One of the occupational hazards of the writing-editing life is back and/or neck pain as a result of poor posture. We’re often sitting, hunched over a computer for long periods of time. Without our chair, desk, and computer properly aligned we’re prone to periodic discomfort or chronic pain. Not to mention eye strain if we forget to follow the 20-20-20- practice: [bctt tweet=”every 20 minutes take 20 seconds to look at something at least 20 feet away.”]
Impaired mental posture also takes its toll. Writer’s block, fear, and procrastination all conspire to keep us from proper mental alignment and inhibit our productivity. Some of these misalignments can be corrected by developing our technical skills–brushing up on grammar, sentence structure, etc., But even successful writers battle mental misalignment from time to time.
And then there’s our spiritual posture. What’s our stance before our heavenly Father, the source of our creative desires and energy? I confess that mine ranges from a careless slouch—casually acknowledging God from afar as a friendly grandfather who will show up when I signal him, to a self-righteous erectness attempting to balance all the demands of life atop my own head and shoulders and expecting a “well done” for my independence and self-sufficiency.
[bctt tweet=”God desires an intimate relationship with us and that requires a certain posture”]. He may get my attention in dramatic fashion, but he’s just as likely to speak to me in a still small voice. The ability to hear that voice requires a certain posture. It’s a wise teacher who lowers her voice get the classes’ attention. It’s a far more effective way to get students to listen than trying to speak above their noise. Students may even need to lean in and turn an ear in the direction of the teacher’s voice to be sure they hear. They need to set aside distractions and focus on the teacher.
As I open God’s Word and quiet myself in my prayer room, I need to lean in in anticipation and expectation. I need to keep my eyes wide open to the ways he is already at work in the world and in my life. And I need to adopt a heart posture of humble submission, leaning in expectantly to hear from the Teacher. It’s a divine posture adjustment and it’s essential to a well aligned life. How’s your posture?
Have you ever tried to impress people? Given that extra effort to stand out in the crowd, to get the attention of the “important” people?
Speaking from experience: it hardly ever works.
A few years ago I was at a “Meet and Greet” at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference. There were many friends in attendance, as well as guest speakers, editors, and faculty members. Definitely a place to put your best foot forward, and definitely not a place to embarrass yourself.
You know where this is heading.
The event was held in a huge meeting room. One side featured tables and couches for “fellowship,” with the bookstore on the other side. A snack table full of finger foods and other goodies was located in the middle.
I first looked for bargains at the book tables, as my “mad book money” was extremely limited. One book that looked interesting was only $3—practically the only thing in my price range. The author had a box on his table for a giveaway of the book, so I entered my name—although I never win anything.
I made my way to the “fellowship” area, doing my best “schmoozing.” I floated between different groups of friends and made sure to introduce myself to the editors and the published faculty members. I was having a good time while trying to impress as many as possible.
I looked over to the bookstore area and noticed people at the table with the book I wanted, so I figured I had better get my bargain before they were sold out. I passed the snack table, and, of course, I had to get something.
I’ve never met a snack table I didn’t like. I scooped some peanuts onto one of the tiny plates and started munching just as someone got on the P.A. system to announce the winner of the book giveaway. As a name was drawn, I started choking on a peanut.
I was hacking and coughing so hard that a fellow nearby asked if I needed the Heimlich. I waved him off, right at the moment the winner was announced.
“Carlton Hughes!” I had finally won something—while I was coughing up a lung.
I walked (and hacked) to the makeshift stage to get my book and returned to the garbage can near the snack table, thinking that lung might come up any time.
One of my friends told the book’s author that I worked as a college professor, which was also his profession, so he came over to ask numerous questions about my work. The conversation went something like this:
Him: “What courses do you teach?”
Me: “(Cough) Communications (Hack) and journalism.”
Him: “How long have you been teaching?”
Me: “(Hack) Over (Cough) 20 (Hack) years.”
Not exactly a pleasant conversation, and I don’t think I impressed him.
Some wise advice I learned the hard way: in writing or at writers conferences, don’t work so hard to impress others. Be yourself, have fun, and avoid the peanuts.
Shortly after moving to the Islands, a new habit easily became walking early on the beach. On one particular morning, something unlikely happened. (Unlikely from my beach experiences . . . ) I found a big beautiful shell— a whole shell. Do you understand? I found a large complete shell five inches tall and four inches wide. Feeling stunned, amazed, and thrilled, I instantly knew I was meant to find this particular shell, on this particular day, in this particular way.
How do I know that? Because it was God showing off again in my world. See, before my walk I had just read how God uses our SHAPE for his purpose. SHAPE being an acronym from Rick Warren’s book A Purpose Driven Life (236). His SHAPE acronym represents the following words and how God uses them in our life:
S – Spiritual Gifts
H – Heart
A – Abilities
P – Personality
E – Experiences
The SHELL I found is a symbol for the devotion I had read and a gift to remember the lesson. Believe me, I have walked beaches many times, and I have never found such a big unbroken SHELL. On this particular day, He reminded me he has made us all for a special purpose and wants us to use all the above traits for his purpose.
A couple months pass and again I’m walking the beach contemplating inspirations for a new blog, and again I am still thinking about that SHELL. (Now anytime I see a shell, I think of that shell.)
As I continue walking the pastel carpet of broken shell pieces listening to the crunch of each step, I ponder Warren’s acronym and think about how our first drafts for short blogs, essays, and articles form a shell for our final written work. Getting that first Shell of a Draft is sometimes the hardest part of writing. Coming up with ideas is not difficult for writers– it is giving the idea shape. Ask around and discover, most writers keep stashes of ideas tucked in shoe boxes, notebooks, electronic files, and the sandy corners of their minds to develop one day. Discerning what direction, what purpose, and for what audience an idea best agrees often forms its shape when we write that First Shell of a Draft.
[bctt tweet=”Getting that first Shell of a Draft is sometimes the hardest part of writing.”]
While walking and enjoying the formation of birds standing at attention, a new ACRONYM for the word SHAPE came to mind. An acronym to help writers create a first SHELL OF A DRAFT.
How to SHAPE a Shell of a Draft:
S – See it
H – Hear it
A – Ask it
P – Perceive it
E – End it, Edit it, Edit it, Edit it, . . . and END IT.
[bctt tweet=”Write to see what’s on your mind. “]
See it:
One of my favorite quotes to share is by E.M Forster, “How do I know what I think until I see what I say?” The heart of our drafts often originates when we free write those first initial thoughts and ideas. Sometimes we are surprised by what appears on the blank screen or notebook and we discover, learn, and grow when what is deep within our heart is revealed. So for step one, when you have a topic or idea, just write. Write to see what’s on your mind. Write to see what’s on your heart, and write to see what’s in your Spirit. Just get it down on paper.
Hear it:
Do my thoughts flow smoothly for the reader? Reread the draft repeatedly listening for areas where words may be missing or thoughts are not connecting smoothly. (Perhaps some transitions will help.) Listen for opportunities of adding parallelism with list or alliterationto catch a reader’s attention. These are all writing elements, tools, or techniques a wordsmith enjoys adding to his or her work. Pay attention to word choice when rereading aloud. Look up words if needed and use a thesaurus to reduce redundancy. Finally, say a little prayer and trust your ear; trust it as an assistant to your writing.
Ask it:
Are there any areas of confusion? Are the examples and support all supporting the main idea of the message? If not, some may need to be omitted. Writers often have lots of ideas on how to reveal a message, but determine which details and examples best reveal your purpose and audience and omit the rest. This question is a key factor in helping writers decide what to leave in and what to take out. If it does not support the purpose, consider leaving it out.
Perceive it:
This is the time for peer review or reader feedback. Can the text be misunderstood, unclear, or offensive to readers? How might others interpret the prose? When asking someone’s perspective, you may want to share a past blog on how a friend can offer confident feedback.
