Guest Post: Why I Read Submissions, Anna Madden

This week, our guest is Anna Madden, who is a writer and First Line Reader for DreamForge. She shares with us why she started to read submissions, and what it has taught her about reading, writing, and rejection.

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Why I Read Submissions

by Anna Madden

When I first started reading submissions, or slushing, I was second-guessing the editor’s decision. I didn’t feel I had earned the right to judge other writers, whether they were hopeful newcomers or those already established in their craft, their prose like shining gems. Not to mention the gods, floating high above, untouchable with their numerous publishing credits and recognizable names.

I saw myself both as an imposter and a dream crusher. I spent so much time agonizing about ratings and comments I had given out. Who was I to decide the fates of these creations?

It took a while to quiet the voice of doubt. My ratings were being checked, so I could learn the system and breathe. I realized it was okay to call for backup if a story was more difficult to rate. If a well-known writer submitted in, I learned to voice my honest opinion, whether I liked their work or not, and not fear my hand would get smacked or that I would be accused of blasphemy.

For some stories, reading a couple pages is enough to know it’s not ready for publication. I started to find patterns like this. Still, I also started realizing it wasn’t so black and white as: this submission is badly written and this one is brilliant. There will be unlikable main characters, average, not-quite memorable plots, or too much telling. Those same stories can showcase a creative world or a unique conflict. All fiction tends to a strength and a weakness. Good stories have multiple strengths. I think the real question being asked is: do the strengths outweigh the weak spots?

The truth is, the competition is so intense. There are unarguably great writers who receive rejections right alongside the rest. There isn’t a golden rule that says a good story will automatically be accepted. There are only so many slots and so much money. A submission might make it into the consideration pile, then have the bad luck of being too similar to something else submitted three days later, or just not be quite what the editor is looking for at that moment. I’ve grieved over stories that received rejections, and I’ve fought for them (civilly, of course, without drawing blood).

Before I read submissions, I did wonder, what are the reasons for rejection? It’s not a simple answer because it varies from one piece to another. Something might be well-written but not quite on theme for the publication. Several first readers might agree about how beautiful the prose is, but the voice could be too passive or the ending too flat. The list goes on and on.

At first, I thought this job would be an opportunity to improve my own writing. It has been, but it’s offered many other benefits I hadn’t originally considered. I’ve met other writers who read submissions alongside me. I’ve networked with them, exchanged work, and built friendships. A peek behind-the-scenes made me realize first readers are humans rather than robots out to destroy souls. Often, I like something in each piece I read. One writer will have an obvious gift for voice, another for world-building, and so forth. The beauty of it all, for me, is getting to see the process up close.

My Top Five Tips:

1. Read examples of the publication to get idea of what is being selected.

2. This seems an obvious one, but follow the submission format requested. If a story is difficult to read it earns a quicker no.  

3. Work on a good opening hook. Beginnings are so important! I stop when I know the story isn’t right. It is often by page two to three.  

4. If feedback is given, chew on it. I get rejections too, and I know it’s rough in the moment. Still, it’s a gift, because it’s invaluable advice on where to improve. It’s meant to aid, not to chide.

5. Keep positive, be professional, and keep submitting! A publication might reject one story, then select another at a later date.

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Anna Madden is a speculative fiction writer living in Fort Worth, Texas. In her free time, she loves to garden too, and has been planting new roses into her flower beds faster than she can find space for them. Her slush experiences come from being a first line reader for DreamForge Magazine, where she also has fiction published in Issue 4 (Dec 2019). Follow her on Twitter, like her Facebook page or visit her website.

Guest Post: On Writing LGBTQ Romance, M.D. Stewart

Today our guest is M.D. Stewart. She talks about what it was like when she started writing LGBTQ romance and has some great advice for those that want to try that.

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On Writing LGBTQ Romance

By M.D. Steart

Hello there! My name is M.D. Stewart, and I’d like to tell you a little about myself. I’ve been writing for just over two years now and have sixteen eBooks out. My stories are science fiction romance and paranormal romance. I also write a wide range of love interests. I’ve explored the traditional MF couples, MFM pairings (where the men have no interest in one another,) and LGBTQ characters. I have MM, MMF (all parties fully participate in sex), and one MMM love story.

In  Mine, Psy-Bond Book One (my first series,) the couple was a traditional MF pairing. I was surprised when the main character’s brother and his best friend mentioned having a sexual history together! I was stumped at how to even write a sex scene between two men. So I did what anyone would do, I messaged one of my gay friends and asked for his advice. In that direct message, I was so embarrassed, but he was happy to help me.

