Guest Blogger -- Rebecca J. Carlson

Small Things With Great Love

I used to dream of writing a great book. I wanted to be like Madeline L'Engle or Gail Carson Levine and win the Newbery with my first novel.

That ambition served me to a point. I worked hard, learned the craft, and demanded quality writing from myself. But aspiring to glory had a high cost.

When I think I have to be a great writer, it splits my artist's soul into two parts, one part pretending that I am great and the other part afraid that I'm no good at all. The higher my false image of my greatness, the deeper becomes my fear.

How can I write anything honestly while I suffer from this double-vision? It makes it hard to see my work clearly and to take comments from readers. Sometimes I can't get a single sentence down on the paper because I feel it has to be brilliant the first time it comes out. Even worse, this fear and this pretense makes it hard to enjoy reading because I compare myself to the other writer, trying to prove I'm better but afraid I'm not.

So I no longer want to write a great book. As Mother Teresa said, "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love."

My new goal - to write a small book with great love. If I write a book not because I have to prove anything, but as an act of love and sharing, then all the fear and pretense go away. I can enjoy writing, enjoy reading what I write, enjoy reading what other people write, and celebrate everyone's success as we use the divine spark of creativity that is in us. Because of all the wonderful books I've read, and all the time and love the writers put in to creating them, I want to give too. I want to write my own small books with great love.

-Rebecca J. Carlson

Guest Blogger--Sarah M. Eden

Sarah is in my ANWA writer's group that meets once a month. She gave a great lesson about self-publishing and I asked if she could guest blog it for us. She has self-published about 9? books. You can find her books on Amazon.com I have read "Seeking Persephone" that was nominated for a Whitney Award. I couldn't put the book down. I definately recommend her books. She also has good news. Because her self-published book was nominated for a Whitney Award, she was able to meet someone that introduced her to an editor, who just bought a new manuscript of hers. I will be sure to update you on when her new book will be out. So when it comes to self-publishing, Sarah knows her stuff. For more info check out her website at http://www.sarahmeden.com/
--Nikki

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing:
the ultimate literary smack-down

In this corner, the odds-on favorite and reigning heavy-weight champion of the literary world, Traditional “Big Guns” Publishing. “Big Guns” looks confident and strong, boasting an impressive arsenal of industry weaponry:
Established relationships with distributors, retailers, reviewers and prestigious publications
In-house publicity, marketing, design and editing staff
The financial resources to completely fund the release of new titles
Lower creation costs
Higher profile and visibility
Total Street Cred

In the other corner, our under-dog and the publishing method voted “Most Likely to be Shoved into a Locker,” Self- “I Get No Respect” Publishing. S-P has a few unexpected strengths hidden in its scrawny limbs:
Complete author control of design, editing and final product
Newer technologies to keep the costs lower – Print-on-demand, e-books
Faster turn-over time
An excellent fit for works with a limited audience (family histories, cookbooks, poetry, etc.)
Absolutely no authors are ever cruelly rejected by a self-publisher

This is shaping up to be the match of the century. Of course, no commentary would be complete without a little suspense thrown in to heighten the drama. Just for kicks, let's examine the weaknesses of self-publishing. After all, what's the point of having such an obvious underdog if we can't rub a little salt into its fresh, painful wounds?Self- “I Get No Respect” Publishing continues to jump into the ring time and time again despite some obvious drawbacks to its role in the industry.

Books that are self-published are almost immediately dismissed and nearly always looked down on by the members of the “Big Guns” entourage.
Without professional editors/designers/marketers, self-published books often look “amateurish” and will inevitably have more typos, some snarky and up-tight reviewers will take exception to this – not that the announcer knows personally
Price is always higher per unit and often makes retail sales unprofitable if not impossible
Sales of self-published books do count as a previous sales record for an author and can be detrimental to an author's attempts to eventually defect to the “Big Guns” side of the arena
Constant abandonment by fans and supporters who know that any real career advancement lies with the champ
Self-published authors spend long hours devising clever ways to make them appear traditionally published without having to resort to actually lying about it.

So, fight fans, grab your soda and popcorn and that enormous foam finger that seems such an essential part of any sporting event and settle-in for the end-all grudge match. Who will be crowned the winner, and who will walk away in defeat?

