New Year's Resolutions

Now is the time to get us thinking of New Year’s Resolutions. Whether you make them or not, whether you stick to them past January 2nd, we all think about resolutions we need to make and what we’ll do differently in the New Year.

Over on one of my writing groups the discussion this week is what we’ll do differently in our writing business.

Hmm. How about everything? I haven’t been nearly as disciplined in the actual art of writing for most of 2008. Most of my business has been focused on selling the books I have already written and marketing myself. Those things have to be done, but not at the expense of my writing.

My New Year’s Resolution as far as writing goes is to get back to basics and spend as much time in the trenches writing as I do on every other aspect of the business. One clever little tool I discovered yesterday thanks to Ronie Kendig over at ACFW is a time clock. You can download it for free I can't vouch for this program other than to say it's free as long as you have less than 3 employees using it. And don't we all. The program installs a simple time clock on your desktop, it lets you clock in/out, tallies it for you. McAfee also vouches that the company as an approved site.

Since most of us don't have a boss looking over our shoulder, this may be the motivation we need.

I’ve downloaded it and am looking forward to some real production in the coming year. Let’s get ready to shine in ’09.

Before the Season Ends

Please welcome my good friend and fellow writer Linore Rose Burkard to Joy in the Journey.

Linore creates Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul. Her characters take you back in time to experience life and love during the era of Regency England (circa 1800 - 1830). Fans of classic romances, such as Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and Sense & Sensibility, will enjoy meeting Ariana Forsythe, a feisty heroine who finds her heart and beliefs tested by high-society London.

Ms. Burkard's novels include Before the Seasons Ends and The House in Grosvenor Square (coming April, 2009). Her stories blend Christian faith and romance with well-researched details from the Regency period. Her books and monthly newsletter captivate readers with little-known facts, exciting stories, and historical insights. Experience a romantic age, where timeless lessons still apply to modern life. And, enjoy romance that reminds us happy endings are possible for everyone.

Publisher's Weekly affirms, "Ms. Burkard's command of period detail is impressive, evident in material details, but also in dialogue. Her novels even help non-Regencyphiles learn the difference between ladies' pelisses and spencers...On the whole, it's a tasty confection."

Ms. Burkard began writing when she couldn't find a Regency romance with an inspirational twist. "There were Christian books that approached the genre," she says, "But, they fell short of being a genuine Regency. I knew that many women like me want stories that are historically authentic and offer glimpses of God's involvement in our lives. So, I finally gave up looking and decided to write one myself."

Ms. Burkard was raised in New York, where she graduated magna cum laude from the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. She lives with her husband and five children in a town full of antique stores and gift shops in southwestern Ohio. Her hobbies include working on four new Regency novels, family movie nights, swimming, and gardening.

Linore, what drew you to writing Regency Romance novels?
Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen books gave me a love for the period, and there weren't any Christian regencies to be found. I wanted to change that.

Where did you find your inspiration for Ariana and Phillip?
I'm not sure. I think they're both amalgamations of people I've read about and known.
England in the 1800s is a world away from the 21st century.

What do you think we could learn today from how society operated in the Regency period?
Times have changed, but people haven't. Men and women of the time were concerned with their appearances, their finances, their futures, finding the right spouse, and so on, just as we are, today. How they went about pursuing these ends is where all the difference lies, however, and this is precisely where the interest and adventure opens up for writers. Bringing to life the means and methods of everyday life and timeless concerns from the regency. It is fun and enlightening as a glimpse into the past, but readers can also identify with the basic human need to be genuinely loved for onself, no matter the setting or time period, and to be certain of one's convictions concerning life, eternity, and faith. Having said that, it is good to remind modern readers that valuing one's purity can be mainstream, as it was then; or that the struggle to find a true love and a sense that one's life has value, has always been a human issue.

What do you hope readers will take away from your books?
I hope my readers will feel as though they've been transported to the Regency for a good, satisfying visit; While they're visiting, they'll be reminded that God is involved in their life, and that happy endings are possible for everyone.

