WRITERS

Four Reasons to Try Writing Prompts and Challenges

 

When I don’t know what to write, writing prompts and challenges are my go-to writer’s block busters. The one I’ve tackled most recently is the Sweet Seven presented by author Hannah Deurloo, and if you like writing for children, give her challenge a shot! Here’s what I love about them:

 

1. Writing Prompts are Short

Like a handful of blueberries (as opposed to a meal), writing prompts are low commitment and energy-packed. They don’t take long to write, and that’s a big deal. When I feel stuck, I want to get moving again fast. A prompt can get me from A to B in a paragraph. Boom.

 

2. You’ve Got Room to Grow

Whether the challenge is a paragraph, page, flash fiction, or short story, you can always make it longer if you want to. I love the creative freedom this brings. I once did a 24-hour challenge with a friend, and the story that came from it was cooler than I anticipated. Maybe one day it will be a novel, but for today, it’s something started with room to grow.

 

3. Hello, Focus

If a river is blocked, the water disperses. The same kind of thing happens (at least to me) with writer’s block. Instead of cutting a clear path, my thoughts can begin to go all over the place. A prompt gives me a problem to solve. Navigating the waters becomes the focus again, and I’m back on course.

 

4. Gain a New Perspective

Writers can be great builders, but when we always use the same materials, the work gets mundane. If you use a book, an online challenge, or even make up your own writing prompt with a friend, it forces you to try something out of your box. And that, my friends, helps to get those inventive wheels turning again.

 

You can do it! What challenge will you conquer today?

 

Until next time,

Invent your story

WRITERS

I Met My Target Audience This Week

The coolest thing happened this week. I got a comment. It wasn’t a, “Hey, I like what you’re doing!” kind of comment – although I appreciate all feedback. It was a, “I get criticized for my out-of-the-box thinking, and your words really encouraged me…” kind of comment.

Not a public comment. Not a “two thumbs up” from a well-known critic that’s going to make my career. It wasn’t a call from an agent. It was a person who was facing a challenge, and my words encouraged them.

Wow.

You know what, writers? It’s worth it. For that alone, it’s worth it. Yes, writing takes hours, days, weeks, and years. Yes, you may never make a dime from it. It may take a very, very long time (if you’re like me) and you are going to face a zillion challenges in every form imaginable.

For that one person, it’s worth it.

People say to write for yourself, and I don’t argue that. Putting those thoughts, words, and ideas onto paper is fulfilling, and if you’re only writing for others, you may lose yourself in the process. Write like you. Write for you. Just write. It’s good.

But with billions of people on the planet, there’s a good chance someone out there will benefit from what you have to say. From honesty. From your brand of crazy – because we all have our own brand of crazy.

My goal, this week, is to let one of the people who’ve encouraged me know that they’ve made a difference in my life. I’m part of someone’s “target audience” too – and I’m easily part of the “audience” of the person whose comment had an impact on me. Friends, we need each other, and that is a gift.

Until next time,

Invent your story

If you’re looking for more encouragement, check out Chocolates and Writing Advice. Happy Friday!

WRITERS

After Years of Rejection Somebody Said Yes

Rejection. It’s not really the part of the writer’s life that’s fun to talk about. It’s great writing material – rejection involves conflict! Rejection is interesting! Rejection is an obstacle for the protagonist to overcome!

Rejection stinks.

Sure, it’s expected. Even the extremely successful writers are criticized and rejected by people – or their work is. And it’s a wonderful teacher (that’s for another post). I don’t expect everyone to like my work, but I do hope somebody does.

And since my last post on writing, somebody did. I mentioned WOW – Women on Writing last time because I’d submitted my work to their competition and knew I was a finalist. They liked my work – the question was, would I be a winner?

Drum roll, please….

Runner-up! My story As for Adventure was one of the top ten stories for their Spring 2018 Flash Fiction contest, and it’s so weird to be writing the words you can read my published work by clicking here. You really can. This actually happened.

Every one of us has a story and experiencing this part of mine makes me want to thank everyone in the world who helped me. Because this is something I could never do on my own. I’m thankful to God, my parents who encouraged me, my sisters who’ve always had my back, my husband who’s in my corner, my kids who genuinely care, my amazing friends who’ve walked with me in life, my teachers who gave me tools and encouragement along the way – thank you so much. Without you, I wouldn’t be doing what I do. And so many thanks to WOW with guest judge literary agent Sharon Pelletier of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. If writers didn’t have opportunities like this one, we’d be missing the challenges that help propel us forward. Thank you!

Because this is my first “real success” as a writer, there’s a something I want to share with you that I hope make a difference for someone out there.

I joined a writing group almost two years ago. My first night there, I brought a poem with me, and I was terrified to read it. Terrified, but I knew if I was really going to do this writer thing, I needed to face that fear.

Before I could get the words out, I said:

This is stupid. This is so stupid.

