9 Steps for Plotting Fiction

Does this happen to you...

Your in the car jammin' out to your favorite band and something, maybe it's a passerby or the lyrics in the song, but you're reminded, as you are every day, of an idea.  If given legs this idea could walk on water and soar all the way to number one on the best sellers list.

The problem is, when you try to plot the course of this spectacular novel your idea gets lost somewhere along the way.  You can't keep track of who, what, when, where or how and so you give up for another day.

If only you could figure out the main points, the beginning, middle and end of the book and how they all run along in a nice cohesive line until the end.

Verla Kay is an amazing author of many children's books and she has made it a mission of hers to pay it forward to blossoming new writers.  If you haven't checked out her site, you should! 

She also has a forum and on the board where I found a 9 step formula to plotting out your fiction.  This is also great for revising as well.

In a nut shell, the steps are:

Start with a piece of paper. It should be large enough to write on.
8.5 x 11 is perfect. Draw two parallel lines both vertically and
horizontally across the page, creating 9 comparable boxes, as if you
were starting a game of tic-tac-toe. These boxes represent chapters,
scenes, or sections, depending upon your book's intended length.

Number the boxes, starting from the upper left: 1, 2, 3.
Next row, starting from the left: 4, 5, 6.
Last row: 7, 8, 9.
Title each box…

1 Triggering event
First thing's first. What happens? Why have you bothered to write a
book, and more importantly, why should a reader invest time flipping
through its pages. Your triggering event is the answer to those
questions, so make it a good one. Also, don't make the reader wait
very long for it. First page, first paragraph, first sentence.
These are good spots for a triggering event.

2 Characterization
Generally, books succeed or fail on the strength of their characters
more so than on the strength of their plots. The second box is where
you explore what makes your protagonist tick. No, this isn't an
excuse for drawn out exposition, history, or back story. If your
triggering event is captivating, the reader will discover enough
about the protagonist in Box Two simply by reading how he or she
reacts to the event.

3 First major turning point
By now, your plot is picking up steam, and because of Box Two, the
reader is invested in the ride. Time to throw a curve ball. This
turning point can be either a positive event for your protagonist,
or a negative one, but it should lay the groundwork for the negative
turning point in the sixth square. There is a reason these boxes are
touching one another; they interrelate. For example, Box Three may
introduce the motivation of the antagonist, which then justifies the
events in the sixth square.

4 Exposition
You've earned some time to fill the reader in on important data.
Since this box touches the first square, here's where you shed some
light on that triggering event. Since it also touches Box Seven, you
get to foreshadow your pro-tagonist's darkest hour. Box Four often
reveals a relationship, character flaw, or personal history that
contributes to the dark times in ahead.

5 Connect the dots
Here is where many plots fall apart. Box Five represents the
trickiest part of fiction and since Box Five is the center of the
book it must connect to all the squares around it. Kind of like the
nucleus at the center of a bomb, Box Five should tick systematically
upon elements introduced in Box Two and Four. And like the calm
before the storm, the fifth square should give the false impression
of resolution before heading like a freight train to Box Six. Most
importantly, it needs to provide foreshadowing for the protagonist's
revelation in Box Eight. That's a lot for a little box to do, but
focus on efficient prose to get it right. Your plot depends upon it.

6 Negative turning point
Here's where that bomb explodes and all (word censored) breaks loose. Good
thing you laid the groundwork in Box Three. Good thing, too, that
Box Nine will deliver some just desserts.

7 Antagonist wins
The protagonist is defeated here, and the antagonist apparently
wins. How the protagonist deals with the darkest hour of defeat
depend upon the traits and/or story developed in Box Four, which
leads to his or her revelation in the next square.

8 Revelation
Of course! The protagonist's revelation turns the tide. Here is
where the protagonist connects the dots and overcomes the obstacles
of Boxes Six and Seven via the device introduced in Box Five.

9 Protagonist wins
The negative turning point in Box Six is rectified while the
character's resolve from Box Eight is brought into full bloom.
Congratulations! Another great tale told greatly.

Thanks Verla Kay!

Organized Writer. Is that possible?

If my brain wasn't wrapped nice and securely inside my skull and attached to my body, I would swear that sometimes I didn't have one.

