Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Resolutions??

Since it is the dawn of a new year, let’s discuss those dreaded resolutions. I have been resolving to lose weight for about 44 years, so we’ll move past that one.
Here are some common resolutions for writers, along with my rebuke—I mean, commentary.

  • Drink more coffee. According to the plethora of Hallmark movies about writers, we drink a lot of coffee. WAIT A MINUTE! I gave up caffeine eight months ago, so I’ll be drinking more hot chocolate.
  • Find a groovy coffee shop or diner as a place to write. Writers all over the Internet talk about how they do their best work at Starbucks, Panera, or a charming mom-and-pop place. WAIT A MINUTE! I have trouble writing in a crowd, plus I live in a small town. I know EVERYONE, so I wouldn’t get much writing done with all the conversations (Have I mentioned I love to talk?). I’ll stick to sitting on the couch with my laptop.
  • Get up really early to write. At one of my first writers conferences, I went to a workshop called “Finding Time to Write” taught by a popular author, and he shared his routine with us. He suggested we get up at 4:30 IN THE MORNING to get in a few hours of writing before the workday begins. WAIT A MINUTE! No one would want to read what I would write at 4:30 IN THE MORNING, and I am generally not functional until 9 or 10. I’ll stick to writing in the evenings, when I’m actually AWAKE and semi-coherent.

I, like most writers, have figured out what works for me. Some people may be able to bang out a bestseller at the local coffee shop early in the morning with loads of caffeine, and that’s fine. Hey, if it works, go for it! The rest of us will find the right time and place (and beverage) to do our best work.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll find something for that weight loss resolution, after I finish all of these holiday treats.

Carlton Hughes wears many hats. By day, he’s a professor of communication at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he does object lessons and songs with motions as Children’s Pastor of Lynch Church of God. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Chicken Soup for the Soul and several devotional books from Worthy Publishing—Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. Carlton and his wife Kathy have two college-age sons, Noah and Ethan. He is on the planning committee for Kentucky Christian Writers Conference and is a year-round volunteer for Operation Christmas child. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

Categories
Screenwriting

Genre

When I first started pursuing a career as a writer of the screenplays and began learning the craft, I learned that the first rule is to know your audience. And this isn’t just for screenwriting; it’s across the board for all writers, because, ultimately that is who we are writing for.

Knowing our audience helps us determine what we want to say and how we’re going to say it. We may not know the details of the narrative or how it will play out, but we can determine what we want to say.

Your theme or takeaway will be your message to your target audience. To help decide who you want to write to, look around at the world and pay attention to what is going on. There are so many possibilities with the new year; people are looking for fresh starts and new adventures.

People are looking for different things; our job as writers is to provide new adventures and new messages. In film different messages and narratives are divided into many genres. For the sake of this post, I will briefly discuss the top seven of 2018.

  • Action- $3,936,789,020 via 55 movies
  • Adventure- $2,776,858,544 via 38 movies
  • Drama- $1,571,656,896 via 261 movies
  • Horror- $875,245,579 via 33 movies
  • Comedy- $771,190,520 via 71 movies
  • Thriller/Suspense- $617,768,392 via 55 movies
  • Musical- $309,165,560 via 8 movies
  • Romantic Comedy- $240,993,609 via 15 movies[i]

The general rule in screenwriting is for the writer to establish the genre of the film of the screenplay in the first 10 pages. That way the reader, studio, execs or whoever the first audience is will understand the kind of film or genre it is.

GENRES?

The word genre comes from a 19th-century French word that means, “a kind.” It’s also where we get our word gender from. The idea here is rather simple. Genres are different kinds of films that contain similar structures, themes, and characteristics.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to genres, subgenres, and hybrid genres. Robert McKee wisely notes, “You must not only respect but master your genre and its conventions. Never assume that because you’ve seen the films in your genre you know it. “[ii]

McKee notes six primary genres not necessarily in this order. [iii]

  1. Maturation Plot Big
  2. Westerns Butch Cassidy
  3. Modern Epic Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
  4. Horror Nightmare On Elm Street
  5. War Story Saving Private Ryan
  6. Love Story A Very Long Engagement 

There are always multiple combinations or subgenres of each of these and it’s common for them to overlap. For instance, the last movie listed above is a romantic story set in war times. But the romantic theme of love never gives up is the ultimate theme of the film.

By the end of the film, it is clear that undying love is the heart of director and screenwriter Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s message. It is a love story from the first scene until the end.

The Heart of it All!

Throughout this year we’ll explore a few of these different genres from time to time. But we must never forget that regardless of the genre, what we want to say to our audience through the basics I discussed last year:

  • Action
  • Character
  • Setting
  • Plot

That is the heart of our narrative and will determine our genre.

[i] https://www.the-numbers.com/market/2018/genres

[ii] McKee R. (1997).  Story: Substance, Structure, Style, And The Principle of Screenwriting (Kindle edition) pg 89.

[iii] McKee R. (1997).  Story: Substance, Structure, Style, And The Principle of Screenwriting (Kindle edition) pg 80-81.

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Truamatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at Spiritual Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
My Writing Journey

My Definition of Success

All too often we’re shallow enough to think the prize is worth the journey. Really it’s the journey that’s the prize.

When I was little my dream fit in three words: publish a book.

I didn’t care about sales and didn’t even know about the Times list. All I wanted was to see my book on a store shelf.

Now I’ve written three books, signed with an agent, and I’m waiting to hear if and when my books will hit stores.

But the moment I signed an agent contract wasn’t the moment I found success.

Signing my first book deal won’t be that moment either.

There’s a misconception that success equals sales stats and how many digits are on an advance check. Those are extremely important. Publishing is a business after all! However, they aren’t how I define my success as a writer.

Wanting to see my book on a shelf is what started my journey, but I’ve found the journey is actually more important than whatever success I may find at the end.

In college writing was the last job I wanted because I believed I was way too extroverted for it. Thankfully, an author sat me down and explained the marketing and publicity side of writing and I realized writing isn’t just about writing.

I couldn’t be a writer if I didn’t live life to the fullest because writing is about sharing truth of experience.

It’s giving words to the feelings of others.

It’s a medium to use when one physical person has a message that needs to reach thousands and millions and billions of others. I write because I want to communicate to everyone and writing is one way to do that most effectively.

As I’ve progressed from a third grader penciling sentences on wide-rule paper to a post-graduate typing thousands of words on my Mac, I’ve learned writing isn’t about writing.

Writing is about communication.

I graduated college last December with a degree in Strategic Communications. I had no idea one year later I’d be signed with an agent and already hearing positive feedback from multiple publishing houses.

At heart, I’m a communicator. At heart, I just really love people. And at the core of what I do, the goal isn’t to just “get published” anymore.

The goal is to communicate truth – through living, through interpersonal interactions, through writing. That’s why success isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime book deal (however awesome that would be!).

Writing is so much more than words. Success is so much more than numbers.

Writing is a venue where words are necessary to communicate powerfully and effectively with the masses.

When I get my first book deal I’ll be thrilled, no question about that! But success isn’t signing my name on my piece of paper.

Success is the growth I’ll learn through the process of getting there.

Here’s to the journey!

Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Writer, working with brands to grow their audience reach. She studied Strategic Communications at Cornerstone University and focused on writing during her time there, completing two full-length manuscripts while a full-time student. Currently she trains under best-selling author Jerry Jenkins in his Your Novel Blueprint course and is actively seeking publication for two books.

Instagram: @sarahjrexford
Twitter: @sarahjrexford
Web: itssarahrexford.com

Categories
Literary Women in Histor

Margaret Elizabeth Sangster: Conversations with a Wise Friend

I stash books in every corner of my home. There’s not a single wall in my house where you won’t see at least one vintage book artfully displayed. I rescue old volumes in cloth covers with pre-1940s copyrights. When I’m thrifting or browsing for treasures in antique shops, my eyes are alert to catch a gold embossed hardcover spine by a classic author. My mantle is a showplace for early volumes of Dickens, Tennyson, and Van Dyke—notable names among a host of lesser-knowns, but no less worthy wordsmiths in their day.

Vintage books are my favorite reads and go-to props for decorating year-round. Recently I came across a volume that captured my attention with a gold embossed spine and faded portrait of a gentle woman’s face on the cover.

It was that of 19th century American poet, author, and editor, Margaret Elizabeth Sangster. In her day, she was a prolific writer who explored family and faith themes with thoughtful devotional reflections, hymns, and sacred texts.

Born in 1838, she lived in New York and New Jersey, growing up in a Christian home. Honing her writing skills in her youth, she delayed her publishing aspirations throughout her thirteen-year marriage to George Sangster, until his death in 1871. A widow in her mid-thirties, she chose not to remarry, and pursued a career as writer/editor with a number of popular publications for women and Christian readers including Hearth and Home and Harper’s Bazaar. She was a contributing writer to Ladies’ Home Journal, The Christian Herald, and dispensed wisdom in a regular column of the Woman’s Home Companion. In addition, she published several volumes of children’s stories, poetry, and inspirational collections for women—including The Joyful Life, published in 1903 by the American Tract Society—my new treasure for devotional reading.

