Writing what you love
A few days ago, I had a friend ask, “You’re a writer, right? Would you look at this thing I wrote…but don’t tell anyone!”
I was so excited to hear that she’d been writing – not every writer is a creative writing major and been writing stories since first grade. But I understood completely where she came from with the “but don’t tell anyone.”
In high school, I had a small group of friends who read my stories and we all wrote different things. In college, I set it aside and hardly mentioned to anyone about my love for fiction. When I graduated and started back on this track, I didn’t really tell many people either. First, because I write romance. People think, “Oh, like Harlequin Romances.” While there is nothing wrong with those romances, they are not my style and I found it easier to keep my past time to myself.
I also kept it quiet because a lot of responses are “Oh, great, when’s your book coming out?” If only it were that simple. Sometimes, the process is too tedious to explain. So, I always kept it quiet.
Then, I found ACFW and a wide support base for my love, and my outlook completely changed. There were thousands of people in a similar place, and I began to be more open about and then eventually launched my website and blog to finalize that this is more than a hobby.
So, when I hear this friend say, “Don’t tell anyone else!” I don’t cringe, but I realize I was there too. I’ve also believed writing is a personal thing and therapeutic for many, so I won’t push anyone about it. But the biggest caveat about keeping it to yourself is the lack of support you will find and the people your words will touch. We must write what we love and not be ashamed.
Read MoreBook Review “Shorts”
No, I’m not fashioning some sort of clothing item called “book review shorts…” What I mean is, here is a quick rundown of what I’ve been reading in the past few weeks.
Each definitely deserves its full review and lengthy description, but I hope to include more in my blog than just book reviews!
Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana by Trisha Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss (Summerside Press, 2009), is a heart-warming tale about a woman who escorts several children on an “Orphan Train” out west and ends up unknowingly “sold” to a man who claims he’s now her husband. She finds refuge in a circuit preacher, but until she finds money to return to the east, she’s stuck in Lonesome Prairie.
This story was well paced and well written and the main character, Julia, really connected with me as a reader. This sort of “western” was not what I expected either. There were a few gunslingers and all that jazz, but it had a very different feel to it than most. I’d highly recommend this as a quick, engaging read.
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafron (Doubleday, 2009) is the epic tale of 1920s Barcelona. Famed sensationalist novel writer, David Martin, receives a strange commission by an elusive French editor. What starts as a deal that is too good to be true, becomes simply that.
Zafron writes this about The Angel’s Game: ”The Angel’s Game has many games inside, one of them with the reader. It is a book designed to make you step into the storytelling process and become a part of it. In other words, the wicked, gothic chick wants your blood. Beware. Maybe, without realizing, I ended up writing a monster book after all… Don’t say I didn’t warn you, courageous reader. I’ll see you on the other side.”
That may say all that needs to be said. I really enjoyed this whole story, and though it was long, it never felt long. It isn’t a book for the faint of heart, but one fascinating read above all!
Read MoreDay of Inspiring Words
The OCW One-Day Conference this past Saturday left my cup of joy and inspiration overflowing. Robin Jones Gunn, one of the first Christian authors I ever read (at age 14, the Glenbrooke Series), spoke about God’s dreams for us. Gunn is a dazzling speaker with such enthusiasm and joy that it spreads throughout the crowd.
Among the many messages in her address, the one that stuck with me most was her advice on following God’s urgings and not sticking to the plan you may have had in mind. As a meticulous note taker and organization guru, I am stubbornly set in my ways and I like sticking to my “plan.”
Recently, a new opportunity has come up that I feel is a true push from God. In writing this other story, I’m helping a friend and sharing a story more powerful than anything I could have ever imagined. This certainly wasn’t my plan, but I’m happily going forth and serving Him.
The rest of the conference was full of wonderful information and delightful company. Robin Jones Gunn also spoke about how to get “unstuck” and then I attended a very informational session with agent Kimberly Shumate about how to “wow” an agent.
I’ve written it many times and I’ll say it again: groups like OCW are indispensable for writers at any stage. The community is like none other, and in such a secluded profession, is essential to your overall well-being. I recommend plugging into a local organization or the American Christian Fiction Writers to learn of similar conferences.
And tonight, I’m off to the Portland Christian Writer’s meeting! More fellowship and encouragement! I can’t wait!
Read MoreReview: A Distant Melody
Synopsis
Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval–even marry a man she doesn’t love. Lt. Walter Novak–fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women–takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas. Walt and Allie meet at a wedding and their love of music draws them together, prompting them to begin a correspondence that will change their lives. As letters fly between Walt’s muddy bomber base in England and Allie’s mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart? A Distant Melody is the first book in the WINGS OF GLORY series, which follows the three Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II.
My Review
This novel itself was a beautiful song, woven so seamlessly it sails far beyond the standard of most historical romance. Author Sarah Sundin’s way with words is masterful and each character jumps from the page. It was only when the pages ran out that I was disappointed.
The research and attention to detail is so well crafted it doesn’t overwhelm the reader, but rather uproots you and plants you in the co-pilot seat of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Be ready to pull on your wool-lined leather flight jackets.
The other elements of the society – the rationing, the travel, the mannerisms – is all so realistic, I really felt I was back in 1942. This brought me back to the reason I love World War II fiction – it was a more honest time in the world. Men were gentlemen, and relationships grew out of letters that took weeks to arrive across the world.
A Distant Melody has tension on every page and a love story unlike most typical, formulaic romances. Along with the brutalities of war, Sundin raises issues of race and class as well and the misconceptions of the time.
This is a novel that will leave you laughing out loud and inching closer to the edge of your seat. This is what a historical novel should be – accurate and entertaining. It will be released in March, so pre order it online or be ready to sprint to the bookstores!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Read MoreThe Balancing Act
At any given point in time, I’ve got at least a dozen story ideas running through my head. I so desperately wish I could get everything down on paper, but it is only a dream.
Once I get rolling on a project, I go for it with everything I’ve got. The problem is that I usually “roll” with several projects all at one time. I’ve always taken heed to the saying that you should do one thing and do it well. I just believe I can just as easily do twelve things and do them all well.
So I end up with a balancing act: family, work, writing, researching, editing, blogging…sometimes eating and sleeping. All this as gone relatively well so far, for the first 23 years of my life. Now, I’m going to work toward establishing a better routine to manage all my irons in the fire.
“Routine is the housekeeper of inspiration.”
- Carlos Ruiz Zafron writes in the “Angel’s Game” – a fascinating read, by the way. But his insights into writing as a narrator and author helped put some of my problems into perspective. I need to better maintain a routine to continue to work on all my writings and other obligations.
I write this as both a goal and realization and pledge to create a concrete plan – blogging twice a week, writing for an hour every day, spending less times with distractions such as Facebook, etc.
I think this will help bring me back to what I love most: the writing. This way, I can juggle all dozen projects and do them well.
Leave a comment and tell me how you approach your writing – do you focus just on one? Do you journal other ideas? Do you write consistently? I’d love to hear from you!
Read MoreConnect with me
