Mother’s Day Reflections

Happy Mother’s Day a few days late! If your house was anything like mine over the weekend, you may still be recuperating. We were busy (to say the least) and in the midst of all the preparations and visiting I learned a very important lesson from my 7 year old daughter, Carmen. Carmen is quiet, but she notices every little thing. She can hurry through a room and stop suddenly to say “Mom, is that a new table cloth?” and she’s the first to notice a change in hair color or cut. When she has something to say, I try to really listen because she has an interesting perspective on things. More on that in a moment.

My mother in law is staying with us while convalescing from joint replacement surgery so it just made sense to host Mother’s Day at our house. Hosting meant a bit of work (especially since I play organ and was scheduled to play two services Sunday morning) but it was a great way to see everyone without the stress of eating in a restaurant. I planned something fairly easy since we were feeding 12 adults and 6 children. Saturday morning, I headed to the market with my 3 children (Carmen 7, Andre 5, and Breccan 7 months). We bought whole wheat buns, locally grown produce, and dye free pastries. We talked about making wise food choices and we headed home to grill up our grass fed beef patties and pork brats made from animals we raised ourselves. This isn’t something we do occasionally, it’s how we live. We don’t give it much thought most of the time.

Mother’s Day was a delightful time of love, laughter, and food a plenty! After our company left, Carmen pulled me aside and was full of questions:
• Mom, why don’t our cousins drink our milk? Don’t they know raw milk is better than store bought milk?
• Mom, why do people drink soda? You say it’s bad for us, isn’t it bad for them?
• Mom, there was a lady at church wearing high heels. Aren’t those yucky for her back?
• Mom, some people use throw away diapers, isn’t that terrible?

It was at that moment I realized I had been so busy teaching my children about our way of life I had forgotten to teach them about acceptance. Luckily, Carmen was paying attention and brought this to me early. I gathered both older children and we chatted about how people doing things differently didn’t mean one was wrong and one was right – they’re just different. (Somehow this encompassed a very short lived conversation about being cremated as well – not sure how that happened?) We ended our little chat by agreeing on the following:

Everyone’s parents and families are doing the best they can and as long as something is done in the spirit of love, it is done right.

Now it’s your turn. Please leave a comment about this post or answer one of the questions below:

What is something you do at your house that might be different than how other people do things?

What about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, is one wrong and one is right or can we agree both are done in the spirit of love and both are right?

What lessons have you learned through children?



Crystal is a church musician, business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Reedsville, Wisconsin with her husband, three young children (Carmen 7, Andre 5, Breccan 7 months), two dogs, two rabbits, four little piggies, and over 200 Holsteins. You can find Crystal blogging and reviewing books and all sorts of other stuff at: http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

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2 comments acceptance, eyes of a child, interesting perspective, lessons, life lessons, parenting young children, perspective, what children see

How What My Children Are Reading Affects My Own Book Selections

My daughter engaging in her favorite pastime . . . reading.

I discovered a fun new reading discussion website in the past few weeks with book suggestions for children’s literature. Author Allison Winn Scotch got the idea to start up Parents Reads Best while she was searching for new reading material for her two children, ages 7 and 9. As an aspiring children’s writer, I love browsing through the forums not only to get ideas for my two kids, but to see what books are getting buzz in the genres I enjoy reading.

Yes, I read children’s books, and a lot of them. I rediscovered my love for children’s literature around the time my daughter (almost 11) started reading longer middle-grade books. First, I introduced her to some of my old favorites, such as The Babysitter’s Club series, Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown. From there, she branched out to Roald Dahl and more stories with magical realism and fantasy. But there have been several instances where I’ve heard great reviews about a middle-grade book and suggested she read it first, such as Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me. When she finished it she couldn’t stop raving about it so I read it, too.

She got hooked on author Wendy Mass not long after that and encouraged me to read A Mango-Shaped Space, where I learned all about a really unique neurological condition called synesthesia. The main character, Mia (also my daughter’s name, by the way) can actually see sounds and letters of the alphabet in color. I haven’t cried that much after reading a children’s book in years. I am so thankful that she loves to read and discuss books with me, and I feel like the books I’m exposed to through my daughter are just as valuable as what I would find in any contemporary children’s literature class.

The books I learn about from my son, an 8-year-old who loves typical boy humor, are much different. He likes borrowing my daughter’s Sonic the Hedgehog graphic novels and snickering over the scrapes Greg Heffley from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series gets into. They make for a good laugh, but I usually find myself trying to explain a teachable moment from Greg’s escapades. His teacher noticed he loves books with very mischievous main characters, which is funny because he is very much the rule follower in class. Thankfully, he does appreciate more serious literature, too, as he gave me a full summary of Kate Di Camillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane the other day when his class finished it in read aloud. It will be interesting to see how his taste in books changes as he grows older, and I look forward to seeing what he’ll read as a teen.

Do you know a voracious young reader? If so, how do his or her book selections affect the books you decide to read?

Renee Roberson is an award-winning writer and editor who also blogs at Renee's Pages.

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3 comments Allison Winn Scotch, children's authors, Children's Literature, middle-grade novels, Parents Read Best, Renee Roberson, young adult novels

Friday Speak Out!: Make a Journal of Joys

by Carolyn Boyette Lewis

Recently I’ve sorted through boxes I haven’t seen inside of for years. The rummage sale gave an opportunity to donate items we no longer need. In the sorting, I came across a spiral notebook with daily recaps of our 30th anniversary cruise. I put the notebook aside until we finished that day’s sorting; then, I sat and read the recaps.

It was a joy to relive our cruise experiences. I “saw” our beautifully-appointed suite and the balcony. I “saw” the houses on the tour in Port-of-Spain. I “saw” the open air markets near the pier where I bought that blue-green print skirt and top. I “saw” the beautiful azure waters of Caribbean ports. I “saw” the shop in St. John’s where I purchased lovely table linens we’ve used for years. What pleasure this hidden treasure gave to me all these years later! Such joy I received for investing five minutes a day to record highlights of the days.

