Categories
Specs: Speculative Fiction

Setting Goals for a Conference

Setting Goals for a Conference

Hello, my fantastic reader. It’s come to my attention that the season of writing conferences is coming. I can still remember my first conference…I mean I’ve only been to two. At least at the time I’m writing this. Regardless, I remember it, and it was a really great experience. I’m a really big perfectionist, and I think that if my goals hadn’t been realistic, I’d have had a terrible first conference. Heck, all I did was take classes and talk to a few people. So it’s important to have realistic goals.

That’s why I’m doing my very first blog series. Setting Goals for a Conference, Preparing for a Conference, and Following Up After a Conference.

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Large Goals:
Every writer, has some sort of end game. What you want to accomplish in the long run is ultimately up to you. This is where you dream. Where you imagine looking back on everything you’ve done. No regrets.

This goal size is equivalent to going to a conference and getting an agent. You want to get published, and getting that process started falls under the category of large goal. And these goals only get bigger and better as you go.

I personally didn’t even have publication on my radar my first conference. I truly believe this was the reason that everything seemed so grand, and I came away hopeful rather than defeated.

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Medium Goals:
The medium goal is more practical, it’s also intentional and more in your control. It’s the goal that if you work hard enough, you really could achieve it. It’s not impossible, but it’s not entirely in your control either.

Making connections, and friendships that last, fall into this category. People at conferences are friendly and are usually willing to talk with you. So if there’s someone you want to meet and talk with, then you should go for it. Make it your mission to get that chance. Whatever your reasons, you should try to make as many connections as possible, so that you can follow up on the ones that matter.

I actually have a really funny story about connections. Click through the link at the end of the article to see my episode about it on Clever Gents.

 

Kaz: My Conference Experience

Small Goals:
Finally the small goals. If I’m honest these are really the only goals I ever reach for. Sort of like baby steps then I’m pleasantly surprised if my medium goal ends up working out. I’m not saying that you should only shoot for the dirt. In fact, dream. There’s a quote that I’ve never even cared about that I heard somewhere about the moon and stars…You probably know it…And maybe it means something to you. For real though if you aim high and miss, you’ll still reach one of your lower goals. And that is something to be extremely proud of.

Examples of small goals would be, sitting at a new table every lunch, so that you can talk to someone new. Approach the unfamiliar. If there’s someone you want to talk to them, make eye contact with them and say hello.

It’s the simple things that lead to great achievements.

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Things To Remember:
In closing, I think it’s important to say that none of this planning will become a reality if you’re not going to take a chance and work hard for it. Some things aren’t in your control, but we can’t sit back doing nothing and then expect our goals to be met.

That’s my perspective on things, comment below and tell me yours.

 

Thanks go to DariuszSankowski & Unsplash For the edited images, and Thank you GotCredit &  Rob and Stephanie Levy for the unedited images.

Categories
Uncategorized

Twisting History: How Much Fact Should Go Into Your Fiction?

IMG_5118
A stained glass window dedicated to William Wallace of Braveheart fame. The window is found in Edinburgh Castle.

By Doug Peterson

In the Oscar-winning movie, Braveheart, the hero William Wallace of Scotland falls in love with Isabella, the daughter-in-law of England’s Edward I. William Wallace and Isabella are both real people from history, but there was one slight problem with their relationship.

In real life, Isabella was only a baby at the time of William Wallace.

People shouldn’t get their history solely from dramatizations, whether we’re talking about historical novels or movies. I love dramatic portrayals of history, and I have written several historical novels, but be aware that what you see or read is not what always happened.

This is particularly true in film, where many liberties are taken to jam a story into two hours, to heighten tension on the screen, or to introduce a love story that doesn’t exist, as in Braveheart. As another example, take the Disney animated film, Pocahontas. The movie depicts the explorer John Smith falling in love with the Native American maiden, Pocahontas, but historians say this never happened. Pocahontas was only eleven years at the time, although she did go on to marry a British man—John Rolfe, not John Smith.

Evidently, love means never having to be historically accurate.

So, as a writer of historical fiction, how much liberty should you take to tell a good story?

When I started out, I tried to be as historically accurate as possible. When I first came upon the story of Henry “Box” Brown, my goal was to depict only those scenes from his life that were mentioned in Brown’s two first-person narratives, one written in 1849 and the other in 1851. (Henry Brown was a slave who escaped in 1849 by shipping himself in a box from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia.)

However, a fiction-writing/screenwriting teacher changed my opinion about historical purity by convincing me not to be so rigid about sticking to only historically known facts. Many aspects of a person’s story are not known and never will be known, but they are critical to a story, she explained. So you sometimes need to create scenes from thin air.

For instance, in my first historical novel, The Disappearing Man, the relationship between Henry Brown and his wife Nancy was vital to the story. After all, the reason Henry decided to escape from slavery was because his wife and children were sold away from him. If that tragedy in his life was going to have any emotional impact, the reader had to see and feel their relationship. But the problem I faced was that we know absolutely nothing about their courtship.

So what’s a writer to do?

I could speculate about their relationship, that’s what I could do.

So I went ahead and created courtship scenes between Henry and Nancy—entirely fictional chapters. But I still tried to anchor these scenes in historical reality. For instance, slaves and free blacks in Richmond actually did organize a fancy dress ball in one of the city’s hotels, so I created a scene in which Henry and Nancy attended this ball (although I changed it to a fancy dinner party because Henry and Nancy attended a Baptist church, where dancing was frowned upon).

As I wrote my first historical novel, I learned how important it was to fill in the blanks, providing critical information that we just do not know. In doing this, however, I have tried to follow one golden rule. I do not change history. I fill in the blanks, speculating on what could have happened, but I don’t change known facts.

I made one exception to this rule in my four novels, but I won’t get into the reasoning behind it here. Other than that one instance, I have not changed facts—only added to a story, such as creating courtship scenes. So I would never have a historical character fall in love with a person who was actually a baby in real life. That’s changing the facts too much for my taste.

Also, I always end each of my historical novels with an Author’s Note, in which I try to give the reader a sense for what is fact and what is fiction. This Author’s Note sends a clear message: Not everything you read here is Gospel truth.

Even non-fiction books are not always true to history because many writers have a way of twisting history to suit their own views. So the bottom line: To understand history, we all have to do our homework.

* * *

5 for Writing

  1. Get writing. Find the time to write. Then do it.
  2. Learn by listening—and doing. Solicit feedback, discern what helps you.
  3. Finish your story. Edit and rewrite, but don’t tinker forever. Reach the finish line.
  4. Thrive on rejection. Get your story out there. Be fearless. Accept rejection.
  5. Become a juggler. After one story is finished, be ready to start another. Consider writing two at once.

 

 

 

 

Categories
A Pinch of Poetry

Found Poetry: Poetic Forms I

In honor of National Poetry Month (April), I thought we could take a few moments to explore writing a poem today.

Not too long ago, I discovered a form of poetry I had not known before: found poetry. According to https://www.poets.org/found poetry is similar to a collage. And it’s exactly what it sounds like. You “find” your poem by collecting words, phrases and lines from different sources. This unique type of poetry can be used with all ages.

Disclaimer: if you borrow someone else’s words be careful about plagiarism, especially if you decide to publish your poem.

How do you “find” a poem?

There are many ways to compile a found poem. My first recommendation is to begin with a theme or message. Then you can limit yourself to one or two sources that have that common theme, such as the obituaries or personal ads.

Another approach is to start looking for words and let them lead you to the theme or message.  As you scan through several sources, pull unique words and phrases from each of them that seem to connect.

