Critique Offer

I've been really enjoying my new critique group. I encourage you--if you aren't part of one--find one. The information we are sharing is invaluable.

And since I strongly believe in passing along anything I learn about writing, I'd like to do that today. If you are a writer and don't have anyone other than your husband, wife or best friend to read a chapter and comment, I'd like to make the offer to do that for you.

I've got some free time this week. Send me a short chapter or story (talker445@yahoo.com) you need another set of eyes to look at. But let me know here that you are sending it first! What I'll do is use the review part of Microsoft Word and leave comments on anything that I myself have been critiqued on.

I'll do as many as I can get through between now and Sunday.

I promise to be kind but honest--just like I expect my critique partners to be with me.

So jump in, be brave, let someone else read your work. I bet it is fantastic!

Blessings of Encouragement

Many of you asked me to report on how my first meeting at my home went on Saturday. I’d sent out initiations to the ladies in my Bible Fellowship class asking if they wanted to be encouraged and be an encourager.

I’m happy to say five ladies attended with several more communicating to me their desire to come to the next one but because of prior commitments, couldn’t come this time.

Since I’m all about the keeping it real, and goals—I made up a bunch of questions, typed them on slips of paper and passed them around. Each person took one and read it aloud, answered and then asked the question of someone else.

I called it my Icebreaker. It certainly did.

So many people keep their thoughts and lives bundled so deeply inside that those around haven’t a clue to their needs. They call it being strong or private, or socially polite.

I call it being fearful.

I hope my writing shares more than just words. I hope it offers people a deeper look into who I am and hopefully into the character of God.

As a Christian writer, we shouldn’t be afraid to put it out there—and I don’t mean the in-your-face kind of preaching—but the kind that is honest and real.

How are you keeping your writing real? And when you do, how have you been blessed?

Climbing to a new level

So you wrote your first novel. Good for you.

Now what?

I know way too many writers who have written a book and when I ask them what their plans are with it, they really don’t have a clue. “But I wrote a 90,000 word book,” they tell me.

That’s a lot of work. Don’t you think it deserves the next step?

“But it’s so hard to get published. I tried to send it once and it got rejected.”

And?

Is that the end of the road?

Has someone even read your book? Has it been thoroughly edited by a professional? Are you sending it to the right places? Have you done your research?

I struggle to write 70,000 words. I don’t think I want to waste all that work. Was it a waste to write it? Would you throw it in the trash? I doubt it.

Give your hard work a chance. Take that next step today.

A thankful commercial Break

Ok-- So I wasn't going to post today but I had to. So many of you heard my complaint about not being able to get on some of the blogs. So this morning I took your advice, though coward I am, I made my husband download Foxfire to his computer first.

Wow! What a huge difference! All this time he thought his computer ran slow because of the Internet speed and it wasn't! This browser is so fast!

So then I got brave when I found out I could keep my Explorer browser still just in case. I downloaded it too on this computer and I can get to all the blogs I couldn't!!! But another awesome feature is the spell check in the blogger comment box. How many times have you been embarrassed after seeing you misspelled a comment?

So there ends my advertisement. But thank you again blogger friends for helping me out with this simple answer that I put off for too many weeks. Now I can spend time today going around and catching up on everyone's blogs.

Marketing Me

I’m certainly no expert. But after five years of owning a store, I like to think I know a little about merchandising and marketing.

And that includes marketing me as a writer.

I’ve got this plan—it’s been a long range one but it’s there nevertheless. When I started writing, I had no credits which meant no credibility. Like a buyer who walks into a store and sees empty store shelves, if a publisher were to walk in and take a look at me, they wouldn’t see much of who I am or what I sell.

So in the past four plus years, I’ve been working at getting myself out there. First, I started writing for anything to get my credits built up. I wanted a nice resume to show when I submitted to the larger companies. I wrote and submitted until I finally picked up some better product to add to my shelf.

I have written two romance books at different times in my life with two different word counts so I can submit them more places. Now I’m working on a woman’s contemporary fiction that will give me a wider spread to market it rather than only to the romance publishers. I also hope it will give an agent a better sense of what I can do.

Finally, I’ve gotten my blog going and I just set up my Web site. I try to stay active on Face book and keep up with my e-mails and responses to others. I love doing that but it’s still a nice easy way to let others know I write.

Marketing takes time but it also means adding new product to your shelves. What have you recently added to yours?

