The Telling Detail

Some authors have the uncanny ability to bring their novels to life using rich, telling details.

I'm not talking about using heaps of description. Let's face it, your reader is most likely to skim right over endless paragraphs of flowery, adjective-laden prose.

I'm talking about those small, concrete details that make a scene ring true to life. A character feel real. A setting come alive so you can practically touch, smell and taste it.

These details are often simple, but the most powerful examples never feel clichéd. The author finds a way to describe something ordinary in a way that feels fresh, yet also deeply familiar.

Image by papaija2008

Today I wanted to share with you some examples from authors I love. Notice the way a talented writer will focus in on one or two small, seemingly trivial details within the larger frame.

"She was a big rawboned plain person, tall and unlikely, with a ragged haircut and a white tee-shirt coming unstitched along the shoulder." - The Idea of Perfection, Kate Grenville

"The coffee was so strong it didn't change color when she poured the milk in. 'You look different,' she said. We sat down at her dining room table, gilded chairs with harp backs. She pulled out small mats with Dutch tulips for our cups." - White Oleander, Janet Fitch

"The guy's wearing a khaki uniform, maybe he's come up from the engine room. He kneels, sets up some kind of monitor, and positions two things with black cords coming out of them on Mr. Stone's battered chest. He has short, blunt fingers with black hairs on them." - The Last Girls, Lee Smith.

"It was 1948 and the countryside, now that I think back on it, was as peaceful and well-ordered as an illustration from a Dick-and-Jane book. Lone gasoline pumps, fields flowered over like bedspreads. Trees turning perfectly red and perfectly yellow. At the entrance to the fairgrounds, a billboard showed a lipsticked, finger-waved housewife holding up a jar of homemade preserves."

In each of these examples, notice that the choice of detail is quite precise and deliberate. What do you think the author is trying to say about the character or setting she is describing?

In these next examples, the authors engage our senses in unexpected ways.

"The horses were behind them, still harnessed but unhitched from the plough, cropping grass with a sound like tearing bed sheets. The tea came out of a thermos but was still hot enough to take the roof off your mouth." - The Other Side of the Bridge, Mary Lawson

"Her hair, the color of caramel straw, was very straight and tattered at the ends; she was chewing gum and a strong smell of Juicy Fruit was coming off her."- The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt

"There was the barbecue with the men around it poking at the cooking meat, and a big table in the shade under a tree, the food all covered with little domes of fly-wire, and a square of bright blue swimming-pool where children were jumping in, splashing up water that was like chips of glass in the sun." - The Idea of Perfection, Kate Grenville

Which of these examples says something to you as a reader? What feelings or associations or ideas do they conjure? 

Your turn. Would you share with us a sentence or two from your WIP where you've used a concrete detail to illuminate a character or setting?

Karen Schravemade lives in Australia, where she mothers by day and transforms into a fearless blogger by night. She's a Genesis finalist for women's fiction and is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such. Find her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and getting creative on her home-making blog, A house full of sunshine.

Confessions of a Contest Judge: Learning from the Mistakes and Triumphs of Others

Have you ever judged a writing contest?

There are a variety out there for writers at all stages of the game: from published to newbie. Entering contests and receiving feedback with grace and using it to improve your writing further is of inestimable value. But today I'm talking about the behind the curtain view.

I have judged American Christian Fiction Writers' (ACFW) Carol awards for the past three years. This year I have participated as a judge and also as an assistant to the Carol Awards Coordinator (Go Alley Cat Casey!). Both have been valuable experiences. Each year I've learned something new both about the industry and about my own writing.

Here are five reasons to jump on the opportunity to judge a contest:

1) Judging can be an inside track to the pulse of the industry.

Evaluating in your category can be an excellent way to answer questions such as:

Do particular eras dominate historical fiction right now?

Some heavy hitters for 2014 are World War I and World War II because of current events and anniversaries of crucial dates during these wars.

What changes have been made in the past year?

As we know last year saw MANY changes, including the conglomerations of publishing companies and the closing of B&H fiction line. What changes will come with 2014?

Over the past few years, it's no secret we're seeing a new side of Amish fiction. Still valued for its simplicity, the genre has tackled new time periods (the beginning of the Mennonite church, the Vietnam war), life issues (infertility, infidelity, etc) and even ventured into space. If you are a writer of Amish fiction, you will want to know about these new directions. What better way than digging into recent releases?

Although these books are last year's releases, it still provides a valuable picture of the state of the market. You don't want to follow fads of the market, but rather watch and see what changes are enduring, so judging recent (though not brand new) releases is a great way to do so.

2) Evaluating other books can help you grow in your own fiction.

There are some fantastic reads out there. \Learn from the examples of great authors in your field. Watch the way they write descriptions. Attempt to increase the realism of your own dialogue with others example.

The best books are the best teachers.

Some contests such as the Carol awards have a single number rating for the purpose of evaluation. Others such as the Frasier use a categorized rubric. When I received back my evaluation sheet from the Frasier, I found it was an excellent self-evaluation tool for some of my other writing. What a great way to find your own strengths and weaknesses in a more objective fashion.

Looking at why you rated a book or story the way you did is valuable. Were the characters not compelling? Did their motivations lack credibility? Did the plot progression make logical sense? Was there well-written description or overwriting?

Become a detective. How would you rate your story?

3) Expanding your reading horizons opens up your mind to new ideas.

I like to choose to evaluate books in at least one category that is very different from my own writing genre. I have read historical and suspense, yet I have never completed a manuscript in either of these categories (have started several in each however I'm embarassed to admit).

Reading suspense books has taught me to write tighter and ratchet up the tension. The authors who keep us up at night have plenty to teach us about giving our own readers sleepless nights no matter what our genre might be.

Travis Thrasher sometimes ends his chapters mid-sentence. This is one of the reasons I fell in love with his young adult Solitary Tales series (not a typical category for me). Once I saw how well he did it, I HAD to try this technique in my own writing just for fun.\

Writing description is not my strong suit, but by reading historical I learn that every detail matters. From describing a Revolutionary-era meal to adding the perfect period attire, Laura Frantz is a master in helping the reader to picture every tiny detail. Her books come alive as a result and its no surprise that she has been nominated for several industry awards.

I've discovered books I didn't even know existed through judging.Sometimes small publishers put out stellar work that is not always on the radar of online media. In other cases, I began to understand why the book did not receive press.

4) You are helping the industry and its key organizations.

Organizations such as ACFW thrive on volunteer activity. I have been a member for several years now and have found it worth at least double the membership fee. Helping with contests as a judge is a great way to pay it forward.

In the few years I've been writing, many authors have come alongside me to encourage, support, and give feedback that is both valuable and valid. Without this help I would no longer be writing. Through the loops run by ACFW I also received new opportunities to review and to write articles.

By judging a contest you can help authors receive recognition. And sometimes you can provide the right word of kind criticism that leads to a better manuscript for another writer. My writing has been changed by contest judges, oftentimes the very feedback I at first thought was too harsh was exactly what I needed to hear to grow. I'm grateful for these words of criticism.

There can be NO growth without accepting and internalizing valid criticism (and almost ALL of it is valid).

5) It is thrilling to watch awards ceremonies or see a list of finalists and know your feedback was taken into consideration.

It is wonderful to hear someone's name called and a squeal of delight as they make their way to the front of the room to give an acceptance speech.

Its even better when you had a part in the process. You feel as though you have somehow helped in the discovery of a new talent.





Have you judged a contest this year or in the past? Which one? Did you find it to be a valuable experience? What did you learn?\

Next time I'll springboard on this to share how to be a stronger judge of other's fiction (whether it be your critique partner or as a judge). 

Julia enjoys writing women's fiction whenever she can find a chair free of smushed peanut butter sandwiches and lego blocks. She is a wife and homeschooling mama of two littles. She also enjoys reviewing and writing for Library Journal and the blog Wonderfully Woven.

A Writer's Heart Experience

www.freedigitalphotos.net by Vlado

The valleys. The mountains. The small (and sometimes, few) peaks of victory. Just like an athlete or marathon runner must check her heart's condition physically to be sure health won't hold them back on the next venture, we as writers must continually check our hearts to be sure we aren't wrongly motivated by expectations, that we are fully expressing our heart, and that we are using it for what it was created in the first place.

EXPECTATION- Yours or Others?? Are you driven by the constant questions from family and

www.freedigitalphotos.net by hyena realty

friends: Are you published yet? How's your book going? Why aren't you published yet? Sometimes, I realize all my anxiety at any given moment is because of the latest “Well, I loved your story, I can't believe it's not published yet,” or “Why is it taking so long?” It gives me a little nudge down the road of make-something-happen...and then I usually find myself striving for something that's out of my control.

Remember to always check your expectations against those of your well-meaning friends and family. If you've been around here long enough, YOU know that it is a long road...that it has lots of silent intermissions...that you can only do so much and then just brush your hands clean and start on the next book. It's okay to expect, but be sure your expecting isn't weighing your heart down along the way.

www.freedigitalphotos.net by Pakorn

EXPRESSION- What's really in your heart?? Get those emotions out. Write to Emote! Sometimes, you might not get to express the truth of your heart's condition at the moment depending on the particular project you are working on. You might not always write something like the “book of your heart”...and that's okay...EVERYTHING you write is a stepping stone to something greater. So if you are writing something less heart-tugging to you, be sure you are pouring your heart out somewhere...blog, journal, start your next heart story on the side. I find that when I pour my heart out somewhere...EVERYTHING I am writing is better for it!

www.freedigitalphotos.net by markuso

EXULTATION-Give it to God. Daily!! Hey, your heart was created to praise HIM first and foremost! How can you be sure your heart is in the right place when you sit down to write, if you haven't connected with the One who is planting those story seeds in your soul? Connecting with God has always given me fertile ground to create my stories with a fresh breath of His Spirit. And that is by far one of the greatest things to experience on this heart journey!

Straighten out those expectations, pour out your emotions, and fill up with Him who gifted you with this calling!

What do you struggle with most? Expectation, Expression, or Exultation? How do you handle it when you feel unbalanced?

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across cultures. She is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

Weekend Round Up...Alley Cat Style

Photo by savit keawtavee
freedigitalphotos.net

Hello Friends! Happy Weekend to you!

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to summer. Now some of you might be wondering how in the world you are going to have time to write once the kids are out of school and running around the house from sun-up to sun-down, but there is something about summer that puts one into "slow-mode". Some of you can sleep later. Some of you get to stay up later. Some go on vacations. Some do stay-cations. There is much to be said for slow summer days, and to get you in the mood, we have some awesome posts for you this week!

The Weekly Line Up

Monday - Angie is starting off the week with a wonderful post entitled "A Writer's Heart Experience".
Tuesday - Julia will be sharing how contest judging can help you grow in your writing.
Wednesday - Karen's post is "The Telling Detail"...how to add those rich details that make characters and settings come to life.
Thursday - Ashley has something up her sleeve and is sure to please!
Friday - Amy is writing a "Bad Romance" and going Lady Gaga on some fiction. I'm sure you won't want to miss that!

And The Winner Is....

The winner of Amy's 2 book giveaway from last Friday's post is:

Jeanne Takenaka

Congratulations, Jeanne! Amy will be emailing you soon to find out what books you have chosen!

The Awesome Link Roundup!

A Free Susan May Warren Kindle Book! It Had To Be You (Amazon)

Write It - Don't Fight It (The Answer To "Are You A Writer?") (Positive Writer)

AMTRAK Is Offering Writers Residency On Trains (The Wire)

Free ebook Collection...Most Buzzed About Upcoming Books  (Mediabistro)

Top 10 Book Recommendation Platforms (The Guardian)

Blog Help! Capture Their Attention (Copyblogger)


Have a marvelous weekend and a fabulous week! 

Journeying Joyfully

Photo Credit

It’s easy to get sucked into a rut when it comes to writing. From there it’s easier to get sucked into a passive routine where we only sit down to write because this hour has been blocked out on the calendar and the kids are tied up—er—playing in the back room with Barney (only children and their parents from my generation will know this reference ;-) as a babysitter.

It’s easy to become complacent and do it because someone, or even ourselves, expect our backsides to be in a chair and our fingers clicking away on the keyboard. But writing shouldn’t be all about taking each step forward because we have to. We should take every step forward because we want to. It shouldn’t always have to be plodding, but should be filled with times of joy.

Even if we have to search out that joy.

One of the inspirations I saw on Pinterest (yes, I realize that most of my conversations has this word slipped into it) was a jar. A jar to be filled with slips of paper, with a simple note of something good that happened that day. Maybe it’s something as simple as someone made you feel special on Facebook or chatted with you on another social media site, but you really needed the encouragement. Or maybe it’s something big—an agent requested your full book or offered you a contract. Do it before you begin writing or maybe it’s something you do after your writing session is done… but take the time to be thankful. Find some joy in the day to rejuvenate and remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place.

Take the time to send a quick email to another writer friend. Not only will you encourage and uplift them, but you’ll reconnect with a friend and remind yourself of those connections you’ve made within this industry. I don’t have to tell you writing can become a lonely place and it’s these relationships that keep you going more often than not. This definitely the truth on my journey. :- ) Remind yourself frequently that you’re not on this path alone.

Photo Credit

Place an encouraging scripture in plain sight.

Spend time before each writing session in prayer.

Surround yourself with reminders of why you love writing.

Be purposeful in finding and putting joy into your writing journey.

Yes, writing takes a lot of work. By yourself. Spending time putting your fingers on the keyboard and clicking away, creating characters that are only in your head. But don’t let yourself become sucked into a trap of solitude. It’s a handhold for the devil to bring discouragement down on your head.

Sometimes you have to search. Sometimes it comes easy. But in being purposeful to find the joy in the journey, you’ll rediscover why you fell in love with story crafting in the first place.

How do you fall in love with writing day after day?   

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Casey Herringshaw is a homeschool graduate and has been writing since high school. She lives in rural Eastern Oregon in a town more densely populated with cows than people. 

   

HELP! My family hates when I write....

"Moooommmmmmm... are you writing.. AGAIN?"

"Honey, are we really having frozen chicken nuggets for dinner... again?"

"Mooommmmmmmm.... You tell me *I* can't be on the computer, then why can YOU?"

"You write? I mean, are you published? Huh. How much did it cost you?"

"Honey, what's the point? You're not making any money anyway..."

That last line makes me cringe. My spouse has never said it to me, but I've heard of many who have, and I'd love to have a nice long chat with them.

The dynamics of writing are an interesting one when it comes to dealing with your family, especially if they aren't the "writer" type. Sometimes it's hard to understand how investing so much time and energy, many times with years of no monetary validation.

While I've been blessed to have a family who supports me, I've also done a few things to help keep it that way. Because there have definitely been moments when their patience for my "career" has waned.

1.) Protect your FAMILY time. I have times when I HAVE to write, especially when a deadline looms. But in non-deadline times, I make sure I protect my family time. Oh goodness. I just typed that, and a billion times when I have NOT done so flashed before my eyes. Yeah, I need to get better at this.

2.) Protect your WRITING time. Just like you need to protect your time with your family, put aside time for your writing though. I have a few WRITING ONLY times scheduled into my week that NOTHING gets in the way with. Messy house? It can wait. The only exception is emergencies or sick kids. They always trump writing:-)

3.) INVOLVE your family. If I'm having a plot point problem, sometimes it becomes a topic of conversation around the table. I LOVE brainstorming with my family. Eh, sometimes they don't care, but other times, they catch the story-crafting bug and start throwing out ideas. Even if they are all horrible, it feels good that they try. And in the case of my first book, Sandwich with a Side of Romance, my daughter actually helped me brainstorm the start of the book!!

4.) Have a family meeting. Don't roll your eyes at me! Seriously, if you feel like you're always getting slack for writing, sit down as a family and discuss it. I did this recently. I'm gearing up for my next book to come out late summer and am knee deep in writing stuff to do, and I was starting to get comments (mostly from my kids) about Mommy getting to go write and they had to sit at home and... play? Oh BOOHOO I say! Basically, I reminded them that while I do enjoy writing (most--some--of the time) it's also my JOB. The IRS recognizes this, and they need to as well! Just like I used to go to work everyday, I need to write everyday.

5.) Have Patience. If all else fails, just be patient. Sometimes they just won't get it. And that's okay. Love them anyway. Write anyway. When you DO get published, their eyes will perk up:-)

Discussion: How does your family feel about your writing? Do you ever struggle with justifying the time you spend writing?

(photo by freedigitalphotos.com)

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Krista is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mother, and author of Sandwich, With a Side of Romance . She blogs about finding JOY in the journey of LIFE at http://www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner.

 

Are You Lost in A Blank Screen World?

Photo Courtesy

Have you found yourself floundering for ideas? 

Not too long ago, fellow Alley Cat, Amy Simpson wrote on her Facebook about going on a daily run. While on that cool and drizzling rain run without kids, she became wonderfully lost in brainstorming story world. She said, "I may have envisioned romantic rainy kisses and frightening abductions. Ahh romantic suspense! So fun."

A week later an anomaly struck my typically cloudy, humid part of the world. The sun shone from a cloudless sky, the balmy spring temperatures swirled as if on tiptoes to not waken the bugs. God invited me outside for a walk, and I went. 

I let my mind wander freely from topic to topic. The faster thoughts popped into my head and dissolved into another topic, the quicker I found my stride. I took detours down a muddy path to the river and ventured past a school. Soon the sound of birds, the scent of new spring growth, and the fresh air sent me into story world.

Sweet, like chocolate.

BUT...

I had not walked into my genre.

Materializing in only a two dimensional shape was a main character. Her plight became evident. Her strength--indisputable. Her hopes and desires--a faint whisper. The resolution--hidden in the shadows.

I was intrigued. 

No--it was more like captivated. 

When I returned home, I wrote to a friend who pens stories in this new-to-me genre, and asked what the typical word count should be.

I went to the library and checked out recently published books from this genre to get the feel of what is current.

As the sun rose and set, new complexities popped into my mind creating delicious dangers for the yet unnamed main character. 

Hours later, my husband happened to mention something from the news. An event from years ago had resurfaced with new data. All the news channels reported the breaking news. I took notes and checked the facts.

My character whispered, this is what I was telling you about that day on the walk but you didn't hear me.

Like a robust sunrise transforming into an invigorating sunny day, a new story formed from a fetus idea--nurtured with the story world around me.

Talk about ultimate writer's high.

Something shiny: There once was a television show called "Let's Make a Deal". Contestants learned after time that choosing door number one or two tended to be safe. Sometimes they received something pretty awesome, but never anything crazy. But door number three tended to be for risk takers only. Those who chose number three usually won something like a chicken or a toy car. But on rare occasions the person won the mother of all prizes. 

Back to the topic:
Stepping out of your comfort zone to explore a new genre can be like opening door number three. 

A brief tornado of an idea could strike then disappears in seconds, leaving F5 debris in your brain.

On the other hand, a new genre could be like a seed, planted in your heart, feeding from your soul, desires, wishes, dreams, and emotions. With water and care, the product could be your best work ever.

How are you feeling today? Adventurous? Are you struggling with a blank screen and need to start a new document--perhaps in a new genre? Or perhaps color outside the lines by adding a spice of another genre to your current work. After all, there was a time when no one would have put sweet and sour flavors together. Why not add a spark of fantasy, romance, mystery to your regularly schedule genre?

Before you do:

1. Go somewhere to be with only God and you.
    Suggestions: front porch, back deck, walk around the neighborhood, local 
    park, museum, arboretum, Main Street, beach, woods, etc.

2. Do something physical to get the oxygen flowing to your brain. Even a 
    stroll, a few jumping jacks, or sit ups can do this.

3. Let your brain roll with whatever thoughts pop in. Don't spend time on 
    any topic. Let your mind clear the cobwebs. 

4. This is when you writing juices start to flow. You've set aside issues that 
    creep into your mind, the oxygen is flowing, you are alone with the one who 
    gave you the gift for writing. Brace yourself, one of the best what if's is about 
    to spark. 

5. As the thought lights, ask questions. 
    Perhaps the thought is an event. Where is it? What is happening? Who all is 
    there? How did this come to be? What caused it? Are there concerns, needs, 
    wants? Why would anyone care about this?
    
    Perhaps the thought is a person. Who is this person? Where is he? Why 
    is he there? What is happening to him? What are his feelings and 
    concerns? What is he wearing? How did he get to this place? What does 
    he see, hear, feel, taste, touch, or witness?

6. Take notes. Be specific. The notes should raise more questions. Write them
    down.

7. Investigate any leads. 

8. Formulate a basic beginning, middle, and end to the story.

9. Bounce the idea off someone who writes or loves to read that genre. 
    When I did this step, I was told the story had complexities. I was elated. 
    Complexities build a story when used properly.

10.Evaluate your notes, the basic beginning, middle, and end, and the advice from the writer/reader. 
     Is this story an F5 tornado? Something that will take you away from valuable 
     writing and dump you into a pit of confusion?
      
     Does this story have potential to go where no man has gone before? (As in 
     a fresh new take on a story idea.)

Don't wait! Act now! Don't delay. Has a story kernel popped in your head even as you read this post? Jot the thought in the comment section. 

Has a thought tweeted to your brain more than once to the point that it just sends retreats hoping you'll notice? Jot the story seed down in the comment section. 

If you could dip your writing toes into the waters of a different genre, even for just one novel, what would that genre be?  Look for others who have answered the same genre in their comments below and connect with them.

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This blog post is by Mary Vee

Mary has moved to Michigan with her husband, closer to her three college kids. She misses the mountains of Montana, but loves seeing family more often. She writes contemporary and romance Christian fiction, is honing marketing and writing skills, and loves to pen missionary and Bible adventure stories on her ministry blog, God Loves Kids.

Visit Mary at her website and her ministry blog to families: God Loves Kids. Or chat on Facebook or Twitter