Creative places to find your poem

Think outside the lines for this type of poetry. The inspiration can come from anywhere, including the back of a box of cereal! Here are a few sources to get you started:

*Instruction manuals, especially for electronics or games

*patient prescription printouts that come along with medications

*terms of agreement, privacy practices brochures, and other legal stuff no one reads

*warranty information

*book, movie or product reviews

*news or magazine articles

*advertisements, billboards, slogans

*literature, especially short stories, novels, and poetry (again be mindful of plagiarism)

*emails, Facebook and Twitter posts, and other social media forums

*recipes or food labels

*Bible verses, passages, and sermon notes

*street signs, political signs, and other signs

*song lyrics or movie subtitles

*websites

*wanted, for-sale ads, personal ads, obituaries

This list really could go on forever. Part of the fun is finding a unique place from which to gather your words.

Once you have your words, phrases and a general idea of the theme, let the creativity flow.

[bctt tweet=”Write your next poem from the back of a cereal box. #poets #poetry”]

Tips to jump-start your poem

Consider these suggestions if you’re not sure how to get started:

*Write a “How To” poem using an instruction manual, recipe and/or prescription information.

*Compose a funny poem by skimming through terms of agreement or warranty information. What kind of poem could you write that explores offering a “limited” warranty on something unusual, say a relationship?

*Take a line from another famous poem and write a poem in response.

*For younger children (and adults), try cutting out words and arranging them into a poem like making a real collage on paper.

For more about found poetry, click here.

Now it’s time to challenge yourself. Once you’ve written your found poem, share it below. Don’t forget to tell us where the words came from because many times that is part of the fun!

[bctt tweet=”Where will you find your next poem? #poets #poetry”]

Categories
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101 Uncategorized

Top 5 Posts for Every Travel Writer

Have Words Will Travel
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!
Top 5 Travel Writing Posts to Bookmark
Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

“My last point about getting started as a writer: do something first, good or bad, successful or not, and write it up before approaching an editor. The best introduction to an editor is your own written work, published or not. I traveled across Siberia on my own money before ever approaching an editor; I wrote my first book, Siberian Dawn, without knowing a single editor, with no idea of how to get it published. I had to risk my life on the Congo before selling my first magazine story. If the rebel spirit dwells within you, you won’t wait for an invitation, you’ll invade and take no hostages.” ― Jeffrey Taylor

If your own rebel spirit is restless, below are top five sites offering boundless opportunities for every travel writer.

 

Do you have a favorite travel writing site? If so, please share in the comment section.

Categories
Storyworld

Sci-Fi Military Technology

Sci Fi Military Technology
Sci Fi Military Technology

Last month we talked about military technology and how it can be just as important in a fantasy book as a sci-fi novel. You’ll need to consider some of last month’s points in your sci-fi novel as well, but because it’s a science fiction novel, you may have more constraints than your fantasy-writing brethren. I say ‘may’ because not all sci-fi readers will care if your deep-space dreadnaught has unexplained artificial gravity, but some will.

There are basically two different approaches to science fiction military technology. The question to ask is how technical you want to get in your novel, and that will be determined by your writing goal.

People First, Tech Second

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Image from http://www.sarna.net/wiki/BattleMech

Some authors, like David Weber in his Honor series, get very technical about the limitations and uses of military technology, but don’t worry too much about how it all works. That’s okay though, because Weber’s tech isn’t the showcase of his novel. Instead, it serves the purpose of telling a grand space opera. In short, his goal is to craft a story of people, and the technology (detailed as it is) serves as a prop. This is, by far, the most common type of sci-fi novel I’ve read, as it encompasses everything from Star Wars to Star Trek novels.

Since Christians are more likely to be concerned about people and philosophy than scientific causes, your sci-fi novel likely fits into this category. In that case, you don’t necessarily need to reinvent the battlemech or the laser gun. You can assume your readers will be familiar with these pieces of technology and have a decent grasp on the function of giant robots and laser blasters even if the physics are hazy. Conversely, if your world includes weapons not seen in any other books or movies, or if you have a new spin on they way they work, then you’ll need to explain how they function in your world. Just don’t bog the reader down with an unnecessary lecture regarding the nanoparticle physics behind their operation. Unless it somehow becomes relevant later.

Tech First, People Second

book-prey
Image from http://www.michaelcrichton.com/prey/

Others, like Michael Crichton, will do a deep dive into a particular topic and give you a feel for how close we are to inventing certain things. His novel Prey warned of the dangers of swarm behavior, distributed computing, and goal-seek logic combined into some cutting edge surveillance hardware. His primary focus in the novel was to display the consequences our society might endure if we don’t think about our military technology before developing it. In short, his goal is a cautionary story of technology, and the characters are used to further his ideas about it.

If you’re writing a story like this, you will need to hit the books hard. There isn’t a whole lot of other advice I can give you, but to study your subject well and write knowledgeably. Chances are likely if you’ve gone down the road of a military technology-driven story, you’ve already started doing this.

Can you do both?

Possibly, but your space is limited in a novel, so keep that in mind. If your goal is to introduce all the facets of a new type of military technology in a sci-fi novel, you’re going to be spending a lot of time describing the effects on the battlefield. This won’t leave a lot of room for the development of multiple characters, but a single character could grow as the reader learns about his interaction with new military toys.

There are two examples I can think of (and if you know of more, please leave a recommendation in the comments below) that blend these ideas. The first is Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers. The abysmal movie of the same name failed to capture the essence of the novel, which was to take a concept like 1st Airborne Infantry (i.e. Band of Brothers), but train the soldiers to drop from space in futuristic armor suits. The book follows Rico through enlistment, training, combat, officer school, and finally command. And through all that, you see the character grow a little. Nevertheless, the goal wasn’t to develop a strong character (and Johnny Rico isn’t as developed in the book as he is in Roughnecks, the kid’s show adaptation), but the goal was to posit the idea of space-dropping infantry. It’s still a “tech first” story. And a darn good one.

Another possible example is Ender’s Game. It also looks a bit like a mixture of both, but the technology’s functionality is never really explained, nor does it play much of a role in the big picture. In fact, the mysteries of the ansible and the strange gravity-free battle room are explicitly stated as being unexplained. Instead the story is really about Ender’s growth from young, hopeful kid to possible savior of humanity. It’s still a “people first” story. And also a darn good one.

How does this apply to your book? Ask yourself what the main concept is you’re trying to communicate in your military sci-fi novel. Are you trying to warn people of the dangers of autonomous drone weapon development? If so, that will be the novel’s focus, and the characters and situations will work to communicate that idea. On the other hand, if your story is one of adventure and action, then the weapons and armaments will be fancy props. Don’t’ sweat the specifics too much. If you take this latter approach, just make sure the weapons (and all the techie things in your novel) are internally consistent and most readers won’t raise an eyebrow.

Also see Doug Peterson’s well-written article here!

Categories
Truth Be Told

Aromas

“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15, NIV)

A3 aromas.smells

I used to work in a gas station convenience store.  I always knew when it was 3:15 because a certain woman came to buy a cappuccino on her way to work and she wore a distinctive perfume.  After spending a shift in a stale aired place catching her scent always made me smile.

Not every smell was quite as pleasant.  I knew when the vet students came in from the farms.  I knew when the stoners were making a run for munchies.  I knew when the newspaper delivery guy who was a chain smoker walked into the shop.  And don’t get me started on the bathrooms.

A3 aromas.bread

Smells are incredibly powerful and can evoke all kinds of emotions.  Experts tell us that before a child can ever really distinguish her mother’s face she knows her mother’s smell.

All kinds of memories can be evoked by the smell of homemade bread fresh from the oven or chocolate chip cookies right off the pan. These aromas are so powerful, home sellers are encouraged to recreate these pleasant smells in their homes when prospective buyers are touring.

On the other hand, people can be very sensitive to smells.

