Author: Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3

A3's Managing Editor Host, Genre Chat. Junior Agent for Cyle Young
Winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Published in MTL, Christian Rep and other online Magazines, Cherrilynn strives to write for the Glory of God. Currently, she is working on a series of non-fiction books and a YA mystery novel with her son. She is a Speaker with “WomenSpeakers.com” and “By Design Ministries". Cherrilynn resides in East Greenwich, RI with her husband and 15-year-old son, both named Michael; her M&m's.

Categories
Flash Fiction-Splickety Genre

Flash Fiction Endings: Satisfy Me, Baby

Flash Fiction Endings: Satisfy Me, Baby

By: Teddi Deppner

TeddiDeppner

In fiction, readers are looking for a vicarious experience. Every genre offers a different primary experience: adventure, romance, mystery, the wonder of discovering new worlds. While the endings for each genre might have a slightly different focus (mystery solved, romance culminated, quest achieved), the bottom line is the same: the reader must feel satisfied.

Let’s look at three of the most common mistakes authors make with flash fiction endings.

THE AMBIGUOUS ENDING

Ambiguous short story endings are tempting. We’ll never forget the first time we encountered ���������The Lady or the Tiger” [link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady,_or_the_Tiger%3F ], and want to achieve the same greatness. But open endings are extremely tricky. Readers want to be emotionally and mentally satisfied when the story ends, and wondering what happens next is rarely enjoyable.

DON’T end your story without a resolution. Readers invest time in your story; reward them and they will love you. Withhold the climax and they won’t risk investing more time in your work.

DO give the reader enough information to draw a conclusion. It can be a powerful experience when the reader finishes the story in their heads, but they must have confidence that they know what happened (and feel a sense of satisfaction about it). The burden of painting that unspoken picture by pointing all the clues in the same direction is on you, the author.

THE CUT-OFF ENDING

In my time as an acquisitions editor for Splickety, I have seen this so many times: an author ends the story the same way they might end the first chapter or scene of a novel. The characters are introduced, the conflict begins, and then it just stops. That’s not a story!

DON’T leave the reader hanging. Like any story, a flash fiction story needs a beginning, middle and an end. If the protagonist hasn’t resolved the conflict or achieved the goal, then the story isn’t over. A short story has a smaller scope than a full novel, so the resolution may not be saving the world. If the story is about falling in love, then the ending might be a simple act like reaching out to take a hand, or deciding to kiss the girl, or even saying “Yes” to the invitation to dinner. Emotional satisfaction can come from achieving a goal, making a firm decision, turning a corner in a struggle or turning a new leaf. If there is no change in the internal or external state of the character, there is no story.

 

THE CHEAT ENDING

The cheat ending is where everything in the story points toward one resolution, and then you deny the reader their expectation with some unexpected twist. Many writers have a sadistic streak hiding somewhere inside them, and sometimes they yield to this impulse. It feels very satisfying as a writer to pull this cheat on the reader, but remember: it’s the readers who need to feel the satisfaction, not the writer.

When you finish a story, look it over with satisfaction in mind. Every element of your story is a promise the reader is hoping you will fulfill. Your chosen genre is a promise: you should know why readers pick up a sci-fi story or a horror story and provide what they desire. Your protagonist is a promise: we expect him or her to learn something, to grow a little, to experience conflict and overcome it. Your setting is a promise: you should transport readers somewhere they’ve never been, or describe a place they know so well that they taste it again, as if for the first time.

 

Keep your promises, and your readers will not only leave satisfied, they will clamor for more.

 

[bctt tweet=”If there is no change in the internal or external state of the character, there is no story. ” username=”@A3forme”]

[bctt tweet=”Every element of your story is a promise the reader is hoping you will fulfill.” username=”@A3forme”]

AUTHOR BIO:

Teddi Deppner is an indie author, founder of the SpecficCollective http://specficcollective.com

and Associate Acquisitions Editor at Splickety Pub Group. http://splickety.com/

She’s also a homeschool mom, artist and an avid toy and nature photographer. Hear more about her projects at

http://www.teddideppner.com

https://twitter.com/teddideppner

https://www.facebook.com/teddideppnerguru

Categories
Bestsellers

Best Selling Author- Jerry B. Jenkins

Jerryb

 Welcome, Jerry. We are honored to have you partner with us. Can you share a little about your recent book?

The Valley of the Dry Bones (Worthy Publishing)

A 17-year drought, earthquakes, and wildfires leave California uninhabitable and irreparable, forcing its citizens to relocate. Fewer than 1% of its population remain—by choice or necessity. But a contingency of 16 feels called of God to stay at their own risk to minister to the stragglers. Calling themselves The Holdouts, they must live underground, finding water and food where they can, and producing their own fuel and other necessities. They face a clash of cultures, ethnicities, religions, and politics that pits friend against friend, with the future of the country at stake.

In the midst of the chaos, while facing their most menacing opponent, the unlikely but heroic leader of The Holdouts becomes convinced he’s heard directly from God Himself. The result is a finish you’ll never forget.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I was already a sportswriter when, as a teenager, I felt a call to full-time Christian service. I initially thought that signaled the end of my writing career, but a wise mentor told me that often God equips a person before He calls him. He told me to consider my writing as a vehicle to answer that call. Thus, to me, success has nothing to do with typical publishing earmarks like awards, bestseller lists, or royalty checks.

Regardless what happens with my books, I succeed every day merely by obeying the call.

My theme, message, or goal for any writing project is to share my faith and point readers to Christ. Due to my worldview, not every book ends with everything tied in a neat bow, but they do all carry themes of repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope.

How long have you been writing?

I began writing for pay as a 14-year-old sportswriter for a local newspaper.

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?

My first book was published in 1974, accepted by the second publisher to which I submitted it.

My first New York Times bestseller was my 75th book.

My first multimillion-copy bestseller was my 125th.

The Valley of the Dry Bones was my 189th.

I consider myself mono-gifted. I don’t sing or dance or preach; writing (and teaching writing at JerryJenkins.com) is all I do.

How long does it take you to write a book?

A lifetime, Seriously, it varies with length and genre. At my peak of productivity, I was publishing several books per year, though some of those were shorter works for younger readers. I now average around two books every three years. Actually, I recently published a guide for how I write books, which you can find here.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

I write only on deadline, and then I keep a fairly rigid regimen: I’m at the keyboard shortly after breakfast, and the work I do before noon will be the best I do all day. I begin with a heavy edit and rewrite of the pages I wrote the day before. Then I turn off my internal editor and write my pages for the present day.

