Assessing Your Writing Year

 

The gifts have been opened, a great deal of the feast demolished, a few leftovers in the fridge. It's cold here in Kansas this week, even had a little snow Monday and Tuesday. Outdoor activities don't seem too appealing. 

Happily, writing is usually an indoor activity, so perhaps you have some time to tap away on your keyboard or put pen, or even one of the colored pencils in today's photo, to paper with thoughts of many things. It's often the final week of the year when we look back at what happened in our personal world and the world in general. Most of the latter's news is pretty sad at the moment, but what about your writing life this past year? Five stars or only one? 

Now would be a good time to take an inventory and assess the ups and downs of your writing year. Create a group of lists. It's not complicated, so let's start the ones below. Add any others that come to mind.  

List 1:  How many pieces did you write in 2023? List all of them, whether for your writing life, for an organization like your church, women's club, civic organization and more. 

List 2: In this one, put all the writing that you submitted for publication.

List 3:  Put all that were accepted and where and when they were published. 

List 4:  This one is for the submissions that were rejected. Place a note by each if you have any idea why they didn't make it.

List 5:  Money earned from writing published--the publication and amount paid. Also list those that were a no-pay but were published. 

List 6:  Your 2023 Goals should be listed here. Next to each one, put a comment like 'made it' or 'didn't come close' or 'partially'. 

List 7: What did you do to help yourself become a better writer? Books read, workshops and conferences attended, time with other writers. 

List 8:  This is the place to put your thoughts on what you might have done differently. Figuring this out can be helpful in making your Goals for 2024. 

After you take a good look at your lists group them in a file. At the end of 2024, it might be interesting to review them and see if you progressed or slipped back a little. 

Magical Christmas Windows

 

One more repeat of my Christmas memory stories. Those very small memories you have of happenings of your childhood Christmases can easily become full stories. When a memory floats through your mind, stop, grab it, and start remembering the details of whatever it might be. Then, write about it. One more piece to add to your Family Stories Book. 

Magical Christmas Windows

At least once during the Christmas seasons of my 1940s childhood, my mother and I rode the elevated train from suburban Oak Park to downtown Chicago, exiting at the Marshall Field’s station. Pigeons strutted on the wooden platform and railings, flapping soft gray wings now and then, drawing my attention, but Mother pulled me toward a long flight of steps to the street, leaving the pigeons far above us.

We headed to a special, magical place, the big department store’s Christmas windows. Often, the wind and cold air stung our cheeks. Sometimes snowflakes floated lazily over us, but it didn’t matter. A crowd formed close to the windows of Marshall Field’s, and Mother and I wiggled into the center, moving closer and closer to the front until we stood before Christmas Window #1.

 There, before us was a wonderland that brought ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ from the crowd. “Look, Mommy!” could be heard off and on as well when excited children pointed out the obvious to their mothers.

   Marshall Fields initiated the Christmas window display in 1897. During November, the windows were covered with brown paper and not unveiled until the day after Thanksgiving. For weeks, designers and their staff worked long hours to create a story told in eleven successive windows, using a fairy tale or child’s book theme. Animation came in later years, and the designs grew more and more lifelike.  Piles of snow and frost-covered trees looked real enough to touch. A tray of gingerbread men near an oven so perfect, I could almost smell the spicy aroma. A scroll or some other unique prop told part of the story, and the rest came with our imagination.

   The earlier windows were toy displays, a marketing scheme that drew thousands of shoppers. Later, in the mid-40s, the story windows began, and Uncle Mistletoe and Aunt Holly were introduced, becoming well-known to all Field’s shoppers.

We moved from window to window enjoying the continuing tale. Stories like Snow White and Pinocchio came to life behind the giant windows. They were probably more exciting in the days prior to television, for we had nothing like this anywhere but the movie theaters. By the time we’d walked the entire route, our feet were tingling with the cold, and we headed into the store to warm up.

What better place to thaw out than in the line that ended with a short sit on Santa’s lap. By the time, we reached Santa, we’d shed gloves and hats and unbuttoned our heavy coats. I told Santa my dearest wishes, never doubting that he’d remember and bring at least one of the items I’d requested.

When the 1950s rolled around, I made the trip downtown to Marshall Field’s with my girlfriends. Even then, my excitement stayed at a high pitch. I noticed more details in the story windows, and my friends and I giggled and chatted, and pointed things out to one another. With rosy cheeks and numbing toes by the time we’d gotten to the end, we headed into the store. Not to see Santa but to savor a cup of hot chocolate, gaze at the giant Christmas tree in the atrium, and then spend some time wandering through the massive place looking for Christmas gifts for our family members. We might finish the day with a Frango Mint, the candy made famous by Marshall Field’s.

Today, Field’s is no more. The sign in front now says Macy’s. It was a sad day for me when that happened. A piece of my childhood crumbled, never to be the same. But the memory of the Christmas windows and my visits to Santa remain even many decades later.

 

Chocolate Lovers Christmas Story

 

Christmas Sweets

Here we are with only days to go until Christmas 2023. At this time of year, I like to share a few of the Christmas stories I've written over the years. Childhood memories can inspire a Christmas story. Your special memories can be enjoyed by others, IF you take the time to write the story. Do it now while it's fresh in your mind. Even if you do nothing more than a first draft, that's fine. Later, go back, edit, and revise. Come summer, you'll be ready to submit to a publication for Christmas of 2024.

The story below was one mentioned many a time in my family. I've posted it before, but it's worth another go. Enjoy.

A Spoonful of Fudge

Spiral back in time with me to a mid-December day in 1947 and relive one of my treasured memories. With our teacher’s guidance, my third grade class planned the Christmas party, which would be held on our final day before the holiday break. Our classroom already looked festive thanks to a live Christmas tree decorated with our art work. Cut-out paper snowflakes adorned the tall windows, and in free time we’d made construction paper chains which we used to decorate every available space in the room. 

But now the most important part of getting ready was upon us. Miss Marshak asked for volunteers to bring Christmas napkins, cookies, and punch.

“Now what else would be good to have at the party?” she asked. 

A boy in the last row hollered, “Fudge!” 

At his one-word answer, I sat up straight and waved my hand in the air. When Miss Marshak did not call on me immediately, I bounced up and down in my chair and gestured furiously.

 “Yes, Nancy,” she finally said. 

“I’ll bring the fudge. My mother makes the best fudge in the world.” My mouth watered at the thought of the creamy, rich chocolate candy my entire family loved.

I could hardly wait to get home and tell my mother that I’d volunteered to bring fudge for the party. She’d be so excited to share her special fudge with all my classmates. I barely felt the cold December air as I hurried along the six blocks from school to our apartment building. My feet scarcely touched the stairs as I sailed up the three flights to our door. 

