Dreary, Weary, or Cheery? by Patti Jo Moore

Patti Jo Moore

This time of year can bring on winter woes, and writers aren’t exempt. But check out today’s tips for turning Eeyore-like attitudes around. And be sure to join us on the second Thursday of every month to read more of Patti Jo Moore’s posts as a “regular contributor” here on Seriously Write.

Dreary, Weary, 

or Cheery?

My blog title today may seem a bit silly—but as a former kindergarten teacher, I love rhyming words. 😉

Since we are right in the middle of winter, a lot of people are experiencing bitterly cold weather, complete with snow. Lots of snow. Others have cold weather, but without the snow. Some of us have had a lot of rain—cold rain falling from gray skies. Dreary.

If we’re not careful, that dreary weather can affect our mood, which for a writer may not be a good thing (unless you’re writing a sad scene with downcast characters—but still—who wants their mood to match dreary weather?). 

Other people feel weary in the winter. Tiredness sets in, and it’s difficult to get much of anything done—including word counts. That spark of motivation we had at the beginning of the new year has all but fizzled out. We are tired. Weary.

But take heart! Springtime is coming—snow will melt (eventually), and the sun will shine. 😊 Even though we have no control over the weather, we can do some things to improve our mood and energy levels. **Please note—if you are concerned you have a true health-related issue going on, please see your doctor! My post is not making light of real medical issues!**

Here are a few ideas to help us feel CHEERY in the winter—possibly even boosting our word counts and creativity.

• Christmas lights! Yes, I LOVE bright, colorful Christmas lights, and keep them handy year-round. I have a string of lights in my office, and it’s amazing how those festive colors brighten up the room (and my spirits!).
• Music –Whatever kind of music is uplifting for you—play it! I personally prefer to write in silence, but now and then I’ll play soothing, classical music while writing.
• Physical movement – Yes, this is common sense, but I often need to remind myself to get out of my chair and MOVE! We writers can become so involved in our stories, we lose track of time. Even if you cannot get outside for a walk, simply moving around in your home and stretching will help. 
• People and Pets – Sometimes writers just need to spend time with another live person (not that we don’t love our fictional characters). Plan to meet a friend or relative for lunch. Do pets make you happy? I love cats and have six. Usually when I’m writing, at least several are snoozing nearby, and their presence makes me happy. 
• Bible time – For me, this is the most important. My Bible is filled with verses that remind me how blessed I am. Reading uplifting passages of Scripture renews my spirit, and then I’m ready to tackle my writing again.

May the remainder of this winter be filled with productive and cheery days! 😊 

An Unexpected Romance

An Unexpected Romance

Gracie Norton loves her life on Florida’s gulf coast. When a handsome widower with adorable twins moves in next door, Gracie’s life soon changes. As Gracie helps her neighbor during a crisis, she must face her biggest fear. Could young twins be the matchmakers for an unexpected romance? 

Patti Jo Moore is a retired kindergarten teacher and now a full-time writer. She’s a lifelong Georgia girl who loves Jesus, her family, cats, and coffee. She’s published two books with Forget-Me-Not Romances, with her third book releasing soon. Patti Jo enjoys connecting with readers and other writers. You can find her on Facebook at Author Patti Jo Moore. Or visit her blog at http://catmomscorner.blogspot.com   

Craft, Commerce, and Christ by Erin Taylor Young

Erin Tayor Young

Some folks know they want to be writers from the first moment they pick up a crayon. Others, like myself, figure it out only after a long trail of dot-to-dots makes the picture unmistakable. But no matter how you arrived at the realization, you’ll eventually need to decide exactly what “being a writer” means to you.

For some, writing is an outlet, or a hobby, or a gift of words you give to family and friends. For others, being a writer means having a professional writing career. You want to do this for a living—at least someday—even if it has to be a second job for a while. If you’re in the career-choice camp, welcome to the wonderful, bewildering, chaotic world of publishing.

It’s a world of all the joy, astonishment, creativity, and delight you could hope for. But it’s also a world of rejection, criticism, dismay, regret, worry, and more tribulation than you can imagine.

