Heart-Shaped Glasses

I'm hanging out over at Heart-Shaped Glasses--a brand-new blog by an amazing group of romance writers. This month we're talking about "firsts." Stop by to find out why a guy gave me Bandaids on our first date.

You've got mail!

I'll get back to my series on writing the synopsis next week. First I wanted to post a ginormous thank you to my blogging friend, C.J!

On Friday, I got this is the mail.

I don't care how old you are - it's fun to get unexpected mail that doesn't involve showing up at the courthouse or writing someone a check.

When I saw it was from C.J., I hoped that it would be a piece of her amazing artwork. Then I saw "perishable" on the box. Macaroni art? 

Nope. Dark chocolate!

Then I found a whole stash of other stuff inside.

A handmade postcard, with an adorable sheep on the front. 

And a gorgeous bookmark.

 I'm so thankful for such a thoughtful (and uber-talented) blogging friend.

(Ignore the crooked picture in the background. :p)

Thank you, C.J.! You're the best! You can check out more of her artwork at http://ponyexpressgraphics.blogspot.com/

Writing the Synopsis: Part 1

In the writing world, writing the synopsis definitely gets a bad rap. Last month I asked you what you thought of when I mentioned writing a synopsis. Here's what you said: 

A roadmap

Challenging

Work

Shudder

Chills

Dread

No words, just a drawn out groan, Ugh

Stuffing my head under the pillow and crying

Death

The Black Plague

So over the next few weeks, I want to demystify the process so that you're less afraid of it. Is the bunny picture helping? 

So why is writing a synopsis tough? On his blog, Randy Ingermanson gave this explanation:

I’ll tell you why it’s hard. Because you just spent years of your life writing a novel, learning the craft of writing fiction, learning about Three Act Structure and Scenes and Sequels and MRUs and how to Show it, not Tell it, getting inside each POV character’s head in third person past tense, double-spaced and now . . . 

Now somebody changed the rules on you. All the rules.

Randy's right. The rules are different, but they're actually pretty clear cut. We don't have to be afraid of writing the synopsis, we just have to learn the new rules.

So that's what we're going to look at in the next few posts. 

So what is a synopsis? It's simply a tool we use to tell someone about our story in a few pages. As simple as that. 

So what's the toughest part about writing a synopsis for you?

Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5 
The Ten Step Synopsis

Guest Post - The Importance of a Great Critique Partner

I'm excited to host guest blogger and friend Sharon Srock.  

She lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. Sharon’s writing credits include numerous poems and short stories published in science fiction fanzines.

 Callie, Sharon's first novel in her "Women of Valley View" series, was recently released. You can learn more about her wonderful book after the post.  
Also, be sure to check out Sharon's free ebook that introduces her Women of Valley View characters.
 

Here's what Sharon has to say about working with a great critique partner:

One of the most important tools a writer can have is a great critique partner. The one I work with is the only one I’ve ever had so I can’t say if our relationship is “normal”, but I can say that I’m glad God didn’t give her to anyone else.

By the very nature of the job description critique partners should have a level of trust in, and comfort with, each other. It’s much easier to take criticism from someone who loves you, someone who knows how you think. This goes back to that “normal” thing.

My critique partner and I decided to work together the very first day we met. Two newbies, sitting in a writers group, thrown together by the whispered admission that we wrote women’s fiction, and the suggestion, by the group leader, that we should try working together.

Oh sure, why not?

I remember coming home after that meeting, so thrilled at the prospect of another writer reading my stuff. I sat at the computer, wrote a quick note, and fired off that first manuscript. I don’t know if she felt the same, but I got a quick response and a copy of her story.

Thus began the dance.

Tentative messages back and forth. “It works for me, but… Maybe you should tweak… Am I annoying you yet? (After she marked the same rookie error for the sixth time).” We LOVED each other’s work and we were being just as honest as we knew how to be, or maybe just as honest as two strangers were comfortable being.

Then it happened. I got a particularly ugly rejection note from an agent. “The beginning is too slow…too much back story…not nearly ready…” How did this happen? It’s been read, reviewed, and revised. My critique partner loves it. Surely this man must be crazy.

