Shredded to Perfection

I was just asked to be part of a critique group for the novella collection that recently sold. The moment I hear the words "critique group" I think of this picture - your work being cast into the shredder. :) And who likes pain after all, even if it is your story? But then I considered the many times my work faced the red ink of an editor before the advent of e-mailed proposals (now replaced by the dreaded red tracking of online corrections). And how much better the piece reads after others take an objective look at it. Pointing out those errors that even if you've scanned your work a dozen times, you don't catch them. Fine tuning it like a musical instrument so that the story sings. Bringing forth work that is the epitome of perfection.

Perhaps then critiquing is more liken to the scripture that talks of pruning. Getting rid of the gnarled branches to allow the fruit to come. Clipping off the redundant words, the lagging passages, the missplaced analogies. And what better way than through a critique group where other writers care enough to bring out the very best.

So take a pain pill and allow your work to be critiqued.

The Winding Trail to Publishing...

The trail to publishing can be long, twisting, full of rocks, or smooth and leading to a perfect view. Such as this photo I took last year along my hike of the Appalachian Trail. For several months now I have been wondering what God has in store for my writing. Since my return from the trail, I really did not know what would happen. I worked hard at first to put out new ideas and proposals, hoping something would happen. But the weeks went by and nothing.

I then thought perhaps I should look for different employment since my son is now out of school, I had some time on my hands, and the writing part did not seem to be taking off. I applied for a part time library position. There was only one other candidate, I knew the head librarian, so I thought I had an excellent shot at it. When I arrived home from the interview that very day, in my e-mail was an acceptance for a Christmas novella. This project initially came along because my agent / author asked if I wanted to be on the team after their fourth author was unable to participate. Of course whenever opportunity comes knocking, I try to answer to the best of my ability. And I did, coming up with a storyline for the collection in a few days. Well, it was accepted and on the very day I interviewed for the other job.

The next week I was off to the Philly Writer's Conference which poured needed rain down on this dry walk in my writing. I felt energized by positive contacts with editors and authors. I felt renewed in my call to write. And so now I am back at the keyboard, working hard, looking for more open doors as well as writing a new novella.

As for the library position - the other candidate got the job.... :)

The Call to Write

Ah, writing. A calling. A ministry. A passion. These are all things I was desperate to learn when I arrived at the Write His Answer conference held in Philadelphia. There is something to be said about hearing passionate speakers speak about the craft of writing, to have scripture shared that pertains to writing, to sit and share with other writers as we each learn the craft of writing (in my case, at the non fiction clinic), to put aside nerves, trust God and speak boldly to editors about the projects on your heart.

It was the the push I needed to raise myself out of the doldrums. To know without a doubt that God has called me to write, and to write what He gives me. To trust Him with the timing of publication, but to do the work of writing. Once I recall hearing a message by Billy Graham at a conference long ago in the 1980's about "doing the work of an evangelist." Well, we are called to do the work of a writer. To learn. To listen. To apply. To then sit down and write. And that is what I received from the conference, a building up of my most holy faith to go forward in this difficult road of writing and see where it leads me. To be faithful in my calling and trust the outcome to God's capable hands.

And on that note...I have some good news to share.

I sold a novella to Barbour Publishing - a Civil war novella that will be set in Fredericksburg, Virginia around Christmas. More on that in another post...

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, There's Always Tomorrow

...in which I will post about my time at the Write His Answer Conference. Stay tuned!

Conference Time~!

This week I am heading for a conference in Philadelphia called Write His Answer. I had gone to the conference many years ago when I was a new writer, looking for help in the area of fiction. Now I go looking for help in a new area, that is, with non fiction as I seek to write a book about my experiences on the Appalachian Trail. Since there is a special non fiction clinic offered at the conference this year, plus editors of publishing houses looking to buy, I thought this a great opportunity to go. Writing conferences are a super way to jump start your writing goals and career. Especially if it is in the wilderness / dry area as mine seems to be. Under links I have posted a site that outlines some of the upcoming conferences. Be sure to check them out and try to attend just one this year if you can. You will not regret it, and it may be the nourishment you need to make that crucial sale.