Almost An Author – Page 84 – Learn Craft + Launch Career

Do You Know What Your Character Is Doing?

Post author By Lisa E. Betz
Post date February 19, 2017
No Comments on Do You Know What Your Character Is Doing?

What is your main character’s goal? The thing that drives her through the story, no matter how many obstacles you throw at her. You know what it is, right?

And you also know your bad guy’s goal—the one that tries to thwart your heroine at every turn.

No?

If you can’t state your protagonists’ and antagonists’ goals in a few words, your story is probably floundering, because those goals are critical pieces of your plot’s foundation.

I recently watched an action movie. Big name actors. Good special effects. A bomb that was going to explode in Times Square unless the heroine stopped it. Should have been a good movie, but halfway through I grew bored, because: A) Nowhere in the movie was it made clear what the bad guys were trying to achieve, and B) I was never clear on what the heroine’s primary goal was. I didn’t know what was driving her, so eventually I stopped caring what happened.

Instead of her goal pushing the plot toward the final showdown where she faced her inner demons and succeeded (or failed), she was merely reacting to stuff that happened, racing from one high octane moment to the next.

Ho hum.

In a similar vein, you heroine’s goal is the reason your readers care about her and want to cheer her on to success.

To write a good story, you MUST know your character’s story goal. If you aren’t sure, try one of the following:

Sit down with your main character and ask hard questions about her relationships, her fears, her dreams, and her inner demons. Deep, deep down, what drives her? Her story goal should stem from some inner need. (Even if she’s not aware of it.)
Consider what your story is about—the Theme. What are the protagonistic and antagonistic ideals that will clash to portray this theme? What character goals might portray those ideals?
Start with the climax. What will happen in the final confrontation? What final obstacle must your hero overcome in order to finally defeat his nemesis? Now think back to who your hero was at the start of the story. What goal will bridge that gap, forcing the action and the change necessary to get him to the climax moment?

As you write and rewrite your story, you may tweak your goal as the plot and characters evolve, but never lose sight of it or your story will go astray. And don’t be afraid to remind your character’s if they show signs of getting off track. If they yearn for another goal, tell them it will have to wait until the next story. Stay on track.

[bctt tweet=”If you don’t know what your character is doing, neither will the reader. #goals #writetip” username=””]

Tags character goals, character motivation, Plot, story goals

Grammar and Grace

Introducing the Eight Parts of Speech

Post author By Hope Toler Dougherty-Grammar and Grace
Post date February 17, 2017
2 Comments on Introducing the Eight Parts of Speech

For 2017, let’s understand the basics of English grammar by learning the eight parts of speech. They are the following:

Verb

Noun

Pronoun

Adjective

Adverb

Preposition

Conjunction

Interjection

All words are classified by the role they play in a sentence, or the work they do. Some words may be classified as two or three different parts of speech, but no word can be all eight. Some words will be classified as only one.

Here’s an example of one word in three different parts of speech. Brown can be an adjective, a noun, and a verb.

*The brown four-wheeler slid into the snow-covered ditch. (adjective)

*The brown in the painting overwhelmed the mood of the composition. (noun)

*Before placing the roast in the crock pot, brown the meat on all sides. (verb)

The word brown is used differently in all three sentences.

In the upcoming posts, we’ll learn about all the different parts of speech. Understanding the parts of speech will help in understanding future grammar and punctuation problems.

Happy writing!

Tags Almost an Author, editing, Grammar, grammar and grace, parts of speech, punctuation, write, writing, Writing Instruction

Flash Fiction-Splickety

Gotcha: Remembering the Resolution After the Twist-Andrew Winch

Post author By Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3
Post date February 16, 2017
1 Comment on Gotcha: Remembering the Resolution After the Twist-Andrew Winch

My favorite thing about flash fiction is the artistic freedom it allows. Within its rigidity, skilled writers can find inspiration to experiment and create that would never be possible in less defined mediums. It has a unique ability to blur the lines between prose and poetry, crafting worlds and emotions not elsewhere possible. But with all this potential, beginning writers (and even accomplished veterans) are often intimidated, wondering where to start.

Splickety prides itself as a community that nourishes the art of flash fiction, not only by publishing exquisite stories, but also by instructing and mentoring talented authors in this rapidly growing genre of storytelling. And one foundational principle we encourage all beginning flashers (no, not that kind) to remember is that, even though you’re writing a story that can fit on a single page, it is still a story—one with a beginning, middle, and end. It doesn’t need to use a traditional three-act structure, but it does have to complete an arc in order to leave a reader satisfied. That arc is much quicker than with short stories or novel-length, but it’s still there.

The principles contained within this all-important fact could (and do) fill entire craft books, but I’m going to focus on one specific pitfall I’ve seen lately: the resolution. I’ve spoken many times on the importance of a satisfying climax. The easiest way to accomplish this is with some sort of big reveal or twist (NOT a deus ex machina, for the love of Deus) that ties into the beginning and subtle clues/nuances throughout the story. Of course, that’s not the only way (thank Deus), but it tends to be a great place to start.

The thing is, this type of climax has a major pitfall in flash fiction because authors seldom know where to put the final punctuation mark. Most of the time, they are afraid of writing too much, and thus diluting the impact of their climax (not to mention going over the word limit). So instead, they clip the story off right at the apex. BOOM. The End. Consider the following line:

“Good thing he chambered a single live round with all those treacherous blanks.”

Not bad, huh? But if it was the last line you read after going on a literary journey (no matter how short), it would leave you with a raised eyebrow, like seeing a magician disappearing in a cloud of smoke. It’s a great one-liner, but it leaves the reader feeling a bit cheated. Compare that with the following:

“Good thing he chambered a single live round with all those treacherous blanks.

As he squeezed the trigger, he couldn’t help noticing a pair of red squirrels flitting around in the trees over Sam’s shoulder.”

Take a second to really dissect the structure. In the first example, the fact that there was a live round in the chamber is the huge reveal. It really doesn’t matter what else the story is about. The lethal bullet is the punch line. In the second example, the line about the squirrels could be significant, or not. It could reveal some minor foreshadowing earlier in the story, it could reinforce a theme, or it could be completely ambiguous. It really doesn’t matter, because its job is to give us a half second to digest the climax without taking away from it.

In some ways, this final line may actually be more important than the climax because it gives us a chance to appreciate the big reveal before turning the page. And more importantly, it actually enhances the climax by giving us a poignant scene to weigh it against.

Striking that balance between, “Gotcha!” and, “Blah, blah, blah,” can be a challenging one. Just remember, flash fiction is founded on this principle: give the reader everything they need, and not a word more. It takes practice and patience, but we’re writers. If it were easy, everyone would do it.

AUTHOR BIO: Andrew Winch, Splickety’s executive editor, writes backyard adventures with an otherworldly twist. Check out his weekly adventures at raisingsupergirl.com, follow him on Twitter @andrewjwinch, and like him on facebook.com/andrewjameswinch.

