Reflecting

by Cheri Chesley

Summer is an especially difficult time for me to write. I have no *place* to go to do the work required, and my concentration is shot with the kids all home. It's not that I've taken on any new projects, I'm just trying to catch up from what I didn't get done during the school year.

But, lately, there's more to it than that. For one thing, in May a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. For information what I'm doing to help out, you can click HERE to read my blog. I'm not in any way trying to detract from her struggle, but her diagnosis has changed me in ways I did not think possible.

I also have several members of my extended family facing difficult health and personal issues. Maybe I'm too much of a softie, but I find myself frequently preoccupied by my concern for them. There's a lot here I have to trust in the Lord, but it's not easy for me. I'm working on it. :)

Because of everything, I've felt my writing focus trickle away. I've been doing a lot of personal evaluation and reflection trying to get it back. I really believe this is journey we all take in one form or another as writers. There are real life issues that come up in each of our lives that will affect us, change us, or help us grow. Sometimes these things take time to adjust to.

Things will shift into focus and all will be well. I have faith in that. I also know that, whatever the Lord's plan is with my loved ones, His will be done. Like most of us, though, I'm always going to wish I can do more. Sometimes it's just hard to stay focused on what you're supposed to be doing at a certain season in your life when so many big things are crumbling around you.

The Hero/Family Relationship in Middle Grade and Y/A

by C. LaRne Hall

This is going to take a few more weeks to be able to tell you about the writing classes I attended at the Storymakers conference the beginning of May. Today I'm starting on the classes that I took on Saturday. The first one was taught by Tyler Whitesides. This class made me stop and think about the things that my writing is missing.

Class Objective – analyze the relationship that exists between your protagonist and the adults in your manuscript and learn how to deal with parents or guardians while staying true to your hero’s character.

Fantasy novels often benefit from the absence of parents cluttering up the story. The child protagonists in such stories often engage in adventures and feats which no sane parent would permit; leaving the parents out of the story prevents these complications.

“A dead parent is one fewer character to have to write. When authors omit parents for the sake of convenience, I take issue because a convenient story is not the same as a good story.” by Leila Sales

Who is responsible for your protagonist? There is almost always an adult responsible. Who? It could be parents, relatives, and legal guardians, and caregivers, institutions such as orphanage or boarding school. The adults could be abusive, neglectful, incapable, disbelieving, overly busy, unintelligible, inarticulate, supportive, positive, or overly involved.

Your Hero
Age – How does this age affect his/her feelings towards adults?
Place in family – oldest – youngest – only-child – orphan. How does this affect him/her?
What are some of your hero’s personality traits? Is your hero shy – outspoken – mischievous – truthful? How does this affect his/her interactions with adults?
Background/experiences – betrayed – neglected – spoiled. What background/experiences has your hero had that may affect the way he/she views adults?

The Caregivers
Personality of the adult responsible for your hero in your manuscript – are they controlling – lax – paranoid? What are some of the caregiver’s personality traits? How does this affect your hero?
Background/experiences – personal childhood – personal mistakes – imposed aspirations.
Responsibilities – money – work – housing. What responsibilities does the caregiver have? How does this affect your hero?

Bypassing Adults – parents are involved in the story – child lies to/deceives parents (it has to be in the protragonist personality) – child tells adults, but they don’t listen. This will lend credibility to your story. Maybe there are no adults in the story at all – it’s a setting in a parent-free environment. It could be a place unknown or unreachable by adults or the parents are under a spell.

If you understand the relationship/interactions between your hero and the adults it will give more realism to your story. At the end of the story, your protagonist has to be the hero, whether or not adults are there. When all the action is coming together have the kids in danger and have them save the day.

I Choose to Write---It's What I Do

By Keith N Fisher

Within a year after we were married, my wife and I moved into a small house with a fairly good sized yard. We wanted the privacy that living in an apartment couldn’t provide. We also wanted to entertain our friends and families with backyard parties.

Since the house had been a rental for many years, the tenants hadn’t taken care of the yard. Maybe you can imagine some of the problems I had revitalizing the vegetation. Not the least of which, were the two overgrown apple trees.

I believe those trees were from the original stock when the land was an orchard, before the turn of the century. When I moved in, I started a rigid program of pruning and shaping that eventually produced some of the largest Red Delicious apples I’ve ever seen.

One of my reasons for leaving the apartment was to grow a vegetable garden. So, I removed a huge block of grass and filled the space with topsoil. I was proud of the vegetables I grew. Each winter, I started seeds under fluorescent lights. People still ask about my peas every spring and whether I got my tomatoes planted.

Along with the garden, I worked on the house too. In one project, I remodeled the living room using scrap wood paneling and installed a wood-burning stove my dad built. I replaced a window with a sliding glass door that opened up on the redwood deck I built. The deck had several tiers and long angles that took careful planning and precise calculation to make it look right.

Living in a one and one-half bedroom house was okay for the two of us, but we wanted a family so I planned a second floor. Of course, in order to build it, I needed to beef up the practically non-existent foundation. Those plans led to my digging a basement, by hand, under the house. I’ve written about that project before, but I never mentioned the benefits.

During the winter, when I couldn’t work in the garden, I came home from work, ate dinner, and climbed into the hole. I dug for hours with pick and shovel. There were many times I wished for some dynamite to loosen the hard pan.

Although it was many years ago, I still think about those days and wonder how I ever found the time for all my projects. I realize, however, that I didn’t do much else. When I wasn’t making a living, or working on a project, I planned and plotted. I thought about where to plant tomatoes next season, or how to build the deck extension.

I was lost in my thoughts, but there were benefits to all that contemplation. The stress relief was healthy, but the scheming made difficult jobs easier. When it came time to actually do the project, I’d already built it in my mind and I knew exactly where to begin.

Now, we live in a different house. Gardening seemed to take a backseat to Dutch oven cooking competitions. Dutch ovens gave way to my writing career and my weed patch is doing nicely, thank you. I’m still busy plotting and planning. Characters need to be drafted and articles need to be researched. I’ve re-set my priorities.

The strength I gathered from my projects has been replaced with the strength that comes from writing and it’s brought me through some hard times. Before his health went bad, my father was my conspirator. He helped me with many of my backyard projects. When he died of cancer, my writing took me away from the reality of the hospital room. I even shared some of it with him. He said he was proud.

Some of my friends and family think I’m wasting my time writing. They see my tilled under weed patch and lament the gardens I used to grow. What should I say to them? Should I say anything?

Like gardening and remodeling, writing has become more than therapy for me. It’s a way of life. I admit discouragement at times and maybe I am a little crazy, but have you ever listened to them?

The ATV enthusiast can’t wait to tell you about the latest, sweet ride. The snow-boarder speaks another language and risks his life on that perfect maneuver. I know Dutch oven people who spend a whole year planning for a five-hour event and all they get from it, is a pat on the back. There are myriad ways people use to cope. Each one is more than a hobby to the enthusiast.

I could be working in my garden, or rebuilding cars. I could go golfing everyday, or even fishing. I choose to write. Its what I do.

If you choose the same, don’t let the skeptics dissuade you. Hang in there and keep writing. It will save your sanity.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Imagine Your Words

by G.Parker


(reprint from 2006)

Imagination is a powerful thing.

All it takes is a couple of words and your mind can call up images that fit what someone is describing. Memories help conjure up those pictures—they make your memories part of what someone is trying to describe. So, in a way, how we read something and picture it in our heads, depends on what we have seen and done in our lives.

