I had a nightmare last night.
It wasn't too bad, though. After I awoke and had a few moments to re-orient myself this morning, the nightmare put a big grin on my face.
That tricky little subconscious of mine!
In the dream, I was scheduled to be a bridesmaid in a wedding. This fact is a little funny even by itself, as I'll be forty in a year. However, I was a bridesmaid at 38, so never say never.
There were eight bridesmaids in the wedding. It was a very fancy wedding. All of the bridesmaids wore full-length apple red dresses and golden crowns.
Katie Ganshert was one of the other bridesmaids. (*Waves at Katie*)
First of all, my golden crown was too big and kept slipping down around my eyes. None of the other bridesmaids had this problem.
Second, the bride took a LONG time to get there. After a while, we bridesmaids all walked over to a local shopping center to while away some time until the bride arrived.
For some reason, I decided to go to a formal dress store. And since we had to wait so long for the bride, I decided it would be best to change into my regular clothes and hang up my pretty dress on a rack so it wouldn't get wrinkled before the wedding.
When I came back to the rack--you guessed it! My apple-red dress was gone. In its place was a green dress in exactly the same style.
Someone had bought my apple red dress right off that rack, and I was in a heap of trouble.
Now, have I mentioned that I have a deadline in five days? ;-)
The good news, and the reason I can laugh at this classic writer's nightmare, is that I've made good progress over this vacation break, and despite what my subconscious thinks, my conscious is feeling pretty sanguine. It's not perfect, but draft manuscripts never are.
Have you ever had a writer's nightmare, or do you only have good writing dreams?
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
If This Laptop Could Talk
With a January 1st deadline for my second novel, I am experiencing a holiday marked by plenty of work.
I'm also learning some very interesting lessons that will make great fodder for an ACFW conference class some day. There are certain experiences in a writing career that an author can discuss only in retrospect.
I will say this, though. I have never been as thankful for a critique partner as I have been for Gwen Stewart over the past week.
I've been pretty grateful before for all four of my critique partners--even so, this is a very special time of gratitude for this one person and her generous, loving support.
All of us go through times in our writing process that are challenging. We all know writing is a demanding profession because it takes us through such highs and lows. To have a friend who understands so much of what I experience on this journey is absolutely priceless. And even beyond that, she's a highly-skilled novelist whose feedback is always right on target and still encouraging.
Thanks, Gwen. I am blessed to have you in my life.
Is there someone whose support at a crucial time has made all the difference to your writing?
I'm also learning some very interesting lessons that will make great fodder for an ACFW conference class some day. There are certain experiences in a writing career that an author can discuss only in retrospect.
I will say this, though. I have never been as thankful for a critique partner as I have been for Gwen Stewart over the past week.
I've been pretty grateful before for all four of my critique partners--even so, this is a very special time of gratitude for this one person and her generous, loving support.
All of us go through times in our writing process that are challenging. We all know writing is a demanding profession because it takes us through such highs and lows. To have a friend who understands so much of what I experience on this journey is absolutely priceless. And even beyond that, she's a highly-skilled novelist whose feedback is always right on target and still encouraging.
Thanks, Gwen. I am blessed to have you in my life.
Is there someone whose support at a crucial time has made all the difference to your writing?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Rosslyn,The Grinch
Everybody knows the story of the Grinch.
He hates Christmas and wants to keep it from coming. So he steals all the gifts and the decorations and the ham. But Christmas comes anyway. Then he realizes Christmas is more than its material trappings, and returns everything.
Friends, I AM THE GRINCH.
Except for one thing. I love Christmas. I love it so much that I am going to steal all the presents and I am not going to give them back to you. No way, no how. I am going to send it all, including my own family's gifts, to some faraway mission. Or maybe I'll just burn it. But we can all keep the decorations and the food.
If it weren't for my husband's objection, I would already have celebrated a giftless Christmas. Some of the greatest Christmas stories--like The Grinch, or the one in Little Women--are about giftless Christmases.
At very least, I would like to celebrate a Christmas for which the only gifts exchanged were handmade by the giver. Even something as simple as cookies or a handmade ornament would be lovely. Or perhaps all our gifts would be donations to charities in one another's names.
The only problem is this: some of my dearly-loved older relatives don't get to see my daughter often. When they send gifts, they're not too extravagant, and they are filled with love. Those are good gifts. I wouldn't want to discourage these lovely acts of giving, which are more in the spirit of the Christmases of my childhood.
I don't want to see huge cascades of presents descending on children who get so much, all year round, that individual gifts mean little. That was not how I grew up. Toys were special gifts, at Christmas, and the children in my family received few to no toys throughout the rest of the year. Just for Christmas and birthdays.
