Tag: Writing purpose

Categories
Becoming an Author

What is Your Writer Mission Statement?

Every year around this time, I take a moment to reflect on the progress I have made as a writer within the past twelve months. I reflect on whether or not I have reached my writerly goals for that year. I evaluate the areas that I could have improved and what I could have approached differently. Then, based on this, I establish new goals for the upcoming year.

But these goals are not chosen at random; instead, they are created in accordance with my author mission statement.

This mission statement captures and distills the vision of my writing career. It keeps me on track when I start to wander too far from my writerly purpose. And since I have reaped the rewards of crafting this statement, I now encourage writers—especially new writers—to craft their own statement as well.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider crafting your own writerly mission statement for the New Year:

This mission statement may help you…

  • Specify your author brand.
  • Define your core audience.
  • Brainstorm new content for your author newsletter and social media posts.
  • Reinforce why you have chosen to take this journey, which will keep you motivated for the long haul.
  • Make publishing decisions (for example: if you should write for the Christian market or the general market, whether you should pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing, etc.).
  • Enable you to see the “big picture,” especially when the going gets tough.
  • Navigate the maze of marketing.
  • Stay focused on what matters in your journey.
  • Avoid the trap of comparing yourself to other authors.

How can you craft this mission statement?

Here is the template that I have personally used to create mine, but feel free to modify this however you wish!

Your mission statement should answer the following questions…

  • What kind of books do I hope to write (e.g. inspirational, adventurous, issue-driven, historical, etc.)?
  • What is my purpose behind writing?
  • Who is my audience? (Be specific here!)
  • What do I hope to accomplish through the books that I write?
  • Is there a specific message that I want to portray through my books?

Need an example of how this may be crafted? Below is the mission statement I have created for my personal writing career:

“In all that I write—both fiction and non-fiction—I hope to minister the healing power of God’s love, show readers that hope is always available, and leave them with an appetite to pursue a relationship with Christ. In the books that I write, it is my desire to show teen girls that they are not alone in whatever it is that they are walking through. I want to encourage them to make the most of their youth by embracing their unique potential to further God’s Kingdom.”

This mission statement distills my heart behind my writing career. It reflects how I want to impact my readers. It focuses on what I believe is the message I am called to share to my target audience.

So if you need a little extra motivation for your own writing career—if you have been struggling with comparison, finding your author brand, staying focused, etc.—I challenge you to create this mission statement. Return to the why and the how: why you have chosen to write and how you would like to impact your readers.

Then return to this post and leave your mission statement in the comments below! =)

Tessa Emily Hall is an award-winning author who wrote her debut novel when she was sixteen. She is now a multi-published author of both fiction and non-fiction inspirational yet authentic books for teens, including her upcoming release, LOVE YOUR SELFIE (October 2020, Ellie Claire). Her passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as a Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. Tessa is guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, teaching at writing conferences, coaching young writers, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is to connect with readers is on her mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: www.tessaemilyhall.com.

Categories
Guest Posts

Finding a Deeper Purpose as a Writer

I’m wondering about what motivates people to start writing. After all, it’s not the easiest thing to do, and more often than not, it doesn’t pay all that well. But some people tend to have this innate love for the language that permeates their whole life. 

I’m endlessly fascinated by etymology, word choice, exotic idioms, and how language serves as source code for reality and how we use it to explore our inner and outer worlds. But is there anything besides playing around with linguistic concepts or enjoying a masterfully crafted novel?

What is the deeper purpose that motivates you to do what you do? If you feel there is none, it’s high time to start looking for it. 

It’s not only about projects and deadlines (and money)

It’s easy to get lured into the chamber of words with its promise of independence, remote work, and completing exciting projects. However, once you start writing, you realize that even though you enjoy what you do, there are a lot of tasks you do purely for the monetary gain.

Then there are nagging deadlines that push you to get your work done in a timely fashion. I’m not against paying your bills or submitting work on time, but I think it’s much better to treat writing not as a job, but rather as a calling that you’re passionate about because it can change people’s lives.

What was the last thing you’ve read that completely shifted your mindset and pulled you in a different direction? Are you a source of this kind of prose for your readers? 

