Cindy R. Wilson

Intimidated by a New Story

2012-01-23T03:32:00.001-07:00

Oh, I do love typing that last line of a story. I don't do anything special like write "The End" or celebrate with a piece of chocolate or maybe something from Taco Bell (well, this I do sometimes). Most of the time I smile, close my laptop, and start dreaming up a new story.

Except for this time.

Yes, I was excited about finishing my last story. I was excited to enter a few contests and revise and edit. But friends, I've written my share of stories. And I've paid attention. I've learned and tried to grow and use advice I've been given. I know I have so much more to learn, but I also know that it's my honest goal with every new book I write to make it better than the last.

Now that's intimidating. It's exciting and fun, sure. But it also makes me pause. I want to do better each time I write a new story and that's a tall order.

So when I finished my last story, I got all smiley and dreamed up what I wanted to write next.

And then I stopped. And worked on editing the story I had just finished. Then decided to edit some more. And now...oh boy. I'm kind of working up to plotting my new story because I want to apply everything I've learned from this last one. I want to apply all the advice that's been given to me over the years. I want to utilize what I've learned from reading countless novels. And not only do I want this story to be good...I want it to be better.

I love that this is something we writers like to do. I love that there's always something to work toward, but wow...sometimes writing can be hard.

Does this ever happen to you? For those of you who have written more than one story, have you felt intimidated by starting a new one?

Oh, and just a quick note! I want to say Happy Birthday to my precious daughter (well, one of them anyway). She turns five today!

Awesome Contest!

2012-01-19T09:21:00.002-07:00

Hey friends! Just wanted to mention there's a great contest going on over at The Writer's Alley, a chance to have the amazing Rachel Hauck take a look at an excerpt from one of your stories. All you have to do is put your Log Line or Pitch in the comments to enter to win. Hope to see you there!

Tips to Keep the Day Stress - Free

2012-01-16T03:06:00.000-07:00

Some of you might have read my goals (or resolutions, if you want to call them that) for this year. In one word, it's all about balance. It's about threading writing in with all my other commitments and priorities, and making sure there's time for me in the midst of it all. Novel concept, right? Time for Mommy to write, to sleep, to simply relax, and to enjoy.

So what kind of tricks have I been using to help find that balance in my day and relieve some stress?

Weekly Goal Board

I love lists, so I've been using a weekly chore board to keep my (and my kids') household commitments on track. This involves separating chores into various days (and sticking to it! even if I want to work ahead). Laundry on Tuesdays and Fridays, grocery shopping on Mondays, etc. And, of course, a day worked in to spend extra time for family, with a family night.

Down-time Activity

For me this is taking even ten minutes in the middle of a busy day to sit and watch some of a show I've recorded, or read part of a book. I've been loving magazines lately as well because they force me to focus on one thing at a time, and that thing is usually something simple and fun (decorating, recipes, etc.)

Morning Devotions

I've been reading a new devotional I got. I read it at the start of the day, just one short page but it helps focus and center my mind. There's an idea or concept or lesson in there that keeps me grounded and more focused on God during the day.

Be a Kid Again

I have three daughters so we have plenty of childlike enthusiasm in our house. But I find that, even on busy days, if I schedule in a block of time to simply play with them like a child, not just as their mother, I feel less stress. (Yesterday, my middle daughter and I pretended we were dogs and crawled around getting treats from our imaginary owner.) Doing this, I feel like I've relinquished the typical stress we adults carry around as adults and embraced simplicity. No stress, no worries.

Treat Yourself

This doesn't have to be a big thing, just something that makes you feel special or makes you smile. A piece of chocolate, a bubble bath. I LOVE flowers because they brighten my home, make me smile, and they last more than one day.

I'd love to know some of your tips and tricks to keep the day more stress free and productive. Please share!

***photo by AngelaSadler

A Healthy Body Makes a Healthy Writer

2012-01-09T04:02:00.000-07:00

I truly believe this. When I am exercising, when I am feeling better physically, I am able to commit to writing with more focus than when I'm not feeling physically fit. And I don't just mean in shape and outwardly fit, I mean healthy as well.

So I laid out some of my resolutions last week and I'm committed to doing them. But one thing I'm not doing is hitting them hard and fast, so much that I'm too worn out to stick to them for long.

How do I plan on getting healthier this year?

Take My Vitamins

I know this is probably easy for some of you to remember to do, but I don't unless I have a routine. Take them at the same time of day and make sure I'm consistent.

Drink More Water

I got one of those double insulated cups last year. This one holds thirty-two ounces, which is perfect. I'm trying to make myself drink one full cup before lunch, one after, and one in the evening. As long as I do that, I can drop in any other kinds of drinks I want as well. A cup of coffee in the morning and maybe a diet Pepsi for lunch or dinner.

Exercise

This is one where slow and steady wins the race. I like exercising in ways that don't feel like exercise. Like walking on my treadmill and checking blogs at the same time or reading the latest Nora Roberts (this is research too, right, since I write romance?). I also like to do Just Dance with the kids. I'm not terribly coordinated and try not to dance in public (trust me, the public is thankful), but since this game is largely about following instructions and I'm pretty awesome at that, I love it! I hold all the high scores :)

Sleep Better

Sometimes I have a tough time sleeping. My brain won't leave me alone even if I ask it nicely. So I'm going to try really hard to get to sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning (still easing into this one). It will hopefully help me feel more energized and able to keep going through the day.

Eat Healthier

Mostly I mean simply sticking to portion sizes, and cooking more at home. My hubby has a challenging work schedule and doesn't get to eat dinners with us most of the time so it's kind of strange cooking so much food for just me and the kids, one of which doesn't eat solids yet, and another who asks if she can be finished after one bite. But cooking a well-balanced meal for dinner helps keep me healthier, on schedule, and gives me a chance to have down-time with the kids to see how their day went.

These may seem like roundabout ways of helping me as a writer, but I know they will. I know when I feel healthier inside and out, I'm ready to write. I have the energy to write. And I also have the energy to persevere even when writing gets hard.

How about you? Do any of you have resolutions to get healthier physically, and how do you plan on approaching them?

A New Me - Body, Mind, and Spirit

2012-01-02T02:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big New Year's resolution maker. Or as my daughter says, "New Year's Revolution." No, my sister asks me here and there on New Year's Eve what my resolution is and I always think about it a minute and say, "I don't really have one." Maybe it's because I'm making goals constantly throughout the year, and setting another goal at the new year doesn't seem any different than any other normal day in my life.

But this year, I'm making a plan. I'm not making one resolution, I'm making several - and I'm going big. I figure if I'm constantly making goals throughout the year, it won't hurt to have one or more at the beginning of the year when everyone else around me (and me, too) seems motivated to do more, think bigger, live better.

So my New Year's resolution is a little bit of everything but it boils down to living a happier life. A fuller life. Body, Mind, and Spirit. Inside and out. Everything from exercising to sleeping better to recognizing the oodles of blessings in my life and embracing them.

How about you? Are you a resolution maker or not? Do you want to share your New Year's resolution with me?

Blogging Break

2011-12-18T20:38:00.003-07:00

I'll be taking some time off for Christmas, as I know many of you are. I wish you a very blessed week, and a wonderful time with your family during this special holiday. Merry Christmas!

Creative Christmas Trees

2011-12-16T03:35:00.001-07:00

Hi friends! Merry Christmas! Last week I showed you some of the more unusual Christmas trees I could find. This week, I wanted to share a handful of those I thought were creative and fun. So here you are!

I like the simplicity AND the fact that you can add more decorations, take away some or whatever you want and it's still pretty.

Here are a few for all the writers and readers who love books.
This first one is my favorite.

This is just...strange. But I thought it still looked nice, and I love sushi, so I put it in anyway :)

And for those Dr. Seuss fans (who isn't?), here are two Dr. Seuss inspired trees.

So there you have it! Have you ever seen any creative or fun trees like this? Which one is your favorite?

***My last post on the What is Your Novel Missing? series is up at The Writer's Alley today. It's all about grounding your reader in their setting, if you're interested.

Character Development: Life Before the Story

2011-12-14T03:14:00.000-07:00

On Monday we talked about Christmas traditions, those we participated in as children and those we participate in today. Just like in real life, our characters are formed from their experiences as children and young adults. Or basically all that went in on their life before the story.

One thing we all know as writers is that we need to make our characters relatable. We need to make them believable. We need to take our readers on a journey that makes them fall in love with a character and feel like this person is real - or at least a very important part of their life for the length of the story (and hopefully for some time afterward).

We do this by giving our characters depth. By giving them a history. By giving them something to overcome.

For each story I write, I try to brainstorm just a little more or find a new technique that will help me get to know my character better. But the top three questions I ask myself about my characters are:

1. Where did they come from?
A happy home, a broken home, a religious, home, etc. This also includes their young adult or early adult years. Basically, what job and lifestyle define who they are.

2. What are a few big events that happened during these years?
I try to name at least one or two events that have made a lasting impression on my characters, as this will help shape who they are.

3. What beliefs, lies, or defining principals has my character developed because of where they came from and those big events?
This is where I establish what "lie" my character is believing as the truth. For example, my character might believe all men will leave her because her father left her mother. This is where I start my character so he/she will have room to grow.

What questions do you ask yourself about your character? Do you have any fun or unique ways to develop your character or make them more relatable to readers?

And for you readers, what makes characters most relatable to you?

Christmas Traditions

2011-12-12T03:18:00.000-07:00

It hasn't been unusual in the past for my family to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas driving from one place to the next to celebrate Christmas with family, friends, the church, etc. Pack up the kids, pack up the gifts and/or food, and make the rounds. Sometimes not too bad, other times pretty hectic and stressful. Especially the bigger our family gets.

With all that busyness, my husband and I didn't spend as much time on developing traditions for our own family. Sure, we'd try new things here and there, but then next year we'd be too busy. Too committed to having to visit a handful of places. Too involved in making sure we made it everywhere we were supposed to go for the allotted time.

I love visiting with sisters and brothers and parents for Christmas, but with a family of five in my home now, I realize it's time for Christmas and traditions to start right here. I want my kids to remember those evenings we go out, driving around to see Christmas lights. I want them to run to us early on Christmas morning for hugs and family time instead of rushing to get dressed so we can head off to wherever we need to be. I want them to look back on Christmas and say, spiritually, emotionally, and all other ways, those were times they remember fondly.

And I'm starting this year. (Oh, and that's a pic of my kiddos by the way. Aren't they precious?)

So, friends, I'm curious, what kind of traditions does your family have? What kinds of things did you do as a child that you remember fondly? I'd love to hear it! And maybe you'll give me some ideas :)

Most Unusual Christmas Trees

2011-12-09T03:58:00.001-07:00

Our fun for Friday includes a look at some of the most unusual Christmas trees out there.

The Upside-Down Christmas Tree

Definitely gives you more room for gifts at the bottom, but how does that thing stay balanced?

The Plastic Bottle Christmas Tree

Clever, I think - a tree made entirely of plastic bottles. They could definitely recycle it and use it again next year!

The Clothes Tree

Maybe not quite my style, but definitely cost effective. You could get all the pieces at Goodwill.

The Wine Bottle Tree

Oh my gosh! Can you imagine having this in your house with kids or pets around? Disaster! But probably pretty with the right lighting.

The Tire Tree

Looks like something my husband would make. The more unusual the better!

Do you have a favorite, or have you ever seen an unusual Christmas tree?

If these aren't quite your style, stay tuned...next Friday we'll be taking a look at Christmas trees that are even more creative and fun, including a Dr. Seuss tree. Have a great weekend!

Your Character in Three Words

2011-12-07T03:47:00.000-07:00

On Monday we talked about what Christmas theme suits us, and that got me to thinking that sometimes our personal choices say more about us than we might think. In three words, I believe my decorating says I'm organized, modern, and fun. Or at least, I like to think that much could be said about me by taking a look at my Christmas tree.

So, of course, that got me to thinking about my characters and how I'd characterize them if I had to do it in three words like I did with myself.

I wanted to get a quick and simple picture of how others would see them.

1. How I would see my character.
I see my heroine from my current WIP as fun. I wanted her to be unique.

2. How my readers see my character.
I hope my readers see her as caring. I wanted her to display a side she didn't know she had.

3. How my other characters, particularly my hero would see my MC.
I wanted my hero to see her as strong/independent. Capable, in a word.

If you had to compartmentalize your MC like this, how would you see her or him? How would readers and other characters see her or him?

And for those of you who aren't writers, what are some characteristics you want to see in heroes and heroines when you read a book?

Christmas Decor - My Martha Stewart Dream

2011-12-05T03:29:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl, even a teenager and young parent, I entertained all sorts of ideas about the perfect Christmas. Setting up house with a gigantic Christmas tree, matching ornaments that hung just right on that tree, as well as the garland that hung expertly along the handrail at the stairs. Glittering centerpieces that made company smile and stockings dangling at the fireplace to compliment a roaring fire.

Kind of like Martha Stewart meets...Superwoman, I guess.

Because as I got older and our Christmas tree didn't quite stand as extravagantly as I'd pictured, and it exposed many bare spots because we didn't have quite enough ornaments, I'd sometimes think I wasn't doing this perfect Christmas thing quite right. Somehow my Better Homes and Gardens (love that magazine by the way) presentation was...lacking.

I can't say I've completely grown out of this temperament. I like order, and presentation, and making faces light up when they come through my front door. But I did realize that kind of perfection didn't matter so much as long we we were still bringing the holidays to our home and reminding ourselves of the true spirit of Christmas.

So what brings Christmas to your home by way of decorating? Which category do you fit into?

Themed

All santas or snowmen, a specific theme that spreads through your home and dangles from your Christmas tree.

Eclectic

A little bit of this and that and whatever you've collected over the years that makes you happy.

Color Coordinated

This is where I fit. Decorating with specific colors. Here's my collection in this photo. Bold color and sparkles, the best way to go - at least for me :)

Sentimental

A mix of your favorites from the past, particularly gifts or kids ornaments, things that have been made or passed down.

I'd love to hear more about your Christmas and how you bring the holidays to your home.

***centerpiece photo by amanda schutz

Contest Winner!

2011-11-28T03:51:00.001-07:00

Hope you all had a great weekend! Today I have a winner! Your prize packages includes Christmas cards and tags made by yours truly, as well as pens to keep in touch with family and friends for Christmas. You also get a festive mug for warm drinks with tea and coffee packets, and of course, chocolate.

The winner is

Sarah Forgrave!

I'll be taking the rest of the week off to spend extra time with family. See you next week when it's all about Christmas! Have a super week!

Thanksgiving Foods and Last Chance for Giveaway

2011-11-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving! This is the last day for your chance at my November giveaway, pictured to the side here. You even get some homemade (by me!) cards and Christmas tags. Anyone who has left a comment on a Friday post throughout November will be entered.

Today's post is all about Thanksgiving foods I couldn't have Thanksgiving without, and give you a chance to win.

So here they are, in no particular order:

Green bean casserole

Mashed potatoes

Rolls

Pumpkin Pie

Stuffing

Sure I like turkey but the others are my favorites. What are yours?

I'll reveal the winner of the contest on Monday. Have an awesome weekend!

