tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post6275780171983880388..comments2024-01-01T18:42:01.363-08:00Comments on International Christian Fiction Writers: So You Want to Write a Book?Lisa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358581487206184033noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-8143658844535040472011-10-09T16:57:31.436-07:002011-10-09T16:57:31.436-07:00I had to smile at your post, Jo-Anne. I sure will ...I had to smile at your post, Jo-Anne. I sure will tell them at the workshop that the best way is to just "start". We can always learn theory but it is in the "putting it into practice" that we develope our own style and "difference" that will reach readers who enjoy that "difference."Mary Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603850711168486457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-83052584252113549592011-10-09T16:54:30.045-07:002011-10-09T16:54:30.045-07:00I so agree, Paula, and am also so thankful for oth...I so agree, Paula, and am also so thankful for other writers support. I know now how starved I was for years for fellowship with other Christian writers. There was so much I could have learnt from others instead of the hard way of learning - by those wretched mistakes! <br />Thanks everyone for your comments and I just pray the workshop will be used by the Lord to help other novelists to skip some of those mistakes some of us made when beginners!Mary Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603850711168486457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-29421326765085611162011-10-09T02:43:57.273-07:002011-10-09T02:43:57.273-07:00I like everything that has been said in this post ...I like everything that has been said in this post and the comments. I'm so thankful that there is a friendly community of writers supporting each other. This is such a change even from the mid to late '90s when I first started trying to write seriously. Looking forward to the Writers Fair in Brisbane too.Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-68958135217106045712011-10-07T23:41:59.028-07:002011-10-07T23:41:59.028-07:00Hi Mary! Re your question as to what I wish I had ...Hi Mary! Re your question as to what I wish I had known before I started writing my first novel, I'm actually glad I DIDN'T know much at all - otherwise I don't think I would ever have started! In my ignorance, I just jumped in and learnt along the way, as others have said here. But like Carol, I can see too how far I've travelled, by God's grace, since that first novel. And I know there's still a journey to come. But what fun it is, continuing to learn like this!<br />Re what to share at your workshop, I know you will share lots of helpful things, Mary, but perhaps just mention that you don't have to know it all before you start! God bless.Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-54534697998331554362011-10-07T15:13:41.168-07:002011-10-07T15:13:41.168-07:00Hi Mary, Congratulations on being a finalist in th...Hi Mary, Congratulations on being a finalist in the Caleb awards. Very exciting.<br />I love what you wrote about starting out with writing your novels. I guess I am at the beginning now. I have written a novel for 9 - 12 year olds which hopefully will one day be published. I am so looking forward to coming and hearing what you have got to say in Brisbane in a few weeks.<br />All the best with the award.Heather Monrohttp://www.kidsmusic.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-55456391156356406652011-10-06T19:57:35.396-07:002011-10-06T19:57:35.396-07:00For years I too was like you, Helen, with no face ...For years I too was like you, Helen, with no face to face contact with other writers - and not even on internet in those days. That is the main reason I now know how great it is to be able to attend regular writer meetings. I do trust some time though that you will be able to at least attend writer conferences that specifically target the kind of book you want to write.Mary Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603850711168486457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-83181048735331154962011-10-06T19:53:51.528-07:002011-10-06T19:53:51.528-07:00Thanks, Carol. I so agree with you about my early ...Thanks, Carol. I so agree with you about my early novels! It has been so many years since we met last and I am really looking forward to seeing you again in Brisbane - and being nervous together at that CALEB award dinner!Mary Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603850711168486457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-88215366929483218082011-10-06T19:52:38.172-07:002011-10-06T19:52:38.172-07:00Thanks for sharing this Mary, and congrats on bein...Thanks for sharing this Mary, and congrats on being a Caleb Award finalist!<br /><br />Wish I was closer to Brisbane so I could come along to the Word Writers Fair and attend your workshop. I can't even join a writers group where I am!Helen Wakefieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17535593906695027046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-50841700148144608432011-10-06T18:28:59.305-07:002011-10-06T18:28:59.305-07:00Great journey, Mary. I agree with the steps along ...Great journey, Mary. I agree with the steps along the way you've described. I'm especially grateful for the great help I've had recently from editors and other Christian writers. When I go back now and read my earlier novels I see how much I've learned. I'm sure you'll really encourage others at your workshop.Carol Preston https://www.blogger.com/profile/00306981583283008014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-47234929141416415962011-10-06T15:14:11.194-07:002011-10-06T15:14:11.194-07:00Mary, great post and congrats on finaling in the C...Mary, great post and congrats on finaling in the CALEB Award! When I first started writing, I wish I'd known more about the value of critique partners and receiving constructive feedback from writing contests. For a long time I struggled with weak conflict in my stories, and the light bulb moment for me was learning how to apply the principles of goal, motivation and conflict in my stories.Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-70599618162262554232011-10-06T14:40:53.527-07:002011-10-06T14:40:53.527-07:00Losing your sense of freedom is a real shame, Ruth...Losing your sense of freedom is a real shame, Ruth. You must be a very observant bookworm to have known and put into practice that "page turning" importance. I wonder if perhaps you now plot and plan your manuscript too much? Many writers, including myself, can become bored writing the manuscript if every scene and twist and turn etc is planned. I prefer to make sure I know the characters so well they then can respond in scenes at times in ways that surprise me. thank you so much for the comments. I will make sure I share that every writer is different too! We need to know the basic "rules" well to know how to successfully be able to "break" themMary Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603850711168486457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-46745417740613627832011-10-06T09:21:37.851-07:002011-10-06T09:21:37.851-07:00Actually, I sometimes wish I could go back to that...Actually, I sometimes wish I could go back to that time when I didn't know how to write a novel. I had no inkling about scene and sequel, pacing, structure. I just kept thinking, "what will make the reader turn the page." The book was fun to write and sold. Then I joined RWA and learned a whole lot about how to write a novel. As a result, a lot of the fun and freedom has left my writing. If I were advising a new writer, I'd say just put your story on paper anyway you wish. Then, when you edit, apply all the "rules" of writing a novel.Alice Valdalhttp://www.alicevaldal.comnoreply@blogger.com