Goal-Setting: Bring on 2010!
As I look back at 2009 and all it held for me as a writer, I’m reasonably pleased.
I joined American Christian Fiction Writers and Oregon Christian Writers, joined a critique group, attended my first writers conference, endured a handful of manuscript rejections, delighted in one agent’s ms request, started up my website and bi-weekly blog, wrote an entire 78,000 word novel in six weeks, re-edited my original work in progress. Phew.
Before 2009, I hadn’t taken on writing as a serious priority. I’d written dozens of short stories, outlines and drafts of other projects and re-written In Dawn’s Shadows several times. But with college, job searching and getting married, it wasn’t my main focus. In March 2009, I was able to pick it all back up and I’ve jumped in to justifiably call myself a writer. By that, I mean I spend almost as much time writing, blogging or reading as I do eating, sleeping and breathing.
Thus, as I look into 2010, I’m determined to keep the pace. I pledge to continue to shape my skills and learn all that I can. I look forward to more conferences, classes and critique sessions. My critique group and I are going strong, and this New Year, they will begin to critique my newest novel, A Long Way From Home. I will polish this manuscript to take to the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference in July to pitch to editors and agents.
I still have In Dawn’s Shadows being reviewed by an agent, and it is continually being improved after my wonderful critique group’s edits.
In November 2010, I’m looking forward to participating again in National Novel Writing Month, where I completely anticipate writing another 50,000 words in 30 days. That experience was one of the most liberating, exciting of my life!
Of course, I have many other goals for other areas of my life, and this year will be a busy one, indeed! But the future of my writing is bright and I’m going to charge ahead full force!
Share: What are your goals for 2010?
Read MoreBook Review: Paper Roses
In Paper Roses, by Amanda Cabot (Revell, 2009), Sarah Dobbs replies to a man in Texas, agreeing to be his bride after a tragedy pushes her to leave Philadelphia. When she arrives in Texas, her husband-to-be, Austin, is dead and his brother, Clay, is determined to find the killer. She struggles to make a home for herself and her young sister in this Texas town. In the process, she learns the true meaning of forgiveness and love.
Paper Roses is an uplifting, heartwarming tale set in the 1800s. The main character, Sarah, is a determined, strong character with compassion. She instantly connects with the reader and her situation is realistic. Cabot doesn’t hide behind tough issues with this novel: murder, suicide and justice all come to the forefront.
The hero, Clay, is bitter, life-hardened at first, but his strong character and virtues shine through and eventually Sarah softens his heart. I couldn’t help but sigh in some places, giggle in others. Sarah’s little sister, Thea, is wonderful comedic relief as young children usually are.
Through the story of Sarah searching for a place to call home and forget her past, there is the mystery of finding Austin’s killer. Clay is determined to act out his own sense of justice once he finds the killer. Clues unfold piece by piece and there are several twists and turns you don’t see coming.
Overall, Paper Roses is a pleasant read with a wonderful sense of setting and character. Cabot has a smooth writing style that is so seamless, you’ll be holding onto every last page and wishing for more!
Read MoreChristmas Truce
Amazing Story:
World War One truce on Christmas Day between the British and German troops.
Merry Christmas everyone. Remember the true reason for the season. Blessings!
Read MoreAn eye-opening experience
On Saturday, December 18th, the Clark County Fence Riders hosted a Christmas Round Up for local families to come and learn about rodeo and horses. Children got to learn to rope and ride and got their pictures taken with a horse. More than 300 toys were donated and every child got free hats, scarves and gloves.
The 2010 Clark County Fair Court and other royalty arrived to help lead groups of children from station to station. What these young ladies found was an eye-opening experience.
The steady rain hardly slowed us down as dozens of families arrived. Children from ages 1 to 18 got to mingle with these majestic animals that some had never seen or will ever see again. There were looks of terror, cries of fear and hesitant stares as I helped the visitors mount up onto a horse and pose for a picture. At a later station, they would learn the basics of riding and be led around, but for several, this was their first time near a horse.
Many of the younger kids charged right ahead and never wanted to get out of the saddle. It took little effort to get them to smile at the camera. For others, it was a far different story. Sometimes, getting that first foot in the stirrup was worse than pulling teeth. For most, they were an inch taller and happier once they accomplished what they otherwise would never do. They faced their fear and sat on a thousand-pound animal.
Dozens of volunteers and horses converged at the Clark County Saddle Club to make this day a reality. They provided lunch and dinner for the children and we even had a special guest all the way from the North Pole.
This event really put everything into perspective. The animals that I’ve had all my life, that I don’t necessarily cherish as I’m ankle-deep in mud and manure, is a blessing. These children may never again touch a horse or get to ride, but thanks to this group, were able to learn a little about rodeo and themselves.
Read MoreWriting Tips: Idea Book
As a writer, I can say the single greatest tool we have is pen and paper. The next best thing? A whole notebook full of random ideas, plot sketches, character notes and general observations of the world. Your “idea book” is a resource beyond a how-to book you can find at a library. Without ideas, inspirations and characters, what good is your story?
Okay, okay, I admit many writers are probably able to store all that information in their heads and never forget a detail. I don’t function that way. I find that if I don’t write something down right away, I may lose it forever.
I was looking through my idea book today. I have about 20 different solid plot lines for novels that I could write now, another 20 idea pearls that still need development. Every genre too – historical, contemporary, fantasy. Then, there are another 20 or so observations, character starts and more. Some of these ideas were from high school even, and I added another in the past few days.
Whenever I get tired of my current project, I go back and re-read all my ideas and I get excited for each one. I start daydreaming about each character and plot and it inspires me to finish up whatever I’m working on now so I can move onto the next exciting story.
I highly recommend finding a sturdy notebook that can take years of abuse and start jotting down all the notes you think of. I’m constantly amazed at the different ideas that come to mind and though they might seem silly, later on it will inspire another idea and so on.
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