To Thine Own Self Be True

New writers are always looking to experienced (read "published") writers to show them the ropes. We want an instruction manual that begins, "If you wish to be a multi-published, award-winning, best-selling author, all you have to do is..."

No such manual exists.

Ask authors for the key to success and you'll get as many answers as authors queried. One such sub-topic is reading. What do they read, how often do they read, when do they read, why do they read, how does reading impact their writing?

What's the right answer for the aspiring novelist?

That's easy. Whatever works for you. (I'm learning that this generic answer works for pretty much everything in life, short of defining Christianity, becoming an astronaut, and mathematical computation.)

I read. A lot. If you've ever read my blog, you know this. I wish I wrote as prolifically as I read but I find reading much easier to fit into an already hectic life. And just what I need to get brief respites from said hectic life. One of my 2007 goals is to make more time for writing, less for reading.

But reading does something else for me too. It helps me to know what I want to write...and what I don't. I read a lot of things that I would never, could never write. Some are just too challenging, like those epic sagas that cover multiple generations. Some I enjoy but know that I don't have the inclination to write, like thrillers. Others I simply don't enjoy and therefore, would never attempt.

I've been tossing about as to writing inspirational vs. secular romance. As a pastor's wife, perhaps the answer should be obvious but it's not. At least not to me. I love inspirational romance. It was while reading inspirational romance that I first got the bug to try my hand at writing a novel. I'd had the bug for non-fiction a few times before, and I am pretty sure I can write it if and when I choose--because researching and writing is something I do a lot in my professional life--but something about writing a novel really gets my juices flowing.

Yet, I enjoy secular romance as much as I do inspirational. I have my limits. There are some things I just won't read. Too explicit. Too gory. Too fantastic. That's just me. I like stuff that's in this world, with a minimum of blood and mutiliation, and where I can utilize my imagination for the love scenes. I can enjoy a well-written, reasonable explicit love scene though, if it doesn't start to feel pornographic. I'll even venture to say I've learned a few things. (I'll let my husband be the judge of whether I'm a good student.) I just prefer to focus on the feelings rather than the act. And I recently read a paranormal that was just the right mix of fantastic and contemporary. Great book.

But can I write secular romance? Why do I want to? Because. Because some of the stories swirling in my head just don't feel as though they have a spiritual component. And I don't see that as a bad thing. I believe part of my witness as a Christian writer is how I conduct myself in business--in my dealings with readers, other authors, publishers, book reviewers, agents--which does not mean that all of my stories have to preach a message.

What about the love scenes? I've written a few, and even published some. But they are "tender", meaning everything is pretty much behind closed doors. The trick is building the sexual tension and leading the horses to water. I don't actually have to paint the picture so that the reader can watch them drink. Yet I know that there are folks out there--lots of them, some even close to me--who would challenge this notion.

As a pastor's wife, I don't begin to suggest that I'm perfect or somehow a better Christian than anyone else (I try hard not to project that image because I know the hard, cold truth) but I certainly have to be mindful of anything that might
be confusing and misconstrued. This is a constant concern, but that's a whole 'nother blog.

I've considered writing secular romance under a pen name. But a Christian blog post convicted me on this point. Part of my integrity comes from not hiding beneath a made up name. I've written for the confession mags (again, sweet or tender romance with no explicit sex) and that means no byline. But I'm not hiding. I'm more than glad to share the issues and story titles for my work. I admire those authors who write for multiple genres using their real name. It takes courage, fortitude, and real talent.

So I've continued to struggle with this issue. This morning, I finally realized that I can absolutely do both. I can write tender, sweet, secular romances. There is a market for them. My revelation came from finishing a recent Harlequin Romance release, "A Nascar Holiday". I won it in an author book contest. (Boy, how I love those book giveaways!) After completing the third novella in the anthology, I realized that I had not read a single sex scene. Not one. Lightbulb! This is the line I need to target. My stories will most likely be multicultural so I hope the editors find room for them. I've checked out the Kimani lines but, with the exception of the New Spirit line, they generally have love scenes, as far as I can tell. (I read a LOT of these books in the last year.)

I will write the stories that come to me, in my own way, and find the right home for them.

Pray for me.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

January 2007 Goal Check-in

I blogged so little this month it's a wonder my Blogger membership wasn't revoked. I'll do better. I promise.

