Making a Difference

This morning, my neighbor told me her pet bird died last night. She'd had it for seven years and loved it like a child. A week ago, she dropped a weight at the gym and broke her toe. Two months before that, her fifteen year-old cat died. She buried it herself but a coyote dug it up the next day. Ten months ago, her husband of seventeen years left her for another woman after being unemployed a year and drinking day and night.

She cried as she stood before me with her shovel in her hand. She told me God had given her enough. She couldn't take any more.

I wanted to cry with her because I've been there too very recently. But instead I shared with her something from a book I'd just read--a book lovingly sent to me by a blogger friend this past week. It encouraged her as much as it had encouraged me.

We're making a difference as bloggers. As much as we're making a difference as writers.

Tomorrow instead of being online, I'll be sitting in a hospital room waiting for my husband's surgery to take place. Waiting for the doctor to come out and tell me it went fine. I'll worry, because that's what we do when loved ones go through trials. But I'll also take with me the comfort that many of you will be praying along with me.

And that's what really counts. Isn't it?

Proud of you!

My daughter called me early this morning from her home in Seattle. "We bought a car last night. I hope you will be proud of the deal I got."

Three years ago, she and her new husband bought their first car together. The deal proved less than desirable but it was their first time out working with a car salesmen. When her husband wrecked their vehicle last week, she called me for advice. Both my husband and I coached her on how to do research and get the most for their money and most of all--not to be taken.

"You did awesome!" I told her when she shared the details. "I'm so proud of you."

After I said those words, I could hear the anxiety in her voice disappear. Her smile came through the phone. It reminded me of the many times during her softball games when she'd looked back at us after a good catch.

Funny how we need that approval. Someone to tell us how proud they are of our abilities.

I still need that with my writing as much as she still needs it with her spending.

Who pats you on your back for your writing efforts?

As a community of writers, I hope we continue to do that for each other, no matter how many times we've been published or not.

I like looking over my shoulder and seeing all of you. I hope you can see me cheering you on.

Why I didn't win the contest but won something even better.

I try to share with you everything in my writing journey as it comes along. A few months ago, I entered the Launching a Star contest with RWA. Yeah, I was hopeful and nervous but willing to pay some money to get a critique from a huge publisher and an agent who's blog most of us read.

Here's some of the feedback I received that to me was well worth all I spent.

Two critiquers. Scores: 118/150 and 137/150. I can live with that.

Comments: I'm only going to give you the needs, not the good stuff, cause it was the needy areas I focused onto when I opened that packet. Don't we all?

Exernal conflict could be stronger. How could things be worse? The problem I find is the fresh twist. Something needs to be more at risk.

Ramp up the tension.

Clearly define the motivations. Show clear internal/external conflicts.

So there you have it. My weak areas in writing fiction.

What this feedback does for me is allows me to immediately incorporate it into my current WIP.

Every time we learn something new, our writing grows and improves. But it takes some putting it out there to find those need areas, whether it is with a critique group or a contest or submitting it to an agent.

How have you recently put your work out there to find your need areas?

As far as I'm concerned, I won another chance to improve.

A lot of this and that . . .

Wow! You all really blessed me this week with your entries--I was blown away by the number!- and by the comments on my interview. Thank you for giving me so many blessings.

I decided to pick 4 winners instead of one: Jeannette, Julie G., Journaling Woman, and Analisa. Please send me your addresses and I will put a book in the mail this week. Let me know if you want it signed to someone or not:)

Other news-- I found out at 5pm last night after working all week that they filled the position. Not with me. With a relative. Ok. I really didn't like the job but had hoped it would happen as I understood it to be. So I'm back in the world looking for work again. What it did for me, though, was renew my confidence that I can go back into the working segment and survive.

God has a plan. I still believe that.

Finally, Deborah, a fellow blogger, is giving away some great gifts at her blog. If you get a chance, pop over and say hello!

See you next week when I share some of the critique comments I received from a RWA contest and how I can use then to improve my story.

