A Pantser Finds Peace in Organization by Jodie Bailey

Even if you're one who approaches life and writing by the seat of your pants, you can set goals. Author Jodie Bailey shares her experience. -- Sandy

Jodie: Several years ago, there was a commercial for insurance that said, “Life comes at you fast.”  As I sit here at a borrowed desk in a back corner of my daughter’s school, trying to cram in some writing time, I can say that’s been my life lately.  Since January 1, it feels like everything has come from left and right to interfere with writing.  It would be crazy easy to let work slip into the background, then to look up in June and realize I’ve got nothing to show for six months.

The funny thing is, this is the first year I’ve actually worked at creating goals.

Yes, the dreaded G word.

Believe me. I know.  I’m not usually this organized.  I’m a “seat of the pants” chick in writing and in life. Goals? That’s too structured. Not for me.

Last year, I fell into a rhythm of doing what HAD to be done and nothing more.  My career sat still.  All of those ideas I had--revamp my website, write a new series, amp up marketing—had disappeared.  Sure, I’d met all of my deadlines for two years.  I had books coming out, but that was it. Growth? Nope.

So I called one of my best writing friends and said, “Let’s do this.” 

In December, we sat down and hashed out yearly goals.  I broke mine down monthly.  Every Monday, we talk to hold each other accountable.  I found a great planner at Spiffyway on Etsy. I have a “must do” list every week in order to stay on track, broken down by day.  Doctor’s appointment on Friday? Don’t put more than one or two quick things then.  Kiddo out of school on Tuesday? Keep it free or keep it light.

Far from feeling regimented, it’s great! Especially on days like today, when I lost two hours to random stuff nobody saw coming.  Instead of being frustrated, I looked at my list and found focus instead of fluster. 

Like this blog post.  I’m not home like I’d planned to work on my novel, and the interruptions here are many. I swapped this blog post for tomorrow with my word count goal for today and I’m still accomplishing work. (It’s probably a little sad how insanely happy this makes me.)

Even better? The stress is dropping. I no longer look at the mountain of stuff I have to do and jump into the middle on Monday, my brain screaming, “This must get done now!” One day at a time. And days off? They’re real. “There’s nothing on the list today, so go have some fun without thinking about work.” It’s been two years since that happened.

Think it’s too much? Try it for a month and see what happens. Prayerfully ask God what He wants then go for the list.  Trust me. This reformed “seat of the pants” girl is loving the ironic freedom that comes from structure.