Thankful Each Day This Week

2011-11-21T03:29:00.000-07:00

Hey friends, you all know we're celebrating Thanksgiving this week! A chance to connect with family, to stuff our bellies until we're ready to nap, and most of all , be reminded of the blessings we have in our lives.

I know in my every day life, I don't spend anywhere near the amount of time realizing how blessed I am. There's always something staring me in the face that seems to take precedence over a more thankful attitude. Sometimes it's a load of laundry, sometimes a sniffle, sometimes a pile of dishes (and bottles now with the little one) to do.

So my goal this week is to open my heart more and remind myself that those blessings come in handfuls. I'm getting out a note card and writing on it:

What Are You Thankful For Today?

I think I'll put it on the mirror on my bathroom or somewhere I'll see it throughout the day.

Life is too short to forget all the good things, and those good things are too precious not to recognize.

Join me if you want, and put out your note card. You can even write what you're thankful for each day on the back.

So, what are you thankful for today?

Today, I'm thankful for my family. Simple, I know but without them there would be so much less joy in my life.

Oh, and don't forget to come back on Friday for your last chance to enter my monthly giveaway. There's chocolate in there - and that's definitely something to be thankful for.

***photo by honor the gift

Five Best Fall Activities

2011-11-18T04:42:00.001-07:00

I enjoy all the seasons for different reasons. And sometimes those reasons change each year. This year, with a new baby and two other kiddos, simple is best. So here are some of the activities I'm enjoying most this fall.

1. Watching movies

2. Drinking hot chocolate, hot coffee, or pretty much anything warm

3. Curling up with a good book, or even a fun game (sometimes those silly apps you can get on your Ipad or whatever device you use if you have one)

4. Driving to see the change of leaves

5. Baking

We're all at different places in our lives and enjoy different activities. I'd love to hear some of your favorites. Don't forget, leaving a comment today enters you to win my monthly giveaway. This time it's a Christmas basket.

***For all you writers, I've posted some tips on how to hook your reader over at The Writer's Alley today.

Reading and Writing - Keep It Cozy

2011-11-16T03:21:00.000-07:00

On Monday, I wrote about fall activities for the family, but also for you. I know most of us like to write or read, or both, and there's a better chance for this to get done if we have the right environment.

For writing, I love being comfortable. What makes writing easier for me?

Wearing slippers and sweats
Having something to drink - either coffee/tea, or diet Pepsi
Chocolate
Sometimes mood music or something on the television (I like background noise)

I also like to use my laptop and sit on the couch.

I like to be cozy for reading as well, though I prefer to do it at night, warm in bed and without any distractions.

For you writers out there, what kind of environment keeps you productive? And for you readers, where do you like to curl up with a good book?

***laptop photo by maljam2002 (I didn't take this photo, but this is the exact same laptop I use!)

Fall Activities - Going Out and Staying In

2011-11-14T03:03:00.000-07:00

The leaves are changing, the air is growing crisp and some of us are even getting some snowflakes. I love the fall for the colors and scents, for the chance to wear jeans and warm sweaters. But as far as outings and crafts and time with the family, I have to get a little more creative.

Here are some fun ways to enjoy November with the family, with your special someone, and just for you.

Family Activities

Pine Cone Collection
If you have a sunny day that's not too cold, take a hike, see the colorful leaves, and collect pine cones. These make great decorations around the house, on top of a mantel, or placed on any bare surface. To make them more attractive, try decorating them with sparkles or spray paint, hanging them with ribbon, or using them in a centerpiece. A fun craft to do with the kids!

Baking and Music
Too cold outside? Have a baking day. If you want to include the family, gather some favorite recipes and let the kiddos help you cook. It's a great time to cook extra dishes to freeze when it gets busier and close to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Or bake some treats to store and use as gifts for friends and family. If you want something fun and easy, make fall shaped cookies (like pumpkins or leaves) and let the kids decorate them. Try putting on some upbeat music to keep motivated.

Couples Activities

Movie and Indoor Picnic
My hubby and I rarely have time for movies and even if we do, we'd usually rather stay in if it's cold. A great way to get that movie in and spend some quality time with your hubby is to do it at home, and make it a picnic. Stop by the grocery store and get a pre-made sub sandwich or some friend chicken. Get some extras to go with it, sides and a drink, and you have a spread. You can picnic on the floor wherever your television is, even light a fire or pile blankets and pillows, and indulge while you watch a movie.

Small Town Exploration
We live close to the mountains, so there's a plethora of small towns to explore. But even if there isn't some place nearby, you can still head downtown or to your nearest shopping mall. Plan to make a day of it with your hubby or boyfriend so that you don't feel rushed and you can spend more quality time together. Get a meal, get something for yourself, and maybe even some Christmas presents to get ahead on shopping.

Just For You Activities

Playlist, Coffee, and Productivity!
Because I keep busy with the kids, and life in general, there are times when simply having alone time, no matter what it entails is refreshing. I know a lot of you are in the same boat. So, find a babysitter or ask the hubby for a few hours of time just for you. Make a playlist with music that keeps you moving. Try Adele's Rolling in the Deep, or Captivated by Shawn McDonald if you like Christian music. Get yourself some Starbucks or whatever you like, then get busy. Run errands or clean the house, or even write Christmas cards. Whatever needs to get done, do it!

Treat Yourself
Getting a massage or mani/pedi might be out of your price range or you might not have time for it, but make some time to at least treat yourself at home. Grab a single use facial mask and foot scrub (you can pick these up at convenience stores or Target or Walmart). Give yourself a spa treatment after a relaxing hot bath or shower, and even paint your nails to finish it off. Taking even 30 minutes just for you will help keep your energy level up and the stress levels down.

***pine cone photo by FlackJacket2010
***coffee photo by dyobmit

Friday Fun - Unique and Not So Unique Settings

2011-11-11T03:10:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday we talked about mundane tasks or settings and if we like or don't like writing or reading about those places. I started thinking about all those settings and the ones I've written that were unique and the ones that were...a little more ordinary.

So here are three unique settings I've dropped my characters into:

The top of a waterfall

A tree house

A Ferris Wheel

Let me tell you, these make for great romantic settings ;)

And here are more common settings I've used:

The kitchen

A car

The front porch

Yep, not quite as unique, but there you have it. What are some unique settings you've placed your characters in? What are the ones you use more often?

Don't forget to leave a comment today and every Friday for a chance to win the monthly giveaway. Just a reminder, this months basket has chocolate in it! Have a great weekend!

***photo by Svenstorm

Cooking, Too Mundane a Task for Your Characters?

2011-11-09T03:21:00.000-07:00

Since we talked about making snacks in Monday's post, I got to thinking about how many times my character's actually cook. Or for that matter, do any of the mundane tasks that we parents, professionals, or writers and readers do.

I'm guilty of constantly holding conversations between my characters in the kitchen. They'll cook and chat, eat and chat, make coffee and chat. Sure I'm getting conversation in there, but these are typical every day tasks we all do.

Some would argue that these everyday jobs don't belong in stories. When readers read, they want to be taken away from the mundane. Others argue that mundane tasks are normal, they're familiar. And we all want to relate to our characters, right? So we want to see them doing things we'd do in real life.

What do you think?

If you're a writer, do you write about mundane tasks like these (or mundane settings) and which do you find you use a lot?

And all you readers, do you find reading about these tasks or places boring? What's your take?

***photo by ambro on freedigitalphotos.net

Entertaining With Apples

2011-11-07T03:12:00.001-07:00

Because of my WIP, which has an apple orchard in it, I've been interested in all things apples - especially new recipes. My kiddos love apples, too, though we usually go the traditional route and simply cut them up and put pieces in a bowl to eat. Nothing too exciting.

I wanted to do something more fun with apples, and something for the season. And the kids wanted to help.

So we heard about an idea to make miniature caramel apples and decided to do our own version. If you want something fun and easy to do with the kids, or something interesting to make for a party, you should try this!

Buy a couple of red apples, whichever kind you prefer. Cut them into bite sized pieces. Then you melt some caramel, dip the apples to coat them, and then top them with something of your choice. I used nuts and miniature chocolate chips. You could also use small candies. I poked them with shortened wooden skewers but you could use whatever you like that will hold the apple on and make for easy eating. Refrigerate for a couple hours as well to harden the caramel and keep the topping on.

The kids had fun with these snacks and I also took them to a party not too long ago. They were tasty, easy, and fun to look at.

I love snacks like these, especially if the kids can help make them and they're at least halfway healthy to eat. Do you do anything unique with apples or fruit that you'd like to share?

***photo by ollesvensson

Friday's Fall Favorites

2011-11-04T03:50:00.003-06:00

Some of you weighed in on Monday about which item of clothing or accessory you couldn't live without during the cool weather. I'm ending this week with a peek at my top five favorite things about fall and I'd love to hear yours, too.

1. Cozy sweaters

2. A warm, crackling fire in the fireplace

3. The scents of cookies and pie and baking

4. Thanksgiving

5. And, of course, my slippers. Love wearing those slippers

What are some of your favorite things about fall?

Don't forget Fridays are your chance at a free gift from me. All you have to do is follow my blog and leave a comment on any Friday (or more than one to be entered multiple times). I'll draw a winner at the end of the month. This months prize is a basket of Christmas fun. Things to help keep in touch with family and friends, things to help keep you sane (like chocolate), and things just for fun.

Have a great weekend!

***I'm posting over at The Writer's Alley today if you want some tips on Deep POV

***photos by orchidgalore and pbody

Writing and Reading about Seasons and Holidays

2011-11-02T03:20:00.001-06:00

I'm a big fan of getting cozy on the couch during a cool fall day, and opening a good book. Even better, a book that makes me feel just as cozy because it's holiday themed or during a particular season.

Christmas books are some of my favorites, but I love any that work around a certain season as well. The book I am writing right now is during apple season and heading into fall. I'm excited to have the opportunity to write about a specific time of the year, and it's given me the chance to work on my writing skills.

Some things that test your writing strengths (or weaknesses) when writing about holidays or seasons:

Using detail
Working around a specific time frame
Utilizing all the senses (which is always a challenge for me)

And as a fun side note, since I write romances, creating a love story during a particular time of the year or on a holiday seems even more magical.

Do you enjoy reading or writing about seasons and holidays? What are your favorites and why?

***photo from flickr

A New Blog for Me and You!

2011-10-31T03:50:00.001-06:00

Hey friends! I know it's been awhile. But see? I had a great reason...a great reason who is over four months old now. Can you believe it? (She sure is cute.)

But I thought returning to blogging now (we just got our first snow of the season) is a super idea. There's more time spent inside, more time wanting to connect with friends and family, and a great time for holiday giveaways :)

So I'll be blogging every Monday and Friday (check my sidebar to see what about) and the occasional Wednesday about writing and reading. Also, because I love a reason to give things away, I'll be holding a monthly giveaway. All you have to do is follow my blog and comment on any Friday post of the month to be entered.

Though I'm not a big fan of the cooler weather, one of my favorite things about the change of season is jeans and long-sleeved shirts. It's nice to feel snug and cozy, and maybe even justified wearing sweat pants around the house because you don't plan on going anywhere.

One thing I can't live without during the cooler months is my slippers. How about you? What cool weather item of clothing or accessory is a must?

***slipper photo by rabbitdan

Wonderful Baby News!

2011-06-22T07:33:00.006-06:00

Most of you know we've been expecting a new addition for awhile. She wasn't supposed to come until after the 4th of July next month, but she decided to visit early.

Here's our new little addition, Brooklyn Mae.

She's the sweetest tempered little thing, and absolutely perfect even though she was a tad premature. No complications at all and she got to come home from the hospital the same time I did. I'm so excited to share this with all of you, who've rooted for me and supported me not just in the pregnancy but for the last couple of years with my writing and life in general. And praise God, He gave us such an amazing blessing!

I hope you all are having an amazing week!

Where's Your Passion - Plot, Setting, or Characters?

2011-06-06T03:56:00.000-06:00

There are so many parts to a novel. Everything we put into one, big or small, makes the novel what it is and reflects a bit of ourselves as well.

I believe in stories we're able to see an authors passion, or we're able to display our own passion, and clearly we each have our own favorite aspects of novel writing.

So, I'm curious, which of these three are you most passionate about when writing your novel?

Plot

Everything from the opening hook to the resolution. This is what fuels the story and makes readers want to keep reading. Is this where your passion lies, in creating a tale that draws people in and moving them from one scene to the next?

Setting

Maybe this is your forte. Inventing a world, whether based on reality or not, for your characters to live in. To me, this encompasses a lot of the research aspects of a novel, too. History, careers, or realistic depictions of a town or city, this element of novel writing combines creativity with accuracy and welcomes readers by making them feel like they're there.

Characters

This element is very much about relationships and compatibility. This is the part where you can create people that not only seem realistic in the plot you've laid out but also whether or not you can get readers to fall in love with them.

So where does your passion lie and why?

For me, I'm all about the characters. I typically can't form much of a plot unless I'm familiar with the characters and already feel something for them. My goal is to write characters so powerful they stay with readers long after the book is over.

I'd love to know which of these three is what you enjoy the most or feel you're the best at!

The Disappearing Act

2011-06-03T04:54:00.000-06:00

Hello friends! It's been awhile since I've been able to post here, and while it's hard to take a break sometimes, I believe in breaks in order to remain productive in our personal lives and our writing lives.

So disappearing feels good in a lot of ways. The baby will be here this summer and we've been making a lot of preparations as a family. Also, writing is keeping me busy! I plotted and began writing a new story I'm enjoying so far. Small and large goals are a part of my daily life and I'm enjoying crossing them off my list.

In the meantime, I've missed visiting all your blogs as often as possible and I'd love to know what's going on with you. If you have a chance, please share any writing news or daily life news in the comments - I can't wait to catch up!

Also, I'm posting over at The Writer's Alley today, discussing goals before beginning a new manuscript. I'd love to see you over there and hear what you do to prepare to write a new manuscript.

Have a great weekend!

Fellowship Friday - And Last Day of Giveaway!

2011-04-08T04:14:00.001-06:00

Hello friends! So glad it's Friday, how about you? We ended last week with a super warm day near 80 degrees and the next day it was down to almost freezing and we had snow. I am used to Colorado weather being that I've lived here my whole life, but sometimes it still amuses me.

How about you? Do you prefer cold weather and snow or are you a fan of sun and warmth?

Just a quick reminder, today is the last day of the 300 follower giveaway over at The Writer's Alley. I am blogging about Scoring a Well-Rounded Manuscript, starting with Voice, and you have the chance to win Denise Hunter's Surrender Bay, so stop by if you have a chance!

As always, I'd love to hear what's new or exciting in your life this week, and I will be happy to pray for anyone who has a request. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Writing With a Specific Word Count in Mind

2011-04-04T04:47:00.001-06:00

I’m working on a new story, preparing to plot. However, this story is category fiction and I am aiming for a specific word count, which gives me less leeway than I normally have. So, in effort to make a precise goal I am going to plot with an individual goal in mind.

Pages per chapter.

