Monday, February 29, 2016

Swooning with Austen's Heroes....Part 2

Last time I introduced the 6 Austen-hero-types, but only expounded on the first two. As a refresher, here are the 6 categories:
The Reluctant Hero


The Subtle Servant


The Good Guy


The Best Friend


The Reformed Rogue


The Anti-Hero

Though the last two hero types seem to cause greater swoon-power, I am equally impressed (and enamored) by the next two Austen heroes.


The Good Guy
This hero is good for goodness sake. The heroine meets him within the first chapter or two, and there is an immediate kinship because this hero has the ability to create instant camaraderie. He doesn’t brood, is honest, hopeful, encouraging, and usually has a fantastic sense of humor. Though – I’d have to say most of Austen’s heroes have solid senses of humor, this one may have of the best.


Henry Tilney
Austen describes our first glance at Henry as this: "rather tall, had a pleasing countenance, a very intelligent and lively eye, and, if not quite handsome, was very near it."


Henry Tilney, a second born son and one of the few ‘good’ clergyman in Austen’s novels, stands in contrast to many of her other heroes. He’s open, friendly, honest, has a fine income, quick wit, and teases the conventions of society. Much like Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, he takes the poor, inexperienced heroine, Catherine, under his wing to guide her in ‘polite’ society – most of the time tongue-in-cheek style. Unlike Henry Higgins, he does not carry the same arrogance or self-importance, but seems genuinely kindhearted and goodnatured. Plus, he’s good to his sister and likes to read novels ;-)


In all honesty, how can you not like a guy who says stuff like this:

Miss Morland, no one can think more highly of the understanding of women than I do. In my opinion, nature has given them so much that they never find it necessary to use more than half.” -Ch 14 of Northanger Abbey

Austen's Mr. Bingley and perhaps Colonel Fitzwilliam might fit in here too.
Justin Wells from Margaret Brownley’s A Lady Like Sarah

Red Dawson from Mary Connealy’s book Montana Rose (FAVORITE Connealy classic)
Harry DeVries from Siri Mitchell’s She Walks in Beauty (FAVORITE Siri historical)
George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life
Captain America, Superman
David from my novel, The Thorn Keeper
August from my WIP, The Thorn Healer

And Jack from While You Were Sleeping
 
The Best Friend

This is the man who not only provides a solid friendship, but is a confidante for the heroine. The difference between him and the Good Guy type is the depth of relationship he already possesses with the heroine. His closeness, many times, fogs up the feelings of love growing between the two, and may become entangled with conflict, irrational behavior, withdrawal, and conflict before the pair realizes what revelation is taking place in their hearts. In my opinion, solid friendship is a prerequisite to true love, and there is rare beauty in a gentle transition of platonic relationship deepening with romance.

Within the uniqueness of this romance is the need the hero might have to 'set the heroine straight'.  Their close relationships encourages the hero to feel a particular need to keep the heroine on the right track and perhaps even reprimand her if she sways off.



Mr. George Knightley – George Knightley seems to possess all the makings of a perfect hero and without the brooding of Mr. Darcy or bitterness of Captain Wentworth (though both of those heroes are fantastic). He is prone to ‘right wrongs’ to the point of being a bit bossy sometimes, but his intentions are to bring Emma back to the woman he knows she truly is on the inside. Their friendship gives him the intimacy of knowledge about her which a shorter acquaintance might not provide. Controlled, even-tempered, and logical, Mr. Knightley only loses ‘his cool’ when he becomes aware of his deepening feelings for Emma, to which he then responds with foreign internal feelings such as jealousy and impulsivity. He is the epitome of kindness, and is quick to assist the needs of the women of his acquaintance. And though he sees clearly Emma’s flaws, he loves her still, perhaps his love even deepens because of the solid foundation of their friendship.
 John Brady in Julie Lessman’s novel A Passion Denied


Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables series
Harry from When Harry Met Sally


Adrien from Siri Mitchell’s novel Kissing Adrien
Lawry from Dawn Crandall's book, The Bound Heart

What do YOU think of these two Austen hero-types? Have you ever written a Good Guy or a Best Friend? In my current historical romance I have a 'Best Friend' hero. In the third book of that same series, I have a Good Guy.

