Archive for the ‘Writing Fiction’ Category

Posted on May 4, 2012 - by Kav

Believe

I think we’ve covered every possible item we can put into our writer’s survival kit. Chocolate would be at the top of my
list every time, but Kim’s ladder is high on my priority list as well. And that brings me to what I want to talk about.

Believing.

Why is that so hard to do? Why are we so hard on ourselves? So relentlessly unforgiving of our mistakes and short comings? I bet we are all kinder giving a critique to a friend then we are at critiquing our own work. And cheerleading on the sidelines of another’s victory seems much easier than mustering up the same enthusiasm for ourselves.

This believing stuff is hard work, especially when it comes to writing. At least it is for me. Hard to sustain. Harder still to apply in steady doses. I’m fickle when it comes to believing in myself. I have highs and then lows and lots of meandering in the middle ground. That’s why I need to remind myself every day. The words from Believe (from the movie Polar Express and sung by Josh Groban) might have a Christmas connotation to most, but this is my anthem song all year round. I especially love this stanza:

 

Believe in what you feel inside

And give your dreams the wings to fly.

You have everything you need

If you just believe.

 

I don’t really need a fancy writing survival kit. I don’t have to lug that ladder or break the bank on chocolate purchases. Not if I believe.

And because no day is really complete without a serenade from Josh Groban, here’s a link to Believe.

Listen and “believe in what your heart is saying.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoZsS0zq1hs

JUST BELIEVE.

 

Posted on May 3, 2012 - by Regina

HEY, HEY . . .

We’ve talked about survival kits, tips for surviving, etc. Being a life-long reader AND television watcher, I try to justify the time I waste in front of the tube, or reading what some would call “fluff,” by learning something from what I’m reading and watching.

So, when I thought of “Survival,” I immediately placed myself in the position of some of my favorite book and television characters.

It’s a theme that shows up in books, movies, music, reality TV, and the real world.

If you’ve read the Hunger Games trilogy, you know exactly what I mean. If not, there are a plethora of other resources to draw from. Remember the Gary Paulsen novel, Hatchet? Boy survives a plane crash while everyone else dies, and he has to survive until help can get to him. In the Harry Potter series, Harry not only has to survive the Wizard world, but sometimes more importantly, the Muggle world of his aunt and uncle. Each is almost equally as dangerous.

The television show, LOST, put a new spin on survival. Not only did they have to survive normal desert-island stuff, but the weirdness that ensued during seven seasons of cliffhangers. Gilligan’s Island, on the other hand, gave us the wacky view of seven stranded castaways that we will never forget. Who among us, in a certain age-range in which this ground-breaking comedy was rerun every day after school, can not quote scenes, and put any plot device firmly in an episode of Gilligan’s Island? Hey, I even used it to teach “beginning, middle, and end” to elementary school children in a discussion of how plot WORKS.

Survivor, The Apprentice, American Idol, etc. are all based on survival in one form or another. In these “reality” shows, it literally IS survival of the fittest in their various areas of expertise. You get voted off the island if you don’t measure up or are a threat. You get “fired” by a guy with lots of money and bad hair. You get eliminated by audience votes from week to week. And all the time there is evaluation, criticism, and self-recrimination or defense.

And then there is the REAL world. Our day-to-day version of our individual “reality show.” If you’re a writer, you know that to survive you have to do one main thing – WRITE. It doesn’t matter what you DO, to survive, you mostly (you notice I didn’t use the word SIMPLY) have to just DO what you DO. Without procrastination. Without hesitation.

What can we learn from our fictional and almost-fictional heroes? From Hunger Games, use the talents you’ve been given. From Hatchet? Keep your tools sharp. Harry Potter teaches us to make sure you have friends nearby – or at the very least a great wand.

From LOST, keep your numbers in order and follow instructions, and Gilligan teaches us not to be afraid to laugh at ourselves. Reality shows always show me that I’m glad I live a normal life, and that there are no cameras tweaking every activity I’m involved in – a little mystery is good, I think.