Tags climax, flash fiction, gotcha, poetry, Prose

Tour

Blog Tour- Jennifer Anne F. Messing

Post author By Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3
Post date February 15, 2017
No Comments on Blog Tour- Jennifer Anne F. Messing

Please tell us about your most Recent Book-My latest book, Everlasting Love: Romantic Vignettes for a Woman’s Heart, is a collection of short fiction, original romantic poetry and inspired quotes. I wrote this book to speak about the incredible beauty, sacredness, enduring romance and joy there is to be found in the life-long commitment between a man and woman in marriage. I’m honored that it’s been awarded a Top Finalist status in three competitions in 2016: the National Indie Excellence Book Awards and Virtue Christian Book Awards ‘Short Stories’ category, and the Beverly Hills Book Awards ‘Romance’ category. I’m also thankful that it has received numerous five-star reviews and continues to encourage women of all ages, single or married, that faithful, wedded love is truly a gift from God to treasure all of our lives. Author and reviewer Camille Eide wrote, “Whether it’s about the rush of finding new love, or the stirring words and actions shared by a couple whose love has grown over time, the stories in Everlasting Love remind us that no matter our circumstances, there is always hope for love, and that true love is unfailing. What a precious gift!”

Why do you write what you do?-I write inspirational romantic fiction and poetry because I’ve been touched and transformed forever by God’s everlasting love for me. Through my heartfelt short stories and vignettes, I desire to uplift and encourage women, wives and mothers; remind them of the sacred beauty and blessings God brings into our lives daily through our spouse’s love for us and vice-versa, and the deep contentment and strength we gain from the the abiding commitment of marriage. I also write what I do because there is a need for more uplifting and wholesome romantic short stories and poetry to be circulated in print and on the internet. I believe I can share my Christian worldview and values through the words and actions of the characters in my stories. I desire to entertain readers and whet their appetite, make them long for the kind of peaceful, joy-filled and purpose-filled lives we can have when our faith and trust is in God.

What are you currently working on?-I am presently working on my next book, another collection of short fiction and romantic poetry, entitled, Love’s Faithful Promise: Timeless Romantic Short Stories. I am halfway done with the book and it is tentatively scheduled for publication in print and e-book formats by the fall of 2017.

How does your work differ from other work in its genre?-Every author brings their own unique set of life experiences to their writing. I believe my cross-cultural experiences: being born in the Philippines and having lived half of my childhood years there, and then having resided for the last twenty-five years in Oregon, USA, has given me a unique voice and style that differs from the writing style and diction of an author with a different ethnic background. In addition, the short story collections I write are different than those of other authors because I pen an original poem to enhance and give added insight into the message of each story. There are not a lot of authors who write both short fiction and poetry. Many write either fiction only or poetry only, but usually not both genres and not in the same book. My short story collections are also set apart from ones by other authors in that my books have a “gift book” and “keepsake” feel, because the poetry, love quotes, and Bible verses added to each chapter are ones that readers often desire to re-visit time and again.

How does your writing process work?-With short stories, I usually begin with the lead character in mind and a specific situation they are in, or problem they are facing. My story quickly develops from there as I write out the first scene with description and dialogue. After writing the first scene, other things become more clear and I determine things such as: other biographical facts about my main characters, the city where the story takes place, names of minor characters, names of schools and restaurants, etc. Although I may not know the “end” of my story when I start writing it, I soon figure it out as I write out the next scene, then the next, then the next. The lead characters’ interactions with each other ultimately determine how the story ends.

Poetry, however, is a totally different genre and art form than short fiction, and the way I am inspired and moved to write it is much different. When I write poetry it most often begins with a time of solitude and reflection, and journaling. Many times I have written poems after reading my Bible in the morning and after quieting my heart in God’s presence and listening for His still, small voice. I may sit quietly for fifteen minutes or more, and once an idea comes for a new poem then the ideas usually flow quickly. I start writing them down ― and I do mean WRITE, not type. All of my poems are first written on paper and then later placed on the computer.

After writing a first draft of a story or poem, I return to it several days later to polish and re-write. Sometimes I revise a piece two or three times, reading it aloud, line by line, until I am happy with the way it sounds. Then I present my work to my critique group at our monthly meeting, and I make a few other edits or changes after receiving their critiques, with comments and suggestions.

And lastly, after editing and polishing my work, I always market my short stories and poems. I regularly submit them to editors of print and online magazines, and book compilations. If an editor declines to use my story, I submit it to another editor. By God’s grace, my perseverance in marketing has helped me earn over 200 publishing credits in various magazines.

Jennifer Anne Fabregas Messing is an author, poet, and creative writing teacher who has a bachelor’s degree in Religious Education and Journalism. A past president of the Oregon Christian Writers, she has over 200 articles, short stories, and poems published in 60 magazines, including: Christian Fiction Online, Bible Advocate, Standard, The Wesleyan Advocate, Mocha Memoirs, Flurries of Words, and Oregon Report Online. Her latest books: Everlasting Love: Romantic Vignettes for a Woman’s Heart and Morning’s Promise: Poetic Moments in His Presence (print and e-book formats) are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble online, and Smashwords.

Originally from the Philippines, Jennifer Anne has been married to the love of her life, Michael Messing, for 25 years. They are the parents of three young adult children and reside in Oregon, USA. More information is on her website:www.JenniferAnneMessing.com.

Facebook: Jennifer Anne F. Messing

www.facebook.com/JenniferAnneMessing.Author

Twitter: @JennyAnnMessing

www.twitter.com/JennyAnnMessing

Amazon: Jennifer Anne F. Messing

https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Anne-F.-Messing/e/B007AKAM6U/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Free Your Mind LifeStyle

Going With The Flow

Post author By Cyle Young - The Binge Writer
Post date February 14, 2017
No Comments on Going With The Flow

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The steamer which crossed the Pacific from Yokohama to San Francisco made a direct connection with that from Hong Kong, and it could not sail until the latter reached Yokohama; and if Mr. Fogg was twenty-four hours late on reaching Yokohama, this time would no doubt be easily regained in the voyage of twenty-two days across the Pacific. He found himself, then, about twenty-four hours behind-hand, thirty-five days after leaving London.

The Carnatic was announced to leave Hong Kong at five the next morning. Mr. Fogg had sixteen hours in which to attend to his business there, which was to deposit Aouda safely with her wealthy relative.

On landing, he conducted her to a palanquin, in which they repaired to the Club Hotel. A room was engaged for the young woman, and Mr. Fogg, after seeing that she wanted for nothing, set out in search of her cousin Jeejeeh. He instructed Passepartout to remain at the hotel until his return, that Aouda might not be left entirely alone.

Mr. Fogg repaired to the Exchange, where, he did not doubt, every one would know so wealthy and considerable a personage as the Parsee merchant. Meeting a broker, he made the inquiry, to learn that Jeejeeh had left China two years before, and, retiring from business with an immense fortune, had taken up his residence in Europe—in Holland the broker thought, with the merchants of which country he had principally traded. Phileas Fogg returned to the hotel, begged a moment’s conversation with Aouda, and without more ado, apprised her that Jeejeeh was no longer at Hong Kong, but probably in Holland.

