LDS Writers Blogck

LTUE and the Celebration

2012-02-11T02:15:00.002-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

I sat in the upper commons area of the Sorensen Student Center at UVU, writing and resting. A young man and his friends passed by after reading one of the signs directing symposium attendees toward the sign up table.

“Life, the Universe, & Everything,” he said, then he repeated it with emphasis on everything. The guy obviously had no idea what the symposium was all about, and made a mockery of it.

I looked up from my keyboard and made note of his appearance. He looked like the kind of a guy who would love LTUE, if he knew anything about it.

The symposium is 30 years old this year. It was started at a time when there was nothing on campus to support the creative urges of the like minded type of people who make Dragoncon a success. A group of science fiction & fantasy writers and artists were determined to hold that kind of event on the BYU campus.

Did I mention LTUE is thirty years old? I attended a panel discussion on the origins of LTUE and was impressed by the long list of famous people who have been guests.

Whether you write in those genres. Whether you draw dragons or anime. Even if you’ve a mind to dress in costume, you will find help, support, and camaraderie at LTUE. Hope to see you there. Because of health issues this year, I’ve been spending a lot of time on the mezzanine with my foot up. Come over and chat.

Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

Catching the Heart

2012-02-10T15:21:00.073-07:00

by G.Parker

This week marks the 10 year anniversary of the 2002 Olympic games held in Salt Lake City. I was privileged to be a part of the games as a volunteer. In thinking about that time, I remember the televised moments, the newspaper accounts and all the radio commentary. But the thing that stood out the most was how we volunteers felt about the games. I'll never forget the night of the closing ceremonies. Those of us who had been associated with the opening and closing ceremonies were able to stay and see the closing. It was a moment I'll never forget. It was breathtaking, it was amazing, and I didn't have to listen to commentators through the whole thing. It was also heartbreaking when the torch went dark. It was an audible groan around me as we watched those flames die.

The Olympics represent so much more than money to me, and to those of us who volunteered. It's more than just sport. It's heart. The Olympics represent the best of every man and woman. The strength of spirit and heart that everyone on the planet shares. How even in difficult places one can train as an athlete. Amazing stories of how sacrifice had gotten that athlete to the games, or how they had risen above great personal trials, those stories are common during the games. They inspire everyone to attempt greatness.

For the brief period of when the Olympics are going, the average man thinks they can be something. We watch every event (or the chosen few) with bated breath, yelling at judges and calling out encouragement to the chosen representative of our loyalty. We don't know any of these athletes personally - for the most part. We may have never even heard of them before, but their story becomes ours, their triumphs become ours triumphs and we grow together.

Apparently the state of Utah is optioning for another bid to host the games, apparently in 2022. I was shocked to hear that it costs $150,000 just to apply for the honor to host the games. That makes me think that despite the hype that the Olympics are about the human spirit, it's more about the money that can be made. But that's for another blog. ;)

The idea of the Olympic spirit makes me think of one of my writing friends. She has been writing for many years, and has become successful in publishing. Recently she wrote a story about Autism that was printed in the Ensign. Someone that represented a national magazine saw this article, contacted her, and now she is going to write articles for them! I'm so excited for her! But it took many years of writing, reading, learning and keeping things going before it began to work.

It's the human spirit reaching out and showing courage. She's an athlete in the writing sense, and we're all rooting for her. You go, Danyelle! We're all proud of you.

You see...we can all be like her. It's far more attainable than an Olympic dream.

Randomly Foreshadowing

2012-02-04T11:34:00.002-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

I’m writing to you from my living room this morning and that’s a blessing. If I had health insurance I would most probably be in the hospital. Life took a drastic turn for me this week when an ultrasound confirmed the swelling in my leg was indeed a blood clot.

Many things changed and new experiences were thrust upon me. I learned to give myself an injection twice a day, I went into deeper debt, and plans were changed. When asked if I could go to work, my doctor wondered if I could keep my leg elevated. “I work graveyard shift at a convenience store,” I said. I’m on my feet, lifting, organizing and cleaning all night.”

My boss is terrific, and arranged the schedule to give me time to get healthy again. I had planned to attend the book launch for Targets in Ties, by Tristi Pinkston, but was forced to cancel so a nurse could come and take my blood.

Also, I planned to attend LTUE next weekend, but I’m not sure I’ll be able. (Maybe if I promised to elevate my leg?) Anyway, with all this time on my hands, you’d think I’d be writing, but worry and other preoccupations have rendered me incapable. I agonized over what to write this morning, so I decided to tell you what’s up.

Have you ever noticed how random our lives seem to be? Things change in a heartbeat according to the old cliché, but do they? As writers we learn to foreshadow events in our stories. A reader hates to be taken completely off guard. They love to pride themselves on figuring out the mystery. We use foreshadowing for continuity because nobody likes a series of random events strung together in a story.

There is no foreshadowing in real life, however, or is there? We marvel how random accidents occur daily, in our lives. We wish for the ability to predict and avoid pitfalls, hoping for smooth paths. I admit, some things happen with no warning. Often, however, we look back on events and see a series of warnings left unheeded and kick ourselves, saying, “If only I had paid attention.”

So, it should be with fiction. Characters need to be able to look back and see the signs, but there is a danger. Have you ever read a foreshadowing event, so obvious, it insults your intelligence? You wonder how the characters could be so stupid as to not see it. Writers need to make it subtle. The reader (and the character) must be taken off guard, then realize they should’ve seen it coming. After all the signs were all there.

Give your character challenges, but make sure those challenges don’t randomly pop up. Don’t make her wreck the car without having established she owns one. Don’t kill him in a plane crash without showing us the purchased airline tickets. Why is your character on that flight anyway?

Hope to see you at LTUE. I’ll be the one with his leg up. Good luck in your writing---see you next week.

The English Language

2012-02-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

by G.Parker

I was sitting in a classroom the other day and happened to overhear a teacher and student discussing some vocabulary words. He was trying to figure out how to use the word 'steak.' After a brief conversation, he said, "Oh, so it's like a steak for a piece of wood or a piece of meat." I'm thinking, "um, stake or steak?"

It's all in the spelling, isn't it? I'm terrible at spelling. On a side note -- I love the fact that Google Chrome and Firefox have spell check in their browsers!

That conversation was a clear example of the complexities of the English language. No wonder those coming from foreign countries have such a hard time learning our language! It's no surprise that we as writers struggle with finding the right word in trying to convey exact meanings. I often wonder what it would be like to write in another language - but since I don't know any good enough to do so, it would just be a translation in my head from English anyway. And that's complicated enough.

I received an email a couple of months ago about English words, and I wanted to include it but alas, I can't find it. It had all sorts of examples of our word usage in quite a lovely arrangement. Bit's like, we shower people with affection, and then take a cold shower to cool down. We plant a garden, and our children work in a plant. We gum our food and chew gum. There is their and they're. A date is both something we go on and something we eat. We stake a claim and have meetings in a stake center. There are words for punctuation and words to do with grammar, and we have dictionaries with thesaurus's that if you don't know how to spell the word, how in the heck are you supposed to find it to make sure you're spelling it right?

Well, if you have it figured out, you're way better than I am. Being able to understand what the word means is at least something. I may not be able to spell them all, but hopefully I can use them properly when speaking and writing! And they have proven that the more you read, the larger your vocabulary, so it kind of circles around. Interesting, huh?

So how are your writing goals coming along? Are you working at them each day? I've been doing good on my goal to edit one month and write the next, which has really been progress for me. You see, consistency is the biggest obstacle any writer has to overcome, other than dealing with words. I haven't made any time allotment, just commitment to write or edit every day. It could be a couple of pages, a couple of paragraphs or simply just two lines. Anything is better than what I was doing before, and at least I'm getting it done.

Let's just hope it doesn't take me the whole year to do it...

Until next week.

Good Writers Borrow, Great Writers Steal

2012-02-01T12:28:00.003-07:00

by C LaRene Hall

Continued from last week about style and voice

Clint Johnson encouraged us to try an exercise for development by imitating others. He told us to find a passage from a writer we either love or that interest us for some reason, then try to recreate the style as best as we can see it by writing either a short story or one complete scene.

Next he told us to experment in our writing. See what is possible for us to do with the written word, and pay attention to our successes and failures. Exercise for development write one paragraph that works using only simple sentences. The assignment he gave us next was to write another paragraph that is at least five lines long and is all one sentence. Then we were to write a paragraph that is written completely in sentence fragments, followed with a page of dialogue.

Clint encouraged us to adopt other peoples ideas, texts, etc. into our own writing by referring to them, either directly or through allusion. The texts to which we connect will change the experience and meaning of our story and contribute to our style. The exercise he gave us for this was to write a page that connects to one religious text, one fairy tale, and one current news story.

He encouraged us to read out loud, to tune ourself, both to the English language and to our particular use of the language. We should read a passage we like from our own writing in a way that feels natural, then read it faster, then slower, and then as is comfortable again. Then rate our pacing on a scale of one to five from lethargic to rushed.

I enjoyed the class a lot and wish I could say that I have tried all of these suggestions. But no, I haven't. I hope to someday in the future try all of the above suggestions. I just wish life wasn't so crazy.

Getting Out and About

2012-01-28T04:31:00.002-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

With all the thought, and Feng Shui, writers put into their writing spaces, it seems strange to say, but I needed to get out of the house so I could write this morning. Do you ever feel trapped in a writing style? Like an office space, chosen genre and even subjects can be limiting sometimes.

The problem for published authors, however, arises after they spend their whole career building a writing style their readers have grown to expect. I’m not talking about the mechanics of writing, but the voice of the writer. No matter what else happens in the story, Lewis’ mythical creatures are going to be different than Tolkien’s

Of course a style can be a burden to some writers. Take Mary Higgins Clark, for instance. Readers have learned that, no matter the story, some of the characters will, at some point, have cheese and wine. She also seems to live in a world where almost everyone does the same things for a living.

Writers can also get trapped in their plot style. I’ve noticed this in my own writing and I now spend hours deliberating a better plan. I’m very careful to give different careers to different characters and even though a fantastic romantic scene worked in one book. I fight to come up with different ideas.

I’ve noticed some best selling authors have developed pseudonyms to write stories in different genres. I can relate to that. I get ideas all the time that don’t fit in women’s fiction. Or if they do, there are other elements that don’t fit with the established type of novel I’ve been writing.

Like getting out of the house this morning, it’s nice to be able to experiment a little. I went to a twenty-four hour restaurant and wrote this blog. The problem was the group in the corner who insisted on being loud and repulsive. Between four-letter words they’re grammar caught my attention. I wondered if they knew how unintelligent they sounded.

Just like the distractions in the restaurant forced me to concentrate harder, we need to be careful writing new genres. Don’t lose sight of what works for you. If you can tell the story in your voice, then great. If the new genre makes you develop new habits entirely, then pick one and stay with it.

I hope what I’ve written makes sense. If not, then blame the group in the corner. It’s late and I won’t have time to edit before posting. My greatest hope is that it helps you become the writer you want to be.

Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

Book Prints

2012-01-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

by G.Parker

I was reading through KSL.com the other day and came across an amazing article. You can access it here. The main idea is that each book we read leaves some kind of imprint upon us. It's like I've said in many of my previous blogs - we are what we read. They had a quote by author Anna Quindlen:

"If being a parent consists often of passing along chunks of ourselves to unwitting — often unwilling — recipients, then books are, for me, one of the simplest and most surefire ways of doing that."

I thought this was excellently said. A book can touch someone in ways that speaking to them face to face cannot. It gives them time to absorb, to ponder, to get the real message that is intended. When we speak to people in person, emotions and body language sometimes convey the wrong meaning.

That is why writers are so important, and what we write is doubly important. You can change a whole person's life with your words. For both good and bad. You've seen examples of that with the media, especially the press.

My husband said he heard a reporter quizzing someone about the Whitehouse and how we need to allow the President and his family some privacy. That's something that has gone by the wayside since the days of Kennedy. Now-a-days, for example; if Kennedy was having an affair with Marilyn Monroe, it would be all over the tabloids within days, let alone the internet. Jackie wouldn't have been able to keep a solid front on their family and I think things might have happened a little differently. Just this week there was a big flap in Europe over a writer who had made some 'racial' slur against the First family in a column about how the Obama's have added to fashion in the African-American scene.

Everyone is watching. And, everyone is going to have an opinion.

So whatever you write, I hope you feel it strongly and are willing to stand up for it. I hope that it's something that is enriching and life changing for those who read it. You can do it. We all can. So tell us -- what books have left a lasting imprint on your life?

Developing Style

2012-01-25T13:35:00.006-07:00

By C. LaRene Hall

Last fall I attended a writers conference where Clint Johnson spoke about developing style. He encouraged us to find a passage from a writer we either love or that interests us for some reason, and then try to recreate the style as best we can see it, by writing either a short story or one complete scene.

He told us that we should experiment in our writing. See what is possible for us to do with the written word, and pay attention to our successes and our failures. Write one paragraph that works using only simple sentences. Write another paragraph that is at least five lines long and is all one sentence. Write a paragraph that is written completely in sentence fragments. Write a page of dialogue. These are all good exercies.

He encouraged us to learn grammar, punctuation and syntax rules and then break them for effect. Words are tools; they have no value beyond their ability to communicate and evoke. The better your skill with these tools, the more influence you have over their effect on your reader.

Now all I have to do to improve is follow his suggestions. I know he is right and if I try doing these things my style will improve. He had lots more to say, but I'll leave that for another time.

Please Don't Steal My Babies

2012-01-21T06:41:00.004-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

I got involved in a discussion on Facebook this week. An author wondered if the SOPA legislation might not be a good idea after all. His point was protection for his copyrighted work. There were many opinions from writers and artists and computer geeks. It proves there’s an issue we must face in the future.

I argued that the Internet is already a place where everything is public, and trying to stop piracy would be futile. Later, I had time to think a little. I didn’t change my opinions, but I felt it would be a good subject for this blog.

Those of you who have read my posts before, know about my misgivings on the subject of e-books and self-publishing, but this discussion might be a little different.

In 1990 I bought a computer that had a modem attached. At that time, the Internet was poised to take over our lives. The World Wide Web hadn’t even started yet. I signed up for an online service called Prodigy and found it fascinating. Soon Prodigy began to tutor us on how to access the World Wide Web.

There was some discussion about policing the Internet, but the big argument was how do you do that, when much of the content originates from other countries. Would we go to war with England over objectionable content?

A few years later, I developed a website devoted to Dutch oven cooking and made several graphic images for the site. The next thing I knew, those images were on other websites. People had captured my images and used them as their own. I didn’t even get a thank you, let alone, credit for creating them.

Yes, I was angry, but then, I realized the nature of a free content Internet. The alternative would be a place where we must use a credit card to gain access to everything. Yes there are dishonest people who will steal all your creations, but if you put it on the Internet . . .

What did you expect?

As writers, photographers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, we love to use the Internet for publicity. We even give enticing freebies away hoping to sell our next piece of work. Then, we’re shocked and demoralized when someone steals part of that work. I’m not saying it isn’t wrong, I’m asking, what did you expect? After all, it is the Internet.

Copyright infringement has been a problem since the beginning of time. Whether we pass more laws to prevent it or not, those of us who create, will always be violated. Recouping from piracy is expensive and time consuming. We could curse the invention of the photocopier, but I think it goes farther back. Artists have always worried about forgery. Other artists would paint a copy of their work and sell it as an original.

Should we just chill out, and accept piracy as the norm? NO! But, perhaps changing the face of the Internet isn’t the answer either.

On a related note: I’ve always wondered how so many writers can justify their complaints when they reuse software on a new computer. When you buy a new computer, do you buy new software to go with it? “Why should I do that?” you ask. “I own a copy of Microsoft Office.”

Yes, you probably do, but the license is for your old computer and it clearly states you can’t install it on two different computers. Did you know that? I’ve always objected to software companies charging for outdated versions. Microsoft Office has been upgraded several times since the 97 version. Why does Microsoft charge for 97 at all?

Royalties for writers is a tricky subject. Like the software companies, we want to keep charging the same price for the book we wrote twenty years ago, in fact, we’d like to charge today’s prices. We work hard writing and promoting books. Of course we should be paid.

I hope to someday, live in a perfect society, where creative people get paid at least as much as sports people. A place where we spend more on helping the poor than we spend on getting somebody elected. Until that time, Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

Integrity

2012-01-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

by G.Parker

Okay, I wish I were in bed right now. Seriously. My two youngest sons came down with a cold last weekend, and I think they gave it to me. Fortunately I don't have the running nose or the coughing like they did, but I have the sore throat and tired achy mass that I just want to curl up in bed and forget I have responsibilities. Like writing this blog. Sigh.

But life goes on, and I'll press on -- hopefully you'll get something out of my Swiss cheese and chaos thoughts. ;) I hope everyone had a great weekend last week and contemplated their civil rights. We've been having our children watch the move The Help this week (it takes a week sometimes in our house, I tell ya we are one busy group!) and it's been interesting to watch their reactions. We've watched other specials, documentaries, movies and discussed books before, this isn't the first time. But it's always a teaching opportunity. I feel that The Help is also a lesson on writing. If you are unfamiliar with the story line, I'll give you the gist in a nutshell:

Young woman graduates from Ol' Mis in the early 60's. Wants to be a writer. Has never dated. Closest friends are all married and having children. She lives in Jackson, Missouri. Everyone has maids and they're all black. She decides to write a book from 'the help's' perspective. She finally gets the help of one maid, which leads to two, and after a terrible incident, several jump on board. The stories they have to tell are heart wrenching, sweet, and terrible. All involved are risking life and limb, especially the maids. They publish the book and it takes the south by storm, wondering where it's based and who wrote it. Those involved have one big secret that keeps them safe -- but at a great risk to themselves. The young woman lands the job she's always wanted in New York, but hesitates to leave now her mother is dying.

As you can see, I'm not good at summarizing plots in one sentence or less. This would be a great challenge for someone who liked that sort of thing. ;) I also have a hard time with summaries, and it's something I've got to improve on if I'm going to submit, right? Which is my major goal for the year, so I've got lots of work ahead of me.

But I digress. My point is this young woman becomes very discouraged at one point in the movie because she doesn't have enough stories. The publisher is pushing her for more maids, and no one else has been willing to help. The two that have contributed figure she can just use their stories and change names, but she claims that wouldn't be right.

I'm afraid I agreed with the maid. Who would know?? It was all anonymous anyway -- I think I would have done it. But she didn't. She represented integrity in writing.

Have you thought about your integrity in your writing? With fiction, it's a free world. You need to be careful if you're mentioning real places and times in history, but otherwise, it's your world, you created it, you decide what's in it. With non-fiction, it's a whole different ball of wax. If you mess up, it's a betrayal to the reader. They realize they can't trust what you write. You have let them down.

I thought it was good food for thought, and wanted to share it with you. Have a productive week and see you next Friday.

Writers Conferences

2012-01-18T14:37:00.005-07:00

In January I always start thinking about the coming year and which writers conferences I can afford to attend. I didn't start writing until my later years and had no idea there were so many choices. My first writers conference was to the LDStorymakes in 2004. On my shelf are books from each of those years since. The next writers conference I tackled was the League of Utah Writers. I haven't attended as many of those, but I still enjoy going when I can. I'm still working, so it's not always easy to get time off to attend all those offered. It's not expensive to belong to the League of Utah Writer's so maybe you should check them out because locally you can usually attend monthly meetings. I used to attend, but now I have a church calling that keeps me busy on the night they meet together.

I guess what I'm trying to tell you this week is - if you are a writer, there are a lot of options in Utah to attend writing conferences. Some of them cost, but many of them are free or inexpensive. Search for them and attend as often as you can. In February there is one in the Provo/Orem area (LTUE)- that is resonably priced. In April there is one in Ephraim that is free.

If you are wanting to study about writing and find help, there are many options. There are many writers in Utah and it seems that there is always help just around the corner if you look for it.

Stray Thoughts

2012-01-14T04:00:00.005-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

Well, it’s three am on Saturday morning, my usual time for posting a blog, and I haven’t got anything written. I just woke up from a nap with another book idea, but I need to work out the details before I tell you about it. I’m chasing stray thoughts like a man following a lost dog down the street.

During my deliberation about possible posts, this week. I considered the presidential race in this country. I asked a customer what he thought and his response surprised me. He’s always been good for an opposing opinion, or at least a strong point of view. Essentially, he suggested that we could take all the money every candidate wastes on getting elected and use it find homes for almost all the people who live under bridges.

I stood there in awe. He was right, but he’d always been an advocate of no government intervention. How did we get to a place where candidates spend more money on the campaign then they do helping the needy?

On another, more writerly note, I was pleased to pick up my copy of Writer’s Digest and read about Andy Ross. He runs a literary agency and I’m thrilled to see him succeed. You might remember I wrote about him when I talked about the demise of independent bookstores. You can find his contact info here.

Also, on a more local note, I made plans this week to attend two local writer’s conferences; Life the Universe, and Everything (LTUE) on February 9-11 at UVU (Utah Valley University), and LDStorymakers Conference on May 3-5. I hope to see you there.

I have two friends (and critique group partners), launching their books soon; Family by Design by Heather Justesen, and Targets in Ties by Tristi Pinkston. Heather, on Jan 21, and Tristi, in February. See you at Pioneer Books in Orem. Utah.

Now, on a personal note: I’m still waiting to hear from a publisher about The Hillside and I’m sitting on the sequel until I hear about the first. Every day I check the mail. And check my email about thrice. If any of you have any pull, say a little prayer for me?

I’m editing Star Crossed and writing Shadow Boxing. I think you’ll like them. Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

I Apologize!

