Writing Workshops & Writer Renewal

By Morgan Tarpley Smith

With our writing we all have hang-ups or road blocks from unexpected life happenings, jobs, families, and just the business of life – and as writers I feel we can all use renewal with our writing to remind us of our spark for that certain story project or just our passion for writing in general.

My ACFW-Louisiana chapter held our second annual writer’s workshop this past weekend, and I’m feeling seriously refreshed. The workshop was filled with such practical information for writers at any stage in their journey that I’d like to share some of the highlights with you.

The workshop was led by the petite fireball of a lady named DiAnn Mills, who just so happens to be a bestselling and award-winning author. She engaged our minds and hearts through her sessions and wit. Her sessions focused on characterization, plot, backstory, emotions, and more. She’s also written a book on writing called “The Dance of Character and Plot.” You can check it out here.

Here are some of my favorite tidbits from her sessions:

-Think about your favorite book or movie. It usually goes back to the characters. Now with our books we have to give our reader an adventure like they are those characters not like they are only reading about them.

-Remember what Helen Keller said about character—“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.”

-Your story has to entertain and inspire the reader to be a better person and encourage the reader that no matter what they face there is a positive solution.

-Man was created with three distinct needs: relationships, significance and security. When man decides to try to fill those places with something other than God that’s where flaws come in. Even in our writing this is how to flaw your characters. Even if you’re not writing a Christian novel you can still have morals. Whether a protagonist or antagonist, the character must have at least a moral code that guides them.

-James Scott Bell says, “Every character faces a kind of death.” Some of these “deaths” are physical or occupational but they are always psychological.

-Character motivation is the match that lights the flame of your novel.

-Heroes are not victims. They may have been victims in the past, but they are not anymore.

-Avoid character flaws in the first 50 pages or so because we want readers to fall in love with our character.

Bestselling author DiAnn Mills

-Everything your character does to get out of trouble should only make it worse. This is the key to any novel if you want to show growth or change in a character.

-All novels need stress, tension and conflict. It has to look like our protagonist will fail.

-Story always trumps structure.

-A setting has to be antagonistic (Ex: a co-worker you don’t like creates a hostile work environment for you)

-Put your character in the worst situations possible (at that point). Keep writing things down until you get past your first ideas.

-Your character has to face the consequences of their decisions/choices. What if you have your character choose between two wrongs instead of two rights.

-Emotive conflict is when you want something but also want something else. (Ex: I love living in the country, but I also want Starbucks.) Emotions should be constantly at war or conflict with each other. Our character’s reactions to the world around them is emotive conflict.

-The seven universal emotions are surprise, fear, sadness, disgust, happiness and contempt. Make sure your characters experience all of them.

-Whose POV should be used in a scene? The character who has the most to lose.

Do you have some gems of advice from writing conferences and workshop to share? Please do! And best of luck to everyone on their writing journeys!

Morgan Tarpley Smith

Morgan Tarpley Smith is an award-winning newspaper reporter and photographer in Louisiana. She is also an inspirational novelist. Besides writing and traveling to over a dozen countries, her interests include acting in her local theater, genealogy, photography, and singing. She resides in Louisiana with her husband. For more information about Morgan, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.

Stitching Up A Story, by Karen Rees

Being both a writer and a quilter I've discovered that piecing a quilt and writing a story have a lot in common. Take precision for example.

Any good quilter knows that precision is the key to getting all of those corners to come together perfectly. Not only precision when sewing pieces together, but precision from the beginning. I have to be precise in marking my pieces, cutting my pieces and then stitching them all together on the same side of that finely marked line.

Failure to be precise, even in small ways such as sometimes sewing on the wrong side of the line, will create blocks of different sizes and corners that don't come together as they should. The final result is a quilt that could have been better.

Precision is also necessary in piecing a story together. I have to select the word that best conveys the meaning I want. Carefully chosen words strengthen my writing and give it clarity. When I grab the first word that pops to mind, it's often not the best choice. I've discovered that I tend to write 'irritate' when I should use 'annoy'. (I make the same mistake when I talk.) What about the difference between brag and boast? In that scene does the character stroll, stride or amble? Does she drop her eyes or does she drop her gaze?