I consider that draft just a hunk of meat to be carved the next day.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

Though it may not seem so from the volume of my production, I am a procrastinator. Before starting any book, I become a neatnik and must have everything else done, including sharpening more than a dozen pencils—despite that I haven’t written with a pencil since sixth grade.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

The highlight of my career was assisting Billy Graham with his memoir, Just As I Am.

It has also been an unspeakable joy to hear personally from thousands of people who tell me they came to faith as a result of reading the Left Behind Series®.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

Fortunately, my darkest moments have not been career-related.

Which of your books is your favorite?

Riven (Tyndale House), a novel. I had the idea and the characters in mind for nearly 2 decades before I wrote it all in one long rush. It’s also my longest book, so readers who don’t like it can use it as a doorstop.

Who is your favorite author to read?

I believe our greatest living American writer is Rick Bragg. His memoir, All Over but the Shoutin’, is a poetic masterpiece I read at least once a year. Some writers make you want to emulate them; Bragg makes me want to simply surrender to his superiority and enjoy the read.

What advice can you give aspiring writers?

Writers are readers; good writers are good readers; great writers are great readers.

What encouragement would you give an aspiring writer?

  • Don’t start your writing career with a book. That would be like starting your educational career in grad school instead of kindergarten. Get a quarter million clichés out of your system, polish your prose, hone your skills. Be edited. A book is not where you start; it’s where you arrive.
  • Allow yourself to be bad before you expect to be good. Babies don’t walk from birth. First, they roll over. Then they crawl. Then their first steps are halting, and they usually wind up on their rear ends.
  • The same is true with reading, riding a bicycle, dancing, public speaking, or becoming proficient at any skill. Cut yourself some slack and give yourself time to learn.
  • Develop a thick skin.
  • Learn to take criticism.
  • Join a critique group.
  • Engage a mentor.
  • Read everything there is to read, especially in your genre.
  • Carve out the time to write; you won’t find it in your schedule—you have to create it.
  • Read The Elements of Style
  • Take your writing career seriously and insist that others do as well. Before you become a professional, you need to act like one—investing in the right tools of the trade and creating as ideal workspace as possible.
  • Do not sacrifice your family on the altar of your writing career. Maintain your priorities so that when you do sit down to write, you’ll work without guilt and find yourself more productive than ever.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

My favorite villain was Nicolae Carpathia, the antichrist in the Left Behind Series®.

My favorite scene is from Nicolae, when Chaim Rosensweig is discovered by a man he assumes is a guard assigned to kill him, and it turns out the man is an angel assigned to protect him.

Where do you get your ideas?

I make them up.  Usually, they are a combination of seemingly disparate impressions that rattle around in my brain until a story begins to take shape. If it sticks with me and won’t leave me alone and I keep embellishing it, I assume it will have legs and readers will stay interested. If I lose enthusiasm for it, I let it die before I start writing.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

The Five Most Common Mistakes I See in Beginners’ Manuscripts http://bit.ly/29saRw7

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

  • Local paper
  • Blog
  • Guest blog
  • Local and regional market magazines
  • E-zines
  • On the Inspirational side, Sunday School Papers

the-valley-of-the-dry-bones

Jerry B. Jenkins is a novelist and biographer with 21 New York Times bestsellers, 7 of which debuted at No. 1. His books have sold more than 70 million copies worldwide. He is the former Vice President for Publishing at the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and now serves on Moody’s board of trustees.

He is the writer of the Left Behind Series® and has written biographies of such luminaries as Hank Aaron, Walter Payton, Orel Hershiser, Meadowlark Lemon, Nolan Ryan, and many others. He assisted Bill Graham with his memoir, Just As I Am.

Jerry owns the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, a subscription site for budding writers.

He has been married to Dianna since 1971, and they have three grown sons and eight grandchildren. Jerry lives in Colorado. www.JerryJenkins.com

 

Categories
KISS: Writing Engaging Proposals

Why Your Bio Isn’t About You

Why Your Bio Isn’t About You
by: Nichole Parks

It’s not personal. It’s business.
Think about it. A bio highlights your credibility—or should—so the reader or agent knows you know what you’re talking about. And although it’s not the time or place to share your life story, your bio shouldn’t be the CliffNotes version of your resume either.
Borrring.
From this day forward, I’d like you to treat the bio as a marketing tool.
What do I mean by that? I mean: the bio is the place to show off your likability, not just your credentials.
During my college paper days, one of the columnist changed his bio weekly. Often it dovetailed with his latest topic. And let me tell you. I looked forward to reading that punchy, little paragraph more than the column itself.
Now, don’t worry. I’m not advocating anything that drastic.
The thing is, if you engage your audience through your bio, you’re not just building a brand. . . You’re building a tribe. You’re growing a following. People aren’t just looking for a message any longer. They’re looking for a leader.
They’re looking for you.
In order to best reach them, I’d like you to consider three elements before writing your next bio. Ready?
1. Know thy message
Actually, know thy messages. You should have two. The primary message is your brand/genre. Depending on your genre and voice, this will shape the tone of your bio. The secondary message is whatever topic you’re teaching on.
For example, I’m a romance writer blogging about how to make sections of a book proposal into marketing copy.
So mine reads something like this:
Nichole Parks (not to be mistaken for Nicholas Sparks) prefers long scrolls through Pinterest to long walks on the beach. Typical marketing coordinator. Even though she’s flirted with most aspects of publishing, short and condensed proposals make her the happiest girl in the world. What can she say? The heart wants what it wants. And hers loves to KISS (Keep it simple, sweetie).
2. Know thy audience.

This is the part where you connect with the reader on a personal level. You share X, Y, or Z in common. It’s not always hobbies for favorites.
Come August, I’ll be teaching a workshop at Taylor University’s Writers Conference. Of course, one of the conference’s goals is to recruit new students.
Despite the fact that my workshop is on publicity, the most important information for my audience is not that I’m a romance-lovin’ marketing coordinator. But a) that Nichole Parks is an alumni of the Professional Writing Department, and b) she has a job in the area of her degree.
3. Keep It Simple, Sweetie.
Try not to cram all your accolades in at once. Instead, prioritize your message and let your voice flow.
So often you’ll hear “show don’t tell” when it comes to fiction. Well, I hope you show your readers just how amazing you are and what a friend you can be to them.
Because this business—it is personal. Even if it’s not about you.

Taylor University’s Professional Writing Conference  link: http://bit.ly/1PzZYvM

NicoleParks

 

 

 

Nichole Parks (not to be mistaken for Nicholas Sparks) prefers long scrolls through Pinterest to long walks on the beach. Typical marketing coordinator. Even though she’s flirted with most aspects of publishing, a sweet and condensed proposal makes her the happiest girl in the world. What can she say? The heart wants what it wants. And hers loves to KISS (Keep it simple, sweetie).