End it:
This may be the hardest decision, but deadlines and goals help encourage the process. End it, then edit it, end it again, let it rest, and edit it again. Embrace the process and accept revision, revision, revision is required to get that draft into shape. Continue the process until you feel peace or your time has expired. Say a little prayer and let your message go.
Today, when I hold the shell I found, it symbolizes for me the SHAPE God is molding me into and how my spirit, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences SHAPE my writing. In addition, the shell is a marker of answered prayer (for years I’ve wanted to live back near a beach). It represents my current life transition from single motherhood to empty-nester and the SHAPE for which my heavenly father sees me and cares about every detail in my life– even a walk on the beach.
I hope these suggestions will help new writers develop their ideas into drafts and then on to a final message.
(I am ending here because it’s now time to go walk on the beach with a friend.)
Below, I invite you to share what gifts God reveals to you while enjoying nature.
“I write only because there is a voice within me that will not be still.” –Sylvia Plath
Are there writers that capture your fierce loyalty? Do you wait with anticipation for their newest book to release?
If you answered yes to the above questions, it is my guess you were first attracted to the author because of their writer’s voice. Author voices that shine through characters and plots keep you searching their author’s pages and websites for notification of their latest offering.
Perhaps you are a novice in the art of writing but dream of someday writing novels, blogs, or short stories that showcase your unique voice? There are numerous blog articles on this illusive matter of voice.
Three excellent examples are:
10 Steps to Finding Your Voice – Jeff Goins. Jeff gives an exercise on his website he developed to help you find your writing voice. I found this exercise to be extremely helpful for myself and I recommend it to students in workshops I teach.
What is Writer’s Voice? – Rachelle Gardner. In literary agent Rachelle Gardner’s post she gives a helpful definition of what voice is and isn’t. I always find helpful information on Rachelle’s site.
Ten Steps to Finding Your Writing Voice- Holly Lisle. Holly says, “Voice is bleeding onto the page and it can be a painful, frightening, naked experience.” Her post offers excellent suggestions and helps.
A book that I would recommend is: Finding Your Writer’s Voice: A Guide to Creative Fiction, by Thaisa Frank and Dorothy Wall. The authors state, “Every writer has a natural voice, and every natural voice has its own way of telling a story.” Frank and Wall give exercises to help you on the quest of finding your voice.
The resources mentioned above are a wonderful starting place for your journey in finding your voice. Remember, the more you write, the easier it will be to recognize your voice.
Is there a Web site or book that you’ve found helpful in the area of finding your writer’s voice? If so, please share!
An old story tells of a water-bearer in India who daily carried two pots on a pole carried across his neck. Between the master’s house and river he walked back and forth for two years. One pot was cracked and slowly leaked water along the path. Each day the water-bearer arrived at the house with only one and a half pots of water.
After two years, the cracked pot, feeling embarrassed and undignified compared to the other pot, apologized to the man.
“I have made your work more difficult. I am not as good as the perfect pot. I am ashamed that my flaw increases your labor.”
The compassionate water-bearer, replied, “When we return to the house, notice all the pretty flowers along the side of the path.”
As they journeyed that day, the pot realized that beautiful flowers of many colors adorned one side of the dusty path. But, the pot saw, the flowers only grew on one side.
Returning to the master’s house, the water-bearer explained, “I have always known that you were cracked, and I chose to use you for this purpose. I planted flower seeds of many varieties along your side of the path. Every day as we walk back from the stream, you water them. For two years I have picked these flowers and decorated the master’s table. This saved me time from having to water them myself.”
The water-bearer then said, “You see, it was because you were a cracked pot that I could use you for this purpose.”
We live in a world that idolizes seeming perfection. Photo-shopped magazine covers and internet ads show so-called perfect bodies. Television and movies are able to present flawless scenes. When enraptured with the art of such scenes, we forget that the actors and director may have spent all day filming that one scene, making dozens of mistakes in the process.
Our facebook world allows people to portray the social-media image of their choosing. The person who boasts of the perfect marriage online forgot to tell you about the argument he had with his wife last week. And when your friend posted her pictures from the perfect vacation, she failed to mention that she felt jealous when you went to the beach last year for your anniversary.
God wants to use cracked pots. He designed it that way. Our flaws, though they may never make it to a photo-shopped screen image, do not limit the Creator from working through our lives.
Brennan Manning writes, “Despite our physical cracks, intellectual limitations, emotional impairments, and spiritual fissures, we are providentially equipped to fulfill the unique purpose of our existence.”
The Lord stores His gifts not in Lennox china but in jars of clay – common, earthenware vessels.
As we write, we can resist the urge to compare our writing to others.
“I will never write like John Jakes or Donald McCaig!”
But God does not compare us to the other pot. He wants to use our cracked ones. And as substance seeps out of our pen, it waters countless seeds along the way, producing a harvest of beauty to be enjoyed and shared.
I remember when I had my first Twitter shock a few years ago: I discovered that people post pornography on Twitter. Lots of people. Lots of pictures.
But that is not the shocking part. The internet is full of pornography, nothing new there.
The shocking part is that Twitter allows it. And you can get a Twitter account at any age, which in my mind equated to, “Twitter Supports Exposing Minors to Pornography.”
After my initial outraged-sobbing-yelling-hair-peeled-back explosion, I did a little internet research on Twitter and pornography. Apparently they’ve been in the news here and there for several years now on this topic. Their position is to monitor what appears directly on their site, but to not monitor links to external sites. They leave it up to the individual user to determine who to follow and who to block.
Still a bit upset about all of this, I went for my daily walk with the Lord. I walked, listened to worship music, and pondered.
“OK, well, then, I just won’t use Twitter. I’ll show them! I can’t believe so many other Christians are out there, are they all oblivious to this awful danger? What am I missing here? I just can’t believe this! I’m going to take action, write to someone, see …”
“Overcome evil with good.”
The Lord interrupted my ranting with His still small voice. The complete verse is, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21 NIV)
Yes, I allowed the evil I found in Twitter to overcome my thoughts, my emotions, and my time. I was ready to attack – not just the evil, but all those who I felt should be DOING something.
Then I realized it: they ARE doing something. They are posting about the Lord, His goodness, His truth. They are sharing each other’s posts of encouragement, love, and kindness.
They are overcoming evil with good.
This is why it’s so important for all who are called to write to share on Twitter or on other social media venues. Each time we post something that glorifies God, we give Him ammunition – truth – to reach all the people who are searching, seeking, restless, and lonely. The more we share God’s truth, love, and grace online, the more opportunity everyone will have to meet Him and know Him.
Including those who use Twitter for evil. May they be overcome by Jesus Tweets!
The author, Doug Peterson, received a brand-new bowler hat for Christmas this year. It brings him back to the year 1849.
I’m not sure what historical novelists did before the advent of the Internet. What takes a matter of minutes to discover on the Internet today probably took hours of library work in the pre-Web Stone Age.
A case in point: In my first historical novel, The Disappearing Man, I had a character sporting a bowler hat. But as I prepared the manuscript for the publisher, I decided to do some final fact-checking, and I thought it would be a good idea to make sure people were wearing bowler hats in the 1849 world depicted in The Disappearing Man.
They were doing no such thing.
I discovered that the bowler hat was evidently invented by two London hat-makers, Thomas and William Bowler, in 1849—the very year of my novel. However, because my story took place in America, it was highly unlikely that the London fashion made it across the Atlantic that quickly.
But this was an easy fix, so I took the bowler hat off of my character’s head and replaced it with a top hat.
It goes without saying that you have to be careful about the historical information you dig up online, so I seek out what I believe are reputable sources, such as the History Channel page, and I also check facts on multiple sites.
