The Bore with Backstory

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I’m learning new things about novel-writing every day. One of the most valuable is, how important the beginning of a story is. I’ve always be attracted to writing the things that I would love to read – the kinds of stories, I mean. For example, I love reading inspirational romance, and so I’m writing stories of inspirational romance that, if I were a reader, I would love to read.

As a reader, I am easily bored. If a book doesn’t capture me from the beginning, I have a hard time continuing. I do try my best to give the book a shot, and rarely do I ever stop mid-book and return it to the shelf; however, occasionally, a book can be so slow that I will find myself daydreaming instead of reading. Have you ever done that while reading a boring book, or it is just me? Maybe I’m just weird.

When I began my first novel, I was so eager to get the book onto paper that I poured out too much backstory in the first couple of chapters. This is a pretty common mistake for new writers. I have since edited my story so that it begins with a little more action and mystery. The backstory is now scattered throughout the book so that the reader gets enough information as they go to keep from being confused about what is going on, but at the same time, they aren’t able to predict what is about to happen next.

This balance of backstory can be hard to do correctly. Part of being able to connect with the characters of a book is knowing who they are and where they’ve been, but if the writer gives everything away at the beginning, what is going to keep the reader reading? A story with too much backstory is like a long, straight road to somewhere you've never been. You have no idea what you're missing, so you question if the trip is worth it. If the story is a romance, the reader is eager for the romance to begin – the sooner the better. This means that the hero and heroine should meet in the first chapter, and probably within the first couple of pages, if possible. 

An agent once told me, in an early rejection, that she liked my writing, but would have loved to seen the beginning start with more action. She suggested taking a scene from the “meat” of the manuscript and then bringing the reader back to the beginning. This may not always be an option, but the point she was making is that the story has to be able to capture the reader from the get-go.

Do you have trouble balancing backstory? Does your story begin with enough action to captivate the reader?

Are You Waiting For The Call?

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One of many things that writers, including myself, look forward to while traveling the long and trying journey to publication is The Call. We dream about it, prepare for it, look forward to it, and anxiously anticipate it. But should we be waiting for it?

I say, no.

Along this journey I have learned that time is going to elapse regardless, and it’s important to always be preparing and anticipating the next move toward your goals. I received the, renowned, call over a year ago. Although I was very ecstatic to receive a call from an agent, it wasn’t exactly what I had expected.

I had done my research, so I knew that the call didn’t always mean I’d be offered representation on the spot; however, I hadn’t expecting to continue working with that agent without a guarantee for representation over a year later. You might be thinking, why would you waste your time?

Well, for one, I believe my particular situation is unique since my manuscript is being considered for a specific book series. In addition, I have researched the agency facilitating my proposal for this project, and I trust that they are honorable and looking out for my best interest, as well as theirs.

In most other cases, I would say it probably isn’t wise to invest so much time into revising, editing, and, in some instances, completely changing your manuscript without a contract with an agent. But even more importantly, it isn’t wise to sit and wait.

If you’ve sent out a handful of query letters, if an agent has requested to see your full manuscript, or if you’re waiting on an editor to approve you manuscript for publication, don’t wait for the call. You’ve heard the saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” What if the call never comes? What if the call isn’t really the call? Instead of waiting, keep writing, and anticipate the call to come when the time is right. It’s okay to be excited about more than one project. We write because we have a creative talent that we want to express and share, so why would you wait for just one to become successful when there is potential for many more to come?

I would be lying if I said I don’t look forward to the call – the confirmation that all of my work has paid off, and that the story I’m so passionate about will be shared with a mass audience. On the other hand, I don’t like the idea of feeling as though I have hit a dead end if my manuscript is rejected, and that all hope is lost. I don’t want to have passion for only one project. I will not limit my talent to one story, one chance, and one hope. Nope! I will keep writing things I am passionate about and excited to share. I will look forward to the call, but I will NOT wait.

Are you waiting for the call? Are you continuing to work toward your goals while you wait? Have you ever received a call from a literary agent or editor that wasn’t really the call?

Cleaning and Organizing 101

During my last post, I promised I would share some of my tips for cleaning and organizing. If you are busy and can’t afford to hire a housekeeper (like me), you know how hard it is to keep up with all the housework. There is not a day that goes by in my house when there isn't a sink full of dirty dishes, or a basket of dirty laundry. This tells me that if I decide not to do the laundry for a day, then I’ll have double the amount to do the next day. This is just simple math, people.