Somewhere around the end of each month, I'll look back at my goals for the year and see how much progress I've made. I'm not one to stress over a goal but I do know that I don't look back until the end of the year, chances of me meeting them are slim to none.

So here goes.

Patricia's Jan Goal Report:
1. Finish and submit a novel manuscript -- Marking time. No progress. Only writing I've done this month was a 500 word prompt, a book review, and jotting down tons of new story ideas, all of which seem great. But I refuse to allow myself to start one because at some point I think you have to commit to finish something. Anything.

I committed to finish the Nano novel I started last year but I admit I'm a bit stuck. I think I can work my way out if I ever sit down and get to it. Granted we have been busy--and then there's that nuisance computer virus that Hubby and I have been fighting for the past two weeks--but the truth is I haven't taken or made the time. However, I plan to utilize a suggestion from another blog and post a writing schedule in my home. Mine will focus on weekends since weekdays are just about out of the question. I hope this will help to get me some focused writing time.

2. Attend a writing conference -- I'm casting about for the right conference. If they're inexpensive, they're far away. The one that's in-state, less than two hours away, seemingly costs a fortune. Still looking...

3. Publish 2 short stories per quarter -- See #1. I did get two checks this month, however, for stories I wrote and placed last year, which enabled me to do a few nice things for the family and pay for a couple of writing workshops. So I have incentive.

4. Meet & network with writers -- Continue to do this online. Might have missed a great opportunity yesterday. Whole family went to the Zora Neale Hurston Festival in Eatonville, FL. Very cool for a lot of reasons. One, and the reason the whole family was in attendance, Fred Hammond, one of my favorite contemporary Christian artists, performed. This man really ministers. This is the second time we've seen him, the other being several years ago at an amusement park. Never disappointed.

Two, Eatonville, we discovered, is the oldest and largest incorporated African-American city in the U.S. (Love that AA history!) Three, lots of great artisans and vendors selling jewelry, paintings, figurines, hats, clothes, and of course, food. Didn't know what to expect in advance but this is definitely on my calendar for the last week in January next year.

By the time we got to the area with the indoor book showcase and author signing, we were tired, kids were hungry, my hip was killing me from carrying the youngest because my husband had thrown out his shoulder blade carrying same child (he's only one) and all I could think to do was get in the car. We still had to make a stop at the meat market so we can eat this week. So if anyone I know was there--and it didn't dawn on me that there might be until we were leaving the parking lot--my apologies.

5. Join a professional organization --- DONE! Yaaaayyy! I joined the International Black Writers Association, a new organization for AA writers and writers of AA literature (but who may not be AA themselves). I'm planning to treat myself to an RWA membership for my upcoming birthday.

6. Learn more about marketing & promotion -- In hindsight, this is one of those vague, unmeasureable goals. I'll learn more just by doing what I've been doing but I probably should have had a more concrete goal. How do I plan to do this? When? I need to give this one more thought.

I continue to read a lot although I'm telling myself that I will read less and write more this year. By the time this month is over, I'll have read 5 online novellas and 11 novels (four were entries in the Southern Magic contest and one for a FreshFiction book review).

The non-writing goals? I started an online Bible Study on Ephesians. Hubby and I working on a new ministry project. (More on that later.) I've reconnected with my childhood best friend.

And I'm definitely giving thought to pampering myself more. Been keeping my regular bi-weekly hair appointments. (Many of you probably take that for granted but not when dollars are tight and you live with four members of the male persuasion.) Just ordered one of those diet plans where they package the food for you. (Had some success with that years ago and nothing else is working right now, so why not?) And my birthday is this Sunday. I loooove birthdays!

How are you doing? Did you start the year off flying, running, walking, or still in bed?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

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Looks like the New Blogger has finally caught me. I've postponed switching because of the problems other bloggers have had. But now it seems I'll have no choice. Cross your fingers. -- PW

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Five Things People Don't Know About Me

Camy Tang started this game of tag. Five things people don't know about me. Here are my five:

1. I was a twirler.
Complete with sequins and knee high, white go-go boots. Dropped the baton more than I held on to it so I knew that wouldn't be a good career choice.

