Creating Good Fiction Proposals by Jeff Gerke, Part 2

Please welcome back author and editor Jeff Gerke to continue his series on creating good book proposals.

What Not To Include in a Good Book Proposal*
by Jeff Gerke

Last week I listed what to include in your proposal. Today let’s look at what is not included.

First, there's no lengthy marketing analysis or list of comparative titles. Other editors may disagree here, but I always found such things to be useless. Besides, it's my job to know what else is out there that would be similar to or might compete with any given book.

Individual authors don't usually have access to the industry sales figures like I have, so I can find that information quickly. And authors often don't have the same breadth of knowledge I have. Seeing, "As far as I know there's been no other book written about dinosaurs being brought back to life" does not encourage me about the author. Better to just leave all that off, imo.

There's also no life history of the author. "Born in Tuskogee, Michigan, to a rice farmer and a brain surgeon, Joe Author had a hard but starch-rich childhood..." Yawn.

Dude, unless you're a former mountain climber writing a novel about climbing K2, we pretty much don't care about your life story. Unless something in your life pertains to something in your novel, leave it out. If something in your life does pertain to your novel, then by all means mention it. But I don't need to know where you went to high school.

Finally, there's no mention of your awesome marketing plan. I don't know why writing teachers tell novelists to put in this kind of information. It's silly and, most likely, what you can do as an individual is kind of pathetic compared to what the publisher could do. It's like "Display Your Anonymity Day."

I'm poking fun at myself, too, when I say that, so don't hear me wrong. Most individuals, and especially most of us mousy novelist types, haven't erected massive media empires we can bring to bear to market our novels. And if we have, we'll probably self-publish and keep all the dough for ourselves!

Putting on a sheet of paper that you can guarantee the sale of fifty copies of your book or that you intend to create a Web page or you've been invited to speak to a group of two hundred people may be impressive to the lady in the cubicle next door, but it's all but laughable to a publisher.

Another source of chuckles for editors is when novelists write that they are ready and eager to devote themselves to multi-city book tours and interviews with Oprah. Um...okay. But unless you're funding and arranging those things yourself, they're probably not going to happen. It's not like publishers are sitting around waiting to publish the first person they can find who would be willing to go on the talk show circuit.

Now, if you really do have some impressive "platform" abilities, like you're a speaker for Women of Faith or PromiseKeepers or you're the head of Salem Communications and can put content on 300 radio stations, then be sure to mention that in the proposal.

If you're like most of us, though, and you're just a regular Joe, keep it out of your proposal. The publisher will be able to do much more than you can, and you'll save yourself the pointing and laughing (not that such immaturity ever happens in the hallowed halls of Christian publishing; ahem).

Next week, we'll analyze some of the components that do belong in a good fiction proposal.

Jeff Gerke is a mild-mannered author and book editor living in Colorado Springs. He and his wife have a daughter and a son and in 2009, they adopted a little girl from China. See this site for more. Jeff's first novels appeared in the mid-1990s, followed in the early part of the 21st century by his Operation: Firebrand novels. His nonfiction books were published in 2003 and 2005. In 1999 Jeff came on staff with Multnomah Publishers in Sisters, Oregon, as an editor. Over his career he has been on staff with Multnomah, Strang/Realms, and NavPress. In October 2008 Jeff became the founder of Marcher Lord Press, a small indie publishing company dedicated to producing the finest in Christian science fiction, fantasy, and other wonderfully weird genres.

* This series of articles was taken from Jeff Gerke's Where The Map Ends Web site. Used by permission.

Staying Grounded as Your Career Soars by Cheryl Wyatt

Author Cheryl Wyatt has gracious agreed to run a series on Seriously Write over the next several Fridays. She has provided encouragement and advice to me (Annette) on several occasions, cheering me on. I'm thrilled she can visit Seriously Write.

So, this Fortifying Friday, please welcome Cheryl with the first part of her Staying Grounded as Your Career Soars series.

Staying Grounded as Your Career Soars
By Cheryl Wyatt

Day 1-Friendship

At a writers’ retreat, well-known authors spoke about the importance of maintaining hometown friendships. I want to share their advice.

Writers are strange. Who else stands in elevators with “normals” aka non-writers and argue over the best place to hide a weapon? Or walk into police stations and blurt, “I need to know the best place to hide a decomposing body so it won’t be found for three weeks.”

Yes, I know suspense writers who’ve done it. LOL! Shocked the officers on duty.

Because writers are wired weird, we tend to clump together. As our life becomes more grounded in the publishing industry, we accrue more online friends than hometown buddies.

But what happens when something hard comes? We need people geographically close. Most of our writer buddies won’t be able to physically help us through a taxing ordeal. Life spits storms at all of us.

I don’t want you to be bereft of friends when yours blows to shore.

After a 2008 car accident, I required surgeries. It’s hard to take care of a family when both feet can’t bear weight. Try to hop, crutches under arms, to a stove with a pan. By the time I reached the stove, all the water sloshed from the pan. Menial tasks became monumental. A dear writer friend, Camy Tang, flew from afar to stay with us during one of my surgeries, days apart from another. I can’t enunciate the tremendous blessing and relief she was to my family during that time.

But, she couldn’t obviously leave her own family for the entire ordeal which lasted months. It was people from my church, close-by family and neighbors who came bearing meals, wheels, and mops who got us through the long haul. It’s really hard to have to depend on others but at points in life we’ll all be in that position. People will be more apt to pitch in and help if we’ve remained active and interested in them and their lives.

No matter where we are in our publication journey, let’s not neglect our friendships. People matter more than things. Cultivate hometown friendships. Hardship passes over no one. Sure, our writer friends will send cyber hugs. But there’s nothing more comforting than sharing a warm cup of cocoa with a face-to-face friend who can hug us in person on a truly blue day. I’ve learned not to neglect friendships for the sake of story. Nor be such a deadline-driven recluse that I pull away from those who love and care about me.

When we enter hard seasons, they’ll be there. They’ll also cheer as our life crawls from winter’s cold ashes into new seasons of hope reborn. Good friends will be there in hard times and happy times. I encourage you to nurture nearby friendships. You have no idea how much you need them and they need you. Keep close and hold dear the family and friends around you.

~ Cheryl Wyatt

Born Valentine’s Day on a naval base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers. Check out her Web site.

Her latest book, Soldier Daddy, a Steeple Hill Love Inspired title, released in October, 2009.

U.S. Air Force commander Aaron Petrowski leads pararescue teams, yet can't find one nanny for his three-year-old twins?

The widowed father is returning to duty, but not without the best care for his beloved boys. So when Sarah Graham applies, the young woman surprises everyone by passing inspection. Until Aaron discovers Sarah has a secret tied to a tragedy in his past.

