Seasons of Writing: Which Season Are You In?

Another summer is almost in the books. Local schools ring the opening bell for the 2022-23 school year tomorrow at 7:55 a.m. And as if to remind us that the fun-in-the-sun season is drawing to a close, the air here has had a decided fall feel this week, with temperatures noticeably cooler.

We're so thankful to have reveled in the kind of normal summer we used to take for granted, complete with an exciting, successful Minor League Baseball season, many days at the pool, and nurturing the love of libraries and reading with our grandson. 

Upper right: Reading "Mr. Popper's Penguins" on Gram's Kindle
 while swaying in the summer breeze.

Hours spent planting and tending to flowers and feasting on garden produce - strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries, green peppers, tomatoes. Tending and feasting that will stretch well into fall, weather permitting.  

Our last big adventure of the summer begins two weeks from today when we land on the sunny shores of Kailua Kona, Hawaii, for a long-awaited, twice-postponed exotic vacation. When we return, the calendar will have flipped to September, and I will welcome the transition to my favorite season.

It seems fitting that my writing life will be experiencing its own season of transition this fall. As some doors open and others close, I look forward to expanding a new-to-me opportunity to bring awareness to a life-impacting ministry and also to have more time to devote to the personal projects that have languished for far too long, trumped by other deadlines. 

I've learned to appreciate the value of every opportunity to write, to view each as a chance to improve my craft. Whether it be writing an email appeal, sharing the story of a life transformed, penning the next novel chapter, crafting an engaging invitation to the annual family reunion, or creating a blog post furthering the business concerns of a client, putting words to paper or screen, in any form, sharpens my skills. 

Maybe you're not in the writing season that you'd like to be in. Maybe writing has been pushed so far back that you must admit it's not even on the "back burner." Maybe you're not content with the time you have to invest in writing pursuits. Maybe the effort via time and energy spent are spot on but the "fruit" is slow to come. I encourage you to hang in there and to embrace every writing opportunity no matter how small or insignificant or boring it might be. 

While I have high hopes for the new season I see looming on the near horizon, I know that life and stuff and distractions will continue to present challenges because that's what they do. So, I'm trying to maintain realistic expectations and choosing to welcome all forms of writing. Hey, even a grocery/errands list can be full of lyrical descriptions and strong verbs. Right? 

Happy end-of-summer and cheers to each and every writing encounter. May you never miss a chance to make the words sing! 

Beth’s combined experiences teaching the high school Sunday School class, substitute teaching in the public school, and connecting with the teenage staff at the fast-food joint where she claimed a “back booth office” helped inspire her young adult “Choices Matter” fiction series. She's a "cheerleader" for saving sex for marriage and for "renewed waiting" because it's never too late to make wiser choices. Her “Waiting Matters … Because YOU Matter” blog helps people of all ages navigate the choppy waters of saving sex for marriage while her “Slices of Real Life” posts find GOD in the day-to-day moments of real life.

  As a genetic genealogy enthusiast and "search angel," she writes and speaks about her experiences as a "foundling" who located her birth parents. Her journey to find and connect with her biological family is chronicled in the blog series “A Doorstep Baby’s Search for Answers.” She also serves on the executive board of the National Association of Adoptees and Parents. All of her writing endeavors can be found on her website, https://bethsteury.com. 

 

Reflections on Being Together and On What's Ahead

What a fun and inspiring day 23 of us enjoyed together in Kokomo on June 25th, soaking up writerly vibes from each other and the four talented guest speakers who gave of their time to help sharpen our individual writing skills. The South Branch of the Kokomo Public Library System served our needs so well. And what better place for a group of enthusiastic writers to gather than at a library?

morning "Pitch Party" session with Cara Putnam

As Linda mentioned that day, our chapter is in need of some new/different leadership. The four of us have greatly enjoyed putting together programming and getting to know many of you better over the past several years. But it is time for some of us to move on and others to switch roles, so we are looking for people to step into leadership for this awesome and growing group of (mostly!) Hoosier writers.

Maybe at this point you are just interested in dipping your toes into the stream. You have an interest but are hesitant to jump into the deep end. If that’s the case, please let us know! We promise not to leave you on your own immediately, without a lifeguard. Others of you may be eager to race for the diving boards and make a big splash. Whatever your level of interest, we implore you to ask questions, ponder, pray, and get in contact with one of us—Linda, Jenny, Rebecca, Beth.

It's also time to check in with you about topics for future meetings. As general planning for next year is already underway, we need to hear from you. As you continue to grow in your journey as a writer—

·        What challenges are you facing?

·        What conundrums have you perplexed?

·        What areas pose the biggest headaches for you?

·        What could we do as a chapter that would be a shot in the arm for you as a writer?