[/vc_column_text][bquote type=”tagline” prk_in=”I have given no small attention to that not unvexed subject, the skin of the whale. I have had controversies about it with experienced whalemen afloat, and learned naturalists ashore. My original opinion remains unchanged.”][vc_column_text]The steamer which crossed the Pacific from Yokohama to San Francisco made a direct connection with that from Hong Kong, and it could not sail until the latter reached Yokohama; and if Mr. Fogg was twenty-four hours late on reaching Yokohama, this time would no doubt be easily regained in the voyage of twenty-two days across the Pacific. He found himself, then, about twenty-four hours behind-hand, thirty-five days after leaving London.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tags blogging, family, Kids, lifestyle, love, music

Storyworld

Anatomy of Grays: Sex

Post author By A.D. Shrum - Storyworld Columnist
Post date February 13, 2017
2 Comments on Anatomy of Grays: Sex

Jim held a gray spheroid up to the light. “So Doc, you’re saying the sex of this alien was actually female?”

“That is perhaps an overstatement. This is clearly an egg we retrieved from the deceased Sharalla pilot. While this may indicate a female of the species, their biology is unlike anything we’ve encountered. For all we know, the males carry the fertilized eggs, as in some of Earth’s aquatic wildlife.”

Jim lowered the egg, which had the size, heft, and texture of a softball. “You’re not saying this thing is fertilized are you?”

The doctor shook his head. “Our scientific team has concluded it most certainly is not. We wouldn’t let you handle it otherwise.”

The little rock wiggled itself in Jim’s hand, producing a breathless stare from Doctor Stein.

“Ahh,” Jim sighed in mock contentment, “ the certainty of science.”

What better way to spend the day before Valentine’s than talking about alien sex and reproduction? Seriously though, the method of reproduction in an alien species dictates much of its culture, so it bears at least some consideration in your storyworld.

Assuming your creatures have some form of sex to reproduce (and don’t just materialize or breed asexually), you’ll need to figure out how they do it. Generally, it will involve some form of fertilization, the method in which sex cells, containing half the genetic composition of each parent, unite to form a new, unique member of the species. This is broadly separated into two categories: external fertilization and internal fertilization.

External Fertilization

External fertilization is a form of sex that is mostly reserved to earth’s fish. While from our view, this seems impersonal, it doesn’t have to be. Granted, there doesn’t seem to be much intimacy between two fish, but there is sometimes a loyalty to the young. The male Siamese Fighting Fish will tirelessly guard over its eggs, ensuring they remain in a nest of bubbles until they hatch. Male seahorses will care for their fertilized eggs in a special pouch. Cichlids are fish that keep their eggs in their mouths, and continued to do so until they’ve not only hatched, but are old enough to fend for themselves.

If you introduce a sentient (and somewhat relatable) alien species with external fertilization, it would probably be best to model it after one of these more maternal or paternal species on earth. That is, unless you’re trying to create a heartless society of extraterrestrials. In that case, spawning massive numbers of progeny at random might fit better.

Internal Fertilization

This is the section that might get me fired from my position at A3. I’m kidding, I’m kidding – you can’t fire someone who works for free … I think. Anyway, internal fertilization is when male sex cells enter the female’s body and find the female sex cell(s). They combine and form a new life, starting as a zygote and eventually either hatching into the world, or emerging via the birth canal.

Which brings up the next distinction, whether or not the animal lays an egg or cares for the embryo in an internal placenta. Some examples of egg-laying creatures on earth are reptiles and birds. If your alien species lays an egg, you’ll have to decide the level of involvement you want the parents to have in guarding that egg. Some birds like the hornbill are very protective of their eggs. So much so that the female blocks herself off in a tree hole and entirely depends on her mate to bring her food. Others, like sea turtles, bury their eggs in the sand and then leave, hoping for the best (there may be a reason they’re so endangered). Rattlesnakes are odd egg layers though, since they don’t really lay eggs, but keep the eggs internally until they hatch. While that may sound like a live birth, the eggs are still self-sustaining, meaning no nutrients pass from mother to child.

And that’s actually one of the distinguishing features of sex and reproduction in a mammal – the placenta. When a mammal baby develops in the womb, it receives nutrients from its mother until ready for birth. Even then, female mammals provide milk for their young with their mammary glands (breasts in humans, udders in cows and pigs, etc.).

Sex Between Species

While forbidden in Leviticus 19, sex between two different species occasionally produces a hybrid creature. Probably most well known is the mule, a cross between a donkey and a horse. Additionally, ligers are crosses between tigers and lions, and according to liger scholar and artist Napoleon Dynamite, they’re bred for their skills in magic. There are a lot of different hybrids out there, including zonkeys , dzos, and other strange creatures. Usually the two parents need a similar number of chromosomes, and even then the result is typically a sterile creature. Sometimes though, intentionally breeding two species results in a very, very bad hybrid, such as the killer bee. Yes, thank science for producing a species of insect capable of killing thousands of humans and livestock … and then accidentally releasing them from quarantine -whoops.

Sometimes in sci-fi and fantasy literature you’ll see a hybrid race. The most obvious that comes to my mind is the Half-Elf. Born of human and elven parentage, these half-races display characteristics of each. But in a sci-fi or fantasy world, you can’t assume that every alien species can intermingle with every other. In Michael A. Stackpole’s X-Wing series, one of his protagonists humorously recounts a bad memory of having sex with an alien. The two hadn’t considered the delicate pH balance in that… region. And as a result, both partners developed severe rashes and some other, ahem, unpleasant side effects.

Sex and Culture

As I said in my intro, sex (and marriage) is a huge factor that dictates how a culture operates. How do two individuals in a species find a mate? How do they produce offspring? How do they care for their offspring? Is there sexual deviancy and abuse? While these are all major questions that deserve an entire column this column has mostly addressed biology. Fear not though, I will address them in the future. So if this article interests you, be on the watch for my sex and worldbuilding article in the next few months.

There, I made it through an entire column dedicated to sex without once mentioning the words vagina or penis. Oh! Darn. Well, almost.

Next month we’ll continue our anatomy series and tackle the neuroendocrine system! Yeah, that’s basically just a fancy word for evaluating how an alien thinks and feels.

Photo Credits:

Birds and Bees Photo: http://www.evilenglish.net/the-birds-and-the-bees/

Siamese Fighting Fish Photo (Also great resource regarding these cool fish): http://dkphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Siamese-Fighting-Fish-Life-Cycle/G0000_kRdp2qXrtk/I0000qlzVaRnV4Qw/C0000NHUtq8T1jVw

Napoleon Dynamite Inspired Liger Drawing: https://www.flickr.com/photos/51035597721@N01/5266903

Tags Almost an Author, Christian writer, Create Motivate Inspire, creativity, fiction, ideas, inspiration, novelist, sex, storyworld, write, writer, writers, writing, Writing Craft, writing ideas, Writing Inspiration, Writing tips

Magazine and Freelance

Ideas for Magazine Articles are Everwhere

Post author By Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3
Post date February 12, 2017
2 Comments on Ideas for Magazine Articles are Everwhere

Over the last twenty-five years, books have been my passion and the bulk of my writing life. It’s not where I began and I write much more than books. Please don’t misunderstand. I love books but I continue to believe many writers are missing golden opportunities by not practicing the short form—magazine writing.

