Writing Tips

"Many are the plans in a man's heart,

but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 19:21

I've always wanted to be a writer. In high school, I started my first book, called "Splendor in the Sun." Even in college when I studied English Literature and Journalism, all I dreamed about was to write a book. Lots of time has passed since then, but five years ago, I joined a group called American Christian Romance Writers, now called American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Since that time, I've learned a lot about writing fiction and have completed two books I'm prepared to claim (the ones before that were learning tools). My current work is a contemporary series situated in the Flint Hills of Kansas, which will be published by Zondervan. The first book, Snow Melts in Spring is set to release May 09.

Below are some writing tips for beginning writers that I hope will help you on your writing journey.

Return to Deborah's Home Page

Graduation

Many of you have been to graduations--kindergarten, eighth grade, high school, or college. But there is another type of graduation you may never have considered--the graduation of a writer.

I began my first book when I was a junior in high school. Then came college, marriage . . . life. In that time, I piddled with my words, even wrote a book or two. But I didn't become serious about this business until six years ago, when I decided to join a local writer's group and an online group called American Christian Romance Writers (now American Christian Fiction Writers). I joined a critique group, took online writing workshops, read writing book how-to's and attended writer's conferences, where I eventually met my first agent, which led to more waiting and disappointment. Now I have a new agent, Rachelle Gardner, at WordServe Literary.

One way to view this journey is from a student's perspective. To read more about this logic, visit Randy Ingermanson's Site.

• A Freshman knows she wants to write a book but has no "formal training."
• A Sophomore has written a book or is working on one, has read books on writing, joined writer's groups, has even gone to a conference or two, but every proposal or query she's sent out has been rejected. Or maybe she's too scared to even send out a proposal. This phase may take several years to get through.
• A Junior is a strong writer. She's improved her craft, been asked to submit a proposal to an editor or two, but still faces rejection. She begins to wonder if she'll ever be published. Again, this might take several years.
• Finally, a Senior has reached a point of excellence. By this time, she's garnered the interest of a few publishers and may even have an agent, but still she wonders "will it ever happen?" Then one day when she least expects it, she gets that elusive but magical phone call that says a publisher has offered her a contract!

Well friends, I'm pleased to announce that I've reached senior graduation and have been offered a contract by Zondervan. It's been a long journey, but well worth the wait!

Contract with Zondervan

It's kind of like winning the lottery or maybe winning the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes. Not that I would know how either of those feel like, but it finally arrived . . . my contract with Zondervan!

They have contracted me for three books of my Seasons of the Tallgrass series. The first book titled, Snow Melts in Spring is set to release in May 2009. I am thrilled to be working with them on this project. It has been a long and winding road, but I am finally going to be published. A big THANK YOU to my agent Rachelle Gardner at Wordserve Literary, for working out all the details.

Snow Melts in Spring Blurb

Here is a short blurb for Snow Melts in Spring, the first book in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series, to arrive in stores July 09.

When an aged horse is severely injured on a gravel road in the Flint Hills of Kansas, country veterinarian Mattie Evans accepts the challenge to save him. But she finds herself in the middle of a longstanding feud between the horse’s owner, pro quarterback Gil McCray, and his ailing father—who is also her dear friend.

As the snow melts in spring, Gil’s return to his estranged father’s ranch brings a chance for new beginnings and reconciliation, but when he falls in love with Mattie, he must face the truths that haunt him or run from his past. Meanwhile, Mattie encourages Gil to return permanently to Kansas rather than retire in California. Their love collides when Mattie’s sister arrives on Gil’s doorstep, causing Gil to come to terms with the jealous acts leading up to his brother’s death and seek forgiveness from those he loves most. Can he accept God’s forgiveness, and will that be enough to make him stop running from his memories of home? In turn, if Mattie forgives, she’ll be forced to choose between the man of her dreams and the land she dearly loves.

Writing Space

When I first began writing, I had an office in our kitchen, which consisted of a desktop computer with a shelf of trade books overhead. Now that I have a laptop, I moved my office to a corner of our bedroom, where I can shut out "life" when needed.

As you can see from this photo, I have lots of pictures--of my characters, where they live, their animals, etc. Besides the normal tools that every writer has, I surround myself with motivators such as candles, lotion, herbal tea, movie soundtracks, even a favorite chambray shirt I deem my official writing shirt. This past Christmas my family gave me a Precious Moments figurine of a girl hiking up a hill. On the bottom it reads "A Journey of Hope." I thought it fitting for this writing journey I'm on and decided to add that to my setting.

