My Decision To Go Hybrid by Heidi Chiavaroli

I never wanted to be an indie author. Mostly because I didn’t trust myself to put something worth reading out there all by my lonesome. But although I never planned it, the opportunity came to me this past year, and I surprised myself by jumping on board.

I had two books published with my dream publishing house, and I had just renewed my contract with them. An author’s dream! But as we began to plan the timing for my third book, we realized that deadlines and marketing schedules would leave a nineteen-month-gap between books—a problem for any author, but especially a newbie like me.

I was surprised when my agent suggested I release my own book within that nineteen-month time period but, for my situation, it seemed to make sense.

I’m excited about releasing my first indie book. And I’m a tad nervous, of course. But if all works out, I’m hoping that my decision to go hybrid will benefit not only my readers, but me and my publisher.

If your aim is to be a hybrid author, here are some things you may want to consider:

Know your craft, and the publishing industry.

If you are just starting out in this writing thing, don’t be too quick to independently publish and assume a traditional publisher will want to work with you in the future. Likewise, starting a contract with a traditional publisher is probably not the ideal time to decide to independently publish. Take it slow. There’s a lot to learn in both worlds. Publishing is hard work, no matter what. Make sure you know how to write (don’t just take your Mother’s word for it!), and make sure you know the industry before diving in to those indie waters.

Put your publisher first.

There have been many times these past couple of months when I’ve had to put my indie edits and marketing efforts on hold to work on something for my publisher. And I’ve done it gladly. As a hybrid author, they are my priority, and honestly, they are the ones who gave me a chance to begin with, so they will always come first.

If you are traditionally published and considering putting out an indie release, it’s always best to make sure your publisher is okay with you doing so. Make sure your indie releases are scheduled in a way that will benefit your traditional releases. You don’t want to be competing with yourself!

Release a quality product.

Honestly, this was my biggest concern from the beginning. I LOVE getting that brand new box of books from my publisher. The entire product, near perfect. Those of us in the indie world have likely had our share of publishing disasters. In fact, I just received my first box of books and was appalled to see some grainy covers and bubbly binding.

Obtain professional editing, cover, and formatting design. As far as is within your ability, make your product something you won’t be ashamed to have alongside your traditional releases.

If you are published, are you published independently, traditionally, or both? What do you see as being a benefit to how you are published? If you are not yet published, what kind of publishing goals do you have?

"I was surprised when my agent suggested I release my own book..." @HeidiChiavaroli #publishing #SeriouslyWrite

~~~~~~

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, and grace-clinger who could spend hours exploring places that whisper of

historical secrets. She is an ACFW Carol Award winner and a Christy finalist. Both her debut novel, "Freedom's Ring" and her sophomore novel, "The Hidden Side" are Romantic Times Top Picks. "Freedom's Ring" was also a BOOKLIST Top Ten Romance Debut. She makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons. Visit her at heidichiavaroli.com.

Not A Solitary Endeavor by Heidi Chiavaroli

One thing I’ve always loved about writing was the solitude of it all. Never a big fan of school group projects (I always ended up shouldering the brunt of the work while the others coasted along) I was happy to entertain a career in writing. A solitary career.

By myself.

Alone.

Yes, I work better alone. That’s why I write. All by my lonesome. Me, myself, and I.

Or so I thought.

With my debut novel just released, I can’t help but acknowledge the simple fact that although I spent hours alone at my computer to get to this point, there is no way I would have reached the height of my dreams—having my debut novel release with my dream publishing house—without other people investing in my career.

Writing, it turns out, is not a solitary endeavor after all. Far from it. It is absolutely a team effort.

Here are a few on my team:

Critique Partners and Writing Friends: I have had several critique partners over the years and have appreciated them all as we’ve gone through different stages of career and life. I cannot recommend anything as much as I can recommend a good critique partner. Not only does my CP improve my writing with honest feedback, she encourages me on those days when I am tempted to give it all up.

Another dear friend, when she noticed something of potential in my writing, was kind enough to offer recommendation to her agent.

Writing is a lonely endeavor. Without others, we may be tempted to quit, to feel lonely with just that screen and those uncooperative words before us. I would suggest joining a writing group if you don’t have a critique partner. I highly recommend ACFW (www.acfw.com). I found most of my valuable friends—friends who share a passion for both writing and Jesus—there.

A Good Agent: There are so many opportunities and paths to publication today, and many of them don’t require an agent. But I cannot imagine navigating this career without my agent as my advocate. She is not only an encourager and friend, she possesses wisdom I will never have. She opens worlds of opportunity and helps me avoid pitfalls I never would have seen coming. But beware—there are a lot of not-so-credible agents out there. Do your research and talk to other authors before signing with any agent.

Editors: Like my agent, my editors have wisdom to know what will work and what won’t. I cannot believe how they have helped me to improve my story. Quite simply, I don’t have all the good ideas. Their insight, their brainstorming sessions, make a book all it can be.

Marketing/Graphic Design Team: Alone, I simply don’t have the means to make a beautiful cover. I don’t have reach that extends beyond my small fan base. But my marketing team has increased that exponentially. They have the know-how and the resources to promote my book in a way I cannot do—you guessed it—alone. J

Book Buyers: Yes, these are part of my team, too. An important part! From the individual who orders online to the amazing team of buyers at Christian Book Distributors (I met them and I can absolutely confirm how amazing they are!), every buyer is a part of my team. Buyers help you get the word out, they can leave reviews, and be part of the all-important launch team.

And the list doesn’t end here. Those who have helped me with research, my family, my friends, my church. This is one big team I am so, so proud to be part of.

As I held my book for the first time in my hands—the cover more beautiful than anything I could have come up with, the pages freshly printed, the thoughtful endorsements on the first page, the story so much stronger than when I first turned it in—I was hit with this overwhelming gratitude that I am not alone.

And I am blessed for it.

If Jesus, who is and was God himself, enlisted the help of others to carry out His mission, how dare I think I could ever go at my teensy-tiny mission alone? Life—no matter what we set out to do—is not meant to be lived alone. Sure, we need our solitary time, but that should not be the goal. Our goal—in writing and in life—should be to engage others, to live fully with them, to work as a team for the mighty purpose of carrying out the greatest mission of all.

Who makes up your team?