As we enter a new year holding great promise for Christians world-wide, and especially for writers creatively communicating Christ through their words, it is useful to review the timeless advice from writers of the past. We learn that, as a society, we don’t really change as much as we like to think we do. The window dressings of style and trends might—but the driving force of the human heart condition does not. Like Jesus, humans are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow—ever in need of His saving grace and wise words for practical application in whatever epoch of time God has allotted to us.

Mrs. Sangster’s 19th century words soak into my heart and mind as we enter 2019. Her gentle compassion and compelling wisdom in applying biblical principles to everyday life read fresh and relevant to my life as a Christian woman a century after she penned the words.

So, to kick off this new year, I invite you to visit with Mrs. Sangster in select excerpts from a chapter of The Joyful Life, published by the American Tract Society in 1903. We listen in on a vintage conversation between the author and her intimate friend from school days, Miriam.

May you drink deep from her wells of wisdom and listen to this woman writer’s heart in this New Year’s Meditation:

Of Old School Days: “There Were Well Educated Women”

 One of my old schoolmates, a girl who used to sit at the same desk with me when we were in our teens, came not long ago to make me a little visit. In our different ways we have both been very busy since those bright days when we studied French verbs and Latin conjugations together, and dipped into mathematics and explored ancient history, albeit our school was only a seminary for young ladies, and the era of the woman’s college had not yet dawned.

In passing, let me say a good word for the fidelity of the old-time preceptors and the thoroughness of the instruction they imparted. I am not disposed to undervalue anything in the latter curriculum, but there were well-educated women, cultured, disciplined, and broadened by their intellectual training, before the great colleges set wide doors open for the entrance of girl students. After all, the best result of an education course is seen in its success in putting tools in the hand for use in the life-work, and in the symmetry with which it develops character.

Of Aging Well: “The Golden Age of the Grandmother”

Miriam is a bright, breezy person whose heart is the gayer because she is the mother of a house full of children, and has always had young people about her, needing her counsel. She does not look her real age, but then nobody does that any longer; we are all ten years younger than we used to be, so much more closely do we follow the laws of health, and so much greater is the ease of modern living, what with labor-saving contrivances and luxuries of which our mothers and grandmothers never dreamed.

Today, the woman, married or single, who is under forty years is a young woman, and her looks convey no other impression. At fifty the gracious lady bears herself as thirty-five was wont to do two score years ago, and the active person of sixty is far from claiming immunity from service, or any privileges of ease, on account of her age. Miriam and I felicitated ourselves that this is the golden age of the grandmother.

On Passing Years: “The Seasons Do Glide Faster”

“But, my dear,” said my friend musingly, “how short the years are getting to be. Don’t you recall what a long, long space of time a year was when we were children? Now twelve months is a little flitting period, which makes one think of the simile of a bird flying through a lighted hall, from blackness to blackness.”

“Well,” I answered, “I grant that the seasons do glide faster with one than of old, but I think it is simply because I have so much to do, and so many complex interests. I can fancy, however, those to whom the progress of time is slow enough, even in old age. The man who was once in the midst of affairs, but on whom a creeping paralysis has set its fettering hand; the woman chained to her bed by a cruelly torturing malady; the prisoner in his cell; the stranger lonely among strangers, may not find the years so swift. Part of the restlessness which makes some old people so unhappy is no doubt due to the fact that their empty days have grown slow and dragging, that there is no flavor left for them in life’s cup. People in the shadow of grief always suffer from the tedium of the days. The mourner’s days move at a snail’s pace.”

On Resolutions: “Turning the Fresh Page”

After a while she said, “Another year is coming. Are you making any new departures, any new resolves? There is something attractive about turning the fresh page, isn’t there?”

“I have long felt that every day is a fresh beginning, and I have laid aside the habit, if I ever had it, of celebrating the new year as a special place for good resolutions. I do like, though, to signalize it by some particular pleasure, to meet my friends and kinsfolk then, and to exchange greetings and good wishes with them. If the calendar did nothing else, it would remind us that the chances for making our beloved ones happy are lessening and that we ought to avail ourselves of every coming opportunity to scatter sunshine on the pathway of all we meet.”

On the Christian Race: “A Daily Definite Study of the Bible”

“But,” persisted Miriam, “you would not influence others to pass by a New Year’s milestone without some effort to start anew in the Christian race, would you? Suppose you were talking to a crowd of students, is there nothing you could suggest as very apposite to them at such a time?”

“For one thing, I said, I would counsel all who have never done it, to begin on January first a daily definite study of the Bible. There is a good deal of Bible study just now, it is true, but also, in hundreds of Christian homes, and by thousands of young men and women, the Bible is a neglected book. The young people who are familiar with the Scriptures are not too numerous—those I mean who can turn at an instant’s call, without hesitation or embarrassment, to any reference text in the prophets, the psalms, or the New Testament. We live in an age of much literary enterprise, when the printing press scatters new books as the forest trees scatter leaves in the autumn; when newspapers are multitudinous, and every man, woman, and child reads something. That many otherwise liberally educated men and women do not know the Scriptures, even as literature, is a misfortune, for they are a treasury of noble words in many incomparable styles. And, by searching them, those who would obtain eternal life still are required by the Divine Author. Yes, I wish I could urge the young people of our land, wherever they are, to begin to read the Bible daily, to read it through in course, or to read it for its poetry, history, and philosophy. I wish they would read it for the life of the Master. On a shelf in my library are many lives of Christ. But none equals, nor approaches, the life so simply revealed in the gospels of the four evangelists.”

 On Youth: “A Clever Young Girl Was With Us”

This talk of ours was resumed on another occasion when Miriam and I were not alone. A clever young girl was with us, and she had her opinion and expressed it very earnestly.

“I know,” she said, “what people of my age need, and that is agreeable companionship. We are restless and dissatisfied unless we are in the midst of things. I would tell everyone I knew, especially if she or he happened to be a little blue, as young people often are, to get to work, not merely in wage-earning work, though for many that is a necessity and to some a resource and duty, but to join a Christian Endeavor Society and give to it the best one could. A good time to join the procession of Christian workers is surely the New Year. I do think young people should assist their pastors more than they do, and what better season for a start than at this very time?

So spoke Caroline, and we older women agreed with her. The only life worth living is the life of Christian love. If it be a life after the fair Christ-pattern, it will be a life poured out for others, and therefore very blessed.

On Filling the Days: “With Contentment, Surrender, and Sweetness”

Friends, methinks we stand in the portal of another year. God gives us more days, more weeks, how many or how few we know not, but they are sent straight from heaven, and we are to use them for him. Have we made mistakes? It is not too late to rectify them. Have we committed sin? We may find cleansing in the fountain where all uncleanliness is washed away. Have we been discouraged? “As thy days, thy strength shall be,” is the word of the Lord to our weariness and faintness. As we wait, not knowing what shall be on the morrow, we many fill the measure of today with contentment, surrender and sweetness. And from the sky the everlasting Father, speaking to our need, says, “Certainly I will be with thee!”

Portions of this article were adapted from originally published works by Kathryn Ross in RUBY Magazine, December 2016 and January 2017— It includes an edited version of the chapter “A New Year Meditation” from the book The Joyful Life by Margaret E. Sangster, published by the American Tract Society in 1903. To enjoy the full chapter in an audio dramatization, visit The Writer’s Reverie PODCAST.

Writer-speaker, Kathryn Ross, ignites a love of literature and learning through Pageant Wagon Publishing. She writes and publishes homeschool enrichment and Christian living books for home, church, and school. In addition, she shepherds writers through the steps book development and production. Her passion to equip women and families in developing a Family Literacy Lifestyle, produces readers and thinkers who can engage the world from a biblical worldview. She blogs and podcasts at TheWritersReverie.com and PageantWagonPublishing.com. Connect with Miss Kathy on Facebook.

Categories
Bestsellers

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Margaret Daley

Can you share a little about your recent book?

Obsessed (second book in Everyday Heroes Series) blurb:

Stalker. Arson. Murder.
When a stalker ruthlessly targets people she loves, a woman flees her old life, creating a new identity as Serena Remington. Her plan to escape the madman and lead him away from family and friends worked for three years. Now he’s back. With nowhere else to run, her only choice is war. Quinn Taylor, her neighbor and a firefighter with expertise in arson, comes to her aid, but will it be in time to save her?

Buy links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo and Google Play

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

I’ve always been a storyteller from a young age. I never thought I would write down those stories I made up when playing with my dolls. I went on to become a special education teacher (27 years). I loved reading and one day decided to see if I could write down a story. That is what started me writing stories for publication.

How long have you been writing?

Since 1977. I would never let anyone see that first story but after that I had the writing bug.

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

I wrote for about three years before Silhouette bought my first book in 1980. I’ve written for many publishers over the years: Silhouette (later bought by Harlequin), Dell, Simon and Schuster, Harlequin Love Inspired, and Abington.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Usually between 8-12 weeks.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

Right now I’m recovering from total knee replacement. Usually my writing schedule is to write throughout the day (often 6 to 7 days a week). I do take breaks and do other things like researching and brainstorming.

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

When writing mysteries/suspense stories, I often don’t know who is the “bad guy” because I set up several along the way. I don’t want to know. Usually it comes to me about 2/3 of the way through the story—sometimes even later.

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

Reading the letters and emails from my readers.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

I wrote and published over twenty books in the eighties then went through a long period of not being able to sell another book. In the middle of the nineties, I sold seven more books after a dry spell for eight years and almost giving up writing. But I didn’t. Then Harlequin’s Love Inspired bought one of my stories in 2000, and I’ve been writing stories ever since. I’ve now written over 105 books.