Mother stopped peeling potatoes when I burst into the kitchen. I announced the great news, but I didn’t get the reaction I’d expected. Her face paled. “Fudge? Isn’t there something else you can bring?” 

“No. Other people signed up for the rest.” My excitement deflated like a pricked balloon.

What could be wrong? 

Mother shrugged, picked up the potato peeler and said, “It’s all right. I’ll make the fudge.”

The December days slid by, one by one. I helped Mother put up our Christmas decorations. Dad took my brothers and me to pick out a tree, and Mother spent her days wrapping packages and baking special cookies and Christmas cakes. At school, we practiced for our part in the all-school musical program, read Christmas stories in reading time and created our own in Language Arts period. Giggles got louder as Christmas surrounded us.

Finally, the day before the party arrived. Our teacher went over a checklist to make sure everyone remembered what they were to bring the next day. How could I forget? I’d thought about the chocolaty, wonderful fudge Mother would make every day. I could almost taste its smoothness and the lingering sweetness it left.

When I got home that afternoon, my baby brother was crying, and Mother looked about to cry along with him. “What’s wrong?” I asked. My worry centered not on the baby or my mother but on the fudge. 

Mother sank into a kitchen chair. “I’ve made three batches of fudge today, and none of them worked. They’re all too soft. I can’t send it to school.” 

I had no idea why she was so disturbed. Fudge was always soft and gooey. We spooned it up every time we had it. “Why?” was all I could think to say.

“Nancy,” my mother said, “fudge is not meant to be eaten with a spoon. It should be firm enough to pick it up in a piece and pop into your mouth. I beat and beat it, but it’s like it always is when I make it. Too soft. And I made it three times today!” 

Tears welled in her eyes, and my baby brother reached up and patted her cheek. Maybe even he knew how bad she felt. How could I bring the fudge to school? I loved my mother’s fudge, but maybe nobody else would. Maybe they’d laugh when they saw it. I worked up my courage and asked, “What are we going to do?”

The next morning, I carried a big pan of fudge and 21 spoons to school.

The soft candy was the hit of the party. After we had our punch and cookies, everyone gathered around the cake pan of fudge, spoon in hand, and dug in. My fears were never realized. One of the boys licked his spoon and said, “You were right. Your mom does make the best fudge in the world.” Echoes of agreement sounded around the circle. We dipped our spoons for more.

Some years later, Mother began to make a new fudge recipe that contained marshmallow crème. The ads promised it was foolproof--firm fudge every time. They were right, but the spoonsful of soft fudge we’d eaten all those years before remained my favorite, and I never forgot how my mother found a solution to what might have been my biggest third grade disaster. It wasn't only fudge she'd given me that December day.

 Originally published in Chicken Soup for the Soul Chocolate Lovers Soul 2007

A Winter Writing Exercise

 

Nighttime in Prague

Description is such a big part of writing well. If we merely report what happened, but give no indication of when, where, what, images, weather, feelings and more, our piece ends up being exactly that--a report. You can give a report to your boss at work using simple language and not embellishing it in any way. Just the facts, and that's fine.

In creative writing, it's a whole different story. Take a look at today's photo. It's a nighttime picture of Prague, Perhaps on Christmas Eve. It begs for description when you write about the photo and what it depicts. 

Here's a list of words that came to mind when I studied the scene: 

A. silent

B. snowy

C. frigid

D. slippery

E. darkness

F. lamplight

G. stone wall

H. tall trees

I. dome

J. city buildings

K. night sky

L. street lamps

M. distant light

N. softness

O. chill

P. footprints

Q. hill

R. steep

S. winter

T. peace

U. cold

V. icy

W. shine

X. roof

Y. windows

Z. weather

How about that? I found 26 words for the 26 letters in our alphabet. Challenge yourself to do the same. With the photo for today, or one of your own choosing. As you study the scene, and the words come to mind, perhaps a story idea will also evolve. Use your list of words to either write a story or only a few paragraphs describing the scene. Note that I suggested you 'study' the scene. A mere glance won't bring much. 

There are so many photos online for you to use. It's an easy and productive winter writing exercise. Give it a try! 

Writing Holiday Stories and One Special Story

 

When's the best time to write a Christmas story? I think it's during the season while the spirit of Christmas surrounds you. You hear the music, see the many Christmas trees and other decorations, smell the special holiday treats baking in the oven, listen to Christmas music. A memory comes floating by. Reach out and seize it to write a special story that has to do with this annual, festive holiday.

This works for stories based on other holidays, as well. Hannukah, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving along with patriotic days like Memorial Day and Veterans' Day. When it's happening, you're more tuned in than if you tried to write a Thanksgiving story on the 10th day of July. Oh sure, you could do it, but I'm thinking that it will be a better story if you write it around the time of the holiday. 

Let's say you write a Christmas memory story in mid-December. You'd like to submit it for publication, but send it in January, and an editor probably isn't interested. Wait until early summer, then submit it somewhere. Editors will be thinking about holiday issues by then. Make a To-Do list of stories you want to send later in the year, then check it off and on. 

The story below is one I wrote in 2008 and was published in The Big Book of Christmas Joy. It's a special memory of the year my classmates and I learned it is better to give than receive. 

The Best Christmas Present Ever

In 1949 the twenty-one children in my fifth grade class learned one of life’s greatest lessons. Ten year olds usually care more about the importance of receiving gifts than the considering the joy in giving them. But that year, we found out that giving truly is better than receiving, and it was all because of a special teacher.

Lyle Biddinger served on a navy destroyer during World War II, went to college on the GI Bill and landed in a Chicago suburban grade school teaching fifth grade. We were his first class, and he was the first male teacher in our Kindergarten through eighth grade school. Young, handsome, and an outstanding teacher—he was all any ten year old could ask for.

 During family dinners, I talked endlessly about what Mr. Bid had told us that day, what he’d shown us, the games he’d taught us. He may as well have been sitting at our table every night, for his presence was evident Monday through Friday. I hurried through breakfast so I could get to school early, and I offered to stay after class and do whatever little jobs needed to be done. I wasn’t the only one who acted this way about Mr. Biddinger. Oh no--all of us adored him.

 We were so proud to be in his class. We preened our feathers like peacocks around the kids in the other fifth grade. He was all ours, and like kids of that age, we let everyone know it. Our teacher made learning fun, and in the 1940’s this was a new approach. At one point, some of the parents went to the principal and complained that Mr. Biddinger spent too much time playing games during class time. School should not be fun; it was to be hard work. Somehow Mr. Biddinger and the principal placated the disgruntled parents, and life went on as before in the fifth grade.

December arrived, and the Room Mother contacted the other parents. Each family was asked to give a modest amount of money to be used for a Christmas gift for the teacher. It was not an unusual request in our school. Next, she called Mr. Biddinger’s wife to find out what might be the perfect gift for him.

