Take Time to Edit

Editing… argh! It would be wonderful to simply write a perfect manuscript that delivers impeccable scenes and stellar lines. It never seems to happen that way, does it?

These past few days I have spent my time editing, preparing a portion of a manuscript for a contest. This experience, unlike other editing moments, is more intense for the judges of this particular contest are well respected literary minds who know how to evaluate the rogue ramblings of this amateur novelist.

Fortunately, I have friends. No, not the type of friends who wear overcoats with a 9mm bulge in the vest pocket. I have friends who are willing to examine my work with a realistic eye and offer their trusted critiques no matter how much it hurts (and they know who they are). In truth, their observations are exceptional and it has blessed my soul to receive their scrutiny.

There is only one problem, now I have work to do. Sure, it’s nice to hear feedback and to receive critiques, but it is of no value unless I take their suggestions to heart and apply it to my work. When I do, I find other things along the way. Scenes need repair, dialogue needs mending, and plot twists need help. I never could have seen the needs without the faithful eye of those who care.

This is even truer in life, so God has given us a critique group for living—it’s called the church.

Yes, I know that there are those who will misuse this calling to overly judge and condemn. I know that there are those who will avoid receiving any scrutiny, and demand to be accepted just as they are. But true and faithful followers of Christ must be willing to join together to help each other grow and build their faith.

All of us are a manuscript in need of editorial help. We need close communion with other believers who will walk with us, and help us to see the errors along the way. Proverbs 27:20 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

Have you joined a critique group? Yes, for writing, but what about for life? Will you trust your life into the hands of others, and then apply the wisdom God gives through the faithful and trusted in Christ? Many avoid critiques because an evaluation can be hard. Not just hard to hear, but hard to apply. Let me encourage you: Take time to edit. It’s worth it.

©2011
Rev. Michael Duncan

Step Five - Evaluating Progress

Last week we went through four steps in designing a plan of action to reduce chaos in the home and establish a better relationship between family members. Here is Step five.

Step five: Evaluate progress. What is working? What isn’t? What needs to be changed? This goal was ambitious but doable. Family meetings held on a regular basis, is a way to establish rules, get input from each member of the family and find a way to resolve problems before they become huge and unmanageable. Keep meetings short, have an agenda, and involve everyone. Once the structure of meetings is established, each member can take turns being time keeper, maintaining order, etc. As parents, you establish the structure for the meetings and maintain it.

Before the meeting, ask each person to bring their thoughts and concerns. It is a perfect opportunity to teach listening and communication skills, give and receive feedback, negotiate and brainstorm solutions. Kids often feel they have no voice. This is a family project; each person has input. As parents, you are the authority and set the tone. It is an opportunity to encourage positive suggestions and motivate problem solving.

Start each meeting with prayer. Ask God to be there as you work together. Congratulate each person for their efforts since the last meeting. Any small step in the right direction needs to be reinforced and cheered. It takes time to change behaviors. Encourage each family member to say something positive about others. When efforts are reinforced, we are motivated and encouraged. Negative assessments discourage us from trying. Within meetings, tone down disagreements and encourage positive input. Keep the written goals in front of you to keep everyone on track. If goals are too lofty and unrealistic, lower expectations to what is manageable and possible.

As parents you have the final say in the goals for the family. As the head of the family you can solicit and maintain cooperation while still retaining your position as head of the family. Parents do not abdicate their place of authority. Children might resist and rebel, but they want us to be parents not their buddy or pal.

These are the basics in 1) recognizing a problem, 2) deciding what you want to achieve, 3) setting a goal, 4) putting in plan in motion, and 5) evaluating that plan. For this situation, the problem was: home environment chaotic. What you wanted to achieve was: to be more organized and have a better relationship with family members. If your plan of action included establishing clear, concise and simple family rules some of the original disorganization would have been corrected. Interactions in family meetings enable us to hear the concerns of family members and express our feelings and frustrations within a safe environment. In the process, we have the opportunity to model good relationship skills. It is also a time where we demonstrate our need for God and His input in our lives. It makes us human as well as parents.