Any Regency romance is going to be compared to Jane Austen's novels ~ how are your books similar / different?
I don't think most regencies are written with this comparison in mind at all. However, other people say my book is "Austen-like." That is a huge compliment, and one I would love to live up to.
The sequel, The House in Grosvenor Square, is releasing in 2009.

Do you have more Regency novels planned?
My editor and I are tossing around ideas right now. I do have a few more regencies in mind.

What are you working on at the moment? A sneak peek, please.
I'm exploring whether to do a third book in the Regency Series, which at present is comprised of Before the Season Ends, and The House in Grosvenor Square. Book three would begin about five years later (about 1818) and follow the lives of a number of people who were introduced in the first two books. I would also probably introduce one new couple.

Do you ever bang your head against the wall from the dreaded writer's block? If so, how do you overcome it?
I do something else. If I can't write a scene for a book, I can always write an article. I can update my blog. I can't really force a scene when it isn't coming; I find that getting busy and doing something else is the best thing I can do for the book and for me (rather than beat myself up). One thing about having an online presence today is that there is never a shortage of tasks to be done, including a great many writing tasks. Since I write historical (regency) romance, there are always tons of subjects I can research and write about, putting them into articles for my ezine, or out there on the web.

Novelists sometimes dig themselves into a hole over implausible plots, flat characters, or a host of other problems. What's the most difficult part of writing for you (or was when you first started on your novel journey)?
I think for me the biggest challenge was to believe that I could write a novel in small increments. As a mom of five, four of whom are still home year-round (one is in college), having frequent interruptions is a fact of life. Writing takes a concentration so deep so that when I first started doing scenes, I would find myself getting woozy after standing up. I was shocked at the level of exertion it took to use my brain that hard, I guess! It happens less now--I guess I've grown accustomed to it. And I've learned to appreciate those small blocks of time. Ten minutes in a waiting room can yield a part of a scene I couldn't get done at home. Every little bit counts. I don't despise small beginnings. There are times when I'm in a deep level of involvement with a story or a character, and then getting interrupted can break the mood; but I'm getting better all the time at picking up where I left off, no matter how deeply I've got to dive to get back into the character or situation. For people like me with busy households, this is a must-have ability. I believe it can be the difference between making that deadline or not.

How did (or do) you climb out (overcome it)?
If I do get stuck at some point in the plot, I let it simmer in my mind. I also exercise--for some reason, when I am physically active, my brain gets going in a way that doesn't always happen when I'm sitting with my laptop before me. Swimming and doing the treadmill (walking) almost always result in wonderful new ideas I just can 't wait to get on paper. Sometimes, I've even had to stop walking and run to the pc just to get the idea down so I don't forget. By the way, I always pray for the right idea, too. There is no better writer than God.

The second "nifty" way to solve a plot (or other) problem in a book is to let it sit awhile without reading it. When you come back to it after a long enough interval (as long as you can give it) solutions just present themselves. I find the same thing happens to me with crossword puzzles--if I'm stuck, I put it down and when I come back to it--even an hour later--the word is there. So the key is, give yourself permission to take a break.

Some authors report writing 5-10 thousand words a day. Do scenes flow freely from your veins, or do you have to tweeze each word out?
In general, I write more than I need and later have to cut back. I don't use a word count, but I may set a goal of one chapter a day or two chapters for a busy week. Other times, I don't think in terms of chapters at all, just events. I may break an event down into four scenes, say, and so my goal for that day will be to get the whole event on paper. In other words, finish the four scenes. Life changes so rapidly with the children, that for me, a hard and fast writing goal just wouldn't work. And, I focus on results, not time spent. Instead of, "Now I'll write for three hours," I say, "Now I'll have this or that happen to a character, or, 'I'll show a different side to this person." When I have accomplished that goal, no matter how long it took, I feel satisfied, and only then.

Thanks, Linore, for spending time here at Joy in the Journey. May you have a blessed and beautiful Christmas, and find much success with your Regency series.

Better to give than to receive

I don’t know if this happens to you, but I get a lot of calls this time of year from charitable organizations asking me for money. I give as much as I can afford. Besides supporting my church and the local animal rescue group, I drop a dollar into every Salvation Army kettle I see.

