Finding Community in a Lonely Writing World by Sandra D. Bricker

Danielle Steel once said, “When you write, your world is populated with the characters you invent, and you feel those people filling your life.”

Make no mistake, I completely agree. In fact, several times when I’ve come to the end of a series where the characters had become a tangible part of my life for several years, it’s been a little hard to say goodbye. Letting go of Emma Rae, Jackson, and their crazy crew (from the AnotherEmma Rae Creation series I did for Abingdon Press) was difficult. I went through a bit of an identity crisis without them, often wondering if I could ever again create something readers would respond to in such a dramatic way. Then came the JessieStanton series of novels where my loyal readers fell for Jessie, Danny, Piper, and Riggs in much the same way. Hope restored.

But . . . fictional characters aside . . . does writing really have to be a lonely endeavor? And even more importantly … Should it be?

I don’t think so.

There are plenty of communities out there where writers gather. Your commitment to this Seriously Write colony, in fact, indicates your acknowledgement that connecting with a group of like-minded people can be more than simply inspiring. It’s imperative. Beyond the simple sense of community, there is also accountability. Insight. Encouragement. Comradery. Even guidance.

For those writing Christian fiction, one of the first groups that likely comes to mind is ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). This organization has grown exponentially since its inception back in 2000. They tout nearly 3,000 members consisting of authors, editors, agents, publicists, and aspiring writers. The group has sub-groups by region and genre and is responsible for an outstanding annual conference (this year in Nashville) where writers gather to socialize, network, take workshops, and meet with industry professionals.

"Agents and editors tell us they're quick to encourage their new authors to join ACFW," says Cynthia Ruchti, ACFW's Professional Relations Liaison. "Not only for its educational value, but because they understand the importance of journeying in companionship with others of like mind, heart, and purpose."

If such a large group isn’t your cup of tea, there are also many other communities with which writers can connect and glean the benefits of fraternization. Finding one that fits your needs requires a bit of legwork, but here’s a short list of a few of the standouts:

Word Weavers focuses on providing a forum for Christian writers to critique each other’s work in a face-to-face format in order to learn about and improve your craft. Writers of all levels are welcome, and there are regional meetings from which to choose. Interested parties can also think about starting a chapter of their own, which could be an excellent tool for some writers.

Inspire Christian Writers is a group that, according to their mission statement, exists to provide a network of support, encouragement, education, and spiritual growth for Christian writers. They state, “Our writers minister biblical truths with excellence, clarity, and love, to transform lives and the publishing industry.”

InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship (ICWF) can be found in every province in Canada, and they focus on lending encouragement and support to Christians who write. They claim their overall goal is “to advance effective Christian writing, and to promote the influence of all Christians who write.”

TheNextBigWriter, launched in 2005, offers tools, classes, and community with other writers. They purport that their group is a place where Christian writers can gather and share their faith journeys with fellow Christians as well as the novels, poems, scripts, songs etc. that they are writing. The caveat with this group: “Since not all Christians write only Christian books, this group will be open to all genres that they are inspired to write about at this time in their life.”

There are also several groups where members challenge one another to defeat the dragon and complete their writing projects. One of the standouts here is the well-known writing challenge issued each year called NationalNovel Writing Month (November). As a member of this group, you’ll be encouraged and nudged to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Impossible? Not at all. Challenging? Absolutely! But well worth a look if you’re one of those who need firm nudges to keep your fanny in the chair and keyboard fingers in motion.

No matter your specific streamlined goal as a writer, lone-wolfing-it is not recommended. Check out some of these organizations to see if they might be a good fit for you. If not, keep looking. A strong sense of community, in my opinion, is as important to making writing your business as getting familiar with the publishing market, researching your storylines, and learning the rules of writing before trying to break them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

SANDRA D. BRICKER

SANDRA D. BRICKER was an entertainment publicist in Los Angeles for 15+ years where she attended school to learn screenwriting and eventually taught the craft for several semesters. When she put Hollywood in the rear view mirror and headed across the country to take care of her mom until she passed away, she traded her scripts for books . . . and a best-selling, award-winning author of Live-Out-Loud fiction for the inspirational market was born. Sandie is best known for her Another Emma Rae Creation and Jessie Stanton series for Abingdon Press, and she was also named ACFW’s 2015 Editor of the Year for her work as managing editor of Bling! Romance, an edgy romance imprint for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. As an ovarian cancer survivor, Sandie also gears time and effort toward raising awareness and funds for research, diagnostics and a cure.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH SANDIE:

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Play the Writing Game on Your Toes by Melinda Viergever Inman

Melinda Viergever Inman

Play the Writing Game on Your Toes

In the early days of Title IX, I attended a small high school working to establish an equal number of sports for girls as we had for boys. As a result, girls now had more options available. I had grown up playing softball and running track, but now I added basketball.