(The picture is from Paradise, Tunk. PA. Thanks to Patti who owns it and is also my former partner. If you ever get a chance to go through NE PA, stop in and say hello!)

This and that with a question thrown in the middle

Ok--I need to slap myself up a little and post something a little less serious. Back to writing--hm--I wish I was but instead I'm waist deep in edits.

In the past, I thought what I called editing really was editing but I am quickly learning there are whole new levels to the word. So I'm plugging away a little each day--it will amaze me to see what I end up with in the coming months.

Will I recognize my story?

What else?--a big question. Ok--this might sound really stupid but when submitting something, how on earth do you keep the green lines from coming back? You know those lines--the ones that tell you you have a fragment even though you want the thing? I try accept all changes, final copy --everything! And they come back! Help!

(Now don't answer in high-tech language, please.)

Another concern--I'm getting blocked on a few of the newer blogs and I feel horrid thinking someone might think I am not responding as blogger etiquette requires! I keep sending in the information and hope it fixes itself. I think the extra gadgets on blogs kick me off.

Finally--got to give my congressman some credit today. We haven't gotten any unemployment since January and today we called for help to the congressman's office as you can't get through to unemployment--ever. Tada! With one e-mail, the woman found out our claim was never processed. A check will soon be in the mail.

Now that is worth writing about.

The other room

I attended a viewing last Thursday night for a teenage boy. It was held in a small funeral home about an hour away from my home. When we arrived, I noticed a long line forming outside the door and curving up the ramp. When I took my place to wait, I discovered the home was set up to accommodate two viewings at a time. The parallel door had another name on it with the same viewing times as the one I was attending.

No one stood outside that door.

When I got closer to the coffin, I found that the mother and daughter were comforting the visitors rather than letting them comfort them.

Surrounded by friends and family.

It struck me as I left and saw the many people still waiting to share their grief how easily it could be to end up lying on the other side of the building. In a room where no soul ever came to say goodbye.

A few posts back, I wrote about how I wanted to set up a meeting for the ladies in my church who wanted to get closer than a casual hello every week. I’m happy to report that our first meeting is going to be held this next Saturday at my home. I’m nervous, worried and way out of my box on this one but as a Christian, when God lays something on your heart, you need to act.

I’m asking you today as a writer or just an observer—is there something you should be doing to make a difference? Is there an article that needs writing? Is there a speech you want to give but have been putting it off?

We are gifted with only so much time here on earth. Put your passion to work!

Impact

I've had some new bloggers stop by this week to post. What a blessing it always is to meet new writers or others who just happened to connect with something I've written. The whole blogging concept still amazes me some days. Relationships are made from writing some words in a box like I am now.

Does that make you think even more how powerful our words can be? It does me.

I think that's why I've been dragging this week with my revisions on my WIP. In the past, I wrote a book and sent it off after only a quick look through. Spelling, punctuation, etc. and I figured it was good enough. Wonder why I've gotten a few rejections?

Now I'm seeing there is a while skeleton to be numbered and counted underneath that body of what I call a book.

I've had some success with short stories. With those, I'd spend days editing the 750 words or so until every word and line did what it should. What made me think I wouldn't have to do that with a book?

When it's done, I hope my story will move someone as they read it. Like I want with everything I write. And that will take effort.

How about you? Are your words making the impact you hope they will?

My first time

This is a picture of the town I lived and worked in for almost twenty years. Way down there on the left hand side sits the Christian bookstore I used to own. My good friend Patti still owns and operates it today.

It's also the town where I wrote my first book. Who wouldn't when you're surrounded by shelves and shelves of inspiration every day? Great motivation.

It was back in the time when we didn't have the Internet yet. I hadn't even seen the Internet yet. I just printed off my book, single spaced and all and mailed the whole thing off to Barbour hoping for the best.

And I got the best rejection letter I've ever gotten in my life. November 18, 1999.

In part, Tracie Peterson wrote: While your story idea sounds interesting, the word count is too short. Your chapters have an abbreviated, rushed feeling. Work on fleshing out your characters and your story line to give it a multi-dimensional feel. . .

Now how cool was that? Tracie took the time to actually write a regular letter to someone like me who hadn't even a clue what writer's guidelines were or let alone word count.

What that editor did for me is what we as writers or anyone in the publishing field should do--she encouraged me and didn't break my will to write. Although I didn't write any more until many years later, I still dreamt about it.

When I was ready to write again, I pulled out this letter and drew my encouragement to try again from it. I still keep some of my very first rejection letters. (Before the online kind.)