Sharing your needs, ideas, and even your greatest discouragements will help next year’s programming be more effective and insightful. So, please, give some thought to what you need and would like to see on next year’s slate of events.

We are in this together, folks. And isn’t that great? No one understand better than a fellow writer the desire to put words to paper, to pen stories and poems and articles. That why it’s so beneficial when we make connections with other writers. Because let’s face it, “regular, normal” people don’t get it. They don’t understand the intense, burning, compelling need to write. But no explanations are necessary when sharing space—via online means or in person—with your writing peeps. Thank God for writing peeps!

We need to hear from you! About a leadership role AND about discussion/presentation topics for next year. Please comment below OR shoot an email to: acfwindianachapter@gmail.com

 

Invest in Your Writing Journey on June 25

   Calling all ACFW Indiana Chapter members to a fabulous day of in-person indulging in our collective love of the written word!

The DAY: Saturday, June 25, 2022

The TIME: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The PLACE: Kokomo Public Library – South Branch, 1755 E. Center Rd. in Kokomo

The AGENDA: Fun, fellowship, and insightful instruction from experienced authors and editors . . . and lunch too!

In the morning, we’ll hear from award-winning, best-selling, author of more than 35 books, Cara Putman, on the nerve-wracking topic of pitching. Cara will be our “pitch coach,” giving us tips and pointers as well as critiquing our pitching efforts. Stay tuned for the details on how and when to submit your pitch for an anonymous evaluation from Cara.

Then, we’ll break bread together and chat over a catered lunch from Mancino’s, or attendees may choose to bring their own brown-bag munchies.

The afternoon will be host to our 3^rd (or is it 4^th??) “First Page Follies.” We are excited to hear from an esteemed panel of authors/editors/teachers including Tish Martin, Linda Taylor, and Jim Watkins who will critique and review as they instruct and encourage our attempts to create the perfect first page for our WIPs. Again, watch for the specifics on how and when to submit those uber important opening scenes for an anonymous consult from our experienced panelists.

A bonus to this day of connections and instruction will be the opportunity for authors to display/sell their books and for attendees to peruse/buy said books.  

In the next couple of weeks, all the details about this awesome opportunity to be with people “who get it” will be posted on the “Upcoming Events” page on our Hoosier Ink website, on our ACFW Indiana Chapter Facebook page, and sent to members via email.

See you June 25!    

 

              

The Cutting Room Floor

“It's cute and it's well-written, but how does it move the story forward?” The question posed by my critique partner threatened to burst my glowing I-love-this-scene bubble. Honestly, how could this oh-so-carefully-crafted scene that I loved not advance the storyline of my YA novel in the right direction?

Her advice concluded with, “I think you need to cut it.”

Her words stung, and I wanted to pout from my defensive corner. But I soon came to realize she was right. The scene was cute—exceedingly so. I felt sure it contributed to my characters’ already established voices and personalities. But as far as the storyline was concerned, this scene did not move the story forward.

I eventually made the mature decision to pull it. Hoping I would be able to use bits and pieces of it at some point in the series, I did not toss it but saved it in a document aptly titled “Deleted scenes.” Of course in reality I saved it because I couldn't bear to trash those carefully crafted words. Would I ever use it again? Unlikely. But it was easier for me to tuck it away in a folder on my computer than to toss it away forever.

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Aren’t critique partners awesome? When I was too close to the story to see the holes or the bumps or the story-stalling scenes, they intervened. And now I find myself consistently posing similar questions. Does this scene move the story forward? Does it compel the reader to keep reading? If not, could it be tweaked, combined with a different segment or used in an alternate way, one that would benefit the plot?

While not every cute, well-written scene deserves a place in your completed manuscript, those cutting-room-floor scenes can be useful to the author. How so? Because anything that gives the storyteller a deeper, wider view of the characters can serve to strengthen the characters’ presence on the page throughout the book.

Another use for cute scenes that fail the forward-progress test? They can serve as “bonus material” for newsletter subscribers or fans of the series.

There’s still time to register for bestselling author Tina Radcliffe’s presentation on “Creating Compelling Scenes” THIS Saturday via Zoom from noon to 2 p.m. EST. Zip off an email to acfwindianachapter@gmail.com to RSVP for this event hosted by the Indiana ACFW Chapter.  

See you Saturday! 

Beth’s combined experiences teaching the high school Sunday School class, substitute teaching in the public school, and connecting with the teenage staff at the fast-food joint where she claimed a “back booth office” helped inspire her young adult “Choices Matter” fiction series. She's a "cheerleader" for saving sex for marriage and for "renewed waiting" because it's never too late to make wiser choices. Her “Waiting Matters … Because YOU Matter” blog helps people of all ages navigate the choppy waters of saving sex for marriage while her “Slices of Real Life” posts find GOD in the day-to-day moments of real life.