I’m sure my early efforts weren’t pretty. Until that point, most of us had only played basketball in gym or pick-up games. Some were quite proficient, but most were like me, relatively new to this sport. The drills were grueling—all sorts of running and movement exercises that constantly had us on our toes.

Our coach informed us that when we were on our toes, we could quickly shift position to follow the ball’s movement or to defend against an opponent. And so, we drilled: zigzag patterns, up and down the court, shuffling from side to side, all while up on our toes. I remember being drenched with sweat and gasping for air when we completed these drills.

But they were essential, because remaining on our toes wasn’t natural. Not only did we tend to stand with flat feet, thus slowing us down if we had to suddenly change position, but emotionally we were flat-footed as well. We weren’t anticipating the next move of our opponent.

To be ready to shift position immediately, we had to remain on our toes.

This sports lesson, as often happens with lessons learned on playing fields or courts, bestowed a lifelong knowledge that still helps me today in the writing world. We have to play this writing game on our toes.

The publishing industry is constantly in flux. When I began writing fiction about a decade ago, everything about publishing was different.

Agents were required, but doors were shutting to not only them, but also to publishers. The average author made around $10,000 annually, because our product was scarce. Then “self-publishing” meant you had paid a vanity press to publish your words, and now you had a car trunk and a garage full of hardcover books to peddle.

Enter Amazon. About eighteen months ago, the number of books offered (e-book and paperback) surged to 12,000,000, but it has now fallen by 75% to 3,000,000. According to Data Guy, the average author now makes about $1400 annually if they're self-published and $875 a year if traditionally published. Our product is no longer scarce.

We cannot play this game flat-footed. We must constantly anticipate changes and adjust our methods and our marketing. We have to know about “funnel books” and keyword search engine optimization tactics for our titles. We need to work on our craft, for even writing has changed. Stories now contain little prologuing or backstory. Plot is driven by dialogue and action. Jane Austen herself might not be published today were she competing in this market.

To play on our toes, we remain true to ourselves and to the voice and message God has given us. We listen to the inner nudging of the Holy Spirit. We keep abreast of our industry, mentally anticipating these changes, adjusting our techniques, and finding new ways to bring our stories to light, rather than remaining flat-footed. We cannot be afraid.

When Joshua took over from Moses, he had to play the game in a new way. The people were no longer journeying across the desert, but into the Promised Land, much as we hope to enter the publishing equivalent. In Deuteronomy 31-32 as Joshua “practiced” for the transition and in Joshua 1 as he began to “play the game” as the new leader, the Lord repeatedly reminded him to stay on his toes (be strong; be courageous) and not to be afraid.

This is good advice for us, too. For the Lord is with us, wherever we go.

Fallen

Fallen

Love takes action: The Creator God establishes the cosmos and shapes a man. Adam rises from the dust. Envious, the powerful angel Lucifer despises him. Oblivious to the threat, Adam is captivated by his strong, intuitive wife Eve. In the Garden of Eden, they enjoy abundant food, gorgeous vistas, and intriguing challenges, including their budding love and passion. They have it all!

But Lucifer’s deceptive brilliance tricks them into disobeying God. They eat the one forbidden fruit. Their innocence is shattered. Their unity with one another and with God is destroyed. Death will follow. Lucifer’s jealousy threatens mankind’s tenuous beginning. But God is merciful. What astonishing promise does He make? How will Adam and Eve survive—broken, shattered, and separated from God?

Melinda Viergever Inman was raised in a storytelling family. There her roots were sunk. 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, she writes with passion, illustrating God's love for wounded people as He makes beauty from ashes. Fallen is her second novel; Refuge, the sequel, is her first. Melinda shepherds women in prison ministry and writes inspirational material at http://melindainman.com/blog/.  With her family she is involved with Mission India/RIMI, rescuing orphans and providing theological and job training for impoverished students.