2012-01-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

by G.Parker

Okay - this is a formal apology to all our readers. I've been a slacker! Well...only sort of. If I'd been really on the ball, I would have had blogs written and set up to post on my assigned day (which I have done before). But, this time on vacation I totally spaced it out. I don't know why - I think perhaps because my writing life has kind of taken a back seat to everything else the past month. But whatever the reason, I didn't post the past two weeks, and I'm not thinking anyone really missed me (lol) but perhaps expectations weren't met.

So - I'm back. In some ways I feel a lot like Connie with regards to my writing. My life isn't too out of control, though it is not what I want it to be right now, but my writing has been non existent for the past month.

However, all of that is changing as you read. In December I outlined to my husband that I had resolved to get something submitted this year. He wants me to get several somethings, and hopefully that will be what happens, but despite the amount, I'm working on editing! My struggle (if you remember previous posts) has been to balance the writing with the editing. Editing is what make things submit-table, readable, view-able, etc. I have long struggled with editing, it is NOT my favorite part of writing. But - if I'm going to get moving onto the next step in my writing career, I need to jump in and get moving.

So, I will be editing one month and writing the next. January is heavy editing month. I'm getting the book I wrote for NaNoWriMo finished up so that I can get that off to readers and finished before June, when the free book offer ends from Createspace for nano participants.

Then I have two other works that I'm hoping to get finished editing and sent off before June as well. It's going to be a busy year!

I don't believe in New Years resolutions, because I figure if you have to make goals once a year to make them happen, they never do. But I do like starting new and making changes when needed. So, January is a great month for that.

Did you make any writing goals for this year? I'd like to hear what they are. Have a great weekend, and see you next Friday!!

Joyful Noise

2012-01-11T11:36:00.003-07:00

I already posted about this movie on my personal blog but decided it was worth repeating. On Monday evening I attended a premiere showing to a movie that will be in the theaters on Friday, January 13, Joyful Noise. I loved this movie so much I could probably see it over and over. I’ve never written a movie review before. The reviews I write are usually about books.

The person who wrote the screen play did a great job. Following are the details that I found on line about this movie. It takes place in a small town in Georgia. The people there have fallen on hard times. They are counting on the Divinity Church Choir to lift their spirits by winning the National Joyful Noise Competition.

The choir has always known how to sing in harmony, but the discord between its two leading ladies threatens to tear them apart. Their newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah), stubbornly wants to stick with their tried-and-true traditional style, while the fiery G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) thinks tried-and-true translates to tired-and-old and her rebellious grandson, Randy (Jeremy Jordan) really shakes things up. He has a good ear for music, but he also has an eye for Vi Rose’s beautiful and talented daughter, Olivia (Keke Palmer). Sparks between the two teenagers cause even more friction between G.G. and Vi Rose.

The musically driven story also brings together the sounds of gospel, pop, country, rock and R & B with memorable songs, performed by the cast. If you love listening to music, you will love this movie. If not, I suggest you stay home.

I loved the movie and was glad that I had attended a prior showing. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't like this movie - unless you don't like music, you don't like Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, or Jeremy Jordan. Or maybe if you don't like watching a movie because you would rather stay home and watch television. There is plenty of action, lots of humor, and it is a fun movie.

All day Tuesday at work I pulled the music up from this movie and listened. I'm thinking that is what is missing from my day today so I guess I better find it again.

If you haven't made plans to attend the movies this coming weekend, maybe you need to rethink your plans. And don't just pick any movie to see - you really need to go see Joyful Noise. Yes, it is noisy, but who cares the music is great.

Living the Dream

2012-01-07T02:38:00.003-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

Every time he comes into my work, I ask my customer how he is. “Just living the dream,” he often says. Of course, he’s being sarcastic, but it got me thinking the other day.

When we were kids, we all dreamed of things that would happen in our lives. Some even chose a career path based on those dreams. Some followed that path, others took forks in the road. Most of us have yet to realize those dreams. Some of us never will.

I suppose fear plays a big role in that, but circumstances often get in the way, too. What are your dreams? Have you mapped your course? Many of the writers who read this, have the same dream: I want to be a best selling author. I want to be able to quit my other job and write full time.

I sat in a workshop once, listening to James Dashner talk about his dream and how he realized it. He said that he decided he wanted to write full time. He didn’t talk about goals or how to attain them, he didn’t really talk about focus. He mentioned how blessed he had been, which is an important key, but knowing James, I think for him it was focus. He wanted something bad enough to act, and keep after it, until it happened for him. Google him, it might give you hope.

I often talk about my desire to write full time, but responsibility often gets in the way. If I were to be honest with myself, however, I think it’s been a lack of focus. I’m a prolific writer. I have a full, project file. I’ve been focussing on the craft, not on the promotion.

I have another friend who found writing success by focussing on blogging and other promotion, so entirely, she now teaches others about it. She is published nationally, partly because publishers know how much work she is willing to do for success. Yes, her name is Elana Johnson.

It’s true. If we want something bad enough, we must focus and exclude other concerns. So with a little hard work, and perseverance, we can be living the dream. Whatever it might be.

There is, however, a possible dark side. Someone once said, “Be careful what you wish for, you might get it.” I knew a man, who hated his job. He felt abused by his superiors and told himself that he could put up with abuse, if only his wages were higher. One thing led to another. He got the salary he wanted, but the abuse increased. This time, his boss was an ex Marine and he used the whipping boy method of management. My friend was the whipping boy. The salary almost compensated, but the abuse messed him up in the end.

We’ve all heard stories about people who get their wishes and find out they were happier before. We often appease our self by saying, if only. Or things will be better when . . . then, after achieving those dreams we discover unforeseen circumstances.

As for being able to write full time, promotion in the national market involves a lot of travel. Writing is often done in hotel rooms before leaving for some book-selling event. If your dream involved locking yourself away, writing your next best seller at home, you might be disappointed.

Good luck with your writing dreams---see you next week.

Frazzled World

2012-01-04T09:42:00.003-07:00

by C. LaRene Hall

The new year has just begun and already I feel like my life is out of control. I set many goals, but I'm having a hard time making them work and it's only day four. Do you have that problem?

I think my life is out of control.

Hopefully it won't get this bad.

So far I've only written one other blog and the things that I've written for work or my church calling. I've written nothing for myself - nothing on any of my many stories. I'm disappointed in myself.

I love setting goals because that is how I get things done. I just didn't plan on life getting in the way. The other thing that helps me is time management. For years I always plan out every single day. Until then I didn't realize how much time I was throwing away doing things that were not important.

The month of January is going to be interesting because already my calendar is plenty full. Too much to do and not near enough hours. I wish I could find a good balance. So far it looks like the beginning of each week starts out smooth but by Thursday it's out of control.

I wish I had advice for you, but first I have to figure it out myself. I hope you are doing better on your goals for the new year and that you are planning out your days so you have time to do the important things.

The Mayans Made a Calendar

2011-12-31T03:00:00.000-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

Today is the last day. At Midnight, 2011 becomes history. 2012 promises to be an unusual year. Depending on who you talk to, and which method you follow, it’s the end of the Mayan calendar, which means the end of the world???? Some people claim the ancient Mayans made a calendar that ends in December of 2012. So naturally it’s a forecast, right?

Okay, each year, I get a new wall calendar with only twelve months. If we follow the above logic, then the world should end each year. Instead, we print a new calendar and get on with our lives. I guess we could assume the calendar maker knows something, and we should crawl into a hole to wait out the destruction.

Yes, I’m being facetious, but when He gave signs and clues about his second coming, Jesus said, “Know man knoweth the hour.” According to scripture, there are dozens of major events that must happen before the end comes. All of those things will take a little time, so maybe the Mayans weren’t predicting anything. Then, again . . .

Also, in 2012, there will be another US Presidential election, how many of you are already getting tired of the posturing? Like with Christmas music, I get so tired of it, by the time the big event comes, I just want it to be over. I get sick of dreaming of a white Christmas. There must be hundreds of different people who sing, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful . . . well, you get the picture.

In 2012, the public accusations will rise to a new low. I’m already sick of politicians who continue to blame the other guy for the state of the country. Each side has an agenda and they try to make us believe the other side won’t work with them. I’m thoroughly fed up with selective memory and apparent hypocrisy. With all the, my way or the highway, maybe the Mayans were right?

So here we sit on the last day of sanity, on the edge of a big year, with financial gurus forecasting devastation. I find it interesting, that it was the financial institutions that got us into the mess we find ourselves in currently.

Now, before you think I’m preaching gloom and doom, let me tell you a story. On New Years Eve 1999 I stood in a discount club warehouse and watched all the people pushing trolleys loaded with canned goods and emergency supplies. I wondered why, if they were worried, they hadn’t prepared sooner. There was a threat that the computers in the world might shut down with the change of the century. Since computer clocks started in the nineteen eighties, the experts wondered how the systems would interpret any date without nineteen hundred something in it.

In the weeks that followed, I saw ads everywhere. People wanted to sell their emergency supplies. The catastrophe didn’t happen and they were trying to recoup their losses.

It’s true that stuff happens. Sometimes it doesn’t, but Jesus said,
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Trust in him. Live your life. Be happy, and be at peace. Connie posted a blog this week and talked about setting her writing goals. I plan to do that, because, hectic or not, 2012 is the year several of my books will see the light of day.

May you accomplish all your writing goals this year and may you find peace. Good luck with your writing---see you next week---unless, of course, the end comes.

It's Time

2011-12-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

by Cheri Chesley

This will be my last post here at the "Blogck." Don't worry, I'll still be around--stalking, commenting, whatever--but I will no longer be a regular contributor.

My life has taken a few interesting turns in 2011, one of them being a cross-country move. You'd be surprised how many things are restructured when you move 1200 miles. Or maybe you wouldn't be. :) Obviously, I had to let go of my babysitting job. And while it's not necessary for me to get another job here, if I do we can have our house paid off in less than 3 years. That is a grand incentive.

It's difficult to let go of the writing time I have now while the kids are in school, because if I get this new job it will be during those hours. I long to be this prolific writer who publishes a few books a year--and the ideas in my head would support that--but, like everyone else, I have to be practical too. Another bonus about this move is that my husband's hours have drastically changed. He now has a job with a rotating schedule, where he works the same hours a day (a day job, no less!) but never works more than 3 days in a row. This means he has every other weekend off, and rotating days off during the week. On the days he's home, I can get a couple hours of writing time in and he can manage the kids.

Unfortunately, my blogging has become a problem. Not only does it satisfy that instant, urgent need to write, but it takes up a lot of my time. So, I had to make a few cuts. Which is probably a good thing, since I was running really low on topics. :)

I've truly appreciated my time here, and I'm so glad for the opportunity to participate with the fantastic people associated with this blog. See you on the flip side!

Goals

2011-12-28T10:37:00.006-07:00

by C. LaRene Hall

As most of you know, goal setting has always been a big deal to me, so it is logical to do that prior to a new year. Since Sunday will be the new year I do need to set my goals now.

1. Develop my talents
Writing - Write something every day. I have sure been neglecting this, but know I have to do better this coming year.

Music - I bought a new keyboard so I am hoping to learn to play it this coming year. I have all the equipment - book and keyboard, so now I just need to do it.

Music - Learn to conduct a choir. There is a long story connected to this goal, and since it is forced upon me, I may as well do it willingly.

2. Read my scriptures every day. I always set this goal, but I don't always do the every day thing. I usually do catch up on Sunday. This year I am going to try to do better. Catch up works, because I did complete reading the New Testament this year, but it would have been better if I had done it daily.

That is all the goals I am going to set for this New Year. Those two things are going to keep me very busy since I still work 6 hours a day.

Hope each of you take time to set your own personal goals.

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Holiday Hustle

2011-12-24T00:05:00.004-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

I havent filled my list. Well, the truth is I never made one. My wife went out on Black Friday and came up empty handed. She has a new plan for next year, though. She’s going to eat Thanksgiving dinner in the line in front of the store.

She knows what she wants to buy before she shops. Me, on the other hand . . .
My daughter and I went shopping to find her mother a Christmas present the other day. Neither of us could think of a suitable gift. Just goes to show where our minds have been.

I’ve been too caught up in the day to day. The holiday hustle and service, has taken a back seat. Then, there was this guy at work . . .

One of my customers came in talking about the Idaho lottery. He said several of his friends had chipped in, and he was on his way to buy tickets. He asked me what I would do if I won. I told him I don’t gamble, but I remember hearing about the employees of a construction company doing what he was doing. They won big money.

To answer his question, I wasn’t sure what I’d do with the money if I won, but the group I’d heard about kept working and used their winnings as a hedge against inflation.

The conversation got me thinking and I surprised myself. I told my friend I would keep working and start a foundation to give anonymous gifts to needy families. I assure you I’m not that service minded, but in my heart of hearts, I knew it would be the right thing to do. I think it’s what Jesus would do.

Then, the thought occurred, that it’s easy to make that kind of decision with a hypothetical winning lottery ticket in hand. The true nature of my thoughts, while holding a stack of cash, might be entirely different. Would I pay off the mortgage? Spoil my daughter? Fix up the house?

Of course, there are many loose ends I need to tie up, but I like to think I would also help others.

After coming to that realization, I thought of all the past Christmas’ when giving was paramount in my mind. Christmas in the mission field comes to mind. The first ten years of marriage does also. There were times in my life when my heart was in the right place. So, where is my heart now?

Losing jobs and reinventing myself while promoting my writing career has left me somewhat, self-centered, I think. With all of that self-promotion, it’s hard to remember others. Yeah, it’s an excuse, but it helps me justify my actions. I missed two opportunities for service this week. I could’ve been there, but I got lost in the holiday hustle.

It’s true, life is simple in retrospect, but I’ve decided to change. I really would love my job to be a choice, instead of a necessity. To be able to help others, and spend quality time with my family. So, I’m taking Jacob’s advice from The Book of Mormon,

17 Think of your "brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that 'they may be rich like unto you.
18 But "before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the 'kingdom of God.
19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to "do good-to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted. Jacob 2:17-19 pasted verbatim

Just think about what would happen if I substituted the words writing success, for the word riches.

I’m posting this on Christmas Eve. Later on, I’ll be working. Like last year, I’ll come home from work, wake my family, and see what Santa left under our tree. Then, before church, I’ll take a short nap and plot my strategy for serving others. In the mean time, here’s a cute little video you might enjoy.

Merry Christmas and good luck with your writing---see you next week.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T16:57:00.000-07:00

by G.Parker

As everyone knows that I suffer from Swiss Cheese brain, no one will be surprised that I forgot to post my normal blog yesterday. Keith was probably on the ball and posted today...but I wanted to add my two cents...

I hope everyone has a marvelous Christmas day and New Years. I hope that your desire to make the world a better place through writing is strengthened, and that you will commit to making the new year one filled with your words.

Merry Christmas!

Decisions

2011-12-22T10:32:00.002-07:00

by C. LaRene Hall

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I forgot that my computer at home is giving me problems when it comes to posting my blog. When I finally had time to blog I couldn't because the equipment wouldn't work.

Decisions in the month of December gets really crazy. I had a difficult time this week trying to juggle all the concerts for grandchildren. With three of them performing at the same time, but at different locations, it was impossible. My one granddaughter is very active in musical activities, and I was grateful that I had already attended one of her choir concerts earlier this year. I had also attended the play that she performed in. That still wasn't easy to have to tell her, sorry, but I just can't come this time to either of your performances. One grandson performed in the percussion band on Tuesday night and the other one performed in his percussion band on Wednesday night. I had not attended any of their performances prior to this week.

I also find decision making hard when it comes to my writing. I guess that is why I have so many stories started. I just can't make up my mind. Some days I feel like writing on this story and another day I would rather work on a different one. My computer is full of stories that I have yet to complete. Are the rest of you like that? Do you stick to one story until it is finished or do you skip abround like I do?

Have a great Christmas. Isn't this time of the year fun?

Tis the Season

2011-12-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

by Cheri Chesley

Seeing as it's nearly Christmas, and we are writers, I've chosen to share a poem with you that I wrote some years ago. It's since been put to music by a talented young man, who gave me an electronic copy I'm not smart enough to share here. :)

But I hope you enjoy the poem in its simplicity, nonetheless. Merry Christmas.

"Jesus Child"

The star shone high and bright,
in the sky above our heads.
We tried to tend our flocks,
but followed it instead.
How far it led us, we know not.
Nor do we really care.
For we'd have trod a thousand steps
to see who we saw there.
He was so small, this Son of God,
an infant child who lay
in a manger, with Mother dear
on a bed of hay.
His eyes, so bright, just like the star
that shone in Heaven above,
looked on us with approval
as we gazed at him in awe.
Others came, but we were first
this sweet child here to see.
And we knew then, deep in our hearts
our Savior he would be.

December 19, 1994

And the Winner is . . .

2011-12-17T06:36:00.004-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

I took everyone who commented, those who answered the questions got in twice. I put all the names in Excell, and randomized them. The winner is Melanie Goldmund. Please contact me at uvdutch57 at yahoo with your address so I can get your chocolate bar to you.

To all of you wonderful people, who offered suggestions for the blog, thank you. Also, thanks, to all who read and didn’t comment. I know there are many.

Now, let’s talk about writing. Have you ever been distracted? How many times have you set down to write and nothing comes to mind? I seem to be going through one of those times when everything I write, sucks. I finished Starcrossed, left Rebecca in a happy place, after recovering from alcoholism and a self centered existence. Then I searched through my list of projects, trying to find one that felt good to me.

I worked for a while on my SCI-FI dystopian, novel about a woman who gets trapped in circumstances beyond her control. Then, I went back to a novel about a woman who gets caught up in a mystery. The suspense is killing me. As the genre implies, there must be suspense on almost every page. I can’t let the action wane or my reader will stop reading.

To make matters worse I suddenly realized the plot is similar to, The Net, a movie with Sandra Bullock. I went back to change things and make it my own story, but it was discouraging.

Going back into my project file, I opened a manuscript I wrote several years ago. I looked for ways to improve the writing and tighten the plot, but I couldn’t get excited about it either. Through all this, computer chess has elevated itself in my list of priorities, and my critique group has been on hiatus.

What do you do when this happens to you? I got lucky and took my laptop while playing taxi driver the other day. During the down time while I waited for school to end, I opened my story, ignored what I’d written before, and moved ahead with it. I’ll fix the other parts latter, but for now, I’m writing.

Writing suspense is still hard, but moving forward worked for me, what works for you?

Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

Traditions

2011-12-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

by G.Parker

This time of year is full of traditions. We have traditions that have been handed down for generations, and traditions that are started as new couples with young families. When two people get married, it's usually a blend of family traditions in their home. When we got married, my hubby and I had very different views on what happened on Christmas day, how stockings were hung and what was done during the holidays. We finally agreed to alternate some things, but it turned out that we never put the stockings up till Christmas Eve (sigh) and there is no Christmas music played before Thanksgiving. I'm sure there's many traditions like that in your home. There are lots of traditions that are social ones, and religious ones and business.

Some of traditions are worth keeping. They enrich the lives of those participating as well as give our children something lasting and concrete to hang onto. Traditions are usually worth explaining at that point. Like why we have Christmas trees and celebrate Christmas in December instead of April.

There are some traditions though, that need some examining. And there are a few that have come under the microscope lately, and think change is afoot. I'm talking about traditional publishing. Used to be if you wanted to get something published, you went to a representative of that publishing house and presented your work. They liked it (or not) and then offered you a sum in advance (sometimes) to publish and everyone hoped it would do well and sell enough to make money. Then the average person started to need an agent, because well, EVERYONE wants to be a writer. Everyone has a story to tell and thinks what they have to say is worth reading. That has caused a backlog of work for the publishing companies, and they turned to agents to represent the writers so that they could weed out those who weren't quite as good as they thought.

Then comes the internet and modern media. Publishing becomes kind of an older model of doing business. People are introduced to the ebook concept and the whole idea of publishing traditionally has come into question to the point where some publishing houses have started their own lines of ebooks.

Along with that you have the indie publishers...or in the old days, vanity publishing. This was where and individual is turned down by a traditional publisher, decides to take matters into their own hands, and pay to have their work published and markets them themselves. Back in the day (as a co-worker of mine likes to say) when someone published a book on their own, it was looked at as not worthy of reading because a publisher hadn't printed it. They couldn't sell them in traditional book stores, and it was difficult to get a hold of one. That is still an image that people are fighting because, unfortunately, a lot of books that are published by people on their own don't always have the editing and other checks going on before the work is published and they have lots of errors. It's hard when you're doing all the work yourself.

I'm privileged to know a couple of individuals who have gone the independent publishing route, and their work is good enough the publisher should have grabbed them -- but didn't. Their loss.

But my point in this, is that perhaps it's time to rethink the traditions regarding standard publishing. There is such a whole new world opening out there with the internet and ebooks. People can download information with the click of a button. No longer does it take a whole lot of paper and ink and time to produce an article that perhaps will sell, perhaps not.

I'm not advocating that paper books stop being printed. Personally, I like the feel of a book in my hand, the smell of the ink and the turning of the pages. I haven't bought into the ebook market yet -- though that's a possibility, I'm sure. But I do think that people shouldn't have to be as constrained as they were, so dependent on the way a publishing company worked. It opens up a new opportunity for writers everywhere to really have a chance to get their work out there for people to read.

Just some food for thought. Traditions. What do you think? Have a good weekend...

The Best Gifts

2011-12-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

(image courtesy of twentytwowords)

by Cheri Chesley

Christmas seems to be a time of year when we search for the "perfect" gift to give someone we love. Sometimes, though, those gifts come to you.

I have a friend, LAURA. We met in Tooele when I organized the Tooele chapter of the League of UT Writers. Laura is an aspiring author and a really intelligent lady. She also happens to be a fantastic editor.

She volunteered to look over my most recent manuscript for The Tyrant King before I sent it to the publisher in January. She emailed it back to me a couple days ago. Laura's never really edited for me before, but I know from mutual friends she's thorough and insightful. I admit, I was nervous. Hearing your baby isn't beautiful is hard, but I knew this is what I wanted. I needed to know what was wrong with the manuscript BEFORE sending it to the publisher. I really need this one to be as good as I can make it.

