What's Square and Occupies Your Mind?

by G.Parker

For my blog last week I mentioned the movie Inkheart. I talked about how the author wanted to disappear into his own book. Something else snagged my attention during the movie. There was a part where he was trying to write something into the book, and was having a difficult time. We've all experienced that at one time or another.

It's called writer's block.

I sat there and thought to myself, "Oh come on, just write something! It's your story, you know everything about it, just change something!" I was really frustrated with him.

The young girl in the story asks him if he has writers block, and then suggests that she could help him. He remembers that she mentioned wanting to be a writer, and all he can think to tell her is that it's a lonely life. I thought that was a sad commentary on writing.

So -- Writer's block. What causes it? Pressure? Frustration? Stress? I think it's anything and everything. We are (for the most part) social people. We live with others, we work with others, and generally, write about people. Life tends to get in the way, jumble our thoughts and make things stall.

The biggest thing I've found to help me are mad writes and editing. Mad writes (sometimes known as mad libs, or flash fiction)get the juices flowing; and editing gets them working on the particular story you've become blocked with. I have been fortunate in not experiencing writer's block very often. But then there is the whole avoidance issue...

There are also classes at local schools and colleges, online classes, and critique groups. We've talked about our various critique groups several times, so there shouldn't be any doubt as to how beneficial they are. Have you found one yet? There are also lots of contests to enter for free. Sometimes writing something for a contest can get the brain going as well.

If you have other suggestions for writer's block, let us know. I'd like to see how you overcome the brain freeze.

Cut By a Fifth

By Nichole Giles

The other night I did something I’ve been working toward for eighteen months. I finished my work in progress. That isn’t to say that I don’t have four more in the works, but that the biggest, most major project I’ve ever taken on, is finished.

Well, okay. I realize it’s entirely likely that I’ll end up doing three or four more edits if and when I actually sell it—but for now, it’s done enough that I’m ready to write the synopsis and start the submission process.

I knew I was getting close, so I stayed up until 1:00 am, and when I was finished, sent a copy to my alpha-reader—my fifteen-year-old son. I can’t wait to hear what he has to say.

My copy of Stephen King’s “On Writing” sat on the shelf for two or three months until I got around to reading it. But once I started, I found the story—though nonfiction—so compelling that I flew through the majority of it in a matter of days.

In his book, King discusses a valid point, asking who—besides ourselves—we are writing to please. Who is the first person to whom you will send your manuscript the minute it’s finished? For him, it’s his wife. And because he knows she will be the first one to read it, certain scenes and conversations become reality because he aims to please the person he calls his alpha-reader. Even still, she has plenty of criticism for him, and that’s as it should be between an author and alpha-reader.

King also talks about the ten percent rule. After he has finished his manuscript—writing without editing—he automatically plans to cut out ten percent in the edits. By my calculations, I’ve cut approximately twenty percent. Not quite as much as I wanted, but a significant number of words. I now feel like my manuscript is much stronger because of the adjustments.

As I prepare to bundle my baby and send it away, I’ll take comfort in the knowledge that even Stephen King gathered a large collection of rejections before he made a big sale. I’m about to dive into writing my synopsis, and then I hope to get submitting. Wish me luck and cross your fingers.

Life's Scratches

by C. LaRene Hall

Somewhere I read – This life is full of scratches. That is why the Lord gave us patches.

This past week has been full of more scratches than I want to count. In fact, some of the hurts are deeper than scratches. Sometimes going through life, we receive a scrape here and maybe another day a cut. Some days we receive a nick and the next day a scuff, but we always get up and keep going. We don’t let the hard things knock us down. I also have to agree that the Lord does give us patches. There are friends who put their arms around us, others pick us up and help us keep moving. If we pray, the Lord fills our hearts with peace.

Since we are encouraged to write about what we know, these experiences help us find emotions to draw on. If our life was perfect with no conflict, we wouldn’t know what it feels like to be scared or hurt. Then we wouldn’t know how to describe that emotion to others as we write our stories. Sometimes we need a reminder that life is not always full of the good things. Even though I've had a bad week, I'm thankful for the people who help me push forward.

My New Kindle 2 Scares me!

By Darvell Hunt

My New Kindle 2 scares me! But, to be fair, the first thing I read on it was a Stephen King story about an Amazon Kindle that was from, well, not from Hell, but certainly close to it.

The experience of reading a whole story in ebook form was a little scary to me, too—not because of the first story I read—but because I never believed reading on an electronic device would be so much like reading a paper novel. I’m a big fan of the latest and greatest electronic gadgets—heaven knows my drawers and closets at home are filled with them—but I never really imagined that an electronic reading device could ever replace a collection of papers bound together into a physical book.

I think Amazon has changed my mind on that. Honestly, it does kind of feel like I’m reading on a larger-than-life child-sized iPhone, but you know, aside from the novelty of it all, I think the device works well for what it was designed.

A new addition to my reading experience is wearing reading glasses, which has less to do with the Kindle and more about me turning into an old fart. I found I still need the glasses for my new Kindle, just like a real paper book, so these two media have more things in common than not. It seems about the only difference between them is how you turn the page!

So—could the Amazon Kindle 2 really replace paper books? Well, I’m beginning to think so. Sure, it might. Wow, did I say that?

There will always be car fans who think the best cars made were produced in the 60s, and there will always be readers who think books should be made of paper, but you know, those lines are a bit blurred for me now. I must admit that I’m surprised by how much I like my new ebook reader. I think the device has kindled (oh brother!) a new interest in reading the written word again. (Much of my reading lately has been with audio books, as I drive a lot for work. I also don’t like admitting that I need reading glasses.)

Also, being the gadget geek I am, the fact that I can log into Fandango.com to order movie tickets on my Kindle, or check the Drudge Report news or read The Onion blog—well, those things just make a great device seem even so much better.

I guess I’m sold. I just hope I can keep my wife from finding out how cool my new Kindle is. Oops, I think she reads my blog. Dang it, there goes that idea!

What if . . .

By Ali Cross

Where do story ideas come from?

And once you have your story idea, how can you develop it?

These seem to be two most popular questions writers get. For me, it all starts with two little words—what if . . .

Actually, most of my story ideas come from dreams. But unless I’ve been blessed with one of those rare and special dreams that tell me a whole story all at once (can’t say as I’ve ever had a dream like THAT), I usually only have an idea, or premise to get me started.

Regardless of how I get my initial idea—whether by subliminal suggestion or sheer force of will—I’ve been able to expand upon the idea by playing the “What if . . . ?” game.

Here’s an example of how the game might be played, using a story line I developed just because I wanted to see if I could come up with a young adult book idea:

What if there’s a teenage girl who’s the literal daughter of Satan?

What if he wants her to do bad things, you know, go into the family business, but she wants to be a good girl?

What if her father demands that she prove herself to him by assigning her a soul to ruin, but she does the opposite and saves the soul?

What if her boyfriend is an angel?

What if he’s been sent here to show her she has the right to choose for herself?

But what if the devil’s daughter thinks she’s destined to be bad?

What if she pushes away her friends because she thinks they are too good for her?

And so it goes.

When you get stuck somewhere in your story and you’re not sure what happens next, the “What if . . .?” game can be useful again. It’s especially fun to play the game with a friend—sometimes the ideas someone else comes up with spark a myriad of our own and off we go again.

Mind mapping is a fun and easy way to play the game on your own. Just start with an idea, ask what if …? and let the ideas flow.

I’d love to hear if you work like this too. If the idea is new to you, try it out and let me know how it you liked it. Have fun!

