Stop Doubting and Believe

Most writers have the same dream.

To write something that touches another human being. Profoundly.

So how do you do that if you're filled with doubt about your writing abilities? Who do you ask to read your work? A trusted friend, a parent or a sibling? Or have you found a safe group of other writers and begun to share a few chapters here and there?

Last Sunday, my pastor spoke about Doubting Thomas, a pessimistic man. I think some of us tend to take on his persona when it comes to sharing our work with others.

But yet, we all want the same thing--to know someone likes what we wrote and that it moved them.

God told Thomas to "Stop doubting and believe."

I sure am trying but I'll admit it's really hard. It's hard to send your work out to an agent or publisher and count the moments until it's accepted or rejected. It's hard to e-mail a story to a critique partner and then wait for the feedback.

It's plain hard to follow that writer's dream some days, isn't it?

But dreams do come true with a lot of hard work, determination and optimism.

Is your glass half-empty today or half-full?

Idaho Territory, 1885



Brooke Marie Baker, eighteen, has been sent west as a mail-order bride. As the stage nears Greer’s Ferry, where she is to meet the man she’s pledged to marry, she tries to swallow the lump of nervousness in her throat. Can it be any worse than living with Uncle Jackson…or Hank? she wonders. All men are the same, aren’t they? But with her parents and sister dead, she has no choice.



Sky Jordan, a rancher, holds a single, yellow daisy in his hand as he watches the ferry cross the river. Ever since he’d found out his surly cousin, Jason, had sent for a mail-order bride, his mind and heart had been ill at ease. No woman deserves to be left with the likes of Jason. But now he questions his own plans to claim the bride for himself. Why am I drawn to this woman I don’t even know?



A wounded heart. Desperate choices. Unfathomable love.

Set in the adventure and danger of the Wild West.

I love to introduce new books that my blogger friends have published. Meet Lynette Bonner who has written her first book in the Shepherd Heart series. You can read more about her writing and life experiences here.

What's it all about?

I had a moment today. I know--had is not too strong a verb--but believe me, the moment gave me a ton of happiness.

I'm used to writing non-fiction. I think of a theme and then I recall a time in my life that examplifies that theme. I plot it out and color in the details.

Now I admit to being somewhat new to writing fiction. I'm still learning but I have gone and written three books already. The other day, a visiting friend asked me what my latest was about.

I paused. You know the feeling. We writers should be prepared to give that answer in three sentences or less--not recite the plot--but the main theme.

Until today, I thought I knew my theme but if I had, I probably could have given a satisfactory answer to my friend. I didn't. I fumbled all over myself trying not to sound like others who have talked on and on and never made a point.

You know how it goes:

It's a romance about two people; it's a story about a woman who wants to
be a writer, it's about a young widow who is struggling to support her
family.

All plot and not what the book is really about.

But this morning, the moment came to me as I woke up. I could finally put into words what my book is saying. The information had always been there; I just couldn't spell it out.

So maybe I went about this whole thing backwards but I knew the story I needed to write and did. Now I can tell others what it's about in two sentences or less.

How about you? Can you tell the main idea of your book without reciting the whole plot?

After the Beach

So I ran away to the beach today. Again. It was my husband's birthday and who wants to sit home and feel old?

But tonight I tried to catch up on some of the blogs. Wow . . . I am amazed again at all the talent I've come into contact through them. If I could only just read them all the time and do nothing else, I might be satisfied.

But I'm not because all of you spur me on to write. Or follow my dreams or step out of my box.

And I love that.

If I'm having a down day, I only need to start clicking through a few here and there and the mood lifts.

Isn't it nice knowing your writing is affecting so many already?

And now to get back at it. Tomorrow morning. My critique partners have sent me some of their final chapters to read as I have them of Sprinkling of Promises. I'm getting close--close to really having it done to send out.

And that, my fellow bloggers, is a whole other post!

What's on your agenda for Thursday? Or is it a beach day for you?

Connecting

I will admit something today. Well, tonight because I'm really late in posting today.

I loved the comments on my last post about social networking. If I could keep reading them over and over, I would.

Why? Because I got the answer I'd hoped for.

Most everyone wants a connection. A real connection.

Oh yeah, we want to promote our work and all that too--cause that goes with the territory. But everyone agreed that being genuine counts more than anything. And if we are genuine, it goes to reason, we'll connect and learn more which in turn will help our craft.

I learned to write a synopsis last week because of my connections. I've found a critique group to read my work. I've learned about agents and the detailed process of getting a book published.

My connections have enabled me to grow and that in return will help me write a better book.

What knowledge have you recently gained through your connections?

Self-promotion, Fact or Fiction?

Chip MacGregor, a literary agent, stopped by my blog a few posts back after I commented on his post about relationships and promoting yourself. He impressed me not only in his follow through in commenting on my post but in what he had to say about the why and ways we social network.

One day, many of us (hopefully) will get more than articles published. We'll land a deal and get our long-awaited book published. Of course we hope the people who know us will buy it.