Website: https://nicholeparks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNicholeParks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheNicholeParks

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheNicholeParks/

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/TheNicholeParks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenicholeparks

Categories
Guest post archive

Promote Your Book Like A Pro

Promote Your Book Like a Pro

by DiAnn Mills
Authors are in search of the holy grail of book promotion. We read blogs and follow prominent writers who are the gurus of mastering marketing and promotion. After a while, all the posts are a maze of saying the same thing with different terminology.

For certain, word of mouth is the best advertisement in the world.

Social media is the number one method of communicating messages, whether it is conducting meetings, sharing stats and data, news, or exchanging photos with family and friends. The separation of personal and professional communication has merged together to keep up with the latest news and trends. The world is mobile, and that means knowledge is accessed through online and mobile devices, and it doesn’t matter the language or culture because everyone with a mobile device can be reached.

That’s the most positive news for writers. Experts estimate 7.4 billion people will be using mobile social media by the end of 2016. Do the search on Google—there are more mobile devices in the world than people.

This is sounding better and better for writers!

We can all be more savvy, more data and statistics driven to increase our brand awareness and sales. But what does that mean for us as professional writers?

The best way to reach readers is through social media.

That’s exciting. Thrilling.

So let’s make a commitment to the following.

1. I will ensure my brand is solid and highly developed.
2. I will learn how to efficiently and effectively post on Facebook and Twitter.
3. I will blog regularly on a site that receives numerous hits and is highly respected in the publishing industry.
4. I will follow those within the publishing industry who offer expert advice about social media. I value these sites: Social Media Examiner, Pro Blogger, Blogging Bistro, HubSmart, Michael Hyatt, The Author Roadmap, and others to bring you valuable information.
5. I will post at least once a day on Facebook and Twitter.
6. I will learn how to use Hootsuite or Buffer, hashtags, tweetables, and blog organization.
7. I will share other posts and help other writers become more proficient in their careers.
8. I will congratulate myself for stepping up to the plate and giving my book a winning season.

The following are additional resources.

Free Images:
https://pixabay.com/
https://unsplash.com/
https://stocksnap.io/

Hashtag Creation:
http://hashtaggenerator.com/
https://www.hashtags.org

Meme:
http://www.picmonkey.com/
http://wordswag.co/

Social Media Aids, Helps, and Instruction:
http://www.lynda.com/nmhpexp2

Tweetable Creation:
https://bitly.com/
https://clicktotweet.com/

Twitter:
https://manageflitter.com/
https://buffer.com/
https://hootsuite.com/
https://bitly.com/
https://clicktotweet.com

Twitter Extras:
Find out who’s unfollowed you – http://who.unfollowed.me/
Free Twitter Analytics: http://bit.ly/1licFw2
Twitter Marketing Tips: The Complete List http://www.socialquant.net/twitter-marketing-tips/
How to Promote Your Blog and Twitter – http://coschedule.com/blog/how-to-promote-your-blog/#twitter
Online meetings:
www.zoom.com
www.skye.com
www.gotomeeting.com

Productivity and Organization:
Do More Better by Tim Challies
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Let’s make our brand known! Comment here if you’ve decided to take the social media marketing and promotion challenge. Your name will be entered in a random drawing for a personalized copy of Deadly Encounter. Deadline is August 15th!

Connect with me here – www.diannmills.com

DiAnn Mills headshot

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

 

Categories
Writing for Transformation: Bible Studies and Devotions

Don’t Let Hebrew Make a Donkey Out of You

 

by Leigh Powers

The speaker lost me at the donkey. He was a charismatic, engaging speaker who made some great points based on Scripture. But when he built a major point around the idea that the Hebrew word for donkey in 1 Samuel 9:3 actually meant flowing, he lost me. For one thing, I was pretty sure that the Hebrew word for donkey means donkey. That’s why all the major English translations render it as donkey. It’s also kind of hard to saddle up a “flowing” and go for a ride.
I tried to give him some grace. Maybe he meant the words came from the same root? But it didn’t sound right to me, and the uncertainty made me question the rest of what he was saying. When I got home I pulled out my trusty lexicon. Sure enough, donkey actually meant donkey. I checked several other Hebrew dictionaries and grammar tools but couldn’t find any connection between the Hebrew word for donkey used in this passage and the word flowing.
That speaker lost some credibility with me that day. I’m sure he got his information from somewhere. Maybe his pastor said it, or maybe he read a book that made the same point. But I couldn’t verify it, and the questionable definition made him seem less reliable. Yet we know insights from the biblical languages can add color and depth to our handling of Scripture. How can you draw insights from Greek and Hebrew without letting the biblical languages make a donkey out of you?
1. Use the right tools. So you’ve got an awesome insight you read somewhere, or want to borrow a powerful illustration based on the meaning of a Greek word your pastor shared last Sunday. Do your own research. Even if you don’t know the biblical languages, you can still find some insights from tools such as Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, The Complete Old and New Testament Word Study Dictionary by Spiros Zodhiates, William Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, or A.T. Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament. You can also look up terms using an interlinear Greek or Hebrew Bible that is keyed to Strong’s Concordance. Don’t forget about solid commentaries, either. Good commentaries written by Old and New Testament scholars frequently add insights based on the syntax or the meaning of Greek or Hebrew words.
2. Don’t pretend like you know more than you do. Cite your sources. You can do this in the body of your text or by using footnotes, but make sure your reader knows where the information is coming from. You gain credibility by citing valid sources.
3. Consider the context. We can gain great insights from things like understanding the difference between agape and phileo love, but sometimes people take so-called insights into the biblical languages in strange directions. The same word can mean different things in different contexts and in different time periods. For example, the word cannonball means two different things when you’re talking about a battlefield or an afternoon at the pool. While the meanings are linked, trying to read war symbolism into a scene from a middle-grade novel about a boy jumping into a pool would probably be more than a little off track. And yet people do the same kinds of things with Scripture. Just because a word has a particular nuance in one place doesn’t mean it has that shade of meaning everywhere it’s used. Again, do your research and make sure the meaning you’re highlighting is relevant to the immediate context.
If we’re going to handle the Word of God, we need to do so with accuracy and truth. That means teaching what is true—not manipulating supposed meanings of biblical languages to make a point that isn’t there. Do your research. Cite your sources. Check the context, and teach with confidence.

Leigh Powers is an award-winning Bible study and devotional writer, freelance editor, pastor’s wife, and speaker from small-town West Texas. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and writes regularly for publishers such as BaptistWay Press, Smyth & Helwys, and Union Gospel Press. She strives to combine solid biblical teaching with real-world application and is passionate about seeing lives changed as we encounter God through his Word.