The Internet is wonderful for these quick fact checks, but there is still no replacing good, old-fashioned books when it comes to the heavy-lifting part of my historical research. So this is a brief rundown on how I go about my research for my historical novels. The headline above says to “do your research right,” but I should note that there is no one system that is best for everyone. We all need to find our own method. Here’s mine.
First, I should say I have been blessed by living in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and having access to one of the greatest libraries in the country. That’s no exaggeration. The University of Illinois has the second-largest university collection in North America, and its Library and Information Sciences program is number one in the country, according to U.S. News and World Reports.
The University of Illinois may be struggling on the football field and basketball court these days, but at least the Illini can do some serious trash-talking when it comes to its books. Take that, Ohio State and Alabama!
Although I have access to the U of I library, I actually begin my hunt for historical resources on Amazon. I like the Amazon search engine, so I begin by looking for books there. For instance, I have been working on Biblical history recently, and my Amazon search has turned up some gems, such as Daily Life in the Time of Jesus, TheLife and Times of Jesus the Messiah, and The World Jesus Knew.
Once I identify some promising books, I go to the U of I library and check them out. If the book provides only a smattering of information that I need for my novel, I stick with the library copy. But if a book looks like something that I will regularly dip into throughout the course of my research, I will go back to Amazon and purchase a copy of my own. In all, I may use close to 30 books when researching a novel, and of those I will purchase about a dozen.
By having my own copy, I can freely mark up the book to my heart’s delight. As I go through the research books that I own, I jot notes at the top of the page, indicating the topics covered on that particular page. As a result, I don’t spend forever flipping through pages, trying to find that handy tidbit of information; I simply look for my notes at the top of each page.
Another key component to my historical research is digging into historical photos and videos. Again, there are so many options available today that weren’t possible just 25 years ago. If you’re doing more recent history, the options expand exponentially. For instance, one of my novels—The Puzzle People—took place in the last 50 years, so I could find a wealth of footage on YouTube.
The Puzzle People is a suspense novel based on the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, so I went to YouTube to see film of the Wall going up, as well as footage of that magical night on November 9, 1989, when the Wall came down. One key scene in the novel took place on November 9, so some of my descriptions came straight from viewing YouTube films.
But how do you know when you’ve done enough research to begin writing?
I tend to be a rather impatient writer. I love the research, but I am always anxious to get started on a new novel. So I do not wait for all of my research to be done before I begin to venture into a new story. I do just enough research to jump-start the process, and I continue to research as I write—about a one-year process.
Think of writing as a long-distance car ride, with research being your fuel. When I travel from Illinois to Florida, I don’t carry all of the fuel I need for a single trip. I fill up the tank, which is enough to carry me for a couple hundred miles, and then I fill up along the way. It’s the same with my historical research. I do enough research in the beginning to fill my tank and get me going on the first ten chapters or so. Then I fill up the tank all along the way—going to the library and doing more research as I write. I guess that makes the library my gas station.
As amazing as the Internet is for historical writers, there’s still something about physical books and brick and mortar libraries. So let me end by tipping my hat—my bowler hat (see photo)—to librarians everywhere.
The Internet is boon for research, but there is no replacing libraries. Not yet at least.
* * *
5 for Writing
Get writing. Find the time to write. Then do it.
Learn by listening—and doing. Solicit feedback, discern what helps you.
Finish your story. Edit and rewrite, but don’t tinker forever. Reach the finish line.
Thrive on rejection. Get your story out there. Be fearless. Accept rejection.
Become a juggler. After one story is finished, be ready to start another. Consider writing two at once.
Where to begin? I had a friend ask me this question recently, who is interested in writing a young adult novel. She was worried that she didn’t have an agent or know of a publisher. I’ve had people tell me they wanted to write a picture book but didn’t have an illustrator. I know another man who keeps talking about writing a novel, but keeps buying books on how to write novels so he knows how to write a novel correctly before he begins writing. That was about six years ago, and he still hasn’t put the pen to the paper yet.
Let’s clear up some of the above misconceptions then I’ll share my three thoughts on where to begin. If you’ve never been published before in any manner, an agent isn’t necessary at this point. You must have something written. They want to see that you can write. You need a tangible manuscript as a new author.
If you’re writing a picture book, most publishers provide their own illustrators. They just want the text from you. I’ve heard that unless you are an artist and draw your own illustrations, do not submit pictures with your manuscript. However, with that being said, you need to write a picture book with varying pictures in mind to make it enjoyable for the reader. Write creatively so your words illicit what pictures would appear on each page. Write so that the illustrator will have fun designing the pictures.
Reading books is also helpful in directing your writing, but not to the extent that it becomes an excuse not to write. It’s great to learn as much as you can about the craft. Go to writer’s conferences, attend critique sessions, and read books to hone your craft, but keep on writing. You generally need to be in the midst of your project to get as much as you can out of conferences and critique sessions and book advice. When I was in anesthesia school, the first semester was didactic book work. But if all we did was read about anesthesia, that would not mean we’d know how to actually administer it. We needed hands on experience and a lot of it. It’s the same with writing. It’s good to read about the craft, but you won’t have a full understanding of how that works until you jump in and begin writing.
So, where to begin? First, you must have an idea in mind of what to write, an inspiration that can’t help but be written. It’s difficult sitting in front of a white page trying to will the words to appear. You definitely need an inspiration. Once I get an inspiration, I usually have to mull it over for a few days, take it for a couple runs, play with it in my mind so I can imagine a direction it may go. Do whatever you need to do to help formulate the idea in your mind.
Secondly, once you have an idea in mind, sit yourself down and let it flow. Write with the creative side of your brain. Don’t edit yourself yet. That comes later. Let it go. It may flow in the direction you imagined or it may grow feet of its own and charge down its own path. But start writing and see what you’ve got. Sit anywhere you feel the most creative. I actually hand wrote my first manuscript sitting on a sofa before plugging it into a computer.
Third. Have fun. Writing is a calling, a joy, a pleasure. God will not place a calling in your life that will place you in eternal misery. It may not always be a walk in the park, but it’s what you are made of, made for, it’s who you are. This is not a high school book report or grueling essay. It’s what you choose to do and what chose you! Have fun with it. Work at it. Then the critique groups, conferences and books can help make your writing better, stronger, publishable. But in order for that to happen, you must have something written. Begin by sitting down and starting to write. That, my friend, is the hardest part.
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible to the visible.” -Tony Robbins
Whether you’re a natural goal setter or not, the benefits of doing so are undeniable. Below are three questions to consider as you set your writing goals for 2016:
What is my why? Are you writing to earn money? To pursue a dream? Leave a legacy? Or simply for enjoyment? It’s different for everyone and thankfully, one is not better than another. Take some time in January to consider your why. It’s the foundation of your writing goals as it helps steer your expectations, time, and energy towards the results you truly desire. Write your why down and keep it visible wherever you choose to write.
How will I measure my goals? Once you’ve nailed down your why, focus on writing out specific goals to achieve it — but don’t stop there! Determine how you will measure your goals. Vague goals are useless ones. If you want to write more, what steps are you willing to take to make it happen? Do you need to set aside office hours in order to write “x” amount of hours per week? Do you need to decrease blog posts or other publications in order to pursue your why? Do you want to travel more? How could you begin saving money? Write it down!
Will you call yourself a writer? I admit it. The first time those four words—I am a writer—spilled from my lips I wasn’t sure whether to zig zag to avoid the lightening bolt or to choose to believe it myself, refusing to feel the pressure of validating my declaration. I chose the latter and it’s made all the difference. I’ll let this excerpt from Story Engineering, by Larry Brooks sum it up for us all:
We are lucky. Very lucky. We are writers.
Sometimes that may seem more curse than blessing, and others may not regard what we do with any more esteem or respect than mowing a lawn. To an outsider this can appear to be a hobby, or maybe a dream that eludes most.
