Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Do More by Doing Less with Charissa Brim
Does social media frustrate you? Establishing, growing, and maintaining a vibrant social media presence can be a daunting task. Join us as social media manager Charissa Brim shares her three key approaches (professional, sustainable, and strategic) and practical tips for growing and connecting with your audience.
Watch the May 2nd Replay
With a BA in Communication Studies & MA in International Tourism, Charissa Brim loves exploring the spaces around us, between us & within us. Charissa helps others find their voice through her work as a copywriter, social media manager, & advocate. Balancing inspiration & strategy, Charissa supports creatives curating an authentic & rewarding online presence.
Offer Hope with Inspirational Writing
Julie Lavender shares practical tips for writing inspirational articles, profiles, and devotionals. An inspirational piece is often faith-based, but Julie’s tips also apply to general market. As a long-time writer for her local newspaper, other writing credits on a variety of topics, and interviews of ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. If you aspire to write articles that offer hope, check this week’s replay.
Watch the May 9th Replay
Julie Lavender, author of Children’s Bible Stories for Bedtime (Zeitgeist/Penguin Random House) and 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories (Revell/Baker), looks forward to a mom’s devo releasing this year and two picture books in the next two years from End Game Press and its imprint. You can connect with Julie on social media or at Julie Lavender Writes.
Come Write with Us
Brandy Brow leads us in another writing session with a look at the creative brain versus editor brain and fun creative exercises to stimulate creativity. If you feel your writing is not what it should be sure to check out his week’s replay for great ideas and a writing prompt or two.
Watch the May 16th Replay
Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Writing Inspired by Travel
On this episode of Writers Chat, Johnnie Alexander and a few of her travel buddies, share their experiences on the Serious Writer Italy Tour. The not only share the exciting things that happened, but also the truth about traveling abroad—like missing flight connections—and about looking for the silver lining during such challenges. Be sure to check out this week’s replay for lots of great stories and inspiration.
Watch the April 4th Replay
7 Things I See Differently From the Publisher’s Side of the Desk
Michelle Medlock Adams, acclaimed children’s writer and now acquisitions editor for Wren and Bear, the children’s literature imprint for Endgame Press, shares how thing are different from the publisher’s point of view. She discusses having realistic expectations of the editor’s role, understanding the editorial process, the importance of deadlines, the author/editor/agent relationship, and advice for debut novels. We also talk about marketing.
Watch the February 11th replay.
Michelle Madlock Adams is a NY Times Best-selling ghostwriter and an award-winning author of more than 100 books including, Fly High, Our God is Bigger Than That! and Dachshund Through the Snow. Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and they have two married daughters, six adorable grandchildren, two diva dachshunds, and two kitties. Visit michellemedlockadams.com for more info.
Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133
“Each of us have moments when we are swept away by an inner sense of excitement about something we are doing or want to do. In this state, whatever we are working on seems to come alive with significance and even necessity, and our contribution seems to validate who we are or, perhaps more accurately, who we can be.”
Martha Graham, dancer and choreographer
Say you have a truly perfect day.
Your art sings with such passionate ease you feel it flowing with your breath. Time becomes a measurement applied to mere mortals. You become genuinely united with the creative moment. The heavens open, the angels descend, and they sing with you. It is, in a word, glorious.
Then there is the next day.
Because you have returned to the mortal realm, your first temptation is to review the previous day’s work. But let’s be honest here. You’re not doing this because you actually want to change anything.
You’re after a cheap high.
You want to feel that same incredible union, without the blood and sweat and tears.
But then you realize that the product of your intense experience is not quite perfect. What you created has a flaw. You pluck at this tiny imperfect strand, and gradually your beautiful work becomes shredded.
The result is inevitable. All the glorious emotional impact fades away.
You doubt it ever happened. You become tempted to dismiss the entire experience as a passing illusion.
There is a scene in my recent novel, Miramar Bay, when the main character goes racing off on his motorcycle in the dark with the headlights off. How I happened to write it goes like this:
I was at the end of a very long day. Tired, strung out, a lot going on, and I was running away from two half-finished scenes that I simply could not get right. So I went to the gym. And there in the middle of my workout…
The main character, a man named Connor, talked to me.
It was just so incredible, hearing this guy confess his deepest secret. I felt so moved. I borrowed a pen and pad from the gym’s manager and scribbled out the entire scene, like I was listening to Connor confess. Broken, afraid, totally uncertain as to what he should do next. But it was this moment that propelled him to do what he did. Take the midnight bus to Miramar Bay.
Connor raced bikes. His own ride of choice was the fastest street-legal bike in the world, a Ducatti. And while Connor had been rising up the impossible glass mountain of LA fame, his escape had been rides through desert hideaways with outlaw buddies.
But that night Connor had been alone.
