Making the most of our time.

It's Friday. And I made it through my first two days of my new job. Cried when I got home the first day. Today my back is the only thing crying. Can you tell I'm tired?

I am thanking God for a chance to earn some benefits and a little money. It won't be enough to pay our bills by a landslide but I'm trusting him to bring in what else we need in some awesome way. He always has. Why not this time?

But as I sit here at my computer, catching my breath before I make myself some dinner, I feel a sadness that my writing life will be changed for a long time. At least until my husband gets out of college.

You do what you have to do and pray for the best.

I will now be listening closer to those of you who work and write. I'll be listening for the tips and advice on how to juggle your love of words and the mundane things we need to do that get in the way. Like work.

I took my notebook with me today and during my half-hour lunch, I worked on a card for Blue Mountain. It was nice to let my mind drift--but oh how I can't wait until tomorrow when it really can.

Making the most of our time. Are you?

Willing to Wait

I was blessed by your comments on my last post. You've caused me to really think about why I write and what I want to happen with my writing. And where I need to draw the line, understanding of course, the consequences if I do.

We all want our books published. But we also want to hold a book in our hands we will be proud of. I believe when we do contract with the right agent or the right publisher, that will happen. Good editors, publishers and agents understand the market, the needs and what they can or can't sell at any given time.

When that time comes for what I choose to write might be today, tomorrow or years from now.

Good editors, publishers and agents will also want to get behind the writer they believe in.

I want that.

And I'll wait for it.

What am I saying? I plan to continue to write what God lays on my heart because that's how I've gotten this far already. Hoping you do too.

PS I start a new job on a trial basis on Thursday for a Christian company. Please pray this stay-at-home writer will know how to transition back into the workplace easily. Thanks!

Sell or Not to Sell?

I received a very nice reply from an agent who I sent my query to this week. But with that reply came a double whammy for me at least. He shared with me his thoughts on the current market. Most publishers want historical fiction or romance. They are full up with women's fiction--my genre. Then he shared that books about writers generally don't sell.

Ok. So his comments made me worry. And worry. And wonder what now? What do I do with the book I just wrote and the one now started? Sit on them? Hope customers' wants change fast? Rework them into romance?

It made for a not-so-fun-day.

Then I contacted a well-known writer with years of published books under her belt. She promptly wrote me back and told me something I needed to remember.

Write what God puts on your heart.

It might be a harder sell, but there's always room for a well-written book. She's writing a contempory one right now.

I stopped and took a deep breath. The market changes often and what I'm writing might just be the vogue when it's ready.

Is it all about the immediate?

I hope not. We all want to make money but if I tried to write historical today, I can tell you how much money I would make from it. $0.00

So do you let the market needs sway you in what you are writing?

2 AM wake up call

As I grow as a writer, I tend to experiment with methods. As you can see in the side bar, I'm working on another book--women's fiction. Finish one. Start another.

But this time, with the help of my critique partners, I'm laying out the groundwork ahead of time. Kind of like building a house. Can't do it without a good blueprint, if you're obsessive like me.

I've tried the panster method (did I even spell that word right??) and it doesn't work--not if I want layers in my book.

And from reading some great how-to books lately on writing fiction, I know layers count. So does motivation and inner conflict.

Last night I wanted to jump out of bed at two am and write notes. Yup. I found what one of my characters needs. His secret, more inner conflict and the way he can become a hero through self-sacrifice.

So I'm happy my method of shaping the first few chapters is working. For me it is. I'm laying the groundwork for future layers now and I think that might eliminate a lot of work later.

What method have you found through trial and error that works best for you?

A little update

"The problem with being unemployed is you don't get to dream. You just get nightmares."

My husband's words spurred me on when we arrived home from our trip to Seattle. We needed to take charge of our lives and stop waiting for it to improve on its own.

I read in a magazine that to move forward, one needs to combine talents with passion.

I think after two years we finally have. Yesterday my husband met with an admissions director at a local college. Thirty years ago, he did the same thing. Back then we lived on a check from the VA for $405 a month, paid $175 rent for a duplex and lived without health insurance while he studied for a new career. It paid off.