Please share!

Swooning with Austen's Heroes...Part 2

Last time I introduced the 6 Austen-hero-types, but only expounded on the first two. As a refresher, here are the 6 categories:
The Reluctant Hero


The Subtle Servant


The Good Guy


The Best Friend


The Reformed Rogue


The Anti-Hero

Though the last two hero types seem to cause greater swoon-power, I am equally impressed (and enamored) by the next two Austen heroes.


The Good Guy
This hero is good for goodness sake. The heroine meets him within the first chapter or two, and there is an immediate kinship because this hero has the ability to create instant camaraderie. He doesn’t brood, is honest, hopeful, encouraging, and usually has a fantastic sense of humor. Though – I’d have to say most of Austen’s heroes have solid senses of humor, this one may have of the best.


Henry Tilney
Austen describes our first glance at Henry as this: "rather tall, had a pleasing countenance, a very intelligent and lively eye, and, if not quite handsome, was very near it."


Henry Tilney, a second born son and one of the few ‘good’ clergyman in Austen’s novels, stands in contrast to many of her other heroes. He’s open, friendly, honest, has a fine income, quick wit, and teases the conventions of society. Much like Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, he takes the poor, inexperienced heroine, Catherine, under his wing to guide her in ‘polite’ society – most of the time tongue-in-cheek style. Unlike Henry Higgins, he does not carry the same arrogance or self-importance, but seems genuinely kindhearted and goodnatured. Plus, he’s good to his sister and likes to read novels ;-)


In all honesty, how can you not like a guy who says stuff like this:

Miss Morland, no one can think more highly of the understanding of women than I do. In my opinion, nature has given them so much that they never find it necessary to use more than half.” -Ch 14 of Northanger Abbey

Austen's Mr. Bingley and perhaps Colonel Fitzwilliam might fit in here too.
Justin Wells from Margaret Brownley’s A Lady Like Sarah

Red Dawson from Mary Connealy’s book Montana Rose (FAVORITE Connealy classic)
Harry DeVries from Siri Mitchell’s She Walks in Beauty (FAVORITE Siri historical)
George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life
Captain America, Superman
David from my novel, The Thorn Keeper
August from my WIP, The Thorn Healer

Red Shirt from Laura Frantz's novel, Courting Morrow Little

And Jack from While You Were Sleeping
 
The Best Friend

This is the man who not only provides a solid friendship, but is a confidante for the heroine. The difference between him and the Good Guy type is the depth of relationship he already possesses with the heroine. His closeness, many times, fogs up the feelings of love growing between the two, and may become entangled with conflict, irrational behavior, withdrawal, and conflict before the pair realizes what revelation is taking place in their hearts. In my opinion, solid friendship is a prerequisite to true love, and there is rare beauty in a gentle transition of platonic relationship deepening with romance.

Within the uniqueness of this romance is the need the hero might have to 'set the heroine straight'.  Their close relationships encourages the hero to feel a particular need to keep the heroine on the right track and perhaps even reprimand her if she sways off.



Mr. George Knightley – George Knightley seems to possess all the makings of a perfect hero and without the brooding of Mr. Darcy or bitterness of Captain Wentworth (though both of those heroes are fantastic). He is prone to ‘right wrongs’ to the point of being a bit bossy sometimes, but his intentions are to bring Emma back to the woman he knows she truly is on the inside. Their friendship gives him the intimacy of knowledge about her which a shorter acquaintance might not provide. Controlled, even-tempered, and logical, Mr. Knightley only loses ‘his cool’ when he becomes aware of his deepening feelings for Emma, to which he then responds with foreign internal feelings such as jealousy and impulsivity. He is the epitome of kindness, and is quick to assist the needs of the women of his acquaintance. And though he sees clearly Emma’s flaws, he loves her still, perhaps his love even deepens because of the solid foundation of their friendship.