Blog: http://leighpowers.com/

Facebook: www.facebook/com/leighpowersministries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leigh_powers

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lapowers25/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighp25/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+LeighPowers25/posts

Categories
Bestsellers

Best Selling Author Angela Ackerman

Angela Ackerman

Angela Ackerman

Your writing thesauruses are such a help to writers, how do you feel knowing that thousands of writers use these resources in their own writing?

It is pretty surreal, and something I may never quite get used to. But it feels wonderful to know that we are helping writers in a very concrete way, and that more are achieving their dreams as a result.

 Do you have any more thesaurus books in the works?

Becca and I are working on two volumes for The Setting Thesaurus. Like our Positive and Negative Trait books, the topic of setting is just too huge to fit in one book. We’re very excited about this collection and have researched the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and textures for nearly 250 different locations. It will be a great resource, I hope. We’re looking to release those in late spring of 2016.

How is it working with your co-writer?

When I think about working with Becca, I really need to use my Emotion Thesaurus because so many good feelings burst out of me. She is a terrific partner, both as a co-author and as a business owner (we own two companies together). We have strengths that really complement one another, which means we are an effective team with a unified vision. I think we make great writerly music together!

How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?

I have been writing since 2007 in the middle grade and young adult area, and then in 2012, Becca and I self-published The Emotion Thesaurus. We followed that up with our Positive and Negative Trait Thesaurus books in 2014. Since choosing self-publishing we have turned down several traditional deals, finding there to be more advantages by remaining in control of our books. That said, we have sold foreign rights for The Emotion Thesaurus to publishers in Korea, Romania and are currently inking a deal with one in Japan.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I would say all told about a year, tip to toe, but it really depends on the content of the book. The Positive and Negative Trait Thesaurus books are deeply rooted in psychology, and so we had to spend a lot of time understanding human behavior and motivation in order to teach it as a character building principle. Likewise, the Setting Thesaurus books require a lot of travel, as Becca and I have tried to visit the locations featured whenever possible to ensure the details are authentic.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

Busy, so busy! I go full out from the morning to later in the evening, juggling book writing, teaching, marketing and getting new projects off the ground. Our most recent one was to take all of our thesaurus collections (the ones in book form and those found at our Writers Helping Writers blog) and create a website to house all the content. One Stop For Writers released October 7th, 2015, a joint collaboration between Becca, myself, and Lee Powell, the creator of Scrivener for Windows. We are so thrilled to see all our descriptive content enhanced and so well organized at our One Stop site, and know this will become a game-changing resource for many writers.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I write slow. It is such a pain because I have a lot to share, so many books I would love to write. Oh well, slow and steady wins the race, right?

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

I absolutely love hearing from writers who have used our books or our site and being told the difference our resources have made in their writing. That will always be the biggest joy for me. But I would say being the international guest speaker this past August in Australia was pretty amazing as well. It was also really neat when foreign rights agents started contacting us. I’ve been lucky and have enjoyed many great moments, too many to name. But I am looking forward to the day when my time opens up a bit and I can get back to my fiction, because this is still my dream.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

Probably the frustration of being so close to a traditional deal (with my fiction), and still not managing to get one. It is hard when you do everything right, you have an agent, your book is going to acquisitions, and you still don’t leave with a contract. However, that was the old Angela. The new one has realized that the need for that type of validation is really harmful, and I know that no matter what happens with my fiction moving forward, I’ll never end up in that same dark place again.

Which of your books is your favorite?

Such an unfair question, ha-ha. This is like asking a mother which child is her favorite. I think The Emotion Thesaurus will always be special because it was my first, but I know The Negative Trait Thesaurus holds the most value for elevating one’s writing craft. There is a lot of meaty content in that one. So I’m going to say it’s a tie between those two.

Who is your favorite author to read?

Again, I have many, but I really enjoy Martina Boone (Compulsion), Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone), and Rick Riordan (his Percy Jackson Series).

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too?

Please don’t be in a rush to publish. There are so many books out there to compete with, so to succeed you need to really hone your writing first. Take the time to read, write, and study the craft so your first book shines on the shelf.

What is the single greatest tool you believe a writer should have in his or her toolbox?

One Stop For Writers, definitely. We’ve only just started adding to this online library, but already it is a powerhouse of writing information geared to help people elevate their storytelling. With so many resources in one place, writers will become stronger quicker, and spend less time trying to find the right details for a story and more time actually writing it.

Where do you get your ideas?

For fiction, it often starts with a sound, or a smell or something sensory. A plastic bag caught on a branch, flapping in the wind. The scrape of dead leaves being pushed across the sidewalk. The smell of cinnamon. For me these things will trigger a flash, an image of a scene to come, and there’s this feeling that there’s a great story there if I dig at it.

For our thesaurus books, I simply think about what writers need most, and what I need most! And then I seek to build it.

 

Bio:

Angela Ackerman is a writing coach, international speaker and co-author of several bestselling writing books, including The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression. She loves building communities, and her newest project, One Stop For Writers, is a powerhouse online library like no other, filled with description and brainstorming tools to help writers elevate their storytelling. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook and at her website, Writers Helping Writers.

one-stop-for-writers-badge-xsmall

http://writershelpingwriters.net/author/angela/

 

Categories
Genre Mastering Middle Grade

What is Middle Grade, Anyway?

What is Middle Grade, Anyway?

by Kelli McKinney

When I tell someone I write middle grade fantasy, usually their response is “That’s nice,” followed by a polite comment about the weather and/or the time.
But sometimes I meet a brave soul who asks, “What’s middle grade? Is that, like, C+? Are you saying you write passing-level fantasy books?”
To be fair, I didn’t know middle grade was a genre until a few years ago. So I’m not picking on anyone. I’m still learning as I go, reading everything I can, and going to writers’ conferences as much as my budget will allow.
As part of that learning, I had the opportunity to interview Nancy Lohr, Acquisitions Editor for Journey Forth press. She says that middle grade is best defined by its readers.
Middle grade is the reader space between fourth grade and eighth grade; readers ages eight to 12. It’s smack dab in the tween years. These are kids who are too old for early readers but not mature enough for young adult books.
I love middle grade. They’re explorers, seeking the world through stories. They’re reading to complete an assignment for school, but they’re also reading to be entertained. These little explorers are also known to occasionally curl up next to a parent and ask them about a phrase or word they don’t understand.
The most widely-read middle grade books might be a series about a boy wizard or a long-lost Greek hero, but fantastic middle grade stories have been around a long time. For example:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Charlotte’s Web by EB White
Holes by Louis Sachar
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Many of you might be thinking, “I read that when I was a kid. Those are middle grade?”
Yes. Here’s how you know:
1) The structure: There’s no “Jack sat on a mat” here. Word choice and sentence structure are more complex, because the middle grade reader is an independent reader.
2) The protagonist: Kids tend to read about slightly older kids. You’ll see protagonists from age 10-14 in middle grade books.
3) The problems: Middle graders are trying to figure out their place in the world. For most of them the world revolves around friendships and family. Puberty also wreaks havoc during this time.
Which brings me to why they’re so hard to write for. One of the most consistent things I’ve heard at writing conferences and read on other blogs is that for middle grade, content is key. We’re writing for readers who consider picture books ‘for babies’ and who are too young for mature themes.
How does a writer know what topics are too mature or too young for eight- to 12-year-olds? After all, every child is different, and there are so many things to learn in the world. As Ms. Lohr so gracefully put it, asking someone else what to write about is like asking them what you should have for dinner. Nobody else knows your pantry – not to mention your allergies – the way you do.
The best stories we write are ones that are ours to tell – those tales that spring from our souls. We risk trouble when we decide we’re going to teach a lesson. When we declare “XYZ topic is important. Kids need to know. I am the one to teach them.” This is where temptation deludes us into thinking that we can raise someone else’s child better than their own families.
If you want to write for middle grade, Ms. Lohr suggests, ask yourself this question:
“Where do we cross the line of Mark 9:42? And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”
Middle grade readers, like all children, are precious readers. May the words we choose and the stories we tell be used to inspire, not offend.