I hope it does this time too. At fifty-five, it's a little more risky.

But this time we've prayed about the situation. Back then, we didn't even know each other was a Christian. This time we've got a nicer home to live in. But I still need to find work like I did back then to help us survive. This time, we have fewer options. But we have each other still.

A while ago, Sassy Granny sent me the book, Hinds' Feet on High Places. I've been trying to climb the mountain for a long time. I think this week, with God's help, we hit a nice mountaintop.

What's your recent mountaintop experience?

PS. Thank you to those who have been praying with us.

No ands, buts or ors, please...

My monthly writers' group met today again. Two writers emailed everyone a chapter to critique a few weeks ago. The time frame gave the rest of us an opportunity to read and make notes to present during the feedback time.

But it didn't go quite as planned.

I should have known and been prepared since I'm the facilitator.

Instead of critiquers critiquing, I listened to writers giving explanations. Beforehand. During. After.

I'm the first to admit I'm insecure about my writing. I want to explain everything. I want to justify why I did this or that.

But the reality is, if I want it published traditionally, I'm not going to be able to give a fifteen minute discourse to someone. I might be allowed only one query line, one chapter or one five minute session to convince another person that my work has merit.

As a writer, I need to take in feedback. Quietly. Using listening skills. Later, and when the opportunity presents itself, I can ask further questions. But I should never try to convince or persuade anyone after the fact.

Because in the end, it's up to me to reject or accept any feedback anyways.

How have you handled a critique before?

Blogger Bits

While I was in Washington state, I had the awesome opportunity to meet a fellow blogger and writer. Jan and her husband met us in this little town halfway across the state called Leavenworth. The restaurant we picked was closed so we wandered this quaint German-like town and found a place where the four of us could sit down and get to know each other.

She was just like I thought she would be.

I've met many other on-line friends in the past and have never been disappointed. We seem to be able to pick up immediately where we left off online and also talk about our other blogger friends as though we'd all met in person before.

Today I plan to catch up on some critiquing for my writers group that is coming on Monday again and also to write on my new WIP. I'm at 5000 words already and need to post my meter. Also cooking some homemade applesauce and have the windows open for the first time in a year! It's officially fall here in Florida!

What are your weekend plans? Does it include writing?

Recognizing our own style

I quickly learned that when my grandson said, "Mommy's shoes or Daddy's shoes" it meant he wanted that person to pick him up. At his height,of course the shoes became important.

How do readers recognize your writing?

Most of my non-fiction work is based on some emotional event in my life--the kind that hopefully makes someone wipe a tear or think about a similar occasion in their own lives. With fiction, I try to bring out that same emotional impact.

I once tried humor, and found it fell flat. Couldn't do the way out characters either and had to settle for a down-to-earth antagonist and protagonist. And of course, the reader can always expect to find a touch of romance mingled into my plots.

We each have our own view of our favorite authors. We look at the cover and expect and want a certain style.

Have you found your style yet or are you still trying out who you are?

Feeling It

There's nothing better than coming home to your own bed after a two-week vacation. Except for one thing. Using your own computer again.

Can you hear me sigh?

I've missed running my fingers over my own keys, checking my WIP and my emails that need to be answered.

I plan on getting around to everyone in the next few days to read your updates. I hope I find some great news with your writing and your lives in general!

See you soon!

Moms who write

Dear Mothers of young children who write,

How on earth do you do it???

In case any of you have noticed, I haven't posted in a week. We flew out to Seattle and are playing grandparents to our two year old grandson.

So I ask this of young writers: How do you find time to write and live life? I have found new admiration for all of you. I can barely get to the computer let alone free my brain for some writing thoughts between playing games, picking up the house and napping:)

Hope to be back on board the moment my plane touches back down in Florida. Missing all of your updates but sending promises that I will be back on track ASAP.

The good news is that the six hour plane ride allowed for uninterrupted reading time.

Share your secrets with me!