Tearful note to critique partner. “Can you believe he said these things?”

Critique partners response, “I’ve wondered about some of the same things.”

What???

I’ll never forget the phone call that followed. Me, trying to control tears that only the rejected can really understand. Her, apologizing for not raising red flags over things that bugged her, surprised to hear from me because I must surely hate her now. I think that’s the moment our real partnership began. That was the day we stopped dancing around each other and learned that truthful critiquing didn’t equal mean. We really did love each other’s style, voice, and stories, but there were issues in both works that needed to be addressed.

Even though we’re opposites in many ways, she’s raising her family, I have an empty nest. She has a college degree, I don’t. I work two jobs, she’s blessed to be a stay at home mom. I grew up in church, she never had that privilege, a solid friendship is evolving out of that partnership

Despite our differences we complement each other. I love her grasp of grammar and all the little things she finds when she reads my stories. I’m not sure what she considers to be my strong point, but I do know the partnership is working. We both sold our first books this year. I can’t speak for her, but I know I could not have accomplished that milestone without her help, honesty, and support.

So my advice to any aspiring writer is to find a great critique partner. But don’t come looking for mine, I saw her first.

Let's talk critique partners! Do you have one? How did you find your CP? What do you think is the most important quality in a CP? 

Here's an excerpt from Sharon's new release, The Women of Valley View: Callie:

Callie Stillman dabbed raindrops from her face with a linen napkin as Benton dodged a server with a loaded tray and took his place across from her. She smiled into her husband’s blue eyes and reached across to wipe water from his beard. “We’ll both have pneumonia if we don’t dry off soon.”

Benton took the napkin and finished the job. “I’ve been told the food is very good. A few sniffles should be worth it.”

Callie’s gaze roamed the room. “It’s…” Recognition slammed into her chest, forcing the air from her lungs. The man crossing the room behind her husband nodded and continued to his table. Was that the bailiff? Do you swear to tell the truth… She gulped for breath and fought the familiar darkness that crowded the edges of her vision.

Callie ran a finger around her collar, tugging the neck of the blouse away from skin suddenly dewed with a fine film of sweat. Too hot. She took a sip of water, dismayed at the tremor in her hand as she lifted the glass to her lips. Not here, not tonight. Callie closed her eyes and practiced the breathing techniques she’d learned over the last six months. In through her nose, hold for a few seconds, and out through her mouth. Concentrate only on the current step in the process, the next breath. The tightness in her chest began to fade away. Thank you, Jesus. She raised her water again and held the cold glass to her flushed cheek. 

Available through B&N, Amazon, and Pelican Book Group.

At the end of her blog tour, Sharon will be giving away this great prize pack including, copy of Callie's story, certificate for Terri's story when it releases in April, 6 piece cherry blossom bath set, cosmetic bag, bath wrap, cozy pink eye mask, pair of aloe infused booties, hair turban, tennis bracelet, $25.00 Amazon gift card. To enter, just leave a comment with your email address. Sharon will draw a winner on Nov. 19. 

Writer Interrupted

I'm over at Writer Interrupted today. I'd love for you to stop by and leave a comment.
http://writerinterrupted.com/2012/07/02/abcs-of-the-content-edit/

Memememe...

The lovely and talented Jennifer Shirk tagged me.

Here are the Rules:

1. Go to page 77 of your current manuscript.

2. Go to line 7.

3. Copy the next 7 lines (sentences or paragraphs) and post them as they're written. No cheating!

4. Tag 7 other writers to pass this meme on to.

 

Okay. I can't lie. I was tempted to cheat...a little, but only because the next scene was so fun to write. But I didn't. So here is page 77, line 7 of my current work in progress, The Wedding Chapel.

 

“When I stuck you in the back of that delivery van.”

There was silence at the other end of the line.

Claire pressed the phone to her ear. “Are you still there?”

“So you’re going to use that against me, huh?”

She tapped her short fingernails on the desk. “What if I could guarantee that no one would recognize you?”

Ben groaned. “What are you going to do? Put me behind a curtain like the Wizard of Oz.”