~~~~~~

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, and grace-clinger who could spend hours exploring Boston's Freedom Trail. She writes Women's Fiction and won the 2014 ACFW Genesis contest in the historical category. She makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Visit her online atheidichiavaroli.com.

My Worst Conference Mistake by Heidi Chiavaroli

This is Heidi's last post with us as a regular contributor on Seriously Write. I'm going to miss her posts and I'm going to miss working with such a wonderful individual. I look forward to having her as a guest on Seriously Write as often as she is able to visit. So long Heidi, we know God has a wonderful plan in store for you!

- Terri

As you read this, I’m no doubt excitedly preparing for the ACFW Conference in Nashville next week. While I’m not a stranger to both local and national conferences, I  do still get those butterflies. 

I’m certain you can find a multitude of blog posts on how to prepare for a conference, so I won’t outline that here. I’ll just give you one tip of advice—and it’s one that I struggle with myself.

Relax. Be yourself.

That’s it. Sounds easy, right? But it just isn’t, at least for me. So when I start getting wound up, I remember my first national conference six years ago. I was far from relaxed. Prepared, yes. Organized? Of course. I had all my appointment times carefully written down, and I thought, memorized. I’d remembered a whole pitch after all. Certainly I could memorize an appointment time.

Or so I thought.

You know that appointment that you really want? The one that you practically came to conference for? Yeah, that one. I was late for it. Ten minutes late. And as many of you experienced conference attendees know, ten minutes in Pitchland is like an hour in the real world. It’s bad. Really bad.

To this day, I still don’t know how I got the times mixed up. I’d been ready. Prepared. Maybe far from relaxed, but I had that pitch down.

And I blew it. While the agent did graciously squeeze me in, I could tell I’d already made my not-so-good impression.

I’d been so busy rushing around, trying to gather extra appointment slots, that I’d missed the appointment I wanted most.

I’m convinced if I had just taken a breath and relaxed, maybe even tried to enjoy the conference a bit, I wouldn’t have been late for that appointment. Maybe if I had went out of my way to bless another writer instead of racking up unneeded appointments, I wouldn’t have made such a naïve mistake.

Yet even so, God is full of grace. One busted appointment wasn’t the end of my writing career. Far from it. And that conference wasn’t totally ruined. I met some amazing women who are still very much a part of my writing life.

So yes, do relax. But even if you fail at that, if you make a mistake like I did, give yourself grace. Look around, find another writer who might need someone to talk to. In this business you are never alone.

Heidi Chiavaroli is an author, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. Her debut novel will release next year from Tyndale Publishers. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Learn more about Heidi on her website: www.heidichiavaroli.com.  

Writer's Block or Writer's Fear by Heidi Chiavaroli

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines writer's block as "the problem of not being able to think of something to write about or not being able to finish writing a story, poem, etc.” 

I'm not convinced I've ever suffered from writer's block. I seem to have tons of ideas—especially those juicy new ideas. 

Recently though, I've experienced what I like to call writer's fear. What I define as "the crazy notion that putting nothing on the page is better than putting something horrible on the page."

Perhaps you can relate. You have that story idea marinating in your head—it’s juicy, yummy, and you can’t wait to share it.

But hold on there. What if your idea loses its juiciness when you actually put it on paper? What if it runs out of flavor? What if it’s not even a good idea to begin with? After all, things always sound so much better in your head…don’t they?

Ridiculous, right? And yet I succumb to this fear all too often. Over and over again, I have to remind myself that “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (New Living Translation) 

Amen! If God has given me a spirit of power, then I don’t need to fear. He’s already done the hard work. I simply need to follow his prompting, whether it be to serve in a certain way, show love to a coworker, or write! J 

So go ahead, live in power and love and self-discipline. Write that first word. That first sentence. That first paragraph. If it helps, look at the clock and see how many words you can write in thirty minutes. Any small accomplishment or mile-mark is helpful. You can do it. God himself has given you his power. 

Have you ever experienced writer's block or writer's fear? How did you overcome it?

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Learn more about Heidi on her website: www.heidichiavaroli.com.

Story Endings and Pickle Factories by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

As I neared the end of my four-mile run the other morning, I was feeling good. Feeling fast. Feeling the burn. Feeling like I had not only enjoyed the run, but that I had worked hard the last three and a half miles. One last hill and then around the corner to my street.

