Monday Night With the "Big Boys"

Growing up in the South, my family get-togethers started out with aunts, uncles, cousins, etc eating, visiting, fishing, and generally having a good time before it morphed into an innocent, but fierce game of penny-ante poker. You know those games where the mason jars and Folgers cans full of change come out and if the winner went home with five or ten dollars, they’d really owned the table.

While those family times were fun, those backyard poker games aren’t the ones other people can’t wait to watch. It’s shows like Celebrity Poker Showdown that has the public’s attention. Yep. Those little jars filled with nickels and dimes were no match for playing with the big boys.

Writing is the same way. It’s great to be able to pour out our passion on paper or computer and let our family members gush over it and encourage us regardless of how much editing it’s in need of. We all need that. It inspires us to keep writing. But there comes a time that if we want to “play with the big boys” in the publishing world, no matter if it’s a small publishing house or a large one, or even a magazine, we’re going to have to bring more to the table than our pages of passion and prose. We’re going to have to up the ante on our skills.

On this blog, we’ve recommended oodles of books in the past. Today, I want to focus instead on a writer’s site that can potentially help us fine tune our skills so that our passion and prose has a better chance of reaching farther than our families.

My Book Therapy is a great place to connect with other writers of all skill levels in a Monday night chat that focuses on a specific writing related topic. They also have all their past chats archived for our viewing and learning pleasure. I’ve been able to find wealth of information on subjects such as the black moment, GMC, and vast number of topics that are not only more bite-size than a book in reading, but also because of questions and answers within the chat, I’ve often had experiences where I’d have a little different perspective than what I’d read in a book. That explanation within the Monday night chat gave me that “aha” moment I needed in understanding a certain concept.

The chats are held mostMonday nights at 7pm Central time at http://mybooktherapy.com/. But, as I mentioned above, they archive their chats to make them available at your leisure.

Before I go, I thought I 'd share some of the recent topics I’ve found interesting. Enjoy!

• Monday Night Bleachers Chat March 18, 2013 Michelle Lim: Brainstorming Heroes Readers Love
• Monday Night Chat 5/20/2013 Brainstorming Mentor Michelle Lim: Brainstorming Spiritual Truths and Lies For Character Journeys
• Monday Night Chat May 13, 2013 Reba J. Hoffman: Kill Their Cat--Why Inflicting Pain on Your Characters Makes a Good Read

Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine

This month we at Books to Write by introduce a new blogger to our blog, Bethany Calloway. Bethany loves to write fantasy with an element of mystery. She is a high school student who studies AP English and enjoys Marching Band where she is currently Junior Drum Major.

Welcome, Bethany Calloway!

In Writing Magic, by Gail Carson Levine author of Ella Enchanted, helps get the creative juices flowing, tears down writer’s block, and assists writers in creating stories which fly off the page. 

"In Writing Magic, Newberry Honor author Gail Carson Levine shares her secrets of great writing. She shows how you, too, can get terrific ideas for stories, invent great beginnings and endings, write sparkling dialogue, develop memorable characters- and much ,much more. She advises you about what to do when you feel stuck- and how to use helpful criticism. Best of all, she offers writing exercises that will set your imagination on fire. With humor, honesty, and wisdom, Gail Carson Levine shows you that you, too, can make magic with your writing."

The author eases you into writing by starting off with easy little writing assignments then gradually gives more and more challenging writing assignments. The great part of this book is that it helps organize writing ideas and generates possible plots. Also, the exercises have awesome names which make you excited to write like the first exercises is A Running Start and it ends with Exeunt Writing.

The book, has five sections, 1. Liftoff  2. Hearts and Guts 3. Plowing Through  4. Digging Deeper  5. Writing Forever, which help you start the beginning of a book and takes you to the very end. It helps you through the process of writing a book, and shows you how to write each section of a book successfully. 

This is a book about writing fiction. But it should help you write anything from e-mails, essays, and greeting cards to love letter and skywriting. It help you in writers blog by give you easy to do writing exercises that unleashes you creativity.

Writing Magic is a well written non- fiction book that helps ages 8 & up write fiction. It's great book which help people get start writing.