The main thing I’ve found about survival is that life isn’t perfect, and it isn’t going to be. That’s what Heaven is all about, and we strive to get there, sometimes more than others. Life is about surviving the ups and downs, about realizing that God’s timing isn’t ours, and that when things don’t go our way it may just be a way to buy us time until that good and perfect gift comes along.

So, in the words of Gloria Gaynor, and later, Sister Sledge, “I Will Survive.” Hey, hey.

Posted on May 2, 2012 - by Brenda Anderson

An Eclectic Writing Survival Kit

Over the past week and a half we’ve talked about so many necessities when it comes to putting together our writing survival kits: scripture, chocolate, duct tape, silence, cheerleaders, flexibility, and so many more. It’s a wonder there’s anything left to add!

Oh, but I know of three perfect items to throw in that I could not do without. One is easy on my pocketbook, the second is good for God’s creation, and the third is vital for my mental health.

We all know that writers don’t make much money (if any), so I’m always eager to find ways to spread my pennies out. Perhaps my favorite tool is my monochrome laserprinter. You can typically find a laser printer for under $100 if you watch ads (see example from HP), but what makes this cost-effective is its stingy toner-use. I typically get 1600 pages out of a single toner cartridge (which runs around $70). Compare that to the 190 pages (if you’re lucky) you get out of color ink cartridges. With all the pages I print off, I’m saving oodles of dollars.

And speaking of printing pages, I’m saving there too. Some husbands bring their wives diamonds–mine gifts me with reams of one-side-used paper otherwise destined for the recycle bin. And I really am thrilled about it! It shows how much he supports my writing career. That’s better than diamonds any day!

He also supports me in a completely different way, one that insures my mental health. Once a year, usually in January, February, or March, I go on a solo writing retreat for three to four days. That’s three complete days of uninterrupted silence for me to focus completely on writing. Talk about pure heaven. As a side benefit, when I get home my family appreciates me all the more!

Hmm, speaking of family, I need to add a fourth item to that survival kit, no doubt the most important item. Without my family’s solid support and appreciation, I wouldn’t be writing. You can take away my printers, paper, and solo retreat, and I’ll still be a writer, but take away my family support, and I may have quit long ago.

With them I do more than survive–I win!

 

 

Posted on May 1, 2012 - by JerriLynn

4 Essentials for Surviving the Writing Life

I’ve been a (mostly) full-time writer for about 20 years now. Sure, there are periods where I have to take a job for a while to supplement my income, but even during those times, I’m a writer first and any other job just fills in the gaps. Over that time, I haven’t developed a survival kit so much as I have come up with some survival essentials to ensure that my writing career will last my lifetime.

Be willing to work harder than every other writer out there. Let’s face it. I’m not the best writer on the planet. I’ve met many others who, hands down, can write better prose than I can. However, I learned early on that the ability to write well can be learned and sometimes what makes the difference is your ability to write more than anyone else. I’ve had stints during my career where 3 hours of sleep was a norm because my work load was so high. During those times, I learned to write faster and cleaner. During slower times, I learned to write better. (And if you’re a writer, you know what I mean!)

Be flexible, always. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, there’s always room for flexibility. In fiction writing, your characters are going to take you places you never thought you would go. In non-fiction, your editors will take you there. If you’re willing to be led. If not, you could miss out on some great opportunities. I’m currently struggling (still) with Biloxi Blue, the second in my Biloxi Series, because for the longest time, I just couldn’t be flexible with my characters. They won, of course, and now I find myself going down a road that makes me supremely nervous. But it’s their story, so I have to flexible and allow them to lead me where THEY need to go.

Be willing to say no. Some of the worst mistakes I’ve made as a writer have stemmed from my inability to say no.  The problem with always saying yes is that sometimes, those mistakes end up in print and they will haunt you for years to come. For example, I wrote a book a number of years ago on a topic with which I wasn’t very familiar. But the editors asked me to write it, and who was I to turn down a request from an editor? Uh…the author!  YOU know what you’re capable of and what you’re not. Set your boundaries and respect them, because I promise, always saying yes isn’t necessarily what is best for your career.