So what 's your story? What was your very first rejection letter like?

The Walking Wounded

I’m sorry about this post but the writer in me screams to put the story to paper.

Another wounded fell last night.

On the ten o’clock news, the anchor man reported a man shot and killed his wife and two young children. It seems his wife lost her job recently; they’d filed for bankruptcy and had already taken out several loans to survive. They lived in a house worth $300, 000. The reporter then added, “If you know anyone who is talking about suicide, take them directly to your nearest mental health center.”

I turned to my husband and said, “Yeah. Right.”

Mondays are supposedly the day most people die from heart attacks. The stress of going back to work after a nice weekend. Consider the stress of waking up and having no place to go.

The construction giant fell first here in Florida. It shut down fast and hard leaving countless families scrambling to find some means of employment in an area where the competition is tough enough already. Yesterday, my husband spoke or visited with three former co-workers—all former executives in the construction industry.

All over the age of fifty.

The first man hasn’t even been on an interview in two years since his job loss. His wife has been able to keep her job but he spends his days playing house husband. Yesterday he said if he had a gun he’d shoot himself.

The next man said he watches TV all day after searching the job markets. His sixty-some year old wife is taking a course to work in a hospital while he sits up until two in the morning unable to sleep. They had to apply for food stamps for the first time in their lives. And now he might be able to get a low-paying job up north but he doesn’t know what to do with his house as you can’t give them away here.

The third man was working at our neighbor’s house when we arrived home last evening. He was installing satellite dishes. He used to be my husband’s boss. Now he makes $50 a clip for each one he does. No benefits. His own vehicle. And his wife waitresses to keep them going.

Hope is dying here and I don’t know how to keep it alive. Or even help the others.

I’m sure you've said before "if we ever lost our jobs, we’d just go get anything to survive." We said that too. But what if that anything isn’t available? What if you are in competition with thousands of other desperate individuals?

And my mother wonders why I haven’t called in a month.

Again forgive me. But there is big chunk of American people hurting out there. A new sector of people who haven't a clue how to survive. And they are taking the only way out they see left to stop the hurt.

Please reach out to your neighbor, your family member, your relative who is in a similar situation. I'm sure you know someone around you.

On the surface—they'll tell you everything is manageable. Trust me. They lie to save face.
And even if they know Jesus, remember, Satan is still out there wreaking havoc wherever he can.

Please reach out to someone you know today before it’s too late. Before you hear about them on the ten o'clock news.

From my shelf

A year or so ago, I took an editing course with Kathy Ide, the founder and coordinator of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network. I'd never heard of The Chicago Manual of Style or the fact that editing houses used certain grammar, punctuation, usage and spelling rules.

If I can recommend one book to buy that will clean up your writing so when you submit you might look a tad more professional, I'd tell you to buy Kathy's book, Polishing the "PUGS."

It's a mini version of the huge CMS.

I constantly refer to it but sometimes not enough as my critique friends can attest to.

Excerpt: Capitalization

Family Relationships, "Kinship names"(father, brother, aunt, cousin, etc.) are lowercase when used generically or when preceded by a modifier. EX.: my dad

When used in place of the name, kinship names are capitalized. Ex. "Hey, Dad, are we going fishing today?"

Terms of Endearment: Terms of affection (honey, dear, sweetheart) are always lowercase.

Terms of Respect: Honorific titles are capitalized. But general terms of respect are not. Ex. His/Her/Your majesty

my lord

sir

ma'am

Some basic information but I know once I read this compact book--it made a difference. She lays out the rules simply and easily. No wading through a hard grammar book.

So if you want a good clean-up-- I highly recommend this one take a place on your shelf!

Not an Option

My husband told me today, "I’m tired of disappointment.” This was said after he found out he’d bleached a stain in his new shorts. It was said after he found out a dear friend lost his sixteen-year-old grandson this weekend.

We’ve been living with heavy disappointment now for almost two years. Disappointment in not getting meaningful employment. Disappointment in not being able to see friends and family. Disappointment in watching a life’s savings disappear.

It’s easy for disappointment to become a way of life—a way of thinking. A reason to give up.
And that isn’t good. Because giving up isn’t an option.

As writers, we experience similar degrees of frustrations, disappointments, rejections. We wonder if what we’re doing is making any difference. We wonder if there’s one more book to read or conference to attend—something –that will make our writing profession take off.

Giving up on writing isn’t a choice I’m willing to follow either.

