An Open Book

Before I begin a new series, I wanted to share a few thoughts about motivation and encouragement. When my husband was dying and for the many months after that, I was drawn to the Psalms. In fact, every time I opened my Bible it seemed to automatically open to the Psalms – and each Psalm imparted the words of strength and encouragement and hope and healing I needed for that day. The Psalms in my bible are highlighted, underlined and written beside.

Psalm 139 speaks to me every day in any situation. “I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back. I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, too - your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful – I can’t take it all in!” The Message

In one of my workshops, Celebrate Your Life Story, participants can explore the milestones in their lives and discover strengths they had forgotten or never recognized. Within their stories, they find a loving God who was protecting, motivating and strengthening them. As we review our book of life, we too might be surprised not only to find forgotten skills we can reclaim, but a deeper understanding of our Lord. When we write, we are sharing with others parts of our life story.

Imagine the creator of the universe caring enough to want to be with us. Psalm 139 continues, “Is there any place I can go to avoid your Spirit? To be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, you’d find me in a minute – you’re already there waiting!”

It is a great comfort to me to know that we have a God who knows us inside and out and is with us wherever we are. He is the tenderest of fathers. Psalm 139, “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God – you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration – what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; you know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you. The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.”

©2011 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Novel Craft Writing Workshop: Scarlett O'Hara and the Big Decision

The climax of a story is the turning point where the main character, after the black moment leads to an epiphany, makes a single big decision based on a changed definition of reality and so defeats a previously undefeatable adversary. There's nothing intimidating about that, right? Take a deep breath. You can do it. Build to a climax with conflict and suspense. Make your reader worry right up to the last moment of truth and victory will taste all the sweeter.

Let’s revisit Gone With the Wind. We’ve already discussed part of the climax in the last two lessons on the black moment and the epiphany. Scarlett returns home after escaping the burning of Atlanta only to find her mother dead, her father out of his wits, her sisters ill, Tara looted, and the world she knew gone forever. This is the black moment which leads to the epiphany when Scarlett realizes she is strong enough to survive and that others depend on her for their survival. This first stage of the climax establishes believability for Scarlett’s later change of heart.

The second stage of the climax comes after Melanie collapses and a changed Scarlett discovers she doesn’t want Ashley, after all, but Rhett. She rushes to tell him she loves him, but Rhett tells her it’s too late and walks out. Even in the face of this tragedy, Scarlett summons the inner strength to rally. She promises herself she’ll get him back.

The single big decision Scarlett makes is to reject her false love for Ashley and pursue her true love for Rhett. The irony is that when Rhett rejects her, Scarlett is finally the woman he wanted to love. Missed timing is the essence of tragedy.

Action Step

Make sure you know the big decision your character will make to move your plot toward resolution. 

Thanks for stopping by. As always, I welcome your comments. 

© 2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

Share |

*Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Author Haven.

Walk Through That Door!

“I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut” (Revelation 3:8).

I want to give you three things from this brief text.

First, it is God who provides the opportunity. One of the biggest challenges that Christians face is the determination of personal opportunities. How do you know that the door, which stands open before you, is from God? I won’t go into those details here, but suffice it to say that the Bible is filled with the needed instructions to know whether what is and is not of God.

Second, you must walk through. Understand, this is an open door, not an open conveyor belt. God will not press you through the door, He opens the opportunity and you must have faith and move forward. Trust that what God has put before you is best and take the risk.

Third, there are those who want to shut it. Not everyone wants you to succeed at being faithful to God. There will be those who will try to close off the gateway or at least be an obstacle in the path. Remember, this is an open door that “no one can shut.” It doesn’t matter if you think you have little strength, you can go through for there is nothing impossible with God.

Have you an open door? Walk through it. Is there an opportunity that lies before you and waits upon your willingness to pick it up? Take the risk of faith and do what God has given you to do. There is no time to waste.

©2011
Rev. Michael Duncan

God’s Design and Motivation

“Every movement we make in response to God has a ripple effect, touching family, neighbors, friends, community. Belief in God alters our language. Love of God affects daily relationships. Hope in God enters into our work. Also their opposites – unbelief, indifference and despair. None of these movements and responses, beliefs and prayers, gestures and searches can be confined to the soul. They spill out and make history. If they don’t, they are under suspicion of being fantasies at best, hypocrisies at worst.” So writes Eugene Peterson in his introduction to the book of Philemon, The Message.