Know when to take a break. This is the toughest one.  Everyone assumes that if you can go a day (or a week, or a month) without writing, then you must not be a writer.  I believe that is wrong thinking. See, the thing about writers is that we tend to work ALL the time. There’s a popular image going around right now that has a caption that reads “A writer’s life is spent writing or thinking about writing.” It’s true. We never take a break. If our fingers aren’t actively moving on some article, poem, or story, then our brains are working out plot points and scene breaks, organization, and character motives. But it is possible to burn out, even for writers. I know. I’ve had it happen to me. And if you don’t take a break before you get to that point, the damage to your self-esteem and your career, can be hard to overcome.

These days, I know what to look for. If I get too tired. If I dread going to the office or sitting down at the computer. If the thought of having to write one more word makes me want to huddle in a ball in the corner. Then it’s time to take a break! And I do.  Sometimes, it’s a short break – a few minutes. Other times, it’s a break that lasts a month or more. That doesn’t make me NOT a writer. It makes me a smart writer who understands that for the best possible stories to come from that creative place in my being, it’s essential for my being to take a break.

So, that’s my list. What’s yours? What are the things that you ABSOLUTELY have to do in order to survive the writing life? I’d love to hear your suggestions, because I’m always looking for new ways to ensure a long and happy writing career.

Posted on April 30, 2012 - by Kim

I Will Survive

At first I was afraid I was petrified.

Amen Gloria Gaynor! Sing it sister!

And if truth be told, I still am. Which is probably why my writing life has been close to nil in the last few months. A string of letdowns. A few remarks read and taken the wrong way. A big ol’ dose of the green eyed monster when others succeed or have more response to things they’ve written than I have and I’m right back in the pity me hole.

Why?

Because just like the song insinuates, I think too much. Worry too much about whether I’m doing this because I want to or because God intends for me to instead of enjoying the journey regardless of the final destination (publication or lots and lots of good typing practice). Needless to say, this mindset has resulted in several months of oh so many nights just feeling sorry for myself. I used to cry (don’t tell anybody but I still do on occasion). But now I hold my head up high.

Okay. So not quite yet. But soon I hope.

Why?

Because I have a survival kit. One that has saved me from these doldrums since I was a wee writer in diapers (if an adolescent could be considered wee and big girl panties seen as diapers).

And what, you might ask, exactly is in this kit?

1. A ladder, preferably of the extension variety in case I ever eventually dig the pity me hole all the way to China.
2. My favorite teddy bear. His name is Humphrey and wears a University of Florida t-shirt. He’s the best listener, can take a punch like Muhammad Ali and doesn’t mind being a bit damp from a little eye leakage.
3. Music in the form of my favorites list on my iPod.
4. A good movie. (Currently I’m in full Alan Rickman mode since his younger self strongly resembles the hero in my current WIP – or would that be my hiatused WIP since I’m still in the pity me hole- but anything in the British or chic flick genre will do).
5. Chocolate. Loads of it!
6. A sense of humor. After all, I’m not a complete Eeyore here.
7. Skin grafts to provide the thicker hide I can’t seem to develop on my own here.
8. A good book to let me know what is possible.
9. A bad book to let me know I’m not a complete failure after all.
10. A God who doesn’t mind when I rant and rail. One who loves me even when I refuse to talk to Him because of my anger, has endless patience for my stubbornness and offers fathomless grace as I struggle to hold onto my belief in the midst of my unbelief.

As long as I have those things, I will eventually find my way out of the hole so I can continue this passion of mine. And just like Gloria Gaynor, I will survive. Oh as long as I know how to love I know I’ll stay alive; I’ve got all my life to live, I’ve got all my love to give and I’ll survive. I will survive. Hey, hey.