Brave heart, friends. If this is the task God has given you, dive in!

But dive in with a plan.

Though words are your commodity, you can’t focus solely on writing. Perspective editors and agents are going to ask you about your platform, your website, your marketing savvy, etc. That doesn’t mean craft is irrelevant. It’s crucial. Your writing will be scrutinized for quality, voice, message, flow, and more. But while you’re focused on the writing and business aspects, your desire to serve God will be hammered by lies, discouragement, fears…you name it. All tools of your soul’s enemy who wants nothing more than to crush your writer’s heart.

In the years I’ve been in this industry as an author, editor, writing teacher, podcaster, and publisher, I see the increased need for writers to build their career on a balanced three-part foundation: Craft, Commerce, and Christ. Like a tripod, each leg is vital. Here’s how that plays out, with my best tip for each leg.

Craft
Writing. Takes. Work. Sure, you might have a gift for writing, but that doesn’t mean getting to a professional level will be easy. Or fast. You’d be surprised by how many people crawl out of the writing waters never to return because they didn’t know it was going to be such a tough swim. Go into this knowing you have to sweat and bleed. When that editor you’ve been dying to meet with tells you your writing isn’t ready, roll up your sleeves and get back to work. Industry pros want to work with writers who are dedicated to improving their craft throughout their whole career. Be that type of writer. How do you do that? Finding good resources is vital—writing groups, critique partners, mentors, conferences, editors, courses, etc. This isn’t as easy as it sounds, though, because they’re not all created equal. The wrong ones weigh you down. The right ones propel you forward.

Commerce
The writing industry is a business—an activity engaged in for profit. The publisher you want to write for has employees counting on a paycheck. Consequently, editors and agents want to work with reliable professionals. Be one of those professionals. Legally set yourself up as a business, create your presence on the web, understand and utilize the ever-changing tools of marketing, and home in on the resources and schedule that allow you to be consistently productive. That all sounds overwhelming, but you can keep your sanity by simply asking, “What’s next?” You don’t—can’t—do this commerce collage all at once. Break big tasks into small steps. Creating an entire website may be overwhelming. But the first step—getting your domain name—is bite-sized. Set aside a little time each day, or each week, specifically for business, and do the next small step.

Christ
This is where everything comes together…or falls apart. One of the lies writers often struggle with is: You have nothing to say. There’s an element of truth there, because apart from Christ, what do we have to say? But with Him…oh, the things you can share! Deep inside you is a God-given message for a God-given audience. Sometimes that audience is only two—you and God. Sometimes it’s a handful of people. Sometimes it’s hundreds. Or thousands. But here’s the thing. The size of your audience doesn’t define your success. Your obedience defines your success. That’s all. A writing career is a long journey of deep places with God. You travel where He takes you and write what He tells you. Learn to be faithful everyday and trust Him for the outcome. Writers who do that reap peace and joy. No matter what.

Surviving Henry

Erin Taylor Young is a founding member of Serenade Books—a boutique publisher focusing on romance ebooks in the inspirational market—where she hones her publishing skills as an editor and author liaison. Her deepest passions are the Word of God and bringing His truth to readers, whether in her own books or those of other authors. She teaches workshops about writing and publishing, mentors new writers, produces podcasts, and is the co-creator of Write from the Deep with Karen Ball. She’s also an award-winning humor writer whose recent book, Surviving Henry: Adventures in Loving a Canine Catastrophe, has been repeatedly accused of making people laugh until they cry. Learn more about Erin and her mentoring services at writefromthedeep.com.

How To Only Share Your Written Gems, Not The Rough by Elizabeth Van Tassel

How To Only Share Your 

Written Gems, Not The Rough

by Elizabeth Van Tassel

How do you let your heart show through in your writing without being overly vulnerable? Here are four tips for your next writing adventure.

Tip#1 Write in the Zone

Whether you’re a morning or evening person, your best writing will develop during that time of day. I’m a morning person, so I rise with the sun to begin my creative efforts. If you work with your natural rhythm, your writing will improve and your messages will have more impact.