I’m not telling you this to brag, I’m just making a point. So when the phone calls start coming in, I refuse most of them. Not that they aren’t worthy, just that I’m already pulled a little thin.

Jesus said it is better to give than to receive.

While Jesus never intended that we think of ourselves when we give, I want you to take a moment and do just that. How does giving make you feel? Whether you buy a bag of dog food to take to the local pound or purchase a few extra toys for the Toys for Tots barrel or stuff a dollar or ten in a red kettle, it feels absolutely wonderful to give. Try it. Even a selfish person--not that we have any here--gets an emotional surge from giving something to someone else.

You will probably never see the child who receives the toy you put into the barrel. And the dog at the shelter certainly can’t thank you for the kibble. Regardless, it feels wonderful to give.

Why do we do it then if we never receive accolades? My husband was telling me the other night about a reality show in which philanthropists go into poor neighborhoods, spend time with homeless people and then decide upon which ones to bestow $50,000. I’m sure these philanthropists are well meaning compassionate people. But I don’t think they are putting themselves out too badly. They are giving from their abundance and we've already established...

It feels wonderful to give.

Don’t think on this too long. I certainly don’t want to talk you out of giving this year. Just realize there is plenty more you have to give besides monetary gifts.

Give of yourself. Give a smile. Give the clerk at the register a break. They've dealt with enough rudeness today. Give someone your seat on the bus or the person at the grocery store with a handful of items your place in line. Give a word of kindness to everyone you come in contact with.

Do you remember that song we used to sing in Sunday School: This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.

Have you shone lately?

For it truly is better to give than to receive.

Be blessed and have a beautiful Christmas.

Taming the Tongue

Every year sparks from hot tempers or careless words start fires which consume millions of lives in beautiful relationships. Once begun, these fires move unrelenting through self-esteem and trust - nothing is safe from the fury of the tongue.

James 3:5-6
"Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body."

Our tongue has incredible power to build up and encourage - it also has an enormous ability to tear down and destroy. "But I tell you that men will have to give accouont on the day of judgment for every carless word they have spoken." (Matthew 12:36) God holds us accountable for the fires we set.

David prayed that God would "set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips." Psamlms 141:2. While this is a wise prayer, it must be seen as an absolute last line of defense - once our words escape they can almost never be fully recovered.

A much better fire prevention plan is to control the sparks at the true source. "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34. If our heart is filled with the ways of the world, our mouth will naturally speak the world's wisdom.. However, "the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." 1 Corinthians 3:19. Rather, we must fill our heart with the ways of God and allow our mouth to overflow with His wisdom. "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin agains You." Psalms 119:11.

Let's look at the results of our tongue. If there are raging fires or even smoldering embers, we must pray for healing and restoration. The damage may look severe, "but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26. We then must so fill our heart with the power of His Word that we truly "do not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths." Ephesians 4:29. Let's stop the fires. Let's begin today to fill our heart and prevent the sparks.

Merry Christmas and may you all rest in the Love and Peace that comes from our Savior.

Buy more books

I rec'd this announcement from on one of my online writers' groups and thought I would pass it along here.

How many of you are blessed to live close to an independent bookstore? How many of you know of at least one bookstore that has closed in the last three years? I know of several, some of which hosted me for book signings back in the day when I was first getting started in this business.

Now the independent bookstores need our help. Read the following message from Roy Blount, Jr., current president of Authors Guild.

"I've been talking to booksellers lately who report that times are hard. And local booksellers aren't known for vast reserves of capital, so a serious dip in sales can be devastating. Booksellers don't lose enough money, however, to receive congressional attention. A government bailout isn't in the cards.

"We don't want bookstores to die. Authors need them, and so do neighborhoods. So let's mount a book-buying splurge. Get your friends together, go to your local bookstore and have a book-buying party. Buy the rest of your Christmas presents, but that's just for starters. Clear out the mysteries, wrap up the histories, beam up the science fiction! Round up the westerns, go crazy for self-help, say yes to the university press books! Get a load of those coffee-table books, fatten up on slim volumes of verse, and take a chance on romance!