2. I read music and can sight sing.
Mom was a music teacher so we all took piano lessons. And we all bailed. Who wants Mom to be their afternoon music instructor??? But we continued our music lessons in school -- participating in orchestra, stage band, marching band, chorus...you name it. All County and All State honors. Lots of fun. Everytime I see a marching band, which I did this past weekend at the 22nd MLK Battle of the Bands in St. Petersburg, I'm transported back in time. And I sing around the house and in the car all the time. Just ask my son.

3. I'm allergic to cats.
I don't dislike cats but I can't stand to be around them. This despite growing up in a household that always had at least one cat and one dog. Adult onset. Eyes water and itch like crazy. Sorry feline-lovers.

4. I used to be the proud owner of a 20 lb. rock.
Most folks go to Girl Scout camp and bring home seashells or arts & crafts. I brought home a rock. A BIG rock. Dragged it from the shore to my cabin in my towel. Towel didn't survive. BIG hole. Brother had to lug it to the car when they picked me up. Then I lugged it to college. Somewhere between college graduation and getting married, I got rid or or lost the rock, not sure which. Strange I know but I just thought it was cool to own a BIG rock.

5. I won my first (and only, so far) writing award in 1st grade.
Got a trophy, my name announced over the intercom system, and everything. Tony Oliver tried to talk me out of my trophy on the bus ride home but noooo way. I remember the feeling I had when I won that Fire Prevention essay contest even now. I'm going to feel it again when one of my novels wins/sells big.

Thanks for stopping by. Let's keep it going. TAG...you're it. If you want to be next, leave your blog link in the comments.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Starting the Year Off Write

It's January (Happy New Year to all!) and I want to start the off "write". Writing, learning about writing, sharing about writing.

So what did I learn in 2006 that I will apply (or seek to learn more about) in 2007?

1. Writing is not hard. Writing well is very hard.
I've always considered myself to be a pretty good writer. My writing has served me well, when I was in school and professionally. However, when it comes to writing for publication, I have so much to learn. The style required is very different -- much more active, a lot less passive. All the grammar rules I learned were great for passing SATs, not so great for writing a novel. Short sentences are good. Sentences don't have to be complete. Flowery leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Every word choice is important. I'm having a great time.

2. My writing method is perfect...for me.
I discovered I have a process--don't need anyone to teach me the "right" way--and it has changed as I've grown. I've learned some tricks from other authors. I'm plotting more now, although I still can pound out the first 3 or 4 chapters within minutes after a new idea hits. It's nice to have a roadmap. Yet, it's okay for the story to take on a life of its own too. Kind of like a detour on the map. Keeps things interesting.

I don't write everyday. Wish I could but my life doesn't flow that way. Doesn't make me any less serious about writing. So I write when and where I can and make the most of my writing opportunities.

3. The first draft can suck.
It's okay for the first draft to have more holes than swiss cheese. It doesn't have to be award winning. It only has to be. Completing the manuscript is what's important. How many incomplete manuscripts are you hiding? I know I have more than a handful.

I read a quote--I think it was Nora Roberts--which I'll paraphrase here. "Write something, anything, because you can always revise something. You can't do anything with a blank page." Participating in Nano showed me this to be true. So now I write and try hard to stifle my internal editor along the way.

On the craft of writing craft:
POV -- Go for deep POV, i.e. put the reader in the character's head and stay there. Close POV (some deep, some narration) is okay but the reader is less involved. Avoid omniscient POV, where the narrator begins talking directly to the reader (like when a character in a TV show turns toward the television and winks.)
Dialogue -- Use tags sparingly. Instead use action and the dialogue itself to convey emotion.
Show vs. Tell -- Even after dropping the dialogue tags and all of the "ly" words, it's possible to still tell rather than show. This is hard but when it's done well, the writing sings. Use metaphors over similies when possible.
Characterization -- Dig deep. The characters' goals and motivations will help drive the plot and make the reader care.

This year, I've added Terry Whalin's daily writing tip to my blog, as you'll see to your right. I find these useful and thought you might too.

I started the year off by entering Cheryl Wyatt's monthly prompt contest. 500 words that must start with a given phrase and include 10 words supplied by Cheryl. If you're interested, you can learn more here. She's also blogging about her writing process, called "Plotstorming". You might find it useful.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.