Novel Habits and the Holidays

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Life has the most obnoxious habits about stepping right into the middle of a project (ie: your writing time) and stealing the opportunity for working, right out from under you. It seems this time of year there are more Christmas programs, deals to hit, cookies to bake and presents to ship than ought to be allowed and that’s just the nature of this season, so how do you find those snippets of time to pound words onto the page?

1): Make no excuses to put in at least 100 words every day. That might not seem like much, but it’s forward momentum and you’re less lightly to lose energy for your story if you keep a little bit of progress going every day.  Plus 100 words are really quite easy to get on the page. OR, if you’re editing, it doesn’t take long to play around. And if you’re like me and editing is like pulling teeth (wink) 100 words at a time might be an easier bite to chew.

2): If your priority is your family this time of year (as it should be :- )), but you still want to fit in a bit of time for your books, get up a half hour earlier in the morning or stay up a half hour later in the evening and dedicate that time ONLY to writing. Not answering emails or playing on pinterest and facebook, this is strictly time for you and your word documents. Pound out as much as you can, then close the computer and be pleased with what you did. Because it wouldn’t have been done at all if you hadn’t dedicated that time to your project.

3): Bring your family in on the process. Unless you are one of those writers who HAS to write in the quiet of your cave, pull out a fleece blanket, cuddle up next to the fire and if you have young kids, give them a pad of paper and a pencil and let them “write” a story while you work on yours. What memories you’ll create along with some forward progress on your word count.

Fitting time in to write during this season isn’t as hard as it would seem if you look for those pockets of time to write in. When January rolls around, it’ll be back to school schedules and dedicated writing time, but until then, take a deep breath and spend a little bit more concentrated time working on your book.

Enjoy this holiday season! Make memories with your families and enjoy your time with your books. This is not the time to get burnt out or stressed because of the lack of word volume or even the fact that you might have missed a session. Just go grab the next glass of eggnog or spiced hot chocolate and focus on staying warm...and maybe a little bit of novel creation. ;-)

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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. 

Surviving Christmas

I love the holiday season.

First you have Thanksgiving. TURKEY and thankfulness and then a dose of shopping the next day, can't get much better than that!

Then you have CHRISTMAS. My favorite holiday EVER! Decorations and lights and smiles and giving and cookies and stockings and most of all CELEBRATING the birth of our Saviour! Peace on Earth, that is what was given to us that day. Not that the whole world was peaceful... but that Jesus was the epitome of peace. He brought the capability of having true, everlasting peace.

But another thing comes with the holidays.

BUSYNESS.

Jam packed schedules.
Presents to buy.
Cookies to make.
Parties to attend.
Decorations to put up.
Traditions to make and hold on to.

So... much... to do.

And as a writer, it's so hard to know how to manage it all and still get a few words in.

Here are my tips:

1.) Unless you are on deadline-- give yourself some wiggle room. Instead of 1,000 words a day, shoot for maybe 500. Or instead of writing 5 days a week... go down to three. Your story will still be there on December 26th. I promise.

2.) Choose wisely. We can't do EVERYTHING. So make sure what you do choose, is the most important stuff. Maybe instead of ten different kind of cookies... you only make five. Instead of elaborately wrapping each present with a monstrous bow-- get those stick on ones like I do. Or better yet, use the people in the mall that wrap your presents for you. We actually have a church in the mall near us who has volunteers that will do free gift wrapping for you!

3.) Double-Dip. You know that shopping trip you're taking on Saturday? Well, take your laptop along. just happen to stop by Starbucks or Panera around lunch time and get a quick hour of writing in. You would have wasted it at drooling over that sweater at Macy's you can't afford anyway.

4.) HOUSE CLEANER. Your Christmas present to yourself-- buy a "clean" house in the form of someone to come in and clean it for you! And while they are there, instead of being on your knees in front of the toilet scrubbing your heart out, you'll be pouring your heart out onto paper instead.

5.) Sleep. While this may seem like an oxymoron, most of us, when we are super busy, get a lot less sleep. And when we sleep less, we're less productive. When we are less productive, we get less done. When we are getting less done, we have more to do. When we have more to do, we are super busy. When we are super busy, we get less sleep.... see how this cycle goes? Prioritize getting a good nights rest. You'll thank me for it!

Discussion: How much writing do you usually get done the month of December?

(Photo from www.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 the fab agent, Rachelle Gardner.

Tips to Dissolve Quirks in Writing First Person

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One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary Did You Know?" Mark Lowry asks great questions in this song. Wouldn't it nice to hear Mary's answers? Her first person response? Can you imagine reading the first year diary she kept for baby Jesus?

I've enjoyed seeing an increase in new books written in first person.  