But if that’s how they view you, they aren’t paying enough attention. If you are a writer–and you are if you actually write–you are already living the dream. Because the primary reward of writing comes from within, and you don’t need to get published or sell your screenplay to access it. …
Whatever we write, we are reaching out. We are declaring that we are not alone on this planet, and that we have something to share, something to say. Our writing survives us, even if nobody ever reads a word of it. Because we have given back, we have reflected our truth. We have mattered.
Now let’s go make 2016 one of our best…from one writer to another.
Which of the three questions will be your most challenging, and why?
What comes first? Do you begin with a great plot idea, and then create characters to fill out the story? Or do you come up with an intriguing character and then try to figure what the character needs to do?
How you answer these questions says a lot about whether you are a plot-driven or character-driven writer.
I am definitely a plot-driven person because that is my starting point. Three of my four novels are based on real people from history, so at first glance you might think I’m a character-driven writer. After all, aren’t I looking for real people from history? Isn’t that where I start?
Actually, no.
In truth, I start by looking for incredible stories from history. For instance, I have written two Underground Railroad novels—one in which the slave (Henry Brown) shipped himself to freedom in a box, and the other in which the slave (Ellen Craft) escaped by pretending to be a white man, while her husband posed as her slave.
The stories of Henry Brown and Ellen Craft were what drew me to them, not their personalities—although both of them happened to be fascinating people in their own right. But I still started with their stories.
So what are you—a plot-driven or character-driven writer?
I was first posed with this question when I attended a conference course taught by Jeff Gerke, a fiction editor who specializes in science fiction and fantasy. After attending his class, I ran out to buy his book, Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction—a book I recommend.
“I believe there are two types of novelists,” Gerke says in Plot Versus Character. “On the one hand you have those for whom plot ideas come naturally. On the other, you have those for whom characters arise with ease. Plot-first novelists think of story ideas all day long. Theirs are the fabulous books in which many exciting things happen. The focus tends to be on the events occurring in the story rather than on the characters, and usually, lots of things blow up. I know about this kind of novelist,” he says, “because I’m one of them.
“Character-first novelists are those writers who are endlessly fascinated by what makes people tick,” Gerke continues. “The fictional people they create are rich, engaging, believable, and compelling. You feel that those people truly exist.”
Gerke goes on to explain that many plot-driven writers have a tendency to neglect good character development, and as a result their characters become one-dimensional. I love some of the late Michael Crichton’s novels, such as Jurassic Park, but he was clearly a plot-driven writer, and his characters often come across as the same, from novel to novel.
Then there are the novelists who create fascinating characters, but the characters don’t do anything but meander through a story world in which not much happens. As unique and real as these characters might be, I quickly lose interest if they’re not doing anything.
That’s why Jeff Gerke wrote his book Plot Versus Character—to help character-driven writers improve their plots and to help plot-driven writers improve their character development.
Since I’m a plot-driven writer, I always have to work extra hard to make sure I don’t neglect my characters. To do this, I ask the following questions about my main characters:
What are my character’s flaws? What is his or her major flaw?
What are my character’s strengths?
What does he or she look like?
What is his or her personality? Extrovert, introvert, depressed, excitable, etc.?
What is my character’s backstory?
What is my character’s arc? How does he or she change over the story?
What does he or she fear?
What does my character want?
What secrets does he or she keep?
Who are the character’s closest friends?
What was my character’s upbringing like?
Does he or she have any quirks?
What is my character’s calling, or mission, in life?
What is the internal conflict?
What is the external conflict?
I end this list with both internal and external conflict because conflict is the bridge where the character-driven and plot-driven worlds overlap. A character-driven writer may give the lead character a lot of internal conflict, but neglect the external conflict. For the plot-driven writer, it’s often the reverse. So strive for both: strong characters with internal conflict and strong plots with external conflict.
In basketball, less experienced players usually rely on their dominant hand, often the right hand. Kids can get away with this when they are young players, but if you want to excel in basketball, you have to work on your weak hand. You have to be just as comfortable using your left as your right hand.
It’s the same with writing. Find out which is your “strong hand”—character or plot. Then work on your weak hand.
* * *
5 for Writing
Get writing. Find the time to write. Then do it.
Learn by listening—and doing. Solicit feedback, discern what helps you.
Finish your story. Edit and rewrite, but don’t tinker forever. Reach the finish line.
Thrive on rejection. Get your story out there. Be fearless. Accept rejection.
Become a juggler. After one story is finished, be ready to start another. Consider writing two at once.
As teen writers we’re faced with the question, “are we marketable?” And in an adult industry the answer must be yes.
But then the next question is “how?”
That’s easy…
Well…easier said then done, but with a few tips, tricks, and witty quips, you can be well on you’re way to becoming a class A marketeer!
Tips
To be a great marketeer you must understand “style.” Your overall style is what sets you apart from the other writers. What ever it is, you have to wear it with confidence.
Clothing
Approachability
Confidence
A humble and teachable mind
These are all important factors in your style. You’re clothing should be relaxed but dressy. (of coarse depending on the conference and message you wish to send.) That alone can help you in meeting and conversing with other writers. Color schemes in your style can also take care of your approachability. Red and Turquoise are flashy colors that if kept in low doses are sure to create a feeling of professional welcoming. (don’t wear them at the same time) Confidence is important, but above that is a humble and teachable mind. Be ready to learn. It’s almost like a very friendly job interview. Don’t expect to know everything.
Tricks
By tricks I’m simply saying that you can be recognized on all sorts of social media platforms. Any talents you have that you can use to get a following are “trick” that can grow you a fanbase. Even your music tastes can be a platform.
Some of the platforms I use are:
YouTube: Clever Gents
Twitter: Specs_Kaczmarek (Caleb Kaczmarek)
Facebook: Caleb Kaczmarek (Kaz)
Spotify: Caleb Kaczmarek
These are just some of the places where I extend my reach and activities, in areas that I have skill. Other excellent places to get following are on places like Tumblr, Pinterest, and Vines. Think creatively, and remember that theses are platforms for you, and people will be looking to get information on you. When in doubt don’t post it.
[bctt tweet=”When in doubt don’t post it… #Marketeer #Platform”]
Until you actually have merchandise to sell, art to show, or maybe even snippets of story or blogging—having your own website really isn’t necessary.
Witty Quips
When adults or peers in this industry ask you about yourself it’s important to have a medium to short answer. This answer will also be what they remember you by, and the more memorable, the more likely you are to make a connection.
Connections help you with your marketing, because you can collaborate and have people from their following become part of your following, so on and so forth. This is why it’s good to make friends and be approachable. Not only might they be a friend but they very well might be a mentor or the connection you need to get published.
Things to make you’re “witty quip” memorable:
You’re name (pen name/stage name/real name)
You’re genre (this one tripped me up the most, VERY important)
A platform that you share with other people (mine are A3 and Clever Gents)
Of coarse you don’t want to spit this all out like some sort of automaton. It’ll come out in a normal conversation. But the better you can hold a conversation the better people will like you. Just stay relaxed and allow your talk to be a friendly one.
It’s not a science, and you’re not looking to use friendships, but hopefully, with these pieces of advice, you can market like a civilized human being, while obtaining friendships. As you can see being marketable isn’t “easy” but if you’re able to put in the time and the effort you can really become a Master Marketeer.
This is how I see things through my lenses, tell me how you see things through yours.
There are two schools of thought about Christmas newsletters we receive from friends and family. One group loves them, and the other dreads seeing them tucked inside glitter-frosted cards.
I enjoy them immensely.
Although the newsletters come quickly, like ants filing out of anthills, they are, for me, a way to catch up on the happenings of loved ones every year.
