Write Until They Take Your Pencil Away

I stood in a circle with other writers. We all noted that when we sat down to write, our minds froze. I admitted I held my breath as I wrote, which after four minutes or so, alarmed my wife. 

We pinned down the reason. We’ve looked forward to writing all day, and now that the long awaited moment arrived, we couldn’t squeeze out a word—much like going to the bathroom on command with everyone waiting. 

What should we do if we’re panicky writers? 

Writing a Series by Susan Sleeman

Writers often think in terms of one book, but for some reason I’ve never thought that way. I’ve always approached my plots based on an overarching theme that would contain a series of books featuring different protagonists.

Why you ask? Readers like series books. Period. They love them. Whether it’s the same main character book after book, or different leading characters, readers love to see people grow and change. Experience spiritual change and growth. To come in and out of character’s lives. To watch the character fall in love. Have children. Maybe even grow old together.

Publishers also like series books. In today’s ever-changing publishing environment, publishers want an author to commit to them just as they are committing to the author. Publishers invest time and money growing an author’s reader base and it’s a much better investment if they spread the cost between several books.

Those are business reasons behind writing a series, but let me give you three reasons why you as an author might want to try this approach.

1. You get to know the characters very well and have a chance to reveal what makes them tick over the course of several books. Revealing bits and pieces book by book to pique the reader’s interest is such fun. Foreshadowing the main character for the next book not only reveals the character in an interesting way, but it also makes the secondary characters in your current book so much richer.

2. Once you research the main characters for the series, your work is done for several books. In my Homeland Heroes romantic suspense series, I had to dig into and discover the past of six leading characters in detail before I began the first book. A lot of work you say? Yes, at the beginning of each series there is a lot of work, but when it comes time to write the books, each one gets easier and easier because you know the characters so well. The last book, practically writes itself. Okay, I’m exaggerating here to make a point, but the time spent up front is well worth it in the end.

3. Writing a series is like spending your days with old friends. From the moment you sit down at your computer to the time you turn it off for the day, you spent your time with people you know. People you care about. And what could be more fun as a writer than that?

So I’ve shared my feelings about series, what do you think? As a reader do you like them? As a writer to do write them?

It's the intel every agent fears--terrorists have been smuggled into the country, intent on unleashing the most deadly attack since 9/11. With the threat imminent, FBI Agent Kiley Dawson and ICE Agent Evan Bowers are charged with taking down this terrorist cell. The only problem is Kiley blames Evan for the death of her former partner, and she can barely be in a room with him. But with millions of lives on the line, she has no choice.

If it wasn't for a bad call Evan made, Kiley's former partner would still be alive, and Evan has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. When he starts falling for her, the agent's death seems an impossible obstacle--but it's also the last thing he needs to think about. As the terrorist plot targets Kiley's family, the two are pushed to the breaking point in a race to save countless lives.

Readers like series books. Period. They love them. Whether it’s the same main character book after book, or different leading characters, readers love to see people grow and change. Experience spiritual change and growth. To come in and out of character’s lives. To watch the character fall in love. Have children. @susansleeman @seriouslywrite

Writing a series is like spending your days with old friends. From the moment you sit down at your computer to the time you turn it off for the day, you spent your time with people you know. People you care about. And what could be more fun as a writer than that? @susansleeman @seriouslywrite

SUSAN SLEEMAN is the bestselling author of over forty novels with more than a million books sold. She writes romantic suspense novels that are clean with inspiring messages of faith. Readers love her series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real. In addition to writing, Susan also hosts TheSuspenseZone.com. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson. To learn more about Susan’s books sign up for her monthly email that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies. http://www.susansleeman.com/susans-newsletter/

Or stop by any of these locations on the web. 

Website - http://www.susansleeman.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks 

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/susansleeman 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/susansleeman/ 

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4053429.Susan_Sleeman 

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-sleeman 

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Sleeman/e/B003ANF6Z8 

Review Site - http://www.TheSuspenseZone.com

Consistency and Accountability by Sally Shupe

Do you struggle with dieting, exercising, getting things done, or actually getting written words on a page? I am here to confess that I do!

I thought I had things under control. I was exercising, watching what I ate, and getting some words written down. Until I realized that wasn’t enough. It was hit or miss if I exercised. I found I wasn’t eating healthy foods like I had been. Other things were taking over my writing time. What should you do when you find this happening?