While these stories have a knack for putting the reader in the shoes of the main character, this is a difficult, but not impossible way to tell a story. 


Today we'll examine what makes a first person story successful and how we can make our first person manuscripts shine.


1. Trim the word "I" words.

Manuscripts written in first person often have the word "I" littered on the page. This is by far the most tempting word to use in this format. Including "I" nearly every sentence seems the only way to move the story forward--but it doesn't have to be. 

Take a look at the opening paragraph of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins:

"When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim’s warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of course, she did. This is the day of the reaping."

The tempting way to write the same paragraph:

"When I wake up, the other side of my bed is cold. I stretch my fingers out, seeking Prim's warmth, but I find only the rough canvas cover of the mattress…."

Yech.

Let's dig a little deeper into the problem:

2. The same quality rules used for third person are also required when writing in first person.

One lesson we as writers learn is how to remove excessive uses of names, pronouns and other references to names. Do we really need a character's name/pronoun at the beginning of every sentence? Jenny opened the door. She walked down the steps and to her car. She looked at the backseat as was her habit after hearing recent news reports. Jenny…  

Not a fun read is it? 

It takes work to add threads of sensory clues and other story world to breathe life into the page! We polish our craft and learn--until we tackle a story written in first person and slip into bad habits. 

For example look how this paragraph from Covenant Child: A Story of Promises by Terri Blackstock demonstrates flow with only essential and well placed identifiers.

“But these Billion Dollar Babies wore Goodwill hand-me-downs. We ate dry cereal most nights for supper, right out of the box, picking out the raisins to save for our school lunches the next day. In my memory, we never formally observed a birthday, because no one around us considered that day worthy of celebration. We were worthless no accounts to most of the people in town."

Blackstock sprinkles appropriate pronouns without disturbing the flow or weighing the paragraph with "I".

Search every "I". See if the sentence can be reworked to eliminate the "I".  This doesn't mean substitute using "me", instead work the sentence to flow.  

photo courtesy

3. Remove Grocery list feeling.

The biggest contributor to choppy writing is the bundling of events. 

Here is what I mean:

"Really, Sarah. I walked to the store and picked up the next issue. I flipped through the pages and found his name in the title. I read the first lines. I couldn't believe he told the whole world what happened." I watched Sarah's face to see her response before continuing. "I picked up the stack of magazines and hid them behind other issues." I would have thrown them in the trash can if I saw one. I ran out of the store before an employee called me back.

While we can get a sense of the emotions and the setting in this paragraph, the list of the events creates a jagged feeling, not to mention violations of points one and two.

Take a look at this paragraph of events from Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert:

"He studied me over a pair of bifocals and clicked his pen against a clipboard, jotting mysterious notes whenever I talked or sighed or breathed funny. His name was Dr. Nowels, and he had a mustache the exact same shade as the dead mouse I found behind our trailer home the previous Easter."

Ganshert shows us not only a glimpse of the appointment, but also the doctor, and the MC's impression. Talk about a good example of flow and putting the reader in the moment 3-D!


The test of a well sounding story written in first person:

So, you've written your story, but crit partners and/or contest judges didn't seemed as impressed. What can you do when you're not sure what the problem is?

I know this may seem silly, but ride the wave with me on this one before shaking your head.

Photo Courtesy

First, imagine a child retelling your story. Most likely she will stand in front of you to insure eye contact,  move her arms as she speaks, and leave out "the boring" pieces. Her sentences will be short, but emphatic emphasis will be added for the explosive or other essential scenes. It will be a concise version of your story, shorter than a Reader's Digest version, but entertaining. At least you'll have the gist. As for story world…not so much.

Now, pull out a rocking chair and take a seat. Imagine your grandmother is the one telling the story written in your manuscript as it happened to her. Her back rests against the chair, she leans slightly to one side, and her eyes gaze off to the right. Before a word leaves her mouth she smiles and maybe laughs--not so much from the first scene, but at the overall story--because she is the only one who knows the ending.

You curl up in the chair next to hers and watch her expression. "What are you thinking?"

Photo Courtesy

Aha, you have opened the door for her to retell the event she lived. Her whimsical smile changes to the appropriate feeling needed for the opening scene. Her hand touches her chin and she begins the story. 

As Grandma walks through the pages of her past, she understands you were not there. She raises her eyebrows and retells her story. "The apple pie Mama made smoked up the entire house. I could barely breathe. Papa would never offend her with a scrunched up nose or utter a mean comment, but he didn't expect us to give up the ghost that afternoon, either. He popped out of his special chair and raced me to the living room windows."

Grandparents and seniors have an amazing way of spinning a yarn, and most of them are told in the first person. They tend to add interesting impressions, descriptions, dialogue, and sensory clues causing their story to flow and intrigue the listeners.

