Delayed blog post series

Just to let you all know...I am still alive! 

Due to the craziness of December, I am afraid my poor blog has been neglected and I apologize that no blog series was posted this month. 

Starting next week, my schedule will be back to normal, and I will go ahead and write 'The Importance of Description' for January.

Again...so sorry for the lack of posts that I had originally planned.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you a very Happy New Year!

December Blog Series: The Importance of Description

It's finally that time of year! 

The day after Thanksgiving, I was blasting Christmas music and skipping around the house like I was a little girl again. We brought down our twelve foot tree from the attic, decorated the mantle with our little Christmas village, and went downtown to watch the Christmas lighting ceremony.

And on the very first day of December, it snowed. It started as just sleet and flurries, but turned into much larger flakes which soon started to cover the ground in a lovely white glaze. It was a perfect welcome to the month of hope and joy!

Christmas is such a magical time of year. In my book I'm working on, some of my favorite scenes to write take place during this season. From the strong scent of fresh pine, to the cozy warmth of a wood burning fireplace, there are so many sights, sounds and smells to express and let the reader experience.

And that is why I've decided to cover the importance of description this month. We'll be going over the basics of keeping description active and consistent throughout your story. I'll be writing about describing the setting how the characters would see it. And then I'll talk about the problem with too much description.

I look forward to this new series and hope to hear your own ideas along the way!

Writing a Message: The climax and the resolution

The climax in a story is when the tension and action hit with full blast. Something usually happens to the main character that causes or forces them to make a crucial decision that leads to the final outcome in the end.

Deciding on your climax has a big part in creating your moral and unraveling the final message.

I googled some climax examples from stories most of us are familiar with and thought I'd share them with you:

• The deaths of Romeo (who kills himself because he thinks Juliet is dead) and Juliet (who kills herself when she awakes and sees Romeo dead).-Romeo and Juliet 
• Wilbur is declared the winner at the county fair, and his life is saved (the farmer will not butcher him).-Charlotte's Web 
• Peeta and Katniss agree to eat the poisonous berries instead of attempt to kill each other (and the outcome is that they are both declared winners). -The Hunger Games
• When Gaston and the townspeople come to attack the beast, and Belle admits her love for the beast. -Disney's Beauty and the Beast

The climax is always my favorite part to read and to write. It's when the characters are their strongest and bravest even though the end may not look promising. It's usually the most intense but inspiring part.

Then...

Due to the outcome of the climax, everything begins to fall into place which leads us to...

The resolution! This is where the reader can sit back and relax a bit. The story has come to an end. And if it's a good story, it has left the reader with much to think about. It's where the moral is revealed.

The moral of Beauty and the Beast, is that true beauty comes from within.

In Romeo and Juliet, we learn brutally to let go of old disagreement and feuds between families and friends.

What will your moral be? Do you know what your climax is and how it will lead to a satisfying and strong resolution?

So...

Using the last few posts from this series, we have learned to surrender over our story ideas to God and seek Him for wisdom to write a strong message. We talked about writing a powerful story through real events. We learned about the importance of morals and lessons. And now, we just finished up the week, learning about the impact of a strong climax and its outcome.

I've had a lot of fun writing this series. I learned a lot as I explored and researched the topic of creating a strong message. I believe it's one of the most important parts of writing, especially if you want your story to make an impact on someone's life.

What are some of your thoughts on writing a message that is powerful and moving? I'd love to hear from you! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow and I look forward to beginning my newest series next week!

Writing a Message: Morals and Lessons

Every child grows up hearing the fable of 'The Tortoise and the Hare' by Aesop. You know...the story where very determined tortoise competes in a race with a very fast but haughty and over confident hare.

As the race begins, the hare speeds way ahead leaving the tortoise in the dust. In the middle of the race, because the hare believes he will easily win, he stops to take a nap. The tortoise though moving very slowly, passes him and wins. 

Which gives us the very famous moral...'Slow and steady wins the race.'

Old fables and children's stories often have a moral at the end which teach valuable life lessons. In these stories, the morals are usually very obvious.

As adults, we often read fiction for pure entertainment. Romance novels, action and suspense, adventure, fantasy...they all draw us into exciting, compelling stories, allowing us to escape from our own hectic lives into the lives of other characters . 

But what makes a story more than just entertaining and engaging writing, is the lessons the reader can take away from what they've just read. When I set down a book feeling motivated to grow and be a stronger individual, I know that it was a really good book.

When it comes to Christian fiction, if the story tends to be full of cliches, mentioning God a few times here and there without showing the true impact of His love and grace, I feel as if the reader just walks away with a fun story. I know some authors tend to be careful about coming across as preachy. 

But the books that put emphasis on the characters battling faith through hurt and the painful challenges of life, then finally surrendering their burdens to God, and seeing His hand work in amazing ways...do not only change the life of the characters, but the readers as well.

The books I can remember most are the ones that have helped me grow in my walk with God, and have encouraged me to write stories with impacting morals and lessons. 

Whether the moral of your story is 'Slow and steady wins the race', 'Being smart is better than being beautiful', 'Good always wins', etc...if it teaches a lesson that you have learned in your own life, and is something you can't help but sharing, the story will be much more than just a story.

Ask God to give you wisdom and strength as you put together a story that isn't just convicting. But a story that reveals His ways and teaches of His mercies and kindness even amidst a hurting and broken world.

I know it's easy to get caught up in trying to write something that your readers will enjoy. Instead, try to imagine what it would be like to find out your story helped someone. Truly helped them. Whether it convicted them to make the right decision, comforted them, or maybe just reminded them they are not alone. 

That, dear writers, makes a story much more powerful, personal, and worthwhile. <3 

Writing a Message: What makes a story powerful?

In the movie Amazing Grace, we watch an English politician and member of Parliament named William Wilberforce put years of effort into abolishing the slave trade. His strong belief in God's creation of men to be treated equal, pushed Wilberforce to help change what he did not think right.

