Surprise! You've Got a Few More Days

We at Mormon Mommy Writers want the best for our readers, and because of that, we want to give you all the opportunity to fulfill your writing dreams.

Or at least enter our contest and perhaps have your work published in our next anthology. Wouldn't that be awesome?

So if you think you've missed the deadline, think again. We are EXTENDING THE CONTEST DEADLINE BY ONE (1) WEEK!

Here's the official posting from our Facebook page:

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT!!! We are extending the contest deadline ONE MORE WEEK! Entries are now due next Friday, September 7th. We are accepting stories, essays, or poetry about being a Mormon, a mommy, or a writer! For more information, click on the “Contest” tab on our blog page (www.mormonmommywriters.blogspot.com)

Use the long weekend and polish those masterpieces! This is your chance to get KNOWN and PUBLISHED! (and yes, this deadline extension is God’s way of telling you that you need to enter the contest) So do it! Do it now!!! :-)

 The contest tab is at the top of this page, so get clicking and get submitting. The last anthology was a ton of fun, and I think filled with brilliant work, so I know we would LOVE to see your submissions!

You Just Can't Please Everyone

I read two books last month that really got me thinking.

1. The first book quickly captured my attention and held on till the end.  I enjoyed the twist, I pined for the characters trials and misfortunes.  Once finished, I got onto Goodreads to see what other people thought of the novel.  I was surprised to find that the reception was quite icy - with a few exceptions, most of the comments were nasty, nit picky and perhaps unnecessarily vicious.  While I agree it wasn't the next great American novel, I thought it was very well done.

2. The second book was one whose back cover blurb had won me over.  It was one of those books that was so bad, I'm surprised I actually finished - the editing was atrocious, the characters were shallow, whiny and inconsistent (one moment they praised a certain idea, the next they shunned it, back and forth, like the author couldn't make up their mind how the characters actually felt), and the worst part - the ending was a cheat!  I think it was meant to be a twist, but turned out to be a cliche and unsatisfying way to end a story.  I was sure that Goodreads reviews would agree with me.  Once again I was surprised - most commenters were singing the book's praises.  In fact, out of over 100 reviews, I was only able to find one that agreed with my opinion - the others just didn't jive with the story.

I'm sure that you have had experiences just like this one.  I think it goes to show that there is no such thing as a perfect book.  Different stories speak to different people.  Even Harry Potter has it's haters, I'm sure.

What does that have to do with you?

For the month of August I've been encouraging you (and motivating myself) to D.E.W. - drop everything and write.  To close off the challenge, I wanted to leave you with some encouragement.

Forget the cynics.  Forget the fans.  Forget the comments and reviews.  In the end, they really don't matter.  You can't please everyone, so don't write for them.

Write for you, because you can't see your life without the written word.  That's why we make the sacrifices we do - giving up sleep or television - to breathe life into characters and build worlds, or question society.  In the end, you will have lovers of your words and haters of your words.  That's the cold hard facts.

But more importantly, if you truly feel the calling to be a writer, you will be happy.

So write on, my friends, write on!

Longhand vs. Computer

This post will be brief because I am using my phone to write this post. My laptop recently bit the dust and my 13 year old son does an online charter school, so he uses the desktop all day for school. Then when the other kids get home from school the all need the computer for something, especially my 16 year old who is taking a couple of college courses. Needless to say, my actual computer time these days is limited at best, some days nonexistent.
So to keep from giving up writing all together, I've resorted to 40 cent composition notebooks and a decent pen. (Try those "InkJoy" pens!!) It's driving me crazy, but I'm still writing, just not at the pace I'd like.
So here's the question of the day: computer or longhand, and why?

Shine up your Apples it is Back to School

It is that time of year.  Many of you have children whoa re already back in school.  Some will have children returning to school in the next few weeks. Next month I enter into the mix of having a child in school.  My little Princess is starting kindergarten.  I know that with kids in school schedules can get hectic with extracurricular activities and all. 

With this being my initiation into the entire process, I am curious how this will effect my writing time.  What should I plan for?  I put a poll in the side bar.  I would love it if you have time to participate just to help me out.  Or just leave any of your thoughts in the comments.