He pushed his bike up the desert cliffs north of Palm Springs, one switchback after another, and did so with his lights off. The motor screaming, his blood pumping, illuminated by the moon. Why?
Because he did not care whether he lived or he died.
That was the confession he shared with me. I wrote it down, and when I was finished, I felt as though I had been given an incredible gift by a guy who was a lot better, and far greater, than he gave himself credit for.
Welcome to Miramar Bay.
So why am I sharing this with you?
Because of the next day.
When I sat down at my desk the following morning, I faced the same quandary as I had before I left for the gym. The same two unfinished scenes. The same imperfect structure that I had to get right. The same doubts, the same fears, the same…
Do This Now:
The issue here, the crux to arriving at the point when inspiration happens, is this: Work through the hours of drudgery.
You need to fashion a means of maintaining this discipline when the hour is hardest. Not when it comes easy. You must do this. You must.
For myself, the answer has come through not allowing myself to reread what I have written until the first draft is completed. I want to go back. I hunger to see what I am creating. But I don’t give in. I can’t, and maintain my daily productivity, my drive. I just can’t.
You must design your own method for making it through the slog. I suggest you start with my concept, and hold to it until you fashion your own.
Whatever it is, however you make this work, consider this one of the most vital steps you will ever take as an artist.
Do this now.
Davis Bunn’s novels have sold in excess of eight million copies in twenty-four languages. He has appeared on numerous national bestseller lists, and his titles have been Main or Featured Selections with every major US book club. In 2011 his novel Lion of Babylon was named Best Book of the Year by Library Journal. The sequel, entitled Rare Earth, won Davis his fourth Christy Award for Excellence in Fiction in 2013. In 2014 Davis was granted the Lifetime Achievement award by the Christy board of judges. His recent title Trial Run has been named Best Book of The Year by Suspense Magazine. Lately he has appeared on the cover of Southern Writers Magazine and Publishers Weekly, and in the past three years his titles have earned him Best Book and Top Pick awards from Library Journal, Romantic Times, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. His most recent series, Miramar Bay, have been acquired for world-wide condensation-books by Readers Digest. Currently Davis serves as Writer-In-Residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University. Until Covid struck, he was speaking around the world on aspects of creative writing.
“Each of us have moments when we are swept away by an inner sense of excitement about something we are doing or want to do. In this state, whatever we are working on seems to come alive with significance and even necessity, and our contribution seems to validate who we are or, perhaps more accurately, who we can be.”
Martha Graham, dancer and choreographer
Moments of inspiration cannot be forced into being. They cannot even be awaited. Instead, for the artist to truly be an artist, the creative work must continue despite this inspiration being absent.
But why bother?
There are so many other demands upon our time and energy. Why put up a fight against the incoming tide? I mean, let’s face facts here. There is so little chance we’ll succeed.
And another thing. What about everything we have to give up in order to make this creative dream reality?
I’m so glad you asked.
The life well lived is a search for identity, priorities, peace, wholeness. I’m not saying you’ll ever find them. But having the courage to even speak the words, especially to yourself, is a victory in and of itself.
Then one day, we fortunate few discover something we can give our total allegiance to. We identify a creative purpose that creates harmony from all the impossible elements and all the past pains.
Even speaking this new intent to ourselves is terrifying. What if we’re wrong? What if we get halfway down this road, and discover that we don’t have what it takes? What about the sacrifices?
The risks are huge. Of course we’re confused. And scared. We’d have to be nuts not to feel terrified.
The only answer I’ve found is to be honest about the alternative. Which is to coast through life.
Taking the easy road does not mean giving up on the creative dream. At least, not immediately. Instead, we tell ourselves that we’re simply waiting for that perfect solution.
Taking the easy road means, we expect – we demand – an opportunity that ties our sense of calling to the commercial realm. We want it to arrive risk-free, tied in a lovely blue ribbon.
Until that happens, we have a safe little excuse for not taking the leap and committing fully.
The problem is, you never grow beyond the delusion that life should deliver your dream on comfortable terms.
Don’t make that mistake.
You can’t attach a dollar value to this truth. If you go with the easier alternative, if you give into whatever stress life pummels you with, sooner or later you will be confronted with the sorrowful absence of what you gave up.
Okay, so now you have committed. Your creative efforts, your compass heading, are now part of your daily existence. How do you rise beyond this struggle. How do you find…
Bliss.
We cannot declare when the moment shall arise, when we cast off the chains of mundane existence and rise up to that incredible, exalted state. We can’t fashion the hour that our wings will unfold, and we fly off, and glimpse a brief fragment of creative bliss. We can’t, we just can’t.
But we can most certainly name it.
“Everything flows and nothing stays,” said Heraclitus, the fifth-century BCE Greek philospher, speaking of how time constantly moves us forward, and change is life’s only constant. But these days there is another meaning given to this word. And it is by this term that we will begin to take aim.