Which of your books is your favorite?

Saving Hope, the first book in my Men of the Texas Rangers. It is a romantic suspense about child trafficking.

Who is your favorite author to read?

James Rollins (adventure and suspense)

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

Know the rules for writing, but also don’t be afraid to break them if it makes your story better.

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

I’ve experienced many rejections. That is part of this career. The rejections made me stronger and more determined.

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

Usually it’s my current hero and/or heroine which is Sadie Williams and Brock Carrington in the story I’m writing right now titled Trapped.

Where do you get your ideas?

They just come to me. Something (like a news story) might spark an idea. I often say that God is my muse.

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

Things to look for when writing: developing your main characters and know them well, pacing is important, if you don’t have several reasons for a scene, leave it out or combine with another scene, research when needed but don’t put everything you learned into the story—only what is needed.

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

Now a writer can be self-published, but there is a lot to learn about self-publishing. Whether you self-publish or try to get a publisher to buy your story, you need to research the market. There are organizations like Romance Writers of America that can help you with it.

Bio:

Margaret Daley, a USA Today’s Bestselling author of over 105 books (five million plus sold worldwide), has been married for over forty-eight years and is a firm believer in romance and love. She is currently writing for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and self-publishing. When she isn’t traveling or being with her two granddaughters, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense/mystery thread and corralling her cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.

Link to my books: https://margaretdaley.com/all-books/

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/margaretdaley

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/238174.Margaret_Daley

Link to sign up for my newsletter on front page of website: http://www.margaretdaley.com

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for December, Part 2

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers, and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it!”

 Featuring…

Setting Up Your Planner with Bethany Jett

It’s that time of year, again, to begin thinking of goals, plans, and appointments for the New Year. In this episode, Bethany shares tips on how to set up a planner, digital or paper, that works for you. As a business owner, writer, and homeschooling mom, Bethany knows the importance of staying organized. A planner is her best tool to successfully accomplish all the “to do’s” of her busy life.

Watch the December 18thth replay

If you want more information about digital and paper planners, as well as other valuable resources, check out this week’s Show Notes and Live Chat Discussions.

Bio

Bethany Jett is co-owner of Serious Writer, Vice President of PlatLit, as well as an award-winning author and ghostwriter, speaker, and amateur chef. Bethany is a planner and a coffee addict.

Writers Chat will resume January 8th.

JOIN US!

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. Here’s the permanent Zoom room link.

Participants mute their audio and video during the filming, then we open up
the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.

Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Keep It Going

Last month I shared I was emotionally struggling with writing; I hope my post encouraged others to keep pressing on.

Since it’s the beginning of the year and everyone is focusing on health goals after the holidays, I want to address how it affects the writing community: We need to be physically healthy to do what we do.

A drained body can suck the creativity out of us as easily as a rejection letter. Living with a traumatic brain injury shapes every facet of my life, from what I eat and drink to how and when I sleep.

  • Too much caffeine can overload my nervous system and cause a stroke or I may become dehydrated and have seizures.
  • Not enough sleep leaves me foggy or I can possibly blackout.

One of the biggest risks for TBI survivors is atrophy.  This is a wasting away of a body part or tissue – it results from lack of use or movement due to complications of a brain injury.

For me, the entire left side of my body is numb and has a lack of sensation. I’ve lost all fine-tuned motor skills in my left hand. Perhaps you’ve noticed stroke survivors not using limbs or leaning to one side. That is because part of the brain has been affected, which in turn affects that side or limb.

This is where Newton’s law of inertia comes into play. The basic idea is objects and people will stay at rest until something or someone causes movement and as long as there’s movement the item or person will keep moving.

Keep it going!

Now that the holidays are over and we are trying to stir from our winter slumber, even writing can seem problematic, no matter how disciplined we are in the craft.

We’ve tried to write every day. But the beginning of the year is an uphill battle. So let’s try applying some of the counter tactics to fight atrophy in our writing lives.

  1. Exercise regularly: walking is okay, but cardio is better. Cardiovascular exercise works our heart and makes it stronger for when we’re not able to work out or take a break from our computers.
  2. Schedule breaks to rest your brain (literally) and spur creativity: I have a daybed in my home office so I can lie down when I can’t focus on my writing. I also try to do physical activities after I eat. This helps to keep my body from storing food as fat and helps it break food down for energy.
  3. Never eat at your computer: we’ll be tempted to sit long periods of time mindlessly eating and racking up calories.
  4. Never skip meals: coffee is a quick fix, not the long-term nourishment our bodies and minds need.
  5. Drink plenty of water: coffee does not count; it actually counters the benefits of water since it is a diuretic; water helps nourish our brains and hydrates our organs. Imagine water being the conduit that helps move our creativity. I shoot for a minimum of 1 gallon/day.
  6. Get a good office chair with support: We sit a lot and need good posture.

One of the first lessons I learned through the Christian Writers Guild was to invest in a good desk and chair. I was taught that “carpal tunnel syndrome is the bane of writers.”[i] 

And “Keep the  90-90-90 rule: keep your elbows, hips, and knees at 90° angles.” [ii]

The right stuff!

At some point this year it will be time for me to once again purchase an office chair.  I decided to do some research on what to look for in an ideal office chair for writers. Below are a few factors to consider for committing to a key the only tool writers physically depend on to be productive.

  • Seat height: an office chair should be easily adjustable, pneumatic levers are the easiest. Height ranges from 16 to 21 inches work for most people. You should be able to have both feet flat on the floor with your thighs horizontal and your arms even with the height of the desk, without bending over.
  • Seat width and depth: you should have enough width and depth to support you comfortably, typically 17 to 20 inches wide.
  • Lumbar support: lower back support is key to optimal spine support and keeps it from curving.
  • Backrest: 12 to 19 inches and also adjustable.
  • Seat material: there should be enough padding to keep you comfortable during long periods of sitting. Cloth fabric that breathes is better than hard surfaces.
  • Adjustable armrests: your arms should be able to rest comfortably with your shoulders relaxed.
  • Swivel: I used to consider this a luxury, but swivel chairs allow users more freedom in moving without having to strain to reach high areas of a work desk.

And moving is the name of the game for staying healthy and keeping our hearts strong. During my research for this article, I discovered a new product endorsed by the Mayo Clinic to help sedative workers be more active while at work. Both Apple and Orbitz have utilized the HOVR system in their offices.

I am planning on purchasing the product this year myself as I spend more time working from home and doing what I enjoy, hopefully, this should help keep it going.

[i] Jenkins, Jerry Writing Essentials (2010) p 6.

[ii] Jenkins, Jerry Writing Essentials (2010) p 6.

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Truamatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at Spiritual Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
Songwriting

The Power of Prosody

When we think of songwriting, we often think of the lyrics—that is, the actual words spewing from our lips. Or, we may be thinking about the musical portion, if we’re a musician. But what makes a powerful song is not only the lyrics and the music, but the actual prosody of the song or even of the delivery.

Let us start by answering the question: “What is prosody?”

In music, prosody can be seen as the culmination of tone, pitch, meter, rhythm, tempo, loudness, softness, etc. in the delivery of the lyrics and music as a whole. How a person delivers the line of a song is just as important as the line itself.  The delivery of a word is just as important as the word itself. There is power in how a word is spoken. There is more power in how a phrase is sung. Whether we whisper something vengeful like, “I hate you.”  Or shout the words, “I love you!” The very tone, pitch, and loudness tell us something. It is through tone that gives our words believability. How a word or group of words is delivered is equally a part of songwriting as the actual written words or musical portion itself.

If someone is speaking to you sarcastically, you can usually tell by how they are saying their words, not by what they are saying. How you deliver words in a song is important. Imagine if you sang something with the same tone and pitch throughout the entire song (and sadly, I have seen this happen!) Imagine if you sang without emotion. It wouldn’t be a very interesting song, would it? If you are singing a sad ballad about someone dying, and yet, you have no emotion in your voice, the song wouldn’t be considered believable. But if the singer’s voice cracks and is close to tears, you may find yourself drying your eyes, overwhelmed with empathy.

But song prosody is more than that. It is also about how the lyrics marry the music. The way the lines are delivered and the tone of the content of the song must match the musical portion of the song, whether it’s in the key that is used, the tempo, the volume, or even the instrumentation.  If you have a song about being happy, you want your musical instrumentation to support that. What instruments make you think of happy? What would your tempo be for happy? It would be… happy, right? Probably fast-paced and upbeat. And you wouldn’t want your happy song to be sung in a minor key. The music would say sad and dark but the lyrics happy. It would be Frankenstein, and nobody would understand it because the lyrics oppose the emotional feel of the music. That’s bad prosody.

For happy, I would choose an upbeat tempo with drums, some brass instruments, perhaps even a trumpet to lead, and it would have to be written in a major key, like the song, “Happy”, by Pharrell Williams.

But if I want to write a song about emotional pain, I would probably choose a piano dripping in reverb with a slow tempo, written in a minor key, like the song “Angel”, by Sarah McLachlin. Or If I wanted the music to be harder, I could go grunge with heavy electric guitars chunking out chords.

