What's Up the Street for Next Week?

Original pin

Inspiration for you as you move into your weekend.

Are you planning for two days off?

Or two days with the bum in the chair?

Planning on some good word count or rewrites?

Then this weekend edition is for you.

Read it.

Take it in.

Now GO DO IT!

What's up for next week?

Original pin

Angie is your hostess on Monday

Study with the great classics with Julia on Tuesday as she breaks down what she has learned from listening to time-tested stories.

Guest blogger and author Patti Hill is Karen's guest on Wednesday and they will be giving away her latest book, so mark your calenders!

 A healthy heart is vital to a healthy story and a healthy spirit while writing! Join Ashley on Thursday for this very topic.

Want to write your character to life? Then you really need to check out Amy's post on Friday! Dig deep to discover hidden motives and fears so you can literally write your characters to life!

Original pin

Original pin

Breaking Down the Great Book

Photo credit

You have five seconds. Ready? Set? GO!

Race to the comments and leave one comment with the title of your favorite book. (from those that do as I say, I'll draw one name to win one of my favorite books. ;-)

Are you back?

I'll wait. I'm not going anyway. You should though... down to the comments.

Did you leave the title of your favorite book? Good. Now stop and think for a minute, what made this book so memorable for you? What made you love it so much that you'd ignore your job, spouse, kids, siblings, responsibilities, etc and read all day until that book was finished?

Let's do a quick break down:

Characters: I don't know any successful books that don't have characters of some sort. ;-) But the characters we root for and want to see succeed are the ones who have a relatable goal. We might not necessarily want to go run a software company, but can we identify with their goals for why they want to run that company? Giving a strong why behind the actions of your characters will strengthen them on the page and within your readers' hearts.

Dialogue: Rachel Hauck has a fabulous piece of advice: tell the story within the quotes. If you can say it in dialogue instead of prose, then do it. Your point will become more powerful, the reader is able to read more quickly which is appealing in this text-messaging world... plus dialogue can be fun to write! Give it sass, snap and the last thing you would ever say and you'll come up with something great. Long paragraphs clumped together of description stop the reader like a truck in a Louisiana water-bogged field. Keep those few and far between and important to the story and surround everything with dialogue and you've got a winner.

Themes: This concept is a little bit more abstract, but the theme makes a difference to the reader. They might not immediately identify with this concept, but when you close that book and realize you are a changed reader from when you started, you know the author did their job right. I don't know about you, but I don't start my book out with a theme. That tends to grow and change through edits. But think about that while you edit and draw this out in certain character actions and settings, similes, etc.

Writing Quality: Voice makes a huge difference. You'll continue to hone this and make it stronger by writing, writing, writing. You'll also find out what makes you, you by reading. When you start to pick apart how the author says something and how you'd say it differently, you know you're figuring out what makes your voice work. Now go put it into practice!

Setting: A good setting can do wonders to make a book memorable. Sometimes that just includes having quirky secondary characters. They contribute to your setting too. Is your setting larger than life like in Texas? Or is it small town America like the mountains of Tennessee? Is it warm and welcoming like the small towns of the Iowa interstates or is it harsh and closed off like a ranching community set in its ways?

Overall Story: 3D characters. Memorable secondary characters. Setting that sparks. Dialogue that zings. Writing that keeps strong with vibrant descriptions, action verbs and sensory details. The reader wants to enter the story world and not leave anytime soon. Anything that disrupts that story world entrance is a mark against the book. And we don't want marks against our books. ;-)

Final Rating: Story is subjective. Sure. You can love it and your neighbor can hate it. But if you rate this book five stars and you love it that much, nothing is going to keep your mouth shut for anything, even chocolate. A good book is worth spreading without even pausing to think on which one would be your top favorite.

Your thoughts: We've all got a favorite book. If I were to give you five seconds or less to answer this question, you could tell me without even hesitating (see my point has already been proven) and it's the first title that pops into your mind that you don't even hesitate to give that proves all of what I've said above. A good story has to have: a star quality about it that keeps drawing you back when a thousand different things are pulling you away. So the next time you say you "love" that book. Or you "couldn't stop reading" it, stop and think about why. It's from this you'll learn the most.

*************************************************
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.

Publication Prep Part 2: ACTION

In Publication Prep Part 1... we chatted about BELIEVING in the publication dream.

If you're anything like me, though, you're chomping at the bits to DO something to help you along the way... to PREPARE for what you hope... believe... is to come. So much of publication is "hurry up and wait" and, well, that's hard to do! There's just no better way to put that. Waiting STINKS!

But being on the other side of that waiting (well, the INITIAL waiting for the contract anyway... there is still LOTS of waiting on this side of the rainbow, let me tell ya!) I've found a few things that I either a.) did before publication and was VERY thankful for or b.) WISH I would have done before publication so I would have saved myself a whole lot of headache... and given me something productive to do during the waiting!

And because I firmly believe in treating publication as a "business," I thought I'd offer up a very mini-business plan for you and your preparation journey!

We'll go more into the writing business-plan in Part 3!