As a genetic genealogy enthusiast, she writes and speaks about her experiences as a "foundling" who located her birth parents. Her journey to find and connect with her biological family is chronicled in the blog series “A Doorstep Baby’s Search for Answers.” All of her writing endeavors can be found on her website, https://bethsteury.com .

 

 

What keeps you from investing in a story?

 You may remember the dilemma I described last month, as my husband and I pondered over choosing a televised series available via streaming, in which to invest our time, emotions, and end-of-day unwinding time. Quick review. We’d just finished 30 episodes of a crime-thriller-drama season that had thoroughly hooked us. And now, we found ourselves wavering about our next selection, fearing it would not live up to its predecessor. That it might be a waste of our time. Unworthy of our investment. Stowing our fears to the side yet keening for another thoroughly-hooked experience, we took the plunge and began to settle into a less thrilling, less action-filled, yet highly-rated drama.

Well, I am sad to report that by the end of the third episode, we reached the mutual conclusion that the thoroughly-hooked experience we’d hope to have was not to be. With a pang of guilt, I muttered quietly, maybe so as not to offend the lingering presence of the show, “It’s just too boring. It moves soooo slow.”

Two episodes of another series followed by three episodes of yet a third one found us no closer to fully investing ourselves in a fictional series world, for one reason or another. With our hope for success but a flickering spark, we journeyed onward. Attempt number four did not disappoint. Engaging, entertaining, unique, and intriguing. But alas, this new series had but one short season currently available, so our thoroughly-hooked experience ended much too soon.

I face a very similar quandary when I choose reading material. I can often tell within a few pages whether a particular book will live up to my admittedly high standards. If it passes this first marker, I’ll give it a chapter or two, possibly three, before deciding if I will fully invest my time in this fictional world. Many books on my Kindle display the proof that I began but did not finish the story, noting the place I stopped and the percentage of the story read.

Photo by Leohoho on Unsplash

Poor writing tops the list of reasons I put down a book. If my internal red pen cannot be quiet, I cannot enjoy a book. I have slogged through a few books despite very poor writing, for one or a combination of reasons.

•        The plot was intriguing enough I wanted to see how the story concluded.
•      I liked something enough that I hoped the writing would improve. Almost never happens.
•      I longed to discover some redeeming quality in the storyline or the characters, so much so that   I pushed myself to continue reading. Sometimes happens but the poor writing forever remains a blot on the book.
•      Because of how poor the writing was, I determined to read on to see if it could possibly get worse. Unfortunately, on several occasions, it got worse. 

I have a wider tolerance for poor writing if I know the story is TRUE. I still cringe, elbowing my internal red pen to zip it, but I’m more likely to continue reading a real-life story. I once encountered a book that firmly hit on every poor writing pet peeve, yet because I believed it to be a true story about a subject near to my heart, I persevered. As often happens, the writing deteriorated further. I sloughed on, continually shaking my head at how awful it was. Near the very end, I looked up the author, seeking confirmation that I had been investing my time in a true story. Guess what? Turns out it was a complete work of fiction! While the storyline did have one intriguing branch, the poor telling of the story and the lackluster scenes did a great injustice to the story’s one redeeming quality.

Nudging the reader to keep turning the pages—for the right reasons—should be the goal of every fiction writer. We soon learn that the well-crafted, compelling scenes required to accomplish this feat do not happen by chance. More often their existence comes only as a result of blood, sweat, and tears on the part of the author. And then we still ponder whether the scene is compelling enough? Does it hound a reader to turn the page regardless of the late hour and the early morning ahead?

Tina Radcliffe will join the ACFW Indiana Chapter on March 13, via Zoom, for a presentation on “Creating Compelling Scenes.” Mark your calendar now for this noon to 2 p.m. discussion on scene structure, episodic writing, and tips that will take your writing from tepid to terrific. I for one can’t wait!

Check for more information on this event on our Facebookpage.

So, what makes YOU stop reading? Share the biggest offenders in the comments below.

 

Beth’s experiences substitute teaching and connecting with the teenage staff at the fast-food joint where she claimed a “back booth office” helped inspire her young adult “Choices Matter” fiction series. She's a "cheerleader" for saving sex for marriage and for "renewed waiting" because it's never too late to make wiser choices. Her “Waiting Matters … Because YOU Matter” blog helps people of all ages navigate the choppy waters of saving sex for marriage while her “Slices of Real Life” posts find GOD in the day-to-day moments of real life.

As a genetic genealogy enthusiast, she writes and speaks about her experiences as a "foundling" who located her birth parents. Her journey to find and connect with her biological family is chronicled in the blog series “A Doorstep Baby’s Search for Answers.” All of her writing endeavors can be found on her website, https://bethsteury.com .