Flow.
Why call it this? Well, we need to call it something. And naming that moment when we become one with the practice of our art is sort of like trying to name a vacuum. In that instant, we simply are not there. So in naming it, we instead need to look at the process that brings us to that point.
Flow. It works as good as anything else.
I am not alone in this choice of a name. A number of sociologists, medical doctors, and psychologists are now studying the process by which an individual rises above themselves. Firsthand accounts of such experiences—from sports figures, martial arts experts, artists, and many others—say the same: It is marked by intense focus, heightened involvement in the action at hand, and two other elements.
First, the experience comes when the practice of this craft or art is so regular that it is natural. It is a disciplined component of every day.
The second factor is derived from the first. Because it is natural, we are able to gradually reduce our iron-clad grip upon the work, and through the very intensity of the creative act, we…
Flow.
In his book The Life We Are Given, George Leonard uses the term ‘focused surrender’ to describe the paradox of flow. Again, the term works as well as any. The aim is to both try and not try. To focus intently and at the same time surrender the will.
Remember what I said in an earlier Concept. The aim is not discipline.
The aim is balance.
The only reason discipline is mentioned so often is because for many creative types, this is the muscle that most needs work.
In achieving a personal sense of balance between the passion and the discipline, the artist can begin to let go.
And flow.
Flow where, you ask? Well now. That is for you to answer. Not me.
DO THIS NOW:
Take careful aim at your creative dream. Commit. Grab hold with both hands. Get ready for the fight of your life.
Visualize this commitment as a portal. And through this you can enter into that moment of true creative freedom. Sometimes. Not often enough, of course. But still.
On your idea board, place a new card or slip of paper. On it write the one word:BALANCE
Sometimes taking aim is, in itself, a magnificent achievement.
Davis Bunn’s novels have sold in excess of eight million copies in twenty-four languages. He has appeared on numerous national bestseller lists, and his titles have been Main or Featured Selections with every major US book club. In 2011 his novel Lion of Babylon was named Best Book of the Year by Library Journal. The sequel, entitled Rare Earth, won Davis his fourth Christy Award for Excellence in Fiction in 2013. In 2014 Davis was granted the Lifetime Achievement award by the Christy board of judges. His recent title Trial Run has been named Best Book of The Year by Suspense Magazine. Lately he has appeared on the cover of Southern Writers Magazine and Publishers Weekly, and in the past three years his titles have earned him Best Book and Top Pick awards from Library Journal, Romantic Times, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. His most recent series, Miramar Bay, have been acquired for world-wide condensation-books by Readers Digest. Currently Davis serves as Writer-In-Residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University. Until Covid struck, he was speaking around the world on aspects of creative writing.
When doing research for a historical novel, you may find an unexpected nugget that could add some extra excitement, conflict, or an extra character you may want to include in your story.
While researching the town my main character lives in, in my WIP (work in progress), I found that a notorious outlaw had lived in that town as well. Though I have chosen not to include him in my WIP, I may include him in a future novel, either part of my current series or a stand alone.
It’s always wise to make note of unexpected finds in you research because they could be a valuable addition to your current work, or may invoke an idea for a future book.
If you choose to use an unexpected character or setting, be sure to research that character or setting in depth because it is important to portray them accurately in your work. Even though you may write historical fiction, you need to be sure any real life person or place is portrayed properly or your history knowledgeable readers will be upset and will let you know either through a book review or a personal email. You always want to keep your readers happy.
You may want to deliberately search for that unexpected nugget. You can begin your search by simply plugging a question, such as “what notorious people lived in the 1860s?” into a search engine and see what comes up. I will issue a word of caution here: do not rely completely on information you find on the internet, especially a site like Wikipedia, which is not always reliable. Also try to find more information by contacting a museum or historical society, or going to the library and looking for books on the subject.
I did an online search on the question from the previous paragraph and the following were the top ten articles that came up:
American History Timeline from 1860-1870
1860 Fast Facts—History—U.S. Census Bureau
Famous and Infamous Census Records – History – U.S. Census
1860s – the Hanneman Archive
The Living City | New York City>>1860s
Ozarks Gunfights and Other Notorious Incidents
List of Famous People of the 19th Century
List of Slave Owners – Wikipedia
‘Dirty Old London’: A History of the Victorians
Infamous Mobsters – List and Notable Names – Biography.
If you are a historical writer, you most likely love history, so the above list has probably piqued your interest and you might want to rush off to check out at least one of those topics. But wait!
One more thing – books. You may find them at the library, but you will also want to keep your eyes open at used book sales and used book stores, as well as new book stores if you don’t mind paying new book prices. I have found several great gems for researching historical people. I have purchased them, and they now reside on my book shelf waiting for me to crack them open for a future novel.