Missing a Step

By Karen Hoover

Have you ever questioned where certain phrases come from? I have, on more than one occasion. I had an experience two days ago that brought home my understanding of the phrase “missed a step” in none too friendly terms. I was walking down the stairs with my hands full and, thinking I’d reached the bottom, I stepped out to find nothing but air. The side of my foot landed first, my ankle giving out from under me, and I hit the floor, pain screaming though the joint. It hurt so bad I couldn’t breathe. I lay on the ground moaning and groaning until my husband came to my rescue and helped me up.

This in connection to a conversation I had with a friend of mine about a week ago has really had me thinking. She was bemoaning the fact that her writing never comes out the way she wants, that she can’t seem to write great no matter how hard she tries. I, of course, being the good friend that I am offered comfort and told her that it’s all part of the learning process. I remember going through it. I remember those days of wondering if I would ever be ‘good enough’, and feeling like I was chasing a phantom.

The problem is we can’t start at the beginning and leap to the end. We have to take each step along the way, learn the process, so that in the end we can be the great writers we so desire. If we miss the step of plot, our stories will ramble. If we miss the step on characterization our protagonist will be cardboard. If we miss the step of grammar our manuscripts will be unreadable. Every step we learn leads us that much closer to the end of having a good book and knowing how to write fully and well.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t intend to skip anymore of those steps. It just hurts too much.

Hank Did it, You Can Too

By Keith Fisher

Do you remember Hank Williams? I’m not talking about Jr. I’m talking about the original? Hank was a country music singer/songwriter in the nineteen fifties. He sang with a kind of whining tone that was popular in the type of music he played.

He wrote some good lyrics that are still used by musicians today, but its how those lyrics came to be written that I want to write about.

There is a story about the song, Kaw-Liga that expresses my point. Now as I understand it, and you’ll have to check on my accuracy, Hank was staying with friends, associates, and drinking buddies in a cabin in the hills. Hank had been keeping pretty much to himself and in a reflective mood.

After a day or two, they ran out of liquor and took a car to get some. On the way back home, Hank was riding in the front seat of the car. He said that the woods surrounding the cabin did something to him. That the feel of the place got him thinking and he suddenly hit the dashboard and followed with the rhythmic drum-beat that is prevalent throughout the song. He started singing his lyrics and borrowed a pen and paper to write them down.

You can take many of the other songs written by him, and tell the story of his life. All of his hurt, Joy and fears are expressed in his lyrics. Of course, he didn’t write some of the songs he sang, but he lived the words.

The point here is Hank listened to his heart and wrote what he found there. He used life’s ups and downs and made music many people could, and do, relate to. We as writers can take a lesson from that.

As many of you know, I have been spending a lot of time lately in the hospital sitting with my dying father. While walking down the hall of ICU one-day I had to stop, listen and breathe in the air around me. This was a scene I had tried to describe in one of my stories once. I didn’t get it wrong but there were certain details I had missed. The rhythmic beep, beep, beep of a monitor, the sound of a respirator as it breathes for the patient, the smell of the antiseptic dispensed from the containers lining the walls.

I wrote it down, and I’ll use it in a story someday. About three weeks ago, I sat in an armchair in the public library, waiting for my daughter to choose her books. People of all walks of life passed by. Some were in a hurry, some not. Some of them were dragging kids along. Others stopped to peruse the books on sale tables. I watched them all, made my judgements and cataloged them in my mind as characters in future books.

In another story, I'll take my current experiences, draw from my feelings and lay it out for a reader to feel. Like Hank, my life can be told in what I write. Many people tell me they would love to be a writer but they wouldn’t know what to write about. I’m going to start telling them to look around, pay attention, feel the moment, and use your senses. Then tell others about it. The craft of writing can be learned as you go but if you really want to write, start listening and pay attention.

Good luck in your writing---see you next week.

What Would You do?

by G.Parker

My family and I went to see Inkheart for Family Night on Monday. I'd seen the first hour or so of it during a trailer shop, (I do mystery shopping for theaters)and a couple of my other children had already seen the whole thing -- but I wanted to see the end. I wanted to see how things were going to get fixed. Don't worry, if you haven't seen the movie yet, I'm not going to give too much away. Grin.

Inkheart, for those of you who don't know (as I didn't before the movie came out) is the name of a book. Actually, it's a series of three books. My daughter has read the series, and liked the movie better than the first book. From her description, I don't want to read them anymore. Kind of reminds me of how all the Narnia books end. Sigh.

What fascinated me about the movie, was the concept of an author wanting to live in the book he has written. Most of the stories I've written are about places I have already been. I haven't attempted many fantasies because that line of thought is generally difficult for me to picture -- it's pure imagination. While the two fantasies I have written are fun, the one I finished is still within the confines of the northern American continent. I didn't need to make up anything about where it was. The one still in the works is an unknown -- it comes in spurts and moments of challenge. I still don't know how it's going to end.

Have you ever fallen in love with what you were writing so much that you would rather be there than in your real life? Are you so lonely in reality that you would make up stories to take yourself away? I can't imagine it. While I enjoy writing, and putting the characters and places down on paper, I don't picture myself there.

My imaginings are times away with my hubby on a beach or cruise ship somewhere with or without our children...although usually it's without. Grin.

What is your approach to your writing? Is it an escape from reality? Or is it something that must come out because it's begging to be told? You've read our different blogs where we've expressed how the characters are in our heads, pushing for the story to be written. An author's life is not always a comfortable passion.

But the idea of escaping into one's work was amazing to me. I know that many read to escape reality, but I had never considered an author writing to escape reality. I don't think any of us here at the Blog feel that way. Interesting concept.

Most of my children are writers, and they left the theater with several new story ideas. It wouldn't be a bad thing if they would finish something. Sigh.

It's Just What We Do

By Nichole Giles

I’ve been writing—seriously writing—for going on four years. It doesn’t sound like very long to some people, but to others it sounds like forever. Personally, I haven’t noticed much about the passage of time other than my kids have shot up (like feet rather than inches) and I’ve actually completed a few novels and sold some things for publication.

But if I go back and read my early work, I can see a significant difference in style, voice, technique, story, and plot. I look back at it and wonder what I was thinking when I wrote that, or how I ever thought it might be good. But the truth is, it was good. At the time, I was discovering writing, and everything involved, and the only way to do that is to write a lot. Every day. And I’ve done that—faithfully—for all this time. So even if the writing itself wasn’t high quality, it was good for me to do.

More than that, I’ve also been reading. Not that I didn’t read before, I did—but with different eyes. Now I look at technique, style, voice, technicalities, editing…everything that comes together to make a story not just good, but easy to read.

And I read a LOT. Rather than sticking with one favorite author and one genre, I now read a large variety of both—fiction and nonfiction—and each book I read is a study in how that particular author approaches story. That’s not to say I like everyone’s approach, but when something doesn’t work for me, I study it in order to figure out why.

I’ve gathered a collection of nonfiction books—mostly about writing and mythology. The mythology ones are great for research into my fantasy novels. The writing books have taught me as much as any class or author lecture—and I’ve taken lots of classes and gone to lots of conferences.

These books look at me from a shelf in my office, encouraging me to keep going, even when I feel like I’ll never get it right. You all know what I’m talking about. That little voice of doubt that creeps in and whispers that you’re wasting your time, no one will believe your story, and you might as well shut down the computer and find something more productive to do. That fear of rejection and success at the same time can be crippling and exhilarating. It’s a love hate thing for us, I think.