"There will be birthdays in the next twelve months; books keep well; they're easy to wrap: buy those books now. Buy replacements for any books looking raggedy on your shelves. Stockpile children's books as gifts for friends who look like they may eventually give birth. Hold off on the flat-screen TV and the GPS (they'll be cheaper after Christmas) and buy many, many books. Then tell the grateful booksellers, who by this time will be hanging onto your legs begging you to stay and live with their cat in the stockroom: "Got to move on, folks. Got some books to write now. You see...we're the Authors Guild."

"Enjoy the holidays."

Roy Blount Jr.
President
Authors Guild
*********************************
Blount then sent this "P.S." to the above:
"The Guild's staff informs me that many of you are writing to ask whether you can forward and post my holiday message encouraging orgiastic book-buying. Yes! Forward! Yes! Post! Sound the clarion call to every corner of the Internet: Hang in there, bookstores! We're coming! And we're coming to buy!..."

Motivation for the task ahead.

I managed to lose ten percent of my body weight in 2008 using nothing more then sheer determination and self discipline. Now if I could only apply that to my writing.

Seems my motivation to finish a project is always lagging this time of year. There is so much else that needs done, I can’t find the inspiration to spend any time writing. Shame on me. I have so much to do and need to get cracking.

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.” Zig Ziglar; motivational speaker

Makes sense doesn't it? The secret to staying consistent with your goals, whatever they are, is to stay motivated. That means finding ways to fire yourself up on a daily basis. Being inspired at a seminar, by reading a book, or while talking to a dynamic speaker is easy. But what happens when you're on your own?

To follow through on that burst of motivation and reach the finish line, you need regular booster shots. Give yourself those little positive reminders that you have an important job to do and a good reason for doing it. What's pushing you? Surround yourself with visual, verbal, and physical "pep talks" that trigger that motive. It doesn't take long for dust to gather on your momentum, making your goals turn stale. A daily dose of motivation kicks off the dust before it can settle and gives you a fresh, clean start.

Just because you have a houseful of company coming and cookies to bake for a classroom party tomorrow morning or gifts to wrap and cards to send, doesn't mean you should set your goals aside. Whatever you see yourself doing in 2009 or 2020, get to work now.

Billy Blanks, my Taebo guru, always says; "Where I am today is where my mind put me. Where I'll be tomorrow is where my mind put me."

My mind wants to put me on a bestseller list in 2009. What about you? Where do you want to be tomorrow?

Happy writing.

Tis the season--for remakes

If you’ve ever thought of putting pen to paper, you’ve probably heard it said before; there’s nothing new under the sun. Trying to come up with an original idea in fiction is a fruitless pursuit. Anything you come up with has been done to death.

Case in point: TV movies. Just how many remakes or variations of It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle of 34th Street can they make? How many are we viewers willing to watch?

And then there are Christmas carols. I happen to be one of those people who could listen to carols year round. I love them. Some more than others to be sure. Some are exhausting; like Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer. I’m not a big fan of Jingle Bells either. But there are many others I could hear over and over again.

With Christmas carols, as in movies remakes, much of it depends on the interpretation of the subject matter. Who is better suited to sing Blue Christmas than Elvis himself? I think all others who throw their hats in the ring should be shot. This includes the latest songstress whose version was released this week. Okay, maybe not shot. I don’t want to endorse violence. How about a firm reprimand or coal in her stocking?

Everyone who’s ever won a recording contract has tried their hand at White Christmas, Winter Wonderland, I’ll be Home for Christmas. I happen to prefer Joe Nichols version of the last one and nobody can do Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy as well as Travis Tritt.

I suppose imitation is the highest form of flattery. Frank Capra and Elvis should be pleased their work has endured all these years. Maybe they are even more pleased to know there are some things you just can’t improve upon.

Even though there are no original ideas to be found, let us keep working to make the interpretation of our stories original. After all, no one can tell your story the way you can. Just like no one can belt out Blue Christmas like Elvis, nor should they try.