Sacrament Talks Part 3

If you missed the first two parts of this series, be sure to go back and check out Part 1 and Part 2.

So far you’ve focused your topic, created an organized outline, fleshed it out with an introduction, main body, attention-getter, and conclusion- What’s left? you may ask.

Well, for all intents and purposes, your talk is written, but there are a few more bits of business to attend to before you take your seat on the stand.

It’s All About Timing

Once you feel comfortable with the content of your talk, give it a good read-through out loud and time it. If you’re like me, this will take several tries because as you’re reading it you will keep stopping to edit- that’s okay, just make sure you get an accurate time! Be sure to actually read it out loud, though- you might think you’re reading at a normal pace in your head, but that may not necessarily be true. 

After your timed read-through, you can go back and add or subtract as needed. When you’re done, your talk will be just right and you can avoid the tacky sideways glances at the clock and the, “How’m I doing on time?” comment.

Make it You

One thing you’ll discover as you read aloud is that there may be several areas where you are stumbling over your words. As writers, we often write in a “voice” that’s different from how we speak- we may use more complicated syntax and vocabulary than we typically use in normal conversation. It’s okay to throw a few big words in there- you do want to sound like you know what you’re talking about, after all- but it's important that your talk is written in your own voice or else it will sound like you’re reading it.

You’re thinking, Wait, I am reading it. 

This is true, but it doesn’t need to sound like it!

Practice Makes Perfect

If you don’t want to sound like you’re reading off of something you’ve written, then practice is essential! Reading it out loud for time is one thing, but practicing for presentation is different. Print off your talk (big font, double-spaced to make it nice and easy to read- and don’t forget page numbers!!!) and get yourself in front of a mirror. Practice looking up at your audience periodically. 

Run through it several times so that the words come easily and naturally to you. You won’t be able to memorize a 10-minute talk, but practicing it out loud a few times will at least train your brain and mouth to get the words out more smoothly. As you go, make notes of points you might want to say with more emphasis,  change any lingering verbal stumbling blocks (ex: if “consequentially” doesn’t roll off the tongue, go with “as a result”), and get comfortable with your own words.

Did You Think to Pray?

Last but most definitely not least, that Sunday morning before your big day make absolutely sure you pray. Be open to inspiration even at this late stage in the game- I was once inspired to totally ditch my talk and bear my testimony instead!! Just take a few deep breaths, trust in the Lord, know that you have given Him your best and pray that the words you say will be the words He wants your audience to hear. 

I’ll leave you with a poem from the book I’ve been working on, “The Grocery Store Under My Bed and 50 More Fun Poems for LDS Kids”. This one is called, “I Have to Give a Talk Today”.

I have to give a talk today.

I feel a little scared.

My mother helped me write it,

But I still don’t feel prepared.

I practiced with stuffed animals-

My kangaroo and owl.

I really doubt that it’s the same

As speaking to a crowd.

In my mind I see me trip

As I walk to the stand;

Those faces staring up at me,

My trembling shaky hands.

My knees will knock, my brow will sweat.

Now I can barely breathe!

I open up my mouth to talk,

But I can’t even speak!

I know there’s something I forgot-

Wait, what’s that you say?

Oh, yes, you’re right. Silly me!

I forgot to pray! 

Did you find this series helpful at all? Do you think you’ll use my tips next time you have to write a talk? What are your tips for writing a good talk? I’d love to read your comments!