Sometimes, we don’t hear lyrics at all. What we hear is how words fit together, mingled with how they are sung, reaching a certain pitch or note—mainly in the chorus. And if it’s done well, the song will stick with us for years and years to come. Think of the most memorable songs from your childhood. Now think about what lines stick out to you the most. It is usually because that particular line has a harmonious marriage to the music and reaches some sort of climatic peak that gives pleasure to the ears.

More than just the volume, meter, tone, or pitch of your voice, sometimes breaks without singing can speak volumes in the song. It’s not always what we say—sometimes it’s what we don’t say and taking a breath for a quarter or half note can tell part of the story. When The Supremes sang, “Stop in the Name of Love,” the producer had Diana Ross pause after saying the word, “stop.” That little break changed the song and made it memorable for decades. Another example of prosody is when Garth Brooks sang “Friends in Low Paces,” every time he said the word “low,” he sang it with a much lower note than the rest of the song.

By understanding prosody, you can enhance your songwriting from amateur to professional level. Just like writing a short story, the important key is to go ahead and write out what you want to say. Write your song’s first draft. Then, go back and take out words, replace words, and edit, edit, edit. Then, fine-tune your work with prosody in mind. What instrumentation and lyrics really sell what you are trying to say, and how can you marry the two? Can it be done by matching a word to a note, changing a rhythm pattern, or changing tempo? What else within the song reflects your theme?

Is there a future songwriting topic you would like to discuss? Would you like me to evaluate your songs? Please write me and let me know!

 

Matthew Hawk Eldridge is a sleepless, coffee addicted, calico-cat hugging, Renaissance man. When he’s not passionately penning screenplays or stories rich in musical history, he’s writing songs on his guitar or working on a film as an actor, double, or musician. He is a Creative Writing graduate student at Full Sail University.

Categories
Copywrite/Advertising

Add Some Holiday Sparkle to Your Copywriting

Everything feels magical at the holidays. More smiles. More laughter. More glitter.

Here are some ways to sprinkle holiday sparkle into your copywriting.

Know your client’s holidays. Sometimes you are so caught up in your own holidays you forget not everyone celebrates the same way that you do. Know what your client believes so you don’t end up putting Merry Christmas on a Jewish person’s business Facebook page or signing off an email for a Muslim business owner by mentioning the Savior’s birth. Not good! Even if the business owner celebrates a particular holiday, they may not want you to mention it in your copywriting because of the beliefs of her client base. To be safe, ask your client if they want the holidays mentioned outright in your copywriting or social media posting.

Know your client’s location. No one in Florida is dreaming of a white Christmas. That is why they moved to Florida—to escape the cold slushy mess from the north! If you do have the go ahead to mention the holidays, do so in a weather-appropriate way. If you are writing for New Mexico, don’t paint the picture of a winter wonderland. This tip applies all year long. If you are writing for a company that concentrates on local business, know the local weather and a bit of the local culture so you can write with that particular audience in mind.

Know the feelings of the season. Even if you cannot mention the holidays by name, there are a lot of feelings that are amplified during the holidays that can be mentioned to connect with potential customers. Family time, togetherness, and time to reflect on what’s really important are some common themes. And don’t forget the New Year. This is the time when people are setting goals for themselves and feeling empowered to make them happen. How can your client’s service or product improve the customer’s life? This is really something we should be doing all year long, but people are more willing to hear it when New Year’s Day comes.

Let us know in the comments. How do you add holiday sparkle to your copywriting? Are there any types of businesses you’ve had a hard time when it comes to mentioning or not mentioning the holidays?

Rachel Schmoyer is a pastor’s wife, mom of four, and a copywriter. She also helps Christians find the simple truths in the complex parts of the Bible at readthehardparts.com. Her other writings and publishing credits can be found on rachelschmoyerwrites.com.

Categories
Novelists Unwind

Novelists Unwind with Jan Drexler and Regina Rudd Merrick

Jan Drexler lives near in the Black Hills of South Dakota where she often goes hiking when she’s not writing. But her stories often take place in Amish country–Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania. Many of her ideas come from family stories “seasoned with a lot of research and imagination.” Because of her Amish/Mennonite/Anabaptist heritage, Jan understands the history, theology, and diversity of these groups. We talk about these and more in our interview.

Regina Rudd Merrick got her writing start in the world of fan fiction. Disappointed that one of her favorite shows had been canceled, Regina joined an online community dedicated to writing new stories for the characters in the series. Though Regina has lived most of her life in Kentucky, her Southern Breeze Series is set in Litchfield Beach, South Carolina. Her love of the area comes through in her novels.

The next Novelists Unwind Giveaway will be announced on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at http://www.novelistsunwind.com. Be sure to enter for your chance to win a print edition of an amazing inspirational novel.

Meet Johnnie

Johnnie Alexander creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won’t forget. Her award-winning debut novel, Where Treasure Hides, made the CBA bestseller list. She writes contemporaries, historicals, and cozy mysteries, serves on the executive boards of Serious Writer, Inc. and the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference, co-hosts an online show called Writers Chat, and interviews inspirational authors for Novelists Unwind. She also teaches at writers conferences and for Serious Writer Academy. Connect with her at www.johnnie-alexander.com and other social media sites via https://linktr.ee/johnniealexndr.

Categories
Book Proposals

Make a Lasting First Impression

In the rush to show a literary agent or editor your idea, many writers forget a simple yet important truth: You only get one chance to make a good first impression.

As an editor and former literary agent, I’ve read thousands of written proposals and pitches. For over 25 years, I’ve taught at writer’s conferences and had short 15 minute sessions with writers who show their ideas. When an editor asks for your proposal or manuscript, are you sending it? If you follow through with an excellent submission, you will be among the few who do so. It may be surprising to you, but many people do not submit their requested materials.  No wonder they don’t get published because they do not get into the process.

Let’s begin with some good news. I’ve been with some of the top publishers and literary agencies in New York City. Without exception, every single agent and editor is actively reading and speaking with writers. They are searching for the next bestseller. Whether you write a novel or nonfiction, every writer needs a book proposal or pitch. Why? Imagine receiving over 100 pitches a day (not uncommon for a well-connected literary agent). The title and first few sentences are critical to catch their enthusiasm.

There are a number of keys to making a great proposal.

  1. Create a memorable book title. Many writers are worried that someone else will take their title. Instead you need to try it out on others and test it and make sure it pulls in your reader.
  2. Read and re-read your opening paragraphs. Have a trusted writer friend read it and give feedback. If an oral pitch, then practice it. You’d be surprised at the difference it will make.
  3. Write to a well-defined target audience. No book is for everyone.
  4. Detail your competition. Every book competes in the marketplace—no matter what you believe about the uniqueness of your idea. You need to include four or five specific competitive titles to your book.
  5. Present a realistic marketing plan of what you will do to partner with the publisher to sell books into the market. Your plans need to be practical and clearly defined.

Your writing and story is unique and I know you have something unique and  special to give to the marketplace. What type of first impression will you make today?

Here’s three resources to learn more detail:

  1. My online Write A Book Proposal course (WriteABookProposal.com) I have step-by-step teaching how to make your best impression.
  2. Book Proposals That Sell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success which I wrote as a frustrated acquisitions editor and has 130 Five Star Amazon reviews. I have slashed the price and bought all the remaining copies: http://BookProposalsThatSell.com
  3. Get my free Ebook, Some Book Proposal Insights and teleseminar at: AskAboutProposals.com

Take advantage of these resources. Then you will make the right type of lasting first impression.

Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written over 60 books and for more than 50 magazines including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams. Get his free Book Proposal Checklist at: http://terrylinks.com/bookcheck. He has over 205,000 followers on twitter. http://twitter.com/terrywhalin

Categories
Blogging Basics

7 Ways To Make Your Blog Shine

The saying, “You only have one chance to make a good first impression” holds true in the blogging world. When someone visits your blog, you have between 0-30 seconds to grab your reader’s attention and keep them there.

What are some ways to make your blog shine and hold your audience’s interest?

These are the top seven elements I look for in a blog.

Title

A good title, like a good book, needs to give the reader a reason to read. Your hook or the why of your blog should be reflected in the title. List titles are especially good at getting your reader’s interest. Example, 3 Ways To ______, Top Ten _______, or How To _______, are catchy titles. Remember to use emotional words to encourage your audience to read on. Examples: Better, Fascinating, Free, Hurry, Special. You can view a list of 500+ emotional words here.

Try: coschedule.com headline analyzer to check your title before posting. A score of 70 or above is ideal.

Get To The Point

In the lightning fast pace of social media, your audience needs to be captivated by your blog within the first few lines. You may be tempted to diverge and slowly get into your topic, but I encourage you to resist the urge.

Tips:

  1. Yoest SEO (SEO: Search Engine Optimization) suggests your keyword be written in your first paragraph. This also helps your SEO. (Your keyword should also be found in your title.) Find other SEO tips here.
  2. The first paragraph should be the start of delivering what you promised in your title.
  3. Telling a story related to your topic in the first paragraph also helps captivate attention.

Readability

Have you ever published the first draft of your blog? Chances are you read, re-read and edited several times before posting. Could a sentence be read easier by changing a few words? Would a paragraph be better placed near the end of the blog instead of the middle? Are there too many topics discussed with in one blog? Asking these questions and making changes helps with the readability of your blog.