It is considered selfish and inconsiderate in social settings for people to wear fragrances due to allergies and extreme sensitivities.  What was once thought to be pleasant and appropriate can now result in exacerbating asthma attacks.  I love my husband’s aftershave but I can’t convince him that less is better.  He seems to be unable to smell a single spritz so he crosses a line into overkill and overpower.

So, how does that fit in with Paul’s teaching about our being the aroma of Christ?

Walking into our home recently, I was immediately drawn to the kitchen by a wonderful smell.  My husband had marinated some salmon and was baking it in the oven.  The smell made me salivate and envision a very delicious dinner.

While we were eating, our younger daughter stopped by to drop something off. Two steps into the house and she immediately screwed up her nose, and complained about the awful fishy smell.  How could it be both?

Truth be told: even spiritually, aromas will draw and repel.

Our lives as believers will leave an impression.  For some, it will be pleasant.  For others, however, it will be considered stench.

We can be considerate to not overpower, but we cannot afford to allow political correctness or social convention to rob us or dilute the truth of who we are in Christ.

Be sensitive but always be sweet in the eyes of God.

A3 aromas.how do you smell

 

Categories
Platform and Branding

Brand basics – do your colors and fonts present your best look?

Good content is critical for a writer but how that content is presented is also important. In Brand Basics – 2 Considerations For Writers, we discussed the importance of consistency across your social media networks. Using the same images and verbiage will tie together your unique look and help people recognize you. As you develop that look, choose colors and fonts that enhance your brand and help you stand out.

Colors

Response to color varies from person to person, and even between males and females. Most research proves, however, colors convey these basic feelings:

  • Red – fire, stimulating, but also anger
  • Orange – fire, adventure, optimism
  • Yellow – sun, happiness, energy
  • Green – nature, peaceful, but also envy
  • Blue – waters, trustworthy, masculine (favorite color of men)
  • Purple – royalty, sophisticated and artsy, but also feminine
  • Brown – earthy, rugged, but also dirty
  • Black – classic, strong, but also grief
  • White – purity

color wheel, look for writers

 

Lighter shades have a more feminine quality, while stronger hues feel more masculine. The colors you choose should resonate with your audience, enhance your look and also complement your voice.

Choose 2-3 colors to use consistently on your website, and use those colors as often as possible in your shareable images and infographics. Your readers will begin to associate those colors with you and your work.

 

Fonts

With so many free Google webfonts, we’re no longer limited to a handful of options on our websites. Sites like Font Squirrel and DaFont also provide access to many free or affordable options to use with our logos and our graphic design projects.

look at different fonts for writers

When selecting fonts, consider the overall look and feel you want to convey. Consider pairing two different but complementary fonts, using a standout font for headers and a simpler font for body text. Use the same (or similar) fonts on your website and in your shareable graphics and images.

Research

Pay close attention to your favorite authors and influencers and notice how they incorporate fonts and colors in their brands. One of my favorites is Amy Porterfield. She repeats the bold colors from her header in her featured images and infographics. The backgrounds are solid colors and she uses two basic fonts: a handwritten font for standout text and a sans-serif font for her body text.

Amy Porterfield featured image

If you pay close attention, you’ll see the “How to” text on the top line differs slightly from text on the bottom line. The fonts are actually the same family, the top font is the narrow version. 

Fiverr offers graphic designs starting at $5 (hence the name). Although very few of them actually deliver a product for that price, it’s a good place to find samples. Look at the portfolios for some of the top designers and see how they use not only colors and fonts, but also images, graphics and white space. What looks are pleasing to your eye?

Last Word

Remember when choosing fonts and colors: LESS IS MORE. Over 50% of your readers will view from a mobile device (cell phone or tablet), so choose fonts and colors that are easy to read on a variety of devices. Create a look that’s recognizable to your readers and then incorporate those elements as you share your great content.

Tweetables:

[bctt tweet=”Create a look that will represent your #writer brand, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell #amwriting” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”How colors and fonts can enhance a #writer brand, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell #amwriting” via=”no”]

brand basics colors fonts

Resources:

FontSquirrel and DaFont

Google web fonts

how to add to Google web fonts to blogger

WordPress plugin to add Google web fonts: easy google fonts

Fiverr Graphic Design

Font Pairing

Additional Reading:

The Psychology of Color in Marketing and Branding

Photo Credits

Color Wheel: Sailom, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Amy Porterfield, screenshot

Categories
Child's Craft Uncategorized

Writing is like crossing the streets of India

I traveled to Hyderabad, India recently and we had one day of sightseeing and shopping in the city. This city had streets like no other in the USA. Though two lanes of traffic were designated, at least four lanes of traffic ensued, in all directions. If there was a light signal, it was merely a suggestion, but one that was never followed. In intersections, four lanes of traffic moved in all directions at one time: cars veered left at the same time vehicles charged forward, all the time while people and wild dogs attempted to cross the street, which we did.

A group of five of us women headed to a salwar store late one evening so we’d look beautiful for the upcoming Republic Day ceremony. Usha, a native, escorted us. We were merely two street crossings away from the beautiful salwars. She instructed us to hold one hand up, grab hold of the person next to us and follow her across. Well, cars flew by in all directions as she held her hand up and stepped into the oncoming traffic. The others followed. I did not. Cars weren’t stopping! Usha looked back and saw me standing on the side, “Jill, you have to cross with us!” I couldn’t move, so they returned for me.

“But the rickshaws are flying by.” I replied. “They aren’t stopping.”

“They aren’t going to stop,” She answered sternly. “Just follow me.”

I grabbed hold of a friend as I held up my hand and we boldly strode into the crazy peril. I held my breath as cars flew around us. When I thought we were securely across, I let out my breath and released hold of my friend only to have a motor scooter whirl a left turn directly in front of me. I screamed in startlement as he laughed mockingly at me. I was scolded once again for letting my guard down too early. Too early? We’d made it to the side walk. Didn’t matter.

One more street to cross. Usha grabbed my arm and instructed me to stay with her. I threw up my hand, allowed her to escort me through the zooming rickshaws, motor scooters, dogs and cars till we arrived safely to the storefront of the clothing store.

Later I realized this is just like writing!

God convicts us with an idea to write. We either agree to write it or we don’t. When we agree, we throw up our hand in a commitment to write, grab hold of him and charge forward. All the while, Satan is shooting his blazing arrows at us: Arrows of discouragement, of accusations, of comparisons. “Who do you think you are writing this?” “You’re not qualified.” “Look at all the others getting published. You’re not like them.” Oh, Satan is just like those rickshaws, motor scooters and vehicles threatening to take us down, but we must hold onto the one who knows the way. Satan may laugh and sneer but we must allow God to grab hold of us and lead us safely to the other side. We must believe that the One who convicts us to write a story will empower us to see it through.

We had a great time shopping. Some women purchased several beautiful salwars, and others purchased just one. I, however, did not find any that fit me or that I could make work on me. And isn’t that just like writing, as well? Some stories will make it to publication, some will not. Some are meant to be shared with others close to us, or to strengthen our relationship and trust in God or for our own personal growth. We just have to be obedient and let Him direct the outcomes.

Don’t hesitate to jump in with an idea He has planted in your heart. If I had stayed on the sidewalk and never crossed over, I’d have missed the whole experience. Jump in with both feet, make the commitment and hold onto God. Those fiery arrows will fall on the ground around you and miss you completely if you cling to the One who knows the way.

Categories
Uncategorized

Happy Easter!

Categories
Uncategorized

Calling All Muses

I recently downloaded Sara Groves’ excellent album (CD? What do we call it these days?) Floodplain, and one of the songs, I’ve Been Here Before, stopped me in my tracks. It begins with these words:

I’ve been here before

Staring at a blank page, waiting for a touch

Chasing down a muse that don’t like me much

All I can say is that Sara has been peeking in my windows.