With life we just need to get out of bed every morning. We need to show up. God expects us to do that. After all, we’re here to serve him. Not us.

Same goes with writing. If writing is my talent and I feel led to write—then I need to show up at my computer and do what it takes. Write and submit. Learn and grow.

I’m not sure why my husband and I are going through all this stuff right now. I might never ever know. I don’t know how my writing will affect someone. I might never know that either.

But aren’t you glad God does?

My Inner Thoughts

I mentioned the book Self-Editing for Fiction Writers in yesterday's post. As I go through it, several thoughts jump out at me and grab me by the throat. Then I think--why didn't someone tell me this earlier on?


I'm talking about Inner Monologue. I knew one should never put quotes around the thoughts. Learned that long ago. But I still resorted to italicizing the character's thoughts. (like that) Well, the authors say:

Unless yo are deliberately writing with narrative distance, there is no reason to cast your interior monologue into first person.Cast the interior monologue into the thirdt person too.

EX. Had I meant to kill her? he thought.
Had he meant to kill her?
Also--he goes on to say, frequent italics signal weak writing. So you should never resort to them unless they are the only practical choice.


WEAK writing!! Ugh!! I thought back to the manuscripts I already finished and sent in with some italics and doing the I thought, she thought stuff! Ugh again.

Here's my moral to the story--read books on writing --all the time. I read some a few years ago but evidentially not enough and not the right ones. At least on fiction because I figured how hard could it be?

I eat my words. Writing fiction is hard. Thank goodness there are others out there who know what they are doing.

What's Love Got to Do with it?

I know many of you are fans of American Idol as am I. Maybe you cringe like I do when the contestants who clearly can't sing try out. I alternate from wanting to cry for them or yell at the family member who led them to believe they had any talent at all.

I don't want the same thing to happen to me with my writing.

When I submitted to the Genesis contest with ACFW, I hoped for some clear-cut feedback. I got it. In fact one judge suggested I purchase the book Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne and King. I got myself a copy for $6 from Amazon.

That judge gave me some of the best advice I've gotten so far.

So here's what I'm saying. I appreciate feedback and critiques but let's keep it real. If someone doesn't tell me where my writing really needs improvement--how is it ever going to get better? I'm past someone patting me on my head and telling me to get on the stage and just do your best. (thanks Mom)

But I don't need that anymore. I've been doing this for a few years now and I want a meat diet--not the milk.

So where do you stand when it comes to feedback with your writing? Are you ready to take on some constructive critiques? Or do you want to lull yourself with thoughts of fame and publication without the work?

It's alot easier to have an article rejected. But when you get a book turned down that you've spent quite possibly a year of your life perfecting--it isn't as much fun.

Blogger Bits and Blessings

I received a surprise in the mail yesterday. A nice check from Adam's Media. I have a story coming out in their Christmas anthology later this year. It's unusual to get a check before the story goes to print, I've found. So getting it beforehand was nice.

I'm also working on editing my WIP. Sentence by sentence. Groan. The book suggested by an ACFW to use for editing came last week and I've been reading it while I do it. You never know everything in this business. What struck me yesterday is how much more difficult it is to write fiction than non-fiction. I never think about keeping my character's name the same when I write articles--cause usually I use the real name and it's a no-brainer.Something to watch with fiction--as well as getting all the four senses set in all the scenes, and a host of other details that just keep coming out of the walls.

It is a process for sure. But I'm enjoying the learning.

I also started working on a website yesterday http://www.territiffany.wordpress.com after looking at the one my critique partner did. I still need to learn how to put pictures on it and do the pages properly but hey, it's free, it gives me a place to put my writing information and if ever I get a book accepted--it is all set up. I think one of my blogger friends suggested doing that and I do take advice.

Hope your week is flooded with opportunities. What are you working on now?

The First Step

My Sunday school teacher approached me yesterday after class. I could tell he was uncomfortable by the way he spoke. As I listened, I understood exactly why.

I've sat under his teaching for years. And I've admired the analogies he's shared with the class every week. "How did he come up with that?" I'd wonder. I struggle with writing my own examples and can never get devotions how I want them. I knew this man had a gift.

Yesterday, he asked me how he can share some of what God puts on his heart with others. Not for money--but because he has a desire to reach others.

I've had this same experience happen to me several times since I've become a writer. I know what I always want to do---give the person a lengthy to-do list of how to get your work out there for others to read. Buy this book, go to a conference, start a blog--write.

But I usually end of scaring the person with the overwhelming process.

