A Writerly Interview with Melissa Tagg

Today I am delighted to introduce y'all to one of my favorite writer people, Melissa Tagg. Melissa has this infectious joy that simply makes her a delight to be around. She is bright, incredibly gifted as a writer, and has this heart that is after God. I love her! Can't you just see the joy in her smile? Anyway...She has a new book, Keep Holding On, releasing this month, and here's a link to the first chapter. I asked Melissa if she would join us for a quick Q&A. She graciously agreed. So without further ado, here's Melissa.
 

We're going to start with an easy question: what's your favorite writer fuel? 

 Okay, this is going to sound terribly cliché but it’s the truth: coffee. Actually, beverages in general. I like to have a glass of water and a cup of coffee and then when I get stuck, I trade in the coffee for a Diet Coke with Lime. I’ve been trying to be more diligent about drinking water lately, though, so I generally don’t allow myself a second jolt of caffeine until I’ve finished off a couple glasses of water.

You're so healthy! What's the one thing you wish you had learned early in your writing career? 

That I am not a girl who handles deadlines very well. LOL! But seriously…when I suddenly went from writer to contracted writer, this writing gig took on a whole new flavor. And because I have a full-time day job that’s also very much a calling for me, dealing with deadlines got…not so fun. But honestly, I think it’s good to learn these things about ourselves. Because once I realized why I was struggling so much, I was able to make some decisions to help smooth out what had become a very wrinkled and exhausting schedule. I had to take some risks to change things up, but I feel like a different person now than I did earlier on—i.e. I’m healthier and happier and don’t come into work looking like a zombie anymore. And frankly, I think my writing is better for it.

Also, I wish I’d learned earlier that it’s okay to do things differently than other authors. I think I spent a lot of time trying to perfectly shadow others, write and market and just be exactly like them. And in doing so, I was pushing against the kind of writer and woman God wants me to be.

That not copying others is hard! What's your favorite book of all time? Other than the Bible. 

Oh man, that is SO hard to answer. I don’t know if I can truly pick just one, but one of the books I have read over and over and over from childhood to adulthood is Christy by Catherine Marshall. In fact, it’s been a couple years, so I’m pretty sure I’m due for a reread.

Now for some writing book related questions. Do you have a favorite writing book? What is it? Do you have a fight favorite writing tool? What is that? 

My favorite writing book is any craft book by Susan May Warren. She has this awesome way of teaching that just works…doesn’t matter whether you’re a plotter or pantser or smack in between like me, you can incorporate her teaching and truly grow in the craft. I also love every writing book I’ve read by James Scott Bell, including Plot & Structure and WriteYour Novel from the Middle.

As for my favorite writing tool, it’s an app called Freedom that turns off your Internet for however long you specify. It’s such a great tool to help me focus. (Although, sometimes I just go super hard core and turn off my wi-fi completely and hide my phone in my garage or walk-in.

What surprised you most while writing Keep Holding On?

This shouldn’t have surprised me because it legit happens with every. single. book. And yet, somehow it’s still a surprise every time…and that’s the moment when I realize exactly why God has me writing this story at this time. It’s usually because he’s working on something in my heart. I know, I know, the appropriate author sentiment to express is that we write to uplift and inspire readers…which, of course, I do. But truly, deep down…I write because that’s how God communicates with me. He just does.

Somehow, in journeying with my characters, He whispers (or sometimes shouts) exactly what my heart needs to hear and what my mind needs to process. And in the case of this latest book, that thing I needed to hear and chew on and really truly grasp is that God keeps holding on. I don’t know about you, but I have seasons where my passion dries up…my faith gets all dry and dusty. And then I feel guilty. And then that ugly mix of apathy and guilt just sorta builds a wall between me and any kind of intimacy with God. And yet…God keeps holding on.

Even when I’m on the brink of letting go, he’s still there holding on. That is a life-giving, soul-quenching truth and something I’ve very much needed to spend some time dwelling on. Funny thing is, I had no idea that’d end up being such a personal journey for me back when I titled the book Keep Holding On.

