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11/5/2019 0 Comments

Thoughts on Writer's Groups

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Because I’ve moved to a new town and have joined a group in formation, we discussed what the attendees would like to see in the writer’s club.
 
The discussion reminded me of types of groups:
Critique – feedback on your own and other’s writing
Discussion – can be on a specific topic or writing in general
Lecture/Talk – usually craft focused or inspirational
Write In – a time to work on your own writing
Workshop – craft or marketing focused with some hands-on activity
Both face-to-face groups and online groups can provide any of these services. All can be useful, but it depends what you are looking for.
 
For me a variety of these groups have worked over the years. I love the chance to learn through lectures and workshops. It’s so great when some piece of craft advice clicks. Or when the “so that how that’s done” aha moment happens. I’ve mostly done in person sessions, especially conferences, but more and more webinars are available from the comfort of your own home. In addition, these events often inspire me, whether it is simply to press on, or with a specific piece of information that makes me avid to jump back into my own work. No matter how many I’ve done these, I discover new tidbits each time I participate.
 
I’ve found write ins to be very practical. I’ve participated in them in coffee shops, libraries, retreats, etc. Each person focuses on their own project. Just the fact that others are working around me helps me keep my butt in the chair and my hands on the keyboard. I like a weekly schedule. Headphones are helpful in a public place where conversations around me can be distracting. Mostly I’ve formed these with likeminded writers, but sometimes organizations will schedule them too.
 
Discussion can be fun, especially if it is focused. I’ve been in groups where we shared favorite books by genre, or good first lines, or marketing tips, etc. Having a theme makes the discussion more practical. I’ve found an unfocused group can end up being a gripe session, or can wander completely off writing.
 
But for me probably the most important group is a critique group. I’ve learned so much by what others have said about my work (the good and bad) and what I’ve seen in their writing, too. We encourage each other to press on. We inspire one another. Our meetings provide a deadline to have pages ready. Not only have we helped improve our writing by consistent meetings, but we’ve become close friends and family because of the time spent together.
 
How do you find a writer’s group? Check with your local library. Search online for writer’s groups in your area. Research national and international writing organizations. If you’re on Facebook, you can find groups there, too. Join writer list serves which often announce events or groups forming.
 
Here are some helpful resources, especially if a group doesn’t have established guidelines:
 
“General Critique Guidelines” by the Writer’s Loft
“10 Tips on How To Find or Form the Critique Group of Your Dreams” by Riki Cleveland
The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide by Becky Levine
“How To Find A Writing Group, Because Every Aspiring Author Needs A Support Group”
by Sadie Trombetta
“Writing Groups 101: How to Find Your Perfect Match” by Kristen Pope
“The 4 Hidden Dangers of Writing Groups” by Jennie Nash

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7/30/2019 0 Comments

Planting Ideas

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“The beauty hidden inside a tiny seed can never be discovered until it is planted, until the rains fall and the sun shines down upon it. The process takes time and patience, just as it does when God works in our hearts. When we wait on the Lord, weather the storms, and bask in His light, He takes our lives . . . and turns them into something beautiful.” Julie A. Campbell

Likewise, the beauty of story can never be discovered until we allow the germ of an idea to take root in our minds. When we plant an idea, water it, expose it to sunlight, weed it, prune and shape it, we’re preparing a story for harvest.

The process of growing a story takes time, patience and hard work. Very rarely does a story arrive in our minds in full bloom. And even when it does, the translation to paper usually seems to lose something. Just as some plants thrive best when surrounded by plants of other varieties, story ideas often need the stimulus of other ideas before they can grow.

Here are some questions, we need to ask ourselves, when we have a new idea:


Have I talked to God about my writing lately?
  1. Have I recommitted it to Him?
  2. Have I asked Him what He thinks about this idea?
  3. Am I willing to trust this new idea to Him?

Am I willing to weather the storms of writing?
  1. Such as trusting His timing for publication?
  2. Doing my part by working hard?
  3. Being willing to change my work?

Is the soil of my mind prepared?
  1. Do I need the tilling of a new experience or situation?
  2. Do I need a class or workshop to sift out the rocks in my field?
  3. Do I need to add fertilizer by doing research or talking with other writers?