In the past, I would set aside one day each week and dedicate it to cleaning. I’m not talking about dishes and laundry. I’m referring to mopping, dusting, cleaning bathtubs and toilets – the lengthier cleaning tasks. I work five days a week, so I don’t have time to clean like that until the weekend. Since me and my family attend church on Sunday, and we try to honor the Sabbath, that left me with Saturday. You might think this sounds logical enough, and one cleaning day each week isn't so bad. I, on the other hand, dreaded seeing Saturday come. Not only was Saturday one of the only two days my family could spend quality time together, but after working all week long, the last thing I wanted to do was work my guts out all day on my day off.

Let me just say that I understand that some work can’t get done until Saturday. For example, that’s usually the day we mow the lawn, or work on home repairs or projects. Many people also do their grocery shopping on Saturday. What makes it hard is when you have all the usual Saturday work, plus all the house-cleaning to do on top of it.

So, after years of dreading Saturdays, and OCD driven nightmares of my dusty ceiling cobwebs that I just couldn't find time to eliminate, I created the weekly “Cleaning Schedule.”

Initially, I searched online for one that was already created (there are many), but I couldn't find one that made sense for me. I also looked at blank templates where you could just write in the cleaning tasks for each day of the week, but ultimately, I just created my own (pictured above).

As you can see, I have a list of daily tasks. These are the things that I should complete each day (this includes Sunday). You’ll find that most of us already do these things daily out of necessity.  Next, I have sectioned off each day of the week, Monday through Saturday, and assigned each with different cleaning tasks.  I tried to limit each day with no more than three tasks, and I tried to pick things for each day that would take, in total, 30 minutes to an hour.

You will also notice that Saturday will not require me to give up my entire day – unless, of course, I wait until Saturday to do everything.  However, that is not how this schedule should work. I put the stipulation on Saturday because once in a while, I have days that are unusually busy. Let’s face it, sometimes the kids get sick, there are errands to run, the dishwasher breaks, etc. If this happens, I can either catch up on the tasks I missed the following weekday, or just wait until Saturday.

If you don’t consider yourself an organized person, this cleaning schedule may seem a bit much. Nonetheless, I say, give it a try. Because what I have found is that when I complete my weekly cleaning tasks a little each day instead of piling them all on the same day, I get even more done and it consistently stays that way. When I cleaned on Saturday, I would have so much to do that I would give in and decide to put off a few things for the next week. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but ultimately, I ended up with way more work the next week and still didn't get everything done. This unwise pattern made spring cleaning way more painful than it had to be.

I should also mention that there is a second page to my cleaning schedule, which lists things I should do monthly, quarterly, and bi-annually. For example, I usually don’t need to clean the inside of my oven or dust my light fixtures each week. I would suggest that you create a schedule that works best for you, and give it a try. You just might be surprised with the results.

So, what does this have to do with writing?

The main reason I decided to change my housekeeping habits is because I would be so bogged down with work and stress that I never seemed to get to the more important things. Stress can not only physically damage the human body, but it can alter our mood, steal our motivation, and derail us from reaching our goals. When I have less stress, I am a better wife and mother, and certainly a better writer.

Do you use a cleaning schedule? How has it helped you to reduce stress and stay more organized at home?

Achieving your goals…with a broom!

Image by Chiot's Run via Flickr

If you have read my previous posts, you know that I’m a fan of keeping things clean and organized. With the arrival of spring came the need to freshen up my home and shed light on the dark corners and narrow spaces that rarely get attention. Since I have a very busy routine with work, homeschool, and keeping house, I usually take time off work to get my spring cleaning done. I also schedule the kid’s spring break the same week so that I’m freed up from teaching lessons. This also means I have extra hands to help me out. Ha!

This, twice a year, cleaning sprint really helps me in more ways than one. I have a daily goal to spend more quality time with my kids. As a working mom, being organized helps my day go smoother and frees up more stress-free time to accomplish this.

One of my more ambitious goals is to become a full-time fiction writer. If it is God’s will and desire, I will achieve this one day, and I try to live my day to day life doing things that draw me closer to achieving this goal. Keeping my home clean and organized frees up more of my time so that I can write. It also declutters my mind so that I can focus and do my best writing.