In the book The Hiding Place, we become engrossed as Corrie Ten Boom describes the brutality of the concentration camps during WWII. We can almost feel the pain and hunger she and her sister felt. We cry at the devastation, the hurt and suffering atthe hands of Nazi soldiers. Then we feel conviction and bewilderment in the end when Corrie forgives the very soldier who was cruel to both her and her sister.

What makes these stories so powerful? What makes them draw a person in so much they can sense and feel every emotion that character went through?

Because they are stories that really happened. They are stories about real people who even through trials and devastation, they trusted their Heavenly Father to use them and bring glory to His name in the end.

It's stories like these that tell a strong message that reveals the power and mightiness of God.

Can you remember situations in your life where God's hand was evident? Can you remember trials or experiences that left you hopeless, but the Lord taught you to trust Him through it all? Remember looking back and being in awe of His constant goodness?

Or what about someone you know? Did they go through tough times that you could never imagine experiencing for yourself? Were you amazed as you watched God work miracles in this person's life as He turned ashes to beauty?

As you think over these times, get out a pen and paper and write it down. When you write a story based on real happenings, the story is much more believable and will touch your readers and open their eyes to the wonder of God.

Writing a Message: Surrendering your words and thoughts

How easy is it to sit back and dream of the day you'll be holding a bestseller in your hand? Not just any best seller, but your bestseller. Isn't it a wonderful thought, imagining a long line of people waiting impatiently for you to sign their copy?

Do you ever dream of the constant royalties coming in? Can you just see yourself leaving your ginormous house in your brand new Mercedes as you are on your way to speak at a writer's conference?

Oh the glory and fame! What a life that would be to live! Right?

But after you spend ten minutes day dreaming, you snap out of it, return to reality, start typing out a paragraph, then frown because it stinks. You then open up blogs of best selling authors and spend ten minutes envying and admiring them, thinking, "Why can't I just write a book as good as their's?"

Yep. Been there. In fact, it's a daily struggle for me not to get caught up in this perfect plan I develop in my mind. Then I grow discouraged that I am still where I am, and not a well known published author.

But whenever I look at my writing and cringe because I think it's awful, I suddenly become humbled, remembering that God did not plant in me the passion to write just so I could become a successful and famous author.

In fact, if I wanted to, I could write something that would appeal much more to the world instead of holding fast to the convictions in my heart...and possibly have more of a chance to get my name out there.

So, basically, I could pursue my own false desires to become a best seller by completely ignoring the wisdom and strength God has to offer and write things that do not honor His precious name.

Or...I could surrender all my dreams all my words and all my thoughts to write what He has taught me.

I would much rather know that one person has received Christ by reading something I write, than becoming well known for writing something that would break God's heart.

Don't get me wrong. There is certainly nothing wrong with becoming a well known writer and best seller! In fact, there are many Christian best sellers who I look up to and it is easy to want to follow their foot steps.

But as writers for Christ, if our focus is completely on our Savior, and if we are surrendering every word we write to Him each day...we need to trust that God will use our gift in ways we can never imagine. When we share a powerful message that shows who God is, we are living out His will and knowing that lives are being changed because we surrendered!

November Blog Series: Writing a Message

This month's blog post series as you can see, is titled 'Writing a Message.' There are lots of people who can say some things much better by writing them down. Sometimes it just feels more meaningful to pour out your thoughts with a pen and paper.

A writer is a writer because they have something to tell. A message to convey. A story to reveal. 

And as Christian writers, God has given us the ability to share His undying love with others through our desire and ability to write. Because Thanksgiving is coming up and I am so thankful that God has placed this desire in my heart, I thought it would be a good topic to discuss for this month's series. 

It's not a series on apologetics and how to witness the right way through your writing. I simply want to share the blessings of surrendering your writing abilities to God, and letting Him speak to your heart as you write a message that gives Him glory.

 

The Joy of Editing: That final draft!

Finishing up that final draft is scary, exciting, and satisfying. At last! You've done you're absolute best at creating this masterpiece. You've plotted, outlined, written, rewritten several times, proofread, rewritten again, edited, revised, and rewritten probably once again. 

Your characters are consistent, relatable, and have learned and grown through through their experiences and challenges. Your setting is believable. Your writing is engaging. Your sentences flow. You have checked and double checked for grammar and spelling errors. 

If the project you are working on is not fiction, the above applies as well. If it's a blog post, an article, a sales letter or landing page...at this step your writing should be compelling, your claims believable, and your tone friendly. You've done your research, gathered your proof, and have a strong piece of copy.

You are truly happy with your project and ready for the next brave step! It is time to...

Hand it over to someone else! 

I know...it's not easy to do.

Each time I let anyone, and I mean anyone, whether it's a stranger, a family member, a friend, or a professional read anything I've written, I always get this horrible nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. As writers, we pour out our souls into our work! Our stories, our poems, and even articles, come from deep within us, and therefore our writing becomes a part of us.

Novelists have it the hardest. They have created characters and stories which have become alive and real to them. They have put on paper secrets and ideas that have come from their innermost imagination that they've never shared with anyone else.

To let someone other than yourself see that especially for the first time is really quite torturous. When you first send your writing to a professional, inside you know that this basically will answer your question on whether your writing is garbage or not. You've gone to so much work, the last thing you want is someone telling you they hate your writing.

But...regardless of whether your writing gets negative or positive critique...what does this step tell you about yourself? It says that you've already worked your absolute hardest on your own and you're ready to see how you can make it even better if need be. You're ready and open to hear what others think and because you are dedicated and love what you do, you're willing to take the advice of other writers and editors to make your writing its very best.