Tip: If there are too many topics in one blog, cut and paste the extra topics into a Word Document. I call this document my Cut Page. The next time I’m searching for content to post, I read my Cut Page to find content.

Likability

Does the cadence and tone of the author come across as likable and friendly? Would I want to enjoy a cup of tea with the author? Likability, to some extent, is needed for most blogs, especially personal blogs. Technical or medical blogs can be more straightforward.

I remember finishing a memoir, and I couldn’t wait to find out if the author had a blog. I wanted to know more of the story and get to know her better. A blog is a perfect way for an author to give their audience a glimpse of themselves through authentic, likable content. One author who offers this likability factor is Debora Coty. She uses humor in an engaging and likable way to share her content.

Read Debora Coty’s blog here:

Flow

Have you ever watched a video on YouTube and lost interest quickly? Chances are the video didn’t flow seamlessly enough to hold your attention. One topic didn’t fit with the next topic. Or, worse yet, they went off on a tangent while you were still waiting for the content of the video. While you want a friendly and likable blog, staying on track by avoiding extra topics or tangents will help your blog not only flow but be shareable.

Note: Flow is subjective and not always definable. After editing my blog, I let it marinate for a day. The next time I review it, I find it easier to catch flow issues.

Grammar/Spelling

Have you ever read a blog and found grammar and spelling errors? Even the most seasoned blogger will occasionally miss an error. Hopefully, a kind reader will send a personal message to fix it pronto. It’s like having lettuce in your teeth; you hope someone mentions it.

To avoid these annoying mistakes, you can hire an editor. Or ask a friend to read your blog before posting. Or choose from the many grammar apps available.

Grammar Apps:

Grammarly offers a free and paid version.  Monthly $29.95, Quarterly $19.98, Annual $139.95.

ProWritingAid – Prices start at $50/year.

Photos

How many photos should you add to your blog? Some bloggers only post a featured image. Others post a photo every 300 words. While this may be a question of preference, remember photos added in your blog using a keyword helps with your SEO.

It also helps with flow and readability. Since my blog is a parenting blog for special needs families, adding 2 – 3 pictures per blog is a natural fit.

Tip: I use my own photo’s for blogging. If you want to use stock photos, check out Pixabay offering royalty free stock photos.

Find other photo websites on this post.

What do you look for when you read a blog? What do you find holds your attention and makes you want to share with your family, friends and work colleagues? Share those elements below.

Evelyn Mann is a mother of a miracle and her story has been featured on WFLA Channel 8, Fox35 Orlando, Inspirational Radio and the Catholic News Agency. A special interview with her son on the Facebook Page, Special Books by Special Kids, has received 1.4M views. Along with giving Samuel lots of hugs and kisses, Evelyn enjoys hot tea, sushi and writing. Visit her at miraclemann.com.

Categories
Romancing Your Story

Getting Inside the Romantic Hero’s Head—Part III

Have you ever wondered what the opposite sex is thinking while you’re thinking? Men, as a rule, think in fewer words, phrases, emotions, than women generally do. The key to dialogue in romance writing is to keep it natural and consistent. #InsideHerosHead #writingromance101 @donnalhsmith @a3writers [bctt tweet=”Have you ever wondered what the opposite sex is thinking while you’re thinking? Men, as a rule, think in fewer words, phrases, emotions, than women generally do. The key to dialogue in romance writing is to keep it natural and consistent. #InsideHerosHead #writingromance101 ” username=”@donnalhsmith @a3writers”]

Categories
The Picky Pen

How to Edit Your Character

We’re heading into a New Year. Perhaps you’ve finished a novel during Nanowrimo. Maybe you’re plotting a new story to begin writing in January. New Year, new goals, new story, right? I’d like to touch a little on how to edit your character. This might be something you tuck away and pull out after you’ve finished your discovery draft, or something you’re ready to use if you’ve completed your draft during the November writing frenzy.

I’d like to share a blurb from a well-loved classic to delve into the art of editing your character so that their inner/outer journey, actions, and dialogue is specific to the special person you’ve created. These elements will apply to both fiction and non-fiction.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is a leading example of the depth of story through the power of its characters and how each character is important to the plot. We see all of the main elements in Jane’s character that really endear her to us: background, personality, appearance, and journey.

Background

Jane in Jane Eyre came from a horrible background. She thinks she will be nothing more than a servant because that’s what she’s been told as a young girl. However, she desires to be more, and applies at Thornfield Hall as the new governess. And throughout this new experience, we see Jane struggle with feelings of being good enough for her new position, but how she chooses to react to those past situations in light of her interactions with Mr. Rochester eventually allows her to influence Mr. Rochester’s life.

What about your characters? Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, you have many different characters who all play a part in your story. Your main character drives the story, and the other characters enhance what your main character does. What brought your characters to the beginning of your story?

Personality

When Jane first meets Mr. Rochester, she thinks he’s an angry person, but he does not scare her. What does that tell you of her personality? Her background of being treated unkindly and unfairly is characterized in her personality. She is not afraid of Mr. Rochester because she has learned how to respond to less-than-desirable actions from others. Jane’s gentle, firm, and idealistic personality is consistent throughout the novel, which creates a compelling character in Jane, and one that readers admire and love.

What about your story? What motivates your character to do the things they do, say what they say, or react and respond to different events within the story? In a non-fiction manuscript, your character’s personality will enhance the illustrations for each point you’re trying to

make and the content will really come alive for your readers. Developing these elements will ensure your character has a depth of personality that will affect your readers.

Appearance

Jane thinks she is plain, but in the end Mr. Rochester thinks she is the most beautiful person he’s ever seen, even though he has lost his sight due to the fire. Why is this? Jane’s inner character shines through to her outward appearance in her tone, mannerisms, and attitude.

What about your characters? Your readers will gauge your characters’ general appearance (hair color, eye color, skin tone, height), but it’s the inner appearance we create that will give readers a deeper understanding and appreciation for your characters. For example, a reader may find a character’s smile to be endearing, while the character themselves may think that their smile makes them look awkward because they have a crooked smile. When we describe the characters in our manuscript, we may be compelled to give a list of all of our character’s features. However, this type of character description bogs down the story. The trick is to describe characters in a way that is natural, and that is through your character’s actions in each scene.

Character’s journey

There are two kinds of journeys for your character. The inner journey and the outer journey. Each journey motivates the character throughout the story and engages the reader in your character’s life. What is the inner journey and the outer journey supposed to look like? The outer journey is what the character wants, and the inner journey is the inner struggle of that desire.

Jane wants to be treated not as a servant but as an equal. She wants independence, but she also wants someone to love her. The story shows how she displays that independence by standing up to Mr. Rochester’s indifferent attitude toward her. But with her inner journey, her struggle, she fears that she is not his equal because of their class differences, and she also fears that she might lose her independence, even though she desires to marry Mr. Rochester.

What about your characters? What does your character want? What is your character struggling with? What are they afraid of? What do they have to lose? Your characters will go through a series of emotional arcs. Michael Hague describes a character arc as a journey from living in fear to living courageously. Whether fiction or nonfiction, you decide what your character or reader wants. Then you structure the different events that your character goes through with the inner journey of how they are internalizing the events around them based on their outer journey, what they want.

Wrap-Up

The key here is to create a trail of breadcrumbs that leads your readers from Point A to Point B, keeps them guessing at how the character is going to get what they want, and what might get in their way and prevent them from getting what they want. And these four elements of your character’s background, personality, appearance, and journey set the stage for an engaging reading experience that whisks your readers away to a world of characters—and story—your readers will never forget.

Please take a minute and join in the discussion! I’d love to hear from you!

What’s your favorite character from a novel you’ve read, and what makes that character special to you? How can you enhance your own characters by the characters you read about in other books?

Tisha Martin writes historical fiction and nonfiction but also edits and proofreads for beginning and best-selling writers, professional editing agencies, and publishing houses. She has a BA in Professional Writing, an MS in English Education, and an editing certificate from the PEN Institute, affordable continuing education for editors. Active in American Christian Fiction Writers and The PEN, she appreciates the writing and editing communities. As Assistant Director of PENCON, a conference for editors, she enjoys travel marketing and updating PENCON’s Facebook Page. Connect with Tisha on her website www.tishamartin.com and engage in the conversation.

Categories
Child's Craft

Christmas Grief

Christmas is usually crammed full of jingle bells and jolly times. But not always, and not for everyone.

Just as Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year it can also be the most miserable time of the year.

As a child my Christmases were filled with anticipation and joy and iced cookies with lots of sprinkles. My parents loved hiding gifts and surprising my sisters and I with unexpected delights.

But when I grew up life didn’t center around Christmas surprises and goodies anymore. Life was hard at times—even at Christmas.

My husband suffered from depression. At times it was debilitating for him. And those times almost always included Christmas. His PTSD from serving in Vietnam made matters worse. December seemed to be the lowest time of the year for him.

Don’t get me wrong. Both my husband and I loved Christmas. He wasn’t usually a fan of shopping, but for Christmas he pulled out all the cash he could and bought all the gifts he could for those he loved. He was a very generous man. I’m thankful for many happy memories of him pulling off surprises and finding unique ways to gift every member of the family with cash.

But beyond the gift giving he struggled to have the “joy” that Christmas is supposed to bring. That meant our children and I faced some unique challenges trying to keep the season merry and bright.