That last line, especially, gets me every time. I don’t know about you, but I have chased that muse around like Tom the cat chasing Jerry the mouse. Sara has finally confirmed it—that muse doesn’t like me much!

I have stared at a blank page for a long, long time willing words to appear. I have waited for inspiration, for God to make a proclamation through me. Unfortunately, I have also decided to give up and go eat some chocolate.

On the other hand, sometimes inspiration hits like a tornado, and I run to the keyboard. Okay, okay—I never run. Like Julie Andrews in The Princess Diaries, I “hasten.” During those times when it seems like God downloads it right into my head, writing is effortless and fun.

Too bad those times are few and far between. More often than not, I have to make it happen, stringing words together and hoping they make sense. God provides the inspiration, but I have to put in the perspiration.

My dear friend, author Sandra Aldrich, does a presentation titled “The Muse Does Not Exist.” In it she busts the myth of the muse, that magical (albeit, mythical) being that supposedly implants flowery prose into our minds. Sandra is a proponent of good ol’ hard work, of toiling away until a piece finally comes together.

Let’s face it. Nothing beats B-I-C: Butt-In-Chair time. When we put in the right time and effort into a piece, writing can seem like the last verse of Sara’s exceptional tune:

I’ve been here before

Quiet in a pasture, honey on my tongue

Resting by still waters

I’ve been here before

Feasting at a table in a barren land

Saying I’ll never doubt, never doubt again

Do yourself a favor and get your hands on Floodplain. Warning: it might convict and challenge you to become a better writer.

 

Categories
The Ministry of Writing

You Already Have a Writing Team

Like me you are probably trying to build a support team for your writing — a reading group, a critique group, editors, an agent, an IT person who will come to the rescue in the middle of the night for free, publishers, publicists, etc. But you already have a writing team. A team that is easily forgotten.

The other day I contacted a guy to hire to help me do communications for a ministry I am involved in. I emailed him that I was looking for a Felicity from the CW’s Arrow and a Cisco from CW’s Flash. Like you, possibly, he didn’t have a clue what I was talking about, but lucky his wife watched the two television shows. Arrow is a television show based off the DC Comics character Green Arrow. Green Arrow is a crime fighting vigilante who wears a green hood and uses a bow. Flash is a television show based off the DC Comics character Flash who after being hit by lightning gains supernatural speed which he uses to do good in his city.

The two shows have caught my attention. For one, I was a comic book nerd back in the day, but secondly, it has given an interesting take about other people in the lives of these superheroes. Both characters have a team that helps them. Green Arrow has Diggle who helps with intelligence and crime fighting, and he has Felicity who is a computer guru. The Flash has Joe who is a detective, Caitlyn who is a scientific genius, and Cisco who is a technology guru. In every episode it is evident that the superheroes can’t accomplish their missions alone.

The shows go beyond the immediate “official” team and shows how the hero’s mission affects so many others lives. There are those who know the hero’s true identity and struggle to carry that burden. Then there are the family members and love ones who do not know the identity, but still feel the effects of the hero’s double life.

Now maybe it is self-serving to attempt to connect my writing to a superhero, but I need all the encouragement I can get. No seriously, our writing ministries are important. Like the Arrow and the Flash we are trying to change the world, and we aren’t doing it alone. [bctt tweet=”You can’t accomplish your writing mission alone — it takes a team.”]

If you have written for any period of time then you have a good team that works hard to let you “save the world.” I imagine you have a team like me. I have my wife who has for years given up her husband’s one day off and her only day to have a break from being mom to allow me to write. She has agreed to invest money into editing, critiques, contests, and writers conferences all the while knowing my promise that we would eventually make it back was a lie. Then there are my daughters who sacrifice their Daddy time and play without him even though he is just a closed door and headphones away. Then there is my congregation that has not received their pastor’s full attention so that he could write. There are my parents who know they are in trouble when they get older because their writer son is going to be busy spending 2,000 hours on a manuscript that will never see daylight and not be able to help them, and he sure is not going to have any money. They are a team player willing to offer my family a place to live if turns to that. Then my poor in-laws who know I can’t provide what their daughter deserves because I spend too much time watching stupid YouTube videos and reading “Where are the WWE Stars Now?” — uh, I mean writing. Then there are my fishing and hunting buddies who have to go alone because I’m hanging out in my office drawing ligers.

Again if you have written for any period of time you too have a team like me. Remember them. You can’t do it alone, but you already have a writing team.

 

 

Categories
WARFARE!

Hike Your Own Hike

My husband Don is starting his Appalachian Trail (AT) hike on March 13th. He’s had this passion on his heart for a few years now, and it’s finally time to go. For the past year or so he’s been preparing and learning – he talked to people who hiked it, read books, and watched documentaries.

From all that information he pulled what he liked, put together his equipment, and made his plans. He tested out a few things, made changes, and adjusted as he learned something new.

One of the things he heard repeatedly was, “Hike your own hike.” People you meet will be faster, have better equipment, seem to be experts at hiking the AT. The pressure to conform, to fit in, and to keep up may be heavy at times. Be prepared for that and make up your mind to do whatever feels right to you.

So what does hiking have to do with writing…more specifically, blogging? Every now and then I get into a funk about my blogging and begin comparing my blog to others. I compare numbers: comments, followers, shares. I compare writing styles, lengths, format, and pictures. I lamented these frustrations to Don, along with all the things I could/should/but am not doing.

“Mary, you need to hike your own hike.”

Silence.

“Wow, thanks honey, you are absolutely right!”

I need to learn: talk to others, read tips and advice, and check out other blogs. Learn how to get my blog into the readers’ hands – what social media has worked for others and how do they find their audience.

I need to apply what I learn: pull what I like from all the information on blogging and apply it to my blog and my social media interaction.

I need to be willing to make adjustments: when one social media platform doesn’t yield results, be willing to try a new platform.

Then as I blog, I need to hike my own hike: passionately write in my own style. Write about topics God stirs in my heart. Write on the schedule He gives to me.

Blog as me, not as a poor imitation of someone else out of envy for what they have that I don’t.

Don will meet a variety of people on his hike, some like him and some not so much. I can’t imagine him trying to be like everyone he meets; that doesn’t even make sense. It would wear him out, AND people would miss out on all Don has to offer as Don.

I realized I do the same thing with blogging when I don’t write as me, and when I worry too much about what others are doing. And yes, it totally wears me out!blogging, envy

God has uniquely gifted each of us who blog. Study, learn, and seek God for what will work for you. Be thankful for who He created you to be.

Then go out and hike your own hike.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30, NIV)

 

Categories
Publishing Perspectives

The BISAC Subject Heading List

Publishing Perspectives column

Have you ever looked at the category words on the back of a book, above (or below) the bar code? Have you ever contemplated the Browse category tree at an online bookseller? Do you remember learning about the Dewey Decimal system in school? These are all ways we categorize a book by topic.

Part of your job as an author is to give the publisher information about what category or genre your book probably belongs in. Subject or genre information helps the publisher with marketing because it tells retailers what store section will best fit the book (thus, where it may sell best and where it will be most discoverable by the target audience). This information is also used to assist with search terms in an online store. With so many new cross-over subcategories arising today, your publisher will make the ultimate decision, but you can point them in a possible direction.

This column will look at the BISAC Subject Heading List. BISAC is an acronym for Book Industry Standards and Communications, and you can learn more about it here: https://www.bisg.org/bisac/tutorial-and-faq

The subject heading list is an industry-approved list of subject descriptors, with more than 50 major sections, that was developed to aid in electronic transfer of information about books. The subject headings have at least one level of sub-headings below them. For example, RELIGION / Christianity / General is one descriptor (with two sub-headings) you could use for non-fiction books about the Christian religion.

