The Dream Vacation...

When we think of a "dream" vacation, some of us think of sunny beaches and blue, blue waters, sparkling in the bright yellow of the sun.

That does look lovely. A hammock gently swaying in the breeze and a good book soothing my frazzled mind.

But still others like to think of journeying overseas and walking in the land of other people. Escaping to places they have never been. To explore and see the new sights.

And while I do love the idea of the romance of exploring such a beautiful landscape, I don't fancy the idea of traveling so far from home. I prefer to go some place within driving distance. In my own area of home.

Still others like to travel to the big city. To shop in all the stores, to mingle with people and an atmosphere that is charged with energy, noise, lights and excitement.

But the city is just not for me. I would much rather escape into the wilderness. Run through fields of green and catch the sun setting on the distant hills. Pluck a handful of flowers by a pond as smooth as glass. Camp beneath the evergreen trees and listen to the birds in the bows sing me to sleep.

While all of these places might be well and good to visit. To experience a new environment and expand horizans, I must admit that the best part of any vacation, is coming home.

Settling into my own bed and breathing in the heavenly scent of sheets dried on the line.

Of chickens pecking in their shared portion of earth. Of the cows lowing in the back pasture. The John Deere tractor next to the full woodshed. The house filled with pleasant surroundings and my family with open arms to welcome me back.

Because no matter how far I travel, no matter where I go, whether in life or in my dreams, I know there is no place like...

HOME

Myth Busters #3: Backstory is Booooring

We have all heard the mantra to stay away from backstory. It kills the story, bogs it down, overwhelms the reader with useless facts that are better left unsaid.

And if you put all of those things together, you would probably be right, it does kill your story in those proportions.

But here is the Myth Buster #3 for today: Backstory is not boring.

If used properly.

IF

The biggest little word in the English dictionary and you need to keep this in mind today or really with any topic we talk about. IF you do it right. IF the reader likes it. IF it fits in the particular scenario and on and on it goes. There is always an IF in life.

Backstory is a powerful tool. And that is just how it should be treated-- like a tool.

I just finished reading Susan May Warren's workbook on how to take your writing deeper and wider, coincidentally titled: Deep and Wide. In this book, she talks about backstory and how to use it. (By the way, I highly recommend this book, it is an excellent resource. Okay shameless plug over)

When you first start your novel you are so excited for your reader to know your character. To understand what makes the tick. Why they do the things they do and just why they are here in this particular moment in time that warrants a book.

But the problem with that theory is that the reader doesn't care and by dumping a bunch of backstory on them at the first part, you are cheating them out of thrilling reading experience.

Think of it this way: say you just met me on the street and I instantly start in on my life story. "Hi! My name is Casey Herringshaw. I was homeschooled for 12 years, raised sheep in 4H for 9, live on a small farm, love to write and have a pension for knitting. I have created lovely garments and have won numerous ribbons for them. I can't wait to find the love of my life and settle down and raise a family....."

Would you really care? Would you really want to know that right after shaking my hand for the first time? No. You don't care, because it means nothing to you. You don't know me yet, you want to learn those things a little bit a time.

Which is the same way with your reader.

Here is the reason for backstory: for you. You as the author are the reason there is backstory because if you don't know your character, you aren't going to be able to portray them to the greatest advantage. They will be flat and dull to not just you, but also to your reader. So for your character to come alive for your reader, he/she must be alive for you.

Now some backstory is necessary for your reader to know. They will have to understand what makes them tick at certain times in their life. But here is what Susie said in her fantastic book: drop them like breadcrumbs on a trail for your reader to find and nibble on a little at a time. Don't drop a complete loaf, not even a slice, but one breadcrumb at a time.

With each crumb dropped, your reader will become more intrigued and if you have created your characters right, it will push them to keep reading, to not give up on this book, but to find out why they just acted the way they did.

But 80% of the backstory you learn about your character will not make it into the story. We all have little quirks in our life that makes us who we are, but most of those quirks are just that and don't need to have an explanation telling your reader why. Let the reader at that point just enjoy them. Because an explanation just kills the fun of seeing the character's quirk

Before we close, I want to share one little excerpt from my last WIP. This is an example of leaving a bread crumb sampling of backstory. See if you can pick it out and then let's talk about it in the comment section. I am looking forward to it.

Right before this scene below my heroine Jenna, was physically sick all over her bathroom. (please know that is completely unedited and raw material, yeah I know, working on that. :-)

I finally got the mess cleaned up, but the smell still lingered. Even over the smell of Lysol antibacterial cleaner and harsh dish soap, the sick smell of myself filled the room. I light a candle and then instantly put the lid back when my stomach took another tumble. I had a long day ahead me, I could feel it.