Original Movie Soundtracks

I recently discovered the wonders of listening to music while I write. This past Christmas I received a movie soundtrack of Dances with Wolves, one of my favorite movies. So, taking the advice of many fellow writers, I turned up the volumn to my CD player while I brainstormed ideas for my newest manuscript. I liked it so much, I decided to order two more original scores--Legends of the Fall, and The Horse Whisperer.

Let me tell you, I am completely sold on this idea to help put you into your story. I simply pop the CD in and suddenly I'm transported to another time and place. At times, my heart and mind soars with the orchestration.

Top Ten Writing Books

If you're serious about writing, read as much as you can. My second tip is to write as much as you can, then push yourself and write even more. If you don't read, you'll never be a good judge of excellence, and you'll never know what you like. Write what you enjoy reading. Don't write what you think will sell--write what you love and what is on your heart. Here is my Top Ten list of writing books:

Stein on Writing, by Sol Stein

Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell

Word Painting, by Rebecca McClanahan

Writing the Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by R. Brown & D. King

GMC - Goal, Motivation & Conflict, by Debra Dixon

Getting into Character, by Brandilyn Collins

The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White

The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel, by Penelope J. Stokes

Building Believable Characters, by Marc McCutcheon

Writer's Groups

Reading is so important if you want to aspire to be an author. Another key ingredient to the writer's world is to belong to a writer's group--either local or online. A writer leads a solitary life, and it helps to interact with other authors who understand your unique terminologies and who may share your problems, joys, or advice. (Pictured here are past and present members of ACFW Crit Group 5 - Jeanne Marie Leach, myself, Lisa Harris, Tammy Alexander, and Beth Goddard.)

Another way to do this is to attend writer's conferences. These will usually occur on a weekend and may last from 2-7 days, depending on where you go. There are many to choose from, but here are a few that have been recommended to me: Colorado Christian Writers Conference in May, American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in September, Glorieta Christian Writers' Conference in October, and Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in March or April.

A good place to find writer's groups and conferences is in Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Market Guide. At the back of the book, you'll find listings of writer's conferences, and regional groups as well as national organizations.

Return to Deborah's Home Page

How to Begin

You've studied writing books, you've attended workshops at conferences, now what? How do you begin -- with plot or characters?

The answer is, whichever works for you. I've done both. Let's say you choose to begin with characters. Where do you get your ideas? Sometimes I'll base a character off of a movie actor or actress, or sometimes they'll come from a picture in a magazine. I've even been known to compile characteristics from different people I've met and make them into a fictional person. Each of these suggestions gives you a visual to work with, which for me, is essential to keeping true to the character.

A wonderful tool to access your character's motivations is the book Getting Into Character, by Brandilyn Collins. This book suggests you interview your characters until you know what drives them -- inside and out. By doing this, you'll then be able to develop various plots and subplots for your story.

Now, say you begin with a plot. Where can you find plot ideas? Many times, I'll form a plotline with a story I've read in a newspaper or magazine, and the idea branches out from there. There's an old adage, write what you know, and that's good advice to keep with you. Think back to an occurance that changed or marked your life somehow and see if a plot develops. You'd be surprised how many stories begin that way.

Another option is to hold a brainstorming session with other writers or friends. I participated in one of these last month, and it turned out to be very effective. You can do this with as little as a vague plot idea or a glimpse of your characters. Share your mini synopsis in a round-table group discussion and see what ideas pop up. It's fun to see how one person's thought feeds off another, and it really gets the creative juices cooking.

What Makes A Good Story?

Every good story has a beginning, middle and end, but what makes a good story? Is it three-dimensional characters that come to life on a page, compelling conflict, or a well thought out plotline that keeps you guessing until the last page?

As mentioned before, I like a character-driven story, and in the books I've written, the setting becomes a character of sorts, to where it's almost as important as the protagonists. With this characterization, I like to add a poetic voice to help the imagery "sing" on the page and make a good story even better.

Of course, each chapter and even perhaps each scene should end in conflict to keep the reader turning pages. I've been told to think of it this way--conflict can be described as putting your character in a position where something bad will happen, and then make it even worse for him. How do you keep from having a "sagging middle"--you know when the story seems to tra-la-la-along? The answer again is Conflict.

Now, how do you end your manuscript so the reader will close the book with a contented sigh? Be sure to close all plotlines. Don't leave a reader hanging, and if at all possible, give the audience a fresh, unexpected ending that is believable.

So, to me, this is what equals a good story -- characters a reader can love (or hate), a poetic voice and imagery, ongoing and believable conflict, and a unique plotline.