The ACFW Conference Meets the 2020 Pandemic

 

I will always remember my first national ACFW Conference—St. Louis, 2011.

I will never, ever forget my second national ACFW Conference—Indianapolis, 2013—where seven of the eight critique buddies/writing partners/dear friends that made up the Scriblerians shared time and space in-person for the very first time. One of the very best experiences of my life!

I had a great time when Linda Samaritoni and I trekked to Nashville in 2016 for my third national ACFW encounter.

I’ve said it a hundred times at least: there is nothing like spending time with other writers. Absolutely nothing inspires me and infuses my heart, mind, and soul with fresh enthusiasm for writing as does sharing time with people who are also passionate about writing.  

Well, 2020 has punched a huge hole in the opportunity for such encounters, now hasn’t it? Disappointment welled within me as one event after another suffered the hatchet’s blow due to COVID-19. Oh, how I missed my local writing buddies and mourned for the conference experiences that would not happen.

While nothing completely replaces those in-person connections, I’ve been very thankful for and have benefited from a number of virtual opportunities to connect with fellow authors. In fact, I may well have lost my mind if not for those online occasions to feed my need for writerly companionship.

Chalk up the 2020 ACFW Conference as another victim of the pandemic. I’m sure many tears were shed by faithful, longtime conference attendees as well as those hoping to soak up writerly vibes at their very first ACFW national event.

Thankfully, the conference will be virtually hosted next month, on September 18-19. Via Zoom meetings, conference workshops and virtual appointments will fill Friday and Saturday. The event will culminate with the Awards Gala.

Check out the conference schedule and registration details before September 1 to take advantage of this as-good-as-it-gets compilation of camaraderie, craft-sharpening, and writing business know-how.   

I’m pondering the idea of making my way to a safe location away from home and the dailiness of life, where I can immerse myself in the conference experience more fully. A sort of virtual conference meets personal retreat. Sounds like a good way to add the 2020 ACFW Conference to my list of memorable, beneficial learning experiences.

Comment below if you'll be "attending" the virtual conference. And please share any ideas you have for making the two-day event a more complete conference event. 

2020 Annual Conference

“The Premier Christian Fiction Conference”

ACFW’s First Ever VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
via Zoom
September 18th & 19, 2020

 

 

WRITE Where You Are NOW

 About a month ago, a friend mentioned how much her daughter had enjoyed my holiday décor last year when she made a guest appearance at our writers’ club Christmas Dinner. As a teacher in Indonesia, she misses much of the traditional holiday festiveness celebrated here. The compliment stirred my enthusiasm for the fussing over Christmas that would soon descend upon our home.

Last week as I set about tucking away fall, replacing the oranges, browns, and yellows, with reds, greens, and golds, I couldn’t help but think about Mandy’s comment. “If she only knew . . . ” I murmured. That the multiple totes my husband hauls from the attic contain a most eclectic, random assortment of items. Tucked among the gold tree ornaments, nativity and stable, and my snowmen collection is a vast array of fabric scraps, bits of ribbon, stray pine cones, silk flowers ranging from the no stem variety to singles to a few well-worn bunches, pine branches and garland in random lengths and of a variety of “needle” material, as well as mounds of cotton batting that substitute as snow. Let’s not forget the few hand-crafted creations that have survived from my children’s long-ago elementary school days.

For years finances permitted very few dollars be allotted toward decorations. Hence the scavenging and collecting that led to the random contents of many totes. While I could afford now to replace some of my bits and pieces with real rather than pieced-together décor, I prefer the make-do-with-what-I-have approach. In fact, I think my favorite part of decorating for Christmas is the fashioning of arrangements and accents and festive touches throughout the house from the bits and pieces wrought from years of collecting. Had I waited to do “real” decorating until I had enough “real” decorations, we would have missed out on a lot of holiday cheer across a good number of years.

The same principle rings true for writing. If we wait until we have more time to write or better ideas, nothing may ever be written. Maybe it’s the yearning for additional training or an agent or an interested publisher that keeps some of us from taking that first or next big step. But waiting to feel like a “real” writer will get you nowhere. That sense that we’ll “arrive,” maybe hopefully someday, has to be one of the more common pitfalls writers face.

Rather than postpone serious efforts to move forward, choose, for now, to make do with what you have and where you are. If you can only carve out minutes here and there to write, then do it.

“But I can’t afford to travel to a big conference.” Then look for online courses and seek out blogs and podcasts that teach story-crafting skills.

“If only I knew or lived close to other writers.” In this digital age, an entire community of experienced writers willing to share their knowledge and expertise is literally at your fingertips.

While you peruse and seek, WRITE. Look for networking and connecting opportunities. And WRITE. Read and study and practice what you’re learning. And WRITE. Don’t wait until all your writing ducks fall into place to get serious about committing your thoughts, ideas, characters, and storylines to paper or hard drive.

