My favorite Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sings my favorite Christmas carol:
Sweet hymns of joy in
Grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us
Praise His holy name!
Christ is the Lord,
Oh praise His name forever,
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim
His pow’r and glory
Evermore proclaim.
You can find the rest of the lyrics in English and a brief bit of historical background here.
What’s your favorite Christmas carol? Share by leaving a reply in the space provided. And Merry Christmas!
“Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don’t feel I should be doing something else.” ~Gloria Steinem
I may not agree with Gloria on everything. But her take on writing is spot-on. Know what I mean? There’s something about writing that, if you’re called to it, is mysterious and mesmerizing. Fantastic and hair-raising. Startling. Compelling.
The nuts-and-bolts of writing is a solo flight. Others may offer help, advice, or corrected grammar, but no one can do your writing for you. That job is yours alone.
A Camaraderie
Writing can also be the basis for camaraderie. A bookish “Band of Brothers,” to borrow from the venerable Bard. No one appreciates the frustration or fulfillment of writing like a fellow writer.
Few realize how much work it is to haul a bunch of characters around in your head all day like another novelist. No one appreciates the expenditure of mental energy that goes into rewrites, or the incessant search for just the “right’ word or phrase. Only another writer truly understands the ouch! of that last rejection letter, or the swirling delight attached to an editorial “Yes!”
Gloria was right. Writing really is the only thing that, when I ‘m doing it, I don’t feel like I should be doing something else. If you’re a writer, you know what I mean because you, like me, are fulfilling your calling when you write.
Don’t Put It Off
So, exit this blog and get busy writing. Don’t jump to another article on writing, update your status or start tweeting. That’s not writing, it’s dilly-dallying. Knock out a new story. Outline a holiday piece. Submit that memoir that’s been sitting in your bottom drawer gathering dust. Revise a rejected manuscript. Polish a poem or publish an Ebook.
Whatever you do, don’t put it off. Take a deep breath. Close the door. Unplug the TV. Mute the phone. Whatever it takes. No more excuses. Dive in. Now.
It’s takes guts to be a writer, but you can do it. Not only because you’re doing what you were called to do, but because we need you. Your voice. Your perspective. Your willingness to learn and grow and inspire us along the way. We need your story. And you’re the only one who can tell it.
What’s your story? Share it in the comments section in 50 words or less. If you don’t have time for that, choose a one or two word genre that best describes what you’re working on, like short story, historical fiction or memoir. We’re waiting to hear from YOU!
“Cute, pithy” and for those “who are new to the publishing game and in need of some friendly, clever encouragement.”
My newest micro Ebook, Skipping the Tiramisu: Becoming the Writer You Were Born to Be, earned these words and a four-star review out of a possible four.
Have you downloaded your FREE copy yet? It’s quick, easy, and won’t bite! Promise!
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Up next: Why You Won’t Turn Into a Pumpkin if You’re Not Blogging Every Day (Part 1 of 2).
One of the great things about hosting author interviews and helping other writers is that I get to meet and connect with some truly fascinating and amazingly gifted folks. Speaker and life-long writer Donna C. Goodrich is a choice example. Donna has authored over 700 short stories, articles, devotionals, poems, and book reviews and more than 20 books including A Step in the Write Direction – the Complete How-to-Book for Christian Writers and The Freedom of Letting Go. Let’s get to know her:
Where do you live?
Mesa, Arizona
Tell us something about yourself:
Author and speaker Donna Clark Goodrich
I’m originally from Jackson, Michigan. Moved to Kansas City when I was 20 to take a job as secretary to the book editor (Norman Oke, uncle by marriage of Jeanette Oke) at the Nazarene Publishing House. Two years later, I met my husband-to-be while typing his seminary term paper, and we’ve been married 52 years. Have 3 children, a pastor son-in-law, and 2 granddaughters.
I only have one year of college, but have had a number of writing jobs—associate editor, reporter, etc. , so most of my writing education has been on-the-job training.
I’ve been writing most of my life. Wrote my first poem at the age of 9 for Mother’s Day, another one that year for soldiers (which our pastor put in the church bulletin), and one at 11 when my father left. Sold my first poem at 14 (for $1.40) and my first short story at 18 (for $12).
The three people who had the biggest influence on my writing are: my mother, our children’s librarian in my hometown public library, my 5th-6th grade teacher, and my book editor boss at the publishing house.
Hobbies are baseball (Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks), music (mostly southern gospel), reading, and crossword puzzles.