How do you go about organizing your writing goals?

~~~~~~

Jodie Bailey writes novels about freedom and the heroes who fight for it. Her romantic suspense, Crossfire, won a 2015 RT Reviewers Choice Award and her contemporary romance, Quilted by Christmas won a 2014 Selah. She is convinced a camping trip to the beach with her family, a good cup of coffee, and a great book can cure all ills. Jodie lives in North Carolina with her husband, her daughter, and two dogs. Visit her at www.jodiebailey.com,


Dead Run

Kristin James's morning run turns deadly when she's attacked by a stranger who's after something her deceased soldier brother stole overseas. Her neighbor Sergeant First Class Lucas Murphy steps in to help her and won't let her brush the attack under the rug. He'll do everything he can to keep Kristin alive, but he can't tell her that he's under orders to investigate her link to her brother's misdeeds. Kristin has no idea what the bad guy is after and doesn't want to believe that her brother wasn't on the straight and narrow. But as evidence against him piles up, can they catch the criminals without becoming the next casualties?

Planner or Pantser? by Debbie Lynne Costello

Is being a seat-of-the-pants writer wrong? Does plotting take all the fun out of writing a story? Debbie Lynne Costello gives us her experience when it comes to getting that story on the page. -- Sandy

Debbie Lynne: So what kind of writer are you? Are you a planner or a seat-of-the-pantster? Just in case you are new to the writing world and aren’t familiar with those terms here's a basic explanation: Planners plan their stories out before writing them and pantsters wing it, flying by the seat of their pants as they go through the story.

There isn’t a right way or a wrong way to write, and if you’re a new writer don’t let anyone tell you that your

way is wrong. Writing is as individual as fingerprints…okay, maybe not quite that unique but you get the picture.

When I first started writing and before I talked to anyone who was in the industry, I just sat down to my computer and started to type the story that God had laid on my heart. The words just flowed and I looked forward to every moment that I could sneak away and write. I’d stay up until the wee hours of the morning, pouring out my story. I loved every minute I spent writing that story.

But then I got connected with the writing world.

Before I go any further let me just say that finding a writing community was the best thing that ever happened to my career. However, as I met more and more people I started hearing that the way I wrote my story was all wrong! I needed to plot it out—to plan my story scene by scene, chapter by chapter. Well, I wanted to be successful so that’s exactly what I did. I planned and plotted my next story.

But you know what happened? I lost some of the joy that I had with that first story. By plotting my story out I lost the freedom to let my characters take me where they wanted to go. And that stole the love of writing. I still enjoyed the craft but not like my first story.

I have friends that plan out their stories down to the smallest detail and they write beautifully and enjoy what they do. And so that is right for them. My point is there is no right or wrong way to write. This is a business, and an art. What makes it successful for you? God has created each of us differently and we need to follow how He has created us to write.

So on to the business side of writing. As a pantster I have run into a problem along the way that a planner doesn’t have. And that is some publishers want a detailed summary/synopsis—some even require a chapter by chapter. So what does a pantster do?

What I’ve found helps me is to take my time as I plan out the story. I walk through the scenes with my characters and give them time to tell me if they’d planned a surprise twist for me. Give yourself a few days between chapter summaries and then reread what you’ve wrote. Is your character happy with where you are taking them? If not find out why and see if you can make them happy.

The key for me is not to hurry. Now, I will say, that at times my characters have taken me down a different path even though the summary clearly stated that was not the road to go. Sometimes there is just no stopping them.  And when that happens I just do my best to keep the storyline from straying too far from the outline of the story.

How about you? Are you a planner or a pantster? Have you tried writing the other way? If so what happened?

~~~~~

A recent WWII widow receives a mysterious letter seeking reconciliation with her in-laws, but when she goes for a visit only her father-in-law seems to be interested in mending fences. But as the days pass mother-in-law and daughter-in-law learn a little about themselves and the true meaning of forgiveness.



Debbie Lynne has enjoyed writing stories since she was about eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children’s director. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, her and her husband enjoy camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.

goes for a visit only her father-in-law seems to be interested in mending fences. But as the days pass mother-in-law and daughter-in-law learn a little about themselves and the true meaning of forgiveness.

Link to purchase:
https://www.shopguideposts.org/christmascheerblog

Links:
www.debbielynnecostello.com
www.theswordandspirit.blogspot.com
www.christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com
http://cupofchristmascheer.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello
https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello
https://plus.google.com/+DebbieLynneCostello/posts

Change...It's Never Easy by Dora Hiers

Two years ago, several of my author friends were announcing multi-book contracts. I was thrilled for them, but my inner voice mocked. "You'll never get one of those. You can't plot."

Sure, I'd managed to crank out five romances, but I’d written all of them in advance, and Pelican Book Group individually contracted and published them. That meant writing the entire story, submitting it, and then waiting, praying and hoping for a contract. I dreamed of snagging a contract for a series that I hadn't written yet...to know that the story I was laboring over would have a home when I finished. But, in order for that to happen, I needed to force myself to learn how to plot, so that I could submit a proposal based on a synopsis for three stories not yet written.

My neighbors probably heard me ranting and thrashing about my office, banging my head against my desk and threatening to toss my laptop out the window. But, I was determined to stick with it. 

Change...it's never easy, is it?

You can read my tips on how I made the transition here and how I organized myself here. Trust me when I say there was plenty of weeping and pulling hair involved, especially when I plunged into simultaneously plotting out five books, two independents and three for a series.

I dug my heels in and refused to surrender. Eighteen months later, I had five completed books…all contracted on proposal!

Want the secret? I'll share. 