Late into our marriage my husband got professional help with his depression and that made celebrating Christmas a little easier for him (and us) for about ten years.

In the midst of that time a tragedy happened in our lives. Our son died unexpectedly of a heart attack. He was thirty years old.

That drew a dark curtain over the next few Christmases at our house. How could we celebrate? How could we enjoy jolly times without Stephen?

How We Dealt With It

It took time. Nobody wants to hear that answer. But it is true. It takes time to heal from a grief so deep you can hardly breathe.

It took determination. We had to make up our minds that we were going to find something in Christmas that we could enjoy.

It took avoidance. Yes, we deliberately avoided certain aspects of Christmas that our family had traditionally enjoyed. Stephen loved pecan pie. I had made one for him every Christmas since he was four or five years old. But not the Christmas after his death. Nor the next, nor the next. It was probably ten years before I could make another pecan pie and enjoy it.

Our Christmas tree was decorated with little kid-made ornaments from our children’s youth. But not the Christmas after Stephen’s death. I packed those ornaments away and didn’t pull them out again for many years. I bought shiny new ornaments and decorated our tree in a totally different fashion. It was the only way I could bear to look at it.

Other things changed, too. The hole in our hearts was so deep that we had to find different ways to celebrate or be sucked down into that black hole of grief.

It took prayer. Not the “bless this food” or “lay me down to sleep” kind of prayer. It took submitting my heart to God’s perfect will. It took throwing myself into the arms of Jesus and crying on His shoulder. It took whining and pouting and beating my fists on God’s chest. It took prayer that leads to surrender to the greater will of my loving Father. It took learning to trust that He always knows best.

It took permission. We were counseled wisely to give ourselves permission to be sad. To let the sadness play its role in our Christmas. Over the years I would sit down before Christmas and stroll through old photo albums remembering the vacations, birthdays, Christmases and graduations. I would spend that day crying and letting the sadness cover me like a quilt. But I knew that the next day I would get up from that position and move forward with the things families do to build new memories of Christmas and other important events.

Time, determination, avoidance, prayer, permission.

They helped us to find a new way to celebrate and a way to find new joy at Christmas.

In my grief I learned to see Christmas through God’s eyes a little, I think. Was it a joyous event for the Father? Or did He grieve because His Son was far away in a strange place surrounded by sinful people? Did He weep because He knew what His Son was going to endure in the years after that Silent Night?

Maybe God’s full and complete joy came not at the manger, but at the empty tomb.

That’s where I find my Christmas joy—at the hope of the empty tomb.

Jean Hall lives in Louisville, Kentucky. She is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary. Her premier picture book series Four Seasons was recently signed by Little Lamb Books. Jean is a member of the SCBWI, Word Weavers International, and the Kentucky Christian Writers. Visit Jean at www.jeanmatthewhall.com, on Facebook at Jean Matthew Hall, and on Twitter as @Jean_Hall.

Categories
History in the Making

Discovering Personalities of Historical Characters with the Enneagram

My recent novels are about two women who lived four thousand years ago, Hagar and Sarah. Their stories are told in the Bible, and I believe I will meet them in heaven someday. Looking at it like that, you realize the responsibility you incur, as a historical novelist, to portray your characters as close to right as possible.

[bctt tweet=”How do you identify the personality of a character who existed? #writers” username=””]

I use a personality profile called the Enneagram, a set of nine distinct personality types, with each number on the Enneagram denoting one type. Each type has exceptional talents and foreseeable difficulties in being who they are. Nine different ways to approach your character arc. I use the Enneagram as a map to the internal journey and transformation of my characters. It shows me what motivates them, what their basic fear is, their desire (what they want), and how they respond to conflict.

  • Type One: The Reformer. Leads with integrity but hindered by demanding perfectionism.
  • Type Two: The Helper. Generous and positive but can be people-pleasing and possessive.
  • Type Three: The Achiever. Inspiring and successful but status conscious and materialistic.
  • Type Four: The Individualist. Creative and intuitive but moody and self-conscious.
  • Type Five: The Investigator. Visionary and intellectual but isolated and distant.
  • Type Six: The Loyalist. Courageous and committed but defensive and anxious.
  • Type Seven: The Enthusiast. Adventurous and spirited but impulsive and unfocused.
  • Type Eight: The Challenger. Self-reliant and strong but controlling and intimidating.
  • Type Nine: The Peacemaker. They bring people together but can be stubborn or passive.

 

 Look for clues in your research.

 Before I began writing about Sarah, I searched the Bible for clues regarding her personality. Sarah was loyal to God, her husband, and known for hospitality. But also doubting and lashed out at Hagar when she perceived her as an enemy.

Sarah fit Type Six, the Loyalist. Ironically, and what made her arc interesting, the biggest fear of a Type Six is abandonment. As a writer, that gave me inner conflict for Sarah when her husband abandoned her to two kings.

Healthy sixes are warm and friendly, traits needed for hospitality. But the unhealthy side of their personality make them hysterical, suspicious, and paranoid. Acting out from anxiety, they blame others and complain to third parties about people they are frustrated with. Exactly what Sarah did when she complained to Abraham about Hagar. Given Abraham’s permission to do whatever she wanted with the haughty handmaid, Sarai mistreated Hagar, so Hagar ran away.

Perfect for a writer’s toolbox.

The Enneagram is a helpful tool for identifying the personalities of real-life historical people. Because you make them deep and real. It also works when you want to craft memorable characters from scratch that readers relate to. How they react in the world, grow, learn, and change, gives a writer genuine conflict to keep booklovers turning pages.

For more information visit my Facebook page: @authorkdholmberg.

KD Holmberg is an author, blogger, and freelance writer. She is a member of ACFW, Word Weavers International, and a founding member of the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild. She is represented by Hartline Literary Agency. A retired flight attendant, she has traveled and lived all over the globe. She and her husband, Keith, love to golf and live in South Carolina. You can find more about her: Facebook @authorkdholmberg, twitter @kdeniseholmberg, and kdeniseholmberg.blogspot.com

Categories
Write for His Glory

Stand Alone

Are you hesitant to stand alone – to risk being unpopular, rejected, or mocked? Do you hold back with what you’re writing to try and make it “fit” with what you think is acceptable?

A while back, Don and I attended an excellent conference at The Cove with my parents. The speaker, Pastor Jim Henry, was teaching on Joshua – conference title “From Fear to Faith”. Pastor Jim gave us many nuggets of wisdom to take home. He shared about the different tests Joshua passed on his way to being one of the greatest leaders in the Old Testament.

My favorite one: Can you stand alone?

Joshua came back excited about the promised land; 10 out of 12 said, “No, we can’t do this.” Then Joshua led the people in the “battle” of Jericho with a totally illogical battle plan.

He followed God, not popular opinion. He feared God, not man.

The Lord then showed me how easily I followed the crowd instead of my own heart. He showed me how fear of man held me down.

A wonderfully talented worship leader, Joe Horness, led worship for the conference. Through his music and his testimonies, the presence of God filled the room. During one upbeat song, I felt the urge to clap rise up in my soul. I thought, “OK, I’ll be the first one to start,” with the implication that others would follow as they usually do.

Well, they didn’t.

After a few loud claps, I sucked in my breath and hesitated…and quieted my clapping to a barely audible hand pat. My thoughts panicked – “WhatwilltheythinkAmIdisturbinganyoneMaybethisisn’ttheplacetoclap”.

Then the Lord nudged my spirit. Wait. I want to clap. I enjoy clapping. For me, right now, this song, it is part of my worship to God.

So it doesn’t matter if anyone claps, or sings, or even worships. *I* can clap, even if no one else follows.

I can stand alone.

At that moment, I made a decision. I clapped, and sang, and worshipped the Lord freely from my heart. Something changed. No, *I* changed. The Lord changed me. With one simple act of obedience to freely worship Him and not fear man, He broke off something, filled me up, and healed my heart.

Yes, clapping to a song in a room full of fellow believers may be a very small thing. But hey, it’s a start! Some days are better than others as I try to walk forward with more boldness, and as I learn to live more fully in each moment. I want to live in fear of God, not fear of man; and that’s SO hard sometimes. By God’s grace I am making progress.

I’m also learning to trust God to speak to and through me as I write and share with others. As me – not as anyone else, or with anyone else’s style, but from the heart as God gives me the words. No matter who disagrees, who criticizes, or even who likes what I say – I can’t be driven by positive feedback either. I want to hear “well done, good and faithful servant!” from my Father, and I can only hear that if I am living to please Him and not everyone else…including myself!

Where do you have trouble standing alone? Take courage, and look up at the Lord instead of others, and then be amazed at what He can do with your simple act of obedience.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

Merry Christmas to all, and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not only about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him.

You can reach Mary on:

Facebook: Mary Graziano Scro https://www.facebook.com/don.mary.scro

Twitter: @marygscro

LinkedIn: Mary Graziano Scro  https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-scro/11/600/a4b

Blogs: Life Is Not A Formula at www.marygscro.com

Categories
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Elements of Suspense: Add Tension by Stretching the Moment

Tension is the unresolved conflict in a story that keeps a reader turning pages. All scenes need tension, from edge-of-your-seat action sequences to gentle romantic encounters. How can a writer increase tension in her scenes, especially in those without life-or-death consequences? By stretching key moments.