I am constantly inspired to write when I read the scriptures. I have especially found The Message exciting to read as Peterson was gifted to complete a translation that brings the words of God to us in the language of today. To continue with the same thread of thought, I quote from Peterson’s introduction to Hebrews, “The main and central action is everywhere and always what God has done, is doing, and will do for us. Jesus is the revelation of that action. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God’s action revealed in Jesus. Our part in the action is the act of faith.”

All through the scriptures, I read about God’s love for us. We cannot improve on what He has done. But we can learn to live lives that reflect that love. Our writing and ministry need to reflect that as well. Each of us was given a task – a purpose for what we write about and what we do with the talents and abilities God has given us. Whether you write fiction novels, inspirational articles or convey information of some kind, we are fulfilling our part of God’s plan.

“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: a prophet to the nations – that’s what I had in mind for you.” Jeremiah 1

I always found that such an exciting passage. God knows each of us and has a purpose for each of us. It is an exciting prospect. If you are inspired to write – write; if inspired to teach or speak, do so. Lay your writing before Him – He will guide and direct your path.

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called you by name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end – Because I am God, you’re personal God.” Is. 43

“Our God gives you everything you need, makes you everything you’re to be. . . pray that our God will make you fit for what He’s called you to be, pray that He’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you.” II Thes. 1 (The Message)

I can share with you the science of psychology which God has given to us along with all the other sciences that help us understand ourselves and the marvelous world He created. But only God can give you the knowledge about your purpose for life. And along with that, the motivation, inspiration and hope connected to God’s plan of action for you. And it is an exciting plan. Hang onto that thread of motivation and pour excitement into every day, for it is the day the Lord has made and placed you in it.

©2011 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Novel Craft Writing Workshop: Scarlett O'Hara and the Epiphany Moment

Janalyn Voigt

Epiphany: A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something. The Free Dictionary

An epiphany is a sudden, unexpected moment of revelation. This revelation is often of an inspirational nature. It's not about something your main character needs to do, although it certainly leads to your plot's resolution. The epiphany is an internal revelation by your main character of a heretofore hidden truth about your main character.


Let's get back to Scarlett. As you may recall from last week's lesson, we left Scarlett in her black moment with all her proficiencies shattered. None of the people, conventions or abilities she relied on before can help her now. And, in a moment of utter despair, she tries and fails to nourish herself with a radish she finds still growing in Tara's ravished garden.

In this dark moment when she is out of options, Scarlett has two choices. She can give up and starve or she can survive. As a spoiled southern belle, Scarlett twisted others around her fingers to get what she wanted. Depending on others to provide was her survival tactic. Now, as she faces life or death, Scarlett has an epiphany moment. She realizes that she is strong enough to survive all by herself, and that others depend on her. She stands and raises her fist to the sky, and in a truly epic moment, cries to the heavens: "As God is my witness, they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this, and when it's all over I'll never be hungry again! No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill, then God is my witness. I'll never be hungry again." Watch this scene.

While Scarlett's tactics might be questionable, her passion to live rings true. She is at her strongest in this moment, because she has connected with herself in a very real way. We understand that, from here on out, things will change. And they do.

Action Step

What will your main character's main epiphany be? Bear in mind that your characters might experience more than one epiphany in the course of your story, but there needs to be one compelling epiphany moment which will lead to the solution of your story problem in the climax of your book.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

Share |

Summary

Let’s go through the steps to changing habits and behaviors one more time.

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.

We have used this formula in three different life settings. Here are some things to consider as you develop your personal goals and plan of action.