Lyrics: I Will Survive

As performed by Gloria Gaynor

 

Posted on April 27, 2012 - by Dawn Ford

Survival Lists

As I prepared for today’s blog, I flipped through pages and pages of my research notes. The first subject I came across was How To Survive A Missouri River Flood, jotted down last year after miles of excess snows coursed down the Midwest causing widespread panic along the Missouri River border. I might’ve needed the inflatable raft last year to write from, but this year I’m fairly certain to be safe.

The second survival list I reached was my What To Do In Case Of Zombies. This list allows you access to the essentials of fighting the undead. Since there is no threat of impending brain parasites, neurotoxins, bioterrorism, errant neurogenesis, or mad cyborg scientists attacking the world, I’m confident I can set that list aside.

Next is my survival guide of a nuclear bomb or terrorist attack. On the list, and essential to any survival, is a how-to for building a bomb shelter. This is one of my longest lists, having found much information from Popular Mechanics and Popular Science on what kind of water system is necessary, which generators are the best and quietest, air purifiers, and what to stock your shelves with for three months. I’m building up the books for my library so I won’t be lonely or bored. However, some day you may get to visit my shelter, but it is not today.

I quickly shuffle through a Surviving Parenthood piece, a fault line map (for earthquake readiness), Wilderness Tips (they actually eat that to survive?), and finally my What to do in case of a Tornado sheet (wait, I need that), and I come to the actual papers I’m looking for.

It’s my list to help me navigate the highs and lows of being a writer.

1.)    Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” God has placed this awe and love of words within me for a reason. I can be assured He gave me the ability and the means with which to bring this calling into fruition.

2.)    Psalms 45:1 “My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the King; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. I’m so thankful for David and his words. They give me hope for my own.

3.)    Proverbs 18:4 “The words of a (discreet and wise) man’s mouth are like deep waters (plenteous and difficult to fathom), and the fountain of skillful and Godly wisdom is like a gushing stream (sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving).” The amplified version used here is my preferred one. I see the words as a flowing stream as they come out of me. Many are deeper than I can imagine my own understanding to be. I know it is not my own wisdom that forms them.

4.)    Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” I honestly have to recite this in one form or another to myself every day.

5.)    Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” God pulled the trigger on the race of my life and He holds the tape at the finish. I remind myself not to brush off the words of encouragement sent my way, but embrace them, and keep going whether the finish line is in sight or not yet. I’m on my way, I’m on my way.

Who needs to fear zombies, rejections, and writer’s block? I have the words of life within my reach. They are essential to my surviving this writer’s path.

 

Posted on April 26, 2012 - by Shari Barr

Surviving the Writing Life

Surviving life as a writer is tricky at times. This was especially true back in the early days of article writing. People looked at me funny when I told them I was a writer. It seemed as though no one actually knew a writer. A few people muttered shyly under their breath that “someday” they wanted to write a book, but essentially I was alone in my little world of Writerdom.

I knew I needed to spend time with other writers but that seemed impossible when I knew no one who wrote seriously. Living on a farm has way more advantages than disadvantages, but it can be a lonely place when looking for a writing buddy to share dreams and disappointments, especially in the pre-computer era.

Years ago, I realized that frustrations were going to get the best of me unless I had fellow writers to support me. I remembered a writer’s conference in a college town I had attended several years earlier. Fortunately I had saved the materials from that conference, so I dug them out of hiding and found some information about a woman I had met—Amy Houts. By this time, internet had found its way into our home, so I Googled her name and learned she still lived in the area. I emailed her and she readily invited me to her writer’s group. Driving an hour seemed a small price to pay for basking in the companionship of other writers. Finally I was surrounded by people who “got” me.

From that day forward, I knew I was where God wanted me. Not only did Amy become my cheerleader, she is now one of my best friends. She has rooted for me from day one and continues to do so. Without her I would have given up a long time ago.