My point—in case you were wondering—is that we all have those doubts. And we ALL produce imperfect writing sometimes, especially when we’re getting started. It doesn’t matter. Write anyway. That’s what we do. We write. And the more we write, the better we become. Then we read everything we can get our hands on, and we become better writers for that as well. And even when it becomes physically painful to put those words on paper and share them with others, we push on. We take those rejection letters and file them, or burn them, or turn them into wallpaper—whatever—and we do another edit and resubmit somewhere else. It’s just what we do.

In my library of writing books, there are four that have affected me significantly and which I’ve read more than once. I thought I’d share them here, in case any of our readers are interested.

“On Writing” by Stephen King
“Word Magic for Writers” by Cindy Rogers
“On Writing Well” by William Zinsser
“Self-Editing For Fiction Writers” by Renni Browne and Dave King

One last thought. I’ve been a part of this blogging group since the beginning. Having this deadline has acted as incentive to keep me writing—even when I wasn’t working on any particular project. Blogging is part of the reason I’ve progressed so much, because I am constantly on my toes watching for topics and ideas, and while I’m at it, I’m learning.

So, give yourself a deadline, write something every day, read as much as you can and ignore the irritating voice of doubt that perches on your shoulder and tries to convince you that you can’t do it, because you CAN. We’re writers. That’s just what we do! HUH!

(Yeah, I borrowed that from “Bedtime Stories.” Couldn’t help myself.)

Scrap the Outline

by C. LaRene Hall

A month ago, I attended a class that encouraged writing with an outline. Two weeks later, I also attended several classes that suggested the same thing. I took all of these classes very seriously, and I tried to follow the directions given. I was sure that maybe the instructors knew something I didn’t. By now, I’m ready to throw both arms in the air and declare defeat. It has helped a little to know where my story is heading, but I’ve had enough.

I even threw my first chapter away. Don’t panic. It’s stored away some place safe. I started over, and then I started over again. In the past month, I haven’t even written one chapter. I was hoping to have something for the first chapter contest, but it isn’t happening.

I’m calmly putting away the outline, and starting over again. This time I’m going back to my usual method and writing whatever pops into my head. Maybe when the editing process is here, I’ll again pull out the outline and see if I’ve missed anything along the way. For some people outlining may be the way to go. If when I first started writing I had outlined, maybe I could get it and use it effectively. But I’ve decided it’s better to not use an outline than it is to not write.

My advice to everyone is to write what you know, and write the way that is best for you. It’s good to attend workshops and writing classes, but don’t get so hung up on the way it’s supposed to be done, that you lose your voice to the point you can’t even write. These writing tools are there to help you, not hinder what you are doing. Now I’m going to do it my way.

New Kid on the Blogck

By Darvell Hunt

As you might have noticed from yesterday’s blog, there’s a new kid on the blogck. Ali Cross has joined our blogging group and we’re excited to have her on board.

She’s not really a kid, but she’s new here, so I think the pun works. We had some technical difficulties in getting her added to our group, so our blog ended up with two copies yesterday. Before fixing the problem, each post got comments, so we left them both up. I think that’s a good sign for her first post.

We here at LDS Writers Blogck have known Ali for quite some time already. We’re excited for you all to get to know her, too—perhaps you already do from her other blogs. Either way, we hope you’ll enjoy her insightful posts.

The Gift To Create

By Ali Cross

I am so grateful to be here, and to have the opportunity to share the stage, even for just a little while, with the awesome writers who make this Blogck their own. Thank you!

I didn’t grow up always wanting to write the Great American Novel. For one thing, I’m Canadian. ;)

Having never written novellas, or even short stories, I did write poetry—but what preteen and teen hasn’t, right? After all, it’s the medium of choice for teenage angst. Well, that is until You Tube.

But while attending university, I started playing Dungeons and Dragons with some misfits with whom I fit very well. That was the first time the idea for writing a book started to tickle the back of my mind.

Some fifteen years later while on a drive to a vacation spot with my family we were filling up the long hours with talk about our dreams. I mentioned my dream of some day writing a book about a character I had created during my D&D days. My husband said he too, had a story idea running around his head, and so we played the "What if … ?" game for the first time.

By the time we reached our destination, we each had full-blown stories worked out. We stopped and bought index cards, notepads and pens before checking into our hotel and proceeded to write our books over the next week. It was an amazing and cathartic experience.

When we returned home, I started poking around the internet to find information on writing. A wonderful woman reached out to me and told me about the LDStorymakers conference. She was very encouraging about my writing and convinced me to not only attend the conference, but to enter in the first chapter contest.

I went to the conference and two remarkable things happened:

Tristi Pinkston taught a class in which she bore her testimony about our gift to create. She said, and she provided scripture and doctrine to support her statement, that we had the opportunity to develop our talents in the preexistence and that we brought those talents with us to earth.

And then she said, "If you feel a desire to write a book, then that is a prompting from God, and you should do it. It is your talent. You are a writer."

The other remarkable thing that happened was my first chapter placed second in the sci fi/fantasy category. I wasn’t even there to receive my award because I didn’t believe in my abilities as a writer and certainly hadn’t expected to win any sort of recognition. Up until that weekend, I just wrote. Afterwards, I was a writer.

Recently the Blogck shared a short video that is further proof of what I learned at that LDStorymaker conference two years ago--we are creative beings, it is in our nature to create. Whatever your outlet may be, let it be.

I can testify, that the desire to write is a gift from God and if you pursue it, you will be blessed.

I write because it is in me to do so. I write because I feel I must. I am a writer.

The Gift To Create

by Ali Cross

I am so grateful to be here, and to have the opportunity to share the stage, even for just a little while, with the awesome writers who make this Blogck their own. Thank you!

I didn’t grow up always wanting to write the Great American Novel. For one thing, I’m Canadian. ;)

Having never written novellas, or even short stories, I did write poetry—but what preteen and teen hasn’t, right? After all, it’s the medium of choice for teenage angst. Well, that is until You Tube.

But while attending university, I started playing Dungeons and Dragons with some misfits with whom I fit very well. That was the first time the idea for writing a book started to tickle the back of my mind.

Some fifteen years later while on a drive to a vacation spot with my family we were filling up the long hours with talk about our dreams. I mentioned my dream of some day writing a book about a character I had created during my D&D days. My husband said he too, had a story idea running around his head, and so we played the “What if … ?” game for the first time.

By the time we reached our destination, we each had full-blown stories worked out. We stopped and bought index cards, notepads and pens before checking into our hotel and proceeded to write our books over the next week. It was an amazing and cathartic experience.

When we returned home, I started poking around the internet to find information on writing. A wonderful woman reached out to me and told me about the LDStorymakers conference. She was very encouraging about my writing and convinced me to not only attend the conference, but to enter in the first chapter contest.

I went to the conference and two remarkable things happened:

Tristi Pinkston taught a class in which she bore her testimony about our gift to create. She said, and she provided scripture and doctrine to support her statement, that we had the opportunity to develop our talents in the preexistence and that we brought those talents with us to earth.

And then she said, “If you feel a desire to write a book, then that is a prompting from God, and you should do it. It is your talent. You are a writer.”

The other remarkable thing that happened was my first chapter placed second in the sci fi/fantasy category. I wasn’t even there to receive my award because I didn’t believe in my abilities as a writer and certainly hadn’t expected to win any sort of recognition. Up until that weekend, I just wrote. Afterwards, I was a writer.

Recently the Blogck shared a short video that is further proof of what I learned at that LDStorymaker conference two years ago--we are creative beings, it is in our nature to create. Whatever your outlet may be, let it be.