But my satisfying run was about to be ruined. For on the corner of that last stretch is a pickle factory. And boy, were they busy making pickles that morning. Now it's not that I'm not fond of pickles. I like them well enough. The smell from a freshly opened jar doesn't even bother me. But the scent steaming from the vent of this pickle factory was an especially strong smell of a condensed kind. It hit me in the face as I puffed past. It stung my nostrils and soured my stomach.

My run was spoiled.

This is not altogether unlike the feeling you may sometimes get when nearing the end of a book. You may be enjoying the story. You sympathize with the characters. You feel invested in them. You turn each page, wondering what new development will lead them barreling toward the climax. And then...something akin to the stench of a pickle factory wafts toward your nose (or rather, your reader's mind). Something's just not...satisfying. The ending is frumpy, the characters disappointed. The book is soured, just like my stomach on the home stretch of my run the other morning.

It's funny how a bad ending can ruin an otherwise good book and a great ending can redeem a mediocre one.

As I recently wrote the end of my latest novel, I really longed for a knockout ending, but as I wrote it smelled more like mediocre. I'm still trying to figure out possible solutions, and I'm hopeful and determined to fix the problem.

Because truly, there's nothing worse than the smell of pickles at the end of a story.

Have you ever had this experience when reading a book? Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a book's ending?


Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Learn more about Heidi on her website: www.heidichiavaroli.com.

Relating To George McFly

Heidi Chiavaroli

Do you remember George McFly from Back to the Future? If you do, you are probably familiar with the scene in George's high school lunchroom. George is scribbling furiously in a notebook when Marty, George's son from the future, comes over and asks his father what he's writing.

“Uh, stories. Science fiction stories… about visitors coming down to Earth from other planets,” George says.

“Get out of town… I didn’t know you did anything creative,” Marty says, clearly impressed. “Here, let me read some.” He reaches for the notebook, but George pulls it away.

“Oh, no, no, no. I never let anyone read my stories.”

“Why not?”

“Well, what if they didn’t like them? What if they told me I was no good? I guess that would be pretty hard for somebody to understand.”

I think anyone who is a writer understands you, George McFly.

Whether we’re just penning that first story or on our tenth novel, there is always risk in putting ourselves out there. Our words, our thoughts, our stories. Someone is bound not to like them.

And that ugly word ‘rejection’ comes nagging at our pride.

I’m learning there are many layers to this writing journey. I’ve won and finaled in contests, I’ve acquired an awesome agent, but even so, I know as my story is submitted, rejection will come. This is a subjective industry. Not everyone will love what I have to say—or how I say it. Yet I must face facts—rejection is part of a writer's journey, and it's nearly inevitable.

Standing at this threshold, I can't imagine not continuing. So I'm going to continue this crazy race. And you know what? I'm excited to learn what journey God has in store for me. I'm excited to see what He's going to teach me next. Maybe He'll surprise me. Maybe He'll teach me things that don't even have to do directly with writing. Maybe He'll teach me more about myself, about others, and about His grace. Not a bad deal, right? And if I happen to get my book published along the way…well, I’d definitely take that too. ;)

As for George McFly, I can't say my future has a hardcover in it as his eventually did, but for right now, it's nice to know someone else understands, even if he is only a fictional character himself.

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Learn more about Heidi on her website: www.heidichiavaroli.com.

Something you might ...

Heidi Chiavaroli

I could have written any number of posts today, but I thought you might need to hear something. Because it’s something I need to hear. Often.

Ready? Here it is.

You write beautiful.

That’s it.

You write beautiful.

Now I know what you might be thinking. Heidi, you’ve never even read my writing. You didn’t see those ugly scores from the last contest I entered. You didn’t see all the track changes lighting up the margins of the latest chapter I submitted to my critique partners. You didn’t see that rejection letter. You didn’t see that horrible review.

No, I didn’t. And yet I still hold firm to my statement.

You write beautiful.

Because if your writing has the end goal of glorifying God, of representing his grace, mercy, and love in some form, then it is indeed beautiful.

Don’t get me wrong, if you’re a writer, you write to be read. I get it, believe me. But even if another soul never reads your words, if they are mirroring a longing for God’s heart, then they can’t be anything but beautiful.

So go ahead. Write something. Be bold. Honest. Improve your craft. Listen to your critique partners, your agent, your editors. Learn from their wisdom. Strive to create something that will touch your readers’ hearts. But know that in the eyes of the Author of Life, anything that is birthed by one of his children with his glory in mind—whether lovely or not by fickle human standards—is beautiful to Him.

****

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. www.heidichiavaroli.com

Don’t Be A Flea by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

My son’s karate teacher is a storyteller. The kids love this. After a hard workout of blocks, five swords, and roundhouse kicks, he gathers the students around him on the mat and tells them a story that will encourage them in their quest to be a Black Belt.

Last week the story was about fleas.

That’s right. Fleas.

Stay with me.

He told them about an experiment done where fleas were put in a jar. And what do fleas do? They jump. Those fleas in that jar jumped away to their little heart’s content. They jumped so high they hit their heads on the top of that jar, but kept right on jumping.

And jumping. And jumping. And jumping.

For hours. And hours.

They didn’t stop. They didn’t give up and take a rest.

Good for those persevering fleas, right?

Well, finally the scientist took the lid off the jar, assuming the fleas would jump out—free at last!