The impact you make doesn’t even have to be so momentous. Maybe you specialize in providing useful information on a specific topic, or your aim is to put a smile on someone’s face when they need it the most. Whatever it is, keep this guiding principle in mind when you sit down to write another page.

Why did you decide to become a writer in the first place?

It’s crucial to have a reason behind your writing efforts. As Nietzsche said, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” This is absolutely true when applied to the writing life.

Why do you want to write? Does it serve as a means for accomplishing one of your major goals? Do you want to steer the political conversation in a different direction? Is there a cause that more people should know about? 

By tying the craft of writing to a deeper mission, you elevate yourself to a higher realm of meaning. Now it’s not only about smashing your quota, boosting traffic on your blog, or finding ways to increase your income. It’s about how you show up in the world and what kind of impact you want to make. 

This turns you into a much more powerful individual and lets you enjoy the process of writing so much more. Remember that it’s not about the destination or some kind of an accolade that you’re after. It’s about serving your readers and enjoying every step of the way. 

Look deep inside to add spice to your writing life

There are hidden depths to you that you rarely acknowledge or pay attention to. These hidden motivations nudge you in the right direction, but you choose to ignore them because that’s more comfortable. 

To get a better understanding of what you’re after, decide to sit down with a piece of paper and muse on things that give your life meaning. It might be something completely unrelated to your current writing projects, like chamber music, the medieval culture of Japan, or saving the oceans. These eclectic sources of inspiration give uniqueness to your writing style.  

Instead of trying to suppress them, it’s time to give voice to them. It’s time to live your life in a more conscious, passionate way and be grateful for every day you have. If you can make this shift in your mindset, your whole writing life will become more enjoyable. 

So take out your journal and think about ideas discussed in this post. They will help you find a deeper purpose as a writer.

Rafal Reyzer is a full-time blogger, freelance writer, and web content editor. He started RafalReyzer.com to provide readers with great tools and strategies they can use to achieve freedom from 9-5 through online creativity. His site is a useful source of knowledge for bloggers, publishers, content enthusiasts, and freelancers who want to start their own sites, become independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things.

Categories
Becoming an Author

Rediscover Your Motivation for the Writing Journey

If you’ve been trudging along the writing path long enough, you’ve probably already discovered that it isn’t for the faint of heart. I have worked on a fiction manuscript for the past two years, and I’ve devoted hours into brainstorming, plotting, researching, writing, and editing … despite the fact that it is not yet a contracted project. I have earned zero amount of dollars for this book up to this point, and frankly, there is no guarantee that it even will be published.

Non-writers—more specifically, non-artists—don’t understand this. Why spend hours alone, working on a project that may or may not see the light of day?

Because us artists understand that the fruit of our labor is not necessarily found in the end result.

It is found in the artistic process itself.

True writers don’t write simply for the money, the exposure, the attention, the publication. The writers who do have this as their initial motivation never seem to last long in this industry.

So what is it that keeps true writers persevering, even when the finish line seems out of reach?

Their motivation rests in their passion for the craft. The joy that is found as they breathe a new story into existence. The adrenaline rush they discover as they type, trying to string the perfect words together to paint their imagination. That motivation is found in the feeling of accomplishment when a word count goal has been reached, or when a new plot twist has been uncovered.

So if you have found yourself discouraged along the writing journey—wondering if you will receive a return of investment—let me remind you that the greatest return of your investment is your passion. If you’re searching for a career that will grant you a fair return of investment, then perhaps this isn’t the career for you.  

If passion isn’t your sole motivation behind this writing journey, then perhaps you don’t have the right fuel to keep you persevering for the long haul.

But if it is the reason you continue to write, even when the rejections roll in—if passion is to blame for the tireless work, the dollars you’ve invested into purchasing writing courses and conferences and books—then, rest assured: The journey will be worth it.

Why?

Because it’s that passion that will cause readers to resonate with your work.

It’s passion that will bring meaning to your work.

Without it, our writing would come across as dry. Our stories would be shallow. And our journey would be even more taxing.

I challenge you to rediscover your motivation for this writing journey. Don’t allow rejections to allow you to lose sight of the bigger picture. Don’t allow the state of the publishing industry to zap your joy for the writing process.

And if your creative well has been running dry—if you have found yourself exhausted from the ups and downs of this path—then remind yourself of why you fell in love with writing in the first place.

