Balancing It All

Let's get back to the question we asked at the beginning of the week. How do we balance blogging and writing?

We've realized we can't throw out the blogging (as we're sometimes tempted to do). We can make blogging work more effectively for us (as we talked about yesterday). But how do we keep blogging from taking over our writing time?

What about all of the other technology that interferes with writing time? Checking emails, Facebook, Twittering? They are just one click away from our fingers, screaming at us, pulling our attention away from our stories. How do we ignore all of this clamoring?

I'm still struggling with this very issue. So today I thought we could share practical ideas on how to set limits on blogging and other internet activities so that we still have time for the most important writing.

Here are just a few ways I've tried to balance it all:

• First thing in the morning when I check blogs, I give myself a time limit. After my time is up, then I start my morning writing.


• Throughout the day, I try to respond to comments on my blog and check other blogs, only when I have spare time (family and home responsibilities come first).


• During my other writing time (usually during nap time and after kids are in bed), I try not to check email or blogs. I try to stay focused on my writing.


• I write most of my weekly posts on the weekends and then I only need tweak and change as needed during the week.


• I prioritize whose blogs I visit: I visit my regular follower's blogs first, then sporadic followers, and visit new blogs occasionally.

I think it all comes back to self-discipline; sometimes we have to tell ourselves NO, STOP. In a society where boundaries are flux and self-control is old-fashioned, saying NO to ourselves can be one of the hardest things we learn to do.

If we call ourselves writers, then we must write. We may have to say NO to a lot of things in order to write, including blogging.

What are practical ways you've learned to balance writing and blogging and other social networking? Since I'm still learning, I would love to hear your advice!

Effective Blogging

Yesterday we talked about the fact that agents and editors are putting more and more importance on blogging and other internet connections as ways for writers to build their platforms.

If we're planning to blog to build connections, then how can we blog most effectively to achieve that goal?

I follow quite a number of blogs and I know many of you do too. Let's consider for a moment what kinds of things make a blog attractive to a reader:

• They're not too long, have short paragraphs, and are easy to read.


• The content applies to something we're dealing with.


• They contain a question that we can comment about.


• They may offer words of encouragement.

Can you think of other things that make a blog attractive to a reader?

As I was considering which blogs are most attractive to me, I realized I like the blogs of people that I sense are genuine. Here are a few ways I think bloggers can be genuine:

• If someone leaves a comment on your blog for the first time, take the time to go over to their blog to thank them and leave a return comment.


• If someone signs up to be a follower on your blog, take a few minutes to go to their blog, and sign up to follow theirs (if appropriate).


• If someone leaves a comment on your blog, attempt to give a personal response to let them know you read what they said and appreciate their input. (or email a response)


• Get to know the people in your blogging community personally; show genuine interest in them and the things in their lives.

What are other ways you believe bloggers can be genuine in their networking?

Author, Karen Witemeyer summarized the need to be genuine last week in one of her comments on Rachelle Gardner's blog. She said:

So many new writers who are focused on the goal of "getting there" see networking as trying to win the favor of big name authors, the top editors, and the most prestigious agents. And as charming as they try to be, it is obvious that genuine concern is lacking. Those we are trying to impress can sense that we only want to be in their circle to further our own careers. Instead of trying to smooze these big names, form relationships with people who are at the same developmental stage as we are on this journey. The relationships will be genuine and as the success of the group grows, you will find a network already in place. And beyond that, you will have true friendships that will last a lifetime.

So, what do you think? How can we blog most effectively? Here are my questions again: What makes a blog attractive to a reader? How can bloggers be genuine?

Tug of War

So how much time does everyone REALLY spend on blogging compared to writing?

The tug of war was won by writing. Many of you mentioned spending about 2 hours writing and 1 hour blogging. Some (like me!) do more. Nearly everyone alluded to the struggle to keep blogging from taking over their writing time.

I think I can summarize your comments from yesterday by saying: the battle is ongoing; blogging still pulls us one way and writing the other.