Christian fiction for juveniles (ages 0-11; preschool-grade 6) belongs under the subject descriptor JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian. The sub-headings available are: General; Action & Adventure; Animals; Bedtime & Dreams; Comics & Graphic Novels; Early Readers; Emotions & Feelings; Family; Fantasy; Friendship; Historical; Holidays & Celebrations; Humorous; Learning Concepts; Mysteries & Detective Stories; People & Places; Relationships; Science Fiction; Social Issues; Sports & Recreation; and Values & Virtues.

Christian fiction for young adults (ages 12-18; grades 7-12) belongs under YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Religious / Christian. These are the sub-headings available: General; Action & Adventure; Comics & Graphic Novels; Fantasy; Historical; Mysteries & Detective Stories; Relationships; Science Fiction; and Social Issues.

Christian fiction for adults belongs under the FICTION / Christian category. But the list of genres under that is not very extensive. All you have available to choose from is: General; Classic & Allegory; Collections & Anthologies; Fantasy; Futuristic; Historical; Romance; Suspense; and Western. So, where would you put contemporary women’s fiction? For romantic suspense, you have to decide which is primary (the romance or the suspense) and use the other as a second subject heading.

Dewey Decimal

Isn’t it interesting that there are fewer BISAC subject headings available as the target age for the fiction gets older? However, note that you can also use these heading lists as inspiration for keywords. So go ahead and label your contemporary women’s fiction with FICTION / Christian / General. Then use your back cover copy to include other appropriate headings as keywords. Maybe “Friendship” or “Humorous” would apply to your work? Use your creative energy to include these keywords in natural sentences in your book descriptions, advertisements, and anywhere else that you promote your book.

The BISAC committee recommends that a book have no more than three subject headings assigned to it. CreateSpace only lets you assign one. Amazon Advantage lets you pick up to two. Amazon KDP lets you pick up to two. Subject headings added in addition to the primary heading should be logical and not conflicting. So you’ll have to decide which subject heading is the most relevant.

Leave a comment: What BISAC code would your current WIP fall under?

Categories
The Efficiency Addict

Using Pinterest for Ministry

Pinterest for Writers: Part 2 - Using Pinterest for Ministry

Pinterest for Writers: Part 2

When I teach computer classes for Christian writers and speakers, many attendees are surprised that I suggest using Pinterest for ministry. I think they envision one of two extremes—1) having a separate ministry account that is filled with only scripture verses, Bible studies, and worship albums or 2) having to remove all the special interest boards they have on their personal accounts so everything becomes ministry focused. Neither extreme is necessary. In fact, it is our unique personal interests, as shown through our Pinterest boards and pins, that can help us reach people who might never connect with anything “churchy”.

Think about how Pinterest works. Our feeds are filled with pins based on our likes and the boards we follow. When a user finds a pin of interest, he or she will pin it, take a look at its board, and visit the pinner’s home page to see if there are other intriguing items. This is a great opportunity for ministry.

Consider this real-life example:
A woman I know loves all things related to tea and tea parties. She has boards dedicated to tea recipes, table decorations, being a good host, teapots, and tea sayings. Many of her 500+ followers found her because they, too, like tea. However, this woman also has boards for scripture verses, encouragement, and women’s ministry. Those who choose to follow her because they like her tea information will receive the pins from her other boards. Those who only follow her tea boards will still be exposed to scripture because some of her tea pictures include Bible verses. This woman draws people to her page through the things she likes. She gets to share Jesus with pinners because she doesn’t separate Him from the other things that make her who she is.

So, if you have a Pinterest account, consider how you can minister to others. Don’t worry about creating something formal. Simply, collect pins and create boards based on who you are. If you like Corgi dogs, have a board for that. If you’re into camping, gather up those tent-pitching pins. If you’re studying kindness in the Bible, compile verses and articles that remind you of God’s graciousness. People can connect over the strangest things. Show others what and Whom you love on Pinterest, and let God direct the rest.

The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. ~Mark 4:14 (NLT)

If you’d like to see Pinterest ministry in action, check out these Pinterest home pages created by fellow writers and speakers:

Carolyn Knefely, The TeaCup Living Lady – https://www.pinterest.com/CarolynKKnefely/

Maureen Hager – Christian speaker, lover of Corgis & Harley Davidson motorcycles https://www.pinterest.com/MoHager

Beth Bergren – Passionate about God, food, family & fun https://www.pinterest.com/BethBergren/

Sharables – Because sharing is fun!

[bctt tweet=”Our Pinterest hobby boards can help us reach people who might never connect with anything “churchy”. #Ministry”]

[bctt tweet=”Using Pinterest for Ministry – How writers can connect and minister to readers with Pinterest. #WriteToInspire”]

Categories
Write Justified

2 + 2 Doesn’t Always Equal 4

Students of English learn quickly that to every rule, there is an exception; sometimes the exception is the rule. That appears to be the case when forming plurals.

Most nouns form their plural by adding s or es:

  • toys
  • books
  • blocks
  • cups
  • cars

Words that end in s, x, z, ch, or sh add es (as well as another syllable) to form their plurals.

  • boxes
  • houses
  • hunches
  • wishes
  • whizzes (note the double z)

Things get a little more complicated with words that end in f or o. Words that end in f usually form the plural by turning the f to v and adding es:

  • wife  – wives
  • knife – knives
  • half – halves
  • shelf – shelves

BUT here are a couple of exceptions:

  • roof – roofs
  • safe – safes (so as not to be confused with the present tense of the verb save).

Words ending in o also present challenges. (Just ask Dan Quayle). Some add es, others only s

  • hero – heroes
  • potato – potatoes (This is the one that tripped up Vice President Quayle)
  • echo – echoes

BUT

  • ego – egos
  • portfolio – portfolios

The best thing to do with these regularly irregular plural forms is to consult the dictionary. And even then, be aware that some words have two acceptable plural forms with corresponding and distinct meanings.

The plural of staff—staffs—means a group of people. But the plural of the musical notation staff is staves.

Mediums are people with paranormal powers; media are artistic materials.

And what about hyphenated compound nouns like daughter-in-law and babe-in-arms? The answer is pretty simple. Add s to the noun portion of the compound: daughters-in-law, babes-in-arms.

Solid compounds are considered regular nouns and take an s: cupfuls, spoonfuls, handfuls, teaspoonfuls

Open compounds like attorney general also add s to the key noun: attorneys general.

The general rule—regardless of whether the compound noun is hyphenated, two words or closed—is to make the principle word plural. Another way to think of it is to pluralize the element that is subject to change in number.

Next month I’ll tackle some of the other exceptional ways to make plurals: including proper nouns, abbreviations and initialisms, and everybody’s favorite—English words adopted from the classical languages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Talking Character

Surprise Them with a Twist

Characters who violate a stereotype are interesting; by surprising us they pique our interest, make us want to explore. ~ Orson Scott Card in Characters and Viewpoint

Writers are warned to avoid stereotypes, but to some extent that is impossible. Our brains automatically put people (real or fictional) into pigeonholes. Even if we try, we cannot not keep our readers from making stereotype judgments, but that is OK because we can utilize those predictable stereotypes to trick a reader into thinking they understand a character.

That’s when we surprise them!

Once we’ve introduced a character—who seems to fit a recognizable mold—we can begin to reveal that all is not as is seems. And our readers will love it.

An example

Falco, the main character in Lindsey Davis’s mystery series, seems like a typical hard-boiled detective: He is single, ex-military, has both pals and enemies in the local police force, lives in a crappy apartment, and earns his money as a private investigator. But Davis purposely turned the stereotype on its head by giving Falco a large extended family, including a strong-willed mother who thinks nothing of interfering in his life and several older sisters who occasionally ask him to babysit. Oh, and his full name is Marcus Didius Falco, because the stories are set in first-century Rome.