The blocks in my quilt, pictured above, appear to be two different patterns. In reality, all of the blocks are the same pattern – A Gentleman's Fancy. The apparent difference comes from my choice of colors. In some blocks I used light colors for a particular part, in other blocks I used dark colors. My choice of color and shade – light or dark – created the difference.

Writing is the same. The details that I give will create a particular impression in the mind of the reader.  When describing a park I could mention bird messes on benches and trash on the trails. Or I could describe colorful rose gardens and shady paths. The park may have both trash and flowers but the reader's impression will be formed by the details. Before I start writing, I need to decide what impression I want to give and then use the details that will create it.

This is equally true with my characters. Do I want readers to see someone as kind? Self-centered? Timid? Irresponsible? When introducing a character, what description or behavior will leave the desired impression with the reader?

A third similarity between creating quilts and creating stories has to do with the unexpected. I could have sewed every block in my quilt using red and some light color. But I didn't. Even when I used red in a block, I sometimes paired it with a dark color. Those particular blocks stand out like freckles on a blond. They add variety.

When developing characters, we can give them depth by adding something unexpected to their personalities. The hardened criminal who, now and again, treats some stranger's child to an ice cream cone. Why does he do that? Or the sweet elderly widow who has a history that would shock her neighbors.

Quilters say that it's not a quilt until it's quilted. In the same way a manuscript isn't a book until it's published. For a quilt to win at a quilt show and a book to earn honors, both need to contain our best work. Be precise, select the right details and create interesting characters. By doing that, you could end up with a winner.

Karen Rees and her second-generation missionary husband Benjamin have served in Hong Kong since 1975. Besides her involvement in the mission work, Karen loves history, quilting and writing. They have two children, Matthew and Megan, and two grandchildren, Hadessah and Arthur. She is the author of the award-winning historical novel, The Ruby Ring.

Yeehaw!: Mingling with Best-sellers in Texas!

In a few weeks, I am pleased to return as a presenter at the East Texas Baptist University’s annual Christian Writers Conference in Marshall, Texas. This conference was not only my first writers’ conference to attend, but I also was able to teach my first ever writing class there last year.

This year I’m back with “Building Writing Credibility (Through Newspapers).” The teaching opportunity has turned out to be an incredible experience, and I can’t wait until the end of this month to head to Texas.

Through this conference I’ve gained valuable insight into the publishing world and how to build a solid foundation as a novelist as well as had a great time visiting with fellow believers/writers. In reflection on last year’s wonderful conference, I thought I’d share some of the highlights and what I learned in a few of the classes.

LISA WINGATE

One class I attended was “Secrets My Editors Taught Me” by national bestselling author Lisa Wingate. Lisa is an award-winning journalist, magazine columnist, popular inspirational speaker, author of 16 books and one of a select group of authors to find success in both the Christian and mainstream markets.

Lisa Wingate and I with her award-winning novel

It was so nice to meet her and to congratulate her for having the first ever ACFW Carol Award winning book (Dandelion Summer) to receive a perfect score from the judges. I also got to meet with her for a one-on-one consultation, which provided answers to many of my publishing and writer platform questions. You can check out her website here for more about her books and writing tips.

Some of what she said in her class:
“Standing out in the publishing industry, we are not to have the mindset of writing something that has not been done. It‘s not impossible, but it's much harder to get a first sell if it's something out of the box (with no defined genre/market).”

“Know your brand and fit in it. Mine is women’s fiction and deals with things like female relationships (friends, mother-daughter, etc.). Your branding helps editors determine advertising, book covers, etc.”

“In your book, you want a character that is relatable and has the right type of language/voice.”

TERRY BURNS

The two-hour pre-conference workshop I attended was taught by Literary Agent and Author Terry Burns of Hartline Literary Agency. He answered all sorts of our questions from reasons he rejects manuscripts to how he became an agent. For more about Terry, visit his agent profile here.

A few of the things he said:
“Publishing is not a selection process but a survival one.”