What inspired you to write your two most recent books, A Step in the Write Direction – the Complete How-to Book for Christian Writers, and The Freedom of Letting Go?
1) A Step in the Write Direction—the Complete How-to Book for Christian Writers is taken from all the conference workshops I’ve taught over the years. I wanted something to offer all the people who called saying, “I want to be a writer. How do I get started?”
2) The idea for The Freedom of Letting Go came from the fact it took me 11 years to let go of my mother after she died. Then I realized it wasn’t just letting go of her, it was the whole principle of letting go of many things: grief, guilt, hurts, success, failure, children, material things, worry, doubt, fear, then the book ends with The Land Beyond Letting Go.
How did you choose the title?
The name of 1) is taken from classes and one-day workshops I’ve taught, and 2) from talks I’ve given over the years on that subject.
What obstacles did you encounter in getting this book published? How did you overcome them?
1) The publisher who accepted the “Step” book was a self-publishing house. However, the owner believed in the book enough to publish it on a royalty basis, and later, they also published my student book by the same title, but which has writing assignments throughout.
2) I only sent the “Freedom” book to three publishers. The first one accepted it, but I turned them down as they had only been in business for one year and had only one employee. The second one felt it covered too many topics, and the third one bought it. It was published in May 2012.
How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?
I’ve been writing most of my life. Unlike most students, I loved the essay questions. I wrote my first poem at the age of 9 for Mother’s Day, another one that year for soldiers (which our pastor put in the church bulletin), and one at 11 when my father left. Sold my first poem at 14 (for $1.40) and my first short story at 18 (for $12). When I accepted the job as book editor’s secretary, I was near all our denominational publishers, so I sold a lot of articles and short stories those two years. At present, I’ve had 23 books published, and over 700 short stories, articles, devotionals, poems, and book reviews.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Not really. I do editing and proofreading for publishers and writers, and also care for a husband with 12 diseases, so my writing time is limited. But when something burns inside me long enough, I find the time to write it!
Did you learn anything from writing and publishing this book? What?
I had collected information for years, and some topics I had previously put out in self-published booklets. The one thing I did learn was to make my copy as professional as possible to send it in as, since I had copied whole booklets into the manuscript, I wasn’t consistent in my capitalization and punctuation, so I had to do a lot of proofreading when the galleys came.
On the “Freedom” book, it was like preaching to the choir as I used so many personal experiences, and it actually helped me to write the book.
If you were doing it all over again, what would you do differently?
1) As stated above, I’d proofread it better before submitting it, and 2) on the Freedom book I wish I had known earlier the size this publisher published, as after it was accepted, I had to write 15,000 more words on material I hadn’t collected information for.
What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Why?
In the secular market, Mary Higgins Clark; religious market, Max Lucado.
Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?
I’ve had two more books accepted this year: 1) Rhyme-Time Bible Stories for Little Ones (Harvest House Publishers), and 2) Preparing Your Heart for Christmas, a 66-page devotional book (Lighthouse Publishers of the Carolinas; 10/15/12). I’ve also completed a contracted anthology manuscript of stories, poems, and recipes for mothers and grandmothers which will come out before Christmas this year (Hidden Brook Publishers). At present I’m looking for a publisher for a book for caregivers.
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What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?
Find a local writers’ group and join. If there isn’t one in your area, start one. Read all the books you can on writing, and try to attend a writers conference. And let go of things you are doing that others can do so you can do what you’re called to do.
Who is the perfect reader for your books?
1) The “Step” book is good for the beginning writer as it gives all the information they’re looking in one book, and it’s good for advanced writers as there is so much encouragement in it.
2) The “Freedom” book is helpful for anyone who finds it hard to let go of something: children, grief, material things, failure, guilt, etc.
Find out more about Donna and her books at: The Writer’s Friend.
Visit Donna at her blog: Donna Goodrich
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Are you a writer? How do you know?
Find out! Grab a free copy of my micro ebook, Skipping the Tiramisu: Becoming The Writer You Were Born to Be when you subscribe to my monthly-ish newsletter, Wreal 8.
To thank you for reading and being awesome, both are FREE!
Put the kettle on or add some ice to that lemonade. Now’s your chance to get to know linguist, multi-published author and editor extraordinaire W. Terry Whalin, author of Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and over 60 other titles. Put your feet up and enjoy this an engaging, informative glance “behind the scenes” with this talented writer:
Author and Editor W. Terry Whalin.
Where do you live? Irvine, California
Tell us something about yourself.