But they didn’t.

They did, however, keep right on jumping. Just high enough to save themselves the pain of hitting their little heads on the cover. Just high enough to miss out on their true potential—freedom.

I think sometimes as writers we tend to be like those fleas. We might push ourselves to a point, but then we settle in. We get comfortable with writing inside the box—or jar, if you will. We write safe. Write what we know. We might not risk the pain of possible rejection by stretching our abilities, by writing honest, by stripping ourselves bare to allow our true voice to shine through.

But the only way we’ll grow, the only way we’ll reach more people with our message, the only way we’ll achieve our ultimate potential, is if we step out of our comfort zone.

My son’s karate teacher calls this having an indomitable spirit. I love that. I want to have an indomitable writing spirit. I don’t want to be a flea. I want to push myself. Be a little risky. Maybe get those rejections, maybe even some criticism. If I’m willing to step outside my comfort zone, not everyone’s going to like it.

But that’s okay.

Because I don’t want to be a flea. I want to pursue this writing journey with stubborn persistence. I want to give it my all.

I want an indomitable spirit.

****

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle.
www.heidichiavaroli.com

Insecurities, Growth and Paper Airplanes by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

Hi everyone, Heidi here. I’ve been going through some old blog posts and found this, written more than five years ago. I can honestly say I’ve grown in this area—so fun to see that! Anxious to see where you’ve grown in your writing. :)

Last month, as I prepared to enter ACFW's Genesis contest, I printed out the first chapter of my new work-in-progress in order to edit directly off the paper, as opposed to the computer. After the rewriting was complete and safely stored in my laptop, I placed the chapter by our woodstove to use as kindling. I didn't give it a second thought...until hubby and the boys decided to put their efforts into perfecting a paper airplane. They didn't need to look far to find the scraps of paper. That's right. Mommy's manuscript.

Page one was a failure. It barely flew across the room. Page two didn't fly straight. Page three, a bent nose after its first run.

I think they achieved perfection around page seven. Page seven sailed effortlessly through the kitchen, into the hallway, and across the boys' room until it was stopped by a wall. Cheers erupted from the men in my house. I couldn't help but laugh.

Well, my husband refused to let a small thing like a wall stand in the way of page seven's potential. Out the back door he went. I didn't think much of it until I saw his intention: attempting to launch page seven in flight over our roof. Granted, we have a small roof, but it was a windy day. And that was my page seven! What if the wind zipped it down the street where a passerby chanced a glance at my vulnerable words—dismembered from the rest of its body? How can anyone be a true judge of a page's value with six pages missing?

I was too late. Prompted by my two prodding boys, my husband threw page seven up over the roof. It didn't come back. Around he went to the front of the house, boys still whooping and cheering. No airplane in sight.

Page seven was gone.

I didn't make a big deal of it. It was just one page of saved writing, after all. Still, my precious, vulnerable words being sent to the wind gave me a slight feeling of unease. Like all my children weren't safely tucked in for the night.

Why do I feel so vulnerable over a couple hundred words? Why do I feel a need to protect them? Simple. I don't want to fail. I don't want someone—anyone—to judge them unworthy. Yet...what can I gain without the risk?

Nothing.

And so I continue to write. I continue to keep on. I will remain faithful to what God has put on my heart. And if all it is ever good for is paper airplanes, so be it. In this case, it gave my family laughter. Maybe that was God's intention all along.

It wasn't until two weeks after the paper airplane incident that I found page seven fluttering in the breeze beside the front door of my house. I don't know how it survived all the wind, or where it found shelter. But here it was, never far to begin with.

Four years later, I would actually go on to win the Genesis contest in the historical category. I’ve overcome my fear (for the most part) of letting others read my work. How about you? How have you grown in your writing? Have you conquered any old writing insecurities?

****

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle.

Lessons from Horton by Heidi Chiavaroli

Sighed Mayzie, a lazy bird hatching an egg:
"I'm tired and I'm bored
And I've kinks in my leg
From sitting, just sitting here day after day.
It's work! How I hate it!
I'd much rather play!
I'd take a vacation, fly off for a rest
If I could find someone to stay on my nest!
If I could find someone, I'd fly away—free...."

Then Horton, the Elephant, passed by her tree.

And so Horton's journey begins. In this Dr. Seuss classic, Horton Hatches the Egg, Mayzie leaves the care of her only egg to a one-ton elephant, Horton. She then flies off on a never-ending vacation. Despite many obstacles, Horton proves "faithful, one hundred per cent."

The message packed in this book isn't just for children.

I constantly find myself drifting toward Mayzie's mindset. I'm tired of the work I've given myself, frustrated at the writing that just isn't flowing from my mind to my laptop, or impatient with the waiting that comes with every writer’s journey. And my oh my, do I have more than a few kinks in my legs from that twenty-five-mile bike ride with the kids the other day. Mayzie, I hear you, girl. I could use a vacation, too.

Yet when I read this story with my kids, it's not Mayzie I long to be like—it's the big old elephant. Horton stands firm in the promise he's made to Mayzie. If Horton is this faithful to an irresponsible bird, how much more should I be faithful to God, my family, and the desires He has placed on my heart?