Your homework this holiday season is to listen to a first person story told by a grandparent or senior. (Not all grandparents are seniors, yet). Ask the person to tell you about their favorite Christmas or birthday or a positive even you know they've experienced. (If you need, there are oodles of seniors in nursing homes or even in your church who would love to help you with this assignment).

The second assignment is to ask a child or teen to tell you about their favorite Christmas or birthday. Key: you are not allowed to ask questions to help him say more than he first offers.

Observe the differences, including body language. What did you see and hear? 

Writing first person is very difficult but not impossible. 

Grab a rocking chair, and tell us your story in first person--like it's personal.

We love chatting with you here at the Writers Alley…here are some comment starters:

What do you enjoy most about stories written in first person? 

What special ingredient is nestled in the pages of a first person story that isn't found in a third person story?

If you have written a first person story, why did you choose to write the story that way. And can you share any tips?

Last, answer one of the questions from the song Mary Did You Know, as if you were Mary.  click here for lyrics

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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 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

Into The Silence

Photo by Dan
freedigitalphotos.net

Angie's post yesterday spoke to my heart and affirmed what God has been whispering to my soul. God is able. He is able to take my messy life and make something of it for His purpose and glory. While my life may not look like what I thought it would...or should...it is a life lived for the One and Only, and there lies it's value.

As writers, we eye the prize of publication at the end of the goal line. But what if we never obtain the prize? What if the prize is really in the journey of writing, using the gifts and desires God has given us to put words on paper that only we shall see? Or maybe the prize is the blessing your crit partners gains from reading your words. Or maybe the prize is the hope you instill into your mother while reading your prolific prose? We don't know His will for our writing, but we do know He is good and His love endures forever.

When I confided to a friend of mine that I was struggling with anxiety and depression, she suggested I read Into The Silent Land by Martin Laird.  Published in 2006, this book is a guide into the Christian practice of contemplation. After reading the introduction, my heart ached to discover the close communion with God that this book described.

So often we chase after God, feeling like He is far. We go through processes and steps to find that closeness, to bring Him near, when in fact He is already near. He is in us.

In the introduction of Into the Silent Land, Laird states "...union with God is not something we are trying to acquire; God is already the ground of our being."

In our busy world it is easy to forget this. Our chaotic mind clutters the reality of God in us.

Laird states, "This ignorance is pervasive and renders us like the proverbial deep-sea fisherman, who spends his life fishing for minnows while standing on a whale."

We need still the clutter of our hearts and mind and center our being on God. It is there that we find peace. It is there where we find our purpose. It is there where we find meaning for life.

Where are you focusing your attention? On writing? On social media? On publication?

Focus on The One and Only. He will bring your life into sharp focus and you will find your heart's desire in Him.

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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.

Pursuit for Publication? God Is Able by Priscilla Shirer, and A Giveaway!

We all know that this road to publication is difficult.
And I have learned the hard way that no matter how much I pray, how much I believe in my work, or believe that God will answer my prayers the way I want Him to, the outcome really does not depend on what I do.

Priscilla Shirer

If you read my post last week, you'll know that I am going through a time of stepping back, re-centering my heart on God and not my own desires or pursuits. So, when I was given the chance to review Priscilla Shirer's book, God Is Able, I must say that I went into it with a bit of hesitation. I wasn't sure if I wanted to read anything besides God's Scriptures. After all, I wanted this time to be one of  focus only on God...nobody's opinion of Him, nor temptation that might come in a self-help type book to apply the mantra that if I did this...then I could get God to do so and so...

With a guarded heart, I began to read God is Able. And after just the introduction, I felt my walls break down and my heart receive God's truth pouring out from this small book in the most God-focused way. Priscilla's style is simple yet wise, and gripping with vivid analogies. Her examples are down-to-earth with glimpses of God's handiwork in ordinary, day-to-day living. Instead of outlining ways to satiate my desire in a self-help fashion, she dug deep into Scripture, took me by the shoulders like a loving friend, and turned me away from my circumstance and toward God and ALL HIS ABILITY to use my circumstance for so much more than I would hope.

The book's entire structure is based on significant points made in Paul's doxology in Ephesians 3:20, 21. I've color-coded the subject of each of the phrases dedicated to entire chapters in the book:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
With exploration of original language, historical context, and true life situations, Priscilla presents the fullness of these words that do nothing less than glorify God, elaborate on His love for us, and humble us before His perfect will. The book reminds us to push our circumstance aside in comparison to grounding our faith in the God who goes "exceeding abundantly beyond what we ask or think". 

One of the greatest points that met me right where I was at on this pursuit of publication is:

"But whether or not God CHOOSES to do something is a question of His sovereignty, not His ability. Whether or not He Will do it is His business. But believing that He CAN--that's our business." pg 62.