I can testify, that the desire to write is a gift from God and if you pursue it, you will be blessed.

I write because it is in me to do so. I write because I feel I must. I am a writer.

Don't Be Shy---You Are What You Are

By Keith Fisher


I know it’s presumptuous of me to say, but I’m a writer. It’s okay though, because Webster’s Dictionary says this:
Pronunciation: \’rī-ter\
Function: noun
Date: before 12th century
: One that writes


I spend hours in solitude, doing what is called writing. Again, we consult Webster’s:
Main Entry: writing
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1: the act or process of one who writes: as a: the act or art of forming visible letters or characters; specifically: handwriting 1 b: the act or practice of literary or musical composition
2: something written: as a: letters or characters that serve as visible signs of ideas, words, or symbols b: a letter, note, or notice used to communicate or record c: a written composition d: inscription
3: a style or form of composition
4: the occupation of a writer especially: the profession of authorship.


Don’t hesitate to tell people. It doesn’t matter if you’re published or not, you are a writer. There are hundreds of people who would love to write, like you do, but they let other things prevent them. Be proud of the fact that you have made the commitment. Be proud of the fact that you can create. Be proud of your work.


I am spending time with my family this week, but I have been filling my notebook. This story pulls at me and won’t let me take a break from it. Each time one of my aunts, uncles, or cousins ask, "What are you doing now?" I tell them I’m a writer during the day, and I work full time at night on my other job.


One thing about it, though, explaining my stories is helping me develop my elevator pitches. You know---the thirty-second speech you deliver to a publisher? The one that makes them buy your book?


Good luck in your writing---see you next week.

I'm Glad I Don't Write For Them!

by G.Parker

One of the positive aspects of being a writer is that it gives one choices. Sometimes it's the choice of starving or eating -- but it's still a choice. We also give choices to our readers -- and they choose whether to read or not.

What brings this to mind is the tabloids in our world. You can't miss them, they're in every grocery store next to the check out counter. They're in the gas stations, the convenience stores, drug stores, I'm surprised they aren't in the hardware stores, but then I guess they figure women are the biggest readers. (Is that because women are known gossipers?) So -- there they are; the tabloids full of gossipy news about celebrities that we wish we could live like or emulate (heaven help us).

But now that we live in a world of the electronic age where everything is known within minutes of it's happening, tabloids have joined the internet landscape. One of my email accounts is at Yahoo. If you click on the Yahoo home page, you'll have at least two selections of tabloids. I can't believe the stuff that shows up on there. I try to ignore the stuff at the grocery stores as well. I remember Men in Black and how they were supposed to be the "best investigative reporting on the planet." Please.

My point is this: How would you like to have to earn a living that way? I think it would drive me crazy to write such stuff. Do you have to believe what you're writing? Honestly think you have something to add with your article? This doesn’t make sense to me. How can they write about something so outrageous as a woman giving birth to a bat boy and be able to live with themselves?

I guess if it comes down to the only way you know how to make a living is to write, and the only option you have is to write for such a business, then I guess it's write or starve, and writing will win.

I'm just glad it doesn't have to be me. I'd only last a week or so, and then I'd be in the park, fighting the pigeons for the crumbs.

Creativity

By Cindy Beck


Do you ever have days where you wonder if you're just wasting time writing?
Or moments where you feel your writing isn't good enough—or literary, deep, touching or ____________ (fill in the blank) enough? At one time or another, most of us have felt that way. We've had a bad day, received a disheartening critique or an unexpected rejection, or ended up with writer's block. It's enough to make a writer feel like giving up.

Don't. Don't give up. What you do as a writer has worth.

If you find it hard to believe me, then take it from a man who knows. Click on this video and listen to the words of Elder Uchtdorf about creativity and the place it holds in life.

Something to Say

By Nichole Giles

After Karen’s post about her mother, and then Darvell’s about his father, I’ve given a lot of thought to writing as a therapeutic exercise. During times of extreme emotion, I’ve found that writing, above all else, has the ability to help me sort through my feelings and find the words to express my pain, anger, joy, or happiness.

We all use different forms of this therapy. Karen has her letters, Darvell has been known to express grief through fictional means, and others write in journals. We blog, we email, we write entire books as tribute to our feelings. More often than not, the writing that comes from our deepest emotions turns out to be our best work, even if it will never be publishable. Because whatever words we use are true to us at the time we write them. They are the most true words we know, and so they become our best.

Writing, for most people, is an expression of a deeper person who lives far below the surface of our outside faces. I’ve heard several times that a writer’s first book is autobiographical. I’m going to disagree on that point. I think every work that comes from an author is autobiographical—not because the characters are modeled after the author, but because there is a piece of the author in everything they write.

My twelve-year-old daughter has a private blog. She only posts once a month or so, but when she does, I continue to be impressed with her ability to express herself, and to describe the things happening in her adolescent life. I see in her writing style and voice—while she’s too young and inexperienced to understand she has them—that are unique and descriptive. She isn’t writing for the joy—of all my children, she’s the least likely to grow up and chose to be a writer—she’s writing because she has something to say. That’s all.

And sometimes, that’s the only motivation we need. Writers or not. In all it’s forms, writing is the truest expression of self. Just like art, music, and dance.

On a more humorous note, I told my visiting teachers the other day that I sometimes hear voices in my head. One sister grinned and chuckled, expressing her amazement at what I do. But the other one—newer to visiting me—looked at me in alarm. She didn’t say anything, and I hope I didn’t scare her with the truth. I was only trying to explain that as I was driving to a seventh-grade basketball tournament, two full-fledged scenes for a new book thundered into my mind, and I was grateful for my handy-dandy notebook because I got the idea on paper before it could vanish. I took the scenes—which I turned into a full chapter—to critique with me the other night and it was well received. Looks like I know what will be my next project.

I realize that these new scenes are the manifestations of a culmination of events that occurred over a two-week period. And this chapter is my way of expressing feelings about those events. No one in my life died. I don’t have a giant source of grief or a life-altering problem. But I do live in the world, and because our world is far from perfect, my emotions scream to be heard. I have something to say. That’s all.

And so I’ll say it through writing. Why not? It’s way cheaper than therapy.

Another Obstacle

By C. LaRene Hall

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I hate changes. Maybe my age makes me rebel, but I doubt it. I’ve never liked changes. It probably stems from me having to move so many times while I was a young girl. For the first five years of school I attended a new one every year. That meant I had to make new friends and find my way around new surroundings the beginning of every school year. Of course, with that came new rules. Every new place has different sets of laws than the one before.

Recently I had to purchase a new computer with an updated Microsoft Word program. I doubt I’ll ever learn to use the new one as well as I used the old one. Every week I find something that I can’t figure out how to do. Somehow, I’m muddling through it, but it isn’t fun. I’d rather have the old one back with all the buttons where they belong. Then I can spend my writing time productively.

I’m thinking about this today because of the newest change to our phone system. Its fine when I use my cell phone because everything is programmed correctly, but when I have to pick up the office phone to place a call, I keep getting that annoying recording, “This local call now requires 10 digits . . .” It makes me rather angry. I wonder how long it’s going to take me to adjust my habits. Old ways of doing things are hard to break, especially when you’re older.

This makes me realize as a writer that if I can make my characters upset, my story will be better. If they are having challenges and changes, they are growing. It doesn’t mean they have to like what is happening to them. In fact, the more they don’t like it, the better the story will be. Your readers will keep reading because of the many obstacles you can place in the way.