In high school, I was introduced to writing. It’s a story I tell in the opening chapter of Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams (available free here.) I wrote throughout high school and college. While studying journalism at Indiana University, halfway through my sophomore year, I had a life changing experience with a book. The full story is captured in a brief article called Two Words That Changed My Life. The direction of my life changed from journalism to linguistics. I spent 10 years in linguistics and 17 years with Wycliffe Bible Translators. I returned to my writing over 20 years ago and began to write for different print publications. I learned to write a query letter and I’ve written on assignment for over 50 magazines. In 1992, my first book was published—a little children’s book called When I Grow Up, I Can Go Anywhere for Jesus (David C. Cook). It is long out of print but launched my writing life into books. I’ve written more than 60 books for traditional publishers.
What inspired you to write Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams?
For many years, I’ve been teaching and attending various writers’ conferences. I meet writers who have huge ambitions with their writing yet no idea how to achieve those writing desires. In today’s competitive marketplace to get published, you need three elements. First, you need the insider knowledge about how book editors, magazine editors and literary agents work. If you don’t understand their needs, then you will never be able to meet their expectations. Second, you need the skills to provide those publishing professionals with what they need. Finally you need to bring strong storytelling skills to your writing. You will find a mixture of story combined with practical skills and how-to information inside the pages of Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams.
How did you choose the title?
I tested my title and subtitle in the marketplace. Many people guard their title as secret when I believe they need to test it and see if it resonates with their audience. I love the word Jumpstart because that’s what writers need to move forward with their writing. I used Publishing Dreams because many people have these sorts of ambitions but don’t even understand how the nitty-gritty of publishing works. I use the word publishing in the broadest use of the word inside my book. Finally I included a subtitle which emphasized a key benefit for my book: Insider Secrets to Skyrocket Your Success.
Do you have any writing rituals?
What a good question. In the computer world, I strongly dislike staring at a blank page. To solve this matter and simply get started, I’ve created a simple file that I call an “article header.” It contains all of the information at the top of a typical magazine article: name, address, word count, rights, and about halfway down the page: the title and my name. I pull this information into my file—and start revising it and almost instantly typing. It works for me and keeps me from getting stalled.
Did you learn anything from writing and publishing this book? What?
With each of my books, I have learned a great deal. For Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams, much of the basic material began with a set of random blog entries at my blog, The Writing Life. I have over 1,000 entries in this blog. I grouped the contents together into different sections. It required drastic rewriting to take the random material from a blog and turn it into chapters in a book.
Also with this book, I learned to include cartoons throughout the book to lighten the contents and also break up the print. Finally with each chapter, I made a point to give the reader even more information than was in each chapter. The final pages of each chapter include a section called “Dig Deeper” which leads the reader to resources outside of the book on the same topic of the chapter. Also I included a section called “Awaken Your Dreams” which asks the reader several pointed questions so they can apply the contents of the chapter to their own writing life.
Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?
Instead of working on another book, I’m helping others get their books published through my role as an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. Known as The Entrepreneurial Publisher, Morgan James is actively publishing nonfiction and has recently launched a fiction line. Learn more about the company here.
I’m actively looking for great pitches and proposals which writers can send to me directly at my work email: terry@morganjamespublishing.com. If you don’t know what is a good pitch or proposal, I recommend you learn before pitching and I have some resources for this as well at Ask About Proposals. Also I have an online course on the topic at, Write A Book Proposal.
What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?
The majority of writers approach their craft backwards. They believe the best way to make an impact on their world is through a printed book—which from a traditional publisher who pays an advance and royalties—is one of the most difficult to attempt. Books take a long time to get into print. Even after you get a contract (which can take years), most publishers take 18 to 24 months to bring that book into the market. Writers labor over the long form without thinking about shorter writing.
My best advice is to write for printed magazines. These publications have a higher standard than online magazines for quality and good storytelling. Magazines have a much quicker turnaround of three to six months from when accepted. Plus you can reach many more people with your magazine work than you can with a book. A good selling book may sell 5,000 copies during the life of the book. You can easily reach 100,000 or 200,000 people with a short magazine article. Book editors and literary agents are looking for writers with experience—and one of the best ways to get publishing experience is in the magazine world. I continue to write for different magazines. You can learn my basics for this type of writing at Terry’s Basics.
Who is the perfect reader for your book?
My perfect reader is any writer who feels stuck in a place with their writing and wants to move to a new level of excellence. Or maybe they have been in the writing world for some time and want some fresh ideas. Check out this review: http://bit.ly/AiF0QF and it will show you that experienced and new writers alike gain valuable insight from my book.