Before I end this post, I want to give a few words of advice when it comes to critique:

• Don't take critique personal. You may have created your characters, but they are not you. If someone doesn't like something about your story, that doesn't make you a failure as a person or a writer. When one of my piano students' plays a wrong note, that doesn't make them a bad pianist. They just need to work some more on the song. I have them practice again until they get it. Writing is the same way. The more you practice, the better you'll get.
• While listening or reading someone's critique, understand the difference between professional advice and their personal opinion. It's good to know someone's opinion, to have an idea of what readers will see when they open your book. But don't change your story just to please someone with a different opinion than what you have.
•  Think positive! Getting critique is one of the best ways of expanding your writing education. Think of critique as a teacher and coach to help you grow and become the great writer you dream to be. Don't allow yourself to become discouraged. And most importantly...keep reminding yourself of how far you've already come from the time you began that very first draft!

This is the end of The Joy of Editing. I hope to hear of all the ways you edit, revise, and prepare for the very last draft! Thanks so much for reading, and stay tuned for the next blog post series coming soon!

The joy of editing: Print it out!

Good evening, fellow bloggers, readers, and writers!

Last week, I had just gotten back from a trip to Minneapolis and was therefore was unable to write a post for 'The Joy of Editing' series. So this week you will be getting two!

Last post we talked about the macro-edits: rewriting and making the major changes that need to be made to move you to the next step.

So let's say you've written the first draft, and gone through it again, following the steps we went over in the recent post.

Now...though your draft is most likely still a bit sloppy, you should have a much better structured piece to work with as you dive into it once again. But...before you do...take a break. It's very important to set aside a project after you've written and rewritten. You're brain not only needs a rest, but next time you bring it up, you want to be able to look at it with fresh eyes. You'll be able to notice and catch things that you might not if you dig right back into it immediately after you've completed your macro-edits.

After you've taken a few days, a week, or however long a break you need...what's next?

Print it out!

I actually had never printed out a manuscript before until recently while working on my WIP, 'Moments in Time'. I had heard it recommended by other writers, but the thought of using up so much ink for something incomplete that is only going to be scribbled on, didn't sound appealing.

But as I have written so many drafts for this project, I wanted to do everything I could to make sure this book is not just entertaining and compelling, but properly written and edited, sticking to the fiction fundamentals in order to be published.

After going through the steps we've already covered in this series, I decided, maybe I should print it out. The more I read about other writers doing it, I was convinced it was a good idea. (I recommend not printing the whole thing at once if you have more than 100 pages. Depending on your printer, it might run as slow as a snail if you do that. I learned this the hard way....)

What are the benefits of printing out your draft? Well for one thing, there's something satisfying about marking it up with your red pen. When you hold the printed version in your hands, it's much easier to spot grammar mistakes, typos, weak paragraphs or scenes, etc...especially after you've already typed and read it on the computer.

Also, when you edit by hand, those changes stay in your mind clearer and longer than if you were to type them out.

So! After you've printed the manuscript, and maybe have read through the whole thing, now get out the pen, and mark everything you notice that needs to be changed. Take notes of what to look for. Keep your eye out for mistakes, weaknesses and strengths in every area: characters, setting, plot and so on.

Be sure to take your time. Read slowly and carefully, so you won't miss anything. This step may take a while, but it's going to help for when you get back on your computer and make those changes!

After this, we only have one post left of this series! I will be talking about cleaning up and preparing that final draft!

But for now, get out that pen, and start scribbling! Good luck...and happy editing!

The Joy of Editing: Macro-Edits

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Did you know that most first time authors rewrite their book at least six times? If someone would have told me that several years ago, I would have been incredibly discouraged! AT LEAST SIX TIMES? That is like painting a picture, not being happy with it, painting it again, changing the style a little, but still not liking it...and then starting over once again, and repainting until it can't get any better.


I think this is why it's so easy for an aspiring writer to give up after just the first draft, or sometimes even before that! It's when a writer knows how much work and practice it's going to take, and pursue it anyway, that they have a good chance to complete and publish their work.

I hope this post will help you as you work on the big macro-editing stage of your project. Once again, these are tips I have learned from practice, research, studying, and having my WIP, Moments in Time professionally edited before I started the massive rewrite.

If you plotted, made an outline, did your research, got to know your characters, did some proof reading and editing while writing that first draft...and perhaps have rewritten the project fresh in a new document, then the next step is to go back and make the big changes. These include:

• Cutting: There is a good chance you'll be cutting quite a lot while working on this stage. It can be a little painful especially if you remember how long it took you to write a particular event or scene. (I cut 8,000 words while working on my most recent draft of Moments in Time.) But it is quite necessary. To know what to cut, ask yourself if it fits in with the plot. If you are writing fiction, and the scene seems out of place and does not draw your characters closer to where they should be in the end, then readers will either be bored or confused. 
• Rewriting: This in a way fits in with the 'cutting' part. You may need to delete a whole scene or chapter just to rewrite it again so it fits in with the plot. Look for plot holes or characters you introduced early on, then forgot about, and rewrite so the story is complete. Keep rewriting until it's just right. Did you know J.K. Rowling rewrote the opening chapter of The Sorcerer's Stone a total of fifteen times before continuing to the next chapter?
• Character accuracy: This is a good time to go back and make sure your characters stay consistent according to their personality and background story. Ask yourself, "Would this person really say this, do this or react this way in this kind of situation?" Characters should also grow and change for the better by the end of the book, while staying real and likable to the reader. 
• Check the pace: Don't rush scenes! If a scene seems rushed, go back through it and add words and detail to keep things moving at the right pace, and so the readers will understand what is going on. At the same time, make sure the story isn't moving too slow. Hook the readers at the end of each chapter, so they can't put the book down.

After you've gone through and made the most drastic changes by cutting rewriting, etc, then the road ahead will begin to look a little smoother! But after you've completed this step in your writing project, set it aside, go get some ice cream, and celebrate! 

It takes a lot of guts rewrite and cut out scenes that took you hours to write! A writers life can be a bit painful at times, but it sure is rewarding. Never lose sight of what your novel or craft is going to look like when it's finally complete! 