In the article format, I’m able to practice many of the techniques I use in my books, yet in a more compressed form. It’s a sharpening process for my writing life and important. If you’ve strayed into only writing books, then I recommend you return to writing magazine articles. It will build something into your books.

Ideas are one of the most fluid and free-wheeling part of the writing process. I love to have new ideas—and they come constantly. Sometimes the waves of what I want to write spring into my mind so fast, it’s like standing under a waterfall. You can’t possibly catch everything—and like a waterfall, you can only stand the spray for a tiny bit—before you get washed away.

Conversations with people can stir ideas. You may be taking a break at work and listening to someone’s story and decide a much-changed version of the story could be part of a novel. Or possibly from the conversation, you see your friend struggling with a personal crisis and discovering a unique solution to this crisis or handling it in a different way. You decide that experience could be the beginnings of a how-to article. I’ve given only two examples of how we can find ideas from our conversations with others.

Other times we read the newspaper and learn about a new product. Because we read magazines and other types of print or internet publications, the idea comes to write about this product. You take this idea and pitch a magazine (more about this aspect for another article) and you snag an assignment to write about the product. Reading stimulates your idea process. Can you take the idea and twist it in a different fashion and reveal the product or service to a new audience and a different publication?

Years ago, I was reading the Orange County Register and living in Southern California. In the business section, a small news item announced Disney was printing Disney Dollars. I was fascinated with this bit of news and wanted to learn more. As a part of the experience of being in Disneyland, they have Disney Dollars which are the same quality of regular currency. I pitched a numismatic magazine with the article idea and received an assignment. In a matter of weeks, I was on the back lot of Disney — where no “guests” are allowed and interviewing one of the Vice Presidents about this new currency. For me the process began with a small news item in the newspaper. You can find ideas in the same way.

Almost anything can stir ideas—family activities, walking through the mall, visiting a historic monument or _____ (you name it). I’ve learned to always carry a piece of paper because ideas will strike me at odd times. I have to write it down or it will pass through my mind and be forgotten. (In general, I ignore the ones that come in the middle of the night).

OK, now you have an idea. What do you do with the idea? It will be key to whether you get it published or it disappears.

Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor, Whalin has written for more than 50 publications including Christianity Today and Writer’s Digest. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams. His latest book is Billy Graham, A Biography of America’s Greatest Evangelist and the book website is at: http://BillyGrahamBio.com Watch the short book trailer for Billy Graham at: http://bit.ly/BillyGrahamBT His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Follow him on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/terrywhalin

Tags Disney, magazine, writing

Guest post archive

Guest Post-6 Common Writing Issues Authors Overlook By Pam Lagomarsino

Post author By Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3
Post date February 9, 2017
2 Comments on Guest Post-6 Common Writing Issues Authors Overlook By Pam Lagomarsino

If you are reading this, you are either writing a book or considering the possibility. Writing a book can seem like a tremendous challenge as you try to create a perfect manuscript. I would like to share common writing mistakes to avoid as you write your story or message. I am excited for you as you continue your journey to publishing your book.

You might be wondering when your manuscript is ready to submit to an editor or publisher. Only you can determine when that is. Have you asked beta-readers or critique partners to preview it? Do you have more you wish to say? Did you do a spelling and grammar check? Your book doesn’t have to be perfect when you submit it to your editor. But just in case you prefer to make everything as close to perfect as possible, here are a few tips for you:

1. Avoid as many unnecessary words as possible when you are telling the story. Now, wouldn’t it have been much easier if I had written “Avoid Wordiness” instead? A quick Google search for “lists of wordy phrases” will result in several, but here are a few for you to find and replace:

That. Will the sentence make sense without it? Often, when a sentence has “that are” in it, you can eliminate both words. While we are on the subject of “that” – people should be referred to as who as in the boy who…
Off of – delete “of”
Very ________ … What stronger adjective could you use?
In order to. You should delete the “in order”
Really can be substituted with truly or genuinely. Better yet, can you delete it?

2. Be consistent with spelling and spacing. Ensure you spelled all your character names and places correctly—especially if you didn’t mention them frequently. One quick way to catch some errors would be to run a spelling/grammar check in Microsoft Word. As you come across the first occurrence of a character’s name or a unique word, click “add to dictionary.” Then if you misspelled that word later, Word will flag it for you. Is your sentence spacing consistent? Many publishers now prefer a single space between sentences. To correct spacing in Microsoft Word: tap the space bar twice in the Navigation search box. If you find several, then click the Home tab on the ribbon, choose Replace to open a new box, then type in one space in the “Replace with” box. Click ok. With one quick click, you have just replaced all the double spacing. Finally, are your quotation marks and apostrophes straight or curly? Are they all the same? If you find the occasional straight quotation marks, you can copy one set into your search bar and replace all of them. You will have to fix apostrophes individually.

3. Confusing word usage issues (check the dictionary if you are unsure). Take the time to search and correct these examples which Word will not always catch:

Were, where, we’re
There, their, they’re
Affect, effect
Than, then
To, too, two
4. Give credit where credit is due. When do you need to cite a reference? The nutshell answer is if you are quoting a person, website, or book, you need to get permission and note the source. This requirement also includes Bible verses and things considered to be in the Public Domain. If your quote is from a book, provide the title, author’s name, publisher, page number, and copyright date. For a website, give the article title, author, date of the article (if available), and date you found it. You can copy and paste the web address into the document. When quoting a person, provide their name, date, and any title they use. If you have included factual information you found from a website or book, you will need to make a notation. Many authors are surprised to learn they also must provide the specific verse and version when quoting the Bible. You can find proper permission and copyright wording at https://www.biblegateway.com. Creating proper citations or a bibliography can seem overwhelming. But even if you don’t get the periods and commas in the proper place for an endnote, footnote, or reference page, you still need to make a reasonable effort to identify the source. Your editor or publisher can put the material in the correct format. If you are doing everything yourself, you can research proper citation formatting on the internet when you are ready.

5. Are you noticing words or phrases used repeatedly? Can you find synonyms? It is easy to use the same words frequently. Try this quick spot check: select three random paragraphs in consecutive order. Read through them carefully and see if any one word or phrase comes up often—especially more than once in a paragraph. If so, try to find an appropriate synonym when it is feasible. In nonfiction, it is not always realistic to change words, but you can reduce the frequency. Likewise, in fiction, if a particular character is fond of a phrase, you can’t always remove it.

6. Marketing begins before you publish your book. Many successful authors will tell you their sales improved because of self-promotion on social media before, during, and after they published their book. Both aspiring authors and well-known authors with a huge following will benefit by joining numerous online writing groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google+. These groups share writing tips and information, cheer one another on, and promote one another’s books. You can tell others about the book you are writing. As you get closer to publication, you can post small teasers on social media to stir excitement.