 John Brady in Julie Lessman’s novel A Passion Denied


Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables series
Sam from my debut novel, The Thorn Bearer

Harry from When Harry Met Sally


Adrien from Siri Mitchell’s novel Kissing Adrien

What do YOU think of these two Austen hero-types? Have you ever written a Good Guy or a Best Friend? In my current historical romance I have a 'Best Friend' hero. In the third book of that same series, I have a Good Guy.

Friday, February 26, 2016

The Extraordinary Ordinary



www.seanasamuel.com
Storyworld, whether we escape via reading or writing, is a magical place in a familiar yet unwalked dimension. As much as we like to paint these beautiful broad strokes outside the lines there are, in fact, boundaries that confine us. See, that’s the thing about fiction (okay, most fiction—Fantasy, Paranormal, Speculative aside). It has to find a believable root in reality. People want to read about characters they can relate to. Characters who, despite being different than you and me, come alive on paper and walk a path we can understand. We become sympathetic to their plight, we fight, we root, we cry, we ride off into the sunset as if becoming someone else for a few hours of make believe.


We re-live falling in love another way. We overcome loss we’ve never known. We find strength we never had to have to survive.

But do we walk away inspired? Entertained? Unaffected? Changed?


www.virtuesforlife.com
There are times when stories can become too . . . ordinary. Okay, that sounds kind of harsh but it’s true. You survive the journey and you move on. You may have chuckled here and there. You might have riled some enthusiasm for a happily ever after, but ultimately you close the book and say, “Next.” Or, “Well, those were hours wasted.” Or even, "Wow, I'm so glad that's not my life!"

Why? Where is that sweet spot of believability and fantasy?

The magic in story doesn’t simply lie in the escape but in where it takes you. I have read books that took me to a dark place, and even despite a happy ending, left me there. I have read books that putter along very safely on cruise control, but never change lanes at high speeds, never once let the wind chase through the open windows or never dare to mash the pedal to the floorboard. Stories that could just be any combination of beginning, middle, and end.

For example, I'm a very safe driver, of course, I usually have little blonde passengers, but I gotta tell ya, I get pretty stinking excited about a high speed chase or a joy ride on the back of a motorcycle on the page. Not because it's impossible or totally far-fetched. But simply because it's currently beyond my reality. And my comfort zone. But in storyworld, I'm free to experience it without consequence. I'm exhilarated!

www.dawn-productions.com

But more often than not I find myself wondering...Where is the charge? The spark? The insatiable page-turning force?

The thing, yes I’m still talking about that elusive “thing” is what makes the ordinary extraordinary. The things that makes us cling to the pages and live vicariously. Stories that, despite the struggle, let us enjoy the entirety of the journey. Few stories have actually changed me. Stories that gripped me so deep in my own reality that I still walk through those pages from time to time without even opening the book.

I know you were hoping I had the secret formula… well, I don’t. Sorry, don’t storm off. The truth is, the sweet spot is different for everyone. It’s precisely why one person loves a book another could barely tolerate. And frankly, I’m happy we have a variety for the simple pleasure of finding that perfect match between reader and story that turns ordinary words into something extraordinary inside you.

Have you ever read something extraordinarily ordinary? And what ingredients do you add in your writing in hopes of achieving this beautiful balance?


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

Amy Leigh Simpson writes Romantic Suspense that is heavy on the romance, unapologetically honest, laced with sass and humor, and full of the unfathomable Grace of God. She is the completely sleep deprived mama to two little tow-headed mischief makers, one pretty little princess, and wife to her very own swoon-worthy hero. Represented by the oh-so-wise and dashing Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary Inc.
 

