Blogging Anniversary!

I realized that as of yesterday, I have been blogging for an entire year. Woo hoo!

It was one of the quickest and busiest years of my life. And during those twelve months, I blogged an average of three times a week. In those twelve months, I learned more about writing than I did all the years prior. In those twelve months, I got together with a critique group and found support among other writers in the blogosphere.

I have to say that I am tremendously glad I began blogging. It’s been such a blessing.

How long have you been blogging? What’s the greatest gift that has come of it?




**photo from flickr

Plotting Your Novel: The Next Step

Two weeks ago we talked about plotting our novels and the steps some of us take in order to prepare to write. Our tactics range from simply starting with a vague idea and diving in to some fairly die-hard planning. The plotting technique is something I tried for a novel last year and fell in love with the whole planning end of writing, including chapter-by-chapter outline, character sketch, etc.

We discussed what goes into that first step. For me, that includes asking myself three questions after I get that first inkling for a story.

1) Does this story idea make sense and is it realistic?

2) Can I incorporate enough conflict and substance to create an entire novel out of this idea?

3) Would readers/agents/editors be interested in the idea?

If the answer is yes to all those, I take my next step toward getting this idea down on paper. I write out a short synopsis. It’s usually rough but it gets the entire gist of the story in front of me. Something I can return to when I’m plotting and trying to make sure the story fits. In the beginning, when the story is still new in your mind, it might feel wonderful but sometimes it feels like a new car or a new outfit. You might know it’s for you but you still have to grow accustomed to the fit. You’ve got to know which parts are comfortable and which parts still need a little adjusting or simply getting used to.

Next, I have to know the ending. I absolutely have to know the ending of a story before I even begin the in-depth plotting, let alone writing. It’s the culmination of all your conflict and all your character’s struggles and triumphs. It also marks a point on the grid. It’s the final dot on the major plot point line (sort of like a preliminary sketch of all the main events of the story). We’ll talk about that in a few weeks.

So what do we have so far? An idea for a story we know is a keeper. Then we have some kind of synopsis that helps us peg the general idea of the story. This may change over time but it’s something to return to and reflect on as we get ready to plan more of the story. And finally, we have the ending. The outcome of the story—the trials, the growth, the moral or the happily ever after. I find it helps the rest of the story along if I have a general sense of where the characters ultimately end up.

After this, as I’m heading into the next steps of plotting, I like to keep in mind two questions. Is this story character or plot driven? And what kind of message (since I write inspirational fiction) do I want to get across? This could also be a theme.

Do you tend to write a synopsis or summary of the story before you begin writing it? Do you have to know the end before you write or do you prefer to determine it as you go or as you reach it?

Unplug Week

Hey Friends! I seriously considered foregoing Unplug Week this week because of all the time I took off around Christmas. I'm having so much fun catching up the blogs I missed for awhile and enjoying the new posts and everything you all have to share.

However, I am committed to keeping up with my writing and I have some goals I want to accomplish this week (as well as one birthday to attend and one to plan for a special little girl). I hope you all have a wonderful and productive week and I'll see you soon!

Inspirations - Awards

Since Wednesdays are about inspirations and blogs and other bloggers truly inspire me, I thought I’d post some awards today.

I follow many blogs and they all seem to have something worthwhile that keeps me coming back. I could probably think of something specific about each blog that either entertains me, helps me, encourages me or teaches me. All wonderful things. I wish I had time for that but today I only have time to pass on two awards.

These are two awards I received, one last year (sorry!) and one just this week. But both keep with the theme of inspiration pretty well so…here we go!

I received the Happy Award from VR Barkowski (thanks again!). I’m supposed to write about things that make me happy and today, those are other blogs. I’ve been blogging for almost a year now and in that time I’ve met so many wonderful people and made some friendships and it’s been an excellent experience. Being a writer without these connections and the friends I’ve made wouldn’t be near the same, so thanks! Here are a few blogs that make me happy.

T. Anne at White Platonic Dreams because your posts always make me smile and you’re so forthcoming with all you’ve learned about writing.

Jill Kemerer because your posts are helpful and you deliver them with such enthusiasm and great joy.

Wendy Miller at All in a Day’s Thought because I look forward to your posts every week—especially your sincerity.

Erica Vetsch at On the Write Path because you have a wonderful way of drawing readers in and making us all part of your life.

Robyn at Putting Pen to Paper because you have such a big heart and it shows through in your posts.


I received the Breath of Fresh Air Award from Reesha over at Emergency Metaphor Technician. Thanks again! I’d like to pass this onto a handful of blogs that are refreshing and definitely worth visiting.

Eileen Astels Watson at A Christian Romance Writer’s Journey because you always post something special, genuine and worth taking away.

Joanne at Whole Latte Life, because you always post about something interesting and engage all the readers of your blog.

Terri Tiffany because your posts are encouraging and focused in the right place.

Keli Gwyn at Joy on the Journey because your posts uplift me and I appreciate that you’re always giving good news or encouraging other writers in their lives.

Thanks to all the rest of you as well who have made this blogging journey so wonderful and memorable.

Plotting Your Novel: The Ideas

I’m thick in the midst of plotting my new novel and it’s been a blast so far. In the past, I’ve been a panster. There were times I would hardly think out any more than a vague idea and then start writing. This proved difficult for the first several chapters but once I got into it, it wasn’t too bad. However, as the years progressed, so did my need to have a better foundation for my novel. I realized that in order for my plots to be more complete, to fit together more smoothly, I needed to plan better.

Thus came forth my new plan. Plot out the novel scene by scene, with research complete and characters sketched before I even began the novel. I know some of you do it this way and some don’t and I love that we all have different methods that work for us. So I thought I’d do a small series on my method and perhaps with everyone else’s input we can learn more about each other and maybe even learn something useful.

Novel ideas often start with an inkling. Just a sprinkle of an idea that blooms from a variety of places. I get many of my ideas from other books or movies or random stories I hear. I see a scene, hear an idea, or get inspired by a scenario and then I ask “What if?” What if the scene had played out differently? What if the setting was different and there was a child involved? What if there was a romance? Any number of questions that spark a new possibility. And before I know it, excitement awakens and I have an idea for the story.

However, for me, this happens at the very least, on a weekly basis. While it’s fun to have stories swirling around in my head at all times, I also have to be careful that I’m not making stories out of every idea simply for the sake of having another novel to write.

At this point, I have to ask myself several questions over several days.

1) Does this story idea make sense? Is it realistic?

2) Can I incorporate enough conflict and substance to create an entire novel out of this idea?

3) Would readers/agents/editors be interested in this idea?

There have been times when I’ve gotten super excited about an idea, then slept on it and realized the next day that there wasn’t much substance to it. There have been times when I’ve had two story ideas and had to combine them to create something more solid. There have been times when the idea is just right but it took months to really come to a place where it worked.

From this point, I usually have to force myself to think of three or four big conflicts in the story. Big moments that will sustain the reader and keep the story moving. If I can’t do that, I know the idea needs more work. Sometimes it needs to be set aside or tossed out completely.

If I can, I know I’m ready to move to the next step.

How about you? If you’re a big planner, what’s your first step and where do your ideas usually come from? If you’re not, what’s your first step? How do you know when it’s time to start writing that story?

Family Night

We just started family night this week. Though we have two children and try to plan various things here and there, we have never really had a specific day each week where we set aside family time.

We played two games of Clue Jr. which is WAY simpler than regular Clue (a game that I have never ONCE won in my lifetime). I really enjoyed myself and so did the rest of the family. It also made me realize how easy it can be to forget how important family time is.

Last year I took giant steps toward a writing career. I tried to set more goals and really think of myself as a writer—to think of it as a job. To me, writing is what I’m supposed to be doing. But so is parenting. And with that new goal, more of my time was taken away with writing and researching, leaving me with less time for family.

I understand that with writing there are sacrifices one must make. I understand it and respect it. With that in mind, however, I want to be able to make the time I DO have more memorable.

Do any of you with families have a special family night? What kinds of things do you do and what about them makes the time special and memorable?

Inspirations – A Legacy

Earlier this week, I was inspired by this quote from Albert Pike (even though he seems like kind of an odd fellow):

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."

First, this struck me on a daily level. In the numerous interactions we have with family, friends, and strangers throughout any given day, we’re not often thinking about what we’re leaving behind. Mostly we’re just getting from one place to the next to live life. Go to the grocery store, pick up the kids from school, do the laundry, help the kids with homework, wait at another red light. We can’t help these things but we can consider our attitude and motivations when we do them. How we’re treating others and what kind of impression we’re leaving.

Then this idea transferred over to my writing. I have to admit, there are days when writing doesn’t come easy. Whether it’s working on a synopsis or even a difficult chapter, I don’t always think of it in terms of what I’m giving to my readers. And I definitely get caught up in the “me, me, me” aspect of it all. But other days I’m struck by how much weight our words carry. I’m amazed by the impact our writing can have. And it makes me endeavor to reach readers with stories that make a difference. It makes me cherish the gift of writing.

I’ve been inspired by many books in my lifetime. Spiritual books, humorous books, sad books and happy books. Words have a way of leaving a specific impression. On the mind and on the heart. It’s my dream to leave that kind of legacy to readers. I want to do more for others outside of writing but within, it’s a special goal this year to work on something I’m extremely proud to leave behind.

How about you? Do you have a special kind of legacy you want to leave behind with your writing or something else?

Welcome to 2010!

Hey friends! Welcome to the new year. I spent a good two weeks away from the Blogosphere living life, working on writing goals, bonding with family during some difficult times, and strategizing about how I’m going to balance writing with family and blogging this year.

What did I discover and accomplish during all this?

1) Sometimes simpler is better. My oldest daughter got a string for Christmas. One of those you can make creations out of, like Jacob’s ladder or a little tea cup. It was the least expensive of all her presents and it’s the one she’s played with the most. She carries it around in her pocket and shows everyone what she can do wherever we go. That's her in the picture to the right.

2) Life is too short to worry about the small things. Enjoy each and every day and enjoy your families. To the left, there's a picture of me and the kiddos standing in front of the Christmas tree.

3) Potty training cannot be forced. Wait until they’re ready and it makes life so much easier. My youngest is now the proud wearer of what she calls “Wonder wear.” That is, of course, instead of underwear.

4) Researching for stories can be fun even in temperatures below freezing. Hubby and I drove to Breckenridge to do research for my next story (a follow up to Dandelion Fields) and I can’t wait to start it. There's a picture of me (all bundled up) standing on a bridge near the Riverwalk. And the other is a picture of one of the streets of Breckenridge. There are ski slopes in the background and behind that building but they're hard to see.

5) God is faithful! My hubby got news on Christmas Eve that their corporate office chose to lay off someone from his branch and they picked him. BUT…his immediate supervisor and the branch manager recognize what a hard worker my hubby is and how valuable he is. So they worked to rearrange his schedule and make it so that he absolutely cannot be laid off. He stills has a job! Yay! And even better, they’re actually trying to get him a raise because of his new hours. Doesn’t God always look out for us?

6) I made use of my time away from blogging and worked on a proposal package. I made a complete proposal, including synopsis and wrote a query as well. I also researched agents for days and have a list I am going to start querying fairly soon. I’m nervous and excited at the same time. But I know in my heart that I am a writer and this is the next step.

7) Finally, there’s going to be a slight makeover with my blog. Sadly, there will be no more Excerpt or Action Wednesday’s but I’ll still post about my manuscript from time to time. I’m sticking with a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule but right now writing is more of a priority so I’m not going to stress too much about. I do love to hear from you all, though, and share in your journey so I’m sticking around for sure. On Monday’s I’ll be blogging about writing. On Wednesday’s I’ll be blogging about inspiration, and on Friday’s I’ll be blogging about family or friends or whatever went on that week that I’d like to share. And maybe I’ll have the chance to learn more about you as well.

How about all of you? Did you learn anything or accomplish something important during this break? Do you have any new goals for your life as we begin 2010?