Tip #2 Stay on Brand

To write from a place of abundance, and not feel drained, stay true to your message. Your branding should be central to what you are called to write, and as an expert, you have a lot to say about it. When you get dragged off track, it can be tiring and your message will be less effective than if you remain on target.

Tip #3 Leave the Baggage Behind

When being vulnerable, write about events that you can share something emotionally constructive. People need your insights, so be careful about baggage. I’m able to write about losing all my possessions and about emergencies our family has been through, including my husband’s stroke, the child we lost to miscarriage, and my other son being in the hospital and almost dying because years have passed and I’ve been able to see God’s faithfulness in that timeline.

Once you’ve encountered God’s faithfulness, you may better reflect moments that are painful and life changing. You can bring that essence forward for your audience with authenticity. You can’t have lasting impact unless you’re already personally transformed, like a gem.

Tip #4 Don’t Touch If It’s Hot

If a recent experience hurts too much, consider writing for yourself at first. For example, in my fiction, I want kids to avoid traps I’ve experienced. A character in my fantasy is a double agent. I developed her after I dealt with someone who I trusted very much but turned out to be a bit poisonous, so that is part of this character. I was careful to process what had happened before inserting the lessons. Like colors on a canvas, the pain of that experience has informed my double-agent’s vibrancy, believability, intrigue, and texture.

Share Only the Gems

In the jewelry world, we use an example of an unpolished gem vs. a polished gem. An unpolished gem has great potential but might only look like a rock. Whereas when you see a polished gem, all the beauty shines through. The facets are there, it’s reflecting light, and you can see the color or colorlessness depending on the gem. The same is true for your writing. If you aren’t quite ready to offer it to the world, that’s okay. Put it in a file, save it. But don’t give anyone an unpolished gem. Give them your very best and it will reflect well on you.

Have you ever written when life’s been a bit too raw? Have you successfully incorporated difficult life-lessons into your work? What was the result?

About the Author:

Elizabeth Van Tassel

As a graduate gemologist, Elizabeth Van Tassel has the expertise to bring gem mysteries to life in kids’ imaginations. Her experience as a wildfire survivor and her perseverance through her family’s medical trials lends depth to her characters’ similar challenges. As a coach and youth enthusiast, she teaches real-life lessons to help tweens, teens, and their parents build a treasure box of tools to face the hardest parts of life. Her background selling jewelry, corporate writing experience, and love for history bring a special flair to her speaking, classes, and fiction and nonfiction writing. And she just finished the first of a fantasy series for tweens featuring an ancient Viking gem mystery with a modern twist.

You can connect with Elizabeth at www.ElizabethVanTassel.com and learn how to Live A Resilient Life!™ Sign up for weekly blogs with tips about being resilient there, and updates about her future website for kids and novels. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

Blog: https://elizabethvantassel.wordpress.com/blog/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizVanTassel

You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbfGSIRoGjwywnyAto0IQKA

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/preview?vpa=pub&locale=en_US     

  

Prologuing by Melinda Viergever Inman

Melinda Viergever Inman

Prologuing

As authors learning to write powerful and descriptive fiction, we often make the same mistakes. One is prologuing. As a beginning writer I thought my readers needed to know the backstory first. If they did, I expected them to love my characters. But it doesn't work that way.

If you’ve just started writing fiction, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that prologues rarely get past editors. They’re usually removed. If you’ve ever taken a foray into the world of the free e-book, you’ll see why.

As an experiment, I accumulated a couple dozen freebies—author published, no editor employed. I never finished one. By the time I came to the end of the lengthy backstory in each (never mind the head hopping), I no longer cared.

Why do we prologue? It’s basic to human nature. Not only must we resist it as writers, but also in sharing our personal narratives.

As I get to know you, I share my story. I'm tempted to tint my backstory a rosy hue, so my choices are softened and rationalized in your eyes. I want you to like me. I want you to know why I made that mistake. I want to defend myself. I want to make excuses. And so, I justify my sin through a self-serving prologue.