The root word of faithful is 'aman, meaning believe. Believe in what? I suppose that depends. Horton believed in his promise. I choose to believe in God's promises and His blessing upon my life. But blessing doesn't always pour out unimpeded. It sometimes requires work and prayer, and maybe a little wrestling. That's right, wrestling.

When Jacob wrestles with God in the book of Genesis, God bestows a token of blessing upon him in the form of a name change. He renames Jacob, Israel, roughly translated "you never give up and always believe God's promises." The blessing didn't just come, Jacob had to stubbornly cling to his Lord. He had to persevere.

Wrestling is not a sport for wimps, and surely not a sport for birds like Mayzie. Like Jacob, I think many of us find ourselves wrestling a blessing from God when it comes to our writing. But as we wrestle, let’s keep in mind that Christ has already won the ultimate battle for us. With that as our motivation, let us persevere in this race of faith and in our writing journeys, straining forward to cling to Jesus even as we wrestle that blessing from Him.

What was Horton's reward? I won't give it away in case you haven’t read the story, but I will tell you that something very surprising was in that egg!

****

Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle.

Writing Stubborn by Heidi Chiavaroli

Image courtesy of wokandapix/Pixabay

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~Hebrews 12:1-3

I am a runner.

If you read that sentence and you are also a runner, we have just formed a unique bond through cyberspace. We have an understanding of one another and what it takes to run.

I am also a writer. Likewise, if you are a writer, you and I can relate to one another in a unique way. We understand this journey is not always an easy one, but it is so worth it.

Whether a runner or writer, the bond we share (besides the fact that we like to torture ourselves) is a certain character trait. Maybe trait is the wrong word, because it’s more of a decision. A decision to be stubborn. To persevere. Gina Holmes calls it Sticktoitivness. Name it what you will—grit, determination, or resolve. But I believe this is what makes success.

When I am finishing up a ten-mile run, when the muscles in my thighs are burning and my feet are on fire, when I can see that beautiful white mailbox where I will allow myself to walk (oh, how glorious is just walking!), when I push myself to finish strong because that’s who I am and who I want to be, trusting that my stubbornness will pay off, that I will be a better runner for pushing through the pain…that’s when I know victory.

And yes, when I’m writing. When I’m past that beautiful and inspiring beginning, when I’m sweating through the middle and agonizing over the climax, when my eyes glimpse that glorious moment when I can write The End, when I can just read a book without feeling guilty that I’m not pounding out the words on my own laptop…that’s when I know victory. I have chosen perseverance. Sticktoitivness. Stubborness.

And there, in the pain and suffering, is how I improve. How I find victory. How even, I can become more like my Savior as I fix my eyes on Him, the ultimate goal.

But wait, that’s just the beginning. Because now I must let go of my writing. Let my sweat and work—my baby—go. I must offer it up to God, trusting Him to do what He will with it.

I believe the same goes for everything in our lives—whether it be writing, mastering a sport, bringing up children, growing our careers, or our faith. We can only give our absolute stubborn best…and let God finish the work for us. (He’s good like that, you know.)

How do you help yourself push through those tough times in writing? How do you make yourself finish a project? How do you write stubborn?

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle.

For The Sake of Research by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

Last month, I walked into a bank an hour north of my house, iPhone in hand—discreetly, of course—at my waist. I tried to ignore the half dozen security cameras on me as I entered the foyer with my son, mobile device filming. I encouraged my accomplice—ahem, I mean my son—to take a lollipop in a jar on the far counter. This would give me a good opportunity to video tape the rest of the inside of the bank. My skin grew clammy as a teller glanced my way. If there happened to be a robbery later, I would be Suspect Number One. I pictured myself in an interrogation room, trying to explain to a hardened officer that I in fact had no intention of robbing the bank, that my heroine worked there, that I wanted to make my story as true-to-life as possible by noting the placement of the management offices.

Of course he wouldn’t believe me. But hey, I’d risk it. I could use the arrest experience in a story later.

This isn’t the first time I endangered my reputation for research. How many times had I “forgotten” a pair of sunglasses at a restaurant just to go back for a second look? How many nuns and dock workers and teachers and nurses had I irritated with my annoyingly detailed questions? How many Bostonites had mumbled, “tourist” as they scrambled around me and my oversized map?

All for the sake of research.

I know I can say these things freely here, because you all get me. You’re writers—a special group of people who will go to great lengths to get your facts right. Because if our details aren’t straight, we risk losing credibility with our readers. That may not be such a big deal if we weren’t trying to convey eternal truth and eternal hope, but we are. If anyone should have their research right on, it’s inspirational writers. Sure, we know when to take liberties—we write fiction, after all. But go to the trouble first. Know what you’re writing about. Get the facts. Then, be free to write.

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Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle.

The Power of Story by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

Story is powerful.

I’m not the only one claiming this fact. Now, science is backing up the assertion that story has the ability to change the way we think, to change the way we even act.

At a writer’s retreat a couple years back, I listened to an inspiring presentation by author Tessa Afshar, in which she spoke of the incredible power of story. As I tried to pull together this blog post, I berated myself for not taking notes. Lucky for me a search online brought up a 2012 New York Times article by Annie Murphy Paul, in which she explores Your Brain On Fiction.

“The brain, it seems, does not make much of a distinction between reading about an experience and encountering it in real life; in each case, the same neurological regions are stimulated,” Paul writes.