Next week, we’ll go through one more example – establishing better writing habits.
©2011 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Novel Craft Workshop ~ Writing: Telling Subplots from Rabbit Trails

As a child, did you blow bubbles? If so, you already understand something about subplots. 


What does blowing bubbles have to do with subplots, you ask? 


Simply this: When you blew too hard on your bubble wand, you burst any bubbles as they formed. Blowing too lightly, while it showed you there were bubbles to be made, didn't produce them. Only by exerting the right amount of force could you blow bubbles. 


Subplots are a lot like bubbles. If you try too hard to produce them, they evaporate. However, they won't necessarily form without your help.


What's a Subplot, Anyway?


It's easy to become confused when thinking about subplots, so let's start with a definition. A subplot is secondary plot that compliments your main plot. Adding subplots to your novel will give it layers of substance and effectively underline your theme. Layering with subplots adds texture to your story's weave.


Subplots should never lead the reader away from your theme and should, in fact, support your primary plot. A subplot happens because of (rather than instead of) the main story. Anything else is a distraction otherwise known as a rabbit trail. All sorts of unrelated events tangle together in real life. Good fiction doesn't suffer from such snarls but is carefully constructed to represent, rather than emulate, real life. Understanding this difference is crucial.

Good subplots form and grow as you write. Most show up early on but can appear partway through a story. Watch for them as you introduce new characters or new situations. They can show up as a romantic interest, a character from the past, an obstacle to be overcome, or a past experience which is revealed over the course of the book, to name a few. 

Example

Most people would agree the Gone with the Wind tells the epic romance of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. Scarlett's relationship with Melanie Wilkes, her father's fate, and her relationship with her sister, Sue Ellen, are all subplots. Each forms its own "story within a story," and yet each contributes to the greater story by shaping our opinions about Scarlett. None of these subplots is forced. Each arises naturally from the main plot and helps develop the theme. 

Adding Subplots to Your Novel 

One of the best ways to add subplots to the main storyline is to introduce new scenes from the point of view of the characters involved in them. This is a great way to introduce secondary characters, by the way. 


Remember, unless you are writing from an omniscient viewpoint, never change viewpoints within a scene. Provide either a scene or chapter break whenever you change point of views. Using other characters' viewpoints to tell subplots means you can introduce information to which your main character is not privy. Just remember, as you weave your storylines, to connect them at the end of the book. Don't leave any threads hanging.

Action Step

As you write your novel, keep an eye out for subplots you can develop to deepen your main story.


@2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Do you have anything to add to this discussion of subplots? How do you incorporate subplots into a novel?

Dealing with an Over Active Planner

Kathryn Lang

This morning started with me writing out my plan so that everyone could see it. I could see, but apparently it was just one more decorative item on the wall. Despite the 9,800 (yes I know how many zeros are there) word target I set for myself, I spent the morning not writing a single word down.

My son walked in around 10 am and told me I needed to get on it. He was right. But still I managed to find plenty of other things that needed to be done. Lots of tasks were accomplished today, but not enough words have yet made it to paper.

It was while I was folding clothes that it hit me. The number of words I set as my goal was equivalent to about one-tenth of a novel. If I really could put that many words down in a day then I would be an amazingly prolific novelist – imagine writing two books a month and still being able to take weekends off.

My planner got ahead of my logic.

Do you overstretch when it comes to planning your writing? I need to be challenged and pushed. The structure of a to-do list and a schedule help me stay focused in my writing. But there are days when my good intentions are unrealistic.

Tips for Finding the Balance

• I need to be aware of the other activities scheduled for the day. Writing goes best when I have a block of time and I am not just squeezing it in where I can.


• Projects need to be sectioned out. One day for one project might seem okay, unless something unexpected happens on that one day. The next day then becomes overcrowded. A little here and there will get me closer to my target.