I'm a mom for crying out loud!  I'm supposed to multi-task...pop in the laundry while I check my facebook, blog in between my novel writing as I use my free hand to work a puzzle with my son and help with my daughters first grade math...which wait...I SUCK at Math.  What is a girl to do to get a story written?  Why so many road blocks?  I'm so over it, put a cork in me, turn the oven off, whatever, I'm done.  I must find some order in my life. 
Making a darn schedule, prioritizing and then sticking to it, that is the key for making this all work—for me at least.  I know I must do it but the rebellious child in me loathes restriction, being told this is the way it has to be.  I want freedom, fun and all that jazz. 

More than that, though, I want to finish my novel, I want to connect with likeminded individuals through marketing, I want to play with my kids and wear clean cloths so by golly the prioritizing has to begin…tomorrow, once I get over my procrastination thing.

I'm on my way to being organized.  Or so I hope.

What do you do to keep all your eggs in a basket?  Is there a secret trick you want to share because I would love to know.  Like seriously.

Bookanistas supporting an amazing fundraiser with prizes!!!

First things first, my heart goes out to all my Alabama friends caught in the crazy tornados yesterday.  Bama has been a home to me for the past three years and a few tears dropped from my eyes at the pictures I've seen.  We moved about six months ago(our house is still for sell in the Helena area if anyone is interested:)), but I will always hold it near and dear to my heart.  Thankfully no one I know was hurt but my prayers are with those that lost anything during the horrific mess there and the other areas in the south.

*** 

On a lighter note, I couldn't be more excited about a fundraiser/giveaway I entered in, so I had to post about it...plus I get an extra entry, hopefully winning some much needed critiquing.

Here it is in a nutshell...

The lovely and ubertalented ladies who call themselves the Bookanistas (here is one) are trying to giveback.  In their words:

Charitable donations are a very personal thing. There are so many ways our hard earned money can help others, and lately our world seems to be breaking into pieces around us. Needs are many and great. The Bookanistas want to give back, so in the coming months, we're going to be looking for ways to pour into communities, both bookish and worldwide.

For the month of April, we've chose to spotlight Run For Your Life, largely because the framework is already set up (we'd like to keep it simple our first time out), and also because of personal connections to the cause. Most everyone knows someone who has battled cancer or lost a loved one to it. 

It is true, my Grandmother has lymphoma, and many in my family have lost their lives due to cancer.  I was happy to donate some money to this cause.  They ask for $5 but more or less is fine as well. 

For every dollar you give you get a chance to win one of the great prizes they are offering and if you are a writer or a reader, I promise you won't be sorry you did it.  With query and fifty page manuscript critiques, as well as tons of signed YA books...need I say more?  Well yes, I do, because there is more!

Also, when you donate you are automatically entered into a drawing for a chance to win a private screening of Breaking Dawn with twenty of your closest buddies ...or not so close depending on how you do things.  This is courtesy of Charlie Bewley an actor in the movie.

Sound like something you could get into?  Head on over to Myra McEntire's blog (one of the Bookanista's) and check it out, sign up, do what you have to do!

What's up with the adverb?

I didn't see a thing wrong with adverbs until recently when I submitted my work into a couple of writing contests.  I'm happy to say I placed third in one and top twenty in another but much of my negative feedback had to do with adverbs.  Can I tell you how sad this makes me.  I have loved peppering my writing with 'ly' words.  They have been a part of my life since grade school.  I suppose that's where they needed to stay.

So why are adverbs such backstabbers?

Mark Twain once said, "Adverbs are the tool of the lazy writer."

Huh?  Well, let's take a closer look and see why.

The Encarta World English Dictionary states that an adverb is:

1. modifier of verb or adjective: a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a sentence, e.g. "happily," "very," or "frankly".

So basically you use an adverb to spice up a weak word.  For example: "She tightly closed her eyes."  The verb "closed" isn't strong enough so you pop in "tightly" to better describe it.

What would happen if you used a verb with more zing from the start negating the need for an adverb all together.  How about this instead: "Her eyes slammed shut."  Bam!  Just by changing the verb from "closed" to "slammed" you instantly get a picture of what is going on and it isn't as wordy, which adverbs tend to bring about in writing.

Another problem when using adverbs too often is the risk of telling the story rather than showing it (another big no no we will discuss later).  You want the reader to feel like they are right there in the action with the characters, not on the sidelines watching.

I'm not saying adverbs should be banned from writing.  They are a part of the English language for reason and I personally like them every now and again.