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Courage, Dear Heart


"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." - Proverbs 23:7


This week, as I've been working on a new story proposal, I've spent a lot of time thinking about the condition of our hearts-- how our hearts affect our stories, and vice versa.




See, it's easy to compartmentalize our writing as if it were a usual job. But it's not.

Writing is more like a well. You draw the water from who you are.

Which means the condition of your heart is what's going to come out. The beauty, the passion, and the ugly. 

As Christians, we have a responsibility to guard our hearts, for they are the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23). It's not optional. Some of our hardest work on a day to day basis ought to be disciplining ourselves to protect the gates of our hearts and what we let inside. Think of it like a beautiful garden that a hoard of beetles flies in upon. Wherever you are in this writing journey, whether you are just beginning or already published, you have to decide. When the beetles come, and they will come, will you let them eat your harvest?

We as authors are almost like stained glass, which God's light shines through. We write in different colors, patterns, and sizes, to create different images of His glory. But with this process comes a great responsibility, because readers only know the message God has given us in terms of our story. So if you allow your heart to become muddled up, your ministry will become muddled right alongside it. Now, that's not to say we have to be perfect. There are many fractures and broken pieces that come together to form the mosaic. But it is to say that you can expect the dirt in your heart to show up as dirt in your writing.

Writing from a pure heart is the only way we give God the liberty to freely use our stories as He intended them to be. Writing from a pure heart is a gift to readers because a pure heart leads to a pure story.

So I want to encourage all of us today to do a heart check. What areas in your life and faith are a struggle right now? Can you use those as part of the message God has given you--as fragments in the stained glass--rather than allowing them to muddy your heart? Have you ever connected with a book on a heart level and sensed the author was speaking from an honest place in their own heart?

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."- Ephesians 4:29



###




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.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Partnering with God in the Writing

There have been some great posts on the Alley lately. Posts that really get to the heart of writing Christian fiction. Christian fiction is much more than just writing an entertaining story. Don't get me wrong! That's certainly an important part, but there is so much more. Or can be so much more.

I'm neck deep in edits and writing on a book that's due in April, and the process is really reminding me why I love writing. Why I feel it is more than a job...it's a calling more than a job or drudgery. Do any of these reasons resonate with you?

1) Writing has been a journey that has pushed me farther into God than I would have imagined. Not only has He opened doors for me, He is my go-to source of help when I'm stumped or stymied.

2) Writing pushes me to constantly improve. I will never be able to say I've arrived. Personally I love that!

3) Writing allows my innate sense of curiosity to romp at will. I'm constantly looking for new ideas and talking with God about which ideas to pursue and which to let rest or slide by in the night. It's amazing how He'll alert me to a topic that is fascinating and perfect for a book idea.

4) Writing has given me an amazing community - filled with wonderfulness like my fellow Alley Cats. My life is significantly richer because of the readers and fellow authors who have been added to my circles. They are a gift, plain and simple.

5) Writing requires me to continually update my social media and stay engaged. I choose to think of that as a blessing. Really. Even on the days I wonder what I have to say. It's in those time that God will remind me why I'm doing this at all.

6) Writing gives me a greater appreciation for reading. I love that moment when I read a book and wish I had the skill or idea to write it! That is the best because then I have a new appreciation for the work that goes into the writing that leads to my reading enjoyment.

7) Writing is a creative outlet that can reach the world with truth. Writing can help us communicate ideas in parable form that someone might never allow us to say out right.

8) Writing has allowed God to work with me through some of my issues. He has taught me about myself and my spiritual journey through the journey my characters experience. There is nothing quite like that sense that I have learned from and about Him in the process.

I'm sure I could think of more, but I'd love to hear what writing has taught or is teaching you.


-----------------------


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.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Let God Use Your Trials to Make You a Better Writer

“The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment comes the light.” -Joseph Campbell, author of The Hero's Journey

Have you had black moments in your own life? The question is pretty much rhetorical.