 It was to be a secret, of course, but we all knew about it, and whispers and notes flew back and forth. Our class Christmas party would be held the last day before the holiday break. We would have a grab bag gift exchange, punch and cookies and candy. We’d play some games, get out of schoolwork and give Mr. Bid his gift. The days trickled by slower than ever before, and our excitement grew steadily. We looked forward to our school Christmas much more than the one we’d each have at home. 

 Finally, the big day dawned. Our Room Mother arrived bearing the punch and brightly decorated Christmas cookies and hard candies. But where was the big boxwith Mr. Bid’s present? We didn’t see it. We wriggled in our desks and fretted. Whispers sailed around the room until Mr. Bid scolded us. “Settle down,” he said, “or the party’s over as of now.” Quiet reigned. The treats and grab bag gifts were passed out. We munched on our sugar cookies and slurped the red punch. The classroom door opened, and a strange woman walked in. Mr. Biddinger’s looked surprised at first; then a big smile crossed his face. We were soon introduced to his wife. The Room Mother disappeared into the hall but was back in seconds holding a good-sized box wrapped in Christmas paper and tied with a wide red ribbon. The chatter in the room ceased immediately, and all eyes were riveted on that box.

The Room Mother cleared her throat, walked to our teacher and said, “Mr. Biddinger, this gift is from your students. They wanted to show their love and appreciation by giving you something special.” As she handed him the box, the room tingled with an air of excitement. 

Mr. Bid seemed excited, and that alone thrilled us. He untied the bow and handed the ribbon to his wife. Next came the wrapping, and we all leaned forward. He opened the box and lifted a hunting jacket from the folds of tissue paper. This had been his fondest wish for Christmas, Mrs. Biddinger had told the Room Mother. He loved to hunt on the week-ends whenever possible, but the special hunting gear was beyond a teacher’s salary at that time.

 For the first time, the man who taught us so much became mute, totally speechless. He turned the jacket over and over, looked at the special pockets on the inside and outside. He tried again to say something but couldn’t. But the sparkle in his eyes and the smile on his face said all we needed to know. He finally found his voice and told us over and over how much he loved his new jacket. “It’s probably the finest gift I’ve ever received,” he said. He didn’t say why, but we knew. We had no doubt that the reason was that it came from his first class, the twenty-one ten year olds who adored him.

 I don’t remember the gifts I received at home that Christmas, but I’ll never forget the gift we gave Mr. Biddinger. It was the best Christmas present ever.

(C) 2008

By Nancy Julien Kopp Nancy - December 10, 2021  

 

Writers Must Be Determined

 

Determination is one characteristic a writer needs if he/she wants to be successful. A few synonyms for determination are perseverance, firmness, resolute, unwavering and tenacity. 

Whew! Those are all pretty strong words, ones that can carry a writer to high places. 

Writers who submit often and receive multiple rejections might be so disappointed that they figure it's useless. They give up. It's understandable. No one likes to be smacked down over and over. 

It's the determined writer who is going to find success, even if it takes a long time. One writer whose determination served him well is John Grisham. He approached publishing house after publishing house with his novel The Firm before it was picked up. He didn't give up but kept sending queries and sample pages to editors. He's not alone. There are myriad novelists who have experienced the same kind of difficulties. The ones we know are those who kept pursuing publication even after multiple rejections.

What about the writers who don't write books but short pieces instead? They seek publication, too. They might receive rejections and take one of two paths. They'll either wilt like yesterday's flower and give up, or they'll develop an attitude of continuing to submit a piece, perhaps after some editing and revision, but never giving up. These are the writers who end up being published.

Do these writers get depressed, feel down in the dumps when a rejection floats their way? Of course they do, but the determined ones move on to the next market on the list and submit again. (market list? That's a hint for those who want to be published!z0

It's up to you to decide how much being published means to you. How determined you can be. How much effort you want to put into your writing life. I hope many of you will be like Mr. Turtle and keep moving toward your goal of publication. 

Snow Can Trigger Your Writing

 Writers often lament the fact that they don't know what to write about. Stuck for a new idea. Yet, story ideas are swirling around us all the time just like snowflakes drifting downward from above. Snow is a great topic. We had several inches here on Saturday. Our first snow of the winter.

Watching snow blanketing our world often moves us to write a poem. For some reason, we forget the cold, the wet, the shivers we have, and only the beauty of a snowstorm remains. Think of all the wonderful adjectives there are to describe this little piece of nature. Try writing a poem using snow as the topic.

Snow also brings many memories of childhood experiences. Times when we went sledding, ice skating, or shoveling the family driveway and sidewalks. Times when there were snowball fights and the building of snowmen. Did you run inside and grab a carrot from the fridge for the snowman's nose? Was it a struggle to walk to school in the aftermath of a big snow? Did your mom make you bundle up so much to play in the snow that you could hardly walk? Was there hot chocolate waiting for you after being outside in the freezing temps? Ponder on the many memories of snow when you were a child. Story ideas abound!

 How about writing about problems you had because of snow? Maybe your car slid off the road into a ditch. Or you slipped and fell on a snowy step. Perhaps you had a nicely shoveled walk but ended up in bed with a bad back for a week. Or your car broke down on a snowy night in a deserted area. Snowy times can bring troubled times, as well as delight. Write about it!

Write an article about the facets of snow for a children's magazine. Or a fiction story for kids that is a tale of a snowy day. 

When you think there is nothing to write about, think of a simple topic like snow. Write the word on a piece of paper, then draw lines from it with all the thoughts that come to mind from this simple word. 

Make a list of all the words you can think of that might describe snow or have something to do with that cold, white stuff that piles up in our yard and on the streets. Do a freewrite exercise using the word 'snow' as your starter. Write fast, no stopping, about the word for a full ten minutes and see what results. An idea for something to write about perhaps.

Snow--such a simple word but one that can take you many places in your writing world.

Become a Better Writer

 

Our poster quote for today could easily be applied to writers who submit and submit but don't seem to have much success. Or not as much as they once hoped. 

Writing, no matter whether it is fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, essays or factual articles, is a tough road to travel. For one thing, there is tremendous competition. It three writers submit a story to a magazine, the odds are fairly good, but if three hundred submit to that publication, the odds aren't so hot. 

Writers not only have to be good in this craft, they have to be better than most of the others. That means hard work. It means keeping up with what is going on in the writing world. It means continuing to read about writing. It means editing and revising over and over. It means coming up with an angle on a story that no one else has done before. 

When we do have some success, it means that we can only bask in the afterglow for a short time. Then, it's time to get back to becoming a better writer. That should be one of our most consistent goals--to become a better writer. 

I loved the unit on graphs during my junior high math class. If we created a graph now on the ups and downs in a writers life, it would be a sight to see. Peaks and valleys. Sharp turns that go on and on. 