I am so grateful for the things she pointed out, grateful for the opportunity to make the story better than it was before. I consider that edit a wonderful Christmas gift. Thank you, Laura.

Books

2011-12-14T09:26:00.004-07:00

by C. LaRene Hall

Christmas Eve is just around the corner (only 10 more days). Our family Christmas party was last Saturday. I always worry about the gifts I give to all the children and grandchildren. Will they like what I an giving them? They are all different ages - from almost 50 to only 4. What can you buy that everyone will like?

This year, like most years, I bought a family game, family movies, and books. I don't think you can go wrong with those items. At least in my family everyone loves games and movies. They have learned through the years that if they don't love books - oh well. I do and that's what I give.

Of course, picking out the perfect book for each indivdual can be difficult. This year I made it a little easier for some of the children because I bought them music books to go with the instruments they play. I try to stay close to each of the grandchildren so I know what their particular tastes in books are. One granddaughter even posted on facebook how much she liked her book she received from grandma.

A few years ago, when I felt more ambitious than this year, I wrote each grandchild their own story. Of course, you probably don't have time to write such a story this year unless your family is real small, but think about it for next year.

If your shopping isn't done this year, do think about how beneficial a good book would be for those you still need to purchase a gift for. I honestly don't think you can go wrong when you give a book.

The Blog Giveaway

2011-12-10T04:11:00.009-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

Because I’ve always assumed everyone loves free chocolate and as you can see, this is not a normal chocolate bar. Hershey’s makes the single size we give for Halloween, then there is the 1.55 oz. They make a big thick one next. After that is the big bar at 4.4 oz. At work, for Christmas, we sell a one-pound bar, and a five-pound bar. I decided to give away a one pound bar.

Since I was disappointed in the responses last week, and because I want the most for my fifteen-dollars, I’m going to extend the drawing for another week. Those who took the time to answer the questions last time, will get two entries in the drawing. Everyone else can get in the drawing by leaving a comment on this post.

What could be easier than that?

As for the answers to the contest:

After a considerable amount of discussion on a Yahoo Group Site, our blog went public with the first post on April 21, 2006, when Cindy Beck posted, What’s in a Name. We have used many graphics over the years but this was the first one made by Darvell. Then came others until we settled with the one we use today.

Of course you know the first bloggers were Heather Justesen, Connie Hall, Cindy Beck, Nichole Giles, Danyelle Ferguson, Wendy Elliot Gaynell Parker, And Karen Hoover. They were all members of Authors Incognito and got together from that group. The purpose was to use blogging as a hedge against writer’s block. Hence the name, Blogck. Darvell combined blog with block and the name stuck.

That was the quality of talent when in June of 2006, Danyelle left the blog and I answered an invitation. On June 24, I posted, Standing on the Precipice, and I’ve posted every week since.

Over the years, many bloggers have come and gone, but we’ve pretty much stuck to our stated purpose of helping writers know they aren’t alone. There are others who struggle with writing like they do. I want to thank all those writers who have moved on. Your service has provided encouragement, more than you know.

Currently, the list shows, Darvell, blogging on Tuesday, Connie, on Wednesday. Cheri, on Thursday. Gaynell, on Friday, and Karen Dupaix on Monday. Some of those writers are moving on, and we thank them for their service to all of us.

So, there you have a brief sketch. We are at a juncture with the blog and we need advice. We also wonder if we’re being helpful. Let us know, and until next week, when I announce the winner of the chocolate, good luck with your writing.

The Morning After

2011-12-09T14:42:00.001-07:00

by G.Parker

Okay - so we've survived November and are into the second week of December. Isn't that kind of like the morning after? It's kind of like the day after Christmas, when the feelings of anti-climatic sink in. (Of course for some, that happens within hours of opening presents...) All the excitement is over and now you have to go back to normal. It's one of the reasons I don't take my decorations down right away -- I want to cherish the memory and feeling as long as possible.

When you've finished a story, do you feel that way about it when you're done or do you wish you'd never set eyes on it and don't want to see it again for months? That's usually where I sit. I'm so finished with it I want to forget I ever wrote it. I've heard that actually, it's a good thing to set it aside before you start editing because that will give you a fresher look on things.

It's always better to hand it out, say, "here, read this and get back to me in a month or so." Then when they hand it back you're like, "wow, I wrote that? It's dang good!" And it will be. Trust me. ;)

Let me know what your editing routines are, I'd like to know. Have a good weekend, and see you next time!

What We're Grateful for

2011-12-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

by Cheri Chesley

It's funny how life experiences can color our perspectives. I had an inkling of a "writerly" post for today, but last night something happened that will make this more of a spiritual post. This is more about the LDS than Writers in our blog's title.

One of the things I've had to get used to since our move to OK is that our new house has two antiquated gas heaters in the bathrooms. The other day I went to my husband and asked him to please show me how to light them so that we aren't always at the mercy of him being home to bring warmth to certain areas of the house. Mind you, I've had experience with gas stoves, gas ovens--including the kind I had to light myself. I'm not a wimp; I can do this.

Sometimes I try too hard.

Last night, I went to light the heater in our bathroom because it is the only thing that warms our bedroom. Except I stuck the lighter in too far, and, without thinking, pulled it out slowly to reach the gas. The gas had only a few seconds to pool right there, but that was enough.

Suddenly, all I see is a fireball billowing right at my face. I pull back and extinguish the lighter at the same time. In my peripheral vision, I can see flames and hear my hair burning. I stamp it out with my hands. Hair burns fast, but it's easy to put out. A high school friend who smoked taught me that.

I looked in the mirror to assess two things--one, was I "OUT", and two, how bad did I burn? Heavenly Father gave me a gift, or talent, if you want to view it that way, in that I never panic in the moment of crisis. Many of us have this; I'm so grateful for maintaining my presence of mind in critical moments. We've all seen the viral videos of people absolutely taken by panic when they need to take action. We usually laugh, as is the video's intent.

There is extensive damage to my hair, of course only in the front because I was leaning over the heater while attempting to light it. I was growing out my bangs. A trip to the salon today will determine if that's still going to happen. My eyebrows are slightly singed, as are my eyelashes.

My eyelashes. Less than half an inch from my eyes. My husband stares at me a bit longer than necessary. "What?" I ask, thinking the singed and burned hair must look stupid. "I'm so glad you didn't lose your eyes," he says.

It didn't take long to feel profound gratitude to my Heavenly Father that things were not significantly worse. I don't even have a "sunburn." And we're taking a trip to the salon today, not the doctor's office. We didn't spend last night in the ER. My plans to write this December have not been put on hold.

And I do still have most of my hair.

I get a little tingly when I think of that moment, when the fireball was coming right at me. I know in that moment I was being protected. I felt it. Were there hands on my shoulders, pulling me back? I can't say for certain, but I will tell you that was the most crowded tiny bathroom I've ever been alone in.

Thank you, Father, for looking out for me when I wasn't. I really appreciate it.

And I told my husband, from now on, lighting the heaters is HIS job. ;)

NaNoWriMo in November

2011-12-07T10:44:00.004-07:00

by C. LaRene Hall

I received one of these certificates also.

For most writers the month of November is busier than usual. I started my month out by going to a writers retreat. This is the second time I’ve gone on such a retreat, but it was the first time that I went with this particular group. It was a large group, and the house was huge. I spent most of my time inside a theater room, lounging in a recliner that had a cup holder. I curled up in a blanket with my laptop and typed away. In the two full days, and two part days I wrote more than 20,000 words. I wish it had been more because that left more than half the words still to be typed.

I did finish before the end of the month, but there were a few days I wondered if I would really meet my goal. There were times that I just wanted to quit writing and do something else. Of course, those who know me know that I am not a quitter. If I say I will do something I will.

This is the third time that I have completed NaNoWriMo. There has been a year between each of those accomplishments so I think that means that I’ll sit next year out.

At the retreat I learned many things and the one I most want to share is about the sprints. Before this I kept getting emails telling me that so and so was going to sprint and that I should join them. I had no idea what they were talking about until I saw it in action. I watched several times before I got brave enough to participate.

I only did it once and couldn’t believe what I accomplished in that 20 minutes. Words flew onto my paper that I don’t think my brain had ever thought before. I ended up writing a romance scene (something I had never done before) and a gypsy scene. Since that one small experience I have expanded my story to include many things that I never would have thought about before.

How many of you writers have ever participated in NaNoWriMo before? How many of you did it this year? Will you do it again?

I know I will participate again, because it gives me another story to work on. Yes, most of the stuff I wrote will be deleted, but the story idea is still there and many of the scenes will probably not be touched. I really do write well when I am under pressure.

As a writer, I find that I really do waste a lot of time. I spend time thinking about writing instead of writing. Are you that way?

See you next week.

LDS Writer’s Blogck Content Contest, and a Quick Thought

2011-12-03T02:04:00.003-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

Good morning boys and girls, today, we are going to have a contest. Its really an open book test, with the chance to win a one-pound Hersey bar. All you have to do is post your answers to some trivia questions, and you will be entered in the drawing for the chocolate.

First question:

1. LDS Writer’s Blogck went online when?
2. Who were the first bloggers?
3. What writers group did our blog come from?
4. What was the title of the first post, and who posted it?
5. If you found out the answer to number 4, what does the name of this blog stand for?
On a personal note, I joined this blog later. For question number six, what day was my first post, and which blogger did I replace?

While you’re posting comments, please add your recommendations; should we change our format? What subjects would you like to read about?

The answers to the questions and many others can be found on the blog. Remember to post your answers in the comments section. The drawing will be held in a week and I’ll post the results here. Good luck in the drawing, and keep writing.

Now, just a quick thought.

My friend posted a fun little thing on Facebook the other day. Some of you will get a kick out of it. I found it interesting to note, however, that all of the time and labor saving devices we have today were invented by my generation. Perhaps we are to blame, but would you really want to go back to the old ways?

Roger “B” Heilman posted,

In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment."

He was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the disposable kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana . In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?

Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

Well...Novembers Gone, Decembers Here -- Wind has finally subsided

2011-12-02T17:38:00.002-07:00

by G.Parker

Well...the craziness of Nanowrimo is over, and the almost equally crazy month of December is upon us. The weather has been equally crazy, as we just went through an East Wind that decided to uproot as many trees as possible in our neighborhood. My dad has a tree on his house that smashed his hot tub, and our church lost most of it's trees and shingles off the roof. I felt like asking if it was March and not December...Hopefully if you live in Utah or California you've survived without too much damage.

I hope November was a good month for you - that you reached your goal and became an official Nano winner. I did...

I have to say, it seemed easier this year than any year previous, which is nice. Now I take a small break during December and then in January, it's editing time!! I promised my hubby that I would get some items submitted this next year, so in order for that to happen, I need to do a bunch of editing.

How do you mix your editing with your writing? Do you focus only on writing one day and editing the next? Do you do it hour by hour? I'd be interested on how you manage to keep current with writing and current with editing.

Editing is the bane of my life. I love writing new stuff...I HATE having to rework or rewrite it. Editing always takes so much time, makes my brain work harder and me crankier. sigh.

Hopefully everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and are all set for the wonderful Christmas season. Our sort of annual ward Christmas party that I was SOOO looking forward to tonight had to be cancelled due to the damage of the wind (or perhaps just the wind, who knows). I'm trying not to be depressed and look on it as a positive thing -- I didn't have to come up with a table decoration as I'd signed up for.

What do you look forward to this Christmas season? I'd like to hear. Are you going to be writing or taking a break? Remember, I want to know how you handle your editing and writing. Have a good weekend!

Did you Miss Me?

2011-12-01T06:54:00.001-07:00

by Cheri Chesley

You may have noticed, but I chose NOT to post on Thanksgiving. How many people were really trolling the internet on feasting day looking for writing advice, after all? I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We hosted, and had 19 people. It's probably good that we hosted since we have the largest house in the family (in the area). And Bryan's mom was able to come down from the rest home for a couple of hours and join the fun. Sweet lady. Bryan took the kids down to see her later that day, and she told him she didn't get a chance to see me or say hi, but that he was NOT to give me any guilt about it. Gotta love her. :)

Seeing as it's Dec 1, this post could go several places. I didn't NaNo this year, so we won't talk about who met their goals. I edited instead, which in truth was my own little marathon. Technically, I'm ready to resubmit The Tyrant King to my editor. It's taken a lot of extra time, but the story has only benefited. I really think it's the best thing I've done yet.

I may be the only one, but I find editing a tricky process. Certainly there are formulas you can follow, but only the writer can decide when the book is "ready." Some of us have issues with that. In truth, I can edit a single story for years, constantly finding new ways to improve it until I feel it's perfect, but what do I gain from that? There is something to be said for throwing that near perfect story out to the public and seeing what happens.

More growth has come for me as a writer from the process of publishing The Peasant Queen than any of the years I took editing the thing. I won't deny it's been, at times, sort of a trial by fire. People are not always kind in their reviews, and some of them have stung. But the personal growth I've experienced has resulted in a better story the second time around. It's been wonderful.

Perhaps, when I've published my 20th book, I may feel that sense of having written the "perfect" novel. :)

Keep on writing!

An Empty Newsletter

2011-11-26T03:00:00.001-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

Well, I don’t feel any happier, but I do have a new appreciation of all the blessings I’ve been given. Last week I talked about counting blessings as a way to happiness. I also said I would spend thanksgiving counting mine.

It was a wonderful activity that brought insights and peace. How many of you have been grateful for air to breathe? We had dinner at my brother’s and I spent much of that time reminiscing about my childhood. You see my brother owns a house where the barn used to be, when I was three years old and we lived down there.

The small bungalow my parents rented still exists, but it was moved and sits on blocks in a field behind the landlord’s house.

I remember playing in the water puddles that formed in the road after a rainstorm. I remember so much more, but I don’t want to bore you.

I’ve finished the book I was working on and started on another. I now have one at the publisher and two in editing. This, latest, story wants to be told, but its not anxious to give up the secrets. I’m sweating over every word, trying to get it right.

I also started our annual family newsletter this week. What a daunting task it has become. Do any of you write seasonal greetings? Our newsletter used to be easy. Our lives were full of activities, but as the economy tanked, and funds became hard to scrape up, activities have tapered off.

I get a kick out of other newsletters I read. Some of them, I’m convinced, are propaganda sheets, designed to make me feel guilty about my less than, perfect life. I marvel at how we all become spin doctors, tweeking the truth to make it sound better. This year, I’m afraid I’ll end up saying, “nothing happened last year”.

There are, however, a few pictures I can use. My wife continues to get thinner and I’ve noticed a weight loss on myself. Hey, I just thought of some things I can write. Perhaps with a little spin . . .

Good luck with your writing---see you next week.

Week 4

2011-11-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

by G.Parker

Okay - the countdown is coming to an end, and those of you who haven't gotten 30,000 words yet are probably sweating and working those fingers to the bone.

I'm not -- lol. I actually met my goal on Tuesday! But, I'm determined to finish the story, so I still have some typing to go. I'm at 54,000 words, so I could end up closer to 60,000.

Hopefully you all got rested over Thanksgiving, enjoyed wonderful food, lots of company and plenty of distractions. Now you should be all ready to hit the keys and get those word counts up and finish out the month with a bang! There are still some write-ins going on in various parts of the country, still lots of encouragement and motivation being tossed out.

Grab those pumpkin pies, a fork and head over to your keyboard, sit down and get typing! (do I sound like a drill sargent now?)

Type, 2, 3, 4 -- Type!

You can do it.!

Thanks

2011-11-19T03:00:00.002-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

Hymn number 241 in the Mormon Hymnbook, caught my eye the other day. I’ve probably sang that hymn thousands of times over the years, but I finally got the point recently, and I thought you might benefit.

The advice in, Count Your Blessings, is clear. If we are burdened with troubles there is freedom. All we need to do is, count our blessings. Name them one by one. Count our many blessings see what God hath done.

According to the song, there are myriad things God has done for us and if we honestly start counting those things, how can we feel anything but grateful? Then with gratitude in our hearts, our troubles seem to morph into manageable annoyances.

That is the promise---happiness through gratitude. Are you willing to give it a try?

In light of the impending holiday, I thought it would be a good time to try the experiment. Each year, we greet our friends with a cheerful “Happy Thanksgiving", and rush to continue our preparations of the great meal. Many people look forward to watching sports on TV. Most of us can’t wait to get reacquainted with relatives. Others wish those relatives would stay away. How many of us actually use the day for what it was intended. How many of us take time to recognize God’s part in our lives?

When I think of my childhood and teenage years, I have much to be thankful for. I realize the many times God saved me. There were times when He, alone, stood between me and impending doom. As I grew older, He helped me in subtle ways. So, I plan to take time on the holiday, tuck my tail between my legs, and give credit where credit is due. I bet I will run out of day before I run out of blessings to count. Either way, I look forward to the promise in the song.

I hope your holiday will be full of family love and good food. I also hope you will take a moment and remember He, who made it all possible.

Good Luck with your writing---see you next week.

Week 3

2011-11-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

by G.Parker

I've discovered the biggest thing you want to remember about NaNo is not to compare yourself with others. Unless that's a good way for you to be motivated, you need to remember that what is an amazing count for you is going to be nothing for someone else.

I will get to a certain level, only to notice that someone has already reached 50,000 words. My first thought is that they must not have a life! I mean, how can you possibly write that much in such a short period of time when you have people to take care of, a job to go to, and a home to maintain? It just doesn't seem humanly possible. Of course, I write more and more each year, so perhaps it's just a case of getting the mind going and the fingers moving.

Moving On

2011-11-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

by Cheri Chesley

Last week, about this time, I finished my edits on The Tyrant King. While I wait to hear back from my beta readers about what changes I should make before sending it back to my publisher, I've gotten to sit back and wait for my brain to decide which story to work on next.

It was no contest, really. I just fought it for a bit.

I feel like I SHOULD be working on the third and final installment of The Peasant Queen trilogy. I've started the draft, met my cast of characters, introduced the greatest horse (character based on a real horse) to fiction, and transcribed ALL of my handwritten work to computer.

But that's not going to happen right now.

Consequences is a contemporary YA "coming of age" (though I hate that term) about how, sometimes, we aren't the ones most affected by the consequences of our actions. Sometimes those most affected are people we love dearly, and wouldn't hurt for the world--except we did.

The timely thing here is that Chloe's story is one I originally drafted during a NaNo (National Novel Writing Month--November) a few years ago. It's the story that my brain is drawn to whenever my brain goes "dormant" from fantasy.

It's a story near and dear to my heart, drawn largely from personal experience but placed in a completely fictional situation.

It's a story about growing up.

It's a story about facing your past.

It's a story about reshaping relationships.

And it never fails to make me cry.

It's NOT a conversion story, though it deals largely with the LDS beliefs of forgiveness and love, acceptance without condoning. My character never has that moment where she feels the need to be baptized, but she does come to understand more about her father's church.

It's NOT a romance. Dealing with the mess her life has become, Chloe has no time for boys.

It's my hope to find a publisher for Consequences after the New Year. I'll keep you posted.

Typing

2011-11-12T03:00:00.001-07:00

By Keith N Fisher

Like most of those in my generation, I took a typing class in junior high. I recall sitting behind a typewriter, trying to find the “D”. We had a chart on the wall that showed the placement of all the keys, but we weren’t supposed to look at it. I had to close my eyes and try to remember.

I wondered why the letters weren’t just placed in order. You know start at the top with “A” and move down the keyboard until you find “Z”. It didn’t make any sense.

When I found out, however, why the keys were placed like they are, I nodded my head and understood. After the invention of the inline typewriter, proficiency of the users caused a problem. The type bars would often get tangled on the backstroke with the following bar. To avoid the problem of jammed keys the inventors mixed up the keyboard to slow down the typists.

Having spent hours typing on an old manual typewriter, I can understand. Even with the confusing placement, my keys often got tangled with each other. Now, after all these years, I’m vaguely familiar with the keyboard. I also use a computer that reacts to each stroke in quicker time than even my mind can function. I don’t need the “A” in the top left corner, because I’m used to having the “Q” up there.

I still wonder if an inline placement could help though, and some keyboards are laid out that way, but it’s okay. You see, when I’m composing off the top of my head, as if I were speaking, I write pretty fast. My fingers become an extension of my mind and words flow fast enough for me.

On the other hand, I’ve taken typing tests that made me feel like a ninth-grader again. I’m slower than glacial ice. Instead of typing word for word from the test sheet, I tend to read the thing, take time to comprehend it, then type what it said. Sometimes, I even have to visualize the chart to remember the keyboard placement. Well, I hate timed tests anyway.

Now, as if to add insult to injury, designers keep placing the keys closer together. Laptops are getting smaller. We have netbooks that seem to be made for a four-year old typist, or one-handed users. My big fingers feel cramped, and I tend to type the wrong letter. Editing, while writing, seems to be the wave of the future for me. Maybe I should adopt the two-thumb texting, method of writing.

Or maybe, I need to put my fingers on a diet. Perhaps, Mrs. Woodward standing over me with a stopwatch, making sure my eyes never stray to the chart on the wall. Of course in those days, the keys were almost an inch apart. If you wanted to type a letter, you had to mean it. Therefore, your finger muscles had to be strong.

Later, with electric typewriters, they eliminated the need to press hard, but the keys were sensitive. If the user held a finger down too long, the letter would appear more than once. I guess that’s still possible with computers, but the timing has been perfected to prevent accidental doubles.

Yes, writing is not for the faint of heart. If it’s any consolation, most of the classical writers we admire didn’t type. I think I’ll stick to writing from the top of my head, and try to avoid typing tests.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Week 2!