Reflections of God in our Stories by Elizabeth Goddard

My husband teaches pottery classes and recently completed firing the clay pieces in his kiln. I love to see what amazing creations will come out of that kiln! Considering he can never be quite sure how the glazes will turn out, or if something cracked during the firing, he’s always anxious to see the fruit of his labors as well. And really, it was no surprise when the bowls and bottles turned out exquisite (I could be a little biased). Fortunately, nothing had cracked during the process.

My husband staged the stunning pieces against the base of a tree and took pictures which he then shared on social media. I admired the images and shared them on my social media as well, but what really caught my attention was that my husband was reflected in his pottery as he took the pictures.

While this shouldn’t surprise me, the moment was ‘revelatory,’ if you will. The deeper context. . .I could see my husband in his work. My thoughts jumped straight to God. Our creator, the master potter, wants to see Himself in us when he looks at us. After all, we’re His work. We are the clay and He’s the Master Potter.

God wants others to see Him in us as well. We should reflect him.

The same is true of our writing.

Our writing should reflect God. Readers should see, feel or sense God in our writing, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. But I don’t think it’s something we have to work at to make happen. It can occur on its own.

Let me explain . . .

Christian writers often have varying degrees of a spiritual message in their books. When I’m writing a novel, I usually don’t set out knowing the spiritual theme, but I allow that to grow organically. I admit that sometimes the message is far from obvious, and other times it’s overt. I’m often surprised that readers will take away a different spiritual message from one of my books—regarding the same book, one reader might say it had no spiritual message, while another reader might say it contained a deep spiritual thread. How can that be? Either the message is there, or it’s not.

How about the spiritual message is in the eye of the beholder. For example, how many people have looked at the images of pottery without noticing my husband’s reflection?

I believe as Christian writers, even if our books have no overt message, God is reflected throughout the stories, and it’s up to the reader to pick up on that or not. Christian writers—those who truly love God—can’t help but reflect the Creator in their work.

In my latest release, Don’t Keep Silent, I wrote the story and the various spiritual themes emerged on their own. In fact, the title came later, as did the scripture that confirms the title and the story:

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8–9

As one reviewer put it, “A major theme of this book, indicated by the title, is knowing when to remain silent, and when to speak up. It reminds us to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves; keeping quiet about wrongdoing is just another form of evil; and the implications of what can happen when we keep silent.” (Sara Wise http://semmiesspace.weebly.com)

So draw close to Him daily and your writing is sure to reflect Him, and in the end, I believe this is the ultimate reason God calls us to write, so that we can reveal Him to those who are looking for Him, as well as to some who are not.

Our writing should reflect God. Readers should see, feel or sense God in our writing, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. @bethgoddard #seriouslywrite

I believe as Christian writers, even if our books have no overt message, God is reflected throughout the stories, and it’s up to the reader to pick up on that or not. Christian writers—those who truly love God—can’t help but reflect the Creator in their work. @bethgoddard #seriouslywrite

Amazon Buy Link

Don’t Keep Silent Blurb:

Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. A former DEA agent, Liam thought he could find peace at his Wyoming ranch, but he just doesn't feel at home anywhere anymore. When the reporter who blew his cover on an important investigation inserts herself back into his life, he's less than thrilled. But Rae's keen investigative skills have led her down the right path--and directly into the dragon's mouth--leaving Liam no choice but to protect her. As the danger increases, the past they both tried to flee catches up to them, along with the feelings they once had for each other.

Bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Goddard plunges you into a fast-paced, high-stakes story of honor, forgiveness, and justice.

With over one million books sold, Elizabeth Goddard is the bestselling, award-winning author of over forty romance novels and counting, including the romantic mystery, THE CAMERA NEVER LIES--a 2011 Carol Award winner. Four of her six Mountain Cove books have been contest finalists. Buried, Backfire and Deception are finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, and Submerged is a Carol Award finalist. A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to home school her children and fulfill her dreams of writing full-time.