Sources:
Alison Weiss, Sky Pony Press, presentation at SCBWI August, 2015: Ten Things to Know about Writing for Middle Grade
http://writeforkids.org/2014/01/the-difference-between-middle-grade-young-adult/
Nancy Lohr, Journey Forth Press, interview
Nancy Lohr, Journey Forth Press, continuing workshop at BRMCWC May, 2016

 

Kelli McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time marketer, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing for kids. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK.

Categories
Guest post archive

Conquering Impatience On The Path To Publication

Angela Ackerman is our Best Selling Author for the month of July.  She has blessed us with some encouragement in the meantime.

Conquering Impatience on the path to publication

by Angela Ackerman
Recently some writing friends and I were discussing which virtues are the most important for those of us on the path to publication. We talked about the courage needed to write from the heart and to put ourselves out there, and how we must dig for internal fortitude to give us the strength to persevere. This led to realizing that one of the most important virtues is actually patience, and how it plays a vital role in staving off discouragement, depression, frustration, and doubt.
Patience. Boy, that is a tough one some days, isn’t it? Especially when it seems like everyone’s ship has come in but ours.
Writing is a long journey. Most of you are probably involved in writing sites, forums, critique groups, and the like, connecting with others on the writing path. You read blogs, encourage others, and keep tabs on those striving to get published just as you are. This is what it means to be a community. But the dark side to belonging to a community is that it can sometimes cause a crisis of faith. It can be a hard battle to stay patient and upbeat when other succeed but we have not (yet).
Don’t get me wrong, we cheer for every sale and piece of good news that comes to our writer friends! But, sometimes a sliver inside us feels something else. Frustration. Envy. Worry. Doubt. These emotions lead to a plague of questions: Why haven’t I succeeded? Why isn’t it my turn for good news? Why can’t this be me? Am I kidding myself for even trying?
It’s very easy to let these negative questions send us on a downward spiral, sucking away our energy, our creativity, and our strength to continue. Impatience will lead us down this dark road. So how do we fight it? How do we build up our resistance and stay optimistic?
The best way to conquer impatience is to take it out of the equation. Ask yourself, once my book is in an editor’s hands, is there anything I can do writing-wise to make them say yes? No, there isn’t. Can I make them read faster, get back to me faster? Again, no. So, why stress about it? These are things we have no control over.
Don’t Just Sit There, Though…Take Action
Being idle when waiting for something to happen isn’t the answer either. So think about what you do have control over, and what actions you can take. Here’s three to get you started:
• Create an impressive view for the editor or agent who may look you up online. When the writing is done, consider putting time and energy into building a stronger online platform.
• Continue to write and polish in case they want to see something else. Let go of the book that’s on submission and turn to the next project. There’s always more writing to be done.
• Adopt the learner mindset and grow your craft. Continue to hone your writing craft so a cleaner product reaches their desk. None of us know everything–we can always improve. Learning is growing.
Things like these are all within our control, so this is where our focus should be. Even if one chooses to self-publish, rushing will only lead to heartache. There is no substitute for taking your time and making sure your very best book is what makes it into the hands of readers.
One solid fact to remember, no matter where you’re at on the publishing trail is if you keep moving forward, you’ll get there. I believe this. I live it. So, the next time impatience and negativity cloud your head space, TAKE CONTROL. Fight by putting your energy into things that will lead to your success.Angela Ackerman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela Ackerman is a writing coach, international speaker and co-author of several bestselling writing books, including The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression. She loves building communities, and her newest project, One Stop For Writers, is a powerhouse online library like no other, filled with description and brainstorming tools to help writers elevate their storytelling. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook and at her website, Writers Helping Writers.

https://www.onestopforwriters.com/

Categories
Tour Uncategorized

Blog Tour- Morgan L. Busse

morgan-busse-NLR-5

What is the title of your latest book, Morgan?

Tainted.

Please give us an overview.

What Happens When Your Soul Dies?
Kat Bloodmayne is one of the first women chosen to attend the Tower Academy of Sciences. But she carries a secret: she can twist the natural laws of life. She has no idea where this ability came from, only that every time she loses control and unleashes this power, it kills a part of her soul. If she doesn’t find a cure soon, her soul will die and she will become something else entirely.
After a devastating personal loss, Stephen Grey leaves the World City Police Force to become a bounty hunter. He believes in justice and will stop at nothing to ensure criminals are caught and locked up. However, when Kat Bloodmayne shows up in his office seeking his help, his world is turned upside down.
Together they search World City and beyond for a doctor who can cure Kat. But what they discover on the way goes beyond science and into the dark sphere of magic.
Book one of The Soul Chronicles series.

Why do you write what you do?: I love to tell stories and through those stories, I want to touch my readers’ hearts. I want to remind them that even though this world is broken, and sometimes it seems like the darkness around us is overwhelming, we are not alone. God is with us, and He will never leave us. That is why I write.

What are you currently working on?: I am working on the edits for Awakened, book 2 of my steampunk series, The Soul Chronicles.

How does your work differ from other work in its genre?: Well, considering there are few steampunk books to begin with, and even fewer Christian steampunk, there are not a lot of books to compare Tainted with. And now I can hear someone asking what exactly is steampunk?
Steampunk is a fusion of our history (usually the Victorian Era or the Wild West) and fantasy/science fiction/or both. Some examples of Steampunk would be Jules Vernes or the movie Wild West. A story with a historical and speculative feel where the technology is advanced for that period of time and runs on steam. That’s steampunk.
Now how my steampunk differs from others is that instead of the usual inventor character, my character is a scientist. But her problem has to do with her soul, and no amount of science can help her, only God can.