When I started getting serious about looking for agents and pursuing publication of my novel, I quickly realized that many agents have blogs and also highly encourage writers to have one. Here are a few recent quotes from some agents I follow:

Rachelle Gardner: Publishers and agents are still looking for great stories. If you've written a wonderful novel, everything else is icing. However, I think fiction platform is going to become more of an issue simply because of your competition. More and more, we're going to see first-time novelists who already have a high-traffic blog or other means of attracting readers.

Wendy Lawton: I noticed when our agency began blogging that there were several writers who left regular comments. Brilliant. Don’t you think we take note of those writers who are doing the hard work to find out who we are and what we’re thinking? Also, I’m following several very interesting writers on Twitter. I’m getting to know them long before they send me work.

Chip MacGregor: Right now the way to create buzz is through the internet; we're seeing authors build an entire readership through their blogs, and clearly the social networking tools of Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace are reshaping the way authors build a platform.

Obviously agents are looking at how well new writers use the internet to network. Thus, most of us are trying hard to make new connections and build a readership long before we have a book on the shelf.

In some ways blogging seems like it has become a popularity contest. Has it ever felt that way to you at times? We're being pushed to try to get noticed and to make a name for ourselves before we're published. Supposedly the more popular we become, the more sales our book will generate.

Yet, how does this push toward popularity line up with the idea of living humbly? Seems like I need to make a big push for ME, and I'm not sure how to reconcile that yet with my desire to push God's fame.

So, what do you think of all the hype? Do you think blogging and other social networking will really help your career in the long run? After spending hours and hours at blogging, how big of a difference do you think it will make once your book is published?

Blog Fog

Weekend writers, time to report back! Did you meet your writing goals?

Terri did you get to 40,000 words? Wendy did you write one chapter and do some research? Katie did you finish your 4th scene? Sherrinda did you write 2000 words? Jennifer did you write 2000 words on Friday? Jessica did you get in 1000 a day? Jeannie how is that Seekerville Post coming? Robin did you write 1000 words? Kate did you catch up on crits and work on your query? Anyone else?

Fellow blogger and writer, Jeanette Levellie, is having a drawing for a lovely box of writing supplies that she's put together. If you leave a comment on her blog by Thursday, you'll be entered into the drawing. Jeanette is a fairly new blogger and mentioned to me how she's struggling with the amount of time blogging takes and is feeling like it is taking away from real writing time.

I'm sure that most of us struggle with this same thing. At least I know I do. How much time should we spend blogging? It's becoming more important in the networking, platform building part of a writing career. Yet we won't have anything to build upon if we give up quality writing time in order to blog.

On an average day, how much time do you spend blogging each day (and using facebook and twitter)? And how much time you spend writing? Which is more, your blogging time or your writing time? Please be honest and share your totals with us in the comments.

When I figured out my totals, I realized that blogging seems like it takes more time because it's spread out over the day, but in reality my writing time is in concentrated chunks of time adds up to more. Blogging=maybe two hours; Writing=about 3 hours.

Come back tomorrow for a summary of the results and for more discussion on this difficult struggle.

It Takes Time

One more week, one more step forward!

Did you meet your writing goals this week? Eileen did you write 5000 words? Jill did you get 10 pages done a day? Katie did you get your 4 scenes written? Everyone else, did you accomplish what you wanted?

Now for you weekend writers, if you want some accountability this weekend, leave your writing goals in the comment section. Then on Monday I'll ask you to report back on how you did! My weekend goal is the usual 1500 words on my WIP.

I had a difficult time this week writing 5oo words per day because I'm doing preliminary edits on my MS at the same time. I know everyone says write it all, then edit. But I'm realizing just how beneficial the re-reading and minor editing is.

I started writing my novel last September so none of the beginning chapters are fresh in my mind. Re-reading has helped me pick up on threads and symbolism I need to remember to weave through the ending. It's also helped me catch some of those dreaded repeats that slip in!

I just purchased Donald Maass's Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook. Here are a few encouraging words from the introduction:

• Don't be satisfied with merely being good enough to get published; don't measure your success in terms of an agent or seeing your name on a cover; instead, put together a novel of real depth, one that has something to say of lasting power.

• If you churn out minimally acceptable fiction, you may get published but you will never become a brand name; you may not even survive your second, third, or fourth books.

• The secret of success is dazzling readers--spinning them a story they will never forget.