We can fiddle with degrees but the fact is we've all gone through hard things.

The big C word. Job loss. Miscarriage. Loss of a loved one. Nasty breakups. A myriad of health issues.

I could go on and on, our trials are varying, though heartbreak seems to speak a single language.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.-1 Peter 4:12

Peter says its not weird that we go through these things but God wants to use them to strengthen us. I believe he can use these times to make us a better writer.

How?

  • God uses our words to preach the gospel to ourselves.
Paul Tripp, author, pastor and counselor, says: No one is more influential in your life than you are. Because no one talks to you more than you do.

We are all talking to ourselves, but what are we saying?

The first novel I wrote my character struggled to find freedom from fear. I knew her struggles because anxiety is an area where I am still in process. As God speaks truth into my lies, light is shined on the darkness in my heart.

As I walked my heroine's road, I learned so much about myself. God glared a spotlight on my own soul, allowing me to see my need to see and tell myself truth.

As I told my character the truth about what it meant to walk in freedom from that fear, I was preaching the gospel to myself.

Anything that changes our soul will affect our writing life.

  • God uses our trials to help us with our character's black moments. And in turn, as we walk through their black moments with them, we find the light in our own times of darkness.
What have your characters struggled with: depression, grief, loneliness, or anger?

Is your character angry at themselves? The world? God?

We've all experienced all of these emotions and faith struggles.

After a trial, redemption is found when we share our stories. After my father died, telling the story was healing. But it became the most life-giving when I was able to share the narrative with others who were grieving. When friends lost parents, it was a "me, too" story.

This empathetic tale-bearing was ultimately grace-filled for both parties.

What is the story you need to share? Sometimes God may call you to tell it in person, other times He may use it to heal another soul u
sing the written word.

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”   -Brene Brown

Writing real and raw can be painful, but those ultimately will be the words that speak truth and life.

As we go through trials, instead of putting our guards up, we need to be vulnerable...both on the written page and in "real time."

Through these tests, we can understand the difficulties our characters endure.

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”   -Brene Brown in DARING GREATLY

Are you willing to show up and be seen on the page?





Julia Reffner writes words of redemption in both the nonfiction and women's fiction genres. She is a writer and reviewer for LIBRARY JOURNAL magazine and a devotional writer at WONDERFULLY WOVEN. She lives in central Virginia with her husband, two children, and three ragdoll cats.




Monday, February 22, 2016

A Manuscript Reunion

I can't stop my smile from growing when I hear a friend's voice on the phone or receive a piece of mail from a friend who I haven't seen in a while.

A couple weeks ago, I had a full day of smiling as I received phone calsl back to back from TWO AlleyCats and a note from another Cat that afternoon! Wow, talk about feeling loved. At least once (sometimes twice) a year, many of us AlleyCats spend some quality time face-to-face, reminiscing, brainstorming, supporting each other, and building special friendships of a lifetime.

In perfect writerly fashion, I am going to use our little reunions as a segue to my most recent encounter with an old manuscript that is suddenly rising from the drawer it was stuffed into.
I feel like I am reuniting with old friends as I remember the characters who I spent a a a a a LOT of time with three years ago.

While my AlleyCat sistas and I seem to mesh upon first squeal, there are differences with my fictional friends who make that manuscript reunion not only reminiscent, but a teensy bit awkward...and even deflating.

Have you ever picked up an old story and reacquainted yourself with the characters? What did you discover?

Did too much time pass by that you no longer have anything in common with your imaginary friends? I mean, do they seem shallow and flat and just a reminder of how much growing you've done while you were apart?

How about things that may have seem like scars or wounds in your characters' lives, now seem small in comparison to the real life experiences you as their creator have endured?

