How many times have you heard the
phrase practice makes perfect? I heard it in one variation or another until it
started grating on my nerves. Anyone know why? Yep, you guessed it. I wasn’t
practicing and I certainly wasn’t producing perfect stories so I didn’t want to
hear it.
But when I stumbled across
articles about how an author’s writing improves the more they right, read
countless blog posts on the importance of honing your craft by writing consistently,
watched a buddy of mine grow from a good author to great one by improving with
every book, and even noticed an improvement in my own writing the more
frequently I wrote, well I couldn’t deny it any longer. What’s worse is when I
went through a lazy phase and slacked off my writing schedule it was hard to
jump back into my character’s head and write with the correct voice.
Thankfully, I have a bit of a
stubborn streak and stuck it out until I gained that lost ground back. I think
every writer has a stubborn streak. If not we would never make it in this
business. It is part of what makes us persevere when we get that rejection from
an editor or those awful contest scores. Any of you been there? I have – more
often than I’d like to admit.
But by waiting a bit and then
rereading the rejection letter or contest results and applying the suggestions
to my writing, I’ve improved. Am I saying incorporate every suggestion you
receive? Absolutely not. I’ve received contest results where two judges gave
conflicting advice. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. After all,
it’s your voice.
The important thing is to stick
with it. Write through the setbacks, the hard times, the busy times, and
everything else in between. When you think your story stinks keep writing. That
stinky story can be edited into a masterpiece. Chances are that stinky story is
much better than you think.
When I wrote my latest novella I
had to delete thousands of words. My initial story just wasn’t working. But by
recognizing the problem and tackling it I ended up with a much better story. I
won’t say perfect, but I ended up with A Match Made In Sheffield, a novella I
enjoyed and pray others enjoy it as well.
How about you? Do you find that
by writing consistently you are improving as a writer? Does practice make
perfect in your life? Leave a comment and let me know.
Ellie Alexander is in love. And the only thing sweeter would be if Libby, Natalie, and Stephanie, her three unmarried, unattached granddaughters, could find the same happiness. Maybe with a little help from her and her beau Blake Parker . . .
A Match Made in Williamstown by Lady of Love Inspired Romance Jean C. Gordon — Libby Schuyler has avoided dating since her break-up with college-sweetheart Jack Parker. Out of nowhere, Jack shows up claiming Ellie is swindling his grandfather, Blake, through a travel agency partnership they’ve formed. Libby and Jack team up to protect their grandparents and get to the bottom of Ellie and Blake’s business and romantic relationship. While Libby and Jack fight their reignited attraction, Ellie and Blake conspire to bring the two together.
A Match Made in Sheffield by Terri Weldon— Natalie Benton bounced from one foster home to another until she landed on Ellie Alexander’s doorstep. Natalie’s vagabond childhood caused her to yearn for a secure life, which led to Natalie’s five-year plan: complete her law degree, marry the perfect man, become a partner at Montgomery, Haynes, and Preston, and produce one child. Getting arrested wasn’t in Natalie’s plan. Needing a public defender wasn’t in her plan. Falling for Grady Hunter, her public defender, definitely wasn’t in her plan. Can Grady convince Natalie there is more to life than her five-year plan? Is Ellie the only one who sees a future for Natalie and Grady?
A Match Made in Freedom by Lisa Belcastro — Stephanie Gould loves life on Martha’s Vineyard . . . until she runs into Kay and Tim, her former business partner and her ex-fiancé, who just returned from their honeymoon. Surprised by the heartache she thought was gone, Stephanie heads to the Berkshires to visit family and friends. Arriving in Stockbridge, Stephanie meets Captain Henry Lewis. Little does Stephanie know, her grandmother has already met Henry, and Ellie thinks Henry is perfect. Stephanie has no interest in dating, Henry included. If only Henry didn’t turn up everywhere Stephanie goes. When he walks up beside her at the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stephanie can’t deny her attraction, but she’ll do her best to fight it.
Buy Links
Barnes & Noble Print: http://bit.ly/2qbmqEtMatchmakers
Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. She is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Terri is the award winning author of The Christmas Bride Wore Boots.
Readers can connect with Terri: Website: www.TerriWeldon.com or Blog: Seriously Write
Ellie Alexander is in love. And the only thing sweeter would be if Libby, Natalie, and Stephanie, her three unmarried, unattached granddaughters, could find the same happiness. Maybe with a little help from her and her beau Blake Parker . . .
A Match Made in Williamstown by Lady of Love Inspired Romance Jean C. Gordon — Libby Schuyler has avoided dating since her break-up with college-sweetheart Jack Parker. Out of nowhere, Jack shows up claiming Ellie is swindling his grandfather, Blake, through a travel agency partnership they’ve formed. Libby and Jack team up to protect their grandparents and get to the bottom of Ellie and Blake’s business and romantic relationship. While Libby and Jack fight their reignited attraction, Ellie and Blake conspire to bring the two together.
A Match Made in Sheffield by Terri Weldon— Natalie Benton bounced from one foster home to another until she landed on Ellie Alexander’s doorstep. Natalie’s vagabond childhood caused her to yearn for a secure life, which led to Natalie’s five-year plan: complete her law degree, marry the perfect man, become a partner at Montgomery, Haynes, and Preston, and produce one child. Getting arrested wasn’t in Natalie’s plan. Needing a public defender wasn’t in her plan. Falling for Grady Hunter, her public defender, definitely wasn’t in her plan. Can Grady convince Natalie there is more to life than her five-year plan? Is Ellie the only one who sees a future for Natalie and Grady?
A Match Made in Freedom by Lisa Belcastro — Stephanie Gould loves life on Martha’s Vineyard . . . until she runs into Kay and Tim, her former business partner and her ex-fiancé, who just returned from their honeymoon. Surprised by the heartache she thought was gone, Stephanie heads to the Berkshires to visit family and friends. Arriving in Stockbridge, Stephanie meets Captain Henry Lewis. Little does Stephanie know, her grandmother has already met Henry, and Ellie thinks Henry is perfect. Stephanie has no interest in dating, Henry included. If only Henry didn’t turn up everywhere Stephanie goes. When he walks up beside her at the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stephanie can’t deny her attraction, but she’ll do her best to fight it.
Buy Links
Amazon Kindle & Print: http://amzn.to/2pb4HuK
Nook, iBooks & Kobo: https://www.books2read.com/u/3neJnB Barnes & Noble Print: http://bit.ly/2qbmqEtMatchmakers
Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. She is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Terri is the award winning author of The Christmas Bride Wore Boots.
Readers can connect with Terri: Website: www.TerriWeldon.com or Blog: Seriously Write