I don't want to spoil the pleasure that others take in gift-giving. I really appreciate the thoughtful and beautiful gifts we receive at Christmas. But the knowledge of the huge, overwhelming number of gifts many middle-class American children receive at Christmastime is starting to affect my own pleasure in giving gifts to the children of others. I don't want to be part of the problem of materialism and a Christmas that encourages greed more than any other emotion. In my childhood, Christmas was a spiritual holiday and the holiness of the holiday was the best part.
I was talking to a friend about this problem the other day. She told me that in her family, the competition grew ridiculous among four sets of grandparents after a couple of divorces and remarriages. The grandchildren, her kids, received so many gifts that they actually got sick and tired of opening them and asked if they could stop. My friend finally had to put a stop to it by speaking to all the grandparents, despite the fact that it caused family World War III. But in her place, I would have done the same thing.
In my case, though, I can't actually Grinch away the gifts at Christmas. Instead, I'm looking for opportunities to encourage my daughter in serving and giving to others. And we talk a lot about the real spirit of Christmas. So far, it seems to be working.
I'd love to hear any suggestions you might have for focusing on others at this time of year. What has your family done to celebrate the real giving spirit of Christmas?
He hates Christmas and wants to keep it from coming. So he steals all the gifts and the decorations and the ham. But Christmas comes anyway. Then he realizes Christmas is more than its material trappings, and returns everything.
Friends, I AM THE GRINCH.
Except for one thing. I love Christmas. I love it so much that I am going to steal all the presents and I am not going to give them back to you. No way, no how. I am going to send it all, including my own family's gifts, to some faraway mission. Or maybe I'll just burn it. But we can all keep the decorations and the food.
If it weren't for my husband's objection, I would already have celebrated a giftless Christmas. Some of the greatest Christmas stories--like The Grinch, or the one in Little Women--are about giftless Christmases.
At very least, I would like to celebrate a Christmas for which the only gifts exchanged were handmade by the giver. Even something as simple as cookies or a handmade ornament would be lovely. Or perhaps all our gifts would be donations to charities in one another's names.
The only problem is this: some of my dearly-loved older relatives don't get to see my daughter often. When they send gifts, they're not too extravagant, and they are filled with love. Those are good gifts. I wouldn't want to discourage these lovely acts of giving, which are more in the spirit of the Christmases of my childhood.
I don't want to see huge cascades of presents descending on children who get so much, all year round, that individual gifts mean little. That was not how I grew up. Toys were special gifts, at Christmas, and the children in my family received few to no toys throughout the rest of the year. Just for Christmas and birthdays.
I don't want to spoil the pleasure that others take in gift-giving. I really appreciate the thoughtful and beautiful gifts we receive at Christmas. But the knowledge of the huge, overwhelming number of gifts many middle-class American children receive at Christmastime is starting to affect my own pleasure in giving gifts to the children of others. I don't want to be part of the problem of materialism and a Christmas that encourages greed more than any other emotion. In my childhood, Christmas was a spiritual holiday and the holiness of the holiday was the best part.
I was talking to a friend about this problem the other day. She told me that in her family, the competition grew ridiculous among four sets of grandparents after a couple of divorces and remarriages. The grandchildren, her kids, received so many gifts that they actually got sick and tired of opening them and asked if they could stop. My friend finally had to put a stop to it by speaking to all the grandparents, despite the fact that it caused family World War III. But in her place, I would have done the same thing.
In my case, though, I can't actually Grinch away the gifts at Christmas. Instead, I'm looking for opportunities to encourage my daughter in serving and giving to others. And we talk a lot about the real spirit of Christmas. So far, it seems to be working.
I'd love to hear any suggestions you might have for focusing on others at this time of year. What has your family done to celebrate the real giving spirit of Christmas?
Monday, December 6, 2010
Planning a Unique Book Launch Party
Here's how we are going to launch my novel in its hometown, Westerville, Ohio.
The historic home of the real family in my trilogy still stands in Westerville. But that home, Hanby House, is probably too small for a launch event.
The most likely scenario is that the party will take place at a historic barn not far from Hanby House. This barn is located in a city park at the center of town, which makes it convenient for all who may wish to attend.
The second novel in my trilogy takes place at Otterbein College, which opened in Westerville in 1847 and is still an important part of the town.
I really wanted to include Otterbein in the launch party, so I've opened a discussion with some musical groups at Otterbein to see if they wish to participate. There seems to be healthy interest and enthusiasm for the idea, so if all goes well, we will have singers performing music from the mid-1850s at the book launch party.
