come across as original?

Plausibility issues:

1. Does my synopsis make the story I’m telling seem plausible?
2. Is there an indelible image that the reader can take away? You definitely want it memorable (in a good way).
3. Is the synopsis absolutely free of errors of any kind?
4. Does my synopsis support the image of the book I want the agent or editor to see?
5. Do I need to modify it slightly in order to match the interests of the agent/editor, while retaining the truthfulness of my book?

Okay, I'm a dork!!

Today, the mailman confirmed I am a dork!

I have often envied bloggers who chose neat names for their blogs: Crazy Aunt Purl, The flap copy challenge, Jacket Whys, Judge a Book by Its Cover « Adventures in Reading, Mishaps and Adventures. You get it! They are neat and descriptive of who you are.

I started my blogs, Savanvleck’s Weblog, and the one you are reading, because I read that writer's need blogs. I am not certain whether I have fulfilled the needed purpose or not. I do digress easily and recently I have gotten so caught up in the excitement of finishing the book and working on all the stuff I need to have ready for submission that I have sadly neglected my blogs, and Facebook, and Twitter and really MySpace. Are there ever enough hours in the day?

But, today I am one step closer. I am not certain why I feel this way. I paid for this and there is no test involved; but I am so excited. I have my scbwi membership. I belong to the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators.

I have no idea why it makes me feel so excited but, there, you have it. I'm a dork!

Fantasy land and a chart to fill out - Synopsis Part #4

I am writing an Advanced Middle Grade Fantasy and due to the fact that it is written in a non-standard world, we Fantasy writers are allowed a bit of leeway, in the synopsis, to:

o Show your world building and plot
o Description must keep interest level up
o Needs to be germane to the plot
o Involving protagonist in description keeps it interesting

That said! I am finding it helpful to fill out the answers to these points to help clarify what to include in the synopsis, as a whole.

1. What is the prime conflict for your protagonist? Show prime motivation and resolution of all conflicts
2. What are the Plot points? – summarize between them to connect. Show the primary conflicts and what is at stake for your protagonist.
3. Where are the red herrings?
4. What is main character’s good moments?
5. What is the main character's big crisis?
6. What is the story's climax? Must show ending
7. What's the hook?
8. What's the tone of the story?
9. Show Conflict: Identify the motivations of, and conflicts between, the main characters.
10. Show Plot: Move the story forward along its main thrust, showing the protagonist as active while also noting other driving forces
11. Show Resolution: show the resolution of all conflicts and sub-plots--no loose ends, no cliff-hangers
12. Tell Ending: Tell the resolution. Never leave the editor guessing.
13. Bring back to full circle, as your book should, echoing an element from the beginning in the ending.

Books are about Characters so it is extremely important to tell them WHY your characters do what they do and how they react.

CHARACTERIZATION: For each action/reaction of hero make sure you tell WHY

1. Who are the main characters? Briefly identify each and answer the questions for each.
2. What he wants
3. What is in his way
4. What is at stake if he does not attain his goal?
5. What are the main characters' blackest moments?
6. What are their motivations?

Next and final post on Synopsis (maybe): A final check before sending out your synopsis