It’s only then, after rediscovering the joy of writing, that you will have the fuel you need to keep trekking along this crazy journey toward publication.

How do you rediscover your motivation along your writing journey? Let me know in the comments!

Tessa Emily Hall is an award-winning author who writes inspirational yet authentic books for teens to remind them they’re not alone. She writes both fiction and devotionals for teens, including her upcoming release, LOVE YOUR SELFIE (October 2020, Ellie Claire). Her latest devotional, COFFEE SHOP DEVOS, encourages teens to pursue a personal relationship with Christ. Tessa’s passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as a Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, decorating art journals, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is through connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: tessaemilyhall.com.

Categories
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Why Write Mysteries, Suspense, and Thrillers?

mystery suspense thriller

Why do you write fiction? Why cloak your story in the mystery, suspense, or thriller genre?

The right answers enhance your writing and create a dynamic relationship between writer and reader. The wrong answers, well…

Fiction writers need to tell a story. We do so by expressing both the tangible and intangible of our imagined world through words––the perfect verb, an engaging phrase, a well-designed sentence. Perhaps we write for a sense of fulfillment or to work out a problem. Is writing a way to relieve stress or collect your thoughts? Maybe you’ve always considered yourself a writer or others tell you you’re a natural storyteller. Or you view yourself as a Wordsmith and simply desire to express your creativity through nouns and verbs. Do you want to relay a message, share an idea, or push an agenda? Be careful. I give a fat thumbs down when agenda-driven messages rise above a plotline.

Consider the quotes of famous authors of why they write.

 “…to rephrase the world, to take it in and give it back again differently, so that everything is used and nothing is lost.” Nicole Krauss

“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” Flannery O’Connor

“Any writer worth his salt writes to please himself…It’s a self-exploratory operation that is endless.” Harper Lee

“Life never works except in retrospect. You can’t control life, at least you can control your version.” Chuck Palahniuk

“I write because I love writing. I think I became a writer in order to explore my ideas and responses to the world around me…I liked my autonomy, and a writer can choose his or her own working hours…if you’re a writer you don’t have to retire….” Alex Miller

“Writing is a great comfort to people like me, who are unsure of themselves and have trouble expressing themselves properly.” Agatha Christie

As I wrote my first thriller, I discovered it was one way to unravel the mysterious, untimely death of my father. Plus, his adventures as a rocket scientist during the height of the Cold War, a time when the threat of Soviet (Russian) communism marched as a formidable threat through Eastern Europe, made for a fascinating read. Encasing his account in the thriller format provided the perfect fit.

Why do you package your narrative as a mystery, suspense, or thriller?

Perhaps you grew up reading Nancy Drew-type mysteries and the genre stuck. Are you unraveling a private issue? Do you simply enjoy reading and creating confounding puzzles, wild adventures, and compelling quests? Or is it because our chosen genre is popular, usually in the top five of most sales charts.

“We write thrillers because we want to prove to ourselves and to our readers that right will win out over might, good over evil.” Peter Pollack

“I write thrillers because they’re the only stories I know.  If I exorcise a few demons in the process, that’s okay, too.” John Gilstrap

Perhaps Octavia E. Butler best expresses why you write mystery, suspense, or thrillers. “I just knew there were stories I wanted to tell.”

Once we discern the why of our story––provided our personal agenda slides under the obvious goal of a solid plot, interesting characters, exciting cliffhangers, and a satisfying ending––our words can resonate with our readers’ deepest emotions. They identify with our characters and our tale. Our depth of expression offers the “aha” and the “I love this book” moment, touching the innermost part of our readers’ life-story. This connection strengthens their commitment to our stories, our voice, our message. They share our books. Word-of-mouth spreads our message, sells our books, but more importantly, can change lives.

Why do you write fiction and wrap it in the mystery, suspense, thriller genre? Your answer can either enhance your literary influence or destroy a promising career.

It’s the personal depth we’re willing to reveal that keeps readers coming back for more and winning fans for life.

Write well, my friends.

PJ Gover encourages her readers to live the thrill…one story at a time, whether through her devotionals or thrillers. She has received eleven writing awards including first place in the Write-to-Publish and North Carolina Christian Writers contests and a two-time winner in American Christian Fiction Writer’s First Impressions contest. Her one-year devotional book, Celebrate Thee Date, can be found at 4homestore.com/devotional-books.