Yes, a writer's life can be hard but also rewarding. There is no doubt that to be a writer on a continuous basis, you must be passionate about the craft. You must enjoy the act of writing. You must have goals set and work towards them. 

If somebody hugs you and gifts you with chocolate and six million dollars, all the better. Just don't forget that you're a writer and must keep on writing. 

Thanksgiving Memories

 My computer problems are finally solved. I have been without this trusty laptop for almost three weeks due to various snafus. But today, my IT guy here at Meadowlark brought it back to me with a new hard drive and a whole new look. I'm going to have to spend some time figuring out the how and why of this seemingly new laptop. Posting on my phone was too difficult, too time consuming. So, I apologize for the lack of posts these past weeks. 

Thanksgiving is only two days away, and I've been thinking about Thanksgiving celebrations of my childhood and those when my own children were young. It's a perfect topic to write a family story or a slice of life piece about what this annual feasting day was like for your family. 

I grew up in a Chicago suburb in the 40s and 50s, and life was a bit different. Slower paced perhaps but we weren't aware of it then. Looking back at the Thanksgivings of my growing-up years, I have a warm feeling.

My father's two sisters and families lived not too far from us, and my mother and the aunts took turns hosting Thanksgiving. The six adults and 9 children of various ages gathered together on what was often a dreary day outdoors, typical of the Chicago area, but full of sunshine around the holiday table inside. 

We lived in a two bedroom, third floor apartment with a decent sized dining room, but a miniscule kitchen that had a formica table. Somehow, my mother prepared the large dinner in that tiny kitchen, and there was room for everyone to sit at one of the tables. The aunts brought side dishes sometimes, but often Mother created the entire dinner. We had turkey, of course, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, a vegetable of some kind, a delightful salad called Seafoam made with canned pears, lime jello, cream cheese, and whipped cream. A holiday staple for our family. Dessert was, of course, pumpkin pie with a dollop of real whipped cream on top. Mother also made dinner rolls of one kind or another. Parker House was the one she made the most often. 

After dinner, the men lounged in the living room, the kids were sent outside to play, cold or not, and the women did all the dishes by hand. No dishwasher. When my cousin, Carol, and I reached early teens, we were drafted to the clean-up committee. I remember the laughter and chatter as we dried the silverware, while the women took care of the china plates. How we all fit in that little kitchen is a wonder to me today. How my mother created such wonderful holiday meals in it seems almost a miracle. 

We didn't expound on the meaning of the holiday as we gathered, but we all knew what it was about. All of the cousins had learned about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving feast in school from kindergarten through sixth grade. Maybe each person around those two tables were silently grateful for food and family and a time to be together. 

Thanksgivings at my Aunt Adeline's became memorable, too. She and Uncle Tom and their four children lived in a large, old home with a big farmhouse kind of kitchen. This aunt was a wonderful cook, known for the best gravy ever. We didn't have the Seafoam Salad at her house, but the rest of the menu was the same. They had a big yard, where we kids were sent after the big dinner, while the adults at the table drinking coffee and picking at what was left. 

Thanksgiving in those years meant family and food which is pretty much like it is today, but the food prep and clean-up is more streamlined. Still, women in the kitchen and the men around the tv is pretty much the same. During the 40s, the men gathered around the big console radios we all had instead. 

Consider writing about your Thanksgiving memories for your children and grandchildren. Count your blessings as you prepare for this holiday, hopefully with family or friends. 

Small Interruption

 Sorry for the delay. Computer issues. Back as soon as they are fixed. Meanwhile, keep on writing!

Writers, Toss Out Mr. Doubt

I just now read a piece by an academic who has published many articles. She had decided to try writing a personal essay while attending a writing group class in Italy. She was so new to this kind of writing that she was truly shaken by it. Heeding the encouragement of the members of the class, she wrote the essay, found a top magazine that she wanted to submit to, and pushed Send. 

Like many of us, once she'd pushed that Send button, she got a little nervous. 'What have I done?' was her first thought. 

The writer was experienced in writing in her academic field, but writing about a personal experience was quite different. If scared her. It's a feeling many of us have shared. Sometimes, Mr. Doubt moves into our writing area, pulls up a chair, and commences to bug us. The sad thing is we often let him stay. 

It's important that a writer believes in him/herself. If not, how can they expect others to believe in their work? Others like editors, and then Readers. 

Consider the woman I wrote about above. Yes, she was writing in a different genre, but if she had the ability to have many academic articles published, she was capable of moving to a different style of writing. She needed to have had a heart to heart talk with herself.

This is what she might have told herself. "You're not a brand new writer. You've done this writing gig a great many times, and you've had success in publishing many articles in your field. You know the method, you know the tools of the craft, you know the submission process. If you can do all that, you can write in a different genre and be successful." 

The key would be for her to believe what she's saying. To believe in herself. To believe that she can find some success in a different field. The fact that she's already a published writer should be a big factor in the way she thinks of herself as a writer. 

So, what happened to the essay she sent to a top magazine? Within an hour, she received a reply and acceptance. Most likely because her topic was of great interest with what is going on in the Middle East right now. What if she had not hit Send? What if her belief in herself failed totally? Happily, she overcame her doubt and hit that important button to zip her essay to the editor. Most likely, she'll be sending Mr. Doubt right out the door, slamming it shut after him. 

Today's poster quoting Theodore Roosevelt fits quite well here. "Believe you can, and you're halfway there." Remember to accentuate the positives in your writing life, and keep moving on. 

 

The Pinocchio Factor

Since yesterday's post featured characterization in fiction, I thought you might like to see a repeat of another post that gives more specifics about showing and emotion in characters. 

An intriguing plot that piques the reader's interest and holds it throughout the story might be at the top of a list of goals for writing good fiction. As important as plot looms in creating memorable fiction, however, characters that show emotion and carry out the plot may surpass it in importance. No matter how good the story line, stiff and unfeeling characters will deflate a story faster than a pin pops a balloon.

In the classic tale, Pinocchio, a woodcarver named Geppetto creates a puppet boy made of wood. Geppetto's fondest wish is to turn his inanimate creation into a live boy who can love and cry and be a son to him. Pinocchio's adventures and misadventures fill the pages of this beloved children's story. We're writers, not woodcarvers. We don't want to create lifeless characters that might drag a story into oblivion.

We've all read work with characters that move the reader from Point A to Point B, but if they are wooden and show little or no emotion, we lose interest quickly. Emotion drives us, identifies us, and creates feelings of one kind or another for the characters in a story.

Readers want to see emotions in the characters they read about. Let them feel the anger, fear, or sadness in a character. More important than a physical description is to show what that character feels within. Show is the keyword here. 