Where can readers learn more about you and your book?
Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams is available in bookstores all over the country. Check with your local bookstore to see if they have it. Or you can order it directly from me and get it autographed at Jumpstart Dreams. To learn more about me, I recommend you check out my personal website, or subscribe to my blog on The Writing Life. I have a lot of free resources and helps online for anyone who wants to learn more about writing and publishing. For example, check out Ask Terry Whalin.
Follow Terry on Twitter.
Download Terry’s free ebook, Straight Talk from the Editor.
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Interested in an author interview?
Ready to join our avalanche of writers helping writers?
Find out how here.
Uncanny, isn’t it? Try though I might to set aside an ho
ur a day to write, the “interruptions” flood in like Hurricane Hugo. The doorbell. Phone. Dog. Kids. Laundry. Raspberry white chocolate cheesecake.
The computer where I do most of my brilliant blogging is in the bedroom. This works pretty well for that coveted “quiet spot” – until sibling rivalry in the living room breaks into a three-alarmer. Or the dog wants to go out. Or dinner is burning. Or a sink full of dirty dishes awaits.
I’ve learned to stuff my pockets with 3 x 5-inch spiral bound notebooks. They’re small, lightweight and portable. They also don’t require an outlet or Wi-Fi, so I can readily jot down any inspiration that may strike on the hiking trail, in a canoe, at the beach or on a mountain top. I scribble down my impressions and try to decipher the hieroglyphics at the keyboard later. Sometimes it even works.
Here’s my question. Are you deliberate about setting time aside in your day to write? This may include journaling, jotting down notes or ideas for future development, outlining a short story or your next great work of fiction, or rewrites on a current writing project.
Do you discipline yourself to practice writing on a regular basis? If so, how, when and where? What obstacles or interruptions have you overcome? Share it with us in the comments section.
Aw, phooey.
The envelope arrived in the mail with the self-addressed label I’d affixed some weeks prior. Inside was a nice tri-folded typed note that read:
“Thank your for submitting your book proposal to ____ _____ (unnamed publisher). We have reviewed the materials and have decided that the book is not quite right for our current publishing program.”
What does “not quite right” mean? Is it within a millimeter of being “right,” or a mile and a half? And if a publishing program isn’t “current,” what is it? An antique? In the future?
It’s okay
Alright. So I’m in a bit of a blue funk. Know what? I’ve decided blue funks are okay. For a time.
If you’ve poured heart and soul into a manuscript and slaved long weeks over just the “right” turn of a phrase, agonized over pacing and rhythm, polished dialogue and plot to a bright sheen only to have “The Editors’ reject your magnum opus, there’s a word for the experience: disappointment. Aka: Aw, phooey.
And that’s okay. It’s okay to admit that something hurts when it does.
What’s not okay is to let it take you out for the count. To get so discouraged that you give up.
The territory
The truth? If you’ve been writing for more than ten minutes or so, you know that rejection letters come with the territory. Don’t take them personally. And don’t let them stop you from doing what you were born to do: write!
Now, if “the editors” have specified how or why your latest sparkling masterpiece isn’t “quite right” for their “current publishing program,” listen up and learn. Avoid making the same mistakes twice.
More often than not, however, such letters offer little or no useful advice in the how or why departments. When that happens, you might:
– Submit elsewhere
– Rewrite and re-submit
– Rework a current manuscript for a different publisher
– Pare down a manuscript into an article or an article series and sell it to a magazine
– Set aside the rejected mss. and start something new
– Treat yourself to another slice of raspberry white chocolate cheesecake with double hot fudge
– Pack your bags and head to Tibet.
A win-win
Before you dive into that last one, try offering your writing skills to a non-profit. Volunteer to write for and/or edit their newsletter and other publications. This can be a great opportunity to network. It may even turn into a paying gig. If it doesn’t, you’re still building relationships, polishing your skills and helping someone. It’s a chance to turn an “aw, phooey” into a win-win.
Have you received a rejection letter? How did you turn it into a “win-win”?
If you’re a blogger, you’re bound to hit The Wall sooner or later. If you’re reading this, you know what I mean: the “blank screen” bloggers hit when they’re fresh out of ideas.
It’s not unusual. Skim the blogosphere for any length of time and you’re bound to snag posts like, 20 topic suggestions for writing blog posts, or 10 ideas for awesome blog posts. A lot of people spill considerable ink telling other people how to come up with fresh ink.
Keeping up a blog is hard work. Let’s face it: sometimes the well runs dry.