Everyone needs a support system, not just writers. Anyone who has a job outside the norm would benefit from surrounding themselves with like-minded people, at least once in awhile. Though I know I’m writing for God, I still need earthly encouragement on a regular basis. The confident words of other writers who have walked the same path help me through those times when I think I’d be better off picking up pop cans and redeeming them for a nickel.

Everyone needs an eternal cheerleader. If you don’t have one, go where they hang out—conferences, classes, or specialized online groups. You’ll find plenty to choose from, many of whom need your support every bit as much as you need theirs.

Posted on April 25, 2012 - by Linda Fulkerson

Habits or Superstitions?

It’s fun to read about “habits” of famous writers. From must-have good-luck charms to particular drinks to awkward body positions — for many well-known writers, rituals and routines were part as much a part of their writer’s survival kit as a laptop is to ours.

Hugo was said to have written standing up. Capote wrote lying down. Asminov’s desk faced a blank wall. (So does mine, incidentally.) To Dumas, color was important. He wrote nonfiction on pink paper, fiction on blue, and penned poetry on yellow.

John Cheever got dressed in a suit and rode down the elevator with other businessmen on their way to work. Once in the lobby, he walked down to a storage area in the basement, stripped out of his suit, and wrote until noon. He’d then don the suit, ride up the elevator, eat a sandwich for lunch, and return to his basement “office” until the workday ended.

Strange, but at least he didn’t meditate in an open coffin before putting pen to paper like Edith Sitwell did.

Some habits of not-so-famous writers (collected by a blogger who polled her writerly friends) include:

• Sucking on lemon drops while writing the bad-guy’s scenes
• Writing each manuscript in a new location, thus prohibiting “ghosts” of former characters from influencing the cast of the new tale
• Refusing to give characters a name with the same initials of anyone the writer knows personally
• Breaking a pencil in half before beginning a story, then writing down to the very nub to prevent using the same utensil on more than one story

Okay, it’s confession time.

What habit, superstition, or ritual is part of YOUR writing routine? Besides sipping a steaming cup of java, is there some little something you simply can’t write without? Some writing-survival quirk or quiddity that would make a non-writer just a bit jumpy?

My prelude to prose isn’t as interesting as some. I like pens and notebooks. Okay, I really, really like pens and notebooks. I almost never start a new story without a new pen and a new notebook (for recording research). Plus, I typically read poetry before writing. The rhythm and imagery found in poetry help me get into a “write” frame of mind.

Now it’s your turn. Spill!

 

Posted on April 24, 2012 - by Shannon Vannatter

Shannon’s Survival Kit

In twelve years of writing, I’ve come up with a list of must haves for the diligent writer:

1. A quiet house.

When I first started writing, my husband worked later in the evenings than I did. For about an hour and a half, the house was quiet. Me–home alone–writing. Once our son was born, a quiet house was impossible. I adapted. Before long, I realized I could write with the TV on in the same room as my desk. Three years of noisy writing. Then we decided to send him to preschool three days a week because he had no clue what to do with other kids. Miraculously, my house was quiet again. Since then, I once again require a quiet house. During the school year, I write during school hours. In the summer, when everyone else is in bed.

2. Coffee!

I don’t know how non-coffee drinkers write. When the story stalls, I go get a cup of coffee. When the edits come from the publisher, they make me so sleepy. In editing mode, I’m not into the story, just searching for things to fix. Coffee time and my eyes pop open. And lately, I’ve discovered something even more effective.

3. Chocolate covered coffee beans!

The chocolate is yummy. The bean is gritty, so make sure you have something to drink to chase it down with. Preferably coffee. These little jewels pack a powerful punch. I’m not a morning person, never have been. No matter how many hours of sleep I get–3 or 10, when I get up, I’m heavy-lidded and brain-stalled. No matter what time I get up–5 AM or noon (doesn’t happen often), I’m heavy-lidded and brain-stalled. I pop one bean and I’m awake and ready to write. But be careful, I ate 4 in one day once and the top of my head started tingling. I usually only have one in the morning except during edits. Then I allow 3.