I grabbed my outfit for the day. A ruffled white shirt, burgundy suit coat and matching skirt and slipped into my black flats. All purchased for a bargain price at a local store. 75% off. I could feel good about how I dressed at least.


The blouse dived low and I studied myself in the mirror. Twisted one way and then another, surveying the view from all directions. I chewed on my lower lip and squinted again at my reflection.  It wasn’t like I was surrounded by criminals all day. But being married had given me a whole new perspective on my attire, well that and the little problem that had manifested itself onto my bathroom floor this morning.


I grabbed a silk white undershirt and layered it under my shirt. Much better.


Grabbing my keys and purse, I marched out the door, determined to face my day. A midget before a sumo wrestler. I wasn’t about to lose either.

Expanding Essence

I searched for the perfect word to express today's topic.  Thanks to my thesaurus I found the word "Essence." In search of a definition for essence I found this site:  wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn   where they defined essence as: 


 The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience


Essence is the attribute or set of attributes that make an object or substance what it fundamentally is, and which it has by necessity, and without which it loses its identity.


The essence of our WIP is the core, the engine, the foundation.  Without essence we don't have a story.


I find myself swinging a pendulum in my writing--too many words, too few words, adding fillers, writing too tight, explaining, criptic--ever seeking balance or compliance--never landing on "essence".


Sometimes our drive is to meet a given word count. We may add or take away from our story in pursuit of this goal.  But the focus needs to be on the essence of our writing.  Conference teachers teach the importance of keeping to the word count, but they also emphasize word count should not be the engine of your product.


Today I want to focus on the pursuit of expanding essence in our WIP. 


Say you walked through the front door of a mansion.  You scan the room from left to right and immediately make a choice. You turn to the left, leaving whatever is straight ahead or to the right behind you.  You walk throughout the mansion making numerous choices--should I eat the candy in the bowl--curl into the dumbwaiter and ride it upstairs, open the cellar door, force the cupboard open?  Each choice made is another choice rejected. 


You might have heard from your main character. Perhaps he told you, "Go to the left...the answer is there, trust me."  To this I ask your character--why?  What are you afraid of?  What is to the right that you're afraid to face? Why did you have the answer so quickly? 


Think of your story.  What if your main character first turned to the right, drove a different way, got on a different flight, received a call before, skipped a meal, took the wrong medicine, met Jane first, found the acceptance letter to that other school or job first....  What if---what if.  Step back from your story or outline or thoughts for a moment and wonder with me how would your story be strengthened or fortified, layered with mystery or intrigue, infused with conflict or need if.... 


Join me this month as we explore different areas to expand the essence of our WIP. Part two next week.

Debut Author Jody Hedlund, Interview & Giveaway!

I have the privilege and honor to interview Jody Hedlund today at The Writer's Alley. I met Jody when I was first getting started in writing. We both were writing medievals at the time and swapped a few chapters. It didn't take long to realize that Jody was way out of my league. She is an excellent writer, able to capture you from the very first, and I am thrilled to be able to share a little bit more about her and her debut book, The Preacher's Bride.

Jody Hedlund is a debut historical romance novelist who was a double finalist in the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest in Historical Romance. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and five busy children.

Now, to the fun part....

Jody, do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

In my mother’s womb.  She consumed chocolate during pregnancy and therefore passed along to me the essential chocolate-loving trait that shapes every writer. With such a significant foundation, I was all but destined to become a writer! 

No, seriously. I think my desire to tell stories was written into my genes by God himself.

When did you first consider yourself a bonafide writer?

When I got my first rejection. Every writer knows they’ve graduated into bonafide writership once they’ve gotten their first rejection diploma.

How many manuscripts have you written and which is your favorite?

I’ve honestly lost count of how many books I’ve written—probably somewhere around ten.  And I have to say, I fall madly in love with each one while I’m writing it. Usually I think each one is God’s gift to mankind—until reality slaps me across the face!

Most recently I turned in Book 2 to my publisher thinking it was THE best book I’d ever written. They returned it to me asking for some pretty significant rewrites, letting me know just how subjective my love affairs are.

How many manuscripts did you have under your belt before you began shopping for an agent?

Many.  But The Preacher’s Bride was the first book I wrote after coming back to writing after quite a few years off while I was busy having babies.

You obtained the coveted agent, Rachelle  Gardner. Tell us about your "call".

Originally Rachelle had requested the full of The Preacher’s Bride. But because she was so busy, my manuscript sat in her slush pile for nine months. After I finaled in the Genesis contest through ACFW, I emailed her to let her know. Of course, that perked her attention. She pulled my manuscript from the slush pile, read it, and called me the next day.