I tend to split most of my stories up into two (on occasion three) scenes per chapter, alternating between the hero and heroines POV. And if I aim for about ten pages per chapter, then I have a very specific word count approximated for the entire novel if I plot every scene and chapter.

I know many of you out there plot or write without plotting, but still have a specific word count in mind. So I’m curious, for those of you who plot, do you have individual chapter goals or another way of planning for a certain word count? And for those of you who don’t plot, how do you stick to your word count goals?

***For those of you who haven't had the chance to stop by The Writer's Alley, where I blog occasionally, the 300 follower giveaway continues this week. Stop by every weekday for a chance to win a free book!

Fellowship Friday

2011-03-25T03:09:00.000-06:00

Hey friends! So glad it's Friday. We have Spring Break next week! Which means I will be taking a break from blogging to spend some extra time with the family. However, I'll be around here and there to take a peek at your fabulous blogs.

If you want a little boost of encouragement about your writing, I'm blogging today at The Writer's Alley. Just a few points to remind you that every genre is important, and so is what you write!

As always, I'd love to hear your news for the week and pray for anyone with prayer requests. And if you're in the middle of Spring Break or it's coming up, I'd love to hear your plans. Have a superb weekend!

When Is Your Manuscript REALLY Done?

2011-03-21T04:42:00.000-06:00

I hear a lot about writers lingering over their manuscripts, tweaking them here and there or editing, editing, editing and having a hard time moving on. And they wonder, when is enough enough?

And then there's the other end, writers who are so excited to move onto the next story, they spend very little time editing or tweaking and simply move on. I haven't met a lot of writers in this category, but I'm definitely one of them. I tend to get revved up about a new story and want to give my old manuscript one quick edit before I call it done.

So where's that balance? I'd say it's probably different for each manuscript but I'm trying to get myself in the habit of doing a few important things before moving on.

Take a Vacation From the Manuscript

This is a hard one for me. Typically, I write my first draft fairly quickly and without going back to edit any of it. So, when I type that final page, I'm ready to start editing right away and see what I've got. But I've discovered people give this advice for a reason. Taking a break from your manuscript before you begin editing truly does help you see it in a new light. It gives you the space you need to return to it as impartial as possible, able to keep your eyes open and actually see those large and small flaws you might have not seen before.

The Big Edit

This is typically the first edit of the story. The macro edit, the content edit, whatever you want to call it. In this step, I check for flow, for consistency, for conflict. Basically, it's to make sure your plot is sound and you have all the elements you want for your story.

The Small Edit(s)

After the big edit, I take it in stages - sometimes this is called a micro edit. I'll go through and check for sentence structure, grammar, spelling, all those small things that help polish the manuscript. Often, this takes more than one go-through.

Critiques, Betas, Editors, Etc.

For me, this stage entails sending chapters or the entire manuscript off to my critique partners. For some of you , this would be an editor if you're contracted or choose to pay a freelance editor to look over your work. Some do beta readers or have someone else they trust read through the manuscript. I believe this step is important and extremely beneficial. Here is another great place to get an impartial party to look over your work, and if it's someone who has some experience, they can provide useful feedback.

The Final Polish

This comes after you get your work back from a critique partner, beta reader, etc. Hopefully, at this stage, you are able to fix the holes and make the small changes to prepare your work for other eyes - agents, contest judges, etc.

So when is your manuscript really done? I try to make myself follow these steps after each manuscript (although sometimes I'll send chapters to a CP a little early to make sure the opening is working). Are there certain steps you follow once your manuscript finished? Is it easy or hard for you to move onto the next manuscript?

Brainstorming - Alone or With Company?

2011-03-14T04:45:00.000-06:00

I used to be a big fan of solitary plotting. I'd get an idea, perhaps jot down some details, and then spend hours in my head getting to know my characters and plotting out scenes and histories. Perhaps this was just because I was shy about sharing my stories with other people, or because I thought the process worked better for me.

But once I got more open about my writing, and wanted to make sure my writing actually made sense and appealed to readers, I started brainstorming (mostly with my hubby) to start the plotting process for each new novel.

So, what are the benefits to brainstorming with company?

A Sounding Board

Plain and simple, you have someone to bounce ideas off of. And plenty of times, even if they don't say much, a lot of figuring out your story is just working through all of the bits and pieces you have and arranging them into a manageable order that actually sounds like a plot.

Better Visual/Memory

For those of us who can see things clearer, or remember them more clearly when we discuss them out loud, brainstorming with company is a great tool. I tend to forget things more easily when I write them down, but if I discuss them, I recall bits of the conversation and the images that came to my mind during those bits I may end up using in my story as scenes.

New Ideas

Not only do you get a sounding board, you have someone who can inspire more ideas. Or perhaps they have a better scenario, setting, or conflict that would make the story that much more appealing to readers.

Better Flow

This is biggest reason I enjoy brainstorming out loud, with someone to bounce ideas off of. Sometimes I think the story will flow the way I lined it up in my head, but when I say it out loud, the scenes don't quite line up. Or the plot isn't as interesting or full of conflict as I thought. And this other person can tell you this, let you know if it doesn't make sense, or simply listen as you sort through.

Of course, these reasons are just my opinion and what works best for me. Brainstorming with someone else about your story gives you the chance to see it in a new light before you begin writing.

How about you? Do you brainstorm alone or with company? If you do have a sounding board, is it a spouse, friend, or writing partner?

Fellowship Friday

2011-03-11T04:56:00.002-07:00

Hi, friends! Welcome to another Friday.

We had a long and productive week here, with house painting and organizing. It's either early spring cleaning or I'm already trying to get the house ready for the baby. Either way, it's nice to see things in their place. Are any of you big fans of spring cleaning - and have you already started?

If you're interested in a loose guideline to help plot your new WIP, I'm posting about Six Steps to a Successful Plot over at The Writer's Alley today.

As always, I'd love to hear any new or good news in the comments, and if there's anything I can pray for, e-mail me or leave it in the comments and I'll be happy to pray. Have a wonderful weekend!

Editing - For Word Count

2011-03-07T04:34:00.000-07:00

I've had the pleasure, and frustration, of editing many stories. There are all kinds of edits. The content edit, editing for grammar and punctuation, editing for flow - it goes on and on. Right now I'm editing my story specifically to get the word count down, which is a first for me, and it's been an interesting and illuminating new challenge.

So how does one edit when their main goal is to cut words? I suppose there are many ways, but I approached the challenge with one thought. Weed out the unnecessaries. Here are some categories of unnecessaries I found useful in getting my word count down.

Unnecessary Characters

I'm a big fan of secondary characters. I enjoy infusing life into my story with their quirky comments and behaviors. But when word count is at stake, sometimes secondary characters need to go. If they aren't progressing the plot, then they don't need to be there. And often times their conversations with the main character only serve to take up space when my main goal should be the main character and propelling them forward in the plot. Not only that, those quirky comments and behaviors might as well belong to my MC - they are first and foremost the people we want readers to fall in love with.

Unnecessary Subplots

This goes right along with secondary characters. Sometimes secondary characters are what make up these sub-plots and sometimes not. When they're not, it's often an additional conflict characters are going through. While we are sometimes taught there can never be enough conflict, I don't think that's always true. In the story I'm editing, there's a spiritual conflict, a familial conflict, the romance conflict, an occupational conflict, as well as an internal conflict centered around lack of self-confidence. And that's just for the heroine. Whoa! I found my words were better spent centering around a few conflicts and making the most of those. And, since the story is a romance, then that had better be the biggest conflict.

Unnecessary Scenes

Of course I got rid of scenes or partial scenes with secondary characters and those above mentioned subplots, but there were plenty of times I'd start a scene in a poor place. Say in a previous scene, the hero and heroine are planning on going ice fishing - interesting hobby, I know. Anyway, they make the plans and the chapter or scene ends. Instead of starting the next chapter or scene with a build up to that setting (i.e. characters thinking about how much they're going to enjoy ice fishing, etc.), I found much of the time it's better to simply drop the characters right in the middle of their plans. Kind of the same idea as beginning your story in the middle of the action. There doesn't always need to be a lot of backstory and build up, that's the purpose the scene before serves.

Unnecessary Words

This sounds general but I mean it in a specific way. A surprising amount of words can be cut by condensing descriptions or repetitive sentences or paragraphs. A good deal can be cut by leaving out adverbs that aren't necessary. And finally, a fair amount can be cut out by getting rid of passive words. One I found common and see a lot is a sentence like, "The car was passing on the right." It can easily and more effectively be replaced with, "The car passed on the right." Cuts one word and gets rid of the passive. Two birds with one stone. The best part about unnecessary words is that it's not just for cutting the overall word count of a story. It can help benefit and polish any story and present a more appealing manuscript to agents and editors.

I've found approaching editing this way a great plan to getting a story into shape and cutting words if that's the goal. What tips and tricks do you use to get word count down or create a more effective manuscript?

Fellowship Friday

2011-02-25T03:42:00.000-07:00

Hey friends, welcome to Friday! I'm actually writing this on Thursday night, when the kids are supposed to be sleeping. I'm usually pretty consistent about bedtimes and discourage a whole lot of talking because then they never get any sleep, but it's so hard because they're in there making up stories (with some excellent description, by the way) and totally enjoying it. It's really hard to discourage that kind of creativity.

So this week was spent largely on editing a story of mine, and cutting words by...a lot. I tend to add words when I edit so this is a new and kind of fun experience for me. And it's a new challenge I'm taking head on. How about you? Do you usually cut a lot of words when you edit or struggle to add more words?

In lieu of our two weeks of romance posts inspired by Valentine's Day, I'm posting over at The Writer's Alley today. It's Romance Through the Ages, a post about why the genre of romance has endured through so many years and the formula that keeps it going.

And since I didn't have a chance to read many blogs this week, I'd love to hear if you have any new or good news to share. As always, if you have a prayer request as well, you're welcome to put it in the comments or e-mail me and I will be happy to pray. Have an awesome weekend!

Romance, Are You a Fan?

2011-02-14T04:46:00.000-07:00

I write romance novels. Humorous ones, serious ones, long ones and shorter ones (or at least, I'm working on that). But all my stories have that in common. They're a love story. And even better, they're inspirational.

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd ask who out there reads romance, writes it, or both and why?

I write and read romance because I love characters and the dynamics of their relationships. I enjoy happy endings and when my heart is touched by love. I love romance because you can slip it into any situation, or any genre. Because it's a simple purpose, but one we can all relate to.

So how about you? Are you a fan of romance, why or why not?

***photo by katerha

Fellowship Friday

2011-02-11T04:52:00.001-07:00

Hi friends! Welcome to Friday. We got quite a bit of snow this week, unlike last week in which we had very little snow but a lot of cold. Strange weather, especially because we'll be sunny and near sixty this weekend. Gotta love Colorado!

This week in writing, I've done a little of everything, from adding words to a new WIP to editing to analyzing my next step on this writing journey. This is a time when having the support of other writer friends is awesome! I love making decisions about writing that give me purpose and a reason to persevere. Have you had any big or small decisions to make about writing recently? What helps you persevere?

Today I'm also posting over at The Writer's Alley with steps to help you succeed on your writing journey.

And, as always, I'd love to hear any good news in the comments. If you have any prayer requests you want to share as well, you can either put them below or e-mail me and I'd be happy to pray. Have a blessed weekend!

Telling Your Internal Editor Who's Boss

2011-02-07T04:16:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I did a post about taking your novel to the next level, and one thing a lot of us had in common was having our internal editor get in the way. Our internal editor is important, and a lot of times this is where we get that gut feeling when we know something is just right or not quite right. But sometimes, especially during that first draft, we want to let creativity shine through and save the editing for later.

Here are some ways to help keep that internal editor in check, or at least move past it for a bit as we write our first drafts.

* Timed word counts/pages
A great way to get the words flowing and not allow time to stop for editing, is making yourself write for an allotted time or a certain number of pages. Kind of like freewriting, this tactic is meant to force yourself to continue to write no matter what comes out.

* Try a new pov or tense.
A great way to add a little creativity to a scene is to write it from a different pov, like first person instead of third, or a different tense. You don't have to use it in your manuscript but it will help to see the scene in a different way.

* Get away from the computer
Try writing with a pen and paper. You won't have a chance to look back over what you've written before this session and sometimes the change in style will help trigger that extra bit of creativity.

* No backspacing
Do not allow yourself to backspace over words or sentences (just mistakes in grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.). Sometimes the first idea that comes to you is the best, even if it needs to be polished up in the second or third draft.

* Read other genres or books whose authors have a strong voice.
If you're feeling like the book you're about the write, or the next scene you're about to write, is similar to what you've written before or falling victim to that internal editor, take a break. Use this time to read a book that's either in another genre or in the same genre as you write but written by an author who has a very distinct and strong voice. This is a great way to open or renew your mind to a new style, wording or phrasing, etc.

* Write a different part of the story.
Stray from the routine. A lot of times, writers who are big plotters stick to writing from chapter one straight through to the end. If the internal editor won't leave you alone, try breaking from the routine and writing a different part of the story. This will force a new look at characters, the plot or scene and maybe even the setting.

* Dictate your story.
In order to stray from editing each page or even each sentence, try dictating your story. Speak out loud and record your story with a tape recorder.

These are just a small handful of ways to spark creativity or help keep an internal editor at bay. I've tried a few and been curious about a few. Have you tried any of these tactics? Have you tried any others that you'd like to share?

Fellowship Friday

2011-02-04T04:08:00.001-07:00

Hello friends! Welcome to Friday.

For me, this week has been a balancing act between spending time with family (we had a snow day on Tuesday and Wednesday) and writing. My littlest seems to think I've got fairy dust somewhere and I won't give it to her because I don't want her to fly. She's got a very active imagination, which I love because it keeps her occupied most of the time. But this week she wanted Mommy time and we played Barbies several times as well as "house" (I get to be the mommy, how convenient) and we painted. And painted. And drew. You get the picture (yeah, bad pun, I know).

On the writing front, I'm preparing my entry for the Genesis Contest. I like what I have to submit but it still makes me nervous. Any one else out there submitting for this contest or any others?

I want to give a shout out of congratulations to Jennifer Shirk, who contracted another book with Avalon. The books sounds wonderful!

Any one else out there with good news? I try to catch most everything but I miss it sometimes. If you have anything to share, I'd love to read about it in the comments. And, as always, if you have any prayer requests, let me know and I'd be happy to pray. Have a fabulous weekend!

Who's In Charge, You or Your Characters?

2011-01-31T04:33:00.000-07:00

I love it when an idea or a character's action or reaction hits me out of the blue and I know it's perfect for my story or a specific scene. But for me, this often happens during the plotting stage.

By the time I start writing, I usually know all about my character's history. I know their goal and where I want them to be by the end of the story. I know their personality and those little quirks that make them unique. And when they do something during the story in response to another character or situation, I'm not often surprised by their reaction. I might not know beforehand exactly what they'll say or how it'll play out on paper but when it does, it feels right.

I've heard many writers say that their characters surprise them or take charge and the story goes from there. I've heard them say their character's response to a particular situation or another character totally blew them away.

And sometimes I believe that kind of spontaneity in writing is what creates a unique piece of fiction. And others...I wonder if this makes for inconsistent characters.