You might feel that your busy schedule doesn’t allow you enough time to keep a clean and organized home. Maybe you’re right, but let me challenge you on this. First, take a detailed look at your day from the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night. How do you spend your time?

Next, make a list of your life goals. They could be big or small. They could be financial, professional, educational, emotional, parental, material, etc. You can even break them down into long-term and short-term. I know this sounds deep, but bear with me.

Once you have done this, make a list of everything you need to get done during the day, and the things you want to get done. Are you getting these things accomplished from day to day? If not, why? Are these things going to help you reach your goals? If not, how can you change them to be more goal driven?

Allow me to give you some examples. But, before I do, let me point out that I have been guilty of these from time to time, so I’m not pointing fingers.

How much time are you spending on electronic devices? Are you surfing Facebook, or other social media, more than an hour each day? If so, and your goal is not to become a social media master, then you should probably cut back and use your time more wisely.

Do you spend your day picking up messes behind your children? If so, and your goal is not to teach them to be irresponsible and completely dependent on you, then you should probably encourage them to pick up after themselves.

The point is, if you want to achieve your goals, you have to spend time doing things that are going to help you get there. Many people want to be more organized, and wish they had more time and motivation to keep a clean home. Many people can also agree that spring cleaning can be a nightmare if you have decided to put everything off until then.

I think it’s important to point out that when I say “clean and organized”, I don’t mean everything should be in its place at all times, and you should be able to pass the white glove test. If you have kids, or just a busy schedule, then there are probably a few toys scattered about or dirty dishes in the sink at any given point during the day. Big deal. I try not to sweat the little stuff because life happens.

When I ask if your home is clean and organized, what I’m really asking is: How long has it been since you dusted your ceiling fan? Cleaned your bedroom closet, or under your bed? Organized your kitchen cabinets, or cleaned behind your refrigerator? Being organized doesn’t have to be hard. It’s just a matter of having a place to put everything, and having everything is a sensible location. It doesn’t mean your DVDs should be in alphabetical order, but if that’s what makes you happy, then go for it!

In my next post, I’ll share a few tips on how I am able to accomplish my desired level of clean and organized in my home. Until then…

Does keeping a clean and organized home, help you to reduce stress and accomplish goals? Are you able to get more things done by keeping a cleaning schedule? Are you obsessed with organization? What are some of the things you do to stay organized?

A Special Thanks to The Pioneer Woman!

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Being a good writer is based on many things including knowledge and wisdom of the craft, but in my opinion, our experiences are really what set each writer apart. With that said, I'll share one of my experiences with you about a topic that I love almost as much as writing - cooking.

Before I was blessed to work out of my home office (a corner in my master bedroom), I spent two hours on the road each day driving to work. This meant getting home after six o'clock, and being too tired to get creative in the kitchen. Who am I kidding? I was too tired to walk into the kitchen. Needless to say, my family ate a lot of takeout and processed meals.

Did you know that there are 32 different types of Hamburger Helper!?

When I became pregnant with my daughter, I feared having to leave my newborn in someone else's care for 10+ hours a day. I wanted to raise her! Thankfully, I was able to make arrangements with my boss to work from home full-time.

To all the mothers out there everywhere who didn't have this choice...my heart goes out to you.

Suddenly, I had time to cook a meal that hadn't been previously frozen or dehydrated. This doesn't mean I began whipping up gourmet meals though. I had never been very savvy in the kitchen, so I did what most of us do when we're looking for inspiration. I opened up the cabinet, pulled out a cookbook, and blew off the dust. The only problem was, I didn't have half the ingredients for any of the recipes that didn't look too intimidating.

What the heck is dill? Does this have something to do with a pickle? I have pickles!

Yeah, it was sad.

I tried many different recipes from my cookbooks and online, but there were few that spoke to me. I still didn't feel comfortable in the kitchen, and shopping for those mystery ingredients was frustrating and expensive. I wanted to cook "normal food," and still impress my family.

I had caught a glimpse of a few episodes of The Pioneer Woman before, but it was one in particular that really got my attention. She was making Fettuccine Alfredo, and I was completely floored that the sauce of one of my most favorite Italian dishes was made from only three main ingredients!

I still can't believe it... If you don't believe it either, you can find her recipe here.

This simple recipe gave me confidence in the kitchen, and I became an instant Ree Drummond fan. Along the way, I have learned so much from her creative, yet simple, cooking style. I have used so many of her recipes that my son will say, "Hey, this is good! Is this a Pioneer Woman recipe?"

In addition, I love writing historical fiction, so this knowledge has come in handy. I'm pretty sure our great grand mothers never cooked Hamburger Helper.

So, a special thanks to you Mrs. Drummond for opening my eyes to the simplicity of cooking with fresh ingredients, and the value of a good iron skillet. Not to mention, the understanding that butter spread and stick butter are not equals.

My family thanks you too!

Spring Can Be A Motivational Writing Tool!

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Finally! The song birds have arrived and spring has begun! Although spring is not my most favorite time of year, it is definitely when I'm feeling the most optimistic. When I think of spring I think of new - new grass, new leaves, new flowers, and new baby rabbits, ducks and birds... The list goes on.

God definitely knew what He was doing when He created spring. Nothing is more motivating than seeing dull, bony tree-limbs come back to life with a burst of green, or the remnants of dead leaves protruding with fresh green stems of new spring flowers, and especially that... Can you hear it? The sweet sounds of the song birds breaking the silence of winter.

It doesn't matter what you do for a living, spring has the power to put a little pep in your step.

With that said, spring also brings new jobs to do around the house. This winter, like most, has taken a toll on my home and lawn. I will likely be spending a few long Saturdays repairing the damage and cleaning things up for the warm season.

I don't mind though. Just as I love new spring flowers, I love the results of a freshly cleaned home, groomed rose bushes, garden boxes planted with my favorite vegetables, and a brightly decorated screen porch ready for use. Winter can be bleak, especially towards the end, so it's nice to get a chance of pace. Even if it requires a little work.

For a writer, spring brings the opportunity to take your creativity outdoors - literally and figuratively. Unless you live in the south where the winters are mild, you've likely been trapped inside for the last few months using chocolate and strong coffee for motivation. I've said it before, winter can be very dispiriting. Even an occasional glimpse of sunshine during the gloomy season seemed to do wonders for my mood. Being able to go out onto my front porch and see the big blue sky allowing the sun to coat everything with it's warm rays is so refreshing. I can only speak for myself, but I find it to be a very inspirational writing tool.

In another sense, you can introduce more sunshine into your writing. I don't know about you, but it's harder for me to visualize the beauty of spring when the ground is covered in a cold sheet of snow. Your creative spirit has more range when you can literally experience what you want to write about. I'm not saying it's impossible to write about spring during the fall or winter, but there are details that are easy to forget when you're not in the moment. For example, the distinct smell of burgers on the grill, blooming lilacs, and fresh-cut grass. The sound of a gray squirrel scaling a tree to her nest, a woodpecker piercing the bark of an oak, or children playing outside. There's also the taste of fresh lemonade, garden vegetables, or honeysuckle nectar.

Use your senses to fuel your creativity!

Don't forget, however, to stop and smell the roses. As much as you should use spring to your writing advantage, you should also enjoy it. Put away the laptop and cleaning tools a couple of hours each day and just relax. Sip some sweet tea, and spend quality time with family and friends. After all, spring is only here for a season.

What about you? Does spring boost your mood? Do you find spring to be a motivational tool for writing?

2015 Goal #1 Completed!

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My writing goal, number one, for 2015 has been accomplished! I have revised and submitted my inspirational romance manuscript to the agent, again. I think that warrants a firework, or two.

Now, I wait. Which, I have to tell you, is the worst part. So, in order to keep myself from being email obsessed, I will move on to goal number two, which is to complete my YA Fantasy.

To keep me on track for this goal, I've been researching some writing contests that I can enter it in. Since many writing contests for 2015 have already begun accepting submissions, and my story is only about fifty percent completed, I will likely enter next year. However, I'm still researching, so you never know - I might get aggressive with this goal and find a contest accepting submissions later in the year. Either way, I'll keep you posted on the progress, which will also keep me accountable.

Have you ever entered your novel, or other piece of writing, into a contest? What was the outcome? Would you do it again?