“A good book is not enough. We [agents and editors] are looking for exceptional. That’s why 80% of all submissions get rejected.”

“The difference between a good and a great book is flow. You may not have everything in its proper place.”

JUDY CHRISTIE

The other class I was able to attend was author Judy Christie’s “Build a Better Writing Life.” Judy is from Louisiana like me and we hit it off right away, especially since I was reading a copy of her book, “Gone to Green.” She’s super nice and so encouraging. To check out her books and writing tips, go here.

Author and fellow Louisianan Judy Christie and I with her first novel, "Gone to Green"

Some things she said:
“You must acknowledge ‘writing’ as a priority in your life and carve out time for it, then stick to it.”

“To keep organized, it’s good to identify your writing goal by keeping some sort of a journal or notebook and list every writing project you have.”

“How to become a consistent writer involves figuring out when you write, recording how much you write and having accountability.”

“If you’re not excited about writing a book, then you need to rethink writing it.”

Tips for Attending Your First Writers Conference/s

Attending writers conferences can be overwhelming. I would suggest that before attending the largest ones such as the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference you look into smaller ones in your surrounding area. I have also attended the Southern Christian Writers Conference in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and it was wonderful.

A good piece of advice that Terry Burns gave first-time conference goers was that you must develop a “filter.” He said to use it to only take in the limited amount of information you need at this particular part of your writing journey, because you can easily be overwhelmed and miss what you need to know right now.

Interested in Attending?
The East Texas Christian Writers Conference is held each year on the last weekend in October at the East Texas Baptist University campus in Marshall.

On Friday, there is a pre-conference with a two-hour workshop and dinner with a keynote speaker (this year it’s Don Piper!), plus the opportunity to mingle with presenters and fellow attendees before the full day of the conference, which is on Saturday.

The pre-conference event costs extra, yet--even with the full conference--the cost is just over $100. That’s what I call “bang for your buck.” If you have not checked this conference out, check out the website at http://www.etbu.edu/News/CWC.htm.

Have you found a gem of a conference near you? What’s your favorite advice you’ve received at a writer’s conference? I’d love to hear about it!

Morgan Tarpley 

Morgan Tarpley is an award-winning newspaper reporter and photographer in Louisiana. She is also a historical novelist currently seeking representation. Besides writing and traveling to over a dozen countries, her interests include acting in her local theater, photography, and singing.

For more information about Morgan, visit her website (www.morgantarpley.com) and blog (www.pensonaworldmap.com). You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.

Is my writing “good enough” for readers? How to find out.

By Morgan Tarpley

I so did not want to hear another “It was good” or even “It was great.” I needed specifics, and I had to find a way to get them.

What I needed to know was is my book “good enough”? To find out, I had to go past the fact that the first readers of my manuscript were people who love me and may sugarcoat the truth. 

But lavished praise for my writing is what I need, right?

Wrong.

What do your first readers really think?

That is not what a writer needs. We need the truth, so we can learn our weaknesses and polish our manuscripts and projects until they gleam.

When I completed my first manuscript, I was concerned about this exact issue—gaining valuable reader feedback. Several of my readers were family members and close friends, and I did not want to receive the standard “You did a nice job.”

I had to find a way to gain constructive feedback and determine if readers “really” liked my book. After much thought, I put my journalism training to work and wrote down questions to ask them. These questions turned into a simple questionnaire for readers to fill out after they read my book. I feel it was exactly what I needed.

I asked questions such as: “What stands out in your mind about the book?,” “What were you surprised about? Or thought was too obvious?” and “Was the ending satisfying? If not, why?” plus more.

It got readers thinking and critiquing. And surprisingly, it was quite a positive experience. My readers were able to be brutally honest, but in a format that was not done in a criticize-me-to-my-face sort of way. They were just answering questions I had asked.

In using the questionnaire, I found that when you ask specific questions people are more apt to tell you the pros and cons of your work. When they are not blindsided with your enthusiastic “don’t you think my baby is beautiful?” approach, the readers have space to step back and analyze the work.

What did they like? What didn’t they like? If they liked it, what did they like about it? It’s simple enough, right? You just need to know which questions you want to ask.