Descriptions are probably the strongest tool to pull someone into your writing, provided you don't over do it. (Editors will constantly tell you something is too "wordy.") Setting the stage or scene doesn't take a lot of detail, just hints of things. Let the imagination of the person reading work for you.

Sometimes it takes a great deal of effort and sometimes it just comes to you. For example—while I was driving one day images of the fog surrounding me started words going through my mind. They evolved and intermixed until the beginning of a story came to me. It ended up like this:

The mist, settling into the low-lying meadow, blanketed the trees and caused them to become ghostly images in grey light. Drops hung from bare branches like globes of crystal, perfect in reflection--yet clinging, afraid to fall. All sound was muted, as if the mist was a giant quilt silencing the creatures that lived in the meadowlands.

Hopefully that gave you a picture of the scene in your head—it is one of the reasons you write. This is what you want to give your readers.

Creating images and thoughts in the mind of the reader is the sign of a good writer. You can do it. Go practice.

I Love Castle

by Cheri Chesley

No, not THAT Castle, silly. This one.

I admit it, I'm a late bloomer. We're three seasons into it before I even get around to seeing an episode. But I'm having a great time getting caught up. The writing is crisp and intelligent (mostly). The cast has great chemistry. Sure, you know from the get-go that the handsome author and the beautiful detective will eventually end up an item, but it will still be fun to watch the ride.

Why is a blog about writing talking about a TV show, you may ask? One of the things I enjoy most about the show is the "writer" tie-ins. You may have seen James Patterson doing his own commercials to promote his newest books, but it's fun to see him on Castle sitting at a poker table with a bunch of other authors. And I appreciated the recently viewed tribute to the late Stephen J. Cannell, where a newbie showed up at the poker game and all the regulars wouldn't let him sit in Cannell's chair.

I especially like the fact that you can buy the fictional author's real books. Click HERE if you don't believe me. What a hoot! Not to mention a great gimmick for ABC.

Hopefully, by the time the new season starts this fall, I'll be all caught up. No spoilers, please! :)

How to Open Your Book with a Bang – Kaboom

By C. LaRene Hall

The last class I attended on Friday at the writers conference was taught by Lisa Mangum. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and she gave me many good ideas.

How memorable is the first line?

The harsh truth – editors care so much about the first line that they will make a decision on that first line – your first sentence should be the greatest thing you have ever written. Please do not paint yourself into that corner or books would only be one sentence long.

What can you do for your first line? The first page is important, but not necessary the first line. Editors will usually read the first page. Beginings are hard for everyone.

Do this
1. Do start with a prologue if your story needs it. Prologue moves the plot – the pros of a prologue. Prologues can be good. Don’t be afraid of them. They can help set the mood, tone, or theme of your book; Please don’t treat it as a place to dump your back story or clog it with exposition. Is this strong enough to do it’s job or should this be the first chapter. The shorter it is the better.

2. Showcase something special about your story on the first page. Allow your character to be heroic. Find some instance where he can exhibit a good quality to show your character. Hint at a mystery yet to come. Reveal strong voice. Strong voice on first page they will turn the page. Extend invitation to reader to continue to read.

3. Do review your first page after writing your last page.

4. What’s the first thing you do when you finish reading a book? I often go back to see where it all began. By waiting to revise your first page until after you have finished writing your last page, you’ll be able to see clearly, what needs to be changed.

5. Do you think about your book as a whole. Your book is more than the pages in it. Consider the packaging as well. What’s the first thing you read in a book? Title? Author? Jacket copy? Endorsements? Do you read the first line of chapter one?

6. Prepare them to love your book.

7. Covers are important.

8. Do pay attention to your first page.

9. Don’t try to tell your whole story in the first line. Don’t rush it.

10. Don’t start in the wrong spot – start on the day in the story when everything changes. If you start the action too soon, you might end up with too much exposition.

11. If you start the action too late, you might end up missing the heart of the story.

12. Don’t obsess about the rules – rules are made to be broken. Start with what is going to pull the reader in. Do what is right for your story. Don’t feel pressured. Take a break. Set it aside and write something else. Gve yourself permission to move past the first page. Move past anything you are stuck at. You can come back to it later.

13. Don’t stress the job. Your first sentence is to make the reader read the second sentence.

I think all of these ideas are great and hope to someday become a better writer by listening to her good advice.

Pet Peeves

By Keith N Fisher

What is your pet peeve? A friend of mine has one that makes sense, but only when I ponder it. It might be a regional thing, but have you ever noticed how many people answer “Good” when asked, how they are? This bugs my friend because he didn’t ask about behavior, he asked about physical or mental well being. To say “I’m good” indicates lack of sin.

I know, it’s a little thing, but if you think about it . . .

If I were to poll the responses to the question about peeves, I suppose a good portion of the answers would involve spam e-mail or something to do with automobile traffic. My latest peeve involves driving, or, more specifically, the road I travel twice a day.

For those of you familiar with Orem, Utah, you know there’s an interesting traffic situation at the corner of 1600 North and State Street. If you’re traveling south and wish to turn left at the light, there are two turning lanes.




The problem arises when the left lane disappears right after you turn. A car in that lane is forced to turn north or impose on the traffic in the right lane. To aggravate the situation, there is only one lane, and vehicles coming onto 1600 North at that point must yield to those cars traveling through. Many people don’t pay attention to the yield rule.

While ignoring a yield rule, ranks high on my peeve list, what really bothers me, is the turning lane off of State Street. Some drivers deliberately get around the line of cars in the right turning lane, waiting for the light to change. They think they’ve cleverly discovered a way of snaking a better position in traffic in a 35-mph zone where many cars travel 25.

Now, I can empathize with those who make the honest mistake. I’ve been there, done that, but it only takes one time, and you’ll never make that mistake again. It’s easy to see which ones know better, but choose to get into the left lane anyway. They line up like a dragster, hoping to beat the other car through the light. They shouldn’t have to worry however, since the arc of travel on the right is so wide, the left lane easily wins.

Okay, just like answering with “good” in my friend’s peeve, this is a little thing, but if I happen to get to the intersection first, my wait is longer. What makes the other driver think he has the right to circumvent the delay? Is he so arrogant that he assumes the law doesn’t apply to him?

Recently, I sat first in line, waiting for the light after work one morning. It seemed as though the light would never change, and I saw a truck in my rear view mirror. He pulled behind me, then made a quick lane change. At the line, he inched forward. I knew what would happen next.

My irritation rose, I plotted a very Un Christian like thing. When the light changed, I stepped on it. I made it through the arc trying to keep my speed, but in the end, his truck was more powerful than my mini-van. He floored it and left me in the dust.

I knew, that he knew, what he’d done because he quickly brought his speed up to 45-mph in order to get away from me. I know it was 45, because I was right behind him . . . uh maybe I shouldn’t tell you that.

Anyway, on the next block, he turned in front of a church. I shouted, “I hope you remember to tell your bishop about that maneuver!” Yes, I know he didn’t hear me. I also know, he’s already forgotten the incident. I’m glad for that, because it was stupid on my part. I need to take a deep breath and close my eyes . . . there, I feel myself letting go. Do you feel it, too?

So, what does this have to do with writing? Well, there are rules to follow in the craft of writing fiction. Rules that, perhaps, weren’t followed in previous generations of published books. If you break those rules, like my friend in the truck broke traffic rules, you might get away with it. Your manuscript could get published. You might even self-publish, but if the rules were broken, someone will notice. It will cheapen your writing, and it might carry into your brand.