I would write a scene and then send it to him, and he’d give me pointers here and there. At the time, I hadn’t read any MM romance books, nor had I heard of Cocky Boys (a MM porn site). I felt like I was way out of my element, but my friend told me to stop thinking so hard and just let the story flow. He was right! But there was only one scene in that book where the men were alone, and since then I’ve graduated to books where the only main characters are men.

I started finding books with MM love stories. My first series was Lavendar Shores Series by Rosalind Able. From there I moved on to Lucy Lennox, then KM Neuhold and Nora Phoenix. I just seem to read all LGBTQ romances, from MM, FF, and even some trans characters (thanks to Ed Davies and EM Lindsey.) The main thing I learned is to treat the LGBTQ characters with the same respect as I would straight couples and not bring stereotypes into my story.

I’ve found a large support group on Facebook with other LGBTQ authors. We can talk about the backlash we sometimes get from readers who aren’t “into” gay romance. And that’s fine. Not everyone likes the same things, and thank goodness, right? I write what I want to read; love no matter the sex/sexual orientation of the characters. To me, romance is the essential element.  

 Escapism is part of why we pick up a book in the first place. Not that our lives are terrible, but who doesn’t love to immerse themselves in a story with a guaranteed happy ending? I feel that no matter who loves whom in my stories, the romance is the vital thing. The challenge is having compelling characters involved in storylines that keep the reader engaged. 

In Ours, Psy-bond Book Two, I explored the on-again/off-again relationship between Derek and Max. They had met a decade prior and were brought together again to save Max’s brother. Derek is a street-smart guy who could fight mean and dirty if needed. Max is a high-ranking Air Force officer who was in charge of a top-secret project involving aliens on Earth. Together, they learn they are drawn to Sahara, an alien female. Derek is caught off-guard since he’s always known he’s gay. It’s sort of a reverse “gay for you” story. He finds out he’s “bisexual for you,” and we watch him have all kinds of firsts with Max and Sahara.

In my latest book, Born a Demon, I’ve flipped that. Conner always thought he was straight until he meets Rager. But this is the fun part of writing, creating characters who grow and develop. I love to see my main characters change and learn. Conner doesn’t fight his attraction, and in fact, throws himself into a new experience. He does push back against labels put on him and his new lover. Rager was born in another dimension, and his species name, Demon, labels him evil. Conner falls in love with and has sex with a male, so he’s deemed bisexual. All Conner knows is that he’s in love with a sweet, caring, intelligent person, so his species and his genitals mean nothing. I find that amazing! 

 

Writing LGBTQ characters is the same as straight characters. They are people, period. Straight or gay, all humans have the same feelings, same goals, same needs. Yeah, describing body parts during sex scenes can be difficult. With two (or more) people involved in a scene, it can get confusing if poorly written. Especially if it’s a MM sex scene (I’ve not written FF books). There are only so many words you can use for male body parts. I also have to be careful with the overuse of pronouns.

For example, in this poorly written sentence – He reached behind him and tugged him closer. Okay, so which “he” reached behind whom? When in the middle of a love scene between male and female, “he” and “she” make it clear who is doing what. But with same-sex love scenes, that’s more confusing than helpful. If the reader is trying to figure out whose body part belongs to what character the story loses its flow. That’s been my biggest challenge as an author, being creative but precise in my writing.  My editors will be the first to agree with me on that!

I’m still learning. One tool is reading good books by wonderful authors and emulate their style. I don’t copy their stories or storylines, but I try to see why their words work. I also have a few of their books on audio. In my head, I’ll read the passage I’ve written and try to determine if it would sound good. If I stumble on the words, I try to think of a different way of expressing my thoughts. I still get “red lines” from my editors, but I think it works overall.

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I’d like to invite you to stop by my website, www.mdstewartauthor.com,  and read about me and see all of my books. On my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MDStewartAuthor, you can keep up with my works in progress, find out what I’m doing on my blog, and even sign up for monthly birthday swag bag contests! I have other social media that you can stalk as well.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gooseandmindi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdstewart8

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07GBFKNDP

Guest Post: The Color of Imagination, Elle Jackson

Today we welcome Elle Jackson to The Wicked Writing Corner. She talks about being different, and how reading and writing can be succor for those who don't seem to fit in easily. She also has a few great recommendations, so be sure to add those to your TBR pile.