She laughed and squeezed her eyes tight. “No, I have a better idea.”

 So here are 7 (kind of 8) writer friends I'm tagging. You can post here in the comments or on your blog:

Jaime Wright

Lauren Boyd

Sharon Srock

Jennifer Hale

Susan Mason

Heather Sunseri

Susan Crawford

and you! :)

The Proposal

The story of how my husband proposed (and spilled coffee on me) is on Shannon Taylor Vannatter's blog today! Comment to enter to win a copy of my soon to be released novel, Canyon Walls.

Inkslinger Blog Part 1

I'm visiting Shannon Taylor Vannatter's Inkslinger blog this week. Stop by to read about how I fell in love while stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire.

Blogs that Encourage

After signing my first contract, I was amazed by the support I received from other writers. I want to recognize some awesome people in the blogosphere who are out there supporting Christian fiction.

Romance Writers on the Journey - Keli Gwyn has created a wonderful blog filled with interviews of unpublished, recently contracted, and published authors. Keli has been a great encouragement to so many writers, and she handles her interviews like the true professional she is.

Inkslinger Blog - Shannon Taylor Vannatter gives authors a place to share their true-life love stories. I had so much fun writing about how my husband and I met, and I love reading the love stories of other authors.

Clash of the Titles - The ladies at Clash of the Titles found a creative way to highlight Christian fiction by giving authors an opportunity to share excerpts and allowing readers to vote for their favorites. I haven't had a chance to submit anything to Clash of the Titles, but I definitely will in the future.

Brenda Anderson is a writer and book reviewer who loves Christian fiction. She has an area on her blog designated to highlight debut authors. Thank you, Brenda!

Oklahoma City chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers of America - I don’t know what I would do without this group. Not only do we have awesome speakers, online classes, and programs, but the members of this group are amazing and always there to lend support.

Who do you know who is encouraging writers online?

Writing Routines

I recently stumbled across this blog and was fascinated by the routines of several famous authors.

This got me thinking about my own routines and how important they are to my writing time. My alarm goes off at 5am. I have the nicest husband in the world who doesn’t complain when I hit snooze a couple of times. Next, I get out of bed, brush my teeth, put in eye drops to keep my eyes open, and make a cup of coffee. I sit in this chair with a warm blanket and my notebook or laptop and write until I have to get ready for work or until my son wakes up.



A few months ago, Jody Hedlund wrote a great blog post about how to establish your own writing routines.

What are some of your routines?

I'm so excited!

Three things I’m excited about today:

1. I turned in my next book to my editor. Canyon Crossing will be the second in my series with Heartsong Presents.

2. I have a chance to catch up on all the blogs I’ve been missing. I have over 800 unread posts on my google reader. I won’t be able to make it through all of them, but I want to know what has been going on with all my writing friends.

3. I get to dive into a new proposal and start writing my third book, Canyon Cafe.

What are you excited about today? And tell the truth, how many of you thought about Jesse Spano when you read the title of my post?

101 Blog Post Ideas for Writers - Part 2

You can find Part 1 (1-50) of 101 Blog Post Ideas for Writers here. Happy blogging!

51. Avoiding burnout
52. Tools every writer needs
53. Breaking bad writing habits
54. Creating positive writing habits
55. How to enjoy writing time more
56. How writing affects other areas of your life
57. Finding a Mentor
58. Developing a thick skin
59. Hiring a freelance editor
60. Attitude after rejection
61. Book trailers
62. Blog design
63. Web design
64. Conferences for writers
65. One writing rule you break
66. Using social media effectively
67. Review a book outside your normal genre
68. Etiquette with editors and agents
69. How to build confidence as a writer
70. Writing an ugly first draft vs. editing as you write
71. Writing a great first line
72. Developing a compelling hook
73. Inspiration boards or collages
74. Music or silence while writing
75. Choosing a setting
76. Infusing sensory details into writing
77. Desk exercises and stretches
78. Tips for fostering a love of books in our children
79. Business card / bookmark design
80. Post a survey
81. Writing through difficult / stressful situations
82. Why you write in your category or genre
83. How your faith or beliefs have impacted your writing
84. How your writing has impacted your faith or beliefs
85. The most difficult scene or piece you've ever written
86. A turning point in your writing career
87. Dealing with people who are unsupportive
88. Share a short story
89. Respond to a blog post by a well-known blogger
90. Adding depth to your writing
91. The right time to begin a new project
92. Building a platform
93. Create a funny video using Xtranormal
94. Interview a character
95. Breaking out of your comfort zone
96. Book covers
97. Finding life / writing balance
98. Choosing a title
99. Writing Contests
100. Favorite children's book
101. How writing has changed your life