No matter how disappointing I might feel with the 2013 version of Angie's made-up people, it's a good thing in a way, because it reminds me that I am growing in my craft, my experience, and my knowledge. I look back and regret the failed submissions and unfruitful queries LESS. I get that 20/20 hindsight that I simply wasn't ready to introduce the world to those characters back then, and I now have the opportunity to develop deeper "relationship" with my people after all I've learned.

Writing is a beautiful thing when we grow, we learn, and remember our footsteps to creating a beautiful story, a perfectly flawed character, and find a most opportune chance to touch an audience--in perfect timing.

 I am just thankful that in my non-fiction life, I have friends like the AlleyCats who push me further down the road as a person, a writer, and a friend, so I can make my fiction shine even brighter.

*************************************************************************************************************
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:
Twitter: @angiedicken

Friday, February 19, 2016

What Next? – 4 Questions to Ask While Waiting for the Harvest

Hey Alley Pals. I have this super sweet friend. A friend that has stuck closer than a brother. I bet you know her name or at least her books...and if you don't, we'll we're going to fix that today. Please, welcome my dear friend and heart-sister, Kristy Cambron today with one of the most encouraging posts I've had the pleasure of reading recently!


What Next? – 4 Questions to Ask While Waiting for the Harvest

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”― Anne Bradstreet


We writers spend hours hidden away in coffee shops and bookstores, noses buried in a laptop or journal, putting our story worlds to paper. And for every word we pen, for the hours we spend toiling over each page, there’s probably the same dream burning in the back of our hearts…

The promise of a harvest.

It’s the hope that one day, all the sowing we did during the growing seasons will finally be reaped. We’ll cross into that next phase and become a published author!

I’m tucked away in a hidden corner of a coffee shop most days now because I’m under deadline for my fourth published novel. (It’s such a glorious thing to be able to type that!) But that’s not the way it’s always been. In fact, the lion’s share of my professional writing career – like, fifteen years of it – was spent writing training manuals and technical material for my corporate healthcare job.

That’s a long winter, friends.

A loooong winter to be dreaming of the harvest.

Maybe some of you are in a similar place. You’re writing every day, but you’re starting to wonder what’s taking so long.

If it sounds familiar, then this post is for you, dear writer. I promise– I’ve been there too.
I’ve received the rejections in the mail. I’ve crashed and burned in more contests than I’d dare tell you. After years of working towards the dream, I was ready to quit. But as I look back now, I see the valuable lessons I learned in the years leading up to the harvest.

Each time I felt overwhelmed with agony of the wait, I’d ask myself (4) simple questions to keep going on the journey:




1)     Am I LEARNING?
I entered a writing contest a few years ago and had a dismal showing. In fact, the outcome was so poor, that I stopped writing completely for a month after receiving the judges’ marks. I checked my heart to see if it was still in the right place – if I felt called to keep going. And though my confidence had taken a major hit, I decided to use that break to learn about the craft of writing.

I jumped into some of the mechanics the judges suggested I could improve upon. I focused that time on growth and when I felt ready, I started back at square one with a brand new manuscript. You know what happened? I felt more confident using those skills on a new story than I would have in editing the old one. And the outcome? That manuscript (my eighth, up until then) won the next contest I entered.          

2)     Am I LEANING?

Here’s where sowing into a community of writers now will be worth its weight in gold later.
You’ll find encouragement and support. You’ll share the rough patches and the blissful moments with your writer friends. You’ll pray together and shed a few tears. And through the ups and downs on your path to publication, something magical will happen: you’ll find that the blessing isn’t just in signing a contract – it’s been in the getting there all along!

I cherish the friendships I’ve made with my author friends through the years, and now with my publishing family. It’s a rich part of the harvest I hadn’t expected early on, but came to appreciate down the road.

3)     Am I HAPPY?

This is the big, bad, scary question of them all, because it has the potential to derail everything.
No, we’re not happy when we receive rejections. It’s painful to read judges’ feedback just like it’s difficult to read negative reviews once you’re published. But I continually ask myself as I’m writing: “Am I happy?” Is this time I’m spending creating stories with God adding to or taking away from my joy in Him? Because if it’s not feeding my heart, it’s time to step away. Not forever – just until He gives the go-ahead to take another step and dive back into the dream.

