A "Writer's" Thanksgiving Poem

Pens and pencils,
Nooks and Kindles.

Desktops and Laptops,
Computer repair shops.

Agents and Editors,
Closed and open doors.

Characters who speak to us,
Settings that consume us.

Writer friends who love us,
Family who bear with us.

Hot chocolate and coffee,
And maybe some hot tea.

Life full of story inspiration,
Brief moments of relaxation.

So much to be thankful for,
Really, how could we ask for more?

Happy Thanksgiving, all you wonderful writers out there.

Praying God's blessings on you today, and that you'd know how thankful WE here at the Alley are thankful for YOU!

Finding your sweet spot

The only poetry book I ever liked....

I am so very much not a poet
but every once in a while
I attempt to get my rhyme on
And hope it gets not a frown, but a smile.

You see here is the thing
About what we try to write
Sometimes it works well for us
but not if you choose the wrong type

For some, they write quite lyrical
and others, they wax poetic
Still another group might make you laugh
And others make you cry with their pose so dramatic

You have your western writers
Who lasso cows with ease
or your suspense authors
Who cause their characters lives to cease

If you choose the wrong one
let's say you attempt to write humor
but your funny bone is somewhere in Alaska
Your funny book might as well be a tumor.

This poem is a super good example,
for I am an author who deplores trying to rhyme
So I think I'll stick to my funny romance,
Otherwise, I won't earn even a dime.

***********

In non-poetic words... we each have a voice. Be true to it.

The first ever book I started was a serious dramatic novel where one guy dies, the heroine attempts suicide, and later in the book has her child kidnapped and is beaten almost to death by her boyfriend.

*ahem*

I never got past chapter three.

While I like to weave a bit of drama and suspense into my books for pizazz, I'm not a suspense writer. I NEED to make people smile. I'd rather not make readers cry, unless it's tears of joy. 

My drama was bad. Like, melodramatic, horse-manure bad.

My funny is... well, it's getting published next month. So hopefully it doesn't stink like it belongs in a barn anyway:-)

And my poetry... well, you can tell how that turned out above.

DISCUSSION: Have you ever switched genres? Do you think your voice lends you more toward one type of prose than another? Is there one type of writing that you could NEVER do professionally because it just isn't who you are?

Extra brownie points today if you can make your comment a POEM!

IN FACT! How about this: I'll do my OWN first book giveaway of Sandwich, with a Side of Romance today for all those who attempt! It'll be signed by me and everything! (Won't be shipped until I actually GET my copies... but it'll be yours!)

Writing FUN-damentals

OK, are you squirming yet?

Brown-spattered teeth sitting in beef gravy jar

Leftover white scraps from peeled off label

Displaying mocha stained reminder of

Root canals, that novocaine jab numb shooting up your nose.

OK, that is a few lines from a rough draft of a poem I wrote a few days ago. About dentures, of all things. Because, yes, I'm just THAT strange.

AND because I want to remind you of why we started this whole writing gig in the first place.

F-U-N. 

Am I right? We write because we love it.

Because ever since we were toddlers, the sounds of rhyming words have brought giggles of glee. Buried in the childhood box of "shame and embarrassment" is a red magic marker penned holiday story filled with alliterative  phrases. My mother still quotes these occasionally in public in order to teach me humility. 

Though we may look as though we've eaten too many habeneros when we think of some of these early attempts at "writing." Boy, sometimes I cringe at my latest attempts at craft.

I needed to remind myself lately of why I love to write. 

Did you just send in your Genesis entry after spending months stressing about "showing not telling" and plausible plot arcs? 

Are you going through a period of personal trial and finding writing at all to be difficult?

Do you ever find yourself in analysis paralysis, stuck finding all the errors in your fiction but unsure of how to fix it? 

These are three of the many signs you may need to put the "fun" back in your writing?

Here are some of my suggestions:

Switch forms. Do you normally write novel? Try writing a personal essay about an issue that is weighing heavily on your mind. Back in my college days, poetry was my favorite form of writing. I've recently discovered just how much I miss it.

Consider pre-writing. No I'm not talking about pre-writing as the stage of planning before your novel. I'm talking about word dump. Pour out everything that's on your mind. You might find your creativity output is stopped up because of personal issues that need processing.

Excercise away. If you can't think of ideas, writing books and magazines are great places to start. Writer's Digest has picture prompts...you can even enter contests with some of them. The Write Great Fiction series from Writer's Digest books and Susan May Warren's workbooks are great choices to help you through your current story or get ideas for a new one. Sometimes for me a simple exercise can unblock my creativity.

Think of our old friend, Mr. Geisel. Yes, its OK to be silly. 

Think back on your favorite writing memories, then recapture them. I'm betting most of them are related to letting go of inhibitions and allowing yourself freedom in your writing. 

Break up your routine. Every once in a while go to that coffeshop and have a latte while you enjoy wordsmithing. Write in a different room of the house or try writing at a different time of day. Fatigue can definitely decrease enjoyment of even our favorite activities.

I've been going through a bit of a medical trial with my family and adding a bit of fun to my writing has really helped me make it through the rough spots. 

What do you do to get the fun back in writing? 

A Four Letter Word: Edit

I'm loving this new journey I'm on,
this ride called "publication."
I'm learning a ton, and having fun,
Except for this one measly con.

Editing while uncontracted,
is oh so not very facted
You think you're smart, when an adverb does part,
But just you wait until the contract is enacted.

Your manuscript will be sliced,
As well as fully diced,
Overhaul this, and delete this kiss,
You'll discover your work's fully liced.

But oh author, do not despair,
These errors you can repair,
Keep on going, all the while knowing,
With the world, your book you'll soon share.

Remember, do you really desire
your book to be thrown in the fire
when a reader reads, and finally concedes,
that your book needs editing dire.

So chin up, oh you writer,
Grab a coke, or some cider
Snip it here, and never fear,
because inside you is a fighter.

In the end, you'll be happy,
that you deleted the line that was sappy,
when a delighted fan, maybe named Stan,
says your book is far from nappy.

Give your editor a hug
They'll probably be smug
because your book and its great hook
Is being used for more than squashing a bug.

*****

If you haven't noticed... I'm editing my first contracted book, under my first deadline.

You'll also notice that I write fiction, NOT poetry. The above tells you exactly why, and it's not because poetry doesn't sell.

It's because I stink at it.

I hope you enjoyed my fumbling attempt, and happy editing everyone!

*****

Discussion: How long do you usually take to edit your novels? Do you use critique partners, paid editors? Are you prepared for the thought of DEADLINES and professional editors once you're contracted????

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Krista is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mother, and a contemporary romance author. She recognizes that life can be frustrating and just plain not fun sometimes, but believes that laughter and smiles can make the not-so-fun a little better! She blogs about the amazing things God has been doing and her journey as a busy momma of 4 and caregiver to a daughter with a rare congenital heart defect at http://reflectionsbykrista.blogspot.com. She is also a contributor at www.wordservewatercooler.com. She is represented by the fab agent, Rachelle Gardner, and her debut novel, Sandwich, With a Side of Romance, releases in September 2012.