• Writing a breakout novel is a journey, an awakening, an education. Get the full benefit. You don't expect to get your B.A. after just one year of classes. On the journey we're aiming for a Ph.D.

• Give yourself the space you need to achieve true mastery. It takes time.

What a fitting end to all of our discussions about waiting! I know we all want to become great writers, not just mediocre. And. . .that. . .takes. . .time. . .

Enjoy Being Three

This week we have talked about all of the waiting we do as writers. If we could come up with a collective total of all of our waiting, I wonder how many thousands of years we would accumulate!

My youngest daughter, my bundle of joy, summed up the entire waiting process quite well.

Yesterday as she perched on the bench at our kitchen table, she proudly stretched out five fingers and announced, "I'm five."

Being the ever-teaching mommy that I am, I quickly held up three fingers and said, "No, sweetie, you're three. See, one, two, three."

She looked at my fingers then stuck out her bottom lip. "I don't want to be three anymore. I want to be five."

Her sweet little declaration echoed my inner struggle. I don't want to be a wannabe writer any more. I want to be published. I'm "three" in writing years, but I'd rather be "five."

The reality is that I can't skip ahead in my writing career any more than my daughter can skip ahead in her age. So. . .what do we do with all that impatience that keeps building and building until we feel like we'll go crazy with the pressure of waiting?

I loved your comments this week and I thought I'd share just a few of the many that encouraged me:

Katie: We could look at this [waiting] as an utter waste of time. Or we could ask ourselves what we did while waiting in line. Did we pray, bond with friends/family, reach out to a stranger, enjoy the time?

Cindy: Continue working on something. If you've finished one manuscript and polished it, and sent out queries, don't just sit and wait for something to happen. Start a new project. Work toward the future of your writing.

Melissa: It was a lesson in patience. He [God] showed me that it was the process that is most important - the actual writing, not the publishing.

Wendy: I think God is trying to do some of the essential work while we wait. We can resist or we can take notice to what He's doing during the wait.

Robin: My husband used to say I'll be happy when I have this or this. I always told him, if you aren't happy with what you have now, what makes you think you'll be happy when you get it (whatever it is. ) Be happy with now and enjoy the journey or else you'll miss some amazing experiences.

Lady Glamis: I like to have the vision that the path is the worthwhile part, and that publishing really is a goal that might best be reached after we have grown and suffered for it. . . In the meantime, write away! And enjoy it!

My summary: Enjoy being three; you'll be five soon enough!

Do you have any other encouraging words about waiting? I have just loved hearing your thoughts this week. It's given me fresh perspective. Thank you!

The Long Haul

Yesterday we discussed the difficulty of waiting. We writers seem to spend an abnormal amount of time waiting for all kind of things from contest results to returned emails.

Lady Glamis did a follow up post to mine yesterday with some beautiful thoughts about the writing journey and the waiting process. Her perspective is very refreshing. I'd encourage you to read it if you haven't already.

Ultimately we're all waiting for the same thing: publication. And even after publication, from what I've heard, we'll still have a lot of waiting, just a different kind!

I'm always fascinated to hear stories about the length some writers have to wait from when they seriously start writing until they finally get published. Here are a few examples of Christian authors taken from the book Behind the Stories by Diane Eble.

• Jan Karon of At Home in Mitford series: She quit her day job, bought a cabin in the mountains and began to write. She sacrificed much to follow her dream and even lived without a car for an entire year. She says it was a time of testing, molding, shaping, and suffering. After finally getting an agent to look at the first book of the Mitford series, the agent sat on it for a year and a half. It was rejected again and again. But she continued to believe there was as at least a small audience for the book. "The road to publication and fame was uphill all the way."

• Gilbert Morris author of more than 165 historical novels: His first novel was rejected twenty-six times. He says that prayer is the key in knowing if all the rejections are God's red light or if they are the normal obstacles anyone faces when trying something new. He said he didn't sense God telling him to stop, so he persevered.