-- "If I don't write to empty my mind, I go mad." -Lord Byron

Trusting the Lord

I've been thinking on how to write this post for over two weeks. I have had several things happen to me during the past three weeks which have funneled my mindset to putting my faith a little more in my Heavenly Father.

What if I get rejected by an agent? Or by a senior editor that requests unagented manuscripts? What then? I tremble with the thought!

I know this for sure--if it is rejected, it is not meant to be. My Father in Heaven has something else in mind. And that something else is always better. He knows what is best for me.

Just as with everyday life, when we find ourselves drowning in our dregs, what better cure than service? This can be applied to our writing.

For now, I have lost my muse. She has gone on a long vacation. I prayed about it. I have fasted over it. I have asked for Priesthood blessings.

I received an answer.

I can help others with their writing and finish my editing course. It's okay to set aside my creating for now, though it makes my heart drop. I must trust the Lord and follow Him.

I know He as something in mind for me.

How do you cope with rejection? Muse negligence? Even required rewrites!

Rah, Rah, Sis-Boom-Bah! Keep Writing!

Over Labor day weekend I was able to spend some time with my brother and sisters who live in the area. While we had a lot of fun swimming and barbequeing, we had a lot of time to chit chat as well. Each of them asked me seperately about my writing, and my current WIP. They showed a lot of interest in it, and talking to them about it got me thrilled about it again. It was exciting to be able to update them on all the progress I've made since the last time we talked. It made me realize that talking to people who show interest in my writing can be a great motivator!

So keep writing! Just a page a day can make all the difference. Or a paragraph. Or a sentence. Just get it out there!

Don't we all need our own cheerleading squad? Who makes up your personal support team?

I'm HERE!!!!

Howdy everybody! And thank you for your patience with me!

I'm here. My wonderful hubby and I just celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary on Wednesday--the same day we were up in Utah house hunting and stumbled across our dream home! Yay! Hopefully it all works out, because this home is in the beautiful Pleasant Grove area--with an awesome temple just a few minutes away! YAY! To be this close to a temple is surreal! I'm just freaking out excited actually!

The Lord is just too darn good to us.

I'm back in Farmington, NM now, and my hubby, Mark, heads back up to Utah (provo) monday. He starts as an Air Force recruiter this next week at BYU. I will be moving up with the kids in October, after the first quarter of school is over here. Eventually we'll all be able to be a happy family again. Just wanted to give an update of my life and to let you all know, I'm breathing and alive--i think! ACK! It's just been crazy here! But look! I can post! Life IS Good! LOL!

Jenni

The Waiting is the Worst

I finished my latest bout of editing on my novel last Saturday and sent it off to my prospective editor. Now I find myself with little ambition to return to the computer. I've tried several different things, but find myself thinking and wondering how my manuscript is being received. I can't seem to get my mind off it. I don't want to move on to book two until I know that book one is okay and I can't get enthused about starting something else. I'm bored!

So, tell me what you would do in this situation. I could use some ideas.

Appreciation

Hug a writer. Buy a book. Nathan Bransford declared it Writer Appreciation week this week, and quite frankly if Nathan Bransford says it, it must be. My purchases this week were: "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins and "A Great and Terrible Beauty" by Libba Bray. Haven't started either of them because I'm using them as my reward for finishing my WIP. I'm just 6,000 words away. Must. Finish.

And to all you writers out there: I appreciate you. (Now, write more so I have good things to read.) :)

Guest Blogger--Melissa Mitchell

I am a 29 year old stay at home mama to 4 crazy kids. I'm married to a super hunky fabulous husband, and I like to write. No, wait, love it. I'm not published, I don't have a hidden novel I've written under my bed, I just like to write blogs. I must not be getting enough laughs at home, because I love to write my crazy stories and have my virtual friends respond to them. You can catch me at http://www.glamazonmormonmom.blogspot.com/.

