fiction writing

United We Write

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I am a lucky gal.  I’m part of a writing group that challenges me to be a better writer, tells me when my writing rant has gone horribly wrong, and notices my strengths.  I suspect that I might not have finished three novels without their continued support and I’m certain that my stories wouldn’t be as good without the critiques of my writing sisters.

We didn’t set out to be a women’s writing group.  We’ve had men before, they just didn’t stay.  Could it have been that we have some romance writers?  I mean some of their stuff makes my cheeks glow fire red.  Maybe it was too much for them.

I’m not suggesting that you seek out an all male or all female group (so stop writing the hate mail right now).  I am insisting that you find a writing group that feeds your talent. I’ve said it before, you can’t grow as a writer without input from people reading your stuff. You can’t!!!  Or, if you can, it’s at a snail’s pace.  Trust me.

Anyway, I’m thinking about my sisterhood of writers, otherwise known as the Muse Crew, because we’re going to start a writing and reviewing website/blog.  We’ve been working together for years, expanding our writing skills, critiquing the work of others, and exploring countless nuances of the writing process.  Now, we’re going to invite others to share in our discussions and help other authors (many of them will be self published) by reviewing their work.

Did I say that we’re not any ordinary group of writers?  We all come from vastly different life experiences and writing backgrounds.  That’s part of what makes this group so special. (Am I partial? Yes, but you would be too!).  Our group combines expertise in the areas of writing, editing, psychology, teaching, business, and more.  We have writers in different genres of fiction and non-fiction.  Our varied backgrounds give us unique perspectives to what we read and have enriched the way we approach authorship. We are driven by our shared passion for the well-written page.

You can probably tell that I could go on, and on…. and… well, you get it.  It’s a great group of women and I look forward to expanding our writing journey online.  I’m telling you so that you know and if you have suggestions about what you would like in a website and blog like this, please share them in the comments.

Happy writing!

Madelyn

 

 

Let Go of Fear

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If you truly enjoy writing, never give it up. We have this one life, and if writing gives you joy, then keep doing it. I’m not saying give up your day job, live in a box, and write. I am saying—don’t stop. Don’t let that nagging voice in your head defeat you, don’t let that bad review or critique get you down, just keep going. Why?  Because fame is just around the corner and that’s why you should write. Okay, that is total bullshi*, I just wanted to see if you were listening. Writing success may or may not be around the corner, but if you don’t write, you’ll never know.

I don’t think most of us are drawn to the page, compelled to fill it with stories, because we seek riches (although they would be nice). Writing gives us a way to look at the world, make sense of it, and to explore human truths. When we’re tired of the world we live in, we create new ones. Writing is a way to connect to life and imagine the possibilities. Writing is not only an exercise; it’s a way of being.

So, my advice to you on this dreary Michigan day is this: no matter how cheesy it sounds, don’t give up on writing. It has things to teach you if you’re willing to continue with the journey. Who knows where the adventure will take you, but writing will make the journey a more interesting one. And isn’t that worth something?

"Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words." -Mark Twain

Renewal

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Renewal.

In Michigan, spring is like a reawakening. Winter is beautiful, but long, and by the end of it, people around here walk with a dreariness in their eyes for no other reason than a lack of sun for too many days. So, spring here is special. You notice it, you long for it, you welcome it with open arms. When it comes, there is an observable change in people. They walk with an extra bounce in their step, smile at strangers, and there is a significant decrease in road rage.

It makes me think of my characters. How are they renewed? I enjoy putting characters in real-life situations which test their psychological make-up and see how they come out the other side. How are characters changed by going through darkness and difficulty? Do they come out better or bitter?

I think it can be either way, but the transformation of a character or the resistance to change makes interesting fiction (to me anyway). I find people fascinating–hence the writing obsession–and this particular aspect of writing creates rich character.

Have characters ever surprised you in their metamorphosis?  What role does transformation take in your characters? What part of character development do you enjoy the most?

 

Visiting Self-Publishing Hell?