How does your writing process work?: I’m a plotter. I start planning my stories out years in advance, keeping all my ideas in a folder on my computer. Then, when I’m ready to start writing, I get out my storyboard (a large corkboard) and I plan out the story by writing down all the ideas I’ve collected on 3×5 cards. For about a week I think through my story and figure out how everything fits together, what are the major plot twists, and how does the story end.
After I am done, I have my entire story outlined on my storyboard, and this becomes my map once I start writing. For the most part, I stick to my plot.
As far as writing the story, it takes me 6-9 months to write the rough draft, writing 1k words every day, 4 days a week. But I finish with a pretty clean manuscript that just needs a little more deepening and then off it goes to my editor!  

 Morgan L. Busse writes fantasy and steampunk for the adult market. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series, including Daughter of Light, Christy, and Carol Award finalist. Morgan lives on the West Coast with her husband and four children. You can find out more about Morgan at www.morganlbusse.com

Social Media and Blog: Website: www.morganlbusse.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morganlbusseauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorganLBusse (@MorganLBusse)
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/morganlbusse
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5827587.Morgan_L_Busse
My books: http://www.enclavepublishing.com/authors/morgan-busse/
tainted

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Tainted-Soul-Chronicles-Book-1/dp/1621840670/ref

 

Categories
Bestsellers

Best Selling Author-Bette Lee Crosby

 

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Can you share a little about your recent book –

I just finished “Baby Girl” which is book 4 in the Memory House Series. “Baby Girl” is a mother’s story. It’s about the greatest sacrifice a mother can make when she wants only the best for her child. It’s about falling in and out of love, of losing and finding one’s self. It’s about the perilous journey from passionate young love to happy true love and understanding the differences between the two.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I write because I am a storyteller. It is part of my DNA. I come from a long line of Southerners who are by their very nature storytellers. What I hope people take away from my books is the feeling that although life has its ups and downs, if you look for the good side, you’ll find it.
How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?

I wrote for business long before I turned to writing fiction. I began writing fiction about 10 years ago, but only published my first novel in 2010. After a less than rewarding experience with a traditional style publisher, I decided to go the Indie route and have been very happy doing so.

How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends upon the book. Some have taken as long as a year and some as short as three months.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

LOL – work every day. I do my best writing early in the day and I spend most of the day writing. When I feel that I am no longer being creative, I take a break, go for a walk, play with the dog, or make a cup of tea – then I come back refreshed and ready to work.

 Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I get VERY into the head of my characters, so I often include short mini-chapters written in the first person viewpoint of different characters. That way the reader not only follows the storyline, but also know how the characters feel about one another.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

Meeting so many wonderful friends and fans. That is very rewarding.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

I can’t honestly say there have been “dark” moments. When something doesn’t go the way I’d hoped it would, I try to look at it as a learning experience and say next time I’ll do better.

Which of your books is your favorite?

That’s a loaded question…kind of like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. But, I have to say my personal favorites are Spare Change and Passing through Perfect. Basically because in both books there is a character that I absolutely love. In Spare Change it is the 11 year old boy – Ethan Allen. And in Passing through Perfect it is Benjamin.

Who is your favorite author to read?

I don’t have a favorite author, I have favorite books. My favorite genre is definitely Southern Fiction.

 What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too?

The best advice I can give any aspiring author is to write because it is what they love to do, not because they think they’ll make a million dollars on that first book. And before you hit “publish” make certain that book is ready to be published – this means silky smooth and without errors.

What is the single greatest tool you believe a writer should have in his or her toolbox?

A good editor. A good proofreader. And a good formatter. – No matter how great a story is, it will get buried under negative comments if it isn’t edited and formatted properly.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

When I first started writing fiction, I started approaching literary agents and more times than I can count I got a rejection saying that it was a good story, but I simply didn’t have a platform. At the time I didn’t even know what a platform was. Now I do. It’s your following – the people who read your blog, like your Facebook Page and follow you on Goodreads and Twitter. So while rejections can be considered a “dark” moment, they in fact became a learning experience.

 Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

Ethan Allen in Spare Change and Benjamin in Passing through Perfect.

 Where do you get your ideas?

Mostly from life experiences. From stories of things that have happened to someone I know or love. It happens one way and I think about – what if I took that same scenario and let it happen another way.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

Hitting the “Publish” button before their book is really ready.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

Self-publishing platforms have made it very easy for almost anyone to publish a book now, but I think aspiring authors might learn from my experience and build a platform before they put that book out there. Polish their craft by writing blog posts geared toward the audience they will be writing for. If Science Fiction is your preferred genre, try writing some short stories and setting up your own blog. Review Science Fiction books on your blog. Write about the things you like to read about, then others who like Science Fiction will start to follow your blog and voila… you have a platform!

CracksInTheSidewalk2-1400px(1) copyMemory House - ebook

Bette Lee Crosby
USA Bestselling Author

USA Today Bestselling Author and Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby brings the wit and wisdom of her Southern Mama to works of fiction—the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away.

“Storytelling is in my blood,” Crosby laughingly admits, “My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write.”

Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. Since then, she has gone on to win another twenty literary awards, including the Royal Palm Literary Award, The Reviewer’s Choice Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal and the Reader’s Favorite International Book Award Gold Medal.

Her published novels to date are: Cracks in the Sidewalk (2009), Spare Change (2011), The Twelfth Child (2012), Cupid’s Christmas (2012), What Matters Most (2013), Jubilee’s Journey (2013), Previously Loved Treasures (2014), Blueberry Hill, A Sister’s Story (2014) Passing through Perfect (2015) and Memory House (2015). She also authored “Life in the Land of IS” a memoir of Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as the world’s longest living quadriplegic.

Bette Lee Crosby’s book Passing through Perfect won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Inspirational Fiction and is a RONE Award Nominee.