Motivation. I wanted it. Big time. There's nothing more motivating to me than thinking I can't do something. Anybody else feel that way? So, unless you find a reason to change, you will keep doing things the same way. Have you noticed how that harbors discontent, sparks envy?

Take the first step. Change isn't even remotely possible until you take the first step. What's holding you back? Fear? Doubt? Why? You're a writer, aren't you? Every day I write I face my fears. Whether that's public speaking, writing curriculum for an online class, navigating the murky world of social media...whatever. God's got your back. Move forward in boldness. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~Phil 4:13, NKJV

Be willing to adjust your course. Just as a ship adjusts its course for winds/storms/tide, I had to make some modifications along the way. I found that by the time I'd reached the fifth book, my skeletal plot needed a few tweaks, but that's OK because the original story line was strong. Multitaskers probably wouldn't have a problem with tackling five books, but for my single track mind, three is the max. Also, sometimes hubby would throw in traveling to a conference that wasn't planned or I'd be called upon to pick up a sick grandchild, so rather than continually adjust my completion date, I set a daily word count goal that took this into consideration. 

Pray without ceasing. A no-brainer. :)

Change is never easy...but it's possible. With a little faith and a good bit of persistence, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

“If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.” ~Anthony Robbins

Do you embrace change or despise it?
What aspect of your writing style would you change?

****

Purchase Link

A Routine Audit? Hardly.

Red flags—including some goon who's following her—raise McKinley Frasier's suspicions that numbers don't add up at the insurance firm. When someone tries to snatch McKinley's daughter from school, she turns to police officer and ex-fiance, Renner Crossman—the cop who walked out on her a month before their wedding. But Renner's not the same guy who broke her heart ten years ago. He calls himself a "new man." She trusts the new Renner with her daughter's safety...but what about her heart?

Dora Hiers is a multi-published author of Heart Racing, God-Gracing romances. She’s a member of RWA, ACFW, and the Treasurer for ACFW-Charlotte Chapter. Connect with her here on Seriously Write, her personal blog, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

Syrupy Beginnings, Sagging Middles, and Soggy Endings by Donna B. Snow

Donna B. Snow

What does it take to make a good story great?

Imagine this. Your story is a Ferris wheel. Have you ever ridden on a Ferris wheel? Do you like when it continually goes around and you get to enjoy the sights and the cool breeze – a nice smooth ride? How do you like when it stops and starts and stops and starts? Well, if you’re like me, you don’t want that ride to stop until it’s time for you to get off. This is how the reader wants to be treated. Give them a ride that doesn’t stop, that they will enjoy from the time they get on until it’s done. That takes special attention to how you build your story.

Now a slow start is a great thing if you’re talking about a roller coaster ride…but not a story. If you make your reader feel like they’re slogging through mud, or being jerked up that hill at a torturously slow rate they may never reach the top of the hill where the fun begins.

And don’t forget, everybody is a reviewer these days and they’re ready to tell the world how good or bad your story is. So start with a hook that pulls them in right from the start. Let them get to know your characters. If the reader is invested in your characters then you’re more than halfway there.

So, no syrupy beginnings, but as the story goes on, if it’s starting to sag in the middle then it’s time to grab hold of the reins and guide that story where it has to go, and reorganize as needed. A big part of what sagging middles need is a good hard proofread/edit. This is the time to get out that proverbial red pen (or highlight and delete…but you might want to save these portions in a separate file – just in case) and get rid of all the pointless meandering that’s going on.

So you got lost in the Fun House, well, it’s time to find your way out! This is the time when you have to keep the end zone in sight. You know where this story has to get to and it’s time for you to direct its course. Maybe you’re like me and you write by the seat of your pants and let the story lead you. Well, that’s fine as long as the story isn’t just wandering and weaving all around. So, if the story seems to be going around in circles, redirect it toward the end and keep that in sight. Remember, edit, edit, edit!

Do not write a single pointless scene! No soggy endings here! Think of your words as a path. You know where you’re leading your reader, so make every word count. And when the end is in sight, wrap it up clean and tight and voila! One great story.