I would love to be a part of your writing journey to equip you to touch the lives of your readers. For editorial quotes or editing needs, please visit my website at http://www.abovethepages.com/ or email me at abovethepages@gmail.com.

Tags common, mistakes, Word, words, writing

Dear Young Scribes

The Writer’s Palette: How to Write Concise Description to Liven Your Scenes

Post author By Tessa Emily Hall - Becoming an Author
Post date February 8, 2017
3 Comments on The Writer’s Palette: How to Write Concise Description to Liven Your Scenes

As writers, we have the power to tear down the boundaries of paper and ink when we craft a description that triggers the imagination of our readers. That’s the power of writing a concise description.

I’m sure you’ve heard it’s best to limit your descriptions. Pretty prose does not equal a pretty story, and ultimately it’s your characters and plot that will push the story along.

So how can you write scenes in a way that accomplishes the job of description — to bring the story to life — without interrupting the flow?

Writing this kind of description is much harder than writing flowery prose that goes on forever — prose that most readers will skim. Instead, writing concise description will enable your scene to become 3D.

And you can do this without having to hit the “pause button” on your scene.

When I wrote my latest novel, UNWRITTEN MELODY, I tried a new technique. I created a “writer’s palette” before each scene I wrote. (This idea came from Susan May Warren’s Book Therapy tools, although she refers to it as a “scene sketch”.)

This writer’s palette is similar to an artist’s palette. Before an artist begins working, they mix their paints to create the colors they want to display on their masterpiece. These paints are arranged on their board. That way, while they paint, they can dip their paintbrush in their assortment of colors and apply it to their canvas. They don’t have to create the colored paint as they work; rather, it’s already prepared beforehand.

Similarly, a writer’s palette is our own assortment of “colors” that we can use to paint our scenes, and we can prepare this before we even put our pen to the page.

Here’s how you can do this:

(Again, I learned how to create a scene sketch through instruction at My Book Therapy.)

1) Ask yourself, what scene do I want to paint?

Place yourself in an artist’s shoes. A blank canvas stands before you; what scene do you want to paint?

Close your eyes and envision the scene you’re going to write. Let it come to life in your imagination before you try to transcribe it onto the page.

What emotion/mood do you want to portray through this scene?

Now, open your writer’s palette. (This can be a page in your notebook or a new document in Word. While I wrote UNWRITTEN MELODY, I used the “Document Notes” tool in Scrivener to create these scene sketches.)

On this palette, answer the following questions about your scene:

Where? Why? Who? When? What? How?
What emotion/mood do I want to establish in this scene?

2) Prepare your paints. What colors do you need to gather and mix?

Pretend you’re the POV character and you’re observing the surroundings through the lens of his/her perspective, worldview, personality, and attitude. What details does he/she notice? What descriptive hues do you need to combine so you can achieve the scene’s specific emotion/mood?

In your writer’s palette, prepare these details:

What does your character see? Hear? Touch? Taste? Smell?
What is your POV character’s attitude and view of his/her surroundings?
How do these sensory details emphasize the emotion of the scene?
Is there a metaphor/symbolism you can use to highlight this emotion?

3) Record the details by choosing specific nouns and active verbs. In other words, gather your props.

While the scene is still in your imagination and you’re viewing it through the lens of your character, write down the scene’s details (keeping the emotion in mind as well). You’ll gather an array of details that you can potentially use as you write the scene.

But instead of writing “candles were lit and burning on the coffee table”, record the specific type of candle and its scent. And instead of writing, “long, draping curtains hung over the windows”, you can use its specific noun, such as, “pinch pleat curtains draped over the windows”.

~ ~ ~

By preparing your writer’s palette beforehand, you’re more likely to write a scene that becomes 3D in your reader’s imagination. You’ll know which details to incorporate (the ones that highlight the mood and POV character’s perspective) and which ones would only get in the way of the story. Your description will ring as authentic, and you may even convince your reader that you have lived through the specific time and place.

If you’d like to see an example of how I used a writer’s palette to write a certain scene in UNWRITTEN MELODY, click here for the scene excerpt and here for the writer’s palette.

~ ~ ~

How do you write description in your scenes? Do you create a writer’s palette or scene sketch to gather your “paints” before you begin to write?

[bctt tweet=”The Writer’s Palette: How to Write Concise Description to Liven Your Scenes #amwriting @TessaEmilyHall” username=””]

Tags Descriptions, descriptive writing, fiction, Prose, writer's palette, Writing Craft, Writing tips

Uncategorized Writer Encouragement

Hawks Seeking Prey

Post author By Elaine Cooper - Writer Encouragement
Post date February 7, 2017
No Comments on Hawks Seeking Prey

Elaine Marie Cooper

On the way to meet a friend for coffee the other day, my eye caught a site both beautiful and terrifying: A hawk swooping through the air. It came to rest on a pole, which gave me the opportunity to admire the creature’s beautiful feathers. Reddish brown wings and speckles of brown and white across its proud-looking chest were magnificent. What a gorgeous bird I thought. Gorgeous and deadly.

The hawk wasn’t there to preen its feathers; it was looking for prey. Perhaps a rabbit, mouse, or even a small pet left unattended would be snatched in its talons and carried away to experience a horrible death. Suddenly the bird didn’t seem so beautiful; it seemed terrifying.

I put the thought of this bird of prey out of my mind as I met my friend to share coffee. During our conversation she revealed a startling story about a recent discovery in her marriage that left her reeling. I was shocked and listened intently, while offering consolation as best I could. We had sweet fellowship that ended too quickly but we determined to meet again soon.

During our conversation, I thought about dinner the previous night with friends of my husband and I. I asked about a mutual friend on Facebook who I hadn’t seen in sometime. “You hadn’t heard? He’s in jail,” my friend informed me. I was so shocked that you could have knocked me out of the restaurant booth with a paper napkin. Especially when my friend shared the reason: child molestation.

Both of these individuals caught in sin were regular churchgoers, masking their sin behind the guise of pseudo-Christianity.

After pondering these back-to-back revelations, I thought of that hawk, looking so gorgeous yet ready to kill and destroy. Just like the evil one who can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). And like the evil one, he seeks out any weakness in our armor. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

As writers for the Lord, we may have a giant target on our backs that encourages the evil one to set his eyes upon us, aiming arrows of deceit that can make us fall for his deception.

“It won’t matter if I write erotica under an assumed name. It pays the bills so I can afford to write Christian fiction.”

“No one will know if I’m watching this movie. My readers probably wouldn’t care, even if they knew.”

“What I do in the privacy of my home is no one’s business. So what if there’s porn on my laptop? It has no impact on my writing whatsoever.”

It’s easy to lie to ourselves. After all, the evil one is the father of lies (John 8:44)

May I encourage you to clean up your act? And I don’t mean self edit those mistakes in your manuscripts that make an editor cringe.

If you’re dabbling in sin, talk to a pastor or Christian counselor that you trust. Stop pretending that it doesn’t matter. Because if God called you to write, the evil one delights when he sees you fall. He loves that domino effect as we lead others down that slippery slope of sin.