Do you write recaps of your vacation days and your special times with family and friends? I encourage you to do so. Such recaps give much joy as you relive experiences in coming years. Your children will find joy in reading them too. You’ll find these recaps helpful when you write a simple biography for your family in years to come.

Here’s an exercise to get you started on your “journal of joys.”

1. Think of a recent experience you had with a family member or friend. Remember the details. What gave you joy in that event?
2. Write a paragraph or two about the event and the joy it gave you. (Don’t worry so much about editing--it is for your use and not for an editor.)
3. Put your recap into an envelope and write one or two words, like “Sam’s birthday,” to identify the experience. Tuck the envelope into a drawer, file, or bookshelf.
4. Write yourself a note on your calendar for 3-6 months in the future reminding you to open that envelope to reread the contents.

This exercise will give you a taste of the pleasure a journal of joys can give.

I encourage you to get a book for your “journal of joys.” It may be as simple as a spiral notebook like you used in high school or, if you like, you can buy a bound journal with blank pages to fill. The kind of book you choose is not as important as remembering to take five minutes or so to jot notes about special times so you can relive them through your journal in years to come. Keep your “journal of joys” in a place where it is easily accessible for writing your recaps—and remember to tuck it into your luggage for travels.

It’s never too late to record your joys in a journal and it’s never too soon to relive joys of the past.

* * *

Carolyn Boyette Lewis is a wife, mother, grandmother, and retired teacher whose love of writing bloomed in high school and continues today. She lives in a small town in southwestern New Mexico. Currently, she is working on a collection of poems.

Connect with Carolyn at sclew514@yahoo.com; https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.b.lewis.5; and Sclew's Views.
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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

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6 comments Carolyn Boyette Lewis, Family, Friday Speak Out, journal, joy, vacations

Research or Runaway Train?

Book research can be like a runaway train you just can't stop. If you're anything like me, you feel driven to get every detail correct because:

1. You don't want to break the magical spell you weave by creating another time and place because a
   
   reader is stuck on one tiny misplaced slang word or fact that doesn't belong.
2. You don't want to receive a letter that begins "I liked your book in the beginning but then you got X all wrong..."
3. Honestly, research can be a great way to fill time when you hit a roadblock in your actual writing. After all, there's always another book, documentary or website you can study to make sure you're getting everything just right.

It's that last one that can cause you trouble. So how do you stop yourself from becoming an expert in X (in my case World War II) and actually write a novel? After doing extensive research before beginning my novel, I found myself drifting back into research mode every time the writing got tough. 

So I began treating research questions like grammar questions. I simply began underlining things I had questions about to look into after the first draft was finished. They weren't details that the plot hinged on (I had already done that research) -- it was things like hairdos, the cost of a movie ticket, the decorations people put on their Christmas trees. So I wrote the first draft with plenty of XXXs to fill in later and kept the research train on the tracks.

One type of research I do recommend during the writing process is what I like to call "experience research". Since my novel takes place during World War II one of the main modes of transportation was trains. I'm more of a car gal. So how could I effectively write a train scene? Well, I got a few books featuring dozens of photos of World War II trains, routes and timetables. I was all set, right? Until a World War II era train came to my town. My family went to see it -- a ten minute excursion --and it breathed new life into my train scenes. The steam billowing up, the piercing whistle, the smells. You can't effectively portray those without experiencing them. I also did "experience research" by attending a WWII concert, complete with dancing from the era, an air show that included re-enactors and a coffee chat with a few veterans. Along with making my writing more realistic, they also gave me time when I could escape the draw of my computer, if only for an afternoon, and spend time with my family.

So, do you find yourself having to keep your research from becoming a runaway train?

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3 comments book research, fiction wiritng

When You Write In Multiple Points of View

I'm working on a manuscript with two alternating points of view.  To tell the story of a community shooting in my WIP and how it affects the community, I feel like I need both viewpoints.  But I struggle every time I work on it to make sure that my voices sound different. If the chapter title with the characters' name was somehow left off, I still want readers to know who is telling his story by the voice on the page.

Recently, I was also critiquing a very talented YA writer in one of my classes, and he is writing in multiple points of view. I just gave him the advice to have each POV character describe the same character in a paragraph as a writing exercise.  When he does this,  he should pay attention to the word choice and sentence structure of each POV character,  as well as what each character notices.  This is an excellent writing exercise to do when you are starting any novel, especially one with multiple voices.

I am a huge Divergent fan, but one thing that drove me crazy in book three was the alternating points of view between Tris and Four. I didn't feel like I could always tell whose point of view the chapter was in unless I read the title. Plus, until the end of the book,  I wondered why the author chose both points of view.

That's the other thing about multiple points of view.  There needs to be a reason they are being used besides it's popular.  Each character has to reveal a new plot thread the other one can't. I recently read a great book with multiple POVs that I felt was well done and uses this device for the right reasons. The book is called The Whole Golden World by Kristina Riggle, and Riggle alternates between three female characters: a teenager having an affair with her married teacher, the wife of the teacher, and the mother of the teenage girl. Each woman has an important story to tell, and believe me, their own take on the teacher! 

So when you write in multiple points of view. . .

1. Make sure readers can distinguish between your characters' voices without the aid of chapter titles.
2. If you are having trouble with your characters' voices, then try a writing exercise where you describe the same person or event from different viewpoints to work on word choice and voice.
3. There needs to be a reason for all the POV characters. What is each character revealing to the reader that the others can't?

So, are you writing in multiple points of view? What are the challenges you have faced? Do you like to read books with multiple points of view? Have a favorite? 

Margo L. Dill is the author of Caught Between Two Curses and Finding My Place, both written in one point of view. She teaches children's writing and novel writing classes for WOW! Find out more in the WOW! classroom.
 