Be willing to start where you are, with the time, tools, and resources at your disposal right now. But don’t get too comfortable with your present circumstances. Push yourself to improve. Challenge yourself to learn and grow. Set realistic goals and edge forward. 

The key is to consider yourself a “real” writer. Not someday, when the kids have grown or the spare room’s been converted into an office, or you get an agent. But today. Because what do real writers do? They write.

Beth connects with the YA crowd via substitute teaching and through her “back booth” office at the local fast food joint, and by reading YA fiction.

She's a "cheerleader" for saving sex for marriage and for "renewed waiting" because it's never too late to make wiser choices. She writes and speaks about her experiences as a "foundling" who located her birth parents and is making up for lost time with her biological family. Find her at BethSteury.com and on Facebook at Beth Steury, Author.

In the Beginning

The high school student positioned his fingers above the laptop keyboard, to type the less-than-one-page English assignment. Despite the simple nature of the topic and the fact that he possessed a more-than-vague idea as to what he wanted to include in the brief essay, the words refused to make an appearance.

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

I suggested he begin with a specific thought he wanted to include. “Start typing with that,” I urged. 

He was no-less-than horrified. “But that’s not the beginning.

“Oh, that’s okay. You don’t have to start with the first line.”

“My teacher said we have to start at the beginning.” The firm set to his jaw cast doubt on my ability to convince him otherwise.

What did I know? I was just the substitute teacher. Still, I lauded the features of composing prose on a computer, noting the ease of rearranging paragraphs, of cutting/copying/pasting. I reminisced about the “old days” when typing on a plain ol’ typewriter didn’t allow for such luxuries. But no amount of suggesting, cajoling, or urging could convince him to simply begin typing. Because the opening line remained just beyond his grasp, the fifty-minute period ended without a single keystroke.

Photo by Luca Onniboni on Unsplash

Unbeknownst to him, I had written an 85,000-word novel in scenes that I later “stitched” almost seamlessly (pun intended!) into a very coherent, well-flowing story. I’ll admit I worried how, and if, the pieces would come together to form a complete picture. But they did. And with just one “piece” leftover for use in the continuing saga. Honestly, I don’t think I could have written the story any other way.

Somehow, I wrote the second book in this YA series in chronological order. Yeah, surprised me too! That’s simply how the story came to life in my brain. Now, the third and final book is promising to be a mix of the scenes vs. chronological process. And I’m totally fine with that.

I learned long ago that demanding the all-important opening line be the first words written can stifle all creative juices. Even to the point of abandoning the work all together. My suggestion? Begin with the part that has taken over your brain, that refuses to be silenced. Get that part down first.

Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, a blog post or a full-length novel, I advise the same strategy. For short non-fiction pieces, I do attempt to get the opening thought in place as soon as I can, so to keep the focus and tone in line. But the final tweaking of even that first sentence often takes place in the last moments of composing. I lost count of how many times I either tweaked or completely rewrote the opening scene for books one and two. I anticipate the same scenario as I tie up the series in book three.

Now, it’s time to capture the thoughts filling up my brain today . . . in the continuing YA saga and the next big project to follow—the one that doesn’t understand it’s not her turn for center stage yet.

Happy writing.  

Beth immerses herself in the world of YA via substitute teaching, by connecting with the teenage staff and patrons at the fast food joint where she claims the back booth as her office, and by reading YA fiction.

She's a "cheerleader" for saving sex for marriage and an even bigger supporter of "renewed waiting" because it's never too late to make wiser, healthier choices. She welcomes questions and topic suggestions for the “Waiting Matters … Because YOU Matter” blog that inspired the Waiting Matters series.

Check out her Choices Matter series that follows Preston and Maggie as they navigate the choppy waters of high school, guy/girl relationships, and sex.

Beth is also active in the adoption community where she writes and speaks about her experiences as a "foundling" who located her birth parents and is enjoying making up for lost time with her biological family.

Connect with her at BethSteury.com for all the news on upcoming releases. Find her on Facebook at BethSteury, Author; on Twitter @Beth_Steury; and on Instagram and Goodreads. She loves to hear from readers! Write to her at waitingmatters@gmail.com.

Make Time for Your TRIBE

Earlier this month, I spent a glorious weekend with my "tribe." One of my tribes, that is, one that happens to hold a top spot on my current "tribe" list.

We all have "tribes." Our church family, the gals at the office, the school mates we've kept in touch with for years, the writers who share our passion for the written word, and the list goes on.