If you're an adverb lover why not try to flex your writing muscle a bit more today.  Right something and go through replacing all the 'ly' adverbs with more dynamic verbs, adjectives, etc.  See where that takes you.

What are your thoughts on adverbs?  Do you love them, love to hate them or a little of both?

A Couple Things

Before I delve into the many faucets of writing and publishing, hopefully gathering helpful information and communicating them to you simply, I first want to clarify a couple things. 

As I stated in my last post, you can find a million opinions out there about how you should do what and when in reference to writing and getting published.  When you come here I will give you the 'writing for dummies' version--the simple of the simple--and always stick to two things when deciding which rules fit for the beginning writer.

1) I err on the side of caution for the newbie writers trying to be published.  For example: if the safe way to get an agent to read your first three chapters is to "show, not tell" but you have a butt-load of information you feel needs to come out about the main character right away, then I'm going to suggest you weave it into the action instead of just explaining it.  Do some authors get published with long ramblings and descriptions about their characters?  Well sure.  But do you want to risk it on your first novel?  I don't think I so.

2) I am of the mind you should do what, deep down in your heart of hearts, you feel is right in regards to your writing.  ALWAYS!

That's it. 

Yes, I am aware these two rules can often times coincide with one another.  If rule number one isn't melding with what your heart tells you and you have consulted with some outside help, possibly a critique group (we will talk about them in the near future), mentor, etc and you are just certain you need to do it the unconventional way, then by all means do it!  I have read many debut novels that don't stick to guidelines and are wonderful reads...yours may be as well.  I am merely here to give information in a simple way.  But heck, sometimes life isn't simple!  In that case go with rule number two and follow your heart.

What about you, anyone out there want to share about times they had to go with gut over protocol?

***

Wednesday I'm going to cover adverbs--such lovely little buggers aren't they--and why they are a no no in the writing world.

Until then...

The writing world is hard. Keep it simple.

In my journey through all things writing I have discovered something...there are about a zillion and one opinions on any given subject concerning writing, publishing, querying and so forth, and some of it reads like a foreign language. 

Now I don't consider myself too particularly dense, but man, what does a writer have to do to get a straight answer on the web!?!

Not that all sites are this way.  For as many crazy ones out there, you can also find an equal amount of excellent and very helpful ones.  Some of my favorite blogs so far are Elana Johnson, Nathan Bransford, Janet Reid, and Pub Rants.  These seriously are just a few of them and I have gained some great insight scouring their pages...it's like they're are my best friends but they don't even know it...no, that really sounds creepy so scratch that last bit.

Anyhoo, with all the twisted wires in the writer/publishing world as well as the crazy lingo, I thought how lovely it would be to go to a kind of Writing for Dummies place.  So guess what?  I'm going to try to deliver it on my own. 

That's right.  I am a newbie to the writers world who continues to learn as I grow.  I'm not ashamed to touch on the really easy writing topics that some may feel afraid to ask professionals because they will be laughed at in front of the whole writing blogosphere.  I'm also not worried about dumbing down the hard stuff so those not in the complete know can understand.

So come back and check it out and if you have anything (writing-wise) you are desperate for just ask and if I don't know the answer I will surely find and tell you the easiest, most straight forward form of the answer I can.

Happy hunting writers, but don't hunt so hard and so long you waste all those precious writing moments and find nothing but a bald spot where you've ripped your hair out in frustration.

American Idol and Writing...Yes they are Alike!

Well, to me they are.

I can't begin to tell you how deep my obsession runs for AI this season.  I don't know if it's having a judge (Jennifer Lopez) actually giving constructive criticism or because Steven Tyler tries so hard to come up with unique quotes.

No, I know what it is...the freaking talent!  Are you kidding me, these kids can belt it out and I would be completely remiss if I didn't acknowledge how much I love Casey Abrams.  The boy is fabulous!

But more than the talent and the stars that show up every night, more than even the songs the finalists slay (in a good way...most of the time), I love that they are following their dreams.

I can only relate the sensation I get watching the show to how I feel when I beat on the key board in my own rhythmic melody.  I  LOVE to write.  They LOVE to sing and low and behold dreams are achieved when you dare to believe.  Am I right or am I right?

Next time you have a free Wednesday night turn on the tube to FOX and tell me if the lovely AI doesn't remind you of a querying frenzy.