Thus, I end up seeking to please others rather than the Lord. If I’m not careful, I may come to believe my polished-up backstory and present it to him as fact. Then I’ll never have a real and honest relationship with my God. That is a dangerous path.

Job was particularly skilled at this. But the Lord said to him: “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” (Job 40:8).

Truth is, we’re all seriously flawed. None of us is perfect. God knows it and loves us anyway. He wants our hearts to be truthful with him and with others.

The world sees only the outside, but God sees our hearts, thoughts, and motives. Even knowing that, his arms are open wide, and he forgives. There is no reason to polish up a prologue for him. He was there.

Unnecessary prologuing is a harmful personal habit and a flawed writing habit. So how does prologuing damage our ability to draw in our readers?

As the story unfolds, our readers observe our characters’ actions. As they try to understand, they form conclusions. We guide our readers by sprinkling little bits of necessary backstory into the narrative.

Then it becomes a delicious mystery. They are drawn in. They must figure out the whys. Now they care. This doesn’t occur if we give them all the facts upfront. Prologuing is a good way to lose our audience.

As we learn to write stories that unfold without too much explaining, can we apply this to our relationships with the Lord and with others?

Do we need to justify the whys to the One who knows our thoughts before we do? What if we talk to him as if he already knows and loves us anyway? What if we’re this honest with others?

Raw and transparent writing allows our readers to see themselves in our narrative. Honestly revealing our humanity and God’s enablement glorifies God, rather than our own efforts. Honesty demonstrates that our hearts truly belong to him.

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those who heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NASB).

For more on Prologuing read: “Backstory” (http://melindainman.com/backstory/)

Refuge

Refuge

Nudged toward evil by Satan, Cain 's hard-hearted hubris results in Abel's murder and Lilith's broken heart when he is banished, splitting the family and propelling mankind toward ever-increasing violence as their siblings seek revenge. Crushed by what he's done, Cain runs, certain he's destroyed Lilith, his parents, and the entire family. With Satan hounding his every move and no idea of the forces arrayed against him, can Cain ever find God after he's committed a sin of such magnitude? Can he ever be forgiven?

Melinda Viergever Inman was raised in the tornado capital of the U.S.—Wakita, Oklahoma, of "Twister" fame. There her parents met. There her roots were sunk in a storytelling family. During years of relocation, tragedy struck. Wounded and heartbroken, Melinda forsook her roots and ran from herself and from God. A journey of trial and heartache brought her home again. A prodigal now returned to her secure foundation, she writes with passion, illustrating God's love for wounded people as he makes beauty from ashes. Refuge is her first novel. Melinda shepherds women in church and in prison ministry. She writes inspirational material and Bible studies. Her six precocious offspring, all grown, teach and inspire her. With her husband and family, she is involved in a church-planting ministry in India: Reaching Indians Ministries International.

You can learn more and connect with Melinda here:

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Melinda-V-Inman/189731601076470

Website: http://melindainman.com/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelindaVInman  

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/melindavinman/  

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MelindaViergeverInman/posts/p/pub

 

Key Writing Tip

Hey writers, Annette here. I have a very important piece of advice for you today. Very important. So important and so obvious, you may have overlooked it. Lots of writers already do it. Can’t help themselves really. It comes naturally. And it makes sense since it’s of interest to them. 

What is it? 

Read in your genre. Read a lot in your genre. 

I’ve known a few writers over the years who were trying to publish their own manuscripts, but who boastfully proclaimed they hadn't read extensively in their chosen genre. Honestly, that just left them at a disadvantage, playing "catch up" when their editors asked for changes because they weren't familiar with what's out there.

When's the right time to read? Right now. Whether you're published or not, you can always benefit from reading in your genre.

Here’s what you gain:

~ Intel. You get to see firsthand what publishers are acquiring. That’s really helpful information. When/If you pitch to them later, you can site that specific book or series. Editors appreciate knowing you’ve read their house’s novels.