A ranch in Texas serves as home base where she is currently working on a suspense novel. Offer her Mexican food or anything gluten-free and you’ll have a friend for life.

Jim Hart of Hartline Literary Agency represents PJ.

Connect with PJ at PJGover.com or facebook.com/pj.gover

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Branding Basics for Middle Grade Writers

When you think about the word “brand,” what comes to mind? A metal tool used with cattle? A particular fruit? A can of soda?

Before I started writing for kids, I wrote marketing campaigns and ad copy as part of a corporate brand advertising team. Companies invest major money in creating brands, and for good reason. People who sell products want to claim a portion of your mind and heart so you will feel good about spending your hard-earned money on them.

What is a brand, anyway? A brand is:

  • a promise
  • an emotional connection
  • actions that deliver upon both

You may be wondering whether this is important right now, especially if you have not published that much or are pre-published. Branding is important for writers for the same reasons it is important for businesses. Readers have plenty of options to choose from, and they are more likely to choose books by authors they are either a) familiar with or b) recommended by their friends. You have a better chance of being read if readers recognize your name. That’s where your branding efforts come in.

Does this mean, as a writer, that you have to take out a second mortgage to hire high-powered advertising agencies to create a brand for you? Of course not. But you do need to spend a little time thinking about some things. Make no mistake: you are, with every decision you make and every action you take, constructing your own personal brand. Let’s make sure that it’s the one you want to build.

Good branding starts with understanding the business – in this case, you.  Remember the three essential elements of a brand that I outlined earlier? The first one is the promise. What is your promise? Discover this for yourself by answering these questions:

  • What do you write?
  • For whom?
  • What value do you bring (what makes you special)?

Next, you will want to consider what kind of emotional response you want associated with your author brand. Whether you write scary stories, bible-based adventures, or slapstick comedy, think about how you want to be perceived by your readership. Do you want them to count on you for a dose of silliness in a stressful world? Do you want to connect through your adventurous spirit and imaginative tales?

Finally, your actions – what you do and where you go to market your work – must be consistent with your brand promise. Whatever your desired connection with your reader is, you need to bring that goal into focus and let it guide you. Thanks for reading and happy branding!

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
Mastering Middle Grade

What a Retired Choir Director Taught Me About Writing

Do you ever sit in front of your keyboard, stare at the worn-out keys and wonder if anything you write will ever make a difference to anyone?

Sometimes I do.

I think everyone asks themselves this type of questions at some point. We all wonder if the tasks we do – whether related to writing or any role we play in life – will leave a lasting positive impression. We wonder whether we’re serving our purpose. 

These kinds of musings can anchor us down and drive worry, or they can inspire us to be the best we can be. I choose inspiration, so I want to tell you today about a recent celebration I was blessed to observe for someone who probably asked himself those very same questions.

We gathered in a small Oklahoma town to celebrate the 80th birthday of a man named Mr. Moore. Mr Moore taught choir for thirty years. Over those thirty years, he taught close to 900 students how to make music. My husband was one of them.

Music was Mr. Moore’s ministry, and through it, he taught his high schoolers life lessons. Some of the testimonials I heard over the weekend from my husband and his classmates included stories of Mr. Moore’s high expectations. He drove the kids to work hard because he believed excellence was within their grasp, if they would only reach for it. He taught them to have respect for themselves and others by demonstrating accountability for their mistakes. He played music for them, introducing their young ears to inspiring classical works from opera to spirituals to the Battle Hymn of the Republic. And He showed them how, with work and reverence, they could transform notes on a page into an expression of their souls.

From 1966 to 1996, this teacher taught 900 students in the public school system. A number of those students stayed in Oklahoma, but many of them left for destinations across the globe. Some of them went on to enjoy careers in music or music education, and sharing with the next generations what they’d learned from Mr. Moore. Those students reached an estimated audience of more than 42 million people.

Think about that.

Year by year, student by student, Mr. Moore planted little seeds of life in his classes that grew to reach 42 million souls. What started in 1966 as a small high school choir with 30 students became a legacy of love. At this reunion celebration, more than 600 of his former students returned to Oklahoma from around the country to celebrate him.