And finally, if those first questions are in check, I’d ask this… the last question:

4)     Am I HOME?

When I walked into my first art history classroom in college, God whispered: “You’re home.”
I knew that while I hadn’t been gifted with hands that could paint or draw, I did have a heart that would sing when it got anywhere near a story like those I saw in the art we studied. And so I began writing. Not because I was getting paid. Not because there was the promise of a harvest years down the road… I wrote because it was (and still is), home.

Where’s your home? Do you remember? Because we can learn the craft of writing and lean in to community for years on the road to publication. We can spend many happy days dreaming of a contract. But unless we’re home when we’re writing – just because there’s no other place we’d rather be–the promise of a harvest won’t fulfill us.

If you’re tucked away in the corner of a coffee shop today, stay there.

Enjoy it.

And one day, when it is your harvest time, remember that you’ve already reaped a sea of blessings on the journey just to get there.

With joy in the harvest,


Kristy

Author Bio:
Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut novel, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews and RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best of 2014 lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. Her second novel, A SPARROW IN TEREZIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews Best of 2015 list, and received a nomination for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best Inspirational Book of 2015. Kristy's third historical novel, THE RINGMASTER'S WIFE, will release from HarperCollins Christian Publishing in June, 2016.

Kristy is a Speaker and Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read. 
 


You can connect with Kristy at:
Facebook: Kristy Cambron| Twitter: @KCambronAuthor | Instagram: kristycambron

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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Fears

What if I like to write but I have no talent?
What if I only entertain myself?
What if my manuscript stinks?
What if no agent will ever take me on?
What if no editor will ever take a chance on me?
What if an agent and editor DO take a chance and my book fails miserably?
What if I get all 1 star reviews because all readers hate my book?
What if I put myself out there only to be crushed into smithereens?
What if this whole writing thing was just my own wants and not God's will?
What if I make the wrong choice to go indie instead of waiting for a traditional publisher?
What if I wait for a publisher when I should have gone indie?
What if my cover stinks?
What if my editor misses 100 spelling mistakes?
What if my fellow writing friends hate my books but are too nice to tell me?
What if--what if I'm just not good enough?

Am I the only one who hears these voices in my head from time to time? Sometimes daily?

One of my favorite songs right now is No Longer Slaves.

A few of my favorite lines:

"I'm no longer a slave to fear, for I am a child of God.
"You split the sea so I could walk right through it. You drown my fears in perfect love."



All those what ifs?

They represent our very real fears. Fear of rejection. Of failure. Of inadequacy.

I'm not going to lie. Some of those things might happen. You might get rejected. You might never publish a book. You might make a wrong choice and go down a path that isn't the best. You might have a stinky cover on a book, etc.

Our fears are real. They are valid. But they don't have to control us. We are no longer slaves to them.

Those fears lead to despair and bitterness.
But perfect love leads to hope. The hope we have in Jesus.

If we let go of fear, we can change up our what-ifs.
What if I like to write and God has gifted me with talent?
What if I can entertain someone when they need it most?
What if my manuscript is stellar?
What if the perfect agent says yes?
What if an editor takes a chance on me?
What if my book sells beyond my agent and editors' wildest dreams?
What if I get letters from people who have been touched by my stories?
What if I put myself out there and God is glorified through it?
What if this whole writing thing was not only my dream, but God's plan?
What if I make the choice to go indie and it opens wide new doors?
What if I wait for a publisher and get that contract God has been telling me to be patient for?
What if my cover is breathtaking?
What if my editor puts a pretty polish on my manuscript and makes it shine?
What if my fellow writing friends love my book and give me their honest praise?
It's so easy to think the bad. To be consumed with our fears and doubts to the point that it guarantees failure.