Dora here. What about you? Beginning, Middle or End...Which do you find the most challenging?

A Piece of Heaven
Purchase Link

Trina Wembly dreamt of owning a Christian coffee house for years –a Godly place where people could enjoy a good meal, and entertainment that wasn’t offensive. A Piece of Heaven is that dream. 

Jared Larou, the construction foreman who helps design and build the coffee house, is a wounded soul with a soft heart.

Once the coffee house opens, Trina and her partner, Laura, work day and night. From coffee in the morning, to gourmet dinners in the evenings, it’s a heavy load. Plus Trina performs most nights as the entertainer at the coffee house.

Trina longs to be more than just friends with Jared, she just hopes that’s what God wants for her too.

Donna B. Snow is a native New Englander and has lived there all her life except for a year in northern California (which reminded her of home). She loves the change of seasons and the beauty each one brings. and says there is no place else that will ever feel like home. 

She's been married for 20 years and has one teenage daughter who will be going to college next year. An active member in her church, she is a member of the choir (along with her daughter), and she writes not just stories, but her own music as well (that she hopes to get published also).

Pantser to Plotter...Now What? by Dora Hiers

Last week we talked about my decision to migrate from Pantser to Plotter. Now what?

As a Pantser (not under contract), you have flexibility in your schedule. You may have a daily word count goal, but without a deadline, it doesn't really matter if you reach your goal. You can make up for it the next day or just extend the length of time it takes to write the book.

But what happens when you become a Plotter and submit a proposal for books that aren't yet written? A component of the proposal requires a completion date. How do you come up with a time frame to complete the books?

Hmmm...

A calendar? 

Calendar

Not the ideal solution. Especially when you're working on multiple books. There's just no easy way to adjust your schedule, if it becomes necessary. 

A timeline would work. One with the capability to insert tasks by book and keep a running word count total. You can google timeline and you’ll find hundreds of options. Be sure to pop back over here and let me know if you find something that works for you. I didn't.

Instead, I chose to create a fairly basic Excel document with the date, book title, task, word goal, and a running total. Starting with a realistic weekly word count, I mapped out each book, dividing the weekly goal into a targeted daily word count, taking into consideration vacations and holidays. I used "fill color" to highlight different books, so that I can easily decipher the transition from one book to the next. I add my word count for each day, and adjust if necessary. Now, I have completion dates for each book in my proposal.

It's not perfect, either, but it works for now. Here are some pros:

Accountability. A daily goal keeps me focused and on track. I completed my first book a few days ahead of schedule. 

Time saver. With the plotting already done, I know the direction the story needs to go, which saves time daily.

Freedom. When I accomplish my goal early, I’m free to work on other tasks or keep writing. It’s my choice.

Accomplishment. A sweet feeling, right?

And only one negative so far:

Pressure. So far, I’ve experienced only one negative. If you’re having a tough writing day and the words aren’t flowing, it’s tough not to get discouraged or feel the pressure. On these days, I really hunker down to keep at it. Some days I might type only dialog if that’s flowing better, or switch to action beats and what’s happening. If that still doesn’t work, I regroup by working on another writerly task and try to compensate my word count during the week. But, that’s a last resort.

It's your turn. 

If you're a Plotter, which organizational software works well for you?

After an injury forces Deputy U.S. Marshal Sage Michaelson off duty, he heads to his hometown with two things on his mind: recuperating and reevaluating, but Sage can’t refuse his best friend’s plea to keep a protective eye on his little sister after someone ransacks her house. But Delaney’s not so little anymore—and definitely not the young “Dane” Sage remembers. 

Flight Medic Delaney Hunt has loved Sage forever. But, he’s all about control and order while she embraces life and takes risks. As much as the idea appeals to her, she doesn’t need Sage looking over her shoulder. But when things go wrong and she finds herself hanging by her fingertips, who does she call to rescue her?

Will Delaney ever be the woman Sage wants by his side? Can Sage learn to live by grace, recognizing that God is in control? Can they overcome their fears to embrace life together?

Journey's Embrace ~ Coming March 1st!