Tag: writers community

Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Over-Preparing?

lighter look at a writer's life

As I write this, I’m getting ready to attend my first in-person writers conference in two years. I have been so busy planning and packing, I nearly forgot to write this post. I am thankful for social media reminders!

I feel a bit like an alien, preparing to land on a new planet. Can anyone relate? It has been so long since I have been able to gather with others and socialize, I don’t quite know how to act.

When I started packing, I selected enough clothes to spend about two weeks away (Did I mention I’ll be gone for three days?). After I weeded down the clothes, I started thinking about the additional things I would need, like notepads, pens, my computer, and, of course, snacks. Again, I over-thought everything, so I needed to cut down to a manageable number of items. At the rate I was going, I would have looked like the Beverly Hillbillies trucking down the highway with all sorts of things hanging off the vehicle.

Finally, I thought about those minor details—one sheets, writing samples, business cards. Actually, those are IMPORTANT things! Like I said, it’s been a looonnng time since I have attended such an event, so I’m bit rusty.

The more I have thought about this conference, the more I realize the truth of what I tell first-time attendees when I teach the “Newbie” class at another event. The most important thing about a writers conference: the people.

The relationships you make with the people at a conference are vital, everlasting. Book projects come and go, but your friendships will last much longer. I found my agent by hanging out during breaks (we were friends long before I became his client). I have bonded over cookies in the cafeteria. I have spent nights laughing and catching up over ice cream. (Yes, most of my special moments include food). I met the co-author of my book in the appointment sign-up room. I wish I could list all of the friends I have made at writers conferences, but there isn’t enough space.

These friends not only understand what it’s like to be a writer (and to struggle at times), but they have stood by me through the ups and downs of life.

So, I am not going to worry so much about the clothes, the electronics, and the writing stuff (though those things are important) as I prepare for the conference. I am going to anticipate hugs (!) and special times with my friends.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for January, Part 2

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

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

Author Community: Real Stuff Manuscript Bundle with Tom Blubaugh, Gina Burgess, and Jann Martin

In this episode, Author Community partners, Tom, Gina, and Jan share how their community of writers encourage one another in the journey of writing, building platform, and more. They share their marketing and publishing expertise, as well as discuss the Real Stuff Manuscript Bundle.

Watch the January 15th replay

 

If you want more tips and resources from Author Community and their manuscript bundle, check out this week’s Show Notes and Live Chat Discussions.

Bios:

Tom Blubaugh has been writing since the age of fourteen. Most of his writing has been nonfiction as well as denominational and business articles. In 2011 Tom’s first novel, Night of the Cossack, was published. Tom has been a public speaker for over forty years and is currently a Literary Strategist working one-on-one with authors and writers in all aspects of the publishing arena, social media, brand building, and book marketing.

Gina Burgess is a freelance editor in the Christian market. Her extensive experience in editing newspapers, blog posts, fiction, and short stories has given her the expertise needed to help writers, as a coach and an editor, to accomplish their goals. She was the Lifestyles Editor at her hometown newspaper, as well as editor for several other publications. Gina is the author of several books, hundreds of articles, and writes a weekly column for LiveAsIf.org (since 2006).
Jann W. Martin is an author, proofreader, teacher, speaker and blogger. Her dream is to captivate the hearts of children, by writing stories that teach them the Bible through the eyes of a child. The first book Jann published was, This Babe So Small, a nativity story that has sold over 2,000 copies. Her next publication was, Bible Characters Through the Ages, a five book series;  Book One: Adam in the Garden, Book Tow: Meeting Eve, Book Three: Watching David and Goliath, Book Four: The Amazing Esther, Book Five: Isaac and His Family, and Book Six: Jacob’s Journey.

How to Make Money as a Freelancer with Michelle Medlock Adams

This episode is jam packed with tips and how-to’s on freelance writing. Michelle not only brings energy to this episode, but also wonderful ideas for making money while learning and building credibility. She calls it “earn while you learn”.

Watch the January 22nd replay

 

If you want more tips and resources on Freelance Writing, check out this week’s Show Notes and Live Chat Discussions.

Bio:

Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author, earning top honors from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Hoosier State Press Association. Author of over 80 books with close to 4 million books sold, her works have received the AWSA’s Golden Scroll for Best Children’s Book and four Selah Awards.

 JOIN US!