Sometimes I want to Punch People in the Face
Particularly when I am shopping. Shopping at WalMart, of course. The place I dread going, but always end up there at least once a week. Oh WalMart, I just can't quit you, with your low low prices and parking lot solicitations. (Hey, you wanna buy some tamales? Who goes to WalMart to buy tamales in the parking lot?)
Yesterday, while on my 21st diaper change, I realized the older babies were out of diapers. After securing a babysitter, I went to the store, that's right, all by myself. I am such a big girl. Of course I could never just walk away with diapers, there are so many things I need to buy. It was time for me to get some clinical strength deo for my BO (which was previously mentioned here, and is in no way a personal reflection on my rapidly decaying body, but moreso a way to blame my children for anything that is wrong with me-aren't I the best mom?)
I waited in an unbelievably long line to buy my super saver items, during which a group of young men cut in line right in front of me (I think they were the guys trying to sell me the tamales) during which I told them that was rude...in my mind. Of course I just sat there fuming and bought myself a Reese's...see how good I am at dealing with anger?
Anyway. I get up to the checker, and find out why the line is moving soooo slowly. The cashier, oh, let's call her Shannon* has been inspecting each product that happens to cross her path. I'm doing alright with her slow, methodical and maddening method, until she picks up the deodorant. She scans it, stops, looks at me and says, "That is expensive deodorant." She stands there, staring at me like I'm crazy. I say quickly, "I know. That's okay." She continues, "Wow. reallyexpensive. For deodorant?" The man behind me in line clears his throat, as she continues to hold the deodorant, nodding her head in disbelief. "Yes. That's okay." She looks at me for another 30 seconds, and I am wondering if she is going to let me buy the deodorant, obviously I am going to need to clear my 'larger' purchases with her. I wait for 10 more minutes while she scans my remaining 5 items, and then go to pay for my purchases. Like an idiot, I use a credit card, so she will have to check my ID. She looks at the picture on my driver's license, looks at me, looks back at the license, looks at me again, and says, "Wow. You look different." Thank you, Shannon. I do realize that I am here with no makeup on and sopping wet hair, buying ridiculously expensive deodorant to cover up my stinky mommy smell, that I have put on a few lbs in the past few years, and that one day I may well be pretty again, but for the time being I have four children- three of them ages two and under-waiting for me at home, and if you don't give me my dang groceries I am going to go mama bear on your you know what and you will be sorry you ever messed with me.
Whew.
Of course, that was just what I said in my mind. Instead, I left with a stupid smile on my face telling her to have a nice day. I think I have anger management issues.

Return to Innocence...

Remember the first time you ever finished your first paragraph? Page? Chapter? Novel? How exciting it was to create such a fantastic world of wonderful characters that meant everything to you?

Now with so many voices pulling you left and right from alpha readers, editors, form letters of rejection, so on and so forth, the art may feel a little tarnished. Maybe? Just a little?

Be honest.

Personally, I believe I have hit a speed bump. The little writer in me has tasted the 'real world' of writing and now she feels timid. She has lost her way and needs to be reminded the very reason why she started writing way back when.

This has never happened to me (and I have been writing for over ten years!). I've had many blessings, prayed many times, fasted. Read many books in between. You name it. I know the magic is still flowing around in there somewhere, I can sense its taunting presence. But lately, it has been very hard for me to recapture it and forge it into a single word!

I believe my muses have packed up their bags and gone on vacation! No! Don't leave me!

Has this ever happened to you? How did you deal with the void? What did you do to recapture your magic?

Original or Rewrite?

Ever notice how all romance stories have the same plot? Okay, okay, I know... not ALL of them. But a lot of them do.

Let me illustrate: Girl meets boy. Girl falls in love with boy. Boy has secret that he doesn't know how to tell girl without her getting mad at him, so he doesn't tell her. Girl finds out boy's secret inadvertantly and gets mad at him. Boy begs for forgiveness. They live happily ever after.

Here are a few examples: You've Got Mail, Hitch, My Super Ex-Girlfirend, While you were Sleeping (okay, in those two it's the girl who has the secret), A Walk in the Clouds, and High School Musical to name just a few.

Do you think plots in general are overdone? Or do you think good stories should be written and rewritten as long as people keep enjoying them? What about you? Do you enjoy rewrites of the same version of a story? Or do you think every plot should be an original artistic creation? And if so, how do you go about creating a story that's completely original?