• Robin Jones Gunn of the YA Christy Miller and Siera Jensen series: The teenage girls of her youth group encouraged her to write Christian novels for them. She labored for two years over her first book, reading chapters to the youth group girls and getting their feedback. When she finished, she tried to sell it, but ten publishers turned it down. She was almost ready to give up but then realized it was a calling; God wanted her to write to be a missionary to teenagers. So she kept persevering and eventually Focus on the Family published her series.

Do these kinds of stories make the waiting easier and encourage you to keep writing? Or do they discourage you and act as another reminder that the wait could be longer than you'd initially thought?

I feel a bit of both. I don't like to think that it could take years and 25 plus rejections before I get published. But I'm also encouraged to hear that all the waiting could one day pay off.

"We can do anything we want as long as we stick to it long enough." Helen Keller

What Are You Waiting For?

Recently I read a couple of other blog posts about waiting. It struck me that most of us on this writing journey are WAITING for one thing or another. We're moving along the path to publication waiting for the next bend, always alert for what's ahead.

I'm like the child who perpetually asks "Are we almost there?" I plod along wishing I was "there." I worry and obsess about what's coming. Sometimes I even miss out on things going on around me because I'm distracted. Impatience easily settles in (like we talked about yesterday!).

We writers all wait for the same big thing: publication. But what are the smaller things we wait for along the way to publication?

• Finishing a manuscript


• Contest results


• Returned emails or phone calls


• Notification on those "smaller" writing projects


• Responses to queries


• Agent decisions about partials or fulls


• Feedback from critique partners or editors

In our instant-oriented culture, we expect our needs to be met our-way, right-away; if they're not, we grow frustrated. We're inculturated to believe if we have to wait for anything, then something must be wrong.

I'll be the first to admit I like microwaves, fast food (especially Panera), 10-minute Oil changes, quick-drying nail polish, and high speed internet. If I have to wait more than a few seconds for a page to appear on my screen, I get irritated!

Let's face it. We modern Americans hate to wait.

This mindset carries over into our writing as well. I wish I could eliminate all of the waiting that happens on the writing journey. But perhaps the difficulty of waiting is another part of God's plan for strengthening our character. He allows this hardship to challenge us to stretch our muscles and grow.

What are you waiting for? And how has the difficulty of waiting helped you to grow?

Impatience

Accountability time! How did you do this weekend with your writing goals?

Terri did you write 3000 words? Wendy did you make good progress with your chapter? Jamie did you find time for 5000 words? Cindy did you finish editing your second MS? Jeannie did you write the climax of your MS and get a good start on your Seekerville post? Kate did you finish your edit on your novel? Tess did you start plotting your new WIP? Jessica, how'd you do?

I had a hard time completing my goals. But I ignored the seventy degree weather (the first we've had since last October), I kept my fanny on the chair, and finished my word count. Let me tell you, it was not easy!

I'm nearing the climax of my novel. I have about five chapters to go until I'm done. My goal is to try to finish by the end of May. Since I write historical fiction, I often have to stop to research and that slows me down. But the end is finally in sight!

Do you ever start to feel impatient when you near the end of your manuscript? I do. I find myself skimming through scenes, slacking on research, and trying to hurry the story along so that I can finish. I'm like the runner who sees the finish line and starts to speed up and cut corners.

At what point(s) in your manuscript are you most impatient? Do you speed up and figure you can always edit? Or do you stay slow and steady?

I'm still trying to figure out how to approach the end without letting my impatience get the better of me! I would love to hear your thoughts and how you handle your impatience.

Friday Flame

It's confession time! Did you meet your writing goals for the week?

For those of you full time weekday writers, did you make your word count (Jill, others)? Eileen sent me a note yesterday that she made her 5000 words this week! Great job finishing early, Eileen!

And for those of us who try to cram extra writing into the weekend, what are your weekend goals? Tell us in the comments, then on Monday we'll hold you accountable! (My weekend goal is to write 1500 words and edit one chapter.)

If you're like me, I do a whole lot better when I know I have to report my progress back to others! It sparks a flame inside that keeps me moving!

Here are a few words of encouragement from Bickman's 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes:

• You CAN sell without an agent.


• Publishers ARE looking for new writers.


• Beginners DO break in every year.


• Your next story WILL be better.


• Your luck is NOT worse than most.


• Persistence WILL win out.