What's your favorite Needtobreathe song? Just had to throw that one in there for fun.

Oh my goodness, this is almost even harder to answer than the favorite book question. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!! People think I’m joking when I say I want to just quit everything and become a roadie and follow them around the country…but I’m about 75% serious. If I HAD to pick a favorite song, it’d probably be Wasteland. I first heard it during a hard season in my life and I felt like it’d been written just for me.

What's your favorite kind of coffee or writing beverage? 

Coffee-wise, I love hazelnut coffee. I drink it straight black. Oh, and a good Americano makes my heart soar. As I mentioned above, I also love Diet Coke with Lime.

At what point in the book did you hate it? And at what point in Keep Holding On did you go oh my gosh I really can write? I know when I'm writing I usually have one or the other if not both...in the same weekend.

You know what’s crazy? This is probably the first book I’ve written where I didn’t actually have a moment of hating it. Some big things changed in my life while writing this book that removed a lot of previous stress, so I’m sure that’s part of it. That said, I ALWAYS struggle with two specific chapters in every book (I won’t say which two ‘cause I don’t want anyone to read them and go, “Yep, I can see why she doesn’t like these ones). And that was definitely still the case this time around. I wrote and rewrote those chapters and they still don’t feel entirely right to me. But there comes a point when you have to just say, “Okay, whatevs. It’s done.” LOL!

As for a moment when I thought, “Oh my gosh, I really can write”… that actually happened while writing the very first scene, which is super unusual for me. But I just love the first scene of this book! It’s the first time I haven’t drastically changed my opening from first draft to final draft. What you’ll see on the page now is very close to exactly what was on the page when I first drafted it. And I feel good about it. Which is nice.

Thanks so much for joining us, Melissa. Folks, I love her books. She writes such fun contemporary romance, you really need to try them if you haven't. You can find all her books listed on her webpage or anywhere books are sold.

____________________

Cara Putman

An award-winning author of more than twenty books, Cara is a lecturer on business and employment law to graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and is a second-generation homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana.

C.O.M.F.O.R.T. While We're Waiting

Waiting....
Sigh.
Sometimes it's okay and sometimes...it gets very long. Sooooo long. And what can we possible do to, not only find our own comfort, but comfort others during the 'wait'.

Phrases like 'hang in there', 'this all happens for a reason', 'your time will come' or 'bless your heart' are not bad in and of themselves, but if you've been waiting a long time...well....they can grate on your nerves a little.  

Whether the waiting is from the delivery of your fourth kid (and I put fourth because there is a DISTINCT difference between the waiting for number 1 and number 4), the results of a biopsy, the funeral march, a soldier’s return, or an editor’s answer- there is just some advice that’s less appealing than other types J

And sometimes all you need is something words can't provide.

On both sides of publication, the waiting game happens A LOT!! But especially when we're on the unpublished side of writing, the days, weeks, and years of 'waiting' stretch into a seamless line of doubts and fears. This stir-crazy game of ‘what if’ and ‘maybe’ can dig a hole in our self-confidence like little else. Sometimes all we want is an ear to hear our rant, a shoulder to cry on, a loving hand providing chocolate, or an all-expense paid vacation.

Since the latter is less likely to occur, one of the first three will have to do J

Even now, on the published side of the bridge, the waiting and doubt continues. Will there be another contract? Do I have the ability, wisdom, courage, and funds to Indie publish? Will this dream putter to a stop after this last book in the series?

For a profession filled with words, sometimes words aren’t enough to quell the worry.

Christians have a particular advantage in this waiting game. No, being a Christian doesn’t mean you automatically write better and have more compelling stories – however, it does mean that your perspective is different while you wait. It doesn’t mean you don’t still roll your eyes when some well-meaning person puts her arm around you and says, “Well God’s got a plan.” But it DOES mean our minds understand the Sovereignty of God more than our hearts at the present. We know He’s in control. He works all things to our good. He loves us with an everlasting love. All the days planned for your life were set in place before you even lived one of them.

Yeah – totally awesome.

But what are some other things we can remember while we wait? Other ways we can crawl down in the fetal position with our friend who has had 2 novels on submission for 3 months (or a year) without an answer yet?