When we read of metaphors, textures, and scents imparted to us in rich words, the same places of our brain that are stimulated when actually experiencing these things are roused when we read them. 

A powerful story can even go beyond this. The same way the brain responds to smells and textures as if we were truly experiencing them, so the brain also responds to a character’s heartaches, happiness, and frustrations as if they are our own. We can learn from make-believe characters. We can become more empathetic to those around us. We can hone our social skills simply by picking up a book.

Wow. Great news for those of us who already love a good story.

As I read this scientific evidence, I thought of the Master Storyteller. Many times, Jesus taught with a story. The Parable of the Lost Sheep certainly has a deeper impact on His listeners than if Jesus simply said, “God loves the lost with a passion you can’t imagine.”

Instead, we can see ourselves in that story—alone and afraid, and yes, as a sheep! It doesn’t matter. God made His point in this story and many others, as well as in His entire Word—one huge, beautiful story of His love for us.

So I don’t know about you, but next time I’m wrapped up in a good novel I won’t feel quite so guilty about the laundry not getting done. After all, I’m not just reading. I’m improving my social skills. I’m relishing a creation. I’m becoming a more empathetic person.          

And who can argue with the power behind that?

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Heidi Chiavaroli writes History Woven in Grace. She is a wife, mother, disciple, and grace-clinger. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and has finaled in the Genesis contest and My Book Therapy’s Frasier contest.
 

Those Good Old Classics by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

Confession time.

Up until recently I wasn’t much of a fan of classic literature. I read the Spark Notes for A Tale of Two Cities in high school, have forced my way through one Jane Austen novel (please forgive me Austen fans—if it’s any consolation I loved Katherine Reay’s Dear Mr. Knightley), and have been known to steer my kids away from Robinson Crusoe in lieu of Harry Potter. I feared the longer descriptions and smaller amount of dialogue in a classic read might ruin my children’s enthusiasm for books.

I recently picked up a copy of Johnny Tremain in order to immerse myself in the setting of my latest novel (Revolutionary Boston). I decided to give it a shot with the kids as a read-aloud. I ignored the temptation to skim over some of the longer descriptions and plunged in, even throwing in a few voices here and there to keep their attention.

It wasn’t long before I realized I didn’t need the voices. My boys loved the story—more so than other, recently published books, I’ve read to them. I found myself enraptured with the story also. Yes, there are some words I wasn’t certain how to pronounce, there were longer descriptions and the dialogue is not as plentiful as Harry Potter, but something about it drew them—and me—into the characters, the time, and the story.

It’s a beautiful thing when that happens, and I pondered why that was so. I have to admit, I think one of the reasons the story captured their attention was because of the longer narrative and vivid descriptions. We were invested in Johnny, liked him despite his flaws, and cheered for him as he found purpose with a crippled hand.

I wondered if some of these characteristics of classic literature that I often avoid can actually make a story stronger. I wouldn’t have felt such a part of Revolutionary Boston without the detail to setting. I wouldn’t have been invested in the character’s relationships if it wasn’t for the time the author took to draw them out, sometimes in longer narrative.

And so I battled with myself. As a writer in the modern world I’d learned not to get too wordy with description and setting, to have plenty of quick dialogue. And as we all know, show don’t tell.

I’m not arguing with these teachings. They are true and relevant to the modern reader. But reading Johnny Tremain made me think I could also learn something (many things!) from the author. Maybe sometimes I shouldn’t be in such a rush to gloss over setting description. Maybe I don’t have to feel pressured to have so much dialogue on each page. I don’t think it’s a formula, but I am convinced that reading some of the classics will make me a better writer. Because at the end of the day, beautiful writing unfolding an enthralling plot is a pleasure to read.

What are your thoughts? Do you read the classics? What is your favorite? Do you believe you are a better writer by spending time in them?

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Heidi Chiavaroli writes History Woven in Grace. She is a wife, mother, disciple, and grace-clinger. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and has finaled in the Genesis contest and My Book Therapy’s Frasier contest.

A Legacy In Stories by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

As my family mourns the loss of my great-grandmother this week, I’m dwelling a bit on legacies.

My great-grandmother left us with memories of a beautiful life. She was a caring wife, mother, daughter, and sister. She was even one of the first women recognized to wear—gasp—pants in the workplace!

My great-grandmother was also an artist. She painted gorgeous pictures. After she passed, it became incredibly important that I possess one of these creations. Whatever painting I receive will have a small piece of my great-grandmother hidden in each brushstroke. At one moment in time, the painting was her sole focus, her creative passion. In having one of her paintings, I will have a precious bit of my grandmother’s life.

I often think about the kind of legacy I want to leave. Above all, I want to be known as a woman who loved well. A woman who loved her Creator and Savior, a woman who loved her husband, her kids, her family, and her friends. But it doesn’t have to end there. As a writer, I can leave another type of legacy.

A legacy of stories.

One day my great-granddaughter could read my stories and in doing so, possess a piece of me. I think that’s one of the reasons I’m so adamant about writing real, about writing truth, even if it takes some ugliness to get there.

I want to leave my own legacy, told in stories, that can reveal a truth about myself, and a truth bigger than myself.

How awesome an opportunity us writers have!

What kind of legacy in stories do you want to leave?

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Heidi Chiavaroli writes History Woven in Grace. She is a wife, mother, disciple, and grace-clinger. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and has finaled in the Genesis contest and My Book Therapy’s Frasier contest.