You have shared the joys and hardships of your publishing journey on your blog. What would you say was the most shocking discovery you made on this journey?

By far, the most difficult aspect of the publication journey has been the rewrite process.  I’m learning that most publishing houses ask their authors (even well-established authors!) for significant changes during the editing process.  I had to make major changes on The Preacher’s Bride during the early editing stages. And as I mentioned, I just had to make some fairly big changes on Book 2 as well.

I hear a writer's life changes drastically when they get published. How are you handling the changes and juggling all the aspects of writing and publishing?

I joined the circus and had the master jugglers teach me how to toss plates and knives into the air through hoops of fire. That has helped me the most!

Okay, so not really! Seriously, I struggle every day to balance the new demands.  I try to set personal deadlines ahead of publisher ones so that I’m not running behind. I also keep myself on a fairly strict writing schedule. I block time into my day and stick to it. I give myself daily word count goals or number of chapters to edit, and I work hard to meet my goals.

What advice would you give writers who are still on the journey to publication?

Keep striving to learn more about the craft of writing. Write a book. Then read a couple books about fiction-writing. Practice the techniques in the next book.  Learn, learn, learn. Write, write, write. Repeat ad infinitum.

The Preacher's Bride is releasing next month. Are you going to have a release party? Celebrate with family? Friends?

I’m celebrating over at my blog all of September with a countdown, first-sighting pictures, and weekly giveaways! Come over and join in the fun! And I’m having a Book Release Party at the end of September at a local bookstore to celebrate with all my real-life friends and family.

From reading your blog, I know you are REAL. You share your heart…your joys, your fears, your life. Are there any fears running around in your head in regards to the release of your book?

I’m scared sleepless. Literally! My mind has a hard time quieting down at night anyway. And now with the book releasing, my thoughts run wild in anticipation of what this whole experience is going to be like. Fortunately, I’ve been getting some positive early reviews that have quieted some of my anxiety!

Tell us a little bit about The Preacher's Bride and how you came to write it.

The Preacher’s Bride is a tale about finding true love amidst hardship, discrimination, and persecution. In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher—whether her assistance is wanted or not. She’s determined to save a family. He’s determined to preach the truth.  Neither expect to fall in love.

This book is inspired by Elizabeth Bunyan, the second wife of John Bunyan who was author of Pilgrim’s Progress. As I was reading a biography about John Bunyan, I ran across a small excerpt about Elizabeth.  I loved the brave way she defended John during one of his trials when he was under arrest for his “unlicensed” preaching. Her strength to face a court of persecutors and her determination to faithfully support her husband touched me so deeply, that I decided her little-known story needed to be told to the world.

Now for a little fun…tell us 3 FUN facts about yourself that you don't think anyone knows. It doesn't have to be writing related, but a funny writing quirk would be FABULOUS!

It’s hard to think of things people don’t know because I’m such an open book on my blog, twitter and facebook! But here are three things that I’ve kept secret and am only now revealing today! J

1. I eat pie for breakfast. Yep. Anytime there’s pie in the house, I indulge myself in a piece for breakfast, especially if it has fruit in it of any kind because then I’m getting a couple servings of fruit.

2. I’m a fast walker. My kids usually have to run to keep up with me everywhere I go.  I’m sure it looks quite comical to see me, the mother duck with my five youngun’s trailing after me, tripping over themselves!

3. Writing quirk? While I write, I stick bananas in my ears to block out the noise of my children. Okay, so not really. But I do wear headphones and listen to Pandora a LOT during my writing time.


Jody, thank you so much for letting me interview you! It is such a joy to follow your journey!

JODY'S GIVEAWAY

Jody is graciously offering up a copy of her debut book, The Preacher's Bride to a lucky commenter. If you want to be considered for the drawing, please leave your email address in the comment section .... sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com.... and you will be entered for a chance to win. The winner will be announced Sunday, September 19, here at The Writer's Alley.

To Learn More About Jody

Website: http://jodyhedlund.com/

Blog:http: //jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/

Facebook: Author Jody Hedlund

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JodyHedlund

Email: JodyHedlund@JodyHedlund.com

Sherrinda

Stranger Than Fiction - writing the truth with a twist

I don’t know about you, but I LOOOOVE a good story. How many of you have wonderful memories of someone telling you a story – a fairytale or maybe reading you a good book. The best kinds of stories are those that make us feel like we’re experiencing the action, like it’s part of our lives.

Well, what if it is? Or at least, what if someone in your past, your family history, is telling a story about their lives and it’s too amazing to imagine.