• Expectations have to be relaxed. I want to do more and that is a good thing. But I also have to be okay when the more that I do does not necessarily involve words. Some days my accomplishments will be smaller (like playing Go-Fish) and sometimes they will be unexpected (like taking my mom to an unexpected doctor’s appointment). I have to be willing to let my expectations for my writing day be less than perfect.

By the end of the day, I will have reached about half of my goal – maybe even more. Having a plan is great, but I have to remember to balance my planning with a dose of reality.

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Will this work for you?

Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Will behavior modification work if I want to change the relationship with my spouse, become better organized, create a more loving home environment, or relate better with my kids and family? Yes, it can. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Define the problem. Put in writing what you want
Step 2: Establish a baseline of current behaviors by keeping a record for a week
Step 3: Look for patterns of behavior, thinking and self talk
Step 4: Develop a plan of action that is both rewarding and fits who you are
Step 5: Evaluate progress each week. It takes about 30 days to establish a habit. Refine
your plan of action as needed.

Let’s take one of the above problems and go through the steps.

Step one: Problem: Home environment chaotic. There is no quality time with family members. What do I want: To be more organized and have a better relationship with my family.

Step two: Establish a baseline of current behaviors. Every day record what happens when everything becomes chaotic. Don’t embellish or minimize what happens. Record your thoughts as well. Example: start of day: children don’t get up, dog barking to go outside, out of cereal, late for work and school, yelling, scolding, threatening; thoughts include, We are going to be late again, I just can’t get them to do anything right, I have to do it all, I’m tired and the day has just begun, etc.

Step three: Look for patterns of behavior and thinking. Thinking has become as chaotic as the behaviors. Nothing works. There are no schedules, cooperation or responsibility of family members. Chaos comes from lack of structure, pre-determined responsibilities and duties for each member of the household along with consequences. Because family members do not know what to do, they simply repeat behaviors that aren’t working.

Step four: Develop a plan of action. This might start with a family meeting, defining what isn’t working and why, and outlining a solution that involves every member of the family. Regularly scheduled family meetings are a good way to challenge what isn’t working, brainstorm solutions that involve each member of the family, agree to and write down rules and duty schedules for everyone that include cost/benefit consequences. It teaches communication skills, team work, eliminates a lot of misunderstanding and allows input by kids who often feel they don’t have a say. A further plan of action might include organizing the home for better efficiency. Because the parents have the last say, having a meeting of the minds between the spouses beforehand is advised.

Next week, we will conclude with Step five and other bits and pieces of motivation and implementation.

©2011 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Novel Craft Workshop: The All-Important First Chapter

Janalyn Voigt

The blank page, be it made of paper or pixels, has long inspired terror in writers. Transition into a story doesn't usually come easy.  But it doesn't have to be this way.

We blanch because of the tremendous pressure placed on the first sentence, the first paragraph, and the first page of a manuscript. We're told that editors and agents, not to mention readers, won't venture into a book unless compelled by brilliant writing and a gripping story. Nothing stress-producing in that, right?

But wait. Let's remember that a first draft is not a final draft. It doesn't have to be just so. There will be time enough for stress. Right now is not that time, so let's just enjoy falling in love with a new story, one that comes straight from the heart.

While you write, try and include the following:

• An exciting beginning that bonds your reader to your main character.
• A hook to snag the reader.
• Early clues to the theme of your story.
• The reader's first brush with your main character's desires and fears.
• An intriguing inciting incident.
• A clearly-defined setting for each scene.
• A hook into the next chapter. 

You'll make quick work of editing later if you can avoid these:

• Backstory (as in none)
• Explanations (show, don't tell)
• Rabbit trails that don't further your plot in a tangible way. 
• Information dumps in the form of unnatural dialogue.
• A confused timeline. (Chart your scenes out to keep track of characters, if needed.)

Writing your first chapter is kind of like being engaged. It's stressful, but you should do your best to relax and enjoy this special time you'll never have with this book again. 

Action Step

This week, write the first chapter of your work-in-progress. Meet me back here next Tuesday for a discussion of subplots.