Have a good week trying to get use to this new imposed phone system, and keep writing.

So long, Dad!

By Darvell Hunt

Some of life's most interesting and most powerful stories are true. I've concentrated so much of my life devoting my attention to creating fiction, that once in a while when reality smacks me upside the head, it doesn't seem real. Not real at all.

My dad passed away last Saturday morning. He was the best dad I ever had. His passing was somewhat of a surprise to us, though he was getting up there in years. (Don't we all somehow seem to do that without even trying?)

Making arrangements for his final resting place has taken much of my time over the past few days and I don't have much time to write now. I just wanted to say that he will be missed, not only by my family, but the many people who came to know him--including many of my writing friends.

So long, Dad!

I'll see you again someday in that great big publishing house in the sky. (That is, if I don't get rejected.)

For anyone who might be interested, funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 10am in the Lindon 16th Ward LDS chapel located at 610 West 100 South, Lindon, Utah. Family and friends may visit at Olpin Mortuary at 494 S 300 E, Pleasant Grove, Utah, from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, March 6, 2009, or one hour prior at the above LDS church building.

Ukulele Jam

by Karen E. Hoover

I attended LTUE (Life, The Universe, and Everything) at BYU last weekend and had an interesting conversation with my friends, one that I’ve pondered on for the past week. Somebody brought up the fact that their daughter had recently played in a school ukulele choir and out of my mouth popped this: "Oh! Give me your email. I'll send you a link to the best ukulele music ever."

Immediately the group started laughing, with me, clueless as ever, sitting there going “what?”

You see, the problem was we had a different perspective on what good music or even good ukulele music really was. I actually sent them the link several days later and each of them responded with amazement. I got responses such as “I never thought I'd write this but, those are some pretty amazing finger pickin' ukelele tunes. You have converted me.” And “That was amazing. Once again, you were right...” and a simple “Wow!”

Now, what does Ukulele music have to do with writing, you might ask? Well, nothing, really, but the story relates in that it’s all about perspective. The way we see the world is directly influenced by the experiences we’ve had and the way it has taught us to think. That affects us as writers and it especially affects our characters—or at least it should.

The other lesson this experience taught me is that there’s nothing like getting a great surprise, especially the kind that shift our perspective. The mystery that keeps you guessing “who done it” until the very end, and then finding out it's the guy you least expected. The romance that makes you think she chose the wrong guy and then discovering he was the best choice all along. Every little step that surprises and delights is one more chance to change our perspective and create a paradigm shift.

So what would you rather write? Predictable vanilla? Or something a little more spicy? Take a chance and try it. Shift your perspective. Change your world.

Putting the Pieces Back Together

By Keith Fisher

Recently, I posted this on my Face Book wall.

Keith is crying buckets of tears. He did something stupid and lost two weeks of work on his new book. Never again, will he resist the urge to backup.

I received a gratifying response—mostly from my fellow writers, expressing their sympathy for the loss. One old friend offered to lend me a program to recover the files. I searched the internet for solutions. I felt stupid, but let me tell you the story.

I was loading a Microsoft Word data file and through a series of weird notes and windows, the program asked me if I wanted to revert to the saved version. I wrinkled my forehead and checked the file on my screen it was blank so I told the program yes. I knew better, but in my defense I was also working on a dozen things at the time.

The computer did what it was told. It deleted the original, in favor of the new matrix, (nothing). I was devastated. I’d spent two weeks working on that story without backing up.

As I might have mentioned, I’m writing this story in pieces, and from many points of view. Then later, I paste the pieces into chapters in the main data file. I breathed a sigh of relief because I thought I could reconstruct from the different pieces. Then, I realized there were three chapters I’d written directly into the main data file. Not to mention the strings of transition and dialog, making the POVs nest together.

I searched every inch of my hard drive for old temp files of all conceivable extension type, and managed to build a facsimile of part of the original. There was a lot, however, I couldn’t retrieve, and it devastated me.

But . . . as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been writing most of the first draft by hand, in notebooks, and transferring to the computer later. God Bless my notebooks. I went back and found the drafts, minus some minor parts.

Now, I’m re-writing my book. There are a few obscure thoughts and dialog, that will be lost forever, but I think I can patch it up again.

Some writers frown on my notebook way of drafting. It’s true, if I’d been smart enough to back it all up, I wouldn’t need them now, but I’m glad to have them.

Good luck in your writing—see you next week.

The Plain and the Precious

by G.Parker

A couple of weeks ago, a friend handed me a book and said I needed to read it. She said she just loved it, and if nothing else, I should read it just for the writing technique. I fully expected to read something that I couldn't put down. Sigh.

It didn't happen.

A week or so before she gave me that book, I picked up one published by Love Inspired. What is interesting about these two books, is that they both had the Amish as their subject matter. One -- the volume my friend gave me -- was a murder mystery in Amish country and how the culture deals with such things. The other -- the romance -- was how a young woman finds her roots in going to a community to be a Midwife.

On first glance one would have thought the romance book to be a sappy, little thought story that doesn't take any energy to read. To my surprise, I found it to be wonderful, and recommended it to my daughters. We have all taken to reading the Love Inspired books because they are clean -- no one is sleeping around and very little (if any) language. The majority of them are probably fluff -- but there are a few that are really well written.

Both books have a great deal of research and information on the Amish as a general community, though in slightly different ways. I'm sure there are different groups that practice things just slightly off from another -- but it was interesting to see the differences and learn more about the group of people who are a wonderful example of following your principles.

I feel bad about the book my friend suggested. I stuck with it and finished reading so I could tell her I'd read it, but I found myself having to skip several graphic parts. I didn't find the main character very likable, the writer switched view points from first person to third from chapter to chapter, which was a little disconcerting for me; and I didn't like how the story ended. It was a happy ending (which as everyone knows by now is a prerequisite for me) but I don't like the way she got there.

It occurred to me that it was basically a complete difference in viewpoint. The one book is written by an apparently well known author (I'd never heard of her before) who is nationally published and has several books out. The other is a little known writer who only writes for Love Inspired. I guess it's plain which one I liked the best.

What struck me is how, even though they contain similar subject matter, they are totally different books. Both contain romance, both are heavily involved with the Amish community, and both have happy endings. But that's not all there is to a book, is it? One was a more, shall we say, modern view of things and behaviors; the other had a more spiritual take on things and what we should be doing. Personal growth.

Have you found yourself comparing books you've read and how differently the authors covered the subject matter? Have you thought about it while writing? I don't think I've ever written more than one book on the same subject or plot, but perhaps if you're writing non-fiction that would be common.

So now I have to figure out how to tell my friend I hated the book without hurting her feelings. It's a good thing she's not the author.

Cutting, Combining, Deleting, Oh My!

By Nichole Giles

In case you’re wondering about my progress in cutting my manuscript down, I’m doing splendidly (what a lovely, terrible adverb!) It’s taken some good, objective looking to do it, because I’m not generally a wordy writer. In times past, I’ve even prided myself in my ability to keep my work tight.

Now that’s not to say I NEVER use dreaded useless adverbs. I think every writer uses a few. The tricky part is knowing when they are helpful and when they’re useless and distracting.

And it isn’t to say I never repeat words or phrases. Holy shmoly. I’m only about halfway through my manuscript, but I’ve lost count of how often I’ve caught myself using phrases like, “he stepped toward” or “she nodded” or “shrugged.”