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10 comments bestsellers, Margo L. Dill, multiple p.o.v., novel writing, point of view, WIP

Interview with Rose Thoman, Fall 2013 Flash Fiction Contest, Runner-Up

Rose’s Bio:

Rose Thoman lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children. When she’s not writing or busy chasing after her adorable preschoolers, she loves to get out and run in half-marathons. She taught elementary school for six years before deciding to stay home with her children. She is a member of SCBWI and has completed a middle-grade fantasy novel. She’s had two short stories published in on-line e-zines for children and received an Honorable Mention in last year’s WOW fall contest for her story, Triage.

If you haven’t done so already, check out Rose’s award-winning story “The Line,” and then return here for a conversation with the author.

WOW!: Congratulations on placing in WOW!’s Fall 2013 Flash Fiction Contest! What was the inspiration for your short story, or what prompted you to write this particular story?

Rose: This story was inspired by real life more than I’d like to admit! This past summer my mom and grandma both had cancer and my husband was injured at work. The doctor really did tell my grandma, “Well, we all gotta die sometime,” which isn't the most comforting thing to be told. It was a dark summer. And wine is good! So that was the inspiration. I thought about where is that line where having a glass of wine at the end of a bad day is fine, where does it cross over. I wanted to write a bit darker than I usual do, so I took the circumstances and exaggerated them.

WOW!: Thank you for sharing the behind-the-scenes aspect of your story. I find it so fascinating to hear about writers’ ideas and processes. In general, what is your writing process like?

Rose: I have a LOT of ideas but I don’t have a great writing schedule. I’ll blame my two, adorable young children for that. Deadlines help me to focus on the project that is due. I used to think it was funny when people would refer to writing as “a craft,” but it actually is one. I have to let myself spill out all of the ideas and then go back and clean them up. It’s frustrating when it doesn't look like what I want it to look like at first, but I have to remember that that’s the craft part, the going back and making it as close to what I want as possible.

WOW!: I agree with you – it is frustrating when rough drafts aren't as good as what was in my head!  And as you said, that's where the "crafting" is helpful. In your bio, you mention that you run half-marathons. Do you notice any connection between your running and writing?

Rose: Great question! Yes, for sure. At first, running a half marathon seemed like such a huge thing, close to impossible. I signed up for my first one when my youngest was just over one year old, and my husband was injured again from work. It was something I could do for me that I had some control over. When I first returned to running, one mile was all I could do. I had to focus on each individual step at first, and then build up to several miles. Preparation was key. It’s planning, dedication, and hard work! If I want to run all 13.1 miles, I don’t get to take a bunch of time off during training. Just like if I want to complete a writing project I have to sit down and do it, one word at a time. The other nice thing about running is I can think about my writing while doing it. I can work out character problems or scene issues.

WOW!: Running makes an awesome metaphor for writing! Thank you for making that connection. If you could have dinner with any writer, dead or alive, who would you choose, and why?

Rose: This one is tough. I think right now, I’d go with Neil Gaiman. I like his style and his books, the ones I've read, anyway, are quite dark, and so well written.

WOW!: That’s always a tough question, but that’s a great answer. Are you working on any other writing projects right now?

Rose: I've got a backlog. It’s ridiculous, really. I’m trying to find a home for a middle grades fantasy novel that I completed last fall. It’s been rejected twice, so I figure I’m getting closer to Harry Potter status, right? I have two novels for adults that I've started. I have a chapter book for children that’s about 1/3 of the way complete, and then several other little things. I’m all over the place.

WOW!: You sound like you’re staying busy! Good luck with your writing projects. Anything else you’d like to add?

Rose: I’d like to thank WOW for putting on the contest. Also, I’d like to say to anyone who is working on their writing to keep trying. This is the fourth time I've entered, and with the great feedback from the critiques, I've been doing a little bit better each time. It’s great being in the top 10!

WOW!: Thank you for your thoughtful responses, Rose! Happy writing!

Interviewed by Anne Greenawalt, writer and writing instructor.

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3 comments Anne Greenawalt, Fall 2013 Flash Fiction Contest, Rose Thoman, Runner up

A Strong Voice is Essential to Writing a Break-in (or Breakout) Novel

photo credit: zilverbat. Via photopin and cc

When I look at the manuscript pages people send in with their novel queries, the first thing I notice is voice. You get voice before you get anything else.

Listen:

“It’s a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.” (Matilda ~ Roald Dahl)

What do you get from that opening? Nothing about the main character. No hint about the plot. No theme, yet. But you get a good sense of the narrator's voice, don't you? Aren't you curious to read on to see what this guy says next? He calls children "disgusting little blisters" for crying out loud. That's voice.

Voice can change a story. Here are other voices saying the same thing as above:

I don't care for the fact that no matter how obnoxious children are, their parents still love them.

Parents, you see, are blind. Their children may throw fits that would make a rabid alley dog jealous, and still the parents will think they have born and reared perfect little darlings.

They's none as dear as yo' own babies. When them little tykes is bad, they jes' need lovin'.

Voice is about the tone, the diction, and the figures of speech that a character or narrator uses. Voice can tell us whether a piece will be rip-roaring or a boring, snoring snooze fest.

We sometimes think that voice can't be learned, but it can be. It is learned, in fact. Always. No baby ever came out of the womb telling stories.

We pick up narrative voice from our mothers and our fathers, from the books we read, and from the movies we watch.

So if you want to learn a certain voice, listen to it until you get the accent down.

Here are several different kinds of voices:

Voyage of the Dawn Treader ~ CS Lewis:There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it. (Accessible and witty)

Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen:It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. (Educated and witty)

Hatchet ~ Gary Paulsen:Thirteen-year old Brian Robeson, the sole passenger on a small plane from Hampton, New York to the north woods of Canada, boards the aircraft excited at the notion of flying in a single-engine plane. (Straight reporting with no frills)

Lord of the Flies ~ William Golding:The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last few feet of rock and began to pick his way toward the lagoon (Accessible and descriptive)

Huckleberry Finn ~ Mark Twain:
"You don't know about me without you have read a book called 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' but that ain't no matter." (Uneducated)

Play around with voice. Different voices will fit different books. Keep trying until you find one that's comfortable for you and interesting to readers.