Consider the following two passages:

A. Jennifer felt angry.

B. Jennifer stormed into the kitchen, picked up a bowl of gravy and threw it against the wall. Body shaking, she clenched her hands into fists and searched wildly for another missile to hurl.

Passage A is short and sweet and tells the reader what the emotion is, while B shows the emotion through Jennifer's actions. The reader can relate to and feel the emotion in B. Depending on the situation in which Jennifer vents her anger, the reader may be angry and empathize with her, or the reader might be in total disagreement and feel no sympathy at all for her. The important thing is that Passage B not only shows emotion in the character, it creates emotion in the reader.

Have you ever read a novel where lengthy physical descriptions of the characters filled page after page? At the end, all you have is the outer layer of the character. You still don't know what they are like emotionally. Let the reader be moved by the character's jealousy, deep love, or sorrow. Naming the emotion the character experiences isn't enough. The writer must make the reader feel what the character feels.

In Lois Lowry's Newberry Award novel, Number The Stars, a girl living in Nazi-occupied Denmark during WWII runs into two German soldiers on her way home from school. Ms. Lowry did not say "Annemarie was frightened by the soldiers." Instead, she wrote the following passage:

Annemarie stared up. There were two of them. That meant two helmets, two sets of cold eyes glaring at her, and four tall shiny boots planted firmly on the sidewalk, blocking her path to home. And it meant two rifles, gripped in the hands of the soldiers.

When a reader comes to this passage, her heart might beat a little faster. She’ll feel the same fear that Annemarie must be experiencing by seeing the soldiers through her child eyes.

In her book, Skylark, Patricia MacLachlan created characters that let us know their feelings through their actions. Consider this passage in which Anna describes a reunion with her father, whom she and Caleb have not seen in many months:

"Papa!" Caleb ran into Papa's arms, and Papa held him close. Papa picked me up, too, and my hat fell off, and I buried my face in his neck.

Instead of Anna saying "I was happy to see Papa," Ms. McLachlan shows us that joy in all three characters with a simple description.

In Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi brings Geppetto the woodcarver to life through his words and actions. When Geppetto carves his wooden puppet, strange things begin to happen, and we see his fear and frustration in the following passage:

In a few minutes it had become an immense nose that seemed to never end. Poor Geppetto tired himself out with cutting it off. The mouth was not even completed when it began to laugh and deride him. "Stop laughing I say," he roared in a threatening tone.

In real life, we often hold back our emotions. When writing, we must learn to do exactly the opposite. If you want to create memorable characters that inspire deep feelings in the reader, release the passion in you and allow the emotion to rise to the top. It's the perfect place to give your own emotions the outlet you might not have in your everyday existence. Make your characters laugh and cry, shout and stomp.

Pinocchio spent an entire book trying to become a real boy. You can create a real person in a paragraph with the right words. Let yourself go. Who knows? It could be a lot of fun! 

 

 

 

 

Creating Characters in Fiction

Writing fiction has many facets. One that is very important is characterization. No matter how good your idea for a story is, if your characters seem wooden, it hasn't a chance of being published. 

How do you make your characters come alive? Make them the kind that readers can relate to, feel happy or sad for? 

A.  Give them goals  Maybe Elena is a waitress who wants to be an actress. Or Sam is a detective who wants to write novels. Or Marianne is a retail clerk whose biggest desire is to be a fashion designer.

B.  Make sure they have a few flaws. Nobody is perfect, and if you want your character to feel like a real person, they had better not be meandering through life with a halo over their head. 

C.  Also give them strengths. Let them be good at something. 

D.  See your character in your mind, then describe him/her physical traits and habits and possible quirks. You must have a good picture of your character in your own mind in order to allow the reader to 'see' him/her. 

E.  Dialogue  When writing dialogue for your character, keep in mind the kind of person he/she is. Don't use perfect or stilted English for a homeless man. Don't use street slang for an heiress. Make the language fit the person. Use contractions like 'she'd' or 'we'll' instead of 'she would' or 'we will' as it's the way we speak in everyday conversation. 

F.  Show your character's emotions. Note that I said 'show' rather than tell. You don't want a mere report of how the character feels. The reader needs to see this. 

G.  Base him/her on someone you know or have observed. There's nothing wrong in doing this. It helps you 'see' your character's habits, traits, way of speaking and more. 

H.  Physical descriptions don't need to be done all at once. Sprinkle bits and pieces of what your character looks like throughout the early part of your story. 

Some writers create a history of their main characters before they ever begin writing the story. Much of the details they include aren't necessarily going to be in the story, but they're meant to let the writer know his/her character intimately. 

 

Writing the First Draft

You've come up with an idea for a story, a book, an essay, or article. Perhaps a poem. You feel those writing juices simmering, but you're not quite ready to begin writing. You want to ponder on the idea, let it twirl and swirl in your mind for a bit. Perhaps you want to do a bit of research.

Then, the day comes that you're ready to write. Write it and send it to a publication with the great hope that, one day, you'll see your piece in print. 

But wait! It's not simple. The first writing of your story is only the first draft. It might be compared to a ballet dancer working out on stage all alone on a new routine.  It's merely the beginning of what one hopes will be outstanding later. 

This first writing is only the beginning. It's you transferring the ideas from your head onto paper or a screen. As Terry Patchett said, "The first draft is you telling yourself the story." A very apt description. 

Another quote for today from Shannon Hale, YA author is "I'm writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles." You have the ingredients in the first draft that lead you to a finished product.

The third quote, which is anonymous, says "First drafts don't have to be perfect. They just have to be written." Keyword here is 'first' which lets you know there is more to come before this project comes to fruition. 

Are there any rules regarding first drafts? Not really. Once again, the choice is yours. Some writers start the first draft, keep writing, and don't look at it until it's completed. Others edit as they go. It's a stop and start situatuon. 

What is universal, however, is that this draft is merely the beginning of the entire project. You'll spend time revising and editing. Some writers do multiple editing processes, while others make it a once or twice habit. Those who do a large number of edits may end up frustrated and doubting themselves. Again, do what works for you, but don't overdo it. If you cease the revisions and editing, you may never feel you finally have a finished product. It could also mean you're a bit fearful of calling it done because then you must be about the business of submitting. A little scary in itself for some writers.

Keep the word 'first' in mind when you begin a new writing project. It's the first time you put your idea into words and sentences and paragraphs. Hopefully, the best is yet to come. 

 

Quotes on Writing from Mark Twain

 

Mark Twain's quotes have lived far beyond his death. I like the one that is our poster quote today. "Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words." 

Take a look at a few other quotes related to writing by this much-loved author and humorist.

A.  The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.

B. The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.

C.  The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - 'tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.

D.  My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water.

E.  Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream. (Great illustration of Show, Don't Tell!)

F.  Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very'; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. (Get rid of unnecessary words.) 