Kelly F. Barr lives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She is married and has three sons. She writes historical romance. She has also been a blogger for ten years, and every Friday, you can find her Flash Fiction stories posted for your reading pleasure. She loves her family, including the family dog, books, walks, and chai lattes.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ… just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NIV
Julia sighed. Her novel sat untouched and her motivation waned.
“Did I hear you right, Lord?” she asked. Character development, plot twists and distant memories all intertwined in her mind. Her desire to use fiction to reach families with infertility had seemed inspired, but the work became drudgery as she struggled with the story arc.
Can you relate? Have you been nudged to share your story, but struggled with how to do it?
Julia decided to ask God for confirmation. That night, as a friend helped her husband unload firewood, he shared difficult news – his wife wanted a divorce. Was there another man? No; their unfulfilled quest to have children left her with a barren heart.
Julia said, “It pierced me through, because I knew exactly how she felt. And I knew God was telling me to write my story!”
What difficulty can you turn into a hand-up for someone else? Have you ignored it because of the pain? Could that pain be redeemed by helping another in their turmoil?
Exercise:
Go back through your journals to see where God answered prayer. Ask:
How did God comfort me? 2 Corinthians 1:4
How can that personal experience be opened up to include others?
How did you suffer? 2 Corinthians 1:5
How can God’s response to your suffering equip you to reach out to others who are in pain?
How were you stressed? 2 Corinthians 1:6
How can you bring comfort and reassurance?
How can you exude hope when life looks bleak? 2 Corinthians 1:7
We need writers who will impact their sphere of influence with comfort, endurance and hope. The medium does not matter; it can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose. But the foundation is crucial. Let the Lord use His Word to inspire you, and get busy for the Kingdom. We’ve got a job to do!
Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum,Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.
Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.
Every writer’s heart stops when I utter the words, ‘writer’s block’.
We’re ready to write: we have our tea, our snacks, our pens and we’ve told everyone in the house we’ll be writing upstairs. But then we sit down. We munch on our snacks and stare at the incessant blinking of the cursor on MS Word.
We’re people. We have lives. We’re constantly distracted by our phones, friends, families and work. Everything and everyone demands our attention. It’s easy to get lost in it all and lose focus when it’s time to write.
It took me three years to write my first novel and then less than a year to write my second. That’s because I learned some tricks along the way which I’m going to share to help you out if you’re feeling stuck.
1. Make sure it’s not really something else
‘Writers block’ isn’t always simply being stuck for ideas. Sometimes it’s a mindset. Before you skip to the next step, take a moment to evaluate how you’re feeling about yourself and your writing.
Is the reason you’re feeling ‘blocked’ because you think your writing isn’t very good? Bad writing (and good writing now I think of it) is subjective and yours isn’t as terrible as you think it is, trust me. Be brave and believe in yourself. The rest will fall into place.
Writer’s block can also stem from other struggles, health or be situation related. If you’re struggling with more than your writing and you need to talk to someone, I encourage you to seek support.
2. Start with the characters
Do you have well-rounded characters with extensive backgrounds? Shallow characters don’t live interesting lives. Once you’ve created a remarkable person, they will likely write the story for you.
3. Re-imagine the story
Once you’ve determined the characters aren’t the problem, take a step back. What do you already know about the story? Walk yourself through it from the beginning and trust your instincts on what has to happen next.
If you already know what genre your story can be categorised under, I recommend researching plot structures. They provide general advice in how to shape your story and will probably give you the boost you need to get you back on a roll!
4. Make a plan
It’s recommended that you write a plan before you write a novel. I’ll admit, my fourteen year old self disregarded this advice. (It could be argued, that’s why it took me four years to finish my first book.)
My mistakes aside, writing a plan is an effective way of getting out of a rut. Write it as a mind map, bullet points or a paragraph summary and then take a step back.
What’s missing? Where are you going with this story and how are you going to get there? You don’t have to stick to your plan, but I can almost guarantee it will help you get back on your feet.
5. Content
Is there too much going on in your story? Is it chaotic with too many loose ends, things to tie up? Cut it. Be brutal. If a character isn’t contributing anything to the story, do they have to have a happily ever after? Do they have to exist at all?
Is there too little going on? Is your story too straightforward? Add some emotion. Get distracted with a romantic subplot. Sprain your main character’s ankle and have them limp for the rest of the journey. You know what you need to do. Do it.
6. Build up
Sometimes a lack of foundation can lead to an uncertain future. If you don’t know what’s going to happen next, maybe you need to revisit what’s happened already. Does something more have to happen or is that the end?
7. Seek inspiration
Sometimes nothing works. We spend hours pouring over the characters and the plot and still feel as though our writing is speeding downhill.
Take it easy. Read a book or go outside. It will come to you eventually. It always does. Don’t overthink it.