***

Sally Apokedak (Sally-Apokedak.com) is an associate agent with the Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency. 

Join her brand new class, Four First-Chapter Essentials for Novels, which starts on on Monday, June 2, 2014.  This course includes a private group for student interaction, four hour-long taped lectures, weekly assignments, virtual one-on-one communication with your instructor, and an in-depth critique of your first chapter by your instructor.

For information and enrollment, visit our classroom page. Early registration is recommended.

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4 comments novel writing tips, online class, Sally Apokedak, voice, WOW class, WOW instructor, writer's voice

After the Writer's Conference

A month ago, I attended the Nebraska Writer's Guild spring conference. I'd been planning to go for months, but the week of the conference was hectic and I almost skipped the three hour drive (and a chance to spend my daughter's birthday with her) to get caught up on work.

Glad I didn't.

For at least ten years - and probably more like 12 - I've read Funds For Writers, and now I had a chance to meet the woman responsible for that website, Hope Clark. So, I awoke at 4 a.m. and drove to Mahoney State Park, near Omaha, for the event.

Throughout the day, editors, writers and screenwriters presented a lot of valuable information, but information is only valuable if you put it to use AFTER you get it. How can I take the tidbits of insider info and put it to use for my writing career?

That's the point, isn't it? 

In this past month, I've read and reread handouts and notes from that day, but I still have not taken any steps to apply the info to my writing. I need to, and I know I need to, but now I'm wondering what's holding me back. Is it a too-busy schedule? Possibly. Is it too many projects in the fire? Maybe. Is it fear of failure? I have a sneaking suspicion, this is the culprit.

So, even though it's Mother's Day, and I should be spending time with family, I've made an appointment for writing time today - just time for me to take a work in progress and apply what I learned. My family will understand because they know writing is important to me.

Advice is welcome and good, but only if you put into practice what you've learned. If we, as writers, are willing to invest in our craft by attending a conference, we need to be willing to take a hard look at our work and how to improve it.

By LuAnn Schindler

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1 comment improve your writing, LuAnn Schindler, using writing conference information, writing conference

Making Connections

The last time I blogged here at the Muffin, I wrote about writing retreats and why these events are worthwhile. The point that seemed to hit home for people was the idea that we are only Seven Degrees of Separation away from our next success.

This retreat definitely brought home the value of these connections.

At the retreat, we get face time with an editor who critiques our work and discusses it with us as well as teaching several workshops. This time, we learned about selling points and hooks. Whether you independently publish or traditionally publish, these two skills are vital.

But sometimes we need a bit more than that to get our foot in the door. We need a tip. For me, this is where this event always shines.

Last year, two of us applied to write-for-hire because of a tip that we got from a fellow author. She writes for this particular packager and no both of us do too. I just landed my first assignment, due by the end of the month. The other writer is on book #3.

Perhaps this tip was a fluke, but I’m prepared to argue that it wasn’t. Why? Because I’m also waiting on a contract for an app; I got the name of the publisher at this same event.

I’m not saying that you should schmooze with your fellow writers just so that you can make sales. I’ve made a lot of friends at these events and we always come away laughing and encouraged and ready to write.
But the tips are there too. Tips from our fellow writers can help us avoid publishers that don’t pay or who do a shoddy job with editing and design. They can also let us know when a publisher is looking for a certain type of book long before what they’ve just purchased makes its way into the public eye.

When you attend an event, whether it’s a conference , workshop or retreat, don’t snub the writers just to hob nob with the agents and editors. Take the time to get to know your fellow writers. Me? I have two agents to contact and a publisher who is looking for alphabet books. Until I sat down to breakfast on Saturday, I didn’t know that any of these people were looking.

--SueBE
Find out more about Sue and her work at her blog, One Writer's Journey.

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Leave a Comment conferences, networking, retreats, writing retreats

Friday Speak Out!: See the Forest—Not Just the Gorgeous Trees

by Sioux Roslawski

Sometimes writers benefit from a checklist. With my recently-finished manuscript in hand, I was checking off boxes all willy-nilly on my checklist. And my checklist, like everything else in life, I was doin' Sioux-style.

Print off my manuscript—all 153 pages and 82,814 words of it—just because I want to see the stack of papers in all its black and white glory (and because I love using big binder clips)? Check.

Send off my manuscript to a great editor-friend before it's truly ready? Check.

Beg—and convince—my writing critique group to read it, even though it's a hot mess? Check.

Decide that really, it's ready to send to a publisher because it's just that good, even though none of my beta readers have finished it nor have they given me feedback, but what a time-saver it will be because I can snag a publishing contract while my friends are still affixing (all glowing) post-its on the pages of my manuscript? Check. Then, uncheck.

Read the comments my critique group members have sent me? Realize they are saying the same thing I was telling myself—deep down inside? Understand that within the hot mess is something worthwhile? Check. Check. Check.

In the last six months I've floated down the river Denial. I've arrived at the lake of Reality. And I now realize that—probably like most novel-writing authors (except for writers like Jodi Picoult and Joe Hill—grrrr!)—I have lots of hard work ahead as I delete tens of thousands of words . . . as I begin my story from a different point of view . . . as I begin from (almost) scratch.

Now what I can check off my checklist—with lots of personal experience—mustering the momentum necessary to complete a manuscript. My WIP took almost as long as it took Harper Lee to write her classic. And yet hers has lived on for decades, and mine is threatening to self-combust.

As I begin to begin the revising, the deconstructing, I understand that I only saw the snarky, snort-worthy parts, the poignant parts that I was sure would move the reader—I couldn't see my story (the forest). I couldn't see that it lacked a cohesiveness, that it only made sense to me.

