Project Plan

When a story creeps into your creative mind you must lay a strong foundation for it to build upon. To do this, create a Project Plan:

plan |plan|

noun

1 a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something : the UN peace plan.

• [with adj. ] a scheme for the regular payment of contributions toward a pension, savings account, or insurance policy : a personal pension plan.

2 (usu. plans) an intention or decision about what one is going to do : I have no plans to retire.

3 a detailed diagram, drawing, or program, in particular

• a fairly large-scale map of a town or district : a street plan.

• a drawing or diagram made by projection on a horizontal plane, esp. one showing the layout of a building or one floor of a building. Compare with elevation (sense 3).

• a diagram showing how something will be arranged : look at the seating plan.

First begin with asking the questions: WHY? HOW? WHO? WHERE? WHAT? WHAT IF?

Next create a diagram with words like: TITLE, GENRE, TIMELINE, AUDIENCE, GENRE, MAIN CHARACTER(S), PROTAGONIST(S), SETTING, PLOT, ORIGINATION OF IDEA, MARKET, COMPLICATION(S), ORIGINAL IDEAS/NEVER DONE BEFORS, and of course add some more of your own making.

A sample plan might look like this:

WORKING TITLE: REDWOOD BLOOD

WHO? Ben Corbin - turning 13, but believes his blood is cursed. 

WHY? Ben’s father goes missing, and he thinks it’s the curse. He goes into the dark woods to find him.

WHERE? Redwoods, California

WHAT HAPPENS? Ben gets caught by woodland creatures (some evil some good) - beings of the woods, hidden for centuries. They send him on a treasure hunt. 

WHAT IF? If Ben finds the treasure, he becomes the Heir to the Trees, if not, then he will become enslaved by the evil woodlands. 

HOW? Ben’s X-friend insults him, then said X-friend’s Grandmother goes nuts, hits herself an blames Ben. Ben fleas into the woods, vowing to find his father.

GENRE: Middle-Grade- Action/Adventure/Fantasy

AUDIENCE: 9 - 13 year-olds

SETTING: Old Growth Redwood Groves Present Day

ORIGINATION OF IDEA: 2006 - visit to Muir Woods

MARKET: Fantasy lovers/Nature lovers/Young people

This is the foundation of my novel, REDWOOD BLOOD. Name have changed from the original idea, but it has remained pretty true to the first idea. And this Project Plan has helped me stay on course.

I hope this has helped you and good luck to all you writers! 

SIX Rejections and counting...

Okay, I know....everyone gets rejected. The internet is flooded with statistics on every successful writer/actor/illustrator and their rejection letters. But it still hurts.

The truth is it’s 13:1 Rejection:Acceptance - and even after an agent/editor/publisher asks for the entire manuscript, you still will get rejected. UGH.

So how do I deal with rejection? Coming from an acting background I got used to the word no. Actually they were pretty brutal - A director told me once that not only do my ears and mouth not communicate, my singing was so bad that it had crossed over the line of horrible and was actually funny. I got the job, but this is a serious rejection! I don’t even sing happy birthday anymore at children’s birthday parties.

But how do I get over rejections on my writing? Well, that’s much harder for me. You see, acting was not showing my private self - I could use emotions but no one knew what I was thinking. But writing, I have to put myself out there. I have to let everyone know what I’m thinking and how I deal with problems and what problems I’ve had to deal with. It’s scary. And I’ve not sent my manuscripts out because of that fear.

So when I did start to send out, I felt physically ill. But I hit the send button and did it anyway. It’s easier today to get a query out there. One click and that’s it. And then the waiting game begins.

I use a graph that I made up myself to keep track of queries I’ve sent, to whom, or is it who....I should know this. Ha! And if the answer was Yes or No and why. Also I write a note if the answer was nice or if I could tell they really read a good portion of it.

I have 6 send outs and zero yeses so far. And it stings. But my rejections are getting longer....that’s a good sign, so I’m told. They’re getting nicer. I even have one that says, this project is not right for us, but we love your writing, please keep us in mind for future projects. Hurray! But I still wallow, why oh why was this one not right???

All 6 rejections were for lack of strong voice. Which completely confuses me because my MFA teachers say I have such a strong voice. So the game goes round and round. But I have hope because I have writer friends. I can cry to them. I send them my rejections and ask their input. They are wonderful.

And my husband is there for me to lean on as well. He keeps saying, you have to expect rejections. When you get 30 more maybe you should set it aside and work on something else. 30 more!! Can I take 30 more no's? AHHHHHH.

YES - I can take it. Keep repeating that to yourself. You can take it. You will make it! You will get published. Write it down. Hang it on your computer. Keep on going!!

So, I sent out the same novel yesterday --- I have been working on the voice of the main character. How does he sound? Why does he think that way? And I’ve been making some changes. I hope it works. I hope it knocks her socks off. I hope I get a yes. But if it’s a no - I hope it’s twice as long as the last one!!

Good luck writers!! Keep your heads up. I’m pulling for you.

Introduction to Teazurs Blog

Why TeAzurs?
Well, I wanted something original, something fun that also had a meaning. My last name is Azur and I’ve been called a tease --- oh just kidding. I liked the definitions of teaser mixing theatre with journalism and advertising.

I was an actor for 12 years, when I lived in Pittsburgh PA. I performed at small local theaters as well as commercials and independent films.

I loved that journalism uses the term teaser as a kicker to promote an interview or article. Being a creative writer, I must tease my audience into reading more, and wanting to know more about my characters and their stories.

I also must advertise myself as a professional. I’m in the business to stay. Marketing myself to my readers is a goal of mine in 2010.

So I took teaser and mixed it with my last name, Azur, and shazam - TeAzurs was born.

teas·er
[tee-zer]  –noun
1. a person or thing that teases.
2. Theater . a drapery or flat piece across the top of the proscenium arch that masks the flies and that, together with the tormentors, forms a frame for the stage opening.
3. Printing, Journalism . kicker ( def. 9 ) .
4. an advertisement that lures customers or clients by offering a bonus, gift, or the like.
5. Television Slang . tease ( def. 5 ) .
Origin:
1350–1400;  ME teser  machine for teasing wool; see tease, -er1