Take time to learn the rules. Apply them in your work, and use an editor. Your book will be better. You will come through the traffic of literature looking like a professional instead of an arrogant rule breaker. As for my writing, I'm getting better, but I'm still learning. As for my road rage . . . well, I promise thats the last stupid thing I'll do, ever.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

The Garden

by G.Parker

In a moment of introspection, I realized something this morning while I was watering my garden.  Writing is much like creating and maintaining a garden.  Have you ever given that some thought?

When you create a garden, there is the planning phase, the preparations, the planting, the maintenance and weeding and then the harvesting.  All of these aspects are similar to writing.

Usually in writing a story, there is the initial idea.  This generally turns out to be the plot, what the story get's built around.  Then you flesh it out.  This can be either in an outline, storyline, however you work it.  It gets you from the beginning to either the end, or the climax and you have to figure it out.  

Then it's the work.  That's the filler...chapter by chapter, line by line, you fill the pages with the story.  The characters, the scene, the dialogue.  That's the planting of the plants and then watering them.

Rewrites would be the weeding.  Going through and making sure the story flows, like watering the plants.  Until finally, you reap rewards in harvesting the items you planted, or seeing someone actually read your work.  And like it.  And want to publish it.  

Seeing your book in print is like the best harvest festival ever held.

Just this past Monday a good friend had a book signing event with several other authors at a local bookstore.  It went smashing, from what I understand, and when I was there, there were loads of people, all picking up copies of the books.  It was an awesome garden.

What kind are you planting?

The Book is Always Better

by Cheri Chesley

We've all had the experience of sitting in a movie theater eagerly awaiting the start of a movie based on a beloved novel--only to be disappointed in the end. At some point, we've forgotten the phrase "based on" that they attach to every movie-from-a-book project.

What I find interesting is the regularity in which movies are made from books these days. A lot of people I talk to about my book ask whether there will be a movie. I've even had someone volunteer to be one of the characters. :)

But I'd like to explore the other side of the coin. We're such a visual society, and yet I've almost never heard a person say they enjoyed the movie more than the book. I find this super-awesome, because to me it means people are happier creating the fantasy of a story in their minds rather than being content having movie makers translate it for them on the big screen.

I have to say there have been several movies made from books that I've enjoyed a lot, but only if I take the "from the book" aspect out of the equation. As long as I can keep the two separate, then I can enjoy each. My husband has a harder time if he reads the book first, so he's happier if he can see the movie first (complicated, in most cases, since by definition the book has to come first--but it has worked).

When you think about it, this puts a larger emphasis on books than ever before. Movie makers are looking to recently published works--and public response to them--for their next idea. It's nice to think authors can still make a difference, though, have you ever wondered what's wrong with Hollywood that they can't come up with their OWN ideas? :)

HOW TO USE CONFLICT TO CREATE A WATERTIGHT PLOT

By C. LaRene Hall

The fourth class I attended at the writer's conference was taught by Liz Adair. She is an amazing presenter and I learned a great deal. Remember the things I'm posting are the things I heard in the class. That is with the exception of all the laughter.

When the trouble is gone, the story is over. This quote and many other points in this presentation are taken from Les Edgerton’s book Hooked.

1. The character struggles to resolve the surface and story-worthy problems and restore his stability.

2. A new stability is established in the conclusion, reflecting the change the protagonist has undergone as a result.

3. Stability + inciting incident = instability = stuggle to resolve instability = new stability

We need a sliver of the old stability. Your story is the struggle to resolve instability, and the surface problems. This struggle to resolve instability is where the surface problems (conflicts) are.

Surface problems = tight situations, looming disaster, conflicts, barriers, things that thwart the problem.

A story worthy problem, makes the difference between adventure – one conflict to another conflict. Nothing to linger – nothing to make you ponder, no story. The story worthy problem is what is going to make your story last.

As you plot your story focus on one scene.

Perhaps, the story worthy problem is discovered through working through surface problems.

Conflict can be broken up into smaller units. The whole book is made up of several scenes. A structure within a structure, but it always has conflict, an inciting incident, surface problems, or a story-worthy problem.

Protagonist enters the scene with a goal. The antagonist also enters the scene with a goal. The scene ends in disaster for the protagonist – reaction, dilemma, decision. Goal, Conflict, and Disaster.

Be aware that there are techniques that you can learn that will make you a better writer. While you’re writing, learn about them and apply what you can.

First just write.

Later, analyze the scene you have written. Is it a scene or a sequel? Or neither? If it is neither then you must find a way to make it one or the other or you must throw it away. If it is a scene, verify that it has a goal, a conflict, and a disaster. Identify them each in a one-sentence summary. If you can’t put the scene into one of these structures, then throw the scene away as the worthless piece of drivel that it is. Get rid of it. Each conflict as well as each goal for each scene must arise organically out of the conflict.
 

Another Project

By Keith N Fisher

I wrote a scene this morning for my Star Crossed book. It’s one of the many stories I’ve been working on. I believe I’ve mentioned my project file before and how full it is. In it, there are ideas and drafts for more books than I can write in my lifetime.

I’ve kept one of those projects on the back burner for a while now, but I’m bringing it forward because a good friend recommended I write a cookbook.

As a former world champion Dutch oven cook, and backyard party enthusiast, I always intended to produce a book with my recipes and advice. As one of the writers for Your LDS Neighborhood .com I blogged about the subject for more than a year. I still contribute to the blog, but with the upheavals in life, I’ve neglected it for a while.

As I said, I always intended to do a cookbook, but my fiction always took precedence. Now, I’m returning and I’m getting new ideas for recipes.

For the last day of school yesterday, my wife and I, cooked lunch for the faculty and staff of an elementary school. We made Dutch oven chicken enchiladas, sourdough bread, three kinds of cobblers, and a pineapple cake. They provided salad and the drinks. This traditional event has become second nature for us. We can be counted on to be in the same place, on the same day, every year.

During a quiet moment, between checking the pots, we reflected on some of the food we’ve cooked over the years for that event. I began to recall dishes I’ve created along the way. Many of which, I never wrote down. I invented a pile of recipes for Dutch oven cook offs that I never put on paper, and I created dinner from anything that happened to be available in the cupboard. In all my recollections I realized my cookbook will be full of crazy ideas that turned into great meals.

It’s been like that since I brought this project forward. Ideas hit me like solutions to plots in my fiction. I write it down and go back to what I was doing. Also, other things have been falling into place. My critique group loves the idea of me bringing a dish to taste for my weekly chapter, but we came up with a promotional idea that will knock your socks off. Not only will it help my cookbook but we will be launching and signing their fiction as well. I’ll give you more info later, but keep August 13 open.

Now with all this talk about cookbooks and recipes, you might be wondering about my fiction. Not to worry, The Hillside has been submitted and I’m waiting to hear back on it. The sequel is finished and edits are just beginning. Star Crossed is half written and I’m plodding along, developing ways of getting to the ending I’ve already written. I also have three other, hot stories on the front burners, waiting patiently for me to get back to them. Not to mention the rejected stories, I need to re-write.

I’m a busy writer and I work nights. Still, I love it when a new character wakes me up to tell me their story. I write it down along with the emotion that came with it, file it away, and pray God will let me live another fifty years so I can write the story.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Back to the Slush Pile

by G.Parker

Okay - perhaps it's not the slush pile, but it's the stack of stories that you've finished and set aside for a time when you can get to the re-writes.  You know what I mean, the stories that you finally typed 'the end' on, and don't want to look at for another minute because you'll toss the pages in the garbage.