Image of hawk courtesy of panuruangjan via freedigitalphotos.net

Image of claw courtesy of Pansa via freedigitalphotos.net

Fantasy-Sci-Fi

Recycle, Reuse, Rewrite

Post author By Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3
Post date February 6, 2017
No Comments on Recycle, Reuse, Rewrite

“A group of underdogs are united through unusual circumstances and are forced to work together using their individual strengths to beat a dominating force.”

Sounds like a familiar storyline, doesn’t it? In fact one could argue that there are no new stories left to be written. Shakespeare took care of covering all the basics a long time ago. So why are stories still interesting to the world if there’s nothing truly ‘new under the sun’? Ultimately, what sets your story apart from others is what you’ve done to make it different.

The basic foundation of your story may be familiar but the setting could be a mix between futuristic Sci-Fi and old-school Fantasy. Or maybe it’s your main character that adds interest—the antagonist is a vampire while the heroine is a Civil War Southern Belle. The possibilities of how to make your story different are endless.

A great example of this is Joss Whedon’s cult-favorite TV show, Firefly. Although it only lasted a single season on-air, the fan-base made it possible for a movie to be made a few years later, and the call for a resurrection of the series has continued since its original airing fifteen years ago.

The year is 2517. The story follows the adventures of a crew of nine on the spaceship Serenity. They run a covert smuggling operation with great success—as long as the ‘evil’ Alliance doesn’t catch up with them. It may sound like every other Space Opera storyline you’ve run across, however, there is one major difference: It’s also a Western Drama.

Whedon was able to meld the two worlds of futuristic space and old-time West, flawlessly. Everything about the world-building is set in the future—an entire star system of planets colonized, boasting futuristic weapons and every form of space travel imaginable. However, much of the culture is stuck in the ‘wild-west’ of the past. Characters dress and speak like you’d expect in a traditional Western and much of the interactions on the planets are western-based—from saloons with bar-fights, to debutante balls with hoop-style skirts.

This difference is what draws the reader into a story that has otherwise already been told. There are plenty of books about Science Fiction available, many of them specifically in the Space Opera genre. And there are even more stories that tell about a rat-tag group of outsiders that come together and use their skills to evade the bad guy. However, the Firefly series was successful not only because it had a great cast and well developed characters, but because Whedon set it apart from anything that had ever been done before.

What sets your story apart? How can you recycle a story that has already been done before and make it better? Sometimes reusing what you already know can make for an unforgettable tale.

Bio: Laura L. Zimmerman is a homeschooling mom to three daughters, and a doting wife to one husband. Besides writing, she is passionate about loving Jesus, singing, drinking coffee and anything Star Wars. You can connect with her through Facebook and Twitter and at her website, www.lauralzimmerman.com

A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Quitting: Not an Option

Post author By Carlton Hughes - Lighter Look at Writer's Life
Post date February 5, 2017
5 Comments on Quitting: Not an Option

I quit.

Ever been there?

I’ll admit it: there are times when I think I want to give up writing. This confession will come as no shock to other writers (and to some of my editors).

Many people think writing is the easiest thing in the world, that we just sit down at the keyboard and the words flow effortlessly from our fingertips.

Yeah, right.

Writing is hard. Sitting at a computer, summoning creativity, rewriting. Condensing, expanding (see my last post), self-editing. Sending out query letters, waiting, trying to get published. Not to mention trying to figure out how to pronounce “query” and how to write one. On and on. Sometimes I wonder if it’s all worth it.

God, do you REALLY want me to continue this writing thing?

I recently heard Natalie Grant’s song King of the World, and it rocked my world. I purchased it and have played it too many times to count. The words of this song hit me where I live:

When did I forget that You’ve always been the King of the World? I try to take life back right out of the hands of the King of the World.

Sometimes I second-guess God when it comes to my calling. And why? He’s the King of the World, and He knows what He’s doing when He calls me (or you) to do something. It might be writing, it might be speaking, it might even be cleaning the church toilets. Whatever it is, I need to dive in and do it.

Sure, there are times when the words do come fast and furious, and I appreciate those moments. On the other hand, the times I feel like quitting are the times God’s power can be more evident if I just forge on. I’m living proof He doesn’t always call the equipped but He does equip the called.

Here I go, at the keyboard again. So help me, God.

Tags God, help, Natalie Grant, quit, write

The Creative Tool Kit

3 Ways to {Creatively} Fall in Love with Writing All Over Again

Post author By Cathy Baker - Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101
Post date February 3, 2017
2 Comments on 3 Ways to {Creatively} Fall in Love with Writing All Over Again

“Falling in love in a Christian way is to say, ‘I am excited about your future and I want to be part of getting you there. I’m signing up for the journey with you. Would you sign up for the journey to my true self with me? It’s going to be hard but I want to get there.” -Timothy J. Keller

I can’t tell you the exact day I fell in love with writing. I can tell you, however, that in 2009, journaling in the morning hours began to fall flat in writing satisfaction. Over the years, my love has waned at times but I’ve held tight to the notion that I’m on this journey for the long haul because deep down, I’d be lost without it.

Are you experiencing a season where your love for writing could use a little reshuffling of the kindle fires?

3 Ways to Fall in Love with Writing All Over Again:

Write purely for fun. Sounds simple but for diehard purpose-driven people like myself, it’s anything but. Obviously, there are deadlines to be met but spending a few minutes every day (or week) writing simply for the enjoyment can breathe life into your writing experience.
Implement a date night…with your WIP. What’s your work-in-progress? Invite it to join you for a meal somewhere other than its normal spot. New scenery will heighten your senses and give you a fresh perspective on your project. Your WIP will thank you!
Remember why you fell in love with writing in the first place. Like relationships, there are times when we need to step back, observe, and recall the many reasons we first fell in love with our spouses or significant others. Did we initially pick up the pen to fulfill a calling? To heal emotional wounds? To earn money? To share expertise on a subject? Sometimes simply recalling those early days is enough to woo us back to our first love. And if you need a little more coaxing? Why not write a love letter to your gift of writing? Pour out your heart, your struggles, your desire to move closer to a reconciliation.

Have you signed up for the writing journey? Are you excited about your future and are you willing to be your true self as you pen your story? It’s going to be hard but if you want to get there – wherever “there” is for you – being published, writing stories about your family history, journaling, etc., you will have to re-invest yourself, your time and energy…but it’s worth the effort. Wouldn’t you agree?

What’s one way you’ve fallen in love with writing all over again? Please share in the comment section!

Tags Cathy Baker, Creative Ways to Love Your Writing, Cultivating Creativity, Falling iin love, How to Fall in Love With Writing All Over Again, Timothy J. Keller

Platform and Branding

3 quick and easy steps to review and refresh your writer platform

Post author By Susan Stilwell - Platforming
Post date February 2, 2017
2 Comments on 3 quick and easy steps to review and refresh your writer platform

by Susan Stilwell @susanrstilwell

Busy writers are often consumed with projects. We all have at least one WIP and if we’re disciplined (and sometimes downright lucky), we’re also creating content for our online presence. We rarely take the time to review the basic elements of our writer platform. In ignoring those elements, we miss the opportunity to put our best foot forward with new connections.