2011-11-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

by G.Parker

Well, it's week 2 and your story should be about a quarter through. You might be running into your first case of writer's block. It happens about now, when you're going along with the initial plot outline, and then -- bang -- and suddenly you're thinking "where was I going with this??"

Sigh.

Believe me, because that's where I'm at right now. I wrote 500 words this morning of pure...nothing. Ugh. At least I'm ahead of where I was last year. My count right now is 29,610 words. I'm pretty proud of myself, but it's now coming back to bite me.

So, where are you with your efforts? Are you still going strong? Have you joined a writing group and sat and written with them? I was supposed to go to one last night, but was unable to get there. I get to try another write-in on Tuesday, so I'm looking forward to being way productive then.

So - off I go to get some writing in. Good luck to all of you, and keep up the word counts!

What is a Book Bomb?

2011-11-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

by Cheri Chesley

I received an email last night asking people to participate in a Book Bomb for Rob Wells' Variant. Had to ask myself, What the heck is a Book Bomb? I mean, isn't "bomb" a bad thing?

Consider me educated. You can click HERE for better details, but, essentially, Rob wrote a fantastic book, and while it's circulating among the masses through HarperCollins he's had some personal setbacks. Like being diagnosed with a panic disorder that has cost him his job. You can check out what he has to say about that HERE.

And here's the part where we all get to help. A Book Bomb is where we pick a day to buy one book, and spread the word as much as possible to as many people as possible so they can also buy a copy of the book that day. Today is Variant's day--November 10, 2011. I've bought my copy, recommended it to friends, and am going to head up to the bookstore later (the only bookstore within 40 miles, mind you) and pick up a copy for my kids' school. That I'm using my own income from selling my books to do this should demonstrate how passionately I feel about helping Rob out.

You're not losing out, here. You actually get to spend money to help someone and get a book out of it. A great book, no less.

Here are the links to purchase Variant for your KINDLE or NOOK devices, or you can run out to your local bookstore for the hard cover. AMAZON has a great price if you want it shipped to you, but they've got less than 20 in stock so you might want to hurry. :)

Ghosts, Ghouls, Kim Karshian, and a Great Story

2011-11-05T09:00:00.004-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

It’s been a couple of years since I wrote about Halloween. It’s about time, don’t you think? By tradition each year, I sit on my front porch in a festive mood and pass out the offerings. Life is great when the holiday falls on a warm night, but I recall several stormy nights when I would’ve stood in bed if it wasn’t for our daughter’s desire for candy.

When she was younger, we made the mistake of putting her down for a nap before going out, then wondered why she didn’t seem to care. I recently watched the videos and realized she was sleep-walking at the time.

Out of self-defense against those who would steal the whole bowl of candy we left while we went around the neighborhood, I began to stay home. The porch sitting tradition started when I got tired of standing up every five minutes to answer the door. I dressed up a few times, but it scared some of the children. Now, I remain my usual scary self, and I can’t remove my mask.

One year, I tried to read one of the Harry Potter books, but there were too many interruptions. I have tried to write, with the same results. This year, I didn’t try, although I did have my laptop charging on the bistro table. I took pictures, chatted, and philosophized about the different aspects of the holiday.

Also, this year, since our daughter graduated from supervised trick or treating, my wife joined me on the porch. My mother even stopped over.

I went to work later on, that night, and watched the kids who came into the store. Some were dressed in costumes, some weren’t. I remembered some of the teenage antics I played on Halloween, and marveled at the changes in the world.

I wished my daughter could’ve grown up when I did. When neighbors were kind, and they took care of each other’s children. It was a time when we didn’t worry about the dangers kids face today. Parents didn’t need to go trick or treating, but they still worried.

While working, I passed the tabloid magazine rack and read one of the headlines about Kim Kardashian. Now, there is a scary Halloween character for you. Except she never removes the mask. The way I heard it, she staged a wedding & marriage as a publicity stunt and now, after seventy-two days, she’s in the process of filing for divorce. Talk about a circus act. Using smoke and mirrors she has proven she’d do almost anything for attention. It’s becoming hard to tell the difference between fantasy and reality these days. Reality seems to be whatever a press agent says it is.

Later, the radio played I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, by Stephen Tyler and Aerosmith. The song reminded me of a great story. I heard on television.

Back in the seventies, A model named Bebe Buell, hung out with rock stars. She became involved with Todd Rundgren, a famous lead guitarist and songwriter. After a while, she broke up with him and started hanging out with Steven Tyler of the band Aerosmith. That relationship was short lived, however, because Steven’s drug abuse scared Bebe and she went back to Todd.

Soon afterward, Bebe had a baby girl and named her Liv Rundgren. They were a family who socialized with Rock Stars and show people.

When Liv started to grow up, she noticed a resemblance between her and Steven Tyler’s daughter Mia. Now there are two different stories here, but they agree that at some point, Liv confronted Bebe about it and was told the truth. Bebe didn’t know for sure, but Steven was probably her birth father. At twelve, Liv took Steven’s stage name and became, Liv Rundgren Tyler. She has two dads and calls Todd her spiritual dad.

Later, Liv tried modeling, then acting and is very popular. She played Arwen, in Lord of the Rings among other leading roles in other movies. In 1998 she played Bruce Willis’s daughter in a movie called Armageddon. There is a poignant moment in the story when Bruce has to do the heroic thing. He tells his Daughter, Liv, by videoconference, that he won’t be coming home. Liv touches the screen with both hands as his image fades out.

In the music video that accompanied the movie, they put Steven on that screen during the last part of the song. Liv touches the screen as Steven fades out. It was touching.

Isn’t that a great story? Even though it’s an unconventional family story, its true, and unlike Kim Kardashian, Liv Tyler doesn’t display it across the media. She tells the truth and leaves it at that. It would make a great plot for a book if someone could write it without being sued. Have a great week.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

15,000 words

2011-11-04T15:08:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

Okay everyone...it's November 4th. Where do you stand on your word count?? I decided to accept Nichole Giles challenge and do the 15,000 words in three days. It was a daunting task...but I did it! I did most of my words on Tuesday, and then fleshed out the rest on Wednesday and Thursday.

So, how are you going with your word count? If you haven't accepted anyone's challenge at this point, you should have written at least about 2,000 a day, for about 8,000 words. Personally I don't write on Sundays, so I try to write more.

There are lots of groups getting together and holding 'write-in's and various locations. If you have joined in on the NaNoWriMo craziness, then you'll be able to look at regional stuff and see what's available. If you haven't, you're going to be one of the few sane people this month, so enjoy it!

Personally, it's been going so nice, it makes me worried. I know there's always a stressed feeling during this month, but if I'm already this far ahead, it sort of takes some of the stress off. But I was raised on Murphy's law, and that generally operates rather frequently in my house, so we'll see how it goes.

Tonight is supposed to be a big first winter snow storm. Fortunately I have paper and a pen, in case the power goes out, I can curl up in front of the fire and write. But I also have a family that I try to let know I'm alive during this time and if I get my writing done during the day, then I spend my evenings with them. So, I guess as soon as I'm finished writing this I need to get my fingers going on that. ;)

How do you spend NaNo? What are your favorite motivations? Let us know, and keep up the good work! You can do it!

The City of Light, chapter 1 part 3

2011-11-03T07:46:00.005-06:00

This week, I'm giving readers a peek into a story I started to develop this fall. I'm not asking for critiques--this is a bare bones first chapter preview. I plan to work on it later. You can find the first part on my AUTHOR BLOG, and the second part of the chapter on my PERSONAL BLOG.

City of Light, continued

Her mother nodded, and Genna wasted no time leaving the room. Sorai followed her to the bedroom she and Aisilyn shared. It was a spacious room with two large beds against opposing walls, and a great window on the wall between them. Genna motioned for her serving maid to put the purchases on the brightly colored blanket that covered Aisilyn’s bed.

Genna moved to the trunk at the foot of her sister’s bed and opened it. Most of her sister’s trousseau had been purchased, but they did find a few more scarves and the material that would serve as her wedding veil. Genna unwrapped these items, folded them and placed them gently on top of the wrapped wedding dress and other items in the trunk. She did not turn when she heard the door open.

“Thank you, Sorai,” Aisilyn said. “You may go now.”

Sorai bowed her head in reply and left the room.

Aisilyn crossed the room to her bed and sat down. Genna looked up at her as she closed the trunk.

“I’m going to miss all this shopping when you marry Jacob,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of fun gathering and sewing.”

Aisilyn reached out her hand; Genna grasped it without hesitation. “Nineteen days,” Aisilyn said. “Jacob and I were to be married in just nineteen days. Then I would have been safe.”

Genna sat facing her. “You will still marry Jacob in nineteen days. Nothing has changed that.”

Aisilyn’s sky blue eyes sought hers. “I love him so much, Gen. How can I leave him? I’ll die.”

“You won’t,” Genna said, surprising herself with the conviction in her tone.

“Nothing is going to come between you and your destiny.”

“What is my destiny?” Aisilyn pulled away and rose to pace the floor. “Will I become Jacob’s bride, or the demon’s? What is my path?” She stopped in front of the window. “I can’t explain it, but when I heard the demon’s voice I knew he was talking about me. I still feel it, a certainty deep in my soul. Father and Mother won’t listen. They are blinded by the fear I may be right.”

“But they are right about the demon never before being able to penetrate the barrier,” said Genna. “Maybe this is another of his empty threats.”

“Does it feel that way to you?” Aisilyn turned to look at her.

Genna watched the sunlight through the window play with the gold in her sister’s hair. She looked so much like an angel, framed by the light outside, that Genna couldn’t imagine pairing Aisilyn with a demon. In that moment, Genna vowed it would never happen. No matter what she had to do, no matter the cost, the demon would not have her sister.

“It doesn’t matter what I think,” Genna said. “I’ve known since Father brought Jacob home that you were meant for each other. Your union will be blessed by God, and will be eternal. Nothing the demon can do can stop that.”

Aisilyn sighed. “I wish I had your faith.”

Genna crossed the room and put her arm around her sister’s shoulders. “You do, but right now it’s clouded by fear. Let’s pray together, and then you can rest a bit before dinner.”

Aisilyn nodded. They went back to the side of her bed and knelt together, facing one another. Genna offered the prayer, asking for God to help soothe her sister’s worries, and also to help them know what they should do. When she finished, she kissed Aisilyn’s forehead and left the room.

Her father had sent a runner to the Council building for information. Genna smiled at the thought. He did not hesitate to use his influence with certain officials to learn what was going on, at least not when it came to matters concerning his daughter. Though he may have taken a cautious, practical approach, he still wanted to know what the Council was thinking.

“Genna, dear, will you please help me with dinner?” Her mother asked. “Where is your sister?”

“She’s resting,” said Genna. “I’d love to help. What are we having?”

“Cook has prepared a lovely cut of lamb,” said her mother. “I told her I would see to the side dishes.”

Genna smiled. “What about dessert?”

The knock at the door stopped her mother’s reply. Sorai had been in the parlor and answered it.

The Camping Trip

2011-10-29T08:06:00.003-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

Last week, I went camping and re-posted a blog talking about another trip. I’m happy to report the writer’s block I experienced then, didn’t happen this time. I woke up in the middle of the night and wrote the final scene for my work in progress.

It’s interesting to sit in a truck on an almost moonless night and write by the light of your laptop. I’m large enough that my computer sits perfectly between my chest and the steering wheel. I took off my glasses and visited with my character.

On another day, I worked on a new project and did some editing. I got so caught up that my brother knocked on the door and scared my pants off, asking if we were going hunting. I discovered my laptop makes a good flashlight in order to see who is interrupting me.

I learned a few things on the trip this year. One, is that its possible to put your underwear on backwards in the dark while trying to not wake anybody up. I also learned that it’s very cold standing behind bushes and under trees, trying to turn your underwear around.

Later, I learned my cousin has become an avid reader. He stumbled across a book by Nora Roberts while waiting for somebody, and now he reads almost everything he can find. He’s going to be a beta reader for me.

I became reacquainted with the concept of gazing into a campfire and contemplating the deeper meaning of life or the next plot turn. I drank hot chocolate and wrote well, better than I used to. I also put in some hunting time.

It was a having a good time away from real life, wish you were here, kind of weekend. Wish you could’ve been there. Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Are You Ready?

2011-10-28T18:52:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

Okay - I was a slacker last week, and I apologize. I still can't believe I totally spaced off writing my blog, but then, we have discussed the swiss cheese brain factor, haven't we?

Anyway - today I want to remind you to get ready! Actually, I'm hoping you're ready and chomping at the bit. Next Tuesday starts Nano!!

Unless you've been living in a non writing world for the past little while, you should know what NaNo is, but just in case, a brief crash course.

NaNoWriMo (which stands for National Novel Writing Month) is a month long writing frenzy where you try to get 50,000 words written between the first and thirtieth. It's not for the faint of heart, and it's not for everyone who writes. But, it's dang fun and it's crazy. My husband hates it - he threatens to send mail bombs every year. "Why did they have to pick November for Pete's sake? It's not like they couldn't have picked March or something."

You go to the site, you log in, and create your author page. Then, you write. Of course, you can't really write until the first, because everything you write before then doesn't count. And you want EVERY word to count. I would still recommend that you flesh out your plot idea before hand, that makes it easier to just write, but whatever it takes, you should do this. Because it makes the creative side in you grow, drives everyone around you crazy and will bring you more stress than you've ever known. Hm....well, just keep a large supply of chocolate around and you'll be fine. I always have a pep talk with my family ahead of time to remind them of whats happening and that they had better not expect too much interaction if I'm at the computer.

So, the blogs for the rest of the month of November are going to be about me and my fellow writer's progress. Be sure and let us know if you've signed up. We want to know how well you do!!

And the Movie Was?

2011-10-27T08:57:00.001-06:00

The other night I sat down with the hubby and watched an old film noir. Love that stuff. This was a Barbara Stanwyck—love her—flick about a woman who wakes up in the middle of the night and sees a murder out her window. The problem is, the murderer does such a great job hiding his crime that the police find no evidence. No one believes her. Rather than let the matter drop, she pursues it, determined to make sure the crime is uncovered and tied to the killer. At the same time, the killer is determined to make her the least credible witness ever. To that end, he orchestrates a sequence of events that even get her committed to a hospital for “observation.” She struggles finding someone to trust, even the detective-turned-boyfriend, Larry.

The plot wasn’t complicated, and it was a pretty straight forward flick. Not Oscar-winning or anything, but that kind of movie isn’t supposed to be. What I particularly enjoyed was the villain was a writer—a published author—which put a fun twist on it for me. Once he declared his Nazi sympathies, of course, you knew he was going to get his in the end. Movies of that era were really clear on establishing justice for the truly evil bad guy. For a second at the end, though, it looked like our heroine was going to die, too.

As you can tell, the movie kind of stuck with me. The killer was an author, but not a bestselling one. In fact, his book didn’t do well at all, something that they made a point of saying. I guess a bad author is more likely to be a killer? :)

In truth, I’m having one of those days where I doubt myself, my direction, my ability. The only way to get past it is to write, but that’s the hardest part. It’s something like knowing scripture study and prayer will help with a problem, but not feeling worthy to do it. Writers are complicated people. We feel deeply; we think deeply. We ponder perhaps more than is healthy. While this can be great when it comes to plot detail and story lines, it tends to bite back in the form of doubt in the real world.

Call it a super power. And what was that Uncle Ben said? “With great power comes great responsibility.” Thanks, Spiderman.

Re-Posting From the Archive

2011-10-22T03:00:00.004-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

I’m going camping and I won’t be here on Saturday. Also, things are hectic right now, so I decided to re-post an article from 2006. I’m not sure if this will appear on time, but if not I’ll be late. I did a little editing because I’m a better writer now. I hope you like it. I’ll see you when I come down from the mountain.

Writers Block at 9,000 Feet

By Keith Fisher

I couldn’t bring my computer. Well, I guess I could’ve but I’m one of those who didn’t know you should remove the battery from a laptop while on house current so it only lasts about 50 minutes. Because of my daily writing habit I wondered if I would go crazy without my electronic crutch.

In an attempt at appeasement, I brought a wire bound notebook. I figured I could at least, make notes of the ideas I might have. I had a priesthood lesson to plan anyway.

My brother had a different kind of hunting permit than I did, but I didn’t want him to go alone, so I went camping. As it turned out, my dad went too, but he stayed in his trailer with my brother. So, I had a lot of alone time in mine. During the day, I got to shoot the bull with my dad. We solved the problems of the world, and my brother went hunting.

Have you ever tried to concentrate on a plot while chatting with someone? I put down my notebook and talked. I didn’t get my writing done.

After we ate the Dutch oven food I cooked, and we said good night I went into the trailer and opened my notebook. Nothing happened. I tried to make notes for my lesson but I couldn’t keep my mind on it.

I realized if I had a generator, I could’ve brought my computer. At least I could Edit, or watch a DVD. What do you do when you’re camped at 9,000 feet during your writing time and nothing comes to mind? Did I mention I was alone in a camp trailer? No distractions, what a great set up. I was having the weekend that most writers can only dream about, but my mind wasn’t co-operating. What would you do? I gave up.

I finally decided to go to bed, thinking I would at least get some sleep. Well, that was the plan, anyway. I began to obsess over a dry throat and dust in the furnace. I didn't want to wake up with a cold. Perhaps a little hot chocolate, I thought.

When my hot drink was ready, I sat down and thumbed through previous notes made in my notebook. It got me thinking about the characters in a different book than the one I was working on. Suddenly, and without forethought, I was writing again. I still missed my computer screen, but the notebook was working fine.

Three cups of hot chocolate and four hours later, I decided that I’d better go to bed. I was happy when my head hit the pillow. I forgot about the dust in the furnace while I dreamed about plot lines.

I spent the rest of the weekend writing the story I never intended to work on. I learned to be flexible with my writing time. I also learned that even though it sounds crazy, characters are like children. If you pay attention to one, the other will get jealous and try to take center stage. If I listen, perhaps my writing will turn out better.

I’d forgotten the joy of quietly putting ink on paper. It was nice to reacquaint myself. Although, reading what I wrote, is another matter.

As I said, this blog was written in October of 2006. That was three laptop batteries ago. I now have a cigarette lighter cord for my computer, and I take a notebook.

There are several projects percolating in my brain in case of writer’s block. I’m also writing a cookbook, so my camp kitchen is packed and ready. I’ll see you when I get back.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Moving Forward

2011-10-20T11:32:00.000-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

Thank you to everyone who gave me input about my problem last week. It really helped. Thanks in part to the encouragement, I've been able to figure out a solid way to rewrite the story. It will take time, but I've already written a scene. That's a good step, right?

All writers experience growth and change in their writing. It's part of why you almost always hear a well known author lament how "terrible" their first novel is, even if it is published. I don't know a single person who can't give me the title or description of one awful published novel they're come across. They're out there: usually they're the ones that make us ask, "If this garbage can get published, why can't I?"

This is where finding joy in the journey comes in. Not everything we write will be awesome, but it will help us learn, if we're open to teaching.

Killing the Independents

2011-10-15T00:08:00.004-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

I watched a documentary on Public Television the other day. It was called, Paperback Dreams and it lamented the demise of two San Francisco Bay area book stores. Cody’s Books, in Berkely, California, and Kepler’s across the bay in Menlo Park.

The narrator talked about their beginnings and how they became Mecca for the free thinkers and counter-culture radicals of the sixties. Cody’s even served as a medical first-aid station in nineteen-sixty eight during a Telegraph Avenue anti war protest. The police & National Guard used tear gas and clubs to disperse the crowd. So, a group of former army medics who’d been in Vietnam, offered to help those who were injured.

Many famous people, writers and musicians cut their proverbial teeth in those stores. Joan Baez talked about the time she spent in Kepler’s and what she learned. Even the Grateful Dead, hung out there. Roy Kepler, the founder, used to complain that they always played the same song, and stole the ashtrays. Over the years, there have been many writers who read their work at Cody’s and Keplers and left a signed photograph for the wall. Those places were filled with literary tradition.

The show explored the different ways those two stores have struggled to survive. The economy will always be a problem for book sales, but the real threat started when reading fell victim to visual media. Book sales dropped, but the trade paperback, with the cheaper price, saved the business and gave those two stores their start. Then, came the threat from big box stores, like Walmart, Costco, and Target. They are still cutting into the market, but online, discount booksellers have devastated the industry. The latest attacks on independent bookstores have come from e-books and print on demand and it’s killing bookstores.

As writers, we selfishly plot and scheme. We look to our bottom line to find the best way to get our work published. We embrace the brave new world in our attempt to market our careers and sell books. After all, that is the point, right? Technology is the wave of the future, isn’t it? I wonder how many of us consider what the brave new world is doing to the independent bookstore.

We search for places to launch our books and moan the loss of independents, but forget to patronize those stores during the rest of the year. We buy each other’s books online and as e-books. Who can afford to do otherwise?

During the closing of one of the stores in the documentary, one of the customers claimed she used to come into the store three times a week. In a private response, the owner of the store wondered, if that were true, where were the sales? It’s the bottom line that closed the store.

With the routine closing of independents and now, national chains, like Borders, we are losing a way of life. The exchange of ideas and independent thought of the sixties are gone. Meeting at Borders for a cappuccino and a quiet place to write is going away, too. Did you ever walk into a small bookstore and breathe in the aroma of freshly printed books? You won’t get that at Amazon. Well, the warehouse workers might, but thumbing the pages and fingering the spine is impossible with e-books.

With the loss of independent booksellers, our world is changing.

I’ve lamented the coming of E-books and print on demand before. I certainly don’t want to harp on something that is inevitable. I just wish we could hold-on to the better parts of our society.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Friends in High Places

2011-10-14T14:57:00.000-06:00

Well, perhaps that's not the right title, but it's what came to mind. I had dinner with a couple of women last night that all have the same birth month as me. October. It's a great month to have a birthday in - I know I'm prejudice that way, but I happen to love October. Anyway - one of the women is a young mother who is trying to write and get back to writing in a consistent way. She hasn't written for 10 years, and feels like she's way behind in the curve.

