Writers, Take Off Your Mask by Marie Wells Coutu

Due to the pandemic, many of us are wearing masks these days when we must go out in public. Others resist the idea of mandatory mask-wearing or are simply unable to cover their face due to conditions other than COVID-19 that make mask-wearing unpleasant or even dangerous.

But I’m not about to get political here or to criticize those who do or those who don’t.

I’m talking about a different type of mask—the kind that we put on to keep others at a distance. Not “social distancing” or physical distancing, but emotional distancing. To prevent people from actually knowing us, our fears, our weaknesses, our insecurities.

I saw this humorous face mask: Beneath a handlebar mustache were the words, “If you can read this, I mustache you to step back.”

Many people could relate to this sentiment even before the pandemic. At times, we simply don’t want others to get too close. We are unwilling to be vulnerable, to reveal our true selves.

To write fiction—or nonfiction—that connects with readers, the mask must come off. It’s easier with fiction, since we can deal with our own issues through our characters, especially since no one needs to know they’re based on real life.

Someone once said, “Writing is easy. You just open a vein and bleed.”*

It means if we remove our “masks,” we can deal with our own issues through our characters. In other words, as we “bleed on the page,” we face our own struggles, too.

For example, if you feel guilty, then find forgiveness writing a character’s journey out of her guilt.

Struggling with anger? Help your character learn how to manage his anger, and you may learn new ways to manage your own.

Facing a desperate situation? Write until your character overcomes those seemingly impossible obstacles and discovers hope. You may even find a little of that hope along the way.

So take off your mask and inspire your readers to live an authentic life.

When we remove the mask, open our heart, and bleed onto the page, our stories become real @mwcoutu @MaryAFelkins #amwriting #masks #authenticity

Once we writers remove our “masks,” we can deal with our own issues through our stories. @mwcoutu @MaryAFelkins #amwriting #authenticity #writermasks

When Discouragement Strikes, Try These Things By Sondra Kraak

When I wrote my post two months ago, promising to be back in April with thoughts on discouragement, I had no idea how apropos it would be.

No doubt, discouragement has crept into some aspect of your life these past weeks of unprecedented self-isolation. I’ve seen many writers on Facebook talking about how hard it is to write during this season.

On a personal note, my family’s summer plans were destroyed, not just because of coronavirus, but because of an unexpected health problem with my husband. We had planned months for our family sabbatical, during which we’d travel around the west backpacking and camping, making memories our children (ages 13 and 10) would remember forever. A once in a lifetime trip, we called it. It’s been hard to let myself feel the disappointment of this loss.

Perhaps you are suffering from the same heaviness of having life—and your carefully laid plans—upended by circumstances beyond your control.

This heavy mantle is what I call discouragement. Discouragement is disappointment on steroids. Disappointment is a natural, emotional reaction to something that doesn’t go our way, someone who’s let us down, or an expectation not met. Discouragement is when that disappointment takes up house in our hearts. When I am disappointed, hope still glimmers at the edges of my frustration. When I am discouraged though….hope is locked away, and the key is nowhere to be found.

Kind of like what we see with Cleopas and his friend as they walked away from Jerusalem toward Emmaus after Jesus’ death. Luke 24 tells us this story, highlighting the soul-crushing discouragement of these disciples. Unaware that they are walking with Jesus, they say to him, “They crucified him, but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”

My breath catches at the utter sorrow of this statement.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).

Maybe discouragement is making you sick. This is no light thing with no easy solution. Seeking a licensed counselor is always a wise option. We are, as this pandemic has showed us, community-oriented people who need to talk, pray, and be with others. Finding someone to help you work through the deep waters of life is a great option.

Asking questions of ourselves is also a great option, and maybe the place to begin. Ask yourself:

• Where am I discouraged? If it’s hard to pinpoint, imagine yourself as Cleopas and his friend. Finish this statement, “I had hoped….” Journal out where your emotion takes you.

• And now ask, what am I going to do about this discouragement? Cleopas and his friend pushed on in normal activities: they ate because they were hungry. Sometimes, it’s as simple as that. Do the next right thing. At other times, it’s more complex. Thomas had to touch Jesus to move past his discouragement. Peter had to have a fireside fish-fry with Jesus, in which he humbled himself before his Savior three times with, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Here is an example from my career as a writer:

• I am discouraged with my sales. I had hoped that I would make more money last year to help my family, but the world of independent publishing is a hard one right now.

• I am going to set deadlines for myself and keep writing. I will not look at the sales of others. The next right thing is the next sentence typed. And then after this book, I’m going to take a break—whatever that means. This break will probably include some humble fireside fish eating with a risen Savior, and maybe some professional help if I feel so led.

Finally, from a practical standpoint, here are some tips for writing through discouragement in this crazy time.

• Don’t neglect your physical needs of healthy food, exercise, and sleep.

• Check in with a writer friend once or twice a week for encouragement and accountability

• Don’t pretend everything’s fine. Journal each day, allowing yourself to confess hard things.

• Set boundaries with the members of your household. Let others know your expectations about when and how much you want to write.

• Keep a list of the things that must be done (laundry, vacuuming, etc.), then don’t let that list control your time. Do a few things each day and draw others into the tasks. You don’t have to do it all.

• Tend your soul. Pray, read scripture, listen to music, list thanksgivings. Whatever feeds your spirit, do it. Reach for joy but give yourself permission to feel discouraged.

How are you doing as a writer right now? I’d love to hear stories from the front lines of your battle with discouragement, or simply your new way to do life as a writer during this time of quarantine.