I'm not saying you'll never have fears.But I challenge you to let God's perfect love drown you fears. To focus on the what-ifs of HOPE.

Because regardless of how good WE are...

GOD is ALWAYS good enough. And always will be.

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Krista is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mother, and writes romantic comedy. Her latest book A Side of Love, released February 29, 2016.  She blogs about finding JOY in the journey of LIFE at http://www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by Sarah Freese of Wordserve Literary.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

"In the Weeds"-The Rush That Rewards-Even if You Have Allergies!




"In the weeds" is a culinary term chefs use when the kitchen is overwhelmed with customer orders (tickets). A whole culinary vocabulary kicks into action revving up slicing, hot pans moving behind chefs who are busily pivoting to counters to reach what they need. What appears to be mass chaos is actually a well organized panic.

When the "tickets" are caught up, the chefs refill supplies, slicing, dicing, browning etc. No rest, but a time to regroup and feel good about the job.

I thought writers could appropriate this term. Sure seems like we walk through the weeds sometimes, right?

Most of us hold down a day job while writing and marketing. If only we could hire a chef to make dinner for the family!

When we look back at these moments--these frantic, I'm never going to get through this moment--we can see booming rewards and remember the sensation of rush.


What we can do while we're in the weeds:

1. Work fast.

2. Don't skip any steps.

3. Do what helps to keep the frustration and anger at bay (chocolate, tea, quick run on the treadmill)

4. Keep the to-do list close by.

5. Check things off as you do them (love--love seeing those check marks!)

6. Tell all your friends and old enough to understand family members. On a regular basis I see writers post they are going off line due to a deadline. Below their FB post, I see tons of well wishing comments. The benefit of letting everyone know is: no one will send a message or call asking if you are well, if you have a problem...etc. They all know you are working at hyper speed to meet the deadline. BTW this can also be a self made deadline. One where you decide x number of words/editing must get done.

7. The scene is set, the adrenalin is rushing--don't allow ANY distractions to keep you from meeting the goal. (A sick child is not a distraction-these situations are enhancers--think about it. True, eh?)


What should happen when we step out of the weeds into a calm meadow:

1. Your mind will be in a whirlwind. Take time to debrief. Journal, soak your neck muscles in a long, hot shower, get away from your workplace, find something/someone that will make you laugh.

2. Don't fret if the next day you haven't a clue what you did. BECAUSE you DID do your best in the weeds. After the calm comes, take a look at the awesome list that you checked off. Feel free to celebrate.

3. Don't second guess yourself or your work. If you absolutely MUST edit one more time, then do it ONE more time. Get the project our of your hands. Send it to a critique partner if you are unsure the project is ready to go to an editor or agent. When the project comes back, you will be refreshed and ready to take an objective look.  Quality is CRUCIAL. But no one will read the story if the send button isn't pressed.


Chefs never know when they will be thrown into the weeds. A day's shift can go by with few orders. But then an invisible town cryer hits the streets and calls everyone to head for the restaurant. The hype is so stimulating. None of the cooks are hungry or thirsty during this blitz. The head chef even has to remind his workers to drink. Keep hydrated. Hurry. Order up. Service!

A writer's walk through the weeds is just as exhilarating. Muscles tense, words fly, the computer screams for the power cord to be plugged in, doubts are squashed, progress is made, the microwave beeps-coffee/tea is reheated, pumped to finish. Hurry. Story is finished. THE END.

Sometimes I think we need to just schedule a day in the weeds. What do you think? 



Photo Courtesy

I can't wait to read your comment(s)!


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Rock climbing, white-water rafting, and hiking top Mary's list of great ways to enjoy a day. Such adventures can be found in her stories as well.

Mary writes young adult mystery/suspense, is honing marketing and writing skills, and loves to pen missionary and tell Bible event stories on her ministry blog, God Loves Kids. She has finaled in several writing contests.


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

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