As Paul Di Filippo said, “If the writer is not surprised by the events, then chances are that the reader will not be either, and grow bored.”
You’re a writer and you have a story here. Sit down and write it. You’ll surprise yourself.
Deborah Rose Green is the author of Dragon Pearls (2019) and Crown My Heart (2020). She’s the Contributing Editor for the ‘Hey Young Writer’ blog and starting her Creative Writing degree in September.
Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
Revelation 1:19 NIV
So, you’ve come to your deadline and stare at a blank page. Your palms sweat and a headache seeps across your forehead. At the moment, writing your will sounds more appealing than the article in front of you. What’s a writer to do?
I’ve heard many writers say the best antidote for writer’s block is spending time with the Lord. We may come to the table empty, but when we feast on God’s Word, we never leave hungry.
Scripture prods us to:
Pursue justice, mercy and humility. Micah 6:8
Love our neighbor. Matthew 19:19
Look after orphans and widows. James 1:27
Be generous. Matthew 25:31-46
Be teachable, learn from mistakes and make corrections, and train in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
What do these verses have to do with writing? We need writers to:
Write about justice, mercy and humility.
Show us what it means to love others.
Share the plight of orphans and widows.
Tell us about those in need.
Rightly divide the Word of Truth.
Even our theme verse provides a template. Revelation 1:19 says to write!
Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
Tell your story. What have you seen?
Report on current events or struggles you’re facing. What are you learning?
Talk about the future. What gives you hope?
Let your time with the Lord guide your words to reflect His heart.
Exercise:
A great way to boost your own morale is to encourage another. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to encourage someone else. Write a letter or send a card to one or more of the following:
A mentor. In what way did she encourage you?
An acquaintance. What character trait do you admire about him?
A family member. Say, “I’m proud of you!”
A co-worker. What have you taken for granted?
Someone younger than you. What do you wish would have been said to your younger self?
Recently, a publication ceased outsourcing to its regular list of contributors. I mourned the loss of that assignment, thinking I would get lost in obscurity. Within a week, I received a phone call and a message from regular readers. My words were appreciated! Yours are, too; your words make a difference. Write!
Have you noticed it lifts your mood when you lift another? Whom will you encourage today?
Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum,Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.
Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
How Music Inspires Writers with Victoria Duerstock
Many of us have heard the saying, “music soothes the savage beast.” But our question is, can it inspire a writer? In today’s episode Victoria shares her thoughts on this question. Co-hosts, Johnnie Alexander, Brandy Brow, and Melissa Stroh chime with their thoughts of how music inspires them. Some writers prefer peace and quiet to write throughout the writing process, others listen before they write, while others rock out. Victoria plays snippets from her writing play list, including a foreboding instrumental that instantly brought to mind the idea of something bad is about to happen. Perhaps you haven’t given this topic much thought before, but I challenge you to check out this week’s replay. I know you’ll be encouraged and inspired.
Watch the January 19th replay.
Victoria Duerstock, author, speaker, musician, life coach, and a multi-passionate creative who is fueled mostly by coffee. Her mission is to create beauty, cultivate community, leverage resources, impact others, and leave a legacy. Helping other creatives grow their platform, and reach their goals is at the heart of all she does. Victoria believes: Ordinary People CAN do Extraordinary Things for the Kingdom – this means YOU! Connect with Victoria on social media and at https://www.victoriaduerstock.com/.
Using Memory to Launch Story with Norma Poore
In this open mic episode, we take a trip down memory lane for inspiration. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, our memories fuel what we write. Norma asks us to think of our favorite memory from childhood and share not just the simple memory, but the sounds, smells, and feelings that went with the memory. One common theme that flowed through these memories was love, which turned our hearts and minds to the unconditional love of God. So, if you are feeling discouraged or stuck in you’re writing, check out this week’s episode. I believe you will be encourage and inspired.
Watch the January 26th replay.
JOIN US!
Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. Here’s the permanent Zoom room link.
Participants mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.
Do you want to take your creativity and problem-solving abilities to a new level? Diversify your inputs. Increasing the diversity of the groups you interact with and the sources of your creative inspiration will lead to:
Greater creativity
More innovative ideas
Improved problem-solving
Better decisions
All of which lead to greater success and greater job satisfaction.
It makes sense when you think about it. The more alike your friends and writing associates are, the more likely they will think along the same lines and come up with similar answers to problems. On the other hand, a more diverse group of people will have a broader outlook, more varied ideas, and more novel approaches to solving problems.
If you want to tap into the power of diversity, consider where you can add more diverse inputs in your writing life. Here are some suggestions.
Critique partners
Do your critique partners all write in the same genre? Do they all prefer to read the same sorts of books? While a critique from someone who hates your genre is usually not helpful, it’s wise to find critique partners who aren’t all writing the same kind of story.