Plot Versus Character by Jeff Gerke

We here at Books to Write by are excited to introduce to our readers a guest blogger posting today. She has an amazing book to share with you. However, before we get to the review, let's meet her...

Karin Beery is a freelance writer, editor, and writing coach. With over 300 articles published, her work also blogs, novels, guide books, and more. An active member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association, Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network (PEN), and the Evangelical Press Association, Karin enjoys writing and editing in all forms, as well as helping others achieve their writing goals. Karin lives in northern Michigan with her husband, aunt, and two cats.

Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction by Jeff Gerke

 

What’s more important to a story: a gripping plot or compelling characters? The best fiction is rich in both. This hands-on guide to creating a well-rounded novel embraces both of these crucial story components. Plot Versus Character takes the guesswork out of creating great fiction by giving you the tools you need to inject life into your characters and momentum into your plot. (from the back cover)

 A follow-up to his first craft book, The Art and Craft of Writing Christian Fiction, this book is exactly as the title suggests – a look at crafting deep, believable characters and attention-holding plots. 

In Plot Versus Character, Gerke begins by identifying novelists as one of two types: character-focused and plot-focused writers. By focusing on one aspect and ignoring the other, however, writers often end up with one of two stories: rich, interesting characters who do nothing, or stereotypical, shallow characters saving the world.  Though he encourages readers to know which type of writer they are, Gerke’s book discusses both sides and is mapped out to take a writer through the entire process – from character development to the denouement – in order to create a well-rounded novel.

The first section of the book – Memorable Characters – walks you through character development. Gerke starts with Core Personality and Physical Attributes, digs into the character psyche to find The Knot (core issue/struggle), and takes you right to The Final State. It’s more than just knowing whether or not your hero is an introvert. Gerke looks at the complete inner workings of your characters. He shows you the steps to take to find out every little cog that makes them tick. By the time you finish, you’ll know your characters better than you know your spouse.

The second section – Marvelous Plots – looks at the external components of the story: the plot. Using a traditional Three Act layout, Gerke takes the information from section one and shows you how to weave your Memorable Characters into the Marvelous Plots. He shows, using numerous examples from books and movies, how characters and plot work together, complimenting each other to tell a captivating story.

Plot Versus Character is easy to read and hard to put down. I kept a notepad beside me, writing down ideas and concerns that I have for my current work-in-progress. This is not a beginner’s craft book. Gerke doesn’t discuss Point-Of-View or Show vs. Tell. This book is more for the writer working on the story, as opposed to the writer working on the writing. He digs deeper and challenges his readers to not just write stories about people, but to write gripping stories about realistic people. A must-read for any novelist. I’ll be reading it again soon.

For more information about Karin Beery, please contact her at:

Web site: www.karinbeery.com
Twitter: @karinbeery
Facebook: Karin Beery - Writer/Editor/Coach

"Shut Up!" He Explained by William Noble

Debra posted last month on an old book. Tis the season because the book I wish to tell you about this month was first published in 1987. For we boomers, that's not long, but for young writers, it's a lifetime ago.

Good books never lose their power. As a writer, that thought excites me. One lesson I've learned the last few years is that white space on a page beckons readers.

My eyes jump to a page filled with white space or, as writers call it, dialogue.

This has been my week to dwell on writing dynamic dialogue. The 4RV Publishing newsletter welcomed an article from me on Friday, March 1. I wrote about 8 Tips to Dynamic Dialogue. The URL for that article is http://4rvreading-writingnewsletter.blogspot.com/2013/03/8-tips-to-dynamic-dialogue.html?spref=tw in case you'd like copy and paste it into your browser and read.

No doubt, writing those words brought an old book to my attention. It's called "Shut Up!" He Explained.



I awoke last night wondering if I had reviewed that book on our books to write by blog. I checked. I hadn't. I am. I purchased this book from Writers Digest years ago before I ever heard of a writing group or a writing conference. It was just me, writing books, and a blank piece of paper.

I rush to this book whenever I struggle to ramp up the emotion in character conversations. When I taught a workshop on dialogue, I searched out this book for help. When I wrote my 8 Tips article Friday, again, I consulted this book. It's my go-to reference on this topic.

I perused the book, opening it on pages where I had sticky notes. I didn't get far. On page 5, I read, "Conversation, then, is not dialogue." Here's the example given: (Yes, I thrive on examples.)
"Where do you live?"
250 State Street
That's conversation.
"You live around here?"
"If you want to call it living."
That's dialogue.

Enough said.

Then, comes page 98 and 99. Yes, there's another sticky-note and tons of underlining and circling. I put my mark on this book. Here Noble compares fiction writing with screen plays. "On the stage, characters rarely speak their lines without doing something--sitting or walking, or drinking or making a face...." This is a good reminder. How long has it been since you went to a live play? Actors study their position on the stage along with their movements and coordination with others on the stage at least as much as their memorized wording. Should our characters not do the same?

Chapter 13 of this book explores beginning a short story or a novel with dialogue. How could that idea pump up the emotion and pull the reader into the main character's plight?

If you haven't added "SHUT UP!" He Ezplained, now might be a good time. The book has been released in paperback and is available on Kindle.

Goal, Motivation, and Conflict

Recently, I re-read the book entitled, Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon. My writing friend, Kay had given the book to me and I remember reading it years ago, thinking I had already blogged about it. However, a quick search through this blog's archive had me surprised that this book has never been reviewed on here. I find this amazing since this book has helped a lot of beginning novelists out there in writing land. 

Pros:

To begin this review, I first have to say that it is an easy read. I've read some pretty tough reads in the past that made me feel like I was swimming through a murky swamp. Not this one. Ms. Dixon writes in a fashion that is engaging and simple to understand.

Goal, Motivation, & Conflict is filled with interesting information in which all writers should take time to learn. She covers in the first few chapters the reasoning behind a good book and what it takes to engage the reader. The book covers the who, what, why, and why not by using references to movies. It then becomes clear how these parts are invaluable to a story. Another wonderful aspect of this book, is how the author teaches the novelist to write a tagline. Taglines can be so difficult for the author who is so close to the story. With this teaching on taglines, the task seems less daunting. The book also covers scenes and how to write the perfect query letter.

I really love this book. I am so glad I decided to re-read it. After reading books by Swain, I feel Goal, Motivation, & Conflict covers a lot of his teaching in an easy to read vernacular. Because let's face it...Swain is no easy read.

Cons:

Let me use the technique of G, M, & C to describe the cons of this book. Goal - the reader wants to read this book. Motivation - the reader wants to become a better writer. Conflict -  I believe I last saw it on Amazon.com for $134. Buying this book used is probably the best and only option to obtain this book. However, the publisher might be able to provide some help, "Our books are either new, used, ex-library, or out-of-print. The condition of the book is described at the end of each description." ~http://www.gryphonbooksforwriters.com/

Here is what the publisher said about this book:

http://www.gryphonbooksforwriters.com/home/gmc.htm

Goal, motivation, and conflict are the foundation of everything that happens in the story world.  Using charts, examples, and movies, the author breaks these key elements down into understandable components and walks the reader through the process of laying this foundation in his or her own work. 

Learn what causes sagging middles and how to fix them, which goals are important and which aren’t and why, how to get your characters to do what they need for your plot in a believable manner, and how to use conflict to create a good story. GMC can be used not only in plotting, but in character development, sharpening scenes, pitching ideas to an editor, and evaluating whether an idea will work.

	Be confident your idea will work before you write 200 pages
	Plan a road map to keep your story on track
	Discover why your scenes aren’t working and what to do about it
	Create characters that editors and readers will care about
	Write a dynamite query letter to an editor Table of Contents Introduction If Writing Were Easy, Everyone Would Be Writing Chapter One Who, What, Why, and Why Not Chapter Two Goal:  What Your Character Wants Chapter Three Motivation:  “The Why” Chapter Four Conflict:  Caution!  Roadblock Ahead! Chapter Five Conflict Mascots Chapter Six A Closer Look at the GMC Chart Chapter Seven Big Black Moments Need GMC Chapter Eight Go Ahead, Make a Scene Chapter Nine GMC Brainstorming Chapter Ten Twenty-Five Words or Less Chapter Eleven This and That Appendix A Recommended Reading and Reference Appendix B GMC Charts

Janet Brown's book Divine Dining: 365 Devotions to Guide You to Healthier Weight and Abundant Wellness is a great way to start the new year and be successful with that yearly resolution to lose weight. Each day has a new scripture and thoughts on how that scripture applies to weight loss.