4. Sunflower seeds.

The kind still in the hull, so you have to work to get them out. Another handy dandy trick for combatting sleepy eye when my edits come. They’re good for you and very filling, so you eat less for lunch and supper.

5. Things that inspire me.

I have framed covers of all my books in my office, along with poems and pictures, inspirational sayings, miniature high heel shoes, my name tags from all the ACFW conferences I’ve attended, writing awards (from the first one I won at a local writing contest to my IRCA), handmade gifts from my son, gifts from my husband, writing craft books, writers market guides, novels by other authors, seashells, and a cotton boll. Each of the items inspire me.

I’ve always loved seashells. To me, it’s proof of God’s hand. Such intricate shells where tiny creatures live. The cotton boll reminds me that my parents grew up picking cotton and I don’t have to. One gift from my husband dates back to our dating days. It’s a plaque with a silver platter and a red heart in the center. The poem says, ‘You’re the only who’ll ever matter, so here’s my heart on a silver platter.’ He dated it and signed it. This reminds me of our longevity. A gift from my son, a cardboard trinket box from Bible school. The box was already made, but he painted and decorated it in seashells because he knows I love them.

Each item has special meaning to me. Most people, including my husband, would say it’s clutter. But with all my special things around me, the words flow.

6. My idea book.

It’s really a journal. Hardback with spiral bound pages, but not your typical notebook. Sturdy, with lots of pages that don’t tear out unless you really work at it. I write all my ideas in it. One sentence. Partial sentences. Pages and pages on one story. Everything I think of that could go in a potential book goes in my idea book. Sometimes I get up in the middle of night and write things in it. Sometimes, I capture dreams in it. I also take it with me for notes on research trips. When I’m between projects, I flip through my idea book and see what grabs me. Whatever idea I think about most is the one I go with.

Anybody else have any of the items on my list in your survival kit?

Posted on April 22, 2012 - by Lorna Seilstad

3 Things in My Survival Kit

Man survives 4th floor leap

Nevada man survives 10 days in the desert

Man survives shooting four-inch nail gun into his heart

Swedish man survives two months inside snow-covered car

Man survives skydiving fall

It’s hard to ignore these kinds of headlines. Surviving catches our attention. We want to know how the person made it through despite the odds against him and we shake our heads in amazement.

But while the survival of these people seems to be almost miraculous, our day to day survival is not nearly so newsworthy. We have to make plans to survive difficult times. Have you put together an emergency kit for your car? Do you know first aid? Do you have everything the experts suggest if you’re in a tornado warning?

If you answered no to all of those things, relax. This blog is not about that kind of survival–even if maybe it should be. For our next round, the Inkspirational Messagers are going to be discussing what every writer needs to survive. We want to take you beyond the keyboard into what it takes to put words on paper, day in, day out.

And if you’re not a writer, please join us anyway. The things we will be sharing apply to anything you are intentionally pursuing in your life, whether it’s a closer walk with God, being a better mother, or a new career.

Since I get to start, besides a Bible and chocolate, which are givens, here are three things, I’d put in the survival kit of any passionate person.

A rubber ball. This ball would remind you to bounce back and to have a teachable spirit. No matter where you are in your craft, there’s always more to learn. Being open and willing to humbly listen is vital. Even when it’s hard to hear, you can learn a great deal if your heart is open. There will also be things that happen that hurt or are beyond your control. How well you bounce back may determine a great deal.

 

 

 

Duct tape. Yep, you read that write. It can fix everything, right? If you want to do something you’re passionate about, you have to stick to it. You have set aside time for it (and maybe even tape yourself in your chair).

 

 

 

A Slinky. When you are passionate about something, you often have an idea of how you’d like things to go. Things seldom turn out like you plan. The Slinky is there to remind you to be flexible. I’m on deadline right now, but one day last week, one important interruption after another occurred. If I didn’t pull out my hidden Slinky powers, I’d have been pulling out my hair by the time I went to bed.

Now, it’s your turn. Which of the above do you need most to put in your survival kit and why?