ACTION Items for Publication Preparation:

- Network - This is HUGE HUGE HUGE. Networking helps not only get your contract, but gives you natural connections to ask for endorsements, influencers, and people to champion your writing when your time comes. I tried to do this, although I've seen how I could have done a much better job at this. Some of my fellow alleycats are AMAZING at this, and I sit in awe of their networking prowess. And this is not all selfish... networking with YOU can help others too. It's a major two-way street... and you make some FABULOUS friends along the way!

- Blog/Website - Not everyone can blog. It's a fabulous marketing tool, but the point isn't to insist that you blog in the waiting. But it IS a great idea to have the bones of an Internet presence created. Publishing houses do look at this, and having it set up, at least the basics, will help you greatly on the back-end. At a minimum, reserve your domain name. It costs a whole $10 a year. You can also use Blogger or Wordpress to easily and freely set up a website and/or blog. Even just having the framework will give you a leg up. You can even research potential web designers if you want to go that route, so you can have some idea of who you want to go with when the time comes. Visit other author websites/blogs and make notes of things you like and don't like. Research gives you a wealth of information.

- Facebook (and other social media) - Lots of different opinions on the best way for an author to set up their social media presence. Do you have a personal profile AND an author page? Or one and not the other? At a minimum, research and know your options and the pitfalls of each. I'd highly recommend, regardless of which way you lean, that you RESERVE the name you need/want on Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest, etc. If you're going to set up a "page" for readers to like, go ahead and do so! You can start collecting "likes" now... posting about writing and your journey, or a myriad of other things depending on your genre and your audience. Setting up my author page is one area I wish I would have done much earlier than I did. I know it feels awkward setting it up before you're published, but trust me. You'll be SO thankful that you did later!

- Marketing ideas - Yes, if you traditionally publish, you'll have a marketing team to help with this once you're on your way. But why not keep a notebook of possible ways you can market your book? Just brainstorm, and when a clever idea hits you when you least expect it, write that gold nugget down! Then when it comes time to write a proposal or meet with your marketing team, you'll have some great ideas to contribute.

WORD OF CAUTION

Preparing is GOOD. It takes "believing" and puts action behind it. 

But don't get so caught up in preparing to be publish that you don't spend time doing the one thing that has the possibility to REALLY get you published...

WRITING!!!

Continuing to put 80-90% of your time into WRITING and EDITING and REWRITING and LEARNING is the most important thing you can do, hands down. 

Discussion: Published authors... what things did YOU do pre-publication that helped you be prepared the most? Or what things do you wish you'd done?

Unpubbed authors... what things have you already done to put BELIEVING into action?

Successful Writers Risk Stepping Forward

Buying a toy for a child can result in mind-boggling hours of assembly. My husband pulls the instruction sheet out of the box, tosses it aside, and gets to work. A short time later the toy is assembled and a pile of leftover screws, bolts and other required objects for assembly lay in a pile on the floor.

Photo by Carly Vee. Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes Drop Off, 450' climb, 65 degree angle

He has his own system and it works. Tried and true. He opens the box, looks at the pieces, makes decisions, and takes the steps needed to assemble the toy.

Changing scenarios but not the topic: 

Every diet plan, no matter how ridiculous, has worked for someone and failed for others. South Beach is the one my doctor prefers. My sister uses Atkins. Church friends use Weight Watchers. My mom tried the "ice cream" diet--it didn't work. I have since concluded that each time I have firmly decided to go on a diet of choice, no matter what is placed before me, no matter what the event, no matter what my body screams for, the diet works.

Why do some plans/ideas/goals work and others don't?

1. Because we have resolutely made a commitment to take a step forward.

2. We have placed blinders by our eyes to prevent stepping away.

3. We have set attainable goals.

4. We have owned the plan...modified if necessary...but owned the plan.

5. We have acted.

And by acting, there is motion. Something we can visibly see, hear, feel.

And we can glance back and witness progress. 

There are many stages along the writing journey where writers stop, plop down on their backside and veg on a park bench. The rest isn't necessarily needed. But a goblin called Discouraged, Stuck, or Lost-on-a-White-Page-with-No-Ink steps in the middle of the road and refuses to move. Confused and without a plan, the writer relinquishes and stops working.

What can we do?

1. Sigh

2. Sit

3. Stagger back home defeated

4. Whine, complain, blame

OR

USE THE MOMENT

1. If your child cries, the phone rings, etc, while you're writing and you feel the need to stop, mentally note the details of what is happening - AND use them in the current or a future work. These golden, seemingly intrusions of our writing time are real life fodder. Every moment of our lives is golden be it joy, sorrow, trial, success, chore, or rest.

2. If you are overwhelmed by the four hundredth perfect method how to plot your book, deepen your character, edit your work, etc.,  treat it like a diet plan. Pick one, make a commitment, and do it. 

Along the way you may discover what is needed to own the method or perhaps you will like it just the way it is. BUT no plan will ever work unless it is used.

3. Communicate. God has given us sweet families. Frequently if we tell them about our writing deadlines, they will work to help us. One of my favorite memories: my son brought a cup of tea to my writing place. So sweet.

The bottom line...publication will only happen if steps in a forward direction are taken. 

So what will it be for you? How can you take a step forward, today?

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

photos above courtesy of Renee Smith

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 with a focus on the homeless population 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

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

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

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 :-)

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

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! :-)