So I'm curious, who's in charge--you or your characters? Have you ever had a character surprise you or do you make sure those surprises only happen during the pre-writing stage, and how has that worked for you?

Fellowship Friday

2011-01-28T04:31:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! Welcome to Friday. This month is sailing by but the cooler weather makes it feel like winter might never end. I've been bringing some hints of spring to the house with flowers (found some yellow tulips at King Soopers) and lighting fun smelling candles (my new favorite, Lemonade).

I know many of you have been getting snow where you are. Are there any ways in which you've been able to bring spring or more sunshine to your home?

If you're interested in Do's and Don'ts of Opening Pages, I'm posting on the topic at The Writer's Alley today.

As always if you have any great news to share in the comments, I'd love to hear it. And if you have any prayer requests, let me know here or e-mail me and I'd be happy to pray.

Have a wonderful weekend!

* photo by Jessica.Tam on flickr

Taking Your Manuscript to the Next Level

2011-01-24T04:15:00.000-07:00

Whether we're writing our second manuscript or our fifteenth, most of us aim to show growth and improvement. We strive to make this manuscript better than the last or challenge ourselves to write the best we can.

When I started a new manuscript recently, I had some of these same goals. I knew I wanted to show those who read my work that I understand craft and plot and GMC. Not only understand it but can put together a strong story with those aspects. But more than that, I wanted to show them I have a unique voice. That I can draw them into a story--hold on tight, and not let go.

I know most writers aim to improve in certain areas as they continue to write. Because my goal was to showcase my voice, there were three parts to this challenge that I am still tackling.

Choosing the right tense and POV.
Taking this story to the next level, for me, meant trying first person and present tense. I originally planned to write this story this way, then once I started plotting, I ended up deciding I wanted the story in third person, and alternating between the hero's and heroine's point of view. However, when I actually started writing--even after plotting out several chapters--it still came out first person present tense. Which brings me to my next challenge.

Listening to my gut.
There are times a certain part of a story seems off. Or a character might not seem deep enough. There are times when it's something that may just need a tiny tweak. But for the most part, if it feels off, it's probably because the scene or character or whatever it is that's not quite right needs some fine tuning. And I think I'm learning how important it is for me to listen to this gut feeling.

Turning of my internal editor.
Now, even though I need to listen to my gut, there are also times when I need to let go. When craft and rules need to take a back seat to creativity. So, for this challenge, I am not plotting each chapter to the extent I normally do and I am trying not to edit as I go. And if something comes to me, I put it in. I can always take it out later--that's what editing is for. I don't want my writing to feel stifled.

These are a few of the current challenges for me with my new manuscript. And I am thankful for these challenges because they cause me to push forward. To grow and to try to make my writing the best it can be.

What are some of the challenges you face with each new manuscript and what do you do to prepare for and face those challenges?

Fellowship Friday

2011-01-14T04:45:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! It was so fun to share my happy baby news with you on Monday. This week has been devoted to organizing around the house and spending some time with the characters of my new WIP. I've been vacillating (ugh, I had to do a spell check on that one--how come my spelling has gotten worse the more years I write?) between first and third person and I haven't decided yet. Not only that, my characters are being a little elusive about their spiritual side.

Speaking of characters, I'm posting at The Writer's Alley today about imperfect characters if you're interested in reading some tips I've used over the years.

How about you? Any issues with characters you're writing about or reading about this week?

As always, I'd love to read any good news you have to share in the comments or take any prayers requests as well. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

What Will This Year Bring?

2011-01-10T05:01:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! You might have noticed the break I took from blogging, mostly for the holidays and the chance to spend time with family. I also took the time to consider my priorities, like writing, family, etc. and where they are on my life journey.

So my big news is that this summer we will have a new addition to the family! I already have two beautiful little girls. We'd love another daughter (mostly because I'm used to raising girls now) but a little boy would be wonderful, too. A new thing to balance, but a great one for sure.

With this news, however, came the realization that I want my family to be higher on my priority list and it would definitely have an impact on my writing. And, in all honesty, I wavered on whether or not to take an extended break from writing for awhile. But in the end, I realized that writing and telling stories is who I am and right now it's still a huge part of me--one not likely to wane in the near future. My solution is to take a little more time developing and writing each story. To have a set writing schedule each day that doesn't cut into family time. I think spending more time with my characters and plot before and during writing my story will help me enjoy writing more and remind my why I started writing in the first place.

So, how about you all? I know it's kind of late for New Year's goals but I'm curious what the past year has taught you about where you want your writing career to go? What have you learned that will help you start off this year as a better writer or help you get closer to your goals?

Fellowship Friday

2010-12-17T03:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends! One week left until Christmas. I have yet to listen to any Christmas music at home but it's festive around here and this week I will start making pies for our Christmas dinner. This year I am making, from scratch of course, some kind of cheesecake (probably strawberry), caramel pecan pumpkin pie, and most likely apple pie. I've become dessert girl and every year my family puts in their requests. Last year I ran out of time and ended up buying the apple pie but I am determined to at least think about making it this year :)

Do you host Christmas at your home or contribute decorations or desserts? Or are you visiting somewhere this year and get the chance to relax?

I'll probably be taking a break from blogging next week to spend time with family, so I'll say Merry Christmas early! Oh, and I'll also be post at The Writer's Alley as well, today. So if you want some tips on how to make your reader feel like they are part of the story, then stop by.

And, as always, I love to hear good news in the comments and I'll be happy to pray for anyone. Have a great weekend a very, Merry Christmas!

***photo by flickr

Character Quirks and Why You Want Them For Your Story

2010-12-13T04:35:00.000-07:00

We can all agree that we love stories that have characters who leave us wanting more. Creating characters that capture a reader fully enough to do this is a goal many of us strive for. Many of us plot or create character sketches or even sit and daydream just what our character will look like. And what they will be like. We give them a personality--and we do all this because we want to draw readers to that character.

Dictionary.com defines quirk as a peculiarity of action, behavior, or personality. These are idiosyncrasies or characteristics that define your character. They can be big or small but without a doubt they can be an asset to your story.

Here are three reasons why giving your character an interesting quirk can benefit your story:

Uniqueness - It will make your character, and therefore your story, stand out in the reader's mind. Even something as simple as humor, though not an overwhelmingly unique quirk, will make an impression on your readers.

Conflict/Tension - Giving your character a specific quirk can add small or large amounts of tension. For example, writing a main character who is outspoken and doesn't hold back can get them in trouble or put them in situations they might not be found in if they hadn't said anything at all. This not only progresses the story and interests the reader, but it makes the character stand out.

Relatability - A simple characteristic, such as chewing on the tip of a pen or always getting so distracted with their thoughts that they forget where they put simple items like their keys, can draw a reader to a character. Can make a reader relate to the character and want to know more about them and continue with their story.

Above all, adding quirks or characteristics unique to your character makes them memorable. A memorable character, coupled with an interesting plot, creates a memorable book. One that stays with a reader and leaves an impression.

What kind of quirks or unique variances of personality have you given your characters? Do they add to the story to advance the plot or mostly serve to make your characters memorable?

Fellowship Friday

2010-12-10T05:27:00.000-07:00

Hey friends. Happy Friday! This here is my 200th post and it seems like there's no way I could have had that many things to say over these last several months. Maybe I haven't but I definitely know it's been nice being involved in this community of bloggers. You all are amazing!

So we finally got the Christmas tree up and decorated. But we've had so many bulbs break over the years--even this year with the kids trying to help decorate--that it looks pretty...sparse. But I got all the presents wrapped and set underneath and I only have a few more to buy. If that doesn't keep me smiling, I don't know what will.

How about you? What have you done this week to bring Christmas into your home? Any Christmas music or fun decorations?

As always, I'd love to hear any good or fun news in the comments and anyone with prayer requests, let me know and I'll pray. Have a super weekend!

*photo from flickr

Blogging and Novel Voice

2010-12-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

A new author is often bombarded with literary terms or do's and don'ts of the writing world. One term we hear often is voice.

About.com defines voice as the author's style, the quality that makes his or her writing unique, and which conveys the author's attitude, personality, and character.

When I first started writing, voice seemed like this obscure thing I figured would become more pronounced with experience. More refined as the years passed. And in a way it does. Sometimes it's a learning process to let your voice shine through naturally. But others, I wonder if our natural voice is stifled by novel writing rules--an instinct buried beneath what we think (and sometimes what we know) the market or agents and editors want to see from us.

I recently hit a snag in my WIP, the dreaded middle (well, more like 2/3 of the way through) where I questioned whether or not my story was really going in the right direction. And I searched for reasons why I just could not get back into this story. Next, I examined where my thoughts were. On a new story? Away from writing altogether?

And I finally realized that I'd lost myself somewhere in the story. Instead of enjoying my first draft like I almost always do, writing felt like a chore. I don't mind discipline and working through the rough parts, but even the parts that seemed to flow really well just seemed like scenes I'd created in response to all the rules. I'd lost that spontaneity and I think...I lost my voice.

It wasn't just happening in my novel writing, either. That blurry, indistinguishable voice (or lack thereof) keeps popping up all over--even in my blogging.

I'm not questioning writing or my path on this journey but I have wondered lately if I should gag that internal editor somehow and go back to the beginning. There is a time for editing (second or third drafts) and there is value in having direction before you ever write the first chapter, but there's also a lot to be said for letting those words flow and the story come forth without inhibitions.

So how about you, friends? Have you truly found your voice in blogging or novel writing or both? Do you find it stifled sometimes by the do's and don'ts of the writing world or are you able to combine your unique voice with what engaging novel writing requires of us?

Fellowship Friday

2010-12-03T04:21:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Friday! I hope you all had a good week. Mine was...long. Not in a bad way, just long. Some Christmas shopping, some time spent with family, and time assessing where I am with my current manuscript.

I wanted to mention two historicals I read recently that I know most of you are familiar with. Jody Hedlund's The Preacher's Bride and Julie Lessman's A Passion Most Pure. I bet many of you have already read these or maybe even have them in your TBR pile, but if not, I highly recommend them. As someone who doesn't often seek out historical fiction, I was impressed by both these books. Fabulous writing, settings, engaging characters and wonderful plots. They'd make great Christmas presents, too!

Speaking of Christmas, if you've ever wondered what your characters want for Christmas and how establishing a wish list for them can help your novel, check out my post over at The Writer's Alley today.

If anyone has news or a great book you've read recently that you think might make a good Christmas present, please share in the comments. And, as always, if there are any prayer request, let me know and I'll pray. Have a wonderful weekend!

Loving Books as a Child

2010-11-29T04:30:00.000-07:00

You can probably guess what I've been up to the last few weeks--well, at least one thing. Christmas shopping, of course. I went with my family not too long and paused at a bin in the middle of an aisle where I found a box full of books selling for a discounted price. In fact, one of the books was the exact same one I'd purchased for my nephew a few weeks prior (but at a much LESS discounted price). My 8-year-old daughter had read the summary on the back and I told her a little about it (I couldn't resist reading the first chapter or two--just had to make sure my nephew would like it!) and she decided she wanted this book. Not only that, she said she wanted to pay for it herself with money she'd been saving.

She wanted to buy a book for herself! And you know what? This isn't the first time.

Now I have to tell you the truth. When I was a kid, I wasn't much of a reader until 6th grade. I didn't enjoy reading, I didn't read for fun, and I certainly never would have spent my own money on a book. It took me until I was about...12 or 13 to really realize how much of a joy books could be.

I LOVE that my daughter has been enjoying books like this for years. I love that she finds worth in them and that she already has several books that she reads over and over again because they're her favorites.

It constantly amazes me the kind of impact books people can have on people's lives. The kind of escape or encouragement they provide. The kind of wonder and happiness they can inspire.

How about you? How long have books been inspiring you? Did you enjoy reading as a kid or not until you got older?

Fellowship Friday

2010-11-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! Welcome to another Friday. I just have to say that your comments on these new Friday posts have been really encouraging and supportive and just plain fun to read. It's also been fun learning more about those of you who visit this blog.

Because posting will be light next week for the holiday, I'd love to hear beforehand what everyone is grateful for. There are too many things for me to name but one thing I am grateful for is a faithful God. He has come through for our family so many times these past few months and it's humbling to know that we're loved by someone so amazing. So, what are you thankful for?

As always, I'd love to read any good news you have from this week in the comments and if there are any prayer requests, let me know and I'll pray. If you'd like to read post number two about secondary characters, then head on over to The Writers Alley. Have a super weekend!

Fellowship Friday

2010-11-12T05:25:00.001-07:00

Hi friends! It’s Friday. I hope your week went well. I spent most of the week away from the computer and with my family. We had the first snow of the year here in Denver, which is pretty late in the game for us—typically we get snow in October. Sometimes even in September. Brrr! How about you? Any snow where you are?

Since I don’t have any super exciting news today, I’d love to get to know more about you. So, I’m curious…I know many of you are writers and readers, but what other hobbies do you have? If you DO have time for something other than families or writing or cleaning the house, what do you enjoy?

And if anyone has any new or fun news or any prayer requests, please share in the comments. Have a great weekend!

Varying Your Setting?

2010-11-08T04:30:00.000-07:00

Coffee shops, kitchens, car interiors...what do these things all have in common? They're places people often use in novels to set their scenes.

Let me see...yep, I've set a scene in each of these places more than once.

Uniqueness and new plots--even new characters with interesting occupations--that's what it seems many publishers look for in novels. Particularly for new authors.

So does this extend to setting as well?

A few weeks back, we discussed setting novels in small towns--cozy places--and how readers enjoy this in the novels they read. I personally enjoy seeing novels set in small towns and it doesn't bother me one bit that I see contemporary romances set like this book after book.

But what about individual scenes in books?

I'm curious, friends, on your opinions. Do you mind if scenes are set in these common places or does it only bother you if they're used over and over again in the same novel? For example, having scene after scene in the same location (i.e. the coffee shop or kitchen). Often times we begin novels in a particular place and perhaps it's simply starting a novel in one of these common settings that makes editors and agents long for something more unique.

Also, how important is setting to you? Do you really enjoy when the settings gives the whole book or certain scenes a particular feel--a certain tone and mood--or is it perfectly fine as long as the characters are unique and the plot pulls you in?

Fellowship Friday

2010-11-05T05:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Friday everyone. I hope this week treated you well. Fellowship Friday gives us the chance to get to know one another as fellow writers, readers, and friends. Today I have a few exciting things to share, so let's get to it.

First of all, I want to give a big CONGRATULATIONS to Jill Kemerer. Jill is one of my fabulously talented critique partners and she shared her agent news at the beginning of the week. You can read the post here. Congratulations again, Jill - I am so excited about this next step in your journey!

Next, I have chosen the winner from last Friday's giveaway. The winner is Jeanette Levellie! Jeanette, you've won Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck.

Finally, if you want to learn about four categories of secondary characters and what they can do to benefit your manuscript, please hop over to The Writers Alley where I am posting today.

I love that this day is full of good news. Do you have any news you want to share, or a prayer request? Looking forward to hearing from you.