Well, as a good ol Southern girl, I’m going to turn to what comes naturally.

C.O.M.F.O.R.T.  Food!

C: Chocolate, duh! Or that person’s comfort food. Whatever it might be. In the south when we bring food, we're also bringing support, encouragement...we just happen to bring it with sugar on top :-) Nothing makes company better than a little sugar on top. So figure out a way to provide what that person NEEDS...or maybe just wants - and it doesn't necessarily have to be words.

O: Options- Provide practical options while they wait. Could they begin edits? Read a favorite author for inspiration? Or perhaps you could encourage another book they're working on because you already know the market is open to that particular storyline or genre?

M: Merriment – humor is a necessary comfort of life. Laughing is an internal massage. AND it's like medicine over a wounded spirit. Is there a way you could plan something fun with your friend? Or maybe a phone call to provide some much needed laughter?

F: Friendship – Knowing you’re not alone in this crazy business makes the path so much lighter. Just BEING there, may take the need for words away altogether. I know, for me, that just feeling the love of my friends helps me keep stepping forward even if I'm not sure which way I'm supposed to go. They're with me, encouraging me along the way. That's a beautiful and God-given gift.

O: Open for Rant – provide an atmosphere that encourages honesty without judgment. Sometimes there is no need for a ‘fix’, just an opportunity to ‘lose it’ with someone who loves you.

R: Right Perspective- provide fear fighters to help turn to right perspective.  When your friend is ready, an encouraging verse or vote of confidence in her writing might be what she needs. When we're discouraged, we have a tendency to see through a veil of desperation or sadness. Loving truth helps us gain the proper perspective.

T: Tips to ponder while they wait. Practical reminders like:

1.       Are you working on another book so you can be ready when they contact you?

2.       Have you been direct with your agent about what you need from him/her in your relationship?

3.       What ways can you work on building your platform while you wait? (internet? Speaking? Contacts?)

4.   Do you feel this time may be an opportunity for you to develop another creative interest you have?

5.  What are some other options that you might have been afraid to explore before? (Indie publishing? Mainstream vs CBA?

 

Writing a book make take one person plugging away on a keyboard every day, but building a story takes a community of writers, friends, and encouragers.

Comfort food just makes it go down sweeter!

What brings you comfort while you wait?

**************************************************************************

     Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus, and proud AlleyCat over at a group writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. Her debut historical romance novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015, with the second arriving in February 2016. Her first contemporary romance debuts in April 2016. You can connect with Pepper on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com, Facebook-  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepper-D-Basham or Twitter at https://twitter.com/pepperbasham

Golden Writing

Read more at Brainy Quotes

If you know me at all (or have visited my blog), you will know that my latest works of writing are touched by 16th century England. The pictured quote is by one of my favorite heroines, Queen Elizabeth I... a patron of Shakespeare, and a woman of strength and perseverance.

"Brass shines as fair to the ignorant as gold to the goldsmiths."

Even though she inspires me to write historical AND contemporary fiction these days, this quote of hers fits perfectly in what I wanted to share on the Alley today.

When I was fresh out of college, I assumed I was going to rock the world of Landscape Architecture. I mean, I had so much to offer a firm out there. They were going to continually have their "socks knocked off" by my brilliant ideas and hard work ethic. I poopoo'd everything I saw that was a non-Angie Dicken and was sure that I had all the answers and the perfect design. I was the gold that they needed to shine.

Needless to say, I was pretty full of myself back then, and it took a-a-a lot of miserable work days to realize that I might have had in mind a better design or a great idea (which I most likely only had a bunch of brass), and yet...NOBODY CARED TO HEAR IT...ACTUALLY, I WASN'T EVEN ASKED!

WHA'?!?!?!

What I WAS asked, was "fix this mistake on so and so's drawing", "add dimensions to this other person's design", "count the shrubs in this suburban neighborhood entrance"...etc.

Busy work, boring work, tiddly widdly stuff that needed to be done and I had spent five whole years in college to do it.