I have several of these.  Many of them have already been through my critique group and I haven't been able to make myself do the rewrite.  Some people really like doing rewrites - I don't.  It takes up SO much time.  Time that could be used to do original writing - if that makes any sense.  I just have such a hard time with re-writes.  I keep thinking that I'm falling behind on the story I want to finish, and then when I finish it, I don't even want to think about reworking it.  Sigh.

I guess that's where discipline comes in.  And it's something I struggle with.  Just when I think I've got the daily thing down, family and work and stuff get in the way and I get side railed again.  Then, for some reason, it takes me forever to get back in the grove and I loose even more time.  I really think we need to look at the eternal perspective and think of how to work with no clocks hanging around...my husband likes to remind me;  "time - a measurement of the immeasurable." 

Anyway - If you have a stash of stuff to work on like I do, this is the month to get it pulled out and get working on it.  If you're in the middle of something that is progressing well, then perhaps you need to wait.  But if you're only procrastinating because you hate the idea of what lies ahead...just jump in.  It's kind of like the cold water theory...it's a lot easier when you jump in rather than go a toe at a time.  

Or so I've heard...I've always been the toe person.

When is it Enough?

by Cheri Chesley

As many of you know, I'm spending the summer promoting and selling my books and ebooks as much as I can to help a sweet friend with cancer. You can read about my efforts and find links to my books HERE. Also, Rebecca posted her gratitude in a comment--and it's nice to hear from her. She started chemotherapy last week, but as of now it doesn't look like she'll have to go through radiation. (little cheer here)

On Sundays, since she was diagnosed, I've stopped by her house to pick up her kids for church. Remember, it's been a roller coaster ride for her family since her diagnosis--surgery, dr visits, chemo. Sunday afternoon, my daughter came to me and said how Becky's daughter had rested her head on my daughter's shoulder through most of Primary and cried. She's afraid. Afraid for her mom. Afraid of the changes in her life, the uncertainty. Yet as I watched her with her two younger brothers in Sacrament meeting, she was so patient with them and so kind. Before she went to class, I hugged her and told her what a great big sister she is. Maybe I set her on her path to tears, but I didn't mean to. I just wanted her to know how wonderful she is and what a blessing she is to her family.

When I get ready for bed at night, I think to myself about the things I've done so far to promote and sell my books to earn money to help them. I also fret and worry about what I didn't do--what I can do. I never feel like I'm doing enough to help. I think about how such a diagnosis would change my life--how the simple realities of day to day concerns would change in a heartbeat. Her diagnosis has already changed me; I can't accurately imagine what it's done to her.

Currently, my worries are book publishing and editing, finding a permanent place for my family to live, getting our budget issues under control, and car problems. If I found a lump tomorrow, all that would change. Maybe I have an overactive imagination (maybe? ha!), but I would consider the range of possibilities, and I'd worry about the worst case scenario. Moms do this (I think dads do, too); we consider the impact on our family, our kids, if we weren't around anymore. If I died, what would that do to my kids?

Maybe I'm too sensitive to that particular worry. My father died when I was seven years old--I know how that affected me and watched how it affected my brothers. I'm a different person than I would have been if he'd lived.

I'm not a wealthy person, and I don't have an abundance of free time. If I did, I'd be anonymously paying all Rebecca's medical expenses and making sure she had all the comforts she and her family could stand. As it is, I am trying to sell my books this summer to give them the money. And, because it's for a cause larger than myself, I want to shout it from the rooftops. I want EVERYONE to know there is a way to help this sweet, wonderful family. Even if it means I have to shatter my comfort zone to do so.

What I'm not sure is whether I'll ever feel if I've done enough to help.

HOW TO WRITE FOR MAGAZINES

by C. LaRene Hall

During the LDStorymakers writers conference, the Breakout #3 class that I attended was taught by Joshua J. Perkey, one of the senior editors for the Ensign magazine.

A reminder – my notes are just that – this is not from the class syllabus. If we jump all over that is because of the many questions asked.

Why write for the magazines?
1. It’s the coolest thing ever
2. To bear testimony to the world.
3. This really needs to be in the magazines.
4. To feel good about making an offering.

Curriculllum Department Mandate: Fill the Earth with the Knowledge of the Lord.
If you write for the Ensign, you will have a chance to have a great impact on the world. There are 900,000 subscriptions to the Ensign, 1.2 million subscriptions with the Liahona, and close to 300,000 to the New Era and Friend. The magazine is translated in up to 46 languages.

Our mission is
1. To bring souls unto Christ.
2. Strengthen testimonies.
3. Strengthen families and individuals.
4. Help parents be better parents.
5. Help spouses be better spouses

How to Beat 90% of the slush pile, and how to write for the magazines
1. Read, read, read the magazine.
2. You need to know what they publish. In The Friend they do true stories.
3. Study the magazine.
4. Know our style, tone, voice and approach.
5. Know the kinds of things we publish.

The magazine is designed to inspire. We aren’t looking for unusual writing. We’re looking for wonderful, compelling, and inviting stories that inspire others to change and come unto Christ. Study articles that are like the ones you would likely write. Look for similar stories that have been printed.

The biggest mistakes writers make:
1. Opening with, “Dear Brothers and Sisters.
2. Not crafting submissions as articles.
3. Sending us sacrament talks. Turn them into articles, first.
4. Getting preach. You can give advice but you can’t tell them what to do.
5. Using 2nd persons: If you do this . . . doesn’t usually work. My patriarchal blessing says . . . or I had a dream . . .
6. Expecting us to fix it for you.

What must every article have?
1. A hook.
2. A message.
3. A thesis statement.
a. Develop a Gospel Centered-Thesis.
b. You’ve got to have a purpose.
c. Why should the entire Church read this?
4. Consider the close line: what will you hang your story on? This should be apparent early on the first page, and should lead to inspiring experience.
5. Develop a story with conflict and resolution.

Write with magazine needs in mind. Review our calls for articles on the website. Features are longer articles. The back page in only one page long, and less than 500 words. We always need powerful articles that testify of the Savior, of this work, and of the Church. Just don’t hit us over the head with it. Use crisp, clear language. Don’t overwrite it’s not a literary journal. It needs to be doctrinally sound, grammatically solid, engaging, intriguing, and inspiring. We don’t do deep topics very often. We look for solid gospel sense. Don’t assume readers understand you.

Are you the right person to author the story? Are you an expert in a specialty field, counseling, parenting? Develop a personal voice within the constraints of the magazine’s voice.

Write an original article that is still relevant to the worldwide church. Pray, pray, pray. Involve the Lord. This is His work.

Ask: Why should the entire church read this? Is it universally applicable, or only relevant to me, my family, my ward, my stake?

So why should you write for the Church magazines?
1. We need you! The ensign receives about 400 submissions a month.
2. We need superior submissions. Everything you do affects someone. You have an impact.

Other magazine writing
1. Do your homework.
2. What do they publish?
3. What are they looking for?
a. Thesis, tone, style, voice.
b. Length, audience appropriate content, and word choice.
c. Arc: purpose, conflict, and resolution.
d. Be as polished as you can, and then follow up

The Patient Will Live

By Keith N Fisher

I performed major surgery this week. I administered anesthetic to my screaming baby, took a scalpel to it, and cut to the bone. After that, I planted the seeds for new growth.

Did you see the movie, Catch Me if you Can? It’s based on the true story of, Frank Abagnale Jr., a con man who forged different identities and occupations for himself. No, I’m not doing that.

Like G. Parker mentioned in her blog a couple of weeks ago, the surgery I performed was to a manuscript.