Years ago during my daughter's infant-toddler-preschooler-elementary-school years, my favorite "tribe" was comprised of the moms and families whose lives were intimately touched by cystic fibrosis. Every chance I got, I drank in the wisdom and shared experiences of these folks who daily walked the road of caring for a child with CF. I soaked up every possible moment in their company, these moms and dads who understood the realities of living with a chronically ill child. I rarely passed up an opportunity to be with my "tribe." Because, as I said often, "There's nothing like being with people who really understand what it's like."

My first writers' conference in 1988 introduced me to an arena where wordsmiths honed their craft together, shared common experiences, and generally basked in each others' company. I had driven three hours to an unfamiliar area to spend three days in the company of absolute strangers, in a setting extremely unfamiliar to me. More than once, I questioned what I had gotten myself into. I was sooooo unprepared for the question-of-the-day, "So, what do YOU write?" Why would these unknown-to-me folks care about that? But care they did. I marveled at the depth a conversation with a complete stranger could reach in mere moments when that person shared my passion for writing.

Life took a turn soon after that first conference in the form of a very sick infant. Hence the need for the "CF parents" tribe--a group that steadied this wearied, overwhelmed mother in a profound way.

 A couple of years later I sought out a local writers' group. Again, the folks were complete strangers, and I got lost and arrived very late to the first meeting. But since I'd already tasted the sweet nectar of spending time with other writers, I was not deterred. A smaller-scaled affair to be sure, but nonetheless my "tribe."

Now, many moons later, I have several sub-tribes that fall under the general heading of  my "writing nation." And each plays an important role in my writing life.

• a local group of eclectic writers who meet monthly, whose company I sorely miss when I cannot attend 
• the Scriblerians, writers spread across the U.S. and Canada, whose critiquing, support, encouragement, and prayers have truly been a God-send to my writing pursuits and who have become dear, dear friends
• the folks in a number of online writing groups, many focused around a specific theme such as YA or Indie Publishing, who are quick to share experiences, insights, and wisdom 
• any workshop/conference/class/gathering I can squeeze into my schedule that's themed around anything at all to do with writing

Linda and I (pictured above) once drove from Indianapolis to St. Louis to have dinner and spend the evening with  a portion of our Scriblerian "tribe." Our baffled husbands' incredulous gazes bounced alternately between Linda and I and each other at the preposterous-ness of our plan. We didn't expect them to understand. We spent the night in a college dorm room, shared breakfast with our dear Scribes and then headed back to Indy. It was incredibly awesome, and we'd do it again in a heartbeat. 

Just like during those early parenting days, when I rarely passed up an opportunity to be with my (CF) tribe, I can still, often, be heard exclaiming about my writing-tribe-turned-nation, "There's nothing like being with people who really understand what it's like." You know, to eat, breathe, sleep, and pray writing. To create and live in imaginary worlds. To pound away at a keyboard until the wee morning hours. To use words to paint a picture. 

An awesome "tribe" opportunity awaits at the ACFW Indiana "Race Towards Publication" event on Saturday, August 17, from 11:30 - 2:30 at the MCL Township Line in Indianapolis. RSVP to acfwindianachapter@gmail.com 

Beth Steury 

Beth immerses herself in the world of YA via substitute teaching, by connecting with the teenage staff and patrons at the fast food joint where she claims the back booth as her office, and by reading YA fiction. 

She's a "cheerleader" for saving sex for marriage and an even bigger supporter of "renewed waiting" because it's never too late to make wiser, healthier choices. She welcomes questions and topic suggestions for the “Waiting Matters … Because YOU Matter” blog that inspired the Waiting Matters series. 
Check out her Choices Matter series that follows Preston and Maggie as they navigate the choppy waters of high school, guy/girl relationships, and sex.
Beth is also active in the adoption community where she writes and speaks about her experiences as a "foundling" who located her birth parents and is enjoying making up for lost time with her biological family.
Connect with her at BethSteury.com for all the news on upcoming releases. Find her on Facebook at BethSteury, Author; on Twitter @Beth_Steury; and on Instagram and Goodreads. She loves to hear from readers! Write to her at waitingmatters@gmail.com.

Why Writing with Kids Isn't So Bad

By Abbey Downey

As a mom of two young kids (ages five and three), it’s safe to assume I’ll hear the same question every time I mention I’m also a writer. “How do you make time to write with kids at home?”

Honestly, it’s a reasonable question. Kids take a lot of our time and mental resources, don’t they? And, even if you can get them playing peacefully without you, a mom knows those minutes won’t last as long as she hopes.

“He hit me!”

“She took my toy!”

“Can I have a snack?”

“I have to go potty. Now!”

"Look, I deleted Mom's entire manuscript with one click!"

But here’s what most people don’t realize: having my kids around actually makes my writing better. In spite of the interruptions, the constant questions, and the frequent potty/refereeing/feeding breaks. 

Here’s what I mean:

   They make me more creative.