Because my novels have a strong link to local history, I'm going to include schools and home schoolers by sponsoring a short essay competition about the significance of history in our lives today. The winning essay will be read at the launch event. Winning essays will receive a monetary prize as well. Though my novel was written for adults, it's also appropriate for high school aged students. I hope the essay contest will encourage them to read the series, and that the series will help them take great pleasure in the richness of their local history.
I am very excited about the launch party! Can't you just picture it? I think the most important thing to remember about a book party is that it should be something you yourself would find pleasurable to attend. Let's face it: standing at a table waiting for a book to be signed is not a particularly fascinating experience for our readers, which probably explains the declining popularity of book signings. If we're going to celebrate the launches of our books, let's really celebrate!
Your book may not be like mine, but it will have its own unique content that allows you to appeal to your readers. So when you are planning, you might want to consider the following steps:
1) Identify your reading audience and their specific interests. What type of setting would they find appealing for your launch party?
2) Who might like to contribute entertainment for your event?
3) How can you involve your readers in the party so it becomes an interactive experience?
4) What kind of refreshments can you offer and still remain within your budget? If you have very little money for a party, see if your friends will help you make refreshments. Food and drink always make a party atmosphere more festive.
What other suggestions or ideas would you have for your own launch party? What would be the ideal atmosphere for you and your work? What if you had no practical restrictions and could have it anywhere, with any entertainment and food?
The historic home of the real family in my trilogy still stands in Westerville. But that home, Hanby House, is probably too small for a launch event.
The most likely scenario is that the party will take place at a historic barn not far from Hanby House. This barn is located in a city park at the center of town, which makes it convenient for all who may wish to attend.
The second novel in my trilogy takes place at Otterbein College, which opened in Westerville in 1847 and is still an important part of the town.
I really wanted to include Otterbein in the launch party, so I've opened a discussion with some musical groups at Otterbein to see if they wish to participate. There seems to be healthy interest and enthusiasm for the idea, so if all goes well, we will have singers performing music from the mid-1850s at the book launch party.
Because my novels have a strong link to local history, I'm going to include schools and home schoolers by sponsoring a short essay competition about the significance of history in our lives today. The winning essay will be read at the launch event. Winning essays will receive a monetary prize as well. Though my novel was written for adults, it's also appropriate for high school aged students. I hope the essay contest will encourage them to read the series, and that the series will help them take great pleasure in the richness of their local history.
I am very excited about the launch party! Can't you just picture it? I think the most important thing to remember about a book party is that it should be something you yourself would find pleasurable to attend. Let's face it: standing at a table waiting for a book to be signed is not a particularly fascinating experience for our readers, which probably explains the declining popularity of book signings. If we're going to celebrate the launches of our books, let's really celebrate!
Your book may not be like mine, but it will have its own unique content that allows you to appeal to your readers. So when you are planning, you might want to consider the following steps:
1) Identify your reading audience and their specific interests. What type of setting would they find appealing for your launch party?
2) Who might like to contribute entertainment for your event?
3) How can you involve your readers in the party so it becomes an interactive experience?
4) What kind of refreshments can you offer and still remain within your budget? If you have very little money for a party, see if your friends will help you make refreshments. Food and drink always make a party atmosphere more festive.
What other suggestions or ideas would you have for your own launch party? What would be the ideal atmosphere for you and your work? What if you had no practical restrictions and could have it anywhere, with any entertainment and food?
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Fairer than Morning to be typeset soon!
Fairer than Morning is progressing towards publication!
It was thrilling to see the final digital version from Thomas Nelson the other day. Just seeing the copyright page with its ISBN number was another step in the realization of a dream. It will be typset by Christmas, and then it will go out to its endorsers. I am very excited about those who have agreed to endorse the novel. Endorsement is a big favor for one author to do another, because reading a novel usually requires five or six hours of time, and we know how precious our writing time can be. So I will be very grateful to these authors for their support.
I also received word that I can go ahead for plans with my launch party in Westerville, the town where my novel takes place. I'll share details about that in a future post.
It was thrilling to see the final digital version from Thomas Nelson the other day. Just seeing the copyright page with its ISBN number was another step in the realization of a dream. It will be typset by Christmas, and then it will go out to its endorsers. I am very excited about those who have agreed to endorse the novel. Endorsement is a big favor for one author to do another, because reading a novel usually requires five or six hours of time, and we know how precious our writing time can be. So I will be very grateful to these authors for their support.
I also received word that I can go ahead for plans with my launch party in Westerville, the town where my novel takes place. I'll share details about that in a future post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