The Joy of Editing: The First Draft

While I researched the subject of editing, it was interesting to see the variety of different methods each writer uses. Some go through the entire first draft without editing at all. They just write, write, write, without worrying about plot holes, grammar, or other mistakes. They save that for the next draft.

Other writers will write a chapter, then go back, proofread, edit, and continue to the next. In my opinion, I don't think there's necessarily a wrong way in going about it, as long as you have plotted and outlined beforehand so you will be working with some sort of structure, instead of just writing whatever comes to your head. 

Today I will be talking about producing the first draft in a way that will make the rewriting, editing, and revisions just a tad less painful than they could be. Just remember, that first draft, no matter what, is always going to be rough. The following tips are just ways that have helped me get the draft to where it needs to be before I renovate. :)

Before you begin your draft, make sure you...

• Research/Plot. Since I became a copywriter, I've learned how crucially important it is to learn every single detail about the subject you are writing. If you are writing copy for a product, you need to know the history of the product, who will be buying it, what makes it better than its competition, and how it will make the prospect's life better. The same goes for writing fiction. If you don't know where your story is going, who your characters truly are, and how to describe the setting...then you don't have the proper structure you need to begin your draft. Whether you are writing a story or an article, get to know what and who you are writing about. Then plan out how you are going to put it together.

And that leads us to...

• Create a thorough outline. Some writers outline every chapter of their book. I usually divide my story into three scenes. The opening, the middle, and the close. I write all the events I want to happen and put them into the scenes they belong. The order of the events often change, and many of them get cut out, while I add different events and happenings that are more appropriate and help gear the story into the direction it needs to go. So while your outline will most likely change quite a bit, it's still very important to have a good idea of where the story is headed. While writing an article, essay, newsletter, blog post, etc., it's also important to create an outline before you begin. That will make the actual writing process come along much smoother and easier.

Then you will be ready to...

• Get to know your characters. Way back in January, I wrote a post about knowing your characters inside and out. You can read it here: Why you should know your characters inside and out.... Before writing your first draft you should know your characters' backstory, their strengths, weaknesses, what they will encounter during the story, and how they will handle conflict. While you are writing the first draft, keep in mind their personality and backstory, so you can help them grow in a way that is believable.

And last but not least...

• Edit while you write. I know that it is very common advice to write the first draft and worry about the editing later. But I have found that if I do absolutely no editing or proofreading while I'm working on that first draft, I am going to have one ugly job while working on the revisions. A first draft itself is already sloppy enough even while doing a little editing here and there while you're working on it. What I usually do, is write a few chapters then go back and make some major changes if needed. This keeps the story fresh in my mind so I won't forget about subplots and secondary characters. I don't worry about grammar and dialogue so much, because I know I'll fix that later on. 

Like I mentioned above, there are many different methods of getting that first draft written down. Some might find it easier to get through it without the worry of any editing until later. 

What kind of methods do you use while you prepare and write your first draft? Do you edit at all while working on it, or do you save that till the next draft? I am so looking forward to hearing any tips you have to producing a good first draft!

October Blog Series..."The Joy of Editing"

Good afternoon, readers! Are you all as excited as I am that October is here? As our dear Anne Shirley says, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." The trees are beginning to change from summery green to an enchanting golden, red, and orange. It's that time of year to get out the cozy sweaters, sip apple cider, and breathe in the fresh, cool autumn air!

Being the beginning of the month, this also means a new blog post series! To be honest, I had a hard time deciding on what this series was going to be. Not that I couldn't think of any. There were several subjects I wanted to cover actually, and couldn't decide which one to talk about this month.

Well, after contemplating a while, I decided to choose to write a series on editing. I know a lot of writers have the same goal as me to finish up a project or two by the end of the year. And if you are one of those writers, you are most likely at the editing stage right now.

This series will be geared towards both fiction and non-fiction writers. The posts will apply to anyone who is writing a fully length novel, a short story, an article, essay, etc. I will be sharing tips I've learned on my own and tips I've learned from other and wiser writers.

I will be honest by saying, editing and I have a love-hate relationship. It feels so good to cut out all the bad stuff. But it's also such a tedious and painful task, having to go back over and over again, trying to decide what will make the project the best it can be, and going over all the 'rules' and 'principals' that need to be applied.

Yes, it's not always very fun! But editing is obviously a very important part of honing your skills, and developing your writing into a tight, well written, and arousing piece of art.

Stay tuned for the first post of 'The Joy of Editing'. It will be posted on here by tonight!

A Writer's Journey: The End...

This is the very last day of September...which means...this is also the last post on 'A Writer's Journey'! Next week we will begin a new blog post series for October which I'm very excited about!

Today's post is going to be a little more lighthearted than the others. We are going to talk about that glorious feeling you get when you write/type the words, "The End". You've plotted, outlined, drafted, re-written, edited, re-edited. You've probably had a few close friends or family members read the manuscript, then you've revised the piece again.

You may have had it looked over by a professional editor as well, and then went back and cleaned it up again.

You've done your absolute best to polish up your work, and are completely happy with the finished product. At last, after many tears and sweat, you are done!!

We aren't going to go talk about publishing and searching for agents right now. This is just an encouraging post to remind you that after all the work you put into your project, at last you can sit back and realize that you actually did it.

It is quite a wonderful feeling. Yet...it's a bit sad too.

After I finished my novella, 'A Wish for the Throne' for the Rooglewood Press's 'Five Enchanted Roses' contest last year, I remember going through a melancholy stage afterwards, because I missed writing it! I missed the characters and I missed creating all the different fairy tale and fantasy elements. But at the same time, it was such a satisfying feeling to know I had done my best and could move on to something else.

In The Hobbit, when Bilbo returns back to the Shire after his long and dangerous journey, he is almost a completely different person from when he had first left it. He has become stronger, made life long friends, and experienced an adventure like no other!

His story may have come to an end. But that round, shiny thing, in his pocket is the beginning of another journey in another story.

And though every story eventually has an end, thankfully a writer's journey never has an end! A writer always has something to say. A writer always has a story to tell.