Supporting Authors as Writers and Readers

2010-11-01T04:45:00.000-06:00

Even before I started writing toward publication, I read. I read a lot. I read in many genres and I had favorite authors and favorite books. But I never had a strong urge to encourage and support those authors of the books I enjoyed.

Until I started writing.

I see how much hard work goes into writing a novel. I see how much hard work goes into marketing and reaching out to readers. And because I want to see authors succeed--especially if I enjoy their books and want to keep reading them--it means a lot to me to support authors in whatever way I can.

Here are some great ways you can support your favorite authors whether you're a reader or writer - or both!

1) Buy their books! Simple, I know, but if it's an author you love and want to see more from, help out their sales and purchase their new novels for yourself or for gifts.

2) Get their books from the library. Or, encourage the library to order those books if they don't have them. If money's low or you want to try out a new author you've heard about, this is a great way to go.

3) Go to book signings. If there's an author in your area, go to their book signing to show your support. It's a great way to encourage them.

4) Do book reviews. This helps to get the word out, and helps to encourage readers to pick up their book. And that positive or even constructive feedback will most often be appreciated by the author.

5) Send the author an e-mail and tell them you enjoyed the book. Most authors love the encouragement and the opportunity to know that their words are reaching people.

6) Spread the word! If you loved a book, tell your friends and tell your family. Post it on your blog or on Facebook. Participate in a blog tour for that book. Word of mouth is a great way to get news about a wonderful book out there.

I know there are many of you who support authors we love and author friends this way and it makes me happy! What other ways do you support authors?

**Also, to take my own advice, I want to support an author today by announcing the release of the first book of her three book series. I read this book, White Roses, earlier this year and truly enjoyed it. You can read the review I did of her book here. Shannon Taylor Vannatter's White Roses is now available on Amazon and released in stores today, so if this sounds like the book for you, check it out. And if you'd like to learn more about Shannon and her books, you can visit her website here. Congratulations, Shannon!

Fellowship Friday - And a Giveaway!

2010-10-29T05:00:00.001-06:00

Well, friends, I'm excited to announce that on Fridays I'll now be posting under the heading Fellowship Fridays. Because there are now over 200 followers of this blog, I'd love the chance to get to know all of you better and fellowship together. I hope that we'll be able to offer good news or encouraging stories from the week, share prayer requests, and support each other as a community.

So, for the first Fellowship Friday, I want to repeat some exciting news - actually, to shout out another big CONGRATULATIONS to Jessica Nelson, who announced her wonderful agent news this week. If you want to congratulate her at her blog, you can read some of her answers about the call here.

If you have any good news to share this week, I'd love to hear about it in the comments. Or, share something about yourself. If you are new to the blog, I'd love to know what you enjoy writing or reading.

Anyone who shares some news or something about themselves will be entered in today's giveaway. What do you win? A book of course! Your choice of one of the three below. (Click on the picture if you want to read a summary of the book.)

Sweet Caroline

by

Rachel Hauck

The Renewal

by

Terri Kraus

Surrender Bay

by

Denise Hunter

Contest Rules:

1. You must be a follower

2. Entrants must live in the U.S.

3. Entrants must share something about themselves or some news :)

Oh, and let me know which book you'd like to win! Comment by Thursday, Nov. 4th by midnight, and I will announce the winners the next day for our following Fellowship Friday post.

That's it! I look forward to building more of a community here and hope to hear from you. Have a blessed weekend!

What Does Your Reader Want in a Plot?

2010-10-25T04:00:00.000-06:00

For the last two weeks, I've been posting about what readers want to see settings and characters. I got some great guidance from an agent I spoke with and a lot of what it amounted to was making these aspects of your story relatable.

This is so important with settings and even more important with characters. But when it comes to plots, this is where things get very subjective. So what I want to do today is to ask all of you what you like to see in a plot.

I think one of the biggest guidelines is genre. Readers are going to want to see different things in different genres. In romances, readers want to see happily ever afters. In suspenses, readers want faster pacing. With women's fiction, readers want characters that drive the plot.

Reading other books in the genre you write will give you a great idea as to what readers want to see. And I'd also suggest critiquing someone else's work or being a beta reader--especially if you can do it with a genre you write in. This will help direct you toward what works for you as a reader and what doesn't. And if it's working for you, and working for others, this is a great template after which to model your own work.

I love contemporary romance. It could be romantic suspense, or romantic comedy. Anything where two main characters fall in love and grow in the Lord because of it. Which also means I want a happily ever after. And I want characters who are witty and fun and grow. So, I'd happily take a very common plot and a very common formula (boy and girl meet, boy and girl start to fall in love, boy and girl can't be together for some reason, but boy and girl eventually work it out and end up happy together). Honestly, I don't mind a story that sounds familiar. As long as the characters are unique and pull me in--plus a little tension--then I'm good.

So how about you--what do you like to see in a plot? Do you prefer unique characters or a unique storyline or both?

Writing With a Formula

2010-10-22T04:00:00.000-06:00

Hey friends! Today I'm posting over at The Writers Alley about a writing formula you can use even if you're not a plotter. Four simple questions to ask yourself that will help direct the story and keep your plot on track.

Hope to see you over there!

What Does Your Reader Want in Characters?

2010-10-18T04:00:00.002-06:00

Last week, I posted about what readers want to see in book settings and it was interesting to me to find that many of you write about small towns and enjoy the cozy feel of a tight, charming community.

I mentioned a conversation I had with an agent and how she said readers like small towns. In this conversation we also talked about relatable characters. Specific things, like their hobbies or interests in their lives.

I like to think of this as making your characters accessible. Giving them interests that readers can relate to—that they can understand. That make them feel some sort of bond with your character. When I discussed one of my story ideas with this agent, she liked the idea that my main character found comfort in crossword puzzles. And said hobbies, knitting for example, reach out to readers and make them connect to the book.

We also discussed animals. In my current WIP, my hero has a Great Dane he takes everywhere with him. He has conversations (one-sided, of course) with the dog. That dog is his side-kick, a secondary character. And people can relate to this. Readers enjoy stories where pets play a supporting role. They can connect to a character who loves animals.

Those are just a few examples, but it all comes down to encouraging your reader to connect to your character. Whether or not your reader can relate to your characters behavior or their past, make sure they can relate to something about the character that makes them human.

Make your characters accessible to your reader.

How are your characters accessible to your readers? Do you use hobbies, interests--even quirks or pets that draw readers to those characters?

A New Community

2010-10-13T03:00:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone. I'm being interviewed over at The Writers Alley today and I'm excited that in addition to posting on my own blog here and there, I'm joining their team to post over there as well.

The Writers Alley is a wonderful and supportive community of writers looking to encourage and help other writers grow on their own journey. They have author interviews and book giveaways and lots of great advice about writing. If you haven't visited before, I urge you to take a peek. Hope to see you there!

What Does Your Reader Want in a Setting?

2010-10-11T05:00:00.003-06:00

I just started writing a new novel and before I even began plotting, I thought hard on what kind of setting I wanted. I spoke briefly with an agent at the ACFW Conference about what current readers are looking for in stories and one of the topics we landed on was the setting.

I write contemporary romance and primarily read contemporary romance so it was easy to imagine what kind of setting I’d look for in stories I find at the bookstore. But I’d never thought long and hard about how important selecting the right setting was in planning a novel.

I believe a large majority of it comes down to relatability. That falls into two categories:

Can your readers relate to the setting?

Are your characters realistic in your setting?

For the first question, it’s a matter of being realistic. This doesn’t mean you have to set your story in a real location, but it does mean your characters have to understand it. They have to want to be there as much or as little as your characters want to be there. They have to fall in love with it and be able to picture it in their mind.

As for the second question, the genre of your story and characters occupation is going to play a lot into it. Contemporary romances are often set in small or picturesque towns. Readers want to feel cozy, want to imagine a comfortable place they’d enjoy and would be conducive to a romance. If your character is a hard-core police detective in a suspense/thriller, placing your characters in a larger city or one with a certain feel is going to be more realistic. Most readers are going to expect something like this and the setting will fit what they had in mind.

This doesn’t mean all stories should fall into this specific formula but there are times when giving the reader what they expect is a good thing.

So think about your reader. Because I write contemporary romances, I paid attention when this agent said readers love books set in small towns. And the story I’m writing now is set in a very real small town here in Colorado. This way I can keep it realistic and give readers (ones like me, anyway) what they’re looking for.

If you’re a writer, is setting something you give a lot of thought to before you write? And for all the readers, are there certain settings you enjoy reading about more than others? Do you prefer real or fictional settings or is it all about how realistic the setting is?

Ahhh...I'm in Love

2010-10-08T05:00:00.001-06:00

Yes, that’s right. I’m in LOVE. With a book I just read.

Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones. My first Jenny B. Jones book, and I can guarantee it won’t be the last.

This book was recommended to me by a friend at the ACFW Conference (just reinforcing what they say about word-of-mouth being one of the best marketing tools you have) and I have to say thank you—you know who you are.

So, I started this book Sunday evening and finished it Monday evening. In 24 hours. Which HAS to tell you something.

Yeah, you know it’s a good book when you hear, “Mommy, are you coming?” or “Mommy, is dinner ready yet?” and you keep answering, “Hold on” or “Yeah, almost…” because you’re too busy reading. (I know, bad Mommy.)

Or when you sit in the tub to read (which I do often because the kids are in bed and it’s my quiet time to do whatever I want) and emerge nearly an hour later, all pruny because you didn’t want to stop reading.

Yep, good stuff. So…here’s what the back cover copy says:

The only thing scarier than living on the edge is stepping off it.

Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie's not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her.

Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind . . . for a reason.

Forced to stay longer than she intended, Maggie finds her family a complete mess, including the niece her sister has abandoned. Ten-year-old Riley is struggling in school and out of control at home. The only person who can really handle the pint-sized troublemaker is Conner, the local vet and Ivy's most eligible bachelor. But Conner and Maggie keep butting heads--he's suspicious of her and, well, she doesn't rely on anyone but herself.

As Maggie humorously fumbles her way from one mishap to another, she realizes she's going to need to ask for help from the one person who scares her the most.

To save one little girl--and herself--can Maggie let go of her fears and just trust God?

And here’s what I thought: Humor, romance, and a touching message—a perfect combination to sweep me away and delight me like no other book has done in awhile. I highly recommend it. Get it for yourself or ask for it for Christmas but whatever you do, read it, because this book is worth it.

Reviewing books I enjoy is very important to me because I know what it’s like to want readers to be positively influenced by what I write and I want to support those with a similar passion as my own. I know a lot of you feel the same way—and want to support authors whose books you enjoy. So feel free to share in the comments! Tell everyone what books you’ve read lately and enjoyed so we can all add to our wish lists.

Conference Day 3 (the last day of the conference)

2010-10-04T05:00:00.002-06:00

All right, so we’ve come to the last day of the conference—and another full and amazing day. I was up bright and early for our last choir practice (it was the only thing I volunteered for, but if you go, there are many chances to help out). It was a blessing to sit with Cynthia Ruchti, president of ACFW, for breakfast. She told us about the song chosen for the choir to sing and its personal meaning to her. Being able to sing just after that, in front of hundreds of people, and feel so close to the Lord, was amazing. What a talented group of women!

Next was the other half of the Continuing Education class but my second appointment was right after it began. So instead, I headed upstairs to Purgatory again and a nice lady there initiated a prayer with the entire group to soothe our nerves and encourage peace with God’s will for our appointments. And I was nervous again, of course, but the meeting went very well—with a little surprise thrown in. Another meeting orchestrated by God that made me so grateful to have come to the conference and grateful that God is guiding me through this whole journey.

At lunch we had another chance to sit with an editor or agent. I chose to sit with an editor this time and she went around the table and asked everyone what they wrote and to tell a little bit about themselves. It was a nice additional pitch opportunity and I was so grateful to have brought my one sheets with me because she asked for them from people at the table. I hear mixed thoughts on whether or not it’s necessary or even beneficial to bring one sheets to conferences but in this instance (and another I had during the conference), it was a definite bonus. I also wondered about business cards, too, and I found them very helpful. I gave out several and collected several and it’s nice to have made those connections.

After lunch were a few more classes, time to visit the bookstore or socialize before the big banquet dinner. The bookstore was fabulous—I am so glad I had extra room in my suitcase because I bought three books. I’ve already read one and it was the best book I’ve read in a long time. I’ll tell you about it soon.

The banquet dinner was quite the event. Everyone all dressed up and gathered in a great room with rounded tables and dim lighting and camera flashes going off everywhere. I got to sit with some lovely ladies, including Jeannie Campbell and Sarah Forgrave—both Genesis finalists. We got to take a lot of pictures and enjoy a great meal before they began with awards. I truly enjoyed seeing authors and writers accepting awards and thanking God and others for being able to do what they do. For most of you who read this blog, writing is a consuming passion and reaching people with our words is something we yearn for and work toward every day. Hearing these award winners was encouragement to keep striving for that goal.

The awards banquet ran well into the evening but we still found time to gather together and fellowship afterward.

I made some amazing friendships at this conference and I hope everyone has the chance to attend at least one just like this.

Overall, I learned that making connections beforehand is a great idea. Bringing one sheets is a good idea. Bringing business cards is beneficial. Knowing your book and its hook is necessary (mostly if you’re pitching). And doing your research beforehand, again if you’re pitching, is so worth it.

I learned a lot from this conference and I’ll be able to use much of it in the future. How about you all? What have you learned from conferences that you can share with others? Or if you haven’t gone yet, what questions do you have for a conference you might attend in the future?

Conference Day 2

2010-10-01T05:10:00.000-06:00

Two things I was grateful for at the Indianapolis ACFW Conference on Day 2—Starbucks and the prayer room. Yep, there was a Starbucks on the first level of the hotel near the lobby—great for that early morning (and afternoon) nudge of caffeine. Much appreciated. And there was also a prayer room where any members of the conference could go for some alone time or to pray with someone else. Those few moments of peace, away from the hustle and bustle of hundreds of bodies, was also much needed and much appreciated. (Of course, I was grateful for so many more things, but I’m trying not to make this post too long.)

The second day we began classes and appointments and kept busy, busy, busy. For me, this morning offered a Continuing Education class, which was also selected beforehand. You can make this choice based off of where you are in your writing process—from beginning writer to published with several books under your belt. They try to offer classes that will benefit anyone at any level. This block of time runs for two and a half hours each morning of classes.

At lunch, you have the opportunity to sit with an agent or editor at labeled tables. It’s really up to the editor or agent what you talk about. At my lunch on this day, I sat with an agent who represents a genre I’ve dabbled in but not the one I’m pursuing for publication at this point. She did, however, ask me what I’m writing and what my story was about and I learned more about her. It was very informal and nice to just enjoy lunch and chat. (My lunch the next day was more formal—or at least, organized.)

After lunch I had my first appointment. This one was with an editor—yes, I had my editor appointment first—which for some reason intimidated me a lot. You only get 15 minutes to make an impression on this person with your personality and/or knowledge of the industry/marketing and/or your writing and story idea. For me, it was a bit of all three. Ahh! You start off waiting down the hall in this partially enclosed area with others who are waiting for their appointments. They call this area Purgatory. BUT, everyone is nice and there are others who’ve done this before (unlike me) and on this day I talked with a few people who gave some advice.