Jesus, Make Them Wash Their Hands! by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

I’m a germaphobe.

The Urban Dictionary’s definition for a germaphobe is any person obsessed with cleanliness and defeating bacteria. Yup, that’s me.

I still hover over my kids at the bathroom sink when they come home from school to ensure hot water and the proper amount of soap and scrub-time is utilized. I sanitize the grocery cart, dig my own pen from my purse to sign the kids out from school, and feel the strong need to take a shower after I watch an episode of Dirty Jobs.

Yes, I’m strange. So you can see how I struggle with that passage in the Bible when Jesus eats with his disciples without asking them to wash their hands.

I can’t help my thoughts… Jesus—I really don’t want to be a Pharisee…I really am on your side, but please. Don’t make me cringe. Please Jesus, make them wash their hands!

Thankfully for me, Jesus isn’t really advocating for dirty hands. As usual, he’s making a point—likely to me. This, I think, is the gist of what he’s saying: Heidi, I don’t care how “good” you might look on the outside. I don’t even care how many rules you keep, how perfect your driving record is, how well you write, how many Twitter followers or Facebook friends you have. Heidi, I’m after your heart.

Jesus didn’t come to create boundaries and rules. He came to break down boundaries and capture our rebel hearts.

We must remember this as we write. No matter our genre or publishing history, our job as writers is to break down boundaries, to connect to our readers. To touch the very thing Jesus was after—their hearts.

Here are a few things I try to do to connect to readers and grab their hearts. Because I’m still so far from an expert on writing, I would love for you to add to the list in the comments below.

Be honest as you write. I believe this is how we find our writing voice. Forget the rules—at least on that first draft—and just write.

Get uncomfortable with yourself. Francine Rivers says that every time she sits down to write a book, she has a question in her mind. A question she might struggle with in her own walk of faith. In A Voice in the Wind the question was how to share a faith no one around her wanted to hear about. That’s the kind of question that can make you squirm (kind of like those germs). But boy, did that question aid in the making of an amazing book.

Create believable characters your readers can relate to. Characters—like real people—need both good and bad qualities.

Paint that picture. In Stein on Writing, Sol Stein says to give your reader at least one visual feast on each page. And yes, I know you’re sick of hearing it, but show, don’t tell.

That’s it for me, I’m off to sanitize the door knobs and wipe down the vacuum cleaner. Happy writing!

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Heidi Chiavaroli writes History Woven in Grace. She is a wife, mother, disciple, and grace-clinger. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and has finaled in the Genesis contest and My Book Therapy’s Frasier contest.

What’s My Worth? by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

I suppose like many, I struggle with proving my own worth. My worth as a mother, a wife, a daughter, a follower of Christ…and as a writer.

Concerning the latter, I had convinced myself that if only I could secure a reputable agent, the search for validation would be over. If someone in this business was convinced I had what it took to make it as an author, then bam. I’d need no other encouragement. I could soar—forever perhaps—on this one person’s belief of my worth.

Strange, but I should have recognized the falsehood of this thinking after I won ACFW’s Genesis contest in the Historical Category. For hadn’t I told myself many times that if only I could final or win a prestigious contest (such as this one!) I’d be validated as a writer?

Oh, how quickly I forget.

Last month, it was my extreme pleasure to sign with agent Susan Brower of the Natasha Kern Literary Agency.

So there. I did it. I should feel validated as a writer. And for about three days I did. No one could bring me down or convince me otherwise. If Susan Brower liked my book, then who cared what anyone else thought.

Right…

As I printed out my manuscript to give to an important beta reader, doubts about my worth as a writer poked hard once again. What if she didn’t like it? What if she said she hated my writing and my book?

That’s when I realized my doubts would always be there. I could gain a multi-book contract…and they’d still be there. I could win a handful of awards…and they’d still be there. I could make it to a bestseller list…and they’d still be there.

And the reality is, there will always be someone who will not like my writing, or my books. There will always be someone who thinks my books are not spiritual enough, someone who thinks my books are too spiritual. Someone who doesn’t like my characters or my plots or how I string three words together.

So what’s a writer to do?

What I always have to remind myself to do—preach the gospel to myself. I can’t root my worth in my writing. Or being a good mother, wife, or daughter. I can’t even base my worth on being a good follower of Jesus because I will always fall short there as well.

What I can do is base my worth in Jesus himself, and all He has already done for me. This Christmas season I can remember that Christ was born to make me worthy. He died to make me worthy. And today, He still lives to make me worthy.

“Christmas highlights the inescapable fact that no matter how hard we try, we can’t do it. Apart from the Incarnation we are left to our own bankrupt resources. But at the same time it shows us Jesus, who came to liberate us from the pressure of having to fix ourselves (and others!), find ourselves, and free ourselves. He came to relieve us of the burden we inherently feel “to get it done” and make it on our own. He came to set us free from the need to secure for ourselves the affection and approval we long for but cannot attain.”

~Tullian Tchividjian, Christmas for the Weary and Heavy-Laden

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Heidi Chiavaroli writes History Woven in Grace. She is a wife, mother, disciple, and grace-clinger. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and has finaled in the Genesis contest and My Book Therapy’s Frasier contest.