My Love/Hate Relationship

   A couple weeks ago I spent the weekend writing.  It was my turn to work on our WIP and I was so excited.  My word bees were buzzing in my brain and I was ready to go.  My husband was out of town so as soon as I put my girls to bed I stationed myself at my computer and typed the night away.  Shortly after midnight I clicked "save" for the hundredth time and said good night to my WIP.  I was so happy with what I had done.  I had read through our WIP, done some editing, and typed over 1,000 words of new story.  I felt I had made some serious progress on a portion of our story that had, up to this point, been left as a big gaping hole in our timeline. 
   The next day we had a storm blow in and our power was out for most of the morning.  Around lunch time when our power came back on I sat down at my computer expecting to see those glorious words waiting for me.  However, I could not find them.  I could not find the document.  It was gone.  I searched every nook and cranny of my computer and was unable to find it.  I was devastated and felt sick to my stomach.  All I could do was ask myself over and over "Where could it be?  How could it disappear?"  I know the obvious answer would be, "Well, did you save it?"  I sure did.  Over and over.  See, I am kinda paranoid about losing any tidbit I type (go figure) so I am constantly clicking the save button any time I finish a paragraph. 
   With a heavy heart I texted my sister to let her know what happened.  She told me that maybe this was a good thing, that perhaps the next time I type it up it would come out even better.  I was doubtful.  I had been so happy with it the way I had typed it.  I found myself cursing this stupid technology for letting me down.  How could this technology that, up to this point, had been so reliable and something I really have a fondness for let me down in such a way?  I was so frustrated.  I guess maybe I have a harder time accepting loss than I thought, but I was completely bummed.  Over the next few days I tried to sit down and recreate the scene I had written but, whether because of my sulky mentality, or my muse was still on summer vacation I struggled to come up with anything I could compareto my previous segment. 
   I'm still working on bringing back those words and the overall picture I had created.  I am hopeful that it will all come together in the end. 
   Have any of you lost chunks of your work?  How did you manage?  Were you happy with the outcome in spite of the loss?

Saturday So What: Why can't I be you?

In case you haven't noticed, my writing style is very conversational and mass market.  I don't have a literary hair on my head. Or on my legs for that matter.

But I long to write the flowing lovely sentiments and imagery that a friend of mine does. Her writing is stunning and deep and ...ugh... and I can't even come up with the right words here. When I had the opportunity recently to write a personal essay about a lesson I had learned from one of my kiddos, I saw it as a chance to strut my serious side. I was gonna make the reader cry, darn'it. I poured over my words, spending hours to find just the right line. For example, "inflicting my pain on the cold and unyielding earth". Yeah, you can probably guess how well it was received in my writer's group.

The central conceit behind my essay was just fine, but the flow was stilted and I was leading my reader to the emotion by the nose. All in an attempt to write like this other girl. Flash forward to me attempt  a few weeks later. I had an idea, it took me 45 minutes to write the 1200 word essay, and I just let the words flow out in my natural narrative voice. This time it was well received. I have a few chuckles and few tears without searching for the flowery or "ensign" words to insert. Just me.

So here's the lesson I took away from this exercise.  I may love the operatic sopranos, but I am firmly an alto. And if I tried to squeak out Ave Maria, everyone would cover their ears. But I can sing something lovely in my own register, something uniquely me. Same goes with writing. As an author, I have to stick with my own voice. I can appreciate and admire yours, but if I try to emulate it, everyone will cover their eyes.

So whether you write fiction or non, romance or YA, revel and celebrate your own unique style. Don't try to be Dickens, or Rowling, or Twilight. It will always be a pale imitation. Instead shine and create a new original  that others will long to be.



Come visit Smashing Stories for another excerpt from Finished being Fat. "Ghosts of Fat Past"
Don't forget... less than a week to get your contest entries in!!

Great News!

First of all, The Tyrant King is available in paperback! Check out the shiny new Amazon PAGE!

Ok, now that that's out of the way. :D

I'm overflowing with new writing ideas lately, and I'm really happy to have time Saturday night to actually write. So I want to know what everyone is working on. Feel free to chime in and leave in a comment what your current project is.

Ready? Go!

Short Quotes from Short Stories on Thinking Big About Writing

I've been studying the art form that is the short story, and writing a few here and there throughout the summer months.  One of the books called "The Art and Craft of the Short Story" by Rick DeMarinis had some really good points in a section he calls The Essential Habit - A Pep Talk.  I'm going to share some with you:

"In order to write, you must write.  That's the Big Secret.  You've got to sit down at a given time every day and make sentences.  Even if you don't feel like it.  Especially if you don't feel like it."

"Don't make the mistake of thinking that you need more favorable circumstances, that you'll start writing when your life changes for the better, or when you retire."