Now I'm making a new checklist: Determine the point of view. Create a story arc. Make the story more me (which means there will be generous servings of snark).

It'll be a good long while before I can check things off on this to-do list. But I'm patient . . .

* * *

Sioux Roslawski is a third grade teacher, a freelance writer, a dog rescuer for Love a Golden and a future novelist. Her stories have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul and Not Your Mother Book collections. More of her writing can be found at http://siouxspageblogspot.com
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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

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7 comments editing, Friday Speak Out, manuscripts, novel revision, Sioux Roslawski, writing groups

Sharpening Your Tools

Several years ago, a family member sent me a dictionary. Although the gift was gratefully received, I ended up having to give it away. Unfortunately, the dictionary was not one of the standards that writers and editors rely on.

One of a writer's best tools is the
dictionary--online and in print.
Photo credit | EKHumphrey

 

When I edit and write, I frequently refer to a dictionary. I use one so heavily I have online subscriptions and bookmarks galore. But not all writers believe the dictionary belongs in their toolbox. Aren’t we are far enough out of elementary school that we don’t need to use one anymore?

The Internet has certainly made it easier to search for words. But a dictionary can help to solve questions of word choice or to clear up a usage question. It is useful to know the standard reference works for when you do need to look up a word and, as can happen in my household, a child’s pocket dictionary just won’t cut it. At. All.

A writer needs to know reference works to refer to during those times and that there are standards.

For American editors using The Chicago Manual of Style, the recommended references are, in order of preference:

• Webster’s Third New International Dictionary and
• Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, refer to the latest edition (the online version has a great "user manual" for reacquainting yourself with the dictionary)

(If you are more of an Associated Press style person, the Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, is the first reference with The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition, listed next.)

Here are some other uses and times to use a dictionary:

• Trademarks – You don’t want to make the Mylar, Dumpster, or Teflon folks upset by not recognizing their trademarks
• Preposition use – Is it correct to use on, in, or through? You bet that the dictionary can help clarify your preposition use
• Finding synonyms (or antonyms) – We all need a little help finding a synonym now and then
• To hyphenate or not – Don’t leave them out when they are needed
• Usage – The dictionary generally has a few examples to help clarify how to use a word (think effect and affect, for example)

Googling a word makes finding a definition or its use easy, but it’s not always the best choice. I don’t know about you, but when I’m Googling, ever so often I’m looking to find information to buoy my beliefs about a word’s spelling or use:

• Is there a space in “table cloth” (over 54 million hits) or “tablecloth” (over 19 million hits)? If you Google without quotation marks and perform a cursory review, you’d believe a space is OK. But, refer to Webster’s and you have the definitive answer.

As a serious writer, investing in a dictionary can help strengthen your writing, your submissions, and it makes writerly sense.

Elizabeth King Humphrey writes and refers to dictionaries in coastal North Carolina. And, yes, “writerly” is a word, no matter what my spellcheck tells me.

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2 comments Chicago Manual of Style, Dictionaries, Elizabeth King Humphrey, research tools, Writer's Tools

When The Passion Fizzles

I wrote that blog post title and thought of the old one-liner : “SEX. Now that I have your attention…”

Sorry, people. We’re skipping sex and going straight to passion. Because whether it’s sex or art or work or writing, without passion, it’s all pretty boring.

Unfortunately, there are times when the passion ebbs. When life throws a couple serious curveballs and the last thing you feel like doing is writing a humorous essay. Or maybe the grind of day-in, day-out writing weighs you down with indifference. Or possibly the frustration of watching others succeed while you still plug away has left you drained, with a “meh” scrawled across the page.

It’s not that you’re blocked. It’s just the blahs. And if you’re not careful, the blahs can turn into a three-year detour and waking up one morning, thinking, “Didn't I want to be a writer once?”

Writer friends don’t let writer friends quit. So let’s consider a few cures for when the passion fizzles:

Permission to Take a Break

Sometimes, you just have to take a break from writing. Circumstances may come along making it impossible to find the time to write, much less tap into your creativity. The problem with taking a break is that it can s-t-r-e-t-c-h into a permanent vacation. So when you absolutely need a break, give yourself permission to take off, but also give yourself a time limit, an actual date that you will get back to writing. Even if, when you get back to writing, you have to resort to the next tactic.

Write Through It

I’ve had to write through challenging situations. But honestly, most writers will tell you the same. And I suspect they do what I do: follow the “fake it till you make it” plan. It’s stringing together one word after another and pushing on, even if the words don’t exactly sing. Chances are good that the words will still carry the tune until you get your perfect pitch back. (Or maybe you’re still falling flat. See the next step.)

Change of Scenery

I know you’re hoping I mean a change of scenery to some exotic port of call. But if I took off for Acapulco every time I faced the writing blahs, I’d be broke (or more broke than I already am). No, I’m suggesting a walk around the block. Or maybe a brisk stroll in the park. Get those endorphins pumping through your system. Not only will you feel physically better, you’ll feel more creative. Or so say the scientists who study the effects of walking.

Change of Pace

Of course, you can also rev up the endorphins with a change of writing pace. Pump up your brain cells with a stimulating challenge. If you can’t take another minute of that dry article you’ve been working on, give your mind a little break and tackle something different. I sometimes try the Saturday Evening Post limerick contest. Maybe you’d like to try the WOW!Women on Writing Spring Flash Fiction contest. The important thing here is to keep working. One of these strategies is bound to put the passion back in your writing and make those words sizzle again. As for sex…

(Seriously? You fell for that again?)

~Cathy C. Hall

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11 comments Cathy C. Hall, passion in writing, Saturday Evening Post limerick contest, walking and creativity, WOW 2014 Spring Flash Fiction Contest, writing tips

Interview with Kathy Steinemann, Fall 2013 Flash Fiction Runner-Up

We’re happy to have Kathy Steinemann with us today! Kathy placed as a runner-up in our Fall 2013 Flash Fiction Contest with her delightful tale of romance set in the 1800s, Tarnation with Decorum.