Author Links:

Blog: http://betteleecrosby.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3222582.Bette_Lee_Crosby

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bette-Lee-Crosby/e/B005TLT1PK/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bette-lee-crosby/id662962062?mt=11

Categories
Bestsellers

Bestselling Author- Warren Adler

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[author title=”Warren Adler” image=”http://http://www.almostanauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/warrenadler.jpg”]Warren Adler has just launched Writers of the World, an online community for writers to share their stories about why they began writing. Warren His Film/TV projects currently in development include the Hollywood sequel to The War of the Roses – The War of the Roses: The Children, along with other projects including Capitol Crimes, a television series based on Warren Adler’s Fiona Fitzgerald mystery novels, as well as a feature film based on Warren Adler and James Humes’ WWII thriller, Target Churchill. Explore more at www.warrenadler.com and www.greyeaglefilms.com[/author]

 

Can you share a little about your recent book –

The novel I most recently finished is titled TORTURE MAN. The story deals with two loaded topics – terrorism and torture, among other themes. The story follows the privileged life of prominent anti-war activist Sarah Raab as her life begins to splinter after her daughter is kidnapped. Desperate to save her, Sarah turns to former CIA operative Carl Helman, a man she has only just met and who stands against everything she has been fighting for. You can find out more about the book here.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I have to write. It’s necessary for my survival and endurance. So I write feverishly every single day of my life. My themes deal primarily with intimate human relationships, the mysterious nature of love and attraction, the fragile relationships between husbands and wives and parents and children, the corrupting power of money, the aging process and other important universal themes.

How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?

I’ve wanted to be a novelist since I was fifteen years old. Various obstacles prevented me from becoming a full-time writer. I was 45 years old when my first novel was published. I’m now in my ninth decade of life and I’m still going as strong as ever with my novels and my forthcoming film developments.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Most of my books have taken about as long as it takes to grow a baby in a woman’s womb, from conception to birth. Just as in the creation of a human being, it is a miracle.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

Throughout my early career, I would write from five to ten in the morning every day before going to my office, a habit that has stayed with me since.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

What is a writing quirk?  If you mean my writing habits, I rise, have breakfast, read digital news, go into my writing room and go to work. In writing my novels I try to do five pages a day at the minimum. From long experience over many years I have learned that once immersed in a novel my subconscious is deep at work in composing “what happens next” whether I am aware of it or not. My primary fear is returning to work the next morning, confronting a blank page, and not knowing where the novel is going.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

My greatest joy was to see the physical book of my first novel. After nearly fifty novels I still get a kick out of seeing the covers of a finished novel whether digital or in print.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

My darkest moment in the writing game was to see my first bad review. After consultation with my muse no bad review ever bothered me again. My strategy to cope was never to read my reviews, most of which I am told are quite good these days.

Which of your books is your favorite?

Like, my three children, I fight all forms of favoritism. I treat my many novels and short stories the same way. They are all my favorites.

Who is your favorite author to read?

My favorite author to read is Stendhal, particularly his work, The Red and the Black.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened to?

My only advice to aspiring authors is to continue to test the quality of your talent. If you truly believe that it is your calling, then you must maintain an iron will about this aspiration and follow your bliss. The hardest thing in life is believing in yourself.

What is the single greatest tool you believe a writer should have in his or her toolbox?

The single greatest tool I believe a writer should have in his or her toolbox is unshakeable belief in their talent.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

I suffered through endless rejections of my work until I was able to interest publishers. Rejection made me stronger. I have written extensively on Rejection and working to get past it in On Rejection and Renewal: A Note to Aspiring Novelists.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

I have grown accustomed to and enjoy the company of Fiona Fitzgerald who is the heroine of my mystery series, now up to nine books. In my mind she is the perfect woman: smart, independent, sexy, and fearless. On balance, I love all my characters with all their faults and imperfections. To me, they are very much alive.

Where do you get your ideas?

All of my stories come from my biography, my experiences, and my observations. For example, my works like The Henderson Equation, We Are Holding the President Hostage, my Fiona Fitzgerald series and many others are set in Washington D.C. where I lived for about 30 years, and Torture Man, New York Echoes (and New York Echoes 2), Banquet Before Dawn, The Housewife Blues and others are set in New York City.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writers make?

If you are a true writer you will never give up, no matter how many rejections and bad reviews you might receive. I´ve had them both. Controlling my own destiny has always been one of my principal obsessions.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

Getting an agent is a tough chore, but it helps tremendously. My advice has also been to get a copy of Literary Market Place, write a one-page letter, beginning with “Are you interested in a finished manuscript (or book)” then spell out the theme and idea. Send it to every agent listed and see what comes back. Resources like IMDb,com can be useful in tracking down an agent for the independent or aspiring writer also thinking about the possibility of turning your book into a movie. Of course I am also a huge proponent of self-publishing and encourage writers to pursue this route.

 

 

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

HOW TO DRIVE EDITORS CRAZY- part 2

How to Drive an Editor Crazy, Part 2

By Lori Hatcher

I’m a magazine editor. Every day I receive submissions from writers. Some are stellar and others, not so much. While there are many factors that determine whether I accept a submission, writers who follow a few simple guidelines are much more likely to see their writing in print. In Part 1 of this series, (How to Drive an Editor Crazy, Part 1) I shared two things that drive editors crazy. This time, in case you’re considering career suicide, I’ll share a few more. If you’re a smart writer and avoid these pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to making your editor smile AND seeing your work in a magazine.

How to Drive an Editor Crazy, Part 2

  1. Quote facts without attribution.

If you say, “Haiti is spiritually and economically depressed because its citizens signed a pact with the devil,” you’d better have a credible source to back this up. Publications will differ on how they want you to document your sources. Some prefer insource notation, others want footnotes or end notes, but they all agree—undocumented facts are a sign of sloppy journalism. And please don’t begin a sentence with “According to . . .” Recast the sentence if necessary, but figure out a less formulaic way of quoting your source.

  1. Use the word that

 

That in some sentences is a relative pronoun that introduces an adjective clause. Other times, that is superfluous. A good test to determine whether the word is necessary is to delete it and see if the sentence still makes sense.

Example: The first sight that I saw was a dog running toward me.

Example: I went to the store that had the birthday cake in the window.

In the first example, I can remove the word that without changing the meaning of the sentence. In the second, I cannot.

 

  1. Use the plural pronoun they with a singular subject.

 

Example: When a student doesn’t want to go to gym class it’s usually because they hate dressing out in front of others.

 

Writers do this because they don’t want to use the dreaded and awkward he/she. As noble as their motive is, however, it’s never OK. One way to avoid this is to pick a gender and use it throughout, knowing your readers will understand that your thoughts apply to both genders.

 

Example: When a student doesn’t want to go to gym class, it’s usually because he hates dressing out in front of others.

 

Another way to avoid this is to use the plural in both cases.

Example: When students don’t want to go to gym class, it’s usually because they hate dressing out in front of others.

Professional writers take note of incorrect grammar and usage and provide proper attribution whenever they quote sources. Watching for these errors and correcting them before we submit our work will ensure we never, ever, ever drive our editors crazy.

 

 

Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of the devotional book Hungry for God…Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women. A blogger, writing instructor, and women’s ministry speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).