G.  In 'Huckleberry Finn,' I have drawn Tom Blankenship exactly as he was. He was ignorant, unwashed, insufficiently fed; but he had as good a heart as ever any boy had.(His characters were real)

Writers can learn from these quotes and many of his others. Mark Twain wrote about life as it truly was. He didn't sugarcoat anything. He didn't steer clear of controversial topics of  his era. Sadly, there are those today who would like to ban some of his books because they don't fit into today's society. Perhaps not, but they show history as it was. 

Let's go back to the original quote today. "Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words." What a great way to tell writers the importance of editing their work. Edit once, twice, three times, but no more than that. Too many times, and you might lose what you were trying to say in the first place. 

Don't Thumb Your Nose at Writing Exercises

Who are they? Where are they? What are they talking about? 

Don't thumb your nose at writing exercises. You can sharpen your writing skills if you do them on a regular basis. They can be a warm-up to your regular writing routine. You can also come up with an idea for a piece to write that is publishable. These exercises are not punishment, only meant to help.

Many writers don't bother with writing exercises. "I just want to write!" That's the attitude. Exercises are all about writing, so don't roll your eyes and move on. If you are someone who thinks they are boring, all you have to do is vary the kinds of exercises you do. Try them daily, three times a week, or occasionally. Whatever works for you. 

Here are a few writing exercies you might try:

A.  Photo Prompt:  Find a photo of any kind, one that shows some activity or a person in a particular setting. Like the one with today's post. Don't start writing yet. Study the photo or painting. Use your imagination to decide who the person or people are, where they're at, where they might be going and more. Then start writing a paragraph or several. Keep going as long as something comes to mind.

B.  Free Write:  Open a book, close your eyes, and point to a word. Type that word, then start writng whatever comes to mind for a full ten minutes, or even longer. (Some writers say that fifteen to twenty minutes gets the best results. ) Don't stop to think, keep writing. Let your subconscious free itself. You don't need to make sense, but normally something sensible will come in part of what you write in this exercise. Some of it may give you an idea for a story, essay, or poem. 

C.  Color Exercise:  Choose a color, then write a descriptive paragraph without naming the color. Here's your chance to highlight your descriptive abilities.  Make a list of colors and choose one each day.

D.  Weather Exercise:  Make a list of weather situations (tornado, hail, hurricane, windy day etc). Choose one and write a descriptive paragraph or paragraphs using the word as a prompt.

E.   Emotions:  Make a list of emotions. Choose one and write whatever comes to mind. Let yourself use emotion in this exercise. Too often, we hold back our emotions when we write. Doing this one repeatedly will allow you to release some of those pent-up feelings. 

Exercises, whether physical ones or the writing kind, are meant to make you stronger. Hit the walking trail for an hour and your body will benefit. Try a writing exercise for fifteen minutes to half an hour, and your future writing will gain in quality. The more you do the exercises, the stronger writer you will become. 
 

Book Review: Lady Tan's Circle of Women

 

Lisa See's latest novel, Lady Tan's Circle of Women, kept me reading past my usual bedtime several evenings. Based on an actual person, this historical fiction novel centers on Tan Yunxian, who lived in 15th century China in a well-to-do family.

Yunxian lost her mother when she was a small child. Her father, who was seldom home because of his high government position, sent her to live with her paternal grandparents, both doctors. The grandmother sees promise in this small child and sets out to train her as a doctor. Female doctors in this time were far and few between. 

Yunxian learns about the Four Examinations which are looking, listening, touching, and asking. Isn't this what we hope doctors of today will do, as well? She also learns what the pulse reveals, but it takes many years to perfect this type of examination. 

A midwife and her daughter serve the household of many women. The young girl, Ming Lei, and Yunxian become girlhood friends vowing to never part, despite the difference in the level of society each one comes from. The theme of friendship is a major part of the story thorughout the book, as we follow both the girls through being young women on into middle age and beyond. 

Yunxian is betrothed as a young child and wed at age fifteen, as was common in that period. Even though she is already gifted in the field of medicine, her mothr-in-law forbids her to practice, even among the many females in the large household. She is to be wife, mother, and all that goes with it but no more.

The story continues through difficult times in Yunxian's life, her relationship with her mother-in-law, her husband, and her treasured friend, Mei Ling, as well as how she does practice medicine within the family and even, secretly, to outsiders. We see her as wife, mother, doctor, and friend. 

Lisa See is a fine storyteller, knows how to draw the reader in, and hold them right to the end of the book. She has written many other books, all of which deal with China in some way. She is part Chinese in heritage and has delved deeply into the lives of Chinese people in China and also in the United States as immigrants through fiction based on fact. 

I especially liked learning how medicine was practiced in ancient China, so different, and yet some similarites to doctors of today. 

Writers Must Learn To Cut Words

 

Let's play What if...? What if you have a wonderful story of around 1440 words? When you begin looking for a place to send it, you find that what you've written would be a perfect fit for a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. You are sure it will be a winner. You can almost see an image in your mind of what you've written in print in the book. But then you check the guidelines and note that the maximum number of words the editors will accept is 1200. 

Your heart falls right down to the soles of your feet. 1600 vs 1200! That means cutting 240 words. Not possible you think. You call a friend who has been published in that anthology several times. "How serious are they about word count?" you ask. You sink into a chair when your friend responds, "Very serious. I mean--they aren't kidding." 

What if you try to cut the extra 240 words? It would mean you can submit the story feeling confident because you followed the guidelines. It might also mean a lot of work. What if you lose something big in the story? What if you don't want to tackle the job? Not an option? Then, it's time to get to work.

Go through the text and highlight places where you have used more than one adjective to describe a noun. Choose one and toss the other. Now, check for adverbs. Do you really need to say '...he said angrily?' Drop the adverbs wherever possible. (You can also drop a few of dialogue tags in a conversation)

Go back to the beginning and look for overly long sentences. Ask yourself how you can condense what you've said into a shorter sentence. Sometimes reversing the order of a sentence will allow you to cut some of the words. 

There are many unnecessary words that we unconsciously use when we write. Words like 'really, very, just, rather, certainly' don't add to what you're saying. They only add fluff. The sentence is usually stronger without them. 

You can hyphenate some words and also use contractions instead of two words. Say I'd instead of I would. Try he'll instead of he will.

You can turn some nouns into verbs. Say 'I decided' instead of 'I came to the decision'. In this example, you have used two words instead of five. Do that in many places and you can cut a lot of words.

Watch for redundancy. We can make a point, then tend to repeat the same point in other words in the next paragraph. Cut one of the sentences. It might even be a paragraph. It's a common mistake--repeating the same idea in different words. As writers, we don't always give our readers enough credit for 'getting it' the first time we make the point. 