She remembered talking to me and how I'm a writer and thought I might be interested to know she had just joined a writers group and thought I might like to join with her. I thanked her for thinking about me, but told her I'd been a member of a critique group for several years, and yes, it's a wonderful thing. Isn't it funny how I wrote about critique groups last week? I think it's interesting how these things seem to come circling around.

I also think it's admirable that she's realized she needs outside input to get her writing going. That is pretty smart, something it took several years for me to pick up on. So, I think she's way ahead of the curve, and her writing can only improve with effort. She said that her first meeting made her feel very behind, as everyone else's writing was wonderful and her's was awful. I doubt there was that big of a difference, but I also remember how one of the newer members of my group went home and bawled because she'd had such a hard time listening to our suggestions.

Having someone critique your baby is hard. Not only is it a part of you out for the world to see, but you want so desperately for someone to like it, to validate that you're a writer. When they say sure, but you need to fix this and that, it's like saying "yeah, we can save you but it will cost your leg and part of your arm. Can you work with that?"

I salute those who have realized that they need help and want advise. It takes guts to realize you can't do it on your own, no matter how good you. How many of you have gone out there and found that group after last week?? Roll call!!

The Best Laid Plans

2011-10-13T08:27:00.000-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

A few years ago, I wrote a story for my niece as a birthday present. I've always been happy with it, in memory, and loved the concept of the story. How fun would it be, I thought, with Halloween approaching, to release this story as an ebook since it's a fun little ghost story/mystery. So I emailed the girl who'd been working on the cover for me, and set a release date for tomorrow--October 14, 2011.

Then I realized I need to authenticate the story, set in Scotland, by doing some research into the area and culture. Not all facts will make it into the story, I reasoned, but I needed to have a clear picture in my mind in order to project a clear image on paper.

At last, I sat down to edit the story and get it ready to publish.

And realized it's terrible.

Don't get me wrong, the plot is solid. It's actually a really cool mystery set over 500 years. But the writing, what I remembered as being so good at the time, is really awful.

First of all, there's almost no showing. It's all tell, all the time. Secondly it's incredibly trite. The way the characters talk to one another is forced and unnatural. I'm embarrassed to think there was a time when I thought it was good.

I know I'm not the only person this has happened to, and I'm sure you all have stories to share. While I'm trying to figure out if this one is worth salvaging, I'd like to hear from you. I definitely could use a little boost. :)

Looking Literary

2011-10-08T02:29:00.004-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

I attended the Book Academy this week. It’s a one-day conference put on by the UVU Continuing Education Department. There were four breakout sessions, a panel of book reviewers, book signings, and Dan Wells was the keynote speaker. Breakfast was great and lunch was delicious. I’ve attended for three years now, and I’m still impressed.

Anyway, I sat in the ballroom getting ready to eat and someone joined me. We talked about writing and whether I was published yet or not. The man told me I look like an author. When I asked why, the subject of my beard and long hair came up.

Hmm. I didn’t know I was unkempt in order to look literary. I thought it was because I work at night and haven’t been able to connect with my barber. I had been self-conscious since I would be talking with Kirk Shaw from Covenant. I didn’t want to make a poor impression since I’m waiting to hear from them about one of my manuscripts. Now, whenever I look at myself in the mirror, I see Hemmingway or Vonnegut. I might have something here. Do you think I could be a famous author just by looking like Walt Whitman?

No, I write LDS fiction so, don’t think it’ll work. Maybe, it’s national market time? Maybe, it’s easier to just get my haircut and beard trimmed.

I learned some things at the conference and met some new friends. It’s surprising that more people don’t attend. Many of those I see at Storymakers would also love this one. Mark it on your calendar for next year. Jessica Day George will be the keynote speaker.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Diversity Can be Good

2011-10-07T15:43:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

My thoughts today are on critique groups. I hope you're not groaning...it's not like I ONLY talk about critique groups...I have to admit I do talk about them a lot though. The reason they came to mind this week is we got a couple of newbies to our group this past month. It always makes us nervous when new people come on board because you never know how it's going to work out. Our group is pretty comfortable with each other and what we're writing now, and it takes time to get the newbies acquainted with our little quirks and habits.

One of our newbies wasn't sure she wanted to join. She liked the group and all, but she's not a fiction writer, and most of us are. She decided to go ahead and give it a try. It will be interesting to read her stuff and try and critique for her. The other one is going to fit right in, I think, though she's thinking she's already to submit and it will be interesting to see how the group likes her work.

But it was the comments of one of the newbies that made me think about diversity. She stated that she's worried how we'll view her work because we all write fiction and it's different. I don't see that as a negative. I think the more diverse a group is, the better the viewpoints. We know we aren't all going to agree with everything everyone writes. We are fortunate to have two males in our group, and the rest of us are glad they're there -- they let us know if we're being unrealistic with regards to things male. They let us know if things are too mushy, sappy or -- heaven forbid -- romantic. Grin.

A well rounded critique group is going to give the most honest feedback on a book than anything else. Sure, you are likely writing for a target audience, but wouldn't it be nice if someone who's looking for something new to read picked up your book and liked it? Isn't that what we're kind of looking for anyway?

So in your search for the perfect critique group, remember to look at the diversity of the group. Do they all write romance? Suspense? Mystery? Non-fiction? Are they all women? Are they open minded about reading something different?

Diversity has become sort of a swear word by political parties and government watchdogs. Saying we want diversity is like saying there can't be a majority of anything. In writing groups or critique groups, that is not the same meaning. Diversity helps with open mindedness and growth in skill. I believe most writers are open to diverse thoughts and opinions. It's one of the bylaws of our critique group -- while everyone gives their opinion on your work, it doesn't mean you have to follow it -- they are only suggestions after all and it's your story.

If you haven't found a critique group yet, you really need to get on it. It will only help you get better. Faster.

Are You a Visionary?

2011-10-06T07:45:00.000-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

With the passing of Steve Jobs yesterday, many people will be looking inward today. It's human nature to reflect on your own life when confronted with the limits of mortality. He was described, among other things, as a visionary. He made great strides forward in his industry, introducing products and technology that most of us hadn't even considered.

Not every likes a visionary. They most often come across people who don't understand their methods, or thought processes, and dismiss them as insignificant. Worse, they can be persecuted for that they believe, or what they are trying to accomplish.

Mr. Jobs was lucky enough (and by lucky I mean hard-working and determined enough) to find success in his field. My field, as a writer, is considerably different. Am I a visionary writer?

I have a driving need to do things my way. That doesn't mean it's "my way or the highway" because I do listen to other people's opinions and ideas, but I adapt what works for me to fit my mold and ideals. I've stretched my comfort zone so much it's barely recognizable, and I still find myself doing things I wouldn't have dreamed of speaking up about a few years ago. The thing is, I've found my path--what I truly love--and there is no going back.

But what about all those rules about writing and publishing? you ask. One person I heard once said that you need to know the rules so that you understand what you are doing when you break them. And working within certain rules doesn't make you less of a visionary. Mr. Jobs had to work within some rules to achieve his successes. He couldn't, for instance, violate the rules of logic or physics to create.

I submit that using the rules is not the same as being bound to them. Especially with writing and publishing, since the rules are subject to change at a moment's notice.

I'll be frank. I don't really consider myself a visionary writer. I have goals, and dreams, and ideals, but I don't know if that makes me a visionary. Do I have the drive to pursue my dream no matter what? Yes. Is it my true path? Yes. Is it what I love. YES.

Are you a visionary?

Do It Yourself, Or . . .

2011-10-01T08:44:00.003-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

When I started writing, I noticed a few ads in trade magazines for what we called vanity presses. There was even one company named Vanity Press. They offered writers an opportunity to see their book in print. There was a minimum order. So, it cost a small fortune. It was, however, a way of getting your work out, even after rejection by a publishing house.

Also, there was subsidized publishing which gave an author the prestige of having a publisher at a price. You could see your book printed if you paid a percentage of the cost. Book sales with a vanity press were entirely dependent upon the author. Subsidized publishers offered some service, but the author shouldered most of the sales burden.

Many fiction authors who went those routes never quite recovered from the stigma. Some rose from it and became superstars in their own right. The difference was in the quality of writing. Most of the poorly written books still inhabit shelves in the libraries of family members and relatives. A lot, are taking up space in the writer’s garage. Some get passed around at yard sales, year after year.

Now we live in a print on demand world. E-books have invaded the market and new books are coming from everywhere. Many, first-time authors are doing it themselves. It’s cheaper and easier then ever before. Sales still depend on the author, but the stigma of vanity seems to have disappeared.

Does do it yourself sound like a win/win situation? Personally, I like the idea of having a publisher. If for nothing else, it says my work is good enough, and there are down sides to self-publishing.

In the LDS market specifically, getting a contract from a publishing house hasn’t changed much. I need to submit a clean manuscript. If there are too many problems, it won’t be accepted. The days of mediocrity, however, are gone. Writers have raised the bar. The old stereotypes have fallen. Readers are taking notice.

The beauties of being accepted by a publisher are myriad. Most important is the editor assigned to your project. In the interest of delivering the best possible product, the editor finds errors for you to fix. There is no editor in self-publishing.

Many writers slave over rewrites until they’re sure the manuscript is perfect, but they don’t have the resource of good friends in the business. Friends who could read through and catch errors before its published.

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to do blog reviews. I get to read some of those self-published books, along with those from publishing houses. Many of the self-published ones could’ve benefited from the services of an editor.

I think that many writers finish a story and hurry to publish. They’re probably sick of reading through the manuscript so, they rush to get it out there. Some times they forget about that spot they were going to fix but never did. The book goes to press. The flaws are still there. The writer gets a bad reputation, and the market suffers.

In the past, because of a mediocre product, many readers wouldn’t read LDS market books. Now, because of impatience, some of the self-published books on the market are returning us to those days.

I don’t mean to imply that all self-published books are badly written. In fact, most of them are fine. Even those who could use an editor are good. They just need a little more polish. A line and content editor would help immensely.

The lesson is clear. Slow down and make sure its perfect before you publish. Look at logistics. Don’t have your character see something that doesn’t exist in the place you have written them into. Use a good friend or hire an editor. At the very least, it gives you someone to blame for that typo on page forty three. You know the one that makes you look like a four-year old author?

I have a friend who can open a book to the middle and tell if it was self-published without looking at the cover, or reading a word. The word wrap and layout are important. Don’t get sucked into thinking it doesn’t matter, because the point is quality, right?

Keep in mind you have to sell your book. There are marketers you can hire, but it still takes work and you won’t have a publisher to help you. If, after all, you sell a few books, wouldn’t piece of mind be preferable to always remembering the mistakes you made? Don’t give your customers a reason to pass you over when its a choice between your second book or . . .

As for me, I want a publisher. I think I have a lot to offer. I think we can work well together. Did I mention I cook in Dutch ovens? Just think of the great company Christmas parties in the publishing house. Hint. Hint.

Anyway, good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Show Me State of Being

2011-09-30T16:08:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

A couple of weeks ago I was able to participate in a writing retreat. It was one night, up in a fabulous cabin away from pretty much any distraction you could have. It was great. I got loads of writing done. I remember sitting there as we were typing away on our laptops that it would be a good place to use in a story some time. It's not every day you get to enjoy the peace and quiet of a log cabin that looks more like a ski lodge. The logs were thick and the windows were large, allowing a great view of the fields and mountains. The rustic feel was kind of off set by the hat on the moose, but you still got the impression it was a home away from home. I loved the slate floor, and the large fireplaces. It reminded me of my sister's cabin in Fish Lake, which is much of the same design and decor.

As I thought about it today, I realized it was part of the whole 'tell me' or 'show me' of writing. Most writers will tell you all about something, description of a location, item or person. A real good writer will show you with words in such a way as you feel you can easily see it in your mind, you can picture it and feel like you are there. I think it's something all of us strive for.

That is something we try to encourage in my critique group. Especially one writer who is very adamant about it. He'll say "that wasn't in the book we read," meaning, despite what the author thought they were conveying, that was not what the reader picked up. It's not easy to get it down, and we usually use too many words when a few will do. The whole idea is to find descriptive words that aren't too flowery, or over blown, so to speak. You want to be real, down to earth and have the words easy to read.

I know I don't quite have it down, sometimes it's easier than others. There are some authors that are excellent, and reading their work will help yours. Who is your favorite author with description? I'd like to know.

Stretching the Creative Muscle

2011-09-29T07:46:00.001-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

A few years ago, I got it in my head to write a short story as a gift to one of my nieces. The story flowed out beautifully and I was able to get it to her just in time for her birthday.

Full of inspiration, I thought how great it would be if I could write a birthday story for each of my nieces that year. And, if I did that, wouldn't it be great to include my daughters too?

The problem is that I have ten nieces, two daughters and a stepdaughter. And, let's be honest, not all of them love to read. I wrote two stories for two nieces that year.

They're good stories, fun stories. One--geared for a 9 yr old mystery lover--was a light hearted mystery set in Paris about a girl and can crime solving duo. The other--aimed at a 15 yr old--was a darker, more gothic themed murder mystery involving a wedding, terrifying dreams and betrayal, set in Scotland.

One is around 17,000 words and the other is 9,800 words. I've been thinking they'd make great ebooks. And what better time to launch a mystery/suspense than around Halloween? Just ask my friend, ELIZABETH. :) I can't possibly compete with her in levels of awesomeness (her book is getting RAVE reviews already), but I'm still going to launch The Price of Love in the days before Halloween, when everyone is looking for a good thrill.

It's going to be fun!

The Brick Joke

2011-09-24T00:44:00.003-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

Many years ago, while driving a produce truck, I heard an obscure joke I never forgot. Subsequently, I’ve told it many times with varied results. It’s not very funny, but it’s cute. I’m not sure who wrote it, but here it goes. Be sure to read all the way through, because I’m going to make a point about writing.

Once, there was a man named George. He wanted to build a brick barbecue. He made plans, and calculated exactly how many bricks he would need. Then, he marched into the home improvement store and asked for seventy-one bricks. The clerk told him that like doughnuts, the bricks he wanted were packaged in dozens.

“But I don’t want seventy-two bricks,” George said. “What would I do with the other brick?”

The clerk responded with, “I don’t know. Perhaps you could use it as a door stop?”

George shook his head and went to the mercantile. He was told the same thing but since they were a wholesale business, he would only be able to get them by the pallet.

“How many would that be?” George asked.

“Ninety-six. The counter man said.

George did the math in his head “Then I would have twenty-four bricks left over.”

“Yeah but you would get the wholesale price.”

George decided to go to the brick plant.

“That’s correct. There are ninety six bricks on each pallet.” The yardman said. “But we discount each pallet after the first one. The more you buy the cheaper it is.”

“So I can get a really good deal if I want to build five barbecues. But that would leave me with fifteen bricks. Can’t you just break up a pallet?”

The yardman shook his head.

Finally, George relented, went back to the home improvement store, and purchased seventy-two bricks. He had a wonderful time building his barbecue and sure enough, he had one brick left over. George stood there looking around, wondering what to do with the brick. Suddenly his blood pressure shot through the roof and do you know what he did with that brick?

?????????

He tossed into the air as hard as he could.

Okay, Okay, I told you it wasn’t very funny.

On that same afternoon in the produce truck, my friend told me another joke,

Back in the days of designated smoking areas on commercial airplanes, a woman named Jenny tried to get a non-smoking ticket of a commuter flight. She was told there were no more seats in that section and if she wanted to get on the plane she would need to sit with the smokers.

“I can’t do that,” Jenny complained. I can’t stand it, besides my dog is allergic.”

“Well, if you want, we can check the dog as baggage,” the ticket agent said.

“Not Fifi. She’s like a family member.” Jenny said.

“I’m sorry ma’am. You could wait until the next flight.”

“When would that be?” Jenny asked.

“Tomorrow morning.”

Jenny paced the ticket area and finally decided on a plan. It was a short flight and perhaps she could appeal to the kindness of her seatmates. She purchased the ticket.

Boarding early, Jenny found her seat on the aisle, over the wing and sat down with Fifi in her lap. Soon, a burley businessman with an unlit cigar in his mouth, sat next to her. Jenny introduced herself and Fifi.

“My name is Dave,” he said.

Contrary to Jenny’s nature, she chatted with Dave about their reasons for being on the plane and when the plane started down the runway, she assumed his sympathies were with her.

Soon they were in the air and some of the passengers began to light up. Jenny complained to Dave about her aversion and Fifi’s allergies. Dave raised a lighter to his cigar, glanced at her, and put his cigar away.

After a while, Dave fidgeted, and reached for his cigar. Jenny sighed.

“Don’t worry. Since this plane isn’t pressurized, I can open this window. I’ll blow my smoke outside,” Dave said.

Jenny relented, knowing Dave was actually trying to work with her, but the window blew Dave’s smoke right toward her. She coughed and Dave snuffed out the cigar.

Still more time passed and Dave lit his cigar again. This time, Fifi started sneezing. When Jenny complained, Dave said, “Look. I love this cigar about as much as you love that dog. I’ll make a deal with you.” Dave pointed out the window. “I’ll toss my cigar out the window if you toss your dog.”

“Don’t be stupid,” Jenny said. “I can’t do that to Fifi.”

Dave nodded his head in self-righteousness.

Before long Fifi was gasping for breath and Jenny had an idea. “We could switch seats.”

Dave huffed and climbed over her to stand in the aisle. Jenny slid across and took a deep breath of fresh air. She put Fifi on the ledge and encouraged her to breathe. “Thank you, Dave,” Jenny turned to him and said. Seconds later, the unthinkable happened. Fifi climbed out the window.

Jenny was inconsolable. Dave reached over and dropped his cigar out the window in a symbolic gesture but Jenny didn’t care. How would she ever be able to go on without Fifi?

After a while, the plane had grown quiet except for Jenny’s sobs. All the smokers had extinguished their cigarettes and Jenny glanced out the window toward the wing. Do you know what she saw?

???????

Was the Dog sitting on the wing, smoking the cigar?

?????

Nope. With wide-eyed amazement, Jenny looked and saw the brick . . .

If I hadn’t been driving a produce truck between Salt Lake and Provo, I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed this two-part joke. I was sequestered and bored, besides, my friend told it much, better than I can. The trick is in the timing and acting oblivious to the fact the first part is stupid, while keeping their attention in the second part. Never the less, the responses when I tell it, surprise me sometimes.

Recently, in critique group we addressed the problem of a book that reads like two different stories in the same story. There is the first part, which doesn’t appear to relate the second part, and seems like an entirely different book. In the end, however, both parts come together.

A suggestion was made to publish it as a two-part story. Other than connectivity, it’s a great piece of writing, but I’m a little unsure about the two-part idea. As writers we often write sequels but if we are good writers each story will be stand alone, not dependent on the other.

In a two-part the writer is obligated to make the first part exciting enough to carry the reader into the second book. Then if the second part lets them down, the reader will never forget that. When I tell the brick joke, it causes serious doubts about my joke telling abilities.

There is also the inherent danger of adding fill to a manuscript in order get the word count up for two books.

I think it would work if the parts were equally interesting. Each part needs a complete arc that provides closure for the reader. Also the first part needs a few teasers that lead the reader into the second part, then makes the reader glad he took the time to read.

If the second part of the brick joke had been funny enough, it would’ve been worth the time it took to get there. Make all your writing worth the time to get to the end.

Please forgive my stupid joke and consider, if I had posted this blog in two parts, would you have read it all? Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Reviewing is Difficult...

2011-09-23T15:53:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

I volunteer to review books simply because I like to read and I really like free books. ;) However, agreeing to review them is the difficult part. What if you don't like the book? What if it stinks? What if it's the greatest thing since peanutbutter and it makes your own writing look bad? You'll want to throw in the towel and never write another word again.

Well...so I've got two books to read and review. I've finished one, and now at least I have more time to do the next one. Publishing is a low budget thing, ya know? So you got to work with what you've got, and if people are slow mailing the book, there's not much you can do.

The first book was nothing like I thought it would be. Unfortunately, my first thought was that the author should have been part of a critique group, they would have helped her with some small things. Otherwise, I enjoyed it and thought it was a good story.

Have you ever done a review before? Have you wondered how best to talk about it? Do you give the whole story line away? Or do you just give enough to wet the appetite and encourage the readers? What if you can't stand it?

I often wondered what the response would be if I wrote that the author should never have published... grin. Fortunately, that wasn't the case with this book, or any of the books I've reviewed. They were all worth reading, if only once.

The Indie Path

2011-09-22T08:25:00.000-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

More and more of my friends are embarking on the Indie path. For those uncertain, Indie means independently published, or self published. KAREN HOOVER recently launched the second book in her fantasy series. And my friends CHRISTINE and ALI have their books coming later this year. Mind you, this is just a sampling of the amazing books coming from my wealth of author friends. I'm so excited for each of them.

At least in my little circle, there has been a growing trend of Indie publishing. I recently wrote about my own options on my BLOG because it has been weighing heavily on my mind.

Truly, there are lots of ways to publish our works. It's great to have options, but I find myself carefully weighing the pros and cons of each option against the book in hopes of determining that particular book's best path. And while I recognize making money as a writer would be amazing, my goal is to share my stories with others. If I were writing to be rich I'd write stuff I knew would sell. Instead I'm guided by my heart, and the heart is a terrible financier. :)

For instance, I have a book that is part of a series partially published. If I get turned down by my current publisher, not many other publishers would be willing to step into a series in the middle. I'd most likely self publish that one.

However, I've recently had a story idea that I believe is strong and powerful and could have a lot of draw. I'd probably seek traditional publication for that one.