Slow-motion

Consider what happens when a movie suddenly switches to slow-motion. A few heartbeats of action may be stretched into agonizing minutes, forcing the audience to wait, tense with anticipation, while things slowly crawl toward a resolution. Will he catch the ball? Will she walk out the door? Will they defuse the bomb in time?

A writer can use the same concept to slow the pace by stretching the moment. How? By padding strategic moments in scenes with a few additional details that force the reader to wait just a little longer to find out what happens. How long can you stretch things? It depends on the scene. Typically the more tension already present, the more the reader is hooked, and the longer a writer can stretch out the scene.

Where to consider stretching the moment

Scenes of exterior tension

When dealing with action scenes, look for places where the scene moves rapidly from stimulus to payoff.  For example, “Sarah heard a key in the lock” is a stimulus. Something new is happening. It could be good or bad, longed-for or dreaded. Whatever the situation, the stimulus of hearing of the key will lead to a payoff of some kind. Someone is about to enter the scene and do or say something that will be the payoff.

If whatever is about to happen next is postponed by a few lines it will serve to increase the tension. Compare the two examples below:

Sarah heard the key in the lock. Liam threw open the door. “Thought you could hide from me, did you?”

Sarah heard the key in the lock. Could it be Pat? Did Pat still have the spare key? But wouldn’t he be at work now? She held her breath as the lock clicked. The door jerked open and Liam strode into the room. He looked down at her with a smug smile. “Thought you could hide from me, did you?”

Scenes of interior tension

Emotional tension can be stretched as well. Look for places where a discovery or realization (stimulus) leads to a strong emotional response and stretch the moment by inserting details or inner dialogue. For example, compare the shorter and longer versions below:

Aaron saw the note on the kitchen table. “I’ve gone for a walk.” A lump of fear settled in his stomach as he grabbed his jacket and raced outside.

Aaron saw the note on the kitchen table. Large letters written with red crayon in his little brother’s distinctive shaky scrawl. “I’ve gone for a walk.” Please no. Not today. The ground was a slippery mess with all the rain and the stream would be racing. If Jonny slipped… A lump of fear settled in his stomach as he grabbed his jacket and raced outside.

Your Turn

Choose a scene and look for moments where the stimulus is followed by an immediate payoff or response. Stretch the tension by inserting two or three sentences between them.

[bctt tweet=”By adding little snippets at strategic spots, you can increase the tension in any scene.  #writetips #writers” username=””]

Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a story to tell the world. She loves to encourage fellow writers to be intentional about their craft and courageous in sharing their words with others. Lisa shares her words through dramas, Bible studies, historical mysteries, and her blog about intentional living. You can find her on Facebook  LisaEBetzWriter and Twitter @LisaEBetz

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

The Writer’s Gift of Intention

Somewhere between Christmas pageant rehearsal, decorating the tree, shopping, and making travel preparations, a still, small voice whispers. The conversation goes something like this:

My Conscience: What about your story? You remember, the one you were over-the-moon excited to write? The story with the characters you loved that you have not touched in a week?

Me: *sigh* I remember.

MC: When are you going to write? You are so close to finishing.

Me: *breaking out in a cold sweat* Not now, conscience. This is not the time.

MC: I know, I know. So…you will write it later, then?

Me: Yes, later. Absolutely. I will finish you later. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.

MC: I get it. Thanks. I’ll look forward to later, then. If it is not too much to ask, I have one quick follow-up question.

Me: Sure.

MC: When, exactly, is later?

The holidays may be a little slow for publishers but for writers, especially those of us young in our journey, they can be a joyous but trying time. We want to use this time for planning, querying, networking, and (of course) writing – but there are about a gazillion competing activities (Christmas party, anyone?) and none of them want to leave room for the other.

So let’s give ourselves the gift of leaving room. Let’s give ourselves the grace we would give a friend. Along with that grace, let us honor the work we’ve already done by planning the work yet to come. The conversation with our conscience could look like this:

Me:  Let’s compromise. I’ll take a few minutes now and make a to-do list, jot down your ideas, and let’s let them soak for a bit. After family has gone home, and I get a little rest, we will get back on our regular writing schedule.

MC: Let the ideas ‘soak?’ Like a Christmas turkey brine type of soak, or a hot buttered dinner roll sort of soak?

Me: Take your pick. I’ll see you bright and early January 2.

As you can probably guess, I am eager to get back to my normal writing routine, but I’m also excited about the celebration and rejuvenation that the Christmas season brings. My goal is to use this time to live life well and fully, so I can bring my most creative self back to the keyboard in the new year.

My intention for 2019 is to give myself the gift of a schedule, with set times for quiet, writing, work and play. What does your new year writing intention look like?

Kell 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 copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for December, Part 1

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

 New Habits, with Dirk Swart

It’s that time of year when many begin thinking of goals for the New Year. In this episode, Dirk Swart shares tips on how to turn those goals into habits. This episode if a must watch if you want to make 2019 better than 2018.

Watch the December 4th replay

If you want more information about habits and goal setting, as well as other valuable resources, check out this week’s Show Notes and Live Chat Discussions.

Bio

Dirk is a professional life and relationship strategist, author and speaker. He helps individuals, couples and teams to be more effective and efficient. Dirk has a strong focus on relationships as the driving force behind lasting success. He believes that an intimate relationship with God is the key to all other relationships including the relationship with self. Helping people to do discover, and successfully live out, their life calling is a personal passion of his. Dirk holds an honors degree in psychology, as well as multiple coaching certifications.

Tips and Tricks to Prep for 2019, With Bethany Jett

In this episode of Writers Chat, Bethany Jett shares tips and a few tricks on decluttering email and organizing your writing life now, in preparation of 2019.

Watch the December 11th replay

Want more info on being ready to write when 2019 arrives, then check out this week’s Show Notes and Live Chat Discussions.

Bio

Bethany Jett is co-owner of Serious Writer, Vice President of PlatLit, as well as an award-winning author and ghostwriter, speaker, and amateur chef. Bethany is a planner and a coffee addict.

JOIN US!

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. Here’s the permanent Zoom room link.

Participants mute their audio and video during the filming, then we open up
the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.

Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

Last-Minute Christmas Gifts for Writers

When checking to make sure you have gifts for everyone on your list, you may find that your author friends are the hardest to buy for. Here are a few suggestions to make the holidays merry for writers everywhere.

  1. A nice pen. I am not suggesting an expensive pen. Just something that writes well. Authors love pens and need them by their computers, by their beds, and to sign books. A writer can never have enough pens and the thrill of a new one never grows old.
  2. Time to write. If your writer friend or relative has children, offer to babysit or take the kids for ice cream so he or she can focus fully on his or her writing for an hour or two.
  3. Help him or her to tidy up the office. Although the office of a writer often looks like a cyclone came through, he or she probably knows exactly what is where. However, writers enjoy a tidy space and often find things cleaning up that that have been missing for months.
  4. Make a meal and take supper to the writer’s family. Here again, a gift of time to write.
  5. A briefcase. Like a new pen, a new briefcase is always welcome and makes a writer feel he or she is moving up in the world of publishing.
  6. A writer ornament for the tree or a piece of jewelry that identifies him or her as a writer.
  7. Help him or her attend a writers conference. This is the best way to help writers move ahead their careers. You could do this in several ways:
  • Provide funds for them to attend.
  • Offer your flyer miles to help with transportation.
  • Help care for children while they attend.
  • Buy a new briefcase for them to use at the conference.

One of the very best gifts you can give a writer is to help him or her feel validation. Brag to others about the writer’s accomplishments. Offer to suggest your book club read his or her book. Share news of published articles online. So many people think because writers work at home that their work is more of a hobby than a career. So any praise or recognition you can offer is always welcome. Everyone needs a little support now and then and applause makes a great Christmas gift!

Linda Gilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality consultant. Her passion is helping others discover the joy of writing. Linda recently released Articles, Articles, Articles! and is the author of over a thousand magazine articles and 17 books including the new LINKED Quick Guides for Personalities. As Director of

Categories
The Poet's Pen

Just for Christmas

Do you have a favorite Christmas poem? I’ve always liked “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” I hope Mr. Moore will forgive the liberty I’ve taken with his poem.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD WRITE!

Twas the night before my deadline, while all through the house
The only creature stirring was a computer mouse;
The papers were lined up by the printer with care
In hopes that “The End” would soon be there.
The pages were covered with a hundred red marks
While in my head were visions of a soft bed in the dark.
And Pops in his recliner, and I on the couch
Had just settled our brains for a quick little nap
When out at the dog pens there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my couch to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore opened the shutters and tripped on the trash.
The moon on the crest of the new melted snow
Gave vision to the mud holes scattered below.
When what to my wondering eyes should pop up
But a mother dog and eight tiny pups
She was a little old doggy so lively and quick
I knew in a moment she was up to tricks.
More rapid than a whippet, hungrier than the hounds,
She whined and cajoled the pups until they came round
And she barked and called them by name
“Now! Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer, and Vixen,
On Comet, on Cupid, on Dunder and Blixen.
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now come away, come away, come away all!”
Then up on the porch they came very fast
Gobbled all the dog feed, every crumb to the last
They were chubby and plump, like a jolly little elf
And I laughed when I saw them in spite of myself
With a wink of her eye and the twist of her head
She soon led them to know they has nothing to dread
As soon as they finished, she nudged them with her nose
And giving a nod, they all arose
She sprang to the ground and I heard them bark as they moved out of sight.
And I shouted “Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Write!”