• Before you make changes, identify specifically what you want. We usually know what we don’t want, but sometimes it is hard to know exactly what we do want. Take time to define your goal. It needs to be right for you. When I broke down my overall writing goal to focus first on improving my writing skills, I no longer felt pressure to submit proposals, compare myself with others, and could easily evaluate my progress. Goals need to be realistic and attainable, written down and read often.
• Use spurts of willpower to get going and when you get bogged down. Then let your plan of action be the driving force. Write and repeat affirmations.
• Know yourself – what has motivated you in the past to complete goals? What sabotages your plans and keeps you from accomplishing them? List those as potential obstacles.
• Accept yourself just as you are. Be honest but don’t put yourself down. Refuse to beat yourself up when you slip up. Refuse to repeat negative labels such as, “Here I go again” or “I am so stupid”. Instead, re-focus on your goal and repeat positive affirmations such as “I can do it”.
• Become your best friend. Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to your best friend. If you would encourage, cheer and congratulate your friend, what would you say to them? Say the same thing to yourself.
• Solicit the support of others.
• Include God in all you do. Start and maintain a written blessings or gratitude list. Add to this list every day. Nothing is more encouraging than to know our Lord sustains and strengthens us while cheering us on. “Courage daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re well” Mat. 9 (The Message); and in Deut. 31:6 “Be strong. Take Courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right here with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” (The Message)

Lay your plan of action in front of Him. In Matt 9, two blind men come to Jesus to be healed. He asks, “Do you really believe I can do this? They said, “Why yes, Master!” He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.” It happened.

©2011 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Novel Craft ~ Novel Writing Workshop: Create a Gripping Black Moment

Janalyn Voigt

It’s always darkest before the dawn. A wise writer proves out this proverb and leads the main character by steps to a “black moment,” a time when despair wins the day and lies seem true. Formidable obstacles stand in the way of ever obtaining the desired goal, and all hope dies. Defeat seems eminent, even inevitable.

The black moment in Gone with the Wind, comes when Scarlett returns from the burning of Atlanta.  She has been through many hardships, having delivered a baby, escaped in a rough cart, and endured Rhett’s abandonment just when she needed him most. She comes home to find her mother has died and her father is out of his wits. The slaves, much of Tara’s finery, and the life she knew, are all gone. Starving, she devours a lone radish she finds in the vegetable garden. But she can’t hold it down.

This is Scarlett’s dark night of the soul. How will she survive? It seems hopeless.

To bring about your main character’s black moment, you must determine his or her proficiencies and ruthlessly shatter them. This causes the reader to worry, which brings about engagement and leads to page turning.

Here are Scarlett’s proficiencies and her losses:

·         Her ability to win a man: Rhett leaves her.

·         Her father’s support : He can no longer take care of her.

·         Her mother’s nurture: Her mother is dead.

·         Her sister’s support: They are both ill with fever.

·          Her home: Tara, ravaged by war, will never be the same.

·         Her position: Her world has changed completely. Scarlett will never be a pampered Southern Belle again.

·         Her power: All but two slaves are gone.

·         Her self-reliance: She can’t even nourish herself.

   

Action Step

Determine your main character’s proficiencies and decide how you will take them away to create a gripping black moment.

Thanks for reading. I hope you can take a moment to comment. Stop by next week to read how the black moment leads to the epiphany. 

© 2011 Janalyn Voigt
Share |

Discouraged

Plans of action and well defined goals are all well and good. But we do get discouraged. Nobody can stay upbeat all the time. Since emotions give us important information about ourselves, what is your discouragement telling you?

· I haven’t met my goal – again
· Why am I writing anyway
· Does God really want me to write?
· I can’t do this anymore
· I worked hard and tried so hard and nothing seems to work

When we are discouraged, negative messages and doubts flood us. That doubt often comes in the form of questioning our ability or worth. Our internal critic loves to come out of hiding at those moments to gleefully remind us of past failures and tell us we are not good enough or capable of doing anything right. But that is just old tapes and messages that have been triggered. Don’t let Satan use those old tapes to beat you up!

Sometimes, our expectations are just too high – we want it perfect the first time or after a self designated period of time. We’ve done everything we were told to do, yet we haven’t been successful. But if we have been working steadily towards our goals, we have accomplished many little successes. Life is a process that involves time, patience and persistence. Break down overarching goals into many small goals so you can experience a sense of accomplishment. Celebrate each and every one of those. Success is in this steady movement toward an end result.

Whatever habits you are trying to put in place, whatever goals you are working on, you will get discouraged. Plan ahead for discouragement. Here are some ways to do that.