Many of my newsletter-loving friends are writers, making theirs especially enjoyable to read, as you can’t help but “hear” their writer’s voice. One author gives beautiful descriptions of her home’s Christmas finery as she does in her book’s settings. She writes cozy novels and her newsletter seems to be an extension of her character’s warm and fuzzy lifestyles. Another writer friend’s letter hits only the high spots of her family’s holiday festivities. It lacks warmth and it’s not fuzzy in the least, a reflection of her bare bones writing style.
For practice in discovering your voice, write a Christmas newsletter. Let the words flow; remember this is just a practice exercise. When you finish, read the letter with fresh eyes and see if you recognize your style. In one of my earlier columns I suggested you read your older diaries and journals; this is another opportunity to examine free writings for glimpses of your unique voice.
Do I send Christmas newsletters, you might ask? The answer is no, simply because I am usually wrapping gifts until a Santa sighting is broadcast over the evening news report. I did, however, join you in this attempt, and my style and voice was easily recognized among the descriptions of holiday wrappings, tree decorations and the aromas of family dishes passed down through generations.
I hope this was a pleasant way to unwrap your writer’s voice.
Praying your Christmas is blessed beyond measure and that you, dear writer, find peace and hope among the most beautiful words ever penned…”for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (KJV)
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!
Tis the season to gift, and be gifted! Maybe you may have a favorite travel writer on your list, or perhaps you simply need to share a copy of this post with a loved one. (Hint, hint.)
Ditch those earbuds and enjoy a sweet set of noise cancelling headphones. The Best Headphones of 2015 list can be found here.
And finally, a personal favorite. Aqua Notes – Waterproof Pad, $6.99 Amazon. (I picked mine up at a local Mast General Store). Yep, that’s right. Slap it on the shower wall and you’ll be prepared for any water-induced epiphanies that come your way. And what writer doesn’t have these from time to time? I recently did a weekend writing jaunt at a lake retreat, thanks to a generous family friend. My Aqua notepad saved the day more than once. Use any type pen with it.
May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!
Pilgrims are poets who create by taking a journey. –Richard Niebuhr
Her name is Betty Killian. For years this precious woman raised children and helped her husband who served as the pastor of Baptist churches. I met the Killians during his semi-retirement when he worked as the Minister to Senior Adults at my home church.
Betty walked with God. A woman of God’s Word and a woman of prayer, she was a follower of Christ who tried to be sensitive to the presence and voice of the Holy Spirit of God inside of her.
After walking with the Lord for many years, she sensed the Spirit challenge her to self-publish a book about the ways God worked in her life and the life of her family. In the prologue to her book Miraculous Moments, she writes, “We are told over and over to tell the wonderful works of the Lord and make His deeds known. This is why I have endeavored to share some of the ‘miraculous moments’ of my life. God is very much alive and active in the everyday affairs of His children.”
Though she never expected her book to become a best-seller nor for a major publishing house to offer a contract, Betty was obedient to what she believed was the nudging of the Lord. Feeling the urge to write detailed accounts of God’s activity in her ordinary life, she obediently wrote and pursued the task. In 1992 Betty’s book became a reality.
Regarding the book’s outcome, she shared, “I am unaware of what God’s ultimate purpose is regarding these shared experiences. I am aware that rejection and ridicule may be in store. The desire to walk in obedience renders such opposition of no importance.”
Mrs. Killian’s books arrived in boxes and were distributed to local outlets. Her church, school, and area bookstores made them available. At the time, I was a young college student. My mother edited the book for Betty, so I had a keen interest in the project. That year I read Miraculous Moments from cover to cover, enjoying the practical, poignant, and sometimes powerful illustrations of the Lord’s intervention in the life of the Killian family.
Betty’s testimonies revealed an ordinary woman who walked closely with God, believed His promises, heard His voice, and obeyed Him. No, this was not a famous Christian hero like Kay Arthur, Anne Graham Lotz, or Corrie ten Boom. This was a regular pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother from Greenville, South Carolina, who had an extraordinary walk with God.
Betty’s stories challenged me during that impressionable season of life to develop an intimate relationship with Christ marked by prayer, faith, and obedience. To this day, almost twenty-five years later, I still have a copy of Miraculous Moments on my shelf and refer to it yearly.
The book was never a bestseller. And today, Betty still has boxes of her book in her closet at home.
But, Betty experienced a close walk with Jesus through the years. And in her senior years, the Lord challenged her to write down some of those experiences and share them with other people. Betty was obedient, and I was one of the recipients of that blessing.
The scope and reach of your writing is ultimately the Lord’s to determine. He may want to use your words to touch millions, thousands, hundreds, or a few dozen. It is our job to do our best and be obedient.
What if God’s purpose for your writing is to only touch a dozen? If so, like Betty, you may have an incredible opportunity to deeply impact a few lives for God’s kingdom.
Jesus impacted twelve people, and that blessing is felt today across the world.
[bctt tweet=”5 Ways #TeenWriters Can Gain Experience & Increase Chances of Publication @tessaemilyhall #amwriting”]
A degree in creative writing isn’t required for aspiring authors. Instead, writers should strive to gain experience and build their resume to increase chances of publication.
The writing journey can be a long process. You teens, however, have an advantage, because you can get a “head start”. By investing your time into building your writing resume, you might find success earlier in life.
Here are five ways teen writers can gain experience and increase chances of publication:
1) Write a blog and build a platform.
Publishers like to accept new authors who have already established a platform for themselves. How can you do this? By writing a blog and being active on social media.
I launched my blog when I was 16. I was able to network with other writers, practice writing on a deadline, and gather a readership before my book became published.
If you need help learning how to effectively use social media and blog to establish a platform, I highly recommend reading Edie Melson’s book, Connections.
2) Become published in magazines and websites.
I began writing for publications as a teenager. Now, on my writing resume and bio, I can list the websites and magazines my work has appeared in.
Not only can this contribute to your portfolio and establish a platform, but it might show an agent or publisher that you have writing aptitude.
Want to get started publishing your work? Check out the latest Writer’s Market Guide.
3) Enter writing contests.
This is one thing I wish I would’ve done as a teen writer. If you place in a writing contest, a publisher or agent will be more likely to look at your work. It’ll prove that you are a serious and talented writer.
This is yet another way to bridge the gap between amateur writer to experienced. (Not to mention, many industry professionals are contest judges themselves!)
Recently, I attended my 10th writing conference. I can’t stress enough how valuable and worthwhile conferences are—even for teens! I went to my first one at 16-years-old, and it is there that I met my publisher. I found my agent at another one two years later.
Writing is a solitary career. By attending a conference—even a small one—not only do you have the chance to meet industry professionals and pitch your book, but you might also make writing friends that could last a lifetime.
Besides, why wouldn’t you want to spend a week immersed in workshops that can help improve your craft? (And drinking gallons of coffee?) 😉
5) Take workshops, join a critique group, and become apart of a writer’s organization.
When a publisher sees that you are invested in your writing education, they will realize you aren’t another aspiring amateur writer. They’ll especially be impressed to see that you are a teen writer who is knowledgeable about the craft and industry.
Consider checking out Go Teen Writers, which is an online community where you can find like-minded writers your age (and perhaps even an online critique partner).
Do your research to see if there is a writing organization you could join, and if there are critique groups and writing workshops in your area.
[bctt tweet=”#TeenWriters: Check out these tips on how to build writing experience @tessaemilyhall #amwriting #teenwriters”]
Young Scribe: You have the advantage of launching your writing journey early in life. Don’t take this time for granted! Begin gaining experience now to increase your chances of publication.
What are ways you have invested in this career? Leave a comment!
“I will prepare and one day my chance will come.” – Abraham Lincoln
Much of life is about preparation. Before bed, I make a list of what needs to be done tomorrow. I keep an ongoing list on the fridge of what items we need from the store. This summer I began a “Christmas file,” where I save unexpected money that comes in to get ready for Christmas shopping.
