writing
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Plot and Life
This year I’m teaching two writing classes full of mostly kiddos that haven’t taken a class from me before. I’ve been pondering this week’s lesson about plot. Last week we discussed what makes a character interesting. Now we’ll apply that to what makes a plot interesting, and see how we can weave the two together.
One of the first things the students will do is define their character’s obvious and hidden needs. Hm. Could we actually apply that to ourselves and those around us?
I spend a lot of time noodling over my characters. What do they want? What do they need? Why? All this so I can understand them and, hopefully, write a story that is enjoyable while sending a message through their story. But the people in our real world have the need to be understood too. Maybe these flesh and blood type even have a stronger need to be heard than my characters. Okay, so if you’re not a writer, that last line may seem a little nuts, but trust me, those characters in my head are real!
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
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On Writing and Marketing
I read a great and informative post on the Steve Laube Agency’s blog yesterday. Steve boiled down the numbers, explaining the expenses publishers dole out to put books on the shelves. What an eye opener. On the average, publishers are only making about $420 on the first printing of 10,000 books. Wow!
As writers, what should our response to this information be? Well, for me it’s all about marketing and producing a quality product. If a publishing house is going to take that kind of risk on me, a new writer, I’m going to do my part to make sure they make a profit.
How can writers move toward the goal of better writing and marketing?
1. Write each day. Practice, practice, practice. There’s nothing magical about hard work.
2. Read well written fiction. Learn from those who have done it.
3. Read books on writing craft.
4. Research marketing. Check out the blog post I read today.
5. Be involved with an active group of writers, including a great critique group.
6. Join a writer’s community like ACFW.
7. Give back to others. It can’t always be about our platform and our skills. What can you give someone else?
8. Apply what you’ve learned.
9. Be patient. Learning to be a great writer takes time and so does building a solid marketing platform. Keep working toward your goal.
What are you doing to advance your marketing and writing skills?
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Entertainment From 1934
I hope you enjoy this step back into the year 1934.
I need to get some extra writing time in today, so that will be all from me. See you tomorrow.
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Living on a schedule
I love freedom. I want to get up whenever my eyes open and stay up until I feel sleepy. You know, do what I want to do, when I want to do it. However, I also get very stressed when I don’t feel like there is enough time in the day. The later happens way too often, especially when I’m working on a first draft.It’s busy around here! With writing, blogging, homeschooling the girls, and the boys schedules, I sometimes feel like my head is spinning around on my neck.
My answer is to be a free-spirit on a schedule. Now, I’m not one of those people who schedules every second of their day. That would make me into a time bomb and very dangerous for my family. I’m organized from 6am until 2:30. The rest of the day seems to schedule itself. With picking one kid up from school, to games, making dinner, and cleaning up around here, there isn’t a whole lot of down time.
The new scheduled went into effect this morning. It means getting up 30 minutes earlier than I have been. That’s 6am folks! I’m not an early bird. Not even close so this time is brutal, but appreciated later. The first thing I do is my Bible study. It’s something I don’t want to have pushed aside if life intrudes on the schedule.
So, how do you get it all done?
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles.