~ Wisdom. Writing workshops and how-to manuals teach you a lot. But reading, seeing those lessons on the page (or screen, for e-book readers) teaches you as well. Plus, it’s entertaining. Study how the author accomplished everything you find in those pages. For example, say you’re reading along and suddenly you’re crying because you’re so wrapped up in the story. Go back and figure out exactly how the writer got you, as the reader, to cry. What did she do? How did he do it? Then, incorporate your new lessons into your own writing. Also, by reading in your genre, you see how the author(s) set the tone of the novel, set the mood for the story, stayed true to the genre. And then you can do the same.

~  Reader’s perspective. You’re a writer, but you’re also a reader. While you’re reading someone else’s book, you’re experiencing something similar to what readers will experience when they read your book(s). As a reader, what are your expectations of books in your favorite genre? Now, as a writer, go to your own manuscript and incorporate those elements into your story. Giving readers what they want is a great way to garner their loyalty. Loyal readers are contagious. They talk up your books to their friends and suddenly, you’ve got more readers. Let the buzz begin!

~ Your own voice. Reading extensively helps us develop our own voice. Even if you have a well-established writing voice, reading will help you hone that voice. Ironically, you'll become more of an original, and that's what editors are looking for.

Read everything you can, and stay up-to-date with what’s being released. That way, you know the current trends as well. (Like how POV rules have changed over the years, or which house is looking for historical romance versus contemporary romance, for example.) 

So, my writing friends, read on!

Discovering What's Missing

 
Hey everyone, Annette here. Sometimes I read through a chapter (even my own) and know there is something wrong but I can’t always pinpoint it. Have you experienced this? You’re sitting in a critique group or trying to evaluate your own manuscript and you know it’s missing something, that elusive something, but you can’t name it. What do you do? There are too many elements that go into a great story to just run down a mental list. That list reads like the criteria for a writing contest. But it’s laborious and scientific. Sometimes what’s missing is quite a bit less tangible than that.

Here’s how I attempt to answer the question of “what’s missing?”:

First, I hit on the big things. (I’d really like to avoid that long list if I can.) So, did I feel the emotions of the character? Readers want a satisfying emotional experience. Did I sympathize with the main characters? Are they unique and do they sound different? What about tension? Am I hooked? Is the story engaging? Does the story fit its genre. Readers come with expectations to your story. If they pick up a romantic suspense, don’t give them a prairie romance (unless you’ve tied the two genres together somehow *wink*).

Second, give myself time to think. Give yourself permission to not know what the missing element is. If you’re critiquing, you can just point out: I’m not feeling the emotion here (if you can get that far), even if you don’t have a specific suggestion for how to fix it. If the missing element is too elusive, just leave it alone until you have something constructive to share. No use confusing the crit partner. However, talking it out might help you both hit on something. Sort of like brainstorming. So don’t be afraid to bring it up.

Third, give myself some space. Work on something else for a while. Give yourself a true break from that project. This is especially helpful if the project is your own. Then, when come back to it, read it aloud. Chances are the missing element will come out of hiding now.

If all else fails, you can go through the list of necessary elements, but be prepared to spend some time. Besides a contest list, I’ve never seen the criteria itemized in an exhaustive list. But we both know there are a million elements that go into making a strong novel. The key is to focus on strengthening our weaknesses. And if you do that in the off times, you’ll become more adept at identifying missing elements, both in your work and in the work of others.

Here’s to naming what’s missing and having the wisdom and strategy to fix those holes in the manuscript. I’m sure this gets easier with time. You can even practice on published novels. While you’re reading, ask yourself: is there anything missing? What would I do differently? Is there anything I would change? All of those strategies help us become stronger writers.

Either way, dear writer, write on!

Character Development by Jamie Carie

This Writer’s Journey Wednesday, we're giving Ocieanna the day off. But, author Jamie Carie is here to share a little bit about her own journey and how she handles stubborn characters. Enjoy!

Character Development

Have you ever had a character who is stubborn? You know the type. Wants to remain distant and two-dimensional, and oh so elusive. Like recalcitrant children (or maybe just shy) they dodge and deflect when I'm trying to bring out their true feelings, their foibles, that inner dialog/back story that will make me and the reader fall in love with them. I try this turn of phrase or those clothes, a veritable feast of peccadilloes and habits (both bad and good) but nothing is just right. Nothing fits. And so I continue with the beast that is plot and hope to later fill in the proverbial blanks.