He can't keep her in his employ—or in his heart. Until his brave little soldier boys teach him a thing or two about love.

Giving Thanks

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100: 4 NIV)

Lord,

This Thanksgiving Day we’re filled with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives.

Thank you for . . .

Husbands and wives who believe in us and our dreams.

Patient children, who at times must wait for our attention.

Friends who support a passion they don’t always understand.

Critique groups who provide encouragement and honest feedback.

Mentors who teach and help guide us.

Agents who look out for our best interest.

Editors who assist in taking our work to a higher level.

Good health while struggling to meet deadlines.

Writer friends who understand us, as only other writers can.

And Lord, thank you also for . . .

The gift of imagination.

Characters who breathe, live, and grow on the page.

Plot solutions that arrive in the middle of the night.

The ability to give hope and inspiration through story.

The privilege to share Your love and forgiveness through our words.

Amen

Writing Great Copy by Jim Rubart

If we want to be successful writers, we need to be involved at some level in marketing our work—whether we like it or not. So during the month of November, our Writer’s Journey Wednesdays have been dedicated to a four part series on the subject. Jim Rubart is an author and professional marketer. Please welcome our friend as he shares his expertise with us.

Marketing Series
Part IV

Writing Great Copy

I get paid to write ad copy: Radio spots, TV spots, Web sites, brochures, back cover copy, proposals, one sheets, etc.

So do you. (Get paid to write copy.)

You think if you’re not in advertising you don’t write copy? And don’t get paid for it? Sorry. EVERYTHING you write is copy.

When I first dove into the world of publishing I figured if someone could write an entertaining, surprising novel, they could certainly write entertaining, surprising Web site copy, or e-mails, or readers letter, or a sales proposal.

Wrong, Jim! Want to play again?

Over time I realized copy writing is a skill that takes time to learn, just like writing a book or article. But you can do it. And it can pay huge dividends.

What’s one of the first rules of writing a novel? Make sure your first line has a hook. Make it surprising. Make in memorable. What are we taught to do at the end of our chapters, be they fiction or non-fiction? Leave our readers with a question. An issue unresolved. A mystery. So they’ll jump to the next chapter. We must think the same way with everything we write.

When you entertain and surprise editors, agents, and other writers with your words, you will be liked. Sorry, not fair, but it is reality. And that leads to opportunities.

Whether it’s an e-mail, a letter, a proposal, a note to your husband, wife, kids, friends it’s copy … and you get paid; poorly if you’re boring people–making them skip over your words–or paid well if you entertain them, or give them pertinent info or inspire them.

How do you start writing better copy? Look for it everywhere. Collect the pieces you like. Study them.

During a layover in Salt Lake City recently I treated myself to a heart-attack-on-a-bun at the airport Burger King. I saved the bag ’cause I liked the copy.

Why?

It stands out in a sea of bland fast food copy. There’s a distinct voice to it, an attitude. Made me smile. And I’ll probably think of Burger King a bit more fondly in the future.

Here’s an actual e-mail I sent to a potential client of mine I’d been trying to reach but hadn’t heard back from:

Hey _____, please choose the appropriate response and send back at your convenience:
___ Jim, sorry, I’ve been slammed! I’ll get back to you after Thanksgiving and we’ll set a time to connect.
___ I’m on the 1st tee at Pebble Beach. Where are you? We can’t wait for you much longer.
___ I heard you ran into my cousin at your writer’s group and she told me the truth about you.
___ I heard you played in the Golf-O-holics with my other cousins Bob and Tim. Anyone who takes part in something making fun of alcoholics is no friend of mine.
___ I’ve joined the PGA tour. No time for the ad game anymore.

Thanks,
Jim

He responded twenty minutes later:

You’re a funny guy! I pick…

___ Jim, so sorry, I’ve been slammed! I’ll get back to you next week and we’ll set a time to connect.

I’m flying out in the morning and will return Monday afternoon. Let’s talk then and set a time.

Be blessed. Weirdo!

Your turn. Love to hear how your copy grabbed someone by the mind and didn’t let go.

Jim Rubart is a professional marketer whose clientele has included ABC, AT&T/Cingular, and Clear Channel Radio. He is also a professional speaker, and writes recurring columns for Christian Fiction Online Magazine. His first novel ROOMS comes out this April from B&H Fiction. http://tinyurl.com/yj7pp2l Jim and his wife and their two teenage sons live just outside Seattle, Washington. You can catch up with him at http://www.jimrubart.com/ and http://www.barefootmarketing.com/

Creative Best Series - Part Seven

Net's Notation Tuesdays
Creative Best Series - Part Seven

Today we'll explore the next line in Galatians 6:4 from The Message:

Each of you must take responsibility

Has God called you to be a writer? To share His message? Then, you’ve been mantled with a responsibility. This calling isn’t a hobby we can “get to when we want.” The Lord calls us to take is seriously. But check out the sometimes fun responsibilities we have as writers:

~ Feed your creativity. What inspires you? Movies? Reading? A walk on a wintry day? Take the time to do that. This is your responsibility. No one else 1) knows when your creativity needs refreshing and 2) can refresh your creativity for you. But what fun! Enjoy this one.

~ Know your craft. There are so many “no-no’s” in writing. Sometimes so much so that it feels as if our words are stifled in the telling of our tales. After we know the rules, when we’ve proven yourselves, we can break the rules. But we have to prove competence first. Get your hands on the books and tools that will work for you. We can’t skimp on this responsibility.

~ Read your genre. We have to know our genre(s) well enough to determine if we’re meeting readers’ expectations. They pick up a Christian fantasy, you want to give them what they want. It’s your responsibility to know your genre. Reading as much as you can in your genre will help you know it.

~ Know what’s out there. Reading in your genre will also make you aware of what’s out there. When you’re assembling your proposal, you’ll need this information in the market comparison section. If you’ve read the books mentioned you’ll be able to compare your work with them intelligibly rather than relying on summaries.

~ Commune with God so you’ll have something to give your readers. Your relationship with God needs tending, like a garden. We can’t get so busy with our to-do lists we neglect spending one-to-one time with the Lord. As writers (just like in any position in the body of Christ) we must serve from our overflow. It’s our responsibility to get into a position to be filled up, then as we sit down to write, we work from the overflow.

~ Love your reader. As Christian writers, we are ministers. The most effective ministers love their flock. Let’s be shepherds after God’s own heart, caring about our readers.

~ Pray for your reader. Part of loving our readers is praying for them. Who else will if we don’t? Ours is a unique perspective. The written word is powerful. God can use us to change lives. What a privilege. If we pray for our readers, we’ll better address those needs, point them in the right direction, encourage them, offer hope.

Called to be a writer? Write! If God asked you today if you’ve been responsible with your calling, taking it seriously, how would you answer? There’s grace, both to cover us in our weaknesses as well as to empower us for the future. Avail yourself of that grace.