I don't know what stage you are at in the projects you're working on. You might be a published author, or you might be working on your first novel. I'd like to tell you right no
w that no matter where you are at, embrace it.

If you have just finished something, or have finished several things, embrace that you have made this accomplishment. If you are working a full time job or going to school, and writing a novel at the same time, embrace that you are accomplishing so
mething amazing right now, by being able to do so much!

You see...something I've learned--in fact I'm continuing to learn--is that a writer's life isn't all about 'The End'. It's not about finally becoming a published novelist. It's not about being able to tell people your book is in Barnes and Noble.

It's about looking back at your journey and realizing how far you have come. It's about looking forward and knowing this dream is going to happen. And...it's about embracing and enjoying every minute of where you are right now.

A Writer's Journey: Pushing Through When You Feel Stuck

Unfortunately, we all get to that point where writing does NOT feel fun! You've changed the plot twenty times. Your characters aren't turning out how you wanted them to. You have the setting down perfectly in your brain, but you're having a difficult time putting it into words.

It seems you've been working on the same project for decades and you have a million more story ideas that you MUST write! Or maybe you're so discouraged that writing anything ever again doesn't sound appealing at all!

Yes, I do believe every writer gets to that stage where they feel stuck and wonder, "What in the world have I gotten myself into?" I am going to admit that several times over this summer while I was working on the first draft of the extremely drastic rewrite of my novel, I had some rather pathetic meltdowns and would actually break down in tears.

My poor mom...I don't know how many times I came crying to her saying, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! MY BOOK IS A MESS!" I had been making change after change, having such a hard time making decisions that could drastically change the story even more. I don't remember how many times I rewrote the beginning because of this.

At times I just felt stuck and uncertain in my ability to mold this story into the beautiful piece of art I wanted it to be. The stress and negative thoughts often caused me to question whether this was a waste of time, and if I'd be better off writing in a different genre.

Then one day, towards the end of the summer, I was praying for guidance with my writing and for faith to trust that God will use me through whatever I write. And I came to a sort of revelation. I realized, I cannot afford to be negative at all when I write! All I can do is my absolute best, then leave the rest to God to use the gift He allowed me to have.

I began to focus on having a much more positive mindset every time I sat down to write. I blocked out every thought that would cause me to be anxious or discouraged. Any time I found myself feeling like a chapter or plot threat was extremely weak, instead of feeling stuck and uncertain, I told myself, "All I need to do is fix it and it'll come together. I have to do my best and let God work through me."

Dear writers...writing is HARD, isn't it? It's painful sometimes. When Olympian athletes get injured for a season, it's painful and discouraging. When they place fourth, barely missing that bronze metal, they are heart broken.

But the truest athletes who have a deep passion for their sport, do not give up. They keep at it, because they feel that is what they are meant to do, and though these detours and disappointments can be discouraging, they will always have a love for that sport.

Sometimes when our writing project isn't going in the direction we planned, instead of giving up on it, or starting something different, I think the best thing to do, as unpleasant as it seems, is push through. Though you can't see the future, and what will become of your book or how long it will take you to complete it, keep writing anyway! DON'T allow yourself to think negative. Remind yourself it might just take a little longer and be a little more difficult than you planned.

Thankfully God has promised us His grace to become conquers through Him. No matter how hard the task, He will help you through the most challenging stages of a writer's journey. And in the end you will be stronger and a better writer!

In fact, this post doesn't have to apply only to writers. Everyone goes through difficult and challenging stages in life. When we trust God to give us His strength and do our best to follow His will, and be obedient to Him, because He loves us and knows what's best, we will become more than conquers.

Opening Lines from 'The Hunter's Heir'

When I submitted my synopsis for the Five Magic Spindles show and tell, my opening lines were not quite...er...presentable enough to share. Now that I'm working on the second draft of this novella, I've revised and improved the beginning and am excited to post the opening lines on my blog!

Hope you enjoy! 

Opening lines of 'The Hunter's Heir'

by Allissa Zimmerman

A gentle breeze blew through the branches that towered over Coral Brook forest. A doe and her fawn drank blissfully from the brook in which the forest had gained its name and an owl hooted contentedly from above.

            The creatures of Coral Brook Forest were unaware that sitting against the trunk of an old oak tree nearby was a young elf silently watching them. She sat in remorseful misery gazing at another doe as it frolicked from the bush nearby and joined the other deer at the brook. 

           If only she were like that doe. If only she could run free without the pressure of trying to please everyone and live up to the expectations she could not meet.

An owl hooted once more, and the elf lifted her face towards the sky. The sun must have been setting, for patches of orange and pink glistened through the leafy trees above. She knew she should return home. Her family would be terribly worried by now.

But how would she face them after today? 

A Writer's Journey: Special Guest

Welcome readers! I am posting a second 'Writer's Journey' post for the week and this one is special because we have a guest with us! I had the privilege of interviewing my good friend, Michaela Fuller who is currently working on her first novel, 'Wishful Thinking'.

I hope you will feel inspired when you hear about her writer's journey:

So how long exactly have you been writing?

Well…I have been thinking of stories since I was six. Then I started writing little stories when I was ten. I didn’t ever finish anything until last year.

At what stage in the writer’s journey do you think you are at right now?

I'm still in the beginning stage...probably step 3 or 4. I’m no where close to being a professional or bestseller or anything. I just like to make up stories and write them down. I haven’t actually published or redrafted anything yet as they are all just ideas really.

I know you have been working on plotting and outlining for your first novel, Wishful Thinking. May we hear a little bit about it?

I don't want to give too much away but I will say it is a fiction/fantasy for young adults. There will be both comedy and romance in there and the main character is actually based after me. I kind of took how I would react to what she goes through.

That's so exciting! I can't wait to read it. Where do you find the inspiration for your writing?

 I get a lot of inspiration just from reading other stories and listening to lyrics of songs and watching movies. I find lots of ideas on Pinterest. And just my own daydreams. I get ideas in my head and they just kind of take off.