Darlo Gemeinhardt writes middle grade novels. She believes that there is a story in every dog. In her spare time she takes care of 1 husband (of 40 years), 29 dogs and trains with TALLAO, K-9 SEARCH AND RESCUE. Visit her at From the dog pen.com

Categories
Publishing Pulse

The Economics of Publishing

I don’t think many authors have a clue about how rugged the economic terrain is for the average publishing house. Publishing is changing (again and again and again!), and with every change it seems that it’s even harder than ever for a publisher to make an honest buck (or even a dishonest buck, for that matter).

When a publishing house contracts with an author to publish their book, most authors look for some upfront money—an advance on royalties, which is usually the amount of royalties a publishing house expects to pay out in the first six months of publication. Smaller publishers, and even a lot of bigger publishers, are not so quick to give advances anymore—it’s just too risky, and too much of a cash flow issue.

Still, even if the the publishing house does not put out a royalty advance, they still have to put out a lot of money well ahead of getting any income from book sales. The whole company starts working on the book, so chalk up the salaries of the editors, typesetters/page designers, cover designers, marketers, and so on. This process can take a year or more, and remember the book hasn’t made the publishing house a single dime.

But finally, the book gets published, it is sent out to distributors and retailers, people buy the book, and the revenue gets back to the publisher—eventually. Distributors are notorious for delaying payment of sales for several months.

The publisher puts out all the money up front to edit, typeset, design, print and market a book, and then has to wait for months for the sales revenue to come in. And far too often, the sales are not enough, even after a year or two, to pay for the investment. So what do they do? Well, they bleed red ink! Thanks to print on demand, the initial investment for printing can be lower (you don’t have to print a large quantity all at once), but since the per-book printing cost is higher, their profit margin gets cut down. So print on demand helps you cut your losses if the book doesn’t sell, but it also cuts into your revenue if the book is successful.

And how often is a book financially successful? It used to be that about one-third of all books published lose money, about one-third break even, and about one-third make a profit—hopefully, enough of a profit to make up for the losses. Today, I suspect it’s more like 25% lose money, about 50% break even, and about 25% make a profit. One of the old jokes of publishing is that we should only publish the books that make money—then we’d really be successful!

The sad truth is, publishing houses usually expect all of their books to be profitable—which means these “experts” in the publishing industry are wrong about most of the books they publish! No one has a crystal ball to predict which ones are going to succeed and which will fail. There are innumerable stories out there about how this or that best-selling book was rejected by a lot of publishers, but the other side of the coin is that there are at least ten times as many stories about how a book that had everything going for it, that looked so promising, got published and lost a lot of money.

So next time you’re tempted to accuse publishers of being stingy, remember the economics of the industry, and shake your head in amazement that they manage to survive in this crazy business!

David Fesseden has degrees in journalism and theology, and over 30 years of experience in writing and editing. He has served in editorial management positions for Christian book publishers and was regional editor for the largest Protestant weekly newspaper in the country.

Dave has published seven books, written hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, and edited numerous books. He is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences. Two of his books, Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract and A Christian Writer’s Guide to the Book Proposal, are based on his experience in Christian publishing. The Case of the Exploding Speakeasy, Dave’s first novel, reflects his love for history and for the Sherlock Holmes stories of Arthur Conan-Doyle.

Dave and his wife, Jacque, live in south-central Pennsylvania and have two adult sons.

Websites/Blogs:

www.fromconcepttocontract.com
www.davefessenden.com
www.thebookstore.info

Categories
Encouragement

Join Critique Groups

It was 2013 and I’d become desperate to find a critique group. Most successful writers I knew had at least one or two critique partners with whom they could share input on their writings. Even the best writers know that there are things we all miss in our works-in-progress: repetitive words or phrases, punctuation errors, things we assume are clear but may seem murky to a reader. Even a talented wordsmith needs someone else’s eyes to see what they cannot.

I really wanted a group that would gather regularly to give hope, help, and encouragement to me. But I also wanted to be able to return the favor. After all, writing is a solitary task and finding fellowship between writer friends seemed to be a worthwhile cause. Who else could understand the strangeness of my mind except another author? 😉

While there were plenty of writer’s groups to be found, I really wanted one where I would not be asked to critique a story line that made me uncomfortable. All it takes is a glance at books on Amazon to know that if you can judge a book by its cover —and sometimes you can—I could potentially feel out-of-place. The urge to crawl under the table in embarrassment and conviction in some editing sessions would likely ensue. Many adult books are far too “adult” for me.

I searched and asked around to see if there were any Christian groups meeting that would fit what I was looking for. There was nothing. Finally, after months of seeking, the answer became obvious, if not highly intimidating: I needed to start a group for Christian writers.

Great, I mused. I have no spare time, reams of writing I needed to do, a part time job, and a calendar that looked like a Picasso painting with scribbles and commitments. How would I find time to organize a group much less navigate the responsibility of leading it? I still felt like a newcomer to the skill. I didn’t know what I was doing.

Then someone told me about Word Weavers International. I searched out the requirements to start a chapter, get organized, and spread the word. I read their statement of faith, which helped me breathe a sigh of relief. There were guidelines to acceptable submissions for critique. While the stories are not required to be Christian, the content must not violate Christian principles or beliefs.

I loved the technique they taught for actually giving feedback to other writers. Called the “sandwich method,” Word Weavers instructs participants to start with something positive to the writer, then interject constructive words to help the author, then end with something else positive to wrap up their comments.

This is to encourage rather than discourage. Critiques that are filled with negativity can be so demeaning to a writer’s view of their abilities, some wordsmiths have been known to quit the craft altogether. Critiquing done well is an art. Done poorly, it can ruin a writer’s chance to grow and refine their skills.

There may be other writer’s groups that meet your need where you live. But if not, please check out Word Weavers. In fact, there might already be a Word Weavers chapter in your area.

Whatever choice you make, I encourage you to find the fellowship and the support of your fellow wordsmiths. We really do need each other.

For information on Word Weavers, check out their website at https://word-weavers.com/

Carry on.

Elaine Marie Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. She freely admits to being a history geek. Look for her upcoming releases, War’s Respite and Love’s Kindling. This 4-book series, set in Revolutionary War Connecticut, is entitled Dawn of America. You can visit her site at http://www.elainemariecooper.com

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

I’m a Superstar!

Living with a disability is never an easy thing, but there are times when it is more difficult than other times. I’m wired to be an outdoors person and try not to let my disability keep me from being active.

I learned years ago that I can’t live a life based on my feelings or limitations. To be honest, if I lived that way I would never accomplish anything. Especially this time a year, the shorter days and cooler temperatures sometimes suck the energy out of me.

The last few months have been particularly difficult this year. I’ve had a lot of writing projects I’ve been working on. Then the weather in the South decided to skip fall and go straight to winter in a matter a few days.

I’m not sure if it was shellshock or winter shock, but one morning I woke up to a cold winter rain pounding against my roof and windows. As I lay in bed, the thought of tackling my projects almost sent me into hibernation.

When I finally pulled myself from the black hole of my bed, I was sucked into the currents of a hurricane as I sat at my desk and tried to write. For almost an hour I sat there motionless as I stared at the blank monitor and I wondered if I actually had what it takes to make it as a writer. The endless fears and thoughts paralyzed me more than my brain injury.

  • What if I never get an agent and I’ve wasted all these years chasing a selfish dream?
  • What if I lose my passion for writing?
  • What if I am too old or too young to write what I write?
  • What if I’m pursuing the wrong kind of writing and I never sell anything?
  • What if I run out of ideas to write about?

I know we all have doubts at some point and many give up on pursuing a writing career. However, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and work with a number of outstanding writers who managed to break free from the black holes and hurricanes to become not only professionals but superstars in their own right.

Superstars

In 2013 the Huffington Post noted 145,900 American “writers and authors” counted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.[i] That’s almost a quarter of 1 million Americans who make a living as a writer. But what does it take to be a writing superstar?  I spent some time talking to some of my writing friends to get an idea of what disciplines they practice.

  1. Keep writing.
  2. Keep learning the craft.
  3. Network (writers conferences, social media)
  4. Be consistent and meet deadlines.
  5. Be a fierce self-editor or get a professional one.
  6. Manage your time wisely.

One of the luxuries of being a writer is making your own schedules for the most part. We still have deadlines to meet. A schedule is still a schedule. Get things done when they need to be done.

Get it done!

As 2018 comes to an end have you accomplished everything you set out to? I know I haven’t, I’ve spent this last few weeks focusing on other projects when I really wanted to be working on rewriting my screenplay.

Perhaps it is just my brain injury that gives me tunnel vision, but here are six mindsets I’m learning to help keep me focused and encouraged for the new year.

  • Expect rejection.
  • Write, even if you don’t feel like it.
  • Timing is everything.
  • Our timing isn’t God’s.
  • A roadblock isn’t the end of the road, just a detour.
  • All writers have to start somewhere.

As the holidays interrupt our writing schedules and plans, disappointments will come and I hope you return to this post to find some encouragement on your path to becoming a superstar.

[i] https://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-dietrich/the-writers-odds-of-succe_b_2806611.html

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Truamatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at Spiritual Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.