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

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

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

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Gratitude

The life of a writer isn’t for the faint-hearted, is it? Words do not always order themselves on the page in the inspiring pose you had intended to place them. Editors not only suggest you kill your darlings, but perhaps maim a few other precious pumpkins while you’re at it. Readers view things differently than you expected they would. Agents or publishers look for stories other than what you have written. This is the life we’ve chosen, and it is not always pretty.

The good news is, here we are in November, and it is the perfect time of year to reflect on all that we are thankful for. If you’re like me, you’ve noticed that the more you fill your heart and mind with what is good, the better equipped you are to navigate the less-than-good (or the downright ugly).

Here is my gratitude list for this year. I’m thankful for:

Electricity. It’s not just about keeping the ol’ Dell laptop buzzing. If I am on a deadline, I need the coffeemaker going. Electricity is my friend. Plus, can I tell you how many times an electric crockpot has saved dinner when I’ve had to hunker down over a draft? That number is higher than I thought possible.

Stolen moments. In the face of work changes and illnesses, I have learned how to claim even the tiniest blocks of time to write. Day by day, week by week, these little chunks add up to a completed manuscript, freelance work, and an occasional blog post.

Community. It’s odd for me to write this because I am an introvert through-and-through. In spite of that (or maybe because of it?) I know that I need writer people in my life. I have been fortunate to meet people who have cheered and encouraged me throughout this journey. As important as encouragement is, it is also healthy to have trusted people who will tell you the truth in a way that helps you hear it.

Words and the children who love them. This may seem like a no-brainer to some, but for me it is essential. Without words to build worlds and tell stories, we writers have nothing. We cannot take for granted that our world needs children who read, and parents and grandparents who encourage them. I am exceedingly grateful that words exist, and that there are children and adults who love to read them.

If you have read this far, I am thankful for you too! Thank you for letting me be part of your writing journey today. Since you’re here, what are you thankful for? Please take a moment and write your list in the comment section below. I would love to read it!

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.

Categories
Writer Encouragement

…. Be An Encourager

In a solitary profession like writing, sometimes the thought of being an encourager to other writers might not occur to us. After all, we are taught to be creative, get good edits done, submit to publishers, etc., etc. The list is long and, in most cases, self-directed towards “me, myself, and I.”

Encourage someone else, you might say? It’s all I can do to meet my deadlines, get book proposals done, sign up for conferences, get a few moments of sleep … We are truly self-driven humans with much on our agenda.

Stopping for a moment to look around and see the other writers in our circle of acquaintances and spend time encouraging them might seem like more than you can handle with your schedule of things to be done. But there is a simple phrase that might find a home in your thinking: What goes around, comes around.

I’m not saying that we should only encourage others because we think we will get something out of it, although you likely will. But think of all the unofficial mentors who have helped you along the way. Perhaps a fellow writer you met at a conference who gave a pertinent piece of advice. Or another writer who offered to critique your first chapter or a book proposal and give you feedback.

If you stop and think, I imagine you would come up with a list of several more experienced wordsmiths who have smiled at you and taken you under their wing in one way or another. I am so grateful for the numerous writer-friends who have taken even a moment’s time to encourage me along the way. I know they had better things to do. But they chose to help me in one way or another and I’ll never forget their kindness.

You may struggle with such feelings as, “what if I don’t know enough to be helpful?” Chances are you know some aspect of writing that will encourage another struggling author. If you don’t, try to find someone who you know can help them and connect the two.

You may honestly be at a point in your writing where your schedule is swamped with edits, deadlines, and toddlers that need to be potty-trained. If you are stretched to the max at the moment, be honest, especially if someone is requesting an endorsement for a book. That requires reading the whole manuscript and may push your “To-Do” list over the edge!!

Be truthful.  You might say you can’t help now but perhaps with their next book. Don’t leave them hanging without hope for help. Always try to encourage.

Conference season is here, so look around at that venue for wordsmiths that you’ve longed to attend. Be aware of those sitting next to you and be kind. They may have arrived at conference feeling discouraged and hopeless. You may be the one that can re-set their hope. But you need to look past yourself and become their encourager.

Carry on.

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

 

Categories
WARFARE! Write for His Glory

One Body, Many Parts by Mary G. Scro

Can you imagine what life would be like if you had 4 eyes but no nose or mouth? Or two hearts but no lungs?

Right, you’d not be able to survive.

That describes my writer’s journey. My passion is to write and speak – to share what God shows me. But hey, I can figure out all this other stuff, and “do it myself” so that it’s exactly what I want.

Continue reading “One Body, Many Parts by Mary G. Scro”