What does any of this have to do with writing for middle grade readers? I’ll tell you.

Sometimes sitting down to write is easy. The words flow, the critique groups are encouraging, and life is good. Right? But other times it’s difficult. Those times are when you wonder if anyone will ever read those words you wrestled to the page.

I’m not a betting person, but if I was, I’d wager Mr. Moore had similar types of days. I think there may have been rough moments when he wondered if any of his efforts mattered. Maybe he prayed for inspiration, guidance and wisdom before he walked into the classroom just like I pray for those same gifts before I touch the keyboard.

I guarantee you he didn’t teach because he expected a giant “thank you” party twenty-some odd years after his retirement. He taught music because he was called to teach it. He was faithful each day and was blessed to see some of the fruit of his efforts many years later.

We may think that we are shouting our words into the wind and that our efforts have little or no consequence. But even if only one person ever reads our work, that one person carries a piece of it with them to share with others. That can mushroom into a legacy you never dreamed possible. Just ask Mr. Moore.

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
Blogging Basics

Five Key Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Blogging

5 Key Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Blogging

Beginning bloggers face a steep learning curve that can seem overwhelming. Because there’s so much to learn, it’s easy to begin blogging without a clear plan and purpose. Really, it’s enough to make your head spin: SEO, format, technical, style, social media, length, graphics, and more. The list seems endless.

When I started blogging, I didn’t have a clear vision of I wanted to accomplish. I had a general topic, but lacked a well-developed focus. Over time, I’ve learned through mistakes, training, and example. Start out strong with five key things I wish I knew when I started blogging.

[bctt tweet=”Five Key Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Blogging”]

  1. Give yourself permission to grow over time.
  • Fight the temptation to be overwhelmed with all the details.
  • Let go of perfectionism and remember everyone walks one step at a time.
  • Refuse to negatively compare your blog or traffic with others.
  • Subscribe to writing blogs for practical tips and tutorials for ongoing development.

 

  1. Know your why. Take time to think through the reasons you’re blogging. Examine your motivation with prayer. You need a stronger why than building a platform and generating high traffic. Platform and traffic are good goals, but writing for the numbers can be discouraging.  Consider these questions:
  • How does God want to use your writing?
  • What is your purpose for blogging?
  • What do you hope to do?
  • Why is this important to you?
  • How do your experiences, knowledge, and passions fit with your calling to write?

 

  1. Focus your blog.  A well-focused blog makes it easy readers to know your passion at a glance. The average reader decides within 30 seconds if content is relevant to their interests. Use these tips to focus your blog.
  • Craft a strong mission or brand statement you can work with long term.
  • Choose 3-6 main topics that relate to your purpose.
  • Brainstorm ideas that fall under each topic.
  • Keep your mission statement in mind when you write.
  • Make your focus clear at first glance with structure and graphics that present your topic.

 

  1. Understand the difference between a category and a tag. Categories and tags can sort content by subject rather than chronological order. Categories are broad topics supporting your why, or your mission statement. “Your blog’s categories are like its elevator speech. Make it happen without excess,” explains Julie R. Neidlinger.  Tags are more specific than categories and relate to specific details of your post.
  • Be strategic in choosing your categories.
  • Use categories and tags to make it easy for the reader to find content.
  • The use of tags is optional and not limited in number.
  • Don’t overuse tags; WordPress recommends less than 15 in a post. 

 

  1. Aim for brand consistency.  Refer to your brand statement in most of your posts for a cohesive, focused site. Brand statement, categories, and blog content should all work together.
  • Place your mission statement in a visible spot to remind you to tie your post to your brand.
  • Keep a list of words, phrases, and concepts that support each category. Use these consistently in your posts whenever possible.
  • Before publishing, double check each post for a clear connection to your why or your mission statement.

[bctt tweet=”Refer to your brand statement in most blog posts for a cohesive, focused website.”]

These tips will help you quickly overcome many of the content and organizational challenges new bloggers face. Stay focused on the purpose of your blog, the why that motivates and energizes you. Share your passion with the world with an organized and clearly structured site. Be patient, aim for steady growth and celebrate each new skill mastered. Understanding how to write a clear mission statement and organize your blog will but you ahead of many beginning bloggers.