But that's not the main reason I blog--to get you to buy something I wrote or promote myself. I hope to develop good healthy active relationships with as many writers and readers I can to grow not only as a writer but as a person. Yes, maybe you might get to like something I've said and pick up something I write some day.

I hope I'll do the same for you.But if I do it will be because I've built a relationship with you, like who you are and know what you stand for. That takes work--not just a one or two promo line on Twitter or Facebook. It takes some back and forth interaction.

That's why I don't have this huge friend list on Facebook. I stay pretty selective and add on only people I know who are looking for genuine communication about what we do and who I am. I don't add every person from every organization I'm involved with. I don't watch the numbers climb--I look at the faces of the people and try my best to get to their blog and discover who they are. That's what I do and should I ever stop trying to do that--I think I will have lost in this writing process.

I'm interested in knowing how you feel about all this self-promotion stuff. It's a reality in our business but how far will you take it and how do you keep it real?

Just a Quickie Post

Some of you might have a short story laying around that you can send in to this contest. I know, I know. There isn't much time left but that's why I said maybe you have a spare one. It's free after all; so what's one quick submission? And my favorite author of all time, Jodi Picoult is judging!

Go to: goodhousekeeping.com/shortstory.com for all the rules.Short Story Contest.

Who knows? Someone we know might win!

God's Grace

Are you praying for who your agent will be? I sure need to. I didn't realize how the agent process really worked until I dove in to it. I'm learning and finding some things I like, some things I don't.

I'm used to rejections. After almost five years of writing, who wouldn't be? I sigh for about a half hour and then move on.

So far I've sent out a few queries and received a really nice rejection letter, a nice form rejection letter, a two-word No thanks, no reply, and some words of advice.

That's OK. But recently I sent in a sample query to a site that promises to give a good critique. I sent it once and it came back to me to I resent it but forgot to add one word in the Subject line. The person emailed me and told me to resend it since I forgot one word.

No, I didn't resend it.

Because I wondered what happened to God's grace.

I need to be praying for who my future agent will be. I want someone who recognizes I'm human and will try my best to be professional and to follow the directions. But I might make a mistake. Maybe once, maybe twice but I wouldn't want them to discount all my efforts because of it.

No, I'm not sure how I feel about this whole thing.

I'm concerned that some writer might be too afraid to pitch their work because someone might really knock them down.

So I'm praying--really praying that I'll know in my heart who the right agent will be for me. Hopefully, they will be filled with God's grace.

Are you praying for yours?

Who's Reading your Blog?

You never know who's reading your blog. I've been blessed with many new readers this week and I also received the nicest email from Writer's Digest for mentioning them:

Dear Terri:

I just wanted to thank you on behalf of everyone here at Writer’s Digest for your kind post about our September issue on your blog. I do hope the information on agents and queries proves to be helpful, and we wish you all the best with your submissions—and all your writing endeavors!

Kind regards,
Jessica Strawser

And yes, their magazine is one of the most helpful ones I read and despite our unemployment status, I've decided not to cancel it. What other magazine would take the time to write a blogger?

UPDATE: I had a publisher ask me for a full manuscript. My query worked well enough to give me this next step in the door. It doesn't mean it will get accepted but it gives me some assurance that I'm doing something right with my query.

Do you think about what you're writing and who is reading it?

The Plan, Man

I think God heard my prayer this week about writing a Query Letter. Do any of you get the Writer's Digest magazine?

I've let all my subscriptions go and thought I didn't have any left on this one but evidently I did. I was happy to see the cover page. GET AN AGENT in bold letters. Plus What to do after an "Encouraging Rejection" and more.

I've got some reading to do.

But as an update--here's the plan. I lengthened my second book which is a romance, wrote a better query and plan to write a synopsis on it this next week. Then, I'm sending it out to the editor who wrote me the nice rejection in the hope that she will give this book a look over.

That's my up and coming plan. (Subject to change with a whim) What's yours?

The bad, the good and the ugly

The bad:
A young career-minded woman, Amy Conner, leaves her demanding job as a reporter in Orlando. She moves to rural northeastern Pennsylvania to purchase a small Christian bookstore ministry. After struggling through many personal losses in her life, she throws all her commitments into the store leaving little room for anyone or anything else.
Scott Webster, a newcomer to town, offers his aide with not only financial resources but charm after her store burns down in a Christmas fire. Amy balks at his sincere attempts to help while her heart teeters with the pull of love for him and her commitment to ministry. Through a series of God-orchestrated events, Amy eventually allows herself to trust not only her admirer but God with all the second chances in her life.

That's what I sent (partially). Here's what I got in reply: . . Your story has many appealing plot elements, but I'm afraid I felt there wasn't enough sustained conflict, particularly for the hero, to make this story truly suitable for our line... (Steeple Hill)

And you know what? I agree. I sent this out a month ago. It's a partial of my query from my first book--written years ago.

So can you see how important the query letter is?

I know my story has more conflict but how could this poor editor tell by what I sent? She couldn't. My mess-up.

The Good. I received my options for some cards from Blue Mountain Arts in the mail too. So now I send them in and wait for the next phase--the market review which can take months.

The Ugly. Let's just say it's not a good hair day here in humid Florida.