In the sequel to The Hillside, I’d written a great ending. There were, however, almost 100,000 words. Yes, that’s a little long for this type of book, but that’s not what bothered me. I’d written more plots and subplots than the story needed. I felt I should send my character to New York and I created a reason to get her there.

The story haunted me, and even though I’d written a great subplot, it was just too much. To make matters worse, I’d written a climax to part of the story, in the middle of the book. My critique group felt like that was an ending, but there was more. The other character needed resolution.

So I went in and cut the cancer out. I got it down to about 50,000 words, and re-wrote the end. Now, It’s 80,000 and after I edit, there will be less. The result will be a fit and trim book that readers will love.

As a writer, you are the doctor, psychiatrist, parent, and mechanic for your manuscript. Don’t be afraid to shake it up.

All this talk about that movie, and performing functions I’m not trained for, made me think. Have you ever considered that as writers we are doing what Mr. Abagnale did? In our own small way, we live a little vicariously through our characters and we can be anything we want, even a villain. Perhaps that’s why I don’t write about murderers, I have no desire to understand that mind set.

Anyway, with a little research, our characters can be anything, from a doctor to a computer technician. As the creator, we can get a little taste of what it’s like.

In the case of the above-mentioned manuscript, I was benevolently cruel. It screamed and complained, but I offered comfort in my promise that I wouldn’t hurt it. Also, I saved the scenes I took out. Maybe I’ll take the advice of my critique group and turn it into a trilogy. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? Maybe, but I’ve got to finish the other story I’m writing first.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Perspective

by G.Parker


I realized the other day that sometimes an author can sneak in a point of view without your even being aware of it.  They can promote a perspective that gets you thinking it's acceptable, even when it's not something your comfortable with.

That makes me a little uneasy, and also makes me realize why I want to be a writer.  I know there is a lot of unwholesome entertainment in our society today, a great many things that are not good for our youth to read, view or listen to and it's up to us as parents and I believe - as writers - to give them good alternatives.  Or should I say great?

There was an article on Yahoo the other day about a family in Canada who has decided not to tell the world the sex of their baby.  The have two other children that they have let have no guidance in 'gender' roles, so to speak.  It really strikes fear into my heart and makes me wonder what those two or three children are going to grow up thinking and becoming.  

It's my opinion that they are going to be confused and not as accepted by society as their parents think they will.  At least...normal society.  

Despite the popular notion that gender roles are society driven and cause people to be 'bigots' I disagree, and hopefully any faithful LDS person would with me.  It is necessary for our youth to know boundaries.  To have guidelines and teaching from those who love them.  If they have no idea what a good father is like, then how can they be one?  If they are never taught correct values, then how can they live them?  If morality is not a law, then who knows right from wrong?

In being a writer, we choose to give guidelines to those who read.  Even if it's only in fiction form.  We offer choice.  Which is why we're all here on the earth anyway - we all fought for it.  

Just a bit of perspective as to why what we write is important for those who read it.

When the Course is Diverted

by Cheri Chesley

I haven't gotten any writing or editing done for 2 weeks. Feels like a horrible confession, though it is my own fault.

Like so many writers, I struggle to find the balance between writing--what I know I should do--and the knowledge that my family needs me to earn money. Sometimes the temptation for "easy" cash overrides what I know I should be doing.

I've been babysitting a couple of extra kids for the last couple of weeks. Which is why the word easy is in quotes. There is nothing easy about having four 2 yr olds running around this dinky little apartment. And now that my kids are out of school, there are 9 kids here today. It feels like a code violation. That's just too many people to be allowed. :)

But that all ends tomorrow, and I will only have my nephew's little boy for a few hours. That means I can get some writing or editing done, right? I sure hope so. With my kids home, that's harder. Though if the weather holds up I can just send them to the park across the street. Here's hoping.

Another diversion in my course is more personal. As parents, we've made the decision to home school not only my 9 yr old daughter in the fall but also my 9th grader. We all know who the majority of responsibility for home schooling will fall upon. At the moment, I'm feeling like I've sabotaged my writing career. But, we've given him years and many opportunities to "start fresh" and start to take responsibility for his schoolwork and homework. He's chosen not to, repeatedly. This, to me, is a natural consequence of his actions. I don't see home school as a punishment, but rather an opportunity for he and I to work side by side and develop those study habits he should have developed by now. That way I can send him back to high school for 10-12 grades and he can succeed. The decision is probably way overdue, but you tend to make the most mistakes with your oldest child, simply because they came first.

Where will that leave my writing? I'd planned to take this summer off actual writing because I never get much done with the kids home anyway--and thought if I took the pressure off myself I'd feel less of a failure. But now I'm behind on my edits, and at least one e-book revision and a rough draft--not to mention a project I'm doing just for fun. The plan originally was to have these things done by the end of May so I could take June, July and August off and pick up again in September when we'd fallen back into the schooling pattern and I knew what my time would look like.

But, now, I'm not sure anymore. Home schooling a high school student has to be more labor intensive than home schooling a 5th grader. And then there are the regular 2 kids I babysit. It's not like I don't have the support I need from my family and friends, but I just feel a great responsibility to do so many things--fill so many shoes. My writing is important. Supplementing my husband's income is important. My children's schooling is important.

Suddenly all I want is a vacation. :)

HISTORICAL FICTION - PART TWO

C. LaRene Hall

This is a continuation of a workshop I attended by L C Lewis. It's exactly as I typed it during the class.

Keep story balanced.

Don’t put words into actual historical people’s mouths.

Now brainstorm ideas that will flesh out your story. What details on settings, climate, dress, housing, lifestyle, work, recreation, contemporary people and events, landmarks, etc will add depth to your story? Does this put them in the moment? Does it improve the story? What book reading, and what songs did they hear?
Do the legwork – Know where to look and who to ask. Visit museums, forts, battlegrounds, old homes, archives, historical societies find a specialist, write to the author of a book, article, or web page.

Don’t write down to your reader. Don’t be pretentious.

What adds to the story – you don’t want to slow the story down. Rearrange
Begin online. Your research will carry you off to unknown places, so reread your project definition often. Narrow your search to a few key words. Get names of contact person. Go to the national park service site covering your topic area. Many have online historical references, articles photos, archaeological info, maps, research papers, biographies, college studies, etc. Ask them to recommend books, pamphlets, or experts on the subject. Make an appointment to speak with the curator if possible or a docent. Check out other gov sites. The American memory project has innumerable documents, historic maps, correspondence of presidents, and other public figures. Type the words history of next to anything you want to research from the past and you’ll get hits.

Libraries are your friends – You can begin researching at the local library. Make friends with someone working the research desk. Get on a first name basis with them. Tell them you’re an author. Offer to mention them in the acknowledgements section of your book. Special books needed for research. First check with your local library or see if they can get it through circulation. Some older books are now printed online. Buy used from Amazon and remember to keep your receipts.

It’s time to write with confidence. Start the great balancing act. Don’t show off your dazzling brilliance. What do your readers want to know? Don’t lecture and don’t let your characters lecture.

Show, don’t tell. Take them on a journey. Make your characters historically accurate, but bigger than life. Your readers are looking for a solid historical context with characters that sweep them away.

Be careful with regional speech patterns. Be consistent. They can slow down the read and become tedious. Capture the emotion without the crud. Practice depicting strong emotions. Start with action and conflict. Don’t lose your hero. Maintain his POV. What is the action costing him?

Recheck your project definition often.

So the first 500 words needs to grab the reader? Get them invested in your character and story.

You must grab editors in first 500 words.

Know your market. You need an agent.