For more information about first (beta) readers, I recommend checking out Books and Such Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner's fantastic post - "Who Should Read Your Unpublished Work?"

Have you developed questions for your first readers? Or do you have another favorite method of gaining constructive feedback? I’d love to hear about it.

Morgan Tarpley

Morgan Tarpley is an award-winning newspaper reporter and photographer in Louisiana. She is also a historical novelist currently seeking representation and a writes about travel and the writing life on her blog, Pens on a World Map.

Besides writing and traveling to over a dozen countries, her interests include acting in her local theater, photography, Civil War re-enacting, and singing.

For more information about Morgan, visit her website (www.morgantarpley.com) and blog (www.pensonaworldmap.com). You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.

The Five Love Languages for Characters

Hi! Lucy here.

Have you ever heard of the book "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman? A great book for understanding how we each show and receive love in our personal relationships with a spouse, child, or friends.

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Buy it here.

Today I wanted to throw out some suggestions as to how these principles can be applied to deepen the characters in our stories....

The Five Love Languages are: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.


Words of Affirmation:

A character with this love language will show love--and receive love--by saying it out loud. This character won't 'feel' loved unless the other person says it, writes it as a note, or expresses love via some form of words... (sky writing anyone??).
Not just applicable to romance stories, Joe Blow living his life in an action adventure isn't going to feel appreciated/liked/any-other-substitute-love-word-that-men-use by his best buddy unless it's verbalized.
He's going to be the one jotting down notes, or dispensing advice/encouragement when the chips are down. He'll also reach for that last burst of energy when someone encourages him verbally. She'll be the one who always says "I love you" before hanging up the phone. Who writes cute Post-It notes and sticks them to the fridge...and who will be devastated if her significant other doesn't say "I love you" in reply.

Quality Time:

This is the character (typically female) that is always at the other for 'spending time with me'.
Needs eye-to-eye contact.
Undivided attention. If the TV is on, or the other character's gaze keeps drifting toward the door...watch out!
Providing that quality, individual time for a character can be a challenge, especially if there is high stakes or a tight deadline involved in the storyline. What sort of unique challenges can you think up that would either make the character feel more loved (full from Quality Time), or unloved/unwanted?

Receiving Gifts:

This one is easy to pick ... they never show up at a party or dinner without something in hand, usually gift wrapped. A character whose love language is gifts will keep mementos, and delights in surprising the other person with gifts. Think mums with a 'little something special' in a lunchbox for a child/spouse. A killer who leaves a parting 'gift' with his victim. A friend who saves the best lolly for you. Flowers from hubby--for no particular reason.

Side note: in my book 3 which I am planning to write, the hero has this love language. He collects something special in each town as he is searching for the heroine, and plans on giving them to her when they are reunited. He always buys carefully thought out gifts for special occasions, and he doesn't really understand hugs. :)

Acts of Service:

She is the first to offer to clean up after a church pot luck.
He has changed the oil in her car faithfully for 20 years and held down a steady job...because he loves her.
Walking the neighbours dog, or helping to pull weeds are done with enthusiasm and vim. The quintessential Girl Guide/Boy Scout, "Lend a Hand" is their daily motto.
But what if someone doesn't want their help? What if he is super organized and never allows her to help in any way? What if the mother-in-law is controlling (sorry to any MIL's out there!) and she can't do anything to feel like she has a place in the family? What if all his acts of service are only viewed as duties, and not for the acts of love that they are? What if, what if....

Physical Touch:

This is apparently the most common love language to men, usually expressed through sex or frequent touch--a hand to a shoulder, or sitting close on the couch.
You've met this character at church, or in a group of friends...they hug and they touch. They hug often...and they don't like to let go. (Can you tell this isn't my love language? lol). I once met a lady who LOVED to hug, and when she attended her son's wedding, she wore a wrist corsage so her flowers wouldn't get crushed from hugging. She planned her hugging, even down to her corsage choices. True story!
Examples: Think of a chatty teen who intersperses her conversation with frequent taps to the other person's arm/shoulder.
The son who gives a quick hug on the way out the door, or likes to play tag.
The toddler who likes to sit on dad's lap, or wrap her arms around mum's leg while they are waiting in line.
The teenage couple who are practically joined at the hip. And so on.
On the flip side, a character whose love language is Physical Touch is going to get himself into strife when he's in an all-guy situation, especially if the other men have larger personal space, or don't like being touched--even a friendly clap on the shoulder. The wife who just wants a hug vs. the husband who always buys flowers. The mum who hugs and the teen daughter who just wants to be told she's loved.