Three Ugly Truths of Novel Writing

This probably would've been more helpful when so many of you were joining the November Novel Writing Month Challenge. Nevertheless I found this at sean.co.uk. by UK author and freelance journalist Sean McManus, and thought it bore repeating.

So here it is five weeks late but something to think about.

Three ugly truths of novel writing

If you're going to write a novel, you need to accept three ugly truths.

The first is that you're not writing a bestseller. If your goal is to get rich, you're better off spending your time doing a paper route and buying lottery tickets with the money. In the UK alone, 130,000 new books are published annually. That means that there are 356 new books every day. Maybe you'll strike it lucky. But the odds are stacked so overwhelmingly against you. The only good reason to write a novel is that you'll enjoy it. It's not worth being a tortured artist in the hope you'll get a payday at the end.

The second ugly truth is that writing is hard work. It takes dedication to complete a book. If you're writing a story of 100,000 words, you'll need to write about 2000 words every week for a year. I'm not saying your book should be that long. Publishing formats (including online) are much more flexible nowadays. But you do need to be sure you can commit the time necessary to finish the kind of book you want to write.

The third bad tiding is that you're going to waste a lot of time. You'll need to rewrite scenes as your story evolves. You'll probably want to re-do earlier bits, as you get to know the characters better and improve your writing skills. You might spend a weekend writing a chapter you delete outright. Sometimes you have to write a scene to see whether it works or not. I don't think anything from the first three months of writing (perhaps more) survived into my final story. And that is very much a good thing. If you can't accept you'll waste time, you'll find it hard to delete stuff that really should go.

Once you accept those truths, you have absolute creative freedom. You don't have to conform to traditional notions of what kind of books sell. You don't have to meet anyone's deadlines but your own. And you can write whatever you like. If you'll enjoy writing it, write it.

You can publish online in a range of formats, including print-on-demand paper books and ebooks. Your book will definitely be published if you want it to be. Write for the fun of it, and have faith that you can get your story into circulation at the end.

You might not have millions of readers, but you will have a wonderful experience. Enjoy the journey.

I especially agree with the last statement. Enjoy the journey, folks. There is joy to be found there.

Have a wonderful writing weekend.

Before the Season Ends

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce readers to my friend and fellow writer, Linore Rose Burkard. Linore is the creator of “Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul.” Her characters take you back in time to experience life and love during the era of Regency England (circa 1811 – 1820). Fans of classic romances, such as Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and Sense & Sensibility, will enjoy meeting Ariana Forsythe, a feisty heroine who finds her heart and beliefs tested by high-society London.

Linore's first novel, Before the Season Ends was released this month, and will be the subject of an exciting contest on Christmas Day. You have to check back later in the month for all the details.

Ms. Burkard’s novels include Before the Seasons Ends and The House in Grosvenor Square (coming April, 2009). Her stories blend Christian faith and romance with well-researched details from the Regency period. Her books and monthly newsletter captivate readers with little-known facts, exciting stories, and historical insights. Experience a romantic age, where timeless lessons still apply to modern life. And, enjoy romance that reminds us happy endings are possible for everyone.

Publisher’s Weekly affirms, “Ms. Burkard’s command of period detail is impressive, evident in material details, but also in dialogue. Her novels even help non-Regencyphiles learn the difference between ladies’ pelisses and spencers…On the whole, it’s a tasty confection.”

Ms. Burkard began writing when she couldn’t find a Regency romance with an inspirational twist. “There were Christian books that approached the genre,” she says, “But, they fell short of being a genuine Regency. I knew that many women like me want stories that are historically authentic and offer glimpses of God’s involvement in our lives. So, I finally gave up looking and decided to write one myself."

Ms. Burkard was raised in New York, where she graduated magna cum laude from the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. She lives with her husband and five children in a town full of antique stores and gift shops in southwestern Ohio. Her hobbies include working on four new Regency novels, family movie nights, swimming, and gardening.

Before the Season Ends is available from Amazon or ChristianBooks.com or by visiting your local bookstore.