Another Awesome Writing Contest

When it rains it pours...in a good way where writing contests are concerned!
The lovlies over at YAtopia are hosting an agent pitch contest with agent Ammi-Joan Paquette.  Now this is good people, because she isn't actually accepting queries!  It doesn't get more exclusive than that right?

So here are the rules:
1) Be a follower of the blog. Nice and easy.

2) Blog about this contest and include a link with your entry. If you don't have a blog, you may tweet or make a facebook status. But we prefer blog.

3) Create a TWO SENTENCE pitch. And not a massively long run-on sentence either. Two concise sentences that will hook Joan to your book and have her desperate to read more.

4) Include the opening line of your manuscript.

5) Manuscripts that you submit should be completed. I leave it up to you whether you decide to submit a half finished manuscript. You'll have to deal with it SHOULD Joan request you send her the full.

6) This contest will be capped at either 150 entries OR will end midnight on the 24th March.

7) Winners to be announced (along with prizes) on 31st March.

8) Only childrens and young adult categories will be accepted. Sorry!

and this is the entry form for ya:
Name:
Email:
Story Name:
Genre:
Blog/Twitter/Facebook link:
2 Sentence Pitch:
Opening sentence:

Good luck writers!

Show Me the Voice! Blogfest

Name: Deana Barnhart
Title: Remebered
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

The only thing Jonas was completely sure of was that Mackenzie Shae was going to die.  As he studied her walking along – practically bouncing – in step to the loud music still playing in the field behind her, he couldn’t help but stare.  Not that Mackenzie intrigued him.  No human had that affect on Jonas.  They were way too predictable.  Sure, she probably attracted a majority of the male population, but she was the whole reason this mess consumed him in the first place.  That annoyance completely trumped how she looked.

            Of course the bond between them continued to aggravate him as well.  He didn’t have time to ponder over some typical teenagers innermost thoughts.  So what if she turned misfit because her sister died?  What difference did it make that the boy standing at her side, eyes caressing her face like they could actually feel her skin, loved her, and she didn’t return that love?  Least of all did he enjoy that this link—which acted more like a shackle at times—forced him into caring.

            What he needed to worry about now consisted of finding out when and how Mackenzie would leave this life, and why he was hers to begin with.  It didn’t seem to him like she had anything extraordinary going for her.

As he waited for her to approach, many possibilities swam through his head in answer to those questions.  However, given all the ways he’d seen death take someone, he never, in the many centuries of doing his job, could have guessed he would actually be the cause.

Queries...AHHHHHH

This post is one filled with mixed emotions.  I am thrilled to say the first 312 words of my YA novel have been picked for third place in Gabriela's Birthday Bash Contest!  I've been doing some dancing let me tell ya. 
As a prize I get to have the uber-lovely Lora Rivera from the Claire Gerus Literary Agency critique my query. 
So this is where the mixed emotions part comes in...I haven't done one before.  I have about a million sites set as favorites giving me tips on how to write a killer query but I fear it like the plague.  For some reason putting a three hundred page book into a couple paragraphs sends me running for the hills. 

Enough whining!  There is no better than the present to get moving on it, especially with Ms. Rivera waiting patiently...or not, as the case may be.

In my quest for all things query, I found an e-book that I really like and thought I would spread the love.  Elana Johnson, From the Query to the Call  Check it out!    

3/12 Birthday Bash Contest Entry

Title: Angel Walker Series Book One: Remebered
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Status: WIP (3/4 finished)


          The only thing Jonas was completely sure of was that Mackenzie Shae was going to die.  As he studied her walking along – practically bouncing – in step to the loud music still playing in the field behind her, he couldn’t help but stare.  Not that Mackenzie intrigued him.  No human had that effect on Jonas.  They were way too predictable.  Sure, she probably attracted a majority of the male population, but she was the whole reason this mess consumed him in the first place.  That annoyance completely trumped how she looked.

            Of course the bond between them continued to aggravate him as well.  He didn’t have time to ponder over some typical teenagers innermost thoughts.  So what if she turned misfit because her sister died?  What difference did it make that the boy standing at her side, eyes caressing her face like they could actually feel her skin, loved her, and she didn’t return that love?  Least of all did he enjoy that this link—which acted more like a shackle at times—forced him into caring.

