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| Jan Cline |
Do you
ever struggle with feeling that no matter how hard you try to create a piece
worth reading, your words lack substance? Then you’ve come to the right
place. Author Jan Cline shares three
great tips for adding dimension to our work. ~ Dawn
Write
Like You Mean It
I think all writers experience it. That moment when you
realize you’ve been racking up word count on your project without really
thinking, feeling or meaning what you’ve written. Some days are just like that
– lacking in the deep level of effort it takes to make our words sing.
There are several reasons we get on the mindless writing
train, and I believe there are fixes to the habit. Let me share a few things I
have done in the last few months that has given me new energy for my writing
life:
- I am more conscious at gathering memories that I can use to enhance my story-writing.
It’s true that all our experiences get infused into our
writing. It seems that the most impacting writing comes from our unpleasant,
sad, painful, or emotional experiences. Allowing ourselves to tap into those
feelings as we write will help us pen a message that will ultimately land in
the heart of our readers.
Facing unpleasant memories will translate onto the page, and
help you to connect with your readers. Your characters need your experiences
channeled through them. I know, that sounds pretty bizarre, but I think you
know what I mean.
- I am more committed to striving for excellence in my writing.
We all want to do the best we can at whatever we happen to
be working on. Whether it’s writing, crafts, cooking, speaking…not many of us
are willing to be mediocre. At least that’s what we tell ourselves. Actually,
much of time, I have settled for less than I was capable of, mostly because I
felt the pressure to perform with quantity rather than quality. I skipped the
steps that were crucial to taking my writing to the next level. I find I must
force myself to examine every sentence and be intentional about making it
better. I want to stop settling for mediocre and truly mean every word.
- I’m listening more to my characters and to the information I gather for my non-fiction projects.
You can fill out character profiles till the cows come home,
but until you let your characters occupy some of your imagination, they won’t
evolve into the 3 dimensional people you want them to be. I try to practice the
art of day-dreaming about my characters, putting them in mental situations and
let my imagination create how they might handle those situations.
With my research for non-fiction writing, I’m learning to do
more than just regurgitate information. I debate with myself to get to the
bigger picture and deeper meaning of the material.
I have discovered the little things we do to go outside our
creative box translate into art that impacts our world. I encourage you to seek
out your specific secrets that will make your writing more authentic. Readers
will appreciate the sincerity in your words. Write like you mean it.
Keep reaching,
Jan
Hana
Kato and her family are nearing the end of their confinement in a WWII Japanese
American internment camp. Her beloved Papa has been taken to prison, and Hana
works hard to keep the family together until he can join them in preparation
for their release. Surviving the attack on Pearl Harbor, and years of enduring
difficult living conditions has tested Hana’s faith and trust. Although she
stays strong through trials and tragedy, her resolve is weakened as she fights
her affections for two men. Will she choose the rebel Japanese young man? Or
will the bright Caucasian doctor she works with win her love?
Emancipated
Heart will hold your attention with a setting of an interesting era in American
history, and a lesson in true loyalty, love and forgiveness, told through a
Christian worldview.
Jan Cline is an author, freelance
writer, teacher, and speaker from the Pacific Northwest. She has recently
released her first novel, Emancipated
Heart, and is currently writing the first book in a historical series. She
was founder and director of the Inland Northwest Christian Writer’s conference
which ran for 5 years. She now devotes all her time to writing, speaking for
women’s groups and writer’s conferences, remodeling a lake cabin, and playing
with her grandchildren.
To learn more and connect with Jan, please visit these
online sites:
Twitter:@Jan_Cline