Don't worry if you pick up the book and the year has already started. You could either just start when you receive the book on the first page or skip over to the current date. The good thing is you can use the book over and over each year.

 I have known Janet for at least twenty years. When I first met her she was overweight. We lost contact for a few years. When I saw her again, I was amazed at the change in her. She told me she had lost ninety-five pounds by following the Weight Watcher diet. In fact, I ran into her again at a Weight Watcher meeting. Since that time, we have renewed our friendship and eaten many meals together.

She practices healthy eating and has maintained her new lifestyle for twenty years. When she said she felt led to write this book, I was excited and offered to read over her rough draft. I was even more excited when I learned that her book would be published. I can guarantee her book will help anyone struggling with weight loss.

I was encouraged as I read each entry and amazed at the fact she could compile 365 entries. I suggest that you do yourself a favor and buy this book. You won't be sorry you did.

Her book is available on Amazon or at Pen-L Publishing: http://pen-l.com/DivineDining.html


Janet's website is www.janetkbrown.com.

I purchased Janet's book for myself and one for a friend as a gift.

PLATFORM by Michael Hyatt

If you're wondering about the how-to of marketing an existing or upcoming book or just yourself as an author, the expert to check out is Michael Hyatt.

He was the keynote speaker for the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in September and shared many of his ideas from his latest book. Eager to market my first book, I purchased one immediately and dug into it as soon as I got home.

Wow, was it worth the money. I love his sub-title "Get Noticed in a Noisy World." None of us doubt, social media has taken over our computers. Many sites vie for our time and attention. My friend, Sue Watson, recently told me that mine was the only blog she looked at because she just didn't have time for them. Another friend, Mary Beth Lee, indicated that if she wasn't careful, reading all the blogs kept her from her writing. Others, like two of my comrades on this group blog, Debra Calloway and Stephanie Gallentine find themselves pressured by job and family obligations with no time to keep up online. Michael Hyatt called it correctly, a "noisy world."

How do we stand out? Hyatt answered many of my questions. I will be referring back to the book for further advice from time to time which makes it imperative to possess our own copies to keep on hand.

As a brand new tweeter, my first question was how often should I post on Twitter. Hyatt answers me on page. 174 of Platform. He explains not with just a number, but with personal examples and experiences. Second, how can I increase my blog traffic? Chapter 35 of Platform gives specifics.

Dreaming/goal setting? Platform begins with that.
Inspiration? Platform overflows with that.
Practical advice? Micahel Hyatt knows what he knows by doing it himself.
Means to stay legal? It's in there.
Suggestions? Well, suffice to say, I just discovered something I marked that I'd forgotten about when I read the book the first time. On page 225-227, Hyatt lists super blog ideas. Okay, Michael, I'm starting my who-to-e-mail-to-get-for-a-guest-blog list, thanks to rereading your book.

I recommend all BookstoWriteby viewers, if you haven't purchased this book, rush out and get it now, or go over to Amazon. Hey, you might even want to order it overnight.

Anyone else out there that's used this book?

Will you allow a busy writer to include my own books to this post? I'm trying to build my platorm. Okay?

This is my latest and my only non-fiction. Pen-L Publishing released it 12/1, in time for Christmas presents. It starts with a devotion on January 1.

To purchase, go to http://pen-l.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=7

This is my inspirational, paranormal young adult released by 4RV Publishing in July, 2012. This would make a great Christmas present for a 12-17 year old girl.

To purchase it, go to http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/janet-brown.php

Thanks, Moonine Sue, Debra, and Stephanie, my co-authors of this BookstoWriteby blog for allowing me some shameless self promotion. God bless you.