As fellow writers, what's the first step you suggest to the person who wants to write and share with others without dampening their spirits?

Minutes Matter

It's not true. You can teach an old dog new tricks.

I knew early on in life that my career as a professional swimmer was a pipe dream when I hadn't learned to swim by my freshman year in college.

Likewise, I knew I wasn't meant to be a professional cheerleader when I never mastered a flip or cartwheel.

I'm too old to take on a few careers--I need to leave those to a younger generation.

But not so with writing.

I was blessed this week to hear from several people who were dipping their toe into the writer's occupation. One asked me if she was too old to try.

NEVER. You are never too old to write to get published. As long as you can keep up with some of the technology required and are willing to learn the process--the dream is yours to take.

I ask you today. What are you waiting for? You have years ahead of you to share what God has laid on your heart. You have opportunities waiting to be discovered. You have a career waiting to be grasped.

I'm 54 this year. Haven't I filled that time with experiences? Experiences that some other person on this earth might just find enjoyable?

The clock is ticking.

A few years ago, we received a late night phone call. You know the kind. The ones that change our lives forever. My husband’s brother had been killed in a freak accident.

One phone call. One life-changing call.

When I was twenty-one, I waited two weeks for a call. My future husband finally called me and invited me out on our first date. Three months later, he asked me to marry him. My life changed because he dialed my number.

One phone call—one life-changing phone call.

I’d tried to get pregnant for two years. Finally, I gave up and bought a dog. Two months later the phone rang. “You’re pregnant, Mrs. Tiffany.”

Another call eight years ago. “We’d like to hire you.” My husband looked at me and laughed. Two weeks later, he was packed and on his way to Florida to start his new career. I waited three more months for the call telling me our home sold.

Life-changing phone calls.

How many times have you received a call that changed your life forever? Maybe it was a person offering you a job, maybe it was a doctor’s office with bad news, and maybe it was a teacher telling you that your child was failing in school. Maybe it was a call from that coveted agent or publishing house.

It takes one call to change a person’s life forever. When was the last time you picked up the phone and made a difference?

A pause in the battle

I haven't really figured out my plan for blogging yet and I've been doing it for years. I guess I like to keep it real--whether it be about my writing or the people who are part of it.

But I have to pause today to mention something that struck me sad again yesterday. Another group of people who used to work with my husband lost their jobs. Our own journey into this surreal world I wake to every day started in August of 2007. The few remaining workers who were sent away yesterday are now joining us in the search for worthwhile employment.

And it isn't over yet.

Until someone gets to the place in life where you question everything you once believed, empathy is laughable. Before this happened to us, I thought I understood how the people felt who my husband had to let go.

Now I know how it feels and my heart breaks for this new set of people who had to empty their desks and leave.

Here's where I get to the point. I don't know how many of the people who are losing their jobs know Jesus as their Savior.

I don't know how deep their faith is.

I don't know if they are praying and are being prayed for daily.

But I know this. They need all of the above if they are to survive. Because even with the armour of God, they will be attacked day in and day out.

It's a battle.

But it's a battle I intend to win.

Please pray today for the man or woman who is being told right now, " I'm sorry. You're through." Because really, they aren't. It's just the beginning.

Are You on Your Game?

Maybe I was bored. Maybe I needed to work on a tan. Or maybe I wanted to fulfill one of my bucket list items. Whatever the reason, I agreed to accompany my husband to the golf course yesterday afternoon.

The deal was this: I'd go if I could drive the golf cart. I'd never driven one before and figured it would be fun. After a quick lesson on the brake, (that's about all one needs to know), I took off. But it wasn't long before I tired of playing chaffeur and decided he made hitting the ball look really easy.

I could do that, I thought.

Afterall, I took golf in college thirty-some years ago. How hard is it really? Old men and women do it everyday.

I'll tell you, my divet made a crater look tiny. It isn't so easy to connect a little white ball with an iron.

When you first started writing, didn't you think it would be easy to get publsihed? How many times did you think all you had to do was jot something down on paper, send it in and the publisher would love it? (I'll raise my hand.)

Golfers who become pros study the game of golf. They spend years practicing their skill. They take lessons, they watch others, they read about the game. And then only the very best ever make it to the Golf Channel.

I was reminded about something yesterday out there on the ninth hole. If I want to get good at something, I need to practice. Alot.

I don't care about learning to hit a golf ball--but I do care about my writing. I care enough to try to be the very best. I hope this week finds you working hard to perfect your game!