Next, go through the text again and ask yourself if there are sections that can be taken out that wouldn't affect the story itself. More often than not, you can find whole paragraphs that are not crucial. You might like them but when cutting, be ruthless. 

Stephen King's advice for cutting words is worth reading and heeding. He said: “Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler's heart, kill your darlings.”

What if you follow all this advice for cutting 240 words from your personal essay? It just might allow you to cut that many words. I know because I've done it.

Submit Your Writing. Do it Now!

I had happy news yesterday. Several poems I submitted were accepted for a book about bedtime poems for children, coming out next month. The poems were ones that have been in my files for quite a long time. I'd subbed a couple of them to children's magazines earlier, but they were not accepted. So, back in the file folder they went. I was going to send just one or two to this new anthology but decided to send the lot. They might take a couple, I thought. What a surprise that they wanted all six, especially when I read that they had an overwhelming response and were not able to accept all the submissions received. 

If I'd left those poems in the file, they'd still be sitting there gathering dust or growing whiskers. The point here is 'If you don't submit, you cannot be published.' It's as simple as that. Conversely, it's not always a simple thing to submit your writing for publication. 

So, what's the problem? There are many reasons writers do not submit their work. Take a look at the following thoughts followed by one suggestion: 

 1.  It takes time:  First, you need to do some searching to find a place where what you have written fits. You should send an article on knitting to a handicraft magazine just as you would only submit a gardening essay to a  publication that deals with that subject. Once you find a market, you had better spend time checking and rechecking the submission guidelines. I cannot emphasize that step enough. Many submissions get tossed because they simply did not follow the guidelines. Next, you need to get the submission ready to send, whether by e-mail or snail mail. Guidelines often give how-to on this part of submitting, too. And finally, you need to record (somewhere, anywhere) what you sent, where you sent it, and when. So, yes--it takes time.

2.  Success is not guaranteed:  Darned little in this life is a sure thing, and submitting your writing to objective eyes is definitely a gamble. The odds are that more of your work will be rejected than accepted, especially in the early stages of your writing life. Convince yourself that you're not alone in this. We all know misery loves company, but your own misery after a rejection always runs higher. Take a chance. One of the submissions will eventually be accepted. Who knows, you might even have beginners luck and hit the jackpot on the first one. A nice dream you say? Well, it does happen occasionally.

3. Discipline is needed:  We all need discipline in many aspects of our lives. You had to learn to discipline yourself doing homework from grade school on. Submitting your writing is no different. It, too, requires discipline. Your spouse can't do it for you. Your kids can't do it for you, and neither can I. You know who must be the responsible one.

4.  No time like the present:  Don't promise yourself you'll submit your work next month or next week. Do it now. When we set the time line too far ahead, it's pretty easy to slide right on by. Do it now. And don't stop with one submission. I have numerous submissions out. All publications have different response times, so you need to keep the submissions going.

5. Watch for Calls for Submissions:  Make a habit of looking for calls for submissions. You'll find them in many writing newsletters and in groups on Facebook and other media platforms. 

6.  Start writing a new story:  This is a biggie. Once you send a completed piece of your writing to an editor, get started writing a new story right away. Keep the wheel turning and before you know it, you've established a habit.

You're a writer! You're special! Believe it!

Finding Friends in the Writing World

 

Today's photo (silhouette) shows two women having coffee or tea and conversing. It makes me wonder what they are discussing. If they are writers, I'm quite certain that topic will be a good part of their conversation. 

That's a positive. Some writers tend to be a bit reclusive. They prefer to stay at home and write. Writing is a solitary task. No doubt about that. When a writer gets involved in a project, they don't need anyone else around. They're totally immersed. But, when they have free time, it would be beneficial to seek the company of another writer.

Only another wrter understands the ups and downs of the writing world. Your best friend who is a nurse might be sympathetic when you tell her about your latest problem in the piece you're writing. If it's a writer friend, they will actually be able to empathize. They've been there, know the hurdles you're facng, really understand what you're talking about. 

How do you find writer friends? One way is to attend writing conventions or conferences on a regular basis. The first time, you are in a sea of strangers, but by going year after year, you are bound to make some friends. Friends who live in he writing world just like you, Friends who understand your ups and downs.

Another way is to join a critique group. It can be an in-person one in your local area or online. I have been in both kinds. The people in the online group I belong to have become close friends. We critique one another's work, but there is also chit-chat, and  Random Word exercises in which many write about their personal life. If I have a problem in something I am writing, I know I can go to any one of them for help or just to 'talk it out'. 

If you have local writer friends, make a point of getting together now and then. If you don't, maybe it's time to look for some. One way is to join your state writers organization. Most of them will have districts or local chapters. Attend the meetings regularly. Foster friendships there. You seldom become instant friends with anyone. It takes some time to develop a friendship. And, you must work at it. 

Having friends in your writing world will be of great benefit. Give it a try.

Book Review: A Little Tumble in Tintagel

 

Book 5 in Christina Hamlett's cozy mystery series has just been released. A Little Tumble in Tintagel whisks the reader off to the cliffs of Cornwall in England to a village called Tintagel. 

Rochelle Reid, also known as Rocky, leaves London for a few days to visit her friend, Clive, on a movie set. Clive, also a former M15 agent, has a small part in the movie about King Arthur and the legends surrounding him. Clive will be Merlin, with few lines, merely a scowl which he can do quite well. 

Clive's son, Harry, drives Rochelle to Tintagel where they find many of the hotels and other buildings are fashioned after parts of the Arthurian legend. They are looking forward to watching Clive's part being filmed outdoors, even though it is February and cold.

Death seems to follow Rochelle wherever she goes, and this trip proves no different. The director of the film is found dead at the bottom of a long stairway leading from the cliffs to the beach below. An accidental fall? Or murder? Rochelle had promised her steady boyfriend, Jon, that she wouldn't get involved in anything on this trip other than watching a movie being made. 

But being the woman she is, Rocky feels compelled to watch the cast and crew, as her suspicions grow. Getting more deeply involved almost costs her life before the murder is solved. 

Once again, Ms. Hamlett gives a true sense of place, fills her story with intriguing characters, some we've met in the previous books in this series, and keeps the reader engaged while trying to figure out the mystery. In addition, she highlights many of the meals Rocky and her friends have in the hotels and restaurants, so if you're a foodie, this is one more reason to read the book.

Cozy mysteries like this do not deal in violence, or cursing, or explicit sex. The reader never witnesses the actual death in the story. 

With each of the books in this series, I feel as though I've been on an overseas trip myself, so they are perfect for the armchair traveler. Each book can stand alone, but you can check out the earlier books in the series at Amazon or Barnes & Noble, as well.