Take responsibility to be your creative best!

Creating Good Fiction Proposals by Jeff Gerke

Recently, Dawn featured Jeff Gerke's writing helps on a Writer's Journey Wednesday. (see that post here) This Manuscript Monday, please welcome Jeff as he begins a four-part series on creating great book proposals.

What Goes into a Good Fiction Proposal?*
by Jeff Gerke

So you've written the first draft of your novel (you have, right?) and you're ready to approach agents and acquisitions editors to begin your path to certain fame, eh? Good for you!

Each Monday for the next four weeks, I will tell you how to put together a first-rate proposal for your novel.

I've served on the editorial staff for three Christian publishing companies and have read literally thousands of proposals as an acquisitions editor and imprint manager. Plus I've written proposals that have sold my own novels, so I know what works and what it is that editors and agents are looking for.

An acquisitions editor, by the way, is the person who goes through all the proposals submitted by agents and authors and decides which are good and should possibly be published, which are not and should help start fires, and which to get very, very excited about.

Here are the elements agents and acquisitions editors need and value in the fiction proposals they review.

Note that while I'm speaking largely of my own experience and some of my professional colleagues may disagree with one or two points, if you build a proposal like this you won't go far wrong.

Also note that I'm assuming you'll put all of these elements into a single Word file and attach that file to an e-mail message you'll send to the agent or editor in question.

The Elements of a Good Proposal:

1. A cover letter
2. One page with:
~ A very brief (~10-word) hook
~ A short (~100-word) blurb
~ The title of your novel
~ The genre of your novel
~ The length (in wordcount!) of your novel
~ The audience for your novel (age, gender, etc.)
~ Whether or not the novel fits into a series
~ Your previously published books (if any) and the to-date total sales of each
3. A 1-2-page synopsis that does give away the ending (here's how to write such a synopsis)
4. One page with anything else you think is pertinent: short bio on you, historical note, personal experience that undergirds the story, reason for special timeliness, one-paragraph summaries of other books in the series, etc.
5. The first 30-40 pages of your novel (sample chapters)

That's it. I'll discuss each one in detail in the coming weeks.

Jeff Gerke is a mild-mannered author and book editor living in Colorado Springs. He and his wife have a daughter and a son and in 2009, they adopted a little girl from China. See this site for pictures and more information. Jeff's first novels appeared in the mid-1990s, followed in the early part of the 21st century by his Operation: Firebrand novels. His nonfiction books were published in 2003 and 2005. In 1999 Jeff came on staff with Multnomah Publishers in Sisters, Oregon, as an editor. Over his career he has been on staff with Multnomah, Strang/Realms, and NavPress. In October 2008 Jeff became the founder of Marcher Lord Press, a small indie publishing company dedicated to producing the finest in Christian science fiction, fantasy, and other wonderfully weird genres.

* This series of articles was taken from his Where The Map Ends Web site. Used by permission.

My Success Story by Julie Lessman

Both Dawn and I have hosted today's guest on our individual blogs, but more than that, we have become friends with Julie. She inspires us, supports us, prays for us, and we return the favor. May her story of publication and winning awards encourage you this Fortifying Friday.

My Success Story
Julie Lessman

God, help me … when Scarlett seared Rhett with a look on the winding staircase of Twelve Oaks, I was a goner. You see, Gone With the Wind captured me like no other book had done, and at the age of twelve, I immediately set out to write what I hoped would be “the great American novel.” Obviously my dreams of grandeur didn’t go anywhere, but I did write 150 pages of a story that became the basis for my debut novel, A Passion Most Pure.

Fast forward some forty years later—I’m sitting in a beauty parlor reading a Newsweek magazine cover article about how Christian books, movies and music were on the threshold of exploding. My heart jumped, and a little voice said, “It’s time to finish your book.”

So I did. Uh … unfortunately the “little voice” forgot to mention how difficult publication would be. Those who attended the 2005 American Christian Fiction Writers Conference (ACFW) may remember the poor slob who waved her hands wildly in the back of the room when asked who had the most rejections in a year. I won hands-down with 19 and went on to garner a total of 45 in six years. Even my agent, Natasha Kern, blanched a bit when she signed me, realizing after the ink was dry just how many times I’d been rejected. I believe the word she used was “daunting.” But apparently not too daunting for her—she landed me a 3-book contract six months later.

When A Passion Most Pure won Debut Book of the year at the ACFW conference this year, I may as well been stunned by a Taser. There was no way I expected to win, but it certainly drives home a powerful message for every aspiring author out there—although 45 publishers/agents may say “no” … it only takes one to say “yes.”

The Bible says to take it “one day (or one step) at a time, so here are the steps I took on the road to publication. May they help you in your dream to write for Him.

1.) Join ACFW, FHL (Faith, Hope & Love) and RWA (Romance Writers of America) both to connect with like-minded writers and to learn your craft.

2.) Take a fiction-writing class or attend a writing seminar or conference.

3.) Join a critique group (you can do that through ACFW).

4.) Study writing books like Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King or Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, AND invest in a great thesaurus like The Synonym Finder by Rodale Press (my writer’s bible!!).

5.) Enter contests for feedback, growth, confidence, to network and to get your name out there.

6.) Frequent websites/blogs that deal with writing/getting published such as The Seekers.

7.) Go for an agent first, publisher second.

8.) Last but not least? PRAY your heart out … then put it in God’s hands.

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her white-hot passion for both God and romance. Winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year, Julie is also the recipient of 13 Romance Writers of America awards and resides in Missouri with her husband and their golden retriever. She is the author of The Daughters of Boston series, which includes A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. You can contact Julie through her Web site.

Be Courageous

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:9 NIV)

I know a young woman who has a beautiful voice. She loves to sing. In the car, around the house, during worship . . .

She’s an extrovert who doesn’t fear meeting new people - or speaking to a crowd.

But this same woman will never sing in front of a small group of people, let alone a large one.

Do you want to know why?

When she was a little girl she was given a solo to sing during the Christmas production at a large church. The evening of the program, the worship center filled with hundreds of people. She’d been excited for weeks to play the role of Mary and sing the lullaby, but while kids got into custom, many of them asked if she felt nervous. When the time came for her to sing, she was terrified. During the song her voice cracked while hitting a high note, and following the performance, several kids teased her.

She’s been afraid to sing alone in public since that night.

We’re products of our past. Our history plays a significant role in how we perceive ourselves and what we can accomplish.

We all probably have memories of at least one failure. One thing that makes us cringe inside every time we allow ourselves to think about it. An event or person who made us feel small, or not good enough.

Our writing life can also be affected when we allow past failures or hurtful comments to paralyze us.

It may take all the courage we have to write the story of our heart, allow a critique group to read it, and then submit it to an editor or agent.