Well, I am happy (relieved, thrilled, ecstatic?) to say that my latest heroine, an English woman and an impoverished Earl's daughter, has finally fleshed out. It was my current WIP and due in a little over a month - and yes, I was beginning to panic and pray a lot! Her name is Lady Kendra Townsend and I've recently learned two things about her. One - she and her father "encourage" one another by a gentle, spoken reminder of the fruit of the spirit as needed for an occasion.

Sometimes I scramble for new, fresh ways to portray my characters as Christians aside from the prayers and Scripture verses. This (I hope) has a light hearted comical effect. When someone irritates her, Kendra (silently) yells the word "patience!" or "goodness," or when times are good "joy" to herself. When dealing with pain and heartbreak of losing her father she remembers his gentle admonition of "long-suffering" and "love." I do miss her father almost as much as she does - sniff!

Then, just this week in late edits, I learned that she harbors a love for hats. She can't afford many but oh, my, like my love for shoes . . . well, enough said. She loves them big and full of fripperies, feathered and bejeweled. The drooping brim, the shallow crown, straw, felt and fur. The gaudier the better and I just love that about her.

So, if your characters are being shy or just plain giving you fits, keep plotting along and who knows what you will discover at the ninth hour.

Know what I mean?



Jamie Carie is an inspirational fiction novelist who believes in the power of “story” to touch hearts and change lives. She is the author of Snow Angel, a USA News Book winner for Best Romance of 2007, a ForeWord Magazine award winner and a RITA Awards® finalist. She is the author of several historical romances and her first novella, The Snowflake, out later this year. Jamie lives in Indiana with her husband, three boys and a giant of a dog named Leo.


To learn more, please visit:
Website: http://www.jamiecarie.com/
Blog: http://jamiecarie.com/wordpress
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jamie.carie?ref=profile
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jamiecarie

The Simple Life. Is it Possible? Part 2

Writer’s Journey Wednesday with O

The Simple Life. Is it Possible?
Part 2
by Ocieanna Fleiss

Talk about deadlines looming! This week definitely put my “simple life” objective to the test. I had two editing, one teaching, and a writing deadline. These, along with a nasty cold and my husband breaking his ankle, created a less-than-simple week.

Amazingly, even with all the pressures, I somehow avoided panic and anxiety. I didn’t even get grumpy! Observing this unusual calm in the whirlwind, I learned a couple things.

Rest Stop
First, when the chaos pressed in, I challenged myself to stop. Yes, stop. I know it sounds crazy. In the past I’d do the exact opposite. I’d force myself to push through and work harder. Stay up later. Get up earlier. Hire a babysitter. Push, push, push …

But this week, I tried to stop writing at four in the afternoon in order to make a good meal for my family. I chopped vegetables and taught my daughter how to cook. I laughed with my wannabe Jedi son. Most days we ate as a family. Then I went back to work refreshed and feeling blessed and loved. I worked till eight and no later. With the computer off, I watched TV with my husband or read a book. Rested.

Savor
The other tactic I tried was simple. I read books to my kids. I said, “Gabrielle, go get a book,” at least once a day. And when I read with her snuggled next to me, I savored her closeness. I relished the words and the story. The illustrations. I tried to delight in other small blessings too—a good laugh, a conversation with a friend, an opportunity to serve. I enjoyed the life God has given me.

That’s the point. I’m incredibly blessed with more precious gifts than I can name. Yet, sometimes I’m so focused on work (writing) that I miss out on these gifts. The ironic thing is that when I get all frenzied and intense trying to meet a deadline, I not only forfeit the joys in my non-writing life (family, church, friendships, homemaking, etc.), writing itself becomes a chore. I begin to even resent it.

Yet when I savored the God-given moments—like breaths of wind to my soul—writing again became a delight. Panic and anxiety flew away.

This concept of living simple is still a work in progress. I have much more to learn. What advice can you gift to me? How do you “keep it simple”?