· Goals and plans of action are a preparation and beginning point – refine and adjust them as needed - but don’t throw them away
· Establish a belief in your abilities - Prepare and use affirmations every day
· Copy and post favorite scripture verses where you can see and read them daily
· Start your day with God – place the day before Him
· Think of discouragement as an opportunity to problem solve and get better.

If you are discouraged, allow yourself to experience it. Check the thoughts associated with it. If your discouragement is directed to you as a person, challenge those thoughts. Focus on improving behaviors and habits associated with your goals. Change your thinking to feel better.

Here are some of the ways I use discouragement to check my progress:
· How can I break my goal down into more manageable steps or smaller goals?
· What can I improve? What do I need to let go of? What do I need to start doing?
· Have I taken time to acknowledge and celebrate what I have accomplished?
· Have I thanked God for all the blessings I have?
· Do I affirm my worth as I would that of a friend?
· What old messages have been triggered that I need to challenge?

Solicit feedback. Everyone needs to hear positive comments about their efforts. Critique groups can give constructive feedback on writing in general. Friends can help encourage us. Become your own best friend. We need to believe in our abilities. And our worth has already been established by God.

©2011 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Novel Craft ~ Novel Writing Workshop: Creating a Story Background

Janalyn Voigt

In the excitement of writing your story, don't forget to include background details. After all, you wouldn't invite guests to dinner and then ignore them (I assume). Neither should you overlook details of time, place and atmosphere.

Novice writers often omit even a hint of location and fail to ground a story in its time period. Atmosphere is another area even seasoned writers neglect. A story suffering from such omissions comes across as flat.

Writers have vivid imaginations, so we often "see" background details in our heads as we write. It's easy to take for granted that readers will see them, too. They won't unless we provide a little assistance.

If you've ever enrolled in a new school, attended a conference alone or shrank against the wall at a party where everyone else knew each other, you understand what it feels like for a reader to enter the world you've created in your novel. Your world may be familiar to you, but it won't be to your reader. It's important to provide introductions to ease the transition.

In general terms, here are the primary areas of background:

• Time - You can say your story is set in the American West until you're blue in the face, but until a herd of buffalo stampedes past your reader may never travel with you there. Eras have telltale signatures. Ask yourself which details will best evoke your time setting.
• Place - Who wants to read a story about a bunch of "talking heads," people who seem to live nowhere or anywhere? Have you ever come into a room during a conversation you couldn't pick up on? That's how the reader feels when the writer doesn't give enough information to place a story in a specific location. Each and every scene should ground the reader with a background location. 
• Atmosphere - This is a catch-all term for details like clothing, food, sights, smells, sounds, colors and more. Basically, the way the disparate elements of your story world combine give it its atmosphere. To determine these details, brainstorm for ways to highlight the overall mood of your story.  

Action Step

Read through a portion of your story to determine how you can heighten the three elements of your story background. Incorporate these as you continue to write.

Share |

*Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Author Haven.

Writing goals and habits

The principles for changing behaviors are the same whatever the circumstances. They can be applied to families as well as individuals. I began this series using as an example my need to replace an unhealthy nighttime routine with one that had a more positive long-term outcome.


When applying these principles, however, we need to consider our individual personalities and temperaments as well as circumstances. These will affect how we establish the parameters for making those changes. For example, as I explore my writing behaviors and habits and go through the steps listed, the obstacles that I face will be different than, let’s say, a Mom who is writing. We can and should share the strategies, ideas, and motivations that have worked for us. But, each person needs to evaluate and modify them according to their own style and situation.


While the strategies and principles work for anyone, as Christians our lives reflect God’s purpose and direction. We have the added advantage to come to Him for strength, illumination and motivation to carry through what He has designed for each of us.


So, here is my last example. I have chosen as the goal: to be more productive in writing. I have used a universal rather than personal approach to the problem. Take the steps and redefine the problem and goal according to your personal situation and parameters.


Step One: Define problem - what do you want. Problem: too many things competing for my time, erratic routines, family concerns, disorganization, lack of belief in my writing and commitment. What I want: To be more productive in my writing without excluding other needs and priorities, to believe that I can do it and remind myself this is what God has asked me to do.