There's something to be said for the cliche "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." I like that I can traditionally publish and self publish, if it means more people have the opportunity to come across my works. I appreciate what I've learned--and continue to learn--about the writing craft. It makes a better quality book no matter which publishing direction I choose.

DREAMS

2011-09-21T11:11:00.001-06:00

by C. LaRene Hall

Most everyone has dreams – some come true and others go by the wayside. Sometimes we work to make the dream happen. I honestly believe that writers have to strive harder than most to make sure their dreams occur.

Some of us are lucky and have a special someone that spurs us on to success. I lost my special someone earlier this year, and it’s taken a while to get past that and get on with life without that encouragement. He always remembered the day I was supposed to post my blog, and I’ve missed him asking me if I remembered to post that day. He wasn’t a reader, but he constantly supported my writing and encouraged me to attend writing conferences.

Remembering this makes me want to do better. He would be disappointed if he knew I’ve been so neglectful. Last week I finally had a breakthrough and for the first time in six months, I actually sat and wrote for hours. I’m finally going to finish the books I’ve began.

Next week when I post I’m going to tell you about the great writer’s workshop (Roundup) I attended last weekend. My computer at home crashed and I’m not able to pull up my notes this week, but next week things should be back to normal.

Reflection

2011-09-17T02:17:00.003-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

I went to the doctor the other day. No big deal you might say, but believe it or not, I haven’t seen a doctor in thirteen years. Before that, it was probably twelve. Not that I have anything against them, I just have other things to spend money on.

Hearing the diagnosis, with more test results to follow, made me reflect on what I’ve done with my life. Things have changed a lot since the picture at the right was taken. That’s me on the left, being manhandled into the picture by my brother.

I spent my childhood in an almost Norman Rockwell type of existence. My friends and I could pack a lunch in the morning, be gone all day and never run into another house. There were farms and ranches where we lived and if we went far enough, there was Utah Lake.

We were free to let our imaginations run wild and we did. There were sand dunes, and orchards. There were abandoned houses we believed were haunted. Yes I had a great childhood.

As a teenager in the late sixties and seventies, life became complicated. Turbulent times called for difficult choices. Many of us were confused. We didn’t want to die in Southeast Asia, but we learned patriotism in the Boy Scouts. We built rope bridges and pole towers, went camping and let our hair grow. I barely missed having to register for the draft, but I have friends and relatives who served.

Later, after high school, I worked in the construction trades and wasted a lot of time without any direction. Then, through a series of events I found God. I returned to my roots and went on a mission at twenty-six years old.

I married my high school sweetheart after, and went about making a living. I worked on the degree I’d started before, but Architecture had lost its charm. Life has a way of making you change your plans.

I’ve made a living in several different occupations, grabbing experience along the way. Now, I use that experience plotting stories. I expect to live another fifty years, putting my adventures to good use.

Thanks for letting me ramble. Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

The New Idea

2011-09-15T06:55:00.000-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

Imagine you have cultivated a brand new story idea into a full-fledged novel synopsis. We authors love that feeling; something fresh and new to build and develop. Ah, the bliss. There's nothing quite like writing the story for the first time.

I'm there right now. I have a new idea that, in the idea phase, I'm calling The City of Light. It's a terrible title, really, but that's part of the growth and development of the idea. The real title will come later. You can read about the story HERE on my author blog.

After the story is developed and that first draft written, we delve into rewrites and edits. I'm also there. 40 out of 271 pages done, few changes made so far, but there will be bigger changes that will alter my editing time. Soon, though, perhaps next month, The Tyrant King will finally **actually** be ready for my editor. I made a mistake with the previous draft and sent it to people I know love the story, without considering how brutal they may or may not be to the plot. They weren't, and, in my haste, I sent it off to the editor only to get it back with some kind suggestions that it just wasn't ready yet. She was right, of course. I've since developed a more complicated subplot, added clues to solve the mysteries within the story, and caught some glaring holes in the story arc that needed attention.

Each phase of idea-to-novel development is important. Granted, I'm not a fan of the editing phase, but I think that's because it takes so long. I've never been a patient person. Maybe this is Heavenly Father's way of developing that particular trait in me. :)

So, what's your newest idea? I've shared mine. Please share yours with me.

BOOK REVIEW

2011-09-10T21:14:00.003-06:00

Wow, I’ve been absent for a long time. Sorry – I’ll try to do better in the future.

Tristi Pinkston asked me to do a book review today for a book, “All That Was Promised” by Vickie Hall. Many of you know I love historical fiction novels. This book was no exception. I do have to tell everyone that I had a hard time putting the book down. There was lots of action, and suspense, and even love stories. The story was well told and I’m anxious to read other books by Vickie Hall.

The story starts out with Richard Kenyon, a young Methodist minister listening to a Mormon missionary, Ben Lachlan. Ben shares his unusual message with Richard which leaves him questioning his life work. Richard’s wife Leah is not so anxious to have her life turned upside down.

I have visited Cardiff before and was excited to see those pictures in my mind brought back to life. The descriptions of the locality were so familiar. Vickie also was able to bring each of her characters to life. I felt like many of them could have been my friends.

I was amazed at the many violent persecution stories that Vicki shared in this story. The saints in Wales certainly suffered a lot for their new found religion. The story certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. The many twists and turns in every chapter kept me wanting to turn pages. I was actually disappointed when the story was finished because I wanted more.

If you enjoy historical fiction, I would certainly encourage you to read this book. I am displaying the purchase link. http://www.amazon.com/All-That-Promised-Vickie-Hall/dp/1599554798/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315243013&sr=8-1

Good People

2011-09-10T00:08:00.003-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

Along with James Dashner writing an article in the current issue of Writer’s Digest, I crossed a threshold. He was one of the published authors I met at the first writer’s conference I attended. I feel vested in his success because I knew him before the Thirteenth Reality.

While on a family campout, I impressed one of my relatives with the fact I’d met Brandon Sanderson. Of course meeting him was a big deal, but he’s just a normal guy who happens to write popular fiction.

Everyone in my critique group is published. So, when someone talks about one of those authors and the books they’ve written, It’s fun for me to remember their books coming to critique group. I don’t try to impress anyone, however, most people don’t really believe I know those authors anyway.

Have you ever heard the statement, it’s not what you know, but who you know? I have a friend who went to a very popular national conference. The event is geared toward fans, but authors, publishers, and agents have a place, too. My friend met some powerful people in the business who are now helping with her career.

It’s a good feeling to attend a writer’s event and be recognized by famous people. To have them call me by name and ask about my work is precious. In a business with so much inherent competition, that seems strange, but the industry is full of nice people. Perhaps, the pay it forward or the give back theories are partly responsible. I think, however, it’s a personality trait. Whatever inspires people to write also makes them kind.

Yes there have been exceptions, but you will find them in every rule.

As I look back on my experiences with writers, I’m humbled by the acts of selflessness. I’ve seen anonymous helping hands extended toward struggling writers. I’ve seen people taken under wings and careers built on an introduction. I’m blessed to know so many nice people and I hope to measure up.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Vehicles

2011-09-09T15:16:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

As I was watching a DVD the other night, it occurred to me that writers have a variety of vehicles with which to express themselves.

I know that's not a new thought, and one that you are probably fully aware of, but I think it's interesting. You see, we have print, video, music, whatever the human condition, we have a chance to voice our opinion. To champion a cause. To debate the validity of a thought or action. Where we have voice, we have vehicle, and some writers dive in with both feet.

It was part of the reason I started a blog. A blog is something I can control, can put my own voice to and gets me out into the world. I feel that even though it's not a popular blog or read by millions, it's still my chance to have my voice heard.

While this is a good thing, sometimes it drives me crazy when I'm subjected to someone else's passion. Take the movie we'd watched, Wall-e. On the surface it is a cute, romantic, sweet story of two robots from totally different worlds coming together. But under that story is the whole bit about a large corporation taking over the planet, global warming and garbage out of control. Over hundreds of years. It bugs me EVERY time. I think, right, that stuff would all still be here then?? Not a chance, the jungle would have taken over a long, long time ago, my friend, despite what you'd like the common person to believe. Or kids, for that matter, since the movie was made for children viewing.

See, that's where the vehicle begins other things, like debates and opinions and editorials...you get the idea. It's what fuels the economy, or the magazine, newspaper or radio business. Opinions, passions, and differences of opinion are what keep us communicating and finding the vehicle we want to express ourselves.

Which vehicle is your favorite way to express yourself?

2011-09-08T07:16:00.002-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

By the time you read this, I will have moved already. :) It's also my birthday (last week, the 1st). lol.

(Image courtesy of happynews.com)

Looking back, in my life I've lived in 3 states, 7 cities and 7 wards. In 15 yrs of marriage, we've moved 8 times. This month makes number 9. sigh.

You'd think I'd have developed a system by now to make packing and moving easier. I haven't. We're collecting boxes and accepting help wherever we can, and I still feel overwhelmed by it all.

I seriously hate moving.

But, packing to move is a lot like the process of editing out certain scenes, dialogue or segments of our stories. As I sit there with a box and a pile of things to put in it, I go through that pile and get rid of everything that isn't necessary.

And, if it really is difficult, I ask myself if we had a fire and I lost everything, would I miss this? I know that sounds dramatic, but I have to ask myself similar questions about things I cut from my stories.

It's not secret, when I published The Peasant Queen, my publisher asked me to cut my 440 page manuscript down to less than 300 pages. At times, I had to be brutal. It was not easy. In some cases, it was downright painful. I saved everything I cut, certain I'd revisit the segments and maybe add them back in later in the series.

I've never looked at that file since.

Similarly, there are items I've left behind in our many moves and never missed them.

I still hate packing. ;)

There's a point where you have to ask yourself if this thing you want to keep is absolutely essential. When we downsized from our 6 bedroom house across town to this little apartment, I asked myself that question a lot. Now, facing a cross-country move, I'm asking myself again. What is so important I have to take it 1200 miles? Obviously, my DI furniture can stay. It'd be easier and cheaper to replace it when we get there than to pay for the bigger truck to haul it all out there.

Editing is so like that. What do you want to carry? What is absolutely essential to the story, that the reader cannot do without? What can be replaced--written in a better, more concise way later?

When it comes to stuff, there are many things I'll gleefully throw away. Writing is much harder.

Blog Book TOUR: UPGRADER

2011-09-07T14:13:00.015-06:00

By Darvell Hunt

If you've ever wished your DNA would change to give you superpowers to fight inter-dimensional monsters, so you could prevent the Earth from getting destroyed, then UPGRADER: RE-ENGINEERED by Terry Tibke is the right book for you!

While this book seems to be targeting the YA market with characters in high school, the writing, artwork, and book-length seem to target the middle-grade audience. In any case, younger readers who like fantastical stories in fast-paced out-of-this-world settings should enjoy reading about hero Dylan and his DNA-changing adventures. See what he does about an inter-dimensional rift that has opened to Earth, which could unleash untold evils upon our world!

You can grab a copy of Terry's new book on Amazon in paperback or Kindle version, or you check out his blog at: http://www.terrytibke.com/blog/.

Writing is an Enigma—Writing is Life’s Blood

2011-09-03T02:25:00.002-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

Each day I work, sleep, and write a little. Some days, I write a lot, but not without paying a toll. I work at night so when I sleep, I feel guilty about being lazy. There is so much daylight out there that I’m wasting. I wake after two hours, force myself to go back to sleep, and never get enough.

When I write, I think of all the yard work, home repairs, and honey-do’s I’m neglecting. It feels great when I’m in the zone and writing, but what about my lawn?

Currently, The Hillside is at the publisher, waiting for a decision. The sequel is written and I’m going through the edits. Eternal Tapestries, My Brother’s Keeper, and The Trophy are all in the do-over stage. I’m writing the last chapters of Star Crossed, and I’m working on my cookbook.

The Latter has been a daunting task for me. Cooking is easy and I have dozen’s of recipes, both written, and in my head. The problem is formatting. As the director of many cooking competitions I’m no stranger to compiling recipe books, but a cookbook should be different. It’s hard, but I’m making progress.

In the midst of all of this, I wrote an outline for a national market book that’s been floating in my head. I wish I could write full time, but then again . . .

Have you seen the movie, 2012? In it there’s a scene when a man, (an author), takes his children camping in Yellowstone and there are strange things going on. The scene starts when its night, the children are going to bed and he’s on the Internet trying to figure it out. The daughter says, “Dad, you said you wouldn’t work on your book.”

He puts his laptop aside and says, “I’m not, I’m doing something else.”

That says it all. As writers we take our work with us, everywhere. My daughter said something similar to me once. She didn’t want to compete for my time while camping. So, now, I hide my laptop and get up at three a.m. so I can write and still give my time to her. Of course, now, she’s a teenager and doesn’t get out of bed before noon, so maybe I should sleep in.

Yes, as the title of this post says, writing can be a mysterious. What drives a person to finish one book while writing and drafting others? What keeps us going in the face of rejection? I don’t know but after all this time, I can’t not, write. It has become a part of who I am. Writing is life’s blood if you will.

So, I wake up after two hours of sleep, write the scene I’ve been thinking about, and try catch brief moments of slumber while feeling guilty about letting my garden go to weeds.
Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Hummingbirds and other Rambles

2011-09-02T15:41:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

Okay - I had several ideas for this blog, but none of them got put into an organized thought pattern. I've been reading some of my older blogs and I think I used to be a lot funnier. I don't know, but I think the swiss cheese factor has lessened the humor ability in my brain. You remember how I mentioned I have swiss cheese for a brain? Lot's of holes up there...

Anyway, I was glancing through Facebook the other day and my sister-in-law had posted "Hummingbirds can't walk." I thought that was rather random. Okay, so they can't walk. I guess they don't need to, they can fly faster than anything else can walk, and when they aren't flying, they're sitting on the feeders, eating. We are the proud owners of two Humingbird feeders, and it is the funnest thing to watch them come eat. Sometimes they remain flying, sometimes they stop and drink. They're legs are awfully tiny, but I would think they could still walk...We have one that comes rather regularly and we've named him White Tail. My sister was telling me that they were telling them to take down their hummingbird feeder at their cabin in Fish Lake. What? Apparently they were claiming it was a detriment to the ecology or something like that. They also said they probably wouldn't be enforcing it...sigh. Yet another illogical move on the part of government.

So, besides Hummingbirds, my other thought was regarding disappointment. We've talked about voice several times on this blog, and how readers come to expect a certain voice from a writer. I checked out a book the other day because of a blog I've read that I thought would be entertaining. Instead it comes across to me as rather self serving and self centered. Hmmm. I guess blogs are different than books. (You think?) The way you write in a blog is not going to come across the same way as something written in a book. Fortunately (I guess) for the writer of this book, it sold enough that apparently everyone else thought it was great, so it's not an issue for them. However, I'm probably not going to finish it. I have limited reading time as it is, why waste it on something that is disappointing?

Well, such is my rambling thoughts for the day. Hope you have a great weekend and get lots of writing done on your day off!

Getting the Story Straight

2011-08-27T01:59:00.004-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

I’m sixty-five thousand words into one of my stories and I just found out my protagonist collects crystal bells. No big deal except in one scene, she drops her purse on the floor and breaks a bell her daughter in law gave to her. I had to rewrite the first parts and establish the fact that she is a collector, hence the reason for the gift.

Don’t you just love it when you have to go back and get the story straight? In fiction, adding facts in the middle of the story can be confusing. In Non-fiction, being wrong can cost your credibility.

Lately, I’ve been reading a non-fiction book that deals with Utah history and I’m a little put out by some of the author’s interpretations. I’ve read many of the first hand accounts and I’m finding discrepancies.

It makes me wonder how many inaccurate facts have been written into the record. I’m sure you’ve heard that history is often written by the victorious. If that’s true, then can we trust it?

Thinking forward makes me wonder about fifty years from now. How will today’s news be reported in the history books? I sometimes doubt it will be accurate since I often hear reporters twist facts to make the evening news entertaining. Because of that guidepost I have to ask, is it okay to sacrifice correctness to make a book interesting?

Have you ever been in a room full of family members and listened to a story that is different from the way you remember it? Just because someone was there doesn’t mean they haven’t embellished the facts. The standard who, what, when, and where gets cut from the narrative.

My mother loves to talk about when her kids were young. I cringe when she talks about me because she often gets the story wrong. When I try to correct the facts my brother asks, what does it matter? Just let her tell her story. Would it matter to you?

In the book I’m reading, the author writes about the supposed Hiram Beebe connection to the Sundance Kid. He tells the story as if it were fact. Now, many of us believe Sundance was living in Fountain Green, Utah and went to Mount Pleasant for a drink in the bar. He killed a deputy who was trying to prevent him from driving drunk and died in the Utah State Prison.

The problem with telling that story is that it was never proven. If I forget to go back and establish my character as a collector, it will confuse my readers. If an author includes the Hiram Beebe speculation in non-fiction, a footnote is imperative. Getting the story straight is essential. Also, if there are several versions of a story the author needs to say that.

Often, non-fiction becomes a source of reference that textbooks are derived from. If the source is flawed, then so are the facts. People tend to believe everything in print.

I used to shake my head during church meetings when people stood at the pulpit and quoted from The Work and The Glory, by Gerald N Lund. Some of those people believed it was all historical fact, even though the author took great pains to separate the fact from the fiction. Some people actually believed the Steeds were a real family who lived during those times.

That’s a great testament to the author’s character building ability, but it also emphasizes the need to be accurate in non-fiction.

Whether we write fiction or non-fiction, because readers want to believe, authors often become an authority on a subject simply because they wrote about it in their fiction. The News commentator, Paul Harvey used to talk about the time he was called upon to report about something that happened in England simply because he’d just returned from there. Later, he claimed his information was gleaned from an AP Teletype, but he was the authority. Can you imagine what would’ve happened if the AP reporter had given the wrong information?

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Off the Cuff

2011-08-26T14:31:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

Many times we end up doing things spur of the moment. Whether it's having to stand in for someone teaching a lesson at the last minute, hurrying to feed hungry kids when working a long day or procrastinating a deadline, I'm sure you've all experienced it.

Well, that's me today. I neglected my blog this week in favor, or rather, as a result of going back to work. Schools back in, that means so am I. Sigh. I've given it some thought, but I never came up with anything solid. So, you get my thoughts as they come, regardless as to the writing world, or rather, because of it.

At my critique group Wednesday, a comment was made about one of the writer's work. It was said that the writing had improved, the story was great, but it seemed too professional, too...worked. I thought that was an interesting thought, and apparently it has come up in my brain as a thought for today. Isn't that handy?

When rewriting or reworking our stories, that's usually not something that you'd think about. Going over something too much is not generally a problem. (At least not mine, since I rarely have that amount of time!) When you are doing the editing and revising of your work, think about the tone, the voice and the plot. Is what you're doing going to strengthen? Is it going to benefit the general plot? Or is it something that is fine on it's own or just needs to be removed? Honestly, sometimes things just need to be taken out and dumped, even though we love them and they are perhaps our favorite scene.

So, my short thought for this Friday is to consider your writing and the editing/rewriting process. You don't want to over do, and yet you do want to get it into tip-top shape for that perfect agent that's going to want to sell it to the world. Just sayin'.

Bad Hair Lessons

2011-08-25T07:10:00.001-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

(this is not a recent picture--her hair is much longer now)
A few weeks ago, I spent over $30 on hair repair items for my daughter. She spent an extra couple of weeks in OK with her Papa, and swam almost every day--and ran out of conditioner and didn't tell him she needed more. So she spent most of that time without conditioning her hair.

It came back the texture of straw. Seriously.

Because she's been working so hard to grow her hair out, I opted for helping her fix her hair rather than going and getting it cut short. Although, you have to admit, she looks pretty darn good in an A-line. See?

As I spend day after day obsessing over when to give her the next conditioning treatment, having her wash and condition her hair with products I don't usually buy for myself, I'm reminded of the editing process. I know--I'm such a WRITER! lol

See, many of us--and I'm one of them--want to go through our manuscript 2 or 3 times before pronouncing it perfect! Done! As good as we can make it! But, like these conditioning treatments my daughter and I are doing, it can take a dozen or more work-throughs before we're really done with a project.

I'm slowly learning this. I submitted my sequel to Cedar Fort, happy that it was as good as I can make it, until I heard back from them with suggestions that I make some changes and resubmit before they'll consider offering me a contract. See, they knew it wasn't up to par. And, looking back, I know it too--now. :) After letting the project sit for a month, I realized many holes I'd missed and lots of ways to make the story deeper, more compelling and overall more interesting. I'd gotten the bare bones of the story down, but I needed to embellish.

That has to wait until the summer is over. And, now, after we move.

I want to be a better writer than I am. This will take patience. Like my daughter's hair will also take patience, time and effort to get it back to a semblance of normal. I'm still learning; I'll probably always be learning. But that isn't really a bad thing.

Fame!

2011-08-20T18:48:00.003-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

I'm late! I had to write this in a hurry. Please excuse my writng mistakes.

Last week, I was at the August Authorama and what a good day it was. I think they sold dozens of books. Of course, I made dump cobblers in Dutch ovens. We got a few compliments, but I was more gratified to see my cousin drive up with my aunt in tow. They’d seen the flyer and came to purchase my book. I had to tell them told them I was just the cook at that event, then I steered them to the books of my friends.

Understandably, the experience made me wish I was launching my own book and I reflected on my journey. I started writing several years ago, without much success. I got serious about it in 2005 and I’ve been learning the craft ever since.

Early on, without really knowing why, I supported others in their quest, while following my own. I’ve been pleased to see many of my friends, find publishing success.

The other day, while attending a church meeting, one of our friends handed us a flyer announcing a book signing for her daughter’s book. It was a children’s book telling the story her grandfather told for many years.

