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| Janet Dean |
The journey for any writer is ongoing. There are always new
challenges and ways to grow and improve. Today, author Janet Dean shares tips and encouragement
for all of us on the road to publication and beyond.
~ Dawn
Tips
for Your Journey to Publication
I love Anne Lamott’s Bird
by Bird. In her book, she tells about her brother waiting until the night
before a report on birds was due, totally overwhelmed by the task. Her father
put an arm around his son’s shoulder and said, “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take
it bird by bird.” Isn’t that wonderful advice? Start with a word, a sentence
and before you know it, you’ll have a paragraph, then a chapter. As Stephen
King said “You can’t revise a blank page.” In other words, plant yourself in
the chair and write.
Anne Lamont says, “Almost all good writing starts with
terrible first efforts.” I find that advice comforting. It takes a lot of
pressure off and allows me to write junk. She continues on, saying, “…the
bottom line is if you want to write, you get to, but you probably won’t get
very far if you don’t start trying to get over your perfectionism.” This wise
woman gives us permission to get words on the page, no matter how ugly. We can
clean it up later, which means in the rough draft we can write fast with more
emotion and less restraint. So shoo that internal editor off your shoulder.
A few years back a non-writing friend asked me how long I’d
been writing and I told her ten years. She said, “You’ve been in school for ten
years.” The comment startled me, but I realized she was right. Even when we’re
published, writers are in school, learning and growing our talent. Upon
occasion we must reinvent ourselves when genres tank, editors leave and lines
close.
For those still waiting for the call, use the time to
prepare. Write. Purchase your domain name and get a web site. Start a blog.
Connect on social media sites. It’s not always good to skip a grade in school
and it’s not always best to sell before we’re ready to handle that career. Our
youth pastor referred to this waiting as having patience in the waiting room.
Some waiting rooms are tough places—waiting to conceive a baby, waiting for the
return of health, waiting for a wayward child to get his life together…waiting
for The Call.
If you’re waiting, you may feel like you’re wearing one of
those pointed dunce caps as you traipse across reams of rejections. Write on
your mental chalkboard: I won’t take these personally. If you don’t give up,
good things will happen. As a friend
said in an email, “…and sometimes, in between the darkest clouds, sunshine will
pour down unexpectedly upon your upturned face and the world will turn shiny
and bright.”
That’s hope. May the sun shine on each of you!
~ Janet
The
Bride Wore Spurs
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| The Bride Wore Spurs |
To keep the Texas ranch she loves, Hannah Parrish will wed a
man she doesn't. Cowpokes won't take orders from a young, single female. But
while her exasperating neighbor Matt Walker jokes about her being a mere
debutante, Hannah is a rancher to the core. Just like Matt.
"Will you marry me?" It's a question widowed Matt
never intended to ask again. Now spirited Hannah is asking him for a marriage
of convenience! Yet whether she's birthing a calf or caring for a young orphan,
the tomboy next door is becoming the partner Matt always hoped for. Now he must
convince her the greatest strength comes in trusting your heart to another—and
your future to God.…
Janet Dean grew up
in a family who cherished the past and had a strong creative streak. Her father
recounted fascinating stories, like his father before him. The tales they told
instilled in Janet a love of history and the desire to write. She married Dale,
her college sweetheart, and taught first grade before leaving to rear two
daughters, but Janet never lost interest in American history and the accounts
of strong men and women of faith who built this country. With her daughters
grown, she eagerly turned to Inspirational historical romance. Today Janet
spins stories for Love Inspired Historical. Four of her six published novels
are set in Indiana. When she isn’t writing, Janet stamps greeting cards, plays
golf and is never without a book to read. The Deans love to travel and spend
time with their family.
Visit Janet at her website: www.janetdean.net and
blog: www.janetdean.blogspot.com and group blog: www.seekerville.blogspot.com