All those twists make Falco unique. They also provide lots of opportunity for out-of-the-ordinary subplots that either enhance or hinder his investigations.

Think for a moment about some of your favorite novels. [bctt tweet=”Where did your favorite characters surprise by breaking unexpectedly from a stereotype? #amreading “]

This twisting of the stereotype can begin with the character’s appearance. As Hallie Ephron suggests in Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel:

Think about which aspects of your main character’s appearance are genuine reflections of character and which make a misleading façade. Create a disconnect between your character’s physical presence and true capabilities.

Perhaps you introduce your main character as a young businesswoman who wears conservative suits, has a rather pinched, plain face, and keeps her hair in a severe bun. She is prompt to meetings and always comes prepared.

Ho hum.

Until we give her a twist or two. Perhaps she once had aspirations of Broadway and teaches ballet on her off hours. Or coaches a girls’ soccer team that is on a two-year winning streak. Or spends her weekends restoring classic Mustangs. That adds some life to our mousy little office worker, doesn’t it?

Just make sure the twists make sense. In My Cousin Vinny, Mona Lisa Vito’s automotive knowledge is vital to the plot. If it wasn’t, her mechanic talk would end up feeling false or purposely misleading. The goal is to delight our readers with a twist that makes a character unique but still completely believable.

So go ahead, do the twist!

[bctt tweet=”Delight your readers by giving a stereotype a twist. #writing “]

Categories
History in the Making

A Hidden Treasure for Historical Writers

Map of Chattanooga and Brown's Ferry by Brigadier General Wm. F. Smith, 1863

By Sandra Merville Hart

 Maps are hidden treasure for historical writers. If you haven’t used this key source of information to add authenticity to your novel, it’s worth investigating.

A treasure chest full of information can be found on old maps. Authors find railroads, waterways, and roads. How close was the town to a river? Often a little digging leads to showing the size of a city and street names.

One of the first things I look for when researching a new historical novel is an old map. It’s important to find a map dated the year of or before the setting year. Anything later runs the risk of expansion/decline, referencing businesses not there at the time, and the like.

That brings us to another wonderful feature of detailed maps: location of homes and especially businesses. Knowing the name of a mercantile or the street where the post office resides sparks reader interest, especially those familiar with the area. Such details add depth if referenced in a novel.[bctt tweet=”You may find the greatest treasure hidden in plain sight. #Author #History”]

A railroad depot in town offers an exciting setting for a scene, maybe in that sagging middle. Perhaps someone comes to visit the main character at the train station or the protagonist travels from there on a day’s excursion. These tidbits reveal that era’s everyday world.

A careful study of these maps may show where Widow Matthews lived. Maybe the widow goes to church with your characters or makes the best apple pies around. A manufacturing company or mill on the map may employ a character’s family member.

If possible, visit the area during the research phase of the novel. Walking the streets in the oldest part of town or eating at a diner gives a sense of a town. Local museums can hold a wealth of information not commonly known. Ask questions. It’s always fun to find a knowledgeable person on local history. Listen to their story even if it doesn’t directly pertain to the novel; maybe some fact will capture your imagination.

When researching for historical novels, don’t overlook maps. You may find the greatest treasure hidden in plain sight.

Categories
Create. Motivate. Inspire. Support

5 Reasons NOT to Attend a Writing Conference

Conference season is upon us and social media is abuzz with encouragement to click a sign-up link and submit a deposit.

So what’s all the hoopla about a conference for writers? Are these events worth the time/money/effort to attend?

I’m not so sure. After careful deliberation, here are 5 reasons to stay home:

  1. You have plenty of writer friends and have no interest in meeting others.

Seriously. Within seconds of arrival, you would be amazed at the number of folks excited about putting pen to paper and eager to get to know you. And not just on the surface. They might ask what you like to write, what you dream of writing, what you hope to do with words, imagination, and hard work.

So, yeah. If sharing your writer-soul with other writerly-souls doesn’t appeal, then think twice about attending. Life-long friends can be such a nuisance.

  1. You already, um…know enough writer stuff.

The conference will be packed with classes on everything from grammar and punctuation to character development and plot lines. Not to mention workshops on proposals, query letters, manuscript submission, where to find work, how to build a resume, and tips on formatting everything from movie scripts to picture books. Want to try a class outside your genre? You’ll have the opportunity to get a little crazy and go for it.

Unless, of course, you wrote the book(s) on the aforementioned. (Then you might be compelled to share your expertise with the rest of us…) 

  1. Hanging out with a faculty of accomplished writers and authors sounds like a bore.

Hmm. I guess it could be a tad dull. You know, hearing about their writing journeys, their struggles, and how hard work and dreaming big paid off. Drinking from the well of experience and soaking in encouragement from the pros could be overwhelming. And if you’re on the fence with your decision, do not daydream about sitting next to your favorite author during lunch and having an actual conversation. That would just be weird. 

  1. You have reached your affirmation quota.

This is a given. Unless you check into your room and hide under the bed, you will receive encouragement—from the experts and from your new friends (see #1).

Sorry. Just the way it is.

  1. Attending a conference is expensive and time consuming.

This is true. There is cost involved. And sacrifice. Of course there are scholarships available, but you would have to apply. And there are smaller and shorter gatherings that cost less than the week-long events. Other options include: ask family and friends to invest in your dream through birthday and Christmas gifts, set aside a little dream-money each month, sell unused stuff on eBay, have a garage/yard sale, etc. (A cost/trouble/sacrifice analysis is recommended.)

 

In all seriousness, taking that step to attend a writing conference—especially for the first time—is huge. But you will NOT be alone. Grab a suitcase, pack your dreams and aspirations, dust off that manuscript (finished or not) and hit the trail.

The time is now!

Helpful links:

http://www.blueridgemountainschristianwritersconference.com/

http://www.almostanauthor.com/come-out-swinging-fighting-fear-as-a-writer/

http://www.almostanauthor.com/writers-conferences-main-thing/

http://www.almostanauthor.com/three-reasons-learn-share-writing/

http://www.vondaskelton.com/2016/02/16/writers-headlines-writing-opportunities-conferences-collected-just-for-you/

[bctt tweet=”5 Reasons NOT to Attend a Writing Conference”]

 

Categories
Pleasant Rosebud - Romantic Suspense

DEFENDER (Thomas Garet series)

The Elicott City main street and hub bubbled with activity. People knocking off from work marched up and down in a hurry to catch up with the lives they suspended through the day time.

Thomas leaned against the traffic pole and decided on what next to do. He didn’t imagine the town would be so busy. When he’d gotten to Union Bridge, it had been easy to find accommodation. Here seemed a little different.

A motel would be his last option and he didn’t plan to spend more than a night. The traffic lights changed and cars sped past. It tickled his fancy at the height of discipline the lights mandated from even the worst offender.

He’d taken two days to hike here, refusing help from travelers. The trek helped him to organize his thoughts and put his decision in perspective. It’d been eight years since Molly died with a pregnancy old enough to birth. Seven and a half months… He moved his thoughts away from what should have been. A happy marriage between young people truly in love. He’d named the baby Thomasina. The female version of his name.

The red lights came back on and drivers obeyed like zombies. He squinted. Someday, he might drive again. Driving gave him the creeps after a drunk driver knocked down his wife and Thomasina. She died instantly. A little mercy he was grateful for.

A young woman ran by, bumped into him and dropped a sack. She bent to pick up but a man kicked her in the face. She fell back and butt-ran but she wasn’t fast enough to avoid a second kick on the same spot.

Thomas threw himself between her and the man who was just about his size in build.

“Get out of the way!” the man growled.

Thomas looked back at the woman who tried to rise. She couldn’t be more than twenty.

“She’s just a woman.”

The lights changed and cars sped off. Everyone continued in their way. He seemed to be the only one keen on the fight.

“Woman who do man stuff will be treated like man. Get out of my way.”

The man’s heavy accent drew Thomas’s glance to his face but he was hooded and all he could was catch a glimpse of thick dark eyebrows and darker eyes.

She was now on her feet, and staggered to get her sack just at the side of his feet. Thomas stared at the slight frame of the woman and didn’t see the punch on his nose come. The man hit him hard, and followed it up with a ramming into his midriff. Pain shot into the back of his eyes and he stumbled.

A woman screamed. “He’s got a gun.”

Thomas looked at his assailant. It was pointed at him. He raised his hands above his head.

“No.”

“You never put your mouth where it don’t concern you! Never!”

He never did anyway, and wondered what came over him. He’d avoided bar brawls worse than this.

The woman was gone.

“Look, I’ll go find her for—”

The gun went off. He knew he wasn’t dead because he heard it.

 

Pixabay picture: https://pixabay.com/en/shoe-laces-leather-hiking-974564/

 

Author bio:

Sinmisola Ogúnyinka is a pastor’s wife, mother, writer and movie producer. She has a university degree in Economics, and is a Craftsman of Christian Writers’ Guild. She lives with her family in Pretoria, South Africa.

Blog: www.sinmisolao.wordpress.com

Twitter: @sinmisolaog

Categories
Grammar and Grace Uncategorized

Five More Confusing Word Pairs to Consider

We’re continuing to examine words that are used incorrectly.

  1. Enthused/Enthusiastic—Although enthused has become acceptable in standard usage, old school people still prefer enthusiastic.

My daughter was not very enthusiastic about salmon for dinner.

  1. Farther/Further—Farther is used for geographic distances. Further means “in addition to” without involving geography.

A great bed and breakfast is located about a mile farther down the road.

Further accidents can be avoided with common sense.

  1. Fewer/Less—Use fewer for groups or collections with parts that can be counted individually. Use less for things in bulk.

The fifth grade class earned fewer cupcakes than the fourth grade.

We added less butter in our brownies for a low fat option.

  1. Impact/Affect— Some people shudder when impact is used as a verb although it’s become acceptable in standard English.

The impact of the wind knocked me down.  (Yes.)

The song impacted me more than you’ll ever know. (No. This usage may bring to mind images of impacted teeth…or bowels. You don’t want that, do you?)

Instead, use affect.

The nostalgic play affected me to the point of tears.

  1. Irregardless/Regardless—Old English teachers might have rapped knuckles and said, “Irregardless isn’t a word. It isn’t in the dictionary.” My dictionary has it listed along with the definition of non standard English. Irregardless is, however, a fun café in Raleigh, NC. Please use regardless instead.

Do you agree or disagree about the usage of enthuse or impact?

Happy writing!

Categories
The Writer's PenCase

Plot Twists – Part I

Plot Twists

[bctt tweet=”Four elements to plot twists: 1) unexpected, 2) inevitable, 3) an escalation of what preceded it, and 4) a revelation that adds meaning. (from @StevenJames”] to what has already occurred. #amwriting #unforgettablefiction

Inevitable and Surprising

Inevitable: There is only one possible conclusion to the story. It’s believable to readers, and when they get to it, they see that everything in the story up until then has been pointing toward that ending, rather than the one they were predicting and anticipating.

Surprising: It’s a conclusion that readers don’t see coming but that ends up not only being reasonable but more logical than any other possible ending. It’s an ending free of gimmicks, one that both shocks and delights even the most discerning reader.

A twist doesn’t just move the story forward; it unravels it and then rethreads it at the same time, giving more meaning to it. Readers find out that the story is deeper, richer, and more multilayered than they ever imagined.

TwistExpectations

Turn expectations on their head. At first you’ll play to those expectations, so readers will think they know where things are going. Then, suddenly, you’ll turn those expectations against them to create the twist.

I have a plot twist in “Meghan’s Choice” regarding Meghan and Doctor Scott Allison. I can’t reveal it, and I can’t take credit for it. My mentor DiAnn Mills, gave me the idea, and it’s resolution. Let’s just say there is blackmail involved.

[bctt tweet=”Five types of plot twists: 1) Identity, 2) Awareness, 3) Complexity, 4) Peril, and 5) Cleverness from @StevenJames”]

Identity

“Your protagonist (or your reader, or both) realizes he’s not who he thought he was…” Maybe she’s insane, maybe she’s in someone else’s dream, maybe he’s a monster. “This discovery could come at the beginning of the story, setting it up for a redemptive ending or at the climax, creating a dramatic plunge at the end…”

Awareness

“The world isn’t what your protagonist thought it was. He’s not on Earth, he’s on another planet, or he thinks he’s arrived in heaven in the afterlife, but discovers he’s really in hell.”

Complexity

“The heist, confidence game, or sting operation has a whole level of intrigue that wasn’t evident throughout the story.” Maybe the hero knows something about the bad guys we don’t. “Curiosity about how things will move forward drives readers to keep reading.”

Peril

“The real danger isn’t where you though it was.” The hunter is the hunted, the spy’s partner is a double agent, the protagonist’s daughter is a terrorist. These are ideas to get your creative juices going.

Cleverness

Now this is a funny way of saying it, but “the detective (or villain) was really one step ahead of the villain (or detective) the whole time and has set a trap that the other guy, and readers, didn’t see coming.” (Remember, the detective must solve the crime before readers do, or they’ll think they’re smarter than he is.)

What are some of your favorite plot twists you’ve either seen in a movie or read in a book? #amwriting #plottwists Leave a comment and let me know.

Categories
Dear Young Scribes

10 Tips for Reading Through the Eyes of a Writer

Book and glasses

For most writers, our passion to write was birthed from a passion to read. We grew up immersed in books. Books that touched us, entertained us, made us laugh and cry. And somewhere along the way, we discovered that we, too, wanted to create the same effect for readers through our own stories.

As writers, it’s only natural that we should want to learn from the masters. We should not only read for enjoyment, but for education as well.

Sure, there are plenty books on the writing craft that can give us instruction. I’m not against this at all. But personally, the best way I learned how to write was from reading books through the eyes of a writer.

How is this done?

Here are 10 tips for reading through the eyes of a writer:

        1. Study the plot as it unravels. When would you assume Act 1 ends and Act 2 begins? Can you identify the character’s external and internal goals at the beginning of the book? What is the conflict and unanswered questions that the author has set up? How is the backstory woven in without interrupting the story?

        2. Study the scene structure and pacing. Does it begin in a way that “grabs” you? Does it end in a way that lures you to read the next scene?

        3. Study the author’s wordsmithing. Are there words you are not familiar with? If so, highlight them and research their definition. How does the author’s word choice create tension? Strengthen mood and emotion? How does it develop characterization and paint the scene in your imagination?

        4. Study the rhythm. Read the book out loud. How do the words and dialogue flow? How are the sentences structured in a way that intensifies the mood of the scene?

        5. Study characterization. Does each character have their own unique personality, dialect, style, traits, etc.? How is this revealed in a way that shows rather than tells? How do the secondary characters contribute to the plot, and are they three-dimensional or cardboard characters?

        6. If you lose focus in the book, identify at which point your attention began to lack. Was it caused from a decrease in conflict/tension? Did it become too easy for the character to reach his/her goal? Or is it because the scenes were passive, written about the character’s day-to-day, dull life?

        7. If you love the book, identify why you can’t seem to put it down. Is it the writing style or the plot? Is it because the writing is concise and tight, or because suspense is woven into each scene?