*************************************

Return to Deborah's Home Page

Ten Things I've Learned About Writing

10 things I've learned since I began writing the Great American Novel, twenty-three years ago in high school:

• I've always heard to "write what you know," but I'll add to that, "write what is on your heart."
• Join writer's groups and critique groups to hone your knowledge of the craft.
• Networking with writers, agents, and editors is important. Plan to attend at least one conference a year.
• Not only do you need a good handle on basic grammar and style, but your ideas and plotlines must be fresh and interesting to break into today's market.
• Learning never stops--always study the craft. Read books and magazines, take an online writing course or one from a local college, and attend writer's workshops.
• You can't give up. The only writer who succeeds is the writer who doesn't give up.
• 90% of the battle is completing the book.
• Your work doesn't end once the book is written. Marketing is a huge word in today's publishing world.
• Not everyone needs an agent, but having one may help you get published.
• Let God be your guide. Request his help and guidance as you write, each and every day.

The Story of Your Heart

Last Septmeber I attended the ACFW national conference in Dallas, TX. This was a fun-packed weekend of amazing workshops, inspiring speakers and devotions, and an awesome time of worshipping with other Christian writers. One recurring message at this conference was to write the truth when you write the story of your heart. Anne Lamott, in her book bird by bird says "Good writing is about telling the truth."

I think sometimes, we as writers, don't want to put ourselves in hard places, but instead, we tread lightly on the experiences that have marked and made us who we are.

Liz Curtis Higgs in one of her conference speeches said, "Good writing is about telling the truth--that not only means God's truth, but your truth as well, even if it's hard and even if it hurts." She went on to say, "As writers we have to split open our own worlds. We can hide behind characters, but we know the truth that's on the page . . . Truth comes from past sins and present struggles. Write about the stuff you don't want to write about."

We all have dirty laundry--we're sinful human beings. We each have our little secrets we'd rather keep hidden. But if we allow ourselves to reexperience the crushing pain of heartache, the grief of death, the salt of our tears, then our words will move someone--a reader, somewhere--who needs to hear the story we share.

Mary DeMuth reiterated this message in her four-part continuing workshop Inside Out-How the Journey of Further Publication Hones Our Hearts. She shared, "The more we are able to grapple with truth in our hearts, even the difficult, painful truth that we are needy and helpless and sinful, the more our fiction will reflect reality, the more it will transform (by the power of the Holy Spirit) our readers."

This, to me, is what Christian fiction is all about -- transforming our readers, and possibly in the process, learning something new about ourselves that we were afraid to acknowledge before.

********************************

Return to Deborah's Home Page

Writing During the Holidays

Though Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, it can also be one of the busiest. As a fun topic, I thought I'd share with you a few suggestions for finding writing time during the holidays from a few of my favorite authors.

• From Deborah Raney: This may not be helpful if you have a January deadline, but during the holidays, it's almost impossible for me to concentrate enough to write anything worth keeping, so if at all possible, I put off any actual writing between Thanksgiving and New Years and use my time instead to gear up for uninterrupted writing the first months of the new year. I use the holidays to accomplish the following tasks:

1. Catch up on the research books and articles for my wip, along with the industry magazines that have accumulated.
2. Update my Web site and get my e-newsletter sent out.
3. Organize my closets and clean house.
4. Arrange lunches with all the friends and family I'll be ignoring the rest of the winter.
5. Update my speaking calendar and notes, send PR material to venues where I'm speaking, make sure I have books ordered, etc.
6. Get my tax stuff ready for the accountant and balance the checkbook.
7. Stock the cupboards and make some casseroles and cookies to put in the freezer so my family doesn't feel neglected while I go into hiding in my writing studio come January.
8. Write shorter pieces that don't require so much concentration: my column for crosswalk.com, blog posts, articles, speeches, workshop curriculum, etc. Oh, and the family Christmas letter, of course.

It's not always possible to take the holidays completely off from writing, but if you find it tough to write in all the hubbub, it might be worth it to clear your calendar as much as possible and plan to make up for lost time in the New Year.

• Patricia (Davids) McDonald shares: It hasn't been worth the hassle to try writing when there is so much else going on in my life at the holidays. It is one of the perks of being a writer that I can pretty much set my own schedule and put truly important things first. After January, I'll hit the keyboard hot and heavy, but for now, I'm enjoying visiting with my family and friends I don't often see.

• Rhonda Gibson offers: First I study my days and ask myself who all will be there, at what times, and dates. Then I decide if I need to write in the morning, afternoon or evening. Most of my writing time is "normally" done in the evening but if family is there, I write early in the mornings. (Because you and I both know family function and fun happens in the evening.) I set my alarm for an two hours earlier than I normally get up. Do my Bible study and then write. If I have time, I check email and respond. The rest of the day is spent with family and friends. If your family fun is in the mornings, plan to work those two hours in the evening. BIGGEST TIP: Don't forget to do the Bible study and spend time with God. When I do, I have plenty of time for writing, family and everything else that goes with the holiday.

************************************

Return to Deborah's Home Page