• The struggle IS worth making.


• You DO have enough talent.


• Anything you still need to know CAN be learned.


• Tomorrow WILL look brighter.

Recite the above truths to yourself this weekend. And remember: He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. Phillippians 1:6

Dream Agent

Thank you all for your input on conferences the past couple of days! I've learned quite a bit and now I don't feel so intimidated by the thought of going to a conference.

You've probably all realized my top reason for going to a conference is because I need an agent.

I know several of you blogging friends do not necessarily need agents because you write category romances. From what I understand (please correct me if I'm wrong) most category romance publishers still accept unsolicited, unagented queries. Even so, I think eventually most published authors look for an agent, whether category writer or not.

As you know, most writing conferences allow participants the opportunity to schedule meetings with agents and editors. Here's what ACFW says about these appointments: The opportunity to have personal, fifteen minute appointments with editors and agents is a valuable highlight of the conference. These provide a great way to learn first-hand about the writing industry, to pitch your manuscript or work-in-progress, and to brainstorm ideas, get encouragement, and benefit from industry professionals.

So, one last writing conference question for the week: If you went to a conference and could pick any agent to meet with, who would it be and why?

My first choice would be Rachelle Gardner of Word Serve Literary because I really like her personality, her blog, and her faith. My second choice is Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency. I've read her blog and interviews and she also demonstrates strong faith, a sweet personality, and hard-working spirit.

Your turn. Who's your dream agent and why?

Conferences, Conferences Everywhere!

Yesterday we talked about the pros and cons of writing conferences. Many of you agreed conferences are extremely beneficial for the unpublished writer.

With the plethora of conferences available, how does a writer narrow down which one (or ones) to attend?

Rachelle Gardner has a list of Christian conferences on her blog and they are arranged by month. Click here for the list. Potentially we could attend a writer's conference every month of the year if we really wanted to!

As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), I've heard a lot about the ACFW Conference that will be held in Denver this September. I'm considering attending. But the cost could end up totaling over $1000. The basic conference fee is $500. Then add air fare, shuttle, and hotel. That's a load of cash!!

There's also The Write-to-Publish Conference in Wheaton, Illinois. Mary DeMuth is one the main speakers and agents Rachelle Gardner and Chip MacGregor will be there among many others. It would be considerably closer for me. From central Michigan, I could easily drive the eight hours. But again, the cost could potentially reach near $1000.

As we've talked about before, we have to be willing to invest in our writing career, and hope that someday we'll get a return on that investment. So, even though I'm not thrilled with the costs of writing conferences, I know it's necessary.

I liked what agent, Rachelle Gardner said: If you're unpubbed and/or unagented, you should know that writers' conferences are the single best way to make a personal connection that can lead to agency representation and/or publication. In addition, generally the only un-agented manuscripts that editors accept are those they've requested at a conference. So... you decide. Can you find the time and the money?

But how do I narrow down my choices?

What are the most important things you look for when deciding which conference to attend? What conferences have you attended and which ones would you recommend?

And here's my final question: If you could pick ANY conference to attend, which one would it be and why? I would love to hear your opinions!

Conference Migration

It's about that time of year when writers begin to migrate. We flap our wings and head by the flock to writing conferences.

I've never been to a writing conference before. Never. But lately I've become more and more convinced I need to go.

I have two novels that I'm polishing and pitching. As an unpublished author, I've had a difficult time getting agents and editors to look at my queries. One agent that finally took the time to read my letter, asked for the Full, but still hasn't had the time to actually read it. (I haven't given up hope yet!)

Over the past months I've had to re-evaluate my strategy for how best to get my novels in front of editors and agents. Is a writer's conference the best way? Is it becoming nearly the only way?

Randy Ingermanson, the Snowflake Guy of Advanced Fiction Writing, shared his experience with writer's conferences: Some Thoughts on Writing Conferences. He also shared eight reasons to go to conferences in his post: A Bit More on Writing Conferences. His thoughts are enlightening.

For unpublished writers what are the benefits of a writer's conference? Here's how I hope I can benefit:

• Meet agents and editors face to face and pitch my books.
  
• Network with published authors.
  