Writing Thankful by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

Two weeks ago, I thought I knew all about being thankful. I mean, I thank God every day for the blessings of my life—a home, a loving husband, two kids who make me laugh when they’re not making me pull my hair out, a warm bed, a sweet dog, and of course my salvation.

And those are good things—amazing things—to be thankful for. But why should I stop there? This past week I read Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts. I’ve heard wonderful things about this book, but never picked it up until now.

I shouldn’t have waited.

This is not a book review, it’s a life review. My life. As I reviewed the last thirty-three years of my existence, I realized I hadn’t lived thankfulness, I hadn’t lived fully.

Voskamp claims that we unwrap joy when we give thanks. And she’s not talking about just giving thanks for the visible blessings we perceive. She’s talking about searching out thankfulness, giving thanks in the trials and situations we wouldn’t normally find thanks in.

I tried this the other day when Son #1 threw a Styrofoam ball in anger at Son #2. Instead of letting my anger—what I often perceive as righteous anger, but is really quite lacking in righteousness—take hold, I stopped. I thanked the God of the universe for these two boys who grew within me and who I love with a crazy kind of love. Then I thanked God for balls—Styrofoam or otherwise. Silly? Maybe, but the simple act of thanksgiving snuffed out the act of knee-jerk anger. I was able to deal with the situation with a bigger picture in mind. I know I won’t do this perfectly all the time. But if I could consciously remind myself to be thankful in all things, I know I would live joy.

What about writing? Too often I find myself groaning over much-sought-after results. When is the last time I was simply thankful for the ability to write? The ability to string words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, paragraphs into stories? What an awesome privilege to make stories out of nothing, to learn about myself and humanity in the art of a story.

For as Voskamp says, “Why doubt the dare to fully live? Now and right here. Why not let all of life be penetrated by grace, gratitude, joy? This is the only way to welcome the Kingdom of God.”

I hope this Thanksgiving is especially meaningful as you ponder what true thanksgiving is all about. I invite you to join me in writing thankful. Blessings!

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Heidi Chiavaroli writes History Woven in Grace. She is a wife, mother, disciple, and grace-clinger. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and has finaled in the Genesis contest and My Book Therapy’s Frasier contest.

Grace in Saint Louis by Heidi Chiavaroli

Heidi Chiavaroli

As I unpack my suitcase and mull over the events of the 2014 ACFW Conference, I am in awe—again—of God’s ever-present grace.

Where God’s grace found me:

Saturday

12:30PM, Baggage Claims, St. Louis Airport—As I watch the carrousel come to a stop…without spitting out my luggage.

12:35PM, Baggage Claims Desk—As tears flow, I explain to the Delta clerk I have an appointment with an editor in two hours. I CANNOT wear jeans and sneakers. Neither would jeans do for the Gala that night.

No makeup. No hair products. No dress. And certainly no spanx. More tears.

1:00PM, Shuttle To Hyatt—Via cell, I pour out baggage woes to hubby and parents. Weird, but a strange peace fills me. I vow to fashion skirt out of hotel curtains if need be.

2:15PM, Hyatt—I spot my friend, Melissa, who offers khakis and a shirt for my appointment. I borrow her MIL’s Birkenstocks, three sizes too big, but better than sneakers.

3:00PM, Appointment—Gracious editor doesn’t seem offended by unruly hair, imperfect makeup, and too-big Birkenstocks.

3:25PM—Melissa issues Facebook plea for dress.

4:20PM—No Facebook bites. Drastic measures must ensue. Melissa and amazing friend, Karin, and I power walk through St. Louis. These friends must prepare for Gala, but they accompany me on quest for cheap perfect dress.

4:38PM, Can’t-Remember-The-Name-Dress-Store—Amidst pricy dresses, I settle for a dress in clearance section.

5:01PM—Check with guest services. Luggage still not here.

5:15PM—Put on dress and realize all undergarments can be seen through dress.

5:30PM, Melissa’s Room—Don black pants and Birkenstocks and assure myself it’s not that bad. (Oh, but it is!)

5:40PM—Step into elevator with ladies in stunning gowns and perfect curls, my own frizzy hair and makeup pitiable in comparison.

5:43PM—Elevator doors open on fourth floor. Tear off Birkenstocks and run downstairs to lobby to inquire of luggage one more time. In a small miracle I still can’t fathom, I am told my luggage has arrived. I do happy dance. Clerk refuses to get luggage until I repeat happy dance.

5:45PM—Late for Gala. I ask Happy Dance Clerk to break the lock on my suitcase. He is excited to do this.

5:48PM—I drag my luggage to the nearest bathroom where I change and thank God the entire time.

8:30PM—I accept the Genesis award for Historical Fiction and make my speech. My appearance is far from perfect, but I have a dress. God has supplied me what I need.

Through all this, I felt a sense of undeserved caring—through friends and attendees, through the Hyatt staff, and mostly through God. On the plane ride home I wondered what He was trying to teach me through this. Then it hit me. He wasn’t trying to teach me anything.

He was trying to show me. Himself. His amazing grace.

Extravagant enough to send His only Son to die for me, simple enough to send a dress three minutes before a Gala.

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Heidi Chiavaroli writes History Woven in Grace. She is a wife, mother, disciple, and grace-clinger. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and has finaled in the Genesis contest and My Book Therapy’s Frasier contest.