Kathy was thrilled to hear that her story made the Top 10 list. She would like to thank Women on Writing for providing this opportunity to authors.

She writes for the love of it—and always has. As a young child, she scribbled poems and stories. During the progression of her love affair with words, she won public-speaking and writing awards, and she contributed to her school newspaper. Then every Monday, rain or shine, she walked home instead of taking the bus so that she could deliver her latest column to the community weekly.

Her career has taken varying directions, including positions as editor of a small-town paper, computer-network administrator, and webmaster. She has also worked on projects in commercial art and cartooning.

The people in this piece are from her “Sapphire Brigade” series. The story is a sneak peek into the early life of a character featured in Vanguard of Hope and The Doctor’s Deceit. The character also plays a major role in Sawbones in Blue, to be released later in 2014.

Kathy is currently working on an anthology of flash fiction and short stories, Suppose, to be published by April 30, 2014.

You can visit Kathy at her website, KathySteinemann.com, for a complete list of her books and novels.

Please join us now for a chat with Kathy.

-----Interview by Robyn Chausse

WOW: Hi Kathy, congratulations on placing in our Fall 2013 Flash Fiction contest! What prompted you to enter the contest?

Kathy: Thanks, Robyn. I appreciate the opportunities that you provide for writers.

One of my Facebook author friends shared your link on her timeline. Intrigued, I investigated your site. As of today, I’ve submitted to two of your competitions, and I’ve partially completed a submission for the WOW Spring 2014 Flash Fiction Contest.

WOW: That’s terrific! We love having repeat contestants and being involved in their journey of becoming the best writers they can be.

Kathy, two characters from your Sapphire Brigade series play the main characters in Tarnation with Decorum; what has been your character development process with Emma and Roderick?

Kathy: I develop my characters as I write—the way life and circumstances develop us all. But I keep careful track with timelines and spreadsheets while the novels progress. All of the women in the Sapphire Brigade series are strong individuals who dare to demand respect and rights not normally afforded by the society in which they live.

Emma is mentioned in the third book of the Sapphire Brigade series, one of my works in progress. Roderick plays a minor role in Vanguard of Hope as a seventy-year-old doctor. His role expands a few years later in The Doctor’s Deceit. However, his character really develops in Sawbones in Blue, which is a prequel based in the 1860s.

I intend to write another prequel that occurs during the 1840s. It’ll be about the romance between Emma and Roderick. Roderick prefers to go by Lucas, which is the reason he is able to hoodwink Emma during their train ride. He doesn’t tell her any lies, but he strays from the entire truth. Imagine his surprise when he sees the letter on her lap and realizes that the beautiful creature he is talking to is his future wife.

WOW: That is a fun twist!

You’ve also published quite a bit of non-fiction. As a writer of both fiction and non-fiction, how does your process or relationship with your work differ depending on the project?

Kathy: Both fiction and non-fiction require research. Everyone understands that non-fiction, by its nature, involves meticulous fact finding. However fiction, especially if based in another century, requires much more research than many stories centered in modern times. Etymology and fact searches assume an important role.

I prefer fiction—especially short fiction.

There’s something magical about assuming the personalities of fictional characters, imagining how they would think, and feeling their emotions as I write. I try to equate the characters with television or movie personalities. I can hear and see them reacting as the plots progress. They become part of my day, part of my world, and I’m left with a feeling of loss when each book or short story is finished.

WOW: What are you working on now?

Kathy: I have three works in progress.

Suppose is an anthology of drabbles, flash fiction, and short stories that was released in e-book format on April 30, 2014. Three other authors, Amber Hayward, Amy Kaplan, and Donna Milward, also provided stories for the collection.

Sawbones in Blue, the prequel I mentioned earlier, is the story of two doctors thrown together by circumstance. I don’t have a release date for it yet, but the first draft is done.

I’ve started writing stories for another anthology, Envision, which I hope to publish late in 2014.

WOW: My goodness, you’re busy. What words of wisdom do you have for our readers?

Kathy: Pay attention to the world around you. Sometimes a casual remark, a news story, or something as simple as a food label will inspire an idea. As soon as the inspiration strikes, write it down or record it in a file on your computer.

Whether you’re an avid reader or an (aspiring) author, read. And then read some more. The process opens your mind to new imaginations and possibilities. It exercises the part of the brain that children use when they listen to fairytales. Many adults suppress their daydreams and fantasies by ignoring the creative spark that exists in all of us.

Remember Joseph Addison’s advice: “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”

Keep reading!

WOW: Great advice, thank you. We’re looking forward to your upcoming releases, and will hopefully you here again after our next contest!

Step away from the sidelines! There’s plenty of time to enter our next writing contest—click here for all the details.

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2 comments Contestant interview, Fall 2013 Flash Fiction Interview, Flash Fiction Contest, Interview with Kathy Steinemann, Robyn Chausse

Barbara Barth Launches Blog Tour for Danger in her Words

& giveaway contest

We all take chances when we jump into a new romance. We could be rejected. We could fall in love and get our heart broken. We could learn that they look NOTHING like their photo from the online dating site. After reading Barbara Barth’s novel Danger in her Words, you’ll be adding another list: We could be stalked by a serial killer.

Danger in her Words combines several different aspects so it has something for everyone. Obviously, there’s romance and suspense. But there’s also a mini comedy of errors and a few crazy girlfriends that result in plenty of laughter. Also, this is a “story within a story” where the reader is immersed in two world: the world of Sue, a lonely widowed writer, and Jamie, the character in the romance she’s writing. And, since this is Barbara Barth, there are a few canine sidekicks!

Paperback: 238 pages

Publisher: Gilbert Street Press (February 12, 2014)

ISBN-10: 098317153X

ISBN-13: 978-0983171539

Twitter hashtag: #BarbaraBarth



Danger in her Words is available as a print and e-book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and IndieBound.