My main critique partners write in completely different genres. This has served us well. In addition, I have joined forces with a fellow mystery writer (through the Sisters in Crime organization). When we were first brought together we weren’t sure it would work because our styles and worldviews appeared to be very different, but it turns out those differences have helped us identify blind spots, faulty assumptions, and plot holes. (Not to mention an occasional discussion on midwest vs. northeast idioms and brand familiarity.)
If you are looking for ways to diversify your critique input, here is a sample of the factors to consider:
Age
Gender
Cultural background
Income level
Education level
Occupation(s)
Work experience
Religious beliefs
Where they’ve lived
Where they’ve traveled
Family background
Personality / temperament
Taste in books
Taste in music, and/or other arts
Main interests and hobbies
Favorite leisure activities
Writing experience level
Genres they write
Pantser or plotter?
Writing style and voice
Beta readers
The same goes for beta readers. Your readers will (hopefully) come from all walks of life, so finding a diverse group of beta readers will help ensure your story makes sense and appeals to different audience segments who might benefit from your book.
Brainstorming
Who do you bounce ideas off of? Do you count on your spouse and your critique partners to solve all your writing problems, or do you solicit ideas from a larger group of people? You might benefit from finding a handful of people with diverse backgrounds who are willing to gather now and then to brainstorm plot problems, plot ideas, marketing strategies, or anything else that could spark new life into your writing career. When choosing brainstorming partners, remember to choose a mixed group, and don’t limit yourself to writers.
Social contacts
How diverse are the backgrounds and life experiences of the people you interact with on a regular basis? Could you benefit from spending more time with people outside your usual group? I realize it’s difficult to socialize in a post-Covid world, but social media and internet forums provide an opportunity to interact with diverse viewpoints.
Book and media consumption
Just as with nutrition, the more varied our diet, the healthier we’ll be. If you find yourself reading book after book in the same tried-and-true genre, it may be time to branch out. Pick up a few books in genres you don’t normally read. If you really hate them, you don’t have to finish them, but don’t dismiss an entire genre just because you disliked one or two books. Ditto for movies, music, and other creative inputs.
Years ago I stated a book club with the primary purpose of forcing myself to read books I wouldn’t normally read. Because it’s an organized thing, it makes me remain intentional about choosing a variety of book genres, topics, and styles. Do you have a book club that pushes you out of your reading comfort zone? If not, perhaps its time to join one or start your own.
I hope these ideas help you widen your creative horizons and find new inspiration.
Award-winning writer Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging about living intentionally.
I’ve never liked the term writer’s block and prefer to call it writer’s exhaustion, but it means the same thing. Hours or days of staring at a blank screen unable to type a word.
Recently, I’ve found myself at the crossroads between emotional exhaustion and distraction.
It’s common for creativity to dry up when a person is overwhelmed. Distraction also plays into the inability to buckle down and produce. Writing requires a lot of thinking and emotional input.
At times I have plenty to say, but emotion stands firmly between my heart and my pen. Then I feel guilty and frustrated, which only adds to the stress.
In this situation, the first thing to do is to recognize the various demands and stressors affecting attitudes, feelings, and productivity.
Here are five tips that help when you’re feeling blocked
Focus on a different task for a short time.
Finding a new creative outlet can re energize, give a tired brain something else to concentrate on. We require times of refreshment, even when situations demand urgent action. It’s okay to take a moment or two, or three for mental health.
Adapt.
I received an email from a dear friend yesterday. An in-person writing group has been one of her anchors for years. A support system suddenly becoming unavailable is painful. Virtual meeting aren’t the same, but at least alternative methods exist.
Many of my friends are taking advantage of writing conferences they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to attend. New seminars and opportunities are offered daily as organizations attempt to fill writers’ current needs.
While writing fiction is hard for me at the moment, taking notes isn’t a problem. For me, this dry spell is an opportunity to concentrate on learning craft. For others, the opposite may be true and periods of writer’s block are the perfect time to journal or explore a different type of writing.
There will be times when the well seems empty. Try to find things to focus on that are attainable.
Celebrate accomplishments.
I have a tendency to expect a great deal from myself, and it helps to stop and change my view point, think about successes in light of my circumstances. I constantly need to remind myself I have a limited energy budget. We aren’t designed to do it all. There is no guilt in that admission. Recognize the goal posts along the way, instead of focusing on the never-ending to do list gives a realistic picture of progress and spurs me forward.
Find joy in the art of writing.
I am one for structure and schedules, which can sap the joy right out of what I love and turn it into a grind. I used to have a mindset that if it’s too much fun, maybe I’m not working hard enough. That’s not true. It’s still work even if I love my calling. It’s right and good to take joy in the gifts and abilities God has given.
Rest.
For me, the biggest obstacle is giving myself permission to allow time for self-care. Self-care is not selfish. It’s necessary for healthy functioning. It’s okay to take a break from whatever is stressful.