Ways to Connect:

Website: http://elizabethgoddard.com 

Facebook Author Page: http://facebook.com/elizabethgoddardauthor 

Facebook Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/371401767951/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/bethgoddard 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/ 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1295402.Elizabeth_Goddard 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elizabeth-goddard

How My “Big Mouth” Helped Me Achieve A Lifelong Dream by Rhonda Starnes

I’ve known that I wanted to be an author ever since I was in middle school, and over the years I’ve shared that dream with a lot of people. However, I didn’t start writing and actively seeking publication until seven years ago, after my children were grown and life had settled down a bit.

Even though I’d always been vocal about my dream, I only told a handful of people when I submitted my first manuscript to an editor. After all, if the editor hated my writing, I didn’t want everyone to know I failed. My husband, Mountain Man, wasn’t as hesitant to share, and he told several people that I was going to be published. I tried to tell him that getting a book published wasn’t as easy as he tried to make it sound, but that didn’t stop him from believing in my ability to write a book an editor would love. Mountain Man’s confidence spurred me on and soon I was telling everyone that I’d written a book. I was even sharing the information with my 7th and 8th grade students. Of course, telling them I’d written a book was a lot easier than having to tell them when I received the rejection. The editor liked my characters and said I did a good job conveying the emotion but my writing needed “a bit more work on structure and pacing.” All in all, it was a very kind rejection letter.

A year later, I participated in a pitch opportunity titled The Search for a Killer Voice that was hosted by Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Like the previous time, I wasn’t planning to tell anyone. I had learned my lesson. There was no way I wanted anyone to know if I failed, again. Only, this ‘contest’ was being conducted in four rounds, and after I made it to the second round, I could not contain my excitement. So, I opened my big mouth and soon everyone knew I was writing another book. My students cheered me on and were almost as excited as I was when I made it all the way to the final round. Then I received a revision request, followed by another and eventually a rejection. For the next four years, I found myself in a similar cycle. I’d enter a contest, sharing that information with my students, only to eventually end up with a rejection.

You may be wondering why I would continue to share my writing journey with so many people, especially my students. That’s really very simple. After I had shared the first time, there was no taking it back. Whenever I saw a former student (whether it be at the grocery store or if they stopped by my classroom) they would always ask me if I had sold a book, yet. I knew that my response to these rejections would teach my current and former students how to handle their own setbacks in life. If I wanted them to work hard to achieve their dreams, I had to be willing to work hard, too, even if there were times that I really wanted to give up.

Honestly, knowing that they were watching to see if I would stick it out long enough to become published was a pretty good motivator for not giving up. And, it’s a good thing, too, because this past September (six years and four manuscripts later) I received the call I’d been waiting on. Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line wanted to publish my book.

My debut novel, Rocky Mountain Revenge, released this month.

Honestly, knowing that they were watching to see if I would stick it out long enough to become published was a pretty good motivator for not giving up.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REVENGE 

To survive her deadly homecoming, she’ll need to trust a man from her past… Temporarily home to help at her family’s vet clinic, Grace Porter has no intentions of staying—but someone’s determined she won’t live long enough to leave. With both Grace and her sister in the crosshairs, her ex-boyfriend, Police Chief Evan Bradshaw, must protect them. But can the single dad lawman uncover the truth about why a killer’s out for vengeance before time runs out?

Buy Links:

Amazon - https://amzn.to/2Zgb4h7

Barnes & Nobel - https://bit.ly/3eLAyti

Walmart - https://bit.ly/3dK9skW

Target - https://bit.ly/3eGFTSH

Kobo - https://bit.ly/2VG39c9

Google - https://bit.ly/2BWWQd4

Apple - https://apple.co/2VFOVrA

Rhonda Starnes is a middle school language arts teacher who has dreamed of being a published author since she was in seventh grade. She lives in North Alabama with her husband, who she lovingly refers to as Mountain Man. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Rhonda writes romantic suspense with rugged heroes and feisty heroines.

www.rhondastarnes.com

https://www.facebook.com/RhondaStarnesAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/rhonda_starnes/

https://twitter.com/Rhonda_Starnes

Keep Chasing Our Dreams by Sandy Kirby Quandt

What dream has God placed on our heart? What is the one dream we want fulfilled above all others? What one thing do we spend time perfecting and pursuing?