Book Giveaway Contest:

To win a copy of Danger in her Words, please enter using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway contest closes this Tuesday, May 13 at 12:00 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

About the Author:

Barbara Barth likes a lot of things: turquoise jewelry, surfing the 'net, and margaritas, to name a few. Then there are the dogs. As many as her house can hold! This Georgia antique dealer and jewelry maker published a hobby newsletter for 13 years. After her husband died she recorded the year that followed in a series of essays. When she isn't writing you can find her at the local thrift shops or pounding another nail into the wall to hang the paintings she can't resist. She published a memoir The Unfaithful Widow and Danger in her Words is her debut novel.

Find out more about the author by visiting her online:

Barbara Barth’s websites:
http://www.barbarabarthwriter.com/
http://theunfaithfulwidow.blogspot.com/

Barbara Barth’s blogs:
http://barbarabarthsparkle.blogspot.com/
http://theunfaithfulwidow.blogspot.com/
http://barbarabarthbookblog.blogspot.com/

Barbara Barth’s Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/dangerinherwords

Twitter: @writerwithdogs

-----Interview by Jodi Webb

WOW: How did you decide to make the jump from memoir to fiction? Was it difficult plunging into a new world?

Barbara: An experience I had at a writers’ convention spurred me on to try fiction. I used that embarrassing moment to come home and start writing something new. Much the same as my character Susan in the book. I shelved the project for a year to bring it out last summer and finish it, as a birthday present to myself. It was one of those BIG birthdays and I needed a bit of naughty fun to get me over that hump.

Writing fiction was harder than I imagined and starting with a novel, rather than a short story, was a bit overwhelming for me. I am used to writing 1200 to 1800 word essays then weaving them together to form a book, like I did in my memoir The Unfaithful Widow, or using them as stand-alone pieces on blogs. The chapters in Danger are short, similar in style to my essay format, which I hope makes for a fast-paced read.

When I write about my own experiences, I feel more in control. I know the story. With Danger I had an idea and the story grew into itself. To make it more difficult, Danger is a book within a book, which meant two separate story lines and groups of characters, each with their own past and present. I confused myself some days trying to keep up with everything.

WOW: What was the most difficult thing about writing fiction?

Barbara: Now I’m going to blush. I had to get my naughty up and running for this novel. Writing about sex was difficult – how much to include, what to leave out. I don’t read erotica and I did not want to write an erotic novel. Yet I chose a storyline that had to be sexy and fun. My character Susan, a dog-column writer and essayist, wants to try something new. She decides to write erotica. As a widow who hasn’t dated in three years, she has trouble finding the words she needs for her character Jamie. Her idea of research leads to the suspense part of the book. The sex turned out just as I’d hoped. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is light-hearted, not too explicit, but teasing. It was also important to me for the reader to understand that underneath all of the surface talk about sex, Susan and Jamie are strong women who have dealt with grief and pieced themselves back together to have creative lives. They are a little flawed, vulnerable, but full of life and laughter. They ultimately want to find a meaningful relationship. Jamie knows this, Susan is in the learning process. I wanted them to be the type of women you’d like to be friends with.

Keeping the story plausible was challenging. There are some plot twists and I wanted to be sure everything I wrote fell into place to make sense. I almost forget an important component in Jamie’s story, the arc before the ending. I worked hard to keep balance with a mix of humor and suspense. Some bad things happen, but I didn’t want to make the book dark, so I treaded lightly in those places.

WOW: What is the most rewarding part of writing fiction?

Barbara: I love the freedom to create in fiction. My fantasy farmhouse is where Susan lives. Her house is full of antiques and art I love. The details that make the landscape of the novel were fun to write. I could let my imagination take me places I’d like to be. I am a big talker, so dialog is very important to me. I like to create conversations that move the story along, give insight into the characters, and make the reader feel as if they are eavesdropping or joining in with the fun. Dialog is a great way to show, not tell, important aspects of the book and draw a reader in. The conversations between the girlfriends in Danger were a hoot to write and not unlike some I have had over Margaritas on nights when we like to be silly.

After all was written and done, I have to say I loved writing this book. It was an adventure unlike any I have taken. I think I am hooked on writing fiction now.

WOW: For your memoir you turned to your own life. What did you draw on for inspiration for Danger in her Words?

Barbara: This is where I put my head in my hands and say, oh my. Some might say the character Susan is me, a younger version. She is a widow who dated initially when her husband died, then lost herself in her writing, and hasn’t dated in three years. Susan has one dog, I have six, and I’m still not dating, so it can’t possibly be me! There is a quote in the front of the book I love - Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. I’ll leave anything past that to your own conclusions.

I have noticed a theme in my writing - widows and dogs. I do write about rebuilding a good life after a loss and how creativity, friendships, and dogs are healing factors to mend a broken heart. Perhaps it is what I know best. My memoir was my personal experience and growth. My blog posts are centered around being on my own again with a pack of rescue dogs. I turned to widows as my characters in fiction. I hope what I write, either from real life experiences or in fiction, shows that you can be happy again after a major life upheaval.

WOW: I've often read that we should read books in the genre we're writing. Your book has elements of suspense and romance. Do you read either of those genres, did you read any as "research" and if you're a fan who are your favorite authors in those genres?

Barbara: I love books and you will find them stacked in my house at every turn. I do not read that much fiction, my interest tends to go to memoir, journal style writing. My research for Danger was a little strange. I was so neurotic on the sex issue I found myself checking out contemporary woman’s fiction to see how sex was addressed in a normal novel. I was surprised to find more descriptive phrases than I wrote. I finally decided to wing it, use my own words, and make my book true to my story. Since completing my novel I am finding fiction that appeals to me and reading more. I do think it helps to be familiar with the different genres, although I have my own style and ideas. I want the reader to enjoy what I write, but I don’t want to be influenced by what others do. A flaw perhaps, but I write for pleasure and therapy, then hope for the best!