Do I know what I want to grow from this idea?
  1. Fiction or nonfiction?
  2. A short piece or a book?
  3. Do I need to read in the genre I want to write? Or am I like a gardener who can’t tell a weed from a vegetable plant?

And finally, is it time to write this now? Is this what He wants me working on?

Sometimes an idea can lay dormant for months and years before it sprouts. Some have to grow many years before they can bloom. Just as we can’t expect immediate results when we plant an apple tree, not all ideas are ready to be written.

Whatever we write, whether it be secular or Christian, should bring glory to God. We should ask the Lord to help us to turn each new idea over to Him, to let Him guide us and lead us, to make each piece of writing into something beautiful.



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7/13/2019 0 Comments

The Writer’s Paraphrase of 2 Peter 1:5-8

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Now for this very reason
…in your writing…
     …apply all diligence
     …supply moral excellence
     …knowledge
     …self-control
     …perseverance
     …godliness
     …brotherly kindness
     …Christian love
 
Diligence – steady application to one’s occupation or studies, persistent effort
  • Learning your craft
  • Doing research faithfully
  • Doing your best
  • Rewriting
  • Researching the marketplace
  • Willingness to keep learning
 
Excellence – state of going beyond a standard, performing at a higher level
  • Accuracy in statistics, facts, quotes
  • Not sending unidentified multiple submissions
  • Honesty and truthfulness with editors
  • Only sending what fits a market
  • Proofreading carefully
  • Never plagiarizing
  • Working to improve your writing
 
Knowledge – familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study
  • Knowing your category and genre
  • Knowing the marketplace
  • Knowing the specific magazine or publishing house
  • Knowing the basic rules of writing
 
Self-control – control of one’s emotions, desires, or actions by one’s own will
  • Not sending out a story when it is hot off the fingertips
  • Not buttonholing or monopolizing an editor or agent to talk about your manuscript(s)
  • Not arguing with a critique
  • Not monologuing in a class or workshop, but letting others talk, too
 
Perseverance – the holding to a course of action, belief, or purpose without giving way; steadfastness
  • Writing
  • Getting feedback and rewriting
  • Submitting
  • Not giving up, unless God tells you to
  • Commitment to a schedule of writing or to writing goals
 
Godliness – resembling or of the nature of God
  • Trusting our Heavenly Father, even if it means you are never “published”
  • Conforming to His will, even if it includes doing something besides writing
 
Brotherly kindness – being generous, warmhearted, charitable, helpful, showing sympathy or understanding, considerate
  • Viewing other writers as co-workers, not competition
  • Sharing with those new to the industry—this does not mean sacrificing your own writing or schedule
  • Being considerate when critiquing
 
Christian love – intense concern for another person
  • Encouraging others in their writing
  • Not bragging
  • Not putting others down during a critique
  • Rejoicing in others’ successes
 
“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful …”
 
…in using your writing for our Lord Jesus Christ.


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4/24/2019 0 Comments

Thoughts about Writing Nonfiction

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FOCUS IN
  • Write out what your book is going to be about. You may start out with a paragraph, but then condense it to one sentence. This is often called an elevator pitch and will help you focus. At any time when you are writing and you are not sure where to go, reread your statement. It’s the goal you are headed toward.
    • Some suggestions to get started:
      • This book is about …
      • My story is …
    • A resource: “Writing a One Sentence Summary“
  • Determine the main take away you want readers to get from reading your book. This again helps you focus as you write.
  • Who is audience for this book? Women? Young Christian wives? Midwestern adults? The more specific you get helps you slant the book appropriately.
  • Know where your book would fit on the shelf. It you can’t define this, will booksellers know where to put your book?
    • A resource: “Exploring Your Writing Genre”
 
SET SOME GOALS
  • Schedule your writing time and stick to it. Will it be Saturday mornings? Evenings after the kids are in bed? Or ? Nothing will happen if you don’t put in work to get the words down. Chuck Warren said, “It was only when I made a commitment to my goal that I accomplished what I wanted. And, so much more. When I finally stopped talking about writing, and stopped promising myself and others that I would start tomorrow with grand plans and dramatic hand gestures, and then dove in head first, I began to see results.”
  • Keep learning about writing. Read articles and books, attend workshops and conferences, and keep practicing. “Poor writing can muddle and dismantle a message, rendering it ineffective.” - Michael A. Blaylock
  • Learn the average word count ranges for books like yours.
    • See the charts on this page: “Your Guide to Book Word Counts”
 