But then, no one’s perfect. Not even me. (Contrary to popular belief…)

And so I’m cutting. And cutting, and cutting. I’m combining chapters and deleting entire scenes that don’t really matter—even though I thought they did. If it doesn’t move the plot forward or give serious insight into a character, it’s got to go. Every chapter must ask a question, which will be answered at the end of the chapter, and there are interconnecting questions that won’t be answered until the end. I’m following a formula.

So far, I’ve cut approximately thirteen thousand words. It’s a good lesson for me. No matter how tight you think your writing—how succinct or to the point—until you’ve polished that manuscript with a fine paintbrush, there is always more to cut.

For this reason, I have a hard time understanding why a publisher would have minimum word count requirements. Why would I want to add words to a story that’s already complete just to bulk it up? True, shorter books run the risk of being bare bones material. If that’s the case, either reject it or ask the author to add more. Longer books have a much higher risk of repetition and use of excessive unnecessary words.

How do we know if our writing is too bare or too wordy? Well, I’m thinking a good reliable writer’s group is a place to start. Or, barring that, find seven or eight readers you can trust will give you open and honest feedback. Not everyone will agree on each issue and not everyone’s comments will be the right thing. But if more than one person brings up the same point, it’s probably something that needs to be considered.

What else can we do to improve our personal writing abilities? Attend writer’s conferences and classes. Last week, I attended a local conference where I saw several friends I’ve made at previous conferences. It feels good to go to something like that and see familiar, friendly faces. One of my friends—who is fairly new to the conference scene—asked me, “Do you go to all the conferences around here?”

I answered, “As many as I can.”

Then she asked, “Isn’t it a lot of repetition? What do you get from attending so many?”

I had to think about it. For one thing, no matter how much I already know, there is always something new to learn. And writer’s conferences are inspiring to me. I leave each one itching to work on my current masterpiece in progress—or even start a new project. But most importantly, I get to network with other writers. These conferences are where I’ve met the people in my groups. Where I’ve had the opportunity to talk with editors, agents and successful authors. I’ve made some great friends, and I would never be where I am—would never have progressed to whatever stage I’m currently in—without the help of all these people.

So I’m cutting, and I’m fixing, and I’m rewriting, and loving every blooming minute of it. I only wish I could work faster…

Learning Tools

This past weekend, I attended a free writing conference called, “Life, The Universe and Everything”. I’m sure many of you were there. Every time I attend something to do with writing, I’m surprised at the large attendance. In a way that seems exciting and then again it scares me when I realize how stiff the competition is.

On Friday, I attended panel discussions about writing romance, principles of suspense, writing for the young adult and middle grade market, and dialogue tag and speech patterns. I enjoyed each one of them and gained something from the opinions of the many panelists. I especially enjoyed listening to comments by Tracy Hickman. Most of the classes were very full so I’m sure many of you chose to listen to the same ones I attended.

I then went to a two-hour workshop taught by John Brown called, “Three Things You Must Learn to Write Killer Stories.” I don’t know what the rest of you thought, but I learned more there than I had imagined was possible. I hope it will change the way I write. I was finally able to understand what I need to do to make my stories better. As I look at the stories I’ve written, I can see the pattern there, but I can also see how I can improve.

For those of you who aren’t taking advantage of the learning tools offered in your community, I hope you will consider joining with the rest of the crowd and see what you are missing. I’m a firm believer that you can always learn something new, no matter how good you already are.

For the Natural Vampire is an Enemy to Man

By Darvell Hunt

It seems I cannot stop thinking about Bella and Edward. I suppose I can see why the books in which these characters have become so popular.

With regard to Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series, consider the following scripture from the Book of Mormon:

“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” (Mosiah 3:19)

I have now finished book two of the Twilight series. I think Meyer's writing has gotten better in this book and I’m glad I’ve stuck with them. I’ve made it thus far because the stories have truly engaged my mind.

Over the years, I have found it interesting to read mainstream fiction written by LDS authors, as they always seem to add LDS content into their stories, whether intentional or not, and whether covertly or not. Without giving away too many details from the Twilight books for those who haven’t yet read book two yet, consider the following possible scenario:

A coven of “natural vampires” tricks a crowd of tourists into coming into their lair, where the blood of the tourists is unceremoniously consumed to quench the thirst—and thus sustain the lives—of the coven of vampires. The death of innocents may disturb us, but it’s the “natural thing” for the vampires to do.

Now consider a “vegetarian vampire”—or a vampire who only consumes the blood of animals, not humans. Also consider the extreme self-control a “normal” vampire must exercise to “put off the natural” tendencies of his kind and not destroy human life for his own selfish purposes (oh, and not kill all the kids he goes to school with every day).

Sound familiar?

To me, this is a very close parallel of the above scripture from Mosiah 3:19. If you change the scripture slightly, you might come up with this:

“For the natural vampire is an enemy to man, and has been from the beginning, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural vampire and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.”

Now, I don’t mean to be sacrilegious or anything with this minor scriptural editing, but it’s interesting to note that Edward is no longer a natural vampire, yet he still has natural tendencies, just like humans. But, like saints of the Church, he has to put off his natural tendencies to achieve a higher level of existence. This has not been easy for him, but he and his family have reaped the rewards of their alternate lifestyles.

I think the parallels of Stephanie Meyer’s vampires to members of the Church on earth are striking—whether or not these parallels were intended. I think it's also curious that we are cleansed from sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. The use of blood has always been a powerful symbol.

Edward fears the loss of his eternal soul because of who he is; however, perhaps his fears are not truly justified after all. Maybe his action of putting off the “natural vampire” will, in fact, save his soul, as does “putting off the natural man” has the power to save us humans.

Now, I’m not sure what happens beyond book number two, and I don’t know if this comparison of vampires to humans will hold up for the rest of the series, but It’s certainly been the source of thoughtful contemplation for me.

Now onto book number three. And by the way, did anyone ever happen to notice that Edward Cullen looks a lot like Cedric Diggory? I wonder if they might perhaps be cousins.

Speaking to the Dead

By Karen E. Hoover

It’s been six months since my mom passed away—six months of trying to figure out who I am and what I wanted to do with my life. I questioned everything. I wondered if I held my beliefs because of her. I wondered if I kept my hair the way I did for her. I even wondered if I had wanted to write because of her. It was a tough time for me. I felt completely lost and alone, set adrift in a sea of pain with no refuge in sight.

Desperate, I finally sought help for the depression that sucked the very life out of me and found my answer in the place I last expected to find it. My counselor told me to keep my relationship alive with my mother by writing letters to her.

I fought the suggestion for about a week before I finally got low enough to put it to the test. I sat one night after four in the morning, unable to sleep for the memories that circled through my mind, and finally poured out my soul on paper. I told her what I missed. I told her my regrets. I even told her I was a little angry with her and God for taking her home when I wasn’t ready. I spewed it all out on the page and when I was done I sat back and read it.

It was a thing of beauty. This purging, this vomit I had thrown onto the page to find some peace had done its job. The cleansing had begun. From that day forward the gnawing pain that had dragged me to the depths disappeared and in its place came a sense of understanding and acceptance. I couldn’t be happy she was gone, but finally understood that I could go on. I could still live even without her wisdom and support.

Writing, communicating with a dead woman through the written word brought me closer to her and helped me to understand myself for what I truly am.

I am a writer.

Please! Mr. Postman

By Keith Fisher


There is an old song by The Mavelettes called Please Mr. Postman. A girl waits to hear from her boyfriend in a letter. She camps out on her own doorstep, ready to jump the postal carrier. She doesn’t believe there isn’t a letter.