• Gain encouragement from other unpublished writers.
  
• Grow in writing skill through various classes and seminars.
  

What are the drawbacks of a writer's conference? Here are the drawbacks for me:

• COST: The fees for the conference, lodging, food, and travel add up quickly.
  
• Travel: Many of the big conferences are located in urban areas and require a plane flight for most.
  
• Size: So many unpublished writers are vying for the few slots agents and editors give.

Do you have anything to add to my lists? What are other benefits or drawbacks of writer's conferences that you've heard about or experienced?

Tomorrow we'll discuss more specific writer's conferences. So come back prepared to share your recommendations!

Easter Rest

Have a Blessed Easter!

I hope all of you will enjoy a break from your writing over this holiday weekend (even if only a short respite!) so that you can spend extra time with loved ones and with our Risen Savior. That's what I'll be doing!

I'll be traveling from Michigan to West Virginia to visit with my mom. It's a nine hour van ride to get there, so hopefully I'll make some good progress on my WIP without the internet to distract me!

What are your holiday plans?

P.S. Eileen did you meet your writing goals for the week (even with sick children)? How about you Jill & Cindy? Just checking in with you to see how you all did!

See you Tuesday, April 14!

The Nitty Gritty of Critiquing

How does one go about the actual work of critiquing someone else's writing? What kinds of things do we look for first? Then next? And next?

I haven't had much experience critiquing for others. Earlier in the year my 6th grade son asked me to look over his first long report (the kind needing note cards, bibliography, and all that technical stuff). Being the good mom (and writer) that I am, I went through it carefully and marked it up. Little did I know, my generous advice would bring my son to near tears!

I learned a lesson through the experience. I'm not on a fault-finding mission. Rather I need to first discover the good and report back on that, then I can give feedback on the most crucial corrections. We grow in small steps and so pointing out every deficiency at once leads to discouragement.

Thankfully, I didn't destroy my son's ego. He came to me again recently with a story he'd written for a children's writing competition. This time before I pulled out my red pen I asked him how detailed he wanted me to be. Then I proceeded first to find the many things he'd done right before I inked up the things he needed to change.

Lady Glamis had an excellent post yesterday about critiquing in layers. I'm still trying to digest exactly how to do that. But my take away was this: we have different layers of the writing craft to analyze from basics like grammar and sentence structure, to characterization/POV issues, to plot/action, and then the deeper layers of symbolism and themes. We keep peeling away as we critique. Maybe we won't make it past the basics for some stories we critique, but maybe we'll make it much deeper with others.

Critiquing for others can be a sensitive issue. We don't aim to discourage our writing friends, but we often do so unintentionally (like I did with my son). My advice: Ask your Faithful friend how detailed your critique should be and what specific things they want you to look for, then make sure to find the positive first and negatives second.

What is your advice for critiquing? Do you have a specific method or way of editing? Since I'm inexperienced at this, I would love to hear your words of wisdom!

Critique Services

Thanks for all of your sharing yesterday about critique partners vs. critique groups. I think I can safely summarize by saying, we need a Faithful Friend one way or another.

But what about using a critique service or freelance editor, as one of your Faithful companions for the journey?

When I was preparing my contest entries, I turned to a critique service for help. I happened to run across a contest special by Tiffany Colter of Writing Career Coach. At that time she was offering a critique for $30. Always a sucker for a great deal, I signed up right away!

Since I'd never paid anyone to critique my work before, I didn't really know what to expect. So when her return email showed up in my inbox, I opened it with excitement, just knowing she would sing glowing praises of my writing and tell me I would do great in the contest.

I clicked open her attachment and began to scroll through her comments. My heart pattered to a stop. She had made 56 comments in 15 pages. And while she affirmed what I was doing right, I realized I was not holding a Pulitzer Prize winning novel in my hands.

It took a couple of hours for my heart to resume its normal speed and for me to pick myself off the ground, stop whining, and get to work making the changes. When I actually began to read through her suggestions, a new excitement took hold of me. I saw the possibilities she did, the places I could improve, the new depths I could achieve.

I highly recommend the torturous experience of a professional edit to everyone. In fact, I just put more of my novel back on the rack so that Tiffany Colter can stretch me and my writing to the limit. (Sorry for that bit of medieval humor.)