That’s what happened to me about eight years ago – and sparked the creation of several of my novels.

Family history. Truly – stranger than fiction.

As part of my eclectic family history, there are horse thieves, accused murderers, a possible witch, and at the top of the unseemly characters list, my great, great grandfather, John. He was heralded as the meanest man in the mountains. John did many horrible things in his life, but one story is that he traded his wife for a hunting dog. Since he was said to be the meanest man in the mountains, perhaps we should feel sorry for the dog.

As a product of the unique culture of Appalachia, I benefited from a granny who kept a long oral history. I can tell you stories of my ancestors that go back about seven generations, a few maybe longer. And I’ve taken those tales, those memories, and incorporated them into various novels I’ve written or am writing.

As a matter of fact, my novel Here to Stay (WHICH JUST PLACED FIRST IN THE TARA - check the news out here), takes the idea of a young woman searching for the mystery her ancestry and makes it into a fun adventure of romance, discovery, and second chances.

So, how can you discover the stories of your past?

First of all, I suggest you write down the stories of the present. We get so busy that we forget our stories might be interesting someday, and because we have a tendency to forget various parts of the story, we should jot it down along the way. Keeping a journal is a fantastic way to do this.

For example, just a few years ago I had one of those HILARIOUSLY unbelievable moments happen to me. I’d been kind of depressed about some things for a few weeks and was driving to work and praying (as a mom of 5 that’s about the only time I have to be alone ;-) About five minutes into my drive I felt something on my leg. I reached down to swipe it off and felt…FUR. Then the ‘whatever’ scuttled up my leg to my knee. When I glanced down I saw a MOUSE sitting on my KNEE!!!!!

Long story short – before I crashed the van into the ditch along the road, I found a place to pull over and proceeded to beat my purse around the inside of the van (with all the doors open) until that mouse jumped out and headed for the nearest SANE woman :-) Anyway, that story didn’t just get me out of my funk, but it also inspired a scene in a story which then inspired an entire book.

NEXT, Find old…er….well-seasoned people in your family and spend TIME with them. Stories and culture comes from starting a conversation. I’ve been taking notes on my granny’s stories for fifteen years. The tales of her life in Appalachia, being raised by an unpredictable alcoholic father and strong-spirited mother are the inspiration for my YA WWII historical series – kind of like a cross between Anne of Green Gables and Little Women set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Va.

Daydream! Yes, I'm giving you an assignment. I have my great, great, great grandmother's china salad plates from Ireland. She left her home to move to America when she met my great, great, great grandfather. When I pull out those plates, I let my mind wander through what it must have been like to be her. Did she HAVE to marry him because of the famine in Ireland, or was it a love so great she was willing to leave her homeland for him? What kind of guy would inspire that sort of commitment?

 (The picture to the left is Peveril Castle Keep in Castelton, Derbyshire, UK - my ancestor, William Peveril built it in the 12th century)


Genealogy sites are great, but the REAL stories come from PEOPLE. It’s not just about dates and names, the people become three-dimensional when you have a flesh-and-blood person recounting the tale. The REAL challenge is finding the right people.

Do you have some stories in your family’s past that are stranger than fiction? Ones that would be the start of a great book? Or maybe some that have INSPIRED a novel you've already written?
Share with us.

What's Up the Street for Next Week?

Yahooooo! Strap on yer spurs, saddle up yer pony and dress up in yur best duds, 'cause the Fair has come to town!

Since I happen to be the one doing the weekend editions this month, and our local Fair just happens to be going on this week (or rather today, ending), our weekend edition is about going to the fair.... ya'll! ;-) (and just to be fair - pun intended- we really don't talk like that here.)

Do you enjoy attending the Fair in your community? I raised 4H sheep for 9 years and always had quite a few things in all the exhibit buildings and living in a small community Fair was/ is a pretty big deal for us. The excitement, the lights, the energy! Seeing people you don't see all year long at the Fair. I just love it all. :-)

So while I finish off the last of the Fair excitement in my hometown, see what is coming up here at the Alley for the week. Check back in with ya later. :-)

Monday: We write what you know and what we learn around us, even if it is our family. Pepper takes us on a journey to understand the pros and cons of writing fiction with our family experiences as examples.

Tuesday: Sherrinda has interviewed debut author, Jody Hedlund and rumor has it that there will be a giveaway, so don't miss this one!

Wednesday: Fatty. It can pervade our writing and bog it down in the mire of wordiness, but how can you make the novel longer while avoiding the excess and sprouting gray hairs? Mary will explain.

Thursday: Myth Busters #3: Backstory is Boooooring. Part three in Casey's month long installment is ready, will she dispute your myth?