Of course, I admit a little jealousy. I want to see my own work in print. But then I remembered the lyrics to the theme song for both a movie and TV show:

I'm gonna live forever. I'm gonna learn how to fly.
High!
I feel it coming together. People will see me and cry.
Fame!
I'm gonna make it to heaven—Light up the sky like a flame
Fame!
I'm gonna live forever. Baby remember my name.

I realized that everyone deserves the attention of their peers. In one way, or another, people crave it. Poets have written about it. Even mass murderers seek it. Mass murderers you ask?

Have you noticed that almost every time there is an incident like the Columbine High School massacre, the perpetrators leave notes talking about their feelings of anonymity? In their mind they’ve worked out a scenario that will make them famous. People will remember their name forever.

In large part they are right. Who can forget the name, Ted Bundy? It’s tragic to see any of God’s children come to that point.

Do you remember show and tell? Once a week while in grammar school we were encouraged to bring an item of interest and tell the class why it was cool. The activity taught many valuable lessons about public speaking and participation, but it gave us far greater rewards. You see, each of us were given or moment to be famous.

I mentioned above, that I didn’t really know why seeing my friends succeed was gratifying for me. I’ve written about it before, but I realized a few years ago, that one of the reasons I was given a desire to write was for others. Not just the people who will read my books, but those I network with. Perhaps my calling in life is to help others get their moment.

Back in 2000, I had my moment. My wife and I were competing in the Worlds Championship Dutch oven cook off. A local TV personality wanted to interview a few of us, and I was one of them. I was on television showing my cooking talents and I was famous for fifteen minutes. It was show and tell all over again.

In 2005, we finally took first place in that cook off. We were world champions, and were interviewed again. I talked about how lucky we had been. In fact, it came at a very hard time in my life. I needed the uplift in my self- esteem, so perhaps it was a blessing.

I can’t begin to explain how much I want that for others. Unfortunately, in our society, most people have to do something special, like write a book in order to be recognized. We can’t show up for show and tell, and not bring something to show.

Wouldn’t it be better if we all tried to help others feel special? Who cares if they never do anything noteworthy? Who cares if they’re too shy for show and tell? The news stories indicate mankind is feeling lost and alone. Perhaps she can do something about it.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you I’m perfect. Like everyone else, I get caught up in my own troubles, but I have noticed a difference if I put them aside and help another.

Keep up the good work. Don’t quit—keep writing and be best you can be. I promise I will cheer for you. Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

The World is Shrinking

2011-08-19T07:15:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

I've decided that the world is getting smaller and smaller every day. My reasoning? We are able to reach more and more people, hear about incidents that happen totally on the other side of us and my fellow blogger's son just got called to be in my son's mission. How's that for shrinkage?

I think writing has taken a whole different turn as well. No longer are writers delegated to the back rooms of some musty old newspaper office, or dark cubicle with no surety that anyone is reading their words. Most often, the world see's what is written and it usually has far reaching consequences.

It's amazing how the world has changed from when I was a teenager. I look at it now, and just shake my head. It's mind boggling.

Fortunately, there is always the written word. Whether it is in the form of electronics, or on the paper page, it still has the capacity to garner interest and give information and knowledge to the masses. Have you ever pondered the beginning of the written word? How it came through the efforts of many brave souls to get the written word onto a form that many could read and not just the privileged few.

I feel that today's world of readers are a far different breed than when we were young. Classics in my day were the Mark Twain books, the Anne of Greene Gables, Gone with the Wind, etc. Now they are naming books that were coming into print when I was a teenager. Movies that came out when I got married are being remade! It's enough to drive me crazy. I mean sure, they say the classics are still the classics...but there are new ones now.

Since what we read affects how we write, it's a good thing to keep up on the latest books and to keep the classics on the bedside table. There was a contest in the blogworld about what the authors had on their nightstands to read. I'm afraid I don't have books on my nightstand. I have a pile that I try to get through during the summer when I have some spare time, but when I'm working, reading is a pure luxury that I rarely get to enjoy. The only real reading I get done is scripture reading. Another part of my world that's shrinking...the books I get to read.

Well, I hope you have a large world to choose from. I would hope that your imagination is growing by leaps and bounds and the worlds flowing from your pen or fingers is boundless. Perhaps that is the real undiscovered country...the human imagination.

Have a good weekend and see you next week!

The Definition of Insanity

2011-08-18T07:28:00.000-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

We've all heard it: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Welcome to my world.

Every week, I think to myself I will be better. I'm going to put all my blog posts for the week together Sunday afternoon, send them out to the necessary people, and schedule them to post on time for each of my blogs. I've succeeded in this maybe twice.

Sundays are great for this. We have early church, I'm not a napper, I feel much closer to the spirit after Sunday meetings, and I don't pack boxes or write stories on Sunday. Yet, home alone with the kids, this is harder than it sounds.

This week has been particularly hectic, given that we are MOVING in, oh, 11 days. Ugh. And MONDAY my 10 yr old got hit in the forehead with a golf club and needed 4 stitches. Tuesday we went to the dentist and got--less than stellar news. Wednesday, I went back to the dentist and, after 2 appts this coming Monday, should be in the clear. For the record, it still hurts to chew, and I don't even want to think about how I'm going to feel this time next week. Having my wisdom teeth out. Yay, me.

You might wonder why we scheduled all of this right before a cross country move. Well, the head injury was decidedly unscheduled. The dental appts should have been done last June or July, but I forgot to schedule them. And, until my husband's transfer goes through, the kids and I will be on emergency treatment only insurance coverage in OK. So, we might as well get these things over and done with now.

In all of this craziness, no, I have not been writing. I have been plotting furiously and looking forward to settling in our new home and writing again, but--at the moment--I can't see writing in my immediate future. Except for blog posts, of course.

This Sunday, because of how miserable I will be next week, I WILL write up all my posts early. I have to, or you aren't going to hear from me next week. :)

Happy reading/writing!

Research

2011-08-13T06:15:00.005-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

I didn’t get any comments on last week’s blog. Therefore, I get to keep the chocolate bar.

Did you ever notice how much writing fiction teaches you? I’m not talking about the craft of writing, but facts and information about many different things. For example, I wrote a story about a girl who gets shot in New York’s, Washington Square. I spent hours on the Internet and reading books, just to get a feel for the setting.

Shortly after I wrote my story, I watched the movie, August Rush. As you probably know, much of that movie was set in Washington Square. With out knowing that, I watched with a sense of familiarity. When they showed the arch, I knew I had been there before. Writing about it is as good as being there.

I suppose my character could’ve gotten shot in Temple Square in Salt Lake, but she demanded the New York setting.

In another story, I researched a Subdural Hematoma because my character had bone shards in her brain after getting beat up and almost killed. The doctors missed it in the initial x-rays, and it eventually put her in convulsions.

In another story, a character was traveling with a wagon train full of freight. He is part of an altercation set in City of Rocks, Idaho. To write the scene, I needed a sense of place. Also, since the story is set in nineteenth century, I needed a historical background. I can’t count the times I have gone to Google Earth to make sure about a location.

Recently, a character couldn’t find anything to wear to dinner. She wanted to make a special impression so she went shopping. Of course she dragged me along with her. I went to the catalogues and sale circulars to find the perfect outfit, and laughed that writing had taught me how to shop for women’s clothes.

Once, I sat in a class taught by Robison Wells. Among other books, he wrote The Counterfeit and took us on a journey through the catacombs of Paris. As part of the class, he showed us his research. Between Google maps and many Internet sites, he learned enough to write the book.

As writers, we are all students of one thing or another. The threat of our readers finding a flaw looms over our heads and forces us to be accurate. Yes it is fiction, but if you write about a certain place, like Washington Square, readers will stop reading if you get something wrong.

This summer, I had the pleasure of attending a picnic with some fellow writers from AI. Afterward, Lt. Gary Giles from the Orem City, Utah police department, taught us about weapons. He gave us hands on training in shooting, and talked about some of the things every writer should know. For example, Gary pointed out that if your character is firing an automatic pistol, the scene will be littered with shell casings. As opposed to a revolver, which doesn’t eject the shells.

Having grown up around guns, I enjoyed the training from a police officer’s point of view, but many of my peers had never been around a weapons fire. They were able to feel and shoot many different guns and learned a lot. Thanks Gary, for taking the time, and Thanks Nichole, for setting it up.

As a writer, I owe it to my readers to be accurate in my descriptions. Some things just can’t be described without a working knowledge of the place or the experience. Take the time task to a professional. Use the Internet, and learn all you can.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Rejection Contests

2011-08-12T16:55:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

I was reading articles online the other day and spotted one about the author of the book that was recently made into a movie called The Help. It was an article that stated how she'd gone through 60 rejections before finally getting someone who wanted her book. 60 rejections and 5 years. That's a LOT.

I've also heard stories about John Gresham and how he was rejected several times before he was accepted. I decided to look it up. You see, in Authors Incognito, we kind of have a rejection club. Whoever gets the most rejections for the year wins. It's kind of a way to encourage getting your work out there and also help not get depressed. I thought I'd see who else would be in that club. The list is amazing.

According to a site I found, several known authors had issues getting published. Did you know Zane Gray self published his first book? I'm thinking that's crazy! He was one of my dad's favorite writers, and has several of his books on his shelves. And that was at a time when self publishing was just not done...getting it into the stores must have been an adventure.

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen had over 130 rejections for their first Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I think they win the contest, don't you?

James Patterson was rejected more than a dozen times before he was finally published. John Gresham's number was 16, and then the agent who decided to represent him also dumped him later. Judy Bloom was rejected for two years before finally finding someone to publish her. Apparently she can't look at the Highlights Magazine without wincing.

One of my favorite writers, Madeline L'Engle was rejected 26 times for a Wrinkle in Time before it was published and won the Newberry Medal. That should be encouraging! Frank Herbert's Dune was rejected 20 times, and even Margaret Mitchel had Gone With the Wind rejected 38 times. Of course we've all heard about J.K.Rowling and the Harry Potter series...it was rejected 12 times before someone picked it up.

So, my fellow writers, where do you stand with this crowd? Have you send in your manuscripts and received your rejection letters? Are you collecting them and keeping track? I remember one writer told us at the LDStorymaker's conference that she'd taped her letters together and made a large scroll out of them. I admit, I haven't received enough to do that, I just have a small file so far. Of course, I don't recommend mentioning this to your husband if he thinks you haven't been submitting (like mine...) because he'll just look at you with a raised eyebrow and repeat your statement with a tone of voice that indicates you could be published before that number...sigh.

Anyway, I'd be interested to know where you are in the rejection contest, let us know.

The Smurfs and Writing

2011-08-11T11:05:00.000-06:00

By Cheri Chesley

Don't worry, by the time I'm done this will make sense. I hope.

There has been a lot of talk about Smurfs in my house lately, what with the release of the new movie. Turns out my husband hated the Smurfs; I watched them as a kid. My kids want to see the movie, and it looks like I'm the one to take them.

Yesterday, on our way to a launch party for an author friend, we stopped and got the girls Happy Meals. They both got Jokey Smurf in the meal. I pointed out to them that Jokey only had one joke--the exploding present. As a writer, I got to thinking about that. And here's what I got from it.

Jokey's presents, like certain plot points, need to be used sparingly. I know, from my memories watching the show, that they often used the exploding present as a running gag, but they didn't often use it as the means of escaping the evil wizard--because that would be trite and overdone. I think of those TV show writers who worked tirelessly to write shows about little blue creatures, and wonder how many discussions they had about over-using some of the well known elements of the story. Papa Smurf's wisdom. Jokey's exploding presents. Hefty's strength. Etc.

Writing for TV and writing fiction has its obvious similarities. We don't want to over-use certain story elements or our writing will become trite and ineffective. Recently, on one of my author groups, someone worried that he was over-using the word "sleep" and wondered if there were other options. Several people weighed in, most with sound arguments one way or the other. Sometimes you have to call a tree a tree. Creating other ways to say the same thing can come across as forced, and we don't want that. On the other hand, some words become invisible in a book, like the word "said" (at least to most readers. I have a couple of less glowing reviews of my book where the reader says I used "said" rather than mixing it up with other terms).

No matter how you look at it, writing is a balance. The trick is finding that balance that feels best, and works best, for you.

Help, I’m Stuck! And the Promise of Goodies

2011-08-06T00:23:00.007-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

I wrote this blog without reading G Parker’s first. It seems I have a partial answer for her, at the same time I’m asking for help with a scene. I have dozens of ideas for my scene but I thought I’d make a contest out of it.

One night, many years ago, I went hunting rabbits with some of my friends. In those days, the rabbit population had exploded and we didn’t need permits to use spotlights, so we went hunting a lot.

Our method involved driving a truck cross country, around sagebrush and through ravines, but that particular night we were in a two-wheel drive, with very low ground clearance.

We stayed on the roads and didn’t see many rabbits, then we came to a place where the road went down to a low spot and back up the other side. A benign mud puddle at the bottom didn’t seem that threatening. Especially since the area around it was bone dry. I remember someone saying, “Just gun it, you’ll make it.”

Moments later, we came to an abrupt stop in the bottom of the wash and I hit the dashboard. (We didn’t have seatbelts in those days). My friend’s truck was buried to the floorboards in the mud bog from Hades.

Through the night, we tried everything to release the hold on that truck. Finally, the sun came up, and we sent two guys to look for a telephone. (No cell phones either). We looked around and discovered we had found the only mud within miles.

I don’t remember who came with a four-wheel drive to drag us out, but that truck had turned brown from a covering of mud. It was Sunday and I missed church. My parents never quite believed my story, and I learned a few valuable lessons that night.

I’m currently working on a story that has a great beginning and end. Most of the middle is written, too, but I need a plot twist. I’m stuck in the proverbial bog hole and I’m calling my friends for help.

My character is self-centered but she’s had more than her share problems in her life. I need her to cause the postponement, possibly the cancellation of a wedding between her son and the daughter of her former boyfriend.

Put on your thinking caps and tell me a few ways this could happen. If I use your suggestion, I’ll mention it in the credits of the book. Okay, maybe I’ll send you a large candy bar, too. I call that, chocolate incentive. As for my colleague, have someone else read it and make suggestions. Like my friends who came with the four-wheel drive truck, sometimes it takes a fresh approach.

By the way, stop by Pioneer Books in Orem, Utah next week. I’ll be making Dutch oven cobbler during the August Authorama. Tristi Pinkston is launching her new book in the Secret Sisters series. Cobbler is on first come, first served basis. See the flyer I attached.

Meanwhile, good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Stalling Out

2011-08-05T23:36:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

I've been working on a story that I wrote for NaNoWriMo last year. I thought I had it all figured out, but this past month, it's totally stalled out. I don't know where to go with it. I mean, I could just finish it, but I want it to have a little more depth than it has. My critique group have told me it needs something. They are hoping there's more to what they've read so far.

I'm afraid there isn't. It's like the characters have gone on vacation and forgot to tell me they'd be gone for a while. Don't you hate it when your muse takes off and doesn't tell you? I've heard it said that such things are writers block. I read somewhere once that an author said there is no such thing. If you can write, you dont' have writers block. You write until things start coming.

Unfortunately, if the plot has stalled, there's not much you can do with it, right? I'm not sure. I am working on a couple of things, so perhaps I'm just too distracted by the other characters or items to focus on the one I'm trying to finish. Sigh.

Keith's blog on Saturday was on filling the holes. I thought that was a very apt subject for what's happening in my story right now. There are holes in my plot, and that's what I'm struggling with. I thought perhaps if I reworked or reviewed the main idea I'd had, I could rework it, bring out the plot that I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I can't find the original idea for the story line. Figures.

Well, I guess I'll just have to continue plugging away at it until something clicks. I might have to do a mad write and see if inspiration comes.

What do you do when it seems like your story has stalled? I'd like to know.

Families Together

2011-08-04T08:33:00.000-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

My daughter is home now after an extended trip visiting her grandparents. Cool. She can help us pack.

Have you ever noticed how many nationally and internationally bestselling authors live in towns you can hardly pronounce, and have certainly never heard of? How does Waurika, Oklahoma grab you?

Yep, we're relocating. Every reason and justification I have for moving my kids 1200 miles (it's okay because they want to) away, save one, is family-related.

Bryan's parents are in need of help, and his sister has done her part. It's our turn.
The kids all want to move back to OK (my sons were born there but we moved away when they were toddlers).
I won't have to work, and can therefore focus more on the needs of my kids. This is a two-fold reason, though, because:

if I don't have to babysit anymore, I can WRITE while my kids are in school.

While I'm under no illusions that moving to a small town will automatically make me a bestselling author, I am excited to relieve some of the stresses and pressures in my life. I'm also excited to have built-in writing time in my days. There's a lot to be said for being a more prolific writer.

Heavenly Father has been in constant communication through this decision-making process. Two months ago, while I knew this was an eventual possibility, I did not consider that I would want to move back. Everything changed during our recent visit. At one point, I was so overcome by the feeling of the Spirit, I couldn't speak for several minutes. I know this is the right thing for my family, and not just because it's the first time all 7 of us have agreed on a move.

Knowing you're doing what's right for your family is an empowering feeling. I know I'm not escaping stress and problems, but rather exchanging one set of issues for another. But I do believe it is a better situation, at least for us.

Today I'm packing my books. Got to prioritize, right? :)

Roller Coaster

2011-08-03T08:09:00.002-06:00

by C. LaRene Hall
We are already into the eight month of the year and my entire life during this year seems like a roller coaster ride. One day I’m very high and the next I find myself plunging to the bottom. Sometimes I ride slow and other times it’s very fast. There are days when there are many curves and other times when I just coast along smoothly.

I think my writing has suffered the most. Some days I can’t even write a word while other days my fingers fly across the keyboard. I never used to have a problem finding something to write about, but now I really do sit sometimes with no thoughts in my head. Now I can sympathize with those people who say they have writers block. Since I had never experienced it, I didn’t understand. I never paid attention during the workshops I attended that centered around writers block because it wasn’t a problem with me. Now what do I do? I guess I ask you for your suggestions.

I know I will once again find my fingers flying as the words come to my mind, but I’m tired of waiting.

Plugging Holes

2011-07-30T00:06:00.003-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

When the tenants move out, the owner of a rental unit will often bring in a crew, to prepare the walls for painting. The process involves plugging nail holes with spackling paste. If the tenants were abusive, the procedure includes the use of wall joint compound and perhaps sheet rock patches.

Frequently, the crew must get close and rub their fingers on the walls, in order to find all the nail holes. Sometimes they miss a few.

Occasionally in our hurry to plot a story, we leave holes that sometimes don’t get plugged. I want to tell you about one that I found.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about re-reading the Deathly Hallows in an effort to refresh my memory before seeing the movie. I also watched the previous movies with my family, launching me into Harry’s world. While working one night, and thinking about the story, I stumbled onto a supposed plot hole.

Spoiler Alert!

Okay, so this might spoil the story, but if you haven’t read the books by now, you might never read them.

When Lord Voldemort went to eliminate baby Harry, he killed James and lily first, then turned his attention to Harry. The curse rebounded and killed Voldemort’s body instead, but because of the horcruxes in which he’d placed part of his soul, he didn’t die. He lived in lessor animals until the time he found Professor Quirrell.

Eventually, he was brought back using a spell, and some of Harry’s blood. After coming to himself in the graveyard, that night, he turned to Wormtail and said, “Give me my wand.”

Later, we learned that Voldemort’s wand and Harry’s wand, have twin cores and we assume that is why, the two wands locked.

So, here is my question. What happened to Voldemort’s wand? What happened to the wand that chose him at eleven years old? The Wand that shared the same phoenix feather as Harry’s?

Let me explain. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry and lost himself, the wand would’ve fallen to the floor. He couldn’t carry it out. What happened to it? How did he get it back? He didn’t have it in the first book. The memory of Tom Riddle didn’t have it in the second book. It wasn’t an issue in the third book, but when he got another body in the fourth book, we see Wormtail giving him his wand, the phoenix feather wand, the twin of Harry’s wand. So, who kept it for thirteen years? How did Wormtail get it? Remember he was kept busy being Ron’s pet rat.
When the wands locked in the graveyard, Voldemort became obsessed to find out why, and determined he couldn’t beat harry with the phoenix wand. In the fifth book, he tried another one, but to no avail. The obsession continued.

In The Deathly Hallows, we learned about wand lore and the fact that wands choose the wizard. Either it will work in tandem with the wizard or it won’t. There is a big issue made of the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in the world. Voldemort steals it, but it’s not really his.

Okay, back to the question. I was curious, so I invented several scenarios. In one, someone from the Order of the Phoenix came to the house in Godric’s Hollow, found James and Lily Dead, and took the wand. It probably would have ended up in the Ministry of Magic somewhere. Perhaps that’s how Wormtail got it.

Now that I’ve seen the movie, however, I have another theory. There is a scene where Snape arrived at the house, right after Lilly was killed, and his heart broke. The scene left me with another theory. Snape took the wand, but there is a flaw. Snape didn’t contact Voldemort until well after he’d returned. So how did Voldemort get his wand back?

All of this talk about wands brought up another question, are you ready? If the elder wand became Draco Malfloy’s when he disarmed Dumbledore, and Draco’s wand became Harry’s the same way, then what about all those other wands? In almost every book, Harry disarms somebody. Look at Dumbledore’s Army in the fifth book. They disarmed each other several times.

Okay, you can say it has to happen in real combat. So, what about all the wands from the battle to keep the prophecy? What about the wands of the wizards who came to get Harry in the coffee shop in the last book? That’s just a few of the incidents. If the wand chooses the wizard and wands become the property of the victor, then why don’t wands change hands all the time? See it’s a plot hole.

End of Spoiler Alert

I know I’m splitting hairs, but it’s been fun to explore the question. Perhaps it doesn’t matter, because if the truth were told, no writer can find all the holes in a plot and plug them. Like the patching crew in a rental unit, writers sometimes miss the holes.