The drawback to a critique service is the cost. You may have to pay hundreds of dollars to have an entire manuscript critiqued. But at some point in our writing careers we have to invest before we start making returns. Everyone has to decide what that point is for them, and then where to invest (professional edit, conference, etc.).

Have you ever used a critique service? If so, which one and what was your experience? Who would you recommend?

Rachelle Gardner has a great list of professional freelance editors on her blog. Click here to check them out. I haven't used any of them, but I trust that her list is top notch.

P.S. For those worried about cost of this kind of service, keep in mind the possibility of using author Christina Berry. She would like to start a critique service at some point and is planning to give bottom rates to first clients.

Critique Partners & Groups

Yesterday we discussed the need to have a Faithful friend to travel with us on the writing journey.

Many of you mentioned having critique partners or belonging to critique groups. Agent Chip MacGregor had a great post (Feb.19) about the need for writers to have a critique partner or group. Among other things he said: Every writer needs a critique group. New writer or experienced hand, you gain wisdom when you have other writers looking at your work. A critique group offers you an honest appraisal, and provides an on-going learning experience.

I can't say that I've had much experience yet with either. When I joined ACFW, I signed up right away for a critique group. I filled out their questionnaire and critiqued their sample document. I waited a few weeks, and finally was matched with three other very sweet, godly, historical writers. We introduced ourselves, then organized a schedule for exchanging our writing.

I lasted a week. I quickly realized I could not put forth the amount of time and energy such a group required, especially if I wanted to give them my best feedback without rushing through their chapters. And I didn't want to sacrifice too much of my limited writing time. So, I begged their forgiveness and backed out of the group.

I'm just beginning the process of getting linked with a critique partner, a wonderful new blogging friend, Sherrinda. We recently discovered we both write historical romances in the middle ages and our stories start on a similar vein. We're still trying to figure out how to exchange our manuscripts, how to edit, what time frames to use, and all of the other details that critiquing involves.

Which have you tried, critique group or critique partner? What was your experience (for either the positive or negative)?

P.S. And if you have any advice for Sherrinda and me as we start our partnership, I'd love to hear that too.

A Faithful Friend

Confession Time! For those who set writing goals for the weekend, how'd you do?

Jessica did you write 2000 words? Melissa did you get some editing done on your novel? Lady Glamis is your partial ready to send to an agent and did you get Monarch to readers? T.Anne did you meet your BIG goals? Sherrinda did you get 2000 done on your WIP? Cindy did you edit 50 pages? Jeannie did you reach 1500 words and work on your crit. partner's work? Terri did you get 2,000 more done on your newest WIP?

I struggled this weekend to get my word count of 1500 done. And I didn't get three chapters revised. But I can honestly say I tried! My goal was just too high.

Who holds you accountable for your writing? Do you keep yourself on the path? Or do you have friends (even cyberspace ones) that help you stay on track?

In Pilgrim's Progress, Christian had a friend named Faithful that walked alongside him. Here's an excerpt: They faced many difficulties together but went lovingly on together and had sweet discourse of all the things that had happened to them on their pilgrimage.

In our writing journeys we all need a Faithful, a friend to come along side us and join us in our writing pilgrimage. We need someone or perhaps many friends to hold us accountable, to give us advice, to critique our writing, to keep us moving.

Often we writers tend to be introverts, hiding behind our computer screens. I have to admit, even though I'm not all introvert, I'm fairly independent and like to take the credit for climbing the mountain by myself.

We have a choice, though. We can stumble along alone and try to make it to the City of Publication on our own strength and ingenuity. Or we can find a Faithful to walk with us and share both the struggles and joys of this journey.

Do you have a Faithful? Who's walked alongside you and helped you most in your writing journey?

Light the Flame

Have you started to make consistent progress on your WIP or other writing goals? Has it helped to have a little accountability from other writers?

If it has, then let's keep going. Let's continue to light the flame under each other. Tell us in the comments what your goals are for either the weekend or for next week. And then next week we'll check back with you to see how you did.