Reach for joy but give yourself permission to feel discouraged. @SondraKraak @MaryAFelkins #amwriting #encouragement #authenticity #seriouslywrite

Connect with Sondra
Website  www.sondrakraak.com
Instagram
Facebook

Such A Hope
NOTE: On sale for $0.99 through April 28.

Washington Territory, 1871

Anna Warren grew up on the seat of a wagon, the daughter of Seattle's busiest freighter. After her father’s death—a tragedy away from home—she returns to their cabin on the outskirts of Seattle, seeking the sense of belonging that eluded her childhood. But will her desire to pray for miraculous healing for the sick and wounded endear or alienate her to the community? Her most aggravating challenger is also her staunchest defender and has brown hair and eyes, stands six feet tall, and farms with unchecked tenacity. Tristan Porter. This farmer her father had befriended holds more secrets than Yesler’s Mill holds logs.

When ugly rumors arise about her spiritual gift and her property, Anna fears her quest to find belonging will be thwarted.

Tristan holds the truth to set her free, but revealing it will require him to face the disappointments of his past and surrender his plans for the future—a sacrifice he’s not sure he can make.

Building a Healthy Reader Tribe by Nikki Wright

Before I started working with Mountain Brook Ink as a publicist, I worked as an assistant content editor for junior high and high school creative writing workshops, a virtual assistant for multi-published authors, and as a municipal liaison (ML) for my local National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) region. Through these experiences I became familiar with a lot of different author personalities, writing voices, and goals in the creative writing world. For the workshops the goal was to show writing could be fun. As a virtual assistant I helped my clients maintain healthy boundaries while also keeping their image accessible and friendly. With NaNoWriMo we organized events to build community during the month-long writing marathon.

But no matter the background, most authors eventually get to this question: How do I connect with my readers?

For better or for worse, there is no "one size fits all" answer. Readers will sniff out a lack of authenticity from a mile away, which means that each author has to wrestle with this question quite a bit. How much do you want to share, personally, with your readers? What are you wanting to give to your readers to enrich their lives as people, not just consumers? Also, what do you NOT want to share with the reader? What is off-limits?

Establishing Boundaries with the Reader

"How do I connect with my readers?" is an overwhelming question. In fact, marketing is an overwhelming process in general! But as the old saying goes: how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. 

Bite one? Boundaries. Before doing anything else it is critical to decide what information you are willing to share and what information you are not willing to share with your readers. Some authors love to share stories about their kids, spouse, and family adventures; others have decided that their private family life is 100% off-limits. Both of these choices are okay! But you do need to find things to share, not just things to keep private. 

Giving Back to the Reader  

Even if you don't want to share photos and stories of your kids or your pets, find something to give back to the reader. You can share writing tips, encouragement, devotionals, shenanigans. If you're having trouble pinpointing what it is you want to share, I ask you, "Why did you write this book?" You spent quite a bit of time and energy figuring out the story, then writing the book, likely editing the book, and possibly querying the book. And that's all before you landed a contract if you have one! 

Are you passionate about encouraging healthy relationships? Do you think miniature dollhouse making is the coolest thing ever, which is why your heroine solves mysteries by recreating crime scenes with mini handmade furniture and rooms? Consider talking about the healthy relationships in your life, how you've overcome your own challenges, and what Scripture passages speak to the importance of community (or however this topic speaks to you!). Consider talking about the history of miniature dollhouse making, share some of your work, talk on why you love it! 

Find something in your heart that you're excited to share about…and share it. Consistently. Eventually your reader won't think of you as just another suspense novelist, but The Cool Dollhouse Person who opened their eyes to this niche artform through their books and platform.

Being Accessible

I'm going to let you in a little secret: you don't need to have a social media account on every platform. But you do need to have a consistently active account at least on a couple websites. Your readers want to connect with you! And there are many different types of outlets to try and until you find a place you feel comfortable: Pinterest. Instagram. Twitter. Facebook. 

Do you love organizing? Pinterest. Are you short on time? Twitter. Do you love photography? Instagram! (Though I recommend you find a way to like Pinterest or Instagram either way as there's a good amount of readers both places.) 

Find a place where your readers can ask you questions and engage with other followers of your work. This is an important step toward building your tribe. 

Asking Questions (And Responding!)

In addition to giving your readers knowledge or encouragement, ask them questions about them. How can you pray for them this week? Which holiday do they celebrate? What have they been reading lately that's not your book? Ask questions, and then answer them. Pray for the person who is hurting. Ask the person more about the holiday they celebrate that you haven't heard of. Share your mutual love for The Chronicles of Narnia. 

Asking questions and engaging in the answers helps the reader not just stick around, but feel seen and valued as a person. 

Be Yourself!  

In the end "be yourself" may sound like a cliche, but it's true. There is a part of you that your readers loved (or will love!) put into your books. Don't be afraid to use that to connect with your readers. 

Nikki Wright has worked with a diverse collection of aspiring and published authors since 2005. Every author writes for a different reason and has a different heart they are trying to paint in words. Nikki’s passion lies in helping authors to be the best they can be in their own voice. 

Off the page, Nikki has a cat named Faust, an assortment of plants seeking global domination, and a tendency to stare off into space contemplating some deep question she'll forget momentarily. She resides in the great frozen land of Northern Idaho and drinks coffee by the bucket. 

Connect with Mountain Brook Ink:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mtbrookinkbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtbrookinkfiction/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mtbrookinkbooks/ 
Website: http://mountainbrookink.com/

Connect with Nikki:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikkinoellew
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkinoellew/