What Is Your Writing Inner Sanctum?

"A soul can create only when alone"

Abraham Joshua Herchel

What feeling does that quote evoke in you? Peace?
Excitement? Fear? When I first read it a sense of desire welled up in me. The urge to get away from life, sit in solitude and create was overwhelming. At the same time, a fog of despair rolled over me knowing that my life prohibits that kind of creative heaven.

There's no hard and fast rule that you must be completely alone to write your stories. There wouldn't be many published books if that were the case. But what kind of atmosphere is most conducive to your imagination taking flight? What is your inner sanctum?

A dictionary gave a couple of definitions for sanctum:
1.a sacred or holy place
2. an inviolably private place or retreat.

What writing rituals do you hold sacred? What private place or retreat do you run to when you dream up your novels? Do you wait for the family to go to bed, light candles and turn on soft music? Do you go to the farthest corner in the library? How about under the trees in your backyard? Or do you prefer to sit in the hubbub of your family, relishing the noise of life and vitality?

When I first started writing, I needed complete quiet. No music, no loud kids in the background, nothing. Over the last few years I've learned to tolerate more noise. I still cannot listen to music with lyrics, but a soft easy listening or classical song is now acceptable. I've learned I can sit on the couch while my husband watches football and work on my character sketches. I still need the quiet to develop the story, whether it is in the wee morning hours or the quiet of the car on the way to work.

I've heard numerous writing styles of various writers and I've learned that there is no right or wrong in any area of the writer's life. You do what works for you.

So what is your inner sanctum?

Originally posted October 5, 2010

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This post is brought to you by

 Sherrinda Ketchersid

Sherrinda is a minister's wife and mother to three giant sons and one gorgeous daughter. A born and bred Texan, she writes historical romance filled with fun, faith, and forever love.

Sock Baskets, Slush Piles, and the Write Match

www.demotivator.com

I wonder if the ‘slush’ pile on a editors desk is anything like my endless sock basket. You know the one?

Twelve hundred white socks that have no apparent match and you wonder if they ever did.

I imagine the slush pile as endless as the sock basket - and about as exhausting. What a job?!?

Which manuscript will be a match for that certain publishing house? Which one will be pulled from the endless mass of white to find a home at the foot of an interested editor? You know the socks that are easiest to match?

Well in my house, it’s the ones with the color coded ‘HANES’ on the bottom.

Blue for my oldest son, green for my middle son, and red for my youngest son. My oldest daughter has purple, my youngest daughter – pink. Big for the adults. Little for the tiny people.

That’s how I find a match (if I’m every going to find one), so…. It makes me wonder, what ‘colors’ pop out to an editor? What grips him, or her, to see if your manuscript is a match for their publishing house?

BLUE – Follow the publisher/editors guidelines when submitting the manuscript. Does this editor or publishing house publish the type of book you write?

GREEN – Begin with a bang. Hook them from the first paragraph. If your socks are going to stand out in the pile, color is a definite PLUS – so take those first few sentences and bring them to life. An editor reads thousands of manuscripts and your first sentences need to be gripping enough to keep the editor reading.

RED – Proper grammar and syntax keep the editor/publisher from being pulled out of your story.

PURPLE – Is the right person telling the story? Point of view? Is it deep point of view? Is the reader drawn into your story or your character’s head?

PINK – Your voice. No, you don’t have to sing. As I write more and more, I’m beginning to understand the phenomenon of the ‘voice of the writer’. It’s a particular ‘tone’ that makes your writing style authentically ‘you’.

BIG – Is the plot interesting? Believable? (I didn’t write possible, there are plenty of plots that are not physically possible (sci fi, fantasy, vampires), but they are written in a way that makes them believable. Is it original and new? If not, does it add a different twist onto an old/familiar plot?

LITTLE – how are your cosmetics in the story? Your descriptions and turns of phrases? Is it a fluid read, with well-placed adjectives and powerful action words? Active voice? What do I do with the socks that don’t match after about the fifth time trying? They find the bottom of my trashcan. As you and I grow as writers, the ‘colors’ of our black and white print will draw more attention, be more meaningful and well written, and hopefully become the perfect match for just the right agent.



Inspirational note: We’re all a work in progress. AND – we’re all drowning in the slushpile. What made us stand out to God that he would pull us from the heap? Nothing.

BUT – His son’s love, written in red, wrote a new story on our hearts and we’re bestseller material now. A NEW creation. When God writes the story for His kids’ lives – they NEVER get a rejection letter :-)

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Pepper Basham writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She’s a native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a mom of five, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate. In the wee small hours of the morning, she spends time talking to her imaginary friends and writing stories about them. She writes a variety of genres, but enjoys sprinkling her native culture of Appalachia in them all.  She currently resides in Johnson City, TN where she works as a university instructor, searches for unique hats to impress her friends, and plots new ways to annoy the wonderful ladies at Seekerville. You can find her on her personal blog, Words Seasoned With Salt¸ or at her group writing blog, The Writers Alley. She is extremely blessed to be represented by 2012 ACFW Agent of the Year, Nicole Resciniti.

What's Up the Street for Next Week?

If you could choose any setting you could live where would it be?

Pepper, I know this would be your first choice. ;-)

Ah, now this is the place I want to spend my days...where the sky meets the ground.

But to touch the sky in such a building! How many of you have been inside a sky scraper? On my bucket list...

A castle sure would be nice...every girl has a dream to be treated like a princess. ;-)

As we head into the weekend and celebrate another day alive in His grace, consider what a privilege it is to realize we are headed for the ultimate setting..Heaven. And it's so much grander than we could ever think anything on this temporary earth could be.

What's up next week?

Pepper blogs on Sock baskets, slush piles and the "write" match on Monday.

Sherrinda is your blog hostess on Tuesday!

Successful writers risk stepping forward. Join the journey with Mary on Wednesday.

Alley pubb'd author Krista takes us into the publication journey part two on Thursday.

Got a favorite book? Bring it Friday. Casey is breaking down why we love the books we do. 

We have WINNERS!!

The winner of the $10 Amazon Giftcard from the 28-Day Challenge is Jeanne Takenaka!

Please include your email addy in the comments, and Karen will be in touch with your prize. :-) 

Jill Weatherholt is the winner of Becky Wade's novel from Ashley's Alley Cat challenge on Thursday. 

Have a great weekend all!

See you "write" back here on Monday! :-)

Who is Your Champion?

Since we have been talking so much about friendship and finding community as writers, I thought I’d touch on a similar topic.

(Cue- “Eye of the Tiger”)

 

Let me start by posing a question: Who is lifting you up, praying you through, reinforcing your worth?

When we write we don’t just slap some words in a blank document and hope they form a nice little story. We pour our hearts out onto the page, we bond with our characters, feel their pain as if our own. We walk in their broken path along side them in hopes of sending them off like proud mamas and papas, spurring them on to fulfilling their dreams.

I don’t know about you, but when I let someone read my story, I feel that old 6^th grade insecurity rise up. “Do they like me? Do they think it’s stupid? Is there toilet paper stuck to that struggling leg of my story?”

No matter where you are at in your journey, we all have room for improvement. Receiving a critique is not always a palatable experience. Sometimes you have to muscle down those words that sit like stones on your heart. But like river rocks, we have to face a lot of rough waters until we can be smooth and polished.

In order to face those doubts and those tumultuous insecurities without breaking we need a champion.

 Maybe it’s your spouse, someone that gives you time to write even when the kids are literally tearing your house down.

Maybe it’s your mom, who harasses you for the next few pages of your rough draft and boasts of never reading anything better. (Thanks mom, you’re sweet, but delusional. I love you for it!)

Or maybe it’s your writing partner, who cheers you on, soaks up your story, falls in love with your characters. You might even be lucky enough to have an agent or an editor who believes in you by standing behind your words and working to give your dream wings.

Perhaps, it’s God. The one pouring those words through your fingertips. They could be just for you, or for millions of hearts around the world, but He is the author of your dreams, and the most faithful friend.

No matter who you have on your team, prepping you for the ring, wiping up the sweat and tears after a hard blow, please know that you can’t walk this seemingly solitary dream alone. Put yourself out there. Let someone in. Share your story with your closest friend or join a writers group.

Be a champion for someone else.

So let me encourage you to step outside your writer bubble.

Find someone who will help you when you stumble, because you will.

Find someone who will encourage you when you doubt, because you will.

And find someone who will rejoice in your success, when you do!

Let’s take a moment to appreciate those who lift us up! Who is your champion? And how do they make you feel invincible?

Join Our Retreat!

Most of you faithful readers know that a couple weeks ago, seven of the Alley Cats gathered at Angie's house for fun, chocolate, and writing shindigs. 

I can't tell you how much this retreat meant to me. While there, I had such an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for each one of these women and for what they mean to me. We are all so different, and yet there are no divisions in the group--definitely a God thing!

But I got to thinking, if only there were a way to share the fun with all of you readers and friends. We learned so much about each other over the couple days we shared together, it seemed a shame to keep all this fun to ourselves.

That's when this idea hit me. What if there was a way to include all of you after all?

So, I've compiled a list of random facts about the women on the Alley, many of which I learned over the weekend. 

I want you to guess who you think each Alley Cat is, and leave your answers in a comment. The first person to get all 10 correct will WIN a copy of Becky Wade's newest book, UNDENIABLY YOURS!

(Side note: I'm going to list the answers at the bottom of the blog so you can learn who is who. Everyone's on the honor system for the contest!)

Without further ado...

1. This Alley Cat used to be an art and drama teacher and does her grocery shopping online. 
2. This Alley Cat loves cheesecake almost as much as she loves Iowa.
3. This Alley Cat married her high school sweetheart when she was 18 and was crowned Homecoming Queen twice.
4. This Alley Cat has a beautiful singing voice and writes gripping suspense even though she doesn't like scary movies.
5. This Alley Cat stays awake by drinking Dr. Pepper, and she married her online sweetheart.
6. This Alley Cat got engaged in Italy and loves Jane Eyre.
7. This Alley Cat wrote letters to her boyfriend when he was stationed in Germany for five years. He bought her an engagement ring in Belgium, and when he returned for good, they got married.
8. This Alley Cat writes with a signed picture of Longfellow looking down on her and is an avid fan of Duck Dynasty (though she is no fan of hunting or shooting).
9. This Alley Cat once wanted to be a dragonfly in Disney's Spectromagic parade, and had "Happy Birthday" sung to her by Jars of Clay. 
10. This Alley Cat is a master at DIY projects like refinishing furniture, and has a daughter who is getting married.

If you're in a situation where you feel alone in this writing journey, I want to encourage you to pray for a writing mentor and critique partner. God knows how our hearts crave understanding and companionship, and He will lead you to the right group. It can be SO hard to chip away at a novel day by day all by your lonesome self while you sip tea at your kitchen table. Consider joining groups like ACFW or RWA if you haven't already, and get plugged in with a group you can really trust. I can remember feeling like the publishing industry was so very vast and overwhelming whenever I first started writing, and some of you may feel that way even now. You would be amazed how much smaller and easier to navigate the writing world becomes with the help of the friend.

Love you, Alley Cats, and you too, faithful readers! :)

Answers: 1) Karen 2) Casey 3) Pepper 4) Amy 5) Krista 6) Angie 7) Mary 8) Julia 9) Ashley  10) Sherrinda 

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Ashley Clark writes romantic comedy 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.

Put on Your Combat Boots: Fighting the Lies We Listen to in Our Writing Lives

I recently started a new story. I’ve been loving the plotting with My Book Buddy, the new characters became “friends” before I even began the writing stage. Even though I was editing a different story, this is the one that has been in my thoughts for months now. So it was time to start it, past time really.  

Then came those distractions: a massive sinus infection, a gum infection, a root canal. Schoolwork, housework, writing…I fell behind in all these areas.

When does discouragement hit the hardest? Oftentimes right after (or right before) we head through the starting gate AND right before we break the ribbon at the finishing line.

I was in both places. I was just starting my story AND I was just at the finishing gate for another school year.

Are you starting a new project or about to finish something significant. Your first completed rough draft? Your first work in a particular genre? Are you about to start editing on a challenging story?

Listen to what a wise Alley Cat said to me this week:

“I've always, always found that whenever I try to implement change or new goals, I hit resistance straight away. I really think the devil likes to discourage us at the start, before we have any momentum going.

Highly frustrating, but you know, I'm trying to see it as an encouragement. Why would Satan go to such lengths unless he felt threatened by what we're trying to accomplish? Be encouraged. What you're doing matters, it's worthwhile, and you will overcome. Tomorrow's a new week! Cheering you on, sis! We can do this!”

Another Alley Cat had this to say about fighting the enemy:

 the closer we get to our God-sized calling, the closer fear perches to our hearts because it is an enemy that gets stronger as we get closer to our purpose.

If you are in a place of doubt or discouragement, God wants to remind you of his promises to you. His word is what will counter the lies we listen to, so instead of my own I want to provide you with a few verses. I hope at the end you’ll stop by and add a favorite that God has spoken to you. We can increase each other’s arsenal for fighting this battle.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:13) Jesus, you are working in me through my writing life to teach me and grow me into who you want me to be. You are sanctifying me and you are not finished with me. Thank you that in spite of my sin, my daily failures to follow you and be obedient you are faithful to forgive, as I come to you for cleansing you transform me day-by-day. Thank you for your continuing work with me.

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; (Romans 12:6) Jesus, thank you for the gifts you have given us. Humble us to always remember that these gifts are from you and you alone and give glory to you alone, not being puffed up in any gifts or abilities. Lord, thank you that you have gifted us each uniquely. Help us not to covet another’s gift but to exercise our  own gifts. Help us to not let fear hold us back from ministering our gifts in the ways you desire us to. Lord grow our faith in you.

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10) Lord, you have given us so much. Your atonement for us, the grace that you give us daily. It is overwhelming. Lord, help us to use all you have given us and all you have done in us to serve the others you have placed into our lives. I pray that our writing may be a vessel used by you to bless others. Help us to serve you in every aspect of our lives moment by moment Jesus.

And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:4) Lord, thank you the things you allow into our lives in order to grow us and help us to be more dependent on you. Lord, help us to endure not only in our writing but in every aspect of our lives. Help us to continue in obedience in the things you have for us. Lord help us to be content in all circumstances and open up our eyes to realize all we have in you. Thank you that you are on the throne daily interceding for us that we may stand firm in God’s will. Mature us and help us to live in the full assurance of faith.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) Lord, teach us to be obedient to you in our writing lives, in every aspect of our lives. Show us areas where we are failing to submit ourselves completely to your authority. Forgive us for our disobedience. Thank you for your Spirit that allows us to stand firm in you. Show us how to resist the lies we are believing. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

What Scriptures have helped you in the battles you’ve faced in your writing life? 

Equall-Yoked POVs

I have about three or four books half-read at any time. I usually read the first few chapters, then get distracted by my crazy life or the inspiration to continue on my wip. Usually, I have at least read enough of each novel to know whose pov will be used. And since I read mostly romance novels, the typical povs used in one novel are the hero's and the heroine's.

One of the recent books in my reading list began in the perspective of the hero. It was intriguing, mysterious, unusual, and top-notch.

And then enters the heroine.

While she had some significant issues, the craft that shone in the hero's perspective was lacking in her's. I couldn't believe that the two povs were even written by the same person. Perhaps, I should read further and get comfortable with the heroine, but once I got back to the hero's pov, I sighed relief because it was interesting again!

So, after talking with my fellow Alley Cats, I think I have a grip on what makes alternating povs successful.

At first, I thought, well, maybe the reason I had such a hard time reading the above book was because the author went from “showing” the hero's situation, feelings, stakes, to using a LOT of telling with the heroine. But the Alley Cats talked about books they have read where the author was successful in this way, and come to think of it, I have read a few that use telling as part of the “voice” of a character.

So then, I thought about the stakes. Perhaps, each character should have the same intensity of what's at stake. If life is on the edge for one character, then it should be on the edge for the other. But that doesn't really work in real life or fiction.

Maybe it was voice. Maybe the voices of each character were too different, too simplistic for one and too complex for the other. But just the thought of that stirred my creative juices and I want to tackle that idea at some point in my own writing!

I kept trying to put my finger on it, wondering why I had such an issue with these unequally yolked povs. Every point I thought about, had some sort of exception. And as I sat down to write this post, it finally hit me...Whether you “show” with one character, and “tell” with the other, whether one character is in a “life” threatening situation, and the other is sitting by enjoying life, whether one character is a man and the other a woman, there is something very important needed when writing two different point-of-views:

CONSISTENT CRAFT

Each pov in a book must be as well-written as the other. It's as simple as that. If you don't have it in you to write a character well, if you feel like you are much more inspired by one character over the other, then seriously think about nixing that pov...or spicing up that character so that you care to write him/her!

Search for a distinct voice for each character, but make sure you mold and shape each person to be unique, endearing, entertaining, and well-written!

Consistent Craft vs. Inconsistent Craft would be:

• Fine-tuning voice in each character vs. giving a generic voice to the character you're not as thrilled to write about.

• Ramping the tension in one pov, then flat-lining with the next character. Even if a character isn't going through tragedy, use power words, make even the every day situation intriguing to bridge the gap between the characters until they are woven together in the plot.

• Language differences: Using power words, tight writing, good dialogue with one pov, then sprinkling adverbs, boring sentence structure, simplistic dialogue in your next pov. This is particularly tricky in historical and dialect of certain countries...for some reason we want to use adverbs for historical writing...it just seems...more proper, doesn't it? Something I am working on!

Final tips on Point Of Views:

Write each character's pov as if they are their own story, not as if one is assisting the other. Use the different perspectives to move toward the main plot-line of the book, to ramp up the tension toward the point of character collision or the characters' a-ha moment together.

Finally, two POVs are only powerful when they are both consistent in moving the story forward.

Thanks, Alley Cats, for helping me sort through these thoughts on POV. I am by no means an expert, so I would love to open the discussion to our readers and see if anyone else has tips or insight also!
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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 CEO of a family of six.