As usual, my weekend goal is 1500 words on my WIP. Since I write 500 per week day, my weekly total usually amounts to 4000 words. I also need to revise 3 chapters on my WIP to send to the lady who has started editing it.

For those who don't have any writing goals yet, tell us what's holding you back from developing them!

Here's what Bickman has to say about PERSEVERANCE in his book 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes:

• Writers write; everyone else makes excuses.


• Nothing short of a genuine tragedy in your life should be allowed to intrude into your regular work as a writer of fiction.


• Writing can be tremendous fun and wonderfully rewarding. But writing is hard work.


• All the excuses, all the complaints, all the alternatives to work must be fought through; the real writer will work. And regularly.


• Consistent, persistent, even dogged work, day in and day out, is the professional's way.


• All writer's get discouraged, tired and worn down. The good ones don't make excuses. They keep going.

Now if that list isn't a flame to light your writing fire, then I don't know what will! I pray each of us will persevere with our writing through the weekend and next week.

P.S. Eileen, did you make your word count goal this week? How about you, Jill? (You knew I'd ask, didn't you?!)

Off the Clouds

Most writers play the comparison game. As I said yesterday, when I compare I tend to err on the side of pride and criticism. Others of you mentioned the same tendency.

Sometimes we need a reality check, something to bring us off the clouds and back to earth.

Today I thought I'd share one of my reality checks.

After an entire year of research and writing, I finished my first historical last May. I spent the summer revising it and getting it ready to send to agents. I was just sure they'd take one look and want to represent me.

I researched all of the Christian agents that accepted queries from unpublished authors and quickly discovered I had very few choices. So, as with most over anxious writers, I sent multiple submissions and then sat back to wait (and check my email every few minutes for responses). Little did I know. . .

After weeks, the responses started to trickle in. And I rapidly descended from my euphoric cloud back to earth. Here's a snippet from one of my rejection letters:

Thank you for sending us your proposal to review. While your project exhibits merit, it is not quite what we are looking for at this time. This is a good idea for a series. Unfortunately the writing of the books would be much more effective if they spoke and thought in the voices of that era. They are far too modern right now. Almost as if Hollywood were remaking a classic instead of setting it more accurately.

Ouch! I was grateful for this personalized letter which was better than the form letters and emails that told me nothing. But, nevertheless, the letter was a huge reality check. It helped me see I still have a long way to go on the path to publication.

As much as we need those reality checks from time to time, we need encouragement too. The same manuscript that got the rejection I just mentioned, also got an encouraging response too:

I really like this! May I see a complete manuscript via a single email attachment?

Wow! As short as it was, it gave me incredible encouragement. I learned something from both responses: my manuscript still needed work, but I was doing something right.

What's your experience? Have you ever gotten a reality check? Or what about encouragement--what's the best thing any one's said about your writing? We'd love to hear!

The Comparison Game

My eleven year old son loves chess. He studies chess books, writes down moves, and practices against the computer. . .all because he wants to win.

Several of you mentioned yesterday that you enter writing contests to win. If we're perfectly honest, we all want to come out on top, at some point.

If you read Christina Berry's comment from yesterday, you'll see she won second place in the Genesis contest last year and got her first book contract as a result. Wouldn't that be a dream come true?

We're playing the comparison game to win. And yet when we compare, I've noticed we often react one of two ways:

1. Why can't I write like this? We look at what we write and wonder if we should pack up the laptop. Discouragement.

2. Wow, I can do better than this. We wonder how the author got published in the first place. Pride.

There are many writers on the path and new ones joining the journey every day. Some will be further ahead and some will lag behind, racing to catch up. Others will be very near us.

As we trek along, sometimes we start to think we're further along than we really are. Or maybe we don't give ourselves enough credit for how far we've come. We stumble into the subjective traps of discouragement or pride. We become enmeshed with our stories and have a difficult time separating from them and looking at them objectively.

I tend to fall into the trap of pride. It's easier for me to see the faults in the writing of others more often than I see them in my own. It's something I really struggle with.

Which subjective trap do you fall into? Do you find yourself more critical of others? Or are you too critical of yourself?

As we play the comparison game, here's something practical we can do:

Encourage one another and build each other up. 1Thes. 5:11