I'm not talking about the dream of the perfect island getaway, or best pecan pie ever. I'm talking about the thing that makes us tick. As we age, some of our dreams may change, but deep deep down inside, at the core of who we are, I believe there lives one dream God placed inside us before we were born. A dream he wants us to realize. A dream he enables us to achieve through his power.

Our dreams are as varied as we are. And that's a very good thing, is it not? How boring would it be if we all pursued the same dream? Or looking at it differently, in an overly crowded field, can you imagine how wanting the exact same dream in the exact same way at the exact same time would threaten to steal the joy of our dream clear out of us? It's hard enough realizing our dream as it is.

Chasing after our dream can be tiring. It can be beyond difficult. It can be exasperating to the point of giving up. How well I know. It can also be fulfilling. Joyful. Rewarding. This I know as well.

One key to remember as we chase down our dream of writing in all its many facets and avenues is God created us to chase this dream. We can’t not do it. Even during those times when we wish we could.

This is the dream God placed inside us. This is the dream he will reward us for. This is our dream. It is not a dream someone else dreams.

At the end of the day, God will look at us and see how we’ve handled the dream he gave us. Did we chase it with everything we had, or did we let it pass us by?

So what dream are you chasing?

At the end of the day, God will look at us and see how we’ve handled the dream he gave us.

Sandy Kirby Quandt is a freelance writer and follower of Jesus with a passion for history and travel. Passions that often weave their way into her stories and articles. She writes numerous articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children publications both print and online including Christian Devotions and Inspire a Fire. Her devotions appear in two Worthy Publishing compilation books; So God Made a Dog and Let the Earth Rejoice. Sandy won several awards for writing including the 85th and 86th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition in the Young Adult category, First Place in the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Children’s Literature 2016 Foundation Awards, First Place in the 2017 Foundation Awards in the Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Flash Fiction categories. Looking for words of encouragement or gluten-free recipes? Then check out her blog, Woven and Spun. twitter.com/SandyKQuandt

Releasing Your Debut in the Middle of a Pandemic by Connie Queen

Thank you Terri Weldon and Seriously Write for inviting me today. 

I submitted my first story in 1999 to a Harlequin editor and was rejected. I kept writing and entering a ridiculous number of contests on and off for the next twenty years. I had my very own Wall of Fame with my framed contest finals. Okay, a lot of that time I was raising 8 kids and not getting much, if any, writing done.

The Case for a Writer's Library

An author’s tools are a powerful draw to the writing life, because they are so cool. Laptops, headphones, caffeine, and ragged t-shirt and sweatpants (as a gentleman, I write in a canvas grey jacket with white T shirt, faded jeans, Olukai Hawaiian shoes, and two-day stubble that I’ll shave soon).

But no tool is more essential than a writer’s library.

When a famous writer dies, all her or his papers are quickly gathered and sent off to a prearranged university collection. But equally important, the books on the writer’s shelves are documented. Fans and fellow authors from the website LibraryThing.com research the list and post the titles so that others can read the same books on their favorite author’s shelf. These are called legacy libraries.

So, as a famous writer yourself, you MUST collect books and be the curator of your own personal library.

Here are 10 reasons why you should maintain a large library in your home.

1 —The covers remind you of the moments you shared with the story or information.
2 —A bookcase door opening to a secret room is the greatest architectural design ever built.
3 —The thoughts of dead humans are valuable, at your fingertips, and the more minds on a subject, the better.
4 —Inspiration by having physical books cannot be underestimated.
5 —In a matter of one second, a publisher can send an update and change words in a digital copy. Not so with your paper copies.
6 —Normalizing your career by surrounding yourself with books adds inspiration in your life.
7 —The feel, smell, and sight of a physical copy of a book gives tactile control of the information within and better retention.
8 —Those in your household and those who visit will be inspired to read.
9 —You’re going to hoard something. Hoard books.
10 —Giving away a copy of a book that meant something to you, a physical copy, is a deeply profound way to deepen a friendship. You must have many copies of your favorite books.

Does a writer need a personal library? #seriouslywrite #writerslife @peterleavell

You're going to hoard something. Hoard books. Read more tips at #seriouslywrite #writerslife @peterleavell

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history and currently enrolled in the University's English Lit Graduate program, as well as History Graduate program, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. An author, blogger, teacher, ghostwriter, jogger, biker, husband and father, Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com