© 2010 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books
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Do you have anything to add to my lists of what to include or avoid in your first chapter?

New Every Morning

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16

I met a man yesterday whose life, at the spry age of 63, had shut down. His rooms were dark, his personal care was disheveled, and his remaining friend was beyond the point of knowing what to do. It was the first time that I can remember meeting a person who truly believed that his life was of no value.

But that’s not who he used to be. A small spark in his eye glistened when I asked him about his past. He was a medic in the army. He was Special Forces and served with distinction and determination. On his wall were newspaper clippings, framed and displayed with honor. His past hung all about him, collecting dust and reminding him of his own history.

The problem: it didn’t inspire him to what he could still become. It was a history without a future.

So there he sat, alone in his dark, cavernous home and I began to wonder if that is how many find themselves in their spirit. Broken, bereft of hope, and illumined only by a spark of past glories that have lost their luster.

If you find yourself in the place of darkness there are some things you need to do.

 Wake Up
“Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14).

 Look Up
“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

 Get Up
“He [the angel] struck Peter on the side to wake him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists” (Acts 12:7)

 Step Up
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it” (Matthew 11:12).

These principles aren’t easy and they require faith. It’s a faith that anchors your entire life to the person of Christ and receives from Him the promise: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

©2011
Rev. Michael Duncan

Rewards that Keep Habits in Place

Marlene Anderson

We do things because we get rewarded in some way: we receive something positive or something we don’t like is removed. To remove a habit, remove the reward. Rewards must have value to the individual.

Here is a simple example: When your child cleans his room, he is rewarded with a hug, a "great job" comment, and extra time on the computer. Computer time is a highly prized reward. Gradually, over time, only occasional rewards are needed such as “good job” comments or extra playtime. The behavior has become a habit.

We are also rewarded by the removal of something unpleasant. Let’s use a similar example. You take your child to the store and he whines for candy, creating an unpleasant situation. To stop the whining, you finally give him some candy. You have just rewarded your child for whining and making a fuss. But you are also rewarded: the whining and unpleasant situation has stopped. Child received something pleasant for his action (whining) and Mom was rewarded by the removal of something unpleasant. You were both rewarded and you both learned how to control the other’s behaviors. We do this over and over again in everyday situations and it isn’t just with children.

How do you transfer this basic behavioral knowledge to habits you either want to replace or put in place? Using my habit replacement goal as an example, my weekly recording revealed patterns of behavior and thinking. I watched TV for company; I played the cell game on my computer because I was bored; I ate because it was pleasant and comfortable; I said to myself I worked hard all day and now it was time to reward myself and relax. TV, comfortable chair, laptop and food all became a pleasant, habitual routine to end the day. Put together it formed a powerful pairing of behaviors with the immediate reward of relaxation. To replace this habit I had to replace my rewards that involved both the short-term and long-term. My end goal was to relax without the need to eat.

My plan of action included altering my routine; removal of tempting snacks from the house, and delay immediate gratification with a wait of 15-20 min. It also included the power of self talk as both motivation and reward. Words are powerful. New self-talk statements included phrases such as “I feel good about what I have been able to accomplish" or "I feel good when I don’t eat so much". I repeat these and similar affirmations throughout the day. When tempted to relax in the evening with a snack, I remind myself, "I don’t need this to relax" and "I can do this." Because God is a part of all I do, I continually ask for and thank Him for the strength and resolve He gives me to accomplish these important goals.

In replacing an old, outdated habit with a new one, I used the basic principles of behavior modification mentioned above: I knew what I wanted; I took an honest evaluation; I changed the rewards I was getting with new behavioral strategies and rewarded myself with pats on the back and thanksgiving to God.

©2011 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Novel Craft Workshop: Writing: Scarlett O'Hara and the Inciting Incident

A vase crashes against the mantel. 


A man, lying down and hidden by the back of the davenport, sits up. 


The southern belle who threw the vase in a fit of temper blushes, aware he overheard every word of the mortifying scene just past. 


"Sir, you are no gentleman!" she accuses.