But remember this . . .

You’re a child of God. You have a personal relationship with a King! And He loves you.

You’re special. And He’s bestowed a passion and gift for writing upon you because He has a purpose for you and what you create.

Be courageous enough to follow your calling.
God is with you wherever you go.

Dawn

Domain Names: Picking the Right One by Jim Rubart

If we want to be successful writers, we need to be involved at some level in marketing our work—whether we like it or not. So during the month of November, our Writer’s Journey Wednesdays have been dedicated to a four part series on the subject. Jim Rubart is an author and professional marketer. Please welcome our friend as he shares his expertise with us.

Marketing Series
Part III

Domain Names:

Picking the Right One

http://www.ewegottaluvthissightcauseibuiltit4u.com/

Do you know what makes an ad jingle effective?

• It’s short.
• Anyone can sing the melody.
• It’s easy to remember.

The same three criteria apply to picking domain names.

1. Short - The longer your domain name, the harder it is for people to remember—and the greater chance for mistakes when typing. My author domain name is http://www.jimrubart.com/ My marketing domain name is http://www.barefootmarketing.com/ Each are two words. One word is even better. Amazon. Hulu. Nike. Your author domain doesn’t have to be your name, but it if isn’t chose something short.

2. Anyone can say it in the most common vernacular. In other words, it’s easy to spell. “Hike for Hope” works. http://www.hikeforhope.com/ “Hike 4 Hope” doesn’t. http://www.hike4hope.com/ (Both are real domains.) Uncommon spellings are trouble also. Love is fine. Luv isn’t.

3. It’s easy to remember. I can remember “Advanced Fiction Writing.” http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/ (Editorial comment- excellent site for fiction writers.) It’s hard to remember http://www.ifyouwant2beagreatadvancedfictionwriter.com/ Also, when people think Web addresses they think .COM. Not .NET, .USA, .ORG, etc. It’s similar to toll free numbers. Even though 888 and 866 have been around for years, people still dial 800, even with 866 or 888 staring them in the face. Same thing with domains. If at all possible get .COM. It’s what people will go to first.

One more tip: if you can, buy every variation of your domain name. My friends know me as Jim. But on my novel coming out this April it says James L., http://www.jameslrubart.com/, .net, org, and http://www.jamesrubart.com/, net, org, which automatically forward to http://www.jimrubart.com/. (I also own http://www.jimrbuart.net/, and .org.)

Bottom line? Make sure your domain name keeps the hoops to a minimum. The more hoops you make people jump through to get to your site—or back to your site—the fewer hits you’ll get. A simple test is to tell friends the name of your new site, then ask them a few minutes later what the name of your site is.

If they remember, odds are the rest of the world will too.

Jim Rubart is a professional marketer whose clientele has included ABC, AT&T/Cingular, and Clear Channel Radio. He is also a professional speaker, and writes recurring columns for Christian Fiction Online Magazine. His first novel ROOMS comes out this April from B&H Fiction. http://tinyurl.com/yj7pp2l Jim and his wife and their two teenage sons live just outside Seattle, Washington. You can catch up with him at http://www.jimrubart.com/ and http://www.barefootmarketing.com/

Creative Best Series - Part Six

Net's Notations Tuesdays
Creative Best Series - Part Six

Here’s the next line in our Scripture: (Galatians 6:4, MSG)

Don’t compare yourself with others

Walking the halls at a well-attended writers’ conference is enough to give you an inferiority complex, if you let it. You read the nametags of those you pass and right away accusations come to mind. “What are you doing here? Do you think you can write as well as ----? Who are you trying to kid?”

Ugh!

Reading can bring the same hazard. Pick up a book by your favorite author. She writes in your chosen genre. And she’s fantastic! You don’t read her books, you savor them. You devour them again and again. Her prose inspires you. But accusation comes: “I could never write that well! What am I thinking even trying?”

See how destructive comparison can be? Devastating.

Comparison results in two things:

~ Pride (if you think you’re writing better, which is rather subjective and therefore unsubstantiated)
~ Insecurity, which often leads to defeat

So why bother with comparison?

Sure, learn what you can from others’ work. Learn the craft. Study what they’re doing right and perhaps even investigate things you think they did wrong. But compare yourself with them? Nope. Forbidden.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. (Galatians 5:25, MSG)

Just as you differ from others, your calling differs from another’s calling—even if they are called to write for God. You’d be comparing apples to oranges if you held up your work against theirs. It’s folly.

God knows what He’s doing. He calls us to all run this race of our Christian life. But all faithful servants of God win! Don’t waste emotional energy on comparison. Just be your creative best!

Characterization by Randy Ingermanson, Part 3

Please welcome author Randy Ingermanson as he concludes his series on characterization this Manuscript Monday.

Part Three of Creating: Your Characters Aren't You*
by Randy Ingermanson

It's perfectly OK to inject a bit of yourself in your characters. In fact, I recommend it for every character, even your villains. Give each of your characters some little snippet of yourself, whether it's your tight-trigger temper or your obsession with stamps from Zimbabwe or your amazing skill at juggling buffalo chips.

You have plenty of interesting quirks and character traits to go around for every character you ever write. Your characters are like your children, and each of them should get some bit of your DNA.

My rule of thumb is that none of my characters should "inherit" more than about a third of their traits from me. I have no idea how much inheritance is too much, but I prefer to be cautious, so I try not to go over a third.

I've written several major characters who were physicists. Another was a software engineer, another an archaeologist, another a novelist. All of them shared a major interest with me. But I never thought of any of them as "me plus a little extra," because I've always started with somebody who was fundamentally different from me and then added chunks of myself. I think of my characters as "somebody I'd like to hang out with, because we have a major shared interest."

Now here are some questions you might want to consider for the novel you're working on right now:

* How much does your lead character resemble you? Will your readers wonder if that character is secretly you? Is it possible that this character is more nearly your clone than your child? Does your character have some trait that makes it clear that he or she can't possibly be you?

* How much of your DNA does your villain inherit? Is there nothing in your villain that you can relate to? Is it possible that you might be better able to empathize with your villain by giving him or her some valued trait of yours?

Fiction is a pack of lies that masquerades as truth. Don't risk spoiling your carefully crafted lies with too much truth -- or with too little.

Randy Ingermanson earned a Ph.D. in physics at U.C. Berkeley, which is a wretchedly lame excuse for his friends to have dubbed him a “Mad Genius,” but life isn’t always fair. He is the award-winning author of six novels and one non-fiction book. Randy publishes the world’s largest electronic magazine on the craft of writing fiction, the FREE monthly Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine. His ultimate goal is to become Supreme Dictator for Life and First Tiger and to achieve Total World Domination.