How to apply:

Any character will most likely only 'speak' the love language they know personally. They don't 'speak' the other person's language, just like my character who likes to give gifts but doesn't see the big deal with hugs. He doesn't 'speak' her language, and nor will he--until he learns it.

I think applying these principles would be most helpful in romance stories, but people are people no matter what story they live in, so this could easily be used in other genres as well. :)

Suggestion: pick two main characters and assign a love language to them. Then think about what characteristics they would have from that. How would they interact with each other within those boundaries? What weaknesses would they have? What strengths? How can you pit them against each other to make sparks fly? And how can you resolve this in the end to a satisfactory conclusion? What do they learn about each other?

The Five Love Languages. Great book. I highly recommend it, not just for your characters, but also for yourself. It really helps to put the boot on the other foot and try to understand how other people work. Personally, it really helped me as a teen to see why my dad would never say he loved me or hug me, but would take me with him when he went to work down the paddock or visited friends. Once I understood the different languages we each speak I could interpret his, and other people's actions and--most importantly--see the love behind it.

God has made us in his image, a now cracked reflection of his perfection. In him, all five love languages dwell perfectly together. Let us purpose to show love to one another--in all languages and always with each other's good in mind. And may our characters do likewise.

All the best as you write for His glory, Lucy. <3

Research: Evoking Pain or Passion?

Research – it’s a loaded word that brings to mind different things for different writers. Does it evoke a pain or passion for you? Both perhaps? 

You are not alone.

For some, research is taking the plunge to sort through a ceiling-high stack of books or spending hours on the Internet scrolling endless web pages – or it could be getting some dirt under your nails and traveling to the destination.

For my upcoming research trip to the U.K., I really felt the need for a game plan. I am quick to become overwhelmed with the splendor and sheer excitement of travel to be distracted from my goal – inhaling a place and etching it into the lanes of my mind and heart.

I realize that is a lofty goal, so I thought and thought some more and something struck me. I should treat this trip as if I am writing a travel article about it and not a book – which brought me to my own advice via a column I wrote about travel writing. 

Take a look below and even if that dirt under your nails has to come from YouTube videos, firsthand accounts in books or phone conversations I believe this info can apply.

I'll be seeing this soon!

So choose your destination and let’s travel write. Err, I mean “research.”  

Passport in hand or mouse at our fingertips…here we go.

On the occasion that I’ve been on a trip and have written about it in the newspaper, countless people have complimented me on these articles and said they felt as if I’d taken them along on the journey.

After profusely thanking them, I started thinking about why they felt this way. I mean…I know I’m a decent writer, even a good writer, but honestly to pen something that evokes such a connection must be great writing.

The more I thought about it, the more I narrowed it down to two things—the first being voice.

For writers in nearly any situation, voice is what sets us apart and helps to create this connection between the words and the reader. 

Writing a travel piece all begins with the place and the experience you had there. You might write an overview of a whole country or focus on a specific city. Take your pick. Though for the purpose of learning, it may be easier to choose a particular restaurant, museum, event, etc.

Okay…now that the locale is selected, you must figure out how to give the reader a sense of place by using the second thing—details.

Close your eyes. 

What sticks out in your mind about the place? Do you recall a specific scent? See unique colors, crowded streets, empty cobblestone lanes?
 

Do you hear music, loud noises, different languages? Feel soft tablecloth beneath your fingers or the coarse fur along a camel’s neck? Taste salt, sugar, exotic spices in the cuisine?

Unique viewpoint from Scotland's Urquhart Castle beside Loch Ness

For additional help, look over your pictures, videos or souvenirs from the place. I always do and it’s another tool to help me be in the place again so I can take readers there too. 