"And you, Miss, are no lady," he responds.   

You might recognize the southern belle in this scene as Scarlett O'Hara.

Every book needs an excellent inciting incident like this one from Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind. What is an inciting incident? A turning point that clues the reader in to the nature of the story and sends it in a specific direction.

While the passages that precede this one serve up an evocative slice of Scarlett's life, the story kicks into high gear with this first sizzling encounter between Scarlett and Rhett Butler. Until this scene, we don't really know what to make of spoiled Scarlett as a heroine. Her high spirits take on a new light, however, when contrasted against Rhett's boldness. We understand, on a visceral level, that Scarlett and Rhett belong together. We also know from their initial clash that any romance between them will be rocky but passionate.

Where should the inciting incident come in your story? As soon as possible. Your genre, the incident in question and your preferences all weigh into the decision. Generally speaking, historical fiction and fantasy require a certain amount of world building to immerse the reader in the main character's world or "normal life." Suspense novels, mysteries, and other books with tight pacing often begin  with the inciting incident and fill in details of the main character's normal life in small ways as the story unfolds. It's not a perfect science, though, and there's room for interpretation. Bear in mind that all the action in the world won't make the reader care about a character they haven't met, but neither will readers stay with a story that takes too long to go anywhere.

Action Step

Decide on an inciting incident and where you will place it in your novel. Write the first draft of your main character's "normal life" passages (if any) and the inciting incident.

Do you have anything to add to help others write a great inciting incident? 

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books.

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Just Do It

Kathryn Lang

Nike was on to something. I will never accomplish my dreams as long as I sit on the sidelines. It takes action to make things happen. Results come from determination and persistence – a will that refuses to quit.

The other side of the coin is God. “It is God that works in you to will and act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13. God does the work. I am just a conduit for His blessings.

Many of the experts in the world push the concept of action equaling results. I have been doing things to build my writing and speaking career because I know that it is the path that will allow me to do the most for others and for my family as my income continues to grow.

Following the gurus advice on building email lists sent in a small trickle of visitors. Listening to the speaker trainers and implementing their steps allowed a sprinkle of presentations opportunities to come my way. Reading the positive thinking books provided me with inspiration and motivation – although it was only temporary.

I wanted results and I wanted them NOW. How on earth was I supposed to build a career and a livelihood on a trickle and a sprinkle? My needs had to be enough to justify the demands that I was tossing at the feet of God.

“It is God . . .”

A series of events led me to a place where I could only do what I could do. There just was not enough time or energy left to do anything else. The limitations forced me to trim down my schedule and to focus on the necessary – not quite the plan that I had created with all that expert advice. I turned the rest over to God and plowed ahead.

It was only moments after I let go that things began to happen. Doors slammed open and opportunities seemed to pour out like an unending spring.

Just do it is good advice, but knowing the reason behind the actions will be just as valuable. Are you doing because you are led to do it, or are you doing it because you expect a return?

God has promised to get it done – the details are left up to Him. It is my job to just do what I am led to do and stop thinking about the results of my actions. My actions are the result because they reveal my obedience and trust.

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© 2010 Kathryn Lang

Evaluation of Progress

So, why have I been boring you with this exercise of changing one of my habits? Because all of us have old habits that keep us from accomplishing our goals. As writers, one of our primary concerns is finding time to write without alienating families or interfering with other work. Time management is just one of the areas where old habits can keep us from reaching our writing goals. Understanding what puts behaviors in place and keeps them in place can make the difference between habits that work for you and those that work against you.
Changing behaviors takes some diligence and focus in the beginning. If we just try to force a new habit with will power alone, we may end up failing again and again, which then sets in motion a pattern of discouragement. But if we begin with understanding ourselves, working with who we are, we can make the process rewarding. Remember, that behaviors continue because they are rewarded in some way.