        8. Study the emotion and humor. If the story makes you cry, take note of how the author tapped into your emotions. How was this emotion portrayed without “telling” or coming across as overly dramatic? If the story makes you laugh, take note of the kind of humor the author used and how they portrayed this without coming across as cheesy.

        9. Study the setting. Do you think it was well-developed and/or well-researched? Does it contribute to the mood of each scene? How did the author use sensory details to highlight unique features of the setting without interrupting the flow of the story?

        10. Study the theme. Do you have an idea as to what the theme is by the end of the book? If so, how did the author get this across without “preaching” to the reader? Or if it did come across as preachy, how could the author have subtly woven in the theme instead?

It might take longer to read a book if you study it through the eyes of a writer rather than a reader. But if you do this — if you dissect books as you read them and highlight passages when necessary — then this should result in a major improvement in your own writing.

“To succeed as a novelist, reading novels must be a priority. Don’t be afraid. You won’t lose your voice; you will only enhance it. And soon, students will be using your novels as their textbooks.”

~Linda Hall

[bctt tweet=”10 Tips for Reading Through the Eyes of a Writer @tessaemilyhall #amwriting #writingtips”]

[bctt tweet=”Can our writing improve by studying the books we read? @tessaemilyhall #writingtips #amwriting”]

Do you read books through the eyes of a writer? If so, how has it made a difference in your writing?

Categories
Platform and Branding

3 Mistakes to Avoid With Your Social Media Strategy

Social media is an important part of building a writer’s platform. With existing networks changing and new networks launching, it can be easy to fall behind or get distracted with your social media strategy. Avoid these three mistakes as you manage your social media and build your platform.

1. Not using a social media scheduler

You’re guaranteed to waste time if you hop on and off your networks to post updates. Hootsuite is one of the best and simplest schedulers, allowing you to connect up to five social media networks with their free plan. It also shows different network feeds, making it easy to share curated content.

Buffer is another great scheduler, although their free version only connects one network. Their most economical paid option, however, allows you to connect ten profiles including Facebook groups and multiple Twitter accounts.

If money isn’t an object and you want a top-shelf scheduler, check out Edgar. You can connect multiple social media accounts and posts can queued and recycled on different networks.

social media strategy schedulers

2. Not using a news aggregator

Think of a news aggregator as your personal newsstand, particularly for the blogs you follow. Feedly is one of the most widely utilized aggregators. Once you set up your account, copy the sites you want to follow and read all the posts within Feedly.

You can also organize your sites and have folders for specific interests. This is particularly helpful for research or for keeping up with agents, publishers, or other writer friends. Best of all, Feedly is free.

Feedly screenshot

Disclaimer: It’s still good to subscribe because of the benefits to being on an email list. But with so many people choosing to email an excerpt of their post, consider the time it takes to open the email, click to the site and wait for the page to load. It’s quicker to read the content on Feedly and then click over to the site if you want to leave a comment.

3. Not setting a timer 

social media strategy - set a timerEven if you use a scheduler and an aggregator, it’s still easy to get sidetracked. Decide how much time you can spend scheduling posts and reading other people’s material. Set your timer and then STOP when it goes off.

Taking control of your social media will keep you focused on your tasks and free up more time for writing.

What are your best tips for managing social media?

Please share in the comments!

3 mistakes to avoid

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[bctt tweet=”Why a #writer needs a news aggregator like Feedly, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell #platform” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”How social media schedulers benefit a #writer, via @a3forme @susanrstilwell #platform”]

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Stopwatch image credit: Pixabay

Resources:

Schedulers: Hootsuite, Buffer, Edgar

News aggregator: Feedly

Categories
Craft Writing with Humor

Adding Humor to Your Writing Is As Easy as 1 – 2 – 3: The Rule of Three, to be exact.

Adding Humor to Your Writing is as Easy as 1-2-3. The Rule of Three to be Exact. by Jean Wilund via www.AlmostAnAuthor.com

Adding humor to any type of writing is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3.

Not 1 – 2 – 3 – 4.

Or 1 – 2.

1 – 2 – 3.

Research shows we like lists of three. Four sounds overdone. Two feels incomplete. Three is just right.

I guess Goldilocks and the three bears were right.

The literary device known as The Rule of Three says lists are funnier, more satisfying, and more effective in threes. 

I agree.

Here are three easy tips for adding humor using The Rule of Three:

1. Add an Unexpected Humorous Ending to a List of Three.

Whether you’re writing a serious or comedic piece, throwing in a humorous ending to a list of three grabs your reader’s attention.

Getting fit and trim is easy. Eat more fruits and vegetables, eat less processed foods, and borrow your skinny neighbor’s five kids and three dogs to chase around.

In the above example, the third point could easily lead into a serious discussion about adopting a more active lifestyle for an article on health and fitness.

It could also lead into a humorous anecdote in a novel about two friends who are opposites.

In my last article, I talked about using opposites in humor, which is otherwise known as juxtaposition for you scholarly types. Check it out here.

2. Add an Unexpected Serious Ending to a List of Three

A list that starts out humorous but ends in a more normal tone is another method for catching the reader by surprise and introducing the topic in a memorable way.

The following example could be used to introduce the topic of why every writer should join a critique group.

The most successful road to publishing awakens delusions of grandeur, unearths deep-seated insecurities, and leads through a writer’s critique group that will help keep the author grounded somewhere in between.

3. Change-up a Well-Known List of Three

Can you fill in the last word in each of these lists?

Live, Love, _____.

Friends, Romans, _____.

The good, the bad, and the _____.

Surely every American knows these famous phrases. (If not, check the bottom of the post for the answers.) 

When we take a familiar list of three and change it up with something unfamiliar, we throw our reader off and make them laugh.

I came, I saw, I bought the t-shirt.

Click to learn how easy it is to add humor to your writing using The Rule of Three.

When well-done, The Rule of Three brings a smile to our readers’ faces, encourages them to keep reading, and results in smiling authors.

It’s a win-win. 

Not everything has to be grouped in three’s.

The answers to the blanks in #3 are:

Live, Love, Laugh. 

Friends, Romans, countrymen. 

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I came, I saw, I bought the t-shirt came from the famous quote by Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered. 

What are some favorite change-ups you’ve heard? Share them in the comments below. 

[bctt tweet=”Adding #Humor to Your Writing is as Easy as 1-2-3. The Rule of Three to be exact. #amwriting #author”]

Categories
Developing Your Writer's Voice Uncategorized

A Simple Exercise for Finding Your Writer’s Voice

pencil-918449_640Many of us belong to writers groups that meet regularly with the goal of honing our writing skills, finding our writer’s voice, and receiving critiques of our work. Unfortunately, some writers have no such groups in their area. Online groups now offer this excellent opportunity, but for some, even this is not a viable option.

A novice writer, with no group in her area, and with limited computer skills, once asked if I had a suggestion for helping her to find her voice. She had started a novel in which her protagonist, a young mother, suffered loss in many areas of her life and wondered if her voice was true to the story line.

I created an exercise that requires only two people; of which being a writer was not a requirement for her partner.

The exercise consists of:

  • A topic chosen for a letter that each participant writes; such as an upcoming wedding/vacation memories etc.
  • Both participants choose the same recipient for the letter, such as a mother/friend.
  • Both participants complete the exercise, and then exchange letters.

The goal of this exercise is to compare the letters, and hopefully recognize each voice by studying the tone and style and of both writers.

The writer contacted me after completing the exercise saying she easily heard the voice difference between the two letters. She now understood, and heard her voice much clearer. After reading her first three chapters of the novel, I agreed with her assessment.

The protagonist in my new friend’s novel was tender in her words and actions; her losses in life having made her compassionate, and a friend to the less fortunate.

I find when writing fiction the character partners with the author to produce voice.

“A word is not the same with one as it is with another. One tears it from his gut. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket” William Wadsworth