As writers, we need to run our fingers over the wall of our plot, searching for holes we might’ve missed. As I said, its impossible to find every hole, and there will always be an alert reader, who finds the ones we missed. I hate it when my critique group finds a hole in my plot. It would be much worse if a reader finds one after the book is published.

Remember the plot when you edit, and try to plug the holes. Your book will be better for it.

By the way, I loved the new movie. They left out all the negative stuff about Dumbledore, but it followed the story line for the most part. They added some things like the embellishment of the windup scene, but I liked it. Also, I’m glad they did the epilogue.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Thoughts Through the Years

2011-07-29T14:53:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

In case you haven't been reading our blog for very long, let me give you a few facts. This blog was started in 2006 after the founding of AI, which was started through LDSstorymakers, in connection with the writing conferences. I remember everyone talking about starting one, what to name it, how Darvel created the design for the strip and how it has morphed from a simple daily support to what it is today - the same. Grin.

It has changed in writers. I think there are only a few of us original starters. There was a time when I wrote two a week, but we decided that it was too much. Once a week is plenty, believe me. I'm sure those of you who really read our articles find that reading one a day is good enough - when you have time. Some of the names of our former contributors you would recognize as published authors: Danyelle Ferguson, Nichole Giles, to name a couple.

Through out our course the desire has been to assist the aspiring LDS writer, regardless of what genre, or audience they wrote for. Being aspiring authors ourselves, we know what it is to struggle with juggling jobs, families, and all the other things we try to do in our lives while trying to keep up with the drive to write.

Sometimes we feel that we touch the reader. Other times we wonder if there's even anyone out there. It's the whole sending the thoughts into the void - not sure if anything is ever going to come back. Sometimes we get comments, and we love it. Regardless of how many people actually read our thoughts or suggestions (some of which are VERY well done, like as with Connie's notes from different conferences and Keith's accounts of other note taking) this blog satisfies part of our craving to write and be published.

Blogging is the publishing world in miniature, and while it's only a small part, it's still a part that helps with the drive and ambition. Anyone who desires to be a writer now has a blog. It used to be a rare thing, now everyone has one. Some of us have several, since a blog usually has a theme.

Blogging is not the same as writing a book, though many blogs have been turned into a book, like the movie Julie and Julia was based on. But the point is that blogging helps us be connected to the world in general. Puts thoughts and feelings out there for the world to have and examine and use if desired.

I hope you've enjoyed our blog. I believe it will probably continue for many more years. Even if those of us who started it go on different paths, there will always be someone who is willing to step up to the plate and keep the tradition going.

Thanks for reading, we hope our blog continues to be one that helps and uplifts.

A Moment's Pause

2011-07-28T11:09:00.000-06:00

by Cheri Chesley

My daughter and I had some alone time a few months back. It was just me and her and the car. While she sat back quoting her favorite movie, I got to thinking. And we talked. And talked. The talking turned to brain-storming, and, before I knew it, we had plotted out an entire story.

She got to name the characters, and put in a couple of key scenes, but the rest I basically put together--except I can't take full credit for it because she helped me come up with the idea. I never would have considered such a story had it not been for her unique enthusiasm and the essence she added to the story.

I submitted the book to my publisher this week, so now I play the waiting game. Fortunately, being so young, my daughter doesn't trouble herself with that kind of thing. She doesn't suffer the angst of rejection just yet, but I'll gladly take that one for her. At the moment, I'm still a little deluded by the idea of joint signings with my little girl to let something like rejection dampen my spirits. :)

And all because I took a moment's pause from my regular projects and had a conversation with my daughter. It's pretty awesome, when you think about it.

Developing Your Writing Talent

2011-07-22T23:59:00.002-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

Last week I talked about the phases we go through in becoming the writers we want to be. Then I went to church and heard a lesson on developing your talents. I realized what I should’ve written last week, so I’m going to share it this time.

In the book, Outliers, by Malcom Gladwell, the author talks about studies made where they analyzed what made some musicians great, as opposed to good or mediocre. They found that in every case, the separation happened because of ten thousand hours. All the great ones put in at least ten thousand hours of practice.

The author went on to compare other successful people, He talked about Bill Joy, the author of the current versions of Unix computer systems and Java, he is co-founder of Sun Microsystems and is sometimes called the Edison of the Internet. Yep, he spent ten thousand hours learning to program at night.

As long as we are talking about computer geeks . . . You guessed it, Bill Gates started programming in high school and stealing time on the computer. His mother said about those times, “we always wondered why it was so hard for him to get up in the morning.” Yeah, ten thousand hours.

Are you familiar with the early career of the Beatles? They played in strip clubs in Hamburg for eight hours a day. They were forced to develop a style and play songs they had never heard. They passed through the crucible and emerged as one of the most popular and entertaining bands in history. They found a style all their own, and learned the craft during more than ten thousand hours in Hamburg.

The interesting thing about the study, mentioned above, is they didn’t find any natural born anything. None of the great musicians rose to the top without putting in the practice. And to quote Gladwell, the people at the very top don’t work just harder, or even much harder than everyone else. They work much, much harder.

I’ve written about this before, although I didn’t go into detail. I think I’m getting close to my ten thousand hours, are you?

While listening to the lesson on Sunday, I wrote down the six steps to developing a talent. I customized the list for writers.

1. Discover your talent
2. Develop it (be willing to spend the time) ten thousand hours?
3. Have faith in yourself, and God.
4. Learn the skills. (Learn the craft. Go to workshops and conferences).
5. Practice consistently. (Again we go back to ten thousand hours.)
6. Share your talent with others.

It was mentioned that talent is a kind of stewardship. I believe our God will hold us accountable for those talents we neglect. If you were given a desire to write, then do it, but do it with the goal of touching hearts and changing lives. The old saying, you reap what you sew applies here. Many of you are well on your way to putting in your ten thousand hours. Some of you have reached it. Some are getting the hours while reaping the benefits of being published.

Putting in ten thousand hours will not guarantee a contract. It will guarantee you will be a great writer. There are countless famous souls who reached the top of their game, and every one of them have the same thing in common. Ten thousand hours.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Good, Better, Best

2011-07-22T16:53:00.000-06:00

by G. Parker

In general conference in 2007, Elder Oaks spoke about choices. He mentioned that there were good choices, better, and best. (Kind of like the levels of kingdoms, you know?) Good being honest and what you need to do, better meaning doing more of your service and striving harder, best being the one we are all striving for. The best choice in all situations.

Monday night we had planned on going to see Thor at the local dollar theater. One of our sons had been really wanting to see it, and since we'd already seen it and liked it, we thought it would be a good family night option. Upon arriving, we discovered it was free, as a local auto sales company was sponsoring it (which was cool) but there were only 2 seats left. Dang. There were six of us, so that wasn't going to work. We were debating on what to do, go home or whatever, when my daughter suggested we go see Soul Surfer.

I'd been wanting to see it. Both my daughters had already seen it and loved it. When hubby said he'd be willing to see it, we all filed in.

Now there is quite a difference between these two movies. Both of them are 'clean' and have a good story line. Mostly good moral message, and action. Of course one has more than the other and sports a main character that is (in my daughter's opinion) 'delicious', but aside from that, on the surface it wouldn't seem that big of a deal.

After seeing the movie (apart from what I feel is lackluster acting on Carrie Underwood's part), I think we made the better choice. Thor would have been good, but Soul Surfer was better. I guess I would have to admit perhaps not the best...that would have been a regular family home evening lesson, right? I don't know...

But I thought it was interesting how there could be such a dissimilar choice between two movies. I think it is much like writing - reading. There are lots of choices out there to read for enlightenment, knowledge, entertainment and uplift. Good choices are simply books that entertain and are enjoyable. Better books would be those that were clean and knowledgeable. I'm thinking the best books would be ones that inspire to better thoughts and behavior and strove to uplift the reader.

It's why we are writers. We are striving to be the best writers, and have our work be the best. Right? So in your contemplation of your writing, consider your goal. Are you trying to be the good, better or best writer? Is your book going to be thought of as entertainment or uplifting?

Just my thoughts...Also - I hope everyone has a great Pioneer Day weekend. In Utah or outside...it's still great to be part of such a heritage.

How are You Derailed?

2011-07-21T07:16:00.000-06:00

By Cheri Chesley

Re-post from 2010

I had a plan this morning. I'd get up, put up my post and get on with my day.

Then I checked my email.

And I've spent the last hour and a half looking for my eyeglasses prescription.

A while back, I dropped my glasses and scratched the protective lens coating. I needed to replace them, but I've been putting it off. Today in my email there was a reminder from the site I get my glasses that they're having a big sale the next two weeks. But I need my prescription.

And I can't find it. And I'm letting it get to me.

But let's turn this around and use it as a lesson. How often are we so easily derailed when it comes to our writing? It happens to me all the time. I check my email, go to Facebook, do my networking--but by the end of the day I haven't done any writing. Sigh.

There are good distractions. Family. Even keeping up our networking with our writing friends is important. But it has to be done in moderation. I'm trying to limit my visits to FB to three times a day. Once in the morning, once while the baby is napping, and once in the evening. In the meantime, I can focus on my kids--since they pretty much don't let me do anything else lol--and I can write when they go to bed.

But sticking to the plan is difficult. As I type this, my daughter is next to me moping about how her best friend is gone for the next two weeks, and will miss her birthday. I know I need to talk to her about this, but I also need to get this post out. Focus, focus. :)

In short, life is full of distractions. The trick is finding your focus, and working hard to stick to it. Good luck!

Point of View

2011-07-20T08:33:00.002-06:00

by C. LaRene Hall

One of the Most Important Tools a Writer Has – this workshop was taught by Janette Rallison.

“When publishers are talking about a fresh voice it is point of view. Rules: They exist for a reason. There are no rules to assure good writing, but there are rules to avoid bad writing.” Noah Lukeman

1st person – Advantages – it has a very intimate feel, and it is the easiest POV for new writers to master. It is easy to show main character’s thoughts. Disadvantages – all action must be seen by your main character.

2nd person – YOU, it is hardly every used in books.

3rd person – most books are written this way. Advantages – People like to read third person stories because it is easy to superimpose yourself in this kind of story. You can have more than one POV character. The story can follow the action, and it’s not limited to one person. Disadvantages – It is easier for new writers to make errors in this point of view.

Omniscient – Tricky POV to do. Advantages – The author can dispense finformation to the reader that the characters don’t know. The reader gets to know the inner workings. It’s like a fly on the wall, or a camera. Perhaps the author doesn’t want to give away the main character’s internal thoughts for artistic reasons, or in the case of the main character. Disadvantages – It’s more boring. You don’t know who the story is about. The writing seems sparse and emotional.

The Big Mistake: Ping-Pong Point of View or Head Hopping.

1. It’s hard to make work. Switching back and forth in POV is tricky, and you don’t need to add one more thing tht can, and probably will, go wrong.

2. Since 90% of unpublished manuscripts have this problem, you don’t want your manuscripts lumped together with all the people who haven’t mastered the craft.

3. Jumping back and forth is confusing to the reader.

4. More often than not, you never get into one person’s POV deeply enough to let us know who they are and what they want.

5. A trick to help your POV in 3rd person . . . write in 1st person and then change “I” to a name and it will work perfectly.

6. You can change POV at the end of scene or chapters. POV is the one who has the most at stake in that scene or chapter.

Don’t write it, unless your character would actually be thinking about it.
Don’t let the author’s point of view slip into your character’s internal thoughts.
Don’t leave the point of view out.

Your story needs
1. dialogue
2. action
3. internal thoughts

Patience is Part of the Craft

2011-07-16T14:23:00.004-06:00

By Keith N Fisher

I read the Deathly Hallows again. Since the new movie was just released, I figured it would be prudent to remember what’s supposed to happen. Before I see the flick. I feel sorry for those people who see the movies, but have never read the books. There is so much more story in the book.

Besides, sometimes my imagination of a setting is much better than depicted by the moviemakers.

Anyway, while reading the book, I noticed a few writing and craft errors I hadn’t noticed before. I’m not going to refer to them directly because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. I noticed them, I think, because I’m in the middle of editing one of my manuscripts and the mind grows oversensitive.

I’ve always contended that you can find errors in every writer’s work, no matter who he/she is. Some authors get lazy and nobody corrects them, because of who they are, Some authors, make honest mistakes that aren’t caught. The whole thing can be discouraging to unpublished writers.

It takes time, and a lot of practice, to become a great writer. Another truth is, some people are born storytellers. The problem arises when someone with a good story has trouble writing it. Have you noticed there are eight stages every writer passes through on the way to perfecting the craft?

Stage one-inspiration.

An idea hits and the person decides to write. The manuscript sucks. The person keeps writing.

Stage two-rejection.

The writer discovers he needs help. The story wants to be told.

Stage three-assimilation.

The writer learns about craft through conferences, workshops, and books about writing.

Stage four-transformation.

The writer is getting better, makes changes in their manuscript.

Stage five-second rejection, denial.

This usually comes when a critique partner finds a problem. The writer disallows the opinion. The editor doesn’t understand. After all, I made all those changes, didn’t I? This is a dangerous time because the writer sometimes gets argumentative.

Stage six-humble recognition.

After a great amount of soul searching, and more rejection, the writer discovers the critique partner might be right. Besides if one reader has trouble with the manuscript, others will also.

Stage seven-depression.

Why did I ever think I could write? By now, writing has become a way of life and cannot be given up. A writer must continue.

Stage eight-cognition.

The writing is getting better all the time. The writer actually edits his own sentences as he writes. He has written several manuscripts.

As in the case of many authors, sometimes a writer gets published at stage one, sometimes they travel through many more stages than eight. Some writers combine stage one with stage eight. It’s a matter of talent. It’s important to learn patience in the beginning, and remember a few things.

Great storytelling does not necessarily, equal great writing. Also, the reverse is true. As in some author’s case, getting published often comes down to being in the right place, at the right time, with the right story. Isn’t it better to have written a great story well, then to have trouble getting a second book published, because the story is mediocre and the writing sucks?

The most important lesson for most of us, I think, is to keep an open mind during step five. Getting angry is never a good idea, especially when that anger is turned on those who are honestly trying to help you.

Good luck in your writing—see you next week.

Potter Mania

2011-07-15T15:31:00.000-06:00

by G.Parker

Okay. If you have been totally disconnected from electronics and clueless to what is going on in the world, then you will NOT know that this is the day the final installment of the Harry Potter franchise movie comes out. Officially it was at midnight, and there was much craziness in the cities with parties and celebrations galore. If I were 20 again, (and had money to toss) I would have been interested in doing the whole big movie marathon that the megaplex theaters were holding. But alas, I have a brain that requires a little more stimulation than that, and a hubby who doesn't think that's a value related to the money spent (which I'd have to agree with at this point), so I didn't go.

I don't know how many of you are even planning on seeing this last movie. Personally, I loved the first one, thought the second was okay, but then they started going a little weird. The 6th one was a little better, and I liked how they did the first half of the last one. So, I'm looking forward to this one. My hubby wants to see it only because they appear to show the fight between Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix, that insane murderess who threatened her children. He loves that part of the book.

The reason I bring up this insanity (and really - I think it has gotten out of hand, but I suppose no more than when Star Wars was out) is in tribute to the writer who started it all. I wonder how she feels to have this last installment done and be at the end of the amazing run? I think it would be a strange feeling. When did the Harry Potter books first come out? 1997. That means, this character and these line of books have been in the public eye for almost 15 years. That's quite a legacy. I understand she's garnered quite the income from it as well. And not just from the books, the movies have been wildly popular (ahem).

There have been many authors who have made it from book to big screen. One of my favorites is Michael Crichton. He wrote some amazing novels, and almost all of them made it to a movie. I'm not sure why, exactly, but perhaps because he was able to do such a good job with it. I read somewhere that it wasn't J.K. Rowlings narative ability, it was her way with words. Perhaps that's the same with Crichton. Many of John Greshams books have been to the big screen as well. One of my favorites is Pelican Brief, but that's possibly because it has Julia Roberts in it. Grin.

So, perhaps I mention this to encourage, maybe it's only because I'm jealous. But whatever my reason, let it be an inspiration for your reason to continue writing. Look around you - there are many successful writers that never have their books make it to a movie. That does not define success. I have a friend that self published his first novel. He has since sold over 40,000. A lot of them have been in ebook format, but does that matter? In my opinion he is successful. He has something to look at and say, hey - I did that.

I want to be able to say that, so I continue. I don't expect to have any kind of popularity that the Harry Potter books have had, I don't write that kind of genre. But at least my daughters will have something clean to read, which is why I wanted to publish in the first place, so that will make me a success in my own eyes.

What is your estimation of success?

What would you say?

2011-07-14T07:08:00.005-06:00

By Cheri Chesley

Re-post from Writing Fortress 2010

This is not a current situation, but something that still holds true.

It’s pretty clear by now I love words. Today, though, I want to talk about one word in particular. That word is NO.

As a mom, I have no problem telling my kids no. I’m pretty good with it, in fact. They’ve come to anticipate the “no” before the “yes.” Not that I’m a mean mom; I just don’t believe in overindulging my kids.

But this is a different no, and I struggle with it horrendously. And as I extend my networks with the intention of meeting new people and getting my name and book title out, I worry that I may be using that word more than others.

Let me explain. Today I got on Facebook to check messages and get updates on my author friends. And immediately someone opened up a message box and started talking to me. In short, he wanted to meet. Immediately I thought of everything we all know about internet safety. For all I know, everything on his page that made me accept his friend request in the first place could be lies. For all he knows, I’m a 40 year old serial killer looking for victims under the guise of an LDS wife, mother and author.

I searched for that instant feeling of foreboding, and it wasn’t forthcoming. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to trust this guy. Just because the spirit doesn’t instantly let me know someone is bad news, as it has before, doesn’t mean this person is safe or harmless—or even honest.

But saying NO outright seemed harsh. What if he’s a nice guy looking for friends? What if he’s got 16 nieces who’d love to read my book? And my thoughts called to mind something I’d heard before, about how women have such a hard time hurting people’s feelings. We’re too nice, and because of that we often find ourselves in dangerous situations. So why is the word NO so hard to say?

I thought about it for several minutes. What’s the worst thing he can do? Un-friend me? Start spreading lies about me? (Okay, I admit—that one gave me pause) Call me names? This is a challenge I’m sure will only happen more as I continue to extend my network.

In the end, I chose to refuse to go meet him. And I told him why. But I did suggest he come to one of my signings after my book comes out, which is no more or less than I would do to anyone I have “friended” on Facebook.

What is the best solution? What do you do? Do you only friend people on Facebook that you already know, or that are referred to you by someone you know? Do you only friend people who say they are LDS? Maybe I’m cynical, but that can be a lie too. And if they post things I don’t agree with, do I “un-friend” them? Just because they do not agree with my beliefs doesn’t make them evil.

Where does using good judgment end and simple judging begin? Thoughts?

All You Need is Love

2011-07-13T11:07:00.003-06:00

by C. LaRene Hall

and A Bunch of Other Stuff taught by Sarah Eden. This workshop kept us all entertained and yet I learned a great deal.

Romantic elements are important in any genre. Love is a universal human experience and emotion. Love is a basic human need. Including romance in your story adds depth.
In a romance, the stories basic question is will the couple end up together? If the book focus isn’t will the couple end up together it is probably not a romance. The story question answer is always yes. They end up together in a committed happy relationship. The love story is what drives the plot. It is never secondary to any other plot line. 2/3 of story is romance. The romance is the point of the story. Reader expects to read about love.

Common romance pitfalls that are hard to get right –

1. Love in a vacuum. Nothing going on in their life except this romance. There has to be something else.

2. Your characters have to have something else going on in their life, but don’t let subplots take over.

3. Romantic tension relies too much (or entirely) on the physical. There has to be more.

4. Little or no romantic tension.

5. The characters have to be together.

6. Weak sources of conflict.

7. The love has no foundation. If the only source is good looks that’s not much of a foundation. The reader needs a change to get to know your characters and they need to get to know each other.There has to be a foundation.

Romances are character driver – the reader has to like your character. The reader has to care about the characters. If you don’t put something in that is unique it will read like every other romance.

Every great romance or romantic plotline needs –

1. An Emotional connection – romance is all about emotion. The characters have to have a connection to each other. There has to be a reason why they love each other. Because they are both totally hot doesn’t work.

2. Emotional connections require interaction and time. The reader needs to see strengths and weaknesses in characters; realness. Perfect characters are not real. It’s hard to relate to someone who is perfect. In a romance, you want the heroine to be like you or your best friend and you want to fall in love with the hero. Remember, it’s a matter of balance Let your character be real. The reader needs a reason to cheer for the couple as individuals and together. Your reader needs to want them to be happy. The reader already knows how it ends so you need to pull them in so they know what happens.

3. You need fulfillment – the story needs to range from shallow to deep. This is what will give it depth. You connect them to each other. Find out what your character is lacking. One needs to compliment the other. The deeper the need, the deeper the connection should be. They need to have similar interests, and same end goals.

4. Figure out what your hero and heroine need in a significant other. Someone who completes us. If they have needs it makes them a deeper character. If needs conflict it is hard to work out but automatically brings in tension. With roadblock it gives you a plot line because of conflict, and especially if the other person loves them anyway.

5. The couple is something to each other that no one else is or can be. Their relationship has to be unique. Love triangles are popular. Even if you know why they end up together no one else can be what they are together. In a love triangle someone has to win. When they end up together the reader can recognize why it turned out that way.

6. If their connection is not unique, it will lack impact and will not be satisfying for your reader. This is the reason their connection must go beyond love at first sight, infatuation, or physical pleasure. It has to go beyond or you haven’t done anything unique.

7. Start romance with intrigue, a connection from the beginning, even though it is tentative and hilariously unwelcome. Curiousity – the way the both help out each other’s loved ones builds that emotional connection.

8. In what ways are they the only ones who could be right for each other?