Step two: Establish a baseline of current behaviors by keeping a record for a week. For a week, take a notebook. Designate one page for each day of the week. Divide each day in thirds: Morning – Afternoon – Evening. Each day record what is happening: Interactions with family; family structure, when, where and how often you write, obstacles that keep you from writing both in terms of real events, thoughts and/or feelings. Make comments brief. Be especially aware and record your self-talk and thinking.


Step Three: Look for patterns of behavior, thinking and self talk. This baseline will provide an overall picture of behaviors and thinking regarding your writing and will reveal how you may be sabotaging your desire to write. It will also reveal conflicts of interest. Goals will not be achieved if we don’t honor other priorities, responsibilities, and constraints while carving out personal time. Writers with infants or children will have different challenges than those that don’t. Personal writing goals will quickly become a source of stress if we don’t include family goals. Even without specific family responsibilities our lives need to be balanced. Our writing will become shallow and driven by pressure if we neglect other areas in our life.


Step 4: Develop a plan of action that is both rewarding and fits who you are. The goal is not to change “you” but to work with “who you are” and within your circumstances to create a plan of action that is right for you. If you are a night person, write at night. If you are a morning person, mornings will be more productive. Knowing what works for you is as important as knowing what you want. Positive self talk is crucial. Repeat affirmations from God and your ability to succeed. Knowing what isn’t working allows you to put in place what will work.


Step 5: Evaluate progress each week. It takes about 30 days to establish a habit. Evaluation keeps you on track and helps correct actions that are counterproductive before they become a problem. Evaluation is not designed to show how you are failing, but how you can succeed. If your evaluations become an evaluation of “you”, then you need to do some “self” work first.


Habits are behaviors we repeat until they become automatic. At that point the habit drives itself and only requires occasional tweaking. Achievement of any goal requires forethought and a concrete plan of action. Goals are not achieved because we have not defined what we want and are not aware of counter-productive behaviors.


©2011 Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Novel Craft Workshop: How to Write Compelling Dialogue

Janalyn Voigt

I confess. There's a reason a talking doll was my favorite childhood companion. I love to talk. My talkative nature serves me well when it comes to writing dialogue. Let's just say my characters, like me, are rarely at a loss for words. But even if you don't love the spoken word as much as you do the written one, you can learn to write compelling dialogue. Really.

While speech is only a small part of communication (just 7%), written dialogue takes a greater part in story telling. Use of dialogue is one of the best ways to bring life to a story. It serves to:

1. Establish a fast pace. Because it's quick to read, use of dialogue is especially effective in moving your plot along. If you have a place that drags in your story, inserting some snappy dialogue should help.
2. Impart information without bogging your story down. Most of us know we can't unload back story any more than we can unload our "baggage" in real life. And yet, sometimes we do need to impart information. It's possible to insert appropriate snippets of information in dialogue. Believability and subtlety are key. Your reader won't tolerate a deluge of information any more than you would be willing to sit through a windy discourse on your neighbor's "Life Until Now." Use discretion.  
3. Deepen characterizations through interaction. The primary purpose for engaging others in conversation is to get to know them. In the same way, written dialogue makes your characters familiar to your reader. It reveals personality, attitude, ethnicity, education level, professional background, and the like. Decide what you want to reveal about your characters and the way they interact with one another in each scene.
4. Ground your story in place and time. Pay attention to details. Just by your character calling a "match" a "sulphur match," a "slip" a "chemise, or a "telephone" a "cell," you can establish or heighten the time period for your story. If all your characters speak with an Irish brogue, it helps us to place us on the Emerald Isle even before you write a word of description. With dialects, a suggestion rather than a heavy-handed approach is less intrusive for your reader.  
5. Heighten conflict (including romantic tension). One of the best places to introduce tension is through dialogue. Even if your characters mostly get along, highlighting the conflicts between their personalities serves to entertain and enlighten your reader. It's also a lot of fun to write. Romantic tension is a kind of conflict. Sizzling repartee between your protagonists is a huge draw for readers of romance. Take advantage of dialogue to introduce and heighten conflict. 

Action Step

Practice all of the dialogue techniques we've discussed. Now, apply them as you write your current WIP.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt

Share |

Thanks for reading! Do you have any advice or questions on use of dialogue?