So, let’s find out how my plan of action worked for me this past week. Given the dynamics of this week’s events, my plan of action worked fairly well. I removed as many food temptations as possible making those foods that I ate at night not available; replaced food with drinking water, tea or club soda; changed the paired combination of sitting to relax and eating food; delayed gratification (waiting 15 to 20 min. to determine whether I was really hungry) and altered my usual evening routine (watched TV without laptop or watched a movie, worked on word puzzles, read a book, etc.). Since behaviors are also affected by our self talk, I affirmed how good I felt, how healthy I was becoming, and how successful I was at accomplishing my goals. I also gave myself permission to stumble without beating myself up. One night when I was especially tired I fell back into my old routine; next day I simply re-focused and continued with my plan of action.

So if you want to replace some habits that are no longer working for you, here are some things to consider:

· Know yourself. When have you succeeded? What did you do? When did you fail and why? What works for you and what doesn’t? We can have the best behavioral modification plan, but if it doesn’t fit you, you will find a way to sabotage it. What works for one person may not work for another.

· Start with a commitment. If you are willing to record your behaviors for a week to establish a base line, you are probably committed to following through. Keep affirming that commitment with affirmation statements.

· Start small. Take baby steps. Give yourself permission to fall down. Don’t discard your goal plan, simply pick yourself up and re-focus on it again. Revise and refine until it works. When I was trying to fit into my daily schedule a time to vocalize each day, I struggled until I reduced my goal to a tiny baby step of spending only ten minutes a day. Now, it is a part of my day’s routines, and the day does not feel complete without a time for vocalizing and singing.

Habits change over time. Be consistent. Don’t give up. Next week, I will talk more about strategies we can use to put and keep new habits in place.

©2011 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Novel Craft Workshop ~ Creating: 10 Quick Tips for Your First Draft

Writing a book is like entering any other competition. It takes a special kind of determination to jump hurdles and reach the finish line. In the beginning, when you haven't yet found your "groove" or proven yourself to an often-skeptical crowd -- well that's when you also have to overcome your own inertia.

The challenges are great, and so are the rewards. Here are my tips to help you through your first draft.

1. Don't stress over research. No matter how well you study beforehand, you can't anticipate every bit of information you'll need, and that's okay. Learn to recognize when you have to stop and verify something major that may impact your plot versus a small detail. Rather than disrupt the flow of your writing to research nonessential facts, just bold print or assign a symbol you can search later (like *) and go on. You can always research and fill in these gaps later. 
2. What to do when you lose the flow. If you know a scene isn't going well, determine whether you've taken a wrong turn somewhere. If a garden hose stops flowing, you have to go back and untangle it. If a kink is minor, you might jump ahead to the next scene instead of obsessing over the troublesome one. When you edit, you can then work out the entire problem from its start. In a sense, you just change "hoses." Conversely, if skipping the problem stymies your creative process and would only create a worse mess, straightening it out now can save more time than it costs. 
3. Find good stopping places. Try and quit for the day in a "warm" place, somewhere that will let you enter the flow with ease when you return. Some writers break in the middle of a sentence they will finish the next day. Others stop in the middle of a scene. I prefer to stop when I've reached the end of a scene so that I can daydream about the next one. 
4. Set goals. Set either a time goal (like 4 hours), or a word-count goal (2,000 words) or both. 
5. Don't procrastinate. Just write. Even when its hard, write. You'll be surprised at what you can do. 
6. Don't give up, even when you miss your goals. Writing isn't that much different from dieting. At some point, you may give in to the urge to "cheat" and skip your writing session. Too much of this and you'll slide down a slippery slope. Remember, if you do this that you only cheat yourself. 
7. Reward yourself. Don't forget to give yourself periodic rests and rewards. We all do better when we have something to look forward to.  
8. Embrace accountability. Find another writer or a group of writers and report your progress. 
9. Take care of your health. Keep a fresh glass of water beside you while you write, eat healthy snacks and remember to exercise. Sitting at a computer for hours on end will take a toll on your health if you don't counteract its effects. 
10. Enjoy yourself. Don't push yourself to the point that you lose your love for writing. If you do, it will show in your finished draft.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books
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