101 Blog Post Ideas for Writers - Part 1

I'm constantly trying to come up with topics for my next blog post. I began compiling a list, and I want to share it with all of my writing friends. I'll post 51-101 later this week. I hope this sparks ideas for some brilliant posts!

1. What is your favorite quote and why?
2. What is your favorite book and why?
3. Ask a question
4. How you knew you wanted to become a writer
5. Your first memory of books or reading
6. Your first memory of writing
7. Photos of your writing space
8. Describe your dream writing space
9. Writers in your life and how they've inspired you
10. Creative prompts for other writers
11. What you've learned through blogging
12. What novelists can learn from screenplays
13. Overcoming writer's block
14. A list of your favorite industry blogs
15. A list of the best writing posts of the week
16. How you researched your last book
17. The most interesting piece of research you came across
18. If you could write any genre (and it would sell), what would it be?
19. How to plan a book signing
20. How to cope with a substantial critique or edit
21. Create a cartoon about writing
22. List the biggest mistakes you made in your first manuscript
23. How to throw a launch party
24. Describe your dream launch party
25. Your process for brainstorming
26. How to find a critique group or partner
27. How to speed up your writing process
28. Write about the time you almost gave up writing for good
29. Encourage other writers to keep going
30. The book idea you wish you'd thought of first
31. I can't sit down to write unless...
32. Time management systems for writers
33. Reviews of your favorite office supplies
34. An interview of your significant other about your writing habits
35. Your process for outlining a story
36. Goal setting
37. What to do if you've failed at the goals you set
38. How the books you read as a teenager affected you
39. Pseudonyms
40. Where to find inspiration
41. How a hobby has made you a better writer
42. How not to get an agent
43. Mistakes to avoid in manuscripts
44. Mistakes to avoid in synopses
45. Mistakes to avoid in query letters
46. Myths about writers
47. Grammar and punctuation lessons
48. Advice you wish someone had given you
49. Advice you wish you had never heard
50. Character names

You can find Part 2 (51-101) here.

If you write a post based on any of these prompts, post a link in my comments. I'd love to read it. Do you keep a list of blogging ideas?

Happy blogging!

Interview with Shannon Taylor Vannatter

Shannon Taylor Vannatter is back, and this time, she's in the interview chair! Don't forget to comment for a chance to win a copy of White Roses, Shannon's current release by Heartsong Presents.



Can you give us a glimpse into your journey to publication? How long did you pursue publication before your contract? Had you written any other novels before White Roses?

I started writing in late fall of 1999. In 2001, one of my books was print on demand published. I didn’t know what that meant and thought I’d be famous. Not!
I wrote five books before White Roses and three after, before I sold. I got the contract in early spring 2009. 9 ½ long, frustrating years. Now that I’ve improved my craft, I plan on going back and fixing some of the old ones.

What has been the biggest surprise about the process from the contract to the book release?

Writing is a full time job and deadlines are stressful. I thought it would be a career where I could run around and write just when I wanted to. Wrong! I spend 6 – 7 hours daily during the school year actively, writing, revising, and publicizing. In the summer, I grab hours when I can since I have an eight-year old.

You have a wonderful blog, which provides a place for writers and others to share their true-life love stories (http://shannonvannatter.com/blog/). Where did you come up with the idea and how has the experience creating and overseeing that blog been for you?

I’d been trying to figure out what to blog about for over a year. My marketing friend, Linda Fulkerson, suggested I blog about romantic tips and give advice on love and marriage. It was a really great idea, but it scared me to death. Yes, I’ve been happily married for 26 years, but that doesn’t make me an expert on the subject. I could just imagine someone asking me for advice and ending up getting a divorce.