So the appointment came and went—with me still nervous as ever—but let me tell you, it was worth it. A divine appointment—and that was only one of three that day. I did use my one sheet so I was grateful to have made one and the editor also read my first chapter so it was good I brought that, too. For future reference, these are great tools to have at your disposal. You might not need them but it’s great to have them if you do.

The rest of the day went by in a rush for me, with a few more classes (parts of which I missed because of those divine appointments and opportunities). These are shorter classes, only an hour each. But, if you attend a conference, really think about which classes would benefit you and your writing because they’re excellent at pushing you and helping you grow.

Thankfully, the rest of Saturday evening we had free time. And after another choir practice, I got to leave the hotel for some much needed downtime with a group of fun ladies.

Overall, an amazing and productive day with wonderful connections and fellowship with other writers. Even if the conference had ended here, it would have been worth it.

Next post is Day 3, another awesome and worthwhile day.

Conference Day 1

2010-09-26T18:06:00.001-06:00

A few writers out there expressed interest in hearing more about the conference so I thought I’d give you a more in depth look at the experience I had during the ACFW Conference this year.

For me, getting there was a blur. The first time I’d traveled alone, and flown alone, I was nervous getting through the airport and on the plane by myself. But then, I get nervous about a lot, so this wasn’t unusual for me. And I made it without a hitch, despite getting my time of departure wrong and getting to the gate just in time. God was looking out for me and I arrived in Indianapolis Thursday evening.

Of course I stayed up far too late that night with my roommates but it was a chance to practice those all important pitches. Any of you who have been to a conference before or plan on going to one in the future know that you want to have a good grasp of your story when you propose it to editors or agents. For me this meant a 25-word or less pitch that hopefully grabbed attention. And since I brought two stories to pitch, this meant I had to think twice as hard. It helped so much to be able to practice on friends in person.

So we get to Day 1 of the conference, Friday morning at the Hyatt hotel. A nice sized hotel with escalators in the lobby, it was a bit intimidating. First we got our schedules and nametags and we also had the opportunity to find out who our appointments were with.

When you sign up for the conference, you get to choose from appointments with editors, agents, mentors or a meeting with someone in media training. I chose, in order of preference, four agents and four editors. When I opened my sheet at the conference, I saw I got two appointments, one with an editor and one with an agent. Which meant two opportunities to discuss my work with an industry professional. Nerve-racking but exciting.

I had opted to take the Early Bird Class with James Scott Bell. Walking in that room full of authors and aspiring authors and agents, etc. was awesome. And I saw right away faces of blogger friends and it was overwhelming but awesome. James Scott Bell discussed techniques from some of his well-known books like Plot and Structure and The Art of War—books I highly recommend. Or if you have a chance to take a class with Bell, even better. I used up half the notebook we got before the class for notes. Seriously.

Wedged before dinner was a General Session where everyone was welcomed to the conference and we had time in worship with the ACFW worship band, who I enjoyed very much. Then we had a nice dinner and an opportunity to chat with friends. I also signed up to sing with the choir so I had schedule practices sprinkled here and there throughout the first two days.

That night we had the chance to go to late night workshops, hosted by editors from a nice handful of different publishing companies. This is your opportunity to hear what publishers at these particular houses are looking for, what kind of work they consider and some other great tips or advice and information. This also gives you the chance to get to know a little bit more about that particular editor.

After this, if you’re not off to bed, you can head down to the lounge/lobby and bar area to socialize and meet some more friends. For me, as this was my first conference, it was a chance to be in fellowship with other like minded people, meet online friends, and of course, meet one of my critique partners.

Next time I post, I’ll tell you about Day 2, which includes many classes, and my first appointment.

ACFW Conference Highlights

2010-09-22T05:00:00.001-06:00

Hi friends! As most of you know, I went to the Indianapolis ACFW Writer’s Conference over the weekend and I am so happy to be back and tell you how amazing it was.

I’ve never gone somewhere and felt such immediate and wonderful fellowship and support with other attendee’s. Emcee Brandilyn Collins announced that there were over 600 people at the conference this year and even with that many people it still felt like home. One of the most touching parts of the weekend for me was our first General Session with worship. They have a nice little contemporary worship band and the songs were wonderful. When they sang Revelation Song and the crowd joined in, it was so amazing to hear hundreds of voices lifted in song to praise the Lord—all in agreement over His sovereignty and feeling free to worship in their own way but together as a family. I loved it!

Here is a fun group of Blogger friends I connected with at the conference:

You’ll recognize some of the faces, including Jody Hedlund, Katie Ganshert, Jeannie Campbell, Heather Sunseri and Keli Gwyn. What a fabulous group of women.

And here I am with my roommates. I felt so short the whole weekend!

The classes were amazing. James Scott Bell’s Early Bird class was definitely worth it and I took The Art of Self-Editing with Barbara Scott of Abingdon Press and I couldn’t take notes fast enough. So awesome!

I felt like God guided my way through meetings with editors and agents and helped keep me strong even when things got overwhelming.

If I have time, I’ll share more of the conference with you later on. But overall, I am so, so, so happy to have gone and had this experience. And hi to all the new friends I made there!

Conference Jitters

2010-08-23T05:27:00.000-06:00

Part of the reason I’ve been so absent from blogging lately is because of the ACFW conference. I’m going for the first time this year (in fact, the first time at all for a conference like this) and preparation combined with a busy family has taken much of my time. Another thing that’s usurping my time? Nerves.

Yes, I’m nervous about the conference. I’m nervous because I’m an introvert. Because it typically takes a long time for me to open up with people about my writing and now I’m going to be surrounded by people that want to know specifically about my writing. Because this is a big step for me and I want it to matter—to draw me closer to my goal of publication. And simply because almost anything new makes me nervous.

So I thought I’d take comfort from other bloggers, knowing many of you either feel the same way or have felt the same way before. Knowing you all have a wealth of advice and support to give. I thought, as the ACFW conference draws nearer, a few posts about what to expect from the conference and how to prepare would be a great way to lead up to such a big event.

Today we’ll keep it simple. I’d love to hear from any of you out there who have ever gone to a conference or are planning on going to one, and how you deal with nerves—or even if you have them! And if you’re attending the conference in Indianapolis next month, let me know so I can say hi if I see you there!

Rattlesnakes and Hot Air Balloons…Fodder for Novels?

2010-08-16T05:32:00.000-06:00

School is starting next week for us here in Colorado, which means summer is almost over. We’ve already had a dusting of snow on one of the higher peaks, which still blows my mind, and the air is a bit brisker in the mornings.

I’m not ready for summer to be over but I love that with every new season, every new week even, there’s always something new that comes along. Something that inspires me and prods new scenes in my stories.

I had many of these moments over the summer—tiny moments that don’t seem to add up to much, but I store them up nevertheless, to potentially use in novels.

This summer I encountered three rattlesnakes which, like the snow, absolutely amazes me. We have rattlesnakes in Colorado, not unusual, but I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve never seen one until this summer. And let me tell you, it gets your adrenaline going. Funny thing because a few years back I wanted to use a short scene in one of my books involving a snake. Well, here was my hands-on experience.

And over the weekend, I got up early to go for a walk and do some thinking and planning for a new story that I considered placing right in my home town. To the south of us at the reservoir, there are often people who take their hot air balloons out in the morning when the air is cool. They hover over the water, with the low foothills as a backdrop, and it’s always fun to look for them if you’re up and out early enough. Well, on this particular day, one of those balloons ventured right above our house, hovering over our neighborhood. A gigantic ball of color. It may just be me, but I’ve always found hot air balloons fascinating. As the people in the balloon waved and I waved back, I thought, “wow, another fun little detail for one of my stories”. Especially if I used my town as a setting.

Silly little things, sure, but I think they’re what make stories more authentic to the reader. So how about you? If you’re a writer, what did you experience over the summer that you might be able to use in a story? If you’re a reader, do you think personal experiences and small details make a story more authentic?

You or Your Character?

2010-08-06T05:07:00.000-06:00

I love to get to know my characters by asking random questions—and sometimes I even learn more about myself. If you’d like to join in, just choose one or the other and tell me why. You can either answer for yourself, for a character in your current WIP if you’re a writer, or both. Here’s this week’s choice:

Pizza

Salad?

*** Also, I'll be taking a break from the computer (hence no blogging) for part of next week. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Thinking Eyes

2010-08-04T05:30:00.000-06:00

Driving back from church last week, music on and me thinking about my story, my oldest daughter asked, “Mommy, do you daydream?”

I laughed and bobbed my head in a definite nod. “All the time.”

“What do you daydream about?”

“My stories mostly. And characters and what kind of situations to put them in.”

“Yeah, I can tell when you’re daydreaming about writing and your stories.”

“How’s that?”

“You get ‘thinking eyes’.”

Oh boy. Thinking eyes. That’s one I haven’t heard before. Thinking eyes, she explained, was when I’d stare off into the distance like I’m looking into another world. Thinking eyes was when I spent more time with my characters than I did with real people :D Thinking eyes meant the little ones might have to say, “Mommy, mommy, mommy!” before I snap out of it and re-engage in the real world.

So I’m going to try to give the little ones some extra special attention the next few weeks.

How about you? Do you daydream? If you have kids, do they notice? A husband or other family? How much time do you spend in your head with your stories and your characters?

Anatomy of a Scene: Revelations

2010-08-02T05:00:00.000-06:00

It’s been awhile since we’ve visited scenes so I thought I would come back to it with a post about revelations.

We’ve talked about hooks and goals and settings and a few of those tie into this weeks topic. Because with every chapter and each scene we write, we’re revealing to the reader more and more of this world we’ve created. And we want the reader to long for more.

One of the best ways to do this is to simply give the reader more. Give them something they didn’t already know. Give them something that surprises them or they’ve been wondering about. It’s not only going to progress the story but it’s going to keep the reader interested.

Revealing things to the reader can come in many ways.

Action

Make something happen to your characters or make your characters choose to do something that takes them to the next step of the story.

History

This is your opportunity to show the reader something about the past. Something that explains the progression of the story or makes your MC who he/she is now. The more your reader gets to know your characters (without an information dump, of course), the more they can understand your MC’s and hopefully sympathize with them.

Conflict

This also goes back to action. Create a reason for your characters to have to react, even if it’s through a simple conversation.

Surprises

Give the reader something they weren’t expecting through any of the above avenues.

Goals and motivations

Offer more and more as the story progresses as to why your character wants what they want. And show the reader each new thing your MC is willing to do to get it.

Dialogue

This is a great way to reveal character traits, history, etc. to the story.

These are just a few of the ways you can reveal more of the story to your readers. As I work through edits on my current story, one of my goals is to keep the revelations coming. Scene by scene and chapter by chapter. That way the reader is constantly learning more about my characters, about why they are who they are. This is a bit like pacing. Adding spice to your story here and there to make the reader want to move on. To make them constantly feel like they’re getting to that next step in the story.

So how about you? Do you try to add something new to every scene or do you have your own strategy to unwinding your story to the reader?

You or Your Character?

2010-07-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

Which super power?

Invisibility

flying?

Chaos--And Still We Write

2010-07-26T05:00:00.000-06:00

My weekend started on Thursday, climbing a couple thousand feet to the 14,270 foot summit of Gray’s Peak. Beautiful. And wonderful inspiration for writing. On Friday, I wrote 5,000 words because I couldn’t help it. Then a sleepover that night (and me still hobbling around on sore legs) with four young girls, ages 3,4,6, and 8. And less than five hours of sleep. Saturday, they wreaked havoc on the house (yeah, a little embellishment—but I’m a writer, that’s what we do) while I cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, and prepared four courses for my daughter's birthday party. Broccoli dip in a sourdough bread bowl, pasta salad, shish kabobs with my own special marinade, and strawberry cake. And another 5 K because I couldn’t leave my characters in the misery I’d created for them. Sunday, church, more food prep and a party! Oh, yeah, and my hubby was out of town the whole weekend. Just little ‘ole me to manage it all. (I take that back, he was there for the birthday party :D).

And yes, I finished my WIP!

Does this sound familiar to any of you? Lots to do, lots to manage? I know there are many of you out there who work full-time jobs, or part-time jobs. Have kids and/or a husband. Other family. Who have other commitments and other things they enjoy. But you still write.

We still write.

Because as writers, writing is worth it. Because, even when it’s a struggle to get through an entire paragraph, it’s worth it. Because most of the time, writing is a magical, fulfilling, and worthwhile joy that we do because we love it. Because we need it.

Because we’re meant to.

Just a little acknowledgment to all you writers out there. You’re amazing people and I love that I’ve gotten the chance to know you through a mutual passion. Have a great day!

You or Your Character?

2010-07-23T05:30:00.000-06:00

Rain

Sunshine?

***photos from John-Morgan and Dawn

Real Life Fiction

2010-07-19T05:00:00.001-06:00

I’ve never seen a firefly. For some reason, I’ve always wanted to see one. I don’t know why but the idea of fireflies conjures up magical summer nights beneath starry skies.

I have a scene in my current WIP where the hero sees the heroine walking home in the late evening, head tilted to the sky to see dozens of lightning bugs. He experiences her wonder at something so simple and is reminded of the first time they met.

We hear so many times in our writing journey to write what we know. But what about writing what we don’t know? Even better, writing what we want to experience.

Sure, fireflies are something small but they set a certain tone for me. And I figure if I can’t experience them right now, my characters might as well.

What’s something simple you’ve always wanted to do or see? If you’re a writer, do you use this in your writing? Have you given your characters an experience you’ve always wanted to have?

***photo by pareeerica

Anatomy of a Scene: Goals

2010-07-12T05:00:00.000-06:00

In studying what makes up each individual scene, one of the biggest things I’ve discovered is that there needs to be a purpose for each scene. It could be for an external event to move along the plot or for the character to learn something new, but either way, each scene needs to accomplish something. You need to have a goal.

There are two main kinds of goals for each scene and either or both will help propel a book toward an effective climax and resolution. They will also help keep your reader interested.

Character Goals

These are the kinds of goals you have for your characters in each scene. The kind that help you realize where the character is heading and why. What is urging them toward growth or keeping them from it. In each scene, having goals for your characters is a good idea.

You can accomplish this by asking yourself these questions:

What do you want your character to experience in this scene?

How do you want your character to grow or change in this scene?

What do you want your character to realize in this scene?

What decision does your character make in this scene?

Essentially you want your character to start off in one place at the beginning of the scene and end up somewhere else. Either emotionally or physically. When you know your character’s overall motivations or goals, breaking them down scene by scene to get there will help move the story along and progress it logically for the reader.

Plot Goals

These are goals you can set for individual scenes that help advance the plot. Basically, it comes down to events. Your entire story is made up of a series of events that get you from chapter to chapter or scene to scene until the books end. So, ask yourself:

What do I want to accomplish during this scene?

What event happens during this scene that causes external or internal conflict?

What should or could occur to help the story arrive at an effective or explosive climax?

Making a plot goal for each scene is an excellent way to progress the story and hold your reader's attention.

Do you set goals for each scene? Character goals or plot goals or both?