WOW: Tell us a little about your writing process. Did you plan the book out ahead of time or just write and see where it lead you?

Barbara: I get an idea and then start writing. With Danger I actually wrote the beginning, decided on the ending, and flushed out the middle. It was a chore to go back to make sure the details were consistent with how the book ended. I would sit down to write and let it flow. Some of the scenes in the book surprised me when they were completed. It was a fun process. I did have to outline the characters to keep everybody straight and to keep the details of their lives accurate. I do the same thing for my blog entries, just let the words flow with a basic idea of what I want to say. I am working on several projects now and have vague outlines, but ultimately I will see where the characters take me.

WOW: When and where do you write? Daily? Do your dogs keep you company? And speaking of dogs, will you ever write a book that doesn't feature a furry friend? Because they are fast becoming an intertwined part of your brand.

Barbara: Writer With Dogs – that’s me. I own the dot com and dot net. I have gone to the dogs. You made me smile with that question about my furry friends. Dogs are a part of my brand and they are a huge part of my life. I controlled myself in Danger In Her Words – there is only one dog.

I spend too much time at the computer writing, morning and late night. Every day I have to write something, edit something. I have a Book Talk blog that promotes other authors, in addition to several other blogs where I journal my adventures, and there are the books I’m working on. I’m obsessed. My dogs are usually spread out across the room on chairs and the sofa. My little Chihuahua Chloe sleeps wedged behind my back and the rounded back of the wicker chair I sit in when I write. She helps keep my posture straight. I live with six dogs now. They were huge in my healing process after my husband died. I started adopting dogs from local shelters and got a bit carried away. There will always be dogs in my writing. They are my muses. Having that many dogs as a single gal has a few drawbacks – it is hard to travel and men run as soon as I say six-pack, and they realize I am not talking beer. Love me, love my dogs. Perhaps I should get a T-shirt!

WOW: Your memoir was self-published. What route did you take to publication with your novel?

Barbara: I self-published again, only under my own imprint (Gilbert Street Press) and ISBN. My sister did the interior files, cover, and design work and loaded them up to CreateSpace and Kindle. Her company is pd king design and she works with authors to develop their books. As with my widow memoir, my book is a total art project for me. In addition to the story, I have strong feelings on how I want the book to look, the cover, and any interior graphics. I found the illustrations I wanted to use and my sister made it happen. Would I like to find an agent and go the traditional route? Of course, who wouldn’t. But I have little patience to wait for others to do things and for me self-publishing is the perfect answer at this time.

WOW: What are you working on now?

Barbara: There are voices in my head now. My own and strange characters with stories to tell. I am working on a novel about a sixty-five year old widow who moves to Florida, finds a ghost, a mystery, and perhaps romance. I hope to complete my memoir on my life with dogs by the end of summer. And I have an idea for an odd little book that involves my Chihuahua Chloe. She may never forgive me!

Thanks for letting me chat about my life and work. It is always a pleasure to visit with WOW.

WOW: We love having you, Barbara. And I can’t wait to see what’s percolating in your mind about Chloe.

----------Blog Tour Dates

Monday, May 5 (today!) @ The Muffin
Stop by for an interview with Barbara Barth and a chance to win Danger in her Words!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Tuesday, May 6 @ Romance Junkies
Need a new romance? Romance Junkies is reviewing the romance in Danger in her Words and giving you a chance to win a copy.
www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog

Friday, May 9 @ All Things Audry
Thinking about a book trailer for you book? Barbara Barth, author of Danger in her Words, tells us all about the fun she had creating her book trailer.
http://allthingsaudry.blogspot.com/‎

Monday, May 12 @ Bookhounds
Learn more about Barbara Barth in today's interview and enter to win her debut novel Danger in her Words.
http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, May 14 @ Deal Sharing Aunt
Stop by for a review of Danger in her Words, the debut novel of Barbara Barth.
http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 16 @ Vickie S. Miller
Don't miss a chance to meet writer Barbara Barth and enter to win her debut novel Danger in her Words.
http://www.vickiesmiller.com/blog.html

Thursday, May 22 @ Traveling with T
Barbara Barth, author of the novel Danger in her Words, stops by to write about the importance of girlfriends.
http://www.travelingwitht.wordpress.com

Friday, May 23 @ Bibliotica
Want to enjoy a book that combines thrills and romance when you're picnicking over Memorial Day Weekend? Try Danger in her Words by Barbara Barth that is being reviewed today.
http://www.bibliotica.com/

Wednesday, May 28 @ Words by Webb
Find out what blogger Jodi thinks about new beginnings and Danger in her Words, a romance thriller all about starting over.
http://jodiwebb.com

Monday, June 2 @ Lusty Penguin Reviews
Learn about the healing power of dogs from Barbara Barth, author of Danger in her Words and a woman who has never written a book that doesn't include a dog. Stop by and share stories of your favorite dog.
http://www.lustypenguin.com/

Thursday, June 5 @ The New Book Review
Want the 411 on Danger in her Words? Stop by for a review of Barbara Barth's debut novel..
http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com

Friday, June 6 @ All things Girl
All Things Girl wants to share All Things Barbara -- Barbara Barth that is. Don't miss today's interview with the author about her dogs, antiques and her latest book Danger in her Words.
http://allthingsgirl.com/blog

To view all our touring authors, check out our Events Calendar. Keep up with blog stops and giveaways in real time by following us on Twitter @WOWBlogTour.

Get Involved!
If you have a website or blog and would like to host one of our touring authors or schedule a tour of your own, please email us at blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com.

*****BOOK GIVEAWAY*****

Enter to win a copy of Danger In Her Words by Barbara Barth! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget next Tuesday, May 13th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck!

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18 comments Barbara Barth, blog tour, book giveaway, Danger in her Words, romance, suspense, writing fiction