*Award-winning novelist Randy Ingermanson, "the Snowflake Guy," publishes the Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, with more than 17,000 readers, every month. If you want to learn the craft and marketing of fiction, AND make your writing more valuable to editors, AND have FUN doing it, visit http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com.

Download your free Special Report on Tiger Marketing and get a free 5-Day Course in How To Publish a Novel.

My Success Story by Liz Johnson

Dawn and I met Liz at the recent ACFW conference in Denver and immediately connected. While we sat together at a meal, we discovered she's newly published. Dawn asked her if she'd like to appear on the blog and share her success story. This Fortifying Friday, please welcome new author Liz Johnson to Seriously Write. And may you be encouraged by her story.

My Success Story
Liz Johnson

My first novel, The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn, is all Kelly Blewett’s fault.

I met Kelly in the fall of 2006 when I moved to Colorado Springs. We worked together as publicity assistants, and as we spent an inordinate amount of time together, I found in her a kindred spirit, another book lover. We spent hours together talking about our favorite stories.

And then one day in the office workroom, I mentioned that I’d started working on a novel. Well, actually I was just playing around with it, but Kelly demanded to know what my story was about. I was hesitant to tell her too much. After all, writing a real novel had always seemed like an unattainable dream. Sure I loved to write. I just didn’t have the skill to really put a book together or the discipline to complete it.

Kelly begged to differ, so I told her about a woman named Kenzie who taught a GED class in a prison and the prisoner who kidnapped her. The details were still fuzzy, but the characters spoke to my heart.

I told Kelly I didn’t have the time or energy to write. I worked full-time and was still trying to get settled into a new city. She disagreed. Despite my excuses and doubts about my own abilities, she became my accountability buddy. “Did you write last night?” was her daily greeting. I couldn’t let her down, so I found myself setting up a calendar and writing at least three nights a week.

After three months, I looked up to discover a completed manuscript. In October of 2007 I sent off my unsolicited proposal to Steeple Hill. My chances were slim. I knew that, but I still held my breath, and Kelly held my hand as we waited to hear back.

In December I heard back. They couldn’t accept my manuscript. There was a major plot point that didn’t meet their guidelines.

But I could fix that.

So I sent a thank you note saying that I was willing to make the required change.

Two weeks later came a letter requesting to see the full manuscript. Oops! I still had to make that change. So I disappeared for a couple days until the problem was solved. Or so I thought.

The editor at Steeple Hill liked it. But not enough to offer a contract. Would I make more changes? I was happy to.

We went back and forth like that until July 2008, at which point I was so tired and just wanted a resolution. I was in Orlando on a business trip with Kelly when I received a voicemail from my editor. Would I call her back right away? Waiting for a spare moment to return that call was one of the longest days of my life.

When I was finally able to make that call, I sat on the floor with my knees up to my chin, hands shaking so badly that I almost couldn’t read the notes I was taking.

A year later, my first novel hit the store shelves. And in that book is a little, white dog named Henry—just like Kelly Blewett’s own pup. I added Henry to the book to thank her in some small way for speaking truth into my life when I couldn’t see passed my own doubts.

Without Kelly I would never have written the story God placed in my heart. So, you see, The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn is all her fault.

Liz Johnson writes about love and such from her home in Colorado Springs. By day she’s a full-time book publicist. By night she’s a writer, ice skater, and lover of the theater. She enjoys making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her nephew and nieces. Her first novel, The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn, is available now from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Her second novel, Vanishing Act, is due out in September 2010. Visit her online at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com.

It's Not About You

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2 NIV)

Annette and I have attended various writer’s conferences together over the years. Some were held locally, while others required traveling a distance. All have offered wonderful opportunities to learn and grow - and not only in the areas of craft, marketing, or the publishing arena.

Here’s an example.

It’s custom for editors and agents to be assigned a table during lunch during the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference. It gives writers a chance to ask a few questions and share their latest project with the host.

At one of these conferences, Annette and I sat together, waiting for a particular editor to join us. Before the editor arrived, a multi-published author spent a considerable amount of time talking about her books and other accomplishments, never once inquiring about anyone else’s work. Upon arrival, the editor sat in the seat saved for her, next to this author, who monopolized the editor’s time for almost the entire time allotted for lunch.

I watched the people around the table. It was obvious they didn’t want to be rude and interrupt the author, but it was also clear they were anxious, and getting more so as lunch progressed, nervous they wouldn’t have a chance to speak to the editor, themselves. Finally, during the last few minutes, the editor was able to devote attention to the rest of people sitting around the table.

Stunned that a known author would be selfish enough to take that much time away from writers trying so hard to break in, I pulled myself back. I didn’t know what was going on in this person’s life. Perhaps her boldness was a sign of insecurity in a publishing world that has grown more and more competitive.

At this same conference, Annette and I were able to spend enjoyable time with a writer we’d met the previous year. It wasn’t until I discovered three of her books in the conference book store did I realize she was published. She’d never mentioned it. Nor did she initially confess to being represented by one of most coveted agents in the CBA market.

Instead, this author spent time getting to know us. She asked about our work, our lives. We laughed and joked around together. There was a genuine interest in developing friendship.

Wow. What a contrast.

You see . . . it isn’t about “us.”

It’s about who we serve. And if we’re truly serving God by offering our gift of writing, then it’s about Him. It’s about ministering to the reader. It’s about providing an experience that touches and changes lives.

Many writers get that.

Annette and I have been blessed by many authors who have been willing to share their knowledge with us – not only at conferences, but here. On this blog. With you.

They don’t have to. They have plenty to do, believe me. But they understand that the bottom line is that we’re all in ministry together.

We need to be confident enough in our writing that we’re willing to share it. And marketing ourselves and our work is an important part of the business.

But we also need to walk that fine line of being humble and knowing where our success comes from.

Cause it isn’t about you. It isn’t about me.

It’s about Him.

Keep the focus, dear friends.

And have a great week.

Dawn

Risk - Who is Going to Push You? by Jim Rubart

If we want to be successful writers, we need to be involved at some level in marketing our work—whether we like it or not. So during the month of November, our Writer’s Journey Wednesdays are dedicated to a four part series on the subject. Jim Rubart, an author and professional marketer, will be sharing his expertise with us. Please welcome our friend!

Marketing Series
Part II

Risk – Who is Going to Push You?

“You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.” Annie Dillard

I didn’t want to hurtle toward the ground face first from 191 feet up, strapped into a roller coaster called Aftershock. The problem was, I did.

As I stood staring up at the two towers of the coaster last week, straddling the fine line between desire and fear, it was my 14-year old son who pushed me over the edge. “C’mon, Dad! Are you a man or a mouse?!” Until his challenge, I was definitely the gray, furry little creature.