Do you truly believe that God is able in your present circumstance? Do you truly believe that He wants to go beyond what we ask or think, and are you ready to surrender completely to Him no matter the outcome? It is hard to think that this waiting game might end without publication, but if I remain grounded in my faith, it is NOT because God can't do it, it is because He chooses not to, AND, He has something in the works that will be above and beyond what I could even imagine--with or without a contract. How exciting...and freeing! As Priscilla says on pg 140,

"...ultimately, our lives are all and completely about Him. 
We exist today for His fame...For His praise and His glory."

The outcome of this pursuit, this writing for Him, really only means something if He's "gettin' Him some glory when He acts on our behalf." pg 140.

So why in the world do I get so antsy? It's about time to stop giving into my fleshy want (which will never be satisfied with earthly things), and start surrendering to the Spirit's nudging (which will always lead to God and true satisfaction). Embracing ALL God has for me, isn't really about what's for me, but ALL about what He wills to bring Him the glory. And who am I to tell God what that may be? I can ask, and pray, but trust that He knows the best way to answer.

Priscilla's tiny red book drew me to God's loving arms with security and peace in the wait. I close the book, craving more time with Priscilla. Her voice is conversational and down-to-earth, and her heart reflects God's truth. If you are struggling with publication, or perhaps something more pressing in your life, God is Able will draw you close to God and to a faith beyond all circumstance, with a mind and heart set on nobody's glory but His!

I could list a whole book full of quotes from God Is Able, but instead, why don't you leave a comment and get entered in a drawing for the book to read them for yourself?? Also, tell me which section of the doxology appeals to you most in your present circumstance?

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous, mothering 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 historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

What's Up the Street for Next Week?

It's that time of year to be thinking about fun gifts for those we love.

And some of the best gifts are the ones made by our own hands. I've been scouring Pinterest lately (because you know, that's what you do when you need to figure out a gift for someone. ;-) for great homemade gift ideas and found some favorites! I've shared a couple here throughout the weekend edition.

So sit back, sip your hot cocoa and find a great gift to share with someone you love!

Here's what we have going on next week...

Angie will be guest posting for Pepper tomorrow with another book review and giveaway! Check out her post for all the details.

Sherrinda will be your post on Tuesday.

How do you dissolve the quirks of writing in first person? Mary has some answers for you on Wednesday.

What is your Christmas writer survival guide? Mine would include drinking lots of Krista has some suggestions for you on Thursday.

Click here to the recipe link!

egg nog. ;-)

Casey  has suggestions on how to juggle writing and life when life continues to throw a curve ball on Friday.

And.....! The winner of Beth Moore's devotional from Angie's post last Monday...JEN! Send us an email at thewritersalleys(@)gmail(.)com

What are your holiday giving suggestions? 

Chocolate Cafe Chat with Laura Frantz

It's appropriate that Laura Frantz be our guest at the Chocolate Cafe because reading her historical romances is like tasting some of the best dark chocolate and the flavor lingering on your tastebuds for a while. Seriously. There is a sweetness, beauty, and depth to her novels to leave the reader longing for more.

And I'm so glad she's stopped by today. We're having Hot Chocolate Caramel Swirl and Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls as we chat. Come join us

Good morning, Laura.

Thank you for always thinking of me – I’d feel kind of out in left field without you! TWA is doing so very well and it’s because you all have such innovative ideas .

We are always glad to have you. Could you tell us about one of your most memorable characters and why he/she was memorable for the hero/heroine?

Here’s my pic of Silas when Eden first saw him, before he asked her to go to town and get him a razor early in Love’s Reckoning, lol. Men in that era did not sport facial hair usually so he’s kind of scruffy-looking and needs to clean up. However, I think he looks heavenly scruffy!

The actor is Tom Mison from FOX’s Sleepy Hollow.

He was memorable for the heroine because Silas was the only man who had ever stood up to her father, the irascible, surly, demanding Liege Lee. But what really sealed the romantic deal was his wooing her with scripture in all sorts of places – her loom, her boot, her bucket, etc. She fell fast and hard and forever. THE END.  I would sure love for you to add what made YOU fall in love with him in the post!! That would be an added bonus for readers, for sure. Glad you like the photo. Personally I wish Eden had told him there’d be no razor-getting as he was just too handsome with the beard, lol...

And those little wooings certainly made me fall in love with him, but especially because he was 'tender'. He saw in her something special.

That's the beautiful part of writing romances. The hero 'sees' something in her heroine (or visa versa) that no one else seems to see - and he/she loves them for it.

Thank you for sharing Silas and Eden with us through Love's Reckoning. It was a breathtaking journey.