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The Color of Imagination - Top Five (Plus) Authors with Colorful Imaginations

 By Elle Jackson

As a science fiction and fantasy romance writer, I seek out opportunities to read and experience art that will push the boundaries of my own imagination. I wrote my first science fiction story in middle school. It was about a girl who knew aliens had invaded her school, but no one believed her. When I think back on that time in my life, I had gone through traumatic changes. My brother had passed away. I left the elementary school where I’d been for years and also where my mother taught, to go to a middle school where I knew no one.

I was the alien in my middle school. Unlike anyone else, with my dresses, and my lack of interest in music and sports, I felt alone, isolated. Reading was and has always been an outlet for me, but there was a time when even reading wasn’t that much of a comfort because I started to wonder where all the characters were who looked like me, with experiences similar to my own. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was in search of writers who had imaginations of all colors.

As a science fiction and fantasy writer, I have the opportunity to reflect the world as it is and as it could be. I take that responsibility very seriously, so I write stories that have diversity to show that the world is indeed and will continue to be multicultural and include the greatest variety of love. If you too are looking for writers who imagine in all colors, then you’ll love this top five list.

I’ve been on a mission to discover and learn from some great writers for a while. This list is compiled of writers who have remarkable, imaginative, colorful work. These authors are not all sci-fi or fantasy romance. As a writer, I try to read across genres to enhance my toolbox. Here are my top five writers who have colorful imaginations.

5. Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins - This historical romance novel incorporates the trope of forbidden love with the historical backdrop of post-civil war America. Jenkins writes characters that are intelligent and captivating while creating a love story that is irresistible. I learned that creating a love story where the two main characters could be in danger if they act on their feelings is one of the most addictive stories to write and read.

4. The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemison - The world-building in this fantasy novel is unrivaled. Jemison is a weaver of imagination. Her ability to create characters who are connected in a way that is genuine and intriguing is unique to how she tells stories. Her imagination both reflects our world, critiques our world, and admonishes our world. I have learned that to do the unpredictable is hard, but worth it. Her imagination pushes me to be more of a planner of the worlds I create. I had the opportunity to hear her speak in person. She is authentic and transparent about the difficulties she has had as a fantasy writer of color. I feel empowered by her success to strive for my own in a genre that hasn’t always been so colorful and still has a long way to go to actually include a diverse cast of writers.

3. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - This YA contemporary novel with romantic elements shines a bright light on the issues with police brutality and the Black community. But Thomas doesn’t stop there. She adds in an interracial relationship that highlights the internal struggles women of color who choose to date outside their race have to manage. Thomas taught me how to take headlines from popular media and turn them into stories that expose and uncover ideals of truth without being overbearing. We get inside the head of the main character and experience the events as they are happening, which allows us as readers to draw our own conclusions. I will say read the book before seeing the movie because the book has so much more depth.

2. Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron - This fantasy novel with romantic elements had me falling in love with magic all over again. This book is steeped in mythology that rang so true, I started wondering how much of the story was from folklore and how much was pure imagination. Barron’s imagination is the color of delicious things. I loved how she incorporated royalty, magic, and voodoo. I learned that you can put all the things that interest you in a story and make it work!

1. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi - What can I say about this book? Enemy turned lovers turned enemies at its finest. I love love love this book. This book is about the loss of magic, but really, it is about so much more. It is about what happens when people are feared for being different. To say I saw my experiences in this book so many times over would be an understatement. Adeyemi taught me that I do have a rich cultural history and stories that include characters who are rich with details only an imagination of color could provide are so intriguing.

Because I had the hardest time narrowing down my list, here are a few more titles to check out after you finish with the top five.

The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Sinner by Sierra Simone

Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo

Rosewater by Tade Thompson

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Photo: Elle Jackson

Author, Elle Jackson, writes everything from adult science fiction erotica to historical romance. A common theme that courses throughout Elle’s writing is the celebration of racial and cultural diversity. A Midwest girl at heart, Elle was raised in Kansas City, KS. She credits her desire to become a writer and educator to her mother, who was a teacher for more than 30 years and a lover of books. The love of writing and aliens was cultivated by growing up in monoethnic environments where she was often the outcast. She learned at a young age that it was not only okay to be different, but she preferred it. Identifying with aliens as “the other” was something Elle did as a child and has transitioned into writing stories about the beauty in diversity. She thanks her husband, toddler son, and daughter for keeping her grounded in reality when she goes too far into her imagined worlds.

Elle has obtained a doctorate in Educational Leadership, an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction, and a Masters in Teaching. In her debut novella, Liam’s Encounter, Jackson has created an interracial love story that illustrates the beauty in diversity. If you want updates on what Elle Jackson is up to, check out authorellejackson.com and sign up for the newsletter.