I occasionally sing for events. When I sang last week for a local ministry, I pulled out my notebook of lyrics and tracks ready for such an occasion.
Near the end of each month, I start making a list of what needs to be purchased the next month for our church’s ministry.
When I find a good illustration, I file it away to be used at an opportune time in my sermons or writing.
The Bible talks about the meticulous work and preparation of one of God’s smallest creatures: the ant. Proverbs 6 says, “Go to the ant . . . ; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (6-8).
These amazing creatures understand that great tasks are accomplished one grain of sand at a time. Near summer’s end, my backyard abounds with large fire ant hills. Amazingly, these monstrous creations are made by individual ants moving one piece of sand at a time. They achieve their goals by taking repeated small steps. They embrace small steps knowing that they will lead to the big goal.
We live in a day of instant gratification. With instant oatmeal, fast food, and internet shopping, we want healthy relationships, toned bodies, and deep spirituality to occur quickly.
As writers, we go to a conference and want to quickly produce the latest and greatest American novel. We return home hoping to win the next award, land a big agent, attract 1000 readers to our blog, or land a three-digit contract. And we want it to all happen before we return to the conference next year.
Quick-fixes may happen in video games and fairy tales, but they seldom occur in real life.
The wise person, instead, takes the long-range view of life and then practices discipline regularly.
Do I want to write a book in the next year? What am I doing this week to make that happen in small, incremental steps? Do I hope to put into practice something I learned at a conference? What if I sit down for one hour this weekend and review my notes and set some practical goals for the next month?
In life, opportunities tend to be seized and realized by prepared people.
There was a saying in the Revolutionary War that rings true: “Trust in God, but keep your powder dry.” In other words, prepare myself.
Sometimes we need to stop hoping and start moving sand, one piece at a time.
A writer’s voice is the unique personality of the writer that comes through on the written page, defining his work. An often-asked question is whether a writer’s style is the same thing as his voice. The answer is no.
A writer’s style is the way in which he structures sentences; the pattern in which his words are written. Components of style are the length of the sentences, diction, tone and length of paragraphs.
A somewhat surprising tool for discovering your writer’s voice and style is your juvenile diary. Below are two examples of these early writings; exaggerated here for style comparison.
Stark
Diary, yesterday I went to the mall. I bought a dress. Mary was there.
Ornate
Dearest Diary,
I ventured to the mall in the last light of the day. I purchased a dress with a gossamer over-skirt that will make Robbie compare me to a princess. I will sit his picture on my bedside table and hopefully dream of him until dawn breaks.
The writer’s style was different in each example. The stark example’s sentences are simple and sparse. The ornate example has long, flowing sentences.
Do you have your teenage diary, the one you kept under lock and key? If so, take a trip down memory lane with the distinct purpose of discovering your writer’s style. This early diary was unedited which allowed your authentic writer’s voice to shine through.
If you don’t have your treasured diary, compare a piece you wrote a year ago to a recent effort. Does a pattern emerge…do you recognize your writing style?
“The most durable thing in writing is style, and style is the most valuable investment a writer can make with his time.” Raymond Chandler
Hi new friends. My name is Dina Sleiman. In addition to being a published author myself, I’m an acquisitions editor with WhiteFire Publishing, and I will be a regular guest here on A3. First let me applaud you for being involved with this blog. A teachable spirit is probably the most important ingredient to becoming a published author. You have to learn the craft and the industry, and this is an excellent starting place. To help you in this endeavor, I plan to offer some insider information that will give you a leg up when dealing with editors. As someone who sits on both sides of the desk, I think I have a unique perspective on this issue.
My first tip is this: editors are real live people just like you! That might sound a little silly, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget. Today I’m going to focus primarily on meeting editors in person, and I would venture to say that most of this is true of agents as well. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Editors Want to Have a Good Conference Experience. While editors come in a variety of personality types, they want to have a pleasant conference experience just like you. They might be shy and new to the conference and just as nervous about who to sit with at lunch as you are. Or they might be a fun-loving individual looking for someone to bounce their jokes off of. If you treat them like a person, ask them about their families and interests, you might just gain an actual friend who happens to be influential in the publishing industry. As is always the case in life, you will probably connect easily with some of them, and not so easily with others. That’s okay. Chances are the ones who like you will also like your writing.
Editors Want to Have Good Meetings with Conferees. Generally, editors don’t like being pressured, being given sob stories, or being told that God has mandated them to publish your book. They don’t like being chased or handed manuscripts under bathroom stalls. Beyond that, it’s a good idea to do some research on the editor and learn their preferences. Personally, I have a pet peeve about conferees who don’t answer my questions but instead push on with their sales pitch. On the other hand, I find nervous conferees kind of endearing. I think most editors like it when conferees are a nice balance of prepared yet casual. They enjoy a relaxed meeting. They like to have a conversation and not just listen to a speech. They like to see that you are excited about your project and that you’ve done your work to be ready for publication.
Editors Talk to Other Editors. Going to writers conferences and meeting with editors is an awesome idea…unless you have a pushy, annoying, or otherwise abrasive personality. In which case, you might want to think twice. Editors talk to other editors, and you don’t want to get a bad reputation in the industry. If you discover that you’ve committed a serious faux pas (I‘m not talking about passing manuscripts under stalls or using the wrong font here, we’re used to that stuff), it might be wise to offer a sincere and heartfelt apology.
Editors Have Preferences about Submissions. For starters, most editors only want submissions from agents these days. You will not do yourself any favors by disregarding their wishes. If they do take submissions, shockingly (note the sarcasm) they put their guidelines right on their website, and they expect you to follow them. What if they just say something general like “a query letter” or “a proposal”? That should indicate two things to you, 1) They aren’t terribly particular, but 2) they do expect you to do your own homework and to provide these documents to a general industry standard. Don’t know what that is? I repeat—do your homework.
Editors Represent Companies. Editors might seem like all-powerful gods to authors, but they have to answer to their employers just like anyone else, and they also have to win the approval of their publication committee and marketing department. If an editor chooses your book and it does poorly, it could negatively impact them. They have an obligation to represent their company’s lines and needs, and part of your homework is to make sure you are sending your work to the right companies. You could have an awesome book that the editor loves, but whether or not you get a contract will still be largely based on the company’s specific needs and available slots at that moment. Editors want to please their employers and keep their jobs just like anyone else, which is why being stubborn or pushy about a book that doesn’t fit their line will only put you on their naughty list.
Editors Have Personal Taste. In addition to representing their companies, editors also have their own taste. You might find that within a given publishing house one editor prefers plot driven fiction, another deep characters, and a third is a sucker for a great voice. That’s why you can’t take rejection too personally, and you must keep trying and trying. It’s entirely possible that you might send an editor an awesome novel, but they have read two similar bad ones recently that negatively color their perception. Or worse yet, they might have just read an off the charts awesome book in your genre, and therefore yours seems lackluster in comparison. It happens, and there’s nothing you can do about it but persevere.
Editors Care about People They Know. And so that pretty much bring us back to the first point. Let me be clear. I’m not talking about nepotism. However, I think it is simple human nature that editors will give more time and attention to submissions by people that they know and like. They’ll feel more confident about publishing a book by someone they trust. It’s easy for me to send a simple, “no thank you” to people I haven’t met. Whereas someone I know in person is more likely to get suggestions for improvement with an invitation to resubmit. At the end of the day, publishers are only going to publish books they love and feel confident about. But given two books of equal merit, do you think an editor will push for the one by a friend or a stranger???
Yep, editors are people too. Don’t tick them off. Don’t annoy them. But if you can invest time into getting to know them as individuals, it just might bode well for your future.