I kept praying about a topic. Finally, I took an online marketing class through ACFW presented by Rusty Shelton. He gave an example for a blog topic that got my wheels spinning and I came up with sharing real life romances and pictures.

Initially, I planned to feature regular people, but soon learned that non-writers don’t want to write or don’t feel like they write well enough to share their story. So, I turned to writers and included weekly book giveaways. The blog has really taken off and my readership grows consistently every month. I’ve enjoyed the stories and gotten a lot of book ideas. By the way, Julie’s story was my favorite pick for the first quarter of my blog’s life.

How do you spend your time when you're not writing or speaking?

Son time includes riding four-wheelers in the woods, going for walks, and in the summer—swimming in our blue Wal Mart pool. Family time includes movie nights, eating out, and shopping. I go in the cheap shoe store and my guys go in the book/movie/music mega-store next door.
Since my husband is a bi-vocational pastor, church is a large part of our lives. We have a great lady’s prayer group I enjoy fellowshipping with our congregation, which usually includes food.

What are you working on next?

I’ve officially finished all the edits on the White Rose series. I submitted a Rodeo series set in Texas, but haven’t heard anything yet. I’m polishing up a longer length romance about an estranged married couple who have both become Christians since their split. I write ideas in a big notebook and plan on getting to all of them.
In case you missed it, here’s the link to Julie’s story on my blog: http://shannonvannatter.com/my-favorite-romantic-blog-post-june-aug-2010/

Thanks for stopping by, Shannon!

About Shannon: Central Arkansas author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. Her three book series is set in Romance and Rose Bud, AR and published by Heartsong Presents, a division of Barbour Publishing. Each book releases to a ten thousand member book club and then to stores six months later. White Roses her debut novel will hit store shelves in November. Two more books in the series will follow: White Doves releases to the book club in October and stores in April and White Pearls releases to the book club in January and stores in July.

World of the Unagented

April W Gardner kindly asked me to visit her blog today and talk about being published without an agent. See you there!

Why we write

In a recent blog post, Chip MacGregor wrote, "I believe most new writers basically want to get published so that they’ll be famous."

If you were forced to write under a pseudonym and couldn't tell anyone except your spouse that you were a writer, would you still pursue publication? If this were the case, what would you do differently?

I'd love to hear what you think. I'll post my thoughts on the topic later in the week.

Praying for Annabelle

I'm reposting this from Jamie's Blog:

So I was up half the night prayer for a dear fellow blogger Krista Phillips and her new baby girl Annabelle who is struggling with recovering from heart surgery in these first few weeks of life. The recovery is physical ups and downs and emotional ups and downs. Having my child in the NICU the first week of her life was hard enough, but Krista's little sweetheart is in need of even more prayer and her mommy and daddy in need of support and encouragement.

IT'S MY MISSION TODAY - to get as many of you praying and reposting the request on your blogs! Let's place this precious little baby girl before the feet of the GOD who parted the Red Sea!

Here's what you do

1. Check out Krista's blog and familiarize yourself with her dear little Annabelle
2. Cut and paste this entire blog entry and post on YOUR blog
3. Post a comment on my blog with YOUR blog address and where you're blogging the prayer request and I'll be sure to pass it on to Krista
4. Post on Krista's blog a prayer (keep it relatively short) that she read ACTUAL words of prayer being lifted for Annabelle
5. Continue to pray ... indefinitely :)

Are you with me??

Interview on Romance Writers on a Journey

I'm over at Romance Writers on the Journey today. I really appreciate Keli Gwyn inviting me. She did a wonderful job interviewing me, and you even get to hear a little about my book coming out in April. Plus, you can enter to win a scarf crocheted by me. I hope to see you there.

It's a major award...

I'm going to catch up on the fun awards bloggers have given me recently!





A huge thank you to

Lynn at Place to Create ,

Julie Dao at Silver Lining,

Tessa at Christ is Write, and

Jana Hutcheson at All I'm Saying...

These ladies have great blogs. You should definitely go check them out!