Tell A Story Day

Today, April 27th, is Tell a Story Day here in the United States. In England and Scotland this holiday is celebrated on October 27th. Today celebrates all forms of story-telling - fiction and non-fiction. Maybe you have a great tall-tale or a folk-tale to tell. It would be a terrific day to share stories from your family's past. Those stories are important to share before family histories are forgotten.

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Do I Get To Go Home?

When I was a child, my family drove from Cherry Hill, NJ to Nova Scotia, Canada. What a terrific education experience for any child. It was supposed to be a grand adventure. My adventure was slightly more terrifying than the rest of the family's.

See, when we drove across the border into Canada, I was a sleep. My older brother seized the opportunity to torment his little sister. When I woke, he told me that the border guard had not counted me and that meant I was not going to get to return to the United States. At 7, I believed him. I also knew that my father was going to be furious with me. What a mess. Thankfully, my brother told me not to mention it to Dad until he was positive he could not think of a way to sneak me back across the border. For the next two weeks, I fretted about being stuck in Canada for the rest of my life.

Obviously, the little twerp lied to me and I got to come home.

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Ok, it was not much of a story. But, in honor of Tell a Story Day, I am sharing this small piece of my childhood. Someday, I might tell you about the Hook Monster. Yes, that is another invention of my brother.

Things to Ask When Choosing An Agent

• Does the agent charge a standard 15% commission for domestic sales?
• Are there any hidden charges and fees?
• Does the contract protect both you and their interests?
• Will the agent send your manuscript to more than one publisher at a time?
• Is the agent a member of the  Association of Agents Representatives (AAR)?
• Are they familiar with and skilled at the auction process?
• Will they send you copies of all rejection letters?
• Do they have a huge client list? Will you get lost in the crowd?
• What is their track record? Have they sold books to established publishers?

10 Things to Ask About My Story

1. Do I have the right narrator?
2. Is there inner monologue? Too much? Too little? Is it in character?
3. Oh my world, where did all these characters come from? Do I have too many or too few minor characters?
4. What might add more texture?  Allusions? Metaphors?
5. What is my character's motivation? Is it enough?
6. Is my dialogue dead? How can it be made more lively?
7. Do I include enough trivia information?
8. Is this scene wrong? Does it reveal things about my character? Does it advance my plot? What, if anything, does it say about my theme?
9. Does it need a new beginning?
10. Will letters or lyrics add interest?