Please Mister Postman, look and see (Oh yeah)
If there's a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister Postman)
Why's it takin' such a long time (Oh yeah)
For me to hear from that boy of mine

There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Please Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me

I've been standin' here waitin' Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card, or just a letter
Sayin' he's returnin' home to me

I feel a little like that girl, only I check my email every five minutes waiting to hear from a publisher. I know it hasn’t been long enough but my anxiousness has been turning into obsession. After all, what else do I have to do?

To be truthful I don’t check my email that much. I work on my new book and get carried away with it. So much, that I’ve begun to feel guilty for cheating on my other book.

Let me explain—I’m a writer. I spend hours plotting and building, visualizing my story and my characters. Characters begin to become real to me. Since, I’m the writer/creator I know the back-story. My character’s hopes and dreams are in my head. I know everything about them, perhaps more than I know about myself.

Once this information has been clearly established in my mind, It’s very hard to develop other characters and story lines. It’s not that a writer can’t come up with new things, they can. In fact it’s refreshing to start something new. It’s like moving to a new location, you get to find friends and learn new things.

But before long those old characters get your attention, and they wonder why you haven’t thought about them. "Because I’m working a new character." you answer. The old character, lets call her Mary, looks hurt. She turns away from you and you can hear a sniffle. "But Jane means nothing to me. She has a different story line. Besides, you will always be my first love."

Of course all of that is a lie. Yes, Jane means the world to you. She’s exciting and she gives you new experiences. Well, Mary isn’t convinced either. She storms out of the room and you are left feeling guilty. You can’t wait to get Mary published just to vindicate her, to make her feel worthwhile.

You catch up to her and let her down easy. "It’s over." you say. "I know I’m a pig, but I’ve moved on. I hope you can too." She cries and the guilt is stronger than ever. "I’ll write you into one more story," you say. "I’ll create a character who loves you. Then you can forget me."

Before you lock me up remember this, there are hundreds of sequels created everyday, and characters that continue to have new adventures. Odd Thomas, Harry Potter, and the Barrington family just to name three. I wonder if Agatha Christie had problems with inspector Poirot.

I’m speculating here, but did you think the writers brought Bobby Ewing back to life because of the fans? Oh no, Bobby invaded the writer’s dreams. He gave them nightmares, so the whole previous season turned out to be only a dream.

Well. I’ve managed to distract myself for a few minutes. I wonder if the mail is here yet.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

From Reader to Writer

by G.Parker

When I was a teenager, I used to read anything I could get my hands on. I'm serious; literally anything. I used to stop at the library on the way home from high school and pick up three to four books -- though I have to admit, most of them were romances -- and read them that night. (Okay, so I didn't have much of a social life.) The next day, I would take those books back and pick up some more.

When I moved to Utah and was in my senior year, I took an English class that turned out to be a feeder for the school newspaper, and a trial run of a speed-reading course. It was bizarre, and I didn't think much of the teacher. I was the fastest reader in the class. I could read something like 1800 words a minute with 80% comprehension. The teacher was thrilled, and gave me an award. It was the only award I ever got in high school, and I was totally embarrassed. I mean, no one else thought it was cool....

After I began college and started thinking about a mission, my reading changed a little. I discovered there were books written by LDS authors. Unfortunately, I wasn't very impressed with many of them, though I remember Shirley Sealy's books with fondness. I was also a letter writer during this time. I used to write anyone and everyone that wrote me. Once I went on my mission though, I was tired of writing letters, and started writing seriously.

After I got married and started having children, there was a period of time that I didn't do much besides read -- there wasn't much brain available for anything else. When ten years had passed, I felt myself starting to come to life -- my brain started to function again. I wanted to read things that had heart; I wanted to write and I wanted to paint. One thing that struck me: I had young girls growing up that were going to become readers and what were they going to be reading?

It was at that point that I realized it was important to be concerned about their reading material. It's a big thing to monitor what you put into your brain. Suddenly I felt a need to write the kind of books I would want my daughters to read. All of a sudden it was more important what I was writing. I had moved from an avid reader (although I still am -- just pickier) to writer.

The transition didn't happen over night, and it has taken a lot of work and dedication. Unfortunately, it's still more a hobby than craft. I'm working on it though, and things are getting better. It's great to have friends with common goals that help with suggestions, critique groups who help with editing and family that support and my family’s support.

While we are all writing with the goal of being published, and as I spoke about last week, the idea of reaching our audience -- we need to remember whom we are writing for. Who is your target audience? Your children? It kind of puts a little pressure on the subject matter, doesn't it?

Tactful Critiquing

By Nichole Giles

I think we’ve all established the importance of joining a critique group. There are so many benefits to having other people read and comment on your work—including finding repetitive words, dialogue that doesn’t ring authentic, and helping to identify what is wrong with—as well as what is good about—specific scenes.

Helpful criticism is the key to a good critique relationship. When giving a critique of someone else’s work, it is important to keep personal opinion on the back burner. Definitely point out technical problems, mention plot issues, and an overall assessment of the material, but try to do so in a respectful manner. It is not in anyone’s best interest to insult the author, or take personal jabs—even with the best intentions.

I am a member of three wonderful groups in which members are respectful of each other, our work, and our personal feelings. And as I hear horror stories from others, I am reminded more and more how lucky I am to be in such a beneficial situation. Two of my groups are online. Small numbers in membership allows me to know each person personally, and gain a relationship of trust so that when I send my work over the web I know my pages aren’t going to be posted on someone’s website or blog. (As a side note, I have also spent lots of time in the company of these people—so I know them face-to-face as well as online.) My in-person critique group is also a small group, and because we meet every week (yes, that is a lot—we’re very dedicated) we can’t help but know each other well. The bottom line is, these people are my friends, and I trust them. And their comments matter to me—even when I don’t agree with what they say.

Part of the reason my groups are so successful is that each member has a mutual respect for the others. Something I’ve discovered is not automatically present in other groups.

A friend of mine recently had some of her work critiqued by an author we both know and respect. Some of the critique was helpful, but the wording in other parts was downright insulting. Another friend has recently joined an in-person group where her personality has been insulted along with her work being ripped to shreds. These situations have not been helpful to the writers—but rather caused them to question their ability to produce quality writing—something at which they are both very good.

In another situation, an author stood in front of a class holding up a well known—and EXTREMELY successful—book pointing out in a derogatory voice all the things they thought were done wrong. In fact, that book was used as every example of what not to do. But the funny thing was, that particular book has been read and loved by millions of people all over the world. Not only did the teaching author appear bitterly jealous, but they seemed foolish for choosing to bash someone else so thoroughly during the course of a class.

So as I’m writing this blog, it occurs to me that it might be helpful to point out a few important rules to keep in mind when you’re reviewing someone’s work.

1. Never use the following phrases in your critiquing comments: “Good outline, now write the actual book.” “Do you actually know how to write?” “Where did you study writing?” “I totally gagged.” “You should take a class from me.” “I wanted to bang my head against the wall.” “I had to throw it on the ground and come back to it later.” “This is okay, but my book is the greatest book you’ll ever read.” (And my all time personal favorite—coming from the writer with NO kids to the writer with several) “You should go to a park and pay attention to how real kids actually talk.”

2. Always be sure to point out the things that are working for the piece, the good things they’ve done. For instance, “I love this phrase.” And “This is my favorite part.” Or “This is so well done.” And for love scenes, “Sigh. Happy face.”

3. Don’t forget that while you might do things one way, this book belongs solely to the author. Your opinion is not relevant except to give them things to think about. Do not—EVER—try to rewrite for them. It is one thing to suggest different wording for an awkward sentence, and another thing entirely to rewrite entire paragraphs of prose.