"The problem is you're thinking of writing as a purely intelluectual process: exceptional ideas captured in deathless prose.  But in reality, the composition of fiction is more of a physical process.  You've got to put your hands on the keyboard, you've got to punch the keys with your determined fingers until words begin to collect."

The idea isn't new or original.  I've heard it said in similar ways from countless experienced authors.  However, it is nice to be given a reminder from time to time.  If you like what he has to say, go check out his book.

And then, use the nuggets of inspiriation you find to compose your own entry into the MMW Contest - there's only one week left.

That's your D.E.W assignment this week.  See you next Thrusday!

Living Christlike in an UnChristlike World

In the gospel we are taught, especially as women, to be nice. To be kind and considerate and gentle with the feelings of others. It's the GOLDEN RULE, it's CHARITY, it's the pure love of Christ that we are learning to emulate.

My 8 year old daughter is the kind of person who is needy for attention, but full of love and affection for others. In fact, she almost embodies perfectly the golden rule, or "treat others how you wish to be treated". So even though she demands lots of attention from those around her and is quick to find offense, she is quick to see the needs of others and to serve them. She loves making friends, and for the most part is good at keeping them because she is so giving.

We live in a semi rural area, and neighbors are few and far between. The two neighbors we do have, however, have children that ride the bus. One is an angry sixth grader who comes from a split family with multiple remarriages and a much older step brother (that she loathes). We were friendly with her, and she and my 8 year old played together a little when we first moved in. But as often happens when one child is 7 and the other is 11, those friendships don't last long.

The other neighbor has three children that ride the bus, and though I haven't quite figured out their family situation, I think it involves multiple families living in the same house, so one of the children is a cousin rather than a sibling. They moved in after us, and their children came over to play a little, but when it turned out that they didn't care about playing with my children, just our Xbox, and coming over late in the evening just to play it, I limited their visits, and eventually they stopped. I felt bad about it, but they were just old enough that they would overwhelm my younger children into acting in inappropriate ways and I wasn't okay with that.

A couple of days ago my daughter came home from school complaining that the neighbor kids were not being nice to her at the bus stop.  This isn't the first time she's complained about them. And at first I put it down to her oversensitivity, and counseled her to ignore them and just do her own thing with her two brothers also at the stop. But I also started taking them a few minutes later so there would be less time for any harassment. Just in case.

But she tries to be friends with everyone, and doesn't understand that not everyone is that way. So yesterday morning as I took them to the stop I sat in my car around the corner to wait until the bus comes, I overheard my daughter try to engage the other girl about her age, trying to clear up an apparent misunderstanding she'd had with them. She had told me that they were giving her a hard time about how "late" we come to the bus stop. (We get there five minutes before instead of the recommended ten.) As an adult I understood that it could have been an honest question that she took awry, or it could have been something for them to pick on her about.

So when I heard her ask the other girl if she wanted to know why we didn't get there as early as they did, I waited to hear the answer. It came as the other girl walked by in the wake of the 6th grader. She glanced back at my daughter with a disdainful look and a shouted "We don't care!" Then she and the older girl laughed.

My daughter watched them go, her sad confusion obvious in the slump of her shoulders. In her innocence she thought that if she cleared up the misunderstanding it would mean they could be friends. She didn't understand why they were so unkind. It would never occur to her to act that way.

I'll admit, I was sorely tempted to jump out of my car and go all "Momma Bear", but the bus came at that moment and there was nothing to be done but watch my now wounded 8 year old climb on the bus and wave at me as the bus went by.

As I drove home, fuming, I wondered how I was going to help this sensitive and kind daughter keep that gift of charity she has in abundance when the world around her is saying "only the hardhearted survive". I can't protect her from every mean person in the world, but I don't want her to lose that Christlike quality she has. That desire to please people can lead her down the wrong path if not properly trained, and I'm a little panicky at the image of her at 16, still trying to please her peers. (You get unexpected grandchildren that way.)

I'm still too close to the situation to have any answers, so I'm putting it out there to you: How do you teach your children to be kind, to 'turn the other cheek' without being a doormat? How do you help them draw the line between serving and servitude?