Then I read it. A leader pointed out some of the poem’s strengths and where it could be improved. People liked it well enough, and I was excited to come back to group again – but in the parking lot afterward, a girl came up to me and said

Don’t ever, EVER call your work stupid.

And since that day, I never have. Because it’s not stupid. I don’t approach writing lightly, and I think most writers don’t. My writing group has weathered many rejections with me. Some of my dear friends edited the winning story for me before submission. And this month, when I walked in the door, the entire group burst into applause to celebrate my placement in WOW’s competition. They are amazing people who I love.

If you’re a writer and you’re not connected with other writers, you are missing out. My writing group helped move me from rejecting my own work, to learning how to weather rejection from others, to celebrating success.

Who you journey with makes all the difference.

Until next time,

Invent your story

If you want to follow some of my amazing writer friends who helped improve my story, check out their websites here!

Quest Type

AJBlog

Inkblot Ideas

WRITERS

What Made the Difference in My Writing Path

At my writer’s group this week, a college-bound girl asked the crew about choosing a degree. She loved to write, but she wasn’t sure if she should major in English or something else. I remember wearing those shoes a long time ago. There’s more than one path to a fulfilling life of writing.

The Pros of Earning an English/Writing Degree

I’m friends with a number of people who’ve graduated from an English/Writing program or have earned an MFA, and we’ve had similar experiences. Students dive into the writing craft, workshop a lot of papers, and get a fantastic overview of different career avenues for writers from technical to creative writing.

Studying language roots in linguistics fascinated me. College was beneficial and fun because I was able to excel at what I loved most. After graduation, there wasn’t a one-size-fits-all career path, and there certainly wasn’t guaranteed employment in my field. It’s a unique degree.

The Pros of Earning a Different Degree

When you love to crunch numbers, create new food combinations, and enjoy writing, then how do you choose a major? Every person is unique, and writing is a beautiful art that doesn’t need an English major for success. If you love the culinary arts, you can fuse that into writing by blogging about meal-related topics, write children’s books that have fun with food, create a cookbook, or invent a new avenue that combines writing, cabbage, and coconuts.

You won’t just have writing opportunities, you will have a “niche market” with expertise in your non-writing field. I have a friend who majored in business, and she’s a writer. It’s easy for her to see the business-side of marketing her work because it’s already in her toolbox. I fully support expanding your horizons with a degree outside of writing, even if you love to write.

Why I Chose the English/Writing Degree Path

When I walked the halls of my university, I entertained dreams, doubts, and wanted to do it all. Someone in a creative fiction class posed the “to degree or not to degree” question to my professor, and her answer solidified my choice forever. She said this:

Only choose English/Writing for a career if you can’t do anything else.

That sounds bad, but think of it this way: if you wake up wanting to write, dream up stories as your shop for groceries, and keep a pen and paper with you at the beach (for just in case) then you may fall into the fold of writer addicts who can’t do anything else. Getting a degree in writing will not waste your time or money, because it’s not about the time or the money. It’s about what comes to life on the page.

If you choose a different career path and love to write, then never stop writing and please share your work. There are endless benefits to traveling this road. One of the most creative writers I know is the one with the business degree, and the world is a better place because her stories are a part of it. You can check out her blog at questtype.com.

For every banker, hairdresser, rocket scientist, or rock crusher who wants to write: don’t let anything hold you back. It’s your life.

Invent your story.

WRITERS

3 Things Every Picture Book Writer Needs to Know

This question was posted on #PBParty today: What are 3 things every picture book writer should know? I am writing the long version of my answer today, because this is something I am passionate about. Writers have a responsibility to our readers. There are a lot of wonderful resources out there to help you develop your voice, use writing techniques, and improve your craft. But it falls short of the goal without these three components.

Number 1: Know Who You’re Writing To

More than that, don’t underestimate who you’re writing to. Picture book writers don’t just write stories for children. They write stories for everyone. The creative license is off the charts with children’s books, and it’s easy to get lost in marshmallow fluff and lose substance.

Even if the reader is 3-6 months old and likes to eat a book as much as look at it. That kid is smart. And as pieces come together, authors owe it to their audience to make pages come to life.

Number 2: Know Why You are Writing

This isn’t a question you have to ask at the beginning – but you definitely need to know the answer inside out before you submit your work for publication. What moved you to write what you did? Why did you push through?

Write about the thing that is important to you. You need a compass to complete a writing work. “Why” is a great compass.

Number 3: Know How Will it Benefit the Child/Reader

Say your answer to “why” was “because I like puppies.” I like puppies too. I’ve written about my puppy, and I had a ball doing it. But when you write about puppies, and consider thinking deeper.

Hear me out on this.  We can all celebrate puppies – I’m on board. As a writer though, don’t forget you have a rare opportunity to inspire, teach, and build up brilliant young minds. Seize that opportunity.

Let them read your last page ready for more in life.

Invent your story.