The biggest difficulty a writer faces is writer's block. What do you do when you have writer's block or feel discouraged?

Usually what I do if I have writer’s block in a particular story, I move on to something else even if it’s just for a short time. Or I’ll go back to where I got my original inspiration for the story. I’ll go back and re-listen to the song, re-watch the movie, or reread the scene so it reminds me of where I want it to go.

Are there any writers or authors who have made an impact on your writing?

I want to have the creativity of Alexandra Bracken (Brightly Woven) and Sarah J. Maas (Glass of Thrones). I also want to have the wit of Jane Austen. I love Marrissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles), because her characters are so intricate and complicated. 

Do you usually set goals on when you want to finish a project? 

Yes, I do make goals but they do change depending on what’s going on in my life. My current goal is to finish the first draft of Wishful Thinking by the end of the year, but we'll see what happens. Giving myself  deadlines does put more stress on me, so I think more in terms of writing as much as I can when I can. 

What is your favorite and least favorite thing about writing?

My favorite part is thinking about all the ideas. I love taking inspiration and creating a story for it and coming up with a plot and characters. I like to create my own soundtrack and playlist for the story and characters. My least favorite thing is when I let my discouragement take over. I tend to take a break instead of push forward. I need to realize it won’t be perfect the first time.

If you could give advice to writers who are just beginning their first novel or big project, what would you tell them?

I would tell them, don’t let fear of not being good enough keep you from writing. Too often, I compare myself with someone who is way ahead of me in my journey or projects. So I think because I’m not where they are and not as good as they are, I stop. Everyone’s been where we’ve been. Everyone has a beginning. So don’t give up!

About Michaela Fuller: 

 Michaela has been dreaming of magical places, brave princesses and dashing heroes since she was a little girl. Because she has yet to stumble through a wardrobe to Narnia, journey throughout Middle Earth with eight companions, or receive her letter to Hogwarts, she recently decided to create her own epic adventure by beginning her first novel. She drinks entirely too much coffee and lives in Iowa with her cat Bilbeau. 

A Writer's Journey: Finding Inspiration

When an artist sits down to paint, if he is good, he doesn't just paint the first thing that comes to his mind. He paints something that inspires him. A field of tiny white daisies on a warm summer day. A light mist of fog glazing over a calm blue lake. His little son and daughter playing in the mud.

A musician and song writer will find inspiration for songs they compose through life experiences or stories they hear from other people. When the song comes from their own story, and inspirations that they have grown passionate about, the song instantly becomes more meaningful and real.

The same goes for writing. A story is always better when the writer is passionate about what they write. If they haven't been inspired to write it, then they might as well not. And the wonderful thing about writers, is our minds are always searching for inspiration.

Everything we see, watch, encounter, do...can be inspiration for a story. A big part of a writer's journey, is ALWAYS being alert to your surroundings. You don't need to necessarily walk around or drive places thinking, "Okay, how will I find inspiration to put into a book today?" That's not exactly how it works.

But when you keep your mind open, it's amazing how many things or people you'll see, or places you'll go that will suddenly cause an idea to pop into your head. Maybe you'll overhear a conversation in a cafe, or see an odd looking tree while
going for a walk, or read a scene in a book, that will inspire you to turn it into your own story. Maybe you'll even have a crazy dream that will make an amazing tale.

Almost four years ago, I was babysitting and reading a children's book to the kids. I do not remember the title of the book. But it was a Thanksgiving story about a girl and her mother. Their apartment building had burnt down so they came together with many of their neighbors they didn't even know and had a big Thanksgiving feast. This grew them together and though many of them currently didn't have a home at the time, they were thankful to be able to come together and make new friends.

And that's where the first inspiration for my book came from. Though my novel I've been working on ever since, has changed so much, and has nothing to do with apartment buildings burning down, if it wasn't for that children's book, I'm sure I wouldn't be writing my book. The Thanksgiving element plays a huge part and ties in with other inspiration I've gathered in the last few years.

C.S. Lewis once took care of four children during WWII. This gave him the idea of four children finding a magical world in a wardrobe. He also kept having dreams about lions. Amazing how those dreams and the children turned into the absolutely beautiful 'Chronicles of Narnia' series.

So don't feel like you always have to have brilliant ideas that just come automatically from your brain in order to be a writer. The only ideas that turn into wonderful pieces of work come from inspiration.

 I would love to hear where you have found inspiration for stories or poems. Please comment and share!

Writing for Him

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." ~Romans 8:28

When you are a writer, it's common to feel pressured. There are so, so many expectations. Expectations from readers, publishers, agents, and of course yourself. You feel like you are always trying to prove yourself, and it can be exhausting.

I was feeling this way today, as I am busy with several huge projects and tasks. I have a binder of Bible verses sitting on my desk so I flipped through and turned to Romans 8:28. It reminded me that the whole point of what I do is to do it with a love for God, putting Him first.

So I thought I'd share the verse with you, reminding you of His promise. When we love God and seek Him with all our heart, all things will work out according to His perfect plan.

So chin up and remember that it's God's pleasure and glory that matters above all things!

Five Magic Spindles Show and Tell

Last week, Anne Elisabeth Stengl posted many synopsis and opening lines of the stories in progress from the authors competing in Rooglewood Press's 'Five Magic Spindles' contest.

I know I'm late in posting this, but if you haven't read the post yet, DO SO! I am so inspired and intrigued to see all the different sleeping beauty retelling ideas. You can read them here.

I've decided to share my synopsis on my own blog as well, but I do hope you'll read everyone else's, for there are so many creative stories being developed!

My Synopsis of my Sleeping Beauty retelling:

The Hunter’s Heir:

After embarrassing herself in front the Elven Kingdom during her sixteenth birthday celebration, Princess Meriel is afraid her clumsiness and lack of grace and elegance has given her royal family a bad name.