Yes, of course I went on it. Twice. What a ride! See, my knees whack together hard when it comes to heights, so anything of an Aftershock nature really gets my adrenaline pumping. (I’m a bit of a thrill seeker and love the rush, which yes, added to my fear of heights makes me a bit schizophrenic.)

My point? I probably wouldn’t have taken the ride without my son pushing me. (And I’m pumped he did.)

The application? You have to find people who will push you in your writing and especially find people who will push you in your marketing.

Marketing is frightening for a majority of writers. (You are definitely not alone.) It’s intimidating. And many don’t know what it is, let alone where to start.

Yes, in one sense marketing is complex, but in another it’s extremely simple. Let’s concentrate on simple.

Marketing: making yourself known and making yourself likeable. If someone is going to buy your proposal, your manuscript, your book … they have to know about you and it will help a great deal if they like you. That’s it.

What do people like? They like being surprised. They like being entertained. They like learning new things. But most authors never try anything risky with their proposals, e-mails, manuscripts, presentations so they sound the same as every other writer.

When I sold radio advertising in the late 80s I did magic as part of my presentations. It was a risk. It was a cliff and sometimes the wings didn’t come together and I crashed. But I won far more times than I lost.

You want to stand out? Get noticed by an editor or agent? Take the risk. In whatever you do, whether it’s writing an e-mail, posting on Facebook, twittering, answering the phone, writing a proposal, try something that will make yourself stand out. Something that’s a little bit risky.

But I mentioned at the beginning of this post, sometimes you need someone to give you a push. Yep. It’s time to go find a friend who will escort you to the edge.

Jim Rubart is a professional marketer whose clientele has included ABC, AT&T/Cingular, and Clear Channel Radio. He is also a professional speaker, and writes recurring columns for Christian Fiction Online Magazine. His first novel ROOMS comes out this April from B&H Fiction. http://tinyurl.com/yj7pp2l Jim and his wife and their two teenage sons live just outside Seattle, Washington. You can catch up with him at http://www.jimrubart.com/ and http://www.barefootmarketing.com/

Creative Best Series - Part Five

Net's Notation Tuesdays
Creative Best Series - Part Five

Today we continue our journey through Galatians 6:4 in The Message. Our next line reads:

Don’t be impressed with yourself

What a command.

Years ago, I joined fellow writers at a conference in Seattle. As we sat down to eat, one of the authors said he always signed with this “code”—1cor47 whenever he signed his books. We determined he meant 1 Corinthians 4:7, what we didn’t know was what that verse said. I’ll never forget the impact of these words as he quoted them to the five us:

For who makes you differ from another?
And what do you have that you did not receive?
Now if you did indeed receive it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it?
(1 Corinthians 4:7, NKJV)

Does God inspire our writing? Then, how can we take credit for it? We cannot. That author’s “code” for book signing is a great code for living as a Christian. It’s humbling and true.

Being “impressed with yourself” leads to boasting. How can God bless the prideful ones? He detests pride. Jesus Himself is our example of humility, serving others and loving them sacrificially. That’s our calling.

Any successes we have aren’t our own. They are a grace of God. We can’t take credit for them. It’s like the elders in heaven who throw their crowns at the feet of Jesus—they know their accomplishments were truly birthed from the grace of the One who dwelt inside them, making them succeed.

Plus, how boring is it to speak to a well-published author who only discusses themselves and their accomplishments? They have a lot to say, so the conversation doesn’t lag. But it’s rather one-sided.

Following an experience of just that, a friend of mine said, “If I ever get like that, would you just slap me?” :-)

Isn’t it better, more gracious, when an author takes interest in those around him/her? Offering support and encouragement?

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others.
(Philippians 2:3-4, NKJV)

We didn't get to where we are today on our own. It was the gracious work of God. He sent mentors into our lives, taught us, helped us discern areas of weakness in a piece of writing so we could fix it.

I sat at my computer the other day, stuck. No words came. No solutions for why my wip (work in progress) was so boring. So, I prayed that God would give me what I was missing, what the story was missing. As I continued to tap away on those keys, new ideas came. Fresh inspiration from the Creator. He intervened. Without His help, the story would remain dull. Now I can build on what He provided. But I can't take credit.

As Christian writers, we can't take credit. We can cheer the successes. Enjoy the process and the accolades. But we cannot become impressed with ourselves.

Give glory to God and be your creative best.

Characterization by Randy Ingermanson, Part 2

This Manuscript Monday, please welcome back Randy Ingermanson as he continues his series on characterization.

Part Two of Creating: Your Characters Aren't You*
by Randy Ingermanson

Here's another common question I hear: "Is it OK if I write a character that's really just me?"

That depends on what you mean by the word "OK." I doubt very much that you can sue yourself for libel or invasion of privacy if you write a character that is just you. (Again, I'm not a lawyer, so if you sue yourself and somehow win, then don't blame me.)

I see several problems with writing a character that is just you:

* You may not be quite as interesting as your lead character needs to be.
* If you buff up your character to be "you plus a little extra," you may wind up looking egotistical.
* If you add in some traumatic backstory that never happened, your friends and family might get upset.
* What will you do for an encore?

Let's unpack each of these in turn.

Fiction is about characters in conflict. The characters are often a bit larger than life -- in some cases, a LOT larger than life. Let's face it. Although we writers are a talented bunch, most all of us aren't quite as talented as the characters we create. We'd like to be, but we aren't. We can't afford to limit our characters to be no better than we are.

Suppose you write a lead character just like you in every way. Then, halfway through the novel, you realize that he needs to be quite a bit better than you are in some way. Maybe smarter. Maybe faster. Maybe cooler. Whatever. So you tweak him and finish the story and get it published. Now all your friends and family read the story and they see right away that your lead character is intended to be you. But they also see that he's smarter than you are, or faster, or cooler. Naturally, they're going to assume that you think you're smarter, faster, or cooler than you actually are. That makes you look like an egomaniac. Is that what you want?

Suppose you write a lead character just like you in every way. Halfway through the novel, you need to explain why your character is afraid of electricity. You decide to make it plausible by adding in some backstory about being shocked with a cattle prod by an unstable mother. Now you've got problems, because it's going to be "obvious" to everyone that your mother must have tortured you as a kid. If it's not true, your novel could be construed as libel. If it's true, your story could be considered invasion of privacy. Either way, your mother may just take you off her Christmas list.

Typically, publishers are interested in doing more than just one book with you. They invest quite a bit of money in developing an author, and it make take a few books to earn back that investment. Suppose you write a great novel in which your lead character is you. That's wonderful, but who'll play the starring role in your next book? You might be able to do a sequel that again features you as the lead. But can you keep that up forever? If not, then why get started down that road in the first place?