Read my Interview:)

Hey everyone--I'm being interviewed today (first time ever!) over at Keli Gwyn's blog, Romance Writers on the Journey. I would love it if you stopped over and visited me. Please leave a comment or ask me anything you want. She also is giving away a fabulous prize that a new writer could really use someday:) Thanks!

Win a book!

I'm giving away a new book! "The Blessing Sheet" is my sixth story to be published by Chicken Soup for the Soul. Many of you know my husband and I have been going through some recession trials. Chicken Soup for the Soul has put together a great book of stories for people to inspire them during these tough times. And hey, my story is the first one in the book, so please leave a comment and I will pick a winner on Saturday!

Making the most of our time.

It's Friday. And I made it through my first two days of my new job. Cried when I got home the first day. Today my back is the only thing crying. Can you tell I'm tired?

I am thanking God for a chance to earn some benefits and a little money. It won't be enough to pay our bills by a landslide but I'm trusting him to bring in what else we need in some awesome way. He always has. Why not this time?

But as I sit here at my computer, catching my breath before I make myself some dinner, I feel a sadness that my writing life will be changed for a long time. At least until my husband gets out of college.

You do what you have to do and pray for the best.

I will now be listening closer to those of you who work and write. I'll be listening for the tips and advice on how to juggle your love of words and the mundane things we need to do that get in the way. Like work.

I took my notebook with me today and during my half-hour lunch, I worked on a card for Blue Mountain. It was nice to let my mind drift--but oh how I can't wait until tomorrow when it really can.

Making the most of our time. Are you?

Willing to Wait

I was blessed by your comments on my last post. You've caused me to really think about why I write and what I want to happen with my writing. And where I need to draw the line, understanding of course, the consequences if I do.

We all want our books published. But we also want to hold a book in our hands we will be proud of. I believe when we do contract with the right agent or the right publisher, that will happen. Good editors, publishers and agents understand the market, the needs and what they can or can't sell at any given time.

When that time comes for what I choose to write might be today, tomorrow or years from now.

Good editors, publishers and agents will also want to get behind the writer they believe in.

I want that.

And I'll wait for it.

What am I saying? I plan to continue to write what God lays on my heart because that's how I've gotten this far already. Hoping you do too.

PS I start a new job on a trial basis on Thursday for a Christian company. Please pray this stay-at-home writer will know how to transition back into the workplace easily. Thanks!

Sell or Not to Sell?

I received a very nice reply from an agent who I sent my query to this week. But with that reply came a double whammy for me at least. He shared with me his thoughts on the current market. Most publishers want historical fiction or romance. They are full up with women's fiction--my genre. Then he shared that books about writers generally don't sell.

Ok. So his comments made me worry. And worry. And wonder what now? What do I do with the book I just wrote and the one now started? Sit on them? Hope customers' wants change fast? Rework them into romance?

It made for a not-so-fun-day.

Then I contacted a well-known writer with years of published books under her belt. She promptly wrote me back and told me something I needed to remember.

Write what God puts on your heart.

It might be a harder sell, but there's always room for a well-written book. She's writing a contempory one right now.

I stopped and took a deep breath. The market changes often and what I'm writing might just be the vogue when it's ready.

Is it all about the immediate?

I hope not. We all want to make money but if I tried to write historical today, I can tell you how much money I would make from it. $0.00

So do you let the market needs sway you in what you are writing?

2 AM wake up call

As I grow as a writer, I tend to experiment with methods. As you can see in the side bar, I'm working on another book--women's fiction. Finish one. Start another.

But this time, with the help of my critique partners, I'm laying out the groundwork ahead of time. Kind of like building a house. Can't do it without a good blueprint, if you're obsessive like me.

I've tried the panster method (did I even spell that word right??) and it doesn't work--not if I want layers in my book.

And from reading some great how-to books lately on writing fiction, I know layers count. So does motivation and inner conflict.

Last night I wanted to jump out of bed at two am and write notes. Yup. I found what one of my characters needs. His secret, more inner conflict and the way he can become a hero through self-sacrifice.

So I'm happy my method of shaping the first few chapters is working. For me it is. I'm laying the groundwork for future layers now and I think that might eliminate a lot of work later.

What method have you found through trial and error that works best for you?