THE ACTUAL WRITING
  • Have a plan for the structure of your book. That doesn’t necessarily mean outlining, but it could. One website (https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2018/11/21/writing-tips-7-mistakes-first-time-nonfiction-authors-make/) put it this way:
    • What Was: the way things used to be.
    • What Happened: the event or situation that changed everything.
    • What Is: what things are like now after the change.
  • Make what happened come to life.
    • Use specific details.
    • Share emotion. That means being honest and letting them know your pain, fears, anger, etc. as well as the positive emotions.
    • Use dialogue when possible.
    • Share actions.
    • Give a sense of time and place when appropriate.
  • Complete a first draft. Whether you write every day, measure time you’re writing, or words written, get it done.

REVISE AND GET FEEDBACK
  • All writers rewrite and revise. Reading aloud can be very helpful in hearing your mistakes, awkward phrasing, where more is needed, overused words, etc.
  • Critique groups or beta readers can be a tremendous help in pointing out areas to work on.
  • A few good resources:
    • “Top 10 Editing Tips for Christian Writers”
    • “Top 12 Word Usage Errors”
  • An editor will request more revisions. (Often, agents do as well.)
 
“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what's burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.” – Arthur Polotnik


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4/3/2019 0 Comments

Awkward Critiques

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Critiquing and being critiqued can be a stressful activity under the best of circumstances. But sometimes situations arise that are difficult or downright awkward. The following address three of those times.
 
What do you do when a member of a critique group brings a manuscript you cannot critique? e.g. Is diametrically opposed to your beliefs or you find it offensive.
 
First:
  • Make sure you understand why you cannot critique the piece. Then be prepared to speak honestly, but kindly.
Possible Responses:
  • Critique the writing and not the content.
  • If you find the content offensive—making it difficult to even comment on writing style, punctuation, etc.—withdraw from critiquing this piece. Be ready to give an answer, if they ask, about why you do not want to critique it. e.g. “The language in this manuscript bothers me.” Or, “I’m uncomfortable with the subject matter.”
  • If the content is contrary to Scripture and the writer is a Christian aiming at a Christian market, look up scripture references and use those as part of your critique. For a face-to-face critique, you may need to ask if you can have more time, and send your response later. Your email might look like this: “I’ve been thinking more about your piece and am wondering . . .”
  • Does your group have guidelines about the type of material offered for critique? If so, and the piece is outside the guidelines, politely remind the writer of the goals of the group. “This group focuses on clean fiction.” If your group does not have guidelines, discuss the possibility of having them with the group.
Tips:
  • Remember to make “I” statements not “you” statements.  For example, NOT “You use too many curse words.” INSTEAD “I prefer not to read a manuscript with profanity.”
  • Comment on the piece not the author: e.g. “This manuscript has a lot of curse words.”
  • Ask questions: “Is this type of language acceptable to the publisher?”
 
What do you do when someone doesn’t want to critique your manuscript?
 
First:
  • Don’t be easily offended.
Possible Responses:
  • Ask if the problem is with the style or the content of your manuscript? Some people don’t understand poetry and don’t feel they can offer any worthwhile comments. Others don’t like fantasy.
  • If the critiquer responds “content,” you may want to ask for specifics so you understand the problem. Be as polite as possible even if you disagree.
  • Thank the critiquer and see what others have to say about your manuscript.
Tips:
  • Remember this is not personal.
  • If people in your group are frequently unwilling to critique your material, either this is not the right group for you or perhaps your manuscripts are not appropriate for the critique group. (For example, I wouldn’t take a children’s piece to an adult critique group.)
 
What do you do when you receive an unfair critique?
 