Randy Ingermanson earned a Ph.D. in physics at U.C. Berkeley, which is a wretchedly lame excuse for his friends to have dubbed him a “Mad Genius,” but life isn’t always fair. He is the award-winning author of six novels and one non-fiction book. Randy publishes the world’s largest electronic magazine on the craft of writing fiction, the FREE monthly Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine. His ultimate goal is to become Supreme Dictator for Life and First Tiger and to achieve Total World Domination.

* Award-winning novelist Randy Ingermanson, "the Snowflake Guy," publishes the Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, with more than 17,000 readers, every month. If you want to learn the craft and marketing of fiction, AND make your writing more valuable to editors, AND have FUN doing it, visit http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com.

Download your free Special Report on Tiger Marketing and get a free 5-Day Course in How To Publish a Novel.

An Interview with New Author Ocieanna Fleiss

Dawn and I are very excited to host our fellow critique partner and good friend, Ocieanna Fleiss. We were privileged to participate in her journey to publication as friends, critique partners and cheerleaders. Recently, Ocieanna placed fresh, autographed copies of her book into our hands. What a day! May her experience inspire and encourage you this Fortifying Friday.

Here's our interview:

How long have you been writing fiction?

I can't remember ever not writing fiction. I think one of my early stories was in third grade. I wrote a story about a robber who stole people's pants. I read it to the class and everyone laughed. I was hooked. When I decided to pursue a writing career (twelve years ago!) fiction was my first choice, mostly because it seemed to be more fun than non-fiction and also I needed an outlet for the stories swirling in my imagination.

Tell us how your contract came about with Summerside.

As much as I loved writing, I'd been pursuing publication for so long that I was getting discouraged from all the rejections. Discouragement is a very real part of writing and creeps up in many different ways. So, I prayed a lot about it and even considered stopping writing. What I finally decided was that I wouldn't stop writing (how could I?), but I would stop pursuing publication. I would just write for God's glory and my own joy and let go of all the other stuff.

This decision created a huge amount of relief and revitalized my love for writing. I was very content ...

A few months later, out of the blue, I received a Facebook message from my friend Carlton asking if I wanted to write for his publishing company. I've known Carlton for years and knew he had recently started a new publishing company, but I thought it was only for non-fiction and I didn't know the name. Well, since I wasn't pursuing publication, I didn't respond! I was very impolite and didn't even return his message (shame on me!).

In the meantime, my critique friend told us about this new company called Summerside. She was all excited and said it had received lots of good reviews and was the newest "thing."

About three weeks later, Carlton sent me another message on Facebook asking if I wanted to write a book for his new company. This time, I thought I should at least respond, and I sort of flippantly told him about all my ideas. He sent me his catalogue and to my complete amazement, it was Summerside!

At this point, a friend told me God was opening a door and I'd better walk through. I was very happy to do so (although a bit scared, too.) So, I wrote up some synopses and they liked the idea that Tricia Goyer and I had come up with a few years before.

co-authors: Ocieanna Fleiss and Tricia Goyer

What lessons have you learned? What did God teach you in the process?

All throughout this process I've learned that God cares about each area of my life, that He watches with His tender hand of providence, and His love for me never fails. There were times when I felt overwhelmed and discouraged, but He led me through the fog step by step. And during the times of rejoicing (like when the box came with my books inside) I knew it was only by His grace that this could've happened.

What advice do you have for writers waiting to break into publishing?

There's no quick secret to getting published. My advice is rather than chasing after being published (which I did for years) pursue excellence and hide in Christ, leaving the results to Him.

Here is the back cover copy to their new book:

Julia Cavanaugh has never left New York City. But in 1890, the young woman must head west to ensure that the orphans under her care are settled into good families. After her final stop in Montana, she plans to head straight back east. But upon arriving in the remote town of Lonesome Prairie, Julia learns to her horror that she is also supposed to be delivered into the hands of an uncouth miner who carries a bill of purchase for his new bride. She turns to a respected circuit preacher to protect her from a forced marriage but with no return fare and few friends, Julias options are bleak. What is Gods plan for her in the middle of the vast Montana prairie?

Ocieanna Fleiss's first novel, Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana, which she co-wrote with Tricia Goyer, will hit stores December 1. She and Tricia are currently creating their second novel, Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington, for release next summer. Ocieanna's also written several articles for national publications and a bi-monthy column for Northwest Christian Writers Association. Homeschool mom of four little ones, she, along with her husband, stay busy at her home in the Seattle area.

Pray for Each Other

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you,
that our God may count you worthy of his calling,
and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose
of yours and every act prompted by your faith." (2 Thes. 1:11 NIV)

How would you feel if someone told you they were committed to praying for you - and specifically, what God had in store for your writing?

Would it overwhelm you?

Humble you?

Bless you?

I felt all three when a friend committed to praying for us. Annette and I love this author. We love her heart, her enthusiasm for her relationship with the Lord – and yes, we love her writing. Knowing that she’s petitioning the Lord to bless our writing and careers feels awesome!

Annette and I pray for each other, as well as our other two friends in our critique group. As we know, Christians aren’t immune from personal, relational, spiritual, physical, or financial struggles. And that includes writers.

We’ve known authors who have dealt with diseases that crippled their writing for a season. At this very moment, there are writers who are in painful relationships. Some are wondering if they’re going to be able to pay this month’s mortgage. And who, even after great success, question their ability to again write anything worth reading.

God has given us a purpose in our writing. Fiction or non-fiction. Articles, devotions, or novels. It’s important to include our heavenly Father in this journey. If we’re not writing for Him, then who are we writing for? (Ohhhh . . . scary thought!)

Let’s commit to praying for each other—perhaps choosing several writers to specifically keep in prayer. Whether we know them personally, or not—whether they’re successful, or just beginning their journey—so that God may find us and our writing worthy of His calling.

Dawn

Who Are You Going To Be? by Jim Rubart

If we want to be successful writers, we need to be involved at some level in marketing our work—whether we like it or not. So during the month of November, our Writer’s Journey Wednesdays are dedicated to a four part-series on the subject. Jim Rubart, an author and professional marketer, will be sharing his expertise with us. Please welcome our friend!

Marketing Series

Part I

Who Are You Going to Be?

In their seminal marketing book, The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: Al Ries and Jack Trout argue against the concept of line extension—trying to introduce new products under an established brand. It’s almost always impossible to make work.

Once you’re in the consumer’s head with one product, it’s hard to get into their head with another.

Example: When Xerox was the god of the copier world, they decided to start selling computers. The “Huh? I don’t remember that,” going through your head right now is testament to the fact they failed miserably. They were known for copiers, but computers? No way. They spent millions trying to establish themselves as a computer manufacturer. Whoops. (By the way, IBM tried to sell copiers; it worked about as well as Xerox’s idea to sell computers.)

Would you buy a DVD player from Nike? Probably not. I know, that’s extreme, but would you buy something closer to their brand, say a soft drink with the swoosh on it? History says no.