Book 1:  A Little Larceny in Lynmouth

Book 2:  A Little Scandal in St. Andrews

Book 3:  A Little Drama in Dunster

'Book 4:  A Little Poison in Paisley

Book 5:  A Little Tumble in Tintagel

Book Review: Pheemie's War

 We learn so much from reading Historical Fiction, especially when the author does enough research to be sure he/she writes with authenticity. Kate Reynolds' newest book, Pheemie's War--Coming of Age in WWII gives a realistic picture of what life was like during the early years of WWII in the desert town of Phoenix, Arizona. 

Pheemie and her twin sister, Zella, are sixteen when the U.S. enters the war in 1941. They've been raised in a comfortable family along with younger brother, Tom. The girls' father was in the National Guard and is immediately called up and shipped out to the Pacific theater. The twins attend a Catholic Girls' School. Sister Mary Matthew, their teacher, cannot understand how twins can be so different, yet look so much alike. Pheemie is the scholar and in great hope of winning a schlarship to college, while Zella's aim is to have a good time in life. 

Once war is declared the girls and most everyone they know immerse themselves int the War effort--selling war bonds, collecting rubber and newspapers, meeting troop trains offering coffee and doughnuts and a smile to the military men on their way overseas and learning to do without many things they once took for granted. 

Shy Pheemie loves Rafe, the son of their Mexican housekeeper, Quinta, but in the Arizona of the 1940s, a racially mixed relationship was not done. Pheemie's father gives her a stern warning before he leaves for overseas duty. Quinta also lets Pheemie know there can be nothing between her son and Pheemie. Like most adolescents, Pheemie and Rafe's relationship has many ups and downs, leaving childhood moving on. Pheemie vows to love Rafe forever.

Zella, however, falls in love with numerous soldiers, nor has she ever turned down a dare. 

The story takes the reader through the adventures and the changes in the two sisters as they meet life head-on. Pheemie, in particular, moves from being a young girl to becoming a woman. She struggles with questions of right and wrong.

The novel brings the reader right into the times with so many small details that mark the early 1940s era. Ms. Reynolds also paints a perfect picture of Phoenix when it was still a small town, not the city of today. She weaves all this into the story seamlessly. 

The novel flows well, and the characters are well-drawn, and it is a fine story. What more could you ask? 

Note the car on the cover. The Pierce-Arrow plays a definite role in the story. Imagine it filled with nuns. Imagine it filled with twins on a very difficult mission. 

How About a Writing Retreat?

 

Leadership Lodge at Rock Springs Ranch

There are several ways writers can gather together to concentrate on writing. Conventions, big or small. Conferences that offer workshops. Retreats that give writers the option to have lots of time to write plus a few other things offered. 

Read here about one state organization that is trying a Writing Retreat instead of the usual convention. 

Kansas Authors Club (KAC) is a state organization that has members throughout the state. The organiztion began in Topeka in 1903 with a few people interested in writing. In the 120 years since then, KAC has grown and grown and grown. 

KAC has sponsored a state convention and a state literary contest for many years. The state is divided into seven districts, and each district takes a turn in planning the annual convention in a city in that district. During the pandemic years, the convention was done on zoom which proved to be quite successful. Still, members liked the benefit of being together at conventions. 

This year, District 3 & 4 were to be hosts, but they have fewer active members, making it more difficult to plan and run a full convention. Some state leaders talked about having a Writing Retreat instead. There would still be planning but not on such a large scale. District 3 & 4 picked up the banner and moved with it.

The committee selected Rock Springs Ranch, just outside Junction City, KS. Most people know about Rock Springs because of the many 4H camps held there over the years. They also welcome other groups to use the facilities in this beautiful wooded area. The lodging, meeting, and dining halls have been updated and are very nice. (See photo of one building) I toured the area several weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised at how nice all the buildings were as well as sparkling clean. The aroma of food being prepared in the Dining Hall made our taste buds tingle. All the buildings are nestled among tall, stately trees. 

OK, the place is great, but what will writers do at a writing retreat? There will be a motivational speaker on Friday evening and a social time. On Saturday, yoga and nature walks, campfire storytelling and music, guided writing exercises, writing prompts, staffed critique rooms, small group discussions, open mic practice, a make your own chapbook station, and of course, writing time wherever, whenever, and any length of time you want to spend. All of the choices listed here are exactly that--choices. You can choose to do one, none, or all. 

On Sunday, there will be time for more yoga or nature walk, a Book Fair, Annual Meeting time, Rosemary Time (recognition of members deceased this past year), and Member awards announced. After lunch, the awards for the annual Literary Contest will be announced. 

Writers will do all this in a truly lovely setting on an October weekend. The cost is a great deal less than a convention at a hotel which can leave some members out as it is not in their budgets. This Writers Retreat is something new for KAC, and I think it will be enjoyed by all who attend. 

The KAC Writing Retreat is open to all members and also non-members. Any nonmember who attends will be given a 2024 KAC membership. 

More details can be found at https://www.kansasauthorsclub.org/upcomingconvention.html 

You don't want to be one of writers who say "I wish I had gone to the 2023 KAC Writing Retreat." October 6-8, 2023 is the time. 

Writer--Stop Doubting Yourself!

 The quote in today's poster is filled with very few, but very wise words. A simple bit of advice to writers, whether newbies or seasoned. Sylvia Plath was a complicated, but talented, poet and novelist who took her own life at an early age. Perhaps she struggled with self-doubt herself, which is why she spoke about what it brings to the writer. 

Self-doubt in a writer is like an open wound that grows worse without treatment. How in the world does one treat a problem like self-doubt? It can become a mental block that might grow to gigantic proportions. 

Become a positive thinker. You might have to force yourself to find and dwell on the positives in your writing life. Even so, it's something to work on. Make it a morning habit to list the positives in your life  as you begin your day, or last thing at night. Be fair to yourself rather than look for negatives first. There are definitely positive things in every writer's life. We all have days when it is hard to find one, but it can be done.

Admit to your self-doubt. Trying to avoid it will not be helpful at all. It's a problem some writers have, and the sooner it's faced, the quicker it can be either lessened or overcome. 

There is no need to compare yourself to others. We are all individuals. We work at different levels, at a different pace, and with different goals in mind. You're not Sylvia Plath or John Grisham or Stephen King. You are a company of one, and your writing is yours, no one else's.

Have a friend you can lean on occasionally. It's helpful to be able to talk about your cares and woes in your writing life to another writer. They are people who have a better understanding of your plight. Don't use this person as a crutch, however. Plus, they might not want to listen to what you have to say every day of the week. Now and then? Fine. 

Self-respect has a lot to do with how you feel about your writing world self. Remind yourself now and then about the many good things in your writing life. No writer has everything awful or all wonderful. Dwell more on the positives than the negatives. 

If you can handle any self-doubt you have, your creative side will have a chance to emerge and flourish.