Anatomy of a Scene: Setting

2010-07-07T05:00:00.000-06:00

Last week we talked about hooks that begin and end scenes. This week we’ll switch gears a little and talk about setting. Not just the importance of the overall setting for a book, but what purpose setting can serve for each individual chapter or scene.

For me, setting is excellent for doing one or more of these three things in each scene.

1) Establishing general information for the reader

This is one of the basic reasons we use setting in a book. To reveal to the reader a time or place. To create a world for them based on a time period, geography (fictional or real), which also means everything from location in the world to location like a specific house or landmark in a town. This includes time of the day and the conditions of those days, such as weather.

2) Creating a mood or a feeling

Setting a story in a particular place is often an important decision and integral to the make-up of a book. This becomes even more important when you break it down into chapters. If your character is feeling worried or upset or scared, having them deal with these thoughts during a thunderstorm or in the dark of night helps enhance their feelings. Likewise, a walk or picnic in sunshine can either help display your characters feelings of buoyancy and happiness or work as an interesting contract to opposite feelings. Does the sun irritate them? Do they snatch down shades because it’s too bright or make faces at flowers and families picnicking in a park because it contrasts with their feelings? Using bits and pieces of a setting, even a particular place or time of year, can create a particular mood or enhance a character’s thoughts and bring more depth to a scene.

3) Grounding characters

This is one of my favorite uses of setting. Grounding my characters in the setting, which involves letting them engage in their surroundings. It’s a great way to SHOW the reader about the setting and SHOW them more about the character at the same time.

This might look like a character gripping tightly to a water glass or spinning it in circles on a table if they’re out to dinner. This allows them to interact with their surroundings, showing us more about where they are instead of them hovering in any random place, and also reveals more about the character. They’re nervous or worried or naturally fidgety.

It could also look like a character strolling through a forest and stopping to snatch up a twig and use it to knock against the trees as they walk. More information about where the character is. Or the character could be kicking with abrupt swipes at loose pebbles on the ground to show they’re angry.

Letting your characters interact with their surroundings is a great way to bring a setting to life and show instead of tell how they’re feeling. It also helps give your reader a sense of location instead of hovering in the character's head for too long, not knowing where they are or what they're doing while they're thinking or talking.

Setting can be a great asset to building a plot beyond events and characters beyond simple characteristics. What are some ways you enjoy using setting in your stories or what are some interesting ways you’ve seen settings used in stories you’ve read?

You or Your Character?

2010-07-02T05:43:00.000-06:00

I love to get to know my characters by asking random questions—and sometimes I even learn more about myself. If you’d like to join in on the fun, just choose one or the other and tell me why. You can either answer for yourself, for a character in your current WIP if you’re a writer, or both. Here’s this week’s choice:

Music

Television?

Anatomy of a Scene: The Hook

2010-06-28T05:30:00.001-06:00

After recently finishing a manuscript and immediately starting a new one while editing, I’ve been spending much time examining what’s in a scene. Not only that, what makes a scene strong, full, and worthwhile to a reader. Those topics include setting, dialogue, character goals and so on. But today I’m going to be writing about hooks.

Generally we talk about the hook of the story as the opening line or paragraph of a novel. In addition to that, I’ve also realized the importance of a hook at the beginning and end of each scene.

Writing a good hook results in catching a reader’s attention and making them want to read on. This applies most often to the first line/paragraph of a story but just as importantly to the end of each scene. You want to reach out to the reader, to make them want more.

Here are some elements of a good hook:

It makes the reader ask a question.

If it’s the opening line or paragraph, you want them to ask what’s going on. If it’s the first line or the last line or a scene, you want them to ask what’s going to happen.

It gives the reader a sense of the genre.

This is especially true in the first chapter. If it’s a suspense novel, open with a suspenseful line—draw your reader into the mood. If it’s romance, allude to that in your wording.

It makes the reader want more.

You always want your reader wanting more. There are many successful ways to do this throughout a scene, but writing an effective opening or ending line to a scene is going to propel the reader on. It’s going to make them move to the next paragraph or turn the page because they want to continue.

It drops the reader effectively into a time or place.

A successful first or last line pulls the reader into the moment. This can be done by establishing the setting, time period, etc. or placing the reader directly in the moment of action. Dropping them somewhere interesting or dangerous or different will cause curiosity and make a reader want to continue.

This isn’t an all inclusive list, nor do you have to apply every one of these items. But they’re good things to think about when approaching beginning and ending lines of a scene.

Here are some elements you wouldn’t want to use for a hook:

Always ending a scene with a neatly tied up conclusion. In some cases it works but in most it’s better to end the scene before the conflict is resolved.

Cliché’s. Opening scenes (more specifically the first paragraph of the entire story) with description about the weather or overused settings.

Starting or ending a scene with a hook that’s misleading (make sure it pertains to the story and the genre).

There’s no specific formula for creating a hook and everyone’s tastes are different. But following some general guidelines can help with your key goal—getting a reader interested enough to read more. What kind of rules do you follow to create a successful hook? Do you try to focus on beginning and ending lines or paragraphs to draw a reader in?

You or Your Character?

2010-06-18T05:00:00.001-06:00

Cook it yourself

Order out?

The Pizza Novel

2010-06-14T06:30:00.001-06:00

I was eating lunch with my little ones the other day—pizza because it’s easy and yummy. And I started thinking how I like my stories a lot like my pizzas. Just the basics—the dough, sauce and cheese. Simple, to the point and effective. Satisfying. Okay, I know I think too much, especially while I’m eating. Probably isn’t good for the digestion. But either way, the thought occurred to me:

My pizza habits correlate to my writing habits. Do yours?

Dough = Plot

I’m going to say the dough is the plot. It’s the foundation of your story. You don’t want holes because the rest will fall through. It has to be solid, so when it bakes or when you get it out on paper, it’s strong.

Sauce = The Setting

Yep, some people are all about the sauce and some aren’t. Some like it thick or zesty and some like it thin. Either way, it has to be consistent. I like a lot of sauce. I like my settings to become part of my stories, to affect each character and really leave an impression on them. Bring on the sauce!

Cheese = Characters

Oh yes, warm, oozing cheese full of goodness. In my opinion, the cheese makes the pizza. The characters make the novel.

Sometimes you have to have many kinds of cheese. A little of this, a lot of that for your main characters. But the characters are sort of like the glue that holds the whole story together. It’s the icing on the cake (you know, if I was using a cake metaphor).

Toppings = Voice

Toppings to me are what make that novel yours. It’s what gives your story a voice. Sometimes it’s simple. It’s just spices. Just enough to still stick to the guidelines of pizza making. And sometimes it’s more—to take your pizza, your story, to a whole new level.

Like I said, I’m a big fan of the dough, sauce and cheese combo. The basics. But I’ve learned that I need to add my own toppings to make that pizza mine. Perhaps not anchovies—I’ve never been good at humor. But sausage on occasion—for depth and substance. Italian sausage, I’d say because I like spice and I love accents! I’m still learning, but it’s a step I believe I’m ready for.

If your stories were pizzas, how do you like them? Do you follow the rules and stick to the basics or do you go crazy with the toppings?

You or Your Character?

2010-06-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Introvert

Extrovert?

What’s Out of Your Character’s Grasp?

2010-06-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

I’d been struggling with determining my MC’s motivation in my current WIP. I knew she was a different person than she was a year ago and that she didn’t want that to change. Not only that, she likes where she is. Her job, her home, her friends. She can’t imagine going back to how things were before.

For some reason, however, this wasn’t translating into a goal or motivation. Until I asked myself what was out of my character’s grasp. What was it a year ago that she longed for? Independence. Freedom to get to know herself. A chance to live her life how she deemed, not how everyone else saw fit.

This was her goal. And that gave me her motivation. How much was she willing to do to keep it? What lengths would she go to in order to stay in her home with her new life? Let’s just say, it cleared up how she ended up where she is, why she went there and how she planned on staying there.

This is a necessary thing in order to have a strong plot. We have to know why our characters are the way they are. We need to know where they are and where they’re going. And we also need to know what lengths they’d go to in order to keep it that way. The harder they’re willing to fight, the better.

So what was or is out of your character’s grasp? What is he or she willing to do to achieve it or keep it that way?

Review of Shannon Taylor Vannatter's White Roses

2010-06-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

I had the chance to read White Roses, by Shannon Taylor Vannatter, and it was such a joy. It had heart and a sweet message, and it impressed me both as a writer and a reader.

Many of you who read this blog are writers as well. We’re always talking about motivation and conflict and how to keep a reader interested in a book. White Roses is a great example of all three, especially conflict. Not only that, the wording is seamless, with a wonderful flow and good impact.

As far as the reader role, White Roses was just a treat. I love books that keep me wanting more and make me smile. That have me rooting for a happy ending. White Roses catered to all those wants.

Here’s the back cover summary of White Roses:

Grayson can't seem to move on.

Pastor Grayson Sterling loves his wife. The problem is, Sara was killed by a hit-and-run driver two years ago. Grayson knows he needs to move on, that the continuing depth of his grief is not healthy for him or his young son. Desperate, he convinces his church to hire Mark Welch as associate pastor to relieve him of some of his load. When Adrea Welch arrives at his church with her brother, Grayson cannot deny his attraction to her.

For years, florist Adrea Welch has been artfully arranging white roses for Sara Sterling. Now those flowers are carried to the cemetery by a faithful, grieving husband. How can Adrea be so attracted to a man still devoted to his dead wife?

When secrets from Adrea’s past collide with their budding relationship, both she and Grayson must learn to lean on God’s abiding wisdom.

If you have a chance, hope over to Shannon’s Web site to learn more about her and the following books in the White Rose Trilogy. You can also visit her at The Inkslinger Blog . And, if you have the opportunity to read this book, I definitely recommend it.

You or Your Character?

2010-06-04T06:00:00.001-06:00

Moonlight?

* Photos from flickr

Plotting Your Novel Part 9: Ready to Write

2010-06-01T07:00:00.000-06:00

This is the last post in the Plotting Your Novel series and the final step in the process. This is where, after all the planning that’s been done, you’re ready to start writing.

So far we have:

* Gotten the initial idea and asked ourselves key questions to see if the idea could form an entire novel (this includes thinking of three large conflicts or plot points of the story)

* Written a short summary of the story and figured out the ending if necessary

* Figured out the theme of the story

* Found our inspiration for the story (including pictures or music) and done research

* Done a character sketch and discovered their goals and motivations

* Made a plot timeline and followed up with the chapter by chapter outline to whatever extent works for each of us

At this point, I usually have pages and pages of notes. This includes random note cards or sticky notes I’ve written on as well as anything I’ve printed for the research I’ve done. I like to organize it to some extent so it’s easy to read through as I start writing.

One of my last big steps is to think of a title for the story so I have something to call it. Sometimes it takes writing the whole story and brainstorming to come up with the absolute perfect title but oftentimes I have an idea beforehand and it’s what I can think of at that point that represents the story.

This is the last step in the 9-step plotting a novel process. I begin the story with my notes, spare paper to write a timeline as I go and character traits to keep them straight (like eye/hair color, etc). I also have my music with a specific playlist for the story and sometimes pictures to represent places or people. And, of course, I have my chapter by chapter outline.

When you start writing, what do you have at your disposal? Do you start on notebook paper or the computer? Do you have music, an extensive outline or a mind full of ideas?

You or Your Character?

2010-05-28T09:00:00.000-06:00

Dogs

Cats?

*photos from flickr

Plotting Your Novel Parts 6 & 8: Planning Chapters and Scenes

2010-05-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

We’re coming close to the end of the Plotting Your Novel series. These two steps are, for me, typically the most time-consuming but most rewarding steps of the entire process. This is where we actually plan out what’s going to happen for the entire book. It sounds overwhelming and it doesn’t work for everyone, but I’ve found that plotting the story chapter by chapter is the best way for me to approach a story. Not only does it help ensure there’s enough motivation for my characters to act the way they are, but it allows me to approach the story with enough conflict and stray from large plot holes.

Part 6 is the preliminary plot line. This can come any time during the first several steps of the plotting process. If you haven’t already, first start with Goal, Motivation and Conflict and establish any backstory you’ll need to know for specific things that need to happen during the story. And then I begin making what’s essentially a timeline of major and minor plot points. Sometimes these are known as turning points as well. The major plot points are key times in the story where an event or moment occurs, internally or externally to change your character’s course of action. To change their life as they know it. Minor plot points can do this on a smaller level. I also use these to mark simple events that I know I want to take place in the story. You can plot these out chronologically or randomly. I usually list as many events as I can on a sheet of paper. This includes major plot points, minor plot points, specific descriptions or conversations I want characters to have. I list as much as I can think of—anything that comes to mind, even if I don’t end up using it in the story later.

For me, this turns out to be several sheets of thoughts pouring out without much order, but I mark each one to make sure it’s a separate point on my plot line.

Then comes Part 8, the chapter by chapter outline. I enjoy planning out approximately how long each chapter will be and how many chapters I’ll need to write a book a specific length. My stories usually end up at least over 80,000 words so I know I’ll need at least 20 chapters and fairly lengthy ones at that. But even without planning this ahead of time, you can still plan your story chapter by chapter.

This is where your major and minor plot points come in handy. You can organize them in chronological order so they’re ready for your outline. In each chapter, I’ll mark as many things that happen as I can think of—usually from my plot timeline. Sometimes I get detailed enough to discuss how this effects the character(s) and I make notes if I want to mention this later on in the story. You can also separate the chapter into scenes and make note of which character’s POV this scene will be in. If you like to write your story from beginning to end without detouring to later chapters, then this is where you can put your ideas for specific conversations for later chapters if you already ideas.

So basically, each chapter will contain the number of scenes you want, the POV of each scene, the overall goal of each scene and if you can, the events that happen during that scene to bring you to that goal.

Again, this process isn’t the best or most productive process for everyone but it’s worked for me in the past. Next week, I’ll cover the last step in the Plotting Your Novel series which will wrap up the 9-step process I use to prepare my novels for writing.

For those planners out there, do you make a chapter by chapter outline to plot the progress of your story? If you’re not a planner, do you still write your stories in chronological order or do you skip around as ideas come to you?

You or Your Character?

2010-05-21T05:30:00.000-06:00

Trees

or

the ocean?

Relationships With Our Manuscripts (A Love Story)

2010-05-19T05:00:00.000-06:00

After recently completing a novel slightly different than what I normally write, I found that my reaction to it while writing and after was immensely different to what I had writing most of my other stories.

This made me wonder if other writers out there have different relationships with each new story they write or it’s roughly the same for each one. What is your relationship like with your WIP?

For the last several stories I wrote, I feel in love with the idea while in the planning stage. The more I planned, the more I liked the story and the characters. And then once I started writing…ahhh, deep love. The magical kind of love like when you’ve just fallen for someone and everything you do or think is about them.

This is what’s it’s usually like with my stories. I’m doing laundry and I think about them. I’m driving to pick up my oldest daughter from school and I’m visiting with my characters. I’m supposed to be sleeping and instead I’m dreamily floating through a scene, pulling tendrils of ideas from the corners of my mind to create their world and their lives.