Connections:

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

 

Don't Let Summer Heat Cool Your Writing by Susan Tuttle

It’s SUMMER! We have slogged through the never-ending winter days, school craziness, and multiple rounds of various viruses—and we made it! The days are longer, warmer, and sunnier. They are meant to play in and savor. I love summer. Love it.

 

Problem is, while I’m all for summer laziness, it’s not so hot on my writing schedule. In fact, I find my writing schedule can cool slightly for the summer. And while taking a break is at times a necessity, writers need to keep their momentum going. Adjust your schedule if need-be, or pick different writing exercises, but find ways to still write. Maybe you pull out a notepad while on the beach and write a flash fiction piece. Or you sit on your deck in the early morning—take advantage of that extra sunlight—to start a novella. Perhaps you’re able to sleep in now so you stay up later at night to plug 100 new words on your newest WIP. Whatever it is, keep writing this summer!

 

So, how do you find ways to slip in writing during these wonderful summer months? I’d love to hear!

Susan L. Tuttle lives in Michigan where she’s happily married to her best friend and is a homeschooling mom of three. She’s firmly convinced that letters were meant for words, not math, and loves stringing them together into stories that inspire, encourage, and grow women into who God created them to be. Romance, laughter, and cookies are three of her favorite things, though not always in that order. You can connect with Susan at her blog, Steps, Facebook, or Twitter.

Research Interviews by Elaine Marie Cooper

Unlike author Elaine Marie Cooper, I don't have a journalism background, so the idea of interviewing experts can be daunting. If you feel the same, Elaine has some tips to make your interviews effective and organized. -- Sandy

Elaine: Perhaps it’s my background as a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines that gets me excited about interviewing people. I think it’s mostly because I have an interest in people and want to know how they manage different issues in their lives.

So when I created the character of Nathaniel Stearns for my novel Promise of Deer Run, a Revolutionary War veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), I was definitely in a position to don my reporter “cap” and start asking questions of those in the know. That meant counselors for the military, coordinators of support groups, and those who suffered from PTSD themselves. But because this is such a sensitive issue, I knew it would be important to ask thoughtful questions. I also needed to find the right sources that could help me.

I began by contacting a military chaplain who referred me to another counselor who treated many veterans suffering from PTSD. Through a military organization on Facebook, I sent a message to a contact person who turned out to have a support group who could anonymously answer a few specific questions. Once I had my sources, I prepared for the interviews. 

When preparing for an interview for research, gather as many facts ahead of time so the person knows you’ve done your homework. You learn pretty quickly to prepare a list of questions and get comfortable asking strangers a whole host of queries.

Always ask someone if they prefer an interview by phone, email or even Skype. Everyone has a level of comfort in a particular style of communication. Your job is to get comfortable with all of them.

You also learn to listen carefully for cues from your interviewee. Are they getting stressed from detailed questions? Is it time to change the topic? Time to end the interview? I remember one person who was recovering from PTSD who blurted out a reply and I instinctively knew it had been a difficult revelation for him. I expressed my sympathy and pressed no further. When someone shares a painful story, you never want to say, “I know exactly how you must have felt” —because you absolutely don’t. You want to be compassionate without being condescending.

And thanks to these interviews, the character of Nathaniel Stearns was born on the pages of Book 2 in the Deer Run Saga. I am so grateful for the interviewees who shared from the heart to help bring the pain of PTSD alive in Promise of Deer Run.  And I pray that this book helps to bring hope and healing to my readers who have suffered from the pain of war-related stress. 

Promise of Deer Run releases June16. 

Do you have any tips to add? What is the most unusual interview you have conducted in the name of research?

~~~~~

Award winning author Elaine Marie Cooper has written Road to Deer Run, Fields of the Fatherless, Bethany’s Calendar and the June 16 release, Promise of Deer Run. Her upcoming releases include Saratoga Letters (October 2016) and Legacy of Deer Run (December 2016). Her passions are her faith, her family, and the history of the American Revolution. She blogs at www.elainemariecooper.com , www.colonialquills.blogspot.com and www.almostanauthor.com