Getting out of the driver's seat

Let Go and Let God. I used to sell bumper stickers with these words printed on them. Also mugs and cute little cards. I mailed out quite a few myself.

Easy words to send out when they aren’t directed back at me.

I’ve got a hard head when it comes to getting things done. Part of that comes from my background as a counselor. I love to set goals and create the plan to meet each of them. I have to admit I’ve put a huge amount of faith in my ability to fix any crisis or need or meet any goal.

So when it comes to the next step in my writing process, sending out the query and catching the eye of some agent or publisher—I’m stumped.

Yes, I’ve written it as best I can. I’ve researched how to put your best work forward. I’ve edited until I want to trash the whole thing into the garbage. And that’s where it ends.

My part.

Two years ago, my husband lost the job that was his career and life as we once knew it ceased to exist. I hurried to find work for him in SC and that ended in disaster. Then months later he took another job which also ended badly. I cut back our expenses. I learned to love generic. We activated our licenses. We started a business and we even put our home up for sale. I can't count on friends or family to help us. They have their own lives. So I did everything I could in my own power. And that’s where it ends.

My part.

In recent months, I've had to step back and take a closer look at my actions. Both with life and with my writing. I can only do so much and then really, I need to LET GO and LET GOD.

Whatever that will mean.

I can’t fix this problem or make miracles happen in my life. I can’t convince some employer to give my husband or me a job. I can’t convince some editor to love my work and offer me a contract.

Only God can.

But I need to get out of the way and let Him. And most of all--put my faith where it needs to be. Not in me.

How about you? Are you standing in the way of something God wants to do for you today?

Dry Eyes

I dried my eye out yesterday. The one I had Lasik done on. The reason? I couldn't put a book down for two days.

Here's the opening lines from The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold:

My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.



It isn't a Christian book but not all the ones I read are but when I read that first line, I was hooked. I loved her name, I loved that something already had happened to her and I wanted to know why, and I loved the era because I graduated that year.

Rarely do the first few lines of a book pull me in so much. And rarely do I read a book straight through.

It makes me think about the hooks I've used on my short stories and books. Are they strong enough? Do they grab the reader and promise a great ride?

Some have. Some haven't. Makes me think I need to really look at them closer.

How about yours? What's one of your strongest opening lines?

The Inevitable

Ok. I don’t like this part. I admit to a healthy case of dislike. A really strong case of dislike but I know it’s inevitable.

I’ve edited my book twice all the way through. Once online and once by hardcover. Now I’m going through it chapter by chapter with my critique partners. I’m still finding errors.

I want it to be the best work I’ve ever done so far.

But I also wrote my query letter. I had to start that part too because I know it will take a few attempts to get it just right.

And then I really got nuts and sent it out to an agent. On a Friday night at 5:50PM.

You guessed it. At 9:20 AM Monday morning, the first rejection appeared in my inbox.

Yup—that fast.

So maybe I don't have the query letter down yet. Maybe I selected the wrong agent who really didn’t represent what I wrote—maybe I didn’t do my homework as well as I should have done.

But I had to try. It’s sort of like taking a lick of the frosting on the cake before it is time to officially cut and serve it. Just a taste.

But I admit to this. I don’t like this part. Not at all. But it’s inevitable.

What part of writing are you struggling with today?

I'm changing my name

It happens. I'm not sure exactly why but it eventually happens to all of us.

My husband and I go to Wal-Mart about once a week for some groceries. When I go alone, I always check the row I parked in. I need to or when I come out and look over that sea of cars, I never remember where I left it in my rush to get to shopping.

Last week as we walked through the doors, I asked Curt if he had noted the row number. "Why do you need to know?" he asked. "I know where we parked."

"In case something happens to you. I don't want to be wandering for hours."

He rolled his eyes. "Row seven."

I let out my breath and focused on the tomatoes.

An hour later we left the store with a cart full of food. He veered toward row twelve.

"Wait! You said we were parked in seven. Why did you tell me that?"

He smiled much like he always does when he thinks something he did was humorous. "Made you feel better though, didn't it?"

He was right. I needed to know a number--any number--to make me feel better, to make me less worried. to make me feel like I had everything under control. And it didn't take all that much.

So where am I going with this story? That I'm old and can't remember where I parked? No, even though that might be true.

It hit me that I was putting my fears in a number, a fact.

Yesterday I heard a sermon about Phillip, the disciple, and how he was always counting the costs. He needed all the facts to make a decision, to make him feel safe with an answer or situation. He told Jesus it would be impossible to feed the five thousand.

I don't want to be a Phillip anymore. I want to believe in the miracles. Do you?

Free Download for Query

Just a short note today thanking Lynette Labelle for her post on Noah Lukeman. He is an agent who wrote The First Five Pages. What I liked best about her post is she offered a link to Noah's site and he offers a one-time only free download of how to write a great query.

It is probably the best piece of advice I've seen so far on how to write one. I've been working all week on mine and after reading his advice, I've been able to tighten mine up so much better.

Well worth the run over there to download this information if you are in that stage of the process or hope to someday.

Maybe soon, I'll be able to report to you that it worked for me.