Pfft. I was just polishing someone else's gold.

Fast forward a little more than a decade...Now, I look back on these past ten years as an aspiring author and I *think* I might have entered the passion with them same mind set as my conceited college educated rookie to the workforce (wince). I expected the quick and easy road to the sought- after publication. I mean, I had a vanity press offering to print my first ever manuscript...THANK GOD I was too poor to take them up on it. It was NOT worth even editing! Talk about brass.

"Brass shines as fair to the ignorant as gold to the goldsmiths."

But I thought I was something. I just assumed that my bright idea needed to be read by everyone out there and that everyone would want to side with me to get the story into reader's hands.

Wow. I can't believe the evolution my writing has taken. I would never ask a publisher to look at something I wrote five years ago, let alone ten. That's just ridiculous. There is a reason that a rookie needs to prove themselves, isn't there? The learning curve is huge and beautifully refining.

Brass is no longer fair to me. I've seen the gold flecks as the refining fire continues to strengthen my writing.

I only lasted two years as a Landscape Architect-in-training. I just couldn't see the point of spending endless hours doing busy work for designs I wasn't passionate about. BUT, if I had been as passionate about the craft of design as I am about the craft of storytelling, then today I'd probably be sending off my own blueprints for amazing urban projects or beautiful city parks.

If I had that passion and didn't settle for brass.

As a writer, I have learned that there is so much too learn, and I can't quit because I am not published or acclaimed. The cool thing is, during the process, I've had the chance to come up along side some pretty fantastic authors and be a small part in their journey. And it's okay that I am not there yet. My passion is deep enough to not quit it altogether.

Someone might settle for brass. It's tempting, believe me. But when it comes to my writing, I want gold. I want it to shine and not come up short. Elizabeth I's reign is considered England's Golden Age. It was a time of flourish and growing knowledge.

Perfect inspiration for my perfectly "me" passion.

Brass is for the ignorant, no need for a goldsmith. I am willing to continue and learn, and become a skilled smith of golden writing.

How about you?

*************************************************************************************************************

Angie Dicken is a full-time mom and lives in the Midwest with her Texas Aggie sweetheart. An ACFW member since 2010, she has written six historical novels and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. Angie also spends her time designing one-sheets and drinking good coffee with great friends. Check her personal blog at angiedicken.blogspot.com and connect at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dicken.angie, 

Twitter: @angiedicken

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/agdicken/

Reasons this Writer is Grateful!

Thanksgiving is next week, and that means our thoughts turn to all of the reasons we have to be thankful.

There is so much I have to be thankful for. A wonderful husband. Four amazing kids. A house that more than meets our needs. A fulfilling job and the same for my husband. This year I signed a contract with my dream editor at my dream publisher...a long process, but another reason to be thankful. I've had the opportunity to write two books for another great publisher with a good friend of mine. I've also seen a story of my heart, Shadowed by Grace, final and win some prestigious awards. Oh, and let's not forget that crazy MBA!

It has been an amazing year! Here are a few writerly reasons I'm thankful.

• I'm thankful for the writing community God has placed me in. Writing can be a lonely job. It's me and my computer. This writer needs people. God has met that need through so many folks, including the Alley Cats!

• I'm grateful for all the readers who read my books and let me know when they enjoy them. A book is never really a story until others interact with the plot and characters. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my books. It's in your hands that all my hours alone at a computer gain meaning.

• I'm grateful that I get to live this dream and for each book that finds a home. Signing that contract on Friday was the culmination of ten years... yes, you read that right. I met this editor at my very first ACFW conference, and we clicked. We've been looking for the right project for a long time. I am so excited that this is it. There's a whole story in the journey, but that will wait for another post!

• I'm so grateful for computers and technology. Yes, it can absolutely drive me batty, but the thought of long-hand writing a manuscript is enough to make me break out in hives. Now, mind you, that can be an excellent way to break writer's block. But on a day to day basis, I want to type as fast as my fingers can keep up with -- my thoughts go so fast!

• Finally, I'm grateful for each of you reading this post. You know who you are. Thanks for being part of my journey. It's an incredible ride!