First:
  • Don’t be easily offended. Try to stay calm.
  • Step back and give yourself time to recover. Then take an honest look at the comments. Now that you can be more objective, consider whether these comments have validity. If they still seem unfair, focus on comments from other critiquers.
  • Analyze the critiquer. Were they negative with everyone? If so, they may need to be exposed to or reminded of critique guidelines that discuss how important it is to give positive feedback. Ask the group leader to remind everyone of the guidelines.
  • Get to know this person better. Perhaps other events in their life were influencing a normal positive attitude. Or it may just be a misunderstanding—what feels hurtful to you may be intended as humor.
Possible Responses:
  • Next time state clearly what you need from this critiquer. “I’m not looking for a line-by-line edit, I just want to know if the overall story arc is working.”
  • Speak privately to the person and express your need to hear something positive on your writing. Use I statements. e.g. “It’s easier for me to accept criticism if I also hear what IS working in my writing. It would really help me if you could tell me something you liked.”
Tips:
  • Try to separate yourself from the piece.
  • Remember that most people aren’t intentionally malicious. Often it is thoughtlessness that hurts others.
  • Forgive.
 
In any of these cases, a writing mentor, or group leader may have additional suggestions for you. No need to mention names or info that would pointedly indicate the person you are struggling with—we don’t want to turn this into a gossip session—just ask for advice from someone with more critique group experience.

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3/5/2019 0 Comments

Romans 8:28 for the Fiction Writer

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"All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose" . . . and . . . for the fiction writer. Or at least they can, if you're willing. I’m not being flippant here. Let me show you what I mean.
 
Your child has just come home from school and confessed she cheated in class and got caught. After you deal with her situation, start thinking about a story for a church take home paper dealing with this or a similar issue. I did and the resulting short story sold to a girl's magazine.
 
Your pastor asks you to step outside your comfort zone in a ministry area at church. Your friend asks for prayer for her participation in a ministry that fills her with fear. Use both your discomfort and her fear, plus how God came through when you each trusted Him, for a character struggling through a similar problem.
 
Remember how shy you were? How someone might overcome shyness in a specific situation can become part of a story. Remember feeling so average that you had nothing special to offer? Later, you probably realized how God gifted you in areas that weren't so obvious. I wrote a short story showing a teenager coming to the same realization which has sold twice.
 
God teaches you a lesson. A story about someone in a similar situation could help others learn the lesson in a less painful manner. A friend shares how she is caught in sin and asks for help in keeping her accountable. Imagining how that could be on the inside got me writing a story that might help others in the same sin, and the story sold to a magazine for young adults.
 
Remember being really angry at someone? And peer pressure and how you caved in and did what you knew was wrong?  I've had at least two short stories come out of this. One, my character did what I wished I'd done. The other, my character learned that caving into peer pressure isn't a good idea. The former story has been in print three times.
 
What ministry areas have you gotten involved in? Feeding homeless, greeting, missions, worship team, youth, nursery, prison ministry, teaching special education children, Vacation Bible School, and prayer are all ministries I've participated in at one time or another and have all made it into fiction stories in one form or another. I've used the setting, I've used problems I've seen, I've used my feelings and feelings of others, I've gotten ideas for a character's personality and more for numerous stories.
 
What experiences have you had? What are your hobbies? How about your family? Your friends? Acquaintances? Things happen: moving, losing a loved one, job changes, failure, temptation, frustration, success, etc. We all have highs and lows. You may not be able to solve a problem in real life, but you might be able to solve it in fiction or show how someone else survived. In my novel I used my fear of heights, my love of baking, a snowmobiling experience, things I’d learned about my sister’s small town to create my own small town, my family’s move, and more.
 
How about all those times we think, "I wish I'd said . . ." in response to someone else. It could be we failed to share God's word or his values. It could be we responded impatiently or with hasty words. Or perhaps we even wish we'd kept our mouth shut. The magic of fiction is that my characters can do what I wish I'd done.
 
This doesn't mean fiction characters are perfect and never make mistakes. We want them to be believable. They might even have some of my flaws as well as flaws of their own. I help round them out by using my own experiences, both good and bad.
 
Isn't it great that "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose"? Even for the fiction writer?


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    Author

    SM Ford writes inspirational fiction for adults, although teens may find the stories of interest, too. She also loves assisting other writers on their journeys.

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