After re-familiarizing yourself with the place, hone in on one specific aspect of it (perhaps the answer to the question about what sticks out in your mind) and start writing, infusing it into the scene. Take us there with you.

Don’t worry about writing it perfectly. Write what comes to mind about the place—what you liked, were surprised about, activities you did, etc. Just write until you find a stopping point.

Read your writing (aloud is best) and circle or just take note of the details. Make sure several (if not all) senses have been represented.

For the opening of the article, look back over it and pick out the most interesting, shocking or funny detail or fact noted. Try to work this in as an add-in of your unique perspective.

Me at London's British Museum

With whatever you are writing, about somewhere nearby or far off, travel writing that connects with readers is about thinking back on the experience and its details, picking a starting point, being yourself and just writing it. Try it.

With my upcoming research trip, I will be keeping the above advice in mind. I will take copious notes and try to focus on particular aspects of the setting, perhaps one sense at a time to not be overwhelmed. 

Remember. This is all an experiment. You have to see what works for you as a writer. But I hope the above advice has helped even in the least bit. 

And I think a third “P” in this passion or pain thing is appropriate. Above all, it takes perseverance to search for those bits of a place that others may miss. Keep your eyes open and senses alert. You never know what you’ll uncover.

Please join the conversation. What is your approach to research? Is it a pain or passion? Or a little of both? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Morgan Tarpley

Morgan Tarpley is an award-winning newspaper reporter and photographer in Louisiana. She is also a historical novelist currently seeking representation. Besides writing and traveling to over a dozen countries, her interests include acting in her local theater, photography, and singing.

For more information about Morgan, visit her website (www.morgantarpley.com) and blog (www.pensonaworldmap.com). You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.

Valuable Writing Advice

by Narelle Atkins

When I first started writing I joined a couple of romance writing groups. Back in the days before blogs and social media, writing email groups were one of the only sources of current information for writers. I learned about the best writing craft books from my writing groups. I received invaluable feedback on my writing from contests held by my writing groups.

Over the years I’ve gleaned a lot of valuable writing advice from writer friends I’ve met through my writing groups. In fact, this blog came into existence when a group of us from ‘ACFW Beyond the Borders’ decided to set up a blog to promote international Christian fiction.

One piece of writing advice that stands out in my memory is 'finish your first book, put it aside, and start writing the next one.' Writers often don’t sell their first book, and may write quite a few books before they make that seemingly elusive first sale.

I was cautioned to not get stuck on revising my first manuscript. The theory behind this is you learn the craft of writing by writing more books. If you ‘rest’ the first manuscript while writing the second manuscript, you’ll return to the first manuscript from a more objective position and will be more likely to see the flaws in your story.

Another benefit of having more than one completed manuscript is you have something else to pitch to editors and agents if they pass on your first book. Or, if the editor loves your first book, you’ll have more books ready for them to consider contracting in a multi-book deal.

I was blessed to sell the first manuscript I ever wrote to Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents line last year. After I accepted the offer of publication, my editor asked the big question: ‘Have you written anything else?’

Book 2 was written and I had ideas for Book 3 in my series set in Sydney, Australia. I also mentioned to my editor that I’d written a runaway bride story, Book 1 in a series set in a fictitious small town near the Snowy Mountains, Australia.

I wrote a number of book proposals, and I was blessed to be offered a 6-book contract last month. My runaway bride story, Running to Love, will be my first release in February 2014.

I’m thankful to all those wise writers who encouraged me to write multiple manuscripts. What piece of writing advice has been invaluable for your writing journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

NARELLE ATKINS writes contemporary inspirational romance and lives in Canberra, Australia. She recently sold her debut novel, set in Australia, to Harlequin's Heartsong Presents line in a 6-book contract. Her first book, Falling for the Farmer, will be a February 2014 release. 

She has published Bible Studies on Smashwords and blogs regularly at http://30MinuteBibleStudies.wordpress.com 

Narelle is a co-founder of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA) http://www.acrba.blogspot.com 

To learn more about Narelle, please visit her website.