Can you share any funny stories, cautionary tales, or suggestions about meeting with editors?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dina Sleiman writes stories of passion and grace. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. She serves as an acquisitions and content editor for WhiteFire Publishing. Check out her novels Dance from Deep Within, Dance of the Dandelion, and Love in Three-Quarter Time, and look for her Valiant Hearts adventure/romance books, Dauntless and Chivalrous, with Bethany House Publishers. For more info visit her at http://dinasleiman.com/
Jesus Christ described the incredible power of one.
Studying for a sermon series recently called The Power of One, the repetition in Jesus’ teachings of the word “one” amazed me.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to ONE of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. – Matthew 10:42
And whoever welcomes ONE such child in my name welcomes me. – Matthew 18:5
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for ONE of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40
Reading Christ’s words at face-value, I see that Jesus’ perspective is different than mine. And His perspective is all that ultimately matters.
Our world values numbers. Musicians want their albums to sell millions of copies and thus receive awards. Artists want their works to be sold to myriad people. Authors want their books to include on the cover, “More than 100,000 copies sold!” In the world of church growth, success is often measured by a quantitative amount of money and people: “nickels and noses.” Society now values worth or impact based on how many social media friends, connections, and “likes” received.
Jesus stuns me with his emphasis on one. Reward comes from welcoming one child. Recognition begins with doing a small task for one person in Jesus’ name. Doing low-profile acts of service like visiting a sick person, spending time with a prisoner, feeding or clothing a poor person, or welcoming a stranger, rank high on the important list of the King of all the earth.
Medical doctor and futurist Richard Swenson writes that Jesus “wasn’t in a speed race: He was in a love race. It is good news that we can return sovereignty back to the Almighty and resume our servant’s role of simply loving the person He places in front of us.” (A Minute of Margin by Navpress)
Ministry to Jesus was the person standing in front of Him. He understood the incredible power of one.
According to the Scriptures, God is honored when one person lives by faith and invests in one person at a time.
When we minister to one person, Jesus credits it to our account.
What if God’s purpose for your writing is not to sell thousands of copies, nor hit a best-seller list, nor have oodles and oodles of social media hits, nor win numerous awards? What if He created you, gave you lots of wisdom and discernment from spiritual truth and life experiences, and taught you how to write so that you could make a difference in a small group of readers?
What if He takes your article, devotion, or book, and uses it deeply in the life of one person?
Maybe today Jesus would say to you, If your writing touches one lonely grandmother in a nursing home, one single mom in a doctor’s office, or one struggling student in a university, than you have done that unto Me. Well done.
According to Jesus, there is an incredible power and reward in one.
Andrew McCarthy, guest editor of The Best American Travel Writing 2015, says that the best travel writing is “the anonymous and solitary traveler capturing a moment in time and place, giving meaning to his or her travels.”
Capturing a moment in time—and sharing it in a way that captures the very imagination of the reader—is the goal of every writer. Below are four tips to consider in making your next project a memorable one:
Make your prose sing. Read a little poetry every day. Yes, poetry! Read it aloud. Feel the cadence and you’re sure to gain a new understanding, as well as a fresh appreciation, for the value poetry can bring to your prose.
Make it impossible for readers to turn away. Engage a person’s five senses and you’ll go straight for the emotional jugular. Include as many of the senses as your piece will sensibly allow—especially where the sensory of scent is concerned. It’s a powerhouse player on the sensory team and unfortunately, often overlooked.
Make your point. If you don’t know the focal point of your travel story, chances are your reader won’t either and who wants to ride a merry-go-round of endless details? Most of us enjoy the scenery but we all expect to land at a particular destination.
Make continual learning a must. Howard Hendricks once said, “I’d rather have my students drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool.” When we as writers hone our skills by furthering our education through classes, increasing our time between the pages of quality travel books, or joining a local or online writer’s group, our readers will drink from a running stream, leaving them refreshed… and wanting more.
Is there one tip, either from above or from another source, that you plan to integrate into your writing to make it more memorable?
photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/35740357@N03/4727573694″>Tricycle Club of the Century Village Retirement Community Meets Each Morning.</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://www.flickr.com/commons/usage/”>(license)</a>
“The sky looks ever so deep when you lay down on your back in the moonshine; I never knowed it before. And how far a body can hear on the water such nights! I heard people talking at the ferry landing. I heard what they said, too—every word of it.”
This passage comes from Huckleberry Finn, one of the greatest novels of all time. It’s also one of the greatest uses of the first person perspective. In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain got into the head of his main character like no other writer.
One of the most important decisions that any writer can make is choosing the novel’s point of view. Will you tell your story through first person, as Twain did with Huck Finn, or will it be third person or any of the many variations?
I have heard it said that that there are as many as 26 different kinds of point of view, although I can’t begin to guess how they came up with so many. Even more importantly, why would anyone want to break it down into so many different sub-categories?
Such people probably have very organized sock drawers.
For the purposes of this blog, let’s keep it simple. Let’s just stick with three points of view:
Third Person Omniscient
Third Person Limited
First Person
In the third person voice, of course, the viewpoint character is referred to as “he” or “she,” but never as “I” because that would put you in first person. But there are different types of third-person viewpoints, the most common being omniscient and limited.
In my last blog, The Perils of Head-Hopping, I talked about how my editor banned me (for good reason) from using the third person omniscient voice when I wrote my first novel. Omniscient is when the writer puts the reader in the thoughts of any character at any time. In one paragraph, you might be in one character’s head and the next paragraph you’re in another character’s head.
I argued in my last blog that the omniscient view makes it more difficult to attach to any one character because you’re constantly bouncing from head to head, rather than remaining focused on the interior thoughts and feelings of one character at a time. If you want to find out more details about why my editor discouraged me (to put it mildly) from using the omniscient voice, check out my last blog.
So if I scrapped third person omniscient, that leaves first person and third person limited, and I chose third person limited. Why?
Third person limited is a nice compromise between first person and omniscient. Third person limited provides more intimacy with your characters than the omniscient voice, and it provides more flexibility in the plot than first person.
With first person, you can create the greatest intimacy between your character and reader because everything is from the “I” perspective. Just as in Huckleberry Finn, you climb into the head of the character and see everything through that person’s eyes. You can’t get more intimate than that.
However, by locking your story into one character’s viewpoint, you also don’t have much flexibility. Every scene is from one person’s perspective, so that character has to be in every single scene of the book.
When I had to switch to a new point of view for my first novel, The Disappearing Man, I knew immediately that first person wouldn’t work. The Disappearing Man is based on the true story of Henry “Box” Brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom in 1849 by shipping himself in a box from Richmond to Philadelphia. If I had written this novel in first person, I would have been writing myself into a box, you might say. Once Henry was sealed inside the box, everything would have to be from his viewpoint inside the box. That would have made for a very boring story, although in the hands of a great writer I suppose it might have made a fascinating experimental novel—an entire book told from the perspective of a man inside a box.
But it wasn’t for me.
I wanted to be able to follow other storylines, particularly the attempt of John Allen (the villain) to track him down. I couldn’t very well follow John Allen’s pursuit if I’m stuck inside the box, writing from Henry’s perspective.
So for me it was an easy decision: third person limited.
Third person limited enabled me to switch among several different viewpoint characters. One scene would be from Henry’s third person perspective inside the box, and then another scene would be from John Allen’s perspective as he tries to capture the escaped slave. Yet another scene would be from the perspective of Samuel Smith, the white man who helped Henry escape.
In other words, I could get into the head of only one character (the viewpoint character) in each scene. That’s why it’s called third person “limited.”
I had to be careful not to have too many viewpoint characters. If you switch among too many, you once again lose the intimacy between the reader and the character. So I rotated the viewpoint among four primary characters in The Disappearing Man.
Some books start a new chapter whenever they switch from one character’s point of view to another character’s. I prefer to make the switch at a scene break, rather than a chapter break. As a result, I might have a single chapter with three different scenes, each one presented from a different character’s viewpoint.