4. Never assume you know more about a genre or age category than someone else. The truth is, genre and grouping is a tricky thing. Every agent, editor, and author will give you a different opinion about what constitutes a chapter book, middle grade, YA novel, or adult. And then there are all the different types of books. It is the author’s responsibility to know where his or her book fits—not yours. (Unless they ask you specifically.)

5. Know when to take other people’s words lightly. You are the author and only you know what is best for your book—or article, or story, or blog…


Critique groups can be a wonderful, enjoyable experience as long as everyone treats each other with respect and the kindness that we all deserve. And never, ever forget to tell your critiquers thank you for their help.

Until next time…

A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket. ~Charles Peguy

There's More To Writing Than Words

By C. LaRene Hall

Sometimes I don’t think I get much writing done. However, after attending a recent writing class, I decided that all my research time and the time I plot out my story is part of that writing time. Even though I don’t have much of a word count, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working on my story.

This realization made me feel a lot better about the things I‘ve been doing this past month. I was actually starting to feel like a total failure as a writer because my word count had gone way down. I haven’t been working on any prior story. I’ve started something from scratch and that takes a lot of time.

I’m quite excited to try out some of the new techniques I learned. Things I’ve heard about, but never tried. Usually I just sit down and write. I’ve never written an outline for my story or a plot plan of any kind. It’s just things that pop into my head that my fingers type. Nothing thought out the way I learned I should be doing.

I can see some advantages to doing it this way, but also some disadvantages. I wonder if the story will flow as easily if I’m thinking about characterization. I’m wondering what the chapters will be like if they each have a beginning, middle and end. We’ll soon see.

My newest novel will have a lot more thought put into it because even though it will take longer, I’m going to try to follow the outline I’ve written. I’m also going to interview all my characters and get to know each of them better than I’ve ever done before. I already know them pretty well because they were in my last book. This time they are going to grow in ways you can’t begin to imagine.

Misleading Titles

By Darvell Hunt

A title that doesn’t match a story can kill its chances for success. Unfortunately, new authors have very little control of the title that goes on their first book—but I believe we should still try our best.

Yesterday, my wife and I took our nine-year-old daughter to a movie and dinner for her birthday—along with the rest of our family. My daughter loves dogs. She loves anything and everything dog-related.

So, of course, we went to see Hotel for Dogs. I was not looking forward to going at all, but that was her movie choice and that’s what good dads do.

Well, surprise: I liked it! I wasn’t a great movie, but it wasn’t nearly as stupid as I was expecting—which was a cutesy little doggie movie, akin to Teletubbies or maybe Dora the Explorer. I actually found it to be a decent movie for kids—and of course my daughter loved it.

I’m not sure what there was about the title of Hotel for Dogs that turned me off, but it did. It’s not that the movie wasn’t about a hotel for dogs, either. Somehow the title just seemed like something targeted toward three-year-olds.

In my own writing, I try to create appealing titles for my stories. I like my titles to be true to the content and genre of the story. If a publisher accepts one of my stories, they are likely going to change the title anyway, but I still think it’s important to start with a good working title. Sometimes a good name comes to me before I begin writing and sometimes it doesn’t show itself until I’ve gone through the story many times.

The first words anybody will ever read of your story are the words of the title—even before the first page is read. In a market where it’s so hard to catch anybody’s attention, your title better do a good job.

Well, I have to get back to writing my story, The Martian Horse Fell on My Purple Pig. It’s about a little boy in New York City who finds a toad in the street and takes it home for a pet. I’m hoping to have the rough draft finished soon.

Happy Valentine's Day

By Keith Fisher

What did you come up with? Every year, I see men stalking the stores at five or six p.m. They all have vacant expressions on their face. Their eyes darting back and forth in fear, because they know what will happen if they show up at home with nothing.

What about that guy who forgot about the day? After all, it’s been a very stressful year, and he had a lot on his mind. He comes home, parks the car, he gets angry because his son has forgotten to put his bike away. He goes into the house where his wife greets him at the door with a hug and kiss. He smiles. It sure is nice to be married.

She leads him into the dining room and tells him the kids are at Grandma’s. He looks at the table and realizes there is something special, going on here. He casts his eyes about the room, hoping for some sign, a clue that would tell him what he has forgotten.

He doesn’t wonder long, though, because she deposits a happy Valentines Day greeting card on his plate. Realization dawns and he knows he has entered the indifferent husband zone. He is trapped. There is no way to save him now. No matter what pathetic excuse he tries, he will never get out of the house to buy something.

And the sad part is he will never forget again. She won’t let him forget the day he proved he was an insensitive, boorish, workaholic. (Why did she marry him anyway?) But, he will also remember the holidays and birthdays, anniversaries, and every semi-significant day. He won’t dare forget. He will be a changed man, but it won’t matter. He can’t erase the stain of a forgotten gift.

So guys, It’s Saturday morning. It’s Valentines Day. You have the whole day to get out there and find that special gift. Don’t know what to get? Ask your daughter. Resist the temptation to have her shop for you. Daughters have a tendency toward loyalty to moms. The point is, get out there now! Don’t delay, and spend a little extra money. It’ll make you feel better, and help the economy in the process.

And to all those who never forget, those bastions of romantic fidelity. To the plotters and planners, those guys that would never forget, could never forget I say, good job. But, you are giving the rest of us a bad name. I have devised a solution. Each one of you must volunteer to be a personal shopper for at least two men who always forget. It will be your job to anticipate and provide them with a thoughtful, well planned gift that will delight his wife or significant other.

In return, the rest of us will solute you in our secret, all male, testimonial dinner. You will be kings for the day and receive the ultimate compliment, The manly grunt of approval.

I know this post doesn’t have anything to with writing, but we have a national emergency here. Oh. and by the way, any of you lovely ladies who would like to join our society of forgettors, you are surly welcome

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

The Editor in My Head

by G.Parker

Nichole mentioned how the conversations we have with fellow writers sound strange to those who aren't writers. They should listen to what's going on inside our heads.

I realized this morning that I was editing the conversation I'd just had with my son. I'd put feeling words in it, I'd taken his name out. It was weird. It was like, “hey, if you were writing this in your story, you wouldn’t put it that way, you’d put it like this…”

Right.

This only happens when I'm really in the writing mode and having to interact with my family at the same time. It reminds me of Nano -- which, in case you don't remember, is when you are supposed to write 50,000 words in 30 days. There are many pep talks during that period of time, but the one I remember most is: Turn off your inner editor. That was a hard thing to do, and I still find it hard.

In our critique group last week, we were giving one of our members a bad time because she was rewriting her story when she hadn't finished it yet. That's like the big cardinal rule of NO-NO's: One does not start editing the story before one has finished it -- because you'll never finish. It will never end. You'll continue editing until you've forgotten what you originally intended to write.

She was frustrated, because she had already gotten into the rewrite mode. We assured her it would work much better, especially since she claimed there were only a couple of chapters left to write, so she committed to finishing the story. We all liked the new start she'd penned, but there was too much between that beginning and where we were in the story.

Editing is something that I hear most writers hate. I know I go in shifts. There are times when I procrastinate working on my story by editing it.

Many of the writers here have expressed how they'll have conversations going on in their heads by their characters. I don't usually have that issue; I have the whole editing thing in my head. I often think of a better way of saying something between characters, or how a scene would read better. It seems like the editor in my head is constantly going.

This habit only bothers me when it starts editing my conversations with family members. Doesn't it my private editor believe in privacy?