Opening Pandora's Box

By Keith N Fisher

How do you feel about gas prices? Do you express misplaced anger at the owners of gas stations? Just for the record, service station owners only make about 2.5 cents profit on every gallon of gas. The real money is going to taxes and the executives of the oil companies.

I can remember prices at 19 and 22 cents/gal. I worked at a station when they rose to 60 cents. For many drivers, It was a hard pill to swallow. Now, we are paying close to 4 dollars and most of us wouldn’t mourn the demise of those who are raising prices.

I wanted to bring this up to illustrate a point. Are you angry that gas prices keep going up?

As a kid I watched the original Star Trek on TV and marveled over the gadgets I saw. I noticed a lack of paper and everything, from reports to novels, were read on a piece of hardware, about the size of an I-Pad. In the later series’ they used Palm Pilot sized pads. When I saw a character writing a speech in one episode, I realized electronic medium was probably the wave of the future. I figured we would see electronic books in my lifetime, but I thought it would be like checking out reader pads from the library, or buying them from the bookstores.

Now, we stand at the edge of a precipice. E-book technology has come into our lives. You can download the classics for 99 cents.

Recently, at the Storymakers Conference, Marion Jensen talked about the e-book trend and what we might expect in the future. I noticed a prevalent attitude in the class. Writers were thinking they might use the medium to bypass publishers and self-publish. I also noticed many of them hadn’t given much thought to how much work it would be to promote those books.

Marion went on to quote some experts who think electronic books will never replace the traditional. Still, I was disturbed. Apparently, some authors are promoting their work, by selling it for pennies.

I once heard an author say he didn’t mind his books getting passed around because it builds a fan base for the next book. I agree with his thinking, but keep in mind that he didn’t drop the price on the book that gets passed around.

Okay, here is the way I see it. When people get used to paying 99 cents for an e-book how are we going to raise the price? Like Pandora, are we opening a box that can never be closed? Is it better to sell five books at 15 dollars, or fifty books at 99 cents?

Yes, you can touch more lives at 99 cents, but isn’t your time worth more than that?

Like with gas prices, people will resent a raise. Keep in mind that gasoline has become a necessary staple in our life, books are still a non-essential item in our budgets. Well, I know some writers who ... Anyway, Since book publishing is mostly a good will business, you will never be able to make more for your books. Neither will I.

At this juncture, I have no intention of self-publishing. If, after the hard copy comes out, my publisher wants to sell it in electronic format, I will expect it to sell for a reasonable price. If the costs of other books are far below that price, my book won’t sell.

So, before you launch yourself into this final frontier, consider the future when the market is flooded with low cost e-books, and everyone works for free. I have another parable for you.

There once were two kids who each opened a lemonade stand. Billy opened on his corner, and Mary opened across the street. They drank a lot of lemonade, but didn’t get many customers. Then, Billy decided that if he lowered his price, the customers would buy from him, rather than across the street.

Incensed, Mary lowered her price and got all the business until Billy lowered his, again. This went on, until Mary got fed up and offered hers for free. Well, Billy couldn’t compete with free, so he packed up and went out of business.

After a while, Mary noticed a significant fact. Even when she gave it away, she still could not attract the majority of passersby. They just didn’t care. That’s when Mary got an idea. She developed better lemonade. It was far superior to anything anyone had ever tasted. Mary advertised and tried to sell it for a reasonable profit. After all, with advertising, she had overhead costs.

Soon, she found that customers wouldn’t buy it. “It may be as good as you say, but we can get lemonade from Jane, down the street and she gives it away.”

Be careful where you tread. You might be stepping on a landmine.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

A Consecrated Life

by G.Parker

I've been reading conference talks.  I try to read every morning while I'm waiting for my computer to come up.  I figure it's a moment when I don't have to be doing anything and I can hopefully gain something - almost like getting my scripture study in.  We are told that the conference talks are akin to scripture, so I feel I'm getting something good.  Anyway, the only perhaps 'drawback' is I'm still on last November's...

This morning I started reading the talk by Elder Christofferson - Reflections on a Consecrated Life.  It's one that really gets you thinking about what kind of life you are living.  Does my every day action show that I am a follower of Christ?  Am I an example to others of His light and gospel?  Not only that, but one of the talks I heard recently (either in church or reading the Ensign) talked about our talents.  Actually, I think it was Sunday School.  The parable of the talents, and how to each was given a certain amount and of each much was expected.

The reason I bring up both of these subjects is because to me, writing is related to both of them.  First, I believe we have been given the talent of writing to benefit our fellow men.  How we use it, develop it and proceed with it indicates how much we are trying to improve with it.  I'm way behind many of you in that aspect.  I should be working harder at it.  I am struggling to find the time - and recently, the motivation.  Second, I think it fits in with a consecrated life.  If we are striving to do the things we have been commanded, working at our talents and doing service as much as we can, then aren't we living a consecrated life?  Like we are taught in many ways, the gospel is all interrelated to everything we are.

I hope you are working to expand your talents to bring glory to the Father and His Son, and that you give the idea of a consecrated life some thought.  Have a good week and keep writing!

What would You Do?

by Cheri Chesley

Last week, I posted the raw feelings I had after finding out a close friend has breast cancer. Friday, she had a mastectomy. She went in to have her bandages removed Monday. Normally an intensely private person, she has allowed us in to share this journey with her. I'm so grateful for that; for her willingness to open up about something so difficult, so we can know to be there and comfort her and help in all the ways we can.

This has hit me so close to home--right in the heart. I'm tearing up as I type this post. It's like I dodged a cosmic bullet--because this could just as easily have been me--but why did it hit my friend instead?

I've made a practice in my life not to ask the "why me" question. It's pointless, and in its way, destructive. But, now, I find myself asking "Why her?"

Because I hate to feel helpless, and I wanted to find a way to help, I came up with a plan. Check out my personal BLOG to see how you can help Rebecca, too. And share. The more people who know, the more who can help. Thanks.

HISTORICAL FICTION - PART ONE

by C. LaRene Hall

Remember that at the writing conference I'm typing as fast as I can and I didn't get everything. The second class I attended and the one that helped me most is the following one. It's long because there was so much info I was interested in, so I'm dividing it in half.

The Tightrope: Researching and Writing Credible Historical Fiction: LC Lewis

Where Do You Begin?

You create what is real with what is fiction. Make sure you pick something you love.
Historical fiction is a fascinating challenging genre. You are facing two pools of readers.

1. Those who want an engaging story with a little history thrown in.
2. Those who live history with a little story flowing through.

Striking the right balance between fact, and fictional content, is the challenge. You will never get everyone happy. Choose a subject, setting, or person you already love and know a lot about, or choose a subject, setting, or person you’re excited to research.

1. What do you already love?
2. What would you like to know more about?
3. Who are you writing for? Historians? History lovers? Readers with an interest in your topic?
4. What do you want to tell your readers?
5. Why are you writing this story?
6. What nugget of history?
7. What theme?
8. What character is compelling you, and why?

Define your project by writing a backlines-type summary and a comprehensive summary and read them often. It needs a basic plot, viewpoint characters; his/her story goal, primary opponent/opposition, and what he wants, or how it affects your POV character.

Create a base line – it may change – it is your anchor. Don’t sweat the small stuff – you are taking people on a journey. If you are not accurate, you will lose their trust. Decide to remain credible by keeping the research accurate. Get the facts right: dates, times, and details. Make sure your facts are correct. There are some things that you can verify but sometimes things are conflicting. POV are sometimes different. You need multiple accounts because some of them will be conflicting. That will keep you credible. Prove your point. Make sure you can back up what you say. You need to put your readers in an event with the correct details.