Did you know A1-Steak sauce spent $18 million dollars on A1-Poultry sauce? Yeah, I’m not using it on my chicken these days either.

How does this apply to us as writers?

You can’t write both fiction and non-fiction. (See Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, John Grisham, etc. What? You’re not familiar with their non-fiction books?)
You must choose. Fiction? Great, stick with it. Non-fiction? Fine, but know that you’ll always been seen as a non-fiction writer first.

What kind of fiction? Suspense? Speculative? Historical? Once you choose readers will want to see the same type of stories from you every time. (No, even though I think Stephen King is a wonderful writer, I can’t ever see him topping the romance charts.)

This is key: Whatever you’re known for first, will be your identity forever. It’s very difficult to change someone’s mind about a brand once it’s first burned into the brain. Let me prove it to you:

When Orville and Wilbur did their Kitty Hawk thing and proved powered flight was possible they blew people’s minds. No one in America will ever forget them.

You’d think the same thing would happen in Australia, wouldn’t you? Don’t you think Australian’s would remember the first man to fly a plane in their country? They don’t, and here’s why: They remember this man for something else. This man had already burned himself in their brains with another brand, and there wasn’t room for him to be known for anything other than the greatest magician that ever lived, Houdini.

So when you’re trying to decide what you want to be known for, think about what the ancient knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade said to Harrison Ford, and “Choose wisely.”




Jim Rubart is a professional marketer whose clientele has included ABC, AT&T/Cingular, and Clear Channel Radio. He is also a professional speaker, and writes recurring columns for Christian Fiction Online Magazine. His first novel ROOMS comes out this April from B&H Fiction. http://tinyurl.com/yj7pp2l Jim and his wife and their two teenage sons live just outside Seattle, Washington. You can catch up with him at http://www.jimrubart.com/ and http://www.barefootmarketing.com/

Creative Best Series - Part Four

Net's Notation Tuesdays
Creative Best - Part Four

Today we’re looking at the third line of Galatians 6:4 from The Message:

Make a careful exploration of who you are
and the work you have been given
and then sink yourself into that

It’s time to lose yourself in your calling. Once you know what you’re called to do, God gives you permission to lose yourself in that calling. To become immersed. Learn everything you need to learn. Commit to being successful. Put aside other things which are hindering your full pursuit.

God has been pruning me lately. Leading me to cut back on areas that aren’t profitable in my life right now (speaking of activities, not income). He is determined that my time be used wisely. And He knows if I am stretching my limbs to work on too many things at once I will be moderately helpful in those areas, but never truly successful at any one of them. So, it’s a season of prioritizing, even risking people’s disapproval. But when God begins pruning your activities, it’s best to learn how to humbly say no to those asking you to take on more and get back to what’s highest on His priority list.

So what can stop you from sinking yourself into your calling? What can act as unwelcome buoys?

Doubt. “I thought I knew how to write. Judging by this chapter, I was wrong!”

Accusations. Setting up materials at a book signing with a fellow author who is bestselling and award-winning, thoughts come: “Who do you think you are?”

Both of these can keep you from sinking yourself into your calling to write.

Let go.

God knows your dreams. He called you. In fact, the closer you’ve gotten to the Lord, the more His aspirations for your life have become your own (Psalm 37:4). Let go of your own hold and let yourself sink into His perfect plan. Let go of control and striving. To turn our analogy a bit, did you know that the best way to float on water is to let go? You go limp, letting your legs rise. If you strive to float, you’ll tighten up and sink. So, to get where you want to go, let go. Give your dreams, your calling, your writing to God. Let Him make of it what He will. Let yourself sink into His plans. Don’t panic. Just relax into God’s purposes.

Give yourself permission to sink into the calling, the work, God has given you. No more excuses. And no more guilt.

To be your creative best, sink in!

Characterization by Randy Ingermanson

This month, we're kicking off a three-part series from Randy Ingermanson on characterization.

Creating: Your Characters Aren't You*
by Randy Ingermanson

At least twice a month, I get a letter that runs roughly like this:

"Hi Randy:

I'm writing a novel about something horrible that happened in my life. Nobody would ever believe what those dirty rotten scoundrels did to me, so I'm making it a novel. It's gonna be great! The only question I have is what legal problems I'll face when they read my book. Can I get sued, even if it's all the exact truth? Do I have to change their names? I want them to suffer!

Sincerely,
Joe Wannawriteanovel"

Before you read on, think about that for a minute. How would you answer Joe? Can he get sued for telling the truth?

I usually begin my answer to this kind of e-mail by pointing out that I'm not a lawyer, and therefore nothing I say can be construed as legal advice. Then I say that, so far as I understand it, telling the truth is not libel, but it can be invasion of privacy. So even if a novel tells the absolute truth, the author might still be sued for making private details public.

I usually advise Joe to make a few eeny weeny changes: Change the names of the characters. Change their genders. Change their personal descriptions. Change their ethnic heritages. Change their personalities. Change the facts of the story so that nobody could possibly recognize the circumstances and guess that the people involved are friends or family of Joe. Change everything.

In short, write fiction.

In my view, the legal issues aren't really the biggest problem with writing a novel based on real people. The real problem is that real situations involving real people make really boring fiction.

In fiction, nothing is written in stone. If you need to edit a Gertrude into a Gary, then you must have the freedom to make that change. If you need to merge five fuzzy characters into two memorable ones, then you must feel free to merge. If your lead character needs a horrible seventh-grade experience involving a tarantula, a blindfold, and an icepick, then you have to be able to conjure up that memory.

You can't afford to hamstring your fiction with an inconvenient set of facts. If you base your novel on something that really happened, then every time you need to tweak your plot or characters, you'll hear a voice in the back of your head saying, "But it didn't happen that way."

Let's be honest. Fiction is about telling lies. Big, fat, hairy, prevaricating lies. If you want to write about the truth, or approximately the truth, or even something remotely approaching the truth, then the career you're looking for is called "Journalism." It's a fine career choice, but it isn't fiction.

Randy Ingermanson earned a Ph.D. in physics at U.C. Berkeley, which is a wretchedly lame excuse for his friends to have dubbed him a “Mad Genius,” but life isn’t always fair. He is the award-winning author of six novels and one non-fiction book. Randy publishes the world’s largest electronic magazine on the craft of writing fiction, the FREE monthly Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine. His ultimate goal is to become Supreme Dictator for Life and First Tiger and to achieve Total World Domination.

* This series was taken from Randy's ezine. Award-winning novelist Randy Ingermanson, "the Snowflake Guy," publishes the Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, with more than 17,000 readers, every month. If you want to learn the craft and marketing of fiction, AND make your writing more valuable to editors, AND have FUN doing it, visit http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com.

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