And when the story is done? I don’t want it to be done. I miss my characters and I miss walking with them through their journey. But I get over it, pick up my editing pen and modify their world to the point I am ready to move onto new characters in a new world. A whole new love story.

That’s normal for me. Until I started my last story. I enjoyed writing it, don’t get me wrong, but it didn’t inspire those giggling beginning of love feelings that made me long to re-enter that world. But after I finished it and went through to editing, I really started enjoying the story. After writing it, I wanted to spend more time with those characters and develop their lives more. Completely the opposite of how I normally react to my stories.

A very different relationship.

So how about you? What kind of relationship do you have with your WIP? If you’ve written more than one story, did your feelings toward each story differ?

There Are No Setbacks in Writing

2010-05-17T05:00:00.000-06:00

I had another post planned for today but felt inspired to write something more transparent, something that shows my vulnerable side—for a reason.

With Genesis contest results in and query rejections in the recent past, I’ve felt conflicted about my writing. And I have to apologize to my poor critique partners (sorry friends) because I’ve complained a little. I’ve questioned God’s path for me on this writing journey. And, truth be told, I let all this really get to me.

But only briefly.

I prayed about it and you know what God told me?

There Are No Setbacks in Writing!

There are no setbacks. It’s easy to say not finaling in a contest is a setback or getting a rejection from your dream agent is a setback. A bad critique might seem like a setback. But none of these things are. God’s really been impressing on me to take a look at everything on this journey I might have considered a setback and find a new label for it.

Didn’t final in the contest? Ahhh…a chance to learn. A poor critique? Yep, a chance to grow. A rejection from an agent or editor? This one’s the best.

A chance to persevere.

Not setbacks. Opportunities. Even at the lowest point when it seems we don’t even have any good feedback to encourage us to continue, there is still something we can take from that moment. It’s the specific time in our journey we can look back on years from now and say “Hey, I made it through that and look where I am now.”

So I encourage all of you to not define difficult moments as setbacks. To meditate on them, pray, take a moment to process them and then decide. You can either let that moment define you, or you can decide that you’re going to define that moment by what you learn from it.

Plotting Your Novel, Part 5 & 7: Characters

2010-05-10T06:30:00.000-06:00

Moving along in the Plotting Your Novel series, we come to one of my favorite topics: characters. Today we’re covering parts 5 and 7 because they’re both about characters. One comes earlier in the process, before or just after we do research. And the other comes once we know a little more of our plot.

I tend to make my initial foray into the minds of my characters early on in the plotting process. First I figure out who my main characters are and also do as well as I can at this point in figuring out my secondary characters. Then I figure out surface stuff—simple things that end up being very important in helping to establish my plot. This step involves a few very basic questions and determinations. The first is motivation and beliefs. I tend to think about my characters early on by questioning their motivations. What are they looking for? I like to determine their goal. What is driving them (which consequently will help drive the novel)? I also like to figure out what it is (their beliefs) that stands in the way of them not meeting their goal. If your character is looking for freedom from the past, why can’t she find it? If she's looking for love, then what stops her from jumping in head first?

The next step in Part 5 is the fun stuff. Characters names, simple physical characteristics or mannerisms. These can be elaborated on later but I find it’s easier to plot and plan more if you know who your characters are and what their purpose is.

Part 7 in the plotting process typically comes after research and after a preliminary plot line (which we’ll talk about in another post). This is where we really get to know our characters. Where we can do an in-depth character sketch and find out things we didn’t already know about our characters.

We’ll discover more about their jobs, their hobbies, their friends and more. I tend to focus on one character at a time and start with the basics. What do they do for a living? Why? How does it help define who they are? Then I carry these questions over to their hobbies. Why? How does it help define who they are, etc? And so on. I find it really helps to have a routine when getting to know your characters. Start to develop a list of questions and make it as extensive as you need to in order to feel comfortable with your characters. If the basics work for you, great. If you need to know more, like cleaning habits or what kind of music they listen to, then make a list of questions and discover these things about your characters.

Your characters are so important to your manuscript. They add life and they’re what make your readers feel and long for more in the story. Spend as much time as you need with your characters to make them accessible to readers.

What strategies do you use to get to know your characters before or during writing?

Do You Want a Magazine? Or...(Working on a Manuscript at the Salon)

2010-05-07T06:30:00.000-06:00

Sometimes when I go to get my haircut, I’ll get a deep conditioning treatment as well. My hair tends to get dry and it’s even worse here in Colorado. So, deep conditioning helps.

They wash my hair and then put some divine smelling conditioner in it, like coconut on some tropical island, drop a towel around my shoulders, and snap a trendy shower cap type thing on my head. The epitome of fashion, let me tell you. And then I get to lounge under one of those dome shaped warmers to infuse all the conditioner into my hair.

And every time I sit down, because I have to sit under the warmer for 10-15 minutes, they always ask me if I want a magazine. And I pretty much always say no. And then they tilt their heads or narrow their eyes like, “If you aren’t going to read, what are you going to do while you’re sitting there for 15 minutes?”

Plan, of course. Think. Spend some time with my characters. There are often so few hours in the day to plot scenes in my head that it makes sense to take advantage of every moment.

So while my neighbor is reading about the newest Hollywood breakup or the most recent fad diet, I’m figuring out how to kill one of my characters or how to unbind them from the situation they (me) have gotten themselves into.

Do any of you find yourselves thinking about your stories in unusual places? Feel free to share in the comments below--and have a great weekend!

Plotting Your Novel, Part 4: Research

2010-05-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

Before I took my break from blogging, we began a series on how to plot your novel. It’s a 9 step approach I developed for National Novel Writer’s Month and I fell in love with it. I’ve used this method on two novels so far and it’s really helped me with consistency in writing and creating more well rounded stories.

You can view the first three posts by clicking on the links in the Previous Posts on Writing sidebar. Here’s what we’ve covered so far:

1) The Ideas
* Three questions to ask yourself
* Three or four big plot points

2) From Idea to Plot
* Synopsis
* Figure out the ending
* Character or plot driven
* Theme or message

3) Inspiration and Motivation
* Playlist, pictures, books, movies, etc.
* Set time of day or weekly/daily word goals

Our next topic is research. I write contemporary fiction so sometimes there’s very little research involved. But I’ve still found that no matter the setting, the character’s jobs or their interests, it’s always good to do at least a little bit of research and/or brainstorming.

This is our chance to develop our setting. Real or fictional, this place is going to ground your characters somewhere and may even serve as a larger part of the story, setting tone or mood. I like to visit the place if possible, or visit a place that might be similar but sometimes that’s not possible. Either way, use resources to learn its climate, its location in relation to other towns or landmarks, even its popular streets or areas. Real or fictional, you can make a list of these things. Get to know your setting like you get to know your characters. What is it about this place that draws your characters to it—or on the other end, pushes them away? Take time to delve in and become familiar with this place. Print pictures if you want or close your eyes and picture it in your mind. You might not use all the information later on but it will help you write the setting more like you’ve actually lived there like your characters do.

This is also our chance to do the research we need to develop our characters (we’ll get to the specifics of their lifestyle later on, things that don’t require research just insight into their lives). That involves careers and hobbies. Ask yourself the same questions as you did regarding the setting. What is it about their job or hobbies that draws them in? Find resources if you need to in order to make these aspects of the story more real.

If you’re a member of ACFW, you can find resources on the site. You can also utilize the e-loop to ask questions about a specific job, location or hobby. Don’t be afraid to ask around, call friends or acquaintances. Even use social networking sites. Your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Ask if anyone has experience with that topic or if they know someone who does. The more necessary research you do, the more realistic you will make your story.

The Waiting Game

2010-04-30T06:30:00.000-06:00

Most of us have things we’re waiting for in life, things that just don’t seem to come quick enough. Right now, most of those things for me are writing related. Contest results, e-mails or calls from agents, feedback from others. These are all things I’m waiting for right now and the waiting just got harder.

I finished my WIP yesterday, which is clearly a good thing. I’m celebrating at two thousand words above my estimated word count and so excited I’m thinking of getting started with editing right away.

However, this was my distraction. While waiting for feedback or word back on writing related things, people always say one of the best ways to occupy your time is to keep writing. And so I did. Plotting and planning and writing and thinking of more to plot and plan and write. And it worked for the most part. Until the plotting and planning and writing was done and suddenly, it freed up my mind to think. To consider all those things I was waiting for.

This, my friends, is why I’m seriously considering starting my editing right away. I can celebrate while improving my writing and hopefully leave all the thinking out of it.

It’s been easier and easier lately for me to be more patient and wait for my path to reach things I was waiting for. I know a lot of that has to do with distraction but much of it has to do with trusting in God. It doesn’t make the waiting go faster but it does make the waiting easier. Knowing that God has me on the right path makes the worries that try to claw at me about the outcome of this waiting game less of a burden. It makes me realize that good or bad, win or lose, I’m on this path for a reason. It could be losing ten times that makes me a better writer to finally reach that winning outcome.

How about you? What are you waiting for right now? What makes it easier for you to wait?

Writing What You Know

2010-04-26T05:23:00.000-06:00

Last year I did a guest post for another blog about writing what you know. I had a request several months back to re-post that entry over here on my blog. I've been thinking a lot about branching out with my characters and their experiences and lifestyles and this post helped to renew my own thinking so I thought I'd share it with you.

Write what you know?

I used to hate that expression. Write what you know. Because what did I know, really? I know how to iron clothes and cook spaghetti. I know how to play the violin and jumprope, among other things. But writing a full-length novel about a woman who cooks spaghetti in her spare time and applies other mundane tasks, such as ironing, to her busy life as a jumproping violinist didn’t sound all that appealing.

Surely when Rowling wrote of the magical world of Hogwarts and witches and wizards she’d never actually experienced such fantasy. And when Tolkien brought us to a land of hobbits and sharp-toothed Orcs killing to help the evil wizard acquire a magical ring, he wasn’t writing from his past adventures.

So how do we write what we know? How do authors pull readers into an intriguing world of fiction if they’re not experts on the topic they write about? Is it simply a grand amount of research or is there some other secret we’re not privy to?

I wrote this book in which the main characters spent a lot of time on horses, trotting along the beach and enjoying nature. I know nothing about horses and have only ridden a few in my lifetime. But this mattered little to me because I knew this book had to have horses in it. It was like a movie reel playing over and over in my mind, conversations between the characters on the horses. A budding romance out on the beach after a ride on a beautiful brown mare (of course I think I called most of the horses stallions at this point because, like I said, I knew nothing about horses). My point is, I had a vision for the book. That’s all I had. I didn’t know much about horses, I didn’t know how in the world a saddle was attached or even if I wanted to, but I knew without a doubt what I wanted in my story. And so, though I had to do research on horses and get advice, I still wrote what I knew in a sense. I focused on the character’s passion for these animals, the way the characters bonded over their mutual love of horses. I knew how to write this much and more.

When someone tells you to write what you know, it’s amazing how many tools you have at your disposal. You know about love and loss, you know about dreams, you know about passion for writing or whatever else you enjoy doing. These emotions are a wonderful beginning to building a character around a world that can seem as tangible as reality, even if you have to do some research.

So what kind of scenarios do you view in your imagination? What do your characters long for, dream about? What are they challenged with? If you can create all these things and feel them, experience them, love them as you follow that mental journey, then you can write it. Acquiring information about a character’s profession or facts about the city of your setting will take work but it is definitely doable. The rest of the story, how real you make it, is the foundation of it all.

Write what you know and we’ll see insight into imaginative minds that process emotions and experiences in unique ways. We’ll see individuality in writing, and a perspective we may never have thought of. Dare to draw from your own experiences and then paint them in a new way, writing what you know that others may not.

Enjoying the Little Things

2010-04-23T06:30:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I woke up with a self-imposed deadline. I had planned the night before to write at least 2,500 words on my current WIP and I was going to stick to it.

Ah, but then the sky started to cloud over and a comfortable silence engulfed the house and suddenly rain started to tink against the windows and I was enamored. I love rain. We don’t get a huge amount in Colorado and to me, it’s fascinating. There’s a certain emotion that comes along with rain and while I can never exactly pinpoint it, it’s not bad. It’s…calming. For me, rain doesn’t mute the colors, it makes the world more vibrant. And I’m a big fan of dimension. Shadows and light. Rain lends a certain mystery to them all.

But I needed to get things done! Spend time with the little one, work on my story, clean the basement, figure out what to do for family night (Wii bowling tournament, of course!). So many things.

But I didn’t move and realized suddenly that I needed to make time for the little things. Watching a rain show, making pictures out of the clouds, lingering over a cup of tea or a moving song. These little things, in the midst of all the stuff we have to do are what makes all that stuff easier to get through.

So, what little things have you enjoyed lately? Don’t forget those little things this weekend, either. God gave us such a fascinating world, why not enjoy it?

Glad to be Back--Tell Me Everything!

2010-04-19T06:30:00.000-06:00

Hey friends! Yes, I've returned to blogging. Or, at least, I'm easing back into it. Most of you know I took a break from blogging and I've been away for several weeks.

There's so much that has happened since then. It was such a blessing to be able to spend time with family, time with friends, time with God. I worked less on my writing than I thought I would and yet it feels like what I was supposed to do.

In that time, I entered the Genesis Contest, went on women's retreat with my church (which was just phenomenal), took a vacation with the family and saw some old friends, made an interesting connection in publishing, and so much more.

Before I get back to some more regular posts, I'd love to hear what's been going on with you. Unfortunately, I had little time to check in on blogs and keep up with all you wonderful people. I'd be so happy to hear what's going on in your lives. New news, fun news, just something you want to share. It can be about writing or anything. Can't wait to catch up!

Blogging Hiatus

2010-02-22T10:37:00.003-07:00

Hey friends! I just wanted to stop in to say I'm going to be taking a break from blogging to focus on family and writing, among other things. I'll still be stopping in to visit your blogs here and there because I love to hear all the news going on with you, but I won't be posting for awhile. I'm going to miss it and you but I feel I truly need to sort out my priorities right now. See you soon!

Move Me, Yes, But Please Entertain Me

2010-02-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

We talk a lot about books that move us. Books which touch us in a profound way that stays with us for a long time. I read books like this—I love books like this.

But I realized recently that large majority of what I read are books that entertain me. Many have spiritual characters or themes, most have some kind of moral or uplifting point, but ultimately, I enjoy them so much because they entertain me.

Like a great movie or song, they provide an escape. And in this fast-paced world when escape (a vacation, a day off from work or chores or school) has to be planned, a book that can take you away is invaluable.

So, while most days I yearn to write the ultimate novel that deeply moves someone—to tears, to new meaning in their life—others I simply want to entertain people. I want to write a book that lets a person sit back and enjoy, just like so many books have done for me.

I applaud anyone who writes a book. It’s an amazing feat. But sometimes I think those who write to entertain don’t get as much credit, especially not in inspirational fiction. Move me, yes, but sometimes all I want—all I need—is to be entertained. So today, I applaud all those authors and writers who have written books which provide that wonderful escape. And more, I thank you!

How about you? What kind books do you generally gravitate toward when you're choosing something to read? What kind when you choose what to write?