What are you grateful for this year?

___________________

Cara Putman

An award-winning author of twenty books, Cara is a lecturer on business and employment law to graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and is a second-generation homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana.

Being Nice: An Etiquette Guide for Published and Agented Writers

Have you heard about the girl who's caused a huge stir about her decision to stop wearing leggings in public with concern it may make men lust after her?

This post has nothing to do with that. :)

But it is about a similar question: what is the line between being considerate of others' struggles and unnecessarily catering to/coddling them?

Now, please know this post is meant as a fun, lighthearted look at a serious situation. I don't mean to point fingers or offend. I have been on both sides of the map as a writer with a fabulous agent and two published short stories, who is still desperately craving to see her novels in print. Therefore, with one foot in each "camp," so to speak, I feel qualified to look the issue from, well, both sides.

I've noticed that within the past few years, social media has taken a turn towards (sometimes heavy) self-promotion. I get it. Every published author needs to sell books, and aren't we all a little scared of not selling enough? But at the risk of giving advice completely counter to what your publishing house may have told you, sometimes self-promotion makes you sound like that friend who only calls to invite you to Mary Kay parties. There's a difference between building genuine relationships with readers and author friends via social media and using people for sales.

So I thought today I'd write a post that's a little different... some things to consider if you're a published writer as you engage in social media with so many hopeful-heart storytellers still waiting.

Do you remember when you were a little girl and you wore your mother's shoes around the house, wishing they would fit your tiny feet? I can remember this specific towel rack in my parents' old bathroom that I used to look at and think, "When I'm as tall as that, I'll be so grown." Blame Cinderella, but I used to dream about being old enough to go dancing-- really dancing, like learning to waltz and swing. Can you remember things you so badly wanted to do as a little kid?

Now that I'm an adult, it's easy to forget how deeply my childhood heart yearned for these things. In the same way, I think anyone who has been on the writing journey long enough may begin to forget the excitement and longing of those initial stages of writing... as well as the deep discouragement it can bring.

Photo by  khunaspix at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I've heard so many published authors say, "Just wait and see! Things get so much harder after publication!" Please, do not say this to writers who are still waiting. It's like looking at that little girl in those big 'ol shoes and saying, "Just you want until you're grown-- then you'll see it's bills and sleep deprivation and never enough coffee, and really not all it's cracked up to be." But what about all the good things? What about all the travels and the grown-up beauty and the dreams?

I think published and unpublished writers have so much to offer one another, but I've noticed that sometimes unpublished writers get a little gun-shy approaching "success stories." You may not realize it, but if you're published, you're kind of a rock star. Like, really. You are in a HUGE minority. You have written words that are actually printed and in front of other human beings--whether that's a book, a novella, or a magazine. Many... even most... writers never make it to the point of having actual readers! If you do have readers, what an influence you have, what a ministry! Please don't take that for granted.

I write all this not as a critique of published writers, but as encouragement to reframe your perspective. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your deadline, or discouraged by a bad review, take time to remember the big picture. You have the dream in your hands. It may not look the way you thought it would, and it may not be easy. At all. But again, you have readers, and that is nothing short of a crazy, miraculous thing. These stories started in your imagination, and God is using them to touch someone out there in the world--someone you may never meet. Someone who may even be reading your story as you read this post. How cool is that!

I also want to encourage you to be sensitive to your unpublished writer friends and remember what it was like when you were on the waiting side of your contract. Don't forget the doubt, and the tears, and the desperate prayers to God as you wondered if this thing was ever going to happen or if it's a huge failure of a dream. Don't forget that while people celebrate with you because you had lunch with your dream editor or you made it big in a writing contest, with too much detail, these successes will inevitably remind others of what they have not yet achieved... and sometimes that stings. Don't cater to every overly-sensitive individual who needs to get a thicker writer's skin, but do remember that doubt hits every one of us, as well as feelings of insecurity. Do everything you can to encourage the writers around you in their callings and dreams, because you are a success story.

And let's face it. The world needs to hear more of those.

###

Ashley Clark writes romance with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.