Lori HatcherHeadshot

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

How To Drive a Magazine Editor Crazy by Lori Hatcher

Professional, friendly and witty are words I use to describe Lori.  I met her at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference last year through a mutual friend.  Lori was part of the staff at BRMCWC and needed volunteers to do a mock Toastmasters meeting. Toastmasters is an international speaking organization.   As a Toastmaster member, I volunteered.  We became fast friends over e-mails and working together at the conference.  I consider it an honor to have her  as a guest on Write With You.  I know we all will glean from her vast knowledge as a magazine editor.

How to Drive an Editor Crazy, Part 1

By Lori Hatcher

As the editor of a print magazine, I receive submissions from writers in every stage of their writing journey. Some have impressive portfolios, and others are just beginning. Wherever you are on the spectrum, the tips I’ll share in this two-part series will help you submit polished, professional work so you WON’T drive your editor crazy.

How to Drive an Editor Crazy

  1. Paraphrase Bible verses.

This is true confession time, friends. A book editor once threatened me with death and dismemberment when she double-checked the Scripture references in one of my devotional books and discovered I’d used the LHV (Lori Hatcher Version) of the Bible. Because I’d depended on  my memory, which was a mishmash of the King James, New International, and Holman Christian Study versions, there was no way she could check my Scripture references for accuracy in punctuation and quotation. My carelessness and laziness caused her hours of extra work and slowed down the editing process considerably.

 

After a humiliating time of confession, repentance, and restitution (I sent her Trader Joe’s Chocolate Covered Almonds with Sea Salt and Caramel Cashew cookies by overnight mail), I had learned a valuable lesson. When quoting Scripture, choose a translation, then copy and paste EVERY Bible verse, with its appropriate reference, from your Bible software into your article. Even if it’s John 3:16, don’t rely on your memory.

 

  1. Lowercase the word Bible.

I’m always a tiny bit shocked when a writer fails to capitalize the B in Bible. Whether you revere or believe in the Bible is not the issue that determines this rule. All style manuals require a writer to capitalize any holy book, whether you’re citing the Qur’an, the Talmud, or the Bible. You should also capitalize common epithets for the Bible such as the Word and Scripture, but not adjectives indicating the Bible, like biblical or scriptural.

 

There are many rules governing the correct way to quote Scripture, capitalize books and parts of the Bible, and handle religious terminology. The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style is my go-to resource to keep it straight. It’s helpful, user-friendly, and relatively inexpensive. Whatever resource you choose, remember—NEVER quote a Bible verse from memory or fail to capitalize the Bible. If you do, you’ll drive your editor crazy.

 

Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of the devotional book Hungry for God…Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women. A blogger, writing instructor, and women’s ministry speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).

 

Lori HatcherHeadshot

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

Query Letter Basics

When I first heard the phrase, “Query letter” I was confused and embarrassed.  I did not know what a query was or even how to pronounce it.  The correct pronunciation is (kweer-ee).   I referred to my friend “Google” for information.

The definition of query from Dictionary.com

 An inquiry from a writer to an editor of a magazine, newspaper, etc., regarding the acceptability of or  interest in an idea for an article, news story, or the like: usually presented in the form of a letter that outlines or describes the projected piece.

The query is your calling card; it is also called a pitch.   It is your sales letter that includes the subject of the article, who you are, and why you are qualified to write the article.

There are necessary steps to take before you write your query letter.

  • Read 3-5 issues of the magazine to get familiar with the voice and audience of that magazine. Many magazines can be read online or at your local library.
  • Go to website or call the magazine to get the name of the correct editor before you send the query letter. Make sure the name of editor, magazine and address are spelled correctly.
  • Gather all the research and education that makes you the expert on this topic.
  • Always check the website or call the magazine for guidelines.

General guidelines for formatting your letter.

  • Times New Roman and 10- or 12-point type.
  • One-inch margins.
  • Single-spaced page.
  • Block paragraph format (no indentations).
  • Include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and web site, if possible.

The body of the query should:

  • Hook the reader -Grab the editor’s attention with the first line. It is a great idea to begin the query exactly how you will begin the article.
  • Be specific. – The topic should be precise. Note where the information will come from.
  • State your qualifications – This is your biography. Why you know what you know; why you are the one to write about this topic.  Be yourself.  Don’t compare your writing to others.
  • Thank the editor for considering your query.
  • Exclude the discussion of rates in the query letter.

Include self-addressed, stamped envelope when sending query by mail.

There are many informative web sites with examples of a good query.  To avoid reinventing the wheel, my friend Vonda Skelton has allowed me to share her blogs on query letters.   Please check out her bio while you are at the page.  She is one amazing woman.

taking the question out of query letters part 1

When it comes to your query letter, don’t over think it. Sell it.

I would love to hear your stories.  Please connect with me here or email me at

godsfruit@juno.com.

Categories
Writing Conference

Christian Writing Conferences (USA) July 2015 – Feb 2016 (UPDATED)

Want a great investment idea for your writing career? Go to a Christian writers Conference. You will meet the best writers, get the best advice and meet other writers who will become your friends. Going to a conference is like a mental boot camp. Your brain will hurt, you will be exhausted but the result are worth it. Here is a short list of Christian conferences for the next few months. Remember, most of these conferences have scholarships.   I attended my first three from scholarship monies. You pay for travel, food and board.   It is well worth it. If you know of a Christian writing conference that is not on the list, please put it in the comments below.

UPDATED: ACFW Virginia Writer’s Conference: July 25th, Woodbridge, VA

Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference: July 29-August 1, Langhorne PA

Christian Indie Authors and Readers Conference: July 30- August 2, Davenport IA

UPDATED: Realm Makers: August 7-8, St. Louis, MO

Oregon Christian Writers Conference: August 10 – August 13, Portland, O

Atlanta’s Christian Writing Conference: August 20-22, 2015, Marietta, GA

Christian Communicators Conference: August 26-30, 2015, Asheville, NC.

American Christian Fiction Writers Conference: September 17-20, 2015, Grapevine, TX

Writer to Writer Conference: Sept 18-20 2015 Murfreesboro, TN

Breathe Christian Writers Conference: October 9-10, 2015, Grand Rapids, MI

Blue Ridge Christian Novelist Retreat: October 18-22, 2015, Ridgecrest, NC

Indiana Faith and Writing Conference: October 30-31, Anderson, IN

Next Step Writers Contreat: November 12-14, 2015, Albuquerque, NM

Writer to Writer Conference, February 5-7, 2016 Hershey PA

Writers Advance Boot Camp: February 19-21, 2016, Asheville, NC

 

Here are a few websites that display all conferences and retreats, both Christian and non-Christian.

awpwriter.org/wcc/directory_conferences_centers

writing.shawguides.com/Events

newpages.com/writers-resources/writing-conferences-events

Don’t forget to check Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Market Writers Guide for more listings.

You can purchase the guide here   www.jerryjenkins.com/guide