            What he needed to worry about now consisted of finding out when and how Mackenzie would leave this life, and why he was hers to begin with.  It didn’t seem to him like she had anything extraordinary going for her.

     As he waited for Mackenzie to approach, many possibilities swam through his head in answer to those questions.  However, given all the ways he’d seen death take someone, he never, in the many centuries of doing his job, could have guessed he would actually be the cause.

***

     Mackenzie was not usually the type to escape for fresh air in a portable bathroom, but extreme times called for extreme measures. Taking the ponytail holder from her wrist, she quickly wrapped her hair in a loose fitting ball on top of her head.  Having that small task accomplished

Writing Contests Worth Blogging About

Who doesn't love a contest where the end result could mean having your work critiqued by some amazing agents?  I know I do!  I found a couple that I thought I would share with anyone interested.  One begins today so if you have a polished manuscript and a blog then get to posting.

The 3/12 Birthday Bash (With Critiques from Agents)

Show Me the Voice!...Contest with Agent Natalie Fischer

Thanks to Gabriella at  Aspiring Writer's World, Brenda from Brenda Drake Writes...Under the Influence of Coffee and the wonderful agents willing to celebrate both of their birthdays the way a writer would want.

Changes

This has been something I have been working on since my last critique, but I have decided to do a major overhaul of my guardian angel story. 

Being a writer and learning as I go, I had to write a whole novel to realize that it wasn't what I wanted out of my writing.  I love that I think I am growing...I guess the agents I query will be the true judge of that though.

So far I have done three outlines (which totally works for me because I don't have to hold it all in my brain which is already exploding with thoughts to move the story along as I go).  These outlines are not even close to being uniform but they help me stay on the path intended.  When I see I'm veering off I make sure it is something I want to do and if it is I scribble down another outline. 

I am on chapter 10 and have decided the book is going to be called Angel Walker.  Well, it's what I like either as a first title or as the series name.

Here is a small blurb I wrote to semi-describe what the book is about.   Let me know what you think...is it catchy?  Is it lacking?  I'd love to get some opinions.

Mackenzie Shae discovers her destiny is unlike most seventeen year olds when she turns a guardian angel into a human with the mere touch of her hand.  How will she cope when she realizes she has stripped her only protector of his abilities in a time when she is being hunted by the evils of this world and the one beyond?

Momentary Lapse of Judgement

Don't you hate it when you have the best intentions only to belittle those intentions by not following through with them.

Such seems to be my life when it comes to writing.

Oh to describe what writing is to me...pure adrenalin, all encompassing, passionate and self fulfilling.  Those are just a few of the wonderful attributes that make it a love of my life.  To say it is a perfect union would be a lie.  It's more like an intense rendezvous filled with frenzy and intrigue, solace and oneness.  The ups and downs are many but they are all meaningful.

The problem comes when realization hits that it isn't just me and my computer riding off into the sunset.  My life is full of many wonderful things like children, a husband and a family.  It is also wrangled together with the hated things like guilt and self consciousness as well as the negatives I can't try to ignore such as moving three states over, paying bills, trying to sell a house in an unforgiving market and so on. 

Every day a battle wages in my head about what is more important, possibly fulfilling a lifelong dream of writing and being published or putting it on the back burner because I am not meeting the needs of the other 50 million things in my life. 

For a while writing was losing the fight when one day I talked to my husband who told me it was okay to let go and just do it.  Then my mom, same day, later that evening said, "You really need to finish this book Deana."

The other loves in my life are prepared to make sacrifices so I can do what truly makes me happy which is why they are so special and cause just as much emotion in me as does my writing.

So my quest has once again started.  It actually started a few weeks back and I feel the fires stoked and the power surging.  I am super charged and ready to go.

Look out world, a very passionate woman is on the verge of breaking free!

Crazy Days

Why doesn't life ever go the way you anticipate?  It drives me crazy but I should be accustomed to that just being the way it is.
Here I had planned on moving to KY, getting settled, starting NANO, finishing my book edit and going to the ANWA conference in Feb.
The moving part did happen but so far not one other thing has.  My Grandmother, whom I wrote about on my Mom's The Glue blog, went to the hospital for a headache and was kept for a tumor on her brain that was recently removed through surgery.  I have been there most of my days so naturally there has been time for nothing else.  I would actually have it no other way, I'm thankful that we moved when we did so I could be with her and to help the family out as needed. 
Disappointment, however, looms large when I don't complete tasks.  Instead of beating myself up, I just need a plan.  That is something I plan to work on this weekend.