It’s okay to be kind to yourself.
Donna Jo Stone writes YA contemporary novels about tough issues but always ends the stories with a note of hope. She blogs at donnajostone.com.
In January, I had the privilege of speaking about being a writer at a large private school near Chicago. But before my talk, as an added bonus, I had lunch with a group of award-winning student authors ranging in age from 5 to 13. (These students had been chosen to represent their individual classroom as “the best of the best” and read their work in front of the entire school.) So, while I chatted with these gifted wordsmiths in between bites of cheese pizza, I asked them: “Which was harder for you—writing or editing your story?” As I expected, all but one said the editing process had been way harder. Then, the one who didn’t jump on the editing bandwagon said something I’ll never forget.
She very honestly admitted, “I had trouble with the writing process because I kept editing myself…”
That comment sparked a very interesting conversation about hats and one of my favorite books about writing, Dancing on the Head of a Pen: The Practice of a Writing Life by Robert Benson. In case you haven’t read it, Benson shares about the different hats he wears when crafting his amazing books. He sports a stylish beret when creating story. As he writes his “sloppy copy,” beret man is the guy in the chair. But once this first draft is safely recorded, he switches to his well-loved Yankees cap which he has lovingly named “Gamer”. He wears “Gamer” when editing. But Benson explains that bringing out “Gamer” too soon in the process can totally halt the creativity of “Beret man”—the artist.
That’s what had happened to the student who confessed she’d really struggled with the writing process.
“You switched hats too soon,” I told her, explaining Benson’s theory.
What about you? Are you self-editing (and sometimes self-loathing) as you write and create children’s stories? Are you constantly fixing grammar and spelling or rewriting sentences three and four times before continuing on? If so, I feel your pain. I occasionally stifle my own creativity because I can’t get my baseball “Gamer” cap off my head. It just won’t budge! And, no matter how hard I try, I can’t create with “Gamer” calling the shots!
If you struggle with this premature switching of hats, here are three strategies you can implement to keep your beret safely in place as you create.
Write fast, really fast. Don’t give yourself the chance to edit. Just get that story down on paper or in that computer, whatever your process.
Switch gears, not hats. The moment you feel yourself slipping into the editing mode, switch gears completely. For example, if you’re writing a picture book in narrative and you start to slip into editor mode, stop writing narrative and try writing your picture book in rhyme. That will get your creative juices flowing again and put your editor’s cap back on the hat rack.
Set the Mood with Music. This works well for me. If I’m creating, I have on “mood music” that awakens the creative part of me. So, when I was writing my book, “Get Your Spirit On! Devotions for Cheerleaders” I listened to all of the cheer music compilations that my daughters competed to when they cheered. That music was motivating and put me in the right mindset to write about “all things cheerleading.” But, when I am editing, I almost always listen to instrumental music. When the instrumental melodies fill my writing room, it instantly becomes my editing room. Maybe this tactic will work for you, too!
If you’re like the little girl who struggled with knowing which hat to wear—the beret or the Gamer—I hope you’ll try these three strategies. And, I recommend you purchase your own copy of Dancing on the Head of a Penand glean from Benson’s genius.
Michelle
Medlock Adams is an award-winning journalist and best-selling
author of over 90 books with close to 4 million sold. Her many journalism and
book awards include top honors from the
Associated Press, AWSA’s Golden Scroll for Best Children’s Book, and the
Selah Award for Best Children’s Book. Michelle currently serves as President of
Platinum Literary Services, a premier full-service literary firm; Chairman of
the Board of Advisors for Serious Writer, Inc.; and a much sought-after speaker
at writers conferences and women’s retreats all over the United States.
When not writing or teaching writing, Michelle enjoys
bass fishing and cheering on the Indiana University Basketball team, the
Chicago Cubbies, and the LA Kings.
Michelle is celebrating the recent release of
her books, Get Your Spirit On!, Fabulous
& Focused, Dinosaur Devotions, and
C Is for Christmas, and she’s anticipating the upcoming release of What Is America? (Worthy Kids) and They Call Me Mom (Kregel), a devotional
book she co-authored with Bethany Jett.
As
a writer, one thing that almost everyone will agree and
accept is the fact that without inspiration, it is very difficult to go ahead
with your work. You need to have a push and shove, especially when you feel
your artistic part of the mind has abandoned you. Many people look for
inspiration through different avenues. Some people take time off from writing
and engage in other hobbies. Some go for a trip while some simply read other
books.
Another
potent method many writers engage in to find inspiration in writing is music. Music
is the elixir of life for many. It can provide the necessary jog down the
memory lane and get you on the right gear soon. If you are stuck in a rut as a
writer and are looking at music for help to get out of it, this article might
do the job for you.
What can music do for your writing?