In sum, here is my run-down on the three voices:
Third person omniscient: Very High Plot Flexibility, Very Low Intimacy
Third person limited: High Plot Flexibility, High Intimacy
First person: Very Low Plot Flexibility, Very High Intimacy
Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” The same is true about choosing the right voice. When you find the right voice for your story, it’s like capturing lightning in a bottle.
5 for Writing
Get writing. Find the time to write. Then do it.
Learn by listening—and doing. Solicit feedback, discern what helps you.
Finish your story. Edit and rewrite, but don’t tinker forever. Reach the finish line.
Thrive on rejection. Get your story out there. Be fearless. Accept rejection.
Become a juggler. After one story is finished, be ready to start another. Consider writing two at once.
At a writer’s conference, a contest judge once shared with me that he could pick my voice out of numerous entries. “You write like you are talking to a friend,” he said.
If you are searching for your writer’s voice and are feeling the search will never end, I have a couple of suggestions that might simplify your quest based on the contest judge’s comment to me.
Imagine your best friend is listening to you as your story pours from your heart onto paper. With this technique your passion will flow with ease. Friends share both their happy times and seasons of sorrow without reservation.
After I shared this advice at a workshop, I received an email from an attendee.
“I pulled a comfortable chair in front of my desk and imagined my best friend was sitting there, waiting for my every word. As I wrote the beginning of my novel I would glance at the chair and speak a few words of novel dialogue to the ghost-image. The dialogue came easy and I was able to write the first chapter in record time.”
Another tip: I often ask other writers to listen as I read a passage from my work-in-progress to see if my voice is coming through loud and clear and if they can hear my heart.
“Always listen to your heart, because even though it’s on your left side, it’s always right.” – Nicholas Sparks
When reading my work out loud to others I often catch mistakes such as which sentences are awkward, repetitiveness or if the tone is incorrect.
Still searching for your writer’s voice? Try giving the friend-in-chair technique and reading your work aloud to others a try.
Do you have a suggestion for finding the writer’s voice? If so, please share in the comments section.
Last month I introduced the concept of rhetorical devices. We started with a couple familiar devices that students of English would know if they’d been paying attention in school—metaphor, simile, and analogy. So much for the basics. Let’s explore a few literary tools whose names are far less well known, but that you’ve likely seen or used. You probably just didn’t know they had a specific name or function.
Asyndeton
You may spot the technique in these sentences:
· We came, we saw, we conquered.
· The fair goers spent the day eating, walking, resting, riding, laughing.
· God is relentless, personal, intensely private.
You probably notice that none of these sentences uses a conjunction (joiner) in a series of words or phrases. That’s asyndeton—omitting the conjunction in series to give a particular effect.[bctt tweet=” …asyndeton … steps up the pacing or rhythm and gives the sentence a punch, a more precise and concise meaning. #writer #writerslife”] It helps to convey a sense of spontaneity, immediacy, incompleteness.
Notice how leaving out the conjunction and in the third sentence, God is relentless, personal, intensely private, gives the feeling that the sentence is not complete, that there is more to God than these three attributes—a wholly appropriate feeling when writing about God.
Asyndeton comes from Latin and Greek, syndeton meaning connected; the prefix a renders it unconnected or without conjunctions. An asyndeton can be used in a series of words, phrases or sentences, or between sentences and clauses.
Conversely, polysyndeton is the repetition of a conjunction. While it is structurally the opposite of asyndeton it has a similar effect of multiplying, growing energy, and building up.
· Armed with diapers and bottles and formula and blankets, the new parents left the hospital.
You get the sense that these folks are embarking on a monumental task, don’t you?
Polysyndeton is most effective when used with three or four elements. Notice the strength piling on the ands gives to Spencer Tracy’s pro-evolution argument in the 1960 movie, Inherit the Wind:
“Can’t you understand? That if you take a law like evolution and you make it a crime to teach it in the public schools, tomorrow you can make it a crime to teach it in the private schools? And tomorrow you may make it a crime to read about it. And soon you may ban books and newspapers. And then you may turn Catholic against Protestant, and Protestant against Protestant, and try to foist your own religion upon the mind of man. If you can do one, you can do the other. Because fanaticism and ignorance is forever busy, and needs feeding.”
[bctt tweet=”Both asyndenton and polysyndeton are useful tools in giving greater power to your words, establishing a rhythm that creates a feeling of rising action, giving the impression there’s more that could be said. #authors #writing”] But leave it to a truly inspired writer to skillfully shift from polysyndeton to asyndeton.
Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him (Isaiah 24:1-2 KJV).
Characters have always been my favorite aspect of writing. I create stories for my characters rather than characters for my stories. That’s just my style though.
But whatever your style, here are a few ways to build your characters.
Establish the basics. What’s he look like, where does she live, is he good or bad? Cast your characters. Think, “If this were a movie, who would play my character?”
Different celebrities are great, but they aren’t the only sources. I do a lot of people watching, and sometimes there’s just that one guy that looks like he just walked out of your world. Even other characters could inspire what your character looks like.
It’s important to be able to visualize your peeps, but you shouldn’t describe every one of their features in your story. Essentially, unless there’s something important about them, it doesn’t matter what color the eyes are. I’ve read so many books where there was an extensive description given, but by the middle of the book I had my own image for the characters. Be careful not to use the mirror cliché. We don’t need to see your character seeing himself through a piece of glass.
This guy is an inspiration to me.
Get to know them. You should know your characters better than they know themselves. Their deepest secrets, their petty wishes, what they do on their down time…what they want for lunch. If you don’t have a connection with your character, then you’re not really done.
Two of my original characters, Mr. Kabuto & Char.
Quirks, addictions, and occupations—connect with your character. Your characters are special. Take time to make them so. What sets your villain apart from every other thug on the street? Perhaps she has a kid, or he’s trying to quit drinking. Maybe your character’s completely unnatural, cold, calculated, and depressed but their favorite musician is Michael Jackson or Taylor Swift.
Sometimes, the protagonist isn’t likeable in the beginning. Your readers will grow to like him…if they stick around. What might win them over quickly? Something surprisingly admirable–they tip extra. Something relatable–they miss their sister. Or they share a pet peeve with the masses–they don’t like when people smack their gum. Little things like that draw readers in and make it all that much easier to relate to your character, even if they’re not really likeable. On the other hand, your character might be too good to be true. Give them flaws. Every person struggles with something, be it drugs, rage, eating habits, depression, or self-image. Everyone has problems. Know the inside scoop.
[bctt tweet=”Music is one way that I understand my characters best. #Playlists #Teenwriters”]
Music is one way that I understand my characters best. When I’m writing a character or brainstorming what s/he is like, I listen to music that creates a certain mood. For lighthearted characters I listen to lighthearted music; same goes with angry or sad characters. Making custom playlists for certain characters helps to give you an inside look at how it feels to be them. I’m always looking for new music, and I have several playlists for general characters. I’m not bragging, but they’re there for the follow. It’s on Spotify. My Playlists I recommend for writing are:
Why Can’t I Dream About Food
Fantasy & SciFi
Explore the Grey Forest
Lupivils
Child of Light
Transistor
(And for all you Zelda fans) Zelda
Characters are amazing and downright cool! Have fun dreaming them up, and make a new friend.
This is how I see things through my lenses. Comment below and tell me what you see. Be it music or character ideas. Whatevs.
Thanks to my bro for taking that picture of me. Also special thanks to me for drawing that other picture. Stay classy, folks.
One of the occupational hazards of the writing-editing life is back and/or neck pain as a result of poor posture. We’re often sitting, hunched over a computer for long periods of time. Without our chair, desk, and computer properly aligned we’re prone to periodic discomfort or chronic pain. Not to mention eye strain if we forget to follow the 20-20-20- practice: [bctt tweet=”every 20 minutes take 20 seconds to look at something at least 20 feet away.”]