Have you ever just listened to a kid playing imaginary games? They’re hilarious! My oh-so-dramatic daughter frequently ends sessions of playing Barbies with someone getting hurt and going to the hospital. My son likes to make his superheroes face off against the bad guys. All of their games involve dramatic conflict. Also, since I write fiction, I can give young characters some of my kids’ funniest quirks!

They force me to use my time wisely.

I love the way another author recently responded to the question of how moms find time to write. She laughingly replied that nap time is her friend, but then went on to say that somehow, God always provides the time. Isn’t that just like our God? He calls us to write and He provides what we need to accomplish that. But this is where I struggle: I have to get off Twitter and use the snippets of time I do have, especially when there are kids around with all their various needs. If I want to get any writing in, I have to plan my day and stick to it.

They make me get out and experience the world.

I’m an introvert. Even if you aren’t, as people who work in a rather solitary profession, it’s easy for writers to get wrapped up in our words and forget that there’s a whole, real world right in front of us. And that world provides endless inspiration! My kids require things like being picked up from school, getting food to make into meals, trips to the library, and hours spent eavesdropping on—I mean, accidentally overhearing—conversations during sports practices. All wonderful places to gather ideas that I would miss if I holed up all the time in my house.

"Hmm....I think this story would be better with a few
random letters sprinkled in."

They remind me to always include God.

As they all do, my kids ask questions. So many questions. My five-year-old is very much trying to make sense of how things fit into the world and his questions usually revolve around how things work together. When we get into a line of questions, often it will circle around to how God fits into the subject. Where’s God when kids are at school? How does Jesus eat if He’s invisible? It’s a great reminder that God is in everything we do. No matter the market or genre, there’s always a way to include God in our words and in our writing process.

Have you faced a challenge in your writing that turned out to hide blessings? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Abbey Downey never expected her love for writing to turn into a career, but she’s thankful for the chance to write inspirational romance as Mollie Campbell. A life-long Midwestern girl, Abbey lives in Central Indiana, where her family has roots back to the 1840s. She couldn’t be happier spending her days putting words on paper and hanging out with her husband, two kids, and a rather enthusiastic beagle.

You can check out Abbey's books at www.molliecampbell.com

Photos from pixabay.com

The (Pep) Talk

by Mary Allen

There comes a moment in every WIP in which it seems that the kindest thing to do is hit the delete button, empty the trash, and start fresh.

Don’t do it. It’s less dramatic than the lusty zing of ripping a page from a manual typewriter, wadding it up with a growl, and pitching it across the room, but it’s more permanent. 

Pause. Take a breath.

This is where a critique group is helpful. In my opinion, the best group is the one that meets face to face. It’s a luxury most don’t have. Don’t despair. Help is out there. ACFW offers on-line critique groups for your specific genre. Even established writers might find an occasional critique session helpful.

There is also this wonderful invention called a phone. It allows you to call another writer and moan to an empathetic ear.



"This WIP is terrible! It’ll never be finished! What brain freeze made me think I could write?"

Of course, you’ll then hear how they’ve been through the same thing. Oddly, such an exchange can fortify you rather than confirm that throwing in the towel and throwing out the “trash” is the best step. It reminds you that these feelings are normal and will pass. Soon, you will fall in love with your story again. Don’t wallow in self-pity. Swallow your pride and make the call.

Writing fiction can be a love-hate relationship. You pour yourself into the story for hours on end and like eating an entire pie at a sitting– no matter how good it is—you get sick of it. Stuffed. Glutted. Gorged. A little fast may be in order. Take a break from it. Throw yourself into your family, church activity, praising God, or a nature walk. Sometimes simply removing self completely, if briefly, from the effort of writing will refresh you and vitality miraculously reappears in your already-written word.

Remember this the next time you are tempted to take overly drastic steps with your WIP.

How many times have you “given up” on writing? How many WIP have cause you to run from the room screaming? How many have you trashed and regretted it? Speak up. Your episode might just be the pep talk some fellow author needs today.

Freedom: my second favorite thing about writing

My second most favorite thing about writing is the freedom.

From graphicstock.com

Maybe freedom is the wrong word. I think what I like is the control. The freedom to be in control, maybe? There is so much in my life over which I have little to no control. It’s just plain fun to dig into the adventures of someone else, even if it is someone I made up.

When it comes to my stories I have complete control. I have control of my characters’ actions, their words and what happens to them in the end. In my stories I can always have the bad guy get his or her comeuppance, as it should be.

I can even control the kind of world they live in. If I want a world with purple cows that produce green milk that tastes like cherries, I can do that. Although I don’t think I ever would. That’s very strange, even for me.

Anyway, I think I’ve made my point – writing gives the writer the freedom to do and create whatever he or she wants. And yet… there are still rules, aren’t there? Without them we wouldn’t know what freedom is or isn’t.