            When she runs to Coral Brook Forest to be alone, she discovers her father’s own advisor attempting to bring back a darkness that was destroyed hundreds of years ago.

            And after she is struck by the darkness and wakes up one hundred years later, she finds that the Elven Kingdom is ruled by a selfish and cruel king, elves and humans are no longer friends, and villages are being attacked at night by the same darkness that had caused Meriel to sleep for a century long.

            With the help of a cocky archer and two eccentric fairies, Princess Meriel journeys to find the elf and heir of the great Hunter, Lianothorn who had once destroyed the darkness years ago.

As Meriel encounters dangers she had never expected herself to face, she discovers that that courage and loyalty are far more important qualities to have than simply being beautiful and charming.

This project has been so much fun to work on. After working on a fiction story for such a long time, it's a little nice to explore a completely different genre. Elves have always intrigued me, so it's been really fun studying about them and creating them in my own way as well.

Having only just finished my first (and very rough) draft of this story, there is still much work to be done. I still have not a name for the Elven Kingdom, and I unfortunately am several hundred words over the limit word count.

But thankfully we have until December to turn in our manuscripts, so it should be (hopefully!) ready by then. :)

A Writer's Journey: Into the Great Unknown...

"To the end of his days Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside, without a hat, a walking-stick, or any money, or anything that he usually took when he went out..."

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, the story of Bilbo Baggins leaving the comfort and safety of his own home and people, and joining a group of dwarves to go on a long and dangerous journey so they can eventually take on an even more dangerous dragon...reminds me of the beginning of a writer's life.

Though Bilbo had always lived a relaxed and organized life, the adventurer deep within him left all his things that made him feel secure, behind. He had no money, no walking-stick, and not even a hat, when he left. But he did take something with him that perhaps he never before realized he had. And that was courage.

Every writer, just like every hero or heroine in a story makes a choice to begin this exciting and rather scary journey in their life. They have no idea what is ahead of them. A writer's journey starts even before they have any education or experience in the field. They just have a dream. They just a passion. And they just a very huge amount of courage!

 If you are someone who has just discovered that writing is what you want to pursue, and you are 100% serious about taking this plunge, then you understand the overwhelming and scary risks and fears this decision involves.

If you are an experienced writer, you can think back and remember those days when you first started and all the fears that you faced.

I smile as I think of the beginning of my writer's journey. I had always loved telling stories when I was a little girl. I had an entire dream world in my head, and a ridiculous imagination like Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green Gables books. And when I was twelve years old, I wrote my first book, The Gadget Girls. I printed it off from the computer and still have it saved away with many of my other writings and poems from when I was young.

As I got older, I would tell bed time stories to the children I babysat. Too many times, they'd be up way past their bedtime, as my stories grew long and detailed. Then throughout high school I worked on a couple stories here and there. I had a bad habit of getting halfway through one, then coming up with another, and starting a brand new one.

Though I've always enjoyed writing, I also love many other things, and I simply never thought that I'd ever become this serious about it. But the year after I graduated high school, and was teaching art classes, I suddenly came up with a story idea that seemed to stand out to me more than any other idea I'd ever had.

In the next post I'll talk about how I thought of the idea and where the inspiration came from. But tonight I just want to share a little about how I got started on pursuing the writer's life. 

As I started writing, this time, the characters were so real in my head, I felt as if I personally knew each of them. The story started to unfold, and for the first time, I stuck to it. There was something about this story that made me feel like it needed to be written. I hadn't taken any creative writing courses. I had only read a little bit of a book on writing. I wasn't going to school to earn a degree in English. 

Like Bilbo, I was flying out the door without my walking stick! But as I began this journey, I learned that I loved writing more than anything else I've ever done. 

I have complete confidence it was God who put the story idea in my head. And though the story has changed DRASTICALLY in the last four years, I am so thankful that I got on this path. This story and I have been through so much together, and I wouldn't be where I am today, refining it so it is its absolute best, if I hadn't ran out the door to face a world unknown.

Every book has a beginning. And every dream does too. We all start somewhere. If you are just beginning this journey as a writer, take courage. If you truly love it, you will be able to face the obstacles and fears that you will encounter on the way. 

If you have read the ending of The Hobbit, you know it was a pretty good idea that Bilbo left his home to go with the dwarves. If it wasn't for him, well...we wouldn't have Tolkien's entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

If you have a book in you, write it! You will never know what will happen until you begin

A Writer's Journey Blog Post Series

In my last post I mentioned that I am going to start sharing a weekly blog post series each month. I know I am starting in the middle of the month, so I'll probably be posting a couple times this and next week.

For this month, being the first series, I thought the perfect theme to write about is, "A Writer's Journey." Each post, I will cover little facts, some advice, encouragement, and input on what a writer's journey is all about and how to embrace the challenging plunge into a writer's life.

Check back tonight to read the very first post of this series!  

Goodbye Summer...and Exciting Announcement!

Oh where oh where did the summer go? Isn't it amazing how so many of us imagine the summer as a relaxing and lazy season? We see ourselves lounging by the pool, sipping lemonade while reading a good book every day.

But summer comes and we find ourselves even crazy busier than the school year. Moms' are carpooling each kid from one sport to the next. There are camps. Trips. Family reunions. Everyone is go, go, go. And before you know it, the summer is over!

I am not a mom, and I did not go on any big summer vacations or to family reunions this year. But I also did not go to the pool once. The worst part, is I did not get tan and am still as pasty white as I was in the winter. 

Yes, summer was rather crazy intense for me. While working hard to finish the first draft of the major rewrite of my book, marketing and writing copy for my business, and working on my novella for the Rooglewood Press's fairytal contest, I was sad to neglect my blog for a couple of months.

However, though life doesn't quite feel like it's slowed down any, I am happy to say that I am now on the second draft of my rewrite; I have found a good time of the day to work on projects for my business and clients; And my novella is coming along smoothly!