Review your writer platform

in 3 quick and easy steps!

Review your About page

Once it’s written, this page falls off the radar of most writers. Statistics show, however, it’s the second most popular page on your site. Be sure to address the 5 Questions Your About Page Must Answer, but also update the page with any new information that will interest your contacts or writing professionals.

Allow me to step out of my professional voice and rant for a minute:

One of my pet peeves is dated headshots. I can’t tell you how many conferences I’ve attended and had someone I don’t recognize come up and introduce themselves to me. There I stand, mentally flipping the fading rolodex in my aging memory. Embarrassed, I finally confess, “Have we met?”

“What?” they gasp, tilting their head like a confused puppy. “I’m SO-AND-SO! You know me!”

Well, yes, I DO know them, but the person in front of me looks nothing like the person on their website!

Ok, rant over. Thank you for your patience.

Don’t neglect your headshot. Is it current? Is the image good quality? Professional headshots are best but smartphone cameras and apps can also produce outstanding images. A few simple tips:

Have a friend take the picture and ask them to frame you from the waist up.
Wear solid colors,
find a simple background,
position your body at an angle, and
look friendly. Or goofy. SHOCK BROCA!

Find a teenager or a friend who knows a thing or two about image editing and ask them to clean it up for you. Remind them not to go crazy with filters and excessive processing; just make it natural and flattering.

Review your website sidebar

Take a quick look and check for broken links. Be sure these 4 Must-Have Features For Your Blog are in place, and consider adding widgets (WordPress) or gadgets (Blogger) for any awards you’ve won or conferences you’ve attended or plan to attend. If you’re a part of a writing community, add that graphic element as well to connect with other writers.

Review the profiles for your top 3 social media networks

Update your contact information, cover images, headshots, etc. Be sure you’re consistent with your personal branding: the same or similar verbiage, colors, images, calls to action, etc.

Taking a few minutes to review and refresh these areas will keep your platform current and help position you for success with your writing.

Shareables:

[bctt tweet=”Are you a busy #writer? Update these 3 #sm areas to keep your platform current. @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Neglecting #sm elements can result in missed opportunities for #writers. @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Keep your #writer platform current and positioned for success. @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”3 quick and easy #sm reviews for #writers. @a3forme @susanrstilwell” via=”no”]

Additional resources:

Hubspot – Professional Headshot Tips For a Budget

Almost An Author – Brand Basics – 2 Considerations For Writers

Bestsellers

Best Selling Author-Chris Thrall

Post author By Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3
Post date February 1, 2017
1 Comment on Best Selling Author-Chris Thrall

Can you share a little about your recent book – The Drift, Following the death of his wife and son, Hans Larsson buys a yacht named Future, intending to sail across the Atlantic with his young daughter Jessica. En route they meet Penny, a seasoned English skipper, who joins them as crew, and the larger-than-life Marcel, a Dutch art dealer hiding a secret, along with a stash of drugs on his vintage boat. Battling storms, sharks and pirates, Hans and Jessica experience the adventure of a lifetime, until fate intervenes to leave them fighting for survival on an ocean less perilous than the mind .

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books? I enjoy it. I write from a feminist perspective so that everyone can enjoy my work.

How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? 7 years. 5 months – a publisher heard about my crystal meth memoir ‘Eating Smoke’ and approached me.

How long does it take you to write a book? Approx. 1 year

What’s your writing work schedule like? All day every day of the year including Christmas from 4am until 2030hrs when I stop to eat and watch TV

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it? I love chapter icons.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career? Getting my fiction published

What has been your darkest moment(s)? Too many to name and too many to shame

Which of your books is your favorite? I haven’t written it yet.

Who is your favorite author to read? I don’t really read genre or author – Willard Price has been my lifetime and childhood favorite though.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too? Just write, write, write – get it edited, get it on Kindle, then write another – don’t waste too much time on social media. Keep the price cheap until you’re famous.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you? Once a bookshop wouldn’t stock my fiction – only my memoir. I don’t care – bookshops are not the way to make money any more.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books? Nicole, who saved my life in Hong Kong

Where do you get your ideas? A combination of imagination and life experience – oh, and a lifetime of reading.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make? Not writing enough. Not getting proofread and putting an awful book out there on Amazon. Too high a priced books. Too much time on social media – like Tweeting to 300 people!

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market Write what makes you happy. Approach lots of other (traditionally published) authors as they know the score and can critique your work. Do anything and speak to anybody to get a publishing deal. If all else fails, buy a block of ISBN numbers and make up a company name and publish yourself.

Chris Thrall is a former Royal Marines Commando and author of the bestselling memoir Eating Smoke, his experience of crystal meth addiction while working for the Hong Kong triads. A qualified pilot and skydiver, Chris has backpacked throughout all seven continents, worked with street children in Mozambique, driven aid workers from Norway to India and back by coach, and scuba dived with leopard seals in Antarctica. He lives in Plymouth, England, and plans to continue adventuring, charity work and writing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chris-Thrall/e/B004HC7TOW

www.christhrall.com
www.linkedin.com/in/christhrall
www.twitter.com/chris_thrall

Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Writing With Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia-

Post author By Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3
Post date January 29, 2017
10 Comments on Writing With Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia-

Overcoming a disability concept with a man writing the word Disability on a virtual interface and then crossing through the - Dis - with a red marker pen as a motivational call to overcome adversity.

This month I’m talking to author Cherrilynn Bisbano. Many of you may know her, she is the Associate Editor of Almost an Author. Cherrilynn writes Christian fiction and non-fiction. She has published articles in various Christian publications.

Cherrilynn knows first-hand what it’s like to be a writer with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Fibromyalgia. Cherrilynn also deals with ADHD, and homeschools her son, Michael, who is Autistic.

Cherrilynn didn’t start out wanting to be a writer. She accepted a calling from God to spread His message further using her speaking and teaching abilities and the research and notes collected over time.

Cherrilynn transformed these into written words to produce her first book, True Star Quality– Shine in a Dark World. The book is scheduled to be released Fall 2017.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that can’t be explained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.

And Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, tender points throughout the body.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

It exhausts me. I try to write early in the morning before I go to the gym. However, today, I didn’t get up until six o’clock. I normally get up at five and I try to write for two hours. Sometimes if I’m feeling alright I’ll write for an hour in the afternoon, but writing usually exhausts me unless I’m writing scripture–I’m energized when I read and write scripture.

What motivated you to write despite the challenges you face?

Obedience to God. I did not want to write. I asked Him to show me beyond any shadow of a doubt that He wanted me to write. He enabled me to attend four writing conferences in a year’s time. I won a book contract. Since I started writing two years ago, my first book is set to be published by Fall of this year [2017]. I acquired an agent for my next two books. God has made it clear that He wants me to write and encourage other writers in the process. I believe wholeheartedly my position at A3 is to help Cyle Young and encourage all our contributors. We have some amazing writers at A3. I learn from them daily, they motivate me to write.