Get ready. Get set. Get organized. Have a plan to organize every contact, book, periodical, web site, etc. before you begin researching.

Keep organized – some things can’t be verified. The truth is most of our history is skewed. It primarily reflects the accounts of people who were literate, wealthy, white, which was a small portion of historic America. You may find a record that differs from the norm. Letters are treasures, but they are opinions and their details frequently can’t be verified.

Source notes maintain a running excel or word file of notes. Use the favorites or bookmark option on your computer for online sources. Online addresses often change. Label everything for easy recognition. Group them for quick access for efficiency.

Character Bibles

Keep your characters clear and consistent by defining them. You don’t want your hero to be light-skinned on one page and then refer to his clear, tanned torso on another.
Make it easy to refer to often

Descriptive written out with detail visual – compare your character to someone who readily comes to mind. Back it up with written details.

Today’s reader became so annoyed with the persons actions – it is a fine line – keep their values but you are writing to readers now.

Have an idea of where your story is going. How will your characters evolve over time? Research and give them realistic representations in your script. Know everything.

Come back next week for Part Two.

Creativitiy

I am a highly creative person. I have found in my life that I am at my most contented state when I am either learning a new creative skill or using my skills to create something beautiful. I think all people are creative, although some people push those creative yearnings aside for one reason or another.

Elder Uchtdorf said:

 The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Writing is one way of expressing creativity. In the same talk, Elder Uchtdorf  says that the closer we are to the Spirit of God, who is the perfect Creator, and the more we trust in that Spirit, the greater our ability to create becomes.

He finishes that portion of his talk by saying:

As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.

Isn't it amazing to think that you can change the world? You can. You change the world every day, just because you are in it. And, by using your God-given talents to create beautiful things, whether it be a song, a garden, a poem or a novel, you make the world even better. And you make yourself better, too.

So, carry on. Tap into that creative Spirit and see where it takes you. God bless you.

Competent

By Keith N Fisher

At the LDStorymakers Conference this year, I walked into the ballroom at the beginning of a session and encountered a lady who wouldn’t shake my hand.

We introduced ourselves and I told her I write women’s fiction. I don’t remember her exact words, but she looked me square in the eye and asked, “How are you qualified to write women’s fiction?”

I was perplexed. What qualifies every writer to write anything? I must admit that getting into the mind of women is dangerous, and a difficult journey. Not unlike the first moon landing, and being a man, how can I presume to be successful in this genre?

I stumbled over my answer, not knowing quite what to say. “I’m the only man in a six member critique group and I get insights from my partners?” I could’ve claimed an understanding, and I would’ve liked to claim the title of, Casanova of the Twenty-first Century Book Writing World, but I’m just a man. I think Nicholas Sparks would like to contest that claim, anyway.

I shared my dilemma with my friend, Tristi Pinkston, and she joked, “You should’ve looked her in the eye and said, I’m really a woman.”

I write stories about women, for women, in a way that men would enjoy reading it too. You see, there are differences, but basically there isn’t much separating the sexes. With a few genre specific details, all fiction is pretty much the same. Yes, there are situations women find themselves in that men wouldn’t, but women’s fiction, not romance, is a contemporary story about the struggles and joys of women characters. The secret to success is telling it with resonance to women. Sometimes, that includes romance.

My new friend made me consider the answers to many questions, and sparked a visit into my project files. I’ve written stories about men, but my very first, written twenty years ago, was about a woman who struggles to find balance between the corporate world and her desire to be a singer. A mystery unfolds along the way, and she finds answers to her life’s questions.

The second book, my first LDS market, was a coming of age story about a teenage girl. Pregnancy and a desire to find her own way, spurs a late night flight to a new life in the big city. Through a series of missteps and misplaced trust, she finds herself at the end of her rope, and discovers God.

As I said before, I’ve written male protagonists and testosterone-laden plot lines, but really, women’s fiction is what I’ve always written. So, how am I qualified? After considering many possible answers, I came up with a good response. I write women’s fiction because my characters dictate their stories to me. I am competent, if people find joy in reading them.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

It's My Choice

by G.Parker


One of the tenants of my critique group is that all the advice and suggestions that are made don't mean anything if you don't like them or if it changes the story from what you want.  It's still your story, it's your choice whether to make the changes or not.

Recently I started submitting a story to my group I'd written for NaNoWriMo.  Everyone loved it, but they were absolutely 100% of the opinion I should write it for the national market.  I had written it for LDS readers.  A little reluctantly, I made the changes, and kept on with the story, not really liking it.

I still don't like it.  

I came to the conclusion the other night that it's not going to happen.  I don't like the way the story has changed and 'has' to change to be nationally marketable.  I'm not worried about attracting national attention.  My whole reason for writing is for the LDS reader. 

So, I'm taking it back to the original story line.  I haven't felt happy with the changes, not really.  It hasn't felt right.  Now that I've decided to go with my original plot, a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  It's amazing how we let things affect us.

My group will be disappointed, but I figure they'll understand.  After all, it's always my choice what happens with the story.  Remember what I've been blogging about lately?  It's important to be true to yourself and your voice.

This is my voice, and I'm reclaiming it.  Have a good weekend and keep writing! 

WE ARE MORE THAN FIVE YEARS OLD!!!

I know that today is not my day to post, but I just realized something very important. In fact, I should have thought about this a few weeks ago. This blog started on APRIL, 21, 2006 .

The first blog was written by C L Beck. I wrote the 4th blog on April 26. It's hard to imagine that I've been doing this for over five years. I never missed my day - which is Wednesday - for over four years. It wasn't always easy to think of something to write, but I was consistent.

Also something else to think about is this post is #1,400.

I HOPE EACH OF OUR READERS HAS ENJOYED COMING HERE EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. It's been a pleasure being here and I promise to keep coming here every Wednesday for a while longer.

Perspective

by Cheri Chesley


photo courtesy of billarnold.typepad.com

I'm going to type this up while my eyes are still raw with tears, and the pain is still fresh.

I've spent a great deal of the last several weeks wrapped in my writing world. If I'm not writing, I'm editing, or typing up blog posts about writing, or reading for reviews, or learning about writing. I just finished the final edits on my ebook, and turned right around after posting it online to start edit corrections for my next print book.

Sounds like I'm living the life, right?

It only takes a second to put it all in perspective.

Tonight, after finally taking my twins on their birthday dinner trip to Ruby River, I got home and logged into Facebook to catch up on the things I've missed while running around. As I scrolled through the funny and sometimes silly posts, a friend's caught my eye. She typed: I have breast cancer.

She's exactly my age. And even though I've only known her for a year, she's one of those people who just instantly fits in your life. She's an amazing and talented lady, and a good friend. And now it's my turn to be a friend to her.

As I'm processing, I imagine the terror she's experiencing, the fear for her children, the worry for the future. How bad is it? What if the treatments don't work? etc.

I thank God she has the gospel in her life. That she knows the eternal perspective in all this, and that she (and we) have the tools of prayer and fasting at our disposal.

But I'm still scared.

Even with all the strides science and medicine have made fighting and winning battles with breast cancer, there's always the lingering thought that it might not work this time. There's always the chance that, despite what we may want or feel is right, her time on this earth may be nearing an end.

My hands are shaking.

The point of this post is simple: perspective. We may feel we know what our place is, and what our goals are, but it's important to keep the right goals in our sights. It's important not to lose our perspective on what's really, truly important.