There
are different types of music which are extremely soothing to the mind. They can
light up the creative hemisphere of the brain, which is incidentally also the
hemisphere responsible for writing ability. Thus, there is a sort of
synergistic connection between both. It also releases the feel-good hormone,
serotonin, which can spark your writing skills again.
Music
is also associated with certain moments and memories and can act as a
recollection aid which will provide you the spark required. Last but not least,
there is a certain groove or beat associated with different types of music
which is also beneficial for inspiring you to write better. You can also take music lessons from an expert to create
your music and make the creative experience more enriching.
Music helps you reach your writing
goals
When
you are starting or stuck in between, making a plan to move forward and setting
writing goals becomes very important. These goals are mainly time-centric, and
music can act as a good yardstick to measure time. For example, you can tell
yourself that you will finish a certain portion until a playlist finishes, and
then go about your writing accordingly.
Strategies for choosing your music
Music that relates to what you are
writing
It
is always better to choose music which is relatable to your writing for best
results. If you are writing about love, grief, any emotion under the sun,
corresponding music with the same emotion can do wonders.
Songs you can sing along
Some
songs get stuck to your head, and the lyrics come out from your subconscious.
These types of music—where you can sing along without much effort—can also be
helpful.
Songs that remind you of a special
day or someone
If
you are looking for inspiration from a day or a person, the best way to remind
yourself of them is to play the music that connects and associates with them.
It will take you to a trip down memory lane and might be enough to give you the
much-needed inspiration.
Music that gives you peace of mind
If
your mind is disturbed, it will hamper your writing skills automatically.
Therefore, always choose music that can provide you with the necessary peace of
mind.
Inspirational tunes
Everyone
has certain tunes that inspire them. Look for yours and utilize them to your
advantage.
Types of music will help you focus while you write
Soundtrack for your novel
When
you are writing a novel, certain soundtracks that go with the writing can help
your writing.
Instrumentals like jazz or classical
This
is for the people who are a purist in their writing. Their music choice also
portrays that, and it is mainly in the form of classical music and jazz.
Electronic music
This
is one of the best forms of music to get into the groove as advocated by many
writers. It provides the necessary impetus.
Ambient noise
Putting
on your noise-cancelling headphones and playing white and gray noise which are
ambient can also work wonders as far as writing is concerned.
It
must be clear by now that music is useful for getting the required inspiration
while writing. Tap into your genre of preference and find the inspiration to start
writing again.
Curtis Dean writes on behalf of Sage Music School where they base lessons on the science and research of the psychology of learning. Their effective teaching methods create confident and capable students who enjoy the happiness of making music.
You paced around the house all day doing unnecessary chores. You read an article on writing. You rearranged stuff on your desk.
You thought about that novel or short story or article. You will get started—tomorrow.
An idea flits by and you think about writing it down—but your hand never gets the message to grab the pen. Whatever. There will be other ideas. Other opportunities.
If only you had more time. Less responsibility. A better writing space.
And so it goes…
So, what’s the big deal? Who cares if we squander a few writing-days waiting for inspiration?
Here are 3 reasons for a writer to strap in and engage:
Your readers are waiting. There’s a woman in the fight of her life—and with every chemo treatment her sword grows heavier. That devotion the Lord laid on your heart? This woman needs it. Now. Oh, you haven’t written it because you’re “just not feeling it?” Well, she’s feeling it. Every moment of every day. She’s a warrior—are you? And don’t forget the empty-nester, the overwhelmed mom of little ones, and the man contemplating divorce. God wants to use you to speak to them. So, um…get busy.
You want to avoid a case of “writer’s misery.” We’ve all had it—that dreaded affliction called running-from-your-calling. Oh, we feel all noble—God called me to write but I just can’t break away from my responsibilities. I guess I’ll have to put my real-life on hold… Really. Well, you know what? Running makes you mean. And the meanness spills out and sloshes onto everyone around you. Remember the Jonah thing? I do. I’ve been there, suffered that. I was unbearable. There’s nothing more tragic than someone standing guard over their buried talent while they snap and growl at those who dare hand them a shovel. Enough already. Quit being mean.
Your life depends on it. Joy. Passion. Peace. All by-products of doing what you were created to do. God designed us for abundant, purposeful living. So, why do you waste time fighting those purposes? Stop it. If you’re like me, you prefer peace over chaos, and long for joy over misery. Do the Toby Mac thing—speak/write life.
Are you ready? It’s been buried long enough. Put all your weight on that shovel, dig deep, and brush away the dirt-covered excuses.
Fire the laptop. Prime the pen.
Now.
Do it now.
[bctt tweet=”Nothing more tragic than someone standing guard over their buried talent while they snap and growl at those who dare hand them a shovel. #writer #amwriting”]
[bctt tweet=”Joy. Passion. Peace. All by-products of doing what you were created to do. #amwriting “]