And that has brought me to make a little announcement. I will now not only be posting consistently on my blog...but am starting a new blog post series each month! I will be sharing one post regarding the topic of the month once a week.

I am really excited to get back into blogging. Stay tuned to read the very first post of the series for September! 

Meanwhile...I'd love to hear about your summer! What projects did you start or finish? Were you able to write as much as you wanted to? Did any trips or summer adventures inspire any story ideas? Do tell! Just leave a comment below. Can't wait to hear from you!

Lady of Devices

I recently checked my 2015 reading plan on Goodreads and realized that I'm five books behind schedule. Yikes! This summer, I'm hoping to make some extra time to get caught up and hopefully find some good books to indulge in. I also am making a goal of writing and sharing more reviews of the books I enjoy. I recently finished 'Lady of Devices' and decided to share my thoughts on the novel.

I have never read any books from the steampunk genre, so when I found out about Shelley Adina's 'Magnificent Devices' series, I became curious and decided to give the first book a go. I am pleased to say that 'Lady of Devices' was a delightful read, and I look forward to digging into the rest of the books!

My Review:

Lady of Devices 

by Shelley Adina

The story takes place in  London, 1889. Seventeen year old Lady Claire has always had an interest in experimenting with chemicals in the lab at school, or learning how to drive her family's Landau. After graduating high school, she has high hopes of furthering her education in engineering. However, her mother has different plans. While Claire tries to persuade her mother into letting her attend University, her mother forbids it, hoping instead to find Claire a suitable husband.

But after Claire's father dies, their family discovers he had gambled their estate away on the combustion engine, leaving his company bankrupt. As Claire's mother and brother move to the country, Claire stays home, hoping to find employment. But when an angry mob who had invested in her father's company, riots her home, she is forced out on the streets. She soon encounters a gang of thieves, no older than children, and ends up caring for them, all the while, hoping she might still find employment somewhere, and eventually attend University.

She uses her knowledge with devices and also her training in etiquette, to turn around the lives of these children who had never been taught the difference between right or wrong.

This story was really fun and exciting to read! I absolutely love Claire and her spunky personality. She has a mind of her own, knows how to look out for herself, and doesn't give up on what she believes in. While there wasn't exactly romance in this, I believe something might blossom between her and a young scientist in the next books. The writing was well structured, the plot exciting, and as I said before, I can't wait to begin the next in the series!

Dealing With Unexpected and Unavoidable Distractions

My day was off to a great start! I woke up before 6:00 and had my schedule all planned out. It was the beginning of a busy week and I wanted to get as much writing done as I could on Monday, since I knew I wouldn't be able to later in the week.

I sat up in bed and stretched, then Gigi, our silky terrier, crawled over to cuddle with me. I let her snuggle for a while, and just before I was about to get up, I felt a small bump on her head. Cringing, I brushed her hair away from the little bump and found what I feared. A tick.

I grumbled as I found a tweezers and pulled it off. Then to be safe, I checked for more. It didn't take long to find another...and another...and another. (Yuck!) After the twelfth one, I will not lie when I say I was freaking out. I really can deal with most bugs...but ticks? They are disgusting little creatures who refuse to die! (Not to mention, they carry lime disease!)

After thoroughly checking Gigi, one more time, my sister, Leah, and I put Frontline treatment on her (apparently no one had done that this month...). We figured that Gigi had gotten the ticks from our backyard. We still had a lot of firewood that was still underneath the deck from the winter.

Well to make a long (and gross) story short, I found dead and alive ticks around the house all day. So instead of sending out emails and writing 5,000 words as I had planned...I spent the day flushing ticks down the toilet. To say I was not happy is an understatement.

When all of this was happening Leah tried to remind me that it could be a lot worse. At the time I didn't appreciate her telling me this, but when I look back now, I can't help but be very grateful that it wasn't worse! For instance, it could have been fleas!

What I learned from that day, is that sometimes in life we have to deal with the unplanned. We have to set aside everything we had planned to get done, and deal with unexpected and sometimes unpleasant interruptions.

I think the best way to respond to these kind of days, is to simply accept that we didn't get done what we had hoped, but it couldn't have been helped. Then to take advantage of the days that do run smoothly.
But...what if every day is hectic?

I really admire writers who are young mothers and still manage to write. They somehow find time, whether it's during the children's nap time, or movie time, or evening, they get their work done amidst the craziness of life.

What I've learned from other writers, is that if you truly have a passion to write, then you must make time. Even if it's just a little bit in the morning each day, that's better than nothing.

I didn't get much written during the week of the tick situation. But the following week, I picked up where I left off and set goals. But this time, I set goals, knowing that I might not reach them. Something unexpected might come up again. But I'd work hard and make the best of the time that I did have.

Last week I wrote a blog post on distractions that you can avoid while writing. If you have not read it, please do, and let me know what helps keep you focused while you write. You can view the post Here. 

Rooglewood Press Short Story Writing Contest

I am very excited to share that Rooglewood Press has recently announced the cover reveal to their third fairy tale short story contest!

 

Five Magic Spindles

a collection of Sleeping Beauty stories

The challenge is to write a retelling of the beloved fairy tale in any genre or setting you like. Make certain your story is recognizably “Sleeping Beauty,” but have fun with it as well. Make it yours!

Rooglewood Press will be selecting five winners to be published in the Five Magic Spindles collection, which will be packaged up with the phenomenal cover you see here. Maybe your name will be one of the five listed?

All the contest rules and information (how to enter, story details, deadline etc.) may be found on the Rooglewood Press website. Just click HERE and you will go right to the page.

Rooglewood Press’s first collection, Five Glass Slippers, is available for purchase, and our second collection, Five Enchanted Roses, is scheduled to launch on July 27, and is currently available for pre-order. Be certain to get a copy of each and see what previous winners did with their wonderful retellings.

 

Cover Illustration Credit:

This cover illustration was rendered by Julia Popova, “ForestGirl.” You can find out more about this gifted artist on her website: www.forestgirl.ru