What’s Your Writing Motivation?

by C LaRene Hall

As some of you know, last weekend was the LDStorymaker’s Writing Conference. I always take my Alpha-Smart and type what I hear. None of what I am writing is from the authors notes, it’s what I heard.

Shirley & Bron Bahlmann taught the first workshop I attended. It was called, “What’s your writing motivation?”

The first thing they said was, “Stick with it.”

There are many ways to accomplish goals, but you are the one who has to strike the match. You have to think it’s important enough.

First, you need to find what works for you. What is going to pull you away from writing? You should set a manageable goal. Ask yourself, “Am I doing what I truly want to do?”

Do you want to write because it’s an internal desire?

Fear is thinking something might happen. You need to get past the fear.

What are your goals? Decide what you want to do. If you write one page a day – you would have 365 pages by the end of the year.

Choose a time frame – daily, weekly, or monthly. It could be minutes or hours.
Choose a page count, or a word count.

This will get you to your goal. Slow and steady helps you reach the deadline.

Are your long-term goals satisfying enough? Do it because you love it.

How do you reinforce your motivation?

1. Keep track on your calendar what you do every day. It shows you what you are doing and then you see the progress you are making. Keeping track of your goals helps you see what you are doing. Look at things you want to do and why and then how you feel when you accomplish it.

2. Guilt can drive you to do something. It can be a motivator.

3. Revenge is a good motivator for some people.

4. Philanthropy – wanting to help other people – is sometimes a good motivator.

5. Competition is another good motivator.

6. Reaching goals is another good motivator for some people.

7. Pride – a sense of accomplishment – is another motivator for some people.

You need support systems. If family not in place, you can create your own support system. Find some figures in history that she can connect to when you need support.

Are you just going to give up or what? There are things that you can do. Disabilities should not stop you. Some writers go with the flow. If the ideas are coming to you keep going.

Writers are like frogs = writing is like water if you love writing as much as frogs love water = without writing, you will shrivel up and die.

If you are out there putting your ideas down on paper will you get published? It is up to you. Are you going to be happy?

Everyone likes to read different things. The things you think about to write about are things that are speaking to you. If you reach more than your goal each day it is a bonus. Always carry a possible bag that includes paper, notebooks, pens, pencils. Write down your ideas,

I loved the enthusiasm of these presenters and enjoyed the class a lot.

Another Great LDStorymaker's Conference

Over last weekend the 8th annual LDStorymakers Conference was held in Salt Lake City's Sheridan Hotel. It was a great conference and I am glad I went. It was my second Storymakers Conference. Last year I knew absolutely nobody and was wide-eyed and rather overwhelmed the whole time.

This year, thanks to the Author's Incognito Yahoo group and my ANWA group, I knew many people. I always found someone I knew to sit with and talk to. It made the conference much more enjoyable for me. The above picture was taken after the Authors Incognito Mix & Mingle--which was awesome!

Writing can be such an isolated and isolating vocation. It is wonderful to have writer friends who are supportive and even better when we can get together.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

By Keith N Fisher

I’m writing this blog between classes at the LDStorymakers Conference. I have no Internet on my computer so I hope I can post on time. I have no time for editing so please don’t laugh at my mistakes.

Although the standard is changing, in our culture, boys are given a set of rules to follow. They are taught to be the breadwinner, the protector and provider. Girls are taught to be the homemaker, nurturer, and teacher of all good habits.

Being true to my lessons, I’ve endeavored to make ends meet, provide, and keep a status quo, no matter what the circumstance.

About fifteen years ago, we were given the opportunity to purchase a bigger house than I could afford. If the truth were told, however, It wasn’t much bigger or expensive. I’d just grown comfortable in my situation and making a larger payment worried me.

At the time, we were making payments on a one and one-half bedroom bungalow with plumbing problems, but it was ours, and we loved the garden. I’d spent the early part of our marriage paying debts we brought into it and I didn’t want to start over.

One day, while considering my options, I realized life was short and if I didn’t grab the piece of happiness the new house would bring, I might never realize the dream. In short, if I didn’t take a chance, I might never move forward.

Now, this might seem like selfishness, or self-justification, but I learned there are times to take risks you can’t move forward if you don’t speculate occasionally.

At the LDStorymakers Conference this year a presentation reminded us that if you never take a chance, you’ll never succeed. It also suggested if you’ve never failed, you never tried.

Keep writing. Success may never mean writing full time or making a six-figure income, but dreams, not pursued, can never come true. Your writing will never touch a life, unless you keep writing.

Hang in there. Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

What Will Your Obituary Say?

by G.Parker

Sometimes the most touching bit of writing we'll do will not be what we ourselves write, but what we inspire others to write.  I'm sure you've heard of the idea of writing an obituary and living up to it, right?  The thought of what kind of person do you want to become?

Not being the type of person that sits and reads the obituaries, I haven't read as many as some, but I have had several occasions this past year to read them, especially this week.  I've read two.  Both of them were sincere, and written by family members.  One was a little simpler than the other.  One was for a colleague, or boss rather, and the other for a family member of my husband.  The colleagues obit was full of all the things he accomplished, positions held, places taught, etc.  The family one outlined a little what she did, but mostly what she loved and what they loved about her.  While the first one also had some of those points in it, it came across as more of the professional feeling.  

My own obit has been something I've avoided thinking about unless specifically asked to do so.  Yes, I'd like to have wonderful things thought and said about me, but I'm not sure what my children are apt to say.  My patriarchal blessing says they'll rise up and call me blessed.  Well, in looking at my kids right now, it's not likely the majority of them feel that way.  In fact, one of them would probably not claim me as the mother.

So, perhaps in the scheme of things as you're writing your greatest novel, you might give some thought as to what will be written about you some day.  When you're not here to defend yourself, or explain anything.  It's going to be what others think of you, whether you like it or not.

I'd rather like mine, personally, and so I'm working on it.  What about you?

Insert Title Here

by Cheri Chesley

I found myself completely title-dry for this post. Maybe something will hit me before I finish.

In case you wondered, I will NOT be attending the LDStorymakers Conference this weekend. It's been a bad year, financially, since last conference, and I really had to pick and choose what conferences I can attend this year. As it turns out, I'll be hitting a couple of fall conferences, but I just couldn't swing Storymakers this year.

At this moment, I do plan to crash the AI mix n mingle tomorrow, and I just may bring a cheesecake. :)

Being a writer means sacrifice. One of the biggest is giving up whatever it is that keeps us from writing--or giving up something else we enjoy so we can make time for writing. It means not always being able to do the fun author events, even though we want to do them all. It means, sometimes, a little less time with family, especially if we're working with a deadline. It means giving up some of our comforts--like staying at home--to sit in public places and sign our book for a handful (or a room ful) of strangers. We do all of this in the hopes that the rewards that come from writing will, someday, outweigh the sacrifices.

Or we do it because we'd suffer horrible emotional costs if we don't. I'm a much happier person when I write, and it makes for a more harmonious home. But don't go around thinking I'm making a huge sacrifice there. I love to write.

Somehow, I ended up with two books to edit this week. I'm not doing well with my timing. It's been a busy week, but, since I plan to stay far from my internet--email, Facebook, etc--this weekend to avoid the constant reminders of where I'm NOT going to be, I will have time to get a lot done. Hopefully, by Monday, I'll have at least one polished book ready to go.

Most excitingly, I plan to start a new rough draft before the end of the month. Looking forward to it. I love the creative process at its best.

Everyone who's going, have a great time and Storymakers, and learn tons!