Tell us about your current and upcoming writing projects.

True Star Quality – Shine in a Dark World is my first book. I’m a speaker and teacher. People would ask me, “where’s the book?” I’d say, “I’m not a writer.” I transformed my writing notes into a book. The process was difficult.

I speak about what God is teaching me through His word and in life.

One morning I needed an attitude change. I read the verses, Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pur,…Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. (Philippians 2:14-15). The S.T.A.R. Principle developed. Over the last 20 years of speaking, I found when believers struggle in one or more of these four areas, our light is dimmed

S-See Yourself As God Sees You

T-Transform Mind With the Word

A-Always Pray

R-Refined to Shine

My prayer is that this book will encourage many.

My next two projects are a devotional titled Defying the Odds – 31 Prophesies Jesus fulfilled

The devotional matches 31 prophecies Jesus fulfilled from the Old Testament, with the NT prophecy.

and a fiction mystery, Accidental Findings:

Shannon’s autistic son, Corban, heals from the loss of his father, her hero. Can she help Corban cope when his new friend, Amanda, goes missing? Will her detective sister find the girl in time? Shannon meets, Mr. Chauvin, a new love interest. He is rich, handsome and loves Corban. Will he bring stability to her life or be her worse nightmare? What do Mr. Chauvin and the missing girl have in common?

How and where do you write? Do you use any special tools for your writing?

I use a laptop to write, and a good office chair! I finally have my own office.

What is your schedule like?

I begin at 5 am and write for about 2 hours. I homeschool my autistic son. He is helping me write my first fiction novel, Accidental Findings.

Has the publishing process from your first book changed your process of writing? Or has your process changed?

It has changed it. I started writing about two years ago. I’d write at different times of the day. Anxiety would set in if I did not have time to write. I needed to schedule time. Not just say “I gotta do it,” but actually schedule the time to write. I learned from other writers that writing is a job, not a hobby. If I was serious, I would treat writing as a job. Over time I realized that morning was my best time to write. My brain was the clearest.

My writing has improved because I learn from amazing writers like Jerry B Jenkins and Cecil Murphy. I read blogs on writing. I attend writing conferences. To be a good writer one must continue to learn.

I use my sister Charlene as my writing barometer. My first attempt at a book she said, “I’m sorry, Cherrilynn, this is horrible, I can’t read it. It makes no sense.” She was right. I studied hard. Two years later my book was edited by Peter Lundell, he also coached me. He was hard on me. I took his advice and did the arduous work to improve the book. I’m grateful for his honesty, he made me a better writer. Now, my sister can read it and loves the book.

Writers always seem to want to know about the writing habits of other writers. How do you edit and rewrite?

I get all my ideas on paper and I don’t edit as go along. If a mistake is blatant, I go back and change it. I was taught by other authors to “throw up on the paper and get it all out.” I wait a day or so and go back to read it and edit. I repeat the process until I feel the project is ready.

I pray before I write. I ask God to help me. I know I would never think of some of the words God gives me. I praise Him. I often find myself saying, “whoa, that’s good God, thank you! ” God gets all the credit. I get fearful when I focus on my ability to write, I think I’m going to fail Him. I know God works in me, using His words, to get His message out with my voice. It’s awesome. I’ve met many Christian writers to have the same experience. As writers, we cannot fail with God on our side.

What advice would you give to aspiring or other writers who live with a disability?

Pace yourself. Schedule time to write. If you cannot write one day, don’t worry. God wants to use you. He will give you the energy, time and ability to get your story out. After all, we write for His glory. Pray over every project. The outcome is in God’s capable hands. My book was ten years in the making. It started as speaking notes.

Is there anything would you give up to become a better writer?

I’m working for a non-profit right now, and I love, love, love the work, but I would give that up to become a full-time writer. I should stop watching TV and be on my computer, listening to training videos and stuff – that’s what I should give up.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers?

Education is vital. Bestselling authors like Jerry B. Jenkins, Cecil Murphy, Liz Curtis Higgs and others still educate themselves. Read writing blogs or listen to podcasts. Also, give back and encourage your fellow writers. Some of the most successful writers help others. God will use you even if you are a beginner like me.

Trust God with your writing. I never thought I would write let alone be an Associate Editor of a writing website. My number one job here at A3 is to encourage writers. I don’t have to be a best-selling author to do that. I know I have much to learn but God is with me every step of the way.

I admire anyone who has written a book. Congratulations. Writing is hard work. Don’t give up, if you are working on a project right now. You can do it with God at your side.

What is Cherrilynn’s word for this year?

“Excellence.” I can be lazy. I could use my disability as an excuse, but I would know deep in my heart that I did not rely on God’s power to achieve the goal. I can be excellent in all I do for the Lord, even if it’s just writing a page a day. Excellence is not perfection. My son says, Excellence is two steps above good enough.” He is a witty kid.

——————–

One of my favorite quotes about the writing process during this interview with Cherrilynn has to be:

“That’s what [they] writers have taught me,”

and

“You need to be real, like talking to someone and having a cup of coffee with them.”

Indeed, talking with Cherrilynn is exactly like this.

Next time we meet, I’ll be interviewing Ann Pietrangelo, an author with Multiple Sclerosis. In the meantime, please check out all the great writing content on Almost An Author!

Kathryn M. B. Johnson

“I write from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. I feel as if I’ve been writing forever. Making squiggles at age three on pieces of paper I kept in one of my grandma’s black snap-top pocketbooks, chubby fingers holding a big fat pencil, I moved to writing stories in second grade for my teacher to read at rest time. I’ve been scribbling ever since.”

Guest post archive

Inauguration Day – A Spirit of Unity

Post author By Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3
Post date January 28, 2017
4 Comments on Inauguration Day – A Spirit of Unity

Several days have passed, and I was sure that the excitement I felt when my wife and I attended the 45^th Presidential Inauguration would have worn off. Boy, was I wrong.

In fact, the more positive things I see President Trump doing, the more excited I am to be an American.

Angie and I had the wonderful privilege to be in Washington D.C. when Trump took the oath of office. We were motivated by many things he said from the podium in front of millions of supporters.

“We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement. And most importantly, we will be protected by God,” Trump proclaimed.

Wow – those words were refreshing to hear. To me, the United States has sadly put God on the backburner over the past eight years. The military and police have been portrayed as villains and held to an obvious double standard.

We were thrilled to be in the crowd and to hear unifying words such as — “Whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots,” Trump echoed to a thunderous applause.

We were also thrilled to meet wonderful people from all over the nation who shared the same unifying spirit Trump boldly spoke about.

We met two young men, both college students from Cooperstown, N.Y., while standing in line the day before the Inauguration at the Longworth House Building to pick up our tickets to the ceremony. Bobby was a young Republican dressed in the typical blue suit and donning a red “Make America Great Again” cap, while MacGuire was a young Democrat dressed in more casual clothing. MacGuuire told me he was disappointed in the outcome of the election, but he wanted to see the peaceful transfer of power. Both young men were excited to be in Washington D.C.