In other news I found out about a really cool contest I thought I would share with my few and far between readers.  I'm entering and good luck to you if you try it out too!

YA Novel Contest

Anyone NANO?

This is the first year I have even heard of Nano (National Novel Writing Month).  I love the concept and I am really going to try and do it.  I have just moved to a new state so my life is in disarray plus I am trying to meet a deadline to complete the final edit on my current book.  This being said, I do have an idea brewing I would love to expand on and this is the perfect opportunity to get it out.  Even if I can't do the 50,000 words in 30 days it is worth writing something new daily. 

What about you?  Have you ever heard of NANO and are you going to participate this year? 

For anyone that wants to be my NANO buddy I am sunnyd31.  Come join me and we can help each other write awesome novels in a month!

Back to the Drawing Board

Yesterday I got my full critique back and (eye pop) it needs a ton of work!  Instead of discouraging me like I thought it would, however, it thrilled me to receive this feedback.  Since I wrote my book there have been things that have irked me...like Janie annoys me sometimes (she is the main character), Jonas is wishy washy (he is the guardian angel), and the beginning felt wrong. 
After I had read and edited my 390+ page manuscript more times than I care to count, the last thing I wanted to do was go on and do major changes.  I mean, seriously, where would I begin?
What I needed was a fresh pair of eyes and those eyes gave my some excellent suggestions with the very things that have bothered me.
The only thing that bums me out is that I don't know if I can pull all of this off by the conference in Feb!  I may have to actually cancel and go to a later one.  It breaks my heart but I don't want to pitch something that is unpitchable (is that even a word?)  Any hoo, not gonna let it get me down...just heading back to the drawing board.

I did it!

Well, I bit the bullet.  Registration opened up for the ANWA convention and I signed up!  I am so excited.  It is going to be a whopping $750 to cover the whole trip but I feel like it will be so worth it.
 I also signed up to pitch my book.  Just typing that last sentence makes me all nervous and tingly inside.  I keep thinking how many tons of people are going to be there doing the same exact thing and how possibly out of all those pitches could they think my book would be one to choose? 
I have to stop myself, though, because no matter what, this is a chance of a lifetime for me.  I can gather some really valuable information for this convention that can only help me, and if Kirk Shaw (editor over at Covenant) loves my book, that I happen to think is awesome, then that will be even better.
So Arizona, get ready because here I come!

Writing Conferences

I have never been to a writing conference and want to go to one so badly.  I would love to be able to pitch my book in front of an agent or publisher and see what their facial expression is in reguards to it. 

I was searching for some Writing conferences this weekend and found one that is right down my alley.  The 19th Annual ANWA Writers Conference.  It is an LDS (Latter Day Saint) conference and with my book being in that arena I feel this would be perfect for me! 

The only problem is that the conference is in Arizona and I live in Alabama (will be living in Kentucky in Feb. when the conference is being held).  What an opportunity to it would be for me to be able to go and just be in the thick of all that is writing.  I guess I will have to see how it pans out and if I can make my dreams a reality.

Any writers out there been to a conference?  Are they really as completely awesome as I am imaging them?

Full Book Critique

I am super duper pumped!!!  Let me tell you why...

I have done it.  I finally edited my book enough on my own that I feel satisfied to send the whole thing out into the world for some other opinions.  I am scared to death, let me tell you!  I spend enough time telling myself that it could be better and to possibly get a confirmation from others that it's true is terrifying, but you know what?  It has to be done.  I can only learn and grow from this process right?  These are the baby steps that I need to take in order to really become a great writer.  If I live in my own cocoon then I will never grow. 

For anyone out there looking for some awesome critique groups I am part of two.

A Writer's Block is a group that I joined last year and we do a chapter critique a month.  I love this group for grammar and immediate insight per chapter.  Plus as I have gotten to know these ladies I have grown to love them.  They're awesome!!!

Mormon Mommy Writer's is the other group I am a member of.  I am fairly new to this group but still just as excited about it.  Personally, for m this group will help me because I am writing an LDS Romance and this group can relate to that kind of perspective.  You don't have to be a Mormon to be a member of this group however.  With MMW, they have a critique group for chapters as well as a full book critique.  I opted for the full critique and hopefully can get some tips on my book as a whole.