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29470216_sTrying new things often means riding the roller coaster of the learning curve. I’ve recently experienced the dips and climbs in self-publishing. At first, I thought the technology part of it shouldn’t be too difficult, I am a relatively tech-savvy girl, but Murphy’s Law came into play at every step of the journey. If you know what Create Space formatting gibberish, right-justified super-stretched sentences, or Kindle nonsensical formatting aberrations are, then you’ve likely felt my pain. If you haven’t, never fear, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The good news for me is that my self-publishing journey is nearly done. I feel like I’ve been trapped in a cave without light for weeks. I’m not sure if I’ve talked to people or had a proper meal in some time. Now I’m ready to step out, blink against the light, and stretch out my hand to shake the hand of an old friend or wrap it around my long-lost family.

You may wonder, what is the point of sharing my struggles and humiliation? (You know there are those people out there who will claim that the process was a cake walk and make you feel like a moron!) It’s so other people who go through it know that they are not alone and they will survive. Self-publishing is a process, like writing. Also, like writing, when you think you’re almost done, you realize you’re not!  Eventually, you will get there, just maybe not on the timeline you thought.

Soon it will be on to the next step… encouraging people to buy it!

Selling Your Soul or Only Your Book?

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When you hang out with writers, you recognize the signs of a writer going through the “marketing” experience of self-publishing.  They talk incessantly about social media, blogging, Amazon sales, and finding high-quality reviews.  Yep, you’ve got it; they are in the marketing phase.

For most writers, this experience means lost sleep, gray hair, and various signs of outward stress.  Sure, there are writers out there that love selling their wares, but you and I aren’t one of them!  For us, it can feel a little like selling your soul.  We’re writers, not sales people.

The truth is that if you want to sell your books, you will have to be part of that process (unless you are an all-star author).  That means putting in the time to build a platform, finding internet spaces to shout about your book, and handing out the occasional “bookcard” or bookmark.

I know, you’d rather be writing.  I feel your pain!  For me, balancing between a writing project and the marketing side is what keeps me sane.  If I had to do all marketing at one time, it would dry out my passion for writing.

So, if you see the signs, help a fellow author out.  Take them to coffee, listen to them rant, then brainstorm the next book idea.

Surrounded by Characters

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A few weeks ago, my family and I went to one of those splash places.  I don’t need to name names, but the kind with slides, a lazy river, and other indoor water activities.  After my energy wore away, I sat down and watched my children romp around and eventually I watched other people.  This is what people in the Midwest call people watching.  Now let me make sure we are clear what I mean here.  I don’t mean being the fashion police or passing judgement in any way. I mean observing. Carefully.

Sometimes people will catch my eye because they remind me of someone in a book that is presently percolating in my brain.  Other times, something about how they move makes me think of specific emotions and I contemplate how I would show that emotion or movement with words.  Maybe they have an interesting physical feature that I wonder how I would describe.  Then my mind starts to bounce around in a land of imagined characters.  I have to be careful, I can get lost there!

If you haven’t already, try it sometime!  While you watch, think of words that describe the way a person looks and how they move.  What words would paint a picture for the reader of his/her lips, face, neck, or eyes to give people a strong visual of what you see?  Are their movements graceful, quick, or laborious?  Go one step further and imagine a life for them.  What character traits do you imagine for them?  Maybe you notice a person who reminds you of one of the characters in your next novel.  Think about how the visual that you offer adds to the character that you’re creating.

The same can be done with settings.  Take some time soaking up different settings that you have visited.  What words would be best to give someone a sense of the place?  What did it look, smell, and sound like?

The next time you’re sitting somewhere public with a free moment, put the phone down, and take a look around. Let your imagination wander with your eyes.  Now, don’t get caught staring too long at people or someone will sound the stalker alert, but at times it’s important for a writer to spend some time engaged in observation.  Just be careful not to get caught!

How do you explore character or setting and ways of describing them?  What helps feed your creativity?