So rather than regale you with more brilliant ideas or suggestions for writing winning blog posts, let me offer a suggestion you don’t hear much:
Take a break.
Take a Vacation
That’s right. Take a blogging vacation. Let your readers know that while you appreciate their loyalty, you need some time to recharge the ‘ole creative batteries. You might let them know how long you plan to be away and when you plan to return. Then disconnect. Really.
Instead of blogging, go for a walk. Play with your kids. Eat a banana split. Take up line-dancing, a watercolor class, or wood carving. Find a new author. Make a new friend. Change the oil in your car. Quit stressing about your next blog post or series. There’s something therapeutic and bracing about shifting gears, trying something novel, exploring new territory. Whatever it takes to replenish the well.
Productive ‘Down Time’
I know, I know. This may seem counter-intuitive for some, especially you Type-A personalities. Trust me on this. You’d be surprised at how productive “down time” can be, or how a chance of pace, fresh perspective, or renewed energy pays off in the long run. I’ve found then when a “rested” mind is a more creative mind. Some of my best ideas and creative bursts have come after I’ve turned off the computer and gone “on vacation.”
How long should your blogging vacation last? That’s up to you. Running on fumes isn’t doing you or your readers any favors. You’ll both be better off when you can hit the blogosphere fresh. When you start feeling like blogging is fun again, you’re on the right track.
So turn off the computer and take Nike’s advice: Just do it.
How many times have you heard, What are you writing? … Working on? … Have in the pipeline?
How many times are you asked, “Why?” As in, Why are you a writer? Why do you write? Why do you invest so much time, energy and passion into word-smithing and story-spinning?
“Why?” isn’t a trivial question. In fact, Why? may be a lot more important than what, where, how, or even who.
Possible response to “Why?” that I’ve heard:
Notice a common thread? These are all “me-isms.” In other words, it’s all about me.
Part of what makes great writing great is that it moves us beyond ourselves. Expands our horizons. Draws new paradigms. Explores an old topic from a new angle. Moves us to tears. Sends us into gales of laughter. Breaks the mold. Challenges, educates, dares, inspires. You know you’ve come across truly great writing when you happily skip a luscious plate of tiramisu to finish the next chapter.
Yes, I know we all find ourselves fascinating. But if our writing consists solely and wholly of me-isms without connecting to something bigger – family, faith, nature, tiramisu – then we’re just cranking out a commercial.
We can do better. Dig digger. Fly higher. Stretch. Explore. Grow. The tiramisu will wait.
Which of your favorite authors writes “bigger than yourself”?
This guest post is by Barbara Bassett:
One day, as I studied the scripture known as the Ten Commandments, I was so stunned with its harsh rigidity that I had to reread it, again-and-again-and-again, looking for the caring and protective Father I thought I knew. Where was He?
Then as I reread—aloud—this moral code for Israel and for all who would become His, the words I heard lost their firm harshness as I realized how deeply He too suffers from our rejection of His protective guidance as well.
A DEVOTIONAL PLEA FROM OUR FATHER
If we honor other gods before Our Father,
We commit spiritual adultery and we knowingly violate Him.
If we make an idol of anyone else’s likeness and we worship it,
We cheapen His glory and sabotage our allegiance due to Him alone.
If we use His holy Name in vile utterances,
We flaunt our ignorant scorn of its splendid power.
If we commit murder,
We challenge His wisdom as our supreme Creator and Judge of all life.
If we commit adultery,
We violate His Holy Spirit, residing in the temples of our bodies.
If we steal,
We encroach upon His stewardship over the fate of all humans.
If we bear false witness against our neighbor,
We damage a defenseless member of His earthly family.
If we covet anything belonging to a neighbor,
We reject His promise to give to us the desires of our hearts.
In surrendering to His loving leadership, we find that:
As we choose to honor our parents, though they may fail us,
We still respect His right of stewardship over our lives.
As we remember and keep holy the Sabbath,
We accept His invitation to be in harmonious fellowships with Him.
As we confess our sins to be truly against Him,
He is faithful to forgive and to forget them.
As we repent,
He joyfully celebrates with all of heaven.
As we love Him and keep His commandments,
He warmly draws us unto Himself.
As we humbly choose to be His bondservants,
Our Father strengthens us to take up the Cross of His Son.
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Barbara Bassett lives in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, where her long and storied life includes being part of both a Vineyard fellowship and a writers group. A loving mother and grandmother, at 93-years-young she confidently claims, “After more than eight decades of receiving My Father’s loving words of wisdom, I find his guidance to be new every day.”
Pages & Paws 