Strangely I don’t find rules constraining in my writing, annoying, yes, but not defeating. I find they make me more creative. Without something to overcome, there is no opportunity to become stronger. It’s in the conflict that we find the story, whether it’s ours or a character’s that we have created.

It kind of sounds like I’m confident in myself and my ability as a writer, a creator, but I’m not really. It is only in Jesus that I am truly confident, and for that matter, free. In Christ, I am free from the fears and insecurities that would prevent me from even trying to write. Without Him I can do nothing. With Him I am free to be all He made me to be, and you can too. How cool is that?

Humbly submitted by H.T. Lord

Happy Labor Day -- Win a $25 Gift Certificate from Amazon!

Click to enter!

 I'm hosting a Back to School Giveaway on my blog. No, I'm not launching a new book. I like to treat my readers to unexpected surprises now and then. I also hope to acquire new readership. This is one reason authors hold contests.

Click for a chance to win!

 Contests are a fun way to help build your on-line platform. I've held several and they are tons of fun. My favorite contests were when I was launching my first novel, The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots. I held a Facebook Party and gave away gifts all throughout the evening to those attending. It's fun to go back to the transcript of the party and read it! If you want to know how to do it for yourself, feel free to explore the page for yourself.

Click to view Facebook launch party

Online platforms are becoming an important part of the author package writers must present to prospective publishers. The first thing a publishing committee will do when introduced to a new author, or even a published one, is Google the author's name. Does your name bring up any social media results? Do you have a website? Some publishers won't publish authors who don't have a healthy online-presence.

Karla's website header

I'm like a lot of authors in that social media isn't my favorite thing to spend time on. I'd rather not have the distraction. But, I look at it this way--it's beats digging ditches. And it's basically painless. Like scrubbing toilets, it must be done, and it won't kill me.

If you don't know where to start, here are the basics:

• Build a website. It doesn't have to be fancy. I used Wix.com when I first started and later I used Weebly.com. There are other free platforms out there. Use the one that is the most user-friendly for you. I didn't spend money to have someone design one for me until after I had my first novel published.

This blog interacts with the history books I write

• Blog. You don't have to blog every day but it makes sense that the more you blog the more people will visit. What to blog about? Do a Google search for blog topics and you'll have more than you'll ever have time to write. Also, I started my first blogs on Blogger, but now I use WordPress because that's what my web designer used to design my site. There's a learning curve to WordPress, but I love it. However, if you're new to finding your way around the Internet, I recommend Blogger. Many successful authors use it and it's what I use for my interactive ebooks.

Click to follow!

• Facebook: I have a "friends" page with about 3300+ followers, an author page with a little over 500, a page for my book and several groups. But really, you don't have to do all that. You can simply use your friends page if you wish. However, once you reach 5000 followers, you have to stop accepting them and direct them to your author page. So it's a good idea to go ahead and build your author page. The nice thing about an author page is that you can host your giveaways on it.  

Facebook Author Page Giveaway Tab

• Twitter: for me, this is the hardest platform to build relationships on. But I am learning!

Click to follow me!

• Pinterest: I have almost 3,000 followers on Pinterest and it was super easy to build that following. Pick a popular subject and start pinning! (To keep numbers in perspective, most best-selling authors have followers in the five digits. I'm still working toward that!)

Click to follow me!

• Google+: I'm fairly new to Google+ but as more people learn to use it, I'm gaining more experience and developing relationships.

Click to follow me!

• LinkedIn: I post here every time I have a blog post. 

Click to follow me!

• tumblr: I have about 800 followers on tumblr. I admit that tumblr is one of my guilty pleasures. I enjoy the people I follow there and I actually get the news before it's published in most other forums. It's a lot like twitter that way.

Click to view

• Goodreads: I have about 1300 followers on Goodreads. I'm not very good at checking in there, but while I was promoting my book, I did give books away and I believe it was well worth the expense and time. 

Click to follow!

Those are the basic platforms/applications that most writers use to build their online presence. Many do not use all of them. Others use more. I have my twitter and tumblr hooked together so that when I post on tumblr it posts on twitter. It helps me build relationships on tumblr, but it doesn't help much on twitter because to build relationships on twitter you need to interact and respond to other people's posts. 

As you can see, I'm not yet in the mega-following status and I'm still learning. A platform isn't built in a day, or week or month. It takes time to build relationships, and that's what successful authors do. No one likes to be bombarded with "buy my book" all the time. People want to connect with people, not products. If you build relationships, you'll gain a faithful tribe. And making friends, loving one another, and caring about others is what life's all about in the first place.

Click to tweet: What are you doing to build your online platform?

Don't forget to go to my website and enter the giveaway! Today's the last day! Have fun!

Leave me a message below and let me know how you're building your online platform!