Friday: Casey doesn't travel, doesn't really know how to do a vacation, so what she will post about today for the next installment of Vacation Fridays is ANYONE'S guess.

Saturday: Best selling, popular author, James Scott Bell was interviewed by our own Pepper, so stop by to read his interview. Sure to inspire and motivate!

SideWalk Talk

9/25: Joseph Bentz joins us for a talk about keeping your characters with you- the prons and cons of living with them

10/2: Laura Frantz comes by (with a giveaway of her books!) to share her experiences after the interview she had with Casey

10/9: Jack Cavanaugh teaches on writing a series in order, what tidbits of information will be dropped on our hungry ears? Stop back in to find out. :-)

10/16: Susan Meissner shares an interview she had with Casey just as the arrival of her latest book, Lady in Waiting hits the store shelves! Don't miss it.

NewsStand

The winner of Paper Roses from last weekend's special guest, Amanda Cabot is.... Edwina! Congratulations!

Our very own Pepper has WON the TARA writing contest! Woo-hoo Pepper!! Be sure and leave a comment with your congrats. :-)

Mary's blog is always hopping! Here is what is going on over there this week: Mon: Fall Tip # 2 How to Live Like a Wise King; Wed and Sat: Walk through Egypt during the time of the first plagues.

ACFWers are heading off to the conference in a few short days! Be watching for the coming weekend editions where I will include links to look at all the fun pictures from the events, for those of us who couldn't attend. :-(

Don't forget yur boots partner, we got a rip-roaring linup for ya. Don't miss it! (because if you do, you know what they say about the wild, wild west. Anything can happen. :-)

Special Guest Saturday: Cara Putman

Turning an Idea into a Book

By: Cara C. Putman

People often ask me how I come up with my plots. It’s a great question and one that changes with each book I write.

Some books come from reading a newspaper article. Some come from hearing a snippet of a story or memory. Still others come from reading books. But each time is a wee bit different.

My latest novel is Stars in the Night, a story about Hollywood during the early days of US involvement in World War II. Glamour, glitz, and murder –what more could you ask for? Makes sense now, but at the time I was looking for a plot, I wasn’t quite sure where to start.

I was working on the last book for my second World War II series for Heartsong Presents and beginning to think about where I might want to set a future series. My husband, who is as big a World War II fan as I am if not more, and I were brainstorming one night. Since I’d done two series set in the Midwest, I kind of wanted to branch out, and I’ve long had a love of classic movies. As Eric and I were talking, we hit on the idea of Hollywood during World War II.

There were so many different roles that the stars played during the war. Canteens. USO tours. Active service. 4-Fed. The plot options and historical details seemed endless. Then as I researched I stumbled on the original Hollywood Victory Caravan. My imagination kicked into overdrive. What if I created a second Victory Caravan? What if a killer followed someone on to the train? What if people died and you were trapped on the train with a killer? And what if romance blossomed in the midst of the suspense? I got pretty pumped very quickly.

Then I got a call from Susan Downs, the woman who became my editor at Summerside. She wondered if I might be interested in writing historical romantic suspense for them. And as God works, one of the settings they were interested in was Hollywood. It was perfect timing and a great fit.

For Stars in the Night, the research lead to a story set in Hollywood in 1942. When attorney Audra Schaeffer's sister disappears, Audra flies to Hollywood to find her but instead must identify her body. Determined to bring the killer to justice, Audra takes a job with the second Hollywood Victory Caravan. Together with Robert Garfield and other stars, she crisscrosses the southern United States in a campaign to sell war bonds. When two other women are found dead on the train, Audra knows the deaths are tied to that of her sister. Could the killer be the man with whom she's falling in love?

The only problem about all that research is that I have a dozen more plot ideas running through my mind for Hollywood during that era. So many ideas…so little time!

About Cara: Ordinary Mom, Amazing God

I graduated from high school at sixteen, college at 20, and completed my law degree when I was 27.
My writing journey started in 2005 when I decided to write my first novel. Now I have eleven books published with more on the way.
People say I've accomplished a lot and that I must have life by the proverbial tail. Hardly! I grew up as a homeschooled kid when homeschoolers were misunderstood and oddities.

I struggle with balancing my writing and law career, plus being a good mom and wife.

I often fear people won't like my books.
I've walked through the deep pain of miscarriage.
Really, I'm just like you – I don't have it all together and have gone through tough times. But in His strength, I've discovered a strength I never knew I had. A strength I want you to discover, too.
In the end I'm just an ordinary mom who has seen God